Relevamiento de Thysanoptera en cultivos horticolas, como vectores potenciales de Tospovirus en Mendoza, Argentina

Tospoviruses severely affect tomato, lettuce and other crops in Argentina' and are thrips transmitted in nature. The epidemiology of tospoviruses is closely related with vector's ecology. The aim of this study was to know the Thysanoptera fauna in and around the tomato ecosystem of the Mendoza province" and to find rearingmethods for the more common species. Thrips were collected frorn 51 host plants and 19 species were identified, five of which [Bregmatothrips venustus Hood, Chirothrips frontalis Williams, C. texanus (Andre), Frankliniella frumenti Moulton, and F. valdiviana Sakimura &O'Neill] are new records for Mendoza and Karnyothrips longiceps (Hood) for Argentina. Three out of the eight species reported to transmit tospoviruses are present in Mendoza: F. schultzei (Trybom). F. occidentalis (Pergande) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman. Rearing rnethods were developed for eight species: Aptinothrips rufus (Haliday), F. australis Morganl F. frumenti, F. gemina (Bagnall), F. occidentelis, F. schultzei, Haplothrips trellesi Moulton, and T. tabaci. Colonies were reared from a single female in a growth room at 25° (± 2) and L 12: 0 12.En la Argentina el tomate, la lechuga y otras hortalizas, son severamente atacadas por virus del genero Tospovirus. Estos virus, son transmitidos por trips en condiciones naturales. La epidemiología de los tospovirus, esta estrechamente relacionada con la ecología de los vectores. El propósito de estetrabajo, fue conocer la fauna Thysanoptera en el ecosistema de tomate y su area circundante, en la provincia de Mendoza, y tambien poner a punto metodos de cría para las especies mas abundantes. Se coleccionaron trips en 51 huespedes y se identificaron 19 especies de tisanópteros, cinco de los cuales [Bregmatothrips venustus Hood, Chirothrips frontalis Williams, C. texanus (Andre), Frankliniella frumenti Moulton y F. valdiviana Sakimura & 0' Neill] son citas nuevas para Mendoza, y una Karnyothrips longiceps(Hood) para la Argentina. Ocho especies han sido registradas en la bibliografia mundial como vectoras de tospovirus, de las cuales sólo tres estan presentes en Mendoza: F. schultzei (Tryborn), F: occidentalis (Pergande) y Thrips tabaciLindeman. Seajustaron metodos de cría para ocho de las especies identificadas: Aptinothrips rufus(Haliday), F. australisMorgan, F.frumenti, F. gemina (Bagnall), F. occidentalis, F. schultzei, Haplothrips trellesi Moulton y T. tabaci. Las colonias se originaron en una sola hernbra, en carnara de crecimiento a 25°C (± 2) con fotoperíodo de 12 horas.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Dietary fatty acids affect mitochondrial phospholipid compositions and mitochondrial gene expression of rainbow trout liver at different ages

Mitochondria are among the first responders to various stressors that challenge the homeostasis of cells and organisms. Mitochondrial decay is generally associated with impairment in the organelle bioenergetics function and increased oxidative stress, and it appears that deterioration of mitochondrial inner membrane phospholipids (PL), particularly cardiolipin (CL), and accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are among the main mechanisms involved in this process. In the present study, liver mitochondrial membrane PL compositions, lipid peroxidation and mtDNA gene expression were analyzed in rainbow trout fed three diets with the same base formulation but with lipid supplied either by fish oil (FO), rapeseed oil (RO) or a high DHA oil (DHA) during six weeks. Specifically, two feeding trials were performed using fish from the same population of two ages (1 and 3 years), and PL class compositions of liver mitochondria, fatty acid composition of individual PL classes, TBARS content and mtDNA expression were determined. Dietary fatty acid composition strongly affected mitochondrial membrane composition from trout liver but observed changes did not fully reflect the diet, particularly when it contained high DHA. The changes were PL specific, CL being particularly resistant to changes in DHA. Some significant differences observed in expression of mtDNA with diet may suggest long-term dietary effects in mitochondrial gene expression which could affect electron transport chain function. All the changes were influenced by fish age, which could be related to the different growth rates observed between 1- and 3-year-old trout but that could also indicate age-related changes in the ability to maintain structural homeostasis of mitochondrial membranes

