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ABSTRACTAccumulation of Lewy bodies in dopaminergic neurons is associated to Parkinson disease (PD). The main component of Lewy bodies appears to be aggregates of alpha-synuclein (α-syn). Several mutations of the gene encoding this protein promote its aggregation. Thus, clustering of α-syn is considered a central event in the onset of PD. An old theory also postulates that mitochondrial dysfunction represents another cause of PD pathogenesis. However, the impact of α-syn aggregates on mitochondria remains poorly understood considering the technical difficulties to discriminate between the different forms of α-syn. In this punctum, we describe our recent work in which we used a newly developed optogenetic tool to control the aggregation of α-syn and examine the impact on mitochondria. This work revealed that α-syn aggregates dynamically interact with mitochondria, triggering their depolarization and leading to cardiolipin translocation to the surface of mitochondria and mitophagy.Abbreviations: α-syn: alpha-synuclein; BNIP3L: BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein-interacting protein 3-like; FUNDC1: FUN14 domain-containing protein 1; IMM: inner mitochondrial membrane; LIPA: light-induced protein aggregation; OMM: outer mitochondrial membrane; PD: Parkinson disease; SNc: substantia nigra par compacta;

Summary: Rod-shaped fission yeast grows through cell wall expansion at poles and septum, synthesized by essential glucan synthases. Bgs1 synthesizes the linear β(1,3)glucan of primary septum at cytokinesis. Linear β(1,3)glucan is also present in the wall poles, suggesting additional Bgs1 roles in growth polarity. Our study reveals an essential collaboration between Bgs1 and Tea1-Tea4, but not other polarity factors, in controlling growth polarity. Simultaneous absence of Bgs1 function and Tea1-Tea4 causes complete loss of growth polarity, spread of other glucan synthases, and spherical cell formation, indicating this defect is specifically due to linear β(1,3)glucan absence. Furthermore, linear β(1,3)glucan absence induces actin patches delocalization and sterols spread, which are ultimately responsible for the growth polarity loss without Tea1-Tea4. This suggests strong similarities in Bgs1 functions controlling actin structures during cytokinesis and polarized growth. Collectively, our findings unveil that cell wall β(1,3)glucan regulates polarized growth, like the equivalent extracellular matrix in neuronal cells.

Diversos tipos de ooides y oncoides se encuentran en travertinos y tobas a lo largo de 3 km del Barranco de Azuaje (Gran Canaria). Los ooides muestran formas esféricas a elipsoidales, de 0,1 mm->2 mm de tamaño, y envueltas concéntricas regulares. Los oncoides son de 0,4 mm a varios milímetros en general, con laminación. La mineralogía es aragonítica y aragonítica-calcítica en travertinos, y calcitítica en tobas. Los núcleos son intraclastos, moldes de partes de plantas o son indistinguibles de las envueltas. Las láminas de granos con envueltas aparecen comúnmente pasando a estromatolitos, pero también a otras facies (rafts, tallos colgantes, briófitas, etc.). En general, y considerando las características de núcleos y envueltas, asociaciones de facies y su distribución, los depósitos de ooides y oncoides representarían etapas diferentes de: (a) disponibilidad de partículas sueltas que sirven como núcleos, (b) formación de envueltas, (c) inmovilización de los granos y (d) fosilización del depósito por la formación de costras sobre el mismo. Todas estas etapas estarían relacionadas con condiciones físicas, químicas y biológicas específicas y sus variaciones, relacionadas con la dinámica sedimentaria del barranco.

Abstract Accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in the substantia nigra pars compacta is central in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, leading to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the manifestation of motor symptoms. Although several PD models mimic the pathological accumulation of α-synuclein after overexpression, they do not allow for controlling and monitoring its aggregation. We recently generated a new optogenetic tool by which we can spatiotemporally control the aggregation of α-synuclein using a light-induced protein aggregation system. Using this innovative tool, we aimed to characterize the impact of α-synuclein clustering on mitochondria, whose activity is crucial to maintain neuronal survival. We observed that aggregates of α-synuclein transiently and dynamically interact with mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial depolarization, lower ATP production, mitochondrial fragmentation and degradation via cardiolipin externalization-dependent mitophagy. Aggregation of α-synuclein also leads to lower mitochondrial content in human dopaminergic neurons and in mouse midbrain. Interestingly, overexpression of α-synuclein alone did not induce mitochondrial degradation. This work is among the first to clearly discriminate between the impact of α-synuclein overexpression and aggregation on mitochondria. This study thus represents a new framework to characterize the role of mitochondria in PD.

Application of beneficial microorganisms as probiotics targets a broad range of intended uses, from maintaining health and supporting normal bodily functions to curing and preventing diseases. Currently, three main regulatory fields of probiotic products can be defined depending on their intended use: the more similar probiotic foods and probiotic dietary supplements, and live biotherapeutic products. However, it is not always straightforward to classify a probiotic product into one of these categories. The regulatory nuances of developing, manufacturing, investigating and applying each category of probiotic products are not universal, and not always apparent to those unfamiliar with the various global probiotic regulatory guidelines. Various global markets can be significantly different regarding legislation, possible claims, market value and quality requirements for the development and commercialization of probiotic products. Furthermore, different probiotic product categories are also linked with variable costs at different stages of product development. This review outlines the current landscape comparing probiotic foods, probiotic dietary supplements, and live biotherapeutics as probiotic products from a regulatory lens, focusing on product development, manufacturing and production, and clinical research agenda. The aim is to inform and promote a better understanding among stakeholders by outlining the expectations and performance for each probiotic product category, depending on their intended use and targeted geographical region.

Summary: Chromosome segregation in female meiosis in many metazoans is mediated by acentrosomal spindles. The analysis of the dynamics of self-assembled spindles is a challenge due to the low availability of oocytes. Here, we present a protocol for analyzing self-assembled spindle dynamics in fission yeast meiosis using in vivo fluorescence imaging. We describe steps for starter culture preparation, meiosis induction, and sample preparation. We then detail procedures for acquisition and analysis of images of self-assembled spindles.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Pineda-Santaella and Fernández-Álvarez (2019)1 and Pineda-Santaella et al. (2021).2 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Abstract On‐going projects of the team are currently dealing with microbiota, xenobiotics, endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs), obesity, inflammation and probiotics. The combination of diet, lifestyle and the exposure to dietary xenobiotics categorised into microbiota‐disrupting chemicals (MDCs) could determine obesogenic‐related dysbiosis. This modification of the microbiota diversity impacts on individual health–disease balance, inducing altered phenotypes. Specific, complementary, and combined prevention and treatments are needed to face these altered microbial patterns and the specific misbalances triggered. In this sense, searching for next‐generation probiotics (NGP) by microbiota culturing, and focusing on their demonstrated, extensive scope and well‐defined functions could contribute to counteracting and repairing the effects of obesogens. Therefore, EU‐FORA project contributes to present a perspective through compiling information and key strategies for directed taxa searching and culturing of NGP that could be administered for preventing obesity and endocrine‐related dysbiosis by (i) observing the differential abundance of specific microbiota taxa in obesity‐related patients and analysing their functional roles, (ii) developing microbiota‐directed strategies for culturing these taxa groups, and (iii) design and applying the successful compiled criteria from recent NGP clinical studies. New isolated or cultivable microorganisms from healthy gut microbiota specifically related to xenobiotic obesogens' neutralisation effects might be used as an NGP single strain or in consortia, both presenting functions and the ability to palliate metabolic‐related disorders. Identification of holistic approaches for searching and using potential NGP, key aspects, the bias, gaps and proposals of solutions were also considered in this workplan.

Cytokinesis, the separation of daughter cells at the end of mitosis, relies in animal cells on a contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) composed of actin and class II myosins, whose activity is strongly influenced by regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation. However, in simple eukaryotes such as the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, RLC phosphorylation appears dispensable for regulating CAR dynamics. We found that redundant phosphorylation at Ser35 of the S. pombe RLC homolog Rlc1 by the p21-activated kinases Pak1 and Pak2, modulates myosin II Myo2 activity and becomes essential for cytokinesis and cell growth during respiration. Previously, we showed that the stress-activated protein kinase pathway (SAPK) MAPK Sty1 controls fission yeast CAR integrity by downregulating formin For3 levels (Gómez-Gil et al., 2020). Here, we report that the reduced availability of formin For3-nucleated actin filaments for the CAR is the main reason for the required control of myosin II contractile activity by RLC phosphorylation during respiration-induced oxidative stress. Thus, the restoration of For3 levels by antioxidants overrides the control of myosin II function regulated by RLC phosphorylation, allowing cytokinesis and cell proliferation during respiration. Therefore, fine-tuned interplay between myosin II function through Rlc1 phosphorylation and environmentally controlled actin filament availability is critical for a successful cytokinesis in response to a switch to a respiratory carbohydrate metabolism.

