“In vitro” Hedeoma multiflorum Benth propagation in response to different nutritional conditions

An efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of Hedeoma multiflorum Benth (“Tomillo de las Sierras”) was established. To determine the effect of different medium and plant growth regulators on the growth rates and essential oil production, nodal segments from in vitro 90-days old plantlets were incubated on the following media: 1) SH (Schenk and Hildebrandt); 2) WP (Lloyd and McCown); 3) B5 (Gamborg). All the media studied were supplemented with different combinations and consentrations of growth regulators: naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyl adenine (BA). The optimal shoot length and number of nodes of the plantlets, showing no statistical difference, were obtained in WP with the addition of 2.69:0.5 μM, 0.5:0.5 and 2.69:0.05 μM of NAA:BA and in absence of these growth regulators (control). The best multiple shoot medium with no statistical difference, corresponded to SH with the addition of 0.5:2.25 μM and B5 with 0.05:2.25, 0.5:2.25 and 2.69:2.25 μM of NAA:BA. The major essential oil determined by GC/MS, were common in all the plantlets grown in all the media being pulegone (62-64%) , menthone (25-28 %) and isomenthone (2-2,3%).Fil: Diaz S.. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Figueroa A. C.. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Palacio, Lorena. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Goleniowski, Marta Ester. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentin

In vitro propagation and stoloniferous stem formation of Thelesperma megapotamicum

An efficient “in vitro” propagation protocol for Thelesperma megapotamicum (Spreng.) Kuntnze was established. Nodal segments were cultured in vitro with different combination and concentration of growth regulators. Microshoots (60-days) cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) with the addition of 4 mg/l 6-benzyl adenine (BA) were used as explants and incubated on a half salt concentrations MS/2 medium supplemented with different combination of indol butyric acid (IBA) and sucrose for 120 days. Explants cultured on a half of Murashige and Skoog salts (MS/2) with the addition of 1,0 mg/L-40 g/L and 1,5mg/L - 30g/L of IBA and sucrose gave shoot number and principal stem length as the control medium with higher stoloniferous stem percentage or development of shoots in stoloniferous stem respectively.Fil: Figueroa, A. C.. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Diaz, S.. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Palacio, Lorena. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Goleniowski, Marta Ester. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentin

Extracellular vesicles in parasitic diseases

Parasitic diseases affect billions of people and are considered a major public health issue. Close to 400 species are estimated to parasitize humans, of which around 90 are responsible for great clinical burden and mortality rates. Unfortunately, they are largely neglected as they are mainly endemic to poor regions. Of relevance to this review, there is accumulating evidence of the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in parasitic diseases, acting both in parasite–parasite inter-communication as well as in parasite–host interactions. EVs participate in the dissemination of the pathogen and play a role in the regulation of the host immune systems. Production of EVs from parasites or parasitized cells has been described for a number of parasitic infections. In this review, we provide the most relevant findings of the involvement of EVs in intercellular communication, modulation of immune responses, involvement in pathology, and their potential as new diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents in some of the major human parasitic pathogens

Decreased parenchymal arteriolar tone uncouples vessel-to-neuronal communication in a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment

Chronic hypoperfusion is a key contributor to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions, but the cellular mechanisms remain ill-defined. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we sought to elucidate chronic hypoperfusion-evoked functional changes at the neurovascular unit. We used bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS), a well-established model of vascular cognitive impairment, combined with an ex vivo preparation that allows pressurization of parenchymal arterioles in a brain slice. Our results demonstrate that mild (~ 30%), chronic hypoperfusion significantly altered the functional integrity of the cortical neurovascular unit. Although pial cerebral perfusion recovered over time, parenchymal arterioles progressively lost tone, exhibiting significant reductions by day 28 post-surgery. We provide supportive evidence for reduced adenosine 1 receptor-mediated vasoconstriction as a potential mechanism in the adaptive response underlying the reduced baseline tone in parenchymal arterioles. In addition, we show that in response to the neuromodulator adenosine, the action potential frequency of cortical pyramidal neurons was significantly reduced in all groups. However, a significant decrease in adenosine-induced hyperpolarization was observed in BCAS 14 days. At the microvascular level, constriction-induced inhibition of pyramidal neurons was significantly compromised in BCAS mice. Collectively, these results suggest that BCAS uncouples vessel-to-neuron communication—vasculo-neuronal coupling—a potential early event in cognitive decline.Fil: Kim, Ki Jung. Augusta University. Departament of Physiology; Estados UnidosFil: Diaz, Juan Ramiro. Augusta University. Departament of Physiology; Estados UnidosFil: Presa, Jessica Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Augusta University. Departament of Physiology; Estados UnidosFil: Muller, P. Robinson. Augusta University. Departament of Physiology; Estados UnidosFil: Brands, Michael W.. Augusta University. Departament of Physiology; Estados UnidosFil: Khan, Mohammad B.. Augusta University. Medical College of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Hess, David C.. Augusta University. Medical College of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Althammer, Ferdinand. Georgia State University; Estados UnidosFil: Stern, Javier E.. Georgia State University; Estados UnidosFil: Filosa, Jessica A.. Augusta University. Departament of Physiology; Estados Unido

