Anatomía ecológica de especies de Bacopa (Gratioleae-Plantaginaceae): macrófitas acuáticas del Macrosistema Iberá

Most Bacopa species (Gratioleae-Plantaginaceae) are macrophyte plants with a series of morphological, anatomical, and eco-physiological adaptations in their vegetative organs. We studied the vegetative anatomy of five Bacopa species present in the Iberá Macrosystem, and one species of Paraguay wetland. To study leaf and cauline anatomy, paradermal and transverse sections were made with freehand and rotating microtome from previously fixed material. The anatomical studies showed differences between the Bacopa species analyzed concerning the leaf: types of trichomes; types, distribution, and the density of stomata; and mesophyll type. In terms of the stem, two patterns of cortical aerenchyma were characterized, which are related to the environments inhabited by the species and their adaptations. As a conclusion, a dichotomous key was elaborated with vegetative anatomical characters of the Bacopa species that grow in wetlands.La gran mayoría de las especies de Bacopa (Gratioleae-Plantaginaceae) son plantas macrófitas que presentan una serie de adaptaciones morfológicas, anatómicas y ecofisiológicas en sus órganos vegetativos. Se estudió la anatomía vegetativa de cinco especies de Bacopa presentes en el Iberá y una de humedales del Paraguay. Para el estudio de la anatomía foliar y caulinar se realizaron cortes paradermales y transversales a mano alzada y con micrótomo rotativo a partir de material previamente fijado. Se encontraron diferencias entre las 6 especies de Bacopa analizadas, en la hoja relacionadas a: tipos de tricomas; tipos, distribución y densidad de estomas; y en el tipo de mesofilo. Para el tallo, se caracterizaron dos patrones de aerénquima cortical que se relacionan con los ambientes que habitan las especies y sus adaptaciones al mismo. A modo de conclusión se elaboró una clave dicotómica con caracteres anatómicos vegetativos de las especies de Bacopa que crecen en los humedales

Propuesta de microzonificación y usos de suelo en el distrito “El Algarrobal”, Las Heras, Mendoza

Las acciones que se realizan a través de gestiones territoriales, con normativas o decisiones políticas sobre espacios geográficos, sumado a la falta de control de parte del Estado, pueden provocar sobreexplotaciones que producen daños irreversibles y un desmejoramiento de la calidad de vida de la población del lugar. En algunos casos las consecuencias se advierten a largo plazo, pero en el distrito El Algarrobal la degradación es muy evidente, en un relativamente corto período espaciotemporal. Este marcado daño ambiental y territorial que se puede observar a simple vista, es lo que indujo a definirla como área de estudio, a fin de poder aportar propuestas de mejoras, para el desarrollo de las actividades del distrito, desde el sector cientí- fico, a los administradores del dominio público. Para elaborar propuestas se debe contar con estudios previos, imágenes de la zona y fundamentalmente con el conocimiento empírico obtenido por visitas y reconocimientos de los sectores del área del estudio

Aplicación del Consentimiento Informado por Estomatólogos en la Atención Primaria de Salud / Application of the Informed Consent by the dentists in Primary Health Care

La bioética se sustenta en el principio de la autonomía, que es el respeto a la dignidad del hombre y se manifiesta a través del consentimiento informado, sin embargo, se desconoce cómo se aplica por los estomatólogos pinareños. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal para determinar el nivel de aplicación del consentimiento informado por los estomatólogos de la Atención Primaria de Salud del municipio Pinar del Río en junio de 2007, lo que se considera de vital importancia para un ejercicio de la profesión, que implique el cumplimiento de los principios bioéticos, específicamente del consentimiento informado. De un universo de 134 estomatólogos, fueron incluidos en la investigación 100, a los cuales se le realizó una encuesta y guía de observación. Los datos se procesaron y se utilizaron los métodos de la estadística descriptiva. Se encontró que no hay un conocimiento completo, ni se aplica de forma correcta el consentimiento informado, siendo los elementos más violados: la solicitud de autorización al paciente y la incorporación del mismo a las decisiones sobre el tratamiento a realizar. Palabras clave: ESTOMATOLOGÍA, BIOÉTICA, CONSENTIMIENTO INFORMADO. ABSTRACT Bioethics is supported in the principle of autonomy, the respect of the human dignity and it is stated by means of the informed consent; however dentists in Pinar del Rio do not know how to apply it. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the level of application of the informed consent by the dentists of the Primary Health Care in Pinar del Rio municipality on June 2007, which is considered a matter of vital importance to practice the profession implying the fulfillment of the bioethical principles, mainly the informed consent. Out of a universe of 134 dentists, 100 were included into the research applying a survey and an observation guide. Data were processed using descriptive statistical methods. Findings showed incomplete knowledge about the proper application of the informed consent. The most violated elements were request for the authorization and the incorporation of the patents to decision-making about the treatment to be followed. Key words: ORAL MEDICINE, Bioethics, Informed consent

