Congenital adrenal hyperplasia : pre-and postnatal treatment effects on cognition, behavior and brain resting-state functional connectivity

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), an autosomal recessive disorder affecting adrenal steroid synthesis, is linked to impaired adrenal synthesis of cortisol and aldosterone. The increased production of androgen precursors in the adrenal cortex during fetal life leads to the virilization of external genitalia in girls with CAH already in utero. Prenatal virilization can be reduced or alleviated entirely by dexamethasone (DEX) treatment in affected girls, but with potentially adverse effects on growth parameters, cognition, behavior, brain structure and brain networks and metabolism. The effects of synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) on fetal development are time- and dose-dependent, with different outcomes in early vs. late gestational treatment. Patients with CAH are also treated postnatally with life-long GC replacement therapy to mimic the physiological levels following the circadian rhythm. Because of the inherent difficulties in mimicking the natural rhythm of cortisol secretion, there is a risk of under- or over-treatment during the individual’s life span, with potentially adverse effects on brain function and structure, metabolism and quality of life. In this thesis the long-term effects of pre-and postnatal DEX treatment were investigated in a cohort of 206 individuals: patients with CAH not prenatally treated with DEX (n=71), a small cohort of patients with CAH prenatally treated with DEX (n=13), individuals at risk of CAH who were prenatally treated during the first trimester of fetal life (n=18) and population controls (n=104). Patients with CAH were diagnosed through the national neonatal screening program. We hypothesized that GC treatment could impact cognitive performance, behavior and resting-state functional connectivity of the brain. Compared to controls, we did not identify significant differences in cognitive performance in children and adolescents aged 7- 17 years (mean age 11.5 years) with CAH compared with the population controls. However, patients with the salt-wasting (SW) genotype performed worse on a subtest assessing visuospatial working memory compared to patients with simple-virilizing (SV) CAH. The scores on this subtest were in the average range for the general population. In summary, early diagnosis may optimize treatment and benefit cognitive development. The small cohort of CAH cases prenatally treated with DEX (6 females, 5 males) showed poorer performance in a subtest assessing verbal intelligence than patients not treated with DEX. The behavioral outcomes evaluated using parental and self-rated questionnaires reflected a good overall adjustment in children and adolescents with CAH compared to controls. The parental questionnaires suggested more social problems in CAH patients. Moreover, the parents of children with CAH prenatally treated with DEX (8 girls, 5 boys) scored their children as having more social problems (males) and more withdrawn/depressed problems (girls). Additional studies in larger cohorts are needed to draw more definitive conclusions. To our knowledge there are no studies on resting-state functional connectivity in patients with CAH or persons at risk of CAH prenatally treated with DEX. When we performed whole-brain analyses to investigate the functional connectivity of the brain during rest in 31 patients with CAH (18 females), aged 16-33 years (mean age 23.7 years), we found increased functional connectivity in the precuneus in patients with CAH compared to controls. Post hoc analyses within the precuneus revealed that patients with SV CAH had stronger connectivity. The altered functional connectivity may reflect a reorganization of the brain in patients with CAH. Looking at the resting-state functional connectivity in 18 participants (8 females), aged 16-33 years (mean age 20.8 years) exposed to DEX treatment during the first trimester of fetal life because of the risk of having CAH, we used two approaches: an exploratory whole-brain analysis and a seed-based analysis. We chose three brain regions (amygdala, hippocampus, superior frontal gyrus) for the seed-based analysis based on our previous findings and literature evidence. We did not find any differences in resting-state functional connectivity between DEX-exposed individuals and controls. In conclusion, this thesis extends the existing literature on GC effects on functional connectivity in the brain and cognitive and behavioral outcomes in patients with CA

American Sociology and Holocaust Studies

Filled with new elements that challenge common scholarly theses, this book acquaints the reader with the “Jewish problem” of sociology and provides what this academic discipline urgently needs: a one-volume history of the Sociology of the Holocaust. The story of why and how sociologists as well as the schools of sociological thought came to confront the Holocaust has never been entirely told. The volume offers original insights on the nature of American sociology with implications for the post-Holocaust sociology development

Texture Analysis of Freeze Dried Banana Applying Scanning Electron Microscopy Combined with Image Analysis Techniques

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the impact of freeze drying on texture properties of banana cv Cavendish. Freeze drying was performed at different rates (T1= 7h (-40°C)/24h (40°C); T2= 7h (-40°C)/48h (40°C); T3= 18h (-40°C)/24h (40°C) and T4 = 18h (40°C)/48h (40°C)). Microstructure was analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); Surface texture analysis by Grey Level Co Matrix Analysis (GLCM) and water absorbing capability and porosity by conventional techniques. Micrographs performed at 250 and 500 times magnification revealed that T1 and T2 showed higher porous size structure with larger and irregular cavities, and higher rehydration process was observed in T1 and T2 when it was related to T3 and T4. A higher rehydration process is due to a porous network with permeable barriers. Significant difference (P<0.05) were obtained for texture parameters, water absorbing capability and porosity. Hardness and roughness decreased in T3 and T4. These results suggest that prediction of texture parameters in banana cv. Cavendish can be performed easily by processing the surface and cross section images with SEM and GLCM methodsFil: Pieniazek, Facundo. Ministerio de Defensa. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Messina, Valeria Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentina. Ministerio de Defensa. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa; Argentin

Texture and color analysis of lentils and rice for instant meal using image processing techniques

Typical approaches for measuring color and texture properties are mostly timeconsuming. An image-based method was used to evaluate texture and color in lentils and rice subjected to freeze-drying for an instant meal. Cooked and cooked freeze-dried rehydrated lentils and rice were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Texture properties were analyzed by texture analyzer and image analysis. Color was performed with a digital camera. Significant differences for color and texture (P < 0.05) were observed for cooked and cooked freeze-dried rehydrated lentils and rice. A linear trend with a linear correlation was applied for mechanical and image features. Results showed that image features such as contrast, correlation, energy and homogeneity calculated from Gray-level co-occurrence matrix had high correlations with mechanical features of hardness, adhesiveness, chewiness and gumminess for lentils, and for rice, mechanical features adhesiveness, gumminess and image features homogeneity and contrast. With this approach to quality, image processing techniques can be a useful tool.Instituto de Tecnología de AlimentosFil: Pieniazek, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Sancho, Ana Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos, Argentina.Fil: Messina, Valeria. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa. Departamento de Investigaciones en Sólidos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Differential occurrence of epicuticular wax and its role in leaf tissues of three edible aroids hails 1from north eastern hill region of India

Localization of epicuticular wax (EW) content in leaf tissues and its interaction on leaf protective mechanisms of 17three edible aroids, Alocasia,ColocasiaandXanthosomawereassessed. Scanning electron microscopy depicted the 18occurrence of EW in leaf tissues which was higher in Colocasia(10.61 mg dm-2) and Xanthosoma(11.36 mg dm-2) 19than in Alocasia (1.36 mg dm-2). The result highlightedthe interface of EW between the leaves and its internal and 20external environments. EW acted as a protecting barrier againstdeleterious solar radiationin term of sun protecting 21factor (SPF). Occurrence of EW also effectively managedleaf pigmentation, moisture retention, cellular membrane 22integrity against the invaders. Colocasiaexhibited superhydrophobic properties with higher static contact angle(CA)23>150othan hydrophobicXanthosoma and Alocasia with CAranged between 99.0o to 128.7o. ColocasiaEW highly 24influenced the qualitative and protective mechanisms of leaf. Aroids are the cheapestsourcesof edible EW among 25the terrestrial plants could be used in food,agricultural and industrial applicationsFil: Pieniazek, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Messina, Valeria Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Dasgupta, Madhumita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sahoo, Manhas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; Indi

Gut mesenchymal stromal cells in immunity

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), first found in bone marrow (BM), are the structural architects of all organs, participating in most biological functions. MSCs possess tissue-specific signatures that allow their discrimination according to their origin and location. Among their multiple functions, MSCs closely interact with immune cells, orchestrating their activity to maintain overall homeostasis. The phenotype of tissue MSCs residing in the bowel overlaps with myofibroblasts, lining the bottom walls of intestinal crypts (pericryptal) or interspersed within intestinal submucosa (intercryptal). In Crohn’s disease, intestinal MSCs are tightly stacked in a chronic inflammatory milieu, which causes their enforced expression of Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The absence of Class II MHC is a hallmark for immune-modulator and tolerogenic properties of normal MSCs and, vice versa, the expression of HLA-DR is peculiar to antigen presenting cells, that is, immune-activator cells. Interferon gamma (IFN) is responsible for induction of Class II MHC expression on intestinal MSCs. The reversal of myofibroblasts/MSCs from an immune-modulator to an activator phenotype in Crohn’s disease results in the formation of a fibrotic tube subverting the intestinal structure. Epithelial metaplastic areas in this context can progress to dysplasia and cancer

Odour Profile of Beef Using an Electronic Nose Based on MOS-Sensor

The development of the aroma and flavour of cooked meat is a very complex process in which different components react to produce chemical intermediates or final flavour volatiles compounds. The aim of the present research was to study the odour profile of beef produced under different feeding regimes and cooking conditions using an electronic nose based on MOS sensors to monitor the odour characteristics. Odour profiles of different grilled-cooked muscles were evaluated. A clear discrimination between groups corresponding to muscle was observed. Grilled-cooked samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle from animals fed to other cooking process. under different diets showed a clear discrimination between groups. Finally, Striploins samples cooked by moist-heat method tend to be different when compared.Instituto de Tecnología de AlimentosFil: Grigioni, Gabriela Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Paschetta, Fernanda. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Soteras, Trinidad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Messina, Valeria Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. CINSO-CITEDEF, UNIDEF; Argentin

Redox-sensitive small GTPase H-Ras in murine astrocytes, an in vitro study

Although the protooncogenes small GTPases Ras are redox-sensitive proteins, how they are regulated by redox signaling in the central nervous system (CNS) is still poorly understood. Alteration in redox-sensitive targets by redox signaling may have myriad effects on Ras stability, activity and localization. Redox-mediated changes in astrocytic RAS may contribute to the control of redox homeostasis in the CNS that is connected to the pathogenesis of many diseases

Sam68 marks the transcriptionally active stages of spermatogenesis and modulates alternative splicing in male germ cells

Sam68 plays an essential role in mouse spermatogenesis and male fertility. Herein, we report an interaction between Sam68 and the phosphorylated forms of the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in meiotic spermatocytes. RNase treatment decreased but did not abolish the interaction, consistently with in vitro binding of RNAPII to the Sam68 carboxyl-terminal region. Sam68 retention in the spermatocyte nucleus was dependent on the integrity of cellular RNAs, suggesting that the protein is recruited to transcriptionally active chromatin. Mouse knockout models characterized by stage-specific arrest of spermatogenesis and staining with the phosphorylated form of RNAPII documented that Sam68 expression is confined to the transcriptionally active stages of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, Sam68 associates with splicing regulators in germ cells and we report that alternative splicing of Sgce exon 8 is regulated in a Sam68-dependent manner during spermatogenesis. RNA and chromatin crosslink immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Sam68 binds in vivo to sequences surrounding the intron 7/exon 8 boundary, thereby affecting the recruitment of the phosphorylated RNAPII and of the general splicing factor U2AF65. These results suggest that Sam68 regulates alternative splicing at transcriptionally active sites in differentiating germ cells and provide new insights into the regulation of Sam68 expression during spermatogenesis

Cuantificación de plaguicidas residuales en granos de maíz (Zea mays L.) aplicando técnicas de evaluación residual

El empleo de plaguicidas en la producción agrícola ha tomado marcada importancia para muchos sectores de la sociedad. Los productores agropecuarios necesitan realizar un tratamiento fitoterapeútico efectivo y la utilización de estos agroquímicos es una alternativa rentable. Sin embargo, la toxicidad de estas sustancias presenta un riesgo para la salud humana durante su fabricación y empleo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue obtener información de los niveles y frecuencia de los principales residuos de pesticidas presentes en granos de maíz aplicando técnicas de evaluación multiresidual. El muestreo (basado en la Norma ISO 950:1979) fue realizado en cintas de embarque y terminales portuarias del Río Paraná y del sur de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina), dado que manejan más del 80 % de las exportaciones del país (Ingeniero White, Rosario/General San Martín/San Lorenzo, Villa Constitución y Quequén). Sobre un total de 192 muestras, 94 presentaron residuos de plaguicidas, siendo el orden de frecuencia de aparición de los mismos: fenitrotión (n = 40) > cipermetrina (n = 31) > pirimifós metil (n = 27) > deltametrina (n = 24) > clorpirifós metil (n = 23) > diclorvós (n = 18) > permetrina (n = 15) > clorpirifós etil (n = 12) > fenvalerato (n = 3) > malatión (n = 2) > endosulfán (n = 0; suma de alfa endosulfán, beta endosulfán y endosulfán sulfato). No se hallaron organoclorados. Considerando la legislación Argentina, solo 4 muestras presentaron niveles superiores a los Límites Máximos de Residuos (LMR), siendo cipermetrina el plaguicida involucrado. Sin embargo, según los LMR del Codex Alimentarius, todas las muestras presentaron niveles permitidos