Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 123
Filter
1.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol ; 486: 116940, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38677602

ABSTRACT

L-theanine (L-THE), a non-protein amino acid isolated from Camelia sinensis, has antioxidant properties that could prevent oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction generated by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. The present study aimed to identify the effects of pretreatment with L-THE in rat hearts undergoing I/R. Wistar rats received vehicle or 250 mg/Kg L-THE intragastrically for 10 days. On day 11, hearts were removed under anesthesia and exposed to I/R injury in the Langendorff system. Measurement of left ventricular developed pressure and heart rate ex vivo demonstrates that L-THE prevents I/R-induced loss of cardiac function. Consequently, the infarct size of hearts subjected to I/R was significantly decreased when L-THE was administered. L-THE also mitigated I/R-induced oxidative injury in cardiac tissue by decreasing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels, while increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, SOD and CAT. Additionally, L-THE prevents oxidative phosphorylation breakdown and loss of inner mitochondrial membrane potential caused by I/R, restoring oxygen consumption levels, increasing respiratory control and phosphorylation efficiency, as well as buffering calcium overload. Finally, L-THE modifies the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant response through the overexpression of SOD1, SOD2 and CAT; as well as the transcriptional factors PPARα and Nrf2 in hearts undergoing I/R. In conclusion, L-THE confers cardioprotection against I/R injury by preventing oxidative stress, protecting mitochondrial function, and promoting overexpression of antioxidant genes. More studies are needed to place L-THE at the forefront of cardiovascular research and recommend its therapeutic use.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Glutamates , Mitochondria, Heart , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury , Oxidative Stress , Rats, Wistar , Animals , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/pathology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Glutamates/pharmacology , Male , Rats , Mitochondria, Heart/drug effects , Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism
2.
Arch Med Res ; 55(3): 102983, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38492326

ABSTRACT

Maternal obesity predisposes offspring (F1) to cardiovascular disease. To evaluate basal heart function and ischemia-reperfusion (IR) responses in F1 males and females of obese mothers, female Wistar rats (F0) were fed chow or an obesogenic (MO) diet from weaning through pregnancy and lactation. Non-sibling F1 males and females were weaned to chow at postnatal day (PND) 21 and euthanized at PND 550. Offspring of MO mothers (MOF1) rarely survive beyond PND 650. Hearts were immediately isolated from euthanized F1s and subjected to 30 min ischemia with 20 min reperfusion. Retroperitoneal fat, serum triglycerides, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance were measured. Baseline left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) was lower in male and female MOF1 than in controls. After global ischemia, LVDP in control (C) male and female F1 recovered 78 and 83%, respectively, while recovery in MO male and female F1 was significantly lower at 28 and 52%, respectively. Following the IR challenge, MO hearts showed a higher functional susceptibility to reperfusion injury, resulting in lower cardiac reserve than controls in both sexes. Female hearts were more resistant to IR. Retroperitoneal fat was increased in male MOF1 vs. CF1. Circulating triglycerides and insulin resistance were increased in male and female MOF1 vs. CF1. These data show that MO programming reduces F1 cardiac reserve associated with age-related insulin resistance in a sex-specific manner.


Subject(s)
Insulin Resistance , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects , Humans , Rats , Female , Pregnancy , Male , Animals , Aged , Insulin Resistance/physiology , Rats, Wistar , Obesity , Insulin , Triglycerides , Diet, High-Fat , Ischemia , Reperfusion
3.
JCI Insight ; 9(6)2024 Feb 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38516890

ABSTRACT

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, dapagliflozin (Dapa), exhibited nephroprotective effects in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We assessed the efficacy of short-term Dapa administration following acute kidney injury (AKI) in preventing CKD. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to Sham surgery, bilateral ischemia for 30 minutes (abbreviated as IR), and IR + Dapa groups. Daily treatment with Dapa was initiated just 24 hours after IR and maintained for only 10 days. Initially, rats were euthanized at this point to study early renal repair. After severe AKI, Dapa promptly restored creatinine clearance (CrCl) and significantly reduced renal vascular resistance compared with the IR group. Furthermore, Dapa effectively reversed the mitochondrial abnormalities, including increased fission, altered mitophagy, metabolic dysfunction, and proapoptotic signaling. To study this earlier, another set of rats was studied just 5 days after AKI. Despite persistent renal dysfunction, our data reveal a degree of mitochondrial protection. Remarkably, a 10-day treatment with Dapa demonstrated effectiveness in preventing CKD transition in an independent cohort monitored for 5 months after AKI. This was evidenced by improvements in proteinuria, CrCl, glomerulosclerosis, and fibrosis. Our findings underscore the potential of Dapa in preventing maladaptive repair following AKI, emphasizing the crucial role of early intervention in mitigating AKI long-term consequences.


Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Reperfusion Injury , Animals , Humans , Male , Rats , Acute Kidney Injury/drug therapy , Acute Kidney Injury/prevention & control , Acute Kidney Injury/metabolism , Glucose , Rats, Wistar , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy , Reperfusion Injury/complications , Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Sodium/metabolism , Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2/drug effects , Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors/pharmacology , Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Benzhydryl Compounds/pharmacology , Benzhydryl Compounds/therapeutic use
4.
Front Plant Sci ; 14: 1326689, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38143584

ABSTRACT

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) domestication and later introduction into Europe resulted in a genetic bottleneck that reduced genetic variation. Crosses with other wild tomato species from the Lycopersicon clade can be used to increase genetic diversity and improve important agronomic traits such as stress tolerance. However, many species in the Lycopersicon clade have intraspecific and interspecific incompatibility, such as gametophytic self-incompatibility and unilateral incompatibility. In this review, we provide an overview of the known incompatibility barriers in Lycopersicon. We begin by addressing the general mechanisms self-incompatibility, as well as more specific mechanisms in the Rosaceae, Papaveraceae, and Solanaceae. Incompatibility in the Lycopersicon clade is discussed, including loss of self-incompatibility, species exhibiting only self-incompatibility and species presenting both self-compatibility and self-incompatibility. We summarize unilateral incompatibility in general and specifically in Lycopersicon, with details on the 'self-compatible x self-incompatible' rule, implications of self-incompatibility in unilateral incompatibility and self-incompatibility-independent pathways of unilateral incompatibility. Finally, we discuss advances in the understanding of compatibility barriers and their implications for tomato breeding.

5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(8)2023 Apr 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37108432

ABSTRACT

In recent years, the importance of epigenetic markers in the carcinogenesis of different malignant neoplasms has been demonstrated, also demonstrating their utility for understanding metastatic spread and tumor progression in cancer patients. Among the different biomarkers, microRNAs represent a set of non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, having been involved in a wide variety of neoplasia acting in different oncogenic pathways. Both the overexpression and downregulation of microRNAs represent a complex interaction with various genes whose ultimate consequence is increased cell proliferation, tumor invasion and interaction with various driver markers. It should be noted that in current clinical practice, even though the combination of different microRNAs has been shown to be useful by different authors at diagnostic and prognostic levels, there are no diagnostic kits that can be used for the initial approach or to assess recurrences of oncological diseases. Previous works have cited microRNAs as having a critical role in several carcinogenic mechanisms, ranging from cell cycle alterations to angiogenesis and mechanisms of distant metastatic dissemination. Indeed, the overexpression or downregulation of specific microRNAs seem to be tightly involved in the modulation of various components related to these processes. For instance, cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, transcription factors, signaling molecules and angiogenic/antiangiogenic products, among others, have been recognized as specific targets of microRNAs in different types of cancer. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe the main implications of different microRNAs in cell cycle alterations, metastasis and angiogenesis, trying to summarize their involvement in carcinogenesis.


Subject(s)
MicroRNAs , Neoplasms , Humans , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Carcinogenesis/genetics , Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Division , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
6.
Cells ; 12(3)2023 02 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36766835

ABSTRACT

Caveolae-associated signaling toward mitochondria contributes to the cardioprotective mechanisms against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induced by ischemic postconditioning. In this work, we evaluated the role that the actin-cytoskeleton network exerts on caveolae-mitochondria communication during postconditioning. Isolated rat hearts subjected to I/R and to postconditioning were treated with latrunculin A, a cytoskeleton disruptor. Cardiac function was compared between these hearts and those exposed only to I/R and to the cardioprotective maneuver. Caveolae and mitochondria structures were determined by electron microscopy and maintenance of the actin-cytoskeleton was evaluated by phalloidin staining. Caveolin-3 and other putative caveolae-conforming proteins were detected by immunoblot analysis. Co-expression of caveolin-3 and actin was evaluated both in lipid raft fractions and in heart tissue from the different groups. Mitochondrial function was assessed by respirometry and correlated with cholesterol levels. Treatment with latrunculin A abolishes the cardioprotective postconditioning effect, inducing morphological and structural changes in cardiac tissue, reducing F-actin staining and diminishing caveolae formation. Latrunculin A administration to post-conditioned hearts decreases the interaction between caveolae-forming proteins, the co-localization of caveolin with actin and inhibits oxygen consumption rates in both subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar mitochondria. We conclude that actin-cytoskeleton drives caveolae signaling to mitochondria during postconditioning, supporting their functional integrity and contributing to cardiac adaption against reperfusion injury.


Subject(s)
Caveolae , Reperfusion Injury , Rats , Animals , Caveolae/metabolism , Actins/metabolism , Caveolin 3/metabolism , Cytoskeleton/metabolism , Caveolin 1/metabolism , Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism
8.
Plant Dis ; 2022 Sep 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36167514

ABSTRACT

Chile is an important producers of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), with a total of 356,385 t exported in the 2021 to 2022 season. The production area includes most of the country's regions. Bacterial samples were isolated in 2017 and 2018 from 18 commercial sweet cherry orchards with canker disease. From one of this samples collected in the spring of 2018, was isolated the strain A2M176 from buds of trees that presented canker and gomosis in Malloa locality (34°23' 46'' S 71°01' 39'' W). The strain produced fluorescent pigment on King's B agar medium. Is oxidase and arginine dihydrolase negative, potato soft rot positive and showed a slight degree of tobacco hypersensitivity. It was able to growth up to 0.8 mM (200 ppm) of CuSO4·5H2O. The strain A2M176 was deposited in the Colección Chilena de Recursos Genéticos Microbianos (CChRGM) under the no. RGM 3342. The DNA of this strain was extracted from a pure culture using silica spin columns (Epoch Life Science Inc., Sugar Land, USA). The complete DNA was sequenced using HiSeq with 150 bp paired-end at GENEWIZ (New York, USA). Raw data was checked using FASTQC and trimmed with BBDuk. The genome was assembled using Unicycler v0.4.9 with defaulf settings and annotated with Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP) v4.3. The reads and genomes were uploaded to GenBank under the BioProyect no. PRJNA750090, BioSample no. SAMN26870984 and assembly no. GCA_022936465.1. The sequenced genome was compared through Average Nucleotide Identity algorithm (ANI) using FastANI v1.33 to compare with closest complete genome available on NCBI. The strain A2M176 was identified as P. viridiflava with ANI value of 98.06% with the strain p22.E7 (GCF_900585495). Maximum likelihood phylogenetic estimation clustered strain A2M176 with other P. viridiflava strains with 95% bootstrap. The pathogenicity of the strain was tested inoculating immature cherry fruits with a needle with a bacterial suspension (1x108 CFU/ml). The inoculated fruits were placed at room temperature in a humid chamber for 10 d. Soft rot lesions were observed, which appeared at 6 days post-inoculation (DPI). The control fruits treated with sterile water did not show symptoms. Further analyses in the genome of strain A2M176 led to identify genes related to pathogenicity, such as the effector gene avrE and the regulator gen HrpL, suggesting the pathogenic capacity of the strain. Also, there were identify genes of two known Pseudomonas copper resistance mechanisms, the cus and cop operon. These genes were found part of the copABCDns cluster similar to what was observed in Pseudomonas from Mango. Presence of P. viridiflava strains causing fruit rot in P. avium is not surprising, since P. viridiflava has a wide host range and causes a variety of symptoms in different plant parts, including stems, leaves, and blossoms. P. viridiflava represents one of the multiple phylogroups found within the P. syringae species complex. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a strain of P. viridiflava copper resistant causing infection on sweet cherries in Chile.

9.
Vet Sci ; 9(8)2022 Jul 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35893770

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate follicular dynamics and pregnancy rates in Nellore heifers submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols associated with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Nellore heifers (n = 259) were used, divided into two studies. Experiment I evaluated the ovarian follicular dynamics in 64 Nellore heifers submitted to different FTAI protocols (n = 32/group) using either FSH or eCG. In Experiment II, the pregnancy rate was evaluated in 195 heifers submitted to FTAI protocols and divided into two groups: FSH (n = 97) and eCG (n = 98). In Experiment I, the ultrasound examination showed that the maximum diameter of the dominant and preovulatory follicles and the ovulation time were similar between the FSH and eCG groups (p > 0.05). However, the ovulation rate was higher in the eCG group when compared to FSH (p = 0.014). In Experiment II, females that received eCG presented a higher pregnancy rate (58.1%) when compared to FSH (40.2%) (p = 0.012). The use of eCG in the FTAI protocol in Nellore heifers promoted a higher ovulation rate and increased pregnancy rate and may be the most suitable alternative to increase conception rates in animals that are raised in an extensive system under tropical conditions in the Amazon.

10.
Microbiol Resour Announc ; 11(7): e0033522, 2022 Jul 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35731123

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas sp. strain RGM 3321 is a phyllosphere endophyte from Fragaria chiloensis subsp. chiloensis f. patagonica that harbors genes associated with plant growth promotion pathways, as well as genes typically found in plant pathogens.

12.
Andes Pediatr ; 93(1): 78-85, 2022 Feb.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35506779

ABSTRACT

The presence of fetal megacystis in a renal ultrasound may suggest a mechanical or functional bladder outlet obstruction, an uncommon condition with a poor outcome. OBJECTIVE: To determine prog nostic factors in fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of megacystis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study carried out between 2003 and 2018 in the Orient Perinatal Reference Center (CERPO), Uni versity of Chile. Prenatal and postnatal data were analyzed, as well as etiology, pulmonary hypoplasia, medical and surgical treatment, mortality, renal function, and need for renal replacement therapy. The primary variable analyzed was survival at one year, and the secondary ones were renal function and predictors of survival. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U tests or Fisher test, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty-five fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of megacystis were included. 52% of them presented oligohydramnios and 84% showed renal anomalies. Vesicocentesis was performed in 15 fetuses and vesicoamniotic shunt was performed in 5 cases. There were 6 intrauterine fetal deaths (24%) and, among the 19 live births, 9 died soon after birth (36%) and 1 died in the post-neonatal period due to a non-nephron-urological cause. Nine newborns survived by one year of age (36%), seven of them with associated nephron- urological anomaly, and two were healthy patients. Two patients developed chronic kidney disease. The presence of pulmonary hypoplasia was the only factor associated with increased perinatal mor tality (p<0.05) secondary to oligohydramnios in all cases. Oligohydramnios was not identified as a prognostic factor in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The prenatal diagnosis of megacystis comprises a wide spectrum of pathologies including conditions with a high perinatal mortality rate to healthy fetuses with transient enlarged bladder without nephron-urological pathology. The only factor associated with increased perinatal mortality was pulmonary hypoplasia.


Subject(s)
Oligohydramnios , Perinatal Death , Urogenital Abnormalities , Duodenum/abnormalities , Female , Fetal Diseases , Fetus , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Oligohydramnios/diagnostic imaging , Pregnancy , Prenatal Diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Urinary Bladder/abnormalities
13.
Cardiovasc Toxicol ; 22(8): 713-726, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35633469

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Food-grade TiO2 (E171) is the most widely used additive in the food industry. Existing evidence shows TiO2 nanoparticles reach systemic circulation through biological barriers, penetrate cell membranes, accumulate in cells of different organs, and cause damage; however, their effects on cardiac cells and the development of heart diseases are still unexplored. Therefore, in this work, we tested E171 toxicity in rat cardiomyoblasts and hearts. E171 internalization and impact on cell viability, proliferation, mitochondria, lysosomes, F-actin distribution, and cell morphology were evaluated in H9c2 cells. Additionally, effects of E171 were measured on cardiac function in ex vivo rat hearts. E171 was uptaken by cells and translocated into the cytoplasm. E171 particles changed cell morphology reducing proliferation and metabolic activity. Higher caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression as well as Tunel-positive cells induced by E171 exposure indicate apoptotic death. Mitochondrial and lysosome alterations resulting from mitophagy were detected after 24 and 48 h exposure, respectively. Additionally, high E171 concentrations caused rearrangements of the F-actin cytoskeleton. Finally, hearts exposed to E171 showed impaired cardiac function. These results support E171 toxicity in cardiac cells in vitro altering cardiac function in an ex vivo model, indicating that consumption of this food additive could be toxic and may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease.


Subject(s)
Nanoparticles , Titanium , Animals , Cell Survival , Food Additives/toxicity , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Rats , Titanium/toxicity
16.
Rev. chil. obstet. ginecol. (En línea) ; 87(1): 48-61, feb. 2022. ilus, tab
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: biblio-1388709

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: La restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU), expresión insuficiente del potencial genético de crecimiento fetal, complica el 5-8% de los embarazos, con unas altas tasas de morbimortalidad perinatal. De origen multifactorial, puede ser causada por patologías maternas, fetales o placentarias. El tratamiento es limitado, optándose por un seguimiento riguroso con eventual interrupción del embarazo según la evolución. Se han utilizado diferentes estrategias terapéuticas para su prevención y manejo, surgiendo el citrato de sildenafil (CS), inhibidor de la fosfodiesterasa tipo 5, como fármaco que podría mejorar el flujo sanguíneo uteroplacentario y ofrecer mejores resultados perinatales en fetos con RCIU. Se propone realizar una revisión de la literatura disponible en relación al CS como tratamiento del RCIU. MÉTODO: Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura en inglés y español. De 105 artículos seleccionados, se excluyeron 94. La información obtenida fue clasificada y utilizada como soporte para la realización de esta revisión, siguiendo el modelo PRISMA. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron 11 estudios que contrastan el uso de placebo y CS en pacientes con RCIU. Respecto al aumento de peso al nacimiento, solo dos estudios demostraron evidencia significativa. Se reportaron 40 casos de muerte fetal/neonatal asociada al tratamiento con CS. CONCLUSIONES: No se encontró evidencia suficiente que justifique el uso sistemático de CS en casos de RCIU. Aún es necesario realizar estudios con muestras de mayor tamaño y posterior metaanálisis para confirmar el beneficio farmacológico en cuanto al aumento de peso de nacimiento, la prolongación del embarazo y los posibles efectos adversos a largo plazo.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an insufficient expression of the genetic potential for fetal growth, complicates 5-8% of pregnancies and represents high rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Of multifactorial origin, it can be caused by pathologies at the maternal, fetal or placental level. The treatment is limited, opting for a rigorous follow-up with eventual interruption of the pregnancy according to evolution. Different therapeutic strategies have been used for its prevention and management, emerging sildenafil citrate (CS), inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5, as a drug that could improve the uteroplacental blood flow and offer better perinatal results in fetuses with IUGR. A review of the available literature on CS as a treatment for IUGR is proposed. METHOD: A search was conducted for literature in English and Spanish. Out of 105 selected articles, 94 were excluded. The information obtained was classified and used as support for this review, following the PRISMA model. RESULTS: We found 11 studies that contrast the use of placebo and CS in patients with IGR. Regarding birth weight gain, only two studies showed significant evidence. Forty cases of fetal/neonatal death associated with CS treatment were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Not enough evidence was found to justify the routine use of CS in IUGR cases. Studies with larger samples and subsequent meta-analysis are still necessary to confirm the benefit of this drug in terms of birth weight gain, prolongation of pregnancy and possible long-term adverse effects.


Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Fetal Growth Retardation/drug therapy , Sildenafil Citrate/therapeutic use
17.
Phys Rev Lett ; 127(16): 161601, 2021 Oct 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34723615

ABSTRACT

It is shown that the Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur (AKNS) integrable hierarchy can be obtained as the dynamical equations of three-dimensional general relativity with a negative cosmological constant. This geometrization of the AKNS system is possible through the construction of novel boundary conditions for the gravitational field. These are invariant under an asymptotic symmetry group characterized by an infinite set of AKNS commuting conserved charges. Gravitational configurations are studied by means of SL(2,R) conjugacy classes. Conical singularities and black hole solutions are included in the boundary conditions.

18.
Transfus Apher Sci ; 60(6): 103270, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34509384

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Targeting young people to donate blood is a particularly promising option. The aim of this work was to know the motivators, barriers and preferred communication channels for blood donation among university students, and to determine the factors that explain why donors give blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to 420 students (response rate: 88.3 %) attending the University of Huelva (Spain). Data were gathered on sociodemographic variables, blood donation history, motivators and barriers to donation, and communication channels. Non-parametric contrasts were used to determine possible differences in the sociodemographic characteristics or donation history, and logistic regression to determine the factors associated to donation. RESULTS: 67.38 % of the students surveyed were non-donors, 12.94 % were first-time donors, 11.05 % were infrequent donors and 8.63 % were frequent donors. "Solidarity" was the main motivator for donating blood (40 %). "Lack of information on where and how to give blood" was the main barrier for non-donors (26.4 %), with "medical reasons" cited by first-time donors (22.2 %). 93.8 % of donors wished to be notified about their next donation appointment. The majority of those surveyed preferred e-mail to receive alerts and information on donation campaigns. The factors that explained blood donation were over 26 years of age and place of residence. CONCLUSION: The study identified differences in the motivators, barriers and choice of communication channel among the university students in terms of blood donation, and the factors that explain blood donation. This knowledge is a useful source of information when designing blood donation campaigns that target young people.


Subject(s)
Blood Donors/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Communication , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Motivation , Spain , Students , Universities , Young Adult
19.
Sci Rep ; 11(1): 7098, 2021 03 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33782506

ABSTRACT

Hexokinases (HXKs) and fructokinases (FRKs) are the only two families of enzymes in plants that have been identified as able to phosphorylate Glucose (Glc) and Fructose (Fru). Glc can only be phosphorylated in plants by HXKs, while Fru can be phosphorylated by either HXKs or FRKs. The various subcellular localizations of HXKs in plants indicate that they are involved in diverse functions, including anther dehiscence and pollen germination, stomatal closure in response to sugar levels, stomatal aperture and reducing transpiration. Its association with modulating programmed cell death, and responses to oxidative stress and pathogen infection (abiotic and biotic stresses) also have been reported. To extend our understanding about the function of HXK-like genes in the response of Prunus rootstocks to abiotic stress, we performed a detailed bioinformatic and functional analysis of hexokinase 3-like genes (HXK3s) from two Prunus rootstock genotypes, 'M.2624' (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh × P. munsoniana W.Wight & Hedrick) and 'M.F12/1' (P. avium L.), which are tolerant and sensitive to hypoxia stress, respectively. A previous large-scale transcriptome sequencing of roots of these rootstocks, showed that this HXK3-like gene that was highly induced in the tolerant genotype under hypoxia conditions. In silico analysis of gene promoters from M.2624 and M.F12/1 genotypes revealed regulatory elements that could explain differential transcriptional profiles of HXK3 genes. Subcellular localization was determinates by both bioinformatic prediction and expression of their protein fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in protoplasts and transgenic plants of Arabidopsis. Both approaches showed that they are expressed in plastids. Metabolomics analysis of Arabidopsis plants ectopically expressing Prunus HXK3 genes revealed that content of several metabolites including phosphorylated sugars (G6P), starch and some metabolites associated with the TCA cycle were affected. These transgenic Arabidopsis plants showed improved tolerance to salt and drought stress under growth chamber conditions. Our results suggest that Prunus HXK3 is a potential candidate for enhancing tolerance to salt and drought stresses in stone fruit trees and other plants.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis/physiology , Hexokinase/genetics , Prunus/genetics , Salt Tolerance/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Arabidopsis/genetics , Hexokinase/chemistry , Hypoxia/metabolism , Plants, Genetically Modified , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
20.
J Int Bioethique Ethique Sci ; 31(2): 11-25, 2020.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33319939

ABSTRACT

We address the ethical causes of the global ecological crisis we are currently undergoing, along with the expansion of the instrumental reason that is typical of modernity and the critics arisen from ecological ethics and feminism. Helping to solve the ethical crisis found in the base of ecology, with the intention of universal rationality, is possible from bioethical approach: utilitarianism and radical neoliberalism are useless, and maybe the foundations of our ethical duties with the nature and the rest of the living creatures may be found in the proposals of the dialogic ethics, neoaristotelian perspective and personalisme.


Subject(s)
Bioethics , Ethical Theory , Morals , Humans
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...