The Natural Order Of Things: Stories

The Natural Order of Things is a collection of unrelated short stories that focuses on the love, despair, happiness and sorrow prevalent in relationships. Another common thread is how the lack of communication between family, friends and lovers can create burdens that, in some cases, are simply too heavy to lift. Some of the stories have a humorous voice while dealing with those burdens. Many others deal with the complexities of those emotions in a more somber tone. These fictional stories are completely unrelated to each other, and yet they all aim to shine a light on life\u27s conflicts--and on the ramifications of how we deal with those conflicts

The ovarian germinal reserve and apoptosis-related proteins in the infant and adolescent human ovary

Background: Normal pubertal ovary displays all stages of follicular development and a biased BAX/BCL2 protein ratio in favor of pro-apoptotic BAX protein comparable to the adult ovary. However, adolescents suffering malignant extragonadal disease show a limited follicle development after cytotoxic drug treatment and a reduced capacity of in vitro follicle growth. We evaluated the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the BCL2 gene family, the FAS/ FAS-L proteins from the extrinsic apoptosis pathway, the germ-cell-specific marker VASA, the pluripotency marker OCT3/4, and markers of early and late apoptosis in the ovary of pubertal patients with malignant extra-gonadal disease, which received or not pre-surgery chemotherapy, entering a cryopreservation program. Results: Ovarian biopsies from 12 adolescent girls were screened for follicle count and expression of VASA, OCT3/4, BAX, BCL2, MCL1L and S, cleaved-BID, FAS/FAS-L and CASPASE 3 through immunohistochemistry, western blot and RTPCR. All stages of folliculogenesis, from primordial to antral follicle, were present in all 12 patients analyzed. VASA and most of the screened apoptosis-related genes showed a pattern of immune-expression comparable to that previously reported. OCT3/4 showed a cytoplasmic localization in the great majority of the primordial follicles; however, in some cases the localization was nuclear. In addition, OCT3/4B showed a significant reduction compared to OCT3/4A. Unexpectedly, BCL2 was detected at all stages of folliculogenesis, associated to the Balbiani’s body in the primordial follicles, regardless of whether patients had or had not received chemotherapy, ruling out the possibility that its expression is a protective response to chemotherapy. Conclusions: These findings reveal new information on the morphological status of the follicular reserve and the expression of apoptosis-related genes in histologically normal adolescent ovary from patients undergoing extragonadal cancer. The unexpected expression of apoptosis-inhibiting BCL2 protein, both in patients that had or had not received chemotherapy, opens a new avenue for thorough investigations. Moreover, the nuclear localization of OCT3/4 protein in primordial follicle-enclosed oocytes suggests a possible increased activity of ovarian stem cells in response to chemotherapy and/or extragonadal cancer. This new information can be essential for a better managing of in vitro culture of follicles that can be removed by filtration from preserved ovarian tissue, especially in girls that entered a cryopreservation program.Fil: Albamonte, María Itatí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Albamonte, Mirta Susana. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Bou Khair, Ricardo M.. Hospital de Niños “Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez”. Servicio de Ginecología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Zuccardi, Luis. Hospital de Niños “Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez”. Servicio de Ginecología Infantil; ArgentinaFil: Vitullo, Alfredo Daniel. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

PTEN and FOXO3 expression in the prenatal and postnatal human ovary

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyse the expression and cellular localization of FOXO3, pFOXO3 and PTEN throughout human ovary development both before and after birth. Methods: Foetal, pubertal and adult paraffin-embedded ovarian samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry for cellular localization of FOXO3, pFOXO3 and PTEN proteins. Protein and mRNA expression were analysed by western blot and real time PCR, respectively, from fresh biopsies. Results: PTEN was not detected by immunohistochemistry in germ cells and follicles of foetal, pubertal and adult ovaries. Occasional PTEN immunoreactive granulosa cells were found in atretic antral follicles in the adult ovary. Western blot analysis showed low levels of PTEN protein. Nuclear FOXO3-expressing primordial follicles represented a variable proportion of the ovarian reserve. The presence of FOXO3-expressing primordial follicles was very low in foetal ovary; although always represented in a low proportion, prevalence increased during pubertal and adult life. Conclusion: Our results seem to indicate that two subpopulations of primordial follicles, i.e. nuclear FOXO3-expressing and no FOXO3-expressing primordial follicles are found in the postnatal human ovary. This scenario suggests that FOXO3 could be acting as in the mouse model, preventing primordial follicle activation. However, the strategy would not be an “all or nothing” system as in mouse ovary but rather a selected subpopulation of primordial follicles preserved to ensure long-term fertility.Fil: Albamonte, María Itatí. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Calabró, Lara Y.. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Albamonte, Mirta S.. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Zuccardi, Luis. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños "Ricardo Gutiérrez"; ArgentinaFil: Stella, Inés. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Halperin, Julia. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vitullo, Alfredo Daniel. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Enmiendas orgánicas y cultivo de cobertura: su impacto sobre la biomasa y componentes del rendimiento en el cultivo de soja

