Trypanosoma cruzi Induces Regulatory B Cell Alterations in Patients With Chronic Chagas Disease

The clinical evolution of patients with chronic Chagas disease (CCD) is mainly associated with an excessive inflammation and a defective immunomodulatory profile caused by the interaction between T. cruzi and the host. Regulatory B (Breg) cells exert immune suppression mostly through IL-10 production (B10 cells), but also through IL-10-independent mechanisms. Previously, we demonstrated that CCD patients with cardiomyopathy show changes in the ex vivo Breg cell phenotypic distribution although maintain IL-10 production capacity. Here, we sought to identify potential alterations on Breg cells upon in vitro stimulation. Isolated B cells from CCD patients with or without cardiomyopathy and non-infected (NI) donors were stimulated with T. cruzi lysate or CpG + CD40L, and characterized by flow cytometry based on the expression of CD24, CD27, CD38, and the regulatory molecules IL-10 and PD-L1. IL-10 and IL-17 secretion in the supernatant of B cells was evaluated by ELISA. Data showed that T. cruzi stimulation diminished the expression of CD24 and CD38 on CD27− B cells while reducing the percentage of CD24high inside CD27+ B cells. Furthermore, T. cruzi induced a regulatory B cell phenotype by increasing B10 cells and IL-10 secretion in all the groups. The innate-like B10 cells expansion observed in patients with cardiomyopathy would be associated with CD27− B10 cell subsets, while no predominant phenotype was found in the other groups. Patients with cardiomyopathy also displayed higher IL-17 secretion levels in T. cruzi–activated B cells. CpG + CD40L stimulation revealed that B cells from CCD patients and NI donors had the same ability to differentiate into B10 cells and secrete IL-10 in vitro. Additionally, CCD patients showed an increased frequency of CD24−CD27− B cells and a reduction in the percentage of CD24highCD27+ Breg cells, which appeared to be inversely correlated with the presence of T. cruzi DNA in blood. Finally, CCD patients exhibited a higher frequency of PD-L1+ B cells in T. cruzi–stimulated samples, suggesting that IL-10-independent mechanisms could also be tangled in the control of inflammation. Altogether, our results provide evidence about the potential role of Breg cells in the immune response developed against T. cruzi and its contribution to chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.Fil: Girard, Magalí Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Ossowski, Micaela Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz Calderon, Arturo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Marisa. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología “Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén”; ArgentinaFil: Hernandez Vasquez, Yolanda Maria. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala C; ArgentinaFil: Chadi, Raúl. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos Doctor Ignacio Pirovano; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Karina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentin

Inner Ear Genes Underwent Positive Selection and Adaptation in the Mammalian Lineage

The mammalian inner ear possesses functional and morphological innovations that contribute to its unique hearing capacities. The genetic bases underlying the evolution of this mammalian landmark are poorly understood. We propose that the emergence of morphological and functional innovations in the mammalian inner ear could have been driven by adaptive molecular evolution. In this work, we performed a meta-analysis of available inner ear gene expression data sets in order to identify genes that show signatures of adaptive evolution in the mammalian lineage. We analyzed ∼1,300 inner ear expressed genes and found that 13% show signatures of positive selection in the mammalian lineage. Several of these genes are known to play an important function in the inner ear. In addition, we identified that a significant proportion of genes showing signatures of adaptive evolution in mammals have not been previously reported to participate in inner ear development and/or physiology. We focused our analysis in two of these genes: STRIP2 and ABLIM2 by generating null mutant mice and analyzed their auditory function. We found that mice lacking Strip2 displayed a decrease in neural response amplitudes. In addition, we observed a reduction in the number of afferent synapses, suggesting a potential cochlear neuropathy. Thus, this study shows the usefulness of pursuing a high-throughput evolutionary approach followed by functional studies to track down genes that are important for inner ear function. Moreover, this approach sheds light on the genetic bases underlying the evolution of the mammalian inner ear.Fil: Pisciottano, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Cinalli, Alejandro Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Stopiello, Juan Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Castagna, Valeria Carolina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Farmacologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Elgoyhen, Ana Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Rubinstein, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Casati, Maria Eugenia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Farmacologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Franchini, Lucia Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentin

Digital elevation models: altimetric corrections for hydrological usage in flat areas

La representación del movimiento del agua sobre el terreno hacia los cauces se genera a partir del procesamiento de mapas topográficos en un entorno de sistemas de información geográfica y teledetección. El objetivo del trabajo fue la definición de un sistema de drenaje superficial en una cuenca de llanura a partir del modelo digital de elevación global ajustado geodésicamente en el norte de la cuenca del Río Salado (subregión A1). Como información base se utilizaron capas vectoriales de drenaje e información de topografía del SRTM90. Este último ha sido ajustado geodésicamente a través de información geodésica de GPS y nivelación. Con el SRTM corregido y la herramienta Arc Hydro Tools se logró definir un sistema de drenaje que involucra la subregión A1 corregida. Por último se realizó un análisis multitemporal de cuerpos de agua, provenientes de distintas fuentes de información nacional (IGN) e internacional (Observatorio de Inundaciones Dartmouth, USA). Este procesamiento permitió diferenciar su ocupación superficial durante periodos de estiaje o inundación y permite la toma adecuada de decisiones en relación a la prevención o mitigación de alertas en una zona llana; en especial en lugares con proximidad a zonas pobladas o agropecuarias. Se concluye que a medida que se detallan las características topográficas de una zona, con correcciones geodésicas con datos de campo, es posible delimitar con mayor precisión a una cuenca hidrográfica junto con su sistema de drenaje superficial.The representation of water movement on the ground towards the courses of water is generated from the processing of topographic maps in an environment of geographic information systems and remote sensing. The objective of this work was to define a surface drainage system in a plain basin based on a geodetically adjusted digital elevation model in the north of the Salado River Basin (A1 region). Drainage vector layers and the SRTM90 topography information were used as primary data. The latter has been geodetically adjusted through GPS and levelling information. With the corrected SRTM and the Arc Hydro Tools, it was possible to define a drainage system that involves the corrected A1 region. Finally, a multi-temporal analysis of water bodies, from different sources of national (IGN) and international information (Dartmouth Flood Observatory, USA) was carried out. This allowed differentiating its surface occupation behavior during dry or flood periods, and contributes to taking the appropriate decision to prevent or mitigate alerts from the rising of water bodies in a flat area of similar extension; especially in places close to populated or agricultural areas. It is concluded that as the topographic features of a region are detailed and corrected by means of geodetic data, it is possible to delimit a watershed together with its surface drainage system with more precision.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Digital elevation models: altimetric corrections for hydrological usage in flat areas

La representación del movimiento del agua sobre el terreno hacia los cauces se genera a partir del procesamiento de mapas topográficos en un entorno de sistemas de información geográfica y teledetección. El objetivo del trabajo fue la definición de un sistema de drenaje superficial en una cuenca de llanura a partir del modelo digital de elevación global ajustado geodésicamente en el norte de la cuenca del Río Salado (subregión A1). Como información base se utilizaron capas vectoriales de drenaje e información de topografía del SRTM90. Este último ha sido ajustado geodésicamente a través de información geodésica de GPS y nivelación. Con el SRTM corregido y la herramienta Arc Hydro Tools se logró definir un sistema de drenaje que involucra la subregión A1 corregida. Por último se realizó un análisis multitemporal de cuerpos de agua, provenientes de distintas fuentes de información nacional (IGN) e internacional (Observatorio de Inundaciones Dartmouth, USA). Este procesamiento permitió diferenciar su ocupación superficial durante periodos de estiaje o inundación y permite la toma adecuada de decisiones en relación a la prevención o mitigación de alertas en una zona llana; en especial en lugares con proximidad a zonas pobladas o agropecuarias. Se concluye que a medida que se detallan las características topográficas de una zona, con correcciones geodésicas con datos de campo, es posible delimitar con mayor precisión a una cuenca hidrográfica junto con su sistema de drenaje superficial.The representation of water movement on the ground towards the courses of water is generated from the processing of topographic maps in an environment of geographic information systems and remote sensing. The objective of this work was to define a surface drainage system in a plain basin based on a geodetically adjusted digital elevation model in the north of the Salado River Basin (A1 region). Drainage vector layers and the SRTM90 topography information were used as primary data. The latter has been geodetically adjusted through GPS and levelling information. With the corrected SRTM and the Arc Hydro Tools, it was possible to define a drainage system that involves the corrected A1 region. Finally, a multi-temporal analysis of water bodies, from different sources of national (IGN) and international information (Dartmouth Flood Observatory, USA) was carried out. This allowed differentiating its surface occupation behavior during dry or flood periods, and contributes to taking the appropriate decision to prevent or mitigate alerts from the rising of water bodies in a flat area of similar extension; especially in places close to populated or agricultural areas. It is concluded that as the topographic features of a region are detailed and corrected by means of geodetic data, it is possible to delimit a watershed together with its surface drainage system with more precision.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Digital elevation models: altimetric corrections for hydrological usage in flat areas

