Cytogenetic analysis of three species of Pseudacteon (Diptera, Phoridae) parasitoids of the fire ants using standard and molecular techniques

Pseudacteon flies, parasitoids of worker ants, are being intensively studied as potentially effective agents in the biological control of the invasive pest fire ant genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). This is the first attempt to describe the karyotype of P. curvatus Borgmeier, P. nocens Borgmeier and P. tricuspis Borgmeier. The three species possess 2n = 6; chromosomes I and II were metacentric in the three species, but chromosome pair III was subtelocentric in P. curvatus and P. tricuspis, and telocentric in P. nocens. All three species possess a C positive band in chromosome II, lack C positive heterochromatin on chromosome I, and are mostly differentiated with respect to chromosome III. P. curvatus and P. tricuspis possess a C positive band, but at different locations, whereas this band is absent in P. nocens. Heterochromatic bands are neither AT nor GC rich as revealed by fluorescent banding. In situ hybridization with an 18S rDNA probe revealed a signal on chromosome II in a similar location to the C positive band in the three species. The apparent lack of morphologically distinct sex chromosomes is consistent with proposals of environmental sex determination in the genus. Small differences detected in chromosome length and morphology suggests that chromosomes have been highly conserved during the evolutionary radiation of Pseudacteon. Possible mechanisms of karyotype evolution in the three species are suggested

Rasgos morfológicos asociados a la viabilidad de pupas en parasitoides del género Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) Morphological traits associated with pupae viability in Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) parasitoids

RESUMEN. Fóridos del género Pseudacteon Coquillett oviponen en forrajeras del género Solenopsis Westwood y empupan en sus cabezas. Se evaluó la relación entre la viabilidad de los parasitoides, la presencia de cuernos respiratorios y el color en los opérculos de los puparios de cuatro especies de Pseudacteon criados sobre Solenopsis invicta Buren y Solenopsis richteri Forel. La presencia de cuernos respiratorios estuvo asociada a la viabilidad de las pupas para las especies consideradas (p 0,09); excepto cuando Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier se desarrolló sobre hormigas de la reserva y niñeras de S. invicta (p ABSTRACT. Pseudacteon Coquillett phorid flies oviposit on Solenopsis Westwood ants and pupate within the ant's head. We have evaluated the relationship between pupae's viability, presence of respiratory horns and the operculum color in four species of Pseudacteon reared on Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis richteri Forel ants. The presence of respiratory horns was significantly associated with pupae's viability for all species considered (p 0,09), except (p < 0,01) when Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier had developed on S. invicta nanitic and reserve workers. Pupae with light-colored opercula were more frequent in P. cultellatus, whereas brown opercula were more frequent for the other species that attack bigger ants. Mimetism can be invoked to explain the similarity in opercula color with that of the head of the parasitized ant as a way to avoid recognition by members of the colony. We conclude that the presence of respiratory horns is necessary for pupae survival of most of the pupae and we suggest to use the presence of respiratory horns as an indicator of the efficiency of rearing protocols for this group of parasitoids. We also recommend using forager ants because other casts do not seem to be appropriate hosts

Use of STAT6 Phosphorylation Inhibitor and Trimethylglycine as New Adjuvant Therapies for 5-Fluorouracil in Colitis-Associated Tumorigenesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most widespread and deadly types of neoplasia around the world, where the inflammatory microenvironment has critical importance in the process of tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. Despite its limited effectiveness, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is the main drug utilized for CRC treatment. The combination of 5-FU with other agents modestly increases its effectiveness in patients. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory Trimethylglycine and the Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT6) inhibitor AS1517499, as possible adjuvants to 5-FU in already established cancers, using a model of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC). We found that these adjuvant therapies induced a remarkable reduction of tumor growth when administrated together with 5-FU, correlating with a reduction in STAT6-phosphorylation. This reduction upgraded the effect of 5-FU by increasing both levels of apoptosis and markers of cell adhesion such as E-cadherin, whereas decreased epithelial&ndash;mesenchymal transition markers were associated with aggressive phenotypes and drug resistance, such as &beta;-catenin nuclear translocation and Zinc finger protein SNAI1 (SNAI1). Additionally, Il-10, Tgf-&beta;, and Il-17a, critical pro-tumorigenic cytokines, were downmodulated in the colon by these adjuvant therapies. In vitro assays on human colon cancer cells showed that Trimethylglycine also reduced STAT6-phosphorylation. Our study is relatively unique in focusing on the effects of the combined administration of AS1517499 and Trimethylglycine together with 5-FU on already established CAC which synergizes to markedly reduce the colon tumor load. Together, these data point to STAT6 as a valuable target for adjuvant therapy in colon cancer

Behavioral Discrimination Between Monogyne and Polygyne Red Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Their Native Range

Nestmate recognition among social insects is presumed to restrict non-nestmates from exploiting nest resources. Here, we developed aggression bioassays to assess the discrimination behaviors of both polygynous and monogynous forms of the red fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, during symmetrical interactions in neutral arenas. Workers from polygyne colonies exhibited risk avoidance behaviors; that is, defensive postures or the avoidance of direct contact during interactions. Workers from monogyne colonies always exhibited aggressive behaviors in the form of physical or chemical attacks. In interactions between both, monogyne workers usually started the aggression by surrounding and biting the polygyne ants. Polygyne S. invicta workers also distinguished nestmates from foreigners, but their response was not as aggressive as that of monogynes. The proposed ethogram that we constructed identified monogyne and polygyne forms of S. invicta colonies in concordance with current measures, including number of queens, and expression of the Gp-9 gene.Fil: Chirino, Monica Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Centro de Estudios e Investigación; ArgentinaFil: Gilbert, Lawrence E.. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Folgarait, Patricia Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Centro de Estudios e Investigación; Argentin

Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): Etiology, Diagnosis/Prognosis, and Innovative Therapies

In 2013, recognizing that Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death by cancer worldwide and that it was a neglected disease increasing rapidly in Mexico, the community of researchers at the Biomedicine Research Unit of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) established an intramural consortium that involves a multidisciplinary group of researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students to contribute to the understanding of this pathology in Mexico. This article is about the work developed by the Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): how the Consortium was created, its members, and its short- and long-term goals. Moreover, it is a narrative of the accomplishments of this project. Finally, we reflect on possible strategies against CRC in Mexico and contrast all the data presented with another international strategy to prevent and treat CRC. We believe that the Consortium’s characteristics must be maintained to initiate a national strategy, and the reported data could be useful to establish future collaborations with other countries in Latin America and the world

Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): Etiology, Diagnosis/Prognosis, and Innovative Therapies

In 2013, recognizing that Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death by cancer worldwide and that it was a neglected disease increasing rapidly in Mexico, the community of researchers at the Biomedicine Research Unit of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala from the Universidad Nacional Aut&oacute;noma de M&eacute;xico (UNAM) established an intramural consortium that involves a multidisciplinary group of researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students to contribute to the understanding of this pathology in Mexico. This article is about the work developed by the Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): how the Consortium was created, its members, and its short- and long-term goals. Moreover, it is a narrative of the accomplishments of this project. Finally, we reflect on possible strategies against CRC in Mexico and contrast all the data presented with another international strategy to prevent and treat CRC. We believe that the Consortium&rsquo;s characteristics must be maintained to initiate a national strategy, and the reported data could be useful to establish future collaborations with other countries in Latin America and the world

Volvimos a las aulas... ¿y cómo? : experiencias y propuestas de enseñanza 2020-2021

Mohaded, Ana María. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Domínguez Pesce, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Salit, Celia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Estarellas, Natalia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Menoyo, Sofía G. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Argüello, Cecilia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Sajeva, Maura Jorgelina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Irazusta, María Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Otero Gruer, Dolores. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Mendizabal, Lilian Isabel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Cáceres, Carlos Esteban. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Fernández, Juan Manuel. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Menta, María Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Hernández, Alejandra Fabiana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Miranda, Adriana Esther. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Vivanco, Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Serra, Mariela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Altamirano, Ivana Verónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Bravo, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Jacobo, Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Sequeira, Jazmín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Suárez, Victoria Inés. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Yaya Aguilar, María Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Curletto, Hugo Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Checchi, Pablo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Nuestra principal responsabilidad como institución educativa universitaria es la formación de ciudadanes, garantizando saberes con los que puedan construir y sostener proyectos de vida en marcos de libertad compartida y promoviendo pers- pectivas que aporten en la transformación de la sociedad con parámetros más jus- tos, inclusivos y fraternos. Esta tarea, que está en permanente transformación y ac- tualización, sufrió un sismo en el 2020 y 2021 a partir de las condiciones devenidas por la pandemia. La Facultad de Artes por el tipo de conocimiento y metodología que proyecta, requiere de la presencialidad como plataforma de funcionamiento. Sin embargo, inmersos en la emergencia, les docentes, nodocentes, estudiantes y egresades re- aprendimos, reorganizamos y reinventamos dinámicas que nos permitieron seguir habilitando el derecho a la educación pública, a la creación de conocimiento especí- fico en artes y a la significación solidaria de los lazos societarios. Todos estos procesos implicaron un enorme trabajo colectivo que posibilitó diversas respuestas y abanicos de experiencias, creadas, procesadas, aplicadas y so- pesadas mientras transitábamos ese común estado pantallistico que habitábamos desde cada hogar por separado. El inicio del 2022 significó una nueva mutación, con sus consecuentes incerti- dumbres. Se abría una etapa marcada por la necesidad de consolidar una pedagogía de la presencia y de desarrollar otras didácticas de los cuerpos, recuperando la ale- gría del encuentro sin descuidar las lógicas de prevención en salud.Mohaded, Ana María. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Domínguez Pesce, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Salit, Celia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Estarellas, Natalia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Menoyo, Sofía G. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Argüello, Cecilia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Sajeva, Maura Jorgelina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Irazusta, María Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Otero Gruer, Dolores. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Mendizabal, Lilian Isabel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Cáceres, Carlos Esteban. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Fernández, Juan Manuel. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Menta, María Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Música; Argentina.Hernández, Alejandra Fabiana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Miranda, Adriana Esther. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Vivanco, Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Serra, Mariela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Altamirano, Ivana Verónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Bravo, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Jacobo, Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Artes Visuales; Argentina.Sequeira, Jazmín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Teatro; Argentina.Suárez, Victoria Inés. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Yaya Aguilar, María Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes. Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Curletto, Hugo Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina.Checchi, Pablo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes.Departamento Académico de Cine y Televisión; Argentina