Bordetella parapertussis Survives inside Human Macrophages in Lipid Raft-Enriched Phagosomes

Bordetella parapertussis is a human pathogen that causes whooping cough. The increasing incidence of B. parapertussis has been attributed to the lack of cross protection induced by pertussis vaccines. It was previously shown that B. parapertussis is able to avoid bacterial killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) if specific opsonic antibodies are not present at the site of interaction. Here, we evaluated the outcome of B. parapertussis innate interaction with human macrophages, a less aggressive type of cell and a known reservoir of many persistent pathogens. The results showed that in the absence of opsonins, O antigen allows B. parapertussis to inhibit phagolysosomal fusion and to remain alive inside macrophages. The O antigen targets B. parapertussis to lipid rafts that are retained in the membrane of phagosomes that do not undergo lysosomal maturation. Forty-eight hours after infection, wild-type B. parapertussis bacteria but not the O antigen-deficient mutants were found colocalizing with lipid rafts and alive in nonacidic compartments. Taken together, our data suggest that in the absence of opsonic antibodies, B. parapertussis survives inside macrophages by preventing phagolysosomal maturation in a lipid raft- and O antigen-dependent manner. Two days after infection, about 15% of macrophages were found loaded with live bacteria inside flotillin-enriched phagosomes that had access to nutrients provided by the host cell recycling pathway, suggesting the development of an intracellular infection. IgG opsonization drastically changed this interaction, inducing efficient bacterial killing. These results highlight the need for B. parapertussis opsonic antibodies to induce bacterial clearance and prevent the eventual establishment of cellular reservoirs of this pathogen.Fil: Gorgojo, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Harvill, Eric. State University of Pennsylvania; Estados UnidosFil: Rodriguez, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; Argentin

Plantas y hongos tintóreos de los wichís del Gran Chaco

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación etnobotánica que trata los tintes vegetales y fúngicos entre los indígenas wichí del Chaco Semiárido. Se realizaron trabajos de campo con informantes calificados y ocasionales de ambos sexos en localidades de las provincias argentinas de Salta y Formosa. Asimismo, se hizo una revisión minuciosa de la bibliografía vinculada con el tema. Se encontraron 24 especies de plantas y 2 de hongos que son usadas para colorear productos textiles realizados a partir de fibras de cháguar (Bromelia hieronymi y B. urbaniana). Se proporcionan informaciones y detalles sobre los nombres vernáculos de las especies, las partes usadas, los procedimientos de tinción y los colores logrados. El número total de plantas tintóreas encontrado es alto comparado con los que fueron citados para otras etnias chaquenses y se registraron especies que antes no fueron mencionadas como tintóreas entre los wichís.Dye plants and fungi among the Wichí people of the Gran Chaco. This paper presents the results of an ethnobotanical investigation into plant and fungal dyes used by the Wichí people of the Semiarid Chaco. Fieldwork was carried out with occasional and key informants, both men and women, in several locations of Salta and Formosa provinces in Argentina. Moreover, a detailed examination of the bibliography on the topic was conducted. Twenty-four plant species and two fungi that are used for coloring textile products made from cháguar fibers (Bromelia hieronymi and B. urbaniana) were found. Information and details on the vernacular names of the species, the parts that are used, the dying technique and the colors obtained are provided. The total number of dye plants found is high compared with the ones cited among other Chaco ethnic groups, and records were made of species that had not previously been mentioned among the Wichí people as being used for dyes.Fil: Suarez, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; ArgentinaFil: Arenas Rodriguez, Pastor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin

El índice de Masa corporal y su asociación con la actividad física

El estilo de vida de los estudiantes de licenciatura en enfermería se modifica por las carga horaria, el cual tiene un impacto en el índice de masa corporal.Uno de los retos más importantes de Salud Pública son los problemas de sobrepeso y obesidad de la población, por los riesgos para la salud que esto implica. La enfermera no solo tiene un compromiso social a través de la educación para la salud, sino también con ella misma, de ahí la importancia de determinar el Índice de Masa Corporal y su asociación con actividad física desde su formación. Para tal efecto, se realizó este estudio cuantitativo transversal, muestra no probabilística con 111 participantes. Los resultados muestran que 52.3% sí realiza actividad física; el 11.7% presentan sobrepeso, y el 2.7% obesidad tipo I. Se encontró asociación entre el Índice de Masa Corporal con antecedentes heredofamiliares (Chi2= 8.689, p≤ .003). El porcentaje de sobrepeso y obesidad en los alumnos de enfermería participantes en el estudio se encuentra por debajo de la media nacional, lo cual significa una fortaleza que debe vigilarse y mantenerse toda la vida.Ningun

Cost of intensive routine control and incremental cost of insecticide-treated curtain deployment in a setting with low Aedes aegypti infestation

Introduction: Information regarding the cost of implementing insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) is scarce. Therefore, we evaluated the ITC implementation cost, in addition to the costs of intensive conventional routine activities of the Aedes control program in the city of Guantanamo, Cuba. Methods: A cost-analysis study was conducted from the perspective of the Aedes control program, nested in an ITC effectiveness trial, during 2009-2010. Data for this study were obtained from bookkeeping records and activity registers of the Provincial Aedes Control Programme Unit and the account records of the ITC trial. Results: The annual cost of the routine Aedes control program activities was US$16.80 per household (p.h). Among 3,015 households, 6,714 ITCs were distributed. The total average cost per ITC distributed was US$3.42, and 74.3% of this cost was attributed to the cost of purchasing the ITCs. The annualized costs p.h. of ITC implementation was US$3.80. The additional annualized cost for deploying ITCs represented 19% and 48.4% of the total cost of the routine Aedes control and adult-stage Aedes control programs, respectively. The trial did not lead to further reductions in the already relatively low Aedes infestation levels. Conclusions: At current curtain prices, ITC deployment can hardly be considered an efficient option in Guantanamo and other comparable environments

Investigation of the Role of Amide I to Amide II Ratio and Alpha Helix to Beta Sheet Ratio of Faba Bean Seeds in the Determination of Microbial Protein Synthesis and Animal Performance and Metabolism in Ruminant Livestock Systems.

The food and feed industries have benefited from the application of Infrared Spectroscopy as spectral features have been associated with nutrient quality and degradation characteristics. To our knowledge, the effects of steam pressure toasting (SPT) duration on spectral features of Faba bean seeds (FBS) have not been previously evaluated, and the influence of amide I to amide II ratio, and α-helix to β-sheet ratio (α_β) on the protein quality (solubility and digestibility), metabolism, and bioavailability in dairy cows has not been established. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the role of the protein-related spectral ratios on the nutrient quality and protein metabolism of FBS in high lactating dairy cows through the application of laboratory and spectroscopic analysis, feed evaluation models (CNCPS, NRC2001, DVE), in situ nylon bag incubation, and in vitro batch culture techniques. Data were analyzed with Procedure MIXED of SAS 9.4 software using a RCBD model with the significance declared at P 0.05). The fat yield (kg/cow/day) tended to be lower with TMR_15 and TMR_30 compared to the other treatments (linear P = 0.05), milk urea nitrogen (MUN) was reduced from 12.2 to 11.1 mg/dl with TMR_0 to TMR_30, respectively (P < 0.01). The fat corrected milk (FCM3.5%) and energy corrected milk (ECM) tended to be slightly increased with TMR_7.5 than TMR_0 (P = 0.07, P = 0.08, respectively). Both parameters had a tendency to be reduced with TMR_15 and TMR_30 compared to the other treatments (P = 0.07, P = 0.08, ii respectively). Moreover, the actual milk yield, averaged pH, averaged NH3, and total VFA’s concentration were not significantly different among the dietary treatments (P > 0.05) with corresponding values reaching 39 kg/cow/day, 6.32, 102.7 mg/L, and 76.7 mmol/L, respectively. The feed efficiency (ECM/DMI) was reduced with TMR_15 and TMR_30 compared to TMR_0 (linear P = 0.02). In the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC), CP disappearance decreased (linear P < 0.01) from TMR_0 to TMR_30, and the total microbial nitrogen (MN) increased (quadratic P = 0.03) from TMR_0 to TMR_15 (73.5 to 88.4 mg/day, respectively). In the present study, the application of mid-Infrared molecular analysis was helpful to determine changes in the protein molecular structures of FBS induced by SPT duration. Hence, the peak heights of α-helix, β-sheet, and the area ratio of amide I to amide II found in the present study were increased over SPT duration in the endosperm of FBS determined with Synchrotron radiation-based Infrared (IR) micro-spectroscopy (SR-IMS). Moreover, the areas of total amide, amide I, and amide II and the peak heights of α-helix and β-sheet were reduced over SPT duration when a mixture of the FBS’ pericarp, seed coat, aleurone cell, and endosperm was analyzed using Attenuated total reflectance- Fourier transformed IR spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). A decreased ratio of α_β in FBS was found with increasing SPT duration with both SR-IMS and ATR-FTIR techniques. Additionally, SPT at 121 °C was effective to reduce protein and starch degradability in the rumen with different responses observed with different SPT duration in FBS among the treatments. The truly digested protein in the small intestine (DVE-MP) increased with SPT. Cows fed TMR’s with 10% inclusion of raw FBS yielded 39.1 and 43.9 kg/cow/day of milk and FCM, respectively, with 3.90% fat, 2.98% protein, and 4.55% lactose contents in the milk. Cows fed TMR’s with 10% inclusion of steam-pressure toasted FBS for 7.5 min yielded 39.9 and 44.4 kg/cow/day of milk and FCM, respectively, with 3.95% fat, 2.97% protein, and 4.53% lactose contents in the milk. Finally, cows fed TMR’s with 10% inclusion of steam-pressure toasted FBS for 15 and 30 min yielded on average 39.4 and 41.2 kg/cow/day of milk and FCM, respectively, with 3.79% fat, 2.98% protein, and 4.56% lactose contents in the milk. The optimal processing, time, and level of inclusion should be considered when FBS are used in combination with more traditional sources of protein and starch to improve the production performance of high lactating dairy cows

Acción de tutela y derecho de rectificación de la información.

El derecho a la rectificación de la información se constituye como una herramienta efectiva cuando por informaciones inexactas se le vulneran los derechos fundamentales a una persona, relativos a la honra, buen nombre, dignidad humana, intimidad personal, familiar, etc.,  la cual podrá acudir ante los jueces, en acción de tutela para exigir su inmediata protección,  previo el cumplimiento de los requisitos legales. Con este artículo se realiza un recorrido por las principales sentencias de la Corte Constitucional relativas al derecho a la rectificación de la información y la acción de tutela, en las que se dilucida  si es viable solicitar el amparo de los derechos fundamentales conculcados a través de la acción de tutela en forma inmediata,  o si por el contrario es requisito indispensable solicitar previamente al medio que la difundió la rectificación de la información maliciosa que está produciendo el perjuicio aludido

Bordetella pertussis entry into respiratory epithelial cells and intracellular survival

Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of pertussis, aka whooping cough. Although generally considered an extracellular pathogen, this bacterium has been found inside respiratory epithelial cells, which might represent a survival strategy inside the host. Relatively little is known, however, about the mechanism of internalization and the fate of B. pertussis inside the epithelia. We show here that B. pertussis is able to enter those cells by a mechanism dependent on microtubule assembly, lipid raft integrity, and the activation of a tyrosine-kinase-mediated signaling. Once inside the cell, a significant proportion of the intracellular bacteria evade phagolysosomal fusion and remain viable in nonacidic lysosome-associated membrane-protein-1-negative compartments. In addition, intracellular B. pertussis was found able to repopulate the extracellular environment after complete elimination of the extracellular bacteria with polymyxin B. Taken together, these data suggest that B. pertussis is able to survive within respiratory epithelial cells and by this means potentially contribute to host immune system evasion.Fil: Lamberti, Yanina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Gorgojo, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Massillo, Cintia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; Argentin

El uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación en el desarrollo académico de los alumnos universitarios: caso Facultad de Enfermería y Obstetricia

Los dispositivos, que brindan acceso a Internet, facilitan la comunicación y la información, convertidas en complementos indispensables en la vida de los alumnos, donde su uso contribuye con el aprendizaje y la educación. Se hizo un estudio cuantitativo, no experimental, transversal. Instrumento dividido en tres categorías: actitudes, uso y dominio de las tecnologías. La muestra fue de 299 estudiantes. 56% están completamente de acuerdo en que son una herramienta efectiva para el aprendizaje. 50% de acuerdo en que mejorarán la calidad educativa en clase. Un 41% de acuerdo en que son un complemento positivo para los libros, y un 42% a las bases de datos de bibliotecas virtuales y obtener información profesional. 62%, que optimizan el proceso de aprendizaje, y 39% plantean usarlas en lo académico. Las TIC benefician su desarrollo académico

From Indicators to Policies: Open Sustainability Assessment in the Water and Sanitation Sector

A water and sanitation sustainability index (WASSI) was developed and estimated in four cities of the province of Salta, in northern Argentina. The index was built with nine descriptors and fifteen indicators that covered all essential aspects of the sustainability of local water and sanitation management systems. Only one of the cities studied obtained a sustainability value above the acceptability threshold adopted (50 of 100 points). Results indicate that the water company needs to address some environmental and social issues to enhance the sustainability of the systems studied. The WASSI was conceptually robust and operationally simple, and could be easily adapted to the case studies. The index can be followed and updated online on a web site specially developed for this project. This website could be useful to promote participatory processes, assist decision makers, and facilitate academic research. According to local stakeholders, a more open sustainability assessment based on sustainability indices and supported by virtual tools would be relevant and highly feasible. It would help decision makers improve the sustainability and transparency of water and sanitation management systems, and promote more sustainable water policies in the region and beyond.Fil: Iribarnegaray, Martín Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional; ArgentinaFil: Gatto D'andrea, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Alvarez, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional; ArgentinaFil: Hernandez, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional; ArgentinaFil: Brannstrom, Christian. Texas A&M University; Estados UnidosFil: Seghezzo, Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energia No Convencional; Argentin

Synthesis of Ce/Ru Doped ZnO photocatalysts to the degradation of emerging pollutants in wastewater

Semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs) of doped ZnO system with different dopant content have been synthesized by Polyol-Mediated Thermolysis (PMT) process and Vapour-Solid (VS) reaction. The average crystallite size, morphology, specific surface area, and direct band gap have been evaluated. The structural and functional characteristics have been studied by X-Ray Diffraction techniques (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) method, UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectra (DRS), UV-Vis Spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence measurements (PL). Also, the photocatalytic activities of pure and doped ZnONPs were evaluated by removal rate of Methylene Blue (MB) under UV irradiation (365 nm) at room temperature. XRD patterns revealed the common hexagonal ZnO Wurtzite-type structures with a preferred orientation of (101) plane. Secondary phases as CeO2, Ce2O3, Ce, RuO2, Ru3O4, Ruhave been identified. For both dopant, Ceand Ru, and for all the concentrations in the precursor solution, FESEM and HRTEM showed NPswith morphologies ranging from spherical/ellipsoidal to hexagonal. The size of NPs was observed to decrease (from ~30 to ~16 nm) with increasing doping concentration due to the interaction between the Ce-O-Zn or Ru-O-Zn ions. EDS results confirmed the incorporation of Ce or Ru ions into ZnO lattice.Using the Kubelka-Munk treatment on the diffuse reflectance spectra, the direct band gap energy has been estimated to be slightly lower than 3.0 eV in both, the Ce and Ru-doped samples. Compared with pure ZnO NPs, the PL spectra of the doped NPs showed red-shifted UV emission and an enhanced blue emission with the typical broad green-yellow emission. The results showed that photocatalytic efficiency of doped ZnO NPs was always enhanced