Aplicación del Consentimiento Informado por Estomatólogos en la Atención Primaria de Salud / Application of the Informed Consent by the dentists in Primary Health Care

La bioética se sustenta en el principio de la autonomía, que es el respeto a la dignidad del hombre y se manifiesta a través del consentimiento informado, sin embargo, se desconoce cómo se aplica por los estomatólogos pinareños. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal para determinar el nivel de aplicación del consentimiento informado por los estomatólogos de la Atención Primaria de Salud del municipio Pinar del Río en junio de 2007, lo que se considera de vital importancia para un ejercicio de la profesión, que implique el cumplimiento de los principios bioéticos, específicamente del consentimiento informado. De un universo de 134 estomatólogos, fueron incluidos en la investigación 100, a los cuales se le realizó una encuesta y guía de observación. Los datos se procesaron y se utilizaron los métodos de la estadística descriptiva. Se encontró que no hay un conocimiento completo, ni se aplica de forma correcta el consentimiento informado, siendo los elementos más violados: la solicitud de autorización al paciente y la incorporación del mismo a las decisiones sobre el tratamiento a realizar. Palabras clave: ESTOMATOLOGÍA, BIOÉTICA, CONSENTIMIENTO INFORMADO. ABSTRACT Bioethics is supported in the principle of autonomy, the respect of the human dignity and it is stated by means of the informed consent; however dentists in Pinar del Rio do not know how to apply it. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the level of application of the informed consent by the dentists of the Primary Health Care in Pinar del Rio municipality on June 2007, which is considered a matter of vital importance to practice the profession implying the fulfillment of the bioethical principles, mainly the informed consent. Out of a universe of 134 dentists, 100 were included into the research applying a survey and an observation guide. Data were processed using descriptive statistical methods. Findings showed incomplete knowledge about the proper application of the informed consent. The most violated elements were request for the authorization and the incorporation of the patents to decision-making about the treatment to be followed. Key words: ORAL MEDICINE, Bioethics, Informed consent

Abnormal Distribution and Function of Circulating Monocytes and Enhanced Bacterial Translocation in Major Depressive Disorder

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) patients experience a systemic inflammatory stage. Monocytes play an important role in innate inflammatory responses and may be modulated by bacterial translocation. Our aim was to investigate the subset distribution and function of circulating monocytes, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, gut barrier damage, and bacterial translocation in MDD patients. Methods: Twenty-two MDD patients without concomitant diseases and 14 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were studied. The levels of circulating CD14++CD16- (classical), CD14++CD16++ (intermediate) and CD14- CD16++ (nonclassical) monocytes and the intracytoplasmic tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 expression in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation were analyzed by polychromatic flow cytometry. The serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were measured by Luminex. LPS-binding protein (LBP), intestinal fatty acidbinding protein (I-FABP), and zonulin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: MDD patients had a significant increase in the frequency of intermediate monocytes and a significant decrease in the frequency of classical monocytes compared to those in the healthy controls. MDD patients had a significantly increased percentage of classical monocytes that expressed IL-1β, intermediate monocytes that expressed IL-1β and IL6 and nonclassical monocytes that expressed IL-1β, and decreased levels of nonclassical monocytes that expressed IL6 compared to those in the healthy controls. MDD patients had significantly increased levels of circulating TNF-α, IL-1β, LBP, and I-FABP compared to those in the healthy controls. MDD patients with high LBP levels had a significant reduction in the number of circulating monocytes compared to that in the normal-LBP MDD patients, which can be mainly ascribed to a decrease in the number of intermediate and nonclassical monocytes. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that compared to the healthy controls, MDD patients show a marked alteration in circulating monocytes, with an expansion of the intermediate subset with increased frequency of IL-1β and IL-6 producing cells. These patients also exhibited a systemic proinflammatory state, which was characterized by the enhanced serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels compared to those in the healthy controls. Furthermore, MDD patients showed increased LBP and I-FABP levels compared to those in healthy controls, indicating increased bacterial translocation and gut barrier damage

Comparative study on the valorization of Sargassum from the Mexican Caribbean coast and Gulf of California as an ingredient on healthy diets for shrimp farming

Funding: This work received the financial support of the project GCRFNGR4/1388 "Algae bloom: waste resource for aquaculture and bioenergy industry in Mexico".Sargassum biomass is a potential ingredient for aquaculture formulations due to its high nutritional value and availability, as it contains a variety of essential nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals, which are essential for aquatic growing, development and health parameters including digestibility and immune response against diseases. Therefore, in this work, five experimental diets were formulated considering 2.5 % and 5 % levels of inclusion of Sargassum spp. from the Mexican Caribbean coasts (SC), and from the Gulf of California (SG), and one reference diet as a control. The characterization of the raw material and the proximal analysis of the five diets were evaluated according to standard reference methods. A 35-day feeding trial was conducted using juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei showed a shrimp survival rate of 97 ± 6 % (p > 0.05) on SC. Excellent weight gain (WG) performance of SC and SG diets at 2.5 % of inclusion resulted in >10 % WG compared to the control. The specific activity of amylase, lipase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin showed a significant increase by including Sargassum in diets, compared with the reference diet. Incorporating Sargassum at 2.5 % in feed formulations for shrimps showed a great opportunity to use it as an ingredient and improved production yields. The digestion and absorption parameters were represented by the enzymatic activity in which the diets based on Sargassum spp. from the Mexican Caribbean coast (SC) have resulted in the best performance.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

ConBr lectin modulates MAPKs and Akt pathways and triggers autophagic glioma cell death by a mechanism dependent upon caspase-8 activation

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive type of glioma, with limited treatment and poor prognosis. Despite some advances over the last decade, validation of novel and selective antiglioma agents remains a challenge in clinical pharmacology. Prior studies have shown that leguminous lectins may exert various biological effects, including antitumor properties. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the antiglioma activity of ConBr, a lectin extracted from the Canavalia brasiliensis seeds. ConBr at lower concentrations inhibited C6 glioma cell migration while higher levels promoted cell death dependent upon carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) structure. ConBr increased p38MAPK and JNK and decreased ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. Moreover, ConBr inhibited mTORC1 phosphorylation associated with accumulation of autophagic markers, such as acidic vacuoles and LC3 cleavage. Inhibition of early steps of autophagy with 3-methyl-adenine (3-MA) partially protected whereas the later autophagy inhibitor Chloroquine (CQ) had no protective effect upon ConBr cytotoxicity. ConBr also augmented caspase-3 activation without affecting mitochondrial function. Noteworthy, the caspase-8 inhibitor IETF-fmk attenuated ConBr induced autophagy and C6 glioma cell death. Finally, ConBr did not show cytotoxicity against primary astrocytes, suggesting a selective antiglioma activity. In summary, our results indicate that ConBr requires functional CRD lectin domain to exert antiglioma activity, and its cytotoxicity is associated with MAPKs and Akt pathways modulation and autophagy- and caspase-8- dependent cell death.Fil: Wolin, Ingrid A. V.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Heinrich, Isabella A.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Nascimento, Ana Paula M.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Welter, Priscilla G.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Sosa, Liliana del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: de Paul, Ana Lucia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Zanotto Filho, Alfeu. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Nedel, Cláudia Beatriz. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Lima, Lara Dias. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Osterne, Vinicius Jose Silva. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Pinto Junior, Vanir Reis. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Nascimento, Kyria S.. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Cavada, Benildo S.. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Leal, Rodrigo B.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasi

Sustainable strategies for management of the “false root-knot nematode” Nacobbus spp.

The genus Nacobbus, known as the false root-knot nematode, is native to the American continent and comprises polyphagous species adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions. Alone or in combination with other biotic and abiotic factors, Nacobbus spp. can cause significant economic yield losses on main food crops such as potato, sugar beet, tomato, pepper and bean, in South and North America. Although the genus distribution is restricted to the American continent, it has quarantine importance and is subject to international legislation to prevent its spread to other regions, such as the European Union. The management of Nacobbus spp. remains unsatisfactory due to the lack of information related to different aspects of its life cycle, survival stages in the soil and in plant material, a rapid and reliable diagnostic method for its detection and the insufficient source of resistant plant genotypes. Due to the high toxicity of chemical nematicides, the search for alternatives has been intensified. Therefore, this review reports findings on the application of environmentally benign treatments to manage Nacobbus spp. Biological control strategies, such as the use of different organisms (mainly bacteria, fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes) and other eco-compatible approaches (such as metabolites, essential oils, plant extracts, phytohormones and amendments), either alone or as part of a combined control strategy, are discussed. Knowledge of potential sources of resistance for genetic improvement for crops susceptible to Nacobbus spp. are also reported. The sustainable strategies outlined here offer immediate benefits, not only to counter the pathogen, but also as good alternatives to improve crop health and growth

Polyfunctional T cell responses in children in early stages of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection contrast with monofunctional responses of long-term infected adults

Background: Adults with chronic Trypanosoma cruzi exhibit a poorly functional T cell compartment, characterized by monofunctional (IFN-γ-only secreting) parasite-specific T cells and increased levels of terminally differentiated T cells. It is possible that persistent infection and/or sustained exposure to parasites antigens may lead to a progressive loss of function of the immune T cells. Methodology/Principal Findings: To test this hypothesis, the quality and magnitude of T. cruzi-specific T cell responses were evaluated in T. cruzi-infected children and compared with long-term T. cruzi-infected adults with no evidence of heart failure. The phenotype of CD4+ T cells was also assessed in T. cruzi-infected children and uninfected controls. Simultaneous secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2 measured by ELISPOT assays in response to T. cruzi antigens was prevalent among T. cruzi-infected children. Flow cytometric analysis of co-expression profiles of CD4+ T cells with the ability to produce IFN-γ, TNF-α, or to express the co-stimulatory molecule CD154 in response to T. cruzi showed polyfunctional T cell responses in most T. cruzi-infected children. Monofunctional T cell responses and an absence of CD4+TNF-α+-secreting T cells were observed in T. cruzi-infected adults. A relatively high degree of activation and differentiation of CD4+ T cells was evident in T. cruzi-infected children. Conclusions/Significance: Our observations are compatible with our initial hypothesis that persistent T. cruzi infection promotes eventual exhaustion of immune system, which might contribute to disease progression in long-term infected subjects.Fil: Albareda, María Cecilia. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; ArgentinaFil: de Rissio, Ana María. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; ArgentinaFil: Tomas, Gonzalo. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; ArgentinaFil: Serjan, Alicia. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, María Gabriela. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; ArgentinaFil: Viotti, Rodolfo Jorge. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; ArgentinaFil: Fichera, Laura Edith. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Esteva, Mónica Inés. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; ArgentinaFil: Potente, Daniel Fernando. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; ArgentinaFil: Armenti, Alejandro. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; ArgentinaFil: Tarleton, Rick L.. University of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Laucella, Susana Adriana. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The celiac ganglion modulates LH-induced inhibition of androstenedione release in late pregnant rat ovaries

BACKGROUND: Although the control of ovarian production of steroid hormones is mainly of endocrine nature, there is increasing evidence that the nervous system also influences ovarian steroidogenic output. The purpose of this work was to study whether the celiac ganglion modulates, via the superior ovarian nerve, the anti-steroidogenic effect of LH in the rat ovary. Using mid- and late-pregnant rats, we set up to study: 1) the influence of the noradrenergic stimulation of the celiac ganglion on the ovarian production of the luteotropic hormone androstenedione; 2) the modulatory effect of noradrenaline at the celiac ganglion on the anti-steroidogenic effect of LH in the ovary; and 3) the involvement of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters released in the ovary upon the combination of noradrenergic stimulation of the celiac ganglion and LH treatment of the ovary. METHODS: The ex vivo celiac ganglion-superior ovarian nerve-ovary integrated system was used. This model allows studying in vitro how direct neural connections from the celiac ganglion regulate ovarian steroidogenic output. The system was incubated in buffer solution with the ganglion and the ovary located in different compartments and linked by the superior ovarian nerve. Three experiments were designed with the addition of: 1) noradrenaline in the ganglion compartment; 2) LH in the ovarian compartment; and 3) noradrenaline and LH in the ganglion and ovarian compartments, respectively. Rats of 15, 19, 20 and 21 days of pregnancy were used, and, as an end point, the concentration of the luteotropic hormone androstenedione was measured in the ovarian compartment by RIA at various times of incubation. For some of the experimental paradigms the concentration of various catecholamines (dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline) was also measured in the ovarian compartment by HPLC. RESULTS: The most relevant result concerning the action of noradrenaline in the celiac ganglion was found on day 21 of pregnancy resulting in the inhibition of androstenedione release from the ovarian compartment. In addition on day 15 of pregnancy, LH placed in the ovarian compartment led to an inhibition of the release of androstenedione, and this inhibitory effect was further reinforced by the joint action of noradrenaline in the celiac ganglion and LH in the ovary. The levels of catecholamines in the ovarian compartment showed differences among the experiments; of significance, the joint treatment of noradrenaline in the celiac ganglion and LH in the ovary resulted in a remarkable increase in the ovarian levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline when compared to the effect achieved by either one of the compounds added alone. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the noradrenergic stimulation of the celiac ganglion reinforces the LH-induced inhibition of androstenedione production by the ovary of late pregnant rats, and that this effect is associated with marked changes in the release of catecholamines in the ovary