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1.
Rev Mal Respir ; 41(4): 289-293, 2024 Apr.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38461089

ABSTRACT

Severe asthma patients with persistent airflow obstruction are characterized by functional obstruction due to mucus plugs containing mucins, fibrin, and eosinophil derived Charcot- Leyden crystals. The molecular mechanisms underlying this endotype are not clearly understood. Developing new models is crucial to respiratory research insofar as critical differences exist between human and rodent airway epithelium. We (and other teams) have shown that it is possible to reconstitute in vitro a complex and functional airway epithelium displaying all the features described in vivo from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Our aim is to establish a human in vitro model of severe asthma that will recapitulate airway epithelium remodeling and mucus plugs.


Subject(s)
Asthma , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Humans , Lung , Mucus
2.
Neurol Sci ; 45(7): 3183-3189, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38300400

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Comorbidity between myasthenia gravis (MG) and other autoimmune diseases is well-documented. However, concurrent MG and Parkinson's disease (PD) have rarely been described. This concurrence has mostly been considered coincidental in cases reported to date. MATERIAL/METHODS: We characterized patients with concurrent MG and PD within a cohort of 631 MG patients by gender, age, MGFA class, quantitative MG score at diagnosis, UPDRS score at diagnosis, and the DaTSCAN uptake pattern, to determine the frequency and the phenotype of individuals with these two concurrent entities. Meta-analysis of cases in the literature was used for comparison with our series. RESULTS: Eighteen cases were identified in which the two diseases were concurrent. The major characteristics of the phenotype are male prevalence, late-onset MG, and frequent initial symptoms of dropped head and oculobulbar involvement. DAT confirmed reduced bilateral uptake in eleven patients and reduced unilateral uptake in the others. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest reported series of concurrent MG and PD. This concurrence is more common than expected (2.85%). Either MG or PD may appear first. We found no iatrogenic relationship for the order of appearance. The overlapping of symptoms sometimes leads physicians to overlook the second disease, instead viewing it as a deterioration of the first. This study describes patients with well-documented diagnoses of both MG and PD, thus providing further indications of a shared etiology of these two diseases. Prospective studies including genetic, immunological, and environmental analysis are necessary to identify possible common pathogenic mechanisms.


Subject(s)
Myasthenia Gravis , Parkinson Disease , Humans , Myasthenia Gravis/epidemiology , Myasthenia Gravis/complications , Parkinson Disease/epidemiology , Parkinson Disease/complications , Male , Female , Aged , Middle Aged , Spain/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Aged, 80 and over , Comorbidity , Adult
3.
Radiother Oncol ; 190: 109984, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37926332

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIM: Irradiation of the salivary glands during head and neck cancer treatment induces cellular senescence in response to DNA damage and contributes to radiation-induced hyposalivation by affecting the salivary gland stem/progenitor cell (SGSC) niche. Cellular senescence, such as that induced by radiation, is a state of cell-cycle arrest, accompanied by an altered pro-inflammatory secretome known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) with potential detrimental effects on the surrounding microenvironment. We hypothesized that the pro-regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may attenuate cellular senescence post-irradiation. Therefore, here we evaluated the effects of adipose-derived MSCs (ADSCs) on the radiation-induced response of salivary gland organoids (SGOs). METHODS: Proteomic analyses to identify soluble mediators released by ADSCs co-cultured with SGOS revealed secretion of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in ADSCs, suggesting a possible role in the stem cell crosstalk. Next, the effect of recombinant HGF in the culture media of ex vivo grown salivary gland cells was tested in 2D monolayers and 3D organoid models. RESULTS: Treatment with HGF robustly increased salivary gland cell proliferation. Importantly, HGF supplementation post-irradiation enhanced proliferation at lower doses of radiation (0, 3, 7 Gy), but not at higher doses (10, 14 Gy) where most cells stained positive for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase. Furthermore, HGF had no effect on the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of irradiated SGOs, suggesting there may be compensatory proliferation by cell-division competent cells instead of a reversal of cellular senescence after irradiation. CONCLUSION: ADSCs may positively influence radiation recovery through HGF secretion and can promote the ex vivo expansion of salivary gland stem/progenitor cells to enhance the effects of co-transplanted SGSC.


Subject(s)
Hepatocyte Growth Factor , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Humans , Hepatocyte Growth Factor/pharmacology , Proteomics , Salivary Glands , Cellular Senescence/radiation effects , Cell Proliferation
4.
Public Health ; 225: 63-65, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37922587

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We investigated a possible pandemic fatigue effect, comparing adherence to compulsory mask use outdoors in Barcelona during the fourth and sixth waves of the pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: We used naturalistic observation to determine the degree of pedestrians' compliance. METHODS: We assessed mask use outdoors in a sample of pedestrians in Barcelona between 28 December 2021 and 9 February 2022 (during the sixth wave in Spain), and compared it with the fourth wave (which was between 5 April 2021 and 29 April 2021). Masks were compulsory in both periods. RESULTS: The population studied amounted to 45,116 people (21,246 in the fourth wave and 23,870 in the sixth wave). In the sixth wave, only 67.3% wore a mask correctly, 18.6% did so incorrectly and 14.1% did not wear a mask, while the figures for the fourth wave were 78.2%, 16.3% and 5.5%, respectively (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that adherence was high in the population studied, but with an evident fatigue effect when the two waves were compared, as the proportion of individuals wearing a mask correctly declined compared to the fourth wave. These results suggest that policymakers need guidance on adopting clear and enforceable guidelines during future mask mandates, assessing advantages and drawbacks in terms of the population's behavior to prevent the fatigue effect.


Subject(s)
Fatigue , Pedestrians , Humans , Spain/epidemiology , Fatigue/epidemiology , Fatigue/prevention & control , Pandemics , Masks
5.
SEMERGEN, Soc. Esp. Med. Rural Gen. (Ed. Impr.) ; 49(7): [e101997], oct. 2023. tab
Article in Spanish | IBECS | ID: ibc-226082

ABSTRACT

Objetivo Analizar la repercusión del antidepresivo vortioxetina sobre la función sexual, frente a inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina (ISRS) e inhibidores selectivos mixtos de la recaptación de serotonina y noradrenalina (IRSN o Duales) en pacientes con depresión. Material y métodos Estudio analítico, observacional, longitudinal y prospectivo en el que se incluyeron hombres y mujeres mayores de 18años con trastorno depresivo y actividad sexual en pareja, separándolos en dos grupos: 1)de estudio: inician tratamiento con vortioxetina; 2)control: mantienen tratamiento con ISRS o Duales. Se realizaron tres visitas: inclusión, seguimiento a las 4semanas y final 3meses desde la inclusión. El periodo total de seguimiento fue de 3meses. Resultados Se incluyeron 87 pacientes (edad media, 46,85años). Al final del estudio se hallaron diferencias significativas (DS) en el valor medio de la suma de las puntuaciones de los dominios evaluadores de la respuesta sexual del cuestionario de Función Sexual de la Mujer (FSM-2) entre el grupo de estudio y el de control (22,42±4,39 y 16,13±7,76, respectivamente), con menor riesgo de disfunción sexual en las mujeres tratadas con vortioxetina. También menor riesgo de disfunción sexual en estas mismas mujeres en los dominios de deseo, lubricación, orgasmo, frecuencia sexual y satisfacción sexual. Estas diferencias no se hallaron al evaluar la función sexual masculina. Conclusiones Las mujeres tratadas con vortioxetina presentaron mejor función sexual que las tratadas con ISRS o Duales y menor riesgo de disfunción sexual (AU)


Objective To analyze the impact of the antidepressant vortioxetine on sexual function, compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and mixed selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (IRSN or Dual) in patients with depression. Material and methods Analytical, observational, longitudinal and prospective study, which included men and women over 18years of age, with depressive disorder and sexual activity with a partner, separating them into two groups: (i)study, starting treatment with vortioxetine; (2)control, maintaining treatment with SSRIs or Duals. Three visits were made: inclusion, follow-up at 4weeks and final 3months from inclusion. The total follow-up period was 3months. Results A total of 87 patients were included (mean age 46.85years). At the end of the study, significant differences (SD) were found in the mean value of the sum of the scores of the evaluative domains of the sexual response of the Women's Sexual Function Questionnaire (FSM-2) between the study group and the control (22.42±4.39 and 16.13±7.76, respectively), with a lower risk of sexual dysfunction in women treated with vortioxetine. Also, lower risk of sexual dysfunction in these same women in the domains of desire, lubrication, orgasm, sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. These differences were not found when assessing male sexual function. Conclusions Women treated with vortioxetine presented better sexual function than those treated with SSRIs or Duals and a lower risk of sexual dysfunction (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Antidepressive Agents/adverse effects , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/chemically induced , Vortioxetine/adverse effects , Longitudinal Studies , Prospective Studies
6.
Semergen ; 49(7): 101997, 2023 Oct.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37329592

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the antidepressant vortioxetine on sexual function, compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and mixed selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (IRSN or Dual) in patients with depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analytical, observational, longitudinal and prospective study, which included men and women over 18years of age, with depressive disorder and sexual activity with a partner, separating them into two groups: (i)study, starting treatment with vortioxetine; (2)control, maintaining treatment with SSRIs or Duals. Three visits were made: inclusion, follow-up at 4weeks and final 3months from inclusion. The total follow-up period was 3months. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients were included (mean age 46.85years). At the end of the study, significant differences (SD) were found in the mean value of the sum of the scores of the evaluative domains of the sexual response of the Women's Sexual Function Questionnaire (FSM-2) between the study group and the control (22.42±4.39 and 16.13±7.76, respectively), with a lower risk of sexual dysfunction in women treated with vortioxetine. Also, lower risk of sexual dysfunction in these same women in the domains of desire, lubrication, orgasm, sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. These differences were not found when assessing male sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: Women treated with vortioxetine presented better sexual function than those treated with SSRIs or Duals and a lower risk of sexual dysfunction.


Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antidepressive Agents/adverse effects , Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy , Prospective Studies , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/adverse effects , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/chemically induced , Vortioxetine/adverse effects , Adult
7.
Behav Processes ; 209: 104891, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37201661

ABSTRACT

Two free operant conditioning experiments with rats examined the impact of conducting a large amount of extinction training on situations that enhance the ABC renewal effect (ABC super renewal). In Experiment 1, ABC renewal was strengthened by conducting acquisition in multiple contexts. All rats were trained to press a lever for food. One group was trained in one context, while the other two groups were trained in three contexts. Then, all rats received extinction in context B. For two groups this phase lasted 4 sessions, whereas it lasted 36 sessions for the other group. In Experiment 2, ABC renewal was strengthened by using a large number of acquisition sessions. Rats were trained to perform an operant response to obtain food in context A. One group received a moderate amount of training, while the rest of the rats received a larger number of acquisition sessions. Responses underwent extinction in context B. Two groups received 4 sessions, while 36 extinction sessions were used for the remaining group. In both experiments, rats were tested in context B (extinction context) and C (renewal context). Greater ABC renewal occurred both when acquisition training was conducted in multiple contexts (Experiment 1) and by increasing the amount of acquisition training (Experiment 2). Nevertheless, we found that conducting a large number of extinction sessions reduced ABC super renewal in Experiment 1 only.


Subject(s)
Conditioning, Operant , Extinction, Psychological , Rats , Animals , Rats, Wistar , Extinction, Psychological/physiology , Conditioning, Operant/physiology , Food , Repressor Proteins/pharmacology
8.
Respir Physiol Neurobiol ; 308: 103987, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36372120

