Transición agroecológica de agroecosistemas en la finca familiar San Juan, Cienfuegos

Desde 1990 la agricultura cubana se enfrenta a cambios profundos de su estructura agraria. Parte fundamental del estos cambios lo ha constituido la entrega de tierras estatales al sector cooperativo y campesino. Muchas de las tierras entregadas a personas naturales e instituciones, se encontraban ociosas. El presente estudio documenta ocho años (2004- 2011) de conversión agroecológica de una finca tradicional campesina. Con una extensión inicial de 13.4 ha, que posteriormente se amplió a 53 ha, la finca quedó abandonada por un sistema de manejo convencional en monocultivo dedicado a caña de azúcar y ganadería. Se realizó una caracterización detallada que consideró atributos de agroecosistemas sustentables en un proceso cíclico anual de diagnóstico, diseño y evaluación. El análisis enfatizó en los flujos energéticos del sistema productivo. Para la evaluación de la conversión agroecológica se combinaron dos marcos metodológicos (ECOFAS y MESMIS) que permitieron identificar indicadores de sustentabilidad, seleccionados y aplicados de forma participativa. Se incrementó la productividad en términos de cantidad de personas alimentadas por unidad de área y de insumos utilizados hasta sostener con energía (4.89 p/ha/año) y proteínas (10.43 p/ha/año); en tanto, se incrementó 5 veces la eficiencia en el uso de la energía, de 2.3 a 12.3 GJ producido en los productos comestibles por cada GJ invertido en la producción como insumos. Se discuten los mecanismos agroecológicos que dieron lugar a estos resultados, como son el establecimiento y manejo de la agrobiodiversidad, el reciclaje de nutrientes y energía, la aplicación de tecnologías que permiten intensificar el uso de recursos locales y los métodos de gestión, innovación, organización productiva y social en el contexto de la agricultura familiar. Se propone replicar estos resultados a nuevas fincas entregadas en este período de transformación de la agricultura cubana en su camino hacia la sostenibilidad.Since 1990, Cuban agriculture faces deep changes in its agrarian structure. The delivery of state-owned lands to the cooperative and peasant sectors has played an important role in these changes. Many of the delivered lands to individuals and institutions were idler. This study documents eight years (2004-2011) of an agro-ecological conversion of a traditional peasant estate. The state had an initial extension of 13.4 ha which was later extended to 53 ha, and it got abandoned by a system of conventional handling in mono-cultivation dedicated to sugar cane and cattle raising. A detailed characterization was carried out taking into account sustainable agro-ecosystem‟s attributes in a cyclic yearly process of diagnosis, design and evaluation. The analysis emphasized in the energetic flows of the productive system. In order to evaluate the agro-ecological conversion two methodological tools were used (ECOFAS and MESMIS) that made possible to identify sustainability indicators, which were selected and applied in a participative form. Productivity was increased regarding the number of persons fed per an area unit, and the resources used to sustain with energy (4, 89 p/ha/year) and proteins (10,43 p/ha/year); In the meantime, the efficiency regarding the energy use was increased 5 times, from 2.3 a 12.3 GJ, produced from the eatable products per each GJ invested in the process as raw materials. The agro-ecological mechanisms that made possible these results are discussed, such as the establishment and handling of the agro-biodiversity, the recycling of nutrients and energy, the application of technologies that allow intensifying the use of local resources and the methods of management, innovation, productive and social organization in the context of the family agriculture. It is suggested to apply these results to the new delivered estates in this period of transformation of Cuban agriculture in its way to sustainability.Eje A1 Sistemas de producción de base agroecológica (Trabajos científicos)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Transición agroecológica de agroecosistemas en la finca familiar San Juan, Cienfuegos

