Aging and CaMKII alter intracellular Ca2+ transients and heart rhythm in Drosophila Melanogaster

Aging is associated to disrupted contractility and rhythmicity, among other cardiovascular alterations. Drosophila melanogaster shows a pattern of aging similar to human beings and recapitulates the arrhythmogenic conditions found in the human heart. Moreover, the kinase CaMKII has been characterized as an important regulator of heart function and an arrhythmogenic molecule that participate in Ca2+ handling. Using a genetically engineered expressed Ca2+ indicator, we report changes in cardiac Ca2+ handling at two different ages. Aging prolonged relaxation, reduced spontaneous heart rate (HR) and increased the occurrence of arrhythmias, ectopic beats and asystoles. Alignment between Drosophila melanogaster and human CaMKII showed a high degree of conservation and indicates that relevant phosphorylation sites in humans are also present in the fruit fly. Inhibition of CaMKII by KN-93 (CaMKII-specific inhibitor), reduced HR without significant changes in other parameters. By contrast, overexpression of CaMKII increased HR and reduced arrhythmias. Moreover, it increased fluorescence amplitude, maximal rate of rise of fluorescence and reduced time to peak fluorescence. These results suggest that CaMKII in Drosophila melanogaster acts directly on heart function and that increasing CaMKII expression levels could be beneficial to improve contractility.Fil: Santalla, Manuela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares "dr. Horacio Eugenio Cingolani"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Experimentales; ArgentinaFil: Valverde, Carlos Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares "dr. Horacio Eugenio Cingolani"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Harnichar, Alejandro Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares "dr. Horacio Eugenio Cingolani"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Lacunza, Ezequiel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Medicas. Centro de Investigaciones Inmunologicas Basicas y Aplicadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar Fuentes, Javier. Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas; MéxicoFil: Mattiazzi, Ramona Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares "dr. Horacio Eugenio Cingolani"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Ferrero, Paola Viviana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares "dr. Horacio Eugenio Cingolani"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Experimentales; Argentin

Outpatient Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion Using a Tunneled Pleural Catheter: Preliminary Experience

Inpatient management of malignant pleural effusion includes the placement of a conventional thoracostomy tube for drainage and talc slurry pleurodesis and/or a surgical approach consisting of video-assisted thoracoscopic talc insufflation. Both techniques require prolonged hospital stays of up to 1 week. Unfortunately, life expectancy in patients with this disease does not usually exceed 6 months, and so the primary aim of any palliative intervention intended to improve quality of life should be to avoid hospital admissions and to relieve pain as far as possible. Of the few outpatient alternatives to hospital management the most frequently used is repeated thoracentesis. We describe the outpatient management of malignant pleural effusion by placement of a tunneled pleural catheter in a patient with stage IIIB lung adenocarcinoma. In our opinion, the use of this catheter offers a viable alternative to conventional therapy and is better tolerated

DÉFICITS SOCIALES EN ADOLESCENTES CON SOBREPESO Y OBESIDAD

The objective of this essay was to assess the social skills overweight and obese adolescents who in urban and rural contexts in Tucumán, Argentina. Anthropometric measures were taken from 276 adolescents, 11-20 years old, attending public schools. The Battery of Socialization  BAS- 3 (Silva Moreno & Martorell Pallás, 1989),  a nutritional a socio-demographic questionnaires were administered. 18 % of the adolescents were diagnosed with overweight and obesity.  This group referred greater shyness and social anxiety when they had to start social relations in comparison to the normal weight counterparts.  Obese adolescents residing in urban areas exhibited higher levels of social anxiety and less self-control in obese adolescents who reside in urban areas.  The results show the co-morbility between eating disorders and psychopathological indicators. Further research on the characteristics of socialization habits in adolescents with eating disorders, particularly obesity, will allow the design of intervention strategies in urban and rural population.El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar las habilidades sociales de adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad de contexto urbano y rural de Tucumán. Se realizaron mediciones antropométricas a una muestra de 276 adolescentes de 11 a 20 años, asistentes a escuelas públicas; se les administró además la Batería de Socialización BAS-3 (Silva Moreno y  Martorell Pallás, 1989), y una encuesta nutricional como sociodemográfica. Se encontró un 18% de adolescentes con diagnostico de sobrepeso y obesidad. Este grupo refería mayor retraimiento y ansiedad social al momento de iniciar sus relaciones sociales respecto a sus pares normopeso. Se observó un mayor nivel de ansiedad social y un menor autocontrol en los adolescentes obesos residentes en centros urbanos. Los resultados encontrados destacan la comorbilidad entre estos trastornos de alimentación e indicadores psicopatológicos.  Profundizar la investigación de las características de la socialización en adolescentes con Trastornos en la Conducta Alimentaria, particularmente obesidad, permitirá diseñar estrategias de intervención en población urbana y rural

Effect of molasses application alone or combined with trichoderma asperellum T-34 on Meloidogyne spp. management and soil microbial activity in organic production systems

The effect of molasses alone or combined with Trichoderma asperellum T34 Biocontrol® was assessed on Meloidogyne reproduction, disease severity, and density and activity of soil microor- ganisms in pot and field experiments. Firstly, molasses application at 1 mL m−2 was assessed in four different textured soils. Secondly, molasses application at 5, 10, 20, and 40 mL m−2, alone or combined with T34, was assessed in pot and field experiments at 10 mL m−2 in two different textured soils. The application of 1 mL m−2 of molasses was effective in reducing nematode reproduction in the loam textured soil but not in sandy clay loam, sandy loam, or clay loam textured soils. Increasing molasses dosage reduced the tomato dry shoot and fresh root weights, producing phytotoxicity at 40 mL m−2. The disease severity and nematode reproduction were reduced between 23% and 65% and 49% and 99%, respectivelyThe authors thank Departament d’Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural for supporting the projects to encourage applied research on organic agri-food production (53 05004 2016 and 53 05010 2017). The authors also thank the farmers J. Montmany, F. Berenguer, J. Olivella, J. Magrans, and J. M. Mas for their support in conducting the experimentPostprint (published version

Diagnostic yield of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy is highly dependent on the presence of a Bronchus sign on CT imaging: results from a prospective study

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) has been developed as a novel ancillary tool for the bronchoscopic diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. Despite successful navigation in 90% of patients, ENB diagnostic yield does not generally exceed 70%. We sought to determine whether the presence of a bronchus sign on CT imaging conditions diagnostic yield of ENB and might account for the discrepancy between successful navigation and diagnostic yield. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-center study of ENB in 51 consecutive patients with pulmonary nodules. ENB was chosen as the least invasive diagnostic technique in patients with a high surgical risk, suspected metastatic disease, or advanced-stage disease, or in those who demanded a preoperative diagnosis prior to undergoing curative resection. We studied patient and technical variables that might condition diagnostic yield, including size, cause, location, distance to the pleural surface, and fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of a given nodule; the presence of a bronchus sign on CT imaging; registration point divergence; and the minimum distance from the tip of the locatable guide to the nodule measured during the procedure. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield of ENB was 67% (34/51). The sensitivity and specificity of ENB for malignancy in this study were 71% and 100%, respectively. ENB was diagnostic in 79% (30/38) patients with a bronchus sign on CT imaging but only in 4/13 (31%) with no discernible bronchus sign. Univariate analysis identified the bronchus sign (P = .005) and nodule size (P = .04) as statistically significant variables conditioning yield, but on multivariate analysis, only the bronchus sign remained significant (OR, 7.6; 95% CI, 1.8-31.7). No procedure-related complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: ENB diagnostic yield is highly dependent on the presence of a bronchus sign on CT imaging

A molecular portrait of high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive precursor lesion to invasive breast carcinoma. We still have no understanding on why only some DCIS lesions evolve to invasive cancer whereas others appear not to do so during the life span of the patient. Here, we performed full exome (tumor vs. matching normal), transcriptome, and methylome analysis of 30 pure high-grade DCIS (HG-DCIS) and 10 normal breast epithelial samples. Sixty-two percent of HG-DCIS cases displayed mutations affecting cancer driver genes or potential drivers. Mutations were observed affecting PIK3CA (21% of cases), TP53 (17%), GATA3 (7%), MLL3 (7%) and single cases of mutations affecting CDH1, MAP2K4, TBX3, NF1, ATM, and ARID1A. Significantly, 83% of lesions displayed numerous large chromosomal copy number alterations, suggesting they might precede selection of cancer driver mutations. Integrated pathway-based modeling analysis of RNA-seq data allowed us to identify two DCIS subgroups (DCIS-C1 and DCIS-C2) based on their tumor-intrinsic subtypes, proliferative, immune scores, and in the activity of specific signaling pathways. The more aggressive DCIS-C1 (highly proliferative, basal-like, or ERBB2 + ) displayed signatures characteristic of activated Treg cells (CD4 + /CD25 + /FOXP3 + ) and CTLA4 + /CD86 + complexes indicative of a tumor-associated immunosuppressive phenotype. Strikingly, all lesions showed evidence of TP53 pathway inactivation. Similarly, ncRNA and methylation profiles reproduce changes observed postinvasion. Among the most significant findings, we observed upregulation of lncRNA HOTAIR in DCIS-C1 lesions and hypermethylation of HOXA5 and SOX genes. We conclude that most HG-DCIS lesions, in spite of representing a preinvasive stage of tumor progression, displayed molecular profiles indistinguishable from invasive breast cancer.Centro de Investigaciones Inmunológicas Básicas y Aplicada

Differences in the yield of the implantable loop recorder between secondary and tertiary centers

Background: The implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a useful tool for diagnosis of syncope or palpitations. Its easy use and safety have extended its use to secondary hospitals (those without an Electrophysiology Lab). The aim of the study was to compare results between secondary and tertiary hospitals. Methods: National prospective and multicenter registry of patients with an ILR inserted for clinical reasons. Data were collected in an online database. The follow-up ended when the first diagnostic clinical event occurred, or 1 year after implantation. Data were analyzed according to the center of reference; hospitals with Electrophysiology Lab were considered Tertiary Hospi­tals, while those hospitals without a lab were considered Secondary Hospitals. Results: Seven hundred and forty-three patients (413 [55.6%] men; 65 ± 16 year-old): 655 (88.2%) from Tertiary Centers (TC) and 88 (11.8%) from Secondary Centers (SC). No differences in clinical characteristics between both groups were found. The electrophysi­ologic study and the tilt table test were conducted more frequently in Tertiary Centers. Fol­low-up was conducted for 680 (91.5%) patients: 91% in TC and 94% in SC. There was a higher rate of final diagnosis among SC patients (55.4% vs. 30.8%; p < 0.001). Tertiary Hospital patients showed a trend towards a higher rate of neurally mediated events (20% vs. 4%), while bradyarrhythmias were more frequent in SC (74% vs. 60%; p = 0.055). The rate of deaths and adverse events was similar in both populations. Conclusions: Patients with an ILR in SC and TC have differences in terms of the use of complementary tests, but not in clinical characteristics. There was a higher rate of diagnosis in Secondary Hospital patients.

Estado nutricional y sintomas psicopatologicos en jovenes rurales de la provincial de Tucuman

El estado nutricional es la condición que resulta del balance entre la ingesta de nutrientes y las necesidades de un individuo. Ciertas características psicopatológicas, como síntomas depresivos, ansiedad, relaciones interpersonales deficitarias, entre otros, tienen un peso relevante en las alteraciones del estado nutricional, pudiendo contribuir en el sostenimiento de situaciones patológicas. Objetivos: valorar estado nutricional y analizar síntomas psicopatológicos de jóvenes rurales de Tucumán. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, con muestreo incidental. Se tomaron mediciones antropométricas individuales respetando normas internacionales, previo consentimiento informado. Éstas se clasificaron de acuerdo a criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Además se aplicó el inventario de síntomas SCL-90-R de Derogatis (1994) (versión Casullo & Castro Solano, 1999) y una encuesta sociodemográfica. La muestra estuvo conformada por 193 jóvenes escolarizados, entre 11 y 18 años, residentes en las zonas rurales de El Cadillal y Santa Lucía. Resultados: El 62% (n =119) participó de las mediciones antropométricas. Se encontró un 49% de malnutrición por exceso (9% de obesidad y 40% de sobrepeso). Se observó que los adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad referían mayor sensitividad interpersonal (definida como sentimientos de timidez y vergüenza, de inferioridad a los demás, hipersensibilidad a las opiniones y actitudes ajenas y, en general, incomodidad e inhibición en las relaciones interpersonales), acompañados con sentimientos de poca motivación y energía vital, como desesperanza. Respecto a las zonas geográficas, no se hallaron diferencias estadísticas a partir de la prueba t, sin embargo se observó que los jóvenes del Cadillal referían mayor sensitividad interpersonal y presencia de comportamientos hostiles comparados con sus pares de Santa Lucía. Conclusiones: si bien no puede establecerse un perfil psicopatológico del joven con sobrepeso y obesidad, los resultados muestran que el factor psicógeno puede incidir en el mantenimiento del exceso ponderal, y a su vez, que la obesidad se considera un factor de riesgo para la salud mental de estos grupos.Fil: Salazar Burgos, Ramiro Joaquín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Medicina. Esc. Universitaria de Enfermeria; ArgentinaFil: Lacunza, Ana Betina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Caballero, Verónica Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Sal, Francisco Javier. Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, N.. Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Diaz, Y.. Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Filgueira, Josefina Maria. Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Alé, M.. Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina18º Reunion de Investigación en Ciencias de la SaludSan Miguel de TucumánArgentinaUniversidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Investigació

Maternal serum angiopoietin-like 3 levels in healthy and mild preeclamptic pregnant women

Objective: Angiopoietin-like protein 3(ANGPTL3) is an important regulator of lipoprotein metabolism in the fed state by inhibiting the enzyme lipoprotein lipase in oxidative tissues. However, the possible role of ANGPTL3 throughout gestation and its relationship with hormonal and biochemical variables are still unknown. The aim of this study was to determinate serum ANGPTL3 level in healthy non-pregnant women, during healthy and preeclamptic pregnancy and postpartum. Methods: Serum ANGPTL3 was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in a prospective cohort of healthy pregnant women (n = 52) and women with mild preeclampsia (n = 21), and women at three months postpartum (n = 20) and healthy non-pregnant women (n = 20). The results obtained were correlated with biochemical, hormonal and anthropometric variables and insulin resistance indices. Results: Levels of ANGPTL3 were not different between the follicular and the luteal phases of the cycle in healthy non-pregnant women. There was a significant reduction in serum ANGPTL3 levels from the first to the third trimester in healthy pregnant women compared with healthy non-pregnant and postpartum women (p 0.05) Conclusions: We describe for the first time the profile of ANGPTL3 throughout pregnancy and postpartum as well as and discussed about explore their potential contribution interactions with lipoprotein metabolism throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Thus, low levels of ANGPTL3 during pregnancy might favor lipid uptake in oxidative tissues as the main maternal energy source, while may helping to preserve glucose for use by the fetus and placenta.Fil: Garces, María Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Rodriguez Navarro, Haiver Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Buell Acosta, Julieth Daniela. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Burgos Cardenas, Alvaro Javier. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Franco Vega, Roberto. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Maldonado Acosta, Luis Miguel. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Eslava Schmalbach, Javier. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Parada Baños, Arturo José. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Castro Pinzon, Andres. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Sanchez, Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Angel Muller, Edith. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Lacunza, Ezequiel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Investigaciones Inmunológicas Básicas y Aplicadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Castaño, Justo P.. Universidad de Córdoba; EspañaFil: Dieguez, Carlos. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; EspañaFil: Nogueiras, Rubén. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; EspañaFil: Ruiz Parra, Ariel Ivan. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Caminos, Jorge Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Colombi