Evaluation of the Influence of Geodimensional and Histological Parameters on the Need for Margin Widening in Breast Lesions Marked With Magnetic Seeds.

Objective: Breast cancer is an important topic worldwide, posing morbidity and mortality to women. Considerable efforts have been put in the early recognition of malignancy through different screening methods, such as mammography and ultrasound. The precise localization of infraclinical malignant lesions is key in surgical management and magnetic seeds gather particular interest for this purpose. As with other systems, a need for reintervention may be needed to obtain adequate surgical margins. This work evaluated the relation between the need for surgical reintervention in order to obtain negative margins and geodimensional and histological parameters. The main objective was the identification of parameters significantly associated with reintervention for margin widening. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 198 patients from a single centre was performed. The association between pre-defined geodimensional and histological parameters and the need for margin widening in infraclinical lesions marked with magnetic seed was evaluated. Results: Results showed that reintervention to widen margins was significantly higher in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the pre-operative biopsy when compared with invasive carcinoma (p = 0.03) in the bivariate analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed between the need for reintervention and lesion size (p = 0.197), breast quadrant location (p = 0.626) and distance of skin to lesion (p = 0.356). Conclusion: This work suggests that a more invasive margin clearance in lesions with a pre-operative DCIS diagnosis might obviate the need for reintervention to obtain negative margins. On the other hand, it is not necessary to be surgically more invasive in larger lesions, deeply located or that are present in a certain quadrant, since there are no significant differences regarding the need for reintervention.

Integral approach for the evaluation of poultry manure, compost, and digestate: Amendment characterization, mineralization, and effects on soil and intensive crops.

The egg industry has increased its production worldwide during the last decades. Several waste management strategies have been proposed to treat large volumes of poultry manure. Composting and anaerobic digestion are the main stabilization processes used. However, there are disagreements on the criteria for applying raw and treated poultry manure to the soil. We studied the relationship between physicochemical, toxicological, microbiological, parasitological, and metabarcoding parameters of raw and treated poultry manure (compost and digestate). Subsequently, we evaluated the mineralization of C, N and P, and the effects of amended soil on horticultural and ornamental crops. Compost and digestate presented better general conditions than poultry manure for use as organic soil amendments. The highest pathogenic microorganism content (total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.) was recorded for poultry manure. Multivariate analyses allowed associating a lower phytotoxicity with compost and a higher microbial diversity with digestate. Therefore, only compost presented stability and maturity conditions. We found high released CO2-C, N loss, and P accumulation in soil amended with a high dose of poultry manure during mineralization. However, high doses of poultry manure and digestate increased the biomass production in the valorization assay. We recommend the soil application of stabilized and mature poultry manure-derived amendments, which reduce the negative impacts on the environment and promote more sustainable practices in agricultural systems.

Membrane Homeoviscous Adaptation in Sinorhizobium Submitted to a Stressful Thermal Cycle Contributes to the Maintenance of the Symbiotic Plant-Bacteria Interaction.

Here, we estimate fast changes in the fluidity of Sinorhizobium meliloti membranes submitted to cyclic temperature changes (10°C-40°C-10°C) by monitoring the fluorescence polarization (P) of DPH and TMA-DPH of the whole cell (WC) as well as in its outer (OM) and inner (IM) membranes. Additionally, the long-term response to thermal changes is demonstrated through the dynamics of the phospholipid and fatty acid composition in each membrane. This allowed membrane homeoviscous adaptation by the return to optimal fluidity levels as measured by the PDPH/TMA-DPH in WC, OM, IM, and multilamellar vesicles of lipids extracted from OM and IM. Due to probe-partitioning preferences and membranes' compositional characteristics, DPH and TMA-DPH exhibit different behaviors in IM and OM. The rapid effect of cyclic temperature changes on the P was the opposite in both membranes with the IM being the one that exhibited the thermal behavior expected for lipid bilayers. Interestingly, only after the incubation at 40°C, cells were unable to recover the membrane preheating P levels when cooled up to 10°C. Solely in this condition, the formation of threads and nodular structures in Medicago sativa infected with S. meliloti were delayed, indicating that the symbiotic interaction was partially altered but not halted.

Immobilization of Bradyrhizobium and Azospirillum in alginate matrix for long time of storage maintains cell viability and interaction with peanut.

Immobilizarion of PGPR for agricultural applications aims to provide temporary physical protection from stressful environmental conditions and the gradual release of cells for successful root colonization, release the cells gradually. In this work, we immobilized Bradyrhizobium sp. SEMIA6144 or Azospirillum brasilense Az39 cells in 2% alginate beads prepared by ionic gelation process, and then stored up to 12 months at 4 °C. Alginate matrix showed interaction with the immobilized bacteria (FTIR), allowed a constant release of cells, and improved their viability and capability to interact with Arachis hypogaea. Cell number into beads reached 107 CFU.bead-1; however, viability decreased from 4 months of storage for Az39, while it was maintained up to 12 months for SEMIA6144, showing a low metabolic activity measured by the MTT assay. Adhesion of SEMIA6144 and Az39 from new beads to peanut root was 11.5% and 16%, respectively, higher than non-immobilized bacteria. Peanut inoculation with 12 months storage SEMIA6144 beads significantly increased root length and biomass at 30 days of growth, and under restrictive water condition (RWC), nodulation and total plant N content increased compared with liquid inoculation. Our results demonstrate that immobilization of SEMIA6144 and Az39 in alginate matrix is a potential alternative to enhance peanut growth even under RWC. KEY POINTS: • Alginate encapsulation enhances viability of SEMIA6144 or Az39 under storage at 4 °C for 1 year. • Alginate beads 2% ensure the gradual release of the microorganisms. • Cells from beads stored for long periods present chemotaxis and adhesion to peanut root. • Peanut inoculation with 1-year-old SEMIA6144 beads improves nodulation and growth in RWC.

Sentinel node total tumour load as a predictive factor for non-sentinel node status in early breast cancer patients - The porttle study.

OSNA is a molecular assay for the detection of sentinel node metastasis. TTL emerged as a concept that seems to accurately predict the status of the NSN. Authors tried to confirm this motion. This is a retrospective and multicentric study that analyzed 2164 patients, 579 of whom had positive SN and completion AD. Logistic regression models were performed in order to identify a suitable cutoff to identify patients who benefit from AD. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed a relationship between TTL>30000 and the presence of NSN metastasis (OR 2.84, CI 1.99-4.08, p < 0.001). Logistic regression indicated that the cutoff of 30000 copies/µL better discriminates patients with NSN positivity and allows wide use of these criteria. This cutoff value may safely assist clinicians and patients to decide to proceed or not with an AD.

Gelatinasas como marcadores de consumo crónico de alcohol: un estudio piloto en Uruguay / Gelatinases as markers of chronic alcohol consumption: a pilot study in Uruguay / Gelatinasas como marcadores de consumo crônico de álcool: um estúdio piloto em Uruguai

El consumo crónico de alcohol en Uruguay es un problema creciente, sin embargo, las determinaciones de biomarcadores consensuados no se realizan sistemáticamente ni se investigan otros marcadores potenciales. Para validar la hipótesis de que las metaloproteinasas de matriz con actividad gelatinasa son biomarcadores de consumo crónico de alcohol, se evaluaron muestras de sangre de 100 alcohólicos que comenzaron a atenderse en la Unidad de Trastornos Relacionados con el Alcohol y de 50 donantes sanos no alcohólicos. Las muestras de alcohólicos presentaron actividad de gelatinasas que triplicaron la de los controles y aumentos pequeños pero significativos en los niveles de γ-glutamil transferasa, aspartato-aminotransferasa y volumen corpuscular medio. Los valores de transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos fueron menores en alcohólicos que en controles. Estos resultados permiten proponer a las gelatinasas como los indicadores más sensibles del consumo sostenido de alcohol en la población analizada, ya que las enzimas hepáticas y el volumen corpuscular medio muestran una tendencia acorde con la literatura pero no alcanzaron valores asociados a la patología. Dado que la transferrina deficiente en carbohidratos es considerada el biomarcador indirecto más sensible y específico de consumo crónico de alcohol, los valores menores obtenidos en alcohólicos respecto de controles sugieren problemas metodológicos que podrían subsanarse aplicando otras técnicas de medida o por la presencia de interferencias que deben ser identificadas. Finalmente, estos hallazgos justifican una extensión de este trabajo piloto, así como estudios adicionales centrados en la participación de las metaloproteinasas de matriz con actividad gelatinasa en las cascadas de daño asociadas al consumo crónico de alcohol.

Chronic alcohol consumption in Uruguay is a growing problem, however, determinations of consensual biomarker are not performed systematically neither potential markers are explored. To validate the hypothesis that matrix metalloproteinases with gelatinase activity are biomarkers of chronic alcohol consumption, blood samples of 100 alcoholics that began medical treatment at the Unidad de Trastornos Relacionados con el Alcohol and 50 healthy non-alcoholic donors were evaluated. Alcoholic samples showed gelatinase activity that tripled that of controls and small but significant increases in levels of γ-glutamyl transferase, aspartate-aminotransferase and mean cellular volume. Carbohydrate deficient transferrin values were lower in alcoholics than in controls. These results allow proposing gelatinases as the most sensitive indicators of sustained alcohol consumption in the population analyzed since hepatic enzymes and mean cellular volume showed a tendency consistent with the literature but did not reach values associated with the pathology. Since carbohydrate-deficient transferrin is considered the most sensitive and specific indirect biomarker of chronic alcohol consumption, lower values in alcoholics related to controls suggest methodological problems that could be solved by applying other measurement techniques or by the presence of yet unknown interferences. Finally, these findings justify an extension of this pilot work, as well as additional studies focused on the participation of matrix metalloproteinases with gelatinase activity in the cascades of damage associated with chronic alcohol consumption.

O consumo crônico de álcool no Uruguai é um problema crescente, no entanto, as determinações consensuais de biomarcadores não são realizadas sistematicamente ou os potenciais marcadores são explorados. Para validar a hipótese de que as metaloproteinases de matriz com atividade gelatinase são biomarcadores do consumo crônico de álcool, foram avaliadas amostras de sangue cd 100 alcoólatras que começaram a ser tratadas na Unidad de Trastornos Relacionados con el Alcohol e 50 doadores não-alcoólatras saudáveis. As amostras alcoólicas apresentaram atividade de gelatinase que triplicou a dos controles e pequenos más significativos aumentos nos níveis de γ-glutamil transferase, aspartato-aminotransferase e volume médio celular. Os valores de transferrina deficientes em carboidratos foram menores nos alcoolistas que nos controles. Esses resultados permitem que as gelatinases sejam propostas como os indicadores mais sensíveis do consumo sustentado de álcool na população analisada, uma vez que as enzimas hepáticas e o volume celular médio apresentam uma tendência consistente com a literatura, mas não alcançaram valores associados à patologia. Como a transferrina deficiente em carboidratos é considerada o biomarcador indireto mais sensível e específico do consumo crônico de álcool, os valores mais baixos em alcoólatras do que em controles sugerem problemas metodológicos que poderiam ser sanados pela aplicação de outras técnicas de mensuração pela presença de interferências que deben ser identificadas. Finalmente, esses achados justificam uma extensão deste trabalho piloto, bem como estudos adicionais voltados para a participação de metaloproteinases de matriz com atividade de gelatinase nas cascatas de danos associados ao consumo crônico de álcool.

Restrictive water condition modifies the root exudates composition during peanut-PGPR interaction and conditions early events, reversing the negative effects on plant growth.

Water deficit is one of the most serious environmental factors that affect the productivity of crops in the world. Arachis hypogaea is a legume with a high nutritional value and 70% is cultivated in semi-arid regions. This research aimed to study the effect of water deficit on peanut root exudates composition, analyzing the importance of exudates on peanut-PGPR interaction under restrictive water condition. Peanut seedlings were subjected to six treatments: 0 and 15 mM PEG, in combination with non-inoculated, Bradyrhizobium sp. and Bradyrhizobium-Azospirillum brasilense inoculated treatments. We analyzed the 7-day peanut root exudate in response to a water restrictive condition and the presence of bacterial inocula. Molecular analysis was performed by HPLC, UPLC and GC. Bacteria motility, chemotaxis, bacterial adhesion to peanut roots and peanut growth parameters were analyzed. Restrictive water condition modified the pattern of molecules exuded by roots, increasing the exudation of Naringenin, oleic FA, citric and lactic acid, and stimulation the release of terpenes of known antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The presence of microorganisms modified the composition of root exudates. Water deficit affected the first events of peanut-PGPR interaction and the root exudates favored bacterial mobility, the chemotaxis and attachment of bacteria to peanut roots. Changes in the profile of molecules exuded by roots allowed A. hypogaea-Bradyrhizobium and A.hypogaea-Bradyrhizobium-Azospirillum interaction thus reversing the negative effects of restrictive water condition on peanut growth. These findings have a future potential application to improve plant-PGPR interactions under water deficit by formulating inoculants containing key molecules exuded during stress.

Consumo de prebióticos y probióticos en relación con marcadores de síndrome metabólico en estudiantes universitarios / Prebiotics and probiotics consumption in relation to metabolic syndromemarkers in university students

INTRODUCCIÓN: Diversos estudios sugieren que la restauración de la microbiota intestinal puede revertir la obesidad y los defectos metabólicos asociados. Una forma de lograr esto es mediante el uso de prebióticos y probióticos. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el consumo de alimentos que contienen prebióticos y probióticos en una población de estudiantes universitarios y estudiar su efecto sobre marcadores de riesgo de síndrome metabólico (SM). MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal con 120 voluntarios de ambos sexos, estudiantes universitarios de la Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Argentina. Se registraron variables antropométricas (peso, talla, índice de masa corporal -IMC-, circunferencia de cintura y circunferencia de cadera), bioquímicas (glucemia, colesterol total, HDLc, LDLc, triglicéridos y VLDL) y de consumo alimentario en relación con el consumo de prebióticos y probióticos. Nivel de significación: P<0,05; programa estadístico utilizado: InfoStat. RESULTADOS: La muestra estuvo constituida por 91 estudiantes de sexo femenino y 29 de sexo masculino. La edad promedio de los estudiantes fue de 24,18 +/- 3,09 años y el IMC promedio de 24,02 +/- 3,95 kg/m2. El 73 % de los estudiantes consumen prebióticos regularmente, mayormente el sexo femenino (P<0,01); aproximadamente la mitad consume probióticos regularmente, sin encontrarse diferencias entre hombres y mujeres. Peso e IMC fueron menores en aquellos que consumen prebióticos (P<0,05); glucemia, colesterol total y HDLc fueron menores en aquellos que consumen probióticos (P<0,001). El consumo de probióticos protege entre un 76 % y un 86 % sobre el riesgo/presencia de SM; el consumo de prebióticos no influye significativamente, aunque en aquellos individuos que consumen prebióticos, se encontró una menor proporción de individuos con sobrepeso y obesidad (P<0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: Parecería que el consumo de prebióticos afecta/modifica las variables antropométricas, mientras que el consumo de probióticos repercute en las variables bioquímicas relacionadas con SM

INTRODUCTION: Several studies suggest that the restoration of intestinal microbiota can reverse obesity and associated metabolic defects. One way to achieve this is through the use of prebiotics and probiotics. AIM: To evaluate the consumption of foods containing prebiotics and probiotics in a population of students and to study their effect upon risk markers of metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with 120 volunteer university students from both sexes, from the National University of San Luis, Argentina. Anthropometric (weight, height, body mass index -BMI-, waist circumference and hip circumference), biochemical (glycemia, total cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, triglycerides and VLDL) and food consumption variables were recorded in relation to the consumption of prebiotics and probiotics. Significance level: P <0.05; statistical software used: InfoStat. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 91 female students and 29 male students. The average age of the students was 24.18 +/- 3.09 years and the average BMI of 24.02 +/- 3.95.73 % of the students consume prebiotics regularly, mainly the female sex (P <0.01); approximately half consume probiotics regularly, without differences between men and women. Weight and body mass index were lower in those who consumed prebiotics (P <0.05); glycaemia, total cholesterol and cHDL were lower in those who consumed probiotics (P <0.001). The consumption of probiotics protects between 76 % and 86 % on the risk / presence of MS; the consumption of prebiotics does not influence significantly, although in those individuals who consume prebiotics, a lower proportion of overweight and obese individuals was found (P <0.001). DISCUSSION: It would seem that the consumption of prebiotics affects / modifies the anthropometric variables, while the consumption of probiotics affects the biochemical variables related to MS

La técnica de polarización fluorescente para el diagnóstico de Brucella en Chaetophractus villosus / Technique of fluorescence polarization for the diagnosis of Brucella in Chaetophractus villosus / A técnica de polarização fluorescente para o diagnóstico de Brucella em Chaetophractus villosus

La brucelosis es una enfermedad muy extendida por todo el mundo. El diagnóstico se realiza mediante el uso de diferentes técnicas, entre ellas el aislamiento del agente etiológico o por serología detectando anticuerpos específicos. Todos estos métodos están estandarizados y validados en general para las distintas especies animales de interés zootécnico. En animales silvestres pueden utilizarse los mismos procedimientos serológicos, pero cada uno debe ser validado para la especie animal estudiada. El objetivo de este trabajo fue comprobar si la técnica de Polarización Fluorescente (FPA) utilizada para la determinación de anticuerpos contra Brucella en bovinos puede ser usada para el diagnóstico de Brucella en el armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus). Para ello se tomaron 150 muestras de sangre de Chaetophractus villosus. Veinticuatro muestras fueron positivas por medio de las técnicas de antígeno bufferado en placa, seroaglutinación lenta en tubo, 2-mercaptoetanol y fijación del complemento. Las mismas muestras resultaron positivas a la técnica de Polarización Fluorescente, estableciéndose un límite de corte de 82 mP. El índice Kappa registrado fue de 1 para todos los tests de diagnóstico comparados con FPA (IC: 0,84-1).

Brucellosis is a disease widespread throughout the world. The diagnosis is made through the use of different techniques including the isolation of the etiological agent or by serology detecting specific antibodies. All these methods are standardized and validated in general for animal species of zoo-technical interest. In wild animals, serological procedures may be used, but each should be validated for the particular animal species studied. The objective of this work was to verify if the technique of Fluorescent Polarization used for the determination of antibodies against Brucella in ruminants can be used for the diagnosis of Brucella in Chaetophractus villosus. To this aim, s 150 blood samples of Chaetophractus villosus were taken. Twenty-four samples were positive by the techniques of Antigen Buffered in Plate, serum agglutination test (SAT), 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) agglutination test and complement fixation test (CFT). The same samples were also positive by Fluorescent Polarization, and a cut-off limit of 82 mP was established. The KAPPA index was 1 for all diagnostic tests compared to FPA (CI: 0.84-1).

A brucelose é uma doença muito espalhada pelo mundo. O diagnóstico é feito por meio de diferentes técnicas, incluindo o isolamento do agente etiológico ou por sorologia detectando anticorpos específicos. Todos esses métodos são padronizados e validados em geral para diferentes espécies animais de interesse zootécnico. Em animais silvestres podem ser utilizados os mesmos métodos serológicos, mas cada um tem de ser validado para a espécie de animal estudada. O objectivo deste estudo foi testar se a técnica de Polarização Fluorescente utilizada para a determinação de anticorpos contra Brucella em bovinos pode ser utilizada para o diagnóstico de Brucella em tatu (Chaetophractus villosus). Para isso, 150 amostras de sangue de Chaetophractus villosus foram coletadas. Vinte e quatro amostras foram positivas por técnicas de antígeno bufferado em placa, soroaglutinação lenta em tubo, 2-mercaptoetanol e fixação do complemento. As mesmas amostras foram positivas para a técnica de Polarização Fluorescente, estabelecendo um limite de corte de 82 mP. O índice Kappa registrado foi de 1 para todos os testes de diagnóstico em comparação com FPA (CI: 0,84-1).

Las personas y las plantas medicinales en el noroeste de Córdoba, Argentina: reconocimiento y valoración de los recursos naturales locales / People and medicinal plants in Northwest Córdoba, Argentina: recognizing and valuing local natural resources

This paper is the result of an experience of applied research that seeks to revalue local knowledge of management medicinal species in San Pedro Norte, Northwest Córdoba. It was proposed to rescue local knowledge about management and reproduction of the species; to reproduce the species with the educational community of Instituto Provincial de Educación Media 369 Anexo San Pedro Norte and workshops with the residents of San Pedro Norte. In addition 30 semi-structured interviews were made and 68 species were determined. Workshops and interviews enabled increase knowledge of the species, their uses and forms of cultivation and facilitated the exchange of knowledge among local people.

El presente trabajo es el resultado de una experiencia de investigación aplicada que busca revalorizar los conocimientos locales sobre el manejo de las especies medicinales en San Pedro Norte, Noroeste de Córdoba. Se propuso rescatar los saberes locales sobre el manejo y reproducción de las especies; reproducirlas con la comunidad educativa del Instituto Provincial de Educación Media 369, Anexo San Pedro Norte, y realizar talleres con los pobladores de la localidad. Se realizaron también 30 entrevistas semiestructuradas y se identificaron 68 especies botánicas. Los talleres y las entrevistas posibilitaron ampliar el conocimiento sobre las especies, sus usos y formas de cultivo, y facilitaron el intercambio de saberes entre los pobladores locales.

Calidad de vida al año del tratamiento con biorretroalimentación en pacientes pediátricos con mielomeningocele que padecen incontinencia fecal / Quality of life one year after biofeedback treatment in pediatric patients with myelomeningocele suffering from fecal incontinence

INTRODUCCIÓN En los pacientes con mielomeningocele e incontinencia fecal la biorretroalimentacion manometrica produce mejoría clínica con continencia satisfactoria. OBJETIVO Comprobar si se mantienen los resultados funcionales y la mejoría en la calidad de vida percibida en estos pacientes y sus padres, obtenidos al año de finalizada la terapia con biorretroalimentación. MÉTODO Estudio longitudinal, analítico y observacional. Participaron junto a sus padres, pacientes con mielomeningocele de 6 y 16 años que presentaron incontinencia fecal inicial, recibieron tratamiento con biorretroalimentación finalizado el año anterior y completaron las encuestas de calidad de vida. Se obtuvieron consentimiento y asentimiento informado y el cuestionario genérico PedsQL tm Luego se realizó la manometría recto-anal. Se utilizó para el análisis Test de Student, Fisher y Chi cuadrado. RESULTADOS 17 pacientes y sus padres fueron incluidos. Sexo femenino 8 (47,1%). Edad 11,47 ± 3,33 años. 13 pacientes (76,5%) no usaban pañales, 9 (53%) no presentaban incontinencia fecal. Todos con evacuación espontánea y en inodoro. No se observaron diferencias significativas en los parametros manometricos comparados al año de finalizar el tratamiento, a excepción del volumen de tolerancia máxima. En cuanto al Test de calidad de vida al año del tratamiento, en los niños se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el aspecto escolar, con respecto a los valores al finalizar el tratamiento, esto último quizás a un menor número de inasistencias escolares. En los padres no se observaron diferencias estadísticas, respecto al test previo. DISCUSIÓN Con este estudio hemos podido comprobar que es posible brindar una solución al problema de la incontinencia fecal en niños con mielomeningocele, estable en el tiempo, manteniendo los resultados funcionales y la mejoría en la calidad de vida percibida en estos pacientes y sus padres, al año de finalizada la terapia con biorretroalimentación