La soja reviste una gran importancia para la economía argentina. Su cultivo en sistemas simplificados ha generado impactos de índole ecológica, entre ellos en el recurso suelo. Por esto es necesario buscar alternativas que permitan realizar este cultivo de manera sustentable. En este trabajo se evaluó el comportamiento del cultivo de soja como último componente en dos secuencias de cultivos (S1: trigo/soja2°-soja-soja; S2: cebada/soja2°- maíz- soja) manejadas con cultivos de cobertura (vicia+avena) y con la aplicación de diferentes enmiendas orgánicas (compost cama de pollo, compost cama de caballo y lombricompost de residuos sólidos urbanos). La aplicación de diferentes enmiendas orgánicas mejoró la producción de biomasa. El tratamiento con residuos sólidos urbanos fue el de mejor comportamiento, logrando los mayores rendimientos asociados a un mayor número de granos. Las enmiendas cama de pollo y cama de caballo, presentaron una tendencia a mejorar los rendimientos sin diferenciarse del testigo. Los cultivos de cobertura produjeron un costo hídrico, pero realizaron un importante aporte de biomasa al sistema. Bajo las condiciones de este estudio la reducción hídrica por los cultivos de cobertura no impactó sobre la producción de biomasa seca total y rendimiento del cultivo de soja. Las enmiendas orgánicas serian un recurso valioso para mejorar el rendimiento, aportar carbono y nutrientes para reemplazar la fertilización mineral. Los cultivos de cobertura, bajo las condiciones de este ensayo, permitirían aprovechar recursos durante el invierno sin generar un impacto negativo en los rendimientos del cultivo de soja.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

The role of wild animals as a reservoir of zoonotic agents : clostridium difficile

PòsterJun

Bleaching treatment influence on color stability of infiltrated enamel caries and on infiltrant degradation

