Nuevas lombrices de tierra acanthodrilidas de los géneros protozapotecia y trigaster de Cuba (annelida, crassiclitellata)

Four new Cuban species of the family Acanthodrilidae are described from west (Protozapotecia angelesae sp.nov.), center (Protozapotecia centralis sp.nov., Protozapotecia cubensis sp.nov.) and east (Trigaster setarmata sp.nov.) regions. The new species are closely related to northeast and east Mexico (Protozapotecia and Zapatadrilus) and Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands earthworms (Trigaster). Whereas new Protozapotecia species possess two gizzards and holonephridia, Trigaster setarmata sp.nov. has three gizzards and meronephridia. Protozapotecia angelesae sp.nov. is separated from all Mexican species of the genus by the absence of typhlosole and penial setae and by presence of free lamellae in the esophagus of 11 and 12. The presence of penial setae and typhlosole relates the other two new Protozapotecia species to Mexican worms; from all of them, Protozapotecia cubensis sp.nov is separated by a dorsal pore in 4/5, free calciferous lamellae in 13 and a lateral spermathecal diverticulum, whereas Protozapotecia cubensis sp.nov. is differentiated by last hearts in 13 and calciferous lamellae in segments 13, 14 and 15. Trigaster setarmata sp.nov. is separated from the four recognized species of the genus by the presence of penial setae and racemose prostatic glands. Clarification of the origin of Cuban acanthodrilids (dispersion or vicariant events) will depend on future sampling and on the elaboration of robust molecular phylogenies.Se describen cuatro nuevas especies de la familia Acanthodrilidae del oeste (Protozapotecia angelesae sp.nov.), centro (Protozapotecia centralis sp.nov., Protozapotecia cubensis sp.nov.) y este de Cuba (Trigaster setarmata sp.nov.). Las nuevas especies están cercanamente relacionadas con la fauna del noreste y este de México (gé- neros Protozapotecia y Zapatadrilus) y de Puerto Rico e islas Vírgenes (Trigaster). Las nuevas especies de Protozapotecia se caracterizan por tener dos mollejas y holonefridios, mientras que la especie nueva de Trigaster presenta tres mollejas y meronefridios. Protozapotecia angelesae sp.nov. se separa de las especies mexicanas del género por carecer de tiflosol y quetas peneales y por presentar láminas esofágicas libres en los segmentos 11 y 12. Por la presencia de quetas peneales y tiflosol, las otras dos especies nuevas de Protozapotecia se acercan más a la fauna mexicana; mientras que Protozapotecia centralis sp.nov. se separa de todas ellas por el poro dorsal anterior en 4/5, las láminas esofágicas libres en el segmento 13 y el divertículo espermatecal lateral sésil, Protozapotecia cubensis sp.nov. se diferencia por los últimos corazones en el segmento 13 y por las láminas esofágicas libres en los segmentos 13,14 y 15. Trigaster setarmata sp.nov. se separa de las cuatro especies conocidas del género por presentar quetas peneales y próstatas racemosas. Clarificar el origen de la fauna de acanthodrilidos cubanos (dispersión o vicarianza) dependerá de futuras colectas y de contar con filogenias moleculares robusta

Interaction of Nanoparticles with Blood Components and Associated Pathophysiological Effects

Nanotechnology currently plays a pivotal role in several fields and has enabled substantial advances in a relatively short time. In biomedicine, nanomaterials can be potentially employed as a tool for early diagnosis and an innovative mode of drug delivery. Novel nanomaterials are currently widely manipulated without a full assessment of their potential health risks. It is commonly thought that nanomaterials’ first contact with the organism is through the different components of the immune system. However, if the entry route is intravenous, the first contact will be with the blood’s components (erythrocytes, platelets, white cells, plasma and complement proteins). The presence of nanomaterials within a dynamic environment such as the bloodstream can produce potential harmful effects following interaction with several blood components. The design of innovative strategies leading to the development of more hemocompatible nanomaterials is also necessary

Potential Harm of Maltodextrin‐Coated Cadmium Sulfide Quantum Dots in Embryos and Fetuses