A new species of Telenomus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) egg parasitoid of Parides ascanius (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), a threatened species from Brazil.

Telenomus parides Loiácono et Margaría sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on specimens reared from the eggs of Parides ascanius (Cramer). Parides ascanius is a threatened papilionid, which is endemic to the restingas of the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The new Telenomus species is gregarious endoparasitoid and belongs to the Telenomus californicus species complex.

Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma-unusual presentation: unilateral vulvar mass.

Epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva is a very rare malignant soft tissue tumour, usually initially asymptomatic, which simulates a variety of benign lesions, leading to diagnosis only at later stages. Prognosis is generally poor. We report a case of a 55-year-old postmenopausal woman, who presented with rapid growth of an asymptomatic mass located in the left labia majora. Biopsy of the lesion revealed features characteristic of proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma. Ganglionar, adrenal, pulmonary and hepatic metastases were found at thoracoabdominopelvic CT scan. During hospitalisation, the patient's clinical condition suffered rapid deterioration and she died on the 16th day of admission.

Association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein genotypes with paraoxonase-1 activity, lipid profile and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A study in San Luis, Argentina.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Diabetic dyslipidemia is common in type 2 diabetes. The TaqIB polymorphism in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP; B1 and B2 alleles; rs708272) is associated with changes in enzyme activity and lipid concentrations. The aim of the present study was to assess associations of CETP genotypes with lipoprotein profile, oxidant/anti-oxidant status and the plasma activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) in a population of diabetic patients living in San Luis, Argentina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For oxidative stress status parameters, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, and catalase and PON-1 activity were assessed in 40 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy participants. CETP polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-based methods. RESULTS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly higher concentrations of oxidative stress parameters: TBARS (P < 0.0001) and catalase activity (P < 0.0001). PON-1 activity and NO levels were significantly lower in diabetics (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0008, respectively). The CETP genotypes distribution among study groups was not significantly different. The B2 carriers of the TaqIB CETP polymorphism are associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and PON-1 activity in control and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant and positive correlation between the changes of PON-1 activity and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in non-B1B1 (B2 carriers) in controls (r = 0.83, P < 0.0001) and diabetic patients (r = 0.39, P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study show that type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by intense oxidative stress, and that the alterations observed in the lipoprotein profile and PON-1 activity might be related to the higher CETP activity in diabetic patients as a consequence of insulin resistance.

Photodegradation of antibiotic 5-sulfaminouracil in the presence of vitamin B2: a kinetic study.

OBJECTIVE: This paper studies the kinetics and mechanism of the sensitized photodegradation of 5-sulfaminouracil (SFU). This compound is a synthetic bacteriostatic belonging to the sulfa drugs, usually detected in surface water and effluent wastewater. METHODS: SFU interacts with electronically excited singlet and triplet states of riboflavin (Rf), (1)Rf* and (3)Rf*, respectively. The rate constants for these processes were determined in MeOH-H2O by stationary fluorescence spectroscopy (for kQ(1)) and by laser flash photolysis (for kQ(3)). RESULTS: SFU is photodegraded by visible light irradiation in the presence of the natural sensitizer (Rf). In competitive processes, (3)Rf* generates the reactive oxygen species superoxide radical anion (O2(•-)) and singlet molecular oxygen [O2((1)Δg)], which are involved in SFU photodegradation. In aqueous solutions, where SFU adopts different forms depending on the pH of the medium, the participation of O2((1)Δg) is predominant. Therefore, the O2((1)Δg)-mediated mechanism was evaluated at pHs 7 and 12, employing perinaphthenone as a synthetic photosensitizer. DISCUSSION: The results indicate that SFU is photodegraded through a relatively efficient process in a neutral environment, whereas it is quickly degraded in alkaline media. This is attributed to the ionization of the sulfamino- group, a substituent in the uracil molecule that exerts an activating power on the molecule. Thus, sensitized photodegradation may be an important tool to reduce the environmental impact of SFU.

