Prevention and Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by COVID-19: Role of Vitamin D on Immunomodulation and Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Regulation

The leading cause of complications or death from COVID-19 is due to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This syndrome is characterized by exacerbated inflammation, mainly at the pulmonary level, and an over-activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), usually culminating in death or permanent respiratory sequelae in the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. In this sense, it has been proposed that vitamin D exerts numerous immunomodulatory effects by acting on various types of immune and epithelial cells, as well as being able to stimulate the protective arm (ACE2/Ang-(1-7)) and inhibit the harmful arm (ACE/Ang-II) of the RAAS. Therefore, some of the main mechanisms underlying these effects mediated by vitamin D and its receptors are discussed in the present review. The analysis of these mechanisms would positively influence the prevention and treatment of ARDS, thus preventing the progression of the disease and improving the prognosis of the patients.Fil: Carmona, Maximiliano. Gobierno de la Provincia de Mendoza. Hospital Luis Lagomaggiore.; Argentina. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; Argentina. Ministerio de Desarrollo Social; Argentina. Ministerio de Desarrollo Social. Secretaria de Deportes de la Nacion; ArgentinaFil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Departamento de Patología; Argentin

Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels and Covid-19 Severity Due to Circulating SARS-COV-2 Variants in Argentina: A Presentation of Clinical Cases

There is growing evidence that serum vitamin D levels are inversely related to the severity of COVID-19. However, it is not yet known whether this relationship is observed independently of the type of variant of SARS-CoV-2 that has caused the infection or if this is variant-dependent. In this context, we studied a series of clinical cases with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 and required hospitalization in the unit of critical care at a hospital from Argentina. At the time of this study, the variants of SARS-CoV-2 with the highest circulation in this country were the Lambda (Andina) and Gamma (Manaus) variants. The obtained results would indicate that the inverse relationship studied is evidenced, at least, against infection by the two variants mentioned. However, to deepen this possible relationship against other variants, additional studies should be carried out in populations with a different viral circulation profile.Fil: Carmona, Maximiliano. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; Argentina. Ministerio de Desarrollo Social; Argentina. Ministerio de Desarrollo Social. Secretaria de Deportes de la Nacion; Argentina. Gobierno de la Provincia de Mendoza. Hospital Luis Lagomaggiore.; ArgentinaFil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Departamento de Patología; Argentin

A rational approach between vitamin d, immunomodulation and the renin-angiotensin system linked to prevention and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19

A distinctive feature of COVID-19 is its low mortality rate, where the leading cause of decease is related to the development of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This syndrome involves an exacerbated inflammatory reaction, frequently known as cytokine storm, mainly in the lungs and concomitant over activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Consequently, this "explosive cocktail" can lead to death or permanent respiratory sequelae in patients infected with SARSCoV- 2. In this sense, multiple therapeutic strategies have been proposed. Among them, vitamin D stands out as it exerts numerous immunomodulatory effects by acting on various types of immune and epithelial cells, in addition to being able to stimulate the protective arm [(ACE2/Ang- ( 1-7)] and inhibit the damaging arm (ACE/Ang-II) of the RAAS. Therefore, in the present mini-review, some of the main mechanisms underlying these effects mediated by vitamin D and its receptors are analyzed. Knowledge and translational projection of these mechanisms would positively influence the prevention and treatment of SARS. Thus, current evidence on vitamin D and COVID-19 adds arguments to rational therapy regarding reducing or avoiding disease progression and improving prognosis.Una característica distintiva de COVID-19 es su baja tasa de mortalidad, donde la principal causa de muerte está relacionada con el desarrollo del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SRAS). Este síndrome involucra una reacción inflamatoria exacerbada, frecuentemente conocida como tormenta de citoquinas, principalmente en los pulmones y sobre-activación concomitante del sistema reninaangiotensina- aldosterona (SRAA). En consecuencia, este "cóctel explosivo" puede provocar la muerte o secuelas respiratorias permanentes en pacientes infectados con SARS-CoV-2. En este sentido, se han propuesto múltiples estrategias terapéuticas. Entre ellas, destaca la vitamina D que ejerce numerosos efectos inmunomoduladores al actuar sobre diversos tipos de células inmunes y epiteliales, además de poder estimular el brazo protector [(ACE2/Ang-(1-7)] e inhibir el brazo dañino (ACE/Ang-II) del SRAA. Por ello, en la presente mini-revisión se analizan algunos de los principales mecanismos subyacentes a estos efectos mediados por la vitamina D y sus receptores. El conocimiento y proyección traslacional de estos mecanismos influiría positivamente en la prevención y tratamiento del SRAS. Por lo tanto, la evidencia actual sobre la vitamina D y COVID-19 suma argumentos a la terapia racional con respecto a reducir o evitar la progresión de la enfermedad y mejorar el pronóstico.Sociedad Argentina de Fisiologí

