Use of Veterinary Vaccines for Livestock as a Strategy to Control Foodborne Parasitic Diseases

Foodborne diseases (FBDs) are a major concern worldwide since they are associated with high mortality and morbidity in the human population. Among the causative agents of FBDs, Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Trichinella spiralis are listed in the top global risk ranking of foodborne parasites. One common feature between them is that they affect domestic livestock, encompassing an enormous risk to global food production and human health from farm to fork, infecting animals, and people either directly or indirectly. Several approaches have been employed to control FBDs caused by parasites, including veterinary vaccines for livestock. Veterinary vaccines against foodborne parasites not only improve the animal health by controlling animal infections but also contribute to increase public health by controlling an important source of FBDs. In the present review, we discuss the advances in the development of veterinary vaccines for domestic livestock as a strategy to control foodborne parasitic diseases.Fil: Sander, Valeria Analia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); ArgentinaFil: Sánchez López, Edwin Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); ArgentinaFil: Mendoza Morales, Luisa Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); ArgentinaFil: Ramos Duarte, Víctor Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); ArgentinaFil: Corigliano, Mariana Georgina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); ArgentinaFil: Clemente, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús). Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Raúl Alfonsín" (sede Chascomús); Argentin

Identificación, establecimiento in vitro y análisis fitoquímico preliminar de especies silvestres de ñame (Dioscorea spp.) empleadas con fines medicinales

Título en ingles: Identification, in vitro establishment and preliminary phytochemical analysis of wild yam (Dioscorea spp.) used for medicinal purposesTítulo corto: Identificación, establecimiento in vitro y análisis fitoquímico preliminar de especies silvestres de ñameResumen:  Tubérculos del género Dioscorea comercializados con fines medicinales, fueron recolectados con el propósito de lograr su establecimiento a condiciones in vitro. Previamente se lograron identificar taxonómicamente las especies y por medio de análisis fitoquímicos demostrar su potencial farmacéutico. El material recolectado fue identificado como Dioscorea coriacea, D. lehmannii, D. meridensis, D. polygonoides y una especie comestible D. trifida. Tubérculos recolectados de centros de acopio y traídos de campo fueron lavados, desinfectados, asperjados con Ácido Giberélico (AG3) y sembrados en sustrato BM-2®, en invernadero a 18°C día y 10°C noche. Los tubérculos completos o por secciones fueron almacenados en bolsas herméticas a temperatura ambiente. Posteriormente se desinfectó material vegetal de las especies D. coriacea, D. lehmannii, D. meridensis y D polygonoides, seleccionando explantes de brotes sanos (D. coriacea / laboratorio) para su establecimiento. Se evaluaron tres medios de cultivo para establecimiento, el que presentó los mejores resultados fue Medio Murashige and Skoog (1962) suplementado con BAP 1 mL/L, AG3 1 mL/L y Putrescina 2 mL/L. Para la extracción y análisis de metabolitos secundarios se utilizaron tubérculos de D. coriacea, D. lehmannii y D. polygonoides, empleando como solvente de extracción metanol. Se  encontró mayor concentración de extracto vegetal en D. coriacea (54%), y mediante cromatografía en capa delgada (CCD), se confirmó la presencia de saponinas, que resultó mayor en comparación con D. polygonoides especie reconocida por su alto contenido de saponinas. Estos resultados permitirán realizar análisis más avanzados de los compuestos presentes y plantear su propagación masiva en condiciones in vitro. Palabras clave: diosgenina, micropropagación, ñame silvestre, cultivo de tejidos vegetales, saponinas, fitoquímica.Key words: diosgenin, micropropagation, wild yam, tissue culture, saponins, phitochemistry.Recibido: agosto 20 de 2014      Aprobado: abril 20 de 2015Wild tubers of the genus Dioscorea sold for medicinal use were collected for the purpose of achieving its establishment under in vitro conditions. First we taxonomically identified the species and through phytochemical analysis demonstrated pharmaceutical potential. The material collected was identified as Dioscorea coriacea, D. lehmannii, D. meridensis, D. polygonoides and the edible species D. trifida. Tubers collected from wholesale distributors and from the field were washed, disinfected, sprayed with Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and planted in substrate BM-2®, in a greenhouse at 18 ° C during the day and 10 ° C overnight. Whole tubers or sections thereof were stored in sealed bags at room temperature. Subsequently plant material of the species D. coriacea, D. lehmannii, D. meridensis and D. polygonoides was disinfected and healthy buds (D. coriacea / laboratory) were selected for in vitro establishment. Three different culture media were evaluated for establishment; that which presented the best results was the Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium, supplemented with BAP 1 mL / L, GA3 1 mL / L and Putrescin 2 mL / L. For the collection and analysis of secondary metabolites, tubers of D. coriacea, D. lehmannii and D. polygonoides were used, using methanol as the extraction solvent. The highest concentration of plant extract, 54%, was found in D. coriacea, a higher value than that of D. polygonoides, which had been reported previously; the presence of saponins was confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). These results will enable more advanced analysis of the present compounds and enhance their mass propagation under in vitro conditions.Key words: diosgenin, micropropagation, wild yam, tissue culture, saponins, phitochemistry

Paleoseismic evidence in the Loncopué trough and the Agrio fold and thrust belt (Huecú depocenter), Neuquén Province

Se hallaron depósitos lacustres cuaternarios dentro de los cuales se identificó un nivel que muestra signos de licuefacción, en el depocentro del Huecú, ubicado en el sector central de la fosa de Loncopué en sector noroeste de la provincia de Neuquén. Hacia el este sobre el ámbito de la faja plegada y corrida del Agrio depósitos con similares características fueron identificados en el río Pichaihue. Entre estas dos ocurrencias, sobre el sistema de fallas neotectónicas de Loncopué oriental, gravas fracturadas y diques clásticos fueron descriptos en depósitos lacustres cuaternarios. A partir de sus características morfológicas y el marco neotectónico en el cual se inscriben, estas estructuras son interpretadas como sismitas. Este es el primer registro paleosismológico en el área. No se descartan fuentes remotas para su ocurrencia a partir del desarrollo del último gran megaterremoto en este segmento correspondiente al registrado con epicentro en el Maule el 27 de febrero de 2010. La magnitud del mismo registrada en el retroarco permite una explicación posible para los rasgos de licuefacción descriptos, mientras que los depósitos de gravas intruidas y fracturadas solo pueden ser explicados por un evento sísmico de carácter local. En base a relaciones empíricas propuestas por otros autores se delimitaron áreas potenciales de los paleoterremotos, asumiendo fuentes locales y comunes. De esta manera se identifica al sistema de fallas oriental de Loncopué, como posible candidato a producir actividad sísmica en esta región, lo cual es compatible con estudios previos sobre la neotectónica del área y la ocurrencia de gravas fracturadas y diques clásticos.Liquefacted lacustrine sediments were identified at the Quaternary El Huecú depocenter, located in the central part of the retroarc Loncopé trough at the northwestern Neuquén sector. These were interpreted as seismites based on their morphological characteristics, as well as their neotectonic setting. Additionally, over the western Agrio fold and thrust belt, other similar deposits were identified. Finally, fractured gravels associated with clastic dykes are developed at the eastern Loncopué fault system between the previous two occurrences. A remote source is a possibility for the paleoseismic evidence. Particularly, the February 27th of 2010 earthquake, the fifth earthquake in magnitude since the instrumental period of time, showed that even though energy arrives rather attenuated at the retroarc zone, is sufficient to generate the described liquefacted deposits. On the other hand, only local and strong earthquakes could generate the intruded and fractured gravels. Assuming a common and local seismogenic source for the described occurrences and using known empirical formulae proposed by other authors, two areas were outlined as potential sites for seismic triggering (the El Huecú basin and the inner Agrio fold and thrust belt). Its intersection corresponding to the eastern Loncopué fault system appears as the main potential source for seismic activity, which is compatible with previous neotectonic studies performed in this region and the occurrence of fractured gravels and clastic dykes in the area.Fil: Rojas Vera, Emilio Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Spagnuolo, Mauro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Orts, Darío Leandro. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Geología. Laboratorio de Tectónica Andina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Zamora Valcarse, Gonzalo. Repsol Exploración; EspañaFil: Folguera Telichevsky, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Ramos Duarte, Víctor Andrés. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Geología. Laboratorio de Tectónica Andina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

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

Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe

Measurement of the top quark forward-backward production asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric and chromomagnetic moments in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV

Abstract The parton-level top quark (t) forward-backward asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric (d̂ t) and chromomagnetic (μ̂ t) moments have been measured using LHC pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected in the CMS detector in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. The linearized variable AFB(1) is used to approximate the asymmetry. Candidate t t ¯ events decaying to a muon or electron and jets in final states with low and high Lorentz boosts are selected and reconstructed using a fit of the kinematic distributions of the decay products to those expected for t t ¯ final states. The values found for the parameters are AFB(1)=0.048−0.087+0.095(stat)−0.029+0.020(syst),μ̂t=−0.024−0.009+0.013(stat)−0.011+0.016(syst), and a limit is placed on the magnitude of | d̂ t| &lt; 0.03 at 95% confidence level. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Probing effective field theory operators in the associated production of top quarks with a Z boson in multilepton final states at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe

MUSiC : a model-unspecific search for new physics in proton-proton collisions at root s=13TeV

Results of the Model Unspecific Search in CMS (MUSiC), using proton-proton collision data recorded at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1), are presented. The MUSiC analysis searches for anomalies that could be signatures of physics beyond the standard model. The analysis is based on the comparison of observed data with the standard model prediction, as determined from simulation, in several hundred final states and multiple kinematic distributions. Events containing at least one electron or muon are classified based on their final state topology, and an automated search algorithm surveys the observed data for deviations from the prediction. The sensitivity of the search is validated using multiple methods. No significant deviations from the predictions have been observed. For a wide range of final state topologies, agreement is found between the data and the standard model simulation. This analysis complements dedicated search analyses by significantly expanding the range of final states covered using a model independent approach with the largest data set to date to probe phase space regions beyond the reach of previous general searches.Peer reviewe

Measurement of prompt open-charm production cross sections in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

The production cross sections for prompt open-charm mesons in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV are reported. The measurement is performed using a data sample collected by the CMS experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 29 nb(-1). The differential production cross sections of the D*(+/-), D-+/-, and D-0 ((D) over bar (0)) mesons are presented in ranges of transverse momentum and pseudorapidity 4 < p(T) < 100 GeV and vertical bar eta vertical bar < 2.1, respectively. The results are compared to several theoretical calculations and to previous measurements.Peer reviewe