Desde 1990 la agricultura cubana se enfrenta a cambios profundos de su estructura agraria. Parte fundamental del estos cambios lo ha constituido la entrega de tierras estatales al sector cooperativo y campesino. Muchas de las tierras entregadas a personas naturales e instituciones, se encontraban ociosas. El presente estudio documenta ocho años (2004- 2011) de conversión agroecológica de una finca tradicional campesina. Con una extensión inicial de 13.4 ha, que posteriormente se amplió a 53 ha, la finca quedó abandonada por un sistema de manejo convencional en monocultivo dedicado a caña de azúcar y ganadería. Se realizó una caracterización detallada que consideró atributos de agroecosistemas sustentables en un proceso cíclico anual de diagnóstico, diseño y evaluación. El análisis enfatizó en los flujos energéticos del sistema productivo. Para la evaluación de la conversión agroecológica se combinaron dos marcos metodológicos (ECOFAS y MESMIS) que permitieron identificar indicadores de sustentabilidad, seleccionados y aplicados de forma participativa. Se incrementó la productividad en términos de cantidad de personas alimentadas por unidad de área y de insumos utilizados hasta sostener con energía (4.89 p/ha/año) y proteínas (10.43 p/ha/año); en tanto, se incrementó 5 veces la eficiencia en el uso de la energía, de 2.3 a 12.3 GJ producido en los productos comestibles por cada GJ invertido en la producción como insumos. Se discuten los mecanismos agroecológicos que dieron lugar a estos resultados, como son el establecimiento y manejo de la agrobiodiversidad, el reciclaje de nutrientes y energía, la aplicación de tecnologías que permiten intensificar el uso de recursos locales y los métodos de gestión, innovación, organización productiva y social en el contexto de la agricultura familiar. Se propone replicar estos resultados a nuevas fincas entregadas en este período de transformación de la agricultura cubana en su camino hacia la sostenibilidad.Since 1990, Cuban agriculture faces deep changes in its agrarian structure. The delivery of state-owned lands to the cooperative and peasant sectors has played an important role in these changes. Many of the delivered lands to individuals and institutions were idler. This study documents eight years (2004-2011) of an agro-ecological conversion of a traditional peasant estate. The state had an initial extension of 13.4 ha which was later extended to 53 ha, and it got abandoned by a system of conventional handling in mono-cultivation dedicated to sugar cane and cattle raising. A detailed characterization was carried out taking into account sustainable agro-ecosystem‟s attributes in a cyclic yearly process of diagnosis, design and evaluation. The analysis emphasized in the energetic flows of the productive system. In order to evaluate the agro-ecological conversion two methodological tools were used (ECOFAS and MESMIS) that made possible to identify sustainability indicators, which were selected and applied in a participative form. Productivity was increased regarding the number of persons fed per an area unit, and the resources used to sustain with energy (4, 89 p/ha/year) and proteins (10,43 p/ha/year); In the meantime, the efficiency regarding the energy use was increased 5 times, from 2.3 a 12.3 GJ, produced from the eatable products per each GJ invested in the process as raw materials. The agro-ecological mechanisms that made possible these results are discussed, such as the establishment and handling of the agro-biodiversity, the recycling of nutrients and energy, the application of technologies that allow intensifying the use of local resources and the methods of management, innovation, productive and social organization in the context of the family agriculture. It is suggested to apply these results to the new delivered estates in this period of transformation of Cuban agriculture in its way to sustainability.Eje A1 Sistemas de producción de base agroecológica (Trabajos científicos)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Transición agroecológica de agroecosistemas en la finca familiar San Juan, Cienfuegos

