Toxocarosis: leucocitosis en una población pediátrica de 10 meses a 3 años de edad, institucionalizada por abandono

El síndrome de Larva migrans es adquirido accidentalmente por el hombre al ingerir formas infectantes de nematodes del género Toxocara spp. (Ascarídeos enteroparásitos de: caninos, felinos y bovinos). Toxocara canis, en perros, es el de mayor presentación y de alta frecuencia de hallazgo, siendo el suelo el principal reservorio de la enfermedad. Las manifestaciones clínicas en el hombre dependen del tejido u órgano involucrado en la migración larval y afecta a personas de distinto sexo y edad. Las enfermedades causadas por algunos helmintos ocasionan aumento de leucocitos en la sangre circulante, especialmente aquellas que presentan etapas prolongadas de migración larval tisular. En la fase invasora o migratoria de las helmintiasis, la eosinofilia es uniformemente elevada mientras exista una respuesta tisular inflamatoria mantenida. En toxocarosis la eosinofilia ha sido indicada como útil para realizar el seguimiento del curso de la infección. Sin embargo el compromiso inmunológico del paciente puede alterar la respuesta celular.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Toxocarosis: leucocitosis en una población pediátrica de 10 meses a 3 años de edad, institucionalizada por abandono

El síndrome de Larva migrans es adquirido accidentalmente por el hombre al ingerir formas infectantes de nematodes del género Toxocara spp. (Ascarídeos enteroparásitos de: caninos, felinos y bovinos). Toxocara canis, en perros, es el de mayor presentación y de alta frecuencia de hallazgo, siendo el suelo el principal reservorio de la enfermedad. Las manifestaciones clínicas en el hombre dependen del tejido u órgano involucrado en la migración larval y afecta a personas de distinto sexo y edad. Las enfermedades causadas por algunos helmintos ocasionan aumento de leucocitos en la sangre circulante, especialmente aquellas que presentan etapas prolongadas de migración larval tisular. En la fase invasora o migratoria de las helmintiasis, la eosinofilia es uniformemente elevada mientras exista una respuesta tisular inflamatoria mantenida. En toxocarosis la eosinofilia ha sido indicada como útil para realizar el seguimiento del curso de la infección. Sin embargo el compromiso inmunológico del paciente puede alterar la respuesta celular.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

ultrasound mediated synthesis of ecofriendly zinc chalcogenates in on water conditions

Nucleophilic Selenium is a convenient strategy for the functionalization of organic substrates having electrophilic character. Among all the methods developed for their preparation, the reduction of the corresponding diselenides represents the most versatile procedure. Using these protocols selenolates were usually prepared in situ using atom expensive reducing agents such as NaBH4, LiAlH4, or metals (Na, Li) or metal hydride (NaH). We recently reported that zinc can be efficiently used to reduce Se-halogen bond affording bench stable regents such as PhSeZnCl that showed a strong rate acceleration in "on water" conditions for a number of reactions: alkyl, aryl, vinyl and acyl substitutions, ring-opening reactions of epoxides and aziridines and Michael type addition. We report now the use of Ultrasound irradiation for the oxidative insertion of zinc into Se-Se bond and the formation of the nucleophilic reagent PhSeZnSePh as a green strategy to avoid the use of useless halogen and increase the atom economy of the selenenylating species

PSD3 downregulation confers protection against fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a growing health issue with burdening unmet clinical needs. FLD has a genetic component but, despite the common variants already identified, there is still a missing heritability component. Using a candidate gene approach, we identify a locus (rs71519934) at the Pleckstrin and Sec7 domain-containing 3 (PSD3) gene resulting in a leucine to threonine substitution at position 186 of the protein (L186T) that reduces susceptibility to the entire spectrum of FLD in individuals at risk. PSD3 downregulation by short interfering RNA reduces intracellular lipid content in primary human hepatocytes cultured in two and three dimensions, and in human and rodent hepatoma cells. Consistent with this, Psd3 downregulation by antisense oligonucleotides in vivo protects against FLD in mice fed a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-inducing diet. Thus, translating these results to humans, PSD3 downregulation might be a future therapeutic option for treating FLD. Employing a candidate gene approach, Mancina et al. identify a genetic variant of the Pleckstrin and Sec7 domain-containing 3 (PSD3) gene that reduces susceptibility to fatty liver disease. Functional studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that targeting PSD3 protects against fatty liver disease.Peer reviewe

Riluzole Attenuates L-DOPA-Induced Abnormal Involuntary Movements Through Decreasing CREB1 Activity

