IL-17 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

IL-17 is a cytokine with powerful proinflammatory activity. Production of IL-17 is abnormally increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multiorgan chronic autoimmune disease. In patients with SLE, CD3+CD4−CD8− (double negative) T cells are an important source of IL-17. IL-17 produced by double negative and CD4 T cells participates in the pathogenesis of the disease. IL-17-producing T cells are present in the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis. IL-17 increased production in patients with SLE can amplify the immune response by increasing target organ inflammation and damage and by augmenting the production of antibodies by B cells

Materia orgánica en sistemas de labranza y cultivos en la Serie Tizon

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar los niveles de materia orgánica total y sus fracciones en suelos de la serie Tizón en los que se realizan sistemas de labranza y cultivo diferentes. El trabajo se realizó en el Departamento 9 de Julio (Chaco), sobre un Haplustol óxico. Las situaciones analizadas corresponden: a suelos con más de 30 años de labranza convencional en monocultivos de algodón, girasol y sorgo, situaciones de labranza cero durante los últimos cuatro años en rotación maíz-soja y soja-maíz que provenían de 26 años de labranza convencional y situación de suelo en estado natural. Se realizó el muestreo en dos profundidades: de 0,00 - 0,06 m y 0,06 - 0,12 m. Se determinó materia orgánica y sus fracciones vieja y joven. La disminución de la materia orgánica total en los cultivos con labranza convencional, con respecto al estado natural oscila entre el 46 % para el monocultivo de algodón y el 53,3% para monocultivo de sorgo, en cambio cuando se implementó sistema de labranza cero desde hace cuatro años, la disminución fue menor, siendo de un 29% en suelos con rastrojo de maíz y de 38,6% para rastrojo de soja. Los contenidos de materia orgánica joven son más bajos en rastrojo de soja que en el maíz en sistema de labranza cero y en suelos con rastrojo de algodón los valores fueron los más altos de los cultivos realizados con labranza convencional

Efecto de las labranzas y rotaciones sobre la compactación de suelos en distintos sistemas productivos de la Provincia del Chaco - Republica Argentina

El proceso de compactación del suelo está asociado a una pérdida de volumen debida a fuerzas externas que en la agricultura se originan por los implementos de labranza, el pisoteo animal, los sistemas de labranza y secuencias de cultivos empleados Se evaluó el efecto de diferentes sistemas de labranzas y rotaciones sobre la compactación del suelo, a través de la densidad aparente y la resistencia mecánica a la penetración mediante el Índice de Cono (IC) en cuatro (4) series de suelos pertenecientes a los Departamentos 9 de Julio y Chacabuco de la provincia del Chaco. Se comprobó que la densidad aparente y el IC son mayores en los sistemas con labranza cero en el espesor 0-0,06m respecto de los sistemas con labranza convencional independientemente de la secuencia de cultivos, y que las rotaciones en labranza convencional presentan un menor IC que el monocultivo

Systemic lupus erythematosus: new molecular targets

T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus exhibit a notable array of defects that probably contribute to the origin and development of the disease. Such abnormalities include an abnormal response to stimulation, aberrant expression of molecules that play key roles in intracellular signalling pathways, altered transcription factor activation and binding, and skewed gene expression. The combination of these alterations leads the cell to the expression of a particular phenotype that intense research has gradually uncovered over the last years. The aim of this article is to review the findings that have allowed us to better understand the behaviour of the lupus T cell and highlight the molecules that represent potential therapeutic targets

Digital.CSIC Annual Report 2010

44 páginas, 17 gráficos, 3 fotos.[EN]The repository’s work agenda for 2010 focused on 4 master lines: increased and more varied contents; dinamization of CSIC libraries in this open access project under the auspices of CSIC Libraries Coordination Unit; new services for end-users and new functionalities, and enhanced visibility and cooperation at an international level. All accomplishments considered, the evaluation of the year has been positive, and it has been marked by important developments in all work areas, as this annual report reflects. This Annual report has been prepared by Isabel Bernal and Juan Román Molina.[ES]La agenda de trabajo para 2010 se concentró en 4 líneas guía: más y mayor variedad de contenidos; dinamización de las bibliotecas del CSIC en este proyecto de acceso abierto auspiciado desde la Unidad de Coordinación de Bibliotecas del CSIC; nuevos servicios para usuarios y nuevas funcionalidades tecnológicas y mayor visibilidad y cooperación a nivel internacional. El balance del trabajo realizado es positivo, con importantes avances en todos estos ámbitos, tal y como da cuenta esta memoria anual. La elaboración de la memoria ha corrido a cargo de Isabel Bernal y Juan Román Molina.Peer reviewe

Protein phosphatase 2A is requisite for the function of regulatory T cells

Immune homeostasis depends on the proper function of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Compromised Treg cell suppressive activity leads to autoimmune disease, graft rejection and promotes anti-tumor immunity. Here we report the previously unrecognized requirement of the serine/threonine phosphatase Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) for the function of Treg cells. Treg cells exhibited high PP2A activity and Treg cell-specific ablation of the PP2A complex resulted in a severe, multi-organ, lymphoproliferative autoimmune disorder. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed that PP2A associates with components of the mTOR pathway and suppresses mTORC1 activity. In the absence of PP2A, Treg cells altered their metabolic and cytokine profile and were unable to suppress effector immune responses. Therefore, PP2A is requisite for the function of Treg cells and the prevention of autoimmunity

Reflection in Action: A Key to Developing Competences for the Teaching of Science Reflection in Action: A Key to Developing Competences for the Teaching of Science

Abstract Motivated by the widespread concern over the quality of science education in Mexican elementary schools, the Faculty of Biology at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP, or the Autonomous University of Puebla) held a teacher training workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The purpose was to promote the participants' reflective action in order to reflect on their experience as teachers and design and evaluate new teaching strategies for the development of scientific thought in their students. An analysis of government programs and national and international assessments was carried out in order to detect critical situations. Both subjects that involve more learning challenges and those activities taken from the official textbooks that enable the development of scientific skills were chosen. The educational strategy was developed from a critical position on the expository models and guided discovery. Teachers assume the role of students, reflecting on their learning and teaching and, eventually, rebuilding this learning situation with their students, with the process based on the following: ATINER CONFERENCE PAPER SERIES No: EDU2014-0931 7 a) previous ideas; b) flipped classroom; c) joint action; d) reflection-in-action; and, e) formative assessment. The formative assessment comprised a portfolio which included a scientific dictionary, daily research and projects undertaken with students. An analysis of the portfolio enables researchers to establish how teachers structure their thinking and incorporate new concepts and teaching strategies. The objective of this research was to identify and analyse the concepts and ideas related to the nature of science, scientific concepts, and teaching and learn about science developed by a group of teachers during a training course for the teaching of sciences skills. In conclusion, the workshop promoted a conceptual change related to the topics and subjects addressed in the classroom: ideas (both the teachers' and the students') related to learning about science; the evaluation of teaching; the development of creative and critical thinking; and, the development of scientific tools. Overall the teachers enjoyed the course and reoriented their approach to working in the classroom