A mucin-like peptide from Fasciola hepatica instructs dendritic cells with parasite specific Th1-polarizing activity

Fasciolosis is a trematode zoonosis of interest in public health and cattle production. We report here the immunostimulatory effect of a 66 mer mucin-like peptide from Fasciola hepatica (Fhmuc), which synergizes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to promote dendritic cell (DC) maturation, endowing these cells with Th1-polarizing capacity. Exposure of DCs to Fhmuc in presence of LPS induced enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of co-stimulatory molecules by DCs, promoting their T cell stimulatory capacity and selectively augmenting IFN- secretion by allogeneic T cells. Furthermore, exposure of DCs to Fhmuc augmented LPS-induced Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 expression on the cell surface. Finally, Fhmuc-conditioned DCs induced parasite specific-adaptive immunity with increased levels of IFN-gamma secreted by splenocytes from vaccinated animals, and higher parasite-specific IgG antibodies. However, DC-treated Fhmuc conferred modest protection against F. hepatica infection highlighting the potent immuno-regulatory capacity of the parasite. In summary, this work highlights the capacity of a mucin-derived peptide from F. hepatica to enhance LPS-maturation of DCs and induce parasite-specific immune responses with potential implications in vaccination and therapeutic strategies.Fil: Noya, Verónica. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Brossard, Natalie. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Rodríguez, Ernesto. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Dergan Dylon, Leonardo Sebastian. 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; ArgentinaFil: Carmona, Carlos. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. 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; ArgentinaFil: Freire, Teresa. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Glycans from Fasciola hepatica modulate the host immune response and TLR-Induced maturation of dendritic cells

Helminths express various carbohydrate-containing glycoconjugates on their surface, and they release glycan-rich excretion/secretion products that can be very important in their life cycles, infection and pathology. Recent evidence suggests that parasite glycoconjugates could play a role in the evasion of the immune response, leading to a modified Th2-polarized immune response that favors parasite survival in the host. Nevertheless, there is limited information about the nature or function of glycans produced by the trematode Fasciola hepatica, the causative agent of fasciolosis. In this paper, we investigate whether glycosylated molecules from F. hepatica participate in the modulation of host immunity. We also focus on dendritic cells, since they are an important target of immune-modulation by helminths, affecting their activity or function. Our results indicate that glycans from F. hepatica promote the production of IL-4 and IL-10, suppressing IFNγ production. During infection, this parasite is able to induce a semi-mature phenotype of DCs expressing low levels of MHCII and secrete IL-10. Furthermore, we show that parasite glycoconjugates mediate the modulation of LPS-induced maturation of DCs since their oxidation restores the capacity of LPS-treated DCs to secrete high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-12/23p40 and low levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Inhibition assays using carbohydrates suggest that the immune-modulation is mediated, at least in part, by the recognition of a mannose specific-CLR that signals by recruiting the phosphatase Php2. The results presented here contribute to the understanding of the role of parasite glycosylated molecules in the modulation of the host immunity and might be useful in the design of vaccines against fasciolosis.Fil: Rodriguez, Ernesto. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Noya, Verónica. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Cervi, Laura Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Chiribao, Maria Laura. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Brossard, Natalie. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Chiale, Carolina. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Carmona, Carlos. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Giacomini, Cecilia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Freire, Teresa. Universidad de la República; Urugua

One week impact of Somofilcon-A and Omafilcon-A lens

Purpose: Clinicians play a key role in prescribing contact lenses that are best suited for fitting which materials have an impact on ocular surface parameters. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact on symptomatology, tear film dynamics and ocular surface integrity of a silicone-hydrogel (Somofilcon-A) and a hydrogel (Omafilcon-A) lens before and after wearing for one week in contact lens neophyte participants. Methods: Somofilcon-A and Omafilcon-A were randomly fitted to one the eye in an initial group of 28 participants. Subjects were scheduled for three sessions: basal session previous fitting, second session after 4-wear hours, and final session after 7-wear days for up to 10 hours. In each session, CLDEQ-8, tear meniscus height and hyperemia with and without lenses, as well as lipid layer thickness and corneal/conjunctival staining without lenses were assessed. Values were compared between lenses and sessions. Results: In intrasession comparison, there were no differences in any parameter between materials on any session with or without lenses (all p≥0.176), except on the conjunctival staining where values obtained during Somofilcon-A wear (all p≤0.006). In intersession analysis, CLDEQ-8 score, tear meniscus height and lipid layer thickness showed a statistical difference during both materials wear (all p≤0.009), while conjunctival hyperemia does not (p=0.237); corneal staining showed differences during Omafilcon-A wear (p=0.037), contrary to conjunctival staining which showed differences only during Somofilcon-A wear (p<0.001). Conclusion: Contact lens wear had an impact on ocular parameters that have some specific influences on the material on which lenses were manufactured.S

A mucin-like peptide from Fasciola hepatica instructs dendritic cells with parasite specific Th1-polarizing activity

Fasciolosis is a trematode zoonosis of interest in public health and cattle production. We report here the immunostimulatory effect of a 66 mer mucin-like peptide from Fasciola hepatica (Fhmuc), which synergizes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to promote dendritic cell (DC) maturation, endowing these cells with Th1-polarizing capacity. Exposure of DCs to Fhmuc in presence of LPS induced enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of co-stimulatory molecules by DCs, promoting their T cell stimulatory capacity and selectively augmenting IFN-3 secretion by allogeneic T cells. Furthermore, exposure of DCs to Fhmuc augmented LPS-induced Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 expression on the cell surface. Finally, Fhmuc-conditioned DCs induced parasite specific-adaptive immunity with increased levels of IFN-3 secreted by splenocytes from vaccinated animals, and higher parasite-specific IgG antibodies. However, Fhmuc-treated DC conferred modest protection against F. hepatica infection highlighting the potent immuno-regulatory capacity of the parasite. In summary, this work highlights the capacity of a mucin-derived peptide from F. hepatica to enhance LPS-maturation of DCs and induce parasite-specific immune responses with potential implications in vaccination and therapeutic strategies

On the Road to Sustainable Energy Storage Technologies: Synthesis of Anodes for Na-Ion Batteries from Biowaste

Hard carbon is one of the most promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. In this work, new types of biomass-derived hard carbons were obtained through pyrolysis of different kinds of agro-industrial biowaste (corncob, apple pomace, olive mill solid waste, defatted grape seed and dried grape skin). Furthermore, the influence of pretreating the biowaste samples by hydrothermal carbonization and acid hydrolysis was also studied. Except for the olive mill solid waste, discharge capacities typical of biowaste-derived hard carbons were obtained in every case (≈300 mAh·g−1 at C/15). Furthermore, it seems that hydrothermal carbonization could improve the discharge capacity of biowaste samples derived from different nature at high cycling rates, which are the closest conditions to real applications.This research was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2019-107468RB-C21) and Gobierno Vasco/Eusko Jaurlaritza (IT-1226-19 and IT-993-16)

Impactos socioeconómicos de la COVID-19 en la provincia de Neuquén: transformaciones en los territorios y las movilidades

Un recorrido en la trayectoria de las actividades durante la emergencia sanitaria expone la celeridad y profundidad de la conmoción, los alcances de las acciones de mitigación a cargo fundamentalmente del Estado y la generación de alternativas que pueden ser el inicio de formas innovadora de adaptación o resistencia

Impactos socioeconómicos de la COVID-19 en la provincia de Neuquén

Un recorrido en la trayectoria de las actividades durante la emergencia sanitaria expone la celeridad y profundidad de la conmoción, los alcances de las acciones de mitigación a cargo fundamentalmente del Estado y la generación de alternativas que pueden ser el inicio de formas innovadora de adaptación o resistencia.Fil: Trpin, Verónica. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Trpin, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Otero, Adriana. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Otero, Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Perren, Joaquín. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Perren, Joaquín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Noya, Norma. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Noya, Norma. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Rodríguez, María Daniela. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Rodríguez, María Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Blanco, Graciela. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Blanco, Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Bonifacio, José Luis. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina

First report of Galba cubensis (Gasteropoda: Lymnaeidae) in Ecuador, host of Fasciola hepatica potential in rice fields of the ecuadorian coast

Las especies invasoras representan una amenaza para la salud humana y los alimentos, especialmente cuando estas especies son introducidas a nuevos hábitats y transmiten parásitos a los seres humanos o a los animales domésticos. El molusco Galba cubensis es el principal hospedador intermediario de Fasciola hepatica – agente causal de la fascioliasis – y está distribuido desde Norte América hasta Sur América. Sin embargo, en Ecuador G. cubensis no se había reportado hasta la presente publicación. En un inventario completo de caracoles pulmonados de agua dulce llevadas a cabo en 1965, las dos únicas especies de la familia Lymnaeidae reportadas fueron el caracol invasor Pseudosuccinea columella y el caracol nativo Galba cousini. Se realizó una búsqueda malacológica en arrozales de la provincia del Guayas, Ecuador, entre 2013 y 2015 y encontramos por primera vez G. cubensis en el país. A continuación, se estudió la morfología de estos caracoles para identifcar la especie. Llegando a la conclusión de que G. cubensis es una especie invasora que se ha introducido al Ecuador en los últimos 50 años. También anticipamos que esta especie podría estar transmitiendo fascioliasis en la región litoral del Ecuador.Biological invasions represent a threat to human and food health when the species introduced transmit parasites to humans or domestic animals. Galba cubensis is the main snail host of Fasciola hepatica—the agent of fasciolosis—and has a current range from North to South America. Nonetheless, in Ecuador G. cubensis has not been reported until now. In a complete inventory of freshwater pulmonate snails carried out in 1965, the only two lymnaeid species reported were the invasive snail Pseudosuccinea columella and the native snail Galba cousini. We carried out a malacological survey in rice felds of the Guayas Province, Ecuador, between 2013 and 2015 and we found for the frst time G. cubensis in this country. We conclude that G. cubensis is an invasive species that has been introduced to Ecuador in the past 50 years. We also anticipate that this species could be spreading fasciolosis from the higher and Andean region to the lower and tropical region of Ecuador.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

First report of Galba cubensis (Gasteropoda: Lymnaeidae) in Ecuador, host of Fasciola hepatica potential in rice fields of the ecuadorian coast

Las especies invasoras representan una amenaza para la salud humana y los alimentos, especialmente cuando estas especies son introducidas a nuevos hábitats y transmiten parásitos a los seres humanos o a los animales domésticos. El molusco Galba cubensis es el principal hospedador intermediario de Fasciola hepatica – agente causal de la fascioliasis – y está distribuido desde Norte América hasta Sur América. Sin embargo, en Ecuador G. cubensis no se había reportado hasta la presente publicación. En un inventario completo de caracoles pulmonados de agua dulce llevadas a cabo en 1965, las dos únicas especies de la familia Lymnaeidae reportadas fueron el caracol invasor Pseudosuccinea columella y el caracol nativo Galba cousini. Se realizó una búsqueda malacológica en arrozales de la provincia del Guayas, Ecuador, entre 2013 y 2015 y encontramos por primera vez G. cubensis en el país. A continuación, se estudió la morfología de estos caracoles para identifcar la especie. Llegando a la conclusión de que G. cubensis es una especie invasora que se ha introducido al Ecuador en los últimos 50 años. También anticipamos que esta especie podría estar transmitiendo fascioliasis en la región litoral del Ecuador.Biological invasions represent a threat to human and food health when the species introduced transmit parasites to humans or domestic animals. Galba cubensis is the main snail host of Fasciola hepatica—the agent of fasciolosis—and has a current range from North to South America. Nonetheless, in Ecuador G. cubensis has not been reported until now. In a complete inventory of freshwater pulmonate snails carried out in 1965, the only two lymnaeid species reported were the invasive snail Pseudosuccinea columella and the native snail Galba cousini. We carried out a malacological survey in rice felds of the Guayas Province, Ecuador, between 2013 and 2015 and we found for the frst time G. cubensis in this country. We conclude that G. cubensis is an invasive species that has been introduced to Ecuador in the past 50 years. We also anticipate that this species could be spreading fasciolosis from the higher and Andean region to the lower and tropical region of Ecuador.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Withdrawal Is Associated with Higher Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

Our main aim was to describe the effect on the severity of ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker) during COVID-19 hospitalization. A retrospective, observational, multicenter study evaluating hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with ACEI/ARB. The primary endpoint was the incidence of the composite outcome of prognosis (IMV (invasive mechanical ventilation), NIMV (non-invasive mechanical ventilation), ICU admission (intensive care unit), and/or all-cause mortality). We evaluated both outcomes in patients whose treatment with ACEI/ARB was continued or withdrawn. Between February and June 2020, 11,205 patients were included, mean age 67 years (SD = 16.3) and 43.1% female; 2162 patients received ACEI/ARB treatment. ACEI/ARB treatment showed lower all-cause mortality (p < 0.0001). Hypertensive patients in the ACEI/ARB group had better results in IMV, ICU admission, and the composite outcome of prognosis (p < 0.0001 for all). No differences were found in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Patients previously treated with ACEI/ARB continuing treatment during hospitalization had a lower incidence of the composite outcome of prognosis than those whose treatment was withdrawn (RR 0.67, 95%CI 0.63-0.76). ARB was associated with better survival than ACEI (HR 0.77, 95%CI 0.62-0.96). ACEI/ARB treatment during COVID-19 hospitalization was associated with protection on mortality. The benefits were greater in hypertensive, those who continue