El alumnado universitario utiliza la tecnología a diario, por lo que, en ocasiones, ciertas competencias digitales se dan por supuestas. Sin embargo, es necesario que el futuro profesorado utilice su competencia digital en contextos de aprendizaje, por lo que deben ampliarla en su formación académica y aplicarla con fines didácticos. El objetivo de este trabajo es conseguir que el futuro profesorado, domine las técnicas relacionadas con las transformaciones geométricas a la vez que mejora la competencia digital, matemática y la didáctica de esta (Modelo TPACK). Para ello, se ha aplicado el Software libre de GeoGebra Classic, con la finalidad de que el alumnado en formación adquiera competencias para la enseñanza de conceptos geométricos como los de simetría axial, central, inversión, rotación, traslación y homotecia. Se ha utilizado una metodología mixta con diseño preexperimental con una muestra de 68 participantes pertenecientes a la asignatura de Matemáticas y su didáctica III del Grado en Educación Primaria de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos matriculados durante el curso 2021/2022. La evaluación, los talleres y los datos del cuestionario especialmente diseñado permiten realizar un análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo. Los resultados son muy satisfactorios ya que la aplicación de GeoGebra Classic permite desarrollar estrategias que combinan competencias de forma simultánea y se concluye que facilita y mejora la adquisición de competencia matemática y digital y simplifica algunas dificultades que surgen en el aprendizaje.

The pathogenic basis behind some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases in advanced societies, known as proteinopathies, deals with alterations in protein homeostasis. Despite the broad diversity of clinical symptoms, they share a remarkably common feature that is the serious neuronal loss in several disease-specific brain regions due to the presence of toxic aggregations of misfolded proteins. So far, research efforts have been insufficient to decipher the exact molecular mechanisms that trigger the conformational change from a functional healthy protein to its pathological version. This is a sine qua non condition to progress in developing new approaches and treatments for these diseases for which there is no cure. Currently, it is well accepted that perturbations in gut microbiota composition negatively impact a wide range of brain processes via the gut-brain axis which increases host susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders. In this context, modulate the microbial ecosystem colonizing the gastrointestinal tract may be a promising therapeutic approach in the management of proteinopathies. This review aims to provide an updated view of the role that gut microbiota poses in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease, the most common neurodegenerative proteinopathies, and of the possibility of translating this knowledge into effective and safe clinical microbiota-based interventions, especially those designed to afford neuroprotection.

Experimental and clinical evidence has demonstrated the potential of probiotic strains in the prevention or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, there is little data on what the methodology leading to the identification of such strains should be. In this work, we propose a new flowchart to identify strains with probiotic potential for the management of IBS and IBD, which we tested on a collection of 39 lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria strains. This flowchart included in vitro tests of immunomodulatory properties on intestinal and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), assessment of the barrier-strengthening effect by measuring transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) and quantification of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists produced by the strains. The in vitro results were then combined in a principal component analysis (PCA) to identify strains associated with an anti-inflammatory profile. To validate our flowchart, we tested the two most promising strains identified in the PCA in mouse models of post-infectious IBS or chemically induced colitis to mimic IBD. Our results show that this screening strategy allows the identification of strains with potential beneficial effects on colonic inflammation and colonic hypersensitivity.

Preterm birth is one of the main health problems encountered in the neonatal period, especially because it is also the first cause of death in the critical 1st month of life and the second in children under 5 years of age. Not only preterm birth entails short term health risks due to low weight and underdeveloped organs, but also increases the risk of suffering from non-transmissible diseases in the long term. To date, it is known that medical conditions and lifestyle factors could increase the risk of preterm birth, but the molecular mechanisms that control this process remain unclear. Luteolysis, increased inflammation or oxidative stress have been described as possible triggers for preterm birth and, in some cases, the cause of dysbiosis in preterm neonates. Several murine models have been developed to shed light into the mechanistic of preterm birth but, for the most part, are inflammation-based labor induction models and the offspring health readouts are mainly limited to survival and weight. Using a set of SWISS-CD1 mice born prematurely we analyzed inflammation and gut permeability parameters compared with term pups at weaning age. Overall, preterm mice presented higher systemic inflammation and gastrointestinal tract permeability. In this perspective article, we discuss the recent discoveries on preterm birth and the necessity of non-inflammatory murine models to really understand these phenotypes and be able to design strategies to prevent the sequels of this traumatic event in neonates.

