Fermented Milks from Small Ruminant: Effect on Metabolism and Immune Status of Mice Fed Mild Caloric Restricted Diet

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of Fermented Goat´S Milks (FGMs) in mice fed mild caloric restricted diet. The ability of these FGMs to ameliorate immune and metabolic parameters related to mild caloric restriction was studied. We also analyzed if the time (45 or 90 days) of caloric restriction have influence on leptin secretion, IgA+ cells number and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, and also test the correlation between these parameters. Mice were fed with a mild caloric restricted diet during 45 or 90 days. After these periods of caloric restriction, mice were refed with balanced conventional diet (BCD) plus goat´s milks or BCD plus goat´s milks fermented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1425 (FGM-Lr) or Lactobacillus casei CRL431 (FGM-Lc). All renutrition diets induced an increase of serum glucose, triglycerides, total proteins and leucocytes cells. A decrease in cholesterol levels was observed after the diets. FGM-Lr induced lower triglycerides values than others diets. All FGMs restore IgA+ cells in intestinal mucosa, and the FGM-Lc group had higher positive cells number than the ad libitum control. Furthermore, phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages only increased in mice fed with FGM-Lc. Mild caloric restriction induced a decrease on leptin circulating values at 90 days. The renutrition with FGM-Lr lead to lower leptin levels than mild caloric restriction controls, while FGM-Lc induced higher leptin levels. Positive correlation between serum leptin concentration and immune parameters was observed in all groups under study. We showed that leptin levels could positively predict the immune mucosal competence in mild caloric restricted mice. These results suggest that the FGMs are able to modulate, in different way, serum leptin levels, IgA+ cells number and phagocytic activity. Furthermore, FGM-Lc could be more effective for nutritional treatment in malnutrition status.Fil: Fabersani Marrades, Mario Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (i); ArgentinaFil: Torres, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Valdez, C.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Silvia Nelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Gauffin Cano, María Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (i); Argentina. Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino; Argentin

DETECCIÓN DE ANTICUERPOS CONTRA Lawsonia intracellularis EN PORCINOS PROVENIENTES DE GRANJAS TECNIFICADAS DEL VALLE DE LIMA Y HUARAL

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo detectar la presencia de anticuerpos contra Lawsonia intracellularis en cerdos de granjas tecnificadas de los valles de Lima y Huaral. Los anticuerpos fueron detectados mediante la prueba de inmunofluorescencia indirecta en muestras de suero de 197 cerdos de tres edades diferentes. El 38.7% de los sueros analizados resultaron positivos, correspondiendo el 18.9, 44.3 y 45.5% a las granjas ubicadas en las zonas de Huaraz, Cieneguilla y Lurín, respectivamente. La prevalencia registrada en animales destetados, de engorde y en hembras de reemplazo fue de 24.6, 47.6 y 44.7%, respectivamente. La presencia de anticuerpos evidencia la exposición de los cerdos a la bacteria, por lo que se debe reconocer a la Lawsonia intracellularis como un nuevo agente etiológico de diarreas que afecta la industria porcina en el Perú.The aim of the present study was to detect antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis in pigs from well-managed farms in Lima and Huaral valleys. Antibodies were detected using the indirect immunofluorescence test in 197 serum samples from pigs of three different ages. 38.7% of the samples were positive, corresponding 18.9, 44.3 and 45.5% to farms located in the areas of Huaraz, Cieneguilla and Lurín, respectively. The prevalence recorded in weaned and fattened pigs, and gilts were 24.6, 47.6 y 44.7%, respectively. The presence of antibodies indicates that these pigs have been exposed to the bacteria, so Lawsonia intracellularis should be considered as a new microorganism causing diarrhea and therefore, affecting the pig industry in the countr

Age of autism diagnosis in Latin American and Caribbean countries

An earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder might lead to an earlier intervention, yet knowledge and awareness of autism spectrum disorder in Latin America and Caribbean Countries are limited. A later autism spectrum disorder diagnosis has been associated with negative consequences, as it might imply later access to services. This study aims to identify factors associated with the age of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis as reported by 2520 caregivers of autistic children from six Latin America and Caribbean Countries. Results indicate that on average, caregivers were concerned about their child’s development by 22 months of age; however, the diagnosis was 24 months later. Current age of autistic individuals, better language abilities, and having public health coverage increased the age of diagnosis. On the contrary, the presence of medical comorbidities, severity level, and type of diagnosis decreased the age of diagnosis. The age of diagnosis of autistic individuals in Latin America and Caribbean Countries corresponded to the start of formal schooling despite a much earlier age of first noticed developmental concern, highlighting the need to reduce this age gap and increase children’s probability of benefiting from early intervention. Taken together, autism spectrum disorder personal/clinical characteristics and access to health service are the main determinants for the age of diagnosis. Lay abstract An earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder might lead to earlier intervention. However, people living in Latin American and Caribbean countries do not have much knowledge about autism spectrum disorder symptoms. It has been suggested that the older a child is when diagnosed, the fewer opportunities he or she will have to receive services. We asked 2520 caregivers of autistic children in six different Latin America and Caribbean Countries, the child’s age when they noticed some developmental delays and their child’s age when they received their first autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Results indicate that, on average, caregivers were concerned about their child’s development by 22 months of age; however, the diagnosis was received when the child was 46 months of age. In addition, older children with better language abilities and public health coverage (opposed to private health coverage) were diagnosed later. On the contrary, children with other medical problems and more severe behaviors received an earlier diagnosis. In our study, children were diagnosed around the time they entered formal schooling, delaying the access to early intervention programs. In summary, the characteristics of the autistic person and the type of health coverage influence the age of diagnosis in children living in Latin America and Caribbean Countries

Análisis de algunas dificultades en el aprendizaje en un tema de álgebra en alumnos de primer año de la universidad

El presente trabajo, de carácter exploratorio, es parte de una investigación más amplia tendiente a detectar las dificultades más frecuentes en el aprendizaje del Álgebra en el primer año de las carreras de Profesorado y Licenciatura en Matemática, indagar posibles causas y proponer alternativas de solución. A tal efecto se da tratamiento a las respuestas obtenidas por parte de los alumnos en dos actividades sobre conjuntos, tema inicial de la asignatura, las que han sido analizadas cualitativamente. Por otro lado, se administró un cuestionario de datos personales y laborales a los alumnos participantes. Se presenta aquí una descripción de las dificultades detectadas con mayor frecuencia

DETECCIÓN DE ILEITIS NECRÓTICA CAUSADA POR Lawsonia intracellularis EN PORCINOS DE GRANJAS TECNIFICADAS DE LA ZONA DE LIMA

The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of Lawsonia intracellularis in Peru. A total of 197 serum samples were evaluated by the immunofluorescence test. The seroprevalence was 38.7% (73/197) and most of the affected animals were in the fattening stage. Eight percent of animals showed diarrhea and lost of body condition. Slaughtered animals showed various anatomical ileal damages. The histopathological lesions in ileon were compatible with necrotic ileitis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. The Warthin Starry technique was used to confirm these results.The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of Lawsonia intracellularis in Peru. A total of 197 serum samples were evaluated by the immunofluorescence test. The seroprevalence was 38.7% (73/197) and most of the affected animals were in the fattening stage. Eight percent of animals showed diarrhea and lost of body condition. Slaughtered animals showed various anatomical ileal damages. The histopathological lesions in ileon were compatible with necrotic ileitis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. The Warthin Starry technique was used to confirm these results

Interoperability of knowledge organization systems: the state of the art

La interoperabilidad entre distintos sistemas de organización del conocimiento (SOC) ha cobrado gran importancia en los últimos tiempos, con el propósito de facilitar la búsqueda simultánea en varias bases de datos o bien fusionar distintas bases de datos en una sola. Las nuevas normas para el diseño y desarrollo de SOC, la estadounidense Z39.19:2005 y la británica BS 8723-4:2007, incluyen recomendaciones detalladas para la interoperabilidad. También se encuentra en preparación una nueva norma ISO 25964-1 sobre tesauros e interoperabilidad que se agregará a las anteriores. La tecnología disponible proporciona herramientas para este fin, como son los formatos y requisitos funcionales de autoridades y las herramientas de la Web Semántica RDF/OWL, SKOS Core y XML. Por otro lado, actualmente es muy difícil diseñar y desarrollar nuevos SOC debido a los problemas económicos, de modo que la interoperabilidad hace posible aprovechar los SOC existentes. En este trabajo se revisan los conceptos básicos, los modelos y métodos recomendados por las normas, así como numerosas experiencias de interoperabilidad entre SOC que han sido documentadas.The interoperability between knowledge organization systems (KOS) has become very important in recent years, in order to facilitate simultaneous searches in several databases or to merge different databases into one. The new standards for KOS design and development, the American Z39.19:2005 and the British 8723-4:2007, include detailed recommendations for interoperability. Also, there is a new ISO standard in preparation, the 25964-1 about thesauri and interoperability, which will be added to the above mentioned ones. The available technology provides tools for interoperability, e.g. formats and functional requirements for subject authority, as well as those for Semantic Web RDF/OWL, SKOS Core and XML. On the other hand, presently it is very hard to design and develop new KOS due to economical problems, so interoperability makes it possible to take advantage of the existing ones. In this work the basic concepts, models and methods recommended by the standards are reviewed, as well as several experiences on interoperability between KOS that have been documented

Use of morphological, biochemical and molecular markers for early identification of an interspecific cucurbit hybrid (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata)

El cultivar de zapallo Aconcagua INTA es un hibrido interespecífico (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata) de amplia difusión en el país y que posee excelentes rindes, buen color y aptitud para el deshidratado. La producción de semilla implica el cruzamiento entre ambas especies parentales, previo asperjado con etephon del parental femenino, con el objetivo de ?castrar? los órganos masculinos florales y obtener flores predominantemente femeninas. Debido a que siempre hay un porcentaje de flores que escapan a la castración química, los lotes de semilla incluyen un porcentaje de semillas no hibridas, provenientes de la autofecundación del parental materno. Estos individuos poseen fenotipo diferente al del cultivar, por lo que debe cuantificarse su presencia en los lotes de semilla. Con ese fin, en este trabajo se analizaron comparativamente marcadores morfológicos (basado en caracteres de la hoja), bioquímicos (análisis proteico por UTLIEF) y moleculares (con el marcador microsatélite CMBR22) para la identificación temprana del hibrido Aconcagua INTA y sus parentales. Los tres métodos permitieron identificar inequívocamente al hibrido y sus parentales, presentando correspondencia absoluta (100%) entre ellos, en las plantas analizadas. Los marcadores proteicos y moleculares permitirán la identificación temprana de híbridos de zapallo cv. Aconcagua.Aconcagua INTA is an Argentine widespread cucurbit cultivar with high yield and suitability for the dehydration industry, developed from an interspecific cross (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata). Its seed production involves the use of etephon in the maternal progenitor to castrate male flower organs, while the other line serves a pollen donor. Because this process is not totally effective, some hermaphrodite flowers remain in the maternal line, leading to self-pollination and –therefore- seeds of non-hybrid origin, which are phenotypically different from the hybrid. Thus, the percentage of non-hybrid seeds needs to be estimated and labelled in commercial seed lots of this cultivar. To this end, the present study analyzed, comparatively, morphological, biochemical and molecular markers that may be used for the early identification of this hybrid and its parental lines. Thus, a morphological marker based on leaf characteristics, protein profiles by UTLIEF, and the microsatellite molecular marker CMBR22, were evaluated in hybrid and parental plants. All three marker systems were able to accurately identify the hybrid and the parental lines, with results revealing 100% correspondence among the three types of markers. The protein and molecular markers developed herein represent a valuable tool for the early identification of hybrids in seed lots of cv. Aconcagua INTA.Fil: Tarnowski, C. G.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Valdez, Jorge Gustavo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Lorello, Inés María. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Barboza Rojas, Karina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Cavagnaro, Pablo Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Della Gaspera, Pedro Gustavo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; Argentin

Use of morphological, biochemical and molecular markers for early identification of an interspecific cucurbit hybrid (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata)

