Los estudios de género desde la Universidad Católica

Fil: Delgado, Susana Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia

Natural Anti-Tau Autoantibodies in Health and Disease

The microtubule-associated protein tau plays a pivotal role in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration and frontotemporal dementia. In line with this, anti-tau immunotherapy strategies have emerged as a line of investigation with the goal of clearing pathology and improving function in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Active immunization with phosphorylated tau epitopes has been shown to reduce tau pathology and to slow the progression of behavioral deficits in mouse models. Passive immunization against full-length, N-terminally cleaved or phosphorylated tau has also shown to reduce tau pathology in animal models. However, the initial clinical trials of tau passive immunotherapies in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy and Alzheimer’s disease have been disappointing. Recently, the study of natural anti-tau autoantibodies has emerged as an alternative for the discovery of new potential diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms. Natural autoantibodies are antibodies generated in the absence of external antigen stimulation. They can contribute to homeostatic function posing a line of defense against infection, promoting the physiological clearance of damaged cells, mounting an immune surveillance of malignancy, and modulating the immune response. The boundaries between homeostatic autoreactivity and pathogenic autoimmunity are, however, unclear and even if they have essential physiological roles, natural autoantibodies can also cause several autoimmune disorders. The study of autoantibodies has the potential to identify unknown factors in human health and disease. The investigation of the association of autoantibodies with health outcomes can provide new knowledge about their own role as well as the roles of its target antigens in physiology and pathology. In this thesis, I investigated the seroepidemiology of natural IgG autoantibodies against the microtubule binding domain of the tau protein (MTBD-tau) and explored associations between MTBD-tau-autoreactivity and demographic and clinical features. This is the first large-scale study of the seroepidemiology of natural anti-MTBD-tau IgG autoantibodies. I used an automated miniaturized indirect ELISA high-throughput platform to economically test more than 40’000 human plasma samples. I recovered and characterized anti-MTBD-tau autoantibodies and show that they bind specifically to MTBD-tau without evidence of polyreactivity to other structurally different unrelated self-antigens or non-self-antigens. I show that anti-MTBD-tau autoantibodies are able to specifically bind to tau in different orthogonal assays. The majority of plasma MTBD-tau autoreactive samples were polyclonal and all IgG subclasses and both light chain types were represented without a clear predominance. Anti-MTBD-tau autoantibodies exhibited the ability to inhibit MTBD-tau aggregation in vitro and I also show that anti-MTBD-tau autoantibodies can impair the detection of plasma tau in an immunoassay. MTBD-tau-autoreactivity was surprisingly prevalent in a hospital cohort and was associated with older age and female sex and specific diseases. In this study, MTBD-tau-autoreactivity was not associated with neurological disorders but was associated with systemic disorders. Different lines of evidence including medical diagnosis data and clinical laboratory tests supported the hypothesis that MTBD-tau-autoreactivity is associated with kidney and urinary disorders. This is a previously underexplored disease association which highlights unrecognized roles for tau and natural anti-tau autoantibodies in disease outside the central nervous system. These findings have implications for the current clinical trials of tau-targeting therapies and also for the widespread use of plasma tau measurements as a biomarker of disease

Cognitive problem-solving abilities and speech acts in children: an analysis in vulnerable family contexts

The goal of this study was to analyze the cognitive abilities involved in interpersonal problemsolving and their connection with speech acts in children from contexts of social vulnerability. The sample included 120 schoolchildren between the ages of 8-13 in Mendoza, Argentina. The results showed that the children from more vulnerable family backgrounds, presented significantly less expressive speech acts than children at low vulnerability. It was also observed that displayed significantly poorer identification of emotions and anticipated significantly more negative consequences. In contrast, children who had high level of protective factors identified significantly more emotions, tended to generate more alternatives and anticipated less negative consequences. These results highlight the importance of carrying out early evaluations in contexts of risk, taking a preventive approach, and articulating knowledge from the fields of psychology and linguistics in order to develop new kinds of intervention and support strategies destined to children in school contexts.Fil: Morelato, Gabriela Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Ison, Mirta Susana. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Amaya, Marcela. Universidad de Santiago de Chile; ChileFil: Delgado, Melania. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicología; Argentin

Dominant cultivable Lactobacillus species from the feces of healthy adults in northern Spain

The aim of this study was to identify numerically dominant cultivable lactobacilli species in the feces of healthy adults. Ten individuals from Asturias, northern Spain, were chosen. Bacterial colonies grown under anoxic conditions on MRS with cysteine were microscopically examined for lactobacilli. Isolates were subsequently grouped based on the analysis of their carbohydrate fermentation profiles and then identified by partial amplification, sequencing, and comparison of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. Lactobacilli varied from undetectable levels in three subjects (< 105 CFU/g feces) to around 109 CFU/g feces. Among the 71 isolates obtained from seven individuals, 12 Lactobacillus species were identified. High interindividual variation was observed in terms of total numbers, number of species, and dominant species. Lactobacillus paracasei was found in four of the seven individuals; L. gasseri, L. delbrueckii, and L. plantarum in three. Phenotyping showed that only one strain per species was in the majority in each individual. [Int Microbiol 2007; 10(2):141-145

Biological Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is the autoimmune connective tissue disease with the highest morbidity and mortality, through the combination of inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis leading to severe internal organ involvement. Currently, there are no approved disease-modifying therapies, and treatment is based on organ-specific treatment and broad immunosuppression, with disappointing long-term results in most cases. Recent research has helped to improve knowledge of the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis and to optimize treatment based on specific physiopathological targets, and a new era of biological agents in systemic sclerosis has now begun. Promising results are emerging from targeting specific cytokine signalling, especially IL-6, and cellular subpopulations such as B cells, with anti-CD20 therapy, and T-cells, with inhibition of T-cell co-stimulation. Other approaches under evaluation are based on the modulation of profibrotic pathways by anti-TGF-β agents. In this chapter, we discuss the available evidence to support the use of each biological agent in systemic sclerosis based on data from basic and translational research and on results from clinical studies

Deshilvanando imaginarios a través de fotografías de mujeres en Mar del Plata. La Prensa (Argentina, 1929-1934)

Este trabajo tiene por objeto contribuir al análisis de la relación entre imagen e historia, desde el cruce entre los estudios visuales y los propios de género, a partir de la utilización de la fotografía de prensa como un artefacto, pero a la vez como una práctica social. Al entenderla como un mensaje que produce representaciones reconocemos a las fotografías como signos, como indicios de la realidad referenciada, a través de las cuales se construye un relato determinado del pasado. Por lo tanto, consideramos indispensable que los historiadores, apostemos a miradas interdisciplinarias al abordar las fotografías, como las de la sociología y la semiología. Dichas áreas nos previenen sobre la necesidad de proponer una lectura que deconstruya las formas de creencias que impregnan los imaginarios sociales, en cada momento histórico. Para ello apelamos al análisis de las condiciones históricas, sociales y culturales de la producción, distribución y recepción de los modos de representación tradicionales asociados a una estructura patriarcal. Nuestro abordaje, en este caso, se focaliza en el análisis de fotografías de mujeres del diario La Prensa, presentadas en un suplemento dominical sobre la temporada de verano en Mar del Plata, entre 1929 y 1934. En ellas se articulan formas de producción de sentido y modalidades de apropiación que organizan la cultura visual del período de estudio

Efeito da secagem por ar quente na cor e propriedades nutricionais de duas variedades de castanha (Castanea sativa Mill.)

O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da secagem por ar quente, realizada num secador de tabuleiros a 50 °C (convecção forçada), nas propriedades físicas e nutricionais de castanha laminada ao longo do tempo de secagem (0, 4, 6 e 10 horas). Verificou-se um aumento na variação total de cor (ΔE) ao longo da desidratação. Contudo, esta mudança de cor não foi visualmente percetível. As alterações na composição nutricional também foram pouco significativas, mesmo após 10 horas de secagem. A variabilidade entre variedades foi maior do que a observada ao longo da secagem para cada variedade, sugerindo que o processo de desidratação não alterou significativamente as propriedades nutricionais da castanha. Devido ao seu baixo teor calórico (cerca de 367 kcal/100 g produto), reduzido teor de gordura e um interessante teor em fibras, além de não conter glúten, a castanha laminada apresenta-se como um excelente snack.A Teresa Delgado agradece à FCT pela bolsa de Doutoramento (SFRH/BDI82285/2011). Os autores agradecem ao CIMO (PEst-OEI AGR/UI0690/2011 ), ao REQUIMTE (PEst-CIEQBILA0006/2013) e ao POCTEP - Programa Cooperação Transfronteiriça Espanha-Portugal pelo apoio financeiro através do Projeto "REDI AGROTEC - Red transfi·onteriza Espana Portugal de experimentaci ón y transferencia para e! desanollo dei sector agropecuario y agroindustrial".info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Actividad glicosidásica de bacterias ácido lácticas (BAL) y bifidobacterias aisladas de leche materna

Trabajo presentado en la VI Jornadas Complutenses, V Congreso Nacional de Investigación para Alumnos de Pregrado en Ciencias de aa Salud y X Congreso de Ciencias Veterinarias y Biomédicas.Las bacterias ácido lácticas (BAL) y las bifidobacterias tienen una gran importancia por su carácter probiótico. El interés por estos microorganismos ha fomentado su aislamiento de diversas fuentes y el estudio de sus propiedades, siendo la actividad glicosídica una de las menos estudiadas.Peer Reviewe

Comparison of different drying methods on the chemical and sensory properties of chestnut (Castanea sativa M.) slices

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of hot-air convective drying (D), osmotic dehydration (OD), osmotic dehydration + drying (OD + D) and freeze-drying (FD) on chemical and sensorial characteristics of chestnut slices. Proximate composition, sugars, organic acids and lipid profiles were determined along 60 days of storage. Immediately after production, D and FD samples had similar proximate compositions, both with higher fat and protein contents than the osmodehydrated ones, the latter with increased sucrose contents. FD was the method that better preserved starch, amylose, ascorbic and citric acid molecules at day 0, while D originated samples with higher glucose and fructose contents. Along storage, the major variations were observed on organic acids: ascorbic acid decreased on all methods, while fumaric acid increased. Only small variations were observed on the fatty acids and vitamin E profiles and amounts. All samples presented similar and good overall sensorial acceptance with the exception of D. FD was the method that better preserved the sensorial characteristics until 60 days of storage, while D only preserved freshness until 15 days and OD + D until 30 days. In general terms, the most adequate and accepted preservation methods to apply to chestnuts would be FD and OD + D.Teresa Delgado acknowledges the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for the financial support through the PhD grant—SFRH/BD/82285/2011 and REQUIMTE through the UID/QUI/50006/2013 project. The authors are also grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Caracterização de Compostos Bioativos em Subprodutos de Arroz Cultivado em Portugal

Portugal é um dos principais produtores de arroz da Europa. Associado à sua produção ocorre um grande desperdício de subprodutos como o farelo e a casca, que podem causar detrimento ambiental. Atualmente, os resíduos agrícolas têm sido alvo de grande foco, no sentido de minimizar o desperdício destes subprodutos e consequentemente o detrimento ambiental que causam. Deste modo, têm sido feitos estudos científicos que revelam a existência de compostos antioxidantes nos subprodutos de arroz cultivado em diversas regiões fora da Europa. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar e identificar os compostos bioativos que possam ser extraídos, do farelo e da casca de arroz, cultivado em Portugal, para serem utilizados noutras indústrias, deste modo valorizando-os. O farelo e a casca analisados são provenientes de duas zonas principais de cultivo de arroz, o Sado e o Ribatejo e pertencem a duas variedades típicas de Portugal, a Japónica e Indica, comumente designadas por carolino e agulha, respetivamente. Os compostos bioativos foram extraídos pelo método de extração sólido-liquido, usando como solvente uma mistura aquosa de metanol. A caracterização da atividade antioxidante foi realizada através do teste da eliminação dos radicais livres de DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo) e pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteau. Tendo-se verificado que as amostras provenientes do Ribatejo apresentavam uma maior capacidade antioxidante e conteúdo de fenólicos totais superior às do Sado. Sendo assim, a identificação dos compostos antioxidantes apenas foi realizada às amostras provenientes do Ribatejo, através da técnica de UPLC-PDA. Os ácidos p-cumárico, p-hidroxibenzoico, vanílico e elágico foram identificados na casca das duas variedades. O ácido ferúlico foi quantificado em todas as amostras.Este trabalho foi realizado com suporte financeiro da Agência Portuguesa de Inovação (ADI) através do projecto 23290 – Valorização da Casca de Arroz Português - ValCAP e do projeto SOE3/P2/F591 - Observatório de Investigação para a Qualidade Ambiental do Sudoeste Europeu – ORQUE SUDOE