Summary: Cdc42 GTPase rules cell polarity and growth in fission yeast. It is negatively and positively regulated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), respectively. Active Cdc42-GTP localizes to the poles, where it associates with numerous proteins constituting the polarity module. However, little is known about its downregulation. We describe here that oxidative stress causes Sty1-kinase-dependent Cdc42 inactivation at cell poles. Both the amount of active Cdc42 at tips and cell length inversely correlate with Sty1 activity, explaining the elongated morphology of Δsty1 cells. We have created stress-blinded cell poles either by eliminating two Cdc42 GAPs or through the constitutive tethering of Gef1 to cell tips, and we biochemically demonstrate that the GAPs Rga3/6 and the GEF Gef1 are direct substrates of Sty1. We propose that phosphorylation of Rga3/6 and Gef1 mediates the Sty1-dependent inhibition of Cdc42 at cell tips, halting polarized growth during stress adaptation.

La preocupación por la apatía, desafección y escepticismo hacia la política convencional por parte de la sociedad en general y de los jóvenes en particular, junto con la percepción de las preferencias de estos últimos por los medios digitales, han llevado a los académicos a investigar en qué medida las oportunidades de participación que ofrecen los medios sociales pueden influir en el compromiso y comportamiento cívico y político. Este artículo examina las investigaciones publicadas sobre el tema en este siglo con el objetivo de identificar los elementos claves del debate en torno al papel de los medios sociales en el desarrollo de la llamada ciudadanía digital.

The commensal bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii plays a key role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis and serves as a general health biomarker in humans. However, the host molecular mechanisms that underlie its anti-inflammatory effects remain unknown. In this study we performed a transcriptomic approach on human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29) stimulated with TNF-α and exposed to F. prausnitzii culture supernatant (SN) in order to determine the impact of this commensal bacterium on intestinal epithelial cells. Moreover, modulation of the most upregulated gene after F. prausnitzii SN contact was validated both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that F. prausnitzii SN upregulates the expression of Dact3, a gene linked to the Wnt/JNK pathway. Interestingly, when we silenced Dact3 expression, the effect of F. prausnitzii SN was lost. Butyrate was identified as the F. prausnitzii effector responsible for Dact3 modulation. Dact3 upregulation was also validated in vivo in both healthy and inflamed mice treated with either F. prausnitzii SN or the live bacteria, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated by colon transcriptomics that gut microbiota directly influences Dact3 expression. This study provides new clues about the host molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of the beneficial commensal bacterium F. prausnitzii.

El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer cuáles son las percepciones y usos que las ONG españolas analizadas hacen de las redes sociales. Se realiza una investigación cuantitativa con cuestionarios y otra cualitativa con dos grupos focales para valorar los aspectos positivos y negativos que afectan al uso de las redes sociales. Se analiza el papel de estas en la planificación de la comunicación y se adelantan expectativas de futuro de mejora de la creatividad e innovación de los mensajes y de perfeccionamiento en la medición de eficacia de la comunicación en las redes sociales.

Cytokinesis, which enables the physical separation of daughter cells once mitosis has been completed, is executed in fungal and animal cells by a contractile actin- and myosin-based ring (CAR). In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the formin For3 nucleates actin cables and also co-operates for CAR assembly during cytokinesis. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate essential adaptive responses in eukaryotic organisms to environmental changes. We show that the stress-activated protein kinase pathway (SAPK) and its effector, MAPK Sty1, downregulates CAR assembly in S. pombe when its integrity becomes compromised during cytoskeletal damage and stress by reducing For3 levels. Accurate control of For3 levels by the SAPK pathway may thus represent a novel regulatory mechanism of cytokinesis outcome in response to environmental cues. Conversely, SAPK signaling favors CAR assembly and integrity in its close relative Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, revealing a remarkable evolutionary divergence of this response within the fission yeast clade.

The establishment of gut microbiota has been proven to be impacted by several factors during pregnancy, delivery, and neonate periods. The body of evidence describing C-section delivery (CSD) as one of the most disruptive events during early life has expanded in recent years, concluding that CSD results in a drastic change in microbiota establishment patterns. When comparing the gut microbiota composition of CSD babies with vaginally delivered (VD) babies, the former show a microbiome that closely resembles that found in the environment and the mother’s skin, while VD babies show a microbiome more similar to the vaginal microbiome. Although these alterations of normal gut microbiota establishment tend to disappear during the first months of life, they still affect host health in the mid–long term since CSD has been correlated with a higher risk of early life infections and non-transmissible diseases, such as inflammatory diseases, allergies, and metabolic diseases. In recent years, this phenomenon has also been studied in other mammals, shedding light on the mechanisms involved in the effects of a CSD on host health. In addition, strategies to revert the disruptions in gut microbiomes caused by a CSD are currently in the process of development and evaluation. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in CSD research, from the alteration of gut microbiota establishment to the possible effects on host health during early life and development.

