Sandfly saliva of Lutzomyia ovallesi (Diptera: Psychodidae) as a possible marker for the transmission of Leishmania in Venezuela Andes region

Background & objectives: The saliva of the Phlebotominae is highly immunogenic to the vertebrate host and isa determining factor in the Leishmania infection. The aim of this work was to study the saliva of Lutzomyiaovallesi as a possible risk marker for the transmission of Leishmania.Methods: Two populations of L. ovallesi from different geographical areas and subjected to different environmentalconditions were compared by geometric morphometry of the wings, by protein profile analysis of salivary glandsand by assessing the presence of anti-saliva protein in human sera confronted with laboratory L. ovallesi saliva.Results: The results showed differences in the isometric size and structure of the wings but no allometric effects.Protein profiles of salivary glands of both the L. ovallesi populations studied were found to be similar, based on11 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 16 to 99 kDa. Anti-saliva antibodies were present inhuman sera, but human sera infected and uninfected with leishmaniasis could not be differentiated.Interpretation & conclusion: We conclude that the saliva of laboratory-reared L. ovallesi is representative ofthat of the wild population. It is suggested to study the presence of anti-saliva antibodies in other species ofsandflies and mosquitoe

Bacteria-Carried Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Treatment of Anemia

The efficiency of maghemite nanoparticles for the treatment of anemia was sensibly higher when nanoparticles were incorporated onto the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum (MNP-bacteria) than when administrated as uncoated nanoparticles (MNP). Plasma iron and hemoglobin, intestine expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and duodenal Cytochrome b (DcytB), as well as hepatic expression of the hormone hepcidin were fully restored to healthy levels after administration of MNP-bacteria but not of MNP. A magnetic study on biodistribution and biodegradation showed accumulation of maghemite nanoparticles in intestine lumen when MNP-bacteria were administrated. In contrast, MNP barely reached intestine. In vivo MRI studies suggested the internalization of MNP-bacteria into enterocytes, which did not occur with MNP. Transmission electronic microscopy confirmed this internalization. The collective analysis of results point out that L. fermentum is an excellent carrier to overcome the stomach medium and drive maghemite nanoparticles to intestine, where iron absorption occurs. Due the probiotic ability to adhere to the gut wall, MNP-bacteria internalize into the enterocyte, where maghemite nanoparticles are delivered, providing an adequate iron level into enterocyte. This paper advances a new route for effective iron absorption in the treatment of anemia.The efficiency of maghemite nanoparticles for the treatment of anemia was sensibly higher when nanoparticles were incorporated onto the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum (MNP-bacteria) than when administrated as uncoated nanoparticles (MNP). Plasma iron and hemoglobin, intestine expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and duodenal Cytochrome b (DcytB), as well as hepatic expression of the hormone hepcidin were fully restored to healthy levels after administration of MNP-bacteria but not of MNP. A magnetic study on biodistribution and biodegradation showed accumulation of maghemite nanoparticles in intestine lumen when MNP-bacteria were administrated. In contrast, MNP barely reached intestine. In vivo MRI studies suggested the internalization of MNP-bacteria into enterocytes, which did not occur with MNP. Transmission electronic microscopy confirmed this internalization. The collective analysis of results point out that L. fermentum is an excellent carrier to overcome the stomach medium and drive maghemite nanoparticles to intestine, where iron absorption occurs. Due the probiotic ability to adhere to the gut wall, MNP-bacteria internalize into the enterocyte, where maghemite nanoparticles are delivered, providing an adequate iron level into enterocyte. This paper advances a new route for effective iron absorption in the treatment of anemia

Transcription and mRNA export machineries SAGA and TREX-2 maintain monoubiquitinated H2B balance required for DNA repair

DNA repair is critical to maintaining genome integrity, and its dysfunction can cause accumulation of unresolved damage that leads to genomic instability. The Spt–Ada–Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) coactivator complex and the nuclear pore–associated transcription and export complex 2 (TREX-2) couple transcription with mRNA export. In this study, we identify a novel interplay between human TREX-2 and the deubiquitination module (DUBm) of SAGA required for genome stability. We find that the scaffold subunit of TREX-2, GANP, positively regulates DNA repair through homologous recombination (HR). In contrast, DUBm adaptor subunits ENY2 and ATXNL3 are required to limit unscheduled HR. These opposite roles are achieved through monoubiquitinated histone H2B (H2Bub1). Interestingly, the activity of the DUBm of SAGA on H2Bub1 is dependent on the integrity of the TREX-2 complex. Thus, we describe the existence of a functional interaction between human TREX-2 and SAGA DUBm that is key to maintaining the H2B/HB2ub1 balance needed for efficient repair and HR

Toxicity of wine effluents and assessment of a depuration system for their control: assay with tadpoles of Rhinella arenarum (BUFONIDAE)

We evaluated the toxicity of the winery effluent and the efficiency of a symbiotic depuration system by means an experiment with Rhinella arenarum tadpoles. The studied effluent was taken from warehouses during the cleaning season. These effluents subsequently subjected to the purification treatment under evaluation. The effluent samples differentiated into two treatment levels: “raw” where the effluent was evaluated with field conditions and “treated” where the effluent was previously filtered with the symbiotic depuration system. The results of the bioassays compared with the physicochemical parameters determined in the effluent samples. The lethal response had a clear-cut correspondence with the effluent quality assessed utilizing physicochemical parameters. In all cases, dilution of the samples resulted in a significant reduction of their toxicity. It concluded that (a) winery effluents could be harmful to tadpoles of R. arenarum, (b) the symbiotic purification system used to treat wine effluents it would produce a significant reduction in the contaminant levels of the effluent. However, this reduction in contaminant levels does not provide sufficient safety for the release of the effluents into the environment.Fil: Navas Romero, Ana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Herrera Moratta, Mario Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, María Rosa. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Lorena Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Filosofía, Humanidades y Artes. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Echegaray, Marcelo Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Sanabria, Eduardo Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Filosofía, Humanidades y Artes. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentin

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Comparación del efecto vasodilatador del verapamil y la hidralazina en anillos de las arterias pulmonar principal y aorta de la rata estimulados con norepinefrina y por despolarización

Este estudio se realizó con la finalidad de evaluar las diferencias en la respuesta a la hidralazina y el verapamil entre la aorta y la arteria pulmonar principal de la rata. Se utilizaron ratas Sprague-Dawley de 340 ± 28 gramos. Luego de anestesia con tiopental sódico, se identificó la arteria pulmonar principal y la aorta. Se cortaron pequeños anillos y se colocaron con 95% O2, 5% CO2 en un baño para órgano aislado de 15 mL. Se determinó la disponibilidad del endotelio, estimulando con NE (1 x 10-6 M) y añadiendo acetilcolina (1 x 10-6 M). En la curva de dosis respuesta al verapamil (1 x 10-7 hasta 1 x 10-4 M) se produjo una vasodilatación dosis dependiente cuando se contrajo con NE (1 x 10-7 M), disminuyéndose el efecto máximo en la aorta en un 58,55% (p<0,05), sin cambios significativos en el efecto relajante entre ambas arterias. Cuando se estimuló con KCl= 40 mM presentaron ambas arterias un comportamiento similar. En la aorta, el verapamil desplazó la curva de dosis respuesta a la NE hacia la derecha, 4,57 veces sin cambios en el efecto máximo y en la arteria pulmonar, la desplazó 3,55 veces, con una disminución significativa de la respuesta máxima de un 13,28% (p< 0,05). En una solución libre de calcio y alta en K+, la adición acumulativa de CaCl2 (1 x 10-5 M, hasta 1 x 10-3 M), produjo en ambas arterias un incremento en la respuesta contráctil dosis dependiente. El pretratamiento de la aorta y pulmonar con verapamil eliminó casi completamente la contracción. Cuando se estimuló con NE, la máxima relajación inducida por 1 x 10-3 M de hidralazina en ambas arterias fue similar (79,9% pulmonar vs 82,85 en la aorta). Al estimular con KCl= 40 mM, se obtuvo una mayor relajación en la aorta que en la pulmonar (99,32% vs 93%), sin diferencias en la acción de la hidralazina entre ambas arterias. Cuando se estimuló con CaCl2 se desplazó la curva hacia la derecha en ambas arterias (p<0,05), con disminución significativa del efecto máximo de un 16,94% en la aorta (p<0,05) y de un 26,72% en la pulmonar. En conclusión, la aorta dependería más para su contracción de los mecanismos de liberación de calcio del RS, mientras la arteria pulmonar dependería más de los mecanismos de entrada del mismo por el sarcolema, pudiendo afectar la hidralazina preferencialmente a los ROC en la arteria pulmonar, que modularían más la respuesta contráctil en esta arteria, siendo su efecto mayor en el músculo liso vascular que en el endotelio. TitleComparison of effects of verapamil and hydralazine in ring of pulmonary artery and aorta of rat stimulated for norephinefrine and despolarizationAbstract This study was conducted in order to evaluate differences in the response to verapamil and hydralazine between the aorta and the main pulmonary artery of the rat. Sprague-Dawley rats of 340 ± 28 grams were used. After anesthesia with sodium thiopental, the main pulmonary artery and the aorta it was identified. Small rings were cut and placed with 95% O2, 5% CO2 in a bath for 15 mL isolated organ. Availability of endothelium was determined by stimulating with NE (1 x 10-6 M) and adding acetylcholine (1 x 10-6 M). In the dose response curve verapamil (1 x 10-7 to 1 x 10-4 M) produced a dose-dependent vasodilation when it contracted with NE (1 X 10-7 M), decrease the maximum effect in the aorta one 58,55% (p <0.05), without significant changes in the relaxing effect between both arteries. When stimulated with 40 mM KCl = both arteries showed similar behavior. In the aorta, verapamil shifted the dose response curve to the right NE, unchanged at 4.57 times the maximum effect and the pulmonary artery, 3.55 times displaced, with a significant reduction of the maximum response of a 13.28% (p <0.05). In a calcium-free and high K+ solution, cumulative addition of CaCl2 (1 x 10-5 M to 1 x 10-3 M) resulted in both arteries increased dose dependently the contractile response. Pretreatment of the aorta and pulmonary verapamil contraction almost completely eliminated. When it stimulated with NE, the maximum relaxation induced by 1 x 10-3 M hydralazine in both arteries was similar (79.9% vs 82.85% in the pulmonary aorta). By stimulating = 40 mM KCl, further relaxation was obtained in the aorta than in the pulmonary (99.32% vs 93%), without differences in the action of hydralazine between both arteries. When stimulated with CaCl2 curve clockwise in both arteries (p <0.05), with significant reduction of the maximal effect of a 16.94% in the aorta (p <0.05) and 26 moved, 72% in pulmonary artery. In conclusion, aorta contraction would depend more for mechanisms calcium release RS, while the pulmonary artery depend more input mechanisms thereof by the sarcolemma and can affect hydralazine ROC preferentially to the pulmonary artery, that further modulate the contractile response in this artery, and its main effect on the vascular smooth muscle in the endothelium

Efecto de dos inhibidores de la fosfodiesterasa 5, sildenafil y vardenafil sobre la arteria pulmonar principal de la rata sometida a condiciones de hipoxia

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el efecto de dos inhibidores de la PDE-5, sildenafil y vardenafil, sobre la respuesta vasoconstrictora de la NE en condiciones de normoxia e hipoxia. Cuando los anillos fueron pretratados con sildenafil y vardenafil, la contracción de la AP inducida por la NE se disminuyó de una manera dosis-dependiente atenuó en condiciones de normoxia e hipoxia. Solo el sildenafil modificó la curva dosis-respuesta a la NE, potenciando su efecto (DE50 normoxia= 1 x 10-5 M; DE50 hipoxia= 6,4 x 10-4 M, p < 0,05). Con vardenafil los valores de DE50 fueron 1 x 10-4 M en normoxia y 6,4 x 10-5 M en hipoxia (p > 0.05). En conclusión, la hipoxia potencia la acción del sildenafil, posiblemente debido a un mayor aumento de la recaptación de calcio, asociado a un incremento de la vía del ON/GMPc. El vardenafil, aunque produce una relajación significativa tanto en normoxia como en hipoxia, no alteraría esta vía del calcio. TitleEffect of two phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, sildenafil and vardenafil on the main pulmonary artery of the rat subjected to hypoxic conditionsAbstract The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two PDE-5 inhibitors, sildenafil and vardenafil, on the vasoconstrictor response of NE under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia. When rings were pretreated with sildenafil and vardenafil, NE-induced PA contraction was decreased in a dose-dependent manner attenuated under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia. Only sildenafil modified the dose-response curve to NE, potentiating its effect (DE50 normoxia= 1 x 10-5 M; DE50 hypoxia= 6.4 x 10-4 M, p < 0.05). With vardenafil DE50 values were 1 x 10-4 M in normoxia and 6.4 x 10-5 M in hypoxia (p > 0.05). In conclusion, hypoxia potentiates the action of sildenafil, possibly due to a greater increase in calcium reuptake, associated with an increase in the ON/GMPc pathway. Vardenafil, although producing significant relaxation in both normoxia and hypoxia, would not alter this calcium pathway. &nbsp

Water Quality and Microbiological Contamination across the Fish Marketing Chain: A Case Study in the Peruvian Amazon (Lagoon Yarinacocha)

The contamination of the surface water of lagoons is a common problem in developing countries, and can affect fishing activities. A case study was conducted on water quality and microbiological contamination of the fishing marketing chain in the Peruvian Amazon (Laguna de Yarinacocha). The microbiological, physical–chemical and parasitological parameters of the surface water were evaluated in three points of the lagoon near the landing stage; and microbiological parameters of facilities, handlers and three species of fish (Prochilodus nigricans, Mylossoma duriventre and Siluriforme spp.). In the water, there were coliform counts ≥ 23 (Most probable number—MPN)/100 mL, Escherichia coli ≥ 3.6 MPN/100 mL, and Pseudomona spp. up to 2.2 MPN/100 mL; high turbidity and variable amounts of parasites. In facilities and handlers, high levels of coliforms, mainly Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were found in M. duriventre meat. A poor quality of the surface water of the lagoon is concluded that compromises part of the fishing marketing chain, mainly facilities and manipulators. Furthermore, the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in fish meat show poor handling practices and possible risk of contamination by water sources

Dinámica no lineal para caracterizar la variabilidad del ritmo cardíaco en pacientes chagásicos.

Dinámica no lineal para caracterizar la variabilidad del ritmo cardíaco en pacientes chagásicos. (Guillén Rondón, Pablo) Resumen La enfermedad de Chagas es una enfermedad tropical con un ciclo evolutivo complejo, cuyo principal factor de pronóstico es la presencia y extensión del daño miocárdico durante los estadios de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio es la aplicación de métodos de la dinámica no lineal para detectar diferencias en la variabilidad del ritmo cardíaco (HRV) de pacientes chagásicos, de tacogramas (intervalos consecutivos RR) obtenidos de electrocardiografía de alta resolución, ECGAR. Los tacogramas de cada sujeto contienen alrededor de 300 intervalos. Nuevas medidas de HRV fueron calculadas de métodos de la dinámica no lineal para caracterizar estos pequeños conjuntos de datos. Diferencias significativas fueron obtenidas con las medidas de complejidad cuando un grupo de pacientes chagásicos y un grupo de sujetos de control fueron comparados al aplicar la prueba estadística U Mann-Whitney, ([email protected], [email protected]@[email protected],[email protected]@ula.veNivel monográfic