Evaluación de la actividad antifúngica de extractos vegetales sobre el hongo mycosphaerella fijiensis MORELET

Los cultivos de plátano y banano son afectados por el hongo Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet causante de una de las enfermedades más destructivas concida como Sigatoka Negra (SN), la cual genera cuantiosas pérdidas económicas para los cultivadores. Para el control de esta enfermedad se emplean diversos tipos de fungicidas de síntesis que aumentan los costos de producción y causan deterioro significativo al medio ambiente asi como a la salud de los trabajadores. En este trabajo se evaluaron 84 extractos vegetales (1000mg/L) obtenidos de 42 plantas recolectadas en el Parque Regional Natural Ucumarí (Risaralda, Colombia) para determinar su actividad fungicida a través de los métodos de elongación del tubo germinativo de las ascosporas y de la medición del crecimiento radial del micelio de M. fijiensis. El extracto metanólico de la especie Topobea cf discolar (UTP-160, Melastomataceae) presentó la mayor actividad antifúngica, al reducir en 100% el crecimiento de M. fijiensis en sus dos ciclos reproductivos, lo cual hace a este extracto una fuente potencial para el control de la Sigatoka Negra.Plantain and banana crops are affected by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet which caused one of the most destructive diseases known as Black Sigatoka, producing great economic losses to growers. To control this disease it has been employed several types of synthetic fungicides that increase production costs, and cause significant damages to the environment and plantation´s workers. In these study 84 plant extracts (1000 mg/L) from 42 plant species collected in the Natural Reserve Ucumari (Risaralda, Colombia) were evaluated to determine its fungicide potency through the methods of measuring the length of the germinative tube of ascospore and the measurement of radial growth of the M. fijiensis mycelium. The methanolic extract from Topobea cf discolor (UTP-160, Melastomataceae) showed the strongest inhibitory effects, since it reduced M. fijiensis growth in 100%, in both phases of its reproductive cycle; then this extract has a great potential for Black Sigatoka control

Ciclótidos de la especie Guettarda crispiflora (Rubiaceae)

En este estudio se obtuvieron  los extractos de diclorometano e hidrometanólico de G. crispiflora. El extracto hidrometanólico fue purificado con poliamida DPA 6S y posteriormente por sílica gel en fase reversa (C18). La purificación final se realizó por cromatografía líquida de alta eficiencia (HPLC) preparativa y la presencia de los péptidos fue evidenciada en cromatografía de capa delgada en sílica gel y por electroforesis en geles de poliacrilamida desnaturalizante. Los ciclótidos obtenidos fueron parcialmente caracterizados por espectrometría de masas (LC-MS). Adicionalmente, los extractos crudos y las fracciones cromatográficas obtenidas  de G. crispiflora fueron evaluadas contra las bacterias Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Staphylococcus aureus, por el método de difusión en agar, pero no presentaron actividad antimicrobiana a las concentraciones evaluadas.

Effect of nitric oxide inhibition in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin bladder cancer treatment

Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the standard treatment for patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (BC). Despite its success, about 30–50% of patients are refractory. It was reported that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) tumor expression is presented in 50% of human BC, associated with bad prognosis and BCG failure. Objective: to evaluate in human bladder tumors the association between iNOS expression and the tumor microenvironment focusing on the immunosuppressive protein S100A9. Also, investigate in a preclinical murine MB49-BC model the tumor immunoresponse induced by BCG in combination with the nitric oxide production inhibitor L-NAME. Results: In human bladder tumors, we detected a positive association between iNOS and S100A9 tumor expression, suggesting a relationship between both immunomodulatory proteins. We also found a positive correlation between iNOS tumor expression and the presence of S100A9+ tumor-infiltrating cells, suggesting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment induced by the nitric oxide production. Using the subcutaneous murine BC model, we show that similarly to the human pathology, MB49 tumors constitutively expressed iNOS and S100A9 protein. MB49 tumor-bearing mice presented an immunosuppressive systemic profile characterized by fewer cytotoxic cells (CD8+ and NK) and higher suppressor cells (Treg and myeloid-derived suppressor cells -MDSC-) compared to normal mice. BCG treatment reduced tumor growth, increasing local CD8+-infiltrating cells and induced a systemic increase in CD8+ and a reduction in Treg. BCG combined with L-NAME, significantly reduced tumor growth compared to BCG alone, diminishing iNOS and S100A9 tumor expression and increasing CD8+-infiltrating cells in tumor microenvironment. This local response was accompanied by the systemic increase in CD8+ and NK cells, and the reduction in Treg and MDSC, even more than BCG alone. Similar results were obtained using the orthotopic BC model, where an increase in specific cytotoxicity against MB49 tumor cells was detected. Conclusion: The present study provides preclinical information where NO inhibition in iNOS-expressing bladder tumors could contribute to improve BCG antitumor immune response. The association between iNOS and S100A9 in human BC supports the hypothesis that iNOS expression is a negative prognostic factor and a promising therapeutic target.Fil: Langle, Yanina Verónica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Balarino, Natalia Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Belgorosky, Denise. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Cresta Morgado, Pablo Damián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Sandes, Eduardo Omar. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Marino, Lina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Rojas Bilbao, Erica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Zambrano, Macarena. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Lodillinsky, Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Eijan, Ana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentin

S100A9 expression associated with nitric oxide is a good marker of prognosis in patients with bladder cancer: its inhibition as a potential therapeutic target

El óxido nítrico (NO) es producido por las enzimas NO sintasas (NOS). Anteriormente describimos que la isoforma inducible (iNOS) se expresa en el 50% de los cánceres de vejiga (CaV) humanos, asociada a recurrencia e invasión. La producción de NO puede alterar la expresión de proteínas relacionadas con la progresión tumoral. Utilizando el modelo de CaV murino MB49 que genera tumores no músculo invasores (NMI) y expresa iNOS identificamos que el tratamiento con el inhibidor de la producción de NO, L-NAME, redujo la expresión de la proteína S100A9, vinculada a la generación de una respuesta inmune supresora mediante el reclutamiento de células supresoras derivadas del linaje mieloide (MDSC). Objetivos: Evaluar 1) S100A9 como marcador pronóstico en pacientes con CaV. 2) La inhibición de NO como blanco terapéutico utilizando el modelo murino, enfocándonos en la expresión de S100A9, las MDSC y el crecimiento tumoral solo o bajo tratamiento con BCG. Identificamos que S100A9 se expresa en células tumorales y células inmunes que infiltran los tumores (células acompañantes). Detectamos una correlación positiva entre iNOS y S100A9 en las células tumorales, sugiriendo que su expresión estaría vinculada. Los tumores invasores presentan mayor número de células acompañantes positivas para S100A9, en comparación con los tumores NMI (p <0,05). Este infiltrado es a predominio de monocitos/macrófagos (CD14) en los tumores NMI (p <0,01), mientras que en los invasores hay un nivel similar de células CD14 y CD15 (granulocitos). En el modelo MB49, demostramos que L-NAME redujo el crecimiento tumoral ortotópico (46% de los ratones presentaron remisión completa) y la expresión de S100A9 en los tumores. Observamos que el número de MDSC en ganglio y bazo estaba aumentado y que los valores solo se normalizaban bajo tratamiento combinado de BCG+L-NAME. Conclusión: Estos hallazgos respaldan la hipótesis de que la inhibición del NO es un buen blanco terapéutico reduciendo en parte la generación de una respuesta inmune supresora. La expresión de S100A9 en células inmunológicas es un buen marcador de progresión tumoral, asociado a la producción de NO.Fil: Langle, Yanina Verónica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sandes, Eduardo Omar. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Belgorosky, Denise. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Balarino, Natalia Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Prack Mc Cormick, Bárbara Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Marino, Lina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Rojas Bilbao, Érica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Malagrino, Héctor. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Pasik, Leonardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Casabé, Alberto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Eijan, Ana Maria. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

CAP2 dimerization regulates cofilin in synaptic plasticity and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in dendritic spines is crucial for learning and memory formation. Hence, defects in the actin cytoskeleton pathways are a biological trait of several brain diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease. Here, we describe a novel synaptic mechanism governed by the cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2), which is required for structural plasticity phenomena and completely disrupted in Alzheimer's Disease. We report that the formation of CAP2 dimers through its Cys32 is important for CAP2 binding to cofilin and for actin turnover. The Cys32-dependent CAP2 homodimerization and association to cofilin are triggered by long-term potentiation and are required for long-term potentiation-induced cofilin translocation into spines, spine remodelling and the potentiation of synaptic transmission. This mechanism is specifically affected in the hippocampus, but not in the superior frontal gyrus, of both Alzheimer's Disease patients and APP/PS1 mice, where CAP2 is down-regulated and CAP2 dimer synaptic levels are reduced. Notably, CAP2 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are significantly increased in Alzheimer's Disease patients but not in subjects affected by frontotemporal dementia. In Alzheimer's Disease hippocampi, cofilin association to CAP2 dimer/monomer is altered and cofilin is aberrantly localized in spines. Taken together, these results provide novel insights into structural plasticity mechanisms that are defective in Alzheimer's Disease

Growth and Welfare of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Response to Graded Levels of Insect and Poultry By-Product Meals in Fishmeal-Free Diets

This study compared the nutrient-energy retention, digestive function, growth performance, and welfare of rainbow trout (ibw 54 g) fed isoproteic (42%), isolipidic (24%), fishmeal-free diets (CV) over 13 weeks. The diets consisted of plant-protein replacement with graded levels (10, 30, 60%) of protein from poultry by-product (PBM) and black soldier fly H. illucens pupae (BSFM) meals, either singly or in combination. A fishmeal-based diet was also tested (CF). Nitrogen retention improved with moderate or high levels of dietary PBM and BSFM relative to CV (p &lt; 0.05). Gut brush border enzyme activity was poorly affected by the diets. Gastric chitinase was up-regulated after high BSFM feeding (p &lt; 0.05). The gut peptide and amino acid transport genes were differently regulated by protein source and level. Serum cortisol was unaffected, and the changes in metabolites stayed within the physiological range. High PBM and high BSFM lowered the leukocyte respiratory burst activity and increased the lysozyme activity compared to CV (p &lt; 0.05). The BSFM and PBM both significantly changed the relative percentage of lymphocytes and monocytes (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, moderate to high PBM and BSFM inclusions in fishmeal-free diets, either singly or in combination, improved gut function and nutrient retention, resulting in better growth performance and the good welfare of the rainbow trout

Media internalization and conformity to traditional masculine norms in relation to body image concerns among men

Previous studies have separately examined conformity to masculine norms and internalization of body ideals in the media in relation to the drive for muscularity (DM). This study was designed to examine these factors together in relation to DM, and further examine how they may differ in relation to drive for thinness (DT) and drive for leanness (DL). Participants were 284 Australian males between ages 18 to 42. They completed validated measures that assessed DM, DT, DL, male gender role norms, and internalization of body ideals. The findings showed that internalization of body ideals mediated the relationship between masculine role norms and body image in the case of both DM and DL. However, masculine norms and internalization were independent predictors of DT. Our findings contribute to further understanding of the roles that the media and masculine norms have in shaping men’s drive for muscularity, leanness, and thinness. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm the nature and direction of these relationships

Recent smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 among individuals with recent respiratory symptoms

In a preregistered, cross-sectional study we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0-100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n=4148) or negative (C19-; n=546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19- groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean±SD, C19+: -82.5±27.2 points; C19-: -59.8±37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC=0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0-10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4&lt;10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable

A global analysis of Y-chromosomal haplotype diversity for 23 STR loci

In a worldwide collaborative effort, 19,630 Y-chromosomes were sampled from 129 different populations in 51 countries. These chromosomes were typed for 23 short-tandem repeat (STR) loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385ab, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, GATAH4, DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, and DYS643) and using the PowerPlex Y23 System (PPY23, Promega Corporation, Madison, WI). Locus-specific allelic spectra of these markers were determined and a consistently high level of allelic diversity was observed. A considerable number of null, duplicate and off-ladder alleles were revealed. Standard single-locus and haplotype-based parameters were calculated and compared between subsets of Y-STR markers established for forensic casework. The PPY23 marker set provides substantially stronger discriminatory power than other available kits but at the same time reveals the same general patterns of population structure as other marker sets. A strong correlation was observed between the number of Y-STRs included in a marker set and some of the forensic parameters under study. Interestingly a weak but consistent trend toward smaller genetic distances resulting from larger numbers of markers became apparent.Peer reviewe