Trace fossils as tools to unravel oxygen conditions: A case study from Los Molles Formation (Toarcian-lower Callovian)

The Toarcian - lower Callovian Los Molles Formation in the Chacay Melehue section (southern limb of Cordillera del Viento - Neuquén Basin) comprises offshore-shelf deposits and subordinately, channel-levee and lobe deposits produced by density currents. These deposits are characterized by two distinctive trace fossil suites: (1) Chondrites and Trichichnus in the offshore-shelf mud, and (2) Chondrites, Trichichnus , and Phycosiphon occurring in distal levee deposits. The generally low diversity and abundance of the trace fossils suggest severe environmental conditions. In particular, in the intervals containing Chondrites and Trichichnus , pyrite framboids are abundant and most likely indicate low oxygen availability within the sediment. The presence of Phycosiphon in the levee deposits implies short periods of improved oxygenation caused by the density currents originating in shallow water

Post-tooth extraction bacteraemia: a randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of chlorhexidine prophylaxis

Objectives: To investigate the development of post-extraction bacteraemia (PEB) after the prophylactic use of chlorhexidine (CHX). Patients and Methods: A total of 201 patients who underwent a tooth extraction were randomly distributed into four groups: 52 received no prophylaxis (CONTROL), 50 did a mouthwash with 0.2% CHX before the tooth extraction (CHX-MW), 51 did a mouthwash with 0.2% CHX and a subgingival irrigation with 1% CHX (CHX-MW/SUB_IR) and 48 did a mouthwash with 0.2% CHX and a continuous supragingival irrigation with 1% CHX (CHX-MW/SUPRA_IR). Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at baseline, 30 seconds after performing the mouthwash and the subgingival or supragingival irrigation, and at 30 seconds and 15 minutes after completion of the tooth extraction. Blood samples were analysed applying conventional microbiological cultures under aerobic and anaerobic conditions performing bacterial identification of the isolates. Results: The prevalences of PEB in the CONTROL, CHX-MW, CHX-MW/SUB_IR and CHX-MWSUPRA_IR groups were 52%, 50%, 55% and 50%, respectively, at 30 seconds and 23%, 4%, 10% and 27%, respectively, at 15 minutes. The prevalence of PEB at 15 minutes was significantly higher in the CONTROL group than in the CHX-MW group (23% versus 4%; p = 0.005). At the same time, no differences were found between CONTROL group and CHX-MW/SUB_IR or CHX-MW/SUPRA_IR groups. Streptococci (mostly viridans group streptococci) were the most frequently identified bacteria (69–79%). Conclusions: Performing a 0.2% CHX mouthwash significantly reduces the duration of PEB. Subgingival irrigation with 1% CHX didn’t increase the efficacy of the mouthwash while supragingival irrigation even decreased this efficacy, probably due to the influence of these maneuvers on the onset of bacteraemia. Clinical Relevance: These results confirm the suitability of performing a mouthwash with 0.2% CHX before tooth extractions in order to reduce the duration of PEB. This practice should perhaps be extended to all dental manipulationsThis work was supported by project PI11/01383 from Carlos III Institute of Health (General Division of Evaluation and Research Promotion, Madrid, Spain), which is integrated in National Plan of Research, Development and Innovation (PN I+D+I 2008–2011)S

