Plasma ACTH, α-MSH and cortisol variations in the dog during the oestrous cycle in different photoperiods

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is a complex system regulated by multiple factors.Sexual dimorphism of this axis has been described in different species under physiological conditions and it hasbeen proposed that sexual hormones could have an effect on it. There are only a few reports about sex-linkedvariations in HPA axis hormones in the dog. Thus, studying the impact of sexual hormones on the HPA axis wouldbroaden the knowledge about its function in this species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determinewhether there are variations in HPA plasma hormones (ACTH, alfa-melanocyte-stimulating hormone [α-MSH]and cortisol) according to the sex and photoperiod (positive or negative photoperiod were considered when theduration of the light hours of the day was more than 12 or less than 12, respectively) under basal conditions (likeanoestrus) and throughout the oestrous cycle in the female dog. The population under study consisted of 11 intactfemale and 14 intact male dogs. Under basal conditions neither ACTH nor α-MSH concentrations showed differencesbetween sexes and different photoperiods. Cortisol showed greater values in the negative photoperiod thanin the positive, both in females and males (P = 0.03 and P = 0.015, respectively). Throughout the oestrous cycle,all the studied hormones showed variations (P < 0.0001). The greatest concentrations of ACTH were observed atproestrus, while α-MSH and cortisol showed their greatest concentrations at oestrus. The three hormones decreasedin diestrus. ACTH and cortisol concentrations were higher in the negative photoperiod (P = 0.04 and P < 0.0001,respectively), while α-MSH concentrations were higher in the positive photoperiod (P = 0.012). In the group offemales oestradiol and progesterone correlated with ACTH (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001; r = 0.34, P < 0.01, respectively),α-MSH (r = 0.49, P < 0.0001; r = 0.52, P < 0.0001, respectively) and cortisol (r = 0.33, P < 0.01; r = 0.5, P < 0.0001,respectively). These results show that in females, HPA axis hormones vary during the oestrous cycle in relation tooestradiol and progesterone fluctuations. The ACTH, α-MSH and cortisol concentrations also showed differencesbetween photoperiods in females, but only cortisol did so in males. These findings suggest that sexual hormonescould have an effect on the HPA axis. Further research needs to be done to fully understand this interaction andthe mechanisms involved.Fil: Gallelli, María Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Monachesi, N.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Diego Daniel. 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. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Cabrera Battler, M. F.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, N. V.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Meikle, A.. Universidad de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Castillo, V, A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

Zinc: What Is Its Role in Lung Cancer?

Recently, zinc emerged as an important signaling molecule, activating intracellular pathways and regulating cell fate, although our knowledge remains incomplete. Zinc is required in many enzymatic and metabolic pathways, playing roles as enzyme cofactors. In normal cell physiology, optimal zinc availability is essential for regular growth and proliferation. Zinc accumulation has varied effects: from stimulation to inhibition of cell growth, depending on type. There is evidence that zinc is capable of inducing apoptosis in some cancers, while others proved that zinc may act as apoptosis activator depending on the dose and cell type. Upregulation of telomerase in most cancer tissues is considered to be responsible for unlimited proliferation of cancer cells, and in some cell lines, it was induced by Zn. These suggest that Zn is highly involved in cell cycle and metabolism; whether it goes to the survival or the cancer pathway depends on the concentration and the cell type involved. Nevertheless, the conclusion is that Zn is not just another trace element; but a vital one and further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in cancer and metastatic spread in order to identify potential therapies

¿Son el bajo nivel de condición física y la obesidad dos características del adolescente con síndrome de Down?

Introduction: “Obesity” is considered a feature of youth with DS but whether “low physical fitness” is also a feature is unknown. Objective: The aim of this case-control study was to compare the levels of fatness and fitness in adolescents with and without DS. Methods: Participants included 17 (5 girls) adolescents with DS aged 12-18 years and a control group of 94 (45 girls) adolescents without DS aged 12-16 years. The ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for children and adolescents was selected to assess fatness and fitness in both groups. Results: There were no differences in levels of fatness between groups (all P > 0.27). Adolescents with DS had lower levels of fitness in all the tests than adolescents without DS (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Adolescents with DS have similar levels of fatness and lower levels of fitness than their peers without DSIntroducción: La obesidad es considerada una característica de los jóvenes con SD, sin embargo se desconoce si la “baja condición física” también lo es. Objetivo: Comparar los niveles de obesidad y condición física en adolescentes con y sin SD. Métodos: Participaron 17 adolescentes (5 niñas) con SD de 12 a 18 años y un grupo control de 94 (45 niñas) adolescentes sin SD de 12-16 años de edad. La batería de condición física ALPHA relacionada con la salud para niños y adolescentes fue seleccionada para evaluar la obesidad y la condición física en ambos grupos. Resultados: No se encontraron diferencias en los niveles de obesidad entre grupos (P > 0,27). Los adolescentes con SD tuvieron niveles más bajos de condición física en todos los test en comparación con los adolescentes sin SD (P < 0,001). Conclusión: Los adolescentes con SD tienen niveles similares de obesidad y menores de condición física que sus compañeros sin SD.The UP&DOWN study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (DEP 2010-21662-C04). JRR was supported by a contract from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RYC-2010-05957