Phylogeographic pattern of Jenynsia multidentata (cyprinodontiformes: anablepidae) in the southern boundary of the Brazilian subregion, Argentina

The Atlantic drainage basins are located in the southern Pampean area, in the southernmost part of the Brazilian subregion. Tectonic and paleoclimatic phenomena, occurring during the Quaternary, have currently isolated these basins from the present hydrographic system. Their ichthyofaunal composition is similar to that of hydric systems located further northward. Jenynsia multidentata is a species with wide distribution in the Atlantic drainage basins, as well as in those Northern basins. Here we investigated the phylogeographic pattern of Jenynsia multidentata and analyzed its relationships with the paleoclimatic and geologic history of the region. The analysis of the population's assemblage showed moderate genetic diversity, demographic equilibrium and marked genetic structure in the populations that occupy the extremes of the distributional range. The populations in the center of the range did not present genetic diversity, sharing a single haplotype. These results allow inferring that the presence of Jenynsia multidentata in the area results from historical demographic processes that are independent but complementary. In turn, these processes could arise from paleoclimatic changes occurred during the Quaternary.

Las cuencas de pendiente atlántica del área pampeana Austral son el límite meridional de la subregión Brasílica. Fenómenos tectónicos y paleoclimáticos ocurridos durante el Cuaternario han dejado aisladas a estas cuencas del diseño hidrográfico actual. La composición íctica de estás cuencas es similar a la de los sistemas hídricos ubicados más al norte. Jenynsia multidentata es una especie con un amplia distribución en las cuencas de pendiente atlántica, como así también, en las cuencas ubicadas al norte. En el presente trabajo se investigó el patrón filogeográfico de Jenynsia multidentata, y se examinó la relación entre este patrón y la historia paleoclimática y geológica de la región. En el análisis del conjunto de poblaciones se encontró evidencia de una moderada diversidad genética, equilibrio demográfico, y una marcada estructura poblacional, en las poblaciones que ocupan los extremos de la distribución. Mientras que en las poblaciones que ocupan el centro de la distribución no se encontró diversidad genética presentando un único haplotipo. De los resultados obtenidos se infiere que la presencia de Jenynsia multidentata en el área es el resultado de procesos demográficos históricos independientes pero complementarios. A su vez, estos procesos podrían surgir de los cambios paleoclimáticos ocurridos durante el Cuaternario.

Effects of phytoremediation and application of organic amendment on the mobility of heavy metals in a polluted soil profile.

This research aims to assess the effect of the application of biosolids compost and phytoremediation on the mobility of total and biodisponibles (DTPA) fractions of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc from different horizons of a superficially contaminated soil. Leaching experiment in soil columns was proposed. Treatments contemplated application of compost biosolid and phytoremediation. Two destructive samplings were performed. Total and DTPA trace metals were identified in each horizon. The overall performance of the various elements in its total and DTPA forms show greater concentration in horizon A and fewer gradients between horizons Bt and BC, thus assuming that the high content of clay in horizon Bt (62.9%) limits its movement through the horizons. In the mobile nutrients, a greater mobility was evidenced in DTPA fractions if compared to Total fractions. In the horizon A, the more mobile metals, such as Zn and Cd, evidenced a greater percentage of DTPA/Total fractions in all treatments. The application of compost with or without plant diminished the mobilization of Zn, Cu, and Cd Total, thus limiting a potential leaching to inferior horizons. However, this effect was not observed in the DTPA fraction.