Current understanding of nanoparticle toxicity mechanisms and interactions with biological systems

Nanotechnology is an emerging science involving the manipulation of matter at the nanometer scale. Nanoparticles (NP) are engineered structures with at least one dimension of 100 nm or less. These materials are progressively being used for commercial purposes and being incorporated into everyday manufactured articles at an increasing rate. These products include consumer items such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, food packaging, and household products, among others. The same unique physical and chemical properties that make NP so attractive may be associated with their potentially hazardous effects on cells and tissues. Despite the large benefit ensured from the application of nanotechnology, many issues related to NP behavior and adverse effects are not fully understood or should be examined anew. The traditional hypothesis that NP exhibit different or additional hazards due to their ?nano? size has been challenged in recent years, and NP categorization according to their properties and toxicity mechanism has been proposed instead. Possible undesirable results of these capabilities are harmful interactions with biological systems and the environment, with the potential to generate toxicity. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that NP are closely associated with toxicity by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and/or the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. This review summarizes available data on NP toxicity in biological systems, with particular focus on oxidative stress and inflammation as the main mechanisms that lead to adverse health effects following NP exposure.Fil: Garces, Mariana Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Caceres, Lourdes Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Chiappetta, Diego Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Magnani, Natalia Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Evelson, Pablo Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; Argentin

Delivery UNIT en río Tambo contra la desnutrición crónica infantil

La reducción de la desnutrición crónica infantil (DCI) en el Perú ha tenido resultados halagadores en los últimos diez años: el promedio nacional se ha reducido de 28% en el 2005 a 13,5% en el 2016. Asimismo, en el ámbito rural se ha experimentado una reducción de 47,1% en el 2005 a 27,2% en el 2016 (INEI 2016), convirtiendo al país en un ejemplo a seguir a nivel internacional. Sin embargo, detrás de las estadísticas se esconde una enorme inequidad al momento de evaluar los resultados en las zonas más pobres del territorio, donde la DCI puede superar al 80% de la población infantil de un distrito. Ese es el caso de Río Tambo, distrito ubicado en la selva central de la región Junín, habitado por una mayoría asháninka que representa más del 70% de la población total, donde los niveles de prevalencia de desnutrición son muy elevados a pesar de los esfuerzos que hacen los diferentes sectores para asignar recursos económicos y humanos para reducir los niveles de DCI que actualmente superan con creces el promedio nacional. De esa manera, los Programas Estratégicos, los Fondos de Estímulo y los Programas de Incentivos del Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas (MEF) no han logrado obtener los resultados esperados; al igual que los programas sociales Juntos y Qaliwarma del Ministerio de Desarrollo e Inclusión Social (MIDIS); así como los Planes Nacionales del Ministerio de Salud (MINSA). Por el contrario, los niveles de anemia, enfermedad asociada directamente con la DCI, experimentaron un alarmante incremento en los últimos dos años del anterior gobierno. En este contexto se desarrolla el presente trabajo de investigación, explorando los factores asociados a la implementación de la política pública contra la DCI en el distrito de Río Tambo, mediante una inmersión en el ambiente de investigación a través de entrevistas, opinión de expertos, observaciones en el campo y el análisis de estudios previos, así como de las experiencias exitosas registradas en localidades de similares características, con el objetivo de entender por qué los niveles de DCI permanecen tan elevados a pesar de toda la movilización de recursos por parte del estado, y proponer la creación e implementación de una unidad de cumplimiento a nivel distrital, empleando para ello la metodología del “delivery unit”. Esta metodología fue creada por Michael Barber para identificar los cuellos de botella que existen en la cadena de suministros del sector público que impiden la entrega eficiente de productos o servicios dirigidos a la ciudadanía, con el fin de articularlos con los procesos administrativos del Estado para corregir sus acciones en el camino y así conseguir mejores resultados (Bonifaz 2017). Normalmente su implementación se encuentra directamente ligada al concepto de Centro de Gobierno, sin embargo, como se verá en el desarrollo del trabajo de investigación, también viene siendo empleada en niveles sub nacionales. Resultado del esfuerzo señalado, el presente documento contiene una propuesta sobre la identificación de los factores más significativos que afectan la reducción de la desnutrición crónica en Río Tambo, así como una serie de actividades que podrían generar un cambio en su desempeño, y los actores que deberían participar en este proceso. Sin perjuicio de lo anterior, el valor adicional de este trabajo de investigación radica en la propuesta de crear e implementar una unidad de cumplimiento a nivel distrital que acompañe los esfuerzos de los sectores involucrados en la reducción de los altos índices de desnutrición crónica y anemia que afectan a la población del distrito de Río Tambo

The relative importance of pig welfare in seven European Countries

Animal welfare is becoming a prominent politically sensitive matter because of the continuous societal pressure for more humane production systems. The European society is demanding products with high animal welfare standards and requiring animals to be raised as closely as possible to their natural conditions. However, people are still considered uninformed and unfamiliar with the different farm production systems. In this context, the pig welfare has received special attention from the European authorities by approving unceasingly different regulations changes. The aim of this study is: a) To identify the relative importance of pig welfare within the different animal production systems, b) to understand the animal welfare concept and to identify the level of information of three Mediterranean societies, c) to analyse the different aspect regulated by the animal welfare rules. Data were collected in three Mediterranean countries (Spain, Italy and Greece) using different face to face questionnaires that were carried out for 4 groups of participants: Consumers (250 by country), citizens (250 by country), university students (250 by country) and secondary school students (250 by country). The preliminary results showed that society is most concerned with pig welfare in comparison of other animal production systems. Furthermore, the most society would prefer to have more information on animal welfare showing a high level of heterogeneous information source by participants groups. The results also suggest the need for a better understanding of societal preferences for food produced under varying conditions with respect to animal well-being.Postprint (published version

Should animal welfare be included in educational programs? Attitudes of secondary and university students from eight EU countries

Animal Welfare educational programs aim to promote positive attitudes of future generations towards animal production systems. This study investigated whether secondary and university students in the majors that are not related to AW teaching believe that this concept should be included also in their educational programs. The determinant factors affecting students’ attitudes towards such a decision were analysed. This research has focused on eight European countries (Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Italy, and Sweden) targeting 3,881 respondents composed of 1,952 secondary and 1,929 university students. Results showed that female university students with a level of subjective and objective knowledge on AW and who required more restrictive AW regulations, gave support to include the concept in their educational programs. However, Students who support medical experiments that use animals to improve human health were less likely to accept AW education. Students in Italy compared to those in Sweden were prone to support AW educational programs. Results highlight the importance of teaching the AW concept as a comprehensive teaching tool at universities and schools’ programs as it may constitute a starting point for a more sustainable society toward improving animal living conditions, mainly in the Mediterranean countries in secondary schools

Should animal welfare be included in educational programs? Attitudes of secondary and university students from eight EU Countries

Animal welfare educational programs aim to promote positive attitudes of future generations towards animal production systems. This study investigated whether secondary and university students in the majors that are not related to AW teaching believe that this concept should be included also in their educational programs. The determinant factors affecting students' attitudes towards such a decision were analyzed. This research has focused on eight European countries (Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Italy, and Sweden) targeting 3,881 respondents composed of 1,952 secondary and 1,929 university students. Results showed that female university students with a level of subjective and objective knowledge on AW and who required more restrictive AW regulations, gave support to include the concept in their educational programs. However, Students who support medical experiments that use animals to improve human health were less likely to accept AW education. Students in Italy compared to those in Sweden were prone to support AW educational programs. Results highlight the importance of teaching the AW concept as a comprehensive teaching tool at universities and schools' programs as it may constitute a starting point for a more sustainable society toward improving animal living conditions, mainly in the Mediterranean countries in secondary schools.Postprint (author's final draft

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation: 20 years experience in Bologna University

Objective: To report the 20-year experience in ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) of the Bologna clinical center (Bologna, Italy). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Patients: 1026 pediatrics and women aged between 2 and 38 years who underwent OTC and OTT between January 2002 to January 2022. Results: Of the 1026 patients, 238 (22.8%) were pediatrics (≤ 17 years, Group 1) and 788 (77.2%) were adult women (range 18-38 years, Group 2). In Group 1, 184 (77.3%) patients had malignant diseases and 54 (22.7%) had non-malignant diseases. In Group 2, 746 (94.7%) patients had malignant diseases and 42 (5.3%) had non-malignant diseases. No real complications were observed during surgery. In all the samples analyzed most of the follicles were in the resting stage, while only a few follicles were growing. In both fresh and thawed samples, follicular density was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.01). Regardless of age, good preservation of follicles and stroma was observed in fresh and thawed ovarian tissue by histological and immunohistochemical analyses (estrogen and progesterone receptors; Ki67 and Bcl2 markers; TUNEL). To date, out of 1026 total women, 812 (79.1%) had their tissue stored. Sixty-eight (6.6%) patients died from their primary disease. Twentyfour (2.3%) women performed 33 OTTs between December 2011 and January 2022. Restoration of menstruation was observed in 15 out of 17 menopausal women. Six pregnancies were achieved, two hesitated in abortion and four in the birth of healthy babies. Conclusion: OTC is the only fertility preservation technique applicable in prepubertal/ pediatrics and in adult patients when stimulation for oocytes/embryos cryopreservation is not possible. The reported data can help future patients and physicians in their discussions and decisions about the need and possibilities of preserving ovarian function

The human antibody fragment DIATHIS1 specific for CEACAM1 enhances natural killer cell cytotoxicity against melanoma cell lines in vitro

Several lines of evidence show that de novo expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is strongly associated with reduced disease-free survival of patients affected by metastatic melanoma. Previously published investigations report that homophilic interactions between CEACAM1 expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and tumors inhibit the NK cell-mediated killing independently of major histocompatibility complex class I recognition. This biological property can be physiologically relevant in metastatic melanoma because of the increased CEACAM1 expression observed on NK cells from some patients. Moreover, this inhibitory mechanism in many cases might hinder the efficacy of immunotherapeutic treatments of CEACAM1 malignancies because of tumor evasion by activated effector cells. In the present study, we designed an in vitro experimental model showing that the human single-chain variable fragment (scFv) DIATHIS1 specific for CEACAM1 is able to enhance the lytic machinery of NK cells against CEACAM1 melanoma cells. The coincubation of the scFv DIATHIS1 with CEACAM1 melanoma cells and NK-92 cell line significantly increases the cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, pretreatment of melanoma cells with scFv DIATHIS1 promotes the activation and the degranulation capacity of in vitro-expanded NK cells from healthy donors. It is interesting to note that the melanoma cell line MelC and the primary melanoma cells STA that respond better to DIATHIS1 treatment, express higher relative levels of CEACAM1-3L and CEACAM1-3S splice variants isoforms compared with Mel501 cells that are less responsive to DIATHIS1-induced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Taken together, our results suggest that the fully human antibody fragment DIATHIS1 originated by biopanning approach from a phage antibody library may represent a relevant biotechnological platform to design and develop completely human antimelanoma therapeutics of biological origin

Diferencias morfológicas y de condición física en futbolistas adolescentes según posición de juego: una revisión sistemática

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the studies that evaluate morphological and physical fitness differences in young soccer players according to playing position.Material and Methods: For its elaboration, the PRISMA-P protocol was followed, the PubMed/MEDLINE database was used, and the Downs & Black methodological quality assessment was applied. Six studies met all the selection criteria, adding 784 soccer players (229 defenders [DF]; 271 midfielders [MF], 168 forwards [FW] and 69 goalkeepers [GK]) with a mean age of 16.2 years.Results: The analyzed studies indicate, that GK and DF have a height, body weight, endomorphic component and body fat higher than MF and FW, except for one study that reports higher values for body weight in FW and DF with respect to MF. In relation to physical fitness, the maximum squat exhibited higher values for FW compared to MF; cardiorespiratory fitness was higher in DF and MF when compared with GK and abdominal muscle resistance was greater in MF compared to DF. Conclusion: The GK and DF show greater height, body weight and body fat than the MF and FW. While physical fitness indicates that FW show greater lower body strength, MF and DF achieve greater cardiorespiratory fitness and MF present greater abdominal muscle resistance when young soccer players are analyzed according to playing position.Introducción: El objetivo de la presente revisión sistemática fue analizar los estudios que evalúan las diferencias morfológicas y de condición física en futbolistas adolescentes según posición de juego.Material y métodos: Para su elaboración se siguió el protocolo PRISMA-P, se utilizó la base de datos PubMed/MEDLINE y se aplicó la evaluación de calidad metodológica de Downs & Black. Seis estudios cumplieron con todos los criterios de selección, sumando 784 futbolistas (229 defensas [DF]; 271 mediocampistas [MC], 168 delanteros [DL] y 69 porteros [PT]) con una edad media de 16,2 años. Resultados: Los estudios analizados indican que los PT y DF poseen una altura, peso corporal, componente endomórfico y grasa corporal mayor que MC y DL, excepto un estudio que reporta valores más altos para peso corporal en DL y DF respecto a MC. En relación a la condición física, la sentadilla máxima exhibió valores más elevados para DL respecto a MC; la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria fue superior en DF y MC al compararlos con PT y la resistencia muscular abdominal fue mayor en MC respecto a DF. Conclusión: Los PT y DF ostentan mayor altura, peso corporal y grasa corporal que los MC y DL. Mientras que la condición física, indica que los DL demuestran mayor fuerza del tren inferior, los MC y DF consiguen mayor capacidad cardiorrespiratoria y los MC presentan mayor resistencia muscular abdominal cuando se analizan futbolistas adolescentes según posición de juego