Differential expression of the sphingolipid pathway is associated with sensitivity to the PP2A activator FTY720 in colorectal cancer cell lines

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a ubiquitously expressed intracellular serine/threonine phosphatase. Deregulation of PP2A is a common event associated with adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum. We have previously shown that breast cancer cell lines are sensitive to the PP2A activator FTY720, and that sensitivity is predicted by high Aurora kinase A (AURKA) mRNA expression. In this study, we hypothesized that high relative AURKA expression could predict sensitivity to FTY720-induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). The CRC cell lines NCI H716, COLO320DM, DLD-1, SW480, and HT-29 show a high relative AURKA expression as compared to LS411N, T84, HCT116, SW48, and LOVO. Following viability assays, LS411N, T84, HCT116, and SW480 were shown to be sensitive to FTY720, whereas DLD-1 and HT-29 were non-sensitive. Hence, AURKA mRNA expression does not predict sensitivity to FTY720 in CRC cell lines. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by comparing the sensitive CRC cell lines (LS411N and HCT116) against the non-sensitive (HT-29 and DLD-1). We found that 253 genes were significantly altered in expression, and upregulation of CERS4, PPP2R2C, GNAZ, PRKCG, BCL2, MAPK12, and MAPK11 suggests the involvement of the sphingolipid signaling pathway, known to be activated by phosphorylated-FTY720. In conclusion, although AURKA expression did not predict sensitivity to FTY720, it is evident that specific CRC cell lines are sensitive to 5 µM FTY720, potentially because of the differential expression of genes involved in the sphingolipid pathway.peer-reviewe

The role of temperature in shaping Culex acharistus mosquitoes life history traits in its southern limit of distribution (Patagonia-Argentina)

There is substantial evidence showing that temperature have a great impact on insects behavior, phenology and life histories. Because of mosquito global importance as disease vectors, in temperate regions where climatic conditions could be only borderline suitable for mosquito development, there is a growing interest in understanding the effect of temperature shifts on vital statistics to more accurately define how such changes could impact distribution and abundance patterns, as well as disease transmission cycles. We determined the role of ambient temperature under fluctuating conditions in shaping Culex acharistus (Diptera: Culicidae) life history traits, and estimated its development threshold and physiological time, in its southern limit of distribution in the Argentine Patagonia region. Four horizontal life tables were conducted under natural fluctuating temperature range in Esquel city (42°S – 71°W; 563 m a.s.l.), during spring-summer (17°C), summer (15.4°C), summer-autumn (12.7°C) and autumn-winter (5.6°C) seasons. Larvae, pupae and adult traits were recorded. The mean duration of the experiments varied between 28 to ≅100 days for spring-summer and autumn-winter seasons. Only during the cold season experiment pupae experienced the most severe temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles, and failed to reach adult stage. We found that larva and pupa development time, adult emergence time and longevity significantly increased with decreasing temperatures, while larval survival was greatest at an intermediate temperature and decreased toward low and high values. Also, protandry was observed and males emerge 2 days before females across seasons. Temperature development threshold and physiological time estimated for larva + pupa were 5.98°C and 211.24°C-days. Our study contributes to a growing body of knowledge by examining the effect of seasonal changes in temperature on mosquito life history traits. Results obtained here can be applied as useful parameters in the development of population dynamic models, improving current mosquito control strategies in cold-temperate regions.Fil: Grech, Marta Gladys. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Almiron, Walter Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentin

Determination of potential habitat suitability for the European Otter (Lutra lutra) in geographical sectors of metropolitan France

Après une longue période de régression (de 1930 à 1990), la Loutre d’Europe est aujourd’hui en phase de recolonisation en France. Afin de favoriser sa reconquête, un des objectifs du plan national d’action en faveur de ce mustélidé est de déterminer et localiser les habitats potentiellement favorables à cette espèce. Pour cela, pour chaque sous-secteur hydrographique, nous avons renseigné des facteurs indispensables à la présence de la Loutre : disponibilité et qualité du milieu aquatique et des zones humides, disponibilité de la ressource alimentaire, dérangement humain et caractéristiques générales de l’écosystème (type d’occupation du sol, relief) afin de pouvoir créer un modèle Maxent. D’après ce modèle, 30 % des sous-secteurs de France métropolitaine sont peu favorables à la Loutre, 68 % sont assez favorables à l’implantation de cette espèce et 2 % peuvent être considérés comme très favorables à l’installation de la Loutre d’Europe.After a long period of decline, the European Otter is now in the process of recolonizing the French territory. In order to facilitate its expansion, one of the objectives of the National Action Plan is to define and locate the habitat suitability for this mustelid in France. For each river sub-sector we gathered all available information about the factors (availability and quality of aquatic habitat, availability of food resources, human disturbances and general characteristics of the ecosystem) essential to the presence of the otter in order to create a Maxent model. According to this model, 30 % of the sub-sectors in metropolitan France are unlikely to offer favourable habitats for the Otter, 68 % should contain favourable habitats and 2 % could be considered as very favourable for the settling of European otters

Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) larval ecology in natural habitats in the cold temperate Patagonia region of Argentina

Knowledge of immature habitats is an important focus for investigations of mosquito community ecology, and may improve our understanding of how environmental variables increase risk of mosquito-borne diseases by influencing the distributions and abundances of species. In Patagonia region, where climatic and ecological factors could be only borderline suitable for mosquito development, relatively little is known about larval ecology. The present study focuses on associations of environmental conditions in natural aquatic habitats with abundances of mosquito species that have colonized such habitats in Patagonia. We described the mosquito community composition within 26 natural temporary pools, and assessed the general relationships between environmental variables (pH, water temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, aquatic plant cover and main nutrients) and larval abundances using redundancy analysis (RDA). Additionally, we compiled monthly climate data and vegetation indices for each larval habitat, and estimated the probability of presence for two of the most abundant species, describing through generalized linear models (GLM) the environmental, climatic and landscape variables-probability of occurrence relationships. Seven species belonging to the genera Culex and Aedes were identified, with Culex apicinus, Cx. acharistus and Aedes albifasciatus being the most abundant. Mean larval densities were low (6.8 ± 2.8 larvae/dip), and the highestspecies richness and larval densities were recorded in northern and central areas. Aedes albifasciatus, a species of sanitary importance, was widely distributed, being the only one collected south of the 45th parallel of S latitude. RDA indicated that aquatic conductivity, pH, water depth, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and soluble reactive phosphorous accounted for the main part of the variation in the species composition. According to GLMs, wind speed was thevariable that best described the presence of Ae. albifasciatus, and the probability of finding this species was positively associated with high wind speed values. On the other hand, the EVI vegetation index was the only variable included in the Cx. apicinus model, whereby there was a great probability of presence in arid areas with lower EVI values. Our results enhance our knowledge of larval habitat ecology under the extreme environmental conditions of Patagonia and will guide future efforts to understand how multiple effects can affect mosquito ecology and public health at higher latitudes.Fil: Grech, Marta Gladys. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Manzo, Luz Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Laurito, Magdalena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Claverie, Alfredo Ñancuche. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; ArgentinaFil: Ludueña Almeida, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Almiron, Walter Ricardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentin

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Structural variability of the macrophytes community as a function of a pluviometric gradient in the province of Chubut

Los mallines son humedales patagónicos con suelos en permanente anegación, en los cuales se pueden generar lagunas con una vasta biodiversidad. En estos ecosistemas, las plantas acuáticas (i.e. macrófitas) se desarrollan y presentan hábitos de vida para adaptarse a las condiciones de humedad, siendo capaces de regular las condiciones fisicoquímicas del agua. Una característica distintiva de la Patagonia es la disminución pluvial en un gradiente oeste-este que genera tres biozonas: bosque, ecotono y estepa. Estas biozonas fueron caracterizadas en base a vegetación terrestre, pero aún no se ha evaluado si los ensambles de macrófitas se corresponden con ellas. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar los atributos de la comunidad de macrófitas acuáticas y de las plantas terrestres asociadas a humedales presentes en las tres biozonas. Durante el verano 2013-2014 se muestrearon 20 lagunas someras de la provincia de Chubut, se analizaron las características físicas y químicas del agua y se registró la riqueza taxonómica de macrófitas. Las macrófitas fueron clasificadas según su origen y hábito, y se calculó su diversidad. Se identificaron 62 taxones, la mayoría pertenecientes a las familias Cyperaceae, Poaceae y Ranunculaceae. Las lagunas esteparias se diferenciaron de las de ecotono y de bosque por poseer pH alcalino y valores elevados de conductividad y de fósforo reactivo soluble (PRS). Los valores altos de PRS favorecieron la abundancia de macrófitas y macroalgas. Sin embargo, las concentraciones elevadas de fósforo total y de clorofila a fitoplanctónica indicaron que tres lagunas estarían eutrofizadas. Las macroalgas fueron más abundantes en los sitios con mayor estado trófico y la cobertura de macrófitas emergentes aumentó en esos sitios. Dado que las lagunas estudiadas funcionarían como reservorios de diversidad de macrófitas acuáticas, conocer la relación comunidad biológica-ambiente sería útil para generar planes tendientes a conservar la biodiversidad de los mallines patagónicos.Mallines are Patagonian wetlands characterized by permanent waterlogging on its soils, sustaining small shallow lakes that hosts a vast biodiversity. In these ecosystems, aquatic plants (i.e. macrophytes) develop different life forms adapted to humid conditions, allowing them to regulate the physical and chemical conditions of the mallín. A distinctive characteristic of Patagonia is the exponential west-east decrease in rainfall, which generates three biozones: forest, ecotone and steppe. These biozones have been typified using landform plants, but whether macrophytes assemblages are related to each biozone or not has not been evaluated yet. The aim of this work is to compare the atributes of the macrophyte and wetlands landform plants community in each biozone. During the 2013-2014 austral Summer, 20 shallow lakes were sampled in the west province of Chubut, assessing macrophyte richness and physical and chemical water variables. Macrophytes were classified according to their life forms, origin, and its diversity was calculated. A total of 62 taxa were determined, most of them corresponding to the Cyperaceae, Poaceae and Ranunculaceae families. The steppe exhibited alkaline pH values, and higher conductivity and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) than the ecotone and the forest. High SRP values favored the abundance of macrophytes and macroalgae. However, three sites were eutrophic, exhibiting high chlorophyll a and total phosphorus values. Those sites showed higher abundances of macroalgae and emerging macrophytes. The sampled shallow lakes would act as reservoirs of macrophyte diversity at both local and regional scales. Thus, understanding the relationships among macrophytes and environmental variables could be useful for the mallines biodiversity conservation plans.Fil: Claverie, Alfredo Ñancuche. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Recursos Naturales y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; ArgentinaFil: Kutschker, Adriana Mabel. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Grech, Marta Gladys. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; ArgentinaFil: Manzo, Luz Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; Argentin