Autoantibody screening in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory neuropathy with a heterogeneous presentation. Although some evidences support the role of autoantibodies in its pathogenesis, the target antigens remain unknown in a substantial proportion of GBS patients. The objective of this study is to screen for autoantibodies targeting peripheral nerve components in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Methods: Autoantibody screening was performed in serum samples from all GBS patients included in the International GBS Outcome study by 11 different Spanish centres. The screening included testing for anti-ganglioside antibodies, anti-nodo/paranodal antibodies, immunocytochemistry on neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons and murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, and immunohistochemistry on monkey peripheral nerve sections. We analysed the staining patterns of patients and controls. The prognostic value of anti-ganglioside antibodies was also analysed. Results: None of the GBS patients (n = 100) reacted against the nodo/paranodal proteins tested, and 61 (61%) were positive for, at least, one anti-ganglioside antibody. GBS sera reacted strongly against DRG neurons more frequently than controls both with IgG (6% vs 0%; p = 0.03) and IgM (11% vs 2.2%; p = 0.02) immunodetection. No differences were observed in the proportion of patients reacting against neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons. Reactivity against monkey nerve tissue was frequently detected both in patients and controls, but specific patterns were only detected in GBS patients: IgG from 13 (13%) patients reacted strongly against Schwann cells. Finally, we confirmed that IgG anti-GM1 antibodies are associated with poorer outcomes independently of other known prognostic factors. Conclusion: Our study confirms that (1) GBS patients display a heterogeneous repertoire of autoantibodies targeting nerve cells and structures; (2) gangliosides are the most frequent antigens in GBS patients and have a prognostic value; (3) further antigen-discovery experiments may elucidate other potential antigens in GBS

Autoantibody screening in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background: Guillain?Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory neuropathy with a heterogeneous presentation. Although some evidences support the role of autoantibodies in its pathogenesis, the target antigens remain unknown in a substantial proportion of GBS patients. The objective of this study is to screen for autoantibodies targeting peripheral nerve components in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Methods: Autoantibody screening was performed in serum samples from all GBS patients included in the International GBS Outcome study by 11 different Spanish centres. The screening included testing for anti-ganglioside antibodies, anti-nodo/paranodal antibodies, immunocytochemistry on neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons and murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, and immunohistochemistry on monkey peripheral nerve sections. We analysed the staining patterns of patients and controls. The prognostic value of anti-ganglioside antibodies was also analysed. Results: None of the GBS patients (n = 100) reacted against the nodo/paranodal proteins tested, and 61 (61%) were positive for, at least, one anti-ganglioside antibody. GBS sera reacted strongly against DRG neurons more frequently than controls both with IgG (6% vs 0%; p = 0.03) and IgM (11% vs 2.2%; p = 0.02) immunodetection. No differences were observed in the proportion of patients reacting against neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons. Reactivity against monkey nerve tissue was frequently detected both in patients and controls, but specific patterns were only detected in GBS patients: IgG from 13 (13%) patients reacted strongly against Schwann cells. Finally, we confirmed that IgG anti-GM1 antibodies are associated with poorer outcomes independently of other known prognostic factor

Anti-neoplastic drugs increase caveolin-1-dependent migration, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells

Indexación: Scopus.Expression of the scaffolding protein Caveolin-1 (CAV1) enhances migration and invasion of metastatic cancer cells. Yet, CAV1 also functions as a tumor suppressor in early stages of cancer, where expression is suppressed by epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, we sought to identify stimuli/mechanisms that revert epigenetic CAV1 silencing in cancer cells and evaluate how this affects their metastatic potential. We reasoned that restricted tissue availability of anti-neoplastic drugs during chemotherapy might expose cancer cells to sub-therapeutic concentrations, which activate signaling pathways and the expression of CAV1 to favor the acquisition of more aggressive traits. Here, we used in vitro [2D, invasion] and in vivo (metastasis) assays, as well as genetic and biochemical approaches to address this question. Colon and breast cancer cells were identified where CAV1 levels were low due to epigenetic suppression and could be reverted by treatment with the methyltransferase inhibitor 5'-azacytidine. Exposure of these cells to anti-neoplastic drugs for short periods of time (24-48 h) increased CAV1 expression through ROS production and MEK/ERK activation. In colon cancer cells, increased CAV1 expression enhanced migration and invasion in vitro via pathways requiring Src-family kinases, as well as Rac-1 activity. Finally, elevated CAV1 expression in colon cancer cells following exposure in vitro to sub-cytotoxic drug concentrations increased their metastatic potential in vivo. Therefore exposure of cancer cells to anti-neoplastic drugs at non-lethal drug concentrations induces signaling events and changes in transcription that favor CAV1-dependent migration, invasion and metastasis. Importantly, this may occur in the absence of selection for drug-resistance.http://www.oncotarget.com/index.php?journal=oncotarget&page=article&op=view&path[]=22955&path[]=7243