First Jurassic brittlestar from Neuquén Basin, Argentina

Articulated fossil ophiuroids from South America were reported for the Devonian, Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene. Here we report the first Jurassic record of an articulated ophiuroid from the Sierra Chacaicó Formation (early Pliensbachian–Sinemurian) in Neuquén Basin, Argentina, and discuss the taphonomic processes that allowed its preservation. The Sierra Chacaicó Formation represents the onset of the Early Jurassic extensive marine transgression in the basin. The basal section comprises shoreface and offshore Gilbert-type delta system, which was affected by hyperpycnal discharges. The middle and upper sections are represented by offshore deposits, affected by storms and eroded by hyperpycnal channel-levee systems. The ophiuroid specimen was found in levels of massive, fine, tuffaceous sandstone beds and covered by coarse sandstone containing a large amount of plant debris and organic matter. It was preserved articulated, with a complete disc and almost complete arms. Based on the microstructure of the spine-bearing lateral arm plates, the ophiuroid is assigned to Sinosura, an extinct genus of the family Ophioleucidae, widespread in the Lower Jurassic deposits of Europe but previously unknown from other parts of the world. The posture of the ophiuroid, with one arm curved distally and extended in one direction and the other four arms symmetrically oriented in the opposite direction, suggests a walking or escape movement frozen in time. This implies that the ophiuroid was buried alive by sediment thick enough to prevent successful escape. The taphonomic and sedimentologic evidence indicates that the fossil material was found in hyperpycnal deposits accumulated in offshore positions, which carried a high concentration of sediment in suspension.Fil: Campetella, Débora Mical. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro; ArgentinaFil: Palópolo, Evangelina Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; ArgentinaFil: Thuy, Ben. Musee National de Luxembourg; LuxemburgoFil: Ponce, Juan Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentina. Servicio Geologico Minero Argentino. Delegacion General Roca.; ArgentinaFil: Carmona, Noelia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; ArgentinaFil: Casadio, Silvio Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentin

Actividad fungicida / fungistática in vitro del fosfito de manganeso contra hongos patógenos habitantes del suelo con soja

Carmona, Marcelo Aníbal. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Fitopatología. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Simonetti, Ester. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Biología Aplicada y Alimentos. Cátedra de Microbiología Agrícola. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Ravotti, Maximiliano Ezequiel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Fitopatología. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Scandiani, M. M. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Centro de Referencia de Micología (CEREMIC). Rosario, Argentina.Luque, A. G. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Centro de Referencia de Micología (CEREMIC). Rosario, Argentina.Formento, Angela Norma. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del Paraná (EEA Delta del Paraná). Buenos Aires, Argentina.Sautua, Francisco J. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Fitopatología. Buenos Aires, Argentina.265-269Soybean root and stem rots caused by soil - borne pathogens are diseases commonly found in soybean fields, and one of the most important causes of crop losses. In the present study, the mycelial sensitivity of Fusarium virguliforme, F. tucumaniae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Macrophomina phaseolina was evaluated on potato dextrose agar media (25 mL) supplemented with different concentrations of manganese phosphite (MnPhi) diluted in water (0, 25, 37.5, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 800 and 1000 μg/mL). Mycelial growth sensitivity was analyzed using logarithmic linear regression analysis. The MnPhi concentration needed to inhibit 50% of the mycelial growth (IC50) ranged from 105 μg/mL (Fusarium spp.) to 409 μg/mL (M. phaseolina). Sclerotia were completely inhibited at 500 μg/mL. The results of our study represent the first report on the direct in vitro fungicidal/fungistatic action of MnPhi against fungi that are causal agents of soil - borne diseases