Desde 1990 la agricultura cubana se enfrenta a cambios profundos de su estructura agraria. Parte fundamental del estos cambios lo ha constituido la entrega de tierras estatales al sector cooperativo y campesino. Muchas de las tierras entregadas a personas naturales e instituciones, se encontraban ociosas. El presente estudio documenta ocho años (2004- 2011) de conversión agroecológica de una finca tradicional campesina. Con una extensión inicial de 13.4 ha, que posteriormente se amplió a 53 ha, la finca quedó abandonada por un sistema de manejo convencional en monocultivo dedicado a caña de azúcar y ganadería. Se realizó una caracterización detallada que consideró atributos de agroecosistemas sustentables en un proceso cíclico anual de diagnóstico, diseño y evaluación. El análisis enfatizó en los flujos energéticos del sistema productivo. Para la evaluación de la conversión agroecológica se combinaron dos marcos metodológicos (ECOFAS y MESMIS) que permitieron identificar indicadores de sustentabilidad, seleccionados y aplicados de forma participativa. Se incrementó la productividad en términos de cantidad de personas alimentadas por unidad de área y de insumos utilizados hasta sostener con energía (4.89 p/ha/año) y proteínas (10.43 p/ha/año); en tanto, se incrementó 5 veces la eficiencia en el uso de la energía, de 2.3 a 12.3 GJ producido en los productos comestibles por cada GJ invertido en la producción como insumos. Se discuten los mecanismos agroecológicos que dieron lugar a estos resultados, como son el establecimiento y manejo de la agrobiodiversidad, el reciclaje de nutrientes y energía, la aplicación de tecnologías que permiten intensificar el uso de recursos locales y los métodos de gestión, innovación, organización productiva y social en el contexto de la agricultura familiar. Se propone replicar estos resultados a nuevas fincas entregadas en este período de transformación de la agricultura cubana en su camino hacia la sostenibilidad.Since 1990, Cuban agriculture faces deep changes in its agrarian structure. The delivery of state-owned lands to the cooperative and peasant sectors has played an important role in these changes. Many of the delivered lands to individuals and institutions were idler. This study documents eight years (2004-2011) of an agro-ecological conversion of a traditional peasant estate. The state had an initial extension of 13.4 ha which was later extended to 53 ha, and it got abandoned by a system of conventional handling in mono-cultivation dedicated to sugar cane and cattle raising. A detailed characterization was carried out taking into account sustainable agro-ecosystem‟s attributes in a cyclic yearly process of diagnosis, design and evaluation. The analysis emphasized in the energetic flows of the productive system. In order to evaluate the agro-ecological conversion two methodological tools were used (ECOFAS and MESMIS) that made possible to identify sustainability indicators, which were selected and applied in a participative form. Productivity was increased regarding the number of persons fed per an area unit, and the resources used to sustain with energy (4, 89 p/ha/year) and proteins (10,43 p/ha/year); In the meantime, the efficiency regarding the energy use was increased 5 times, from 2.3 a 12.3 GJ, produced from the eatable products per each GJ invested in the process as raw materials. The agro-ecological mechanisms that made possible these results are discussed, such as the establishment and handling of the agro-biodiversity, the recycling of nutrients and energy, the application of technologies that allow intensifying the use of local resources and the methods of management, innovation, productive and social organization in the context of the family agriculture. It is suggested to apply these results to the new delivered estates in this period of transformation of Cuban agriculture in its way to sustainability.Eje A1 Sistemas de producción de base agroecológica (Trabajos científicos)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor is a Target for Neuroprotection in Light Induced Retinal Degeneration

In the last few years, an increasing interest in the neuroprotective effect of cannabinoidshas taken place. The aim of the present work was to study the effects of modulatingcannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in the context of light induced retinal degeneration (LIRD),using an animal model that resembles many characteristics of human age-related maculardegeneration (AMD) and other degenerative diseases of the outer retina. Sprague Dawleyrats (n = 28) were intravitreally injected in the right eye with either a CB1 agonist (ACEA), oran antagonist (AM251). Contralateral eyes were injected with respective vehicles ascontrols. Then, rats were subjected to continuous illumination (12,000 lux) for 24 h.Retinas from 28 animals were processed by GFAP-immunohistochemistry (IHC),TUNEL technique, Western blotting (WB), or qRT-PCR. ACEA-treated retinas showeda significantly lower number of apoptotic nuclei in the outer nuclear layer (ONL), lower levelsof activated Caspase-3 by WB, and lower levels of glial reactivity by both GFAP-IHC andWB. qRT-PCR revealed that ACEA significantly decreased the expression of Bcl-2 andCYP1A1. Conversely, AM251-treated retinas showed a higher number of apoptotic nucleiin the ONL, higher levels of activated Caspase-3 by WB, and higher levels of glial reactivityas determined by GFAP-IHC and WB. AM251 increased the expression of Bcl-2, Bad,Bax, Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), GFAP, and TNFα. In summary, the stimulation ofthe CB1 receptor, previous to the start of the pathogenic process, improved the survival ofphotoreceptors exposed to LIRD. The modulation of CB1 activity may be used as aneuroprotective strategy in retinal degeneration and deserves further studiesFil: Soliño, Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Larráyoz, Ignacio M.. Center For Biomedical Research Of La Rioja; EspañaFil: Lopez, Ester Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Rey Funes, Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Bareiro, Nidia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Loidl, Cesar Fabian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Girardi, Elena Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Caltana, Laura Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Brusco, Herminia Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Alfredo. Center For Biomedical Research Of La Rioja; EspañaFil: López, Juan José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentin

Hypothermia prevents gliosis and angiogenesis development in an experimental model of ischemic proliferative retinopathy

PURPOSE: To develop a time course study of vascularization and glial response to perinatal asphyxia in hypoxic-ischemic animals, and to evaluate hypothermia as possible protective treatment. METHODS: We used retinas of 7-, 15-, 21-, and 30-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats that were exposed to perinatal asphyxia at either 37°C (PA) or 15°C (HYP). Born to term animals were used as controls (CTL). We evaluated the thickness of the most inner layers of the retina (IR), including internal limiting membrane, the retinal nerve fiber layer, and the ganglion cell layer; and studied glial development, neovascularization, adrenomedullin (AM), and VEGF by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. RESULTS: A significant increment in IR thickness was observed in the PA group from postnatal day (PND) 15 on. This alteration was concordant with an increased number of new vessels and increased GFAP expression. The immunolocalization of GFAP in the internal limiting membrane and perivascular glia of the IR and in the inner processes of Müller cells was coexpressed with AM, which was also significantly increased from PND7 in PA animals. In addition, VEGF expression was immunolocalized in cells of the ganglion cell layer of the IR and this expression significantly increased in the PA group from PND15 on. The retinas of the HYP group did not show differences when compared with CTL at any age. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates that aberrant angiogenesis and exacerbated gliosis seem to be responsible for the increased thickness of the inner retina as a consequence of perinatal asphyxia, and that hypothermia is able to prevent these alterations.Fil: Rey Funes, Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Dorfman, Verónica Berta. Universidad Maimónides. Area de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ibarra, Mariano Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Peña, Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Contartese, Daniela Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Goldstein Raij, Jorge. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Juan Manuel. Universidad Católica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Larráyoz, Ignacio M.. Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja; EspañaFil: Martínez Murillo, Ricardo. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas; España. Instituto Cajal. Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular, Celular y del Desarrollo; EspañaFil: Martínez, Alfredo. Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja; España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas; EspañaFil: Loidl, Cesar Fabian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Expression of Cold-Inducible Proteins in Rat Spinal Cord Subjected to Systemic Hypothermia

