Afectación de vías de apoptosis cuando se administra inmunosupresión a los donantes: rol de TNFA, BAX y BCL-2

El trasplante renal en ratas isogénicas es el modelo más ampliamente usado para el estudio de factores de daño no-inmunológicos. TNF∝ es una citokina pro inflamatoria que esta up-regulada en el proceso de injuria por isquemi-reperfusión (IRI) y está involucrada en la vía extrínseca de apoptosis. Bcl-2 y Bax son genes anti y pro apoptóticos involucrados en la vía intrínseca. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar cuáles vías apoptóticas están afectadas por la administración de diferentes drogras inmunosupresoras (sirolimus y FK506) al donanteFacultad de Ciencias Médica

Modelo de donante cadavérico con criterio neurológico de muerte en la rata de laboratorio

El modelo experimental de trasplante de órganos y tejidos en la rata, se ha llevado a cabo tradicionalmente con donante vivo. La complejidad de lograr un donante cadavérico en roedores de laboratorio, ha restringido su utilización. Esta situación limita la extrapolación de los resultados a la realidad clínica, donde mayoritariamente se utilizan órganos extraídos de donantes cadavéricos. La necesidad de poseer resultados experimentales, tanto en donante vivo como cadavérico, nos ha llevado a optimizar el modelo de donante de órganos en rata con criterio neurológico de muerte y asistencia respiratoria mecánica.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Distribución de enfermedades transmitidas por chicharritas en cultivos de maíz en la campaña 2012/13

La continuidad geográfica de los cultivos y de los germoplasmas empleados en Argentina, favorecen la presencia y la incidencia de las enfermedades del maíz transmitidas por chicharritas. Durante la última década, en Argentina se ha ido produciendo la continuidad geográfica de los cultivos, desde el extremo norte del país hasta las puertas de la Patagonia, lo que plantea un contexto diferenteal existente previamenteen la epidemiología de las enfermedades que los afectan. El empleo de nuevas tecnologías y estrategias de manejo permitieron que la agricultura avanzara sobre tierras antes dedicadas a la ganadería, con pastizales o monte natural. Tal es el caso de una amplia franja del centro del país, que al carecer de cultivos se comportaba como barrera natural bloqueando el paso de inóculos desde una zona a otra. Esta franja se ha ido reduciendo e incluso ha desaparecido en algunas zonas.publishedVersionFil: Vicondo, Manuel Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CIAP). Instituto de Patología Vegetal (IPAVE); Argentina.Fil: Druetta, Marcelo Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CIAP). Instituto de Patología Vegetal (IPAVE); Argentina.Fil: Maurino, María Fernanda. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CIAP). Instituto de Patología Vegetal (IPAVE); Argentina.Fil: Raspanti, Jorge. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CIAP). Instituto de Patología Vegetal (IPAVE); Argentina.Fil: Virla, Eduardo G. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI); Argentina.Fil: Zalazar, N. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero; Argentina.Fil: Ruiz Posse, Eduardo Juan. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina.Fil: Laguna, Irma Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CIAP). Instituto de Patología Vegetal (IPAVE); Argentina.Fil: Giménez Pecci, María de la Paz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CIAP). Instituto de Patología Vegetal (IPAVE); Argentina

Partial Deletion of Chromosome 8 β-defensin Cluster Confers Sperm Dysfunction and Infertility in Male Mice

β-defensin peptides are a family of antimicrobial peptides present at mucosal surfaces, with the main site of expression under normal conditions in the male reproductive tract. Although they kill microbes in vitro and interact with immune cells, the precise role of these genes in vivo remains uncertain. We show here that homozygous deletion of a cluster of nine β-defensin genes (DefbΔ9) in the mouse results in male sterility. The sperm derived from the mutants have reduced motility and increased fragility. Epididymal sperm isolated from the cauda should require capacitation to induce the acrosome reaction but sperm from the mutants demonstrate precocious capacitation and increased spontaneous acrosome reaction compared to wild-types but have reduced ability to bind the zona pellucida of oocytes. Ultrastructural examination reveals a defect in microtubule structure of the axoneme with increased disintegration in mutant derived sperm present in the epididymis cauda region, but not in caput region or testes. Consistent with premature acrosome reaction, sperm from mutant animals have significantly increased intracellular calcium content. Thus we demonstrate in vivo that β-defensins are essential for successful sperm maturation, and their disruption leads to alteration in intracellular calcium, inappropriate spontaneous acrosome reaction and profound male infertility

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Acute truncal ataxia without nystagmus in patients with acute vertigo

Background and purpose: Differentiating between peripheral and central aetiologies can be challenging in patients with acute vertigo, given substantial symptom overlap. A detailed clinical history and focused physical eye movement examination such as the HINTS eye examination appear to be the most reliable approach to identify acute cerebellar/brainstem stroke, outperforming even acute brain imaging. We have observed, however, that isolated vertigo of central cause may be accompanied by acute truncal ataxia, in the absence of nystagmus. Methods: We explored the frequency of ataxia without concurrent nystagmus in a cross section of patients with acute vertigo who presented to the emergency department at two centres in Argentina (Group A) and the UK (Group B). Patients underwent detailed clinical neuro-otological assessments (Groups A and B), which included instrumented head impulse testing and oculography (Group B). Results: A total of 71 patients in Group A and 24 patients in Group B were included in this study. We found acute truncal ataxia—without nystagmus—in 15% (n = 14) of our overall cohort. Lesions involved stroke syndromes affecting the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and superior cerebellar artery, thalamic stroke, cerebral hemisphere stroke, multiple sclerosis, and a cerebellar tumour. Additional oculomotor deficits did not reliably identify a central cause in these individuals, even with oculography. Conclusions: We have identified a significant subpopulation of patients with acute vertigo in whom the current standard approaches such as the HINTS examination that focus on oculomotor assessment may not be applicable, highlighting the need for a formal assessment of gait in this setting

Biodegradation of pesticide-contaminated wastewaters from a formulation plant employing a pilot scale biobed

In this work, a pilot biobed was built up to treat pesticide-contaminated wastewaters discharged from a formulation plant. The pre-treated wastewater was spiked with additional pesticides in order to simulate a scenario of higher contamination: glyphosate, atrazine, imidacloprid, prometryn and carbendazim were added to reach a final Total Organic Carbon (TOC) concentration of 70 mg L−1. An Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) was filled with a biomixture of soil and foxtail millet stubble (50:50% v v−1), and 200 l of the wastewater was added to the system recycling tank. The recirculation to the IBC was established for 12 h. After that (Day 0), the recirculation was turned on during the assay only to maintain the moisture for 180 days. Biomixture and wastewater samples were taken periodically to analyse pesticides and phytotoxicity in both matrices. In addition, hydrolytic and phenoloxidase activities, total bacteria and yeast and fungi communities were determined in the biomixture. The designed pilot scale biobed allowed to treat wastewaters with high concentration of pesticides reaching a complete removal of glyphosate, AMPA, atrazine, carbendazim and prometryn at 180 days. A good degradation percentage of the recalcitrant imidacloprid was achieved (60%) and the biomixture showed enough biological activity to continue treating additional wastewater. The root elongation index from the germination test showed low toxicity on day 180 both in biomixture and wastewater. The millet stubble resulted an appropriate lignocellulosic material to be used in biobeds to treat a wide variety of pesticides. The application of the seed germination test proved to be a low cost and simple tool to determine the end point of the process.Fil: Lescano, Maia Raquel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Fussoni, N.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Vidal, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Zalazar, Cristina Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; Argentin

Estudio comparativo de distintas alternativas tecnológicas para la producción de quesos semiduros de pasta lavada bajos en grasa

In the present paper the addition of a commercial fat substitute based on whey proteins, alone or in combination with goat rennet and with a food grade protease, is analyzed. Six different cheeses were produced: a control with whole milk (3.3 % of fat), and five experimental with partially skimmed milk (1.8 % of fat) without additions and with different combinations of the fat substitute, the goat rennet and the food grade protease. Results of analytical controls performed at the beginning and at the end of ripening show that low fat cheese without additions was the best of experimental. Addition of fat substitute, alone or in different combinations with goat rennet or with food grade protease, was negative for the sensory characteristics.<br><br>En el presente trabajo se analiza el efecto del agregado de un sustituto comercial de la materia grasa a base de prote&#237;nas de suero, solo o en combinaciones con un coagulante de cabrito en pasta y con una proteasa alimenticia, sobre la calidad de un queso semiduro argentino. Se elaboraron seis tipos distintos de quesos, un testigo con leche entera (3.3 % de materia grasa), y cinco experimentales con leche parcialmente descremada (1.8 % de materia grasa), sin ning&#250;n agregado y con distintas combinaciones del sustituto de grasa, el coagulante de cabrito y la proteasa. Los resultados de los controles anal&#237;ticos realizados al principio y al final de la maduraci&#243;n, indicaron que el queso descremado sin ning&#250;n aditivo result&#243; ser el mejor de los experimentales ya que la inclusi&#243;n del sustituto de la grasa, solo o en distintas combinaciones con el coagulante de cabrito o con la proteasa, afect&#243; negativamente a los atributos sensoriales

The melliferous flora of Veracruz, Mexico

Objective: To contribute to the knowledge of the situation of the melliferous flora in Veracruz for pollinators and to communicate it for the benefit of beekeepers and stingless beekeepers, as well as to develop comprehensive strategies with these activities. Design/Methodology/Approach: The information was obtained through a bibliographic review in reference databases such as Scopus, Web of Science Group, Academic Google, Elsevier and Springer Link, using the following keywords: flora, bees, pollinators, honey, pollen. Results: 63 families were recorded, with 176 genera and 216 species of melliferous flora, finding that the largest number of species are found in the Fabaceae family (20%) and Asteraceae (16.55%). There were also 44 crops with 22 families. Study Limitations/Implications: There were no limitations in conducting this study. Findings/Conclusions: The greatest diversity of melliferous flora species is seen in wild plants, and strategies need to be implemented for their protection and multiplication. For these actions, various actors must be involved at different levels of government, educational and private institutions, civil society, farmers, beekeepers, and stingless beekeeping. Conservation actions include the use of melliferous plants in gardens and their protection in crops, sites surrounding crops and on edges. It is necessary to preserve natural landscapes and restore damaged ones, as well as to lead favorable practices in pollinator-dependent crops