Orientador: Regina Maria Puppin-RontaniTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: Os objetivos desta tese composta por dois capítulos foram: Capítulo 1- Avaliar a estabilidade de cor e efetividade de tratamentos clareadores em lesões iniciais em esmalte infiltradas com Icon®. Capítulo 2- Avaliar a efetividade do clareamento com um gel experimental contendo natrosol substituindo o carbopol e avaliar a degradação causada no infiltrante por estes géis. Capítulo 1: Foram confeccionados espécimes à partir de dentes bovinos (N=30, 5x5x3mm) e divididos em três grupos (n=10): controle, desmineralizado e infiltrado. Lesões subsuperficiais artificiais foram desenvolvidas utilizando solução para produção de cárie, exceto no grupo controle (esmalte hígido). Nos espécimes do grupo infiltrado, após o desenvolvimento das lesões foi aplicado Icon®(DMG, Hamburgo, Alemanha). Medidas iniciais de cor foram realizadas utilizando espectrofotômetro (CM-700d, Konica Minolta), utilizando o sistema CIE L*a*b*. Os espécimes foram imersos em café, três vezes ao dia, durante 15 minutos, por 14 dias e em seguida armazenados em saliva artificial. Após a pigmentação, medidas de cor foram realizadas novamente. Os espécimes foram submetidos ao clareamento com gel de peróxido de carbamida 16%, por 4h diárias durante 21 dias, e medidas finais de cor foram realizadas. Para comparar medidas iniciais e finais, foi aplicado o teste-t (?=0,05). A comparação entre os grupos foi realizada por ANOVA 1 fator e teste de Tukey (?=0,05). A pigmentação com café promoveu redução significativa nos valores de L* e aumento nos valores de a* e b* em todos os grupos (controle, clareado e infiltrado). O clareamento promoveu aumento nos valores de L* e redução nos valores de a* and b* em todos os grupos. Não houve diferença nos valores de ?E entre os grupos cariados e infiltrados antes do clareamento. Após o clareamento, o grupo infiltrado apresentou os menores valores de ?E, similares ao controle. Pode-se concluir que o esmalte infiltrado com Icon® apresentou alteração de cor após a pigmentação, similares ao esmalte cariado. Entretanto, se ocorrer pigmentação em dentes infiltrados, o tratamento com géis clareadores pode ser realizado com sucesso. Capítulo 2: Foram confeccionados 50 espécimes de infiltrante (Icon®, DMG, Hamburgo, Alemanha), divididos em 5 grupos (n=10), de acordo com o gel a ser exposto: controle (G1), peróxido de carbamida 16% com natrosol (G2), peróxido de carbamida 16% com carbopol(G3), natrosol(G4), carbopol(G5). Os tratamentos foram realizados durante 21 dias, 4 horas ao dia. Medidas de dureza Knoop (HMV-2, Shimadzu), rugosidade (Surfcorder SE1700, Kosaka), análise de cor utilizando espectrofotômetro (CM-700d, Konica Minolta) e imagens de microscopia por força atômica (EasyScan 2, Nanosurf) foram realizadas. Além disso, 50 blocos obtidos à partir de dentes bovinos foram submetidos à pigmentação com chá preto e clareamento utilizando os géis citados acima. Os resultados foram submetidos a ANOVA 1-fator para comparação entre os grupos e teste-t para comparação inicial e final de cada grupo (?=0,05). Pode ser observada redução de dureza nas amostras de Icon® após aplicação do peróxido de carbamida, independente do espessante (G2 inicial: 13,21/final:10,99 e G3 inicial:12,00/final:11,33). Comparando-se todos os grupos após o tratamento, o G4 apresentou maior valor de dureza (13,92), seguido pelo G1(12,77) e G5(12,27). Houve aumento de rugosidade após o tratamento em todos os grupos, porém não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos. Através das imagens de microscopia por força atômica pode-se observar maior irregularidades na superfície do G5. Em relação à efetividade do clareamento, os grupos G2 e G3 promoveram aumento nos valores de L* e maiores valores de ?E. Os grupos G4 e G5 apresentaram valores de L* semelhantes. Pode-se concluir que o peróxido de carbamida associado com natrosol ou carbopol é eficaz no clareamento de dentes infiltrados com Icon®, porém causam degradação superficial no infiltranteAbstract: The objectives of this thesis, accomplished on two chapters, were: Chapter 1- To evaluate color stability of white spot lesions with Icon® after staining and the bleaching effect in the infiltrated and stained surfaces. Chapter 2- to evaluate surface degradation of Icon® after application of bleaching gels containing natrosol as a thickener and their bleaching effectiveness. Chapter 1- Enamel-dentine specimens (N=30, 5x5x3mm, 1 mm enamel + 2 mm dentine thickness) were prepared from bovine incisors and randomly allocated into three groups (n=10): control, demineralized, infiltrated. Artificial enamel subsurface lesions were created using 50 mL of 0.05 M acetate buffer solution. Specimens were produced by the Icon®(DMG, Hamburgo, Alemanha) application in the enamel caries like-lesions. Baseline color reading were assessed using a spectrophotometer (CM-700d, Konica Minolta), and CIE L*a*b* measurements of each specimen were performed using a white background. In order to simulate extrinsic dietary staining, specimens were placed into 4 mL coffee infusion, three-times daily for 15 minutes, for 14 days. After the staining procedure, color measurements were performed again. Then, bleaching procedures were performed using 16% carbamide peroxide gel, for 4h daily, for 21 days and final measure assessment was performed. To compare baseline and final measurements, t-test was used (p<0.05). The statistical comparison between groups was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p<0.05). Coffee staining provided a significant reduction of L* values and increase of a* and b* in all groups (control, decayed and infiltrated). Bleaching procedure provided a significant increase on L* and decrease of a* and b* values in all groups. There was no significant difference on ?E values between decayed and Infiltrated groups before bleaching, and after bleaching, infiltrated group showed the lowest ?E values. It can be concluded that enamel infiltrated with Icon present significant color alteration after staining, when compared to sound enamel. However, if the infiltrant discoloration occurs, bleaching treatment can be used successfully. Chapter 2 - 50 specimens of infiltrant (Icon®, DMG, Hamburgo, Alemanha) were produced and allocated into 5 groups (n = 10) in accordance with the gel were made to be exposed: Control (G1), carbamide peroxide 16% with natrosol (G2), carbamide peroxide with carbopol (G3), natrosol (G4), carbopol (G5). Bleaching treatments were performed for 21 days, 4 hours per day. Hardness Knoop measurements (HMV-2, Shimadzu), roughness measurements (Surfcorder SE1700, Kosaka), and atomic force microscopy images (EasyScan 2, Nanosurf) were performed after bleaching treatments. In addition, the 50 blocks obtained from bovine teeth were submitted to bleaching treatment with gels mentioned above. The results were subjected to ANOVA one-way for comparison between groups and t-test for comparing initial and final of each group (?<0.05). Knoop Hardness decreased can be observed after application of carbamide peroxide, regardless of thickener (initial G2: 13.21 / final: 10.99 and G3 initial: 12.00 / final: 11,33). Comparing all groups after treatment, G4 showed higher hardness Knoop value (13.92), followed by G1 (12.77) and G5 (12.27). After bleaching, there was roughness increase for all groups, and there was no statistical difference between them. Atomic force microscopy images show higher surface irregularity in G5. Regarding bleaching effectiveness, G2 and G3 groups presented increase in L * values and highest ?E values. G4 and G5 groups showed statistically similar L* values. It can be concluded that carbamide peroxide with natrosol and carbamide peroxide with carbopol may cause surface degradation. Carbamide peroxide associated with natrosol or carbopol is effective in whitening teeth infiltrated with Icon®. Further studies should be performed to evaluate the leaching of components infiltrating subjected to degradation over timeDoutoradoMateriais DentariosDoutora em Materiais Dentário

High prevalence and diversity of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and emergence of OXA-48 producing Enterobacterales in wildlife in Catalonia

Most of the studies focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) performed in wildlife describe Escherichia coli as the principal indicator of the selective pressure. In the present study, several species of Enterobacterales with a large panel of cephalosporin resistant (CR) genes have been isolated from wildlife in Catalonia. A total of 307 wild animals were examined to determine the prevalence of CR enterobacteria, AMR phenotypes and the presence of common carbapenem and CR genes. The overall prevalence of CR-phenotype was 13% (40/ 307): 17.3% in wild mammals (18/104) and 11.5% in wild birds (22/191) (p<0.01). Hedgehogs showed the highest prevalence (13.5% of 104) of the mammal specimens, and raptors the highest in bird specimen (7.3% of 191). Although CR E. coli was the most frequently isolated (45%), other CR- Enterobacterales like Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%), Citrobacter freundii (15%), Enterobacter cloacae (5%), Proteus mirabilis (5%), Providencia spp (5%) and Serratia marcescens (2.5%) were also isolated. A high diversity of CR genes was identified among the isolates, with 50% yielding blaCMY-2, 23% blaSHV-12, 20% blaCMY-1 and 18% blaCTX-M-15. Additionally, resistance to carbapenems associated to OXA-48 gene was found. Most of the CR isolates, principally K. pneumoniae and C. freundii, were multiresistant with co-resistance to fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, sulphonamides and aminoglycosides. This study reports high prevalence of Enterobacterales harbouring a variety of CR genes and OXA-48 mediated-carbapenem resistance, all of them frequently associated to nosocomial human infections, for the first time in wild mammals and wild birds. Implementation of control measures to reduce the impact of anthropogenic pressure in the environment is urgently needed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

High prevalence and diversity of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and emergence of OXA-48 producing Enterobacterales in wildlife in Catalonia

The contract of LMG was supported by the Instituto Nacional de Investigaci?n y Tecnolog?a Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) and the European Social Fund. AV was supported by a PIF grant from the Universitat Aut?noma de Barcelona. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Our grateful thanks to the Torreferrussa WRC staff. A.C. was student of the Master?s Degree in Zoonosis and One Health (UAB). The authors are also grateful to the Centres de Recerca de Catalunya (CERCA) Programme.Most of the studies focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) performed in wildlife describe Escherichia coli as the principal indicator of the selective pressure. In the present study, several species of Enterobacterales with a large panel of cephalosporin resistant (CR) genes have been isolated from wildlife in Catalonia. A total of 307 wild animals were examined to determine the prevalence of CR enterobacteria, AMR phenotypes and the presence of common carbapenem and CR genes. The overall prevalence of CR-phenotype was 13% (40/ 307): 17.3% in wild mammals (18/104) and 11.5% in wild birds (22/191) (p<0.01). Hedgehogs showed the highest prevalence (13.5% of 104) of the mammal specimens, and raptors the highest in bird specimen (7.3% of 191). Although CR E. coli was the most frequently isolated (45%), other CR- Enterobacterales like Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%), Citrobacter freundii (15%), Enterobacter cloacae (5%), Proteus mirabilis (5%), Providencia spp (5%) and Serratia marcescens (2.5%) were also isolated. A high diversity of CR genes was identified among the isolates, with 50% yielding blaCMY-2, 23% blaSHV-12, 20% blaCMY-1 and 18% blaCTX-M-15. Additionally, resistance to carbapenems associated to OXA-48 gene was found. Most of the CR isolates, principally K. pneumoniae and C. freundii, were multiresistant with co-resistance to fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, sulphonamides and aminoglycosides. This study reports high prevalence of Enterobacterales harbouring a variety of CR genes and OXA-48 mediated-carbapenem resistance, all of them frequently associated to nosocomial human infections, for the first time in wild mammals and wild birds. Implementation of control measures to reduce the impact of anthropogenic pressure in the environment is urgently needed