Effect of Colchicine vs Usual Care Alone on Intubation and 28-Day Mortality in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Objective To assess the efficacy of colchicine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Design, Setting, and Participants The Estudios Clínicos Latino América (ECLA) Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) COLCOVID trial was a multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial performed from April 17, 2020, to March 28, 2021, in adults with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection followed for up to 28 days. Participants received colchicine vs usual care if they were hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms and had severe acute respiratory syndrome or oxygen desaturation. The main exclusion criteria were clear indications or contraindications for colchicine, chronic kidney disease, and negative results on a reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 before randomization. Data were analyzed from June 20 to July 25, 2021. Interventions Patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to usual care or usual care plus colchicine. Colchicine was administered orally in a loading dose of 1.5 mg immediately after randomization, followed by 0.5 mg orally within 2 hours of the initial dose and 0.5 mg orally twice a day for 14 days or discharge, whichever occurred first. Main Outcomes and Measures The first coprimary outcome was the composite of a new requirement for mechanical ventilation or death evaluated at 28 days. The second coprimary outcome was death at 28 days. Results A total of 1279 hospitalized patients (mean [SD] age, 61.8 [14.6] years; 449 [35.1%] women and 830 [64.9%] men) were randomized, including 639 patients in the usual care group and 640 patients in the colchicine group. Corticosteroids were used in 1171 patients (91.5%). The coprimary outcome of mechanical ventilation or 28-day death occurred in 160 patients (25.0%) in the colchicine group and 184 patients (28.8%) in the usual care group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.67-1.02; P = .08). The second coprimary outcome, 28-day death, occurred in 131 patients (20.5%) in the colchicine group and 142 patients (22.2%) in the usual care group (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.70-1.12). Diarrhea was the most frequent adverse effect of colchicine, reported in 68 patients (11.3%). Conclusions and Relevance This randomized clinical trial found that compared with usual care, colchicine did not significantly reduce mechanical ventilation or 28-day mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.Fil: Diaz, Rafael. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; Argentina. Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Orlandini, Andrés. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; Argentina. Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Castellana, Noelia. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Caccavo, Alberto. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación. Universidad Provincial del Sudoeste; ArgentinaFil: Corral, Pablo. Universidad FASTA "Santo Tomas de Aquino"; ArgentinaFil: Corral, Gonzalo. Infectología Clínica de Mayo; ArgentinaFil: Chacón, Carolina. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; Argentina. Universidad Abierta Interamericana; Argentina. Unidad Coronaria de Sanatorio Delta de Rosario; Argentina. Comite de Epidemiologia y Prevención Cardiovascular de la Federación Argentina de Cardiologia; ArgentinaFil: Lamelas, Pablo. McMaster University; Canadá. Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Botto, Fernando. Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Díaz, María Luz. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; Argentina. Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Domínguez, Juan Manuel. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; Argentina. Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pascual, Andrea. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; ArgentinaFil: Rovito, Carla. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; ArgentinaFil: Galatte, Agustina. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; ArgentinaFil: Scarafia, Franco. Estudios Clínicos Latino América; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Sued, Omar. Fundación Huésped; ArgentinaFil: Gutierrez, Omar. Ministerio de Salud de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Jolly, Sanjit S.. McMaster University; CanadáFil: Miró, José M.. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Eikelboom, John. McMaster University; CanadáFil: Loeb, Mark. McMaster University; CanadáFil: Maggioni, Aldo Pietro. Associazione Nazionale Medici Cardiologi Ospedalieri Research Center; ItaliaFil: Bhatt, Deepak L.. Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Estados Unidos. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Yusuf, Salim. McMaster University; CanadáFil: Lopez, Lorena. No especifíca;Fil: Leon de la Fuente, Ricardo Alfonso. Gobierno de la Provincia de Salta. Ministerio de Salud Pública. Hospital Papa Francisco; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Forciniti, Cristian C. G.. No especifíca;Fil: Colombo, Hugo. No especifíca;Fil: Sabas, Nicolas. No especifíca;Fil: Pilón, Leonardo. No especifíca;Fil: Steren, Adriana P.. No especifíca

Sex differences in self-construal and in depressive symptoms: predictors of cross-national variation

Sex differences in aspects of independent versus interdependent self-construal and depressive symptoms were surveyed among 5,320 students from 24 nations. Men were found to perceive themselves as more self-contained whereas women perceived themselves as more connected to others. No significant sex differences were found on two further dimensions of self-construal, or on a measure of depressive symptoms. Multilevel modeling was used to test the ability of a series of predictors derived from a social identity perspective and from evolutionary theory to moderate sex differences. Contrary to most prior studies of personality, sex differences in self-construal were larger in samples from nations scoring lower on the Gender Gap Index, and the Human Development Index. Sex differences were also greater in nations with higher pathogen prevalence, higher self-reported religiosity, and in nations with high reported avoidance of settings with strong norms. The findings are discussed in terms of the interrelatedness of self-construals and the cultural contexts in which they are elicited and the distinctiveness of student samples

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London