[Psychomotor development from 0 to 4 years in indigenous children. A sistematic literature search]

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to evaluate published articles regarding the development of indigenous children aged 0 to four years.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

Systematic literature search. Parti cipants: Primary studies with populations of indigenous children aged 0 to four years. Type of studies: Primary studies with qualitative or quantitative methodologies published in the last ten years until November 2015. Databases: MEDLINE, Digital Library of the University of Girona: CERCADOR, EMBASE, Scielo.

SEARCH STRATEGY

sensitive and specific. Free terms, MeSH, and Boolean.

RESULTS

Nine articles remain for analysis. There are six central subjects related to intracultural patterns of expected development in indigenous childhood: 1) physical, 2) language, 3) socio-cognitive, 4) emo tional, 5) teaching-learning, 6) psychosocial, which reveal the existence of categories of sociocultural and spiritual contents. There is no defined period of time associated with the education. Learning is through observation and participation. Development is understood as a whole, intertwining the social, cultural, natural and spiritual.

CONCLUSION

Spirituality and nature are at the center. Time as a goal to gain skills does not have a cultural function to demonstrate the acquisition of the inherent va lues to the culture. To base the assessment of development exclusively on psychomotor development as monitoring guide is insufficient to assess the integrality and complexity of the advances, abilities, and skills of indigenous children.

Effectiveness of renoprotective approaches for persistent proteinuria in lupus nephritis: more than just immunosuppression

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a tightly controlled renoprotective protocol in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with persistent proteinuria.

METHODS

Thirteen SLE patients with nephritis and persistent proteinuria (>1 g/24 hours) were included. The protocol consisted of regular clinical evaluations every two weeks to assess blood pressure (BP, target <130/80 mmHg), adherence to therapy, diet and smoking. No change in immunosuppressive drugs was allowed but reduction of glucocorticoid dose was permitted if indicated. Clinical, laboratory and treatment evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the study (after three months).

RESULTS

SLE patients had a mean age of 37.85 ± 7.68 years and disease duration of 9.85 ± 7.29 years. At baseline, patients had a mean duration of maintenance therapy of 10.38 ± 7.56 months, 12 with mycophenolate mofetil (92.3%) and one with azathioprine (7.7%). At least one dose optimization of antihypertensive regimen was required in all patients during the study. Seven patients (53.8%) had BP>130/80mmHg at baseline. At the end, 11 patients (84.6%) achieved stable BP target; 92.3% were using an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, 53.9% an angiotensin receptor blocker, and 46.2% were using combined therapy. All patients had a significant reduction in proteinuria levels (2.26 ± 1.09 vs 0.88 ± 0.54 g/24 hours, p < 0.001) and 61.5% achieved proteinuria <1 g/24 hours. A significant decrease in mean prednisone dose was observed (10.96 ± 6.73 vs 5.38 ± 3.36 mg/day, p = 0.013) as well as mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score (4.38 ± 0.72 vs 3.08 ± 1.86, p = 0.043). No significant changes were identified in serum creatinine, albumin, potassium, complement 3 and complement 4 levels ( p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that a tightly controlled renoprotective protocol is effective in reducing persistent proteinuria in lupus nephritis. The concomitant reduction of prednisone without any change in immunosuppression reinforces the importance of strategies beyond the treatment of nephritis activity.

The Many Faces of Carbohydrate Metabolism in Male Germ Cells: From Single Molecules to Active Polymers

Spermatogenesis is a complex physiological process that involves cell proliferation, meiotic division and a final cell differentiation of post-meiotic cells into spermatozoa. During this process male germ cells also undergo a metabolic differentiation process, in which post-meiotic spermatogenic cells (spermatids) but not meiotic spermatogenic cells (spermatocytes) respond differentially to D-glucose metabolism, glucose transporters (GLUTs) distribution and utilization of non-hexose substrates, such as lactate/pyruvate or dihydroxyacetone. These differences might be explained by the requirement for a specific metabolic process to support cell differentiation or in some cases, cell viability. In addition, though glycogen is considered to be the main glucose store, in male germ cells this polymer may play a novel role in cell proliferation, acting as a new marker for apoptotic events in testicular tissue via a yet unknown mechanism. In this article, we summarize the main metabolic changes that occur during male germ differentiation, with a specific focus on metabolic sources during spermatocyte to spermatid transition. The latter considering that these cells come from the same cell linage as specialized cells, but are not isolated from their environment, describing the roles from single molecules to polymers on the viability of male germ cells.

The manganese(III) porphyrin MnTnHex-2-PyP5+ modulates intracellular ROS and breast cancer cell migration: Impact on doxorubicin-treated cells

Manganese(III) porphyrins (MnPs) are superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics with demonstrated beneficial effects in cancer treatment in combination with chemo- and radiotherapy regimens. Despite the ongoing clinical trials, little is known about the effect of MnPs on metastasis, being therefore essential to understand how MnPs affect this process. In the present work, the impact of the MnP MnTnHex-2-PyP⁵⁺ in metastasis-related processes was assessed in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), alone or in combination with doxorubicin (dox). The co-treatment of cells with non-cytotoxic concentrations of MnP and dox altered intracellular ROS, increasing H₂O₂. While MnP alone did not modify cell migration, the co-exposure led to a reduction in collective cell migration and chemotaxis. In addition, the MnP reduced the dox-induced increase in random migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment with either MnP or dox decreased the proteolytic invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, although the effect was more pronounced upon co-exposure with both compounds. Moreover, to explore the cellular mechanisms underlying the observed effects, cell adhesion, spreading, focal adhesions, and NF-κB activation were also studied. Although differential effects were observed according to the endpoints analysed, overall, the alterations induced by MnP in dox-treated cells were consistent with a therapeutically favorable outcome.

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MnPs are SOD mimics with potential therapeutic applications in cancer.

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The impact of an MnP on breast cancer metastasis-related processes was assessed.

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Treatment with MnP+dox decreased collective cell migration, chemotaxis and invasion.

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MnP also reduced the dox-induced increase in random migration of MDA-MB-231 cells.

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Combination of MnP with dox revealed therapeutically favorable effects.

Concurrent segregation and erosion effects in medium-energy iron beam patterning of silicon surfaces

We have bombarded crystalline silicon targets with a 40 keV Fe⁺ ion beam at different incidence angles. The resulting surfaces have been characterized by atomic force, current-sensing and magnetic force microscopies, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We have found that there is a threshold angle smaller than 40° for the formation of ripple patterns, which is definitely lower than those frequently reported for noble gas ion beams. We compare our observations with estimates of the value of the critical angle and of additional basic properties of the patterning process, which are based on a continuum model whose parameters are obtained from binary collision simulations. We have further studied experimentally the ripple structures and measured how the surface slopes change with the ion incidence angle. We explore in particular detail the fluence dependence of the pattern for an incidence angle value (40°) close to the threshold. Initially, rimmed holes appear randomly scattered on the surface, which evolve into large, bug-like structures. Further increasing the ion fluence induces a smooth, rippled background morphology. By means of microscopy techniques, a correlation between the morphology of these structures and their metal content can be unambiguously established.

A window of opportunity for cooperativity in the T Cell Receptor

The T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) is pre-organised in oligomers, known as nanoclusters. Nanoclusters could provide a framework for inter-TCR cooperativity upon peptide antigen-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) binding. Here we have used soluble pMHC oligomers in search for cooperativity effects along the plasma membrane plane. We find that initial binding events favour subsequent pMHC binding to additional TCRs, during a narrow temporal window. This behaviour can be explained by a 3-state model of TCR transition from Resting to Active, to a final Inhibited state. By disrupting nanoclusters and hampering the Active conformation, we show that TCR cooperativity is consistent with TCR nanoclusters adopting the Active state in a coordinated manner. Preferential binding of pMHC to the Active TCR at the immunological synapse suggests that there is a transient time frame for signal amplification in the TCR, allowing the T cells to keep track of antigen quantity and binding time.

T cells can be activated by a small, two-digit, number of antigen peptide molecules even though the receptor for antigen (TCR) is of low affinity. Here the authors present evidence that all TCRs within a nanocluster can become activated when only a subset is bound to antigen.

Occurrence, profile and spatial distribution of UV-filters and musk fragrances in mussels from Portuguese coastline

The increasing production and consumption of Personal Care Products (PCPs), containing UV-filters and musk fragrances, has led to its widespread presence in the aquatic environment which can cause harmful effects to the aquatic organisms due to its intrinsic toxicity. This study aims to evaluate the degree of contamination of wild mussels along the entire Portuguese coastline, continually exposed in their habitat to different contaminants. For this purpose, approximately 1000 mussel specimens were sampled during one year in seven different locations, along the Portuguese coastline. Simultaneous quantification of five UV-filters and seven musks in mussels was achieved by a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction procedure combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Ten out of the twelve target analytes were found in the analysed samples, highlighting the presence of AHTN (tonalide), EHS (2-ethylhexylsalicylate) and EHMC (2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate) in all positive samples (93%). Overall, the results obtained indicate a widespread contamination of wild mussels along Portuguese coastline, all over the year. UV-filters were more frequently detected (90%) than musk fragrances (70%) and also quantified at higher levels, with average total concentrations reaching 1155.8 ng/g (dw) against 397.7 ng/g (dw) respectively. A high correlation was observed between the most densely populated and industrialized locations and the higher levels of musks and UV-filters found. In other hand, lower levels of PCPs were found in protected areas. As expected, an increase in UV-filters levels was observed after the summer, likely due to the intense period of recreational activities.

Histatins, wound healing, and cell migration

Wounds in the oral mucosa heal faster and more efficiently than those in the skin, although the mechanisms underlying these differences are not completely clear. In the last 10 years, a group of salivary peptides, the histatins, has gained attention on behalf of their ability to improve several phases of the wound-healing process. In addition to their roles as anti-microbial agents and in enamel maintenance, histatins elicit other biological effects, namely by promoting the migration of different cell types contained in the oral mucosa and in non-oral tissues. Histatins, and specifically histatin-1, promote cell adhesion and migration in oral keratinocytes, gingival and dermal fibroblasts, non-oral epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. This is particularly relevant, as histatin-1 promotes the re-epithelialization phase and the angiogenic responses by increasing epithelial and endothelial cell migration. Although the molecular mechanisms associated with histatin-dependent cell migration remain poorly understood, recent studies have pointed to the control of signaling endosomes and the balance of small GTPases. This review aimed to update the literature on the effects of histatins in cell migration, with a focus on wound healing. We will also discuss the consequences that this increasing field will have in disease and therapy design.

UV-filters and musk fragrances in seafood commercialized in Europe Union: Occurrence, risk and exposure assessment

In the framework of the FP7 ECsafeSeafood project, 62 seafood samples commercialized in Europe Union from several representative species - mackerel, tuna, salmon, seabream, cod, monkfish, crab, shrimp, octopus, perch and plaice - were analysed for residues of 21 personal care products (PCPs), including 11 UV-filters (UV-Fs) and 10 musk fragrances (musks). PCPs analysis were performed by Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective Rugged, Safe (QuEChERS), combined with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) or dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE), followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The results showed the presence in a wide range of samples of nine out of eleven UV-Fs compounds analysed, namely 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), 2-ethylhexyl,4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC), 4-methylbenzylidenecamphor (4-MBC), benzophenone-1 (BP1), benzophenone-3 (BP3), isoamyl-4-methoxycinnamate (IMC), 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone (DHMB), homosalate (HS), and octocrylene (OC), whereas galaxolide (HHCB), galaxolide lactone (HHCB-lactone), and tonalide (AHTN) were the most found musks. The potential risks to human health associated with the exposure to eight of the more prevalent PCPs - EHS, EHMC, 4-MBC, BP1, BP3, IMC, HHCB, and AHTN - through seafood consumption were assessed for consumers from five European countries (Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain). Results showed that the human exposure to UV-Fs and musks estimated from the concentration values found in seafood and the daily consumption of concerned seafood species, were far below toxicological reference values.

How much do we know about the frequency of hybridisation and polyploidy in the Mediterranean region?

Natural hybridisation and polyploidy are currently recognised as drivers of biodiversity, despite early scepticism about their importance. The Mediterranean region is a biodiversity hotspot where geological and climatic events have created numerous opportunities for speciation through hybridisation and polyploidy. Still, our knowledge on the frequency of these mechanisms in the region is largely limited, despite both phenomena are frequently cited in studies of Mediterranean plants. We reviewed information available from biodiversity and cytogenetic databases to provide the first estimates of hybridisation and polyploidy frequency in the Mediterranean region. We also inspected the most comprehensive modern Mediterranean Flora (Flora iberica) to survey the frequency and taxonomic distribution of hybrids and polyploids in Iberian Peninsula. We found that <6% of Mediterranean plants were hybrids, although a higher frequency was estimated for the Iberian Peninsula (13%). Hybrids were concentrated in few families and in even fewer genera. The overall frequency of polyploidy (36.5%) was comparable with previous estimates in other regions; however our estimates increased when analysing the Iberian Peninsula (48.8%). A surprisingly high incidence of species harbouring two or more ploidy levels was also observed (21.7%). A review of the available literature also showed that the ecological factors driving emergence and establishment of new entities are still poorly studied in the Mediterranean flora, although geographic barriers seem to play a major role in polyploid complexes. Finally, this study reveals several gaps and limitations in our current knowledge about the frequency of hybridisation and polyploidy in the Mediterranean region. The obtained estimates might change in the future with the increasing number of studies; still, rather than setting the complete reality, we hope that this work triggers future studies on hybridisation and polyploidy in the Mediterranean region.

Niche differences may explain the geographic distribution of cytotypes in Erysimum mediohispanicum

Polyploidisation has played an important role in plant diversification, and variation in ploidy level may be found not only between species of the same genus, but also within a single species. Although establishing the adaptive significance of polyploidy to explain the geographic distribution of cytotypes is challenging, the occurrence of different cytotypes in different ecological niches may suggest an adaptive role of genome duplication. We studied the adaptive significance of the geographic distribution of cytotypes across the entire distribution range of the endemic Erysimum mediohispanicum (Brassicaceae). For that, we have used climate variables, population elevation and soil properties to model ecological niches for the different cytotypes. In addition, we analysed the effect that ploidy level has on the floral phenotype. We found a clear geographic pattern in the distribution of cytotypes, with diploid individuals occurring in the southernmost part of the distribution range, while tetraploids were found in the northern area. A contact (mosaic) zone between both cytotypes was identified, but diploids and tetraploids occur in sympatry in only one population (although in a highly unbalanced proportion). Gene flow between different cytotypes seems to be negligible, as evident from an almost complete absence of triploids and other minority cytotypes. Niches occupied by both cytotypes showed subtle, but significant differences, even in the contact zone. Precipitation was higher in regions occupied by tetraploid individuals, which present wider corolla tubes and thinner but taller stalks than diploids. Our findings highlight the potential role of polyploidy in the ecological adaptation of E. mediohispanicum to both abiotic factors and biotic interactions.