Prognostic significance of TRAIL-R3 and CCR-2 expression in tumor epithelial cells of patients with early breast cancer

Tumor epithelial cells (TEpCs) and spindle-shaped stromal cells, not associated with the vasculature, of patients with early breast cancer express osteoprotegerin (OPG), tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, stromal cell derived factor-1, interleukin-6, macrophage colony stimulating factor, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-2 (CCL-2) and their receptors at significantly higher levels compared with non-neoplastic breast tissues. We evaluated the clinicopathological significance of these ligands and receptors in TEpC and spindle-shaped stromal cells, not associated with the vasculature, to determine their impact on prognosis of patients with early-stage breast cancer.Fil: Labovsky, Vivian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Leandro Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Davies, Kevin Mauro. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: de Luján Calcagno, María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: García Rivello, Hernán. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Wernicke, Alejandra. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Feldman, Leonardo. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Matas, Ayelen. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Giorello, María Belén. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Borzone, Francisco Raúl. Ministerio de Salud. Instituto Nacional del Cancer; ArgentinaFil: Choi, Hosoon. Central Texas Veterans Research Foundation; Estados UnidosFil: Howard, Scott C.. University of Tennessee; Estados UnidosFil: Chasseing, Norma Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentin

The harm in conflating aging with accessibility

Including older adults as full stakeholders in digital society. </p

Obtención de vinagre tipo balsámico y crema balsámica a partir de vinos de arándanos

Los arándanos aún no forman parte de los hábitos de consumo de los argentinos, por ello y con el objetivo de buscar otros mercados para el remanente no exportable, se planteó el desarrollo de una tecnología básica para la producción de vinagre tipo balsámico (VB) y un aliño similar a la reducción o crema balsámica (CBA), ambos a partir de arándanos. En el mercado local hay una amplia variedad de vinagres balsámicos, pero no existen referencias sobre productos a partir de estas bayas. El VB se obtuvo mediante la mezcla de vinagre y mosto concentrado de arándanos previamente obtenidos, con miel hasta 59,15 g ácido acético/L y 26,65ºBx. La CBA se preparó mezclando VB y mosto concentrado hasta 43,87 g ácido acético/L y 46,9ºBx. Si bien el proceso de obtención de vinagres balsámicos provocó una reducción de los principales compuestos antioxidantes, el agregado de mosto concentrado y la maduración en contacto con roble, permitió mejorar su calidad nutricional. Ambos productos presentaron una alta aceptabilidad, especialmente la crema balsámica de arándanos por lo que podrían ser considerados un importante condimento con características regionales que contribuiría a incrementar la ingesta de antioxidantes totales durante una comida

Especies de Sphaeralcea (Malvaceae) nativas de la región semiárida pampeana para uso ornamental en canteros

