The biological properties of chilean propolis have been described and include antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm activities. Propolis has a strong antimicrobial potential. Clinical experiences with synthetic antibiotics indicated the need to discover new sources of bioactive compounds associated with ethnopharmacological knowledge or natural sources such as propolis. The microscopic analysis of pollen grains from plants allows us to determine the botanical origin of the propolis samples. In Angol, sample pollen grains were obtained from fodder plants (Sorghum bicolor; Lotus sp.) and trees, such as Acacia sp., Pinus radiata, Eucalyptus sp. and Salix babylonica. Propolis from the Maule region contains pollen grains from endemic plants such as Quillaja saponaria. Finally, the sample obtained from Melipilla presented a wider variety of pollen extracted from vegetable species.Colorimetric assays performed to quantify the total polyphenols present in Chilean propolis samples established that PCP2 (Angol sample) showed high amounts of phenolics compounds, with significant statistical differences in comparison with the other samples. The main compounds identified were pinocembrin, quercetin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). The Angol sample showed a high content of polyphenols.Studies that determine the influence of geographical and floral variables on the chemical composition of propolis are a valuable source of information for the study of its biological properties.
Background: Satellite cells are tissue-specific stem cells primarily responsible for the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle. Satellite cell function and maintenance are regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms, including the ubiquitin–proteasome system, which is key for maintaining protein homeostasis. In this context, it has been shown that ubiquitin-ligase NEDD4-1 targets the transcription factor PAX7 for proteasome-dependent degradation, promoting muscle differentiation in vitro. Nonetheless, whether NEDD4-1 is required for satellite cell function in regenerating muscle remains to be determined. Results: Using conditional gene ablation, we show that NEDD4-1 loss, specifically in the satellite cell population, impairs muscle regeneration resulting in a significant reduction of whole-muscle size. At the cellular level, NEDD4-1-null muscle progenitors exhibit a significant decrease in the ability to proliferate and differentiate, contributing to the formation of myofibers with reduced diameter. Conclusions: These results indicate that NEDD4-1 expression is critical for proper muscle regeneration in vivo and suggest that it may control satellite cell function at multiple levels.
19 March 2024 in Education and Information Technologies
Early Alert Systems (EAS) play a fundamental role in education by supporting the learning process and evaluating student performance. In this study, an innovative EAS designed to specifically identify weaknesses in Cognitive Skills (CS) in first-year higher education students is presented, focusing on a challenging course at a South American university. Through big data technology, approval rates linked to various cognitive skills were evaluated using quizzes. Subsequently, teachers, after analysis and dialogue, applied adapted strategies to strengthen these skills in their classes, which were evaluated in subsequent exams. The sample under study included 1,691 students from various health majors enrolled in a complex subject. The experimental group (994 students) that participated in the EAS was compared with a control group (697 students). Evaluations validated by the academic team were used, applying three quizzes throughout the 2022-20 academic period, and the results were analysed with the Power BI computer tool, generating online reports that highlighted CS by section. The EAS, based on teacher surveys, is innovative and it also positively impacts student achievement, evidenced in overall approval rates, by teacher and section. In addition to promoting collaboration among professors, it also improves the teaching quality and suggests a positive impact on the learning of complex subjects in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This comprehensive approach to early monitoring of student performance shows promise for the ongoing improvement of educational quality.