Crucial role of CB(2) cannabinoid receptor in the regulation of central immune responses during neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a clinical manifestation of nerve injury difficult to treat even with potent analgesic compounds. Here, we used different lines of genetically modified mice to clarify the role played by CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the regulation of the central immune responses leading to the development of neuropathic pain. CB2 knock-out mice and wild-type littermates were exposed to sciatic nerve injury, and both genotypes developed a similar hyperalgesia and allodynia in the ipsilateral paw. Most strikingly, knock-outs also developed a contralateral mirror image pain, associated with an enhanced microglial and astrocytic expression in the contralateral spinal horn. In agreement, hyperalgesia, allodynia, and microglial and astrocytic activation induced by sciatic nerve injury were attenuated in transgenic mice overexpressing CB2 receptors. These results demonstrate the crucial role of CB2 cannabinoid receptor in modulating glial activation in response to nerve injury. The enhanced manifestations of neuropathic pain were replicated in irradiated wild-type mice reconstituted with bone marrow cells from CB2 knock-outs, thus demonstrating the implication of the CB2 receptor expressed in hematopoietic cells in the development of neuropathic pain at the spinal cord.

Interferon-gamma is a critical modulator of CB(2) cannabinoid receptor signaling during neuropathic pain

Nerve injuries often lead to neuropathic pain syndrome. The mechanisms contributing to this syndrome involve local inflammatory responses, activation of glia cells, and changes in the plasticity of neuronal nociceptive pathways. Cannabinoid CB(2) receptors contribute to the local containment of neuropathic pain by modulating glial activation in response to nerve injury. Thus, neuropathic pain spreads in mice lacking CB(2) receptors beyond the site of nerve injury. To further investigate the mechanisms leading to the enhanced manifestation of neuropathic pain, we have established expression profiles of spinal cord tissues from wild-type and CB(2)-deficient mice after nerve injury. An enhanced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) response was revealed in the absence of CB(2) signaling. Immunofluorescence stainings demonstrated an IFN-gamma production by astrocytes and neurons ispilateral to the nerve injury in wild-type animals. In contrast, CB(2)-deficient mice showed neuronal and astrocytic IFN-gamma immunoreactivity also in the contralateral region, thus matching the pattern of nociceptive hypersensitivity in these animals. Experiments in BV-2 microglia cells revealed that transcriptional changes induced by IFN-gamma in two key elements for neuropathic pain development, iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and CCR2, are modulated by CB(2) receptor signaling. The most direct support for a functional involvement of IFN-gamma as a mediator of CB(2) signaling was obtained with a double knock-out mouse strain deficient in CB(2) receptors and IFN-gamma. These animals no longer show the enhanced manifestations of neuropathic pain observed in CB(2) knock-outs. These data clearly demonstrate that the CB(2) receptor-mediated control of neuropathic pain is IFN-gamma dependent.

L'exploitation des ressources végétales dans les Pyrénées orientales durant l'holocène: analyse anthracologique des structures d'élevage, de four et de charbonnières dans l'Alt Urgell (Chaîne du Cadí) et la Vallée du Madriu (Andorre)

Dans ce travail, nous présentons le résultat des recherches anthracologiques réalisées sur des sites archéologiques de haute montagne dans les Pyrénées orientales. Cette recherche s’insère dans un projet d’archéologie du paysage. Les zones d’étude se situent dans les Pré-Pyrénées sur le versant méridional de la chaîne du Cadí (vallée de la Vansa, Alt Urgell), et dans la vallée du Madriu, située dans les Pyrénées axiales, en Andorre. Le but principal de l’analyse anthracologique a été de connaître et comprendre la dynamique et la relation qui unissent les populations qui ont occupé ces vallées avec le milieu forestier de haute montagne. Les échantillons ont été récupérés sur des structures archéologiques associés à l’exploitation forestière (charbonnières, fours pour la fabrication de résine), au pastoralisme (cabanes et enclos) et à l’exploitation minière-métallurgique (four de grillage), avec une chronologie qui débute au Néolithique Ancien et finit à l’époque moderne et contemporaine (XVIII-XIXe siècles). Les résultats indiquent une variabilité taxonomique pauvre avec la présence majoritaire du Pinus et la présence ponctuelle d’autres espèces arbustives (Ericaceae et Juniperus) et arborées, comme Betula alba ou Abies alba. Différentes formations végétales de haute montagne ont été identifiées, selon leur localisation en versant ensoleillé ou ombragé, ainsi que leur altitude. Les résultats montrent des traces d’exploitation forestière dès le Néolithique Ancien, une intensification des activités à l’Antiquité, même si l’impact anthropique majeur correspond à l’activité de charbonnage d’époque moderne.

La Layetania interior : estudio arqueomorfológico en un área urbana (Vallès, Barcelona). Aspectos metodológicos

Landscape research in urban or peri-urban areas implies important methodological constraints. In this sense, the area of study, placed in the Vallès basin, near the city of Barcelona, has known an important process of urbanization in the last two decades. This fact restrains the retrieving of archaeological data and the development of archaeological surveys and field-walking. The particular topography of the area must also be taken into account. It is characterised by soft slopes resulting from a differentiated seasonal rainfall. Archaeomorphological analysis has been therefore reconsidered in order to adapt its methods and techniques to this particular environment. The destruction of large agrarian areas implies that landscape morphology research must focus on an intensive work through historical cartography and old aerial photography within a gis environment. The article presents the results of the archaeological research developed in this area. The methodological approach previously exposed and the diversity of sources analysed has allowed us to characterize the ancient road network and to identify field systems from different periods.

Kernel-PCA data integration with enhanced interpretability

Background Nowadays, combining the different sources of information to improve the biological knowledge available is a challenge in bioinformatics. One of the most powerful methods for integrating heterogeneous data types are kernel-based methods. Kernel-based data integration approaches consist of two basic steps: firstly the right kernel is chosen for each data set; secondly the kernels from the different data sources are combined to give a complete representation of the available data for a given statistical task. Results We analyze the integration of data from several sources of information using kernel PCA, from the point of view of reducing dimensionality. Moreover, we improve the interpretability of kernel PCA by adding to the plot the representation of the input variables that belong to any dataset. In particular, for each input variable or linear combination of input variables, we can represent the direction of maximum growth locally, which allows us to identify those samples with higher/lower values of the variables analyzed. Conclusions The integration of different datasets and the simultaneous representation of samples and variables together give us a better understanding of biological knowledge.

The use of the SeDeM diagram expert system for the formulation of Captopril SR matrix tablets by direct compression

The SeDeM Diagram Expert System has been used to study excipients, Captopril and designed formulations for their galenic characterization and to ascertain the critical points of the formula affecting product quality to obtain suitable formulations of Captopril Direct Compression SR Matrix Tablets. The application of the Sedem Diagram Expert System enables selecting excipients with in order to optimize the formula in the preformulation and formulation studies. The methodology is based on the implementation of ICH Q8, establishing the design space of the formula with the use of experiment design, using the parameters of the SeDeM Diagram Expert System as system responses.

La Guerra al cor : creació d'un recital coral-espectacle al voltant de la Guerra Civil Espanyola

La Guerra al Cor és un espectacle a mig camí entre el concert coral i el recital literari. A partir de la lectura i la tria d'un gran corpus de literatura catalana al voltant de la Guerra Civil i de la tria d'un repertori coral universal i heterogeni, s'ha confeccionat un guió entrellaçant ambdós elements. En aquest treball escrit s'argumentarà aquesta tria mitjançant la reflexió sobre els concerts interdisciplinars i l'estudi del context històric, literari i musical del conflicte en qüestió.

Rellevància de la competència transversal Compromís ètic en l'àmbit de Ciències de la Salut

Se determina la relevancia y la modalidad de trabajo (Presencial, semipresencial o no presencial) del conjunto de las tres sub-competencias (Capacidad crítica – Capa-cidad autocrítica - Actuar con ética profesional), ligadas a la competencia transversal Compromiso ético, en los estudios de grado de Ciencias de la Salud de la UB y URL.

Observaciones y valoraciones realizadas por los estudiantes sobre la actividad: Inspeccionem els laboratoris farmacèutics?

En la asignatura de Farmacia Galénica III y Gestión de Calidad se ha llevado a cabo una actividad de campo en el curso 2011/2012, que consistía en una visita a 4 labo-ratorios farmacéuticos autorizados (Kern Pharma, Almirall, Reig Jofré y Novartis) para ver evidencias de cumplimientos de las NCF o GMP (Normas de Correcta Fa-bricación o Good Manufacturing Practices) en el entorno profesional y real.El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la capacidad analítica de los estudiantes de 4º cur-so de farmacia en cuanto a cumplimiento de las NCF. Para el desarrollo de la activi-dad se han organizado los estudiantes en diferentes grupos con la finalidad de “auditar”. La actividad implicaba preparar un cuestionario previo, realizar la visita y elaborar el informe final. Los resultados obtenidos han sido que aproximadamente un 97,1% de los alumnos han superado esta actividad con una nota media de 8,23. Se constata que la realización de esta actividad por parte de los estudiantes comporta una mejora de la calificación final de la asignatura respecto al curso previo.

Rellevància de la competència transversal Compromís ètic en l'àmbit de Ciències de la Salut

Se determina la relevancia y la modalidad de trabajo (Presencial, semipresencial o no presencial) del conjunto de las tres sub-competencias (Capacidad crítica – Capa-cidad autocrítica - Actuar con ética profesional), ligadas a la competencia transversal Compromiso ético, en los estudios de grado de Ciencias de la Salud de la UB y URL.

Activitat semipresencial a l'assignatura Clínica Odontològica Integrada Infantil (COII)

Un dels aspectes més importants en odontologia infantil és el control de la conducta, donat que sense la cooperació per part del nen resulta impossible realitzar qualsevol tractament dental. A l’assignatura COII, de cinquè curs de la llicenciatura d’Odontologia, hem optat per una metodologia semipresencial per tal que els alumnes siguin competents en relacionar-se amb el pacient infantil i els seus pares o tutors per permetre una execució eficaç del tractament.

Rellevància de la competència transversal Compromís ètic en l'àmbit de Ciències de la Salut

Se determina la relevancia y la modalidad de trabajo (Presencial, semipresencial o no presencial) del conjunto de las tres sub-competencias (Capacidad crítica – Capa-cidad autocrítica - Actuar con ética profesional), ligadas a la competencia transversal Compromiso ético, en los estudios de grado de Ciencias de la Salud de la UB y URL.

Finitud y duración

Este artículo presenta una articulación de las ideas de duración, cosmicidad, proximidad y finitud a modo de puntos definidores de un ethos cercano al de la sostenibilidad y contrapuesto al Gestell heideggeriano de la técnica moderna, al nihilismo indistante del consumismo y a la retórica de la innovación tecnológica.

Finitud y duración

Este artículo presenta una articulación de las ideas de duración, cosmicidad, proximidad y finitud a modo de puntos definidores de un ethos cercano al de la sostenibilidad y contrapuesto al Gestell heideggeriano de la técnica moderna, al nihilismo indistante del consumismo y a la retórica de la innovación tecnológica.