La re-invención de la radio y su adopción a nuevos formatos digitales con el propósito de fidelizar y aumentar audiencias, no ha sido suficiente para que la generalidad de los jóvenes se sienta fuertemente atraída por este medio. Unos contenidos repetitivos y que no están adaptados a sus intereses son algunos de los argumentos expuestos por este sector de población que les lleva a reemplazar la radio por otras formas y vías de comunicación. Esta investigación exploratoria plantea conocer si esta tendencia es también mayoritaria entre un grupo de jóvenes en particular: los universitarios de Periodismo y Comunicación Audiovisual. Para alcanzar dicho objetivo se realiza una encuesta a estudiantes de los mencionados grados. Se concluye que no hay apenas diferencias con los otros sectores juveniles, a pesar de que los encuestados formarán parte y estarán directamente implicados en el desarrollo y futuros cambios de la radio y del resto de medios.

Abstract The final step in post-translational processing of Ras and Rho GTPases involves methylation of the prenylated cysteine residue by an isoprenylcysteine-O-carboxyl methyltransferase (ICMT). ICMT activity is essential for cell growth and development in higher eukaryotes, and inhibition of GTPase methylation has become an attractive target in cancer therapy to inactivate prenylated oncoproteins. However, the specificity and dynamics of the GTPase methylation process remain to be fully clarified. Notably, cells lacking Mam4, the ICMT ortholog in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, are viable. We have exploited this feature to analyze the role of methylation on GTPase localization and function. We show that methylation differentially affects GTPase membrane localization, being particularly relevant for plasma membrane tethering and downstream signaling of palmitoylated and farnesylated GTPases Ras1 and Rho2 lacking C-terminal polybasic motifs. Indeed, Ras1 and Rho2 cysteine methylation is required for proper regulation of differentiation elicited by MAPK Spk1 and for stress-dependent activation of the cell integrity pathway (CIP) and its main effector MAPK Pmk1. Further, Mam4 negatively regulates TORC2 signaling by a cross-inhibitory mechanism relying on Rho GTPase methylation. These results highlight the requirement for a tight control of GTPase methylation in vivo to allow adequate GTPase function.

Abstract The aim of this review is to summarize the effect in host energy metabolism of the production of B group vitamins and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) by commensal, food-grade and probiotic bacteria, which are also actors of the mammalian nutrition. The mechanisms of how these microbial end products, produced by these bacterial strains, act on energy metabolism will be discussed. We will show that these vitamins and SCFA producing bacteria could be used as tools to recover energy intakes by either optimizing ATP production from foods or by the fermentation of certain fibers in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Original data are also presented in this work where SCFA (acetate, butyrate and propionate) and B group vitamins (riboflavin, folate and thiamine) production was determined for selected probiotic bacteria.

La obra que se reseña, de Elena Ayuso, recoge en su breve formato un homenaje a Cervantes. Y es, al mismo tiempo, un homenaje al medio radiofónico; especialmente a aquella radio cultivada a mediados del siglo xx y que brillaba en las ondas gracias a las producciones de ficción.

Los patrones de uso y consumo de información mediática de los adolescentes experimentan cambios frecuentes debido a la constante evolución tecnológica. Este trabajo, fruto del proyecto REDCON, trata de conocer el uso y consumo de internet, redes sociales y servicios de mensajería de los adolescentes en la Comunidad de Madrid, así como su percepción de los riesgos, el control parental y el acceso a las noticias. A través de cuatro grupos de discusión, con menores de entre 13 y 17 años, se ha constatado un uso multitarea de internet, las redes sociales y los servicios de mensajería, en periodos cortos de consulta repartidos durante el día, con control parental al inicio de la adolescencia que se diluye cuando crecen. Destaca un consumo incidental de noticias, unido a una baja valoración de la credibilidad mediática y una falta de autorregulación de los jóvenes en el uso de internet y dispositivos móviles.

