Anti-neuropathic effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. terpenoid fraction: Relevance of nicotinic receptors

Traditional uses and current results highlight the neuroprotective properties of Rosmarinus officinalis L. The compelling need for novel strategies able to relieve neuropathic pain encouraged us to analyze different rosemary leaf extracts in rats following chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve. Ethanol, acetone, and the innovative ultrasound-hexane extractive methods were used to obtain: EE, AE, and for hexane extracts UREprel and URE. Extracts were characterized in terms of typical constituents and repeatedly administered to CCI-rats (13-days treatment, from the day of surgery). URE showed the best efficacy and potency in reducing hypersensitivity to noxious- and non-noxious stimuli and spontaneous pain. URE contained the higher quantity of the terpenoid carnosic acid (CA) and its efficacy was compared to pure CA. Histological analysis of the sciatic nerve revealed that URE prevented axon and myelin derangement, edema and inflammatory infiltrate. In the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, URE did not reduce astrocyte activation. Both the pain reliever and the neuroconservative effects of URE were significantly prevented by the nicotinic receptor (nAChR) antagonist mecamylamine. In conclusion, the hexane-ultrasound rosemary extract is able to reduce neuropathic hypersensitivity and protect nervous tissues. Effectiveness is mainly related to the terpenoid fraction by mechanisms involving nAChRs

Aplicación de leyes fundamentales de la densidad a bosques de Nothofagus: I. Regla de los -3/2 o ley del autorraleo = Applicability of density rules on Nothofagus forests: I. The -3/ 2 power law or self-thinning

Con el fin de interpretar la dinámica de los bosques de Nothofagus de Norpatagonia-Argentina, se han estudiado los comportamientos de algunas leyes fundamentales relacionadas con la densidad y mortalidad de los rodales. En este artículo se expondrán los resultados obtenidos al aplicar dos expresiones relacionadas con la ley de los -3/2 o del autorraleo a los bosques puros y mixtos de Nothofagus. Del conjunto de expresiones relacionadas con esta ley se decidió trabajar más profundamente con la relación potencial entre el número de árboles y el diámetro promedio del rodal (Reineke 1933). Se emplearon datos provenientes de parcelas temporales y permanentes. La función se ajustó por dos procedimientos: regresión y gráfico o manual, que se estudiaron para diferentes tipos forestales. Se diferenciaron dos tendencias máximas lineales de la relación tamaño-densidad, la primera hasta un diámetro de 30 cm, y la segunda por encima de este último. Los dos métodos de ajuste dieron pendientes predominantemente superiores a la universal (-1.605), siendo los rodales con presencia de N. nervosa, los que presentaron la línea de densidad máxima más baja. Se logró caracterizar el comportamiento de la ley en los bosques de Nothofagus y se definió la expresión del índice de Densidad Relativa para los mismos.To understand the dynamic of Nothofagus forests in Argentina's Northern Patagonia, the behaviour of some fundamental biological laws related to stand density and mortality were studied. This paper presents the results of applying the law of -3/2 or self-thinning rule to pure and mixed stands of Nothofagus species. Although there are many equations related to this law, it was decided to mainly work with the potential relationship between number of trees and the mean diameter of the stand (Reineke 1933). Also, the mean volume and number of trees relationship was examined. Data from temporal and permanent sample plots were used. For the different forest types, different equation adjustments were made with two different methods: regression and graphical analysis. Two maximum linear trends for size-density relationship were obtained: the fisrt one up to a diameter of 30 cm and the second one over this size. The equations adjustment by means of two methods resulted in a steeper slope than the universal -1,605. The stands containing N. nervosa displayed the lowest maximum density line. The behaviour of the law was characterised. Also, the Relative Density Index for Nothofagus forests was determined.EEA BarilocheFil: Chauchard, Luis Mario. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Asentamiento Universitario San Martín de los Andes; ArgentinaFil: Chauchard, Luis Mario. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Chauchard, Luis Mario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Sbrancia, Renato. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Asentamiento Universitario San Martín de los Andes; ArgentinaFil: Sbrancia, Renato. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Sbrancia, Renato. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Marcelo Raul. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Asentamiento Universitario San Martín de los Andes; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Marcelo Raul. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Marcelo Raul. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Leonardo. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Asentamiento Universitario San Martín de los Andes; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Leonardo. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Leonardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Rabino, Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Asentamiento Universitario San Martín de los Andes; ArgentinaFil: Rabino, Alberto. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Rabino, Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentin

Modelos de crecimiento diamétrico para Nothofagus dombeyi = Diameter growth models for Nothofagus dombeyi

Se desarrollaron varios modelos de crecimiento diamétrico para la especie Nothofagus dombeyi. La función seleccionada para el estudio es no lineal, usualmente denominada Bertalanffy-Richards. La misma se ajustó a partir de tres fuentes de datos: parcelas permanentes, análisis fustales y tarugos de incremento. Estos datos fueron segregados por estrato social y luego para cada uno se ajustó la citada función con las variables incremento diamétrico (id)- diámetro a la altura del pecho (dap). Los ajustes y análisis se realizaron a partir de dos grupos de datos. Por un lado se utilizaron datos independientes que provenían principalmente de las parcelas permanentes, mientras que por otro se emplearon series temporales dadas por los tarugos y los análisis fustales. Con ambos grupos se obtuvieron modelos con aplicaciones diferentes. Con el grupo de datos independientes se obtuvieron modelos de interés para la predicción del incremento diamétrico en el corto plazo, mientras que con las series de crecimiento se lograron modelos de una alta significancia biológica. A través de estos modelos biológicos se interpretó la dinámica de crecimiento de las especies estudiadas bajo diferentes situaciones de competencia.Models of diameter growth for Nothofagus dombeyi were developed and the selected model used for this study was non-linear and known as Bertalanffy-Richards. It was fitted from three main data sources: permanent plots (with only two measurements each), stem analysis and tree cores. The data was divided into social strata and then, for each stratum, the model was fitted according to the variables: diameter annual increment (id) and diameter at breast height (dap). The fitting, and both biological and statistical analysis, was carried out taking two different data sets into account: an independent data set, provided by permanent sample plots; and a growth series, provided by tree increment cores and stem analysis. Models with different uses were obtained through both data sets. With the independent data, we obtained models that allowed us to predict the diameter annual increment in a short time and, with the growth series, we obtained models of a high biological significance. In this sense, the biological significance of the parameters from each model was discussed when they were fitted. An interpretation of the dynamic growth of the species studied has been undertaken through the biological models under different competence status.EEA BarilocheFil: Chauchard, Luis Mario. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Chauchard, Luis Mario. Administración de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Chauchard, Luis Mario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Sbrancia, Renato. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Sbrancia, Renato. Administración de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Sbrancia, Renato. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Rabino, Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Rabino, Alberto. Administración de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Rabino, Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Peñalba, Carlos Marcelo. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Peñalba, Carlos Marcelo. Administración de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Peñalba, Carlos Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Leonardo. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Leonardo. Administración de Parques Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Leonardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentin

Effect of Feijoa Sellowiana Acetonic Extract on Proliferation Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Gastric cancer (GC) still represents a relevant health problem in the world for both incidence and mortality rates. Many studies underlined that natural products consumption could reduce GC risk, indicating flavonoids as responsible for the beneficial eects through the modulation of several biological processes, such as the inhibition of cancer antioxidant defense and induction of apoptosis. Since Feijoa sellowiana fruit is known to contain high amounts of flavonoids, among which is flavone, we evaluated the antiproliferative and proapoptotic eects of F. sellowiana acetonic extract on GC cell lines through MTS and Annexin-V FITC assays. Among three GC cell lines tested, SNU-1 results being sensitive to both the F. sellowiana acetonic extract and synthetic flavone, which was used as the reference treatment. Moreover, we evaluated their antioxidant eects, assessing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes supeoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in polymorphonuclear cells. We found a significant increase of their activity after exposure to both F. sellowiana acetonic extract and flavone, supporting the idea that a diet that includes flavone-rich fruits could be of benefit for health. In addition to this antioxidant eect on normal cells, this study indicates, for the first time, an anticancer eect of F. sellowiana acetonic extract in GC cells

Atrial fibrillation detection using a novel three-vector cardiac implantable monitor: the atrial fibrillation detect study.

Aims Continuous rhythm monitoring is valuable for adequate atrial fibrillation (AF) management in the clinical setting. Subcutaneous leadless implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) yield an improved AF detection, overcoming the intrinsic limitations of the currently available external recording systems, thus resulting in a more accurate patient treatment. The study purpose was to assess the detection performance of a novel three-vector ICM device equipped with a dedicated AF algorithm. Methods and results Sixty-six patients (86.4% males; mean age 60.4 ± 9.4 years) at risk to present AF episodes, having undergone the novel ICM implant (BioMonitor, Biotronik SE&Co. KG, Berlin, Germany), were enrolled. External 48-h ECG Holter was performed 4 weeks after the device implantation. The automatic ICM AF classification was compared with the manual Holter arrhythmia recordings. Of the overall study population, 63/66 (95.5%) had analysable Holter data, 39/63 (62%) showed at least one true AF episode. All these patients had at least one AF episode stored in the ICM. On Holter monitoring, 24/63 (38%) patients did not show AF episodes, in 16 of them (16/24, 67%), the ICM confirmed the absence of AF. The AF detection sensitivity and positive predictive value for episodes' analysis were 95.4 and 76.3%, respectively. Conclusion Continuous monitoring using this novel device, equipped with a dedicated detection algorithm, yields an accurate and reliable detection of AF episodes. The ICM is a promising tool for tailoring individual AF patient management. Further long-term prospective studies are necessary to confirm these encouraging results

The chemical composition of the aerial parts of Stachys spreitzenhoferi (Lamiaceae) growing in Kythira Island (Greece), and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative properties

The Stachys L. genus has been used in traditional medicine to treat skin inflammations, stomach disorders, and stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical profile and biological activity of the methanolic extract of Stachys spreitzenhoferi Heldr. (Lamiaceae) aerial parts, collected on the island of Kythira, South Greece. The analysis by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and high-resolution mass spectrometry [LC-(-)ESI/HRMSn] of the methanol extract revealed the occurrence of thirty-six compounds - flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, iridoids, quinic acid derivatives, aliphatic alcohol glycosides, and oligosaccharides - highlighting the substantial presence, as main peaks, of the iridoid melittoside (2) along with flavonoid compounds such as 4'-O-methylisoscutellarein mono-acetyl-diglycoside/chrysoeriol mono-acetyl-diglycoside (24), trimethoxy- (35) and tetramethoxyflavones (36). This extract was tested for its antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive and negative pathogenic strains. The extract was not active against Gram-negative bacteria tested, but it possessed a good dose-dependent antimicrobial activity towards S. aureus (MIC: 1.0 mg/mL) and L. monocytogenes (MIC: 1.0 mg/mL) Gram-(+) strains. Furthermore, this extract has been tested for its possible antioxidant activity in vitro. In particular, it has been shown that these molecules cause a decrease in DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 radicals. The extract of S. spreitzenhoferi exhibited anti-DPPH activity (IC50: 0.17 mg/mL), anti-H2O2 activity (IC50: 0.125 mg/mL), and promising antiradical effect with an IC50 value of 0.18 mg/mL for anti-ABTS activity. S. spreitzenhoferi extract caused a decrease in ROS (at the concentration of 200 μg/mL) and an increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPX in OZ-stimulated PMNs. Furthermore, it exhibited antiproliferative activity against acute myeloid leukemia (U937 cell), causing 50% of cell death at the 0.75 mg/mL

Ilíada: Canto 1.Traducción comentada Segunda edición, ampliada y corregida

Los poemas homéricos son desde la Antigüedad una ventana a la tradición mitológica de los griegos y a su historia, a la vez que obras maestras de la literatura en el sentido más literal de la expresión, es decir, en el de obras que enseñan lo que la literatura es. Homero fue durante toda la Antigüedad ho poietés, “el poeta” a secas, y por cientos de años sus composiciones fueron utilizadas en Grecia para aprender a leer y a hablar en público, para dar ejemplo de conductas heroicas y deleznables y para conservar la memoria histórica de un pueblo y una cultura, incluso mucho, muchísimo después de que ambos se hubieran vuelto irreconocibles para el público para el que los poemas fueron pensados. Resumir en unas pocas páginas todos los problemas que llíada y Odisea presentan es inconcebible. En el vasto mundo de la filología clásica, la lectura de la inmensidad de trabajos que se han ocupado y todavía se ocupan de ellos demandaría más de una vida. Pero para disfrutar de los poemas no se necesita más que algunas nociones básicas, y nuestro objetivo es facilitar ese disfrute al lector y al oyente. El recorrido que sigue es cronológico. Comenzamos por el mito, porque la evidencia sugiere que, al menos en algunos aspectos, el mito fue primero. Lo segundo es la historia, un área en la que año a año Ilíada y Odisea ganan espacio, después de haber sido relegadas casi por completo. Sin embargo, el camino empieza realmente cuando llegamos a la forma en que esas dos fuentes inseparables para el pensamiento griego confluyen en una tradición de cantos orales, que en algún momento desembocará de algún modo en los textos que conocemos hoy. Las razones y métodos de nuestra traducción están al final, como corresponde: solo existen porque los precedió todo lo demás. Antes, sin embargo, es necesario responder a una pregunta ineludible al presentar una obra de literatura: ¿quién fue su autor? ¿Quién fue Homero? La respuesta es que no lo sabemos, como no lo sabían ya los antiguos. Las Vidas que relatan su biografía son espurias, construidas sobre la base de anécdotas muchas veces estandarizadas, todas las veces inverificables o ficticias. Sabemos tan poco que no sabemos si vivió en el s. VIII o VII a.C., dónde nació o habitó ni mucho menos en qué lugar y por qué razón compuso sus poemas. Ni siquiera podemos estar seguros sobre si existió. Pero la verdad es que eso importa menos que el hecho de que el legado que escogió para sí se preserva y se preservará por siempre. Ante semejante monumento, lo demás no parece demasiado significativo.Fil: Abritta, Alejandro. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Filología Clásica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Maresca, Victoria. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Filología Clásica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Moure, Huilen Abed. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Filología Clásica; ArgentinaFil: Rucavado Rojas, Mario. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Filología Clásica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Perczyk, Cecilia Josefina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Filología Clásica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Stripeikis, Caterina Anush. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Filología Clásica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Therapeutic option by synergistic administration of the β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate and R(+) Lipoic Acid in a cellular model of dexamethasone-dependent sarcopenia

The decline of muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia, is a clinical problem associated with osteo-articular diseases, muscle disuse, cancer, renal failure, postmemenopause, age and corticosteroid treatments [1,2]. In this scenario, alterations in mitochondrial function [3] and accelerated apoptosis in skeletal muscle [4] are considered a major factor underlying sarcopenia and muscle atrophy. These evidences suggests that targeting myonuclear apoptosis as well as reducing the oxidative stress might provide novel and effective therapeutic tools to combat sarcopenia. Alpha-lipoic acid (1,2-dithiolane- 3-pentanoic acid), is a natural antioxidant with two optical isomers of which the (+)- possess a more pronounced effect (R (+) LA) [7]. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), a leucine catabolite, has been shown to prevent muscle damage directly enhancing myogenic cells (satellite cells) proliferation and attenuating apoptosis [8]. Aim of the present research was the evaluation of the pharmacological profile of the HMB associated with the natural R(+)LA in a cellular model of muscle wasting. Material and Methods. C2C12 cell line was used as myoblasts or differentiated in miotubes by 7 day culture with 2% horse serum. Cell damage was induced by dexamethasone. Results. Dexamethasone toxicity was evaluated measuring cell viability (MTT assay) and apoptosis induction (caspase 3 activity) after 24h and 48h incubation of myoblasts with the glucocorticoid (0.01–300 μM concentration range). One μM dexamethasone (48h) decreased cell viability by about 50% and increased caspase 3 activity by 80%. R(+)LA (100 and 300 μM) or HMB (1 and 3 mM) significantly prevented dexamethasone-induced cell mortality; the efficacy was improved when 100 μM R(+)LA was combined with 1mM HMB, demonstrating the synergistic effect of R(+)LA and HMB in preventing cell mortality and caspase 3 activation. Similarly, the evaluation of dexamethasone evoked O2-. production and protein carbonylation demonstrated the efficacy of the combination of R(+)LA with HMB. In the early phase of myotube differentiation (72h) the combination of R(+)LA and HMB preserved the number of myogenin-positive cells as well as in the later (7 days) phase of differentiation the dexamethasone-dependent damage (evaluated as cell diameter and percentage of multinucleated cells). These data offer a rational to candidate the mixture as a therapeutic option for sarcopenia treatment