Transcorrência diacrônica Cenozóica no sudoeste da Bacia Colombiana

We propose a major Eocene tectonic inversion related to an oblique convergence between Farallon (after Cocos plate) and Caribbean plates in the offshore of Colombian Caribbean. Between EoceneOligocene occurred an extension and another tectonic inversion since Oligocene to Pleistocene. By structural and stratigraphic evidence extracted from seismic, gravity and well data, we identified diverse diachronic Cenozoic deformations related to an important syndepositional wrenching event. Diachronic wrench system corresponds with Riedel structures and subordinated related-structures which have been growing progressively from north to south as result of convergence of Farallon (after Cocos plate) and Caribbean plates. Older basement-involved structures were inverted since Eocene. Tectonic inversions were interpreted from different strata geometries, relations of strata, growth strata and erosive truncations. A regional Eocene unconformity defined by erosional truncations reveals the timing of tectonic inversion and consequently closure of Colombian basin at northern boundary. The Eocene erosional unconformity becomes conformable toward the basin and should be an important correlative stratigraphic surface in the Caribbean offshore.Propõe-se que uma inversão tectónica maior tenha ocorrido durante o Eocénico associada à convergência oblíqua entre as placas Farallon (actual placa de Cocos) e Caribe no offshore do Caribe Colombiano. No período Eocénico-Oligocénico ocorreu extensão e do Oligocénico ao Pleistocénico ocorreu outra inversão tectónica. Foram ainda identificados diferentes eventos de deformação diacrónica no Cenozóico a partir de evidências estruturais e estratigráficas obtidas a partir de dados sísmicos, gravimétricos e de poço. As diferentes deformações estão associadas a um importante evento de transcorrência sin-deposicional. O sistema de transcorrência diacrónica é evidenciado em estruturas riedel e outras subordinadas que se desenvolveram progressivamente de norte para sul no seguimento da convergência das placas Farallon e Caribe. As estruturas antigas que afectaram o substrato foram invertidas a partir do Eocénico. As inversões tectónicas foram interpretadas a partir das diferentes relações geométricas dos estratos. A discordância regional eocénica, identificada a partir de superfícies erosivas, revela o período da inversão tectónica associada ao fecho da Bacia Colombiana no limite norte. A discordância erosiva do Eocénico passa a conformidade à medida que tende para o interior da bacia e deve ser uma importante superfície estratigráfica de correlação no offshore do Caribe.Fil: Alfaro, E.. Universidade Federal Da Bahia; BrasilFil: Barrera, Daniel Florencio. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rossello, Eduardo Antonio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Participation of the 39-kDa glycoprotein (gp39) of the vitelline envelope of Bufo arenarum eggs in sperm-egg interaction

The acquisition of egg fertilizability in Bufo arenarum takes place during the oviductal transit and during this process the extracellular coelomic envelope (CE) of the eggs is converted into the vitelline envelope (VE). It has been stated that one of the necessary events leading to a fertilizable state is the proteolytic cleavage of CE glycoproteins in the oviductal pars recta by oviductin, a serine protease. Consequently, there is a marked increase in the relative quantity of glycoproteins with 39 (gp39) and 42-kDa (gp42) in the VE. In the present study, sperm-VE binding assays using heat-solubilized biotin-conjugated VE glycoproteins revealed that both gp39 and gp42 have sperm binding capacity. According to this result, our study was focused on gp39, a glycoprotein that we have previously reported as a homologue of mammalian ZPC. For this purpose, rabbit polyclonal antibodies against gp39 were generated at our laboratory. The specificity of the antibodies was confirmed with Western blot of VE glycoproteins separated on SDS-PAGE. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron studies showed gp39 distributed throughout the width of the VE. In addition, immunofluorescence assays probed that gp39 bound to the sperm head. Finally, as an approach to elucidate the possible involvement of gp39 in fertilization, inhibition assays showed that pretreatment of eggs with antibodies against gp39 generated a significant decrease in the fertilization rate. Therefore, our findings suggest that gp39, which is modified by oviductal action, participates as a VE glycoprotein ligand for sperm in Bufo arenarum fertilization.Fil: Barrera, Antonio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Llanos, Ricardo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Dora Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin

Experimental Measurements of Solute Transport and Flow Velocity in a Laboratory Channel

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Crianza parental, depresión y consumo de drogas lícitas e ilícitas en estudiantes de preparatoria

El consumo de drogas se ha convertido en uno de los principales fenómenos sociales y de salud internacional por combatir en los países desarrollados; el incremento en el consumo de drogas lícitas e ilícitas plantea la necesidad urgente de generar estrategias gubernamentales que disminuyan el consumo y reduzcan el impacto de esta problemática en la sociedad, debido a que durante los últimos cinco años el consumo de estas sustancias a nivel mundial ha aumentado un 25% aproximadamente (Organización Mundial de la Salud [OMS], 2006)

Impact of extracellular folic acid levels on oviductal gene expression

Folate plays a specific role as methyl donor for nucleotide synthesis and genomic methylation patterns, which in turn are important epigenetic determinants in gene expression. Previous studies have revealed the presence of folate in bovine oviductal fluid as well as the existence of a fine-tuned regulation of the gene expression of folate receptors and transporters in bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs). However, the functional implications of folate in the oviduct remain unknown. The present study aimed to assess the effect of folic acid (FA) on expression levels of selected genes that potentially respond to the folate status in in vitro BOECs. To obtain an insight into the optimization of a culture system for assays, gene expression of folate receptors and transporters was compared between BOECs grown in monolayers and in suspension. The results showed that BOECs from isthmus and ampulla in suspension culture better preserved the region-dependent gene expression profile than in monolayers. Subsequently, BOECs from both anatomical regions were separately cultured in suspension for 24 h assaying different FA concentrations: I) TCM-199 (control); II) TCM-199 + 1 μM FA (similar to the oviduct concentration); III) TCM-199 + 10 μM FA and IV) TCM-199 + 100 μM FA. Expression analysis of genes related to important cellular processes including folate transport, DNA methylation, cell-cell interaction, antioxidant activity and signaling pathways was performed in BOECs using RT-qPCR. Our data demonstrated that addition of 1 μM FA did not affect mRNA levels of most genes analyzed. In contrast, BOECs cultured with 10 μM FA exhibited increased mRNA expression levels of genes involved in folate intake, DNA methylation and antioxidant protection. It is worth noting that at 100 μM FA, transcriptional response in BOECs mainly resulted in decreased mRNA levels of the majority of the genes assayed. Interestingly, cytotoxicity analysis showed a similar LDH activity in the culture media of the experimental groups, indicating that cell integrity was not affected by the FA concentrations assayed. In conclusion, our findings suggest that folate can affect BOECs, promoting changes in gene activity in a framework of functional readjustments in response to environmental conditions.Fil: Garcia, Elina Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino | Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Mansilla, Mariano J.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Leblanc, Jean Guy Joseph. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Barrera, Antonio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino | Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; Argentin

Embryo culture in presence of oviductal fluid induces DNA methylation changes in bovine blastocysts