Agave species are a source of diverse products for human use, such as food, fiber, and beverages, which include mezcal, a distilled beverage produced by spontaneous fermentation. Agave is an excellent source of high amounts of sugars, minerals, and phenolic compounds, which favor the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast communities. In this work, 20 promising LAB strains with probiotic characteristics were isolated from the agave fermentation stage in mezcal production. The strains belonged to Lactobacillus plantarum (15), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (2), Enterococcus faecium (2), and Lactococcus lactis (1). These isolates were characterized for their resistance under gastrointestinal conditions, such as lysozyme, acid pH, and bile salts. In addition, the adherence of these LABs to human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 and HT-29 cells) was tested in vitro and their antioxidant and immunomodulatory profile was determined using cellular models. Lactobacillus rhamnosus LM07 and Lactobacillus plantarum LM17 and LM19 strains were selected for their antioxidant properties, and their capacities in an oxidative stress model in intestinal epithelial cells IECs (Caco-2 and HT-29 cells) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide were evaluated. Interestingly, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LM07 and Lactobacillus plantarum LM17 and LM19 strains showed anti-inflammatory properties in TNF-α-stimulated HT-29 cells. Subsequently, bacterial strains exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were tested in vivo in a mouse model with dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced chronic colitis. Weight loss, intestinal permeability, and cytokine profiles were measured in mice as indicators of inflammation. One of the selected strains, Lactobacillus plantarum LM17, improved the health of the mice, as observed by reduced weight loss, and significantly decreased intestinal permeability. Altogether, our results demonstrate the potential of LAB (and lactobacilli in particular) isolated from the agave fermentation stage in mezcal production. Lactobacillus rhamnosus LM07 and Lactobacillus plantarum LM17 strains represent potential candidates for developing new probiotic supplements to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Bifidobacteria are among the first colonisers of the gastrointestinal tract of breast-fed newborns due to, among other things, their ability to metabolise oligosaccharides naturally occurring in human milk. The presence of bifidobacteria in the infant gut has been shown to promote intestinal health and homeostasis as well as to preserve a functional gut barrier, thus positively influencing host health and well-being. Among human-associated gut commensals, Bifidobacterium bifidum has been described as the only species capable of the extracellular degradation of both mucin-type glycans and HMOs, thereby giving this species a special role as a commensal gut forager of both host and diet-derived glycans. In the present study, we assess the possible beneficial properties and probiotic potential of B. bifidum strain CNCM I-4319. In silico genome analysis and growth experiments confirmed the expected ability of this strain to consume HMOs and mucin. By employing various animal models, we were also able to assess the ability of B. bifidum CNCM I-4319 to preserve gut integrity and functionality from stress-induced and inflammatory damage, thereby enforcing its potential as an effective probiotic strain.

Summary: Paxillin is a scaffold protein that participates in focal adhesion signaling in mammalian cells. Fission yeast paxillin ortholog, Pxl1, is required for contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) integrity and collaborates with the β-glucan synthase Bgs1 in septum formation. We show here that Pxl1’s main function is to recruit calcineurin (CN) phosphatase to the actomyosin ring; and thus the absence of either Pxl1 or calcineurin causes similar cytokinesis defects. In turn, CN participates in the dephosphorylation of the Cdc15 F-BAR protein, which recruits and concentrates Pxl1 at the CAR. Our findings suggest the existence of a positive feedback loop between Pxl1 and CN and establish that Pxl1 is a crucial component of the CN signaling pathway during cytokinesis. : Martín-García et al. show that fission yeast paxillin binds and recruits calcineurin (CN) phosphatase to the cytokinetic actomyosin ring (CAR). There, CN collaborates with Bgs1 in septum ingression and promotes the concentration of Pxl1 at the CAR in a feedback loop likely mediated through CN dephosphorylation of the Cdc15 F-BAR protein, essential for cytokinesis. Keywords: Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cytokinesis, calcineurin, paxillin, septum, actomyosin ring, Bgs1, Cdc15

Murine colitis models are crucial tools for understanding intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. However, most current models utilize a highly inbred strain of mice, and often only one sex is employed to limit bias. This targeted approach, which in itself is biased, means that murine genetic diversity and sex-related differences are ignored, making it even more difficult to extend findings to humans, who are highly heterogeneous. Furthermore, most models do not examine the chronic form of colitis, an important fact taking into account the chronic nature of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Here, we attempted to create a more realistic murine colitis model by addressing these three issues. Using chemically induced chronic colon inflammation in an outbred strain of mice (RjOrl:SWISS [CD-1]), we (i) mimicked the relapsing nature of the disease, (ii) better represented normal genetic variability, and (iii) employed both female and male mice. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS). After a recovery period and 3 days before the mice were euthanized, colitis was reactivated by a second administration of DNBS. Protocol length was 24 days. Colitis severity was assessed using body mass, macroscopic scores, and histological scores. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, cytokine levels, and lymphocyte populations were also characterized. Our results show that the intrarectal administration of DNBS effectively causes colitis in both female and male CD-1 mice in a dose-dependent manner, as reflected by loss of body mass, macroscopic scores and histological scores. Furthermore, colon cytokine levels and mesenteric lymph node characteristics indicate that this model involves immune system activation. Although some variables were sex-specific, most of the results support including both females and males in the model. Our ultimate goal is to make this model available to researchers for testing candidate anti-inflammatory agents, such as classical or next-generation probiotics; we also aim for the results to be more easily transferrable to human trials.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii represents approximately 5% of the total fecal microbiota in healthy adults being one of the most abundant bacterium in the human intestinal microbiota of healthy adults. Furthermore, this bacterium has been proposed to be a sensor and a major actor of the human intestinal health because of its importance in the gut ecosystem. In this context, F. prausnitzii population levels have been found to be reduced in patients suffering from several syndromes and diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases. These diseases are characterized by a breakage of the intestinal homeostasis called dysbiosis and the use of F. prausnitzii as a next generation probiotic (also called live biotherapeutics) has been proposed as a natural tool to restore such dysbiosis within the gut. Nevertheless, despite the potential importance of this bacterium in human health, little is known about its main effectors underlying its beneficial effects. In this perspective note, we aim to present the actual state in the research about F. prausnitzii effectors and the future milestones in this field.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a major member of the Firmicutes phylum and one of the most abundant bacteria in the healthy human microbiota. F. prausnitzii depletion has been reported in several intestinal disorders, and more consistently in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Despite its importance in human health, only few microbiological studies have been performed to isolate novel F. prausnitzii strains in order to better understand the biodiversity and physiological diversity of this beneficial commensal species. In this study, we described a protocol to isolate novel F. prausnitzii strains from feces of healthy volunteers as well as a deep molecular and metabolic characterization of these isolated strains. These F. prausnitzii strains were classified in two phylogroups and three clusters according to 16S rRNA sequences and results support that they would belong to two different genomospecies or genomovars as no genome sequencing has been performed in this work. Differences in enzymes production, antibiotic resistance and immunomodulatory properties were found to be strain-dependent. So far, all F. prausnitzii isolates share some characteristic such as (i) the lack of epithelial cells adhesion, plasmids, anti-microbial, and hemolytic activity and (ii) the presence of DNAse activity. Furthermore, Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) production was assessed for the novel isolates as these products influence intestinal homeostasis. Indeed, the butyrate production has been correlated to the capacity to induce IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but not to the ability to block IL-8 secretion in TNF-α-stimulated HT-29 cells, reinforcing the hypothesis of a complex anti-inflammatory pathway driven by F. prausnitzii. Altogether, our results suggest that some F. prausnitzii strains could represent good candidates as next-generation probiotic.

La investigación tiene como objetivo conocer el uso que las agencias de comunicación publicitaria hacen de las redes sociales, los sectores que ya las utilizan y los sectores para los que pueden tener mayor potencia, y los fines y recursos estratégicos como canal comunicativo. Se han encuestado al 75% de las agencias socias de la Asociación Española de Comunicación Publicitaria (AEACP) utilizando técnicas del cuestionario y del análisis de contenido cualitativo. Los resultados confirman que el uso que hacen de las redes sociales se reflejan en las percepciones que tienen sobre las potencialidades del medio y que se las considera eficaces para desarrollar los objetivos de marca en los sectores que se dirigen a los jóvenes, las marcas relacionadas con el entretenimiento/ocio y para lanzar nuevos productos, desarrollar estrategias promocionales y fidelizar a los consumidores.

El consumo es un símbolo de integración porque se supone que cuando los nuevos residentes consumen se acercan al comportamiento de los nacionales. Por ello la publicidad sigue siendo una herramienta importante de inserción social a pesar de la crisis económica. Se hace un análisis detallado de las estrategias creativas y de la creatividad de los mensajes utilizados en las campañas dirigidas a nuevos residentes y se constata que se abusa de los estereotipos y que la mayoría de las campañas se concentran en tres sectores: comunicaciones, entidades financieras y alimentación y, en menor medida pero con un gran desarrollo en creatividad, en Codesarrollo tal y como se observa en el Festival Universitario de Publicidad Social Solidar&dar de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos dirigido por Isidoro Arroyo.The consumption is a symbol to integrate inmigrants because inmigrants do the same things that natives. Advertisement continues been an important tool to integrate inmigrants. This article analices creative strategy and messages analysis in campaign manages to inmigrants. We consider that they exceeds of stereotypes. The most of the campaign are about communication, banks and food. They are about Co-development too as we could see in Social Universitary Advertisement Festival Solidar&dar in Rey Juan Carlos University whose chairman is Isidoro Arroyo.

