New Insights on Plant Cell Elongation: A Role for Acetylcholine

We investigated the effect of auxin and acetylcholine on the expression of the tomato expansin gene LeEXPA2, a specific expansin gene expressed in elongating tomato hypocotyl segments. Since auxin interferes with clathrin-mediated endocytosis, in order to regulate cellular and developmental responses we produced protoplasts from tomato elongating hypocotyls and followed the endocytotic marker, FM4-64, internalization in response to treatments. Tomato protoplasts were observed during auxin and acetylcholine treatments after transient expression of chimerical markers of volume-control related compartments such as vacuoles. Here we describe the contribution of auxin and acetylcholine to LeEXPA2 expression regulation and we support the hypothesis that a possible subcellular target of acetylcholine signal is the vesicular transport, shedding some light on the characterization of this small molecule as local mediator in the plant physiological response

Bryo-Activities: A Review on How Bryophytes Are Contributing to the Arsenal of Natural Bioactive Compounds against Fungi

Usually regarded as less evolved than their more recently diverged vascular sisters, which currently dominate vegetation landscape, bryophytes seem having nothing to envy to the defensive arsenal of other plants, since they had acquired a suite of chemical traits that allowed them to adapt and persist on land. In fact, these closest modern relatives of the ancestors to the earliest terrestrial plants proved to be marvelous chemists, as they traditionally were a popular remedy among tribal people all over the world, that exploit their pharmacological properties to cure the most different diseases. The phytochemistry of bryophytes exhibits a stunning assortment of biologically active compounds such as lipids, proteins, steroids, organic acids, alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, acetogenins and phenylquinones, thus it is not surprising that substances obtained from various species belonging to such ancestral plants are widely employed as antitumor, antipyretic, insecticidal and antimicrobial. This review explores in particular the antifungal potential of the three Bryophyta divisions\u2014mosses (Musci), hornworts (Anthocerotae) and liverworts (Hepaticae)\u2014to be used as a sources of interesting bioactive constituents for both pharmaceutical and agricultural areas, providing an updated overview of the latest relevant insights

Spring honey bee losses in Italy

Honey bee poisoning incidents and monitoring schemes Background: During last years several cases of bee losses have been reported during the period of corn sowing in different European countries. In Italy an institutional system for bee losses survey does not exist and therefore some Italian regions decided to organise an official network to collect data and analyse dead bee samples. Results: Collected data indicate that the higher number of bee losses events occurred in intensively cultivated flat areas, located in the North of Italy, mainly during or after corn sowing. The chemical analyses of dead bees revealed the presence of three neonicotinoid residues: imidacloprid was found in 25.7% of the sample, thiamethoxam in 2.8%, clothianidin in 25.7%, both imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in 4.7%. The visual examination and the virological analyses excluded pathological causes. Conclusion: The spatial and temporal correlation between hive damages and corn sowing and the presence of residues of active ingredients used for seed dressing (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin) in almost half of the samples confirms the connection between spring mortality and the sowing of corn seed dressed with neonicotinoids. Keywords: honeybee mortality, neonicotinoids, seed dressing, corn sowing, dust dispersion.      

Diethylaminophenyl-based Schiff base Cu( ii ) and V( iv ) complexes: experimental and theoretical studies and cytotoxicity assays

An N,N,O,O donor Schiff base blocking ligand [H2L = 6,6′-((1E,1′E)-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(3-(diethylamino)phenol), 1] has been used to synthesize mononuclear [CuL]·H2O (2) and [VO(L)] (3) complexes. The ligand and complexes have been characterized by elemental, spectral (FTIR and UV-vis) and thermogravimetric analysis. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure of the ligand (1) indicates that the molecule is sited on a crystallographic inversion centre and the planar conformation of the salicylideneimine moiety is favored by two intramolecular O?H⋯N1 hydrogen bonds forming S(6) ring motifs. The copper(II) center in complex 2 is coordinated in a square planar fashion. The presence of an extended π-system in the complex (two chelate rings and two phenyl rings) facilitates the formation of chelate ring (CR)⋯π non-covalent interactions. DFT calculations have been performed to explore the energetic features of unconventional CR⋯π and hydrogen bonding interactions that are observed and described in the solid state of 2. Moreover, we have studied how the energy of the CR⋯π interaction is influenced by the substituent of the phenyl ring. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of the compounds has been tested against MG-63 (human osteosarcoma), HT-29 (human colorectal) and MCF7 (breast) cancer cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.Fil: Rocha, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, María C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Echeverría, Gustavo A.. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.exactas. Instituto de Física de la Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Piro, Oscar Enrique. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.exactas. Instituto de Física de la Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Di Virgilio, Ana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Leon, Ignacio Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Frontera, Antonio. Universitat de Les Illes Balears; EspañaFil: Gil, Diego Mauricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentin

University Extension facing actual symptoms in childhood and puberty: an intervention methodology proposal

El trabajo tiene como objetivo presentar el Proyecto de Extensión “Detección e intervención de problemáticas del lazo parento-filial” del Centro de Extensión a la Comunidad de la Facultad de Psicología; y sus desagregados “Detección e intervención de problemáticas del lazo parento- filial: intervención estratégica sobre embarazo adolescente” y “Detección e intervención de problemáticas del lazo parento-filial: abordaje estratégico de síntomas actuales del despertar sexual” (Prosecretaría de Políticas Sociales, UNLP: 2014 y 2015). Partimos del reconocimiento de la vulnerabilidad en los modos actuales de presentación de los padecimientos que involucran los procesos de constitución psíquica del sujeto, atendiendo al modo particular de vinculación que establece con los otros, en especial con sus otros primordiales. Esta vulnerabilidad se evidencia en manifestaciones disruptivas, dislocadas que se presentan en distintos escenarios, dando cuenta de la precarización del lazo social: violencia entre pares y familiar, maltrato, trastornos en la alimentación, problemas en el aula, en el rendimiento escolar y en la socialización, embarazos precoces, problemáticas que se profundizan en condiciones sociomateriales adversas. El proyecto propone, por lo tanto, intervenciones en la modalidad grupal y, en caso de requerirse, abordajes individuales atendiendo a la localización del malestar y en diálogo colaborativo e interdisciplinario con actores sociales e instituciones, que puedan incidir en estas temáticas. Con dicho propósito, establecemos talleres para padres y alumnos en los colegios, y dispositivos de asesoramiento técnico para los docentes y personal de salud. Esta metodología busca propiciar herramientas en los destinatarios que puedan ser multiplicadas en diversos contextos.This work presents the way in which the Extension Team belonging to the following accredited Projects: “Detection and intervention of problematic parent-child bonds” (Center of Community Extension, Faculty of Psychology: 2011-2014; UNLP: 2015) and its disaggregated “Detection and intervention of problematic parent-child bonds: strategic interventions on adolescent pregnancy” and “Detection and intervention of problematic parent-child bonds: strategic approach of current symptoms of sexual arousal” (Pro-Secretary of Social Policies, UNLP: 2014 and 2015). We start from the recognition of the vulnerability in current modes of presentation of conditions involving the processes of subjective constitution, considering the specific link that subjects establish with the others, specially the primordial others. This vulnerability is evident in disruptive dislocated presentations that appear in different scenarios, showing the precariousness of the social bond: peer violence and family abuse, eating disorders, problems in the classroom, on school performance and the socialization, early pregnancy, problems that are deepening in sociomaterial adverse conditions. The project proposes, therefore, interventions in group mode and, if required, individual approaches taking into account the different ways in which uneasiness appears, in collaborative and interdisciplinary dialogue with social actors and institutions. For this purpose, we offer workshops for parents and students in schools, and devices of technical advice for teachers and health workers. This methodology seeks to encourage tools in the target population that can be multiplied in various contextsFacultad de Psicologí

Aromatic amine N-oxide organometallic compounds: Searching for prospective agents against infectious diseases

In search of prospective agents against infectious diseases, 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene pyridine-2-thiolato-1-oxide M(II) hexafluorophosphate compounds [M(mpo)(dppf)](PF6), where M = palladium or platinum, were synthesized and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution using experimental and DFT computational techniques. The compounds are isomorphous and the M(II) transition metal ions are in a nearly planar trapezoidal cis-coordination bound to the pyridine-2-thiolato-1-oxide (mpo) and to the 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene molecules, both acting as bidentate ligands. Both compounds showed high cytotoxic activity on Trypanosoma cruzi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and acceptable selectivities towards MTB, but good to excellent selectivity index values as anti-T. cruzi compounds. The inclusion of the ferrocene moiety (dppf ligand) improved the selectivity towards the parasite when compared to the previously reported [M(mpo)2] complexes. Related to the probable mechanism of action of the complexes, molecular docking studies on modelled T. cruzi NADH-fumarate reductase (TcFR) predicted that both be very good inhibitors of the enzyme. The effect of the compounds on the enzyme activity was experimentally confirmed using T. cruzi protein extracts. According to all obtained results, both [M(mpo)(dppf)](PF6) compounds could be considered prospective anti-trypanosomal agents that deserve further research.Fil: Rodríguez Arce, Esteban. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Mosquillo, M. Florencia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Pérez Díaz, Leticia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Echeverría, Gustavo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Piro, Oscar Enrique. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Merlino, Alicia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Coitiño, E. Laura. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Maríngolo Ribeiro, Camila. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Leite, Clarice Q. F.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Pavan, Fernando R.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Otero, Lucía. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Gambino, Dinorah. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Diethylaminophenyl-based Schiff base Cu(II) and V(IV) complexes: experimental and theoretical studies and cytotoxicity assays

An N,N,O,O donor Schiff base blocking ligand [H₂L = 6,6′-((1E,1′E)-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(3-(diethylamino)phenol), 1] has been used to synthesize mononuclear [CuL]·H₂O (2) and [VO(L)] (3) complexes. The ligand and complexes have been characterized by elemental, spectral (FTIR and UV-vis) and thermogravimetric analysis. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure of the ligand (1) indicates that the molecule is sited on a crystallographic inversion centre and the planar conformation of the salicylideneimine moiety is favored by two intramolecular O–H⋯N1 hydrogen bonds forming S(6) ring motifs. The copper(II) center in complex 2 is coordinated in a square planar fashion. The presence of an extended π-system in the complex (two chelate rings and two phenyl rings) facilitates the formation of chelate ring (CR)⋯π non-covalent interactions. DFT calculations have been performed to explore the energetic features of unconventional CR⋯π and hydrogen bonding interactions that are observed and described in the solid state of 2. Moreover, we have studied how the energy of the CR⋯π interaction is influenced by the substituent of the phenyl ring. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of the compounds has been tested against MG-63 (human osteosarcoma), HT-29 (human colorectal) and MCF7 (breast) cancer cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.Centro de Química InorgánicaInstituto de Física La Plat

Metabolic signature of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infected and infectious dairy cattle by integrating nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and blood indices

The early diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is one of the current challenges of farmers and veterinarians. This work aimed to investigate the changes in metabolic levels associated with natural MAP infection in infected and infectious dairy cattle. The study included sera from 23 infectious/seropositive, 10 infected but non-infectious/seronegative, and 26 negative Holstein Fresian cattle. The samples were selected from a collection of samples gathered during a prospective study. The samples were analyzed by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and routine blood chemistry. The blood indices and the 1H NMR data were concatenated by low-level data fusion, resulting in a unique global fingerprint. Afterwards, the merged dataset was statistically analyzed by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), which is a shrinkage and selection method for supervised learning. Finally, pathways analysis was performed to get more insights on the possible dysregulated metabolic pathways. The LASSO model achieved, in a 10 time repeated 5-fold cross-validation, an overall accuracy of 91.5% with high values of sensitivity and specificity in classifying correctly the negative, infected, and infectious animals. The pathway analysis revealed MAP-infected cattle have increased tyrosine metabolism and enhanced phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis. The enhanced synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies was observed both in infected and infectious cattle. In conclusion, fusing data from multiple sources has proved to be useful in exploring the altered metabolic pathways in MAP infection and potentially diagnosing negative animals within paratuberculosis-infected herds

