13 research outputs found
Assessing the coupling between local neural activity and global connectivity fluctuations: Application to human intracranial electroencephalography during a cognitive task
Cognitive-relevant information is processed by different brain areas that cooperate to eventually produce a response. The relationship between local activity and global brain states during such processes, however, remains for the most part unexplored. To address this question, we designed a simple face-recognition task performed in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and monitored with intracranial electroencephalography (EEG). Based on our observations, we developed a novel analytical framework (named “local–global” framework) to statistically correlate the brain activity in every recorded gray-matter region with the widespread connectivity fluctuations as proxy to identify concurrent local activations and global brain phenomena that may plausibly reflect a common functional network during cognition. The application of the local–global framework to the data from three subjects showed that similar connectivity fluctuations found across patients were mainly coupled to the local activity of brain areas involved in face information processing. In particular, our findings provide preliminary evidence that the reported global measures might be a novel signature of functional brain activity reorganization when a stimulus is processed in a task context regardless of the specific recorded areasPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Respuesta aguda vs crónica de la vía srebp-2 en testículo de conejos hipercolesterolémicos
Se ha demostrado que la fertilidad masculina depende de la homeostasis del colesterol (col). El col es esencial para la síntesis de la testosterona y la espermatogénesis. Para el correcto funcionamiento de los testículos, el col debe mantenerse en un rango óptimo. Previamente, hemos demostrado que los conejos bajo una dieta alta en grasas (HFD) presentan una baja calidad seminal relacionada con una sobrecarga de colesterol en las células del túbulo seminífero. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la vía molecular que regula el col intracelular, controlado por las proteínas SREBP (Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins), en testículo de animales bajo HFD. Para investigar esto, utilizamos nuestro modelo, previamente puesto a punto, de conejos neozelandeses hipercolesterolémicos que presentan una baja calidad seminal. La expresión de SREBP-2 se estudió por RT-PCR, western blot e inmunofluorescencia en muestras obtenidas de testículo de animales alimentados con HFD (14% de grasa bovina p/p) por un período menor a 6 meses (HCR ≤ 6M) o mayor a 12 meses (HCR ≥ 12M). Nuestros resultados muestran que el consumo de grasa promovió una disminución significativa en la expresión tanto del ARNm como de la proteína de SREBP-2 en el testículo a los 6 meses (42 % y 48 % respectivamente), pero un aumento significativo a los 12 meses (160 % y 30 % respectivamente). Esto se correlacionó con la acumulación de colesterol testicular, evaluada mediante tinción con Filipina III. Sin embargo, las alteraciones de los lípidos en sangre y los cambios deletéreos seminales fueron evidentes ya a los 6 meses de ingesta grasa. Además, mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta, se obtuvo la localización sub-celular de la proteína SREBP-2 en el testículo. En conclusión, la vía que regula los niveles de col en el testículo es sensible a la grasa alimentaria, y se comporta de manera diferente según el período de tiempo que los conejos consumen grasa: se puede observar un efecto protector a corto plazo, pero se desregula a largo plazo. Esto conduce en última instancia a una situación perjudicial, relacionada con la mala calidad seminal.Fil: Funes, Abi Karenina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Colombo, Regina Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina. Universidad "Juan Agustín Maza"; ArgentinaFil: Avena, María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina. Universidad "Juan Agustín Maza"; ArgentinaFil: Crescitelli, Julieta. Universidad del Aconcagua; ArgentinaFil: Roldan, Adrián. Universidad del Aconcagua; ArgentinaFil: Boarelli, Paola Vanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Monclus, María Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina. Universidad del Aconcagua; ArgentinaFil: Fornes, Miguel Walter. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Saez Lancellotti, Tania Emilce Estefania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina. Universidad del Aconcagua; ArgentinaIV Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biología de la República Argentina: “Nuevas Evidencias y Cambios de Paradigmas en Ciencias Biológicas”MendozaArgentinaSociedad de Biología de CuyoSociedad de Biología de CórdobaSociedad de Biología de RosarioAsociación de Biología de TucumánUniversidad Nacional de CuyoGobierno de la Provincia de MendozaSociedad Argentina de Biologí
Kinematic Parameters That Can Discriminate in Levels of Functionality in the Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Heart Failure with a Preserved Ejection Fraction
It is a challenge to manage and assess heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is used in this clinical population as a functional test. The objective of the study was to assess gait and kinematic parameters in HFpEF patients during the 6MWT with an inertial sensor and to discriminate patients according to their performance in the 6MWT: (1) walk more or less than 300 m, (2) finish or stop the test, (3) women or men and (4) fallen or did not fall in the last year. A cross-sectional study was performed in patients with HFpEF older than 70 years. 6MWT was carried out in a closed corridor larger than 30 m. Two Shimmer3 inertial sensors were used in the chest and lumbar region. Pure kinematic parameters analysed were angular velocity and linear acceleration in the three axes. Using these data, an algorithm calculated gait kinematic parameters: total distance, lap time, gait speed and step and stride variables. Two analyses were done according to the performance. Student’s t-test measured differences between groups and receiver operating characteristic assessed discriminant ability. Seventy patients performed the 6MWT. Step time, step symmetry, stride time and stride symmetry in both analyses showed high AUC values (>0.75). More significant differences in velocity and acceleration in the maximum Y axis or vertical movements. Three pure kinematic parameters obtained good discriminant capacity (AUC > 0.75). The new methodology proved differences in gait and pure kinematic parameters that can distinguish two groups according to the performance in the 6MWT and they had discriminant capacity.This work was supported by the Spanish Foundation of Internal Medicine, through the call “Prof. Dr. Miguel Vilardell 2019 research project”, grant number: FEMI-PB-PI-MV-2019. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga
Factores que favorecen u obstaculizan el cumplimiento de los protocolos de bioseguridad por los estudiantes de pregrado entre v y x semestre, en las clínicas de la facultad de odontología de la universidad cooperativa de Colombia, sede envigado
La bioseguridad se define como una serie de normas requeridas para proteger la salud de los trabajadores del área de la salud de infecciones ocasionadas por enfermedades infecto contagiosas y mantener el control de factores de riesgo laborales procedentes de agentes biológicos, físicos y químicos; logrando la prevención de agentes nocivos. Por la gran variedad de procedimientos realizados actualmente durante la atención odontológica, los profesionales se ven obligados a una mayor permanencia del tiempo en contacto directo con los pacientes y a su vez con todo lo que lo rodea; llegando así a una gran manipulación de fluidos corporales como sangre, saliva y otros, los cuales podrían ser medios potencialmente contagiosos. Desde hace varios años se han entendido y popularizado los principales medios para evitar el contagio de distintas enfermedades por medio de las barreras de bioseguridad universales: guantes, tapabocas, gafas protectoras, gorro y bata; además de mantener un adecuado protocolo de desinfección, desgerminaciòn y esterilización con el instrumental utilizado durante la atención odontológica, todo esto con el fin de eliminar, cualquier tipo de microorganismos como: bacterias, hongos, virus, etc.1. Introducción. -- 2. Planteamiento del problema. -- 3. Pregunta de investigación. -- 4. Justificación. --
5. Objetivos. -- 5.1. Objetivo general. -- 5.2. Objetivos específicos. -- 6. Marco teórico. --
6.1. Manejo eficaz de los procedimientos de des germinación, desinfección y esterilización. --
6.2. Protocolos en odontología a nivel nacional. -- 6.3. Protocolo de asepsia necesario y aplicado en las clínicas de la facultad de odontología de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, sede Envigado. -- 6.3.1. Elementos de protección personal usados en todos los procedimientos. -- 7. Metodología. --
7.1. Tipo de estudio. -- 7.2. Población. -- 7.3. Muestra y selección de la muestra. -- 7.4. Variables. --
7.5. Criterios de inclusión. -- 7.6. Criterios de exclusión. -- 7.7. Plan de recolección de información. --
7.8. Instrumento. -- 8. Resultados esperados. -- 9. Plan de análisis. -- 10. Consideraciones éticas. --