La introducción del germoplasma de Sphaeralcea al mercado ornamental tiene como objetivo aumentar la diversidad de variedades adaptadas a condiciones agroecológicas locales, contribuyendo al aumento de espacios verdes urbanos sustentables y a la protección y valoración de especies vegetales y fauna autóctonas. El género Sphaeralcea (Malvaceae), tiene un atractivo y potencial ornamental que aún no ha sido explorado. Cuenta con especies nativas de la región semiárida argentina que en general poseen alta tolerancia a estrés hídrico, altas y bajas temperaturas, elevada insolación y fuertes heladas. Estos atributos las convierte en buenas candidatas para el desarrollo de materiales tolerantes a condiciones climáticas extremas y para paisajismo urbano sustentable. Se realizaron viajes de colecta en nuestra región pampeana (provincias de Buenos Aires y La Pampa) donde están presentes cuatro especies de Sphaeralcea, S. australis, S. crispa, S. mendocina y S. bonariensis con diferentes características de interés ornamental. Se colectaron semillas que se hicieron germinar en cámaras de cultivo, las plantas crecieron en el invernáculo del Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CONICET ? UNS, Bahía Blanca) y se trasplantaron en canteros para su análisis. Para evaluar el potencial ornamental se aplicó un índice de valoración en base a ocho criterios: tamaño de flor o inflorescencia, color de la flor, abundancia de flores, duración del período de floración, textura del follaje, altura de la planta, atracción de fauna y uso local en jardines. A partir de la suma de calificaciones se definieron tres categorías de potencialidad ornamental: alta (19-24), media (13-18) y baja (8-12). Se evaluaron un total de 60 plantas (15 por especie). También se establecieron canteros demostrativos en el Jardín Botánico de Bahía Blanca y en el campus de la Universidad Nacional del Sur, con un total de 80 plantas (10 por especie en cada sitio). Se realizaron encuestas de preferencia al público en general y al especializado para evaluar la aceptación o rechazo del germoplasma nativo y medir el impacto del valor ornamental de cada especie. Todas las especies crecieron vigorosamente en las condiciones de cultivo y florecieron abundantemente entre los meses de noviembre a marzo. Los resultados del índice de valoración del potencial ornamental arrojaron altos y similares valores entre las cuatro especies, 22 puntos para S. mendocina, 21 para S. australis y S. crispa y 20 para S. bonariensis. Las encuestas de preferencia del consumidor mostraron una alta aceptación en general del género Sphaeralcea como ornamental para el uso en canteros. En particular S. australis fue la preferida por el 100% del público encuestado en el Jardín Botánico y el 95% del campus de la Universidad Nacional del Sur, seguida por S. mendocina, S. crispa y S. bonariensis. Los resultados obtenidos permiten afirmar que es posible la inclusión de Sphaeralcea nativas dentro de un programa de uso racional y sustentable de los recursos genéticos regionales, para el aprovechamiento y mejoramiento de su potencial ornamental.Fil: Gutierrez, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Villamil, Carlos Baldomero. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Dascanio, Liliana. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Buedo, Johana. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Cruciani, Ana Carla. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Davies, Belén. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Ferreyra, Fernanda. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Stanziani, Sandra. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Wilberger, Sofía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Zanche, Verónica. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Marinangeli, Pablo Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaQuinto Encuentro de la Red de Viveros de Plantas NativasArgentinaRed de Viveros de Plantas Nativa

Artificial Neural Networks for Short-Term Load Forecasting in Microgrids Environment Energy

The adaptation of energy production to demand has been traditionally very important for utilities in order to optimize resource consumption. This is especially true also in microgrids where many intelligent elements have to adapt their behaviour depending on the future generation and consumption conditions. However, traditional forecasting has been performed only for extremely large areas, such as nations and regions. This work aims at presenting a solution for short-term load forecasting (STLF) in microgrids, based on a three-stage architecture which starts with pattern recognition by a self-organizing map (SOM), a clustering of the previous partition via k-means algorithm, and finally demand forecasting for each cluster with a multilayer perceptron. Model validation was performed with data from a microgrid-sized environment provided by the Spanish company Iberdrola. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Hernandez, L.; Baladron, C.; Aguiar, JM.; Carro, B.; Sanchez-Esguevillas, A.; Lloret, J. (2014). Artificial Neural Networks for Short-Term Load Forecasting in Microgrids Environment Energy. Energy. 75:252-264. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2014.07.065S2522647

Acceptance factors of telemedicine in times of COVID-19: Case Argentina

We performed an analytical, cross-sectional study of 285 consumers to assess the influence of social influence, resistance to use, facilitators to use, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of telemedicine on the intention to use telemedicine of citizens of Argentina in times of the pandemic by COVID-19. The proposed research model was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Perceived ease of use had a positive effect (0.624) on perceived usefulness; facilitating conditions had a positive effect (0.476) on usage intention; perceived risk (-0.062) and social influence (0.072) did not have an effect on usage intention. Bootstrapping showed that the beta coefficients were statistically significant. The outcomes may provide ideas to healthcare managers to know what an expectation about telemedicine is and develop new services directed to patients

Regulator of calcineurin 1 mediates pathological vascular wall remodeling

Angiotensin-II–driven calcineurin activation and regulator of calcineurin-1 (Rcan-1) expression is required for pathological vascular remodeling in mice

A tetraoxane-based antimalarial drug candidate that overcomes PfK13-C580Y dependent artemisinin resistance.

K13 gene mutations are a primary marker of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria that threatens the long-term clinical utility of artemisinin-based combination therapies, the cornerstone of modern day malaria treatment. Here we describe a multinational drug discovery programme that has delivered a synthetic tetraoxane-based molecule, E209, which meets key requirements of the Medicines for Malaria Venture drug candidate profiles. E209 has potent nanomolar inhibitory activity against multiple strains of P. falciparum and P. vivax in vitro, is efficacious against P. falciparum in in vivo rodent models, produces parasite reduction ratios equivalent to dihydroartemisinin and has pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics compatible with a single-dose cure. In vitro studies with transgenic parasites expressing variant forms of K13 show no cross-resistance with the C580Y mutation, the primary variant observed in Southeast Asia. E209 is a superior next generation endoperoxide with combined pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features that overcome the liabilities of artemisinin derivatives

Artificial Neural Network for Short-Term Load Forecasting in Distribution Systems

The new paradigms and latest developments in the Electrical Grid are based on the introduction of distributed intelligence at several stages of its physical layer, giving birth to concepts such as Smart Grids, Virtual Power Plants, microgrids, Smart Buildings and Smart Environments. Distributed Generation (DG) is a philosophy in which energy is no longer produced exclusively in huge centralized plants, but also in smaller premises which take advantage of local conditions in order to minimize transmission losses and optimize production and consumption. This represents a new opportunity for renewable energy, because small elements such as solar panels and wind turbines are expected to be scattered along the grid, feeding local installations or selling energy to the grid depending on their local generation/consumption conditions. The introduction of these highly dynamic elements will lead to a substantial change in the curves of demanded energy. The aim of this paper is to apply Short-Term Load Forecasting (STLF) in microgrid environments with curves and similar behaviours, using two different data sets: the first one packing electricity consumption information during four years and six months in a microgrid along with calendar data, while the second one will be just four months of the previous parameters along with the solar radiation from the site. For the first set of data different STLF models will be discussed, studying the effect of each variable, in order to identify the best one. That model will be employed with the second set of data, in order to make a comparison with a new model that takes into account the solar radiation, since the photovoltaic installations of the microgrid will cause the power demand to fluctuate depending on the solar radiation.Our gratitude to CEDER-CIEMAT for providing the data to the presented work. In the same way, we want to convey our gratitude to the project partners MIRED-CON (IPT-2012-0611-120000), funded by the INNPACTO agreement of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain. Finally, a special mention to the help of the students Fatih Selim Bayraktar and Guniz Betul Yasar of Gazi University (Turkey), and Cristina Gil Valverde of UNED (Spain).Hernandez, L.; Baladron, C.; Aguiar, JM.; Calavia, L.; Carro, B.; Sanchez-Esguevillas, A.; Perez, F.... (2014). Artificial Neural Network for Short-Term Load Forecasting in Distribution Systems. Energies. 7(3):1576-1598. https://doi.org/10.3390/en7031576S1576159873Spencer, H. H., & Hazen, H. L. (1925). Artificial Representation of Power Systems. Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, XLIV, 72-79. doi:10.1109/t-aiee.1925.5061095Hamilton, R. F. (1944). The Summation or Load Curves. Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, 63(10), 729-735. doi:10.1109/t-aiee.1944.5058782Davies, M. (1959). The relationship between weather and electricity demand. Proceedings of the IEE Part C: Monographs, 106(9), 27. doi:10.1049/pi-c.1959.0007Matthewman, P. D., & Nicholson, H. (1968). Techniques for load prediction in the electricity-supply industry. Proceedings of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, 115(10), 1451. doi:10.1049/piee.1968.0258Hippert, H. S., Pedreira, C. E., & Souza, R. C. (2001). Neural networks for short-term load forecasting: a review and evaluation. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 16(1), 44-55. doi:10.1109/59.910780García-Ascanio, C., & Maté, C. (2010). Electric power demand forecasting using interval time series: A comparison between VAR and iMLP. Energy Policy, 38(2), 715-725. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2009.10.007Marin, F. J., Garcia-Lagos, F., Joya, G., & Sandoval, F. (2002). Global model for short-term load forecasting using artificial neural networks. IEE Proceedings - Generation, Transmission and Distribution, 149(2), 121. doi:10.1049/ip-gtd:20020224Hernández, L., Baladrón, C., Aguiar, J., Carro, B., & Sánchez-Esguevillas, A. (2012). Classification and Clustering of Electricity Demand Patterns in Industrial Parks. Energies, 5(12), 5215-5228. doi:10.3390/en5125215Hernández, L., Baladrón, C., Aguiar, J. M., Calavia, L., Carro, B., Sánchez-Esguevillas, A., … Gómez, J. (2012). A Study of the Relationship between Weather Variables and Electric Power Demand inside a Smart Grid/Smart World Framework. Sensors, 12(9), 11571-11591. doi:10.3390/s120911571Hagan, M. T., & Behr, S. M. (1987). The Time Series Approach to Short Term Load Forecasting. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2(3), 785-791. doi:10.1109/tpwrs.1987.4335210Hernandez, L., Baladrón, C., Aguiar, J., Carro, B., Sanchez-Esguevillas, A., & Lloret, J. (2013). Short-Term Load Forecasting for Microgrids Based on Artificial Neural Networks. Energies, 6(3), 1385-1408. doi:10.3390/en6031385Kim, H., & Thottan, M. (2011). A two-stage market model for microgrid power transactions via aggregators. Bell Labs Technical Journal, 16(3), 101-107. doi:10.1002/bltj.20524Zhou, L., Rodrigues, J., & Oliveira, L. (2012). QoE-driven power scheduling in smart grid: architecture, strategy, and methodology. IEEE Communications Magazine, 50(5), 136-141. doi:10.1109/mcom.2012.6194394Liang Zhou, & Rodrigues, J. J. P. C. (2013). Service-oriented middleware for smart grid: Principle, infrastructure, and application. IEEE Communications Magazine, 51(1), 84-89. doi:10.1109/mcom.2013.6400443Wille-Haussmann, B., Erge, T., & Wittwer, C. (2010). Decentralised optimisation of cogeneration in virtual power plants. Solar Energy, 84(4), 604-611. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2009.10.009Hernandez, L., Baladron, C., Aguiar, J. M., Carro, B., Sanchez-Esguevillas, A., Lloret, J., … Cook, D. (2013). A multi-agent system architecture for smart grid management and forecasting of energy demand in virtual power plants. IEEE Communications Magazine, 51(1), 106-113. doi:10.1109/mcom.2013.6400446Razavi, S., & Tolson, B. A. (2011). A New Formulation for Feedforward Neural Networks. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks, 22(10), 1588-1598. doi:10.1109/tnn.2011.2163169Bishop, C. M. (1994). Neural networks and their applications. Review of Scientific Instruments, 65(6), 1803-1832. doi:10.1063/1.114483

Differential Expression of PGC-1α and Metabolic Sensors Suggest Age-Dependent Induction of Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Friedreich Ataxia Fibroblasts

11 pages, 6 figures. PMID:21687738[PubMed] PMCID: PMC3110204BACKGROUND: Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a mitochondrial rare disease, which molecular origin is associated with defect in the expression of frataxin. The pathological consequences are degeneration of nervous system structures and cardiomyopathy with necrosis and fibrosis, among others. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using FRDA fibroblasts we have characterized the oxidative stress status and mitochondrial biogenesis. We observed deficiency of MnSOD, increased ROS levels and low levels of ATP. Expression of PGC-1α and mtTFA was increased and the active form of the upstream signals p38 MAPK and AMPK in fibroblasts from two patients. Interestingly, the expression of energetic factors correlated with the natural history of disease of the patients, the age when skin biopsy was performed and the size of the GAA expanded alleles. Furthermore, idebenone inhibit mitochondriogenic responses in FRDA cells. CONCLUSIONS: The induction of mitochondrial biogenesis in FRDA may be a consequence of the mitochondrial impairment associated with disease evolution. The increase of ROS and the involvement of the oxidative phosphorylation may be an early event in the cell pathophysiology of frataxin deficiency, whereas increase of mitochondriogenic response might be a later phenomenon associated to the individual age and natural history of the disease, being more evident as the patient age increases and disease evolves. This is a possible explanation of heart disease in FRDA.This work was supported by grants SAF2008-01338, SAF2006-01047 and SAF2009-07063 from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and financial support from the CIBERER (Biomedical Network Research Center for Rare Diseases). A.G. thanks the Conselleria de Educación of the Generalitat Valenciana for the financial support by grants GVPRE/2008/154. A.B.-A. is the recipient of a JAE-CSIC predoctoral fellowship. The CIBERER is an initiative of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and INGENIO 2010.Peer reviewe