Introducción: La lesión traumática de la médula espinal es la principal causa de discapacidad motora en el mundo, y representa una prioridad para la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se estudió, a nivel estructural y bioquímico, el efecto de la hipotermia sobre la expresión de la CIRBP (proteína activada por frío) en el asta anterior de la médula de ratas Sprague-Dawley albinas macho de 60 días, planteándola como terapéutica posible. Materiales y Métodos: Se dividió a 24 ratas en dos grupos: normotermia a 24 °C (n = 6) e hipotermia a 8 °C (n = 18), durante 180 min, sacrificadas a las 12, 24 y 48 h después del tratamiento. Se utilizó Western blot e inmunohistoquímica para la CIRBP. Resultados: Se observó un aumento progresivo de la expresión de la CIRBP de 12 a 48 h en las motoneuronas del asta anterior. Los valores fueron estadísticamente significativos entre los grupos de 24 h y 48 h comparados con los de los controles. Conclusiones: Este modelo experimental resultó eficaz, accesible y económico para generar hipotermia sistémica y abre un abanico de estrategias terapéuticas. El aumento en la expresión de las proteínas inducibles por frío en la médula espinal de ratas permite, por primera vez, estudiar el beneficio que aporta la hipotermia a nivel molecular, lo que resulta de suma importancia para estudios de terapéuticas en las lesiones medulares.Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injury is the main cause of motor disability in developed and underdeveloped countries, being a priority interest to the WHO. The effect of hypothermia on the expression of CIRBP (cold-activated protein) in the anterior grey column of 60-day-old male albino Sprague-Dawley rats was studied at the structural and biochemical levels and proposed as a possible therapeutic approach. Materials and Methods: 24 rats were randomly divided into two groups; normothermia (n = 6), at 24° C, and hypothermia, (n = 18) at 8° C for 180 minutes and euthanized at 12, 24, and 48 h post-treatment. Western blot and immunohistochemistry for CIRBP were used. Results: A progressive increase in the expression of CIRBP was observed from 12 to 48 hours, with statistically significant values after 24 and 48 hours compared to controls. Conclusion: This experimental model demonstrated efficacy, accessibility, and economy to generate systemic hypothermia, which provides a novel range of therapeutic strategies. The increase in the expression of cold-inducible proteins in the rats’ spinal cords allows us to study the benefit of hypothermia at the molecular level for the first time, being of utmost importance for therapeutic studies in spinal cord injuries.Fil: Sarotto, Aníbal José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Rey Funes, Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Dorfman, Verónica Berta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Contartese, Daniela Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Larráyoz, Ignacio M.. Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja; EspañaFil: Martínez, Alfredo. Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja; EspañaFil: Toscanini, María Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Loidl, Cesar Fabian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentin

The GALEX Ultraviolet Atlas of Nearby Galaxies

We present images, integrated photometry, surface-brightness and color profiles for a total of 1034 nearby galaxies recently observed by the GALEX satellite in its far-ultraviolet (FUV; 1516A) and near-ultraviolet (NUV; 2267A) bands. (...) This data set has been complemented with archival optical, near-infrared, and far-infrared fluxes and colors. We find that the integrated (FUV-K) color provides robust discrimination between elliptical and spiral/irregular galaxies and also among spiral galaxies of different sub-types. Elliptical galaxies with brighter K-band luminosities (i.e. more massive) are redder in (NUV-K) color but bluer in (FUV-NUV) than less massive ellipticals. In the case of the spiral/irregular galaxies our analysis shows the presence of a relatively tight correlation between the (FUV-NUV) color and the total infrared-to-UV ratio. The correlation found between (FUV-NUV) color and K-band luminosity (with lower luminosity objects being bluer than more luminous ones) can be explained as due to an increase in the dust content with galaxy luminosity. The images in this Atlas along with the profiles and integrated properties are publicly available through a dedicated web page at http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/GALEX_Atlas/Comment: 181 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in ApJS (abstract abridged

A hypothermia mimetic molecule (zr17-2) reduces ganglion cell death and electroretinogram distortion in a rat model of intraorbital optic nerve crush (IONC)

Introduction: Ocular and periocular traumatisms may result in loss of vision. Our previous work showed that therapeutic hypothermia prevents retinal damage caused by traumatic neuropathy. We also generated and characterized small molecules that elicit the beneficial effects of hypothermia at normal body temperature. Here we investigate whether one of these mimetic molecules, zr17-2, is able to preserve the function of eyes exposed to trauma.Methods: Intraorbital optic nerve crush (IONC) or sham manipulation was applied to Sprague-Dawley rats. One hour after surgery, 5.0 µl of 330 nmol/L zr17-2 or PBS, as vehicle, were injected in the vitreum of treated animals. Electroretinograms were performed 21 days after surgery and a- and b-wave amplitude, as well as oscillatory potentials (OP), were calculated. Some animals were sacrificed 6 days after surgery for TUNEL analysis. All animal experiments were approved by the local ethics board.Results: Our previous studies showed that zr17-2 does not cross the blood-ocular barrier, thus preventing systemic treatment. Here we show that intravitreal injection of zr17-2 results in a very significant prevention of retinal damage, providing preclinical support for its pharmacological use in ocular conditions. As previously reported, IONC resulted in a drastic reduction in the amplitude of the b-wave (p < 0.0001) and OPs (p < 0.05), a large decrease in the number of RGCs (p < 0.0001), and a large increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the GCL and the INL (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, injection of zr17-2 largely prevented all these parameters, in a very similar pattern to that elicited by therapeutic hypothermia. The small molecule was also able to reduce oxidative stress-induced retinal cell death in vitro.Discussion: In summary, we have shown that intravitreal injection of the hypothermia mimetic, zr17-2, significantly reduces the morphological and electrophysiological consequences of ocular traumatism and may represent a new treatment option for this cause of visual loss

Cold Shock Proteins Are Expressed in the Retina Following Exposure to Low Temperatures.

Hypothermia has been proposed as a therapeutic intervention for some retinal conditions, including ischemic insults. Cold exposure elevates expression of cold-shock proteins (CSP), including RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) and cold inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP), but their presence in mammalian retina is so far unknown. Here we show the effects of hypothermia on the expression of these CSPs in retina-derived cell lines and in the retina of newborn and adult rats. Two cell lines of retinal origin, R28 and mRPE, were exposed to 32°C for different time periods and CSP expression was measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Neonatal and adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a cold environment (8°C) and expression of CSPs in their retinas was studied by Western blotting, multiple inmunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy. RBM3 expression was upregulated by cold in both R28 and mRPE cells in a time-dependent fashion. On the other hand, CIRP was upregulated in R28 cells but not in mRPE. In vivo, expression of CSPs was negligible in the retina of newborn and adult rats kept at room temperature (24°C). Exposure to a cold environment elicited a strong expression of both proteins, especially in retinal pigment epithelium cells, photoreceptors, bipolar, amacrine and horizontal cells, Müller cells, and ganglion cells. In conclusion, CSP expression rapidly rises in the mammalian retina following exposure to hypothermia in a cell type-specific pattern. This observation may be at the basis of the molecular mechanism by which hypothermia exerts its therapeutic effects in the retina

Adenosine A1 receptor: A neuroprotective target in light induced retinal degeneration.

Light induced retinal degeneration (LIRD) is a useful model that resembles human retinal degenerative diseases. The modulation of adenosine A1 receptor is neuroprotective in different models of retinal injury. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of the modulation of A1 receptor in LIRD. The eyes of rats intravitreally injected with N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), an A1 agonist, which were later subjected to continuous illumination (CI) for 24 h, showed retinas with a lower number of apoptotic nuclei and a decrease of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) immunoreactive area than controls. Lower levels of activated Caspase 3 and GFAP were demonstrated by Western Blot (WB) in treated animals. Also a decrease of iNOS, TNFα and GFAP mRNA was demonstrated by RT-PCR. A decrease of Iba 1+/MHC-II+ reactive microglial cells was shown by immunohistochemistry. Electroretinograms (ERG) showed higher amplitudes of a-wave, b-wave and oscillatory potentials after CI compared to controls. Conversely, the eyes of rats intravitreally injected with dipropylcyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), an A1 antagonist, and subjected to CI for 24 h, showed retinas with a higher number of apoptotic nuclei and an increase of GFAP immunoreactive area compared to controls. Also, higher levels of activated Caspase 3 and GFAP were demonstrated by Western Blot. The mRNA levels of iNOS, nNOS and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) were not modified by DPCPX treatment. An increase of Iba 1+/MHC-II+ reactive microglial cells was shown by immunohistochemistry. ERG showed that the amplitudes of a-wave, b-wave, and oscillatory potentials after CI were similar to control values. A single pharmacological intervention prior illumination stress was able to swing retinal fate in opposite directions: CPA was neuroprotective, while DPCPX worsened retinal damage. In summary, A1 receptor agonism is a plausible neuroprotective strategy in LIRD