11. Resultados. -- 12. Cronograma. -- 13. Presupuesto. -- 14. Informe de avance de resultados de prueba piloto a los estudiantes. -- 15. Discusión final. -- 16. Conclusiones. -- 17. Recomendaciones. --
18. Bibliografía. -- 19. [email protected]@campusucc.edu.c
Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Assembly Causes Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Lipid Droplet Accumulation
Gumboro illness is caused by the highly contagious immunosuppressive infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), which affects the poultry industry globally. We have previously shown that IBDV hijacks the endocytic pathway to construct viral replication complexes on endosomes linked to the Golgi complex (GC). Then, analyzing crucial proteins involved in the secretory pathway, we showed the essential requirement of Rab1b, the Rab1b downstream effector Golgi-specific BFA resistance factor 1 (GBF1), and its substrate, the small GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1), for IBDV replication. In the current work, we focused on elucidating the IBDV assembly sites. We show that viral assembly occurs within single-membrane compartments closely associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, though we failed to elucidate the exact nature of the virus-wrapping membranes. Additionally, we show that IBDV infection promotes the stress of the ER, characterized by an accumulation of the chaperone binding protein (BiP) and lipid droplets (LDs) in the host cells. Overall, our results represent further original data showing the interplay between IBDV and the secretory pathway, making a substantial contribution to the field of birnaviruses–host cell interactions.Fil: Frontini López, Yesica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Rivera, Lautaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Pocognoni, Cristián Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Roldan, Julieta Suyay. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Colombo, Maria Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Delgui, Laura Ruth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentin
<i>HLA-G</i> 14 bp Ins/Del (rs66554220) Variant Is Not Associated with Breast Cancer in Women from Western Mexico
HLA-G is a physiology and pathologic immunomodulator detrimentally related to cancer. Its gene is heavily transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulated by variants located in regulator regions like 3′UTR, being the most studied Ins/Del of 14-bp (rs66554220), which is known to influence the effects of endogen cell factors; nevertheless, the reports are discrepant and controversial. Herein, the relationship of the 14-bp Ins/Del variant (rs66554220) with breast cancer (BC) and its clinical characteristics were analyzed in 182 women with non-familial BC and 221 disease-free women as a reference group. Both groups from western Mexico and sex–age-matched (sm-RG). The rs66554220 variant was amplified by SSP-PCR and the fragments were visualized in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The variant rs66554220 was not associated with BC in our population. However, we suggest the Ins allele as a possible risk factor for developing BC at clinical stage IV (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.16–7.96, p = 0.01); nevertheless, given the small stratified sample size (n = 11, statistical power = 41%), this is inconclusive. In conclusion, the 14-bp Ins/Del (rs66554220) variant of HLA-G is not associated with BC in the Mexican population, but might be related to advanced breast tumors. Further studies are required
Reproductive traits in captive and free-ranging males of the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
et al.The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid in the world. Adequate genetic management of in situ and ex situ populations, and linkage between both, require knowledge on male reproductive biology and factors influencing it. We examined the influence of age, free-ranging versus captive conditions and seasonality on phenotypic, endocrine and semen traits, and links between reproductive traits and male fertility. Males had relatively small testes, produced low sperm numbers, a low proportion of normal sperm, and a high proportion of motile sperm. Young (2-year-old) males had lower testosterone levels, fewer sperm, and a lower proportion of motile and normal sperm than R4-year-old males. No major differences were found in semen traits before and after the mating season or between free-ranging and captive males, although the latter had better sperm motility. Males with larger relative testes weight and more sperm copulated more frequently, whereas males that produced more sperm with higher motility produced more cubs per female.
In conclusion, small relative testes size and low sperm quality could indicate either low levels of sperm competition or high levels of inbreeding. Young males are probably subfertile; there is a slight trend for males in the captive breeding programme to have better semen quality than wild males, and males with higher sperm production are sexually more active and more fertile. These findings have major implications for decisions regarding which males should breed, provide samples for the genetic resource bank, or participate in programmes involving the use of assisted reproductive techniques.Natalia Gañán received postgraduate support from the Spanish Research Council (CSIC-I3P programme) and the BBVA Foundation. Adrián Sestelo received a scholarship funded by the BBVA Foundation. E R S Roldan is the recipient of a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. This work was carried out with grants from the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (DG Biodiversity to E R S R, M G, and National Parks to F P), the Spanish Research Council (to E R S R and M G), the Ministry of Education and Science (to F P) and the BBVA Foundation (to M G).Peer reviewe
X chromosome inactivation does not necessarily determine the severity of the phenotype in Rett syndrome patients
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurological disorder usually caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Since the MECP2 gene is located on the X chromosome, X chromosome inactivation (XCI) could play a role in the wide range of phenotypic variation of RTT patients; however, classical methylation-based protocols to evaluate XCI could not determine whether the preferentially inactivated X chromosome carried the mutant or the wild-type allele. Therefore, we developed an allele-specific methylation-based assay to evaluate methylation at the loci of several recurrent MECP2 mutations. We analyzed the XCI patterns in the blood of 174 RTT patients, but we did not find a clear correlation between XCI and the clinical presentation. We also compared XCI in blood and brain cortex samples of two patients and found differences between XCI patterns in these tissues. However, RTT mainly being a neurological disease complicates the establishment of a correlation between the XCI in blood and the clinical presentation of the patients. Furthermore, we analyzed MECP2 transcript levels and found differences from the expected levels according to XCI. Many factors other than XCI could affect the RTT phenotype, which in combination could influence the clinical presentation of RTT patients to a greater extent than slight variations in the XCI pattern
Subcutaneous anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin for prevention of disease in asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trialResearch in context
Summary: Background: Anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin (hIG) can provide standardized and controlled antibody content. Data from controlled clinical trials using hIG for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 outpatients have not been reported. We assessed the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin 20% (C19-IG20%) compared to placebo in preventing development of symptomatic COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We did a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, in asymptomatic unvaccinated adults (≥18 years of age) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 5 days between April 28 and December 27, 2021. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive a blinded subcutaneous infusion of 10 mL with 1 g or 2 g of C19-IG20%, or an equivalent volume of saline as placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who remained asymptomatic through day 14 after infusion. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of individuals who required oxygen supplementation, any medically attended visit, hospitalisation, or ICU, and viral load reduction and viral clearance in nasopharyngeal swabs. Safety was assessed as the proportion of patients with adverse events. The trial was terminated early due to a lack of potential benefit in the target population in a planned interim analysis conducted in December 2021. ClinicalTrials.gov registry: NCT04847141. Findings: 461 individuals (mean age 39.6 years [SD 12.8]) were randomized and received the intervention within a mean of 3.1 (SD 1.27) days from a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. In the prespecified modified intention-to-treat analysis that included only participants who received a subcutaneous infusion, the primary outcome occurred in 59.9% (91/152) of participants receiving 1 g C19-IG20%, 64.7% (99/153) receiving 2 g, and 63.5% (99/156) receiving placebo (difference in proportions 1 g C19-IG20% vs. placebo, −3.6%; 95% CI -14.6% to 7.3%, p = 0.53; 2 g C19-IG20% vs placebo, 1.1%; −9.6% to 11.9%, p = 0.85). None of the secondary clinical efficacy endpoints or virological endpoints were significantly different between study groups. Adverse event rate was similar between groups, and no severe or life-threatening adverse events related to investigational product infusion were reported. Interpretation: Our findings suggested that administration of subcutaneous human hyperimmune immunoglobulin C19-IG20% to asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection was safe but did not prevent development of symptomatic COVID-19. Funding: Grifols