Early Identification and Treatment of Trochlear Knee Dysplasia.

A shallow sulcus characterizes trochlear dysplasia (TD) of the femoral trochlea, which can lead to chronic pain or instability of the patellofemoral joint. Breech presentation at birth has been identified as a risk factor for developing this condition, which an ultrasound can identify early. Early treatment could be considered at this stage, given the potential for remodelling in these skeletally immature patients. Newborns with breech presentation at birth who meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled and randomised in equal proportions between treatment with the Pavlik harness and observation. The primary objective is to determine the difference in the means of the sulcus angle between the two treatment arms at two months. Ours is the first study protocol to evaluate an early non-invasive treatment for TD in the newborn with breech presentation at birth using a Pavlik harness. We hypothesised that trochlear dysplasia could be reverted when identified and treated early in life with a simple harness, as it is done with developmental dysplasia of the hip.

SPIN(DLY)-OFF: A tale of conformational change to control DYNEIN.

Barbosa et al. discuss work by Mussachio and colleagues (2022. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202206131) finding that conformational changes in the DYNEIN adaptor SPINDLY can precisely control DYNEIN activation at kinetochores.

The Role of Mitotic Kinases and the RZZ Complex in Kinetochore-Microtubule Attachments: Doing the Right Link.

During mitosis, the interaction of kinetochores (KTs) with microtubules (MTs) drives chromosome congression to the spindle equator and supports the segregation of sister chromatids. Faithful genome partition critically relies on the ability of chromosomes to establish and maintain proper amphitelic end-on attachments, a configuration in which sister KTs are connected to robust MT fibers emanating from opposite spindle poles. Because the capture of spindle MTs by KTs is error prone, cells use mechanisms that sense and correct inaccurate KT-MT interactions before committing to segregate sister chromatids in anaphase. If left unresolved, these errors can result in the unequal distribution of chromosomes and lead to aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular strategies that monitor the formation and fine-tuning of KT-MT attachments. We describe the complex network of proteins that operates at the KT-MT interface and discuss how AURORA B and PLK1 coordinate several concurrent events so that the stability of KT-MT attachments is precisely modulated throughout mitotic progression. We also outline updated knowledge on how the RZZ complex is regulated to ensure the formation of end-on attachments and the fidelity of mitosis.

VvERD6l13 is a grapevine sucrose transporter highly up-regulated in response to infection by Botrytis cinerea and Erysiphe necator.

The Early-Response to Dehydration six-like (ERD6l) is one of the largest families of sugar transporters in plants, however, is also one of the less studied with very few members characterized. In this work, we identified 18 members of the grapevine ERD6l family, analyzed their promoters and putative topology and additionally functionally characterized the member VvERD6l13. VvERD6l13 was strongly up-regulated in grape berries infected with Botrytis cinerea and Erysiphe necator in cv. Trincadeira and Carignan, respectively, suggesting an important role in grape berry-pathogen interaction, as we had hypothesized. In Cabernet Sauvignon Berry suspension cultured cells, VvERD6l13 was also up-regulated, by 4-fold, 48 h after elicitation with mycelium extract of B. cinerea. Besides being expressed in grape berries from various developmental stages, VvERD6l13 is also expressed in leaves, canes, flowers and, noticeably, in roots. Using tobacco and an hxt-null Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain as heterologous expression models, we showed that VvERD6l13 is localized at the plasma membrane and mediates the H+-dependent transport of sucrose (Km = 33 mM) thus confirming VvERD6l13 as a bona fide sugar transporter involved in sugar mobilization in grapevine and transcriptionally induced in response to biotic stress.

The grapevine NIP2;1 aquaporin is a silicon channel.

Silicon (Si) supplementation has been shown to improve plant tolerance to different stresses, and its accumulation in the aerial organs is mediated by NIP2;1 aquaporins (Lsi channels) and Lsi2-type exporters in roots. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that grapevine expresses a functional NIP2;1 that accounts for root Si uptake and, eventually, Si accumulation in leaves. Own-rooted grapevine cuttings of the cultivar Vinhão accumulated >0.2% Si (DW) in leaves when irrigated with 1.5 mM Si for 1 month, while Si was undetected in control leaves. Real-time PCR showed that VvNIP2;1 was highly expressed in roots and in green berries. The transient transformation of tobacco leaf epidermal cells mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens confirmed VvNIP2;1 localization at the plasma membrane. Transport experiments in oocytes showed that VvNIP2;1 mediates Si and arsenite uptake, whereas permeability studies revealed that VvNIP2;1 expressed in yeast is unable to transport water and glycerol. Si supplementation to pigmented grape cultured cells (cv. Gamay Freáux) had no impact on the total phenolic and anthocyanin content, or on the growth rate and VvNIP2;1 expression. Long-term experiments should help determine the extent of Si uptake over time and whether grapevine can benefit from Si fertilization.

RZZ-SPINDLY-DYNEIN: you got to keep 'em separated.

To maintain genome stability, chromosomes must be equally distributed among daughter cells at the end of mitosis. The accuracy of chromosome segregation requires sister-kinetochores to stably attach to microtubules emanating from opposite spindle poles. However, initial kinetochore-microtubule interactions are able to turnover so that defective attachment configurations that typically arise during early mitosis may be corrected. Growing evidence supports a role for the RZZ complex in preventing the stabilization of erroneous kinetochore-microtubule attachments. This inhibitory function of RZZ toward end-on attachments is relieved by DYNEIN-mediated transport of the complex as chromosomes congress and appropriate interactions with microtubules are established. However, it remains unclear how DYNEIN is antagonized to prevent premature RZZ removal. We recently described a new mechanism that sheds new light on this matter. We found that POLO kinase phosphorylates the DYNEIN adaptor SPINDLY to promote the uncoupling between RZZ and DYNEIN. Elevated POLO activity during prometaphase ensures that RZZ is retained at kinetochores to allow the dynamic turnover of kinetochore-microtubule interactions and prevent the stabilization of erroneous attachments. Here, we discuss additional interpretations to explain a model for POLO-dependent regulation of the RZZ-SPINDLY-DYNEIN module during mitosis.

Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) PaPIP1;4 Is a Functional Aquaporin Upregulated by Pre-Harvest Calcium Treatments that Prevent Cracking.

The involvement of aquaporins in rain-induced sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit cracking is an important research topic with potential agricultural applications. In the present study, we performed the functional characterization of PaPIP1;4, the most expressed aquaporin in sweet cherry fruit. Field experiments focused on the pre-harvest exogenous application to sweet cherry trees, cultivar Skeena, with a solution of 0.5% CaCl2, which is the most common treatment to prevent cracking. Results show that PaPIP1;4 was mostly expressed in the fruit peduncle, but its steady-state transcript levels were higher in fruits from CaCl2-treated plants than in controls. The transient expression of PaPIP1;4-GFP in tobacco epidermal cells and the overexpression of PaPIP1;4 in YSH1172 yeast mutation showed that PaPIP1;4 is a plasma membrane protein able to transport water and hydrogen peroxide. In this study, we characterized for the first time a plasma membrane sweet cherry aquaporin able to transport water and H2O2 that is upregulated by the pre-harvest exogenous application of CaCl2 supplements.

Mps1-mediated release of Mad1 from nuclear pores ensures the fidelity of chromosome segregation.

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) relies on the recruitment of Mad1-C-Mad2 to unattached kinetochores but also on its binding to Megator/Tpr at nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) during interphase. However, the molecular underpinnings controlling the spatiotemporal redistribution of Mad1-C-Mad2 as cells progress into mitosis remain elusive. Here, we show that activation of Mps1 during prophase triggers Mad1 release from NPCs and that this is required for kinetochore localization of Mad1-C-Mad2 and robust SAC signaling. We find that Mps1 phosphorylates Megator/Tpr to reduce its interaction with Mad1 in vitro and in Drosophila cells. Importantly, preventing Mad1 from binding to Megator/Tpr restores Mad1 accumulation at kinetochores, the fidelity of chromosome segregation, and genome stability in larval neuroblasts of mps1-null mutants. Our findings demonstrate that the subcellular localization of Mad1 is tightly coordinated with cell cycle progression by kinetochore-extrinsic activity of Mps1. This ensures that both NPCs in interphase and kinetochores in mitosis can generate anaphase inhibitors to efficiently preserve genomic stability.

Polo regulates Spindly to prevent premature stabilization of kinetochore-microtubule attachments.

Accurate chromosome segregation in mitosis requires sister kinetochores to bind to microtubules from opposite spindle poles. The stability of kinetochore-microtubule attachments is fine-tuned to prevent or correct erroneous attachments while preserving amphitelic interactions. Polo kinase has been implicated in both stabilizing and destabilizing kinetochore-microtubule attachments. However, the mechanism underlying Polo-destabilizing activity remains elusive. Here, resorting to an RNAi screen in Drosophila for suppressors of a constitutively active Polo mutant, we identified a strong genetic interaction between Polo and the Rod-ZW10-Zwilch (RZZ) complex, whose kinetochore accumulation has been shown to antagonize microtubule stability. We find that Polo phosphorylates Spindly and impairs its ability to bind to Zwilch. This precludes dynein-mediated removal of the RZZ from kinetochores and consequently delays the formation of stable end-on attachments. We propose that high Polo-kinase activity following mitotic entry directs the RZZ complex to minimize premature stabilization of erroneous attachments, whereas a decrease in active Polo in later mitotic stages allows the formation of stable amphitelic spindle attachments. Our findings demonstrate that Polo tightly regulates the RZZ-Spindly-dynein module during mitosis to ensure the fidelity of chromosome segregation.

α-Fodrin is required for the organization of functional microtubules during mitosis.

The cytoskeleton protein α-fodrin plays a major role in maintaining structural stability of membranes. It was also identified as part of the brain γ-tubulin ring complex, the major microtubule nucleator. Here, we investigated the requirement of α-fodrin for microtubule spindle assembly during mitotic progression. We found that α-fodrin depletion results in abnormal mitosis with uncongressed chromosomes, leading to prolonged activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint and a severe mitotic delay. Further, α-fodrin repression led to the formation of shortened spindles with unstable kinetochore-microtubule attachments. We also found that the mitotic kinesin CENP-E had reduced levels at kinetochores to likely account for the chromosome misalignment defects in α-fodrin-depleted cells. Importantly, we showed these cells to exhibit reduced levels of detyrosinated α-tubulin, which primarily drives CENP-E localization. Since proper microtubule dynamics and chromosome alignment are required for completion of normal mitosis, this study reveals an unforeseen role of α-fodrin in regulating mitotic progression. Future studies on these lines of observations should reveal important mechanistic insight for fodrin's involvement in cancer.

Cell Cycle Kinase Polo Is Controlled by a Widespread 3' Untranslated Region Regulatory Sequence in Drosophila melanogaster.

Alternative polyadenylation generates transcriptomic diversity, although the physiological impact and regulatory mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. The cell cycle kinase Polo is controlled by alternative polyadenylation in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), with critical physiological consequences. Here, we characterized the molecular mechanisms required for polo alternative polyadenylation. We identified a conserved upstream sequence element (USE) close to the polo proximal poly(A) signal. Transgenic flies without this sequence show incorrect selection of polo poly(A) signals with consequent downregulation of Polo expression levels and insufficient/defective activation of Polo kinetochore targets Mps1 and Aurora B. Deletion of the USE results in abnormal mitoses in neuroblasts, revealing a role for this sequence in vivo We found that Hephaestus binds to the USE RNA and that hephaestus mutants display defects in polo alternative polyadenylation concomitant with a striking reduction in Polo protein levels, leading to mitotic errors and aneuploidy. Bioinformatic analyses show that the USE is preferentially localized upstream of noncanonical polyadenylation signals in Drosophila melanogaster genes. Taken together, our results revealed the molecular mechanisms involved in polo alternative polyadenylation, with remarkable physiological functions in Polo expression and activity at the kinetochores, and disclosed a new in vivo function for USEs in Drosophila melanogaster.

VvSWEET7 Is a Mono- and Disaccharide Transporter Up-Regulated in Response to Botrytis cinerea Infection in Grape Berries.

The newly-identified SWEETs are high-capacity, low-affinity sugar transporters with important roles in numerous physiological mechanisms where sugar efflux is critical. SWEETs are desirable targets for manipulation by pathogens and their expression may be transcriptionally reprogrammed during infection. So far, few plant SWEET transporters have been functionally characterized, especially in grapevine. In this study, in the Botrytis-susceptible variety "Trincadeira," we thoroughly analyzed modifications in the gene expression profile of key SWEET genes in Botrytis cinerea-infected grape berries. VvSWEET7 and VvSWEET15 are likely to play an important role during fruit development and Botrytis infection as they are strongly expressed at the green and mature stage, respectively, and were clearly up-regulated in response to infection. Also, B. cinerea infection down-regulated VvSWEET17a expression at the green stage, VvSWEET10 and VvSWEET17d expression at the veraison stage, and VvSWEET11 expression at the mature stage. VvSWEET7 was functionally characterized by heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a low-affinity, high-capacity glucose and sucrose transporter with a K m of 15.42 mM for glucose and a K m of 40.08 mM for sucrose. VvSWEET7-GFP and VvSWEET15-GFP fusion proteins were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells and confocal microscopy allowed to observe that both proteins clearly localize to the plasma membrane. In sum, VvSWEETs transporters are important players in sugar mobilization during grape berry development and their expression is transcriptionally reprogrammed in response to Botrytis infection.

The Grapevine Uncharacterized Intrinsic Protein 1 (VvXIP1) Is Regulated by Drought Stress and Transports Glycerol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Heavy Metals but Not Water.

