PCR Analysis of expR Gene Regulating Biosynthesis of Exopolysaccharides in Sinorhizobium meliloti

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by the rhizobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is essential for root nodule formation on its legume host (alfalfa), and for establishment of a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between the two partners. Production of EPS II (galactoglucan) by certain S. meliloti strains results in a mucoid colony phenotype. Other strains that are unable to produce EPS II display a dry phenotype, due to the presence of an insertion element in the gene expR, a key regulator involved in many important cellular processes, including production of low-molecular-weight EPS II. We describe a series of three programmed undergraduate biochemistry laboratory classes teaching PCR and electrophoresis procedures to detect non-functional expR loci in S. meliloti.Fil: Sorroche, Fernando Guido. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Giordano, Walter Fabian. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentin

Increased iron store and its relationship with cardiovascular disease

En los últimos años, se ha avanzado considerablemente en el control de varios de los denominados factores de riesgo aterogénico tradicionales, a pesar de lo cual la incidencia de la enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) continúa siendo elevada. Entre las diversas condiciones asociadas a ECV, podría ubicarse también a la sobrecarga de hierro. Su estudio ha cobrado relevancia desde que se planteó la ?hipótesis del hierro?, la cual postula que bajos niveles de hierro ejercerían un efecto protector del sistema cardiovascular. No obstante, hasta el presente, los resultados de los estudios diseñados para probar esta hipótesis han sido controversiales. Por otro lado, se lograron numerosos avances en el conocimiento del metabolismo del hierro a partir del descubrimiento de la hormona reguladora hepcidina. Los estudios sobre las funciones fisiológicas de esta hormona permitieron elaborar nuevas hipótesis que explican los resultados de los estudios clínicos anteriormente concebidos como contradictorios. El objetivo de la presente actualización es exponer, a razón de los últimos avances sobre la regulación del metabolismo del hierro y su vinculación con la inflamación, el estado actual del conocimiento sobre el posible rol del exceso de hierro como factor de riesgo de ECV.In the last years, great advance has been achieved in the control of several of the classic atherogenic risk factors; nonetheless, the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) still remains high. Among the disorders which are associated with CVD, increased iron stores have been described as one of them. Its study gained relevance since the “iron hypothesis”, which postulates that low iron levels exert a protective effect on cardiovascular system, was elaborated. In spite of the numerous studies carried out to test this hypothesis, the results have been controversial. On the other hand, much knowledge regarding iron metabolism has been gained since the description of the regulatory hormone, hepcidin. The studies on hepcidin physiologic functions allowed the elaboration of new hypothesis that could explain the results formerly conceived as inconsistent. The aim of the present review is to describe, in light of the newest advances in iron metabolism regulation and its association with inflammation, the current state of knowledge regarding the possible role of iron overload as a risk factor of CVD.Fil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia. Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

The Role of Bacterial Biofilms and Surface Components in Plant-Bacterial Associations

The role of bacterial surface components in combination with bacterial functional signals in the process of biofilm formation has been increasingly studied in recent years. Plants support a diverse array of bacteria on or in their roots, transport vessels, stems, and leaves. These plant-associated bacteria have important effects on plant health and productivity. Biofilm formation on plants is associated with symbiotic and pathogenic responses, but how plants regulate such associations is unclear. Certain bacteria in biofilm matrices have been found to induce plant growth and to protect plants from phytopathogens (a process termed biocontrol), whereas others are involved in pathogenesis. In this review, we systematically describe the various components and mechanisms involved in bacterial biofilm formation and attachment to plant surfaces and the relationships of these mechanisms to bacterial activity and survival.Fil: Bogino, Pablo Cesar. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología Molecular; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba; Argentina;Fil: Oliva, Maria de Las Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba; Argentina;Fil: Sorroche, Fernando Guido. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología Molecular; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba; Argentina;Fil: Giordano, Walter Fabian. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología Molecular; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba; Argentina

Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease in recently diagnosed celiac disease patients

AIM: To evaluate novel risk factors and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in celiac disease (CD) patients compared with healthy controls.METHODS:Twenty adult patients with recent diagnosis of CD and 20 sex, age and body mass index-matched healthy controls were recruited during a period of 12 mo.Indicators of carbohydrate metabolism, hematological parameters and high sensitive C reactive protein were determined. Moreover, lipoprotein metabolism was also explored through evaluation of the lipid profile and the activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2, which is also considered a specific marker of vascular inflammation. The protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee from School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires and from Buenos Aires Italian Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.RESULTS: Regarding the indicators of insulin resistance, CD patients showed higher plasma insulin levels [7.2 (5.0-11.3) mU/L vs 4.6 (2.6-6.7) mU/L, P < 0.05], increased Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance [1.45 (1.04-2.24) vs 1.00 (0.51-1.45), P < 0.05] and lower Quantitative Sensitive Check index [0.33 (0.28-0.40) vs 0.42 (0.34-0.65), P < 0.05] indexes. Folic acid concentration [5.4 (4.4-7.9) ng/mL vs 12.2 (8.0-14.2) ng/mL, P < 0.01] resulted to be lower and High-sensitivity C reactive protein levels higher (4.21 ± 6.47 mg/L vs 0.98 ± 1.13 mg/L, P < 0.01) in the patient group. With respect to the lipoprotein profile, CD patients showed lower high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) (45 ± 15 mg/dL vs 57 ± 17 mg/dL, P < 0.05) and apo A-I (130 ± 31 mg/dL vs 155 ± 29 mg/ dL, P < 0.05) levels, as well as higher total cholesterol/ HDL-C [4.19 (3.11-5.00) vs 3.52 (2.84-4.08), P < 0.05] and apo B/apo A-I (0.75 ± 0.25 vs 0.55 ± 0.16, P < 0.05) ratios in comparison with control subjects. No statistically significant differences were detectedin lipoprotein-associated lipid transfer protein and enzymes.CONCLUSION: The presence and interaction of the detected alterations in patients with CD, would constitute a risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.Fil: Tetzlaff, Walter Francisco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Menafra, Martín. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Maximiliano. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Botta, Eliana Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Matoso, María Dolores. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia Beatriz. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: De Paula, Juan A. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

High risk of cardiovascular disease in iron overload patients

Introduction: Iron overload (IO) is defined as an increase in storage iron, regardless of the presence or absence of tissue damage. Whether increased iron stores are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease remains controversial.Objectives: To study insulin resistance markers, lipoprotein profile, activities of anti and prooxidant enzymes and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in patients with IO.Methods: Twenty patients with IO were compared with 20 sex and age-matched controls. General biochemical parameters, lipoprotein profile, and activities of paraoxonase 1, employing two substrates, paraoxon (PON) and phenylacetate (ARE), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and CETP were determined.Results: IO patients showed higher levels of HOMA-IR and triglycerides (median [Q1-Q3]) (128[93-193] vs. 79[51-91]mg/dl,p<0.0005) while lower HDL-cholesterol (mean±SD) (41±9 vs. 52±10mg/dl,p<0.0005) in comparison with controls. Moreover, the triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol (3.2[2.0-5.1] vs. 1.5[1.0-1.9],p<0.0005) ratio and oxidized LDL levels (94[64-103] vs. 68[59-70]IU/l,p<0.05) were increased in the patient group. Though no difference was observed in ARE activity, PON activity was decreased in IO patients (246[127-410] vs. 428[263-516]nmol.ml-1.min-1,p<0.05). In addition, CETP and Lp-PLA2 activities were also increased in the patients (189±31 vs. 155±36%.ml-1.h-1,p<0.005; and 10.1±2.9 vs. 8.2±2.4µmol.ml-1.h-1,p<0.05, respectively). Associations between ferritin concentration and the alterations in lipid metabolism were also found. Multiple regression analyses identified HOMA-IR as independent predictor of CETP activity (B=65.9,p<0.0001,r2=0.35), as well as ferritin concentration of Lp-PLA2 activity (B=3.7,p<0.0001,r2=0.40) after adjusting for confounding variables.Conclusions: IO patients presented not only insulin resistance, but also metabolic alterations which were related to elevated iron stores and are associated to high risk of cardiovascular disease.Fil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Arbelbide, Jorge. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Aumento del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes con enfermedad celíaca

En pacientes con enfermedad celíaca (EC), se ha observado mayor incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares que en controles, sin la presencia de factores de riesgo aterogénico clásicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los factores de riesgo nóveles y biomarcadores de inflamación y enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes con EC, con presentación típica y atípica. Fueron seleccionados 14 pacientes con EC sin tratamiento y controles pareados por sexo y edad. Se determinaron parámetros hematológicos, indicadores del metabolismo de los hidratos de carbono, proteína C reactiva ultrasensible (PCRus), per- fil lipoproteico y actividades de proteína transportadora de colesterol esterificado (CETP) y fosfolipasa A2 asociada a lipoproteínas (Lp-PLA2). Los pacientes con EC presentaron niveles plasmáticos mayores de insulina (7,2 mU/l vs. 4,4 mU/l; p<0,05) y mayor índice HOMA-IR (1,45 vs. 0,98; p<0,05) que los controles. Por otro lado, se observó menor concentración de colesterol-HDL (50 vs. 62 mg/dl; p<0,05), mayor cociente triglicéridos/colesterol-HDL y niveles de PCRus más altos (4,56 vs. 1,17 mg/l; p<0,05) en los pacientes que en los controles. Al comparar a los pacientes con presentación típica (n=8) y atí- pica (n=6), aquellos con presentación típica mostraron menores niveles de apo A-I (128 vs. 178 mg/dl; p<0,01) y aumento del cociente apo B/apo A-I (0,72 vs. 0,43; p<0,05), así como mayor actividad de LpPLA2 (7,9 umol/ml.h vs. 6,15 umol/ml.h; p<0,05). La interacción de las alteraciones descriptas durante períodos de tiempo prolongados en una condición patológica crónica como la EC constituirían un mayor riesgo de desarrollo de enfermedad cardiovascular aterosclerótica.In patients with celiac disease (CD), it has been reported higher incidence of cardiovascular events than in controls, without the presence of classical atherogenic risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the novel risk factors and biomarkers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease in patients with CD, with typical and atypical presentation. We selected 14 patients with CD without treatment and 14 healthy sex and age-matched controls. Haematological parameters, indicators of carbohydrates metabolism, high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), lipoprotein profile and the activities of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) were determined. CD patients presented higher insulin plasma levels (7.2 mU/l vs. 4.4 mU/l, p <0.05) and increased HOMA-IR index (1.45 vs. 0.98, p <0.05) than controls. On the other hand, lower HDLcholesterol concentration (50 vs. 62 mg/dl, p<0.05), higher TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio and increased hsCRP levels (4.56 vs. 1.17 mg / l, P <0.05) were observed in comparison with control subjects. When comparing patients with typical (n=8) and atypical (n=6) presentation, the former showed lower apo A-I levels (128 vs. 178 mg/dl, p<0.01), and higher apo B/apo A-I ratio (0.72 vs. 0.43, p<0.05) and LpPLA2 activity (7.9 umol/ml.h vs. 6.15 umol/ml.h, p<0.05). The interaction among the alterations above described during long periods of time in a chronic pathological condition such as CD could constitute higher risk of development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.Fil: Menafra, Martín. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Matoso, María Dolores. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Saez, María Soledad. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia Beatriz. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: de Paula, P.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes enhances functional and compositional alterations of small, dense HDL3c

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) possesses multiple biological activities; small, dense HDL3c particles displaying distinct lipidomic composition exert potent antiatherogenic activities which can be compromised in dyslipidemic, hyperglycemic insulin-resistant states. However, it remains indeterminate (i) whether such functional HDL deficiency is related to altered HDL composition, and (ii) whether it originates from atherogenic dyslipidemia, dysglycemia, or both. In the present work we analyzed compositional characteristics of HDL subpopulations and functional activity of small, dense HDL3c particles in treatment-naïve patients with well-controlled (n=10) and poorly-controlled (n=8) type 2 diabetes (T2D) and in normolipidemic age- and sex-matched controls (n=11). Our data reveal that patients with both well- and poorly-controlled T2D displayed dyslipidemia and low-grade inflammation associated with altered HDL composition. Such compositional alterations in small, dense HDL subfractions were specifically correlated with plasma HbA1c levels. Further analysis using a lipidomic approach revealed that small, dense HDL3c particles from T2D patients with poor glycemic control displayed additional modifications of their chemical composition. In parallel, antioxidative activity of HDL3c towards oxidation of low-density lipoprotein was diminished. These findings indicate that defective functionality of small, dense HDL particles in patients with T2D is not only affected by the presence of atherogenic dyslipidemia, but also by the level of glycemic control, reflecting compositional alterations of HDL. Keywords: Antioxidative activity; Functionality; HDL; Lipidomics; Type 2 diabetes

Lp-PLA2 Activity During Iron Depletion Treatment in Primary IO Patients

Background: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an inflammatory biomarker involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Iron stores may modify Lp-PLA2 as higher activity levels wereobserved in patients with primary iron overload (IO).Aim: to evaluate the changes of Lp-PLA2 activity and other atherosclerosis markers in patients with primary IO after iron depletion.Materials and Methods:The study initially included 20 male patients with primary IO, defined by liver histology,from which 7 were lost during follow-up and 13 completed the study (mean follow-up duration: 24±6 months).Phlebotomy treatment consisted in the removal of 1 unit of blood weekly or biweekly. We recorded traditional cardiovascular risk factors, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and Lp-PLA2 activity. Longitudinal differences were tested by paired T or Wilcoxon tests. Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between changes in ferritin and in Lp-PLA2.Results: HFE mutations were present in 77% of the patients. Besides ferritin concentration (-74%), ALT (-11%) and Lp-PLA2 activities (-14%) were reduced after iron depletion (all p<0.05). Linear regression showed that changes in ferritin levels explained a 60% of the variability in the changes of Lp-PLA2 activity (B=0.80, p=0.008, R2 = 0.60).Conclusions: Treatment by phlebotomy significantly reduced the levels of Lp-PLA2 activity besides its expected effects in liver markers. The implications of iron depletion for the reduction of CVD risk remain to be studied.Fil: Tetzlaff, Walter Francisco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Martín, Maximiliano Emmanuel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Botta, Eliana Elizabeth. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Saez, María Soledad. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Ferraro, Maria Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia B. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Arbelbide, Jorge. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Lp-PLA2 Activity During Iron Depletion Treatment in Primary IO Patients

Background: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an inflammatory biomarker involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Iron stores may modify Lp-PLA2 as higher activity levels wereobserved in patients with primary iron overload (IO).Aim: to evaluate the changes of Lp-PLA2 activity and other atherosclerosis markers in patients with primary IO after iron depletion.Materials and Methods:The study initially included 20 male patients with primary IO, defined by liver histology,from which 7 were lost during follow-up and 13 completed the study (mean follow-up duration: 24±6 months).Phlebotomy treatment consisted in the removal of 1 unit of blood weekly or biweekly. We recorded traditional cardiovascular risk factors, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and Lp-PLA2 activity. Longitudinal differences were tested by paired T or Wilcoxon tests. Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between changes in ferritin and in Lp-PLA2.Results: HFE mutations were present in 77% of the patients. Besides ferritin concentration (-74%), ALT (-11%) and Lp-PLA2 activities (-14%) were reduced after iron depletion (all p<0.05). Linear regression showed that changes in ferritin levels explained a 60% of the variability in the changes of Lp-PLA2 activity (B=0.80, p=0.008, R2 = 0.60).Conclusions: Treatment by phlebotomy significantly reduced the levels of Lp-PLA2 activity besides its expected effects in liver markers. The implications of iron depletion for the reduction of CVD risk remain to be studied.Fil: Tetzlaff, Walter Francisco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Martín, Maximiliano Emmanuel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Botta, Eliana Elizabeth. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Saez, María Soledad. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Ferraro, Maria Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia B. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Arbelbide, Jorge. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Metagenome sequencing of the microbial community of a solar saltern crystallizer pond at cáhuil lagoon, chile.

Cáhuil Lagoon in central Chile harbors distinct microbial communities in various solar salterns that are arranged as interconnected ponds with increasing salt concentrations. Here, we report the metagenome of the 3.0- to 0.2-µm fraction of the microbial community present in a crystallizer pond with 34% salinity