Publications by authors named "Maria del Mar Romero-Aleman"

This pilot study investigated the potential of aloe vera (AV) to promote neurite outgrowth in organotypic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) explants (n = 230) from neonatal rats (n = 15). Using this in vitro model of acute axotomy, we assessed neurite outgrowth exceeding 1.5 times the explant diameter (viable explants) and measured the longest neurite length.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The present retrospective, descriptive, and quasi-experimental study aimed to explore students' perceptions of traditional teaching combined with gamified and nongamified e-tests for postlecture reinforcement. Midterm knowledge retention and academic performance were also analyzed. The study was conducted from February 2021 to May 2022, involving a single group of first-year medical and physiotherapy students enrolled in equivalent core subjects on human histology at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Chronic ulcers are a major health problem associated with high costs and a loss of quality of life. Because of this, the search for products that accelerate wound healing is a constant, given the need for alternatives that help to alleviate this serious health problem. We analyzed the efficacy of 2 natural products-honey and aloe vera-versus hydrocolloid (HC) dressings as a control group in healing full-thickness wounds.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The myelin-associated protein Nogo-A contributes to the failure of axon regeneration in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Inhibition of axon growth by Nogo-A is mediated by the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR). Nonmammalian vertebrates, however, are capable of spontaneous CNS axon regeneration, and we have shown that retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons regenerate in the lizard Gallotia galloti.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We analysed the astroglia response that is concurrent with spontaneous axonal regrowth after optic nerve (ON) transection in the lizard Gallotia galloti. At different post-lesional time points (0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) we used conventional electron microscopy and specific markers for astrocytes [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin (Vim), sex-determining region Y-box-9 (Sox9), paired box-2 (Pax2)¸ cluster differentiation-44 (CD44)] and for proliferating cells (PCNA).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Spontaneous regrowth of the axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) occurs after unilateral optic nerve transection (ONT) in the lizard Gallotia galloti. We have performed an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of the conus papillaris (CP) of this lizard during ontogeny and after ONT in order to characterize its cell subpopulations, innervation and putative blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to evaluate changes occurring throughout regeneration. Proliferating PCNA(+) cells were abundant between embryonic stage 33 (E33) and hatching.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

It is currently unclear whether retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axon regeneration depends on down-regulation of axon growth-inhibitory proteins, and to what extent outgrowth-promoting substrates contribute to RGC axon regeneration in reptiles. We performed an immunohistochemical study of the regulation of the axon growth-inhibiting extracellular matrix molecules tenascin-R and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG), the axon outgrowth-promoting extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin and laminin, and the axonal tenascin-R receptor protein F3/contactin during RGC axon regeneration in the lizard, Gallotia galloti. Tenascin-R and CSPG were expressed in an extracellular matrix-, oligodendrocyte/myelin- and neuron-associated pattern and up-regulated in the regenerating optic pathway.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We studied the myelination of the visual pathway during the ontogeny of the lizard Gallotia galloti using immunohistochemical methods to stain the myelin basic protein (MBP) and proteolipid protein (PLP/DM20), and electron microscopy. The staining pattern for the PLP/DM20 and MBP overlapped during the lizard ontogeny and was first observed at E39 in cell bodies and fibers located in the temporal optic nerve, optic chiasm, middle optic tract, and in the stratum album centrale of the optic tectum (OT). The expression of these proteins extended to the nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the temporal retina and to the outer strata of the OT at E40.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We identified S100 immunoreactive cells in the brain of the lizard Gallotia galloti during ontogeny using immunohistochemical techniques for light and electron microscopy. In double labeling experiments with antibodies specific for S100A1 and S100B (anti-S100) and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (anti-PCNA), myelin basic protein (anti-MBP), phosphorylated neurofilaments (SMI-31), glial fibrillary acidic protein (anti-GFAP), or glutamine synthetase (anti-GS), we detected S100-like immunoreactivity in glial cells but never in neurons. Restricted areas of the ventricular zone were stained in the hypothalamus from E32 to postnatal stages, and in the telencephalon at E35, E36, and in adults.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study examines in detail the sequences of morphological differentiation and deduces mode of migration into specific layers of all types of neurons present in the optic tectum of the lizard Gallotia galloti. It complements previous similar work on tectal histogenesis in the chick. It was found that the neuronal population diversity in the lizard tectum can be reduced by developmental analysis to three neuroblast classes, called Types I, II and III.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Using anterograde tracing with HRP and antibodies (ABs) against neurofilaments, we show that regrowth of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons in the lizard Gallotia galloti commences only 2 months after optic nerve transection (ONS) and continues over at least 9 months. This is unusually long when compared to RGC axon regeneration in fish or amphibians. Following ONS, lizard RGCs up-regulate the immediate early gene C-JUN for 9 months or longer, indicating their reactive state.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF