Los musgos (bryophyta) de Argentina

The moss flora of Argentina contains 990 species, 5 subspecies and 56 accepted varieties in 264 genera, plus 1 species and 13 varieties which are only tentatively accepted. The checklist includes legitimate accepted taxa with primary references and distributional data for Argentine provinces. All entries to the list are based on literature records. Additionally, the recognized taxonomic and nomenclatural synonyms are given in a separate alphabetical list. An extensive bibliography is given to vouch for occurrence of the plants and a map helps in the location of provincial distributions

Sobre el género Streptopogon (Pottiaceae, Musci) en Argentina subtropical

Four species of Streptopogon are new to Argentina. The Bolivian S. heterophyllus, the only species previously registered is excluded from the Argentinian flora, and a major range extension of the Mexican S. matudianus is presented. Treatment of all four taxa includes descriptions, illustrations and SEM micrographs of sporophytic characters

Las esporas recientes de los musci (Bryophyta) de las turberas de Sphagnum de tierra del fuego

Significant variation in moss spore morphology is demonstrated by the observation and description of the spores of 14 moss species which are typical elements of Sphagnum bogs from Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). Spore analysis in the light microscope and in the scanning electron microscope enables easy identification of families, most of the genera and also some species from the recent moss flora. It is suggested that these observations should also allow identification of moss spores from Quaternary peat deposits in the same area where they are expected to occur. Thus, moss spore morphology provides information relevant to taxonomic and phylogenetic as well as paleopalynological studiesLa considerable variación de la morfología de las esporas de los Musci es demonstrada por la observación y descripción de las esporas de 14 espécies de musgos que son los elementos más típicos de las turberas de Sphagnum de Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). El análisis de las esporas al microscópio óptico y al microscópio electrónico de barrido, permite distinguir Ias familias, la mayoría de los gêneros y también algunas de las espécies de la flora muscológica actual. Estas observaciones sugieren la posibilidad de identificación de esporas de musgos de depósitos turbosos Cuaternarios de la misma área, donde es posible que se encuentren. De este modo, la morfología de las esporas de los Musci provee informaciones relevantes tanto para estúdios taxonómicos y filogenéticos como también paleopalinológico

Bone Marrow Transplantation Restores Follicular Maturation and Steroid Hormones Production in a Mouse Model for Primary Ovarian Failure

Recent studies suggest that bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) are promising grafts to treat a variety of diseases, including reproductive dysfunction. Primary ovarian failure is characterized by amenorrhea and infertility in a normal karyotype female, with an elevated serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and a decrease level of estrogen caused by a mutation in FSH receptor (FSHR) gene. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this condition. The phenotype of FSHR (−/−) mouse, FORKO (follitropin receptor knockout), is a suitable model to study ovarian failure in humans. Female FORKO mice have elevated FSH, decreased estrogen levels, are sterile because of the absence of folliculogenesis, and display thin uteri and small nonfunctional ovaries. In this study, we determined the effects of BMSC transplantation on reproductive physiology in this animal model. Twenty four hours post BMSC transplantation, treated animals showed detectable estroidogeneic changes in daily vaginal smear. Significant increase in total body weight and reproductive organs was observed in treated animals. Hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) evaluation of the ovaries demonstrated significant increase in both the maturation and the total number of the follicles in treated animals. The FSH dropped to 40–50% and estrogen increased 4–5.5 times in the serum of treated animals compared to controls. The FSHR mRNA was detected in the ovaries of treated animals. Our results show that intravenously injected BMSCs were able to reach the ovaries of FORKO mice, differentiate and express FHSR gene, make FSHR responsive to FSH, resume estrogen hormone production, and restore folliculogenesis