Increased circulating and visceral adipose tissue expression levels of YKL-40 in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes are related to inflammation: impact of conventional weight loss and gastric bypass

Context: Plasma YKL-40 is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes. The potential role of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as a significant source of YKL-40 is unknown. Objective: In the study circulating and expression levels of YKL-40 were examined in VAT analyzing the contribution of adipocytes and stromovascular fraction cells (SVFCs).Wealso explored YKL-40’s implication in insulin resistance and inflammation and the effect of weight loss on plasma YKL-40 concentrations. PatientsandMethods: Samples obtained from 53 subjects were used in the study.Geneandprotein expression levels of YKL-40 were analyzed in VAT as well as in both adipocytes and SVFCs. In addition, circulating YKL-40 concentrations were measured before and after weight loss achieved either by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n 26) or after a conventional dietetic program (n 20). Results: Circulating concentrations and VAT expression of YKL-40 were increased in obese patients with type 2 diabetes (P 0.01) as well as associated with variables of insulin resistance and inflammation. No differences in YKL-40 expression levels between adipocytes and SVFCs were detected. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and homeostasis model assessment emerged (P 0.01) as independent factors predicting circulating YKL-40. Elevated levels of YKL-40 in obese patients decreased after weight loss following a conventional hypocaloric diet (P 0.05) but not via a surgery-induced negative energy balance mediated by the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Conclusions: The association of increased YKL-40 mRNA and protein levels in VAT with its circulating concentrations indicates an important contribution of VAT in YKL-40 regulation. Furthermore, our data suggest a relevant role of glucose metabolism and inflammation on YKL-40 regulation

RIAM-VASP module relays integrin complement receptors in outside-in signaling driving particle engulfment

The phagocytic integrins and complement receptors M 2/CR3 and X 2/CR4 are classically associated with the phagocytosis of iC3b-opsonized particles. The activation of this receptor is dependent on signals derived from other receptors (inside-out signaling) with the crucial involvement of the Rap1-RIAM-Talin-1 pathway. Here, we analyze the implication of RIAM and its binding partner VASP in the signaling events occurring downstream of 2 integrins (outside-in) during complement-mediated phagocytosis. To this end, we used HL-60 promyelocytic cell lines deficient in RIAM or VASP or overexpressing EGFP-tagged VASP to determine VASP dynamics at phagocytic cups. Our results indicate that RIAM-deficient HL-60 cells presented impaired particle internalization and altered integrin downstream signaling during complement-dependent phagocytosis. Similarly, VASP deficiency completely blocked phagocytosis, while VASP overexpression increased the random movement of phagocytic particles at the cell surface, with reduced internalization. Moreover, the recruitment of VASP to particle contact sites, amount of pSer157-VASP and formation of actin-rich phagocytic cups were dependent on RIAM expression. Our results suggested that RIAM worked as a relay for integrin complement receptors in outside-in signaling, coordinating integrin activation and cytoskeletal rearrangements via its interaction with VASPThis work has been supported by Ministerio Español de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) grants: SAF2016-77096-R (ELD and CC), BIO2014:54164-R (PAR), BIO2017-86500-R (MY-M), EI/MICIU EXPLORA BIO2017-91272-EXP & FEDER (PI17/02303) (S.R.-P). AT-G is supported by a predoctoral fellowship from MINECO, JLS-T is supported by a predoctoral fellowship from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, RT-R is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC

Dengue emergence in the temperate Argentinian province of Santa Fe, 2009–2020

Dengue virus (DENV) transmission occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical climates, but within the last decade it has extended to temperate regions. Santa Fe, a temperate province in Argentina, has experienced an increase in dengue cases and virus circulation since 2009, with the recent 2020 outbreak being the largest in the province to date. The aim of this work is to describe spatio-temporal fluctuations of dengue cases from 2009 to 2020 in Santa Fe Province. The data presented in this work provide a detailed description of DENV transmission for Santa Fe Province by department. These data are useful to assist in investigating drivers of dengue emergence in Santa Fe Province and for developing a better understanding of the drivers and the impacts of ongoing dengue emergence in temperate regions across the world. This work provides data useful for future studies including those investigating socio-ecological, climatic, and environmental factors associated with DENV transmission, as well as those investigating other variables related to the biology and the ecology of vector-borne diseases.Fil: López, María S.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Hidricas. Centro de Estudios de Variabilidad y Cambio Climatico.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Jordan, Daniela I.. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Blatter, Evelyn. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Hidricas. Centro de Estudios de Variabilidad y Cambio Climatico.; ArgentinaFil: Walker, Elisabet. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Hidricas. Centro de Estudios de Variabilidad y Cambio Climatico.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Andrea Alejandra. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Hidricas. Centro de Estudios de Variabilidad y Cambio Climatico.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Müller, Gabriela V.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Hidricas. Centro de Estudios de Variabilidad y Cambio Climatico.; ArgentinaFil: Mendicino, Diego Antonio. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Robert, Michael A.. Virginia Commonwealth University; Estados UnidosFil: Estallo, Elizabet Lilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentin

Deletion of inducible nitric-oxide synthase in leptin-deficient mice improves brown adipose tissue function

Abstract Background: Leptin and nitric oxide (NO) on their own participate in the control of non-shivering thermogenesis. However, the functional interplay between both factors in this process has not been explored so far. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of the absence of the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene in the regulation of energy balance in ob/ob mice. Methods and Findings: Double knockout (DBKO) mice simultaneously lacking the ob and iNOS genes were generated, and the expression of molecules involved in the control of brown fat cell function was analyzed by real-time PCR, western-blot and immunohistochemistry. Twelve week-old DBKO mice exhibited reduced body weight (p,0.05), decreased amounts of total fat pads (p,0.05), lower food efficiency rates (p,0.05) and higher rectal temperature (p,0.05) than ob/ob mice. Ablation of iNOS also improved the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of ob/ob mice. DBKO showed a marked reduction in the size of brown adipocytes compared to ob/ob mutants. In this sense, in comparison to ob/ob mice, DBKO rodents showed an increase in the expression of PR domain containing 16 (Prdm16), a transcriptional regulator of brown adipogenesis. Moreover, iNOS deletion enhanced the expression of mitochondria-related proteins, such as peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor c coactivator-1 a (Pgc-1a), sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1) and sirtuin-3 (Sirt-3). Accordingly, mitochondrial uncoupling proteins 1 and 3 (Ucp-1 and Ucp-3) were upregulated in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of DBKO mice as compared to ob/ob rodents. Conclusion: Ablation of iNOS improved the energy balance of ob/ob mice by decreasing food efficiency through an increase in thermogenesis. These effects may be mediated, in part, through the recovery of the BAT phenotype and brown fat cell function improvement

The obestatin receptor (GPR39) is expressed in human adipose tissue and is down-regulated in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus

The G protein-coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) has recently been identified as the receptor for obestatin, a peptidic hormone involved in energy homeostasis. However, the expression levels of this receptor in human adipose tissue in obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the actual presence of GPR39 mRNA in human adipose tissue and whether GPR39 expression levels are altered in obesity and obesity-associated T2DM. DESIGN: Omental adipose tissue biopsies obtained from 15 women were used in the study. Patients were classified as lean (body mass index 20.8 +/- 1.0 kg/m(2)), obese normoglycaemic (body mass index 48.4 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2)) and obese T2DM patients (body mass index 52.6 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2)). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical profiles were assessed for each subject. Real-time RT-PCR analyses were performed to quantify transcript levels of GPR39 and adiponectin. RESULTS: Obese T2DM patients exhibited significantly lower GPR39 expression levels compared to lean (P = 0.016) and obese normoglycaemic subjects (P = 0.008), while no differences between lean and obese normoglycaemic patients were observed. The mRNA expression levels of GPR39 were negatively correlated to fasting glucose concentrations (r = -0.581, P = 0.023), while exhibiting a positive correlation to adiponectin mRNA expression levels (r = 0.674, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: GPR39 is expressed in human adipose tissue. The reduced expression levels of GPR39 in omental adipose tissue observed in obese patients with T2DM suggest an involvement of obestatin signalling in glucose homeostasis and T2DM development

Determinación de polifenoles totales y actividad antioxidante en orujo de vid de las variedades malbec y torrontés riojano

Resulta importante avanzar en la búsqueda de fuentes de compuestos fenólicos con actividadantioxidante en materiales abundantes y renovables, tales como los residuos de la industriavitivinícola. Según datos estadísticos de la OIV (Organización Internacional de la Viña y el Vino)Argentina es actualmente el quinto productor mundial de vinos. En la provincia de Catamarca estecultivo se localiza principalmente en la región oeste, debido a las condiciones climáticas y edáficas adecuadas para su producción. Según el Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura, en el año 2015 en la provincia de Catamarca se produjeron 14.746.900 kg de uva, casi la totalidad de esta producción fue destinada para la elaboración de vinos y mostos. El proceso de vinificación genera entre 25 a 30 % de residuos del total de la producción. En este trabajo se determinó el contenido fenólico y la actividad antioxidante de extractos obtenidos a partir de orujo de las variedades Malbec y Torrontés Riojano de vid (Vitis vinífera L.). Se estudió el orujo extraído del proceso de vinificación en la bodega Municipal Vinos de Hualfín, durante las campañas 2017 y 2018. Se prepararon extractos hidrotérmicos a partir de los orujos de las dos variedades. Se determinó la concentración polifenoles totales (PFT) por el método de Folin?Ciocalteau. La actividad antioxidante se evaluó por los ensayos de DPPH, FRAP y TEAC. Los datos se analizaron mediante ANAVA (p=0,05) considerando como factores campaña y variedad. Las medias de PFT variaron entre 57800 y 15008µg de ácido gálico g-1 de muestra seca, para Malbec y Torrontés Riojano respectivamente. Los extractos de Malbec resultaron significativamente superiores en PFT, DPPH y FRAP a los de Torrontés Riojano. Únicamente la actividad antioxidante medida por TEAC no mostró diferencia entre los extractos de Malbec y el extracto de Torrontés de la campaña 2018.It is important to move forward in the search for sources of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity in abundant and renewable materials, such as the residues of the wine industry. According to statistical data from the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) Argentina is currently the fifth world producer of wines. In the province of Catamarca this crop is located mainly in the western region, due to its climatic and edaphic conditions suitable for its production. According to the National Institute of Viticulture, in 2015 in the province of Catamarca, 14,746,900 kg of grapes were produced, almost all of this production was destined for the production of wines and musts. The winemaking process generates between 25 and 30% of waste from the total production. In this work the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of extracts obtained from pomace of the Malbec and Torrontés Riojano grape varieties (Vitis vinífera L.) were determined. The pomace extracted during the winemaking process was studied after being pressed in the municipal winery “Vinos de Hualfín” belonging to the 2017 and 2018 campaigns. Hydrothermal extracts were prepared from the two varieties. The PFT concentration was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and DPPH, FRAP and TEAC were evaluated for antioxidant activity. The data were analyzed using ANAVA (p = 0.05) considering campaign and variety factors. The PFT means varied between 57800 and 15008µg of gallic acid g-1 of sample, for Malbec and Torrontés Riojano respectively. Malbec extracts were significantly higher in PFT, DPPH and FRAP than in Torrontés Riojano. Only the antioxidant activity measured by TEAC showed no difference between Malbec extracts and Torrontés extract from the 2018 campaign.Fil: Segovia, Adrian Federico. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Patricia E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Lorenzo, María Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Olivera, Luciana G.. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Delgado, Antonella V.. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Expression of caveolin-1 in human adipose tissue is upregulated in obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus and related to inflammation

Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) plays important roles in many aspects of cellular biology, including vesicular transport, cholesterol homeostasis and signal transduction. The aim of the present study was to explore gene expression levels of CAV-1 in human adipose tissue in obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to analyse its potential implication in the inflammatory state associated with obesity. DESIGN AND METHODS: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) obtained from 15 females were used in the study. Patients were classified as lean (BMI 20.8 +/- 1.0 kg/m(2)) or obese (BMI 50.5 +/- 2.6 kg/m(2)). The obese group was further subclassified as normoglycaemic (NG) or patients with T2DM. Anthropometric measurements as well as circulating metabolites, hormones and adipokines were determined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to quantify transcript levels of CAV-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1). RESULTS: The presence of CAV-1 protein was detected in VAT and SAT by immunohistochemistry. Both obese NG and with T2DM patients exhibited significantly higher CAV-1 expression levels in VAT and SAT compared with lean subjects (P < 0.05). No differences between obese NG and T2DM patients were observed in VAT. However, obese T2DM patients were found to have higher CAV-1 expression levels in SAT (P < 0.05) compared with obese NG patients. A significant correlation was found between CAV-1 mRNA expression levels in VAT and different circulating inflammatory markers such as sialic acid (SA) (P < 0.001) and fibrinogen (P < 0.001) as well as with MCP1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings show for the first time the upregulation of mRNA CAV-1 expression levels in VAT and SAT of obese NG and obese T2DM patients compared with lean controls, suggesting a role for CAV-1 in obesity and T2DM development. The association with different inflammatory markers further suggests an implication of CAV-1 in the low-grade inflammation accompanying obesity