Distribution of red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) antigens in nervous and non-nervous organs of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during the course of an experimental challenge

Benjamin Lopez-Jimena,Esther Garcia-Rosado,Kim Dawn Thompson,Alexandra Adams,Carlos Infante,Juan Jose Borrego,Maria del Carmen Alonso 대한수의학회 2012 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.13 No.4

The distribution of red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) antigens was examined by immunohistochemistry in the nervous and non-nervous organs of juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during the course of an intramuscular infection. Histological changes resulting from the infection were evaluated from 3 days to 2 months post-infection. The specific antibody response was also studied 2 months post-challenge. Viral proteins were present throughout the experimental period in the retina (inner nuclear layer, ganglion layer, outer limiting membrane, and outer plexiform layer), brain (cerebellum and tectum opticum), and liver (hepatocytes and endothelial cells). These proteins were also observed in the renal tubular cells, white pulp of spleen, and in fibroblasts and cartilage of caudal fin. This is the first report of RGNNV proteins appearing in these organs, where the immunostaining was only detected at certain sampling times after the onset of mortality. Brain and retina of virus-exposed fish showed high levels of vacuolation, while accumulation of fat vacuoles was observed in the liver. RGNNV infection also induced a specific antibody response as measured by an ELISA. In summary, this is the first study demonstrating the presence of viral proteins in cells of caudal fin, kidney and spleen of European seabass.

USO Y DISTRIBUCIÓN DEL TIEMPO EN MUJERES Y HOMBRES OFICIALES DE POLICÍA DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO

Jahel López Guerrero,Abigain Dely García López,Jimena Sánchez Barrenechea Institute of Iberoamerican Studies Pusan Universit 2013 International Journal of Latin American Studies Vol.3 No.1

Abstract. Historically, police workplace has been considered as a male-only-space, with particular characteristics, because it is linked to power and to the legitimate use of it. Therefore, we have decided to investigate whether woman who work in this area are in a process of empowerment. Knowing the existence of diverse factors involved in the process of empowerment, we evaluated time use (classifying time into four categories: paid work time, obligated time, leisure time and unpaid work time) as a tool to analyze gender inequalities and possible changes in status and position in the workplaces and familiar spaces. The aim of this paper is to provide overview data about time use and distribution of women and men who work as police officers in Mexico City Ministry of Public Security, analyzing the distribution of their activities during a working day and during a day off. Even though there was no evidence of gender differences in time use during a working day, we did observe some during a day off, specially attending to unpaid work time and leisure time categories. Palabras clave: tiempo, trabajo, empoderamiento, policías, desigualdades de género. Keywords: time, work, empowerment, police officers, gender inequalities. Resumen. La Policía es un espacio laboral considerado históricamente masculino, que tiene características peculiares al estar ligada al poder y al uso legítimo de la fuerza. Por ello hemos decidido investigar sí las mujeres que laboran en este ámbito están en un proceso de empoderamiento. Sabiendo de antemano que existen diversos factores involucrados en un proceso de empoderamiento, tomamos el tiempo (utilizando las categorías de tiempo de trabajo remunerado, tiempo obligado, tiempo de ocio y tiempo de trabajo no remunerado) como una herramienta para analizar las desigualdades de género y los posibles cambios en la condición y posición de las mujeres, que se pueden estar dando en el ámbito laboral y familiar. El objetivo es presentar los primeros resultados sobre el uso y la distribución del tiempo en mujeres y hombres que realizan trabajo operativo en la Secretaria de Seguridad Pública de la Ciudad de México, analizando las actividades realizadas en un día de trabajo y en un día de descanso. Aunque no se observaron diferencias importantes entre hombres y mujeres en el uso y distribución del tiempo durante un día de trabajo, en el día de descanso sí podemos observar diferencias, sobre todo, en el tiempo dedicado al trabajo no remunerado (doméstico) y ocio.

Characterization of Cellulases of Fungal Endophytes Isolated from Espeletia spp.

Luisa Cabezas,Carolina Calderon,Luis Miguel Medina,Isabela Bahamon,Martha Cardenas,Adriana Jimena Bernal,Andrés Gonzalez,Silvia Restrepo 한국미생물학회 2012 The journal of microbiology Vol.50 No.6

Endophytes are microorganisms that asymptomatically invade plant tissues. They can stimulate plant growth and/or provide defense against pathogen attacks through the production of secondary metabolites. Most endophyte species are still unknown, and because they may have several applications, the study of their metabolic capabilities is essential. We characterized 100 endophytes isolated from Espeletia spp., a genus unique to the paramo ecosystem, an extreme environment in the Andean mountain range. We evaluated the cellulolytic potential of these endophytes on the saccharification of the oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). The total cellulolytic activity was measured for each endophyte on filter paper (FPA). In addition, the specific carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase), exoglucanase, and β-glucosidase activities were determined. We found four fungi positive for cellulases. Of these fungi, Penicillium glabrum had the highest cellulolytic activity after partial purification, with maximal CMCase, exoglucanase and β-glucosidase enzyme activities of 44.5, 48.3, and 0.45 U/ml, respectively. Our data showed that the bioprospection of fungi and the characterization of their enzymes may facilitate the process of biofuel production.

Do changes in inflammatory markers predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and survival after liver transplantation?

Lucas Jose Caram,Francisco Calderon,Esteban Masino,Victoria Ardiles,Ezequiel Mauro,Leila Haddad,Juan Pekolj,Jimena Vicens,Adrian Gadano,Eduardo de Santibanes,Martin de Santibanes 한국간담췌외과학회 2022 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.26 No.1

Backgrounds/Aims: The role of inflammation in malignant cell proliferation has been well described. High values of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as markers of systemic inflammation have shown associations with unfavorable long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine values of NLR and PLR evaluated prior to and after surgery and their associations with mortality and recurrence rates of liver transplant patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 105 patients with HCC who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were retrospectively reviewed. NLR and PLR values were obtained from complete blood counts prior to and after surgery. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in relation with delta NLR and PLR were estimated. Results: Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels > 100 ng/mL (p = 0.014) and lymphovascular emboli in the specimen (p = 0.048) were identified to be significant predictors of RFS. Child-Pugh score (p = 0.016) was found to be an independent factor associated with poorer OS. An increasing delta PLR was associated with worse RFS, although it showed no significant association with OS. Conclusions: The analysis of PLR as a continuous variable may predict recurrence outcomes in patients undergoing OLT for HCC. It is more representative than isolated values.

Chronic Toxicity, Genotoxic Assay, and Phytochemical Analysis of Four Traditional Medicinal Plants

América Castañeda Sortibrán,María Guadalupe Ordaz Téllez,Verónica Muñoz Ocotero,Marco Antonio Carballo-Ontiveros,Angélica Méndez García,Rocio Jimena Jiménez Valdés,Elizabeth Romero Gutiérrez,Rosario R 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.9

Four medicinal plants—Tecoma stans, Ligusticum porteri, Monarda austromontana, and Poliomintha longiflora, which are distributed in tropical and subtropical countries of the American continent—are widely used in folk medicine to treat diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery. In addition, T. stans and P. longiflora are extensively used as hypoglycemic agents, and M. austromontana and P. longiflora are used as condiments. The plants were collected, identified, dried, and pulverized. Solvent extraction was prepared by maceration of the plant samples, and the phytochemical composition of the extracts was determined by using standard analysis procedures. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of triterpenoids/steroids, flavonoids, and phenols/tannins and, in L. porteri, traces of alkaloids. After the elimination of solvents in vacuo, the extracts were administrated to Drosophila larvae to test their toxicity and genotoxicity. Third instar larvae were chronically fed with the phytoextracts. The extract from L. porteri was toxic, whereas those from T. stans, P. longiflora, and M. austromontana were not. Genotoxic activities of the 4 plants were investigated by using the wing-spot assay of D. melanogaster. Mitomycin C was used as a positive control. No statistically significant increase was observed between treated sample series and a concurrent negative (water) or solvent control sample series.

Nutraceutical emulsion containing valproic acid (NE-VPA): a drug delivery system for reversion of seizures in zebrafish larvae epilepsy model

Daniela Agustina Feas,Daniela Edith Igartúa,María Natalia Calienni,Carolina Soledad Martinez,Marina Pifano,Nadia Silvia Chiaramoni,Silvia del Valle Alonso,María Jimena Prieto 한국약제학회 2017 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.47 No.5

Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug, which is currently used in neurodegenerative diseases. However, a high dose is required to obtain a therapeutic effect. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as omega 3 and omega 6, are efficient complements in treatments for neurological diseases. Previous studies have reported that a dietary supplement containing PUFAs together with the administration of antiepileptic drugs significantly reduces the frequency of seizures. Based on this, the main goal of this work was to obtain a complex based on VPA encapsulation in an oil/water (o/w) nutraceutical emulsion (NE) enriched with PUFAs for oral administration. Besides, encapsulation of VPA might reduce its dose and increase its therapeutic effect. In order to study its effect, we used a zebrafish larvae model of induced epileptiform behavior with the proconvulsant drug pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Results have shown that when 100 μM VPA and fatty acids were combined in the NE (NE-VPA), the epileptiform behavior of PTZ-treated zebrafish larvae decreased significantly. Additionally, morphological changes, hepatotoxicity, lethality and heart rate were studied. Despite the fact that a high dose of VPA exerted a cardiotoxic effect, this was no longer detected after addition of this drug in the NE. This treatment exerted a significant antiepileptic effect and did not result in highly toxic or lethal effects. In order to develop an improved pharmaceutical treatment, and considering that all the components used are FDA approved for consumption, the NE-VPA selected might be easily incorporated into clinical trials.