Consequences of early life stress on the structure and function of the adult mouse retina

Early-life stress(ELS)refers to a period of environmental/social deprivation,physica l,sexual or emotional abuse,neglect,severe and/or chronic trauma in the prenatal/early postnatal stage,which is closely related to many adverse psychiatric disorders later in life,such as depressive disorder,substance abuse,dysthymia,panic,anxiety,and suicidal behavior in adulthood(Waters and Gould,2022).

Catabolic Response Profiles, Catabolic Uniformity and Richness as Microbiological Indicators in a Soil of Pergamino, Buenos Aires Province, with and without Previous Application of Glyphosate

Incubation assay in trays was performed with two soils with different application histories of glyphosate: no application, and previous application. The soils used were Typic Argiudolls of Pergamino, province of Buenos Aires, and the treatments were: control (no application), and 20, 200 and 2000 mg of active ingredient per kg of soil. Sampling was performed at the beginning (T0) and 45 days after (T45). Catabolic response profiles (CRP), catabolic richness and catabolic uniformity were determined according to the methodology based on measuring the differences in respiration induced by substrate in a short time (4 hours). The substrates used in this study were 20, namely, two amines, 5 aminoacids, two carbohydrates, and 11 carboxylic acids. The objective of this work was to compare soils with different histories of application of glyphosate, measuring its effect on catabolic response profiles, catabolic uniformity and catabolic richness. In this study, no differences were observed between catabolic richness among the different sampling times and doses of glyphosate applied. Glyphosate application affected the structure of the soil microbial communities. At the end of the test, soils with all doses of previous herbicide application showed greater catabolic uniformity than soils without previous application.

Factors associated with H pylori epidemiology in symptomatic children in Buenos Aires,Argentina

AIM: To determine prevalence of H pylori infection in symptomatic children in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and to investigate factors associated with H pylori positivity. METHODS: A total of 395 children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms referred to the Gastroente-rology Unit of the Children Hospital “Sor Maria Ludovica” were evaluated for the presence of H pylori by the 13C-Urea Breath Test (13C-UBT). A questionnaire was applied to the recruited population.RESULTS: Prevalence of H pylori infection was 40.0%in this population (mean age 9.97 ± 3.1 years). The factors associated with H pylori positivity were number of siblings (P < 0.001), presence of pet cats (P = 0.03) and birds (P = 0.04) in the household, and antecedents of gastritis among family members (P = 0.01). After multivariate analysis, number of siblings [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.20-1.61] and contact with pet cats (OR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.00-3.09) remained as variables associated with H pylori infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H pylori infection in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Argentina was similar to that reported in developed countries. Children from families with a higher crowding index and presence of pet cats have a higher risk of being colonized with H pylori.

Agricultural Water Footprint of Southern Highbush Blueberry Produced Commercially with Drip Irrigation and Sprinkler Frost Protection

A study was conducted from 2010 to 2017 to determine the water footprint for producing blueberries in the Entre Ríos province of Argentina. Three cultivars of southern highbush blueberry (hybrid cross of Vaccinium sp.) were evaluated in the study, including “Star”, “Emerald”, and “Snowchaser”. In each case, the plants were irrigated by drip and protected from frost using overhead sprinklers. Water requirements for irrigation and frost protection varied among the cultivars due to differences in the timing of flowering and fruit development. The annual water footprint for fruit production in each cultivar is expressed in units of cubic meters of water used to produce one ton of fresh fruit and ranged from 212 - 578 m3∙t−1 for “Star”, 296 - 985 m3∙t−1 for “Emerald”, and 536 - 4066 m3∙t−1 for “Snowchaser”. “Snowchaser” flowered earlier than the other cultivars and, therefore, needed more water for frost protection. “Star”, on the other hand, ripened the latest among the cultivars and required little to no water for frost protection. Frost protection required a minimum of 30 m3∙h−1 of water per hectare and in addition to drip irrigation was a major component of the water footprint.

Immunohistopathology of the contralateral testis of rats undergoing experimental torsion of the spermatic cord

Aim： To evaluate the immunohistopathological changes in the contralateral testis of rats after an experimental spermatic cord torsion. Methods： Male Sprague-Dawley rats of 45-50 days old were subjected to a 720° unilateral spermatic cord torsion for 10, 30 and 80 days （experimental group, E）, respectively or sham operation （control group, C）. Histopathology of the contralateral testis as well as germ cell apoptosis were studied using the Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin-dUTP Nick End Labeling （TUNEL） technique. The number of testicular lymphocytes, mast cells and macrophages, and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and its receptor （TNFR1） in testicular cells of the contralateral testis were quantified by histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. TNF-α concentration in testicular fluid was determined by ELISA. Results： In the contralateral testis of rats from the E group, the maximal degree of damage of the germinal epithelium was seen 30 days after torsion. At this time we observed in the E group vs. the C group increases： （i） the number of testicular T-lymphocytes; （ii） the number of testicular mast cells and macrophages; （iii） the percentage of macrophages expressing TNF-α; （iv） TNF-α concentration in testicular fluid; （v） the number of apoptotic germ cells; and （vi） the number of TNFR1^＋ germ cells. Conclusion： Experimental spermatic cord torsion induces, in the contralateral testis, a focal damage of seminiferous tubules characterized by apoptosis and sloughing of germ cells. Results suggest humoral and cellular immune mediated testicular cell damage in which macrophages and mast cells seem to be involved in the induction of germ cell apoptosis through the TNF-α/TNFR1 system and in the modulation of the inflammatory process.

Multiomics biomarkers for the prediction of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity

This review intends to uncover how information from large-scale genetic profiling(whole genome sequencing, and whole exome sequencing) of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), as well as information from circulating transcriptomics(cell-free mi RNAs) and metabolomics, contributes to the understanding of NAFLD pathogenesis. A further aim is to address the question of whether OMICs information is ready to be implemented in the clinics. The available evidence suggests that any new knowledge pertaining to molecular signatures associated with NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis should be promptly translated into the clinical setting. Nevertheless, rigorous steps that must include validation and replication are mandatory before utilizing OMICs biomarkers in diagnostics to identify patients at risk of advanced disease, including liver cancer.

Antioxidant role of heme oxygenase-1 in prehepatic portal hypertensive rats

瞄准：在氧化的肝地位和这项活动和表示上学习胆红素的效果他我在老鼠肝损伤的 oxygenase-1 (HO-1 ) 由 prehepatic 门静脉高血压导致了。方法：Wistar 雄的老鼠，称 200-250 g，在随机被划分成二个组：有调整 prehepatic 门静脉结扎(PPVL ) 导致的 prehepatic 门静脉高血压(PH ) 的一个组和另外的组对应于假冒的操作老鼠。门压力，氧化压力参数，抗氧化剂酶， HO-1 活动和表示和肝的正弦曲线血管舒张被测量。结果：在 PPVL 老鼠，氧化应力被在减少的谷胱甘肽(GSH ) 的反应物质(TBARS ) 内容和减少铺平的 thiobarbituric 酸的显著增加证实。当 HO-1 的活动和表示被提高时，肝抗氧化剂酶，超级氧化物歧化酶(草皮) ，过氧化氢酶(猫) 和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px ) 的活动也被减少。胆红素(5 mumol/kg 体重) 的管理在实验的结束前的 24 h 完全阻止了所有这些效果。有 Sn-protoporphyrin IX (Sn-PPIX ) 的预告的处理(100 mug/kg 体重， i.p ) ，一个有势力禁止者惊讶，完全废除了氧化压力并且每氧化象类脂化合物的增加一样在肝 GSH 层次挑起了细微减少。而且，一氧化碳，另一他我分解代谢的产品，在在 PPVL 的肝的区域组织的正弦曲线导致了重要增加。有 Sn-PPIX 的 PPVL 老鼠的预告的处理完全阻止了这效果。结论：这些结果在 prehepatic 门 hypertensive 老鼠在表示上建议 HO-1 的一个有益的角色。

Induction of ischemic tolerance as a promising treatment against diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of acquired blindness, and it is the most common ischemic disorder of the retina. Available treatments are not very effective. Efforts to inhibit diabetic reti- nopathy have focused either on highly specific therapeutic approaches for pharmacologic targets or using genetic approaches to change expression of certain enzymes. However, it might be wise to choose innovative treatment modalities that act by multiple potential mechanisms. The resis- tance to ischemic injury, or ischemic tolerance, can be transiently induced by prior exposure to a non-injurious preconditioning stimulus. A complete functional and histologic protection against retinal ischemic damage can be achieved by previous preconditioning with non-damaging isch- emia. In this review, we will discuss evidence that supports that ischemic conditioning could help avert the dreaded consequences that results from retinal diabetic damage.

Hierarchical and selective roles of galectins in hepatocarcinogenesis, liver fibrosis and inflammation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)represents a global health problem.Infections with hepatitis B or C virus,non-alcoholic steatohepatitis disease,alcohol abuse,or dietary exposure to aflatoxin are the major risk factors to the development of this tumor.Regardless of the carcinogenic insult,HCC usually develops in a context of cirrhosis due to chronic inflammation and advanced fibrosis.Galectins are a family of evolutionarily-conserved proteins defined by at least one carbohydrate recognition domain with affinity forβ-galactosides and conserved sequence motifs.Here,we summarize the current literature implicating galectins in the pathogenesis of HCC.Expression of"proto-type"galectin-1,"chimera-type"galectin-3 and"tandem repeat-type"galectin-4 is up-regulated in HCC cells compared to their normal counterparts.On the other hand,the"tandemrepeat-type"lectins galectin-8 and galectin-9 are downregulated in tumor hepatocytes.The abnormal expression of these galectins correlates with tumor growth,HCC cell migration and invasion,tumor aggressiveness,metastasis,postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis.Moreover,these galectins have important roles in other pathological conditions of the liver,where chronic inflammation and/or fibrosis take place.Galectin-based therapies have been proposed to attenuate liver pathologies.Further functional studies are required to delineate the precise molecular mechanisms through which galectins contribute to HCC.

Pleiotropy within gene variants associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and traits of the hematopoietic system

Genome-wide association studies of complex diseases,including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),have demonstrated that a large number of variants are implicated in the susceptibility of multiple traits—a phenomenon known as pleiotropy that is increasingly being explored through phenome-wide association studies.We focused on the analysis of pleiotropy within variants associated with hematologic traits and NAFLD.We used information retrieved from large public National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys,Genome-wide association studies,and phenome-wide association studies based on the general population and explored whether variants associated with NAFLD also present associations with blood cell-related traits.Next,we applied systems biology approaches to assess the potential biological connection/s between genes that predispose affected individuals to NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,and genes that modulate hematological-related traits—specifically platelet count.We reasoned that this analysis would allow the identification of potential molecular mediators that link NAFLD with platelets.Genes associated with platelet count are most highly expressed in the liver,followed by the pancreas,heart,and muscle.Conversely,genes associated with NAFLD presented high expression levels in the brain,lung,spleen,and colon.Functional mapping,gene prioritization,and functional analysis of the most significant loci(P<1×10-8)revealed that loci involved in the genetic modulation of platelet count presented significant enrichment in metabolic and energy balance pathways.In conclusion,variants in genes influencing NAFLD exhibit pleiotropic associations with hematologic traits,particularly platelet count.Likewise,significant enrichment of related genes with variants influencing platelet traits was noted in metabolic-related pathways.Hence,this approach yields novel mechanistic insights into NAFLD pathogenesis.

Immunohistochemical expression of intrarenal renin angiotensin system components in response to tempol in rats fed a high salt diet

AIM To determine the effect of tempol in normal rats fed high salt on arterial pressure and the balance between antagonist components of the renal renin-angiotensin system.METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with 8% Na Cl highsalt(HS) or 0.4% Na Cl(normal-salt,NS) diet for 3 wk,with or without tempol(T)(1 mmol/L,administered in drinking water). Mean arterial pressure(MAP),glomerularfiltration rate(GFR),and urinary sodium excretion(UVNa) were measured. We evaluated angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),angiotensin 1-7(Ang 1-7),angiotensin converting enzyme 2(ACE2),mas receptor(Mas R),angiotensin type 1 receptor(AT1R) and angiotensin type 2 receptor(AT2R) in renal tissues by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS The intake of high sodium produced a slight but significant increase in MAP and differentially regulated components of the renal renin-angiotensin system(RAS). This included an increase in Ang Ⅱ and AT1 R,and decrease in ACE-2 staining intensity using immunohistochemistry. Antioxidant supplementation with tempol increased natriuresis and GFR,prevented changes in blood pressure and reversed the imbalance of renal RAS components. This includes a decrease in Ang Ⅱ and AT1 R,as increase in AT2,ACE2,Ang(1-7) and Mas R staining intensity using immunohistochemistry. In addition,the natriuretic effects of tempol were observed in NS-T group,which showed an increased staining intensity of AT2,ACE2,Ang(1-7) and Mas R.CONCLUSION These findings suggest that a high salt diet leads to changes in the homeostasis and balance between opposing components of the renal RAS in hypertension to favour an increase in Ang Ⅱ. Chronic antioxidant supplementation can modulate the balance between the natriuretic and antinatriuretic components of the renal RAS.

The Conditions of Ovary Storage Affect the Quality of Porcine Oocytes

We studied the effect of different storage conditions of porcine ovaries (time, temperature) on the characteristics of the follicular fluid, immature oocyte quality, meiotic competence and in vitro fertilization of oocytes. Ovaries were stored for 2, 4 or 6 h at 3 different temperatures (15&#176C, 25&#176C or 35&#176C). As the storage time increased, pH and glucose concentration of the follicular fluid, percentage of live immature oocytes at germinal vesicle stage, oxidative activity and maturation rate decreased. At higher temperatures, pH and glucose concentration decreased, but oxidative activity and oocyte maturation rate increased. Lactate concentration and immature oocyte ROS production increased as storage time and temperature increased. The ovary storage for longer than 2 h at 25&#176C and 35&#176C resulted in low pH of the follicular fluid and high ROS level in immature oocytes. Such conditions seem to damage oocytes and impair their meiotic competence. A decrease in the oxidative activity caused by long time and/or low storage temperature may imply a decrease in oocyte vitality. In conclusion, in the porcine species, the transport of ovaries at 25&#176C and 35&#176C for 2 h are the best conditions to maintain adequate oocyte quality, meiotic competence and in vitro fertilization rates.

Molecular epidemiology and putative origin of hepatitis C virus in random volunteers from Argentina

AIM:To study the subtype prevalence and the phylogenetic relatedness of hepatitis C virus(HCV)sequences obtained from the Argentine general population,a large cohort of individuals was analyzed.METHODS:Healthy Argentinian volunteers(n=6251)from 12 provinces representing all geographical regions of the country were studied.All parents or legal guardians of individuals younger than 18 years provided informed written consent for participation.The corresponding written permission from all municipal authorities was obtained from each city or town where subjects were to be included.HCV RNA reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed.The 5’untranslated region(5’UTR)was used for RNA detection and initial genotype classification.The NS5B polymerase region,encompassing nt 8262-8610,was used for subtyping.RESULTS:An unexpectedly low prevalence of HCV infection in the general population(0.32%)was observed.Our data contrasted with previous studies that reported rates ranging from 1.5%to 2.5%,mainly performed in selected populations of blood donors or vulnerable groups.The latter values are in keeping with the prevalence reported by the 2007 Argentinian HCV Consensus(approximately 2%).HCV subtypes weredistributed as follows:1a(25%),1b(25%),2c(25%),3a(5%),and 2j(5%).Two isolates ascribed either to genotype 1(5%)or to genotype 3(5%)by 5’UTR phylogenetic analysis could not be subtyped.Subtype 1a sequences comprised a highly homogeneous population and clustered with United States sequences.Genotype1b sequences represented a heterogeneous population,suggesting that this genotype might have been introduced from different sources.Most subtype 2c sequences clustered close to the 2c reported from Italy and Southern France.CONCLUSION:HCV has a low prevalence of 0.32%in the studied general population of Argentina.The pattern of HCV introduction and transmission in Argentina appears to be a consequence of multiple events and different for each subtype.

Identification of <i>Alternaria</i>spp. as Pathogenic on the Native Species <i>Terminalia australis</i>and <i>Salvia guaranitica</i>

This work is the result of activities included in the cooperative project between Asociación Ribera Norte (ARN) and the Department of Plant Pathology, School of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires. ARN is a non-governmental organization created in 1993 mainly for the management of the Reserva Ecológica Municipal Ribera Norte, a preservation area located in San Isidro (North of Buenos Aires), within the Provincia Paranaense region. The aims were to identify diseases in native plant species growing there. Light brown leaf spots with thin brown margins and narrow yellow halos were observed on Terminalia australis (mean disease severity: 25%). The pathogen was isolated, inoculated on healthy plants, reisolated from infected leaves and identified as Alternaria tenuissima. Similarly, another leaf-spot disease was observed on Salvia guaranitica, characterized by reddish brown large spots developed from the apexes and margins towards the centre of the leaves, reaching the veins in some cases (mean severity: 20%). Pathogen isolation, inoculation and reisolation led to the identification of A. alternata as the causal agent of the disease. Unusual heavy rain is analyzed as disease conductive.

Spanish Version of Test MIS (*) with Delayed Memory Recall Normative Values and Results in a Population with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Cognitive impairment becomes more common with ageing and may benefit from intervention. In a Spanish speaking population, detection of cognitive impairment by a general practitioner in Primary Care can be a problem, as many of the standard tests target English speaking populations. The Memory Impairment Screen (MIS-A) is a validated test using English words to detect Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other dementias. We have modified this test to suit a Spanish speaking population and added a new component, delayed recall. We have called our new test the Memory Impairment Screen with Delayed Recall (MIS-D). Objectives: 1) To test a Spanish version of MIS-A and MIS-D. 2) To assess the discriminative validity of MIS-D as a screening tool for the amnestic variant of Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) in a group of Spanish speaking people aged 65 years old and over. Methods: A case-control study of a cohort of 739 native Spanish speaking residents of Buenos Aires aged 65 years old and over, of whom 436 were healthy controls and 303 had a diagnosis of aMCI. Measurements: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NVP) were estimated for MIS-D and MIS-A. Results: Normative values for MIS-A and MIS-D were obtained from the control population. Both age and education significantly affected these values (p < 0.0001). Control participants showed significant differences for both modalities, MIS-A and MIS-D. The cut-off for MIS-A should be 7.5 and for MIS-D, 5.5. Comparison between control population and aMCI population using ROC curve gave a result of 5.5 in MIS-D, with 97% specificity and 76% sensitivity. Conclusion: MIS-D was positively predictive of aMCI, with 97% specificity and 76% sensitivity in a sample of Spanish speaking patients aged 65 years old and over in Buenos Aires.

Giemsa and Grocott in the recognition of Histoplasma capsulatum in blood smears

Objective:To facilitate the recognition of intracellular yeasts of Histoplasma capsulation and differentiate it from Leishmania amastigotes and other parasites,using the combination of Giemsa and a rapid modification of Grocott stains to peripheral blood smears in a hematological study.Methods:The combination of both stains was applied consecutively(first Grocott and then Giemsa)to previously fixed peripheral blood smears.Microscopy was performed with 400x and 1000x,the latter using immersion oil.Results:The yeasts of Histoplasma capsulatum were observed into the cytoplasm of leukocytes as brownish oval elements,with 3-4μm in diameter.Conclusions:The combination of both techniques is a simple and fast method to facilitate recognition of intracellular yeasts and it is different from intracellular parasitic elements.Moreover,it allows distinguishing the cell elements that are in the microscopic preparations.It may be very helpful in those cases in which the presumptive diagnosis of histoplasmosis has not been established yet and where other more sophisticated methods are not available.

Treatment of liver hydatidosis:How to treat an asymptomatic carrier?

Liver hydatidosis is the most common clinical presentation of cystic echinococcosis(CE).Ultrasonographic mass surveys have demonstrated the true prevalence,including the asymptomatic characteristic of the majority of cases,providing new insight into the natural history of the disease.This raises the question of whether to treat or not to treat these patients,due to the high and unsuspected prevalence of CE.The high rate of liver/lung frequencies of cyst localization,the autopsy findings,and the involution of cysts demonstrated in long time follow-up of asymptomatic carriers contribute to this discussion.The decision to treat an asymptomatic patient by surgery,albendazole,or puncture aspiration injection and reaspiration or to wait and watch,is based on conflicting reports in the literature,the lack of complications in untreated patients over time,and the spontaneous disappearance and involution of cysts.All these points contribute to difficulties of individual clinical decisions.The patients should be informed of the reasons and the risks of watchful/waiting without treatment,the possibility of complications,and the risks of the other options.As more information on the natural history of liver hydatidosis is acquired,selection of the best treatment will be come easier.Without this knowledge it would be very difficult to establish definitive rules of treatment.At present,it is possible to manage these patients over time and to wait for the best moment for treatment.Followup studies must be conducted to achieve this objective.

Empirical mode decomposition of multiphase flows in porous media:characteristic scales and speed of convergence

We apply a proper orthogonal decomposition(POD)to data stemming from numerical simulations of a fingering instability in a multiphase flow passing through obstacles in a porous medium,to study water injection processes in the production of hydrocarbon reservoirs.We show that the time evolution of a properly defined flow correlation length can be used to identify the onset of the fingering instability.Computation of characteristic lengths for each of the modes resulting from the POD provides further information on the dynamics of the system.Finally,using numerical simulations with different viscosity ratios,we show that the convergence of the POD depends non-trivially on whether the fingering instability develops or not.This result has implications on proposed methods to decrease the dimensionality of the problem by deriving reduced dynamical systems after truncating the system’s governing equations to a few POD modes.