Role of the distal nephron on salt homeostasis and blood pressure regulation

The distal nephron is constituted by the distal convoluted tubule, connecting tubule, and collecting duct. It is also known as “aldosterone sensitive distal nephron” (ASDN) because it is the anatomical substrate for the classical aldosterone effect of reabsorbing sodium and excreting potassium. This region is thought to perform the “fine-tuning” of ions and water homeostasis to balance intake levels. Consequently, this segment has significant impacts on sodium reabsorption and blood pressure regulation, illustrated by some genetic alteration effects such as Liddle syndrome, pseudohypoaldosteronism, and Pendred syndrome. In this mini-review, we explore the ASDN structure and the main channels that participate in sodium and chloride reabsorption. The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the interchanger chloride-bicarbonate transporter (pendrin) are reviewed in detail as the main drivers of salt reabsorption in this segment. We also provide an introduction to crosstalk communication between the connecting tubule and the afferent arteriole as a feedback mechanism to integrate tubular sodium handling in this segment, in addition to its role in renal hemodynamics autoregulation.El nefrón distal está constituido por el túbulo contorneado distal, túbulo conector, y el conducto colector. También es conocido como el “nefrón distal sensible a aldosterona” (NDSA) ya que es el sustrato anatómico del efecto clásico de la aldosterona de reabsorción de sodio y excreción de potasio. Se piensa que esta región lleva a cabo el “ajuste fino” de la homeostasis de los iones y agua para balancear los niveles de ingesta. En consecuencia, este segmento tiene impactos significativos en la reabsorción de sodio y regulación de la presión sanguínea, ilustrado por algunos efectos de alteración genética tales como el síndrome de Liddle, seudohipoaldosteronismo y síndrome de Pendred. En esta minirevisión, exploramos la estructura del NDSA y los principales canales que participan en la reabsorción de sodio y cloruro. El canal de sodio epitelial (ENaC) y el intercambiador cloruro-bicarbonato (pendrina) son revisados en detalle como los principales responsables de la reabsorción de sal en este segmento. También se provee una introducción de la comunicación cruzada entre el túbulo conector y la arteriola aferente como un mecanismo de retroalimentación para integrar el manejo del sodio tubular en este segmento, además de su rol en la autorregulación hemodinámica renal.Sociedad Argentina de Fisiologí

EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE PULMONARY EDEMA INDUCED BY THE VENOM OF THE SCORPION TITYUS ASTHENES IN RATS

The species Tityus asthenes has been responsible for scorpion sting deaths in Panama. Pulmonary edema is one of the main causes of death registered by scorpionism. In the present work, we determined the capacity of the venom of the scorpion Tityus asthenes to induce pulmonary edema in rats. The ability of T. asthenes venom to induce acute pulmonary edema in rats was determined using four approaches: (1) the difference in wet weight using the lung index between treated and untreated lungs; (2) histological analysis; (3) changes in pulmonary vascular permeability; and (4) total leukocyte count obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage. We found that histological sections of venom-treated lungs showed moderate pulmonary edema, and an increase in total leukocyte count compared to control samples. However, the pulmonary index and the vascular permeability of venom-treated lungs were similar to those of control samples. We conclude that the venom of T. asthenes scorpions can induce moderate pulmonary edema in rats. The experimental model was validated for future studies on the pathophysiology of pulmonary edema caused by the venom of scorpions of the genus Tityus in Panama

Tratamiento de estacas con agua caliente para el control de la bacteriosis CBB (Casava Bligbt Bacterium) en dos variedades de yuca (Manibot Sculenta).

Los cultivos de yuca de la zona bananera, están siendo afectados por una bacteriosis cuyo daño causa pérdidas económicas considerables en este cultivo, lo que ha obligado a la búsqueda de medidas de control eficaces y económicas al agricultor, hecho por el cual se pensó en el presente ensayo en noviembre de 1.975. El objetivo de este estudio, se basó en probar el efecto que pudiera tener el tratamiento de estacas de yuca afectadas por el CBB (Cassava Bacterial Blight) mediante la utilización de dos tratamientos térmicos y cuatro tiempos de exposición a dichas temperaturas. Se inició el ensayo se realizó en coordinación entre la Universidad Tecnológica del Magdalena, Facultad de Agronomía y la Granja Experimental Caribia del Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (Sevilla -Magdalena). El tiempo aproximado del trabajo fue de 11 meses. Se inició el ensayo con el aislamiento del patógeno de hojas de plantas enfermas y luego se llevó a cabo la prueba de patogenicidad. comprobada la patogenicidad de la bacteria se procedió el corte de cangles de yuca de dos variedades (10 - 70 y U-34), los que se tomaron de plantas enfermas y sanas, a éstos últimos se inoculó la bacteria aislada mediante frotes con un aplicador de algodón humedecido. Es la suspensión bacteriana. Antes de realizar la siembra se trataron los cangles, sumergiendolos en agua caliente en dos temperaturas (52°C y 56°C) y cuatro tiempos (2,5,10,20 minutos). Las evaluaciones se hacían en las hojas inmediatamente después de germinado el cultivo y se valoraban de acuerdo a una escala ya establecida, que iba de O a 4 grados de infectividad. Días después de la germinación se tomaron trocitos de tallos y se depositaron en cajas Petri que contenían un medio de cultivo (Agar-nutritivo-TZC), en donde creció el patógeno, lo que demostró la ineficacia en los tratamientos. La humedad relativa y precipitación mostraron jugar un papel importante en el desarrollo de la enfermedad

Quantitative proteomic analysis of Huh-7 cells infected with Dengue virus by label-free LC–MS

AbstractDengue is an important and growing public health problem worldwide with an estimated 100million new clinical cases annually. Currently, no licensed drug or vaccine is available. During natural infection in humans, liver cells constitute one of the main targets of dengue virus (DENV) replication. However, a clear understanding of dengue pathogenesis remains elusive. In order to gain a better reading of the cross talk between virus and host cell proteins, we used a proteomics approach to analyze the host response to DENV infection in a hepatic cell line Huh-7. Differences in proteome expression were assayed 24h post-infection using label-free LC–MS. Quantitative analysis revealed 155 differentially expressed proteins, 64 of which were up-regulated and 91 down-regulated. These results reveal an important decrease in the expression of enzymes involved in the glycolytic pathway, citrate cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. This study provides large-scale quantitative information regarding protein expression in the early stages of infection that should be useful for better compression of the pathogenesis of dengue.Biological significanceDengue infection involves alterations in the homeostasis of the host cell. Defining the interactions between virus and cell proteins should provide a better understanding of how viruses propagate and cause disease. Here, we present for the first time the proteomic analysis of hepatocytes (Huh-7 cells) infected with DENV-2 by label-free LC–MS.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics, mass spectrometry and peptidomics, Cancun 2013. Guest Editors: César López-Camarillo, Victoria Pando-Robles and Bronwyn Jane Barkla

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perceived Quality of Palliative Care in Nursing Homes

The Nursing Homes End-of-life Programme (NUHELP) was developed in 2017 and is based on quality standards of palliative care, but it was not implemented due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To describe perceptions among staff at nursing homes and primary health care (PHC) centres regarding the relevance, feasibility, and degree of achievement of quality standards for palliative care in nursing homes and to determine the differences in these perceptions before and after the pandemic. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Professionals at eight nursing homes and related PHC centres who participated in NUHELP development assessed 42 palliative care standards at two time points (2018 and 2022). The Mann–Whitney U test was applied to analyse differences in the scores between these two times and between perceptions at nursing homes and at PHC centres. Results: The study population consisted of 58 professionals in 2018 and 50 in 2022. The standard regarding communication with persons affected by the death of a family member was considered less relevant (p = 0.05), and that concerning the culturally sensitive and dignified treatment of the body was less fully achieved (p = 0.03) in 2022 than in 2018. Social support (p = 0.04), sharing information among the care team (p = 0.04), patient participation (p = 0.04) and information about the treatment provided (p = 0.03) were all more poorly achieved in 2022 than in 2018. The perceptions of nursing home and PHC workers differed in several respects. Conclusions: Professional intercommunication and social support should be reinforced, and residents should be more actively involved in decision-making.Consejeria de Salud y Familias, Junta de Andalucia (Fundacion Publica Andaluza Progreso y Salud) AP-0105-201

Myocardial revascularization surgery in a patient with Situs Inversus Totalis: A case report

Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital abnormality. Most coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries in patients with dextrocardia were performed with anastomosis, using the right internal thoracic artery to revascularize the left anterior descending. It should be noted that in the literature there are few reports of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, in a patient with this abnormality, its anatomical complexity constitutes a challenge in planning the surgical technique and the grafts to be used. We present an unusual case of a patient with situs inversus totalis and coronary artery disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery making it a more technically complex procedure for surgeons, in addition to the difficulty in choosing grafts.La dextrocardia con situs inversus totalis es una anomalía congénita poco frecuente. La mayoría de las cirugías de injerto de derivación de arteria coronaria en pacientes con dextrocardia se realizaron con anastomosis, utilizando la arteria torácica interna derecha para revascularizar la descendente anterior izquierda. Cabe señalar que en la literatura existen pocos reportes de cirugía de injerto de bypass coronario, en un paciente con esta anomalía. Su complejidad anatómica constituye un desafío en la planificación de la técnica quirúrgica y los injertos a utilizar. Presentamos un caso inusual de un paciente con situs inversus totalis y enfermedad arterial coronaria que se sometió a una cirugía de revascularización coronaria, lo que lo convierte en un procedimiento técnicamente más complejo para los cirujanos, además de la dificultad para elegir los injertos

Effects of N-acetyl-seryl-asparyl-lysyl-proline on blood pressure, renal damage, and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a high prevalence of hypertension. NZBWF1 (SLE-Hyp) mice develop hypertension that can be prevented by modulating T cells. The peptide N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) decreases renal damage and improves renal function in a model of SLE without hypertension (MRL/lpr). However, it is not known whether Ac-SDKP prevents hypertension in NZBWF1 mice. We hypothesized that in SLE-Hyp, Ac-SDKP prevents hypertension and renal damage by modulating T cells. Animals were divided into four groups: (1) control + vehicle, (2) control + Ac-SDKP, (3) SLE + vehicle, and (4) SLE + Ac-SDKP Systolic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria, renal fibrosis, and T-cell phenotype were analyzed. SBP was higher in SLE compared to control mice and was not decreased by Ac-SDKP treatment. Half of SLE mice developed an acute and severe form of hypertension accompanied by albuminuria followed by death. Ac-SDKP delayed development of severe hypertension, albuminuria, and early mortality, but this delay did not reach statistical significance. Ac-SDKP prevented glomerulosclerosis, but not interstitial fibrosis in SLE-Hyp mice. SLE-Hyp mice showed a decrease in helper and cytotoxic T cells as well as an increase in double negative lymphocytes and T helper 17 cells, but these cells were unaffected by Ac-SDKP In conclusion, Ac-SDKP prevents kidney damage, without affecting blood pressure in an SLE animal model. However, during the acute relapse of SLE, Ac-SDKP might also delay the manifestation of an acute and severe form of hypertension leading to early mortality. Ac-SDKP is a potential tool to treat renal damage in SLE-Hyp mice

Dime con que te cubres y te diré quién eres: estrategias de educación no formal como herramienta de conservación

En el marco del proyecto "Conocer para conservar nuestra diversidad biológica",guías del área de Educación Ambiental de la Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCO,CONICET) y docentes y alumnos/as de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturalesy Agrimensura (FaCENA, UNNE) realizaron actividades de taller en el aula y en elParque Provincial San Cayetano para estudiantes de primer grado pertenecientes ala Escuela Primaria N° 553 "San Cayetano" (San Cayetano, Corrientes). El objeti-vo de estas actividades fue la comprensión de los distintos tipos de coberturas quetienen los animales terrestres y acuáticos de la Región. La metodología empleadaincluyó la articulación entre el contenido curricular trabajado por los docentes dela escuela y las actividades ofrecidas por el área de Educación ambiental, desde laidentificación de estructuras, las especies animales que las poseen y los ambientes que habitan. Los conceptos desarrollados giraron en torno a las adaptacionesde los animales, los tipos de cobertura que poseen (pelos, escamas, plumas) y sus formas corporales. Estos conceptos, repasados en aula con un fuerte componentede lecto-comprensión fueron puestos en práctica a partir de una visita guiada a unambiente natural protegido, el Parque Provincial San Cayetano (San Cayetano, Co-rrientes). Tanto los conceptos teóricos como los prácticos fueron implementados apartir del juego, lo que impactó positivamente sobre la asimilación de los conceptosen los niños y niñas de entre 6 a 7 años. Por lo tanto, estas actividades permitenconcluir que la exploración del conocimiento en espacios no formales en articulación con el curriculum refuerza significativamente el conocimiento de la naturalezay promueve valores de conservación

Investigating mutations in the genes GDF9 and BMP15 in Pelibuey sheep through the amplification-refractory mutation system with tetra-primers

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) or mutations are variations with a broad distribution in the genome and, as part of genetic studies, SNP allow the identification of allelic variants related to characteristics of economic importance in sheep production. However, the identification of SNP and their genotypes through sequencing is expensive, as it requires specialized materials and equipment. The objective of this study was to identify polymorphisms and their genotypes in the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) genes in Pelibuey sheep using the tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system through polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR). DNA extraction and amplification of BMP15 and GDF9 were conducted from blood samples contained in WhatmanTM FTATM cards from 60 multiparous Pelibuey ewes with reproductive records. The T-ARMS-PCR methodology allowed the identification of wild-type genotypes and mutated homozygous genotypes in polymorphisms G4 and G6 of GDF9, whereas mutations in the BMP15 gene were not found. These results were confirmed by sequencing. In conclusion, the T-ARMS-PCR methodology allowed the identification of mutated and wild-type genotypes in SNP G4 and G6 of GDF9, although no mutations were found in BMP15 in Pelibuey sheep. This technique was found to be reliable, rapid, and easily applied to identify polymorphic genotypes

Fec, CA5A and CLSTN2 genes and their function during sheep ovulation: a review.

Objective: To describe the function of Fec, CA5A and CLSTN2 genes during ovulation in ewes. Design/methodology/approach: A search and analysis of scientific information related to Fec, CA5A and CLSTN2 genes in sheep was performed. Results: Fec, CA5A and CLSTN2 genes are involved at the ovarian level; ewes carrying the first gene were found to have increased ovulation rate, folliculogenesis and granulosa cell differentiation. CA5A stimulates an increased follicular rate and plays an important role in pre-implantation. While CLSTN2 has activity in ovarian development and growth; it also has the ability to interact with other genes involved in follicular maturation, granulosa cell differentiation and development of the ovarian follicle. Limitations on study/implications: Ewes carrying these genes increase the prolificacy rate in the flock. Findings/conclusions: The expression of these genes acts synergistically in the ovulatory process, enhancing the ovulatory response by contributing to endocrine, paracrine and molecular synchronisation, so that the maturation of the oocyte occurs, leading to ovulation