During the transit through the oviduct, the early embryo initiates an extensive DNA methylation reprogramming of its genome. Given that these epigenetic modifications are susceptible to environmental factors, components present in the oviductal milieu could affect the DNA methylation marks of the developing embryo. The aim of this study was to examine if culture of bovine embryos with oviductal fluid (OF) can induce DNA methylation changes at specific genomic regions in the resulting blastocysts. In vitro produced zygotes were cultured in medium with 3 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 1.25% OF added at the one- to 16-cell stage (OF1-16), one- to 8-cell stage (OF1-8) or 8- to 16-cell stage (OF8-16), and then were cultured until Day 8 in medium with 3 mg/mL BSA. Genomic regions in four developmentally important genes (MTERF2, ABCA7, OLFM1, GMDS) and within LINE-1 retrotransposons were selected for methylation analysis by bisulfite sequencing on Day 7-8 blastocysts. Blastocysts derived from OF1-16 group showed lower CpG methylation levels in MTERF2 and ABCA7 compared with the BSA group. However, CpG sites within MTERF2, ABCA7 and OLFM1 showed higher methylation levels in groups OF1-8 and OF8-16 than in OF1-16. For LINE-1 elements, higher CpG methylation levels were observed in blastocysts from the OF1-16 group than in the other experimental groups. In correlation with the methylation changes observed, mRNA expression level of MTERF2 was increased, while LINE-1 showed a decreased expression in blastocysts from OF1-16 group. Our results suggest that embryos show transient sensitivity to OF at early stages, which is reflected by specific methylation changes at the blastocyst stage.Fil: Barrera, Antonio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Elina Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Hamdi, Meriem. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria. Departamento de Reproducción Animal; EspañaFil: Sánchez Calabuig, María Jesús. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria. Departamento de Reproducción Animal; EspañaFil: López Cardona, Ángela Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria. Departamento de Reproducción Animal; EspañaFil: Fonseca Balvís, Noelia. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria. Departamento de Reproducción Animal; EspañaFil: Rizos, Dimitrios. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria. Departamento de Reproducción Animal; EspañaFil: Gutiérrez Adan, Alfonso. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria. Departamento de Reproducción Animal; Españ

Biology and Biotechnology of Follicle Development

Growth and development of ovarian follicles require a series of coordinated events that induce morphological and functional changes within the follicle, leading to cell differentiation and oocyte development. The preantral early antral follicle transition is the stage of follicular development during which gonadotropin dependence is obtained and the progression into growing or atresia of the follicle is made. Follicular growth during this period is tightly regulated by oocyte-granulosatheca cell interactions. A cluster of early expressed genes is required for normal folliculogenesis. Granulosa cell factors stimulate the recruitment of theca cells from cortical stromal cells. Thecal factors promote granulosa cell proliferation and suppress granulosa cell apoptosis. Cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions influence the production of growth factors in the different follicular compartments (oocyte, granulosa, and theca cells). Several autocrine and paracrine factors are involved in follicular growth and differentiation; their activity is present even at the time of ovulation, decreasing the gap junction communication, and stimulating the theca cell proliferation. In addition, the identification of the factors that promote follicular growth from the preantral stage to the small antral stage may provide important information for the identification for assisted reproduction techniques

Nuevas tecnologías en levantamientos aplicadas a la arqueología y la restauración

