Tasa de oviposición de la raya marmolada Sympterygia bonapartii (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae) (Müller & Henle, 1841) mantenida en cautiverio

Se registró la tasa de oviposición de Symperygia bonapartii en cautiverio. En un período de un año una hembra depositó 152 ovicápsulas a una tasa de 0.4 huevos por día y la otra depositó 200 ovicápsulas a una tasa de 0.5 huevos por día.The oviposition rate in captive Sympterygia bonapartii was reported. In a year period one female laid a total of 152 egg cases at a rate of 0.4 egg cases per day and a second one laid a total of 200 egg cases at a rate of 0.5 egg cases per day.Fil: Jañez, Julieta A.. Fundación Temaiken; ArgentinaFil: Sueiro, Maria Cruz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentin

Aspectos fundamentais da Pirólise da casca de cacau: análise da cinética do processo e dos efeitos de condições operacionais sobre os produtos

O crescimento populacional acelerado vivenciado atualmente acompanha uma série de desafios, dentre eles pode-se destacar o aumento da demanda energética. Essa maior demanda geralmente ocasiona no aumento do consumo de recursos não renováveis e na queda dos níveis dos reservatórios de água responsáveis pela geração de energia. Vale mencionar que a redução da emissão de gases poluentes é uma preocupação mundial no setor energético. Assim sendo, há um grande estímulo para diversificação da matriz energética global, com maior presença de fontes renováveis, como, por exemplo, de biomassa. Neste contexto, destaca-se a pirólise como uma rota tecnológica para conversão de biomassa residual em produtos com maior conteúdo energético. Desta maneira, propôs-se nesta pesquisa um estudo da pirólise da casca de cacau (biomassa residual). Na primeira etapa deste estudo, foi realizada a caracterização química e física da biomassa através de análises imediata, elementar, fluorescência de raios-X e espectroscopia vibracional por infravermelho. Na segunda etapa foi avaliada a cinética de degradação térmica da casca de cacau através de análises termogravimétricas, com auxílio de modelos cinéticos disponíveis na literatura. Além disso, foi analisado a influência da temperatura e do diâmetro de partícula sobre o rendimento do produto líquido obtido a partir da pirólise convencional da casca de cacau em reator de leito fixo. Por fim, foi realizada a caracterização do bio-óleo pirolítico por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a detector de espectrometria de massas. A partir dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que, o poder calorífico, 16,23 MJ/kg, está dentro da faixa que implica ser uma fonte de energia potencial para produção de bio-óleo. Também, que a pirólise da casca de cacau acontece em duas fases distintas, sendo a primeira relacionada à perda de umidade, na faixa de 300 a 450 K, e a segunda referente a decomposição da hemicelulose, celulose e lignina, entre 450 a 825 K. A energia de ativação encontrada para casca de cacau através dos modelos cinéticos está entre 125,17 a 134,00 kJ/mol. O diâmetro da partícula influenciou mais o rendimento do produto líquido do que a temperatura. Os compostos mais abundantes na fração orgânica do bio-óleo são da classe dos fenóis, considerados matérias-primas de grande interesse na indústria química e farmacêutica

Adult-Onset Eccrine Angiomatous Hamartoma: A Case Report With Ultrasound Findings

[Abstract] Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma (EAH) is a rare, benign cutaneous tumor composed of vascular and eccrine elements. It is most commonly diagnosed during the first years of life, although there are reports of cases diagnosed in adults. We report the ultrasound findings of a 46-year-old patient with a left plantar lesion, histopathological diagnosis of which confirmed suspicion of EAH

Disentangling the determinants of symbiotic species richness in native and invasive gammarids (Crustacea, Amphipoda) of the Baltic region

Dispersal of alien species is a global problem threatening native biodiversity. Co-introduction of nonnative parasites and pathogens adds to the severity of this threat, but this indirect impact has received less attention. To shed light on the key factors determining the richness of microorganisms in native and invasive host species, we compared symbiotic (parasitic and epibiotic) communities of gammarids across different habitats and localities along the Baltic coast of Poland. Seven gammarid species, two native and five invasive, were sampled from 16 freshwater and brackish localities. Sixty symbiotic species of microorganisms of nine phyla were identified. This taxonomically diverse species assemblage of symbionts allowed us to assess the effect of host translocation and regional ecological determinants driving assembly richness in the gammarid hosts. Our results revealed that (i) the current assemblages of symbionts of gammarid hosts in the Baltic region are formed by native and co-introduced species; (ii) species richness of the symbiotic community was higher in the native Gammarus pulex than in the invasive hosts, probably reflecting a process of species loss by invasive gammarids in the new area and the distinct habitat conditions occupied by G. pulex and invasive hosts; (iii) both host species and locality were key drivers shaping assembly composition of symbionts, whereas habitat condition (freshwater versus brackish) was a stronger determinant of communities than geographic distance; (iv) the dispersion patterns of the individual species richness of symbiotic communities were best described by Poisson distributions; in the case of an invasive host, the dispersion of the rich species diversity may switch to a right-skewed negative binomial distribution, suggesting a host-mediated regulation process. We believe this is the first analysis of the symbiotic species richness in native and invasive gammarid hosts in European waters based on original field data and a broad range of taxonomic groups including Microsporidia, Choanozoa, Ciliophora, Apicomplexa, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Nematomorha, Acanthocephala and Rotifera, to document the patterns of species composition and distributio

Vascular tone regulation induced by C-Type natriuretic peptide: Differences in endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms involved in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Given that the role of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in the regulation of vascular tone in hypertensive states is unclear, we hypothesized that impaired response of the nitric oxide system to CNP in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) could affect vascular relaxation induced by the peptide in this model of hypertension, and that other endothelial systems or potassium channels opening could also be involved. We examined the effect of CNP on isolated SHR aortas, and the hindlimb vascular resistance (HVR) in response to CNP administration compared to normotensive rats. Aortas were mounted in an isometric organ bath and contracted with phenylephrine. CNP relaxed arteries in a concentration-dependent manner but was less potent in inducing relaxation in SHR. The action of CNP was diminished by removal of the endothelium, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by Nù -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one in both groups. In contrast, blockade of cyclooxygenase or subtype 2 bradykinin receptor increased CNP potency only in SHR. In both Wistar and SHR, CNP relaxation was blunted by tetraethylammonium and partially inhibited by BaCl2 and iberiotoxin, indicating that it was due to opening of the Kir and BKCa channels. However, SHR seem to be more sensitive to Kir channel blockade and less sensitive to BKCa channel blockade than normotensive rats. In addition, CNP decreases HVR in Wistar and SHR, but the effect of CNP increasing blood flow was more marked in SHR. We conclude that CNP induces aorta relaxation by activation of the nitric oxide system and opening of potassium channels, but the response to the peptide is impaired in conductance vessel of hypertensive rats.Fil: Caniffi, Carolina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Cerniello, Flavia Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Gobetto, María Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Sueiro, María L.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Costa, María A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Arranz, Cristina Teresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentin

Deciphering Adipose Tissue Extracellular Vesicles Protein Cargo and Its Role in Obesity

The extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key players in metabolic disorders rising as an alternative way of paracrine/endocrine communication. In particular, in relation to adipose tissue (AT) secreted EVs, the current knowledge about its composition and function is still very limited. Nevertheless, those vesicles have been lately suggested as key players in AT communication at local level, and also with other metabolic peripheral and central organs participating in physiological homoeostasis, and also contributing to the metabolic deregulation related to obesity, diabetes, and associated comorbidities. The aim of this review is to summarize the most relevant data around the EVs secreted by adipose tissue, and especially in the context of obesity, focusing in its protein cargo. The description of the most frequent proteins identified in EVs shed by AT and its components, including their changes under pathological status, will give the reader a whole picture about the membrane/antigens, and intracellular proteins known so far, in an attempt to elucidate functional roles, and also suggesting biomarkers and new paths of therapeutic action

In Vivo Characterization of Endogenous Cardiovascular Extracellular Vesicles in Larval and Adult Zebrafish

This is the final version. Available on open access from the American Heart Association via the DOI in this recordThe authors declare that all supporting data are available within the article (and its Data Supplement). Please also see the Major Resources Table in the Data Supplement.OBJECTIVE: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate molecular transport across extracellular space, allowing local and systemic signaling during homeostasis and in disease. Extensive studies have described functional roles for EV populations, including during cardiovascular disease, but the in vivo characterization of endogenously produced EVs is still in its infancy. Because of their genetic tractability and live imaging amenability, zebrafish represent an ideal but under-used model to investigate endogenous EVs. We aimed to establish a transgenic zebrafish model to allow the in vivo identification, tracking, and extraction of endogenous EVs produced by different cell types. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Using a membrane-tethered fluorophore reporter system, we show that EVs can be fluorescently labeled in larval and adult zebrafish and demonstrate that multiple cell types including endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes actively produce EVs in vivo. Cell-type specific EVs can be tracked by high spatiotemporal resolution light-sheet live imaging and modified flow cytometry methods allow these EVs to be further evaluated. Additionally, cryo electron microscopy reveals the full morphological diversity of larval and adult EVs. Importantly, we demonstrate the utility of this model by showing that different cell types exchange EVs in the adult heart and that ischemic injury models dynamically alter EV production. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a powerful in vivo zebrafish model for the investigation of endogenous EVs in all aspects of cardiovascular biology and pathology. A cell membrane fluorophore labeling approach allows cell-type specific tracing of EV origin without bias toward the expression of individual protein markers and will allow detailed future examination of their function

Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Platelets in Severe Obesity Uncovers Platelet Reactivity and Signaling Pathways Alterations

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is associated with a proinflammatory and prothrombotic state that supports atherosclerosis progression. The goal of this study was to gain insights into the phosphorylation events related to platelet reactivity in obesity and identify platelet biomarkers and altered activation pathways in this clinical condition. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We performed a comparative phosphoproteomic analysis of resting platelets from obese patients and their age- A nd gender-matched lean controls. The phosphoproteomic data were validated by mechanistic, functional, and biochemical assays. We identified 220 differentially regulated phosphopeptides, from at least 175 proteins; interestingly, all were up-regulated in obesity. Most of the altered phosphoproteins are involved in SFKs (Src-family kinases)-related signaling pathways, cytoskeleton reorganization, and vesicle transport, some of them validated by targeted mass spectrometry. To confirm platelet dysfunction, flow cytometry assays were performed in whole blood indicating higher surface levels of GP (glycoprotein) VI and CLEC (C-type lectin-like receptor) 2 in platelets from obese patients correlating positively with body mass index. Receiver operator characteristics curves analysis suggested a much higher sensitivity for GPVI to discriminate between obese and lean individuals. Indeed, we also found that obese platelets displayed more adhesion to collagen-coated plates. In line with the above data, soluble GPVI levels-indicative of higher GPVI signaling activation-were almost double in plasma from obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide novel information on platelet phosphorylation changes related to obesity, revealing the impact of this chronic pathology on platelet reactivity and pointing towards the main signaling pathways dysregulatedThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (grants No. SAF2016-79662-R, and PID2019-108727RB-I00), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Financial support from the Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia (Centro Singular de investigación de Galicia accreditation 2019–2022, ED431G 2019/02; predoctoral grant 2018 Call) and the ERDF is also gratefully acknowledged. E.E. Gardiner and R.K. Andrews are supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. The Proteomics Laboratory CSIC/UAB (Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona) is a member of Proteored, PRB3-ISCIII (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), and is supported by Grant PT17/0019/0008, funded by ISCIII and ERDF. L.A. Morán is supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 766118. S.P. Watson is supported by a BHF (British Heart Foundation) Chair (CH03/003)

Naturally presented HLA class I-restricted epitopes from the neurotrophic factor S100-? are targets of the autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the destruction of pancreatic beta-cells by the immune system, and CD8(+) T lymphocytes are critical actors in this autoimmune response. Pancreatic islets are surrounded by a mesh of nervous cells, the peri-insular Schwann cells, which are also targeted by autoreactive T lymphocytes and express specific antigens, such as the neurotrophic factor S100-beta. Previous work has shown increased proliferative responses to whole S100-beta in both human T1D patients and the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. We describe for the first time naturally processed and presented epitopes (NPPEs) presented by class I human leukocyte antigen-A*02:01 (A2.1) molecules derived from S100-beta. These NPPEs triggered IFN-gamma responses more frequently in both newly diagnosed and long-term T1D patients compared with healthy donors. Furthermore, the same NPPEs are recognized during the autoimmune response leading to diabetes in A2.1-transgenic NOD mice as early as 4 wk of age. Interestingly, when these NPPEs are used to prevent diabetes in this animal model, an acceleration of the disease is observed together with an exacerbation in insulitis and an increase in S100-beta-specific cytotoxicity in vaccinated animals. Whether these can be used in diabetes prevention needs to be carefully evaluated in animal models before use in future clinical assays.-Calvino-Sampedro, C., Gomez-Tourino, I., Cordero, O. J., Reche, P. A., Gomez-Perosanz, M., Sanchez-Trincado, J. L., Rodriguez, M. A., Sueiro, A. M., Vinuela, J. E., Calvino, R. V. Naturally presented HLA class I-restricted epitopes from the neurotrophic factor S100-beta are targets of the autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes