Extracellular Dopamine Potentiates Mn-Induced Oxidative Stress, Lifespan Reduction, and Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in a BLI-3–Dependent Manner in Caenorhabditis elegans

Parkinson's disease (PD)-mimicking drugs and pesticides, and more recently PD-associated gene mutations, have been studied in cell cultures and mammalian models to decipher the molecular basis of PD. Thus far, a dozen of genes have been identified that are responsible for inherited PD. However they only account for about 8% of PD cases, most of the cases likely involving environmental contributions. Environmental manganese (Mn) exposure represents an established risk factor for PD occurrence, and both PD and Mn-intoxicated patients display a characteristic extrapyramidal syndrome primarily involving dopaminergic (DAergic) neurodegeneration with shared common molecular mechanisms. To better understand the specificity of DAergic neurodegeneration, we studied Mn toxicity in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans. Combining genetics and biochemical assays, we established that extracellular, and not intracellular, dopamine (DA) is responsible for Mn-induced DAergic neurodegeneration and that this process (1) requires functional DA-reuptake transporter (DAT-1) and (2) is associated with oxidative stress and lifespan reduction. Overexpression of the anti-oxidant transcription factor, SKN-1, affords protection against Mn toxicity, while the DA-dependency of Mn toxicity requires the NADPH dual-oxidase BLI-3. These results suggest that in vivo BLI-3 activity promotes the conversion of extracellular DA into toxic reactive species, which, in turn, can be taken up by DAT-1 in DAergic neurons, thus leading to oxidative stress and cell degeneration

Percepción sobre estética de la sonrisa en estudiantes de una Universidad Privada de Piura, 2021

Se ha demostrado que la estética de la sonrisa puede ser evaluada bajo principios imparciales, que le permiten al operador predecir los deseos estéticos del paciente. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la percepción sobre la estética de la sonrisa por parte de los estudiantes de estomatología de una Universidad Privada de Piura, 2021. Fue una investigación básica, de diseño descriptivo transversal. La población estuvo constituida por estudiantes de Estomatología de los 5 años académicos registrados en el periodo 2021-I, y con una muestra de 227 estudiantes. Los datos fueron recolectados mediante la técnica de la encuesta y el instrumento aplicado fue un cuestionario basado en la escala EVA que incluía 19 fotografías que debían ser puntuadas del 1 al 5 (1; nada atractivo, 5; muy atractivo). Los resultados obtenidos demostraron que la línea media maxilar sin desviación fue percibida como atractiva; el arco de sonrisa paralelo, medianamente atractivo; los corredores bucales estrechos, medianamente atractivos; ausencia de diastema, medianamente atractivo; relación incisal de incisivos superiores de 2mm, poco atractiva; ausencia de exposición gingival, poco atractiva; cénit gingival simétrico, poco atractivo y ausencia de troneras, atractiva. Concluyendo que la percepción de los estudiantes de estomatología de una Universidad Privada de Piura en el 2021, va de poco atractiva a medianamente atractiva

Volcanic alert system by lightning detection using the WWLLN - ash cloud monitor

Electrical discharges are observed in many volcanic eruptions and they have often been used as indicators of such eruptions. Volcanic lightning is remarkably similar to those produced during thunderstorms and is called analogous to thunderstorm-like plume lightning. The WWLLN developed a program called "Ash Cloud Monitor" (ACM), in which alerts are issued for possible volcanic eruptions when lightning strokes are detected around a volcano. The ACM tool has demonstrated to be a very effective technique to be aware of volcanic eruptions. However, most of the alerts released by ACM belong to false alarms of volcanic activity, because, in general, the detected lightning is produced by thunderstorms near the volcano. In order to assess and improve the ACM to detect volcanic eruptions, reducing false alert emissions and improving the quick interpretation of them, we develop a web platform called GeorayosVolcanoAr with a new structure and a modified algorithm, with respect to the algorithm used by ACM, for the classification of alerts. The new algorithm considers an alert system with 3 levels: Red - Yellow - Green, with the Red alert being the highest level and decreasing towards Green. The Red alert was assigned to those volcanoes where only recorded lightning within a radius of 20 km or the lightning detected within a radius of 20 km is at least twice as much as that detected up to 100 km from the vent. The study focused on 32 volcanoes located in the Andes, close to the Argentine-Chilean border, and analyzed the results reported by the ACM network in terms of a climatological study of the lightning activity, thunderstorm days and predominant winds in that region. This analysis serves as a basis for a general recognition of the study zone in order to improve the interpretation of the distribution and generation of false alerts; as well as to help decision makers, among others, to have a reference that allows them to issue the warning.Fil: Baissac, Daiana Marlene. 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; ArgentinaFil: Nicora, Maria Gabriela. 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; ArgentinaFil: Bali, Juan Lucas. Ministerio de Defensa. Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas para la Defensa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Badi, Gabriela A.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; ArgentinaFil: Avila, Eldo Edgardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Genome-Wide Analyses of Metal Responsive Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans

Metals are major contaminants that influence human health. Many metals have physiologic roles, but excessive levels can be harmful. Advances in technology have made toxicogenomic analyses possible to characterize the effects of metal exposure on the entire genome. Much of what is known about cellular responses to metals has come from mammalian systems; however the use of non-mammalian species is gaining wider attention. Caenorhabditis elegans is a small round worm whose genome has been fully sequenced and its development from egg to adult is well characterized. It is an attractive model for high throughput screens due to its short lifespan, ease of genetic mutability, low cost, and high homology with humans. Research performed in C. elegans has led to insights in apoptosis, gene expression, and neurodegeneration, all of which can be altered by metal exposure. Additionally, by using worms one can potentially study mechanisms that underline differential responses to metals in nematodes and humans, allowing for identification of novel pathways and therapeutic targets. In this review, toxicogenomic studies performed in C. elegans exposed to various metals will be discussed, highlighting how this non-mammalian system can be utilized to study cellular processes and pathways induced by metals. Recent work focusing on neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease will be discussed as an example of the usefulness of genetic screens in C. elegans and the novel findings that can be produced

Stressed-Induced TMEM135 Protein Is Part of a Conserved Genetic Network Involved in Fat Storage and Longevity Regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Disorders of mitochondrial fat metabolism lead to sudden death in infants and children. Although survival is possible, the underlying molecular mechanisms which enable this outcome have not yet been clearly identified. Here we describe a conserved genetic network linking disorders of mitochondrial fat metabolism in mice to mechanisms of fat storage and survival in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). We have previously documented a mouse model of mitochondrial very-long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency.[1] We originally reported that the mice survived birth, but, upon exposure to cold and fasting stresses, these mice developed cardiac dysfunction, which greatly reduced survival. We used cDNA microarrays[2], [3], [4] to outline the induction of several markers of lipid metabolism in the heart at birth in surviving mice. We hypothesized that the induction of fat metabolism genes in the heart at birth is part of a regulatory feedback circuit that plays a critical role in survival.[1] The present study uses a dual approach employing both C57BL/6 mice and the nematode, C. elegans, to focus on TMEM135, a conserved protein which we have found to be upregulated 4.3 (±0.14)-fold in VLCAD-deficient mice at birth. Our studies have demonstrated that TMEM135 is highly expressed in mitochondria and in fat-loaded tissues in the mouse. Further, when fasting and cold stresses were introduced to mice, we observed 3.25 (±0.03)- and 8.2 (±0.31)- fold increases in TMEM135 expression in the heart, respectively. Additionally, we found that deletion of the tmem135 orthologue in C. elegans caused a 41.8% (±2.8%) reduction in fat stores, a reduction in mitochondrial action potential and decreased longevity of the worm. In stark contrast, C. elegans transgenic animals overexpressing TMEM-135 exhibited increased longevity upon exposure to cold stress. Based on these results, we propose that TMEM135 integrates biological processes involving fat metabolism and energy expenditure in both the worm (invertebrates) and in mammalian organisms. The data obtained from our experiments suggest that TMEM135 is part of a regulatory circuit that plays a critical role in the survival of VLCAD-deficient mice and perhaps in other mitochondrial genetic defects of fat metabolism as well

Oxidación catalítica heterogénea de azul de metileno

En el presente trabajo se estudió ladegradación de azul de metileno (AM) utilizando como oxidante peróxido dehidrogeno, catalizado por oxido de niobio V. Se investigó el efecto del pH,transferencia de masa, tratamiento previo y reúso del catalizador, concentraciónde contaminante y lixiviación de Nb. Se buscaron las concentraciones optimas dereactivo y catalizador, siendo estas de 1.5% y 0.05% m/m, respectivamente.El catalizador y reactivo aplicadosen condiciones óptimas produjeron un alto porcentaje de degradación del AM entodos los ensayos realizados, mostrando la alta reactividad del procesopropuesto. Se observó que los procesos de tratamiento previo y reúso delcatalizador aumentan la reactividad del catalizador siendo un resultadoimportante para su aplicación.Fil: Toranzo, Pablo. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Prieto, Micaela. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Entelman, Valeria Daiana. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Avila, Ana Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Tonetto, Gabriela Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaXXI Congreso Argentino de Catálisis y X Congreso de Catálisis del MercosurSanta FeArgentinaSociedad Argentina de CatálisisInstituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria QuímicaInstituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera

Fotoiniciadores en materiales restauradores contemporáneos

Se han sugerido diversas tecnologías para una adecuada fotopolimerización de los materiales dentales, incluyendo el uso de lámparas de luz ultravioleta, halógena, arco de plasma, láser, hasta llegar a las LED, todo esto para lograr un buen resultado clínico, ya que el material restaurador debe recibir una cantidad correcta de energía lumínica coincidente con el rango de onda del fotoiniciador. El objetivo de este artículo de revisión es conocer las propiedades de los diferentes tipos de lámparas y de los fotoiniciadores presentes en los materiales dentales contemporáneos. Es un estudio básico de tipo no experimental, se utilizó una revisión de literatura, accediendo a las bases de datos indexadas como EBSCO, PubMed, Scielo y Proquest considerando una antigüedad no mayor a 5 años. Los resultados obtenidos nos demuestran que no todas las lámparas presentan un rango de onda coincidente con los fotoiniciadores y que éstos le proporcionan al material restaurador diferentes tonos de coloración. Concluyendo que las LED de tercera generación presentan una mejor tecnología además de un rango de onda que abarca a todos los fotoiniciadores

TRANSPORTE DE CARGA FRACIONADA VISTO SOB A ÓTICA SUSTENTÁVEL: A PATIR DA APLICAÇÃO DO MÉTODO GAIA – GERENCIAMENTO DE ASPECTOS E IMPACTOS AMBIENTAIS

Com a evolução da sustentabilidade, o desenvolvimento de ferramentas de gestão capazes de auxiliar as empresas a incrementar o seu desempenho nas esferas ambiental, social e econômica, torna-se fundamental para construir uma atuação alinhada com as expectativas dos stakeholders. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar e caracterizar os resíduos e como transformar em uma fonte de renda no transporte rodoviário utilizando o método de gerenciamento GAIA proporcionando melhorias nos processos e ainda comparar a aplicação deste método com o trabalho de Sousa et  al (2006). Pesquisa é descritiva com abordagem qualitativa dos dados por meio de um estudo de caso. A coleta dos dados foi realizada por meio de fontes primárias e secundárias. A fonte primária de coleta das informações compreendeu a realização de uma entrevista com o diretor operacional da empresa.  As fontes secundárias referem-se às observações realizadas durante a visita e ao acesso das documentações internas da empresa, bem como seus relatórios contábeis. Adotou-se a utilização do método de Gerenciamento de Aspectos e Impactos Ambientais – GAIA, descrito como um conjunto de instrumentos e ferramentas gerenciais que oferece às organizações a possibilidade de melhoria da performance ambiental, seu foco está no desenvolvimento de uma consciência crítica nas pessoas que compõem a organização no que tange os níveis de desperdício do processo produtivo, bem como os efeitos de resíduos, efluentes e emissões gerados por esse processo (LERIPIO, 2001). Enquanto que o transporte de mercadorias é cada vez mais importante para a competitividade, o tráfego de mercadorias é considerado como uma ameaça crescente para a sustentabilidade. As evidencias permitem deduzir que a utilização de sistemas de tecnologia de informação e comunicação permitem uma mobilidade mais sustentável através da melhor utilização das estradas, diminuindo o número de acidentes, os congestionamento, bem como tem potencial para redução em termos de consumo por Km/rodados. Pelo estudo realizado foi possível determinar que uma orientação voltada à sustentabilidade tente a auxiliar o setor de transporte, tanto em aspectos financeiros quanto mercadológicos. A sensibilização ambiental gerada pelo método GAIA apresentou-se como o impacto mais latente na comparação dos achados deste estudo com a pesquisa de Sousa et al. (2006). Percebe-se ainda que com a implementação do GAIA os gestores podem avaliar melhor os pontos de melhoria sob o prisma da sustentabilidade

Mechanistic Insights into the Anti-angiogenic Activity of Trypanosoma cruzi Protein 21 and its Potential Impact on the Onset of Chagasic Cardiomyopathy

Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is arguably the most important form of the Chagas Disease, caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruziit is estimated that 10-30% of chronic patients develop this clinical manifestation. The most common and severe form of CCC can be related to ventricular abnormalities, such as heart failure, arrhythmias, heart blocks, thromboembolic events and sudden death. Therefore, in this study, we proposed to evaluate the anti-angiogenic activity of a recombinant protein from T. cruzi named P21 (rP21) and the potential impact of the native protein on CCC. Our data suggest that the anti-angiogenic activity of rP21 depends on the protein's direct interaction with the CXCR4 receptor. This capacity is likely related to the modulation of the expression of actin and angiogenesis-associated genes. Thus, our results indicate that T. cruzi P21 is an attractive target for the development of innovative therapeutic agents against CCC.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Departamento Microbiol Imunol Parasitol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Uberlandia, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Imunol, Lab Tripanosomatideos, Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Uberlandia, Inst Genet & Bioquim, Lab Bioquim & Toxinas Animais, Uberlandia, MG, BrazilCeTICS, Inst Butantan, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Uberlandia, Fac Med, Centro Referencia Nacl Dermatol Sanitaria Hanseni, Lab Patol Mol & Biotecnol, Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Uberlandia, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Immunol, Lab Osteoimunol & Imunol Tumores, Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Departamento Microbiol Imunol Parasitol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Departamento Microbiol Imunol Parasitol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

SCIPP: An Expanded Community of Practice - Community Publishing

SCIPP redefines and expands the existing notions about what makes for a vibrant and robust community of practice by partnering CSUSB students and professors with K-12 students, parents, and educators, along with committed community partners. SCIPP encourages curiosity in ways that leads to critical thinking, exploration, risk taking , confidence building, open-mindedness, and other personal traits that equip them with the softskills to be active, critical, and creative contributors to our communities. SCIPP pedagogy embraces our students\u27 collective wisdom and focuses on relational building where multi-directional communication is promoted and students are viewed as equal stakeholders in their own educations. SCIPP puts collaboration into action which in turn fosters community-based lifelong learning. SCIPP provides the open intellectual space for future university students (our K-12 students) to engage with existing university students in meaningful ways so as to sustain interconnected partnerships facilitating community engagement. It supports parents as experts in the education of their children and acknowledges parents as the first conduits to spark their children’s imagination while they actively participate in education enriching activities and programs. Everyone involved is committed to creating a secure and open atmosphere for dreaming, sharing, and learning. Together we explore the aspects of community publishing through collaborative learning in formal and informal settings relating to digital and printed medias