En las intervenciones arqueológicas la necesidad de dar cuenta de un modo científico del estado real de los yacimientos es una labor esencial. Para este cometido es necesario documentar gráficamente la geometría de los restos arqueológicos y su relación con el entorno de la manera más fidedigna posible. En los últimos años se ha dado un gran salto en la calidad y cantidad de la información geométrica que se puede obtener. Estas posibilidades en alza han estimulado la exigencia cada vez mayor de la rigurosidad en los levantamientos. Como muestra de las posibilidades de actuación aplicando tecnologías innovadoras se presenta este trabajo consistente en el levantamiento y modelizado de la muralla y barbacana descubierta en pleno centro de la ciudad de Sevilla con motivo de las obras del nuevo tren metropolitano. La singularidad del caso radica en que se trata de unos restos que serán extraídos de su ubicación actual para ser repuestos nuevamente una vez terminadas las obras de la estación de metro que se ubicará justo en esa localización pero a una cota inferior. En la actualidad no se ha tomado la decisión política sobre la posibilidad de ser nuevamente sepultados para permitir recuperar la configuración previa de la calle donde se descubrieron, o mantenerlos expuestos con la consecuente eliminación del tráfico de vehículos en la calle. De optarse por la primera opción correspondería al resultado de nuestro trabajo la responsabilidad de erigirse como referente virtual de unos restos arqueológicos inaccesibles. Con ocasión del trabajo se tendrá oportunidad de contrastar los resultados de la aplicación de técnicas de levantamiento mediante estación total láser, fotogrametría digital no métrica y escaneado láser tridimensionalIn archaeology, the necessity of scientifically stating the real condition of deposits is an essential work. For this task it is necessary to graphically document the geometry of the archaeological rests and their relationship with the environment in as accurate a way as possible. Over the last few years, great advances have been made in the quality and amount of the geometric information that can be obtained. These new possibilities incur difficulties regarding the required vigorous measurement and analysis of the data, however much improved results can be obtained. As an example of the performance possibilities, applying innovating technologies, we present this work consisting on the survey and modelling of the wall and barbican, discovered in the city of Seville, during the works of the new metropolitan train. The singularity of the case is that the wall will be extracted from its present location to be replaced back again once works of the tube station that will be located just in that location but to an inferior level finishes. At present the political decision between, being buried to allow the recovering of the previous configuration of the street, where they were discovered, or to be left exposed with the consequent elimination of the traffic of vehicles in the street, has not been taken yet. If the decision taken is the first option, our work would have the responsibility of being the virtual reference of an inaccessible archaeological rest. As a result of this work, we will have opportunity to check the results of the application of these techniques of survey by laser total station, non-metric digital photogrammetry and three-dimensional laser scannin

Prospective double-blind clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of Bromelain in the third molar extraction postoperative period

Objectives: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of Bromelain (pineapple extract) administered orally in the postoperative after extraction of impacted lower molars. Study Design: This is a prospective, placebo-controlled, unicentric, double-blind study; the sample size was 34 patients. The pre and postoperative outcomes, evaluated on the third (D3) and eighth day (D8), included inflam - tion, pain and oral aperture, as well as the need for analgesics. One group received bromelain 150mg per day for three days and 100mg on days 4 to 7. The other group received placebo in the same dosage. All outcomes wer - recorded quantitatively and analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples. Results: Although there were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups, a trend towards less inflammation and improved oral aperture was observed in the group that received bromelain, compared to the group that received placebo. This trend can be attributed completely to random reasons, since there is no statistical difference in the results. Conclusions: Further studies are necessary to analyze different administration patterns and doses of bromelain for the use in the postoperative of impacted third molars

Continuous monitoring of bread dough fermentation using a 3D vision Structured Light technique

Fermentation of the dough is an important phase in the bread-making process which is affected by several important factors related to raw materials and processing. Changes in fermentation affect parameters in the final product, such as texture, palatability and general quality. For this reason, it is important to develop dynamic methods to study this phase. In this work, a 3D vision system based on Structured Light (SL) was used to monitor the fermentation phase. The evolution of the dough was studied employing 10 wheat flours with non-physicochemical and rheological differences. However, differences in dough behaviors during fermentation were found based on SL method parameters. When the variation of the total transversal area was related to the maximum height at each fermentation time a set of peaks and valleys appeared. These sets were directly related to the fermentation capacity. Specifically, a lower number of peaks during the main fermentation time (100 min) is related to wheat flours with high fermentation capacity. Consequently, the proposed SL Technique could be used as a method to check the fermentation capacity of wheat flours according to their fermentation behavior.We thank the Polytechnic University of Valencia and Generalitat Valenciana for the financial support provided (PAID-05-011-2870 and 226 GVPRE/2008/170 projects, respectively)Ivorra Martínez, E.; Verdú Amat, S.; Sánchez Salmerón, AJ.; Barat Baviera, JM.; Grau Meló, R. (2014). Continuous monitoring of bread dough fermentation using a 3D vision Structured Light technique. Journal of Food Engineering. 130:8-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2013.12.031S81313