El cultivar de zapallo Aconcagua INTA es un hibrido interespecífico (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata) de amplia difusión en el país y que posee excelentes rindes, buen color y aptitud para el deshidratado. La producción de semilla implica el cruzamiento entre ambas especies parentales, previo asperjado con etephon del parental femenino, con el objetivo de ?castrar? los órganos masculinos florales y obtener flores predominantemente femeninas. Debido a que siempre hay un porcentaje de flores que escapan a la castración química, los lotes de semilla incluyen un porcentaje de semillas no hibridas, provenientes de la autofecundación del parental materno. Estos individuos poseen fenotipo diferente al del cultivar, por lo que debe cuantificarse su presencia en los lotes de semilla. Con ese fin, en este trabajo se analizaron comparativamente marcadores morfológicos (basado en caracteres de la hoja), bioquímicos (análisis proteico por UTLIEF) y moleculares (con el marcador microsatélite CMBR22) para la identificación temprana del hibrido Aconcagua INTA y sus parentales. Los tres métodos permitieron identificar inequívocamente al hibrido y sus parentales, presentando correspondencia absoluta (100%) entre ellos, en las plantas analizadas. Los marcadores proteicos y moleculares permitirán la identificación temprana de híbridos de zapallo cv. Aconcagua.Aconcagua INTA is an Argentine widespread cucurbit cultivar with high yield and suitability for the dehydration industry, developed from an interspecific cross (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata). Its seed production involves the use of etephon in the maternal progenitor to castrate male flower organs, while the other line serves a pollen donor. Because this process is not totally effective, some hermaphrodite flowers remain in the maternal line, leading to self-pollination and –therefore- seeds of non-hybrid origin, which are phenotypically different from the hybrid. Thus, the percentage of non-hybrid seeds needs to be estimated and labelled in commercial seed lots of this cultivar. To this end, the present study analyzed, comparatively, morphological, biochemical and molecular markers that may be used for the early identification of this hybrid and its parental lines. Thus, a morphological marker based on leaf characteristics, protein profiles by UTLIEF, and the microsatellite molecular marker CMBR22, were evaluated in hybrid and parental plants. All three marker systems were able to accurately identify the hybrid and the parental lines, with results revealing 100% correspondence among the three types of markers. The protein and molecular markers developed herein represent a valuable tool for the early identification of hybrids in seed lots of cv. Aconcagua INTA.Fil: Tarnowski, C. G.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Valdez, Jorge Gustavo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Lorello, Inés María. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Barboza Rojas, Karina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Cavagnaro, Pablo Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; ArgentinaFil: Della Gaspera, Pedro Gustavo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Mendoza-San Juan. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta; Argentin

Description of Genetic Variants in BRCA Genes in Mexican Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A First Step towards Implementing Personalized Medicine

Abstract Gynecologic cancers are among the leading causes of death worldwide, ovarian cancer being the one with the highest mortality rate. Olaparib is a targeted therapy used in patients presenting mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The aim of this study was to describe BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants in Mexican patients with ovarian cancer. Sequencing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes from tumors of 50 Mexican patients with ovarian cancer was made in a retrospective, non-randomized, and exploratory study. We found genetic variants in 48 of 50 cases. A total of 76 polymorphic variants were found in BRCA1, of which 50 (66%) had not been previously reported. Furthermore, 104 polymorphic variants were found in BRCA2, of which 63 (60%) had not been reported previously. Of these polymorphisms, 5/76 (6.6%) and 4/104 (3.8%) were classified as pathogenic in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. We have described the genetic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 of tumors from Northeast Mexican patients with sporadic ovarian cancers. Our results showed that the use of genetic testing helps recognize patients that carry pathogenic variants which could be beneficial for personalized medicine treatments. Keywords: BRCA; ovarian cancer; personalized therapy; sequencin

Isolation and antimacrofouling activity of indole and furoquinoline alkaloids from "Guatambú" trees (Aspidosperma australe and Balfourodendron riedelianum)

In this work, the antifouling activity of five alkaloids, isolated from trees of the Atlantic rainforest, was studied. The tested alkaloids were olivacine (1), uleine (2) and N-methyltetrahydroellipticine (3) from Aspidosperma australe ('yellow guatambu') and the furoquinoline alkaloids kokusaginine (4) and flindersiamine (5) from Balfourodendron riedelianum ('white guatambu'). All these compounds can be isolated from their natural sources in high yields in a sustainable way. The five compounds were subjected to laboratory tests (attachment test of the mussel Mytilus edulis platensis) and field trials, by incorporation into soluble matrix paints, and 45 days of exposure of the painted panels in the sea. The results show that compound 3 is a very potent antifoulant, and that compounds 4 and 5 are also very active, while compounds 1 and 2 did not show any significant antifouling activity. These results open the way for the development of environmentally friendly antifouling agents, based on abundant and easy-to-purify compounds that can be obtained in a sustainable way.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología de PinturasFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse