Protective effect of soybeans as protein source in the diet against cadmium-aorta redox and morphological alteration

We investigated the effects of cadmium exposition on thoracic aorta redox status and morphology, and the putative protective effect of soybeans in the diet. Male Wistar rats were separated into 6 groups: 3 fed with a diet containing casein and 3 containing soybeans, as protein source. Within each protein group, one was given tap water (control) and the other two tap water containing 15 and 100 ppm of Cd(2+), respectively, for two months. In rats fed with casein diet, 15 ppm of Cd induced an increase of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and of the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, which were even higher with 100 ppm of Cd(2+), in aorta. Also, 100 ppm Cd(2+) exposure increased superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) activity; CAT, GPX, SOD, Nrf2 and metallothioneine II mRNA expressions and CAT, GPx and NOX-2 protein levels, compared with control. Aorta endothelial and cytoplasmic alterations were observed. However, with the soybeans diet, 15 and 100 ppm of Cd(2+) did not modify TBARS levels; CAT, GPX and Nrf2 mRNA expressions; CAT, GPx and NOX-2 protein; and the aorta morphology, compared with control. The soybean diet attenuates the redox changes and protects against morphological alterations induced, in a dose-dependent way, by Cd in aorta.Fil: Pérez Diaz, Matias Federico Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Mohamed, Fabian Heber. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Ferramola, Mariana Lucila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Oliveros, Liliana Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez , María S.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentin

Thalamic interaction between the input and the output systems of the basal ganglia

The striatal return through the thalamus is largely neglected in current studies dealing with basal ganglia function, and its role within this circuitry remains obscure. In this contribution the thalamus is regarded as an important place of interaction between the input and the output organization of the basal ganglia. In support of this idea, a brief overview is provided of some of the most recent findings concerning the thalamus in relation to the basal ganglia circuitry. In particular, we have focused on the thalamostriatal projections themselves, on the output of the basal ganglia to the thalamus and also on the overlapping territories between the thalamic projection of the output nuclei and the thalamostriatal neurons. These data support the existence of several thalamic feedback circuits within the basal ganglia neural system. Finally, some considerations are provided upon the functional significance of these thalamic feedback circuits in the overall organization of the basal ganglia

Complex brain circuits studied via simultaneous and permanent detection of three transported neuroanatomical tracers in the same histological section.

Experimental neuroanatomical tracing methods lie at the basis of the study of the nervous system. When the scientific question is relatively straightforward, it may be sufficient to derive satisfactory answers from experiments in which a single neuroanatomical tracing method is applied. In various scientific paradigms however, for instance when the degree of convergence of two different projections on a particular cortical area or subcortical nucleus is the subject of study, the application of single tracing methods can be either insufficient or uneconomical to solve the questions asked. In cases where chains of projections are the subjects of study, the simultaneous application of two tracing methods or even more may be compulsory. The present contribution focuses on combinations of several neuroanatomical tract-tracing strategies, enabling in the end the simultaneous, unambiguous and permanent detection of three transported markers according to a three-color paradigm. A number of combinations of three tracers or of two tracers plus the immunocytochemical detection of a neuroactive substance can be conceived; we describe several of these combinations implemented by us using the present multitracer protocol

Endocytosis as a biological response in receptor pharmacology: evaluation by fluorescence microscopy

The activation of G-protein coupled receptors by agonist compounds results in diverse biological responses in cells, such as the endocytosis process consisting in the translocation of receptors from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm within internalizing vesicles or endosomes. In order to functionally evaluate endocytosis events resulted from pharmacological responses, we have developed an image analysis method -the Q-Endosomes algorithm- that specifically discriminates the fluorescent signal originated at endosomes from that one observed at the plasma membrane in images obtained from living cells by fluorescence microscopy. Mu opioid (MOP) receptor tagged at the carboxy-terminus with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and permanently expressed in HEK293 cells was used as experimental model to validate this methodology. Time-course experiments performed with several agonists resulted in different sigmoid curves depending on the drug used to initiate MOP receptor endocytosis. Thus, endocytosis resulting from the simultaneous activation of co-expressed MOP and serotonin 5-HT2C receptors by morphine plus serotonin was significantly different, in kinetics as well as in maximal response parameters, from the one caused by DAMGO, sufentanyl or methadone. Therefore, this analytical tool permits the pharmacological characterization of receptor endocytosis in living cells with functional and temporal resolution

Transfer of SCN1A to the brain of adolescent mouse model of Dravet syndrome improves epileptic, motor, and behavioral manifestations

Dravet syndrome is a genetic encephalopathy characterized by severe epilepsy combined with motor, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities. Current antiepileptic drugs achieve only partial control of seizures and provide little benefit on the patient’s neurological development. In >80% of cases, the disease is caused by haploinsufficiency of the SCN1A gene, which encodes the alpha subunit of the Nav1.1 voltage-gated sodium channel. Novel therapies aim to restore SCN1A expression in order to address all disease manifestations. We provide evidence that a high-capacity adenoviral vector harboring the 6-kb SCN1A cDNA is feasible and able to express functional Nav1.1 in neurons. In vivo, the best biodistribution was observed after intracerebral injection in basal ganglia, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. SCN1A A1783V knockin mice received the vector at 5 weeks of age, when most neurological alterations were present. Animals were protected from sudden death, and the epileptic phenotype was attenuated. Improvement of motor performance and interaction with the environment was observed. In contrast, hyperactivity persisted, and the impact on cognitive tests was variable (success in novel object recognition and failure in Morris water maze tests). These results provide proof of concept for gene supplementation in Dravet syndrome and indicate new directions for improvement

Polymorphism of the FABP2 gene: a population frequency analysis and an association study with cardiovascular risk markers in Argentina

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The FABP2 gene encodes for the intestinal FABP (IFABP) protein, which is expressed only in intestinal enterocytes. A polymorphism at codon 54 in exon 2 of the FABP2 gene exchanges an Alanine (Ala), in the small helical region of the protein, for Threonine (Thr). Given the potential physiological role of the Ala54Thr FABP2 polymorphism, we assess in this study the local population frequency and analyze possible associations with five selected markers, i.e. glycemia, total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, and high Cardiovascular Risk Index (CVR index).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied 86 men and 116 women. DNA was extracted from a blood drop for genotype analysis. Allele frequencies were calculated by direct counting. Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium was evaluated using a Chi-square goodness of fit test.</p> <p>For the polymorphism association analysis, five markers were selected, i.e. blood pressure, Framingham Risk Index, total cholesterol, BMI, and glycemia.</p> <p>For each marker, the Odds Ratio (OR) was calculated by an online statistic tool.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results reveal a similar population polymorphism frequency as in previous European studies, with <b>q = 0.277 </b>(95% confidence limits 0.234–0.323). No significant association was found with any of the tested markers in the context of our Argentine nutritional and cultural habits. We did, however, observe a tendency for increased Cholesterol and high BMI in Thr54 carriers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first study to look at the population frequency of the Thr54 allele in Argentina. The obtained result does not differ from previously reported frequencies in European populations. Moreover, we found no association between the Thr54 allele and any of the five selected markers. The observed tendency to increased total cholesterol and elevated BMI in Thr54 carriers, even though not significant for p < 0.1 could be worth of further investigation to establish whether the Thr54 variant should be taken into consideration in cardiovascular prevention strategies.</p

Presencia de hongos de la espiga en híbridos de maíz de Córdoba durante la campaña 2019/20

La podredumbre de la espiga de maíz causada principalmente por Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. y Aspergillus spp., provoca disminución de rendimiento y calidad y efectos nocivos en los consumidores del grano por las micotoxinas que producen estos hongos. La incidencia de los patógenos no es uniforme a través de años ni localidades, ya que está influenciada por condiciones climáticas, daño de insectos y material genético que se siembra, entre otros factores. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la infección de los tres géneros fúngicos mencionados y de A. flavus (por su potencial toxicidad) en distintos híbridos comerciales de maíz de tres zonas de Córdoba.Instituto de Patología VegetalFil: Torrico Ramallo, Ada Karina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina.Fil: Ruiz Posse, Agustina María. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina.Fil: Barontini, Javier Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina.Fil: Luna, Catalina Eugenia. Seiker. Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Ferrer Lanfranchi, Mariana. Innovaciones tecnológicas Agropecuarias S.A. (INTEA); ArgentinaFil: Laguna, Irma Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); ArgentinaFil: Guerra, Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, S. Asesor privado. ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Maria de la Paz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina

Plataforma virtual sobre enfermedades en el cultivo de maíz en la provincia de Córdoba

PosterEn maíz, la información de presencia, incidencia y severidad de enfermedades es clave en la decisión de siembra y elección de híbridos, así como para el manejo del cultivo.Instituto de Patología VegetalFil: Guerra, G. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Torrico Ramallo, Ada Karina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Torrico Ramallo, Ada Karina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); ArgentinaFil: Barontini, Javier Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); ArgentinaFil: Barontini, Javier Miguel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz Posse, Agustina María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); ArgentinaFil: Ruiz Posse, Agustina María. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: De Rossi, R.L. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, F.A. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, F.A. KWS Argentina S.A.; ArgentinaFil: Plazas, M.C. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Laguna, Irma Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, S. Dow-Pioneer Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Maria De La Paz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Maria De La Paz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFyMA); Argentin

Plataforma virtual con información para el manejo de enfermedades de maíz

A través de un proyecto COFECYT, desde octubre de 2019, se están llevando a cabo acciones tendientes a formar una plataforma virtual con información sobre las diferentes enfermedades del cultivo del maíz para la provincia de Córdoba. Dicho proyecto financia la estructuración de una plataforma informática de característica online, que alojará datos de los relevamientos que se van realizando sobre el cultivo en cada campaña agrícola en tres regiones principales de la provincia. Además se incorpora información técnica sobre manejo de enfermedades de origen biótico, ya sean fúngicas, bacterianas y virales. Estos datos relevados aportan información sobre el comportamiento regional de los diferentes patógenos, aparición, evolución y severidad con la que actúan. La plataforma virtual, una vez ajustada, será de acceso libre y público.Instituto de Patología VegetalFil: Torrico Ramallo, Ada Karina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina.Fil: Guerra, Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, S. Asesor privado; ArgentinaFil: Laguna, Irma Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); ArgentinaFil: Barontini, Javier Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina.Fil: Ruiz Posse, Agustina María. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina.Fil: De Rossi, R.L. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, F.A. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina. KWS Argentina S.A.; ArgentinaFil: Plazas, M.C. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Maria de la Paz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina