Testicular histology of Anurans that deposit eggs out of the water

Anuran amphibians show the largest diversity of amphibian reproductive modes,many of which imply egg deposition out of the water. This kind of egg depositionrequires specialisations to avoid egg desiccation. Physiological, anatomical and ethological traits integrate to define these modes. In particular, morphological featuresof the urogenital system correlate with these reproductive modes and the environmental conditions where egg-laying occurs. In this study, we describe the testicularhistology and spermatogenesis of the nest-building frog Leptodactylus latinasus, andwe compare it with other species that breed out of water. We found variations in testis size, the thickness of interstitial tissue, tunica albuginea, and peritubular tunics,flagellum length, and in the shape and size of the spermatozoal nucleus. Certainspecifics? characters differed at the species level, but not between families. Suchvariation could be an indicator of spermatozoal performance and environmentalconstraints under which fertilisation takes place.Fil: Pucci Alcaide, Ana. Instituto de Morfología Animalfundación Miguel Lillotucumán; ArgentinaFil: Pucci Alcaide, Franco Jose. Instituto de Morfología Animalfundación Miguel Lillotucumán; ArgentinaFil: Michel, Adriana Azucena. Instituto de Morfología Animalfundación Miguel Lillotucumán; ArgentinaFil: Ponssa, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentin

Accurate Simulation of EMAT Probes for Ultrasonic NDT Based on Experimental Measurements

During the last years, CEALIST has been developing EMATprobes dedicated to liquid sodium ultrasound applications, including telemetry, defect detection in sodium immersed welds, defect sizing, andmore recently using phased array probes, beam forming images and synthetic focusing. At the same time, simulation tools based on the numerical methods available at CEA LIST have been integrated within the CIVA software platform. This paper focuses on the experimental calibration of the simulation models for liquid sodium EMAT transducers. In particular, it tries to answer the questions regarding choices of input data for the developed models with the goal of carrying out realistic simulations. The full system measurement model, including coil impedances, gains and analog filters need to be taken into account to obtain predictive simulations. Physical measurements allow the precise determination of the needed parameters and allow verifying the different aspects of the EMAT probe behavior. The developed model is then used to propose a design that is optimized with respect to the generation of longitudinal waves in liquid sodium

Nutraceuticals and cardiovascular risk: potential role of EPCs modulation

According to WHO cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the first cause of death in the world: more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause. Vascular endothelium plays a pivotal role in the onset and the progression of these pathologies and cardiovascular risk factors are frequently associated to the levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), bone marrow-derived circulating progenitors for the endothelial lineage. Since EPCs not only preserve vascular endothelium homeostasis, but directly participate to re-endothelization and neovascularization, these cells represent an emerging actor in vascular competence and thus a cell model of great interest. An unhealthy diet is one of the main cardiovascular risk factor; there is indeed a great interest in the potential protective effects of "nutraceuticals,", food-derived compounds that exert beneficial effects on human and animal health. The characterization of the endothelial effects of different nutraceuticals may provide fresh insights into their potential role in CVDs prevention. Several studies have already showed the protective effects of natural antioxidants on EPCs levels and functionality; some examples are resveratrol, catechin and folic acid. Fermentation has recently shown interesting roles in cardiovascular prevention since this process created a new class of food, rich in bioactive compounds, the fermented food. Consumption of fermented legumes and cereals, but also fermented beverages (such as beer and wine) was found to protect endothelial function through lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative mechanisms. Little is known about the effects of fermentation-derived nutraceuticals on EPCs and given the important role of this cardiovascular biomarker, further analysis in this field can improve CVDs prevention and treatment

ERK-1 MAP kinase prevents TNF-induced apoptosis through bad phosphorylation and inhibition of bax translocation in HeLa cells

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signaling is involved in tumor cell survival through the regulation of Bcl-2 family members. To explore this further and to demonstrate the central role of the mitochondria in the ERK1/2 pathway we used the HeLa cellular model where apoptosis was induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and cycloheximide (CHX). We show that HeLa cells overexpressing ERK-1 displayed resistance to TNF and CHX. HeLa cells overexpressing a kinase-deficient form of ERK-1 (K71R) were more sensitive to TNF and CHX. In the ERK-1 cells, Bad was phosphorylated during TNF + CHX treatment. In the HeLa wt cells and in the K71R clones TNF and CHX decreased Bad phosphorylation. ERK-1 cells treated with TNF and CHX did not release cytochrome c from the mitochondria. By contrast, HeLa wt and K71R clones released cytochrome c. Bax did not translocate to the mitochondria in ERK-1 cells treated with TNF + CHX. Conversely, HeLa wt and K71R clones accumulated Bax in the mitochondria. In the HeLa wt cells and in both ERK-1 transfectants Bid was cleaved and accumulated in the mitochondria. The caspase-8 inhibitor IETD-FMK and the mitochondrial membrane permeabilization inhibitor bongkrekic acid (BK), partially prevented cell death by TNF + CHX. Anisomycin, a c-Jun N-terminal kinases activator, increased TNF-killing. The ERK-1 cells were resistant to TNF and anisomycin, whereas K71R clones resulted more sensitive. Our study demonstrates that in HeLa cells the ERK-1 kinase prevents TNF + CHX apoptosis by regulating the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway through different mechanisms. Inhibition of the intrinsic pathway is sufficient to almost completely prevent cell death. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Synthesis of new bis[1-(thiophenyl)propynones] as potential organic dyes for colorless luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs)

New luminophores having different aryl nuclei and propynones moieties have been obtained via Sonogashira reactions. Their optical properties were evaluated and indicated that carbonyl groups are responsible for significant bathochromic effects and high Stokes shifts. The insertion of -OMe groups on the central benzene unit gives to the fluorophore high optical efficiency (7.7%) when homogeneously dispersed in a poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCMA) film and connected to a PV cell

Antioxidant, Nutraceutical Properties, and Fluorescence Spectral Profiles of Bee Pollen Samples from Different Botanical Origins

Bee pollen is made by honey bees (Apis Mellifera) from the pollen of plants and flowers and represents an apiary product enriched in essential amino acids, polyphenols, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids. This study investigated the botanical origin, micronutrient profile, and antioxidant activity of bee pollen samples (n = 10) harvested in Lucca and Massa Carrara (Tuscany, Italy) between 2016 and 2017. The palynological analysis showed that bee pollen samples were composed of nine botanical families. Front-face fluorescence spectroscopy was performed on bee pollen samples in bulk, without any treatment, and in ethanol extracts to determine the characteristic fluorescent profile and, to identify the main chemical compounds with biological activity. The main chemical compounds detected were polyphenols (mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids), hydro-soluble vitamins (B2, B3, B6, and B9), amino acids, and pigments. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was investigated, and one of the two Viburnum pollens resulted in the highest polyphenols and flavonoids content (20.15 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g fw and 23.46 ± 0.08 mg CE/g fw, respectively). However, Prunus and Eucalyptus families showed the highest in vitro (190.27 ± 8.30 µmol Fe2+/g) and ex vivo (54.61 ± 8.51 CAA unit) antioxidant capacity, respectively. These results suggested that Tuscan bee pollen, depending on the botanical family, is rich in essential nutrients and potential nutraceutical product

Histology of the ovary and oviduct of the direct developing frog oreobates discoidalis (anura: strabomantidae)

Oreobates discoidalis es un anuro que se reproduce en entornos húmedos y protegidos, depositando sus huevos relativamente grandes directamente en tierra y exhibiendo desarrollo directo. En este estudio, se describe la histología de los órganos sexuales de hembras maduras durante el periodo reproductivo de esta especie. Las hembras de O. discoidalis presentan ovarios compuestos por un solo lóbulo, así como folículos ováricos tipo 3 con sectorización citoplasmática debido a la acumulación de plaquetas vitelinas. En algunos de estos folículos, el epitelio es de tipo cuboidal, y la teca está formada por dos capas en los folículos ováricos tipo 3. En cuanto al oviducto, se observa una predominancia de glicoconjugados ácidos con una distribución laberíntica, organizados de manera fibrilar y granular. Este estudio ha permitido identificar características particulares en la arquitectura de los compuestos glucídicos y en el seguimiento de los compuestos oviductales en hembras de O. discoidalis, las cuales serían adecuadas para un modo de puesta fuera del agua.Oreobates discoidalis is an anuran that reproduces in moist and sheltered habitats, laying relatively large eggs directly on land, and undergoing direct development. In this study, we describe the histology of the sexual organs of mature females during the reproductive period. Our observations reveal ovaries consisting of a single lobe, type 3 ovarian follicles exhibiting sectorization of the cytoplasm due to the accumulation of vitelline platelets, with some of these follicles exhibiting cubic epithelium, and theca formed by two layers in type 3 and 4 ovarian follicles. The oviduct is dominated by acid-type glycoconjugates exhibiting a labyrinthine distribution, organized in a fibrillar and granular manner. This study has revealed distinctive features in the architecture of glucid compounds and the monitoring of oviductal compounds in females of O. discoidalis. These characteristics would be suitable for a water-independent mode of reproduction.Fil: Pucci Alcaide, Ana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Pucci Alcaide, Franco Jose. Fundación Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Ponssa, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Michel, Adriana A.. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentin

Іконографічні особливості образу Богородиці в східній християнській традиції: релігієзнавчий аспект

Стаття присвячена аналізу іконографічних особливостей образу Богородиці в православній традиції. Розглянуто особливості іконографічного зображення, його відмінність від зображення у творі мистецтва. Проаналізовано чотири основні іконографічні типи й варіанти ікон Богородиці. Показано, що характерною рисою всіх типів ікон Богородиці є їхня христоцентричність та самостійність як духовного атрибута богоспілкування.In the article is analyzed the iconographic features of the Virgin in the Orthodox tradition. The author argues that Christocentric is the main characteristic of the icons of the Virgin

Diseño de un sistema de gestión integral de envases de agroquímicos para el Sudoeste Bonaerense

En el artículo se presentan los aspectos abordados en la presentación de las IV Jornadas de Derecho Ambiental, el cual es una síntesis del proyecto de investigación donde se explica la normativa vigente en relación con la gestión integral de los envases vacíos de agroquímicos, el contexto del mismo, su objetivo principal y las líneas de trabajo que conforman el proyecto. También, se exponen los resultados obtenidos, un análisis de los mismos y algunas conclusiones generales

Liposome-Mediated Delivery Improves the Efficacy of Lisosan G against Retinopathy in Diabetic Mice

Nutraceuticals are natural substances whose anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may be used to treat retinal pathologies. Their efficacy is limited by poor bioavailability, which could be improved using nanocarriers. Lisosan G (LG), a fermented powder from whole grains, protects the retina from diabetic retinopathy (DR)-induced damage. For this study, we tested whether the encapsulation of LG in liposomes (LipoLG) may increase its protective effects. Diabetes was induced in mice via streptozotocin administration, and the mice were allowed to freely drink water or a water dispersion of two different doses of LG or of LipoLG. Electroretinographic recordings after 6 weeks showed that only the highest dose of LG could partially protect the retina from diabetes-induced functional deficits, while both doses of LipoLG were effective. An evaluation of molecular markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, vascular endothelial growth factor, and the blood-retinal barrier confirmed that the highest dose of LG only partially protected the retina from DR-induced changes, while virtually complete prevention was obtained with either dose of LipoLG. These data indicate that the efficacy of LG in contrasting DR is greatly enhanced by its encapsulation in liposomes and may lay the ground for new dietary supplements with improved therapeutic effects against DR