Revisiting Microbial Diversity in Hypersaline Microbial Mats from Guerrero Negro for a Better Understanding of Methanogenic Archaeal Communities.

Knowledge regarding the diversity of methanogenic archaeal communities in hypersaline environments is limited because of the lack of efficient cultivation efforts as well as their low abundance and metabolic activities. In this study, we explored the microbial communities in hypersaline microbial mats. Bioinformatic analyses showed significant differences among the archaeal community structures for each studied site. Taxonomic assignment based on 16S rRNA and methyl coenzyme-M reductase (mcrA) gene sequences, as well as metagenomic analysis, corroborated the presence of Methanosarcinales. Furthermore, this study also provided evidence for the presence of Methanobacteriales, Methanomicrobiales, Methanomassiliicoccales, Candidatus Methanofastidiosales, Methanocellales, Methanococcales and Methanopyrales, although some of these were found in extremely low relative abundances. Several mcrA environmental sequences were significantly different from those previously reported and did not match with any known methanogenic archaea, suggesting the presence of specific environmental clusters of methanogenic archaea in Guerrero Negro. Based on functional inference and the detection of specific genes in the metagenome, we hypothesised that all four methanogenic pathways were able to occur in these environments. This study allowed the detection of extremely low-abundance methanogenic archaea, which were highly diverse and with unknown physiology, evidencing the presence of all methanogenic metabolic pathways rather than the sheer existence of exclusively methylotrophic methanogenic archaea in hypersaline environments.

Plantas empleadas para tratar afecciones respiratorias introducidas por inmigrantes bolivianos y chinos en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Plants used to treat respiratory diseases introduced by Bolivian and Chinese immigrants in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina

This contribution includes the registry of 28 species of medicinal plants and their derived products used to treat respiratory diseases in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina, introduced by Bolivian and Chinese immigrants. Information on these species (their assigned local uses) was obtained from interviews with local informants and from other sources, such as labels, brochures and catalogs, print and electronic. A bibliographic review was carried out on the biological activity and effects studied in order to evaluate its correspondence with the assigned local uses. The degree of visibility of the treated species was analyzed, according to their circulation in the restricted commercial circuits (Chinese and Bolivian immigrants) and the general commercial circuit. Of the total, 17 species belong to the segment of Chinese immigrants, and the remaining 11 to the Bolivian segment. The most frequently reported respiratory conditions are: "asthma", "cough", "bronchitis", "respiratory tract infections", "lung ailments". The immigrant segments play a fundamental role in the conservation of biocultural diversity in the study area.

Esta contribución incluye el registro de 28 especies de plantas medicinales y sus productos derivados empleados para tratar afecciones respiratorias en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina, introducidas por inmigrantes bolivianos y chinos. La información sobre esas especies (sus usos locales asignados) se obtuvo de entrevistas realizadas a informantes locales y de otras fuentes, como la de etiquetas, prospectos y catálogos, impresos y electrónicos. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre la actividad biológica y efectos estudiados a fin de evaluar su correspondencia con los usos locales asignados. Se analizó el grado de visibilidad de las especies tratadas, según su circulación en los circuitos comerciales restringidos (inmigrantes chinos y bolivianos) y el circuito comercial general. Del total, 17 especies pertenecen al segmento de inmigrantes chinos, y los 11 restantes al segmento boliviano. Las afecciones respiratorias más frecuentemente relevadas son: "asma", "tos", "bronquitis", "infecciones en las vías respiratorias", "dolencias pulmonares". Los segmentos de inmigrantes poseen un rol fundamental en la conservación de la diversidad biocultural en el área de estudio.

Impact of Circulatory Assistance in the Early Evolution After Heart Transplantation. Unicentric Experience.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation (HT) is the reference treatment for patients with terminal heart failure. In recent years there has been a progressive increase in HT procedures in patients who have a circulatory support (CS). METHODS: This is a retrospective single-center study of 293 consecutive patients who underwent HT from 2009 to 2018, analyzing the evolution of the 2 cohorts: patients with and without CS as a bridge to HT. Baseline and evolutionary clinical data collected following the usual follow-up protocol were recorded, including clinical events observed during the follow-up 1 year after the procedure. RESULTS: The subgroup of patients transplanted with CS showed a higher incidence of primary graft failure, frequent infection, and mortality. A tendency toward lower cardiac allograft vasculopathy was observed in this subgroup. Mechanical ventilation added to the CS resulted in a higher incidence of primary graft failure, infection, and renal dysfunction. The CS variable as a bridge to HT was shown to be predictive of 1-year mortality in both univariate (odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-3.3; P = .038) and multivariate (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-4.3; P = .047) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, CS as a bridge to HT results in a higher incidence of primary graft failure, frequent infection, and mortality at 1-year follow-up. Mechanical ventilation added to CS has a clear unfavorable prognostic impact. CS as a bridge to HT was shown to be predictive of 1-year mortality in both univariate and multivariate analyses.