La representación del movimiento del agua sobre el terreno hacia los cauces se genera a partir del procesamiento de mapas topográficos en un entorno de sistemas de información geográfica y teledetección. El objetivo del trabajo fue la definición de un sistema de drenaje superficial en una cuenca de llanura a partir del modelo digital de elevación global ajustado geodésicamente en el norte de la cuenca del Río Salado (subregión A1). Como información base se utilizaron capas vectoriales de drenaje e información de topografía del SRTM90. Este último ha sido ajustado geodésicamente a través de información geodésica de GPS y nivelación. Con el SRTM corregido y la herramienta Arc Hydro Tools se logró definir un sistema de drenaje que involucra la subregión A1 corregida. Por último se realizó un análisis multitemporal de cuerpos de agua, provenientes de distintas fuentes de información nacional (IGN) e internacional (Observatorio de Inundaciones Dartmouth, USA). Este procesamiento permitió diferenciar su ocupación superficial durante periodos de estiaje o inundación y permite la toma adecuada de decisiones en relación a la prevención o mitigación de alertas en una zona llana; en especial en lugares con proximidad a zonas pobladas o agropecuarias. Se concluye que a medida que se detallan las características topográficas de una zona, con correcciones geodésicas con datos de campo, es posible delimitar con mayor precisión a una cuenca hidrográfica junto con su sistema de drenaje superficial.The representation of water movement on the ground towards the courses of water is generated from the processing of topographic maps in an environment of geographic information systems and remote sensing. The objective of this work was to define a surface drainage system in a plain basin based on a geodetically adjusted digital elevation model in the north of the Salado River Basin (A1 region). Drainage vector layers and the SRTM90 topography information were used as primary data. The latter has been geodetically adjusted through GPS and levelling information. With the corrected SRTM and the Arc Hydro Tools, it was possible to define a drainage system that involves the corrected A1 region. Finally, a multi-temporal analysis of water bodies, from different sources of national (IGN) and international information (Dartmouth Flood Observatory, USA) was carried out. This allowed differentiating its surface occupation behavior during dry or flood periods, and contributes to taking the appropriate decision to prevent or mitigate alerts from the rising of water bodies in a flat area of similar extension; especially in places close to populated or agricultural areas. It is concluded that as the topographic features of a region are detailed and corrected by means of geodetic data, it is possible to delimit a watershed together with its surface drainage system with more precision.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Research advances in Risaralda. An overview of 8 experiences

I am honored to present to you this remarkable book, a testament to the invaluable research conducted in the fields of Health, Law, Engineering, and Administrative Sciences. Each chapter within these pages represents the culmination of extensive investigations carried out by dedicated scholars affiliated with the Red Universitaria de Risaralda (RUN), a network comprising 15 esteemed higher education institutions. Risaralda has emerged as a thriving hub for higher education, bolstered by its strategic geographical location, high quality of life, rich biodiversity, and competitive development. Today, Pereira ranks third in the index of university cities, with a student enrollment rate exceeding 63%. Close to 50,000 students pursue academic programs within the department. Notably, three institutions have achieved accreditation for their excellence in education, positioning Risaralda among the most competitive regions in terms of accredited academic programs. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Red Universitaria de Risaralda in 2023, it is with great pride that we reflect on its pivotal role in fostering collaboration among public and private higher education institutions. Our mission has been twofold: attracting students to our region and supporting sustainable development and quality of life for our community. The mesa de investigación (research committee) has diligently coordinated the necessary actions to unite our researchers, facilitating an integrated approach to various disciplines and themes associated with the challenges faced in our region.CONTENT Introduction...................................................................................................................5 CHAPTER ONE. Tobacco Use and Social Skills in Children from Two Schools in Pereira, Colombia .......................................................................................................9 Angélica María Blanco Vanegas, Natalia Jeaneth Carmona Valencia and Ángela Liceth Pérez Rendón CHAPTER TWO. Lesbian visibility: between control and family silence.................................................35 Mireya Ospina Botero and Carolina Carmona Castilla CHAPTER THREE. New centralities in the city of Pereira, 1990-2019 .......................................................65 Cesar Augusto Castaño Galvis CHAPTER FOUR. Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on the effect of roots on slope stability ...........................................................................................................95 Alejandro Alzate Buitrago, Raúl Alberto Gaviria Valencia, César Augusto Peñuela Meneses, Carlos Alberto Ospina Parra CHAPTER FIVE. Sustainability of local agri-food systems in a municipality of the Eje Cafetero, Colombia...............................................................................................131 Jaime Cardona Ocampo, Orlando Ospina Salazar and Julia Arredondo Botero CHAPTER SIX. Organizational strategies aimed at the Emberá Chamí unified indigenous reservation, Inamurcito community located in the municipality of Pueblo Rico, Risaralda............................................................................................................163 Carla Johana Martínez García and Yenny Marcela Vélez Herrera CHAPTER SEVEN. Psychomotor profile of children between 4 and 5 years old in the city of Pereira, Colombia ...................................................................................................199 Jhonatan Gonzalez-Santamaría and Claudia Jimena Lopez-Garcia CHAPTER EIGHT. Analysis of assembly tasks without the use of vision: an opportunity for the design of support technologies in manufacturing environments.....................217 Gustavo Adolfo Peña Marín, Carlos Andrés Quintero Diaztagle and Juan Diego Gallego Góme

Early Tracheostomy for Managing ICU Capacity During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

10 p.Background: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of ventilators and ICU beds overwhelmed health care systems. Whether early tracheostomy reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay is controversial. Research question: Can failure-free day outcomes focused on ICU resources help to decide the optimal timing of tracheostomy in overburdened health care systems during viral epidemics? Study design and methods: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who had undergone tracheostomy in 15 Spanish ICUs during the surge, when ICU occupancy modified clinician criteria to perform tracheostomy in Patients with COVID-19. We compared ventilator-free days at 28 and 60 days and ICU- and hospital bed-free days at 28 and 60 days in propensity score-matched cohorts who underwent tracheostomy at different timings (≤ 7 days, 8-10 days, and 11-14 days after intubation). Results: Of 1,939 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, 682 (35.2%) underwent tracheostomy, 382 (56%) within 14 days. Earlier tracheostomy was associated with more ventilator-free days at 28 days (≤ 7 days vs > 7 days [116 patients included in the analysis]: median, 9 days [interquartile range (IQR), 0-15 days] vs 3 days [IQR, 0-7 days]; difference between groups, 4.5 days; 95% CI, 2.3-6.7 days; 8-10 days vs > 10 days [222 patients analyzed]: 6 days [IQR, 0-10 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-6 days]; difference, 3.1 days; 95% CI, 1.7-4.5 days; 11-14 days vs > 14 days [318 patients analyzed]: 4 days [IQR, 0-9 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-2 days]; difference, 3 days; 95% CI, 2.1-3.9 days). Except hospital bed-free days at 28 days, all other end points were better with early tracheostomy. Interpretation: Optimal timing of tracheostomy may improve patient outcomes and may alleviate ICU capacity strain during the COVID-19 pandemic without increasing mortality. Tracheostomy within the first work on a ventilator in particular may improve ICU availability

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Measurement of t(t)over-bar normalised multi-differential cross sections in pp collisions at root s=13 TeV, and simultaneous determination of the strong coupling strength, top quark pole mass, and parton distribution functions

Peer reviewe

An embedding technique to determine ττ backgrounds in proton-proton collision data

An embedding technique is presented to estimate standard model tau tau backgrounds from data with minimal simulation input. In the data, the muons are removed from reconstructed mu mu events and replaced with simulated tau leptons with the same kinematic properties. In this way, a set of hybrid events is obtained that does not rely on simulation except for the decay of the tau leptons. The challenges in describing the underlying event or the production of associated jets in the simulation are avoided. The technique described in this paper was developed for CMS. Its validation and the inherent uncertainties are also discussed. The demonstration of the performance of the technique is based on a sample of proton-proton collisions collected by CMS in 2017 at root s = 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 41.5 fb(-1).Peer reviewe