A MIP (Major Intrinsic Protein) subfamily called Uncharacterized Intrinsic Proteins (XIP) was recently described in several fungi and eudicot plants. In this work, we cloned a XIP from grapevine, VvXIP1, and agrobacterium-mediated transformation studies in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that the encoded aquaporin shows a preferential localization at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Stopped-flow spectrometry in vesicles from the aqy-null yeast strain YSH1172 overexpressing VvXIP1 showed that VvXIP1 is unable to transport water but is permeable to glycerol. Functional studies with the ROS sensitive probe CM-H2DCFDA in intact transformed yeasts showed that VvXIP1 is also able to permeate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Drop test growth assays showed that besides glycerol and H2O2, VvXIP1 also transports boric acid, copper, arsenic and nickel. Furthermore, we found that VvXIP1 transcripts were abundant in grapevine leaves from field grown plants and strongly repressed after the imposition of severe water-deficit conditions in potted vines. The observed downregulation of VvXIP1 expression in cultured grape cells in response to ABA and salt, together with the increased sensitivity to osmotic stress displayed by the aqy-null yeast overexpressing VvXIP1, corroborates the role of VvXIP1 in osmotic regulation besides its involvement in H2O2 transport and metal homeostasis.

Identification and functional characterization of grapevine transporters that mediate glucose-6-phosphate uptake into plastids.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Two grapevine glucose-6-Pi plastidial transporters differently expressed in plant organs and in response to environmental and hormonal signals are characterized. They are involved in starch accumulation in berries and canes. In grapevine, starch accumulation in the trunk is important for winter storage of carbon and in the flower for reproductive development. Berries also accumulate starch in their plastids, which are also involved in the synthesis of aroma compounds important for fruit quality. The present work characterizes two glucose-phosphate translocators (VvGPT1, VvGPT2) that control the accumulation of starch in grape amyloplasts. Three different splicing variants identified for VvGPT2 (VvGPT2α, VvGPT2ß and VvGPT2Ω) were more expressed in the leaves than in other organs. In contrast, VvGPT1 transcripts were more abundant in mature berries, canes and flowers than in the leaves. Expression of 35S-VvGPT1-GFP and 35S-VvGPT2Ω-GFP in tobacco leaf epidermal cells showed that the fusion proteins localized at the plastidial envelope. Complementation of the Arabidopsis pgi1-1 mutant impaired in leaf starch synthesis restored its ability to synthesize starch, demonstrating that VvGPT1 and VvGPT2Ω mediate the transport of glucose-6-Pi across the plastidial envelope. In grape cell suspensions, ABA, light and galactinol, together with sucrose and fructose, significantly increased the transcript abundance of VvGPT1, whereas VvGPT2Ω expression was affected only by sucrose. In addition, elicitation with methyl jasmonate strongly upregulated VvGPT1, VvGPT2Ω and VvPAL1, suggesting a role for GPTs in the production of secondary compounds in grapevine. Moreover, in grapevines cultivated in field conditions, VvGPT1 expression was higher in berries more exposed to the sun and subjected to higher temperatures. Although both VvGPT1 and VvGPT2 mediate the same function at the molecular level, they exhibit different expression levels and regulation in plant organs and in response to environmental and hormonal signals.

Permeación en piel humana de una nanoemulsión de ftalocianina de aluminio clorada para la optimización de tratamientos tópicos de leishmaniasis cutánea / Human Skin Permeation of a Chloroaluminum Phthalocyanine Nanoemulsion for Optimization of Topical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Formulations / Permeação em pele humana de uma nanoemulsão de ftalocianina de alumínio clorada para a otimização de tratamentos tópicos de leishmaniose cutânea

Introducción: Las nanoemulsiones son excelentes sistemas de transporte y entrega de fármacos. La ftalocianina de aluminio clorada (PcAlCl) en terapia fotodinámica constituye una alternativa de tratamiento en leishmaniasis cutánea. Objetivo: Determinar la difusión y retención en piel humana de la PcAlCl contenida en una nanoemulsión (nano-PcAlCl) para su optimización en formulaciones tópicas. Materiales y métodos: Se prepararon y caracterizaron fisico-químicamente dos formulaciones (nano-PcAlCl y solución-PcAlCl) y sus vehículos sin-PcAlCl. La permeación se determinó en ensayos en celdas de difusión de Franz y la retención por el método de la cinta adhesiva. La concentración de PcAlCl fue determinada fluorométricamente (nM/cm2). Biopsias de piel fueron analizadas histotécnicamente. Resultados: El tamaño promedio, el potencial Z y el índice de polidispersión de la nano-PcAlCl en agua fue de 132,9 nm, -19,23 y 0,14 y diluida en PBS fue 125,33 nm, -13,69 y 0,139. Las concentraciones de PcAlCl se mantuvieron estables. La PcAlCl no atravesó la piel y fue retenida en sus capas, en estrato córneo y epidermis+dermis con valores de 44,17 nM y 8,48 nM postratamiento con nano-PcAlCl, y 96,90 nM y 9,80 nM postratamiento con solución-PcAlCl. Esta última promovió mayor retención en estrato córneo y ambas formulaciones promovieron similar retención en epidermis+dermis. Se observó desprendimiento del estrato córneo y fragmentación del colágeno. Conclusión: La PcAlCl no atravesó la piel, se retuvo en estrato córneo y epidermis+dermis. Se sugiere realizar ensayos de permeación utilizando piel humana desprovista de estrato córneo y ensayos de distribución en animales con leishmaniasis cutánea.

Introduction: The nanoemulsions constitute excellent drug delivery systems for carrying and delivering active drugs. Chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) in photodynamic therapy constitutes an interesting alternative in cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment. Objective: To determine the diffusion and retention of ClAlPc contained in a nanoemulsion (nano-ClAlPc) in human skin membranes for optimization of topical formulations. Materials and methods: Two formulations (ClAlPc-nano- and ClAlPc-solution) and vehicles without ClAlPc were prepared and physicochemical characterized. The permeation was tested in Franz-diffusion cells and the retention by the tape stripping method. ClAlPc concentration was determined fluorometrically (nM/cm2). Skin biopsies were analyzed by histologic technics. Results: The ClAlPc-nano average size, zeta potential and polydispersity index diluted in water was 132.9 nm, -19.23 and 0.14 and diluted in phosphate-buffer-saline was 25.33 nm, -13.69 and 0.139. ClAlPc maintains its stability in each formulation. ClAlPc was unable to pass completely through the skin; it was retained in the different skin layers. A ClAlPc retention in stratum corneum and epidermis+dermis was observed with values of 44.17 nM and 8.48 nM after ClAlPc-nano treatment and 96.90 nM and 9.80 nM after ClAlPc-solution treatment. The ClAlPc-solution promoted greater retention in stratum corneum and both formulations showed similar ClAlPc-retention in epidermis+dermis. Histological changes as stratum corneum detachment and collagen-fragmentation were observed. Conclusion: ClAlPc was not able to cross completely the skin, it was retained in stratum corneum and epidermis+dermis Human permeation test using skin membranes without stratum corneum, and distribution assays in cutaneous leishmaniasis-infected animals, are suggested.

Introdução: as nanoemulsões são excelentes sistemas de transporte e entrega de fármacos. A ftalocianina de alumínio clorada (PcAlCl) em terapia fotodinâmica constitui uma alternativa de tratamento em leishmaniose cutânea. Objetivo: determinar a difusão e retenção em pele humana da PcAlCl contida em uma nanoemulsão (nano-PcAlCl) para sua otimização em formulações tópicas. Materiais e métodos: se prepararam e caracterizaram fisico-quimicamente duas formulações (nano-PcAlCl e solução-PcAlCl) e seus veículos sem-PcAlCl. A permeação determinou-se em ensaios em celas de difusão de Franz e a retenção pelo método da fita adesiva. A concentração de PcAlCl foi determinada fluorometricamente (nM/cm²). Biopsias de pele foram analisadas histotecnicamente. Resultados: o tamanho médio, o potencial Z e o índice de polidispersão da nano-PcAlCl em água foi de 132,9 nm, -19,23 e 0,14 e diluída em PBS foi 125,33 nm, -13,69 e 0,139. As concentrações de PcAlCl mantiveram-se estáveis. A PcAlCl não atravessou a pele, foi retido em suas capas. A PcAlCl foi retida em estrato córneo e epiderme+derme com valores de 44,17 nM e 8,48 nM pós-tratamento com nano-PcAlCl e 96,90 nM e 9,80 nM pós-tratamento com solução-PcAlCl. A solução-PcAlCl promoveu maior retenção em estrato córneo e ambas as formulações promoveram similar retenção em epiderme+derme. Observou-se desprendimento do estrato córneo e fragmentação do colágeno. Conclusão: a PcAlCl não atravessou a pele; reteve-se em estrato córneo e epiderme+derme. Sugere-se realizar ensaios de permeação utilizando pele humana desprovida de estrato córneo e ensaios de distribuição em animais com leishmaniose cutânea.

Memoria emocional y trastorno por estrés postraumático en el contexto del desplazamiento en Colombia / Emotional Memory and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in the Context of Displacement in Colombia

Introducción: Diferentes niveles de “alertamiento” emocional pueden favorecer la potenciación o el deterioro de la memoria. El impacto emocional en personas víctimas del desplazamiento en Colombia puede constituirse en un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo del trastorno por estrés postraumático (TEPT). Objetivo: Evaluar la memoria emocional de sujetos en condición de desplazamiento por la violencia con y sin diagnóstico positivo para el TEPT. Método: Muestra de 95 voluntarios en condición de desplazamiento del área metropolitana de Bucaramanga (18 a 61 años), a quienes se les aplicaron los instrumentos de diagnóstico para TEPT (DSM IV, Checklist) y una prueba auditivo-visual de memoria emocional. Los participantes fueron distribuidos en dos grupos: sujetos con TEPT y sujetos sin TEPT. Ambos grupos fueron redistribuidos en cuatro subgrupos según la versión neutra y emocional de la prueba auditivo-visual. Resultados: El grupo de participantes clasificado con TEPT atribuyó Una mayor ponderación a la historia emocional, pero su contenido “alertador” no potenció la memoria de estos participantes. Conclusión: El contenido “alertante” de la prueba auditivo visual no potenció la memoria de aquellos sujetos diagnosticados con TEPT, lo cual sugiere que estos participantes pueden presentar un deterioro de las potencialidades mnemónicas dado por las limitaciones funcionales que involucran los procesos de reforzamiento emocional...

Introduction: Different levels of emotional arousal can potentiate or impair memory. Since the emotional impact on victims of displacement in Colombia may constitute a risk factor for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the objective of this study was to evaluate emotional memory of people displaced by violence with and without PTSD. Method: The sample consisted of 95 volunteers in condition of displacement of the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga (18 to 61 years old), to whom an instrument for the diagnosis of PTSD (DSM IV, Checklist) and An audio-visual Emotional Memory Test were applied. The participants were distributed into two groups: Subjects with and without PTSD. Both groups were redistributed into four subgroups according with the emotional or neutral version of the emotional memory test. Results: The group of participants with PTSD attributed an emotional rate higher to the emotional story than to the neutral story, but the emotional arousal content did not potentiate the memory of these participants. Conclusion: The emotional contents implemented in this emotional memory test did not potentiate the memory of subjects diagnosed with PTSD. Based on this, it could be that these participants present a deterioration of the mnemonic potential given by the functional limitations that involve the processes of emotional reinforcement...

La primera entrada en el laberinto en cruz elevado como predictor del nivel de ansiedad / First entry in elevated plus-maze as anxiety level predictor

Introducción: Generalmente el análisis del comportamiento exploratorio de ratas en laberinto en cruz elevado es realizado a la población general sin llevarse a cabo ningún tipo de discriminación entre individuos en función de sus decisiones exploratorias. Considerando la toma de decisiones para entrar a una zona del laberinto como un conflicto entre motivación de explorar y aversión, el presente trabajo pretende evaluar la primera entrada a los brazos del laberinto como indicador del estado inicial de los niveles de motivación y aversión del entorno y en consecuencia, como indicador temprano de la evolución del comportamiento exploratorio. Materiales y métodos: Se evaluó el desempeño de ratas Wistar machos en laberinto en cruz elevado sometidas a una primera exposición, separándolas en dos grupos, de acuerdo a si su primera entrada fue en los brazos abiertos o en los brazos cerrados. Resultados: Aquellas ratas que primero entraron en los brazos abiertos obtuvieron valores significativamente mayores para el número de entradas y tiempo de permanencia en estos brazos en comparación con aquellas que entraron primero a los brazos cerrados; mientras que no se evidenció diferencias en el número de entradas en los brazos cerrados. Conclusión: La primera decisión del animal resulta predictiva del comportamiento durante los 5 minutos de exploración y permite discriminar las ratas entre dos niveles de ansiedad, sugiriéndose como variable discriminatoria el porcentaje de entradas a los brazos abiertos con punto de corte en 30,77%.

Introduction: Usually, the analysis of the rat exploratory behavior in elevated plus maze is carried out to the general population, without any discrimination between individuals as a function of their exploratory decisions. Considering the decision making to enter into a maze zone as a conflict between motivation to explore and aversion, the current work pretends to assess the first entry into the maze arms as indicator of the initial state of the motivation and aversion levels of the environment and therefore, as early indicator of the evolution of the exploratory behavior. Materials and methods: It was evaluated the performance of male Wistar rats in elevated plus maze subjected to a first exposure, divided into two groups, according to whether its first entry was made into the open or closed arms. Results: Those rats that entered first into the open arms obtained higher significant values in the number of entries and time spent in these arms with respect to those rats that entered first into the closed arms; but it was not obtained differences in the number of entries into the closed arms. Conclusion: The first animal choice predicts the behavior during the 5 minutes of exploration and allows to discriminate the rats between two anxiety levels, being suggested the percentage of entries in open arms as discriminatory variable with cut-off value in 30.77%.

Impacto del confinamiento sobre crisis convulsivas y memoria emocional en ratas Wistar / Impact Of Confinement On Seizures And Emotional Memory In Wistar Rats

Introducción: Hallazgos en diferentes laboratorios y casos clínicos, muestran un marcado solapamiento comportamental, fisiológico y neuroanatómico de la ansiedad y la epilepsia, además de presentar en muchos casos un aumento o disminución de sus manifestaciones con los mismos fármacos. Por tal motivo, el presente trabajo pretendió evaluar el efecto de diferentes tiempos de confinamiento de ratas en un brazo abierto del laberinto en cruz elevado, como una estrategia para inducir un estado de tipo ansioso, sobre la severidad de las crisis convulsivas inducidas por PTZ y la memoria emocional. Metodología: Se evaluaron 47 ratas Wistar machos divididos en tres grupos según la duración del confinamiento en un brazo abierto del LCE (0, 5 ó 10 s). Inmediatamente después del confinamiento, la mitad de cada grupo recibió SS y la otra mitad PTZ (I.V.) seguido de 30 minutos de evaluación de comportamientos convulsivos. Tres días después, los animales fueron evaluados en exploración libre sobre el LCE. Resultados: De manera global, no se observaron diferencias significativas entre grupos en la exploración del LCE en la segunda sesión experimental, pero se encontró que los animales confinados en el laberinto presentaron menores manifestaciones convulsivas que los no confinados. Conclusiones: En el contexto del actual experimento no se puede concluir que los diversos tiempos de confinamiento mas los tratamientos farmacológicos utilizados, influyan significativamente sobre la memoria emocional mientras que en ratas no susceptibles genéticamente a crisis convulsivas como las del experimento, un nivel de estrés/ansiedad moderado, podría inducir resistencia a las crisis convulsivas inducidas por PTZ.

Introduction: Findings from different laboratories and clinical cases show a noticeable behavioral, physiological and neuro-anatomical overlapping between anxiety and epilepsy, beside to indicate, in many cases, an increment or diminution of their manifestation to the same drugs. For that question, the current work aimed to evaluate the effects of different confinement time into one open arm of the elevated plus maze, as one strategy to induce an anxiety state, on the severity of seizures crisis induced bay PTZ and the emotional memory.Methodology: It was evaluated 47 male Wistar rats divided in three groups by confinement time into one open arm of the EPM (0, 5, or 10 s). Immediately after confinement, one half of each group was injected (i.p.) with SS and another with PTZ, followed by 30 minutes of seizure behavioral evaluation. Three days later, the animals were evaluated in free exploration of the EPM. Results: In a general way, it was not observed significant differences of explorations behaviors between groups in the second e3xperimental session into the EPM, but it was founded that confined animals presented lower convulsive manifestations that another animals. Conclusions: Into the context of this experiment, it can not conclude that different confinement time plus the pharmacological treatment used, influence significantly on the emotional memory, but in rats not genetically seizures susceptible, like rats of this experiment, a moderated level of stress / anxiety, could induce resistances to seizures crises induced by PTZ.

Estudio correlacional entre memoria declarativa y una prueba psicométrica en una muestra de adolescentes escolares de la ciudad de Bucaramanga / Correlational study between declarative memory and a psicometric test (STAIC) in teenagers from Bucaramanga

Introducción: Diversos estudios han demostrado que el alertamiento emocional potencia la memoria a largo plazo en adultos. Objetivo: El presente trabajo pretende contribuir al estudio de la memoria declarativa asociada con contenido emocional mediante la evaluación con una prueba auditivo-visual en adolescentes, su correlación con indicadores psicométricos de ansiedad derivados del Cuestionario de Autoevaluación Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo en Niños (STAIC) y el desempe±o académico de adolescentes. Metodología: Se estudió una muestra de 59 adolescentes escolares de Bucaramanga, hombres y mujeres, con edades entre los 12 y 15 años. Esta muestra se distribuyó en dos grupos: los adolescentes que obtuvieron un puntaje alto en el punto rasgo del STAIC y los que obtuvieron un puntaje bajo en la misma prueba. Cada uno de los grupos se distribuyó aleatoriamente en dos subgrupos donde los participantes observaron una misma serie de 11 diapositivas acompañadas por narraciones diferentes. Un subgrupo fue expuesto a una historia emocionalmente neutra y el otro subgrupo a una historia de alertamiento emocional. Resultados: Dentro de los resultados mas importantes se encontró que los sujetos que asistieron a la versión emocional de la prueba recordaron mas elementos de la historia que los sujetos que asistieron a la historia neutra, evidenciando el efecto mnemónico inducido por alertamiento emocional. No obstante este efecto no fue modificado por los niveles de ansiedad estado y rasgo evaluados con el STAIC. Conclusiones: Se encontró que las emociones mas asociadas con la versión emocional de la prueba auditivo-visual fueron tristeza y miedo, mientras que la versión neutra estuvo mas asociada con la emoción felicidad. Ademas, se pudo demostrar una correlación positiva significativa entre el desempeño académico y la potenciación mnemónica.

Introduction: Several studies have demonstrated that emotional arousal enhanced long-term memory in adults. Objective: In the current study, we examined declarative memory associated with emotional content using the visual-auditory test in adolescents, and he correlation between the visual-auditory test, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) and adolescentÆs academic performance. Methodology: Fifty nine subjects were recruited from a School in Bucaramanga. SubjectÆs ages ranged between 12 and 15, with approximately equal representation of males and females. All subjects were divided in two groups: Adolescents with high score in trait anxiety and adolescents with low score in trait anxiety of STAIC. Each group were distributed in others two groups randomly. One group viewed 11 slides accompanied by ½emotional arousal story¼, and the second group viewed 11 slides accompanied by ½neutral story¼. In both groups the 11 slides showed the same pictures. Results: Main results were the group of emotional arousal story remembered more elements than the neutral story group, demonstrating the effect mnemonic induced by emotional arousal. The scores state-trait anxiety (STAIC) didn´t changing the mnemonic performance in emotional arousal story group. Conclusions: Sadness and fear were associated with emotional version of visual-auditory test, whereas the neutral version was associated with happiness. Finally, we founded a high positive correlation between enhancement mnemonic and academic performance.

Análisis comportamental de ratas expuestas al laberinto en cruz elevado bajo dos horarios de alimentación / Behavioral analysis of rats exposed to elevated maze cross under two hours of food

Introducción: Considerando que el laberinto en cruz elevado (LCE) para roedores es en la actualidad el modelo de ansiedad mas ampliamente utilizado en el mundo entero y que el comportamiento de la rata en este modelo es altamente vulnerable a múltiples variables, el presente trabajo estudió los efectos de dos esquemas de alimentación sobre el comportamiento de ratas machos y hembras, estimando la capacidad de discriminación de variables y posibles variables de confusión. Materiales y métodos: Se evaluaron 31 animales de ambos géneros y de la misma edad. Desde el día 21 post-natal, un grupo de cada género recibió alimento cotidiano por la mañana y otro grupo durante la tarde. Los animales fueron expuestos individualmente al LCE durante 5 minutos entre las 8 y las 12 de la mañana. Las sesiones fueron filmadas y procesadas con ayuda de un software diseñado para ese fin. Resultados: Se encontró que los animales alimentados en el mismo horario de los experimentos, presentaron mayor actividad exploratoria asociada a los brazos cerrados y al centro del LCE. El tiempo de permanencia en estos lugares podrían ser las variables de mejor sensibilidad y especificidad para reconocer tales efectos. No se descartó el efecto sobre los tiempos de permanencia en los brazos abiertos. Conclusiones y recomendaciones: El horario de alimentación influye de manera significativa sobre el comportamiento de las ratas en el LCE, por tal motivo se recomienda considerar estos aspectos en los experimentos dirigidos al estudio de la ansiedad de mejor sensibilidad y especificidad para reconocer tales efectos. No se descartó el efecto sobre los tiempos de permanencia en los brazos abiertos. Conclusiones y recomendaciones: El horario de alimentación influye de manera significativa sobre el comportamiento de las ratas en el LCE, por tal motivo se recomienda considerar estos aspectos en los experimentos dirigidos al estudio de la ansiedad.

Introduction: Considering that the elevated plus maze (EPM) for rodents is, actually, the anxiety model more used in the world, and that, the rat behavior in this model is much vulnerable to multiple variables, the current work studied the behavioral effects of two feeding schedules on rat behavior (males and females), evaluating the variables discrimination capacity and possible confusion variables. Materials and methods: Were evaluated 31 animals of both genders and the same age. Since 21 post-natal day, one group per gender received food during the morning and another group, during the afternoon. The animals were individually exposed to the EPM during 5 minutes between 8and 12 in the morning. The sessions, were filmed and processed using software designed for that objective. Results: It was find that the animals feeding in the same schedule of the experiments, presented higher exploratory activity associated to the enclosed arms and to the center of the EPM. The time spent on this places, would be the variables with the best sensitivity and specificity to recognize these effects. It does not discard the effect on the permanence time in the open arms. Conclusions and recommendations: The feeding schedule, influence significantly the rat behavior in the EPM, for that reason, it is recommended to consider this aspect in the experiments for anxiety studies.