| 1. |
- Kattge, Jens, et al.
(author)
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TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
- 2020
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In: Global Change Biology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 26:1, s. 119-188
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
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| 2. |
- Matabuena, Marcos, et al.
(author)
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Identification of Asthma Phenotypes in the Spanish MEGA Cohort Study Using Cluster Analysis
- 2023
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In: Archivos de Bronconeumologia. - : Elsevier BV. - 0300-2896. ; 59:4, s. 223-231
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The definition of asthma phenotypes has not been fully established, neither there are cluster studies showing homogeneous results to solidly establish clear phenotypes. The purpose of this study was to develop a classification algorithm based on unsupervised cluster analysis, identifying clusters that represent clinically relevant asthma phenotypes that may share asthma-related outcomes. Methods: We performed a multicentre prospective cohort study, including adult patients with asthma (N = 512) from the MEGA study (Mechanisms underlying the Genesis and evolution of Asthma). A standardised clinical history was completed for each patient. Cluster analysis was performed using the kernel k-groups algorithm. Results: Four clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (31.5% of subjects) includes adult-onset atopic patients with better lung function, lower BMI, good asthma control, low ICS dose, and few exacerbations. Cluster 2 (23.6%) is made of adolescent-onset atopic asthma patients with normal lung function, but low adherence to treatment (59% well-controlled) and smokers (48%). Cluster 3 (17.1%) includes adult-onset patients, mostly severe non-atopic, with overweight, the worse lung function and asthma control, and receiving combination of treatments. Cluster 4 (26.7%) consists of the elderly-onset patients, mostly female, atopic (64%), with high BMI and normal lung function, prevalence of smokers and comorbidities. Conclusion: We defined four phenotypes of asthma using unsupervised cluster analysis. These clusters are clinically relevant and differ from each other as regards FEV1, age of onset, age, BMI, atopy, asthma severity, exacerbations, control, social class, smoking and nasal polyps.
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| 3. |
- El-Habta, Roine, 1988-
(author)
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Cell therapy for denervated tissue
- 2020
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Peripheral nerve injury results in denervation of tendons and muscles. The biology of denervated muscle has been well studied but little is known about the associated tendons. Denervation of muscle leads to atrophy which includes muscle fiber shrinkage and cell death, a process that is influenced by the lack of acetylcholine (ACh) signaling to the muscle cells. Recovery of long-term denervated muscle function is often poor. This thesis describes how a cell therapy approach using adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) may be used to protect and regenerate denervated muscle. Previous studies have shown how adipose tissue-dervied stem cells (ASCs), commonly expanded from the SVF, have pro-regenerative effects on the injured peripheral nervous system, and how ASCs differentiated towards a “Schwann cell-like phenotype” (dASCs) reduce muscle atrophy. In this thesis work, we studied the possible mechanisms underlying the regenerative potential of both SVF and culture expanded dASCs.Hypotheses: We hypothesized that: 1) denervated tendon displays morphological and biochemical properties that resemble the chronic degenerative tendon condition known as tendinosis; 2) denervated muscle up-regulates expression of muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors and apoptosis-associated signaling mechanisms; 3) dASCs enhance the proliferation of myoblasts in vitro through secretion of ACh; 4) SVF influences the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of myoblasts in vitro via secretion of growth factors; and 5) SVF can preserve denervated muscle tissue. To test our hypotheses, two model systems were used: an in vitro model based on indirect co-culture, and an in vivo rat sciatic nerve transection model.Results: Denervated tendon displayed morphological changes similar to tendinosis, including hypercellularity, disfigurement of cells, and disorganized collagen architecture, along with an increased expression of type I and type III collagen. In addition, levels of neurokinin 1 receptor (NK-1R) were upregulated in the tendon cells. In denervated muscle, there was an increased expression of muscarinic ACh receptors, as well as of genes associated with apoptosis, such as caspases, cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha; TNF-a), and death domain receptors. We subsequently used TNF-aas an inducer of apoptosis in an in vitrorat primary myoblast culture model. TNF-aactivated/cleaved caspase 7 and increased poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) levels. Moreover, Annexin V and TUNEL were increased after TNF-atreatment. Indirect co-culture with SVF significantly reduced all these measures of apoptosis. Proliferation studies showed that both dASCs and SVF enhanced growth of myoblasts in vitro. With dASCs, the effect was partially explained by secretion of ACh, and for SVF by released growth factors, such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In both cases, the signal was mediated via phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (MAPK). HGF also had an inhibitory effect on the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes. Finally, the protective effects of SVF were confirmed in vivo: injections of SVF into denervated muscle significantly increased the mean fiber area and diameter, as well as reduced the expression of apoptotic genes and TUNEL reactivity.Conclusions: Denervated tendons undergo severe degenerative changes similar to tendinosis. Furthermore, SVF has the ability to reduce muscle atrophy in vivo. Using in vitro systems, we showed that this might occur through secretion of growth factors which activate MAPK signaling and anti-apoptotic pathways. In conclusion, SVF offers a promising approach for future clinical application in the treatment of denervated muscle.
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| 4. |
- Acevedo-Prado, Antonio, et al.
(author)
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Association of rhinitis with asthma prevalence and severity
- 2022
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Asthma and rhinitis often co-exist in the same patient. Although some authors observed a higher prevalence and/or greater severity of asthma in patients with rhinitis, this view is not homogeneous and the debate continues. The aim of our study is to describe the prevalence of rhinitis in children and adolescents and to analyse their relationship with the prevalence of asthma. A multicentre study was conducted using the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The target population of the study was all those school children aged 6–7 and 13–14 years from 6 of the main health catchment areas of Galicia (1.9 million inhabitants). The schools required were randomly selected, and all children in the targeted age ranges were included. Multiple logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted prevalence odds ratios (OR) between asthma symptoms of the schoolchildren and rhinitis prevalence. The results were adjusted for parental smoking habits, maternal education level, cat and dog exposure, and obesity. A total of 21,420 valid questionnaires were finally obtained. Rhinitis was associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of asthma in both age groups. The highest OR were 11.375 for exercise induced asthma (EIA) for children with recent rhinoconjunctivitis and 9.807 for children with recent rhinitis in 6–7 years old group. The prevalence OR’s are higher in EIA and severe asthmatics. Rhinitis in children and adolescents is associated with a higher prevalence and severity of asthma.
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| 5. |
- Marote, Ana, et al.
(author)
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Cellular Aging Secretes : a Comparison of Bone-Marrow-Derived and Induced Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Secretome Over Long-Term Culture
- 2023
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In: Stem Cell Reviews and Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2629-3269 .- 2629-3277. ; 19:1, s. 248-263
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold promising therapeutic potential in several clinical applications, mainly due to their paracrine activity. The implementation of future secretome-based therapeutic strategies requires the use of easily accessible MSCs sources that provide high numbers of cells with homogenous characteristics. MSCs obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells (iMSCs) have been put forward as an advantageous alternative to the gold-standard tissue sources, such as bone marrow (BM-MSCs). In this study, we aimed at comparing the secretome of BM-MSCs and iMSCs over long-term culture. For that, we performed a broad characterization of both sources regarding their identity, proteomic secretome analysis, as well as replicative senescence and associated phenotypes, including its effects on MSCs secretome composition and immunomodulatory action. Our results evidence a rejuvenated phenotype of iMSCs, which is translated into a superior proliferative capacity before the induction of replicative senescence. Despite this significant difference between iMSCs and BM-MSCs proliferation, both untargeted and targeted proteomic analysis revealed a similar secretome composition for both sources in pre-senescent and senescent states. These results suggest that shifting from the use of BM-MSCs to a more advantageous source, like iMSCs, may yield similar therapeutic effects as identified over the past years for this gold-standard MSC source. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
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