Over the past years, there has been significant interest in the study of nanoparticles for clinical applications, particularly quantum dots (QDs). However, previous studies have also shown that QDs can reach the embryo through the placenta, a natural barrier for a large variety of organic substances with diverse molecular structures, and may cause developmental deformities. Due to its essential role in a toxicological profile and its relevance to human safety, knowledge regarding embryotoxicity is of great importance. Previous studies by this research group have shown that CdS‐maltodextrin QDs are biocompatible and nontoxic to cells and animals; however, QDs are able to induce embryotoxic effects. Therefore, as an effort to further address the issue, we studied the effects of CdS‐maltodextrin QDs on embryo and fetus development using an embryotoxicity and teratogenicity assay on chicken embryos. Chicken embryos exposed to CdS‐maltodextrin QDs (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 µg/kg) in ovo for 72 h showed growth and developmental alterations during the early stage and at the end of their development in a dose‐dependent manner. Decreased development was observed during early stages (Stages 9/10 on the Hamburger‐Hamilton scale) when compared with untreated eggs (Stage 13). Chicken embryos exposed to lower CdS‐maltodextrin QDs doses (0.01, 0.1 and 1 ng/kg) and incubated in ovo for 21 h also showed growth and development alterations during the early stages and at the end of their development in a dose‐dependent manner. However, reduced development was observed at the end of the development period (21 days), and this was associated with death of the chick. Current studies have also shown that CdS‐dextrin induces embryotoxicity and teratogenicity, affecting mainly the CNS, the neural tube and somites in chicken embryos. The nature of the observed abnormalities suggests that these effects could be directly associated with nanoparticle concentrations affecting somitogenesis. Therefore, according to the results, there is a high probability that the prolonged accumulation of QDs in the maternal organism may be potentially harmful on embryo and fetus development. This study is limited to the analysis of embryotoxic and teratogenic effects induced by CdS‐maltodextrin QDs

Toxicity of Quantum Dots

Quantum dots (QD) have been deeply studied due to their physicochemical and optical properties with important advantages of a wide range biomedical applications. Nevertheless, concern prevails about its toxic effects, mainly in those QD whose core contains cadmium. Therefore, there are reports about the toxicity caused by the release of ions of cadmium and the effects related to its tiny nanometric size. The aim of this chapter is to show the evaluations about the toxicity of QD, which include studies on viability, proliferation, uptake, and distribution in vitro and in vivo models. What are the worrying toxic effects of QD? There are reports about some mechanisms of toxicity caused by QD, such as immunological toxicity, cell death (apoptosis and necrosis), genotoxicity, among others. In addition, we discuss how coating QD with passivating agents that improve their biocompatibility. Likewise, this coating modifies their size and surface charge, which are fundamental aspects of the interaction with other biomolecules. We consider highlighting information about more precise techniques and methodologies that help us to understand how QD induce damage in several biological systems

Understanding the Anti-Tumor Properties Mediated by the Synthetic Peptide GK-1

Cancer exhibits adaptive features typical of complex systems, like resilience and robustness to environmental challenges through the emergent co-evolution of its components. These events promote carcinogenesis through dynamic interactions among numerous components and subsystems, including the immune system. During the past decade, our research group has provided substantial evidence that the peptide GK-1 has important immunomodulatory properties. In elderly mice, GK-1 acts as a potent adjuvant of the influenza vaccine through a mechanism that involves the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IFN-γ, TNFα, CCL2). To date, there is solid evidence supporting the antitumoral properties of GK-1 in murine cancer models. First, a lower occurrence and smaller size of spontaneous bronchiolar adenomas were found in elderly GK-1-treated mice compared to paired untreated mice. In two independent studies, GK-1 treatment reduced tumor growth and increased mouse survival in a murine model of melanoma and breast tumor. In the former model, a synergy between GK-1 and anti-PD-L1 treatment was observed, while in the latter, GK-1 alone controlled the metastatic burden. The effective activation of APCs induced by GK-1, restoring the antitumor-specific immunity, may underlie some of its antineoplastic effects