ABSTRACT

Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) is a common source of dyspnea and disability. While pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) including breathing exercises is indicated, randomized controlled trial are warranted to recommend one type of breathing exercise than another. We aimed to compare during PR, the effect of 5 sessions of nasal ventilation exercise (NV+PR) versus voluntary hypoventilation (vHV+PR) on exercise dyspnea (primary outcome) and capacity and health-related quality of life in patients. In this open label randomized controlled trial, 19 HVS patients (age=48.3 ± 15.2 y.o, female/male=18/1, Nijmegen score=33 ± 7.7) were randomized in a NV+PR (n = 9) or vHV+PR (n = 10) group. Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) with nasal/oral ventilation were assessed before and after 3 months of PR, and questionnaires (Nijmegen, VQ-11). There was a significant effect of PR of but no significant difference between groups in the improvements of dyspnea@max exercise (time effect (T): p < 0.01; group (G): p = 0.63; group*time interaction (G*T): p = 0.49), mMRC dyspnea (T: p < 0.01; G: p = 0.45; G*T: p = 0.62), 6MWD (T: p < 0.05; G: p = 0.36; G*T: p = 0.31), VQ-11 (T: p < 0.001; G: p = 0.16; G*T: p = 0.09) and plasma HCO3- (T: p < 0.05; G: p = 0.93; G*T; p = 0.36), Yet, Nijmegen score (T: p < 0.01; G: p = 0.32; G*T: p < 0.05) improvement was larger in NV+PR group. The exercise oronasal breathing shift during the 6MWT was significantly delayed in all patients (T: p < 0.05; G: p = 0.30; G*T: p = 0.32) and positively correlated with plasma HCO3-(r = 0.42; p < 0.05). Nasal exercise was not superior versus voluntary hypoventilation during PR in HVS patients. Yet, nasal exercise appeared feasible, leading to acquisition of a nasal breathing pattern during walking, improvement of PR outcomes and ventilatory alkalosis. The link between nasal breathing and hyperventilation is discussed in the light of the nasal ventilation rhythm in the limbic system and its role on the limbic emotional and ventilatory functions.


Subject(s)
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/rehabilitation , Quality of Life , Hyperventilation , Hypoventilation , Feasibility Studies , Pilot Projects , Dyspnea/rehabilitation , Respiration , Exercise Tolerance
9.
Front Psychol ; 12: 745866, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34721226

ABSTRACT

The decline of response as a consequence of repeated stimulation is known as habituation. The goal of the present experiments was extending the knowledge about habituation of abdominal contractions in the pupa of Tenebrio molitor. Both experiments consisted of two phases. During Phase 1, all groups were exposed to a continuous stimulus (light in Experiment 1 and vibration in Experiment 2). At the beginning of this phase, pupae showed a high number of abdominal contractions. However, during the last minute of Phase 1, the number of abdominal contractions was lower. In the next phase, the pupae were divided in different groups to test for response recovery. We found an increase in the abdominal contractions when subjects were exposed to a different stimulus, be it within the same or in a distinct sensory modality. In addition, we also reported response recovery when the pupae were re-exposed to the original stimuli after a resting period. Results indicate that the increase in responding cannot be explained by either sensory adaptation or fatigue. The findings are consistent with the perspective that suggests that habituation plays a major role in the survival of the species, even in non-feeding developmental stages.

10.
Actas urol. esp ; 45(7): 481-485, septiembre 2021. tab
Article in Spanish | IBECS | ID: ibc-217003

ABSTRACT

Introducción: La hiperplasia benigna de próstata se considera la causa más común de los síntomas del tracto urinario inferior. El sondaje vesical es el tratamiento urgente en pacientes con retención urinaria y la cirugía el de aquellos refractarios al tratamiento médico. Existe un grupo de personas con comorbilidades importantes no tributarias a cirugía. La embolización arterial prostática (EAP) podría presentarse como una alternativa segura y eficaz para conseguir el vaciamiento vesical y la micción espontánea, evitando así el sondaje vesical permanente en pacientes con comorbilidades importantes que contraindiquen la cirugía. En este estudio retrospectivo, evaluamos la eficacia de la EAP en pacientes portadores de sonda vesical permanente no tributarios de tratamiento quirúrgico.Material y métodosEstudio retrospectivo de 26 pacientes portadores de sonda vesical permanente a los que se les realizó una embolización prostática. Se revisaron los datos demográficos y clínicos (edad, uso de anticoagulación, volumen prostático, tiempo de ingreso, embolización unilateral o bilateral), la evaluación del índice de comorbilidad de Charlson y la clasificación de Clavien-Dindo para las complicaciones del procedimiento. Se analizó el éxito de la retirada de la sonda vesical permanente al mes del procedimiento.ResultadosUn total de 26 pacientes fueron incluidos en la revisión. La mediana de edad fue de 85 años, con un volumen prostático mediano de 90mL. El 88,5% de los sujetos puntuó más de 7 en la escala de comorbilidad de Charlson. Un único paciente presentó una complicación Clavien-Dindo III. De los 26 sujetos, 17 (65,4%) tuvieron una micción espontánea y un residuo posmiccional inferior a 100mL al mes del procedimiento. En total, se logró retirar la sonda vesical en 19 de los 26 sujetos (73,1%). (AU)


Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is considered the most frequent cause of lower urinary tract symptoms. Urinary catheterization is the emergency treatment for patients with urinary retention and surgery is indicated in patients refractory to medical treatment. There is a group of people with important comorbidities that make them ineligible for surgery. Prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) could be presented as a safe and effective alternative to achieve bladder emptying and spontaneous urination, thus avoiding permanent urinary catheterization in patients with significant comorbidities that represent a contraindication for surgery. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy of PAE in patients with permanent urinary catheterization who are ineligible for surgical treatment.Material and methodsRetrospective study of 26 patients with permanent urinary catheter who underwent prostatic embolization. Demographic and clinical data (age, use of anticoagulation, prostate volume, length of hospital stay, unilateral or bilateral embolization), Charlson comorbidity index evaluation and Clavien-Dindo classification for procedural complications were reviewed. Successful removal of permanent urinary catheter was analyzed at one month after the procedure.ResultsA total of 26 patients were included in the review. The median age was 85 years with a median prostate volume of 90mL. A Charlson comorbidity score above 7 was obtained in 88.5% of the subjects. Only one patient had one Clavien-Dindo III complication. Of the 26 subjects, 17 (65.4%) had spontaneous micturition and a postvoid residual lower than 100mL at one month post procedure. Overall, catheter removal was achieved in 19 out of 26 subjects (73.1%). (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Arteries , Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Prostatic Hyperplasia/therapy , Urinary Catheters , Retrospective Studies
11.
Actas Urol Esp (Engl Ed) ; 45(7): 481-485, 2021 Sep.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34326030

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is considered the most frequent cause of lower urinary tract symptoms. Urinary catheterization is the emergency treatment for patients with urinary retention and surgery is indicated in patients refractory to medical treatment. There is a group of people with important comorbidities that make them ineligible for surgery. Prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) could be presented as a safe and effective alternative to achieve bladder emptying and spontaneous urination, thus avoiding permanent urinary catheterization in patients with significant comorbidities that represent a contraindication for surgery. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy of PAE in patients with permanent urinary catheterization who are ineligible for surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 26 patients with permanent urinary catheter who underwent prostatic embolization. Demographic and clinical data (age, use of anticoagulation, prostate volume, length of hospital stay, unilateral or bilateral embolization), Charlson comorbidity index evaluation and Clavien-Dindo classification for procedural complications were reviewed. Successful removal of permanent urinary catheter was analyzed at one month after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were included in the review. The median age was 85 years with a median prostate volume of 90 mL. A Charlson comorbidity score above 7 was obtained in 88.5% of the subjects. Only one patient had one Clavien-Dindo III complication. Of the 26 subjects, 17 (65.4%) had spontaneous micturition and a postvoid residual lower than 100 mL at one month post procedure. Overall, catheter removal was achieved in 19 out of 26 subjects (73.1%). CONCLUSION: PAE is a safe and effective treatment for patients with permanent urinary catheterization who are ineligible for surgical treatment.


Subject(s)
Embolization, Therapeutic , Prostatic Hyperplasia , Aged, 80 and over , Arteries , Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Prostatic Hyperplasia/therapy , Retrospective Studies , Urinary Catheters
12.
Behav Processes ; 181: 104261, 2020 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33022326

ABSTRACT

In one experiment with human participants, we investigated the effects of using multiple contexts during extinction on the renewal of operant responses. Undergraduate students played a videogame in which they learned to shoot at enemies in Context A. Then, all participants experienced an extinction training. For half of the participants, extinction trials were conducted in a single context, whereas the other half received extinction in three different contexts. Finally, all participants were tested in Context A. We observed that conducting extinction in multiple contexts attenuated ABA renewal. The present results suggest that conducting extinction in multiple contexts can be used as a behavioral technique to reduce operant renewal.


Subject(s)
Video Games , Conditioning, Operant , Extinction, Psychological , Humans , Learning , Recurrence
13.
Can J Exp Psychol ; 74(3): 252-259, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33090856

ABSTRACT

Previous research has shown that instrumental training can encourage the formation of binary associations between the representations of the elements present at the time of learning, that is, between the discriminative stimulus and the instrumental response (the S-R association), between the stimulus and outcome (the S-O association), and between the response and outcome (the R-O association). Studies with rats have used transfer procedures to explore the effects of discriminative extinction (i.e., extinction that is carried out in the presence of the discriminative stimuli) on these three binary associations. Thus, a reduction in the response rate of the extinguished response (R) can be detected in situations involving a different discriminative stimulus that was associated with the same outcome, and to unextinguished responses controlled by the discriminative stimulus (S) and associated with the outcome (O). These transfer effects suggest that R-O and S-O associations remain active after extinction in nonhuman animals. We carried out an experiment to explore these postextinction transfer effects in humans using a within-subject design. Contrary to nonhuman reports, the S-O association was affected by discriminative extinction, suggesting differences in the associative structure of instrumental conditioning in human and nonhuman animals that should be considered by those therapeutic strategies based in nonhuman animal research aimed to reduce unhealthy instrumental behaviours in human beings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Association Learning/physiology , Conditioning, Operant/physiology , Extinction, Psychological/physiology , Transfer, Psychology/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Discrimination Learning/physiology , Humans , Male , Young Adult
14.
Phys Rev Lett ; 124(13): 131101, 2020 Apr 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32302173

ABSTRACT

Because of the high energies and long distances to the sources, astrophysical observations provide a unique opportunity to test possible signatures of Lorentz invariance violation (LIV). Superluminal LIV enables the decay of photons at high energy. The high altitude water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory is among the most sensitive gamma-ray instruments currently operating above 10 TeV. HAWC finds evidence of 100 TeV photon emission from at least four astrophysical sources. These observations exclude, for the strongest of the limits set, the LIV energy scale to 2.2×10^{31} eV, over 1800 times the Planck energy and an improvement of 1 to 2 orders of magnitude over previous limits.

15.
Polymers (Basel) ; 12(4)2020 Apr 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32325668

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, improvement of the surface finish of parts manufactured by fused deposition modelling is a well-studied topic. Chemical post-treatments have proven to be the best technique in terms of time consumption and smoothness improvement. However, these treatments modify the structure of the material and, consequently, its mechanical properties. This relationship was studied in this work. In this case, on the basis of a previous study on crystallisation, polylactic acid pieces were subjected to different post-treatments to evaluate their effects on the sample's mechanical properties, i.e., tensile strength and hardness. Models were obtained according to their percentage of crystallisation, which was related to the different treatments, as well as immersion time. Dramatic changes were obtained within a wide range of material behaviour with some treatments. Specifically, changes were obtained in the maximum stress (from 55 to 20 MPa), in elongation (from 3% to 260%), and in the hardness scale (Shore D to A).

16.
Behav Processes ; 175: 104121, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32259625

ABSTRACT

Nowadays we can find a number of experiments that have showed the importance of learning in several situations related with survival of many animal species. For instance, knowledge acquired in the early stages of life could be crucial on the choice of egg-laying site. In this study we explored the influence of Pavlovian conditioning of silkworm larvae on their oviposition behaviour as adult female moths. For this, the larvae learning have to survive the metamorphosis and be shown in oviposition choice. In acquisition phase, a larvae group experienced an odour (conditioned stimulus) paired with mulberry leaves (unconditioned stimulus), another one experienced the odour and the mulberry leaves in an unpaired way and the last one experienced the odour alone during this phase. The results show that when these larvae became moths, only the first group preferred to lay their eggs near the odour when it was present during the test, so that associations learned during the larval stage seem to influence oviposition behaviour during adulthood.


Subject(s)
Association , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Bombyx/physiology , Choice Behavior/physiology , Conditioning, Classical/physiology , Larva/physiology , Oviposition/physiology , Animals , Female
17.
Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis ; 1866(7): 165777, 2020 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32222543

ABSTRACT

Phosphomannomutase 2 deficiency (PMM2-CDG) is the most common N-glycosylation disorder. To date there is no treatment. Following the identification of a number of destabilizing pathogenic variants, our group suggested PMM2-CDG to be a conformational disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible use of proteostasis network regulators to increase the stability, and subsequently the enzymatic activity, of misfolded PMM2 mutant proteins. Patient-derived fibroblasts transduced with their own PMM2 folding or oligomerization variants were treated with different concentrations of the proteostasis regulators celastrol or MG132. Celastrol treatment led to a significant increase in mutant PMM2 protein concentration and activity, while MG132 had a small effect on protein concentration only. The increase in enzymatic activity with celastrol correlated with an increase in the transcriptional and proteome levels of the heat shock proteins Hsp90 and Hsp70. The use of specific Hsp70 or Hsp90 inhibitors showed the positive effect of celastrol on PMM2 stability and activity to occur through Hsp90-driven modulation of the proteostasis network. The synergistic effect of celastrol and a previously described pharmacological chaperone was also examined, and a mutation-dependent synergistic effect on PMM2 activity was noted. These results provide proof-of-concept regarding the potential treatment of PMM2-CDG by proteostasis regulators, either alone or in combination with pharmacological chaperones.


Subject(s)
Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/drug therapy , Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases)/deficiency , Proteostasis/genetics , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/genetics , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/metabolism , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/pathology , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Glycosylation/drug effects , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Humans , Leupeptins/pharmacology , Mutation/genetics , Pentacyclic Triterpenes , Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases)/antagonists & inhibitors , Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases)/genetics , Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases)/metabolism , Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases)/ultrastructure , Protein Folding , Proteostasis/drug effects
18.
Phys Rev Lett ; 124(2): 021102, 2020 Jan 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32004015

ABSTRACT

We present the first catalog of gamma-ray sources emitting above 56 and 100 TeV with data from the High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory, a wide field-of-view observatory capable of detecting gamma rays up to a few hundred TeV. Nine sources are observed above 56 TeV, all of which are likely galactic in origin. Three sources continue emitting past 100 TeV, making this the highest-energy gamma-ray source catalog to date. We report the integral flux of each of these objects. We also report spectra for three highest-energy sources and discuss the possibility that they are PeVatrons.

19.
Acta Psychol (Amst) ; 200: 102945, 2019 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31665622

ABSTRACT

Changes in the temporal as well as the physical context produces the reappearance of extinguished behaviors. Furthermore, combining both kinds of contextual stimuli often causes greater levels of recovery. The current experiment explored the impact of extinction reminders on spontaneous recovery, renewal, and a combination of both effects using an instrumental learning task with humans. All participants learned to shoot at enemies in a videogame. Then, throughout extinction, the instrumental response was eliminated. We found a return of the extinguished behavior by introducing a retention interval of 48 h, by changing the physical background and by testing participants in a spatiotemporal context different from the extinction context. However, we also found that the presentation of a stimulus directly associated with extinction attenuates all three forms of operant reoccurrence. These results are consistent with the perspective that emphasizes that context plays a key role in response-recovery phenomena. Moreover, our findings may be promissory for therapeutic strategies involving relapse treatment.


Subject(s)
Conditioning, Operant/physiology , Conditioning, Psychological/physiology , Cues , Extinction, Psychological/physiology , Photic Stimulation/methods , Video Games/psychology , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult
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