New serological markers in medical mycology: (1,3) –B-D-glucan and Aspergillus galactomannan

Invasive fungal infections present a great challenge in modern medicine. The recent development of serologic markers represents a clear advance in the field. Two serological tests have been developed: (1,3)-β-D glucan and Aspergillus galactomannan. This review discusses highlights of both tests.Fil: Ostrosky Zeichner, Luis. University of Texas Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Vitale, Roxana Gabriela. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Nucci, Marcio. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasi

Vulnerability of demersal fish assemblages to trawling activities: a traits-based index

Reducing the impact on vulnerable species through changes in fishing practices, such as the spatial or temporal avoidance of certain areas, is key to increase the ecological sustainability of fisheries. However, it is often hampered by the availability of sufficiently detailed data and robust indicators. Existing trawl surveys are a cost-effective data source to assess the vulnerability of fishing areas based on the quantities of vulnerable species caught. We developed a biological traits-based approach to the vulnerability of demersal assemblages using commercial trawl catch data. An expert-based approach identified a set of biological traits that are expected to condition the species' response to trawling impact and are combined to produce the vulnerability index ranked into four levels (low, moderate, high, and very high vulnerability). The approach was tested in four southern European fishing grounds showing evidence of over-exploitation, through catches being dominated by species of relatively low vulnerability to fishing impacts. The general distribution of species' biomass amongst vulnerability groups was highly homogenous across case studies, despite local differences in fishing fleet structure, target species and fishing depths. Within all areas the species with moderate vulnerability dominated and, in most instances, species of "very high" vulnerability were not recorded. Nevertheless, differences emerged when comparing the proportions of highly vulnerable species in the catches. Variability in vulnerability level of the catch was also observed at small spatial scales, which was principally explained by differences in habitat type and depth and, secondarily, by fishing effort. In fine mud in the shallower areas there was a higher presence of low vulnerable fauna. Furthermore, vulnerable organisms decreased in their presence in sandier substrates on the continental shelf. The spatial heterogeneity in assemblage vulnerability composition encourages the potential for adoption of this index in the spatial management of fishing grounds aiming at ensuring a sustainable exploitation by mitigating trawl impacts on the most vulnerable components of the demersal assemblages.MINOUW Horizon 2020 (Project ID: 634495); H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action MSCA-IF-2016 (Project ID: 743545)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prospectiva económica para el desarrollo regional y territorial

La prospectiva económica para el desarrollo regional y territorial es un campo de investigación y de práctica que se ha ido constituyendo lentamente, lo cual permite hacer hoy un balance, con la identificación de algunos de sus aportes, de sus vacíos y, por supuesto, sus desafíos

Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses

Colic horses show systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) clinical signs. Procalcitonin (PCT) showed increased circulating levels in sick horses. This study compares plasma PCT concentrations in healthy vs. SIRS negative/positive colic horses over time, and evaluates PCT and SIRS score potential correlation, to verify the usefulness of PCT for the evaluation of SIRS severity. Ninety-one horses were included; 43/91 were healthy, on basis of physical examination, blood work and SIRS score (score = 0), while 48/91 were sick colic horses, classified as SIRS-negative (score < 2) and positive (score ≥ 2). Moreover, a 0–6 point-scale SIRS score was calculated (assessing mucous membrane color and blood lactate concentration). PCT was evaluated at admission, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, using a commercial kit for equine species. We verified by the ANOVA test PCT differences between healthy vs. colic horses, healthy vs. SIRS-negative or SIRS-positive colic horses, at all sampling times, and the correlation between the SIRS score at admission with the SIRS score. Statistically significant differences were detected between healthy vs. all colic horses and between healthy vs. SIRS-positive or negative horses at all sampling times. No correlation was observed between the SIRS score at admission and PCT values. PCT was statistically higher in colic horses compared to the healthy ones, suggesting a role as a biomarker for colic

Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses

Colic horses show systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) clinical signs. Procalcitonin (PCT) showed increased circulating levels in sick horses. This study compares plasma PCT concentrations in healthy vs. SIRS negative/positive colic horses over time, and evaluates PCT and SIRS score potential correlation, to verify the usefulness of PCT for the evaluation of SIRS severity. Ninety-one horses were included; 43/91 were healthy, on basis of physical examination, blood work and SIRS score (score = 0), while 48/91 were sick colic horses, classified as SIRS-negative (score < 2) and positive (score ≥ 2). Moreover, a 0–6 point-scale SIRS score was calculated (assessing mucous membrane color and blood lactate concentration). PCT was evaluated at admission, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, using a commercial kit for equine species. We verified by the ANOVA test PCT differences between healthy vs. colic horses, healthy vs. SIRS-negative or SIRS-positive colic horses, at all sampling times, and the correlation between the SIRS score at admission with the SIRS score. Statistically significant differences were detected between healthy vs. all colic horses and between healthy vs. SIRS-positive or negative horses at all sampling times. No correlation was observed between the SIRS score at admission and PCT values. PCT was statistically higher in colic horses compared to the healthy ones, suggesting a role as a biomarker for colic

Syngeneic animal models of tobacco-associated oral cancer reveal the activity of in situ anti-CTLA-4.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Tobacco use is the main risk factor for HNSCC, and tobacco-associated HNSCCs have poor prognosis and response to available treatments. Recently approved anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors showed limited activity (≤20%) in HNSCC, highlighting the need to identify new therapeutic options. For this, mouse models that accurately mimic the complexity of the HNSCC mutational landscape and tumor immune environment are urgently needed. Here, we report a mouse HNSCC model system that recapitulates the human tobacco-related HNSCC mutanome, in which tumors grow when implanted in the tongue of immunocompetent mice. These HNSCC lesions have similar immune infiltration and response rates to anti-PD-1 (≤20%) immunotherapy as human HNSCCs. Remarkably, we find that &gt;70% of HNSCC lesions respond to intratumoral anti-CTLA-4. This syngeneic HNSCC mouse model provides a platform to accelerate the development of immunotherapeutic options for HNSCC

Influencia del tipo de cemento sobre la fluidez de pastas y morteros característicos de hormigones de alta performance

El advenimiento de los aditivos superfluidificantes es uno de los principales factores intervinientes en el desarrollo de hormigones de altas prestaciones. Estos aditivos permiten una importante reducción del agua de mezclado a partir de la defloculación de las partículas de cemento, con sus consecuentes beneficios sobre las propiedades en estado fresco del hormigón y la posibilidad de elaborar hormigones de alta resistencia y durabilidad. En los últimos años se han producido marcados cambios en los cementos comercializados, fundamentalmente a partir de la incorporación de diversas adiciones minerales. En este trabajo se presenta un estudio sobre pastas y morteros que analiza la influencia del tipo de cemento sobre la demanda de superfluidificante y las características de fluidez de las mezclas, a fin de ser aplicado en el diseño de hormigones de alta performance. Los resultados indican que los cementos con adiciones presentan una menor demanda de superfluidificante, con excepción de un cemento puzolánico. A la vez, las mezclas elaboradas con los cementos con adiciones evidencian una mayor cohesión que las elaboradas con cemento portland normal.Facultad de Ingenierí

Influencia del tipo de cemento sobre la fluidez de pastas y morteros característicos de hormigones de alta performance

El advenimiento de los aditivos superfluidificantes es uno de los principales factores intervinientes en el desarrollo de hormigones de altas prestaciones. Estos aditivos permiten una importante reducción del agua de mezclado a partir de la defloculación de las partículas de cemento, con sus consecuentes beneficios sobre las propiedades en estado fresco del hormigón y la posibilidad de elaborar hormigones de alta resistencia y durabilidad. En los últimos años se han producido marcados cambios en los cementos comercializados, fundamentalmente a partir de la incorporación de diversas adiciones minerales. En este trabajo se presenta un estudio sobre pastas y morteros que analiza la influencia del tipo de cemento sobre la demanda de superfluidificante y las características de fluidez de las mezclas, a fin de ser aplicado en el diseño de hormigones de alta performance. Los resultados indican que los cementos con adiciones presentan una menor demanda de superfluidificante, con excepción de un cemento puzolánico. A la vez, las mezclas elaboradas con los cementos con adiciones evidencian una mayor cohesión que las elaboradas con cemento portland normal.Facultad de Ingenierí

Influencia del tipo de cemento sobre la fluidez de pastas y morteros característicos de hormigones de alta performance

El advenimiento de los aditivos superfluidificantes es uno de los principales factores intervinientes en el desarrollo de hormigones de altas prestaciones. Estos aditivos permiten una importante reducción del agua de mezclado a partir de la defloculación de las partículas de cemento, con sus consecuentes beneficios sobre las propiedades en estado fresco del hormigón y la posibilidad de elaborar hormigones de alta resistencia y durabilidad. En los últimos años se han producido marcados cambios en los cementos comercializados, fundamentalmente a partir de la incorporación de diversas adiciones minerales. En este trabajo se presenta un estudio sobre pastas y morteros que analiza la influencia del tipo de cemento sobre la demanda de superfluidificante y las características de fluidez de las mezclas, a fin de ser aplicado en el diseño de hormigones de alta performance. Los resultados indican que los cementos con adiciones presentan una menor demanda de superfluidificante, con excepción de un cemento puzolánico. A la vez, las mezclas elaboradas con los cementos con adiciones evidencian una mayor cohesión que las elaboradas con cemento portland normal.Facultad de Ingenierí