FILOGENIA Y BIOGEOGRAFÍA DE CUBADRILUS (OLIGOCHAETA: OCTOCHAETIDAE), UN GÉNERO NUEVO DE LOMBRIZ DE TIERRA DE CUBA

The finding of three new Cuban earthworm species, made it neccesary to describe Cubadrilus gen.nov. in order to include these species and former Cuban Zapatadrilus species. A parsimony phylogenetic analysis (PAUP, v. 3.1.1.) of the genera Cubadrilus, Zapatadrilus, Trigaster, Borgesia and Neotrigaster supported this arrangement, and pointed out the following synapomorphies of Cubadrilus gen. nov: spermathecal duct elongated and joined to anterior septum, half-ring shaped spermathecal diverticula and ventral bifid oesophagous invaginations. The new genus Cubadrilus is considered an intermediate taxon between the mexican Zapatadrilus and the other genera of the Greater Antilles. On the basis of recent interpretations of the geologic history of Cuba, it is proposed that the ancestors of Cubadrilus dispersed from Southern North America during the tertiary.La descripción de tres especies nuevas de lombrices de tierra de Cuba hizo necesario separar en un género nuevo (Cubadrilus gen. nov.) todas las especies cubanas asignadas al género Zapatadrilus. Los resultados de un análisis filogenético de parsimonia (PAUP, V. 3.1.1) de las especies de los géneros Cubadrilus, Zapatadrilus, Trigaster, Borgesia y Neotrigaster apoyan totalmente esta separación y señalan como sinapomorfías de Cubadrilus gen. nov. a los conductos espermatecales largos y pegados al septo anterior, divertículos espermatecales semianillados y presencia en el esófago de una invaginación bífida ventral. Con este nuevo arreglo Cubadrilus aparece como un taxon intermedio entre las lombrices de México, representadas por Zapatadrilus, y las de las restantes Antillas mayores. Dada la historia geológica de Cuba, se propone que los ancestros de Cubadrilus invadieron Cuba dispersándose del sur de Norteamérica a mediados del terciari

Models of Hepatotoxicity for the Study of Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease affects globally and has a high morbidity and mortality rate. It is histopathologically characterized by the presence of inflammation, and the progressive destruction and regeneration of the hepatic parenchyma, which can lead to the development of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Most liver diseases tend to become chronic and can be therefore studied in animal models, as it is possible to quickly develop pathological processes in animals with a high degree of reproducibility and obtain predictive data regarding the different hepatopathies. The development of animal models in the field of hepatology has been geared toward the search for new knowledge meant to favor human well-being and proved useful in translational medicine focused on liver disease. Like any other methodological tool, animal models provide valuable. Obviously, a single model cannot reproduce the complexity and spectrum of all liver diseases, which is why a wide variety are currently employed: they include chemically, immune, diet, surgically, and genetically modified damage in animals and involve biological agents or the use of humanized livers in rodents. This chapter surveys some of the main animal models used in the study of chronic liver disease and the disease characteristics they mimic

Comparación de Dos Sistemas de Siembra y Cinco Niveles de Fertilizantes en Sorgo (Sorghum Vulgare Pers) E - 57a.

La presente investigación se realizó en la Granja de la Universidad Tecnológica del Magdalena, con el fin de buscar las dosis de Nitrógeno empleando Urea como fuente nitrogenada más recomendada y comprobar bajo un sistema de siembra (caballón y surco) eran las más recomendadas para obtener la mayor producción. Se utilizó semilla certificada del híbrido E-57a en dosis de 10 y 15 kilogramos por hectárea de acuerdo a la distancia de siembra entre hileras (60 y 100 cm.) e utilizó riego por gravedad cada 10 días, el cual se suspendió por efectos de la lluvia. El análisis estadístico indicó que el cultivo responde únicamente al sistema de siembra y distancia de siembras y no así al fertilizante. Se presentó ataque de cogollero (Spodoptera sp), que fue controlado con Dipterex 80% el cual no se reportó en forma significativa