Immunosuppression by monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma is orchestrated by STAT3

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly devastating disease with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 8%. New evidence indicates that PDAC cells release pro-inflammatory metabolites that induce a marked alteration of normal hematopoiesis, favoring the expansion and accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We report here that PDAC patients show increased levels of both circulating and tumor-infiltrating MDSC-like cells. Methods: The frequency of MDSC subsets in the peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry in three independent cohorts of PDAC patients (total analyzed patients, n = 117). Frequency of circulating MDSCs was correlated with overall survival of PDAC patients. We also analyzed the frequency of tumor-infiltrating MDSC and the immune landscape in fresh biopsies. Purified myeloid cell subsets were tested in vitro for their T-cell suppressive capacity. Results: Correlation with clinical data revealed that MDSC frequency was significantly associated with a shorter patients' overall survival and metastatic disease. However, the immunosuppressive activity of purified MDSCs was detectable only in some patients and mainly limited to the monocytic subset. A transcriptome analysis of the immunosuppressive M-MDSCs highlighted a distinct gene signature in which STAT3 was crucial for monocyte re-programming. Suppressive M-MDSCs can be characterized as circulating STAT3/arginase1-expressing CD14+ cells. Conclusion: MDSC analysis aids in defining the immune landscape of PDAC patients for a more appropriate diagnosis, stratification and treatment

Comunicación preliminar: Referencia a la Función Paterna en la caracterización psicoanalítica de las llamadas “presentaciones actuales” del padecimiento subjetivo

Este artículo presenta un proyecto de investigación que pretende contribuir a revisar y ampliar las bases teóricas del psicoanálisis como herramienta clínica para el abordaje del padecimiento subjetivo propio de nuestra época, indagando el papel atribuido en teorizaciones recientes a vicisitudes de la Función Paterna para dar cuenta de las llamadas “presentaciones clínicas actuales”. Durante las últimas décadas se han producido vertiginosos cambios en los modos de organización social y familiar de nuestra sociedad occidental, numerosos autores de distintas disciplinas vinculan estos cambios con nuevas presentaciones del malestar. En esta investigación nos proponemos realizar una indagación -bibliográfica pero también clínica- de las posiciones teóricas psicoanalíticas que intentan dar razón de las llamadas “presentaciones clínicas actuales” refiriéndolas a características de la época, tomando como eje de lectura el papel atribuido a la Función Paterna. Intentaremos ordenar y sistematizar las diversas posiciones existentes, y elucidar su incidencia tanto en la transmisión de la teoría psicoanalítica como en la práctica clínica. Este proyecto, basado en una metodología de análisis y comparación de textos (con la inclusión problemática de los “textos clínicos”), recorrerá una primera fase exploratoria, para luego intentar otra correlacional, de la que espera obtener conclusiones útiles para pensar la teoría y la clínica psicoanalíticas.This paper presents a research project that aims to contribute to expand the theoretical foundations of psychoanalysis as clinical tool for dealing with the subjective suffering of our own time, by investigating the role that recent theories attributed to vicissitudes of fatherly role for explain the so-called "present clinical presentations". During last decades there have been rapid changes in modes of social organization and family of our western society. Many authors of different disciplines link these changes with new presentations of discomfort. In this research we plan to undertake an inquiry -bibliographic but also clinical- of psychoanalytic theoretical positions that try to give a reason for the "present clinical presentations" referring it to actual characteristics of the time, by taking as an axis for reading the role attributed to the parental role. We will try to sort and systematize the various positions, and elucidate their impact on transmission of psychoanalytical theory as in clinical practice. This project, based on a methodology for analysis and comparison of texts (with the problematic inclusion of "clinical texts"), will travel a first exploratory phase, and then seek another correlational, which expects to obtain useful conclusions for thinking about the theory and the psychoanalytic clinic