Chronic administration of L-DOPA, the first-line treatment of dystonic symptoms in childhood or in Parkinson's disease, often leads to the development of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs), which represent an important clinical problem. Although it is known that Riluzole attenuates L-DOPA-induced AIMs, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are not understood. Therefore, we studied the behavior and performed RNA sequencing of the striatum in three groups of rats that all received a unilateral lesion with 6-hydroxydopamine in their medial forebrain bundle, followed by the administration of saline, L-DOPA, or L-DOPA combined with Riluzole. First, we provide evidence that Riluzole attenuates AIMs in this rat model. Subsequently, analysis of the transcriptomics data revealed that Riluzole is predicted to reduce the activity of CREB1, a transcription factor that regulates the expression of multiple proteins that interact in a molecular landscape involved in apoptosis. Although this mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of Riluzole on AIMs needs to be confirmed, it provides clues towards novel or existing compounds for the treatment of AIMs that modulate the activity of CREB1 and, hence, its downstream targets

Nucleosynthesis, Mixing Processes, and Gas Pollution from AGB Stars

We discuss the evolution of stars through the asymptotic giant branch, focusing on the physical mechanisms potentially able to alter the surface chemical composition and on how changes in the chemistry of the external regions affect the physical properties of the star and the duration of this evolutionary phase. We focus on the differences between the evolution of low-mass stars, driven by the growth of the core mass and by the surface carbon enrichment, and that of their higher mass counterparts, which experience hot bottom burning. In the latter sources, the variation of the surface chemical composition reflects the equilibria of the proton capture nucleosynthesis experienced at the base of the convective envelope. The pollution expected from this class of stars is discussed, outlining the role of mass and metallicity on the chemical composition of the ejecta. To this aim, we considered evolutionary models of 0.7–8 M⊙ stars in a wide range of metallicities, extending from the ultra-metal-poor domain to super-solar chemistries

Nucleosynthesis, Mixing Processes, and Gas Pollution from AGB Stars

We discuss the evolution of stars through the asymptotic giant branch, focusing on the physical mechanisms potentially able to alter the surface chemical composition and on how changes in the chemistry of the external regions affect the physical properties of the star and the duration of this evolutionary phase. We focus on the differences between the evolution of low-mass stars, driven by the growth of the core mass and by the surface carbon enrichment, and that of their higher mass counterparts, which experience hot bottom burning. In the latter sources, the variation of the surface chemical composition reflects the equilibria of the proton capture nucleosynthesis experienced at the base of the convective envelope. The pollution expected from this class of stars is discussed, outlining the role of mass and metallicity on the chemical composition of the ejecta. To this aim, we considered evolutionary models of 0.7–8 M⊙ stars in a wide range of metallicities, extending from the ultra-metal-poor domain to super-solar chemistries

Port Baseline Biological Surveys and seaweed bioinvasions in port areas: What's the matter in the Adriatic Sea?

One of the objectives of the BALMAS project was to conduct Port Baseline Biological Surveys of native and nonindigenous benthic flora in 12 Adriatic ports. Samples of macroalgae growing on vertical artificial substrates were collected in spring and autumn 2014 and/or 2015. A total number of 248 taxa, 152 Rhodophyta, 62 Chlorophyta, and 34 Ochrophyta, were identified. Of these, 13 were non-indigenous seaweeds, mainly filamentous macroalgae, that were probably introduced through hull fouling. Some of these taxa had already been described in the study areas, others were recorded for the first time, a few were no longer detected at sites where they had previously been recorded (e.g. Sargassum muticum). Some other NISS reported for the Adriatic Sea, were not collected at any sampling site (i.e. Caulerpa cylindracea, Codium fragile). Possible reasons for the absence of these species are discussed

Cerebello-Thalamo-Cortical MR Spectroscopy in Patients with Essential Tremor Undergoing MRgFUS Thalamotomy: A Pilot Study

Previous literature studies explored the association between brain neurometabolic changes detected by MR spectroscopy and symptoms in patients with tremor, as well as the outcome after deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the possible changes in cerebello-thalamo-cortical neurometabolic findings using MR spectroscopy in patients submitted to MRgFUS thalamotomy. For this pilot study, we enrolled 10 ET patients eligible for MRgFUS thalamotomy. All patients were preoperatively submitted to 3T MR spectroscopy. Single-voxel MRS measurements were performed at the level of the thalamus contralateral to the treated side and the ipsilateral cerebellar dentate nucleus. Multivoxel acquisition was used for MRS at the level of the contralateral motor cortex. At the 6-month follow-up after treatment, we found a statistically significant increase in the Cho/Cr ratio at the level of the thalamus, a significant increase of the NAA/Cr ratio at the level of the dentate nucleus and a significant decrease of the NAA/Cho ratio at the level of the motor cortex. We found a significant positive correlation between cortical NAA/Cr and clinical improvement (i.e., tremor reduction) after treatment. A significant negative correlation was found between clinical improvement and thalamic and cerebellar NAA/Cr. Confirming some previous literature observations, our preliminary results revealed neurometabolic changes and suggest a possible prognostic role of the MRS assessment in patients with ET treated by MRgFUS