Los frutales del Nordeste Argentino en la “Materia Médica Misionera” del Jesuita Pedro Montenegro

Jesuit missionaries (17-18th centuries) not only played a very important role in the introduction of exotic plants from various places of the world, but also in the dissemination of knowledge, medicine and healing practices among the missions in Paraguay and in the rest of the New and Old World. However, the scientific research dealing with the identification of these plants, both native and introduced, is scarce and scattered. The goal of this study was to identify local fruit trees cited in the “Materia Medica Misionera” publication from 2009 by Jesuit Pedro de Montenegro of the mentioned work, as well as to discuss some aspects related to the difficulties of this identification task. The methodology used was historical ethnobotany. Starting with Montenegros’ work, local fruit trees were identified using descriptions and accompanying sheets of the author that were compared with the scientific literature. Twelve ethnogenera and thirty one ethnospecies belonging to the botanical families Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Caricaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Musaceae, and Passifloraceae, were identified.Los misioneros jesuitas (siglos XVII-XVIII) no sólo cumplieron un rol importantísimo en la introducción de plantas exóticas de diversos enclaves del mundo, sino también en la circulación de saberes, medicamentos y prácticas curativas entre las misiones del Paraguay con las del resto del Nuevo y Viejo Mundo. Sin embargo, los trabajos científicos que abordan la identificación de estas plantas, tanto nativas como introducidas, son escasos y dispersos. El objetivo de la presente contribución fue identificar los frutales locales citados en la publicación “Materia Médica Misionera” de 2009 por el jesuita Pedro de Montenegro, como también discutir algunos aspectos relacionados a las dificultades de esta tarea de identificación. La metodología empleada fue la perteneciente a la etnobotánica histórica. A partir de la obra del jesuita Pedro Montenegro, se identificaron los frutales locales empleando las descripciones y láminas acompañantes del autor, y comparándolas con bibliografía científica. Se identificaron 12 etnogéneros y 31 etnoespecies pertenecientes a las familias botánicas Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Caricaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Musaceae y Passifloracea

Modelo de gestión organizacional: barreras y oportunidades en la conformación y fortalecimiento de una red institucional de investigación en salud

En este proyecto se pretende describir los factores que favorecen y/u obstaculizan la constitución de una red institucional de investigación para la salud, desde las propias expresiones de los actores/agentes del Estado (Ministerio de Salud) y de las instituciones académicas de la provincia de Mendoza. Es un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, que realizará un análisis centrado en el concepto de problema, desde la concepción de planificación situacional. Se utilizarán técnicas de recolección de información con una metodología mixta cuanti y cualitativa. La población accesible de este estudio está conformada por las áreas de investigación formalmente establecidas, por norma, de los ministerios de Salud de las provincias de Mendoza, San Luis y La Rioja y las Universidades con sus unidades académicas y/o facultades del sector público y privado de la provincia de Mendoza, quedando excluidas las universidades y/o facultades que no posean carreras afines a la salud de la provincia de Mendoza, y el área de investigación del ministerio de Salud de San Juan por no contar con referente técnico de investigación a nivel ministerial. Se pretende indagar sobre factores que permitan la posterior elaboración de indicadores para medir las acciones de la red local y la posible construcción de una red regional como política de Salud

Reliable Activation of Immature Neurons in the Adult Hippocampus

Neurons born in the adult dentate gyrus develop, mature, and connect over a long interval that can last from six to eight weeks. It has been proposed that, during this period, developing neurons play a relevant role in hippocampal signal processing owing to their distinctive electrical properties. However, it has remained unknown whether immature neurons can be recruited into a network before synaptic and functional maturity have been achieved. To address this question, we used retroviral expression of green fluorescent protein to identify developing granule cells of the adult mouse hippocampus and investigate the balance of afferent excitation, intrinsic excitability, and firing behavior by patch clamp recordings in acute slices. We found that glutamatergic inputs onto young neurons are significantly weaker than those of mature cells, yet stimulation of cortical excitatory axons elicits a similar spiking probability in neurons at either developmental stage. Young neurons are highly efficient in transducing ionic currents into membrane depolarization due to their high input resistance, which decreases substantially in mature neurons as the inward rectifier potassium (Kir) conductance increases. Pharmacological blockade of Kir channels in mature neurons mimics the high excitability characteristic of young neurons. Conversely, Kir overexpression induces mature-like firing properties in young neurons. Therefore, the differences in excitatory drive of young and mature neurons are compensated by changes in membrane excitability that render an equalized firing activity. These observations demonstrate that the adult hippocampus continuously generates a population of highly excitable young neurons capable of information processing

Socioeconomic inequalities in low birth weight risk before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina: A cross-sectional study

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have exacerbated existing socioe- conomic inequalities in health. In Argentina, public hospitals serve the poorest uninsured segment of the population, while private hospitals serve patients with health insurance. This study aimed to assess whether socioeconomic inequalities in low birth weight (LBW) risk changed during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 15929 infants. A difference-in-difference (DID) analysis of socioeconomic inequalities between public and private hospitals in LBW risk in a pandemic cohort (March 20 to July 19, 2020) was compared with a prepandemic cohort (March 20 to July 19, 2019) by using medical records obtained from ten hospitals. Infants were categorized by weight as LBW < 2500 g, very low birth weight (VLBW) < 1500 g and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) < 1000 g. Log binomial regression was performed to estimate risk differences with an interaction term representing the DID estimator. Covariate-adjusted models included potential perinatal confounders. Findings: Of the 8437 infants in the prepandemic cohort, 4887 (57 ? 9%) were born in public hospitals. The pandemic cohort comprised 7492 infants, 4402 (58 ? 7%) of whom were born in public hospitals. The DID estimators indicated no differences between public versus private hospitals for LBW risk ( −1 ? 8% [95% CI −3 ? 6, 0 ? 0]) and for ELBW risk ( −0 ? 1% [95% CI −0 ? 6, 0 ? 3]). Significant differences were found between public versus private hospitals in the DID estimators ( −1 ? 2% [95% CI, −2 ? 1, −0 ? 3]) for VLBW risk. The results were comparable in covariate-adjusted models. Interpretation: In this study, we found evidence of decreased disparities between public and private hos- pitals in VLBW risk. Our findings suggest that measures that prioritize social spending to protect the most vulnerable pregnant women during the pandemic contributed to better birth outcomes. Funding: No funding was secured for this study.Fil: Cuestas, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Gómez Flores, Martha E.. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Doctor Ramón Carrillo; ArgentinaFil: Charras, María D.. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Doctor Ramón Carrillo; ArgentinaFil: Peyrano, Alberto J.. Hospital Materno Provincial Dr. Raúl Felipe Lucini; ArgentinaFil: Montenegro, Clara. Hospital Materno Provincial Dr. Raúl Felipe Lucini; ArgentinaFil: Sosa Boye, Ignacio. No especifíca;Fil: Burgos, Verónica. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Giusti, Graciela. Clínica y Maternidad del Sol; ArgentinaFil: Espósito, Mario. Clínica y Maternidad del Sol; ArgentinaFil: Blanco Pool, Silvyana S.. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Gurevich, Debora P.. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Ahumada, Luis A.. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Pontoriero, Ricardo D.. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Rizzotti, Alina. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Bas, José I.. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Vaca, María B.. Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología; ArgentinaFil: Miranda, María J.. Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología; ArgentinaFil: Ferreyra, Mirta E.. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Moreno, Gabriela C.. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Doctor Ramón Carrillo; ArgentinaFil: Pedicino, Héctor. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Rojas Rios, Melvy. Hospital Italiano; Argentin

Association between COVID-19 mandatory lockdown and decreased incidence of preterm births and neonatal mortality

Previous studies suggest a decrease in preterm births (PTB) during de coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), possibly due to the effect of the mandatory lockdown. Nevertheless, other reports have been unable to confirm this finding. Most of these studies originated in high-income countries and evaluated a limited number of potential confounders, and all of them assessed a short lockdown period. In addition, an important question remains unanswered: How can we be sure that the observed changes are due to lockdown, when most of the pregnancies delivered in the lockdown period were conceived prior to it?To date there is insufficient evidence to support the notion that public health interventions during the lockdown prevent PTB . The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PTB, neonatal mortality (NM) and stillbirths adjusted by potential confounders during the lockdown period assessing a time window of nine and a half months during which all the pregnancies analyzed in the exposed group were conceived after the lockdown, with the corresponding incidence in the previous year where all the unexposed pregnancies analyzed were conceived before the lockdown.publishedVersionFil: Cuestas, Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina.Fil: Cuestas, Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Gómez Flores, Martha E. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Doctor Ramon Carrillo; Argentina.Fil: Charras, María D. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Doctor Ramon Carrillo; Argentina.Fil: Peyrano, Alberto J. Hospital Materno Provincial Dr. Raúl Felipe Lucini; Argentina.Fil: Montenegro, Clara. Hospital Materno Provincial Dr. Raúl Felipe Lucini; Argentina.Fil: Sosa-Boye, Ignacio. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; Argentina.Fil: Burgos, Verónica. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; Argentina.Fil: Giusti, Graciela. Clínica y Maternidad del Sol; Argentina.Fil: Espósito, Mario. Clínica y Maternidad del Sol; Argentina.Fil: Blanco Pool, Silvyana S. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo; Argentina.Fil: Blanco Pool, Silvyana S. Sanatorio Allende; Argentina.Fil: Gurevich, Debora P. Sanatorio Allende; Argentina.Fil: Gurevich, Debora P. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo; Argentina.Fil: Ahumada, Luis A. Sanatorio Allende; Argentina.Fil: Ahumada, Luis A. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo; Argentina.Fil: Pontoriero, Ricardo D. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo; Argentina.Fil: Rizzotti, Alina. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Bas, José I. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Vaca, María B. Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología; Argentina.Fil: Miranda, María J. Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología; Argentina.Fil: Ferreyra, Mirta E. Sanatorio del Salvador; Argentina.Fil: Ferreyra, Mirta E. Hospital Misericordia Nuevo Siglo; Argentina.Fil: Moreno, Gabriela C. Sanatorio del Salvador; Argentina.Fil: Pedicino, Héctor. Instituto Universidad Escuela de Medicina del Hospital Italiano; Argentina.Fil: Rojas-Rios, Melvy. Instituto Universidad Escuela de Medicina del Hospital Italiano; Argentina

Functional Convergence of Neurons Generated in the Developing and Adult Hippocampus

The dentate gyrus of the hippocampus contains neural progenitor cells (NPCs) that generate neurons throughout life. Developing neurons of the adult hippocampus have been described in depth. However, little is known about their functional properties as they become fully mature dentate granule cells (DGCs). To compare mature DGCs generated during development and adulthood, NPCs were labeled at both time points using retroviruses expressing different fluorescent proteins. Sequential electrophysiological recordings from neighboring neurons of different ages were carried out to quantitatively study their major synaptic inputs: excitatory projections from the entorhinal cortex and inhibitory afferents from local interneurons. Our results show that DGCs generated in the developing and adult hippocampus display a remarkably similar afferent connectivity with regard to both glutamate and GABA, the major neurotransmitters. We also demonstrate that adult-born neurons can fire action potentials in response to an excitatory drive, exhibiting a firing behavior comparable to that of neurons generated during development. We propose that neurons born in the developing and adult hippocampus constitute a functionally homogeneous neuronal population. These observations are critical to understanding the role of adult neurogenesis in hippocampal function

Repeated PTZ Treatment at 25-Day Intervals Leads to a Highly Efficient Accumulation of Doublecortin in the Dorsal Hippocampus of Rats

BACKGROUND: Neurogenesis persists throughout life in the adult mammalian brain. Because neurogenesis can only be assessed in postmortem tissue, its functional significance remains undetermined, and identifying an in vivo correlate of neurogenesis has become an important goal. By studying pentylenetetrazole-induced brain stimulation in a rat model of kindling we accidentally discovered that 25±1 days periodic stimulation of Sprague-Dawley rats led to a highly efficient increase in seizure susceptibility. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By EEG, RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we show that repeated convulsive seizures with a periodicity of 25±1 days led to an enrichment of newly generated neurons, that were BrdU-positive in the dentate gyrus at day 25±1 post-seizure. At the same time, there was a massive increase in the number of neurons expressing the migratory marker, doublecortin, at the boundary between the granule cell layer and the polymorphic layer in the dorsal hippocampus. Some of these migrating neurons were also positive for NeuN, a marker for adult neurons. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the increased susceptibility to seizure at day 25±1 post-treatment is coincident with a critical time required for newborn neurons to differentiate and integrate into the existing hippocampal network, and outlines the importance of the dorsal hippocampus for seizure-related neurogenesis. This model can be used as an in vivo correlate of neurogenesis to study basic questions related to neurogenesis and to the neurogenic mechanisms that contribute to the development of epilepsy

Parasitosis zoonóticas en un asentamiento a orillas del Río de La Plata

El barrio El Molino, alberga una población precarizada con conductas higiénico-sanitarias inadecuadas para la salud. El equipo de trabajo integra proyectos de Voluntariado Universitario, Extensión Universitaria e Incentivos docentes destinados a contribuir en la prevención, diagnóstico y mejora sanitaria del lugar, integrados por docentes y alumnos de 4 Facultades de la UNLP.ObjetivoDiagnosticar parasitosis zoonóticas en la población de un área de riesgo sanitario y analizar su relación con diversos factores de riesgo.Materiales y métodos Se colectaron 674 muestras fecales y 496 escobillados anales en personas de 0 a 80 años. Las muestras fecales se procesaron mediante técnicas de concentración y los escobillados se centrifugaron a 400 g. Se administraron tratamientos antiparasitarios a todos los positivos y se implementaron controles post-tratamiento a 86 personas. Se tomaron además 327 muestras fecales de perros mediante enema jabonoso para la búsqueda de parásitos zoonóticos. Se tomaron muestras sanguíneas a 103 personas de distintos sexos y edades diversas y a 333 caninos (con consentimiento informado). Las provenientes de humanos se procesaron mediante la técnica de ELISA con kits comerciales para el diagnóstico de Dirofilariasis y Toxocariasis. Las caninas por la técnica de Knott y Test de ELISA.Se realizaron 374 sondajes uretrales a caninos machos a fin de obtener orina y 234 ecografías abdominales investigando la posible presencia de Dioctophyma renale. Se realizó observación macroscópica de la piel de los caninos investigando la presencia de macro ectoparásitos y para micro ectoparásitos se recolectaron mediante raspado y montaje en vaselina. Se recolectaron muestras de suelos y bentos de las 60 manzanas que abarcan la zona, a razón de 8 unidades elementales se muestreo (UEM) por manzana, totalizando un N=104. Se realizaron encuestas a las familias y los datos se analizaron con Epi Info 7.ResultadosLos resultados se encuentran en las tablas 1, 2 y 3.DiscusiónLos resultados obtenidos confirman las características ecoepidemiológicas riesgosas para la salud existentes en el barrio, con elevada frecuencia de parásitos zoonóticos en humanos y caninos. Son necesarios mas controles posttratamiento con el objeto de corroborar la eficacia de la medicación, como así también, implementar test diagnósticos tempranos para las distintas enfermedades, a efectos de realizar en forma oportuna las intervenciones, evitando de ese modo la contaminación ambiental y dispersión a otras áreas.Fil: Radman, Nilda Ester. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Gamboa, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Osen, Beatriz Amelia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Burgos. L.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Archelli, Susana Monica. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Butti, Marcos Javier. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Paladini, A.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Winter, Marina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kozubsky, Leonora Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Costas, M. E.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, R.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Corbalán, Valeria Vanesa. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Giorello, Alejandra Nahili. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rube, A.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Blanco, M.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Espósito, Natalia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Marsilli, R.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Manfredi, Mauro Joaquin. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Córdoba, P.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Gutierres, C.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; Argentin

Heterologous mesenchymal stem cells successfully treat femoral pseudarthrosis in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study evaluated the effectiveness of treating pseudarthrosis in rats by using bone marrow cell suspensions or cultures of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-eight specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals were randomly assigned to four groups: Group 1, Control, without surgical intervention; Group 2 (Placebo), experimental model of femoral pseudarthrosis treated only with saline solution; Group 3, experimental model of femoral pseudarthrosis treated with heterologous bone marrow cells suspension; Group 4, experimental model of femoral pseudarthrosis treated with cultures of heterologous mesenchymal stromal cells from bone marrow. When pseudarthrosis was confirmed by simple radiological studies, digital radiography and histopathology after a 120-day postoperative period, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated as above. At 30, 60 and 90 days after the treatment, all animals were evaluated by simple radiological studies, and at the end of the experiment, the animals were assessed by computed axial tomography and anatomopathological and histomorphometric examinations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Injected cells were detected in the areas affected by pseudarthrosis using scintigraphy within the first 24 hours after their administration. After 60 days, the animals of Group 3 showed callus formation while the animals of Group 4 presented periosteal reaction and had some consolidated areas. In contrast, Group 2 showed a predominance of fibro-osteoid tissue. After 90 days, bone consolidation and remodeling was observed in all animals from Group 3 whereas animals from Group 4 exhibited partial consolidation and those ones from Group 2 persisted with pseudarthrosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The treatment with heterologous bone marrow cells suspension proved to be effective in the treatment of pseudarthrosis whereas cultures of heterologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells did not show the same potential to aid bone healing.</p