First Jurassic brittlestar from Neuquén Basin, Argentina

Articulated fossil ophiuroids from South America were reported for the Devonian, Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene. Here we report the first Jurassic record of an articulated ophiuroid from the Sierra Chacaicó Formation (early Pliensbachian– Sinemurian) in Neuquén Basin, Argentina, and discuss the taphonomic processes that allowed its preservation. The Sierra Chacaicó Formation represents the onset of the Early Jurassic extensive marine transgression in the basin. The basal section comprises shoreface and offshore Gilbert-type delta system, which was affected by hyperpycnal discharges. The middle and upper sections are represented by offshore deposits, affected by storms and eroded by hyperpycnal channel-levee systems. The ophiuroid specimen was found in levels of massive, fine, tuffaceous sandstone beds and covered by coarse sandstone containing a large amount of plant debris and organic matter. It was preserved articulated, with a complete disc and almost complete arms. Based on the microstructure of the spine-bearing lateral arm plates, the ophiuroid is assigned to Sinosura, an extinct genus of the family Ophioleucidae, widespread in the Lower Jurassic deposits of Europe but previously unknown from other parts of the world. The posture of the ophiuroid, with one arm curved distally and extended in one direction and the other four arms symmetrically oriented in the opposite direction, suggests a walking or escape movement frozen in time. This implies that the ophiuroid was buried alive by sediment thick enough to prevent successful escape. The taphonomic and sedimentologic evidence indicates that the fossil material was found in hyperpycnal deposits accumulated in offshore positions, which carried a high concentration of sediment in suspension

Diez años de las directrices voluntarias: una mirada sobre su implementación en Argentina

Las directrices voluntarias en apoyo a los esfuerzos de los Estados miembros encaminados a alcanzar la realización progresiva del derecho a una alimentación adecuada en el contexto de la seguridad alimentaria nacional.fueron adoptadas en el año 2004 en el ámbito de la FAO. El objetivo de estas directrices es proporcionar orientación práctica a los Estados respecto de sus esfuerzos por lograr la realización progresiva del derecho a una alimentación adecuada (DaAA) en el contexto de la seguridad alimentaria nacional, buscando lograr cumplir con el Plan de Acción de la Cumbre Mundial sobre la alimentación y con base ena un enfoque de derechos humanos (Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación, 2004). A diez años de la adopción de las directrices, este trabajo pretende, con base en hallazgos de las investigaciones previas realizadas por el Grupo DSPP, analizar las principales características del Plan Nacional de Seguridad Alimentaria (PNSA) y de programas alimentarios de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, y efectuar consideraciones de los mismos a la luz del enfoque de derechos y en vinculación con las directrices. Asimismo, se analiza la actividad del Frente Parlamentario contra el Hambre de Argentina, y el Proyecto de Ley marco de Derecho a la Alimentación Adecuada con Seguridad y Soberanía Alimentaria, presentado en la Cámara de Diputados de la Nación en noviembre de 2013; se describen las principales dificultades en materia de producción de datos sobre situación socioeconómica de la población y sobre desempeño de políticas y programas sociales nacionales, y también se aborda el tema de acceso a la información pública y las dificultades que plantea el no contar con una ley nacional que regule ese derecho.Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::2 - Fam zeroObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::10 - Reducció de les DesigualtatsPostprint (published version

A genome-wide association study suggests the HLA Class II region as the major susceptibility locus for IgA vasculitis.

The genetic component of Immunoglobulin-A (IgA) vasculitis is still far to be elucidated. To increase the current knowledge on the genetic component of this vasculitis we performed the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on this condition. 308 IgA vasculitis patients and 1,018 healthy controls from Spain were genotyped by Illumina HumanCore BeadChips. Imputation of GWAS data was performed using the 1000 Genomes Project Phase III dataset as reference panel. After quality control filters and GWAS imputation, 285 patients and 1,006 controls remained in the datasets and were included in further analysis. Additionally, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region was comprehensively studied by imputing classical alleles and polymorphic amino acid positions. A linkage disequilibrium block of polymorphisms located in the HLA class II region surpassed the genome-wide level of significance (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.46-0.68). Although no polymorphic amino acid positions were associated at the genome-wide level of significance, P-values of potential relevance were observed for the positions 13 and 11 of HLA-DRB1 (P = 6.67E-05, P = 1.88E-05, respectively). Outside the HLA, potential associations were detected, but none of them were close to the statistical significance. In conclusion, our study suggests that IgA vasculitis is an archetypal HLA class II disease