College students : risk preferences and pregaming

Pre-gaming is a drinking practice performed before attending a social event where more alcohol may or may not be consumed (Borsari, Murphy, et al., 2007; Pedersen & LaBrie, 2007; White & Hingson, 2013; Zamboanga et al., 2011; Pilatti et al., 2018) and is highly prevalent among young adults. There is abundant literature linking pre-gaming to binge drinking and the negative consequences associated with alcohol consumption. Therefore, pregaming and the associated health risks are important public health issues. The aim of this research is to extend the scarce research on this issue in Argentina in three respects. First, we adopt a microeconomic approach to analyze students' decisions to participate in pre-gaming. Second, we identify students' preferences in relation to their tolerance to the risk of exposing their health to health-damaging behaviors and analyze their relationship with choice. Third, we used primary information collected from a survey of consumption habits carried out in the faculties of economic sciences of the UNC and UNCU. Using selected items we identify four classes or groups according to their risk preferences. Although more than 40% of the students pregame, belonging to the groups with a greater predisposition to risk is associated with a higher probability of attending pre-parting.Fil: Lara, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas.Fil: De Santis, Mariana Olga. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas.Fil: Carrazana Rivera, Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas.Fil: Castroff, Carolina Edith. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas

Relevamiento de Thysanoptera en cultivos horticolas, como vectores potenciales de Tospovirus en Mendoza, Argentina

Tospoviruses severely affect tomato, lettuce and other crops in Argentina' and are thrips transmitted in nature. The epidemiology of tospoviruses is closely related with vector's ecology. The aim of this study was to know the Thysanoptera fauna in and around the tomato ecosystem of the Mendoza province" and to find rearingmethods for the more common species. Thrips were collected frorn 51 host plants and 19 species were identified, five of which [Bregmatothrips venustus Hood, Chirothrips frontalis Williams, C. texanus (Andre), Frankliniella frumenti Moulton, and F. valdiviana Sakimura &O'Neill] are new records for Mendoza and Karnyothrips longiceps (Hood) for Argentina. Three out of the eight species reported to transmit tospoviruses are present in Mendoza: F. schultzei (Trybom). F. occidentalis (Pergande) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman. Rearing rnethods were developed for eight species: Aptinothrips rufus (Haliday), F. australis Morganl F. frumenti, F. gemina (Bagnall), F. occidentelis, F. schultzei, Haplothrips trellesi Moulton, and T. tabaci. Colonies were reared from a single female in a growth room at 25° (± 2) and L 12: 0 12.En la Argentina el tomate, la lechuga y otras hortalizas, son severamente atacadas por virus del genero Tospovirus. Estos virus, son transmitidos por trips en condiciones naturales. La epidemiología de los tospovirus, esta estrechamente relacionada con la ecología de los vectores. El propósito de estetrabajo, fue conocer la fauna Thysanoptera en el ecosistema de tomate y su area circundante, en la provincia de Mendoza, y tambien poner a punto metodos de cría para las especies mas abundantes. Se coleccionaron trips en 51 huespedes y se identificaron 19 especies de tisanópteros, cinco de los cuales [Bregmatothrips venustus Hood, Chirothrips frontalis Williams, C. texanus (Andre), Frankliniella frumenti Moulton y F. valdiviana Sakimura & 0' Neill] son citas nuevas para Mendoza, y una Karnyothrips longiceps(Hood) para la Argentina. Ocho especies han sido registradas en la bibliografia mundial como vectoras de tospovirus, de las cuales sólo tres estan presentes en Mendoza: F. schultzei (Tryborn), F: occidentalis (Pergande) y Thrips tabaciLindeman. Seajustaron metodos de cría para ocho de las especies identificadas: Aptinothrips rufus(Haliday), F. australisMorgan, F.frumenti, F. gemina (Bagnall), F. occidentalis, F. schultzei, Haplothrips trellesi Moulton y T. tabaci. Las colonias se originaron en una sola hernbra, en carnara de crecimiento a 25°C (± 2) con fotoperíodo de 12 horas.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Decomposition of Inequity in the Distribution of Functional Dependences in Older Adults from Argentina