Este artículo presenta un estudio de caso sobre la comunicación que realizan, a través de Internet, las organizaciones no gubernamentales de desarrollo (ongd), especialmente aquellas que han tenido un reconocimiento administrativo a su gestión por la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (aeci). Los resultados confirman el conocimiento que tienen las ongd de la necesidad de estar en la Red, de las posibilidades de mejora que se abren en el desarrollo de sus sitios web diseño, interactividad, accesibilidad, etc.- así como de la necesidad de seguir investigando en este ámbito para desarrollar estrategias de comunicación web acordes con las necesidades de las entidades sin ánimo de lucro.

Hemos revisado de forma retrospectiva 18 casos de tumor filodes, diagnosticados histopatológi-camente durante un período de 6 años, recogiendo los datos clínicos, radiológicos y evolutivos. Todos los casos se presentaron como nodulo palpable, fibroelástico e indoloro excepto uno que lo hizo como mastitis sobre tumoración. En mamografía mostraron densidad homogénea, bordes relativamente bien definidos, sin calcificaciones en su interior. Ultraso-nográficamente aparecieron como masas sólidas, heterogéneas, con refuerzo posterior y algunas de ellas con áreas quísticas características. En todos los casos se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico y en 15 pacientes se hizo punción aspirativa con aguja fina (PAAF), previo a la cirugía. Los datos evolutivos en relación a recidiva local y metástasis son similares a los descritos en la bibliografía. Recomendamos estrecha vigilancia clínico-radiológica debido a la historia natural del tumor y su alto número de recidivasWe have revised in retrospective study, 18 cases of phyllodes breast tumor diagnosed histolo-gically over a 6 year-period, gathering the clinical, radiological and evolutionary data. All the cases appeared as palpable, elastic and painless nodules. Mammography showed homogeneous density, relatively well defined borders, without internal calcifications. Ultrasonographically they appeared as solid masses, heterogeneous, with posterior enhancement and, some of them with characteristic cystic areas. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was made in 15 patients, before the surgical treatment that was carried out in all the cases. The information related to local relapse and metastasis is similar to those described in the bibliography. We recommend close clinical-radiological surveillance, due to the natural history of the tumour and their high number of relapses

Assessing the distribution of 16S rRNA gene sequences within a biological sample represents the current state-of-the-art for determination of human gut microbiota composition. Advances in dissecting the microbial biodiversity of this ecosystem have very much been dependent on the development of novel high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies, like the Ion Torrent. However, the precise representation of this bacterial community may be affected by the protocols used for DNA extraction as well as by the PCR primers employed in the amplification reaction. Here, we describe an optimized protocol for 16S rRNA gene-based profiling of the fecal microbiota.

Las miradas que se lanzan a los países en vías de desarrollo desde los que no lo son siguen siendo miopes y estereotipadas. Se fomenta, además, a través de las representaciones que se ofrecen de ellos en los medios de comunicación de masas. La imagen que llega a los países del conocido como primer mundo pasa por el tamiz de la espectacularidad de las guerras, los desastres naturales y lo sugerente de la publicidad. Las ONG, las instituciones que más conocen estos países, sus culturas y sus gentes, aún deben trabajar para crear una percepción más cercana y certera de las realidades del Tercer Mundo. Las imágenes que utilizan en la actualidad han evolucionado y se han regulado por códigos deontológicos, pero no consiguen eliminar la imagen de estas sociedades como alejadas, dependientes e infantilizadas.

Hemos revisado de forma retrospectiva 18 casos de tumor filodes, diagnosticados histopatológi-camente durante un período de 6 años, recogiendo los datos clínicos, radiológicos y evolutivos. Todos los casos se presentaron como nodulo palpable, fibroelástico e indoloro excepto uno que lo hizo como mastitis sobre tumoración. En mamografía mostraron densidad homogénea, bordes relativamente bien definidos, sin calcificaciones en su interior. Ultraso-nográficamente aparecieron como masas sólidas, heterogéneas, con refuerzo posterior y algunas de ellas con áreas quísticas características. En todos los casos se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico y en 15 pacientes se hizo punción aspirativa con aguja fina (PAAF), previo a la cirugía. Los datos evolutivos en relación a recidiva local y metástasis son similares a los descritos en la bibliografía. Recomendamos estrecha vigilancia clínico-radiológica debido a la historia natural del tumor y su alto número de recidivas