Estudios etnobotánicos en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina: productos de plantas medicinales introducidos por inmigrantes paraguayos / Ethnobotanical studies in Buenos Aires-La Plata conurbation, Argentina: Medicinal plant products introduced by Paraguayan immigrants

Este trabajo incluye resultados parciales de una línea de investigación en Etnobotánica urbana, que estudia los conocimientos locales sobre las plantas, sus partes y productos derivados en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata. Se incluyen productos de plantas medicinales de reciente ingreso en el área de estudio a través de inmigrantes oriundos de Paraguay. Los productos corresponden a 10 especies: Achyrocline alata ("jateí-ka'á"), Baccharis gaudichaudiana ("jaguareté-ka'á"), Cuphea lysimachioides ("ysypó-peré"), Euphorbia serpens ("tupasý-kambý"), Genipa americana ("ñandypá"), Helietta apiculata ("yvyra ovy"), Lycopodiella cernnua ("itápotý"), Rhynchosia balansae ("urusú-he'e"), Stevia rebaudiana ("ka'á-he'e") y Victoria cruziana ("jacaré-yrupé"). Para cada caso se indican sus productos, muestras de referencia, usos asignados, actividad biológica y efectos estudiados. La presencia de los productos de estas especies en el área metropolitana indica un aumento de la diversidad biocultural local, tanto de plantas y productos como de sus conocimientos asociados.

In vivo biocompatibility of the PLGA microparticles in parotid gland.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles are used in various disorders for the controlled or sustained release of drugs, with the management of salivary gland pathologies possible using this technology. There is no record of the response to such microparticles in the glandular parenchyma. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological changes in the parotid gland when injected with a single dose of PLGA microparticles. We used 12 adult female Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were injected into their right parotid gland with sterile vehicle solution (G1, n=4), 0.5 mg PLGA microparticles (G2, n=4), and 0.75 mg PLGA microparticles (G3, n=4); the microparticles were dissolved in a sterile vehicle solution. The intercalar and striated ducts lumen, the thickness of the acini and the histology aspect in terms of the parenchyma organization, cell morphology of acini and duct system, the presence of polymeric residues, and inflammatory response were determined at 14 days post-injection. The administration of the compound in a single dose modified some of the morphometric parameters of parenchyma (intercalar duct lumen and thickness of the glandular acini) but did not induce tissue inflammatory response, despite the visible presence of polymer waste. This suggests that PLGA microparticles are biocompatible with the parotid tissue, making it possible to use intraglandular controlled drug administration.

Del marco tradicional al escenario urbano: plantas ancestrales devenidas suplementos dietéticos en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina / From traditional frame to urban scenario: Ancient plants became dietary supplementsin conurbation Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina

This paper includes partial results of a research in urban Ethnobotany at the conurbation Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina. Five species with medicinal and food traditional uses, which are commercialized as dietary supplements were studied: Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Arecaceae), Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae), Plukenetia volubilis L. (Euphorbiaceae) y Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Engl.) H.Rob. (Asteraceae). The analysis of the circulation of these products contributes to the understanding of local botanical knowledge, that includes nontraditional components and others linked to the traditions of two immigrant groups: Bolivian and Chinese. The products recently entered the commercial circuit where they are considered as nutraceuticals and adaptogens. Traditional uses of these plants, their properties claimed in pluricultural urban context as well as the scientifically studied ones were compared. Thus, modifications in the original uses as a result of the expansion of the products in the nontraditional commercial context were evaluated.

Este trabajo comprende resultados parciales de una investigación en Etnobotánica urbana en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina. Se estudiaron cinco especies con usos medicinales y alimentarios tradicionales, comercializadas como suplementos dietéticos: Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Arecaceae), Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae), Plukenetia volubilis L. (Euphorbiaceae) y Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Engl.) H.Rob. (Asteraceae). Al analizar la circulación de los productos se aporta a la comprensión del conocimiento botánico local, con sus componentes no tradicionales y ligados a las tradiciones de dos grupos de inmigrantes: bolivianos y chinos. Los productos ingresaron recientemente en el circuito comercial, donde se consideran nutracéuticos y adaptógenos. Se comparan los usos tradicionales de las plantas, las propiedades difundidas en el contexto pluricultural urbano y las científicamente estudiadas. De este modo, se evaluaron las modificaciones de los usos originales, como resultado de la expansión de los productos en el contexto comercial no tradicional.

Functional foods and nutraceuticals in a market of bolivian immigrants in Buenos Aires (Argentina).

This paper presents the results of a research in urban ethnobotany, conducted in a market of Bolivian immigrants in the neighborhood of Liniers, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Functional foods and nutraceuticals belonging to 50 species of 18 families, its products, and uses were recorded. Some products are exclusive from the Bolivian community; others are frequent within the community, but they are also available in the general commercial circuit; they are introduced into it, generally, through shops called dietéticas ("health-food stores"), where products associated with the maintenance of health are sold. On this basis, the traditional and nontraditional components of the urban botanical knowledge were evaluated as well as its dynamics in relation to the diffusion of the products. Both the framework and methodological design are innovative for the studies of the urban botanical knowledge and the traditional markets in metropolitan areas.

Leguminosas medicinales y alimenticias utilizadas en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina / Medicinal and alimentary legumes utilized in the conurbation Buenos Aires-La Plata, Argentina

This contribution includes the results of a study within Urban Ethnobotany about those Legumes employed with medicinal and food purposes in the biggest conurbation of Argentina: Greater Buenos Aires-Greater La Plata. Plants, parts of them and derived products were evaluated. Products that circulate in diverse shops of the area correspond to 32 taxa. Those are catalogued as products with generalized diffusion (present in the general commercial circuit), restricted diffusion (restricted to groups of Bolivian and Asians immigrants taken as reference) and expanding diffusion (species which products are passing from restricted to general circuit, from their access in health stores called “dietéticas”). Besides, the paper includes 35 taxa native and adventitious in the area, that have been recorded as food and medicine, and 36 taxa cultivated as ornamental, that are employed in other regions –but not in the study area– with therapeutic and food purposes. These results contribute to the definition of urban botanical knowledge here presented, as a complex corpus that includes traditional and non traditional components. Likewise, they contribute to the study of the dynamics of this knowledge, expressed by those plant products that are in expansion in the commercial circuit.

Este trabajo incluye los resultados de un estudio de Etnobotánica urbana sobre las Leguminosas utilizadas con fines medicinales y alimentarios en la mayor conurbación de la Argentina, que comprende el Gran Buenos Aires y el Gran La Plata. Se evaluaron plantas, partes de las mismas y productos obtenidos a partir de ellas. A 32 taxones corresponden productos que circulan en diversos comercios del área, catalogados como de difusión generalizada (circuito comercial general), restringida (a grupos de inmigrantes bolivianos y asiáticos tomados como referencia) y en expansión (especies cuyos productos pasan del circuito restringido al general, a partir de su ingreso en los comercios llamados “dietéticas”). Además, se incluyen 35 taxones nativos y adventicios del área con registro de usos terapéuticos y alimentarios; y 36 taxones cultivados como ornamentales, empleados en otras regiones para la alimentación y con fines medicinales, pero no utilizados en el área. Estos resultados contribuyen a la definición de conocimiento botánico urbano aquí presentada, en tanto conjunto complejo que incluye componentes tradicionales y no tradicionales; asimismo, aportan al estudio de la dinámica de dicho conocimiento, que se expresa en los productos vegetales que se hallan en expansión dentro el circuito comercial.

Adaptógenos: plantas medicinales tradicionales comercializadas como suplementos dietéticos en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata (Argentina) / Adaptogens: traditional medicinal plants marketed as dietary supplements in the conurbation Buenos Aires-La Plata (Argentina)

En el presente trabajo se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre tres especies de las cuales se comercializan productos considerados adaptógenos: Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Brassicaceae), "maca", Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae), "noni", y Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae), "pipi". Los datos provienen de estudios en Etnobotánica urbana realizados en la conurbación Buenos Aires-La Plata, se presentan los usos tradicionales de las especies, sus vías de ingreso, comercialización y difusión como suplementos dietéticos en el contexto pluricultural urbano, los modos actuales de empleo y los saberes relacionados, que forman parte del conocimiento botánico local. De este modo, se evalúan las modificaciones en los usos originalmente asignados, como consecuencia de la expansión de los productos en el marco de la globalización, y los cambios consecuentes en los patrones tradicionales de saberes, creencias y prácticas referidos a estos recursos vegetales.