Introducción: El envejecimiento poblacional trae aparejado un incremento de individuos en situación de dependencia funcional, entendiendo a la misma como la necesidad de asistencia para realizar las actividades de la vida diaria. Objetivo: Evaluar si existe inequidad en la distribución de la dependencia funcional entre adultos mayores de Argentina y cuáles son los factores que mayormente la explican. Métodos: Con datos de la Encuesta Nacional sobre Calidad de Vida de los Adultos Mayores para el año 2012 se llevaron a cabo los siguientes pasos: i) cómputo del índice de concentración corregido para variables asociadas a la dependencia funcional y explicativas de la inequidad en su distribución mediante la transformación de Erreygers y ii) descomposición de la inequidad en la distribución de dependencias básicas y ampliadas, siguiendo la metodología propuesta por Wagstaff. Resultados: La distribución de todas las dependencias funcionales (tanto básicas como ampliadas) es pro-pobre. El ingreso per cápita, el hecho de presentar algún tipo de deficiencia visual o auditiva y el vivir en hogares unipersonales son las variables explicativas que más contribuyen a incrementar la inequidad en la distribución de las dependencias funcionales básicas o ampliadas. Conclusiones: Los resultados que se desprenden de este estudio constituyen un insumo importante a la hora de procurar programas de asistencia a los adultos mayores que permitan evitar consecuencias negativas a futuro sobre su salud (y disminuir los gastos del sistema de salud en su conjunto). Estas acciones deben estar enfocadas específicamente en los adultos mayores de bajo nivel socio-económico y que viven solos.Introduction: Population aging brings about an increase in the number of individuals in situations of functional dependence, which is understood as the need for assistance to carry out daily life activities. Objective: To assess whether there is inequity in the distribution of functional dependence among older adults in Argentina and what are the fundamental causative factors. Methods: With data from the 2012 National Survey on Quality of Life of Older Adults, the following steps were carried out: i) calculation of corrected concentration index for variables associated with functional dependence and explanatory of distributed inequity, using Erreygers transformation and ii) decomposition of inequality in the distribution of basic and extended dependences, following the methodology proposed by Wagstaff. Results: The distribution of all functional dependencies (both basic and extended) is poor. Per capita income, the fact of having any type of visual or hearing impairment, and living in one-person households are the explanatory variables that most contribute to increasing inequality regarding the distribution of basic or extended functional dependencies. Conclusions: The results derived from this study are an important input when it comes to ensuring assistance programs for older adults that make it possible to avoid negative consequences on their health in the future; as well as reduce expenses to the health system as a whole). These actions should be focused specifically on older adults of low socioeconomic status and who live alone.Fil: González, Gisela Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Economía. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Geri, Milva. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Economía. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur; ArgentinaFil: de Santis, Mariana Olga. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas; Argentin

Tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes as an efficient source of highly specific immunoglobulins recognizing tumor cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is much evidence that tumor cells elicit a humoral immune response in patients. In most cases, the presence of antibodies in peripheral blood is detected only in small proportion of patients with tumors overexpressing the corresponding antigen. In the present study, we analyzed the significance of local humoral response provided by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The ability of a patient's immune system to produce specific antibodies inside tumor tissue, capable of recognizing tumor cells, was explored through analysis of the oligoclonality of antibodies derived from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and construction of a series of recombinant antibody libraries in scFv format, derived from breast tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes. These libraries and one from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a single breast cancer patient were panned against three purified surface tumor antigens, such as CEA, MUC1 and ED-B domain, and against intact MCF7 breast carcinoma cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Application of novel display vector, pKM19, allowed isolation of a large panel of breast cancer-specific antibodies against known tumor antigens, as well as against breast carcinoma cells. Reactivity of novel scFvs was confirmed by ELISA, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence staining and flow cytometry. We demonstrated that seven of ten primary breast tumor specimens, obtained using discarded surgical material, could be exploited as an appropriate source for generation of phage display libraries, giving highly specific antitumor antibodies which recognize heterologous tumor cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Local humoral immune response within tumor tissue in breast cancer patients frequently has an oligoclonal character. Efficient selection of specific antitumor antibodies from recombinant antibody libraries, derived from such oligoclonal tumor-infiltrated B lymphocytes, indicates the presence of natural immune response against tumor antigens in these patients. The described method is very promising for development of antitumor antibodies, potentially useful for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.</p

Selection, affinity maturation, and characterization of a human scFv antibody against CEA protein

BACKGROUND: CEA is a tumor-associated antigen abundantly expressed on several cancer types, including those naturally refractory to chemotherapy. The selection and characterization of human anti-CEA single-chain antibody fragments (scFv) is a first step toward the construction of new anticancer monoclonal antibodies designed for optimal blood clearance and tumor penetration. METHODS: The human MA39 scFv, selected for its ability to recognize a CEA epitope expressed on human colon carcinomas, was first isolated from a large semi-synthetic ETH-2 antibody phage library, panned on human purified CEA protein. Subsequently, by in vitro mutagenesis of a gene encoding for the scFv MA39, a new library was established, and new scFv antibodies with improved affinity towards the CEA cognate epitope were selected and characterized. RESULTS: The scFv MA39 antibody was affinity-maturated by in vitro mutagenesis and the new scFv clone, E8, was isolated, typed for CEA family member recognition and its CEACAM1, 3 and 5 shared epitope characterized for expression in a large panel of human normal and tumor tissues and cells. CONCLUSION: The binding affinity of the scFv E8 is in a range for efficient, in vivo, antigen capture in tumor cells expressing a shared epitope of the CEACAM1, 3 and 5 proteins. This new immunoreagent meets all criteria for a potential anticancer compound: it is human, hence poorly or not at all immunogenic, and it binds selectively and with good affinity to the CEA epitope expressed by metastatic melanoma and colon and lung carcinomas. Furthermore, its small molecular size should provide for efficient tissue penetration, yet give rapid plasma clearance