30th Anniversary of Applied Intelligence: A combination of bibliometrics and thematic analysis using SciMAT

Applied Intelligence is one of the most important international scientific journals in the field of artificial intelligence. From 1991, Applied Intelligence has been oriented to support research advances in new and innovative intelligent systems, methodologies, and their applications in solving real-life complex problems. In this way, Applied Intelligence hosts more than 2,400 publications and achieves around 31,800 citations. Moreover, Applied Intelligence is recognized by the industrial, academic, and scientific communities as a source of the latest innovative and advanced solutions in intelligent manufacturing, privacy-preserving systems, risk analysis, knowledge-based management, modern techniques to improve healthcare systems, methods to assist government, and solving industrial problems that are too complex to be solved through conventional approaches. Bearing in mind that Applied Intelligence celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2021, it is appropriate to analyze its bibliometric performance, conceptual structure, and thematic evolution. To do that, this paper conducts a bibliometric performance and conceptual structure analysis of Applied Intelligence from 1991 to 2020 using SciMAT. Firstly, the performance of the journal is analyzed according to the data retrieved from Scopus, putting the focus on the productivity of the authors, citations, countries, organizations, funding agencies, and most relevant publications. Finally, the conceptual structure of the journal is analyzed with the bibliometric software tool SciMAT, identifying the main thematic areas that have been the object of research and their composition, relationship, and evolution during the period analyzed

Detection of equine herpesvirus 1 genome 1B in Argentina

To determine the genomic variation of equine herpesviruses (EHVs) isolated in Argentina between 1979 and the first half of 2004, DNA sequences from all 69 strains isolated were analysed. Sixty strains were recovered from aborted fetuses, one from leucocyte-rich plasma from a horse with respiratory signs and eight from cases of neonatal disease. The DNA was extracted from rabbit kidney epithelial (RK13) cells infected with each strain and digested with three restriction endonucleases (BamHI, Bg/II and KpnI). Two strains could be differentiated using BamHI restriction and were assigned to the EHV-1 1B prototype group. Only one of these two strains was typed EHV-1 1B with Bg/II. DNA digestion with KpnI was ineffective. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the EHV-1 1B genome has been present in Argentina since at least 1996. The finding of two strains with this electropherotype suggests that there is genomic heterogeneity among Argentinian isolates.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

La Comunicación Comercial y la Generación Z: una visión desde la sostenibilidad en el consumo

El objetivo del proyecto es reflexionar y generar un pensamiento crítico en el estudiante sobre la importancia de ser un consumidor sostenible en la realidad social que vivimos. Para ello, los estudiantes voluntarios imparten talleres prácticos aportando sus conocimientos de Comunicación Comercial a jóvenes de la Generación Z que plasmarán lo aprendido diseñando campañas de comunicación de fomento del consumo sostenible vinculados a los ODS 1, 2, 4, 7, 11 y 14

Purification and Characterization of AsES Protein A Subtilisin Secreted by Acremonium Strictum is a Novel Plant Defense Elicitor.

In this work, the purification and characterization of an extracellular elicitor protein, designated AsES, produced by an avirulent isolate of the strawberry pathogen Acremonium strictum, are reported. The defense eliciting activity present in culture filtrates was recovered and purified by ultrafiltration (cutoff, 30 kDa), anionic exchange (Q-Sepharose, pH 7.5), and hydrophobic interaction (phenyl-Sepharose) chromatographies. Two-dimensional SDS-PAGE of the purified active fraction revealed a single spot of 34 kDa and pI 8.8. HPLC (C2/C18) and MS/MS analysis confirmed purification to homogeneity. Foliar spray with AsES provided a total systemic protection against anthracnose disease in strawberry, accompanied by the expression of defense-related genes (i.e. PR1 and Chi2-1). Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (e.g. H2O2 and O2̇̄) and callose was also observed in Arabidopsis. By using degenerate primers designed from the partial amino acid sequences and rapid amplification reactions of cDNA ends, the complete AsES-coding cDNA of 1167 nucleotides was obtained. The deduced amino acid sequence showed significant identity with fungal serine proteinases of the subtilisin family, indicating that AsES is synthesized as a larger precursor containing a 15-residue secretory signal peptide and a 90-residue peptidase inhibitor I9 domain in addition to the 283-residue mature protein. AsES exhibited proteolytic activity in vitro, and its resistance eliciting activity was eliminated when inhibited with PMSF, suggesting that its proteolytic activity is required to induce the defense response. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a fungal subtilisin that shows eliciting activity in plants. This finding could contribute to develop disease biocontrol strategies in plants by activating its innate immunity

Detection of equine herpesvirus 1 genome 1B in Argentina

To determine the genomic variation of equine herpesviruses (EHVs) isolated in Argentina between 1979 and the first half of 2004, DNA sequences from all 69 strains isolated were analysed. Sixty strains were recovered from aborted fetuses, one from leucocyte-rich plasma from a horse with respiratory signs and eight from cases of neonatal disease. The DNA was extracted from rabbit kidney epithelial (RK13) cells infected with each strain and digested with three restriction endonucleases (BamHI, Bg/II and KpnI). Two strains could be differentiated using BamHI restriction and were assigned to the EHV-1 1B prototype group. Only one of these two strains was typed EHV-1 1B with Bg/II. DNA digestion with KpnI was ineffective. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the EHV-1 1B genome has been present in Argentina since at least 1996. The finding of two strains with this electropherotype suggests that there is genomic heterogeneity among Argentinian isolates.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Diseño y evaluación de un protocolo de extracción múltiple de restos vegetales, silicofitolitos, polen, parásitos, isótopos estables y ADN de heces de Lama guanicoe

The most commonly-used extraction methods for biological proxies are based on dividing each coprolite to analyze each proxy separately. However, the interpretation of results has limitations. The aim of the present work is to design a new multiproxy protocol for feces of South American camelids. The protocol was based on reducing the use of chemical compounds in order to recover multiple proxies from a single sample. Theoretical and methodological considerations were taken into account to improve the protocol. The standard protocol was modified considering the requirements of multiproxy analysis. The experimental protocol was tested with a set of four guanaco (Lama guanicoe) feces from Patagonia, Argentina. After extraction, silica phytoliths, pollen types, and parasite remains were well-preserved and identified. Zoological origin was determined from DNA analysis. The results are discussed in light of various theoretical and methodological considerations. The implementation of this multiproxy extraction protocol in coprolites is an avenue for future research.La metodología que ha sido más utilizada para realizar la extracción de diferentes proxies biológicos consiste en dividir los coprolitos en distintas submuestras para el análisis de cada uno. Estudios recientes han reconocido limitaciones en las interpretaciones alcanzadas en base a la utilización de este método. El objetivo de este trabajo fue diseñar un protocolo de análisis multiproxy para ser aplicado a una única muestra de heces de camélidos sudamericanos. El diseño se desarrolló con el propósito de minimizar la utilización de compuestos químicos y optimizar la recuperación de los diversos proxies a partir del análisis de diferentes consideraciones teóricas y metodológicas. Se realizaron modificaciones al protocolo estándar en función de los requerimientos para el análisis multiproxy. Con el fin de comenzar a optimizar este método, se aplicó el protocolo sobre un pool de cuatro heces actuales de guanacos (Lama guanicoe) recolectadas en la Patagonia Argentina. Se realizó el análisis de los proxies recuperados: fragmentos vegetales, silicofitolitos, polen, restos parasitarios y ADN. Se observó un buen estado de preservación de los indicadores analizados, se logró identificar diferentes fragmentos vegetales, silicofitolitos, tipos polínicos y restos parasitarios. Además, se logró determinar el origen zoológico mediante extracción de ADN. Se discuten los resultados a partir de las diferentes consideraciones teóricas y metodológicas y se prevé la implementación de este protocolo en análisis de coprolitos

The effects of Pyrantel-Oxantel on the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm: An in vitro study

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar, in vitro, el efecto cestocida de Pirantel-Oxantel en la tenia Dipylidium caninum. Cada muestra de intestino se obtuvo mediante una incisión transversal de la zona abdominal de cada sujeto canino sacrificado, se diseccionó individualmente a través de una incisión longitudinal y se examinó para detectar la presencia de D. caninum. Se utilizó un microscopio óptico para identificar y verificar la morfología y viabilidad de la proglótide en función de su aspecto macroscópico. Los efectos cestocidas de Pirantel-Oxantel (75 mg de pamoato de pirantel; 75 mg de pamoato de oxantel) se evaluaron en tenias adultas (grupo tratado, n= 21; grupo testigo, n= 21) colocadas en placas de Petri e incubadas a 37 °C. Una hora postincubación, los cestodos D. caninum tratados con Pirantel-Oxantel presentaron una disminución del 28 % (P= 0.001) en la motilidad, la cual aumentó a una disminución del 52 % (P=0.0001) al final de la segunda hora. El grupo testigo (P= 0.0001) presentó un 55.7 % de motilidad durante al menos las primeras 6 h de incubación y 4.2 % (P= 0.001) de motilidad al final del estudio, mientras que en el grupo tratado se observó un 0 % de motilidad al final del estudio. El Pirantel-Oxantel tuvo un efecto letal (P= 0.0001) en el adulto de D. caninum, con una mortalidad del 100 % observada 6 h después de la postincubación in vitro, mientras que el grupo de control presentó un 55.7 % de viabilidad después del mismo periodo. Además, el Pirantel-Oxantel redujo (P= 0.001) el grosor del tegumento en 42.5 % (10.24 ± 0.21 μm), mientras que éste fue de 17.81 ± 0.33 μm para el grupo testigo. Los resultados de este estudio indican que el Pirantel-Oxantel tiene un efecto terapéutico en la presencia de D. caninum, induciendo tanto una disminución del grosor del tegumento como un aumento de la mortalidad.The present study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the cestocidal effect of Pyrantel-Oxantel on the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm. Each intestine sample was obtained by means of a transversal incision of the abdominal area of each euthanized canine subject, individually dissected via  longitudinal incision, and examined for the presence of D. caninum. An optical microscope was used to identify and verify proglottid morphology and viability based on its macroscopic appearance. The cestocidal effects of Pyrantel-Oxantel (75 mg pyrantel pamoate; 75 mg oxantel pamoate) were assessed in adult tapeworms (treated group, n= 21; control group, n= 21) placed on Petri dishes and incubated at 37 °C. One-hour post-incubation, the D. caninum cestodes treated with Pyrantel-Oxantel presented a 28 % decrease (P=0.001) in motility, which rose to a 52 % (P=0.0001) decrease by the end of the second hour. The control group (P=0.0001) presented 55.7 % motility for at least the first six hours of incubation and 4.2 % (P=0.001) motility by the end of the study, while 0 % motility was observed in the treated group by the end of the study. Pyrantel-Oxantel had a lethal effect (P=0.0001) on adult D. caninum, with 100 % mortality observed 6 h after in vitro post-incubation, while the control group presented 55.7 % viability after the same time period. In addition, Pyrantel-Oxantel reduced (P=0.001) tegument thickness by 42.5 % (10.24 ± 0.21 µm), while this was 17.81 ± 0.33 µm for the control group. The results of this study indicate that Pyrantel-Oxantel has a therapeutic effect on the presence of D. caninum, inducing both a reduction of the tegument thickness and increased mortality

Design and Evaluation of a Multiple Extraction Protocol For Plant Remains, Silica Phytoliths, Pollen, Parasites, Stable Isotopes, and DNA From Lama Guanicoe Feces

La metodología que ha sido más utilizada para realizar la extracción de diferentes proxies biológicos consiste en dividir los coprolitos en distintas submuestras para el análisis de cada uno. Estudios recientes han reconocido limitaciones en las interpretaciones alcanzadas en base a la utilización de este método. El objetivo de este trabajo fue diseñar un protocolo de análisis multiproxy para ser aplicado a una única muestra de heces de camélidos sudamericanos. El diseño se desarrolló con el propósito de minimizar la utilización de compuestos químicos y optimizar la recuperación de los diversos proxies a partir del análisis de diferentes consideraciones teóricas y metodológicas. Se realizaron modificaciones al protocolo estándar en función de los requerimientos para el análisis multiproxy. Con el fin de comenzar a optimizar este método, se aplicó el protocolo sobre un pool de cuatro heces actuales de guanacos (Lama guanicoe) recolectadas en la Patagonia Argentina. Se realizó el análisis de los proxies recuperados: fragmentos vegetales, silicofitolitos, polen, restos parasitarios y ADN. Se observó un buen estado de preservación de los indicadores analizados, se logró identificar diferentes fragmentos vegetales, silicofitolitos, tipos polínicos y restos parasitarios. Además, se logró determinar el origen zoológico mediante extracción de ADN. Se discuten los resultados a partir de las diferentes consideraciones teóricas y metodológicas y se prevé la implementación de este protocolo en análisis de coprolitos.The most commonly-used extraction methods for biological proxies are based on dividing each coprolite to analyze each proxy separately. However, the interpretation of results has limitations. The aim of the present work is to design a new multiproxy protocol for feces of South American camelids. The protocol was based on reducing the use of chemical compounds in order to recover multiple proxies from a single sample. Theoretical and methodological considerations were taken into account to improve the protocol. The standard protocol was modified considering the requirements of multiproxy analysis. The experimental protocol was tested with a set of four guanaco (Lama guanicoe) feces from Patagonia, Argentina. After extraction, silica phytoliths, pollen types, and parasite remains were well-preserved and identified. Zoological origin was determined from DNA analysis. The results are discussed in light of various theoretical and methodological considerations. The implementation of this multiproxy extraction protocol in coprolites is an avenue for future research.Fil: Velázquez, Nadia Jimena. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Palinología y Bioantropología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Petrigh, Romina Sandra. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Benvenuto, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Martínez Tosto, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Camiolo, Ivana. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Palacio, Patricia Irene. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Fugassa, Martín Horacio. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueología. Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (Sede Quequén); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Burry, Lidia Susana. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Produccion, Sanidad y Ambiente.; Argentin

News and updates in the treatment of localized stage triple-negative breast cancer

Compared to other breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer presents a worse prognosis and higher mortality. Even in localized stages, the risk of relapse is high, especially in patients with ≥ cT2 and/or ≥ cN1. We know that those patients who achieve a complete pathologic response after neoadjuvant treatment have better disease-free survival. Therefore, many research efforts have been made to try to optimize neoadjuvant chemo/immunotherapy to increase pathologic complete response rates. The available evidence related to that subject matter is summarized in this article. In the field of adjuvant therapy, the challenge of improving disease-free survival in those patients who do not achieve pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant therapy stands out. The second part of this article will deal with the challenges inherent to this issue

A DNA damage repair gene-associated signature predicts responses of patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma to treatment with trabectedin

Predictive biomarkers of trabectedin represent an unmet need in advanced soft-tissue sarcomas (STS). DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, involved in homologous recombination or nucleotide excision repair, had been previously described as biomarkers of trabectedin resistance or sensitivity, respectively. The majority of these studies only focused on specific factors (ERCC1, ERCC5, and BRCA1) and did not evaluate several other DDR-related genes that could have a relevant role for trabectedin efficacy. In this retrospective translational study, 118 genes involved in DDR were evaluated to determine, by transcriptomics, a predictive gene signature of trabectedin efficacy. A six-gene predictive signature of trabectedin efficacy was built in a series of 139 tumor samples from patients with advanced STS. Patients in the high-risk gene signature group showed a significantly worse progression-free survival compared with patients in the low-risk group (2.1 vs 6.0 months, respectively). Differential gene expression analysis defined new potential predictive biomarkers of trabectedin sensitivity (PARP3 and CCNH) or resistance (DNAJB11 and PARP1). Our study identified a new gene signature that significantly predicts patients with higher probability to respond to treatment with trabectedin. Targeting some genes of this signature emerges as a potential strategy to enhance trabectedin efficacy.This study was funded by the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcoma (GEIS) and partially by PharmaMar. The authors would like to thank the GEIS data center for data management. The authors also thank the donors and the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío—Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla Biobank (Andalusian Public Health System Biobank and ISCIII-Red de Biobancos PT17/0015/0041) for part of the human specimens used in this study. David S. Moura is recipient of a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship funded by the National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) (CD20/00155)