First results of the glitching pulsars monitoring program at the Argentine Institute of Radioastronomy

We report here on the first results of a systematic monitoring of southern glitching pulsars at the Argentine Institute of Radio astronomy started on the year 2019. We detected a major glitch in the Vela pulsar (PSR J0835$-$4510) and two mini-glitches in PSR J1048$-$5832. For each glitch, we present the measurement of glitch parameters by fitting timing residuals. We then make an individual pulses study of Vela in observations previous and after the glitch. We selected 6 days of observations around the major glitch on July 22nd 2021 and study their statistical properties with machine learning techniques. We use Variational AutoEncoder (VAE) reconstruction of the pulses to separate them clearly from the noise. We perform a study with Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) clustering techniques and find an unusual behavior of the clusters two days prior to the glitch. This behavior is only visible in the the higher amplitude pulse clusters and if intrinsic to the pulsar could be interpreted as a precursor of the glitch.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, 13 table

The effect of orthodontic forces on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression in the human periodontal ligament and its relationship with the human dental pulp

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of moderate and severe orthodontic forces on Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression in the healthy human periodontal ligament (PDL) and its possible relationship with the human dental pulp

Urine biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: A new opportunity for wastewater-based epidemiology?

While Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, management, and care have become priorities for healthcare providers and researcher's worldwide due to rapid population aging, epidemiologic surveillance efforts are currently limited by costly, invasive diagnostic procedures, particularly in low to middle income countries (LMIC). In recent years, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a promising tool for public health assessment through detection and quantification of specific biomarkers in wastewater, but applications for non-infectious diseases such as AD remain limited. This early review seeks to summarize AD-related biomarkers and urine and other peripheral biofluids and discuss their potential integration to WBE platforms to guide the first prospective efforts in the field. Promising results have been reported in clinical settings, indicating the potential of amyloid β, tau, neural thread protein, long non-coding RNAs, oxidative stress markers and other dysregulated metabolites for AD diagnosis, but questions regarding their concentration and stability in wastewater and the correlation between clinical levels and sewage circulation must be addressed in future studies before comprehensive WBE systems can be developed.The authors would like to thank the Bioproduction Systems and MARTEC lab from Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico. The authors appreciate the support of Tecnologico de Monterrey for granting access to literature services and the scholarship awarded to Mónica T. Núñez-Soto (Student ID A00827926). CONACYT is thankfully acknowledged for the scholarships awarded to the authors Arnoldo Armenta-Castro (CVU: 1275527) and partially supporting this work under Sistema Nacional de Investigadores program awarded to Alberto Aguayo-Acosta (CVU: 403948), Mariel A. Oyervides-Muñoz (CVU: 422778), Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández (CVU: 375202) and Roberto Parra-Saldívar (CVU: 35753). Figures Created with BioRender.com.Peer reviewe

Gene Expression and Biological Pathways in Tissue of Men with Prostate Cancer in a Randomized Clinical Trial of Lycopene and Fish Oil Supplementation

Studies suggest that micronutrients may modify the risk or delay progression of prostate cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. We examined the effects of lycopene and fish oil on prostate gene expression in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.Eighty-four men with low risk prostate cancer were stratified based on self-reported dietary consumption of fish and tomatoes and then randomly assigned to a 3-month intervention of lycopene (n = 29) or fish oil (n = 27) supplementation or placebo (n = 28). Gene expression in morphologically normal prostate tissue was studied at baseline and at 3 months via cDNA microarray analysis. Differential gene expression and pathway analyses were performed to identify genes and pathways modulated by these micronutrients.Global gene expression analysis revealed no significant individual genes that were associated with high intake of fish or tomato at baseline or after 3 months of supplementation with lycopene or fish oil. However, exploratory pathway analyses of rank-ordered genes (based on p-values not corrected for multiple comparisons) revealed the modulation of androgen and estrogen metabolism in men who routinely consumed more fish (p = 0.029) and tomato (p = 0.008) compared to men who ate less. In addition, modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism (p = 0.01) was observed after 3 months of fish oil supplementation compared with the placebo group; and modulation of nuclear factor (erythroid derived-2) factor 2 or Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response for either supplement versus placebo (fish oil: p = 0.01, lycopene: p = 0.001).We did not detect significant individual genes associated with dietary intake and supplementation of lycopene and fish oil. However, exploratory analyses revealed candidate in vivo pathways that may be modulated by these micronutrients.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00402285

Seroprevalence of T. Cruzi infection in blood donors and chagas cardiomyopathy in patients from the coal mining region of coahuila, Mexico

Context and Objective: Chagas disease is considered a worldwide emerging disease; it is endemic in Mexico and the state of Coahuila and is considered of little relevance. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. cruzi infection in blood donors and Chagas cardiomyopathy in patients from the coal mining region of Coahuila, Mexico. Design and Setting: Epidemiological, exploratory and prospective study in a general hospital during the period January to June 2011. Methods: We performed laboratory tests ELISA and indirect hemagglutination in three groups of individuals: 1) asymptomatic voluntary blood donors, 2) patients hospitalized in the cardiology department and 3) patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Results: There were three levels of seroprevalence: 0.31% in asymptomatic individuals, 1.25% in cardiac patients and in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in 21.14%. Conclusions: In spite of having detected autochthonous cases of Chagas disease, its importance to local public health remains to be established as well as the details of the dynamics of transmission so that the study is still in progress

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

El cultivo de garbanzo (Cicer arietinum L.) en Argentina

El Programa Transferencia de Resultados de Investigación y Comunicación Pública de la Ciencia (PROTRI), de la Secretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología del Gobierno de la Provincia de Córdoba, financió la realización del libro El cultivo de garbanzo en Argentina con el objeto de promover la transferencia de resultados, experiencias o saberes entre las áreas del sector social y productivo para una mejor calidad de vida. Para la ejecución de esta obra han sido convocados técnicos e investigadores de las Ciencias Agropecuarias, Biológicas y Económicas, quienes en una forma clara y sencilla, aunque no menos consistente, ponen a disposición del lector sus experiencias adquiridas a lo largo de varios años de trabajo. El desarrollo de los diferentes temas se realiza a través de dieciséis Capítulos que abarcan desde la domesticación de Cicer y su llegada a la Argentina (Capítulo 1), pasando por el estudio morfológico de las diferentes partes de la planta en relación a los cultivares locales (Capítulo 2), además del manejo del suelo y sus nutrientes, en cuanto a requerimientos edáficos en los sistemas productivos (Capítulo 3). También se contempla el análisis de la influencia de los diversos factores ambientales para la determinación de zonas productivas (Capítulo 4). En el Capítulo 5 se hace referencia a la ecofisiología del cultivo, sus requerimientos en las diferentes etapas fenológicas, y cuándo y cómo se expresan en los cultivares. Un tema de indudable importancia para las leguminosas en general, y para el garbanzo en particular, es la simbiosis con las bacterias fijadoras de nitrógeno y su influencia en la productividad, el cual se desarrolla en el Capítulo 6. La mejora genética en el país es abordada en el Capítulo 7, donde se exponen sus inicios, desarrollo, disponibilidad de recursos, bondades y potencial del germoplasma disponible. A lo largo del ciclo biológico de la planta, el cultivo es visitado por insectos e infectado por hongos. Identificarlos y conocer sus ciclos biológicos y comportamientos es un aspecto importante para seleccionar las medidas de manejo y control más adecuadas (Capítulos 8 y 9). Quizás pocos sepan que el volumen de semilla genética de un cultivar, alcanza sólo unos pocos gramos (alrededor de 20). Para llevar este pequeño volumen a toneladas, se requiere del trabajo y tesón de investigadores, fitomejoradores y productores. Resultado de ese esfuerzo es la difusión de los seis cultivares obtenidos en el país, y se sigue trabajando para lograr nuevos materiales que se adapten a las diversas áreas y sistemas de producción (Capítulo 10). El desarrollo de los diferentes cultivares, que dan lugar a diversas arquitecturas de plantas, sumado a la adopción de diversos sistemas de producción, hace que el tema de la mecanización ocupe un lugar importante. Maquinas pequeñas y grandes intervienen en las etapas de siembra y de cosecha tratando de lograr la mayor eficiencia posible y un producto de calidad (Capítulo 11). Un cuello de botella para la expansión del cultivo es su comercialización, tanto para consumo interno como externo. En el Capítulo 12 se analizan los diferentes mercados y la necesidad de lograr un producto rentable de alta calidad, para mercados muy diversos. En el Capítulo 13 se hace un recorrido por las diferentes Provincias que actualmente producen garbanzo. Sus autores comentan como se incorporó el cultivo a los sistemas productivos de la región, sobre posibilidades y limitaciones, manejos y potencial de rendimiento, entre otros aportes. Los Capítulos 14 y 15 presentan dos temas de relevancia actual: la composición química del grano y las posibilidades de brindar valor agregado a éste, aspectos reforzados en la última década por el auge de las tendencias que promueven un nuevo estilo de vida y una alimentación sana, con alimentos naturales, bajos en grasa y con un buen balance nutricional. En el último Capítulo (16) se presentan experiencias de investigación en las que se utilizó al garbanzo como materia prima o como sustrato para diversas experimentaciones. La interacción docente-investigador-alumno permitió que vieran la luz diversos trabajos que, además de la formación de recursos humanos, brindan una información útil y novedosa al incursionar en temas tales como manejo de fechas de siembra, riego, alimento para pollos, cerdos y abejas. Estimado lector, tiene en sus manos un libro que es una invitación a un viaje con dieciséis estaciones. En cada una de ellas encontrará información sobre el cultivo del garbanzo en la Argentina. Estos datos fueron obtenidos por docentes, investigadores, productores, estudiantes que trabajaron y siguen trabajando para aportar al conocimiento del cultivo en nuestro país, bajo la realidad local y el contexto regional, ya que la mayoría de los trabajos y publicaciones son de origen extranjero y la aplicación de muchas de las tecnologías de manejo requieren una correcta adaptación y validación. Esperamos que este libro, además de serle útil, pueda ser disfrutado, sintiendo la pasión y el entusiasmo de cada uno de los autores por brindar y compartir sus conocimientos y logros

The PREDICTS database: a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts

Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species’ threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project – and avert – future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups – including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems – www.predicts.org.uk). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.

BACKGROUND: A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. METHODS: This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0-75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4-97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8-80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3-4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Rede D'Or, Brava and Telles Foundation, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and AstraZeneca