Sex Differences in Hypothalamic Changes and the Metabolic Response of TgAPP Mice to a High Fat Diet

The propensity to develop neurodegenerative diseases is influenced by diverse factors including genetic background, sex, lifestyle, including dietary habits and being overweight, and age. Indeed, with aging, there is an increased incidence of obesity and neurodegenerative processes, both of which are associated with inflammatory responses, in a sex-specific manner. High fat diet (HFD) commonly leads to obesity and markedly affects metabolism, both peripherally and centrally. Here we analyzed the metabolic and inflammatory responses of middle-aged (11–12 months old) transgenic amyloid precursor protein (TgAPP) mice of both sexes to HFD for 18 weeks (starting at 7–8 months of age). We found clear sex differences with females gaining significantly more weight and fat mass than males, with a larger increase in circulating leptin levels and expression of inflammatory markers in visceral adipose tissue. Glycemia and insulin levels increased in HFD fed mice of both sexes, with TgAPP mice being more affected than wild type (WT) mice. In the hypothalamus, murine amyloid β (Aβ) levels were increased by HFD intake exclusively in males, reaching statistical significance in TgAPP males. On a low fat diet (LFD), TgAPP males had significantly lower mRNA levels of the anorexigenic neuropeptide proopiomelanocortin (POMC) than WT males, with HFD intake decreasing the expression of the orexigenic neuropeptides Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), especially in TgAPP mice. In females, HFD increased POMC mRNA levels but had no effect on AgRP or NPY mRNA levels, and with no effect on genotype. There was no effect of diet or genotype on the hypothalamic inflammatory markers analyzed or the astrogliosis marker glial acidic protein (GFAP); however, levels of the microglial marker Iba-1 increased selectively in male TgAPP mice. In summary, the response to HFD intake was significantly affected by sex, with fewer effects due to genotype. Hypothalamic inflammatory cytokine expression and astrogliosis were little affected by HFD in middle-aged mice, although in TgAPP males, which showed increased Aβ, there was microglial activation. Thus, excess intake of diets high in fat should be avoided because of its possible detrimental consequences

Ideas and Perspectives: A Strategic Assessment of Methane and Nitrous Oxide Measurements In the Marine Environment

In the current era of rapid climate change, accurate characterization of climate-relevant gas dynamics-namely production, consumption, and net emissions-is required for all biomes, especially those ecosystems most susceptible to the impact of change. Marine environments include regions that act as net sources or sinks for numerous climateactive trace gases including methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). The temporal and spatial distributions of CH4 and N2O are controlled by the interaction of complex biogeochemical and physical processes. To evaluate and quantify how these mechanisms affect marine CH4 and N2O cycling requires a combination of traditional scientific disciplines including oceanography, microbiology, and numerical modeling. Fundamental to these efforts is ensuring that the datasets produced by independent scientists are comparable and interoperable. Equally critical is transparent communication within the research community about the technical improvements required to increase our collective understanding of marine CH4 and N2O. A workshop sponsored by Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) was organized to enhance dialogue and collaborations pertaining to marine CH4 and N2O. Here, we summarize the outcomes from the workshop to describe the challenges and opportunities for near-future CH4 and N2O research in the marine environment

Correlation between in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo lethal activity in mice of epsilon toxin mutants from Clostridium perfringens

Epsilon toxin (Etx) from Clostridium perfringens is a pore-forming protein with a lethal effect on livestock, producing severe enterotoxemia characterized by general edema and neurological alterations. Site-specific mutations of the toxin are valuable tools to study the cellular and molecular mechanism of the toxin activity. In particular, mutants with paired cysteine substitutions that affect the membrane insertion domain behaved as dominant-negative inhibitors of toxin activity in MDCK cells. We produced similar mutants, together with a well-known non-toxic mutant (Etx-H106P), as green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins to perform in vivo studies in an acutely intoxicated mouse model. The mutant (GFP-Etx-I51C/A114C) had a lethal effect with generalized edema, and accumulated in the brain parenchyma due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In the renal system, this mutant had a cytotoxic effect on distal tubule epithelial cells. The other mutants studied (GFP-Etx-V56C/F118C and GFP-Etx-H106P) did not have a lethal effect or cross the BBB, and failed to induce a cytotoxic effect on renal epithelial cells. These data suggest a direct correlation between the lethal effect of the toxin, with its cytotoxic effect on the kidney distal tubule cells, and the ability to cross the BBB

Recommendations for dental care in a situation of SARS-COV-2 pandemic and post-pandemic

La Odontología es una de las cinco profesiones más expuestas a contraer COVID-19, debido a la exposición -durante las actividades clínicas-al contacto con sangre, saliva, aerosoles, manipulación de sustancias potencialmente nocivas. El conocimiento de los riesgos propios de su entorno tiene como objetivo último evitar que los odontólogos y las personas vinculadas a la práctica profesional provoquen -por desconocimiento, inobservancia o falta de apropiación de los saberes-contagios y/o impactos desfavorables para ellos y el ambiente. Al minimizar el riesgo y la posibilidad de infecciones cruzadas se evitarán mayores contagios, en el contexto actual, sin desatender las emergencias odontológicas.publishedVersionFil: Allende Posse, María. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Arévalo, Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Bojanich, Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Bono, A. Colegio Odontológico de la Provincia de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Busleiman, Federico. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Castillo, Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Castillo, Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Castillo, María Cristina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Ermoli, J. Colegio Odontológico de la Provincia de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Flores, N. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Gigena, Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Girardi, Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Gutvay, Ada. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Herrera, Analía. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Huespe Rico, Verónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Irazuzta, María Laura. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Martínez, Dora. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Moriconi, E. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina.Fil: Pereyra, María Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Priotto, Elba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Raya Tonetti, G. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina.Fil: Rezzónico, M. S. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Scatena, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Vera, Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina.Fil: Zorrilla, Inés. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Equipo de Investigación en Higiene y Bioseguridad y Centro de Bioseguridad; Argentina

Global wealth disparities drive adherence to COVID-safe pathways in head and neck cancer surgery

Peer reviewe

Call for emergency action to restore dietary diversity and protect global food systems in times of COVID-19 and beyond: Results from a cross-sectional study in 38 countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries\u27 societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 37 207 participants (mean age: 36.70 ± 14.79, with 77 % women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered between April and June 2020. The study utilized a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire to explore food consumption patterns both before and during the COVID-19 periods. Additionally, the study computed Food Consumption Score (FCS) as a proxy indicator for assessing the dietary diversity of households. Findings: This quantification of global, regional and national dietary diversity across 38 countries showed an increment in the consumption of all food groups but a drop in the intake of vegetables and in the dietary diversity. The household\u27s food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p \u3c 0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p = 0.003), Egypt (p \u3c 0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p = 0.013). A decline in the household\u27s dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p \u3c 0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p \u3c 0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p \u3c 0.001), Denmark (p = 0.002), Finland (p \u3c 0.001) and Netherland (p = 0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p \u3c 0.001), Brazil (p \u3c 0.001), Mexico (p \u3c 0.0001) and Peru (p \u3c 0.001). Middle and older ages [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.125–1.426] [OR = 2.5; 95 % CI = [1.951–3.064], being a woman [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.117–1.367], having a high education (p \u3c 0.001), and showing amelioration in food-related behaviors [OR = 1.4; 95 % CI = [1.292–1.709] were all linked to having a higher dietary diversity. Conclusion: The minor to moderate changes in food consumption patterns observed across the 38 countries within relatively short time frames could become lasting, leading to a significant and prolonged reduction in dietary diversity, as demonstrated by our findings