Drosophila melanogaster, an emerging animal model for the study of human cardiac diseases; Drosophila melanogaster, un modelo animal emergente en el estudio de enfermedades cardíacas humanas Santalla, Manuela; Portiansky, Enrique Leo; Ferrero, Paola Viviana The need to work with model organisms in medical research has revealed the usefulness of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, considering its advantages to perform classic genetic studies and modern techniques of genome edition. Several human genes are similar to those of the fruit fly. We have developed for the first time in the country a cardiovascular line of research to study the genetics of aging, addictions and chronic consumption of substances in humans like caffeine.; La necesidad de trabajar con modelos de organismos en la investigación sobre salud ha revelado las utilidades de la mosca de la fruta Drosophila melanogaster considerando sus ventajas para realizar genética clásica y modernas técnicas de edición del genoma. Muchos genes humanos son homólogos a los genes de la mosca. Hemos desarrollado por primera vez en el país una línea de investigación cardiovascular para estudiar la genética del envejecimiento, las adicciones y sustancias de consumo crónico en el humano como la cafeína.

Genome analysis of a clinical isolate of Shewanella sp. uncovered an active hybrid integrative and conjugative element carrying an integron platform inserted in a novel genomic locus Parmeciano Di Noto, Gisela Paula; Jara, Eugenio; Iriarte Odini, Andrés; Centron, Daniela; Quiroga, Cecilia Shewanella spp. are currently considered emerging pathogens that can code for a blaOXA carbapenemase in their chromosome. Complete genome analysis of the clinical isolate Shewanella sp. Sh95 revealed that this strain is a novel species that shares a lineage with marine isolates. Characterization of its resistome showed that it codes for genes drfA15, qacH and blaOXA-48. We propose that Shewanella sp. Sh95 acts as reservoir of blaOXA-48. Moreover, mobilome analysis showed that it contains a novel ICE, named ICESh95. Comparative analysis between the close relatives ICESpuPO1 from Shewanella sp. W3-18-1 and ICE SXTMO10 from Vibrio cholerae showed that ICESh95 encompassed two new regions, a type III restriction modification system and a multidrug resistance integron. The integron platform contained a novel arrangement formed by gene cassettes drfA15 and qacH and a class C-attC group II intron. Furthermore, insertion of ICESh95 occurred at a unique target site, which correlates with the presence of a different xis/int module. Mobility of ICESh95 was assessed showing its ability to self-transfer at high levels to different bacteria species. The presence of a highly adaptable element capable of acquiring antibiotic resistance determinants, combined with its efficient activity to self-transfer makes this element a clear threat for the control of the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance; a troublesome scenario when natural bacteria from water ecosystems, such as Shewanella, act as vector in its propagation.

Fossil snake preserving three trophic levels and evidence for an ontogenetic dietary shift Smith, Krister; Scanferla, Carlos Agustín We report a fossil snake from the middle Eocene (48 Ma) Messel Pit, in whose stomach is a lizard, in whose stomach is an insect. This is the second known vertebrate fossil containing direct evidence of three trophic levels. The snake is identified as a juvenile of Palaeopython fischeri on the basis of new characters of the skull; the lizard is identified as Geiseltaliellus maarius, a stem-basilisk; and the insect, despite preserved structural colouration, could not be identified more precisely. G. maarius is thought to have been an arboreal species, but like its extant relatives may have foraged occasionally on the ground. Another, larger specimen of G. maarius preserves plant remains in the digestive tract, suggesting that omnivory in this species may have been common in larger individuals, as in extant Basiliscus and Polychrus. A general picture of the trophic ecology of P. fischeri is not yet possible, although the presence of a lizard in the stomach of a juvenile individual suggests that this snake could have undergone a dietary shift, as in many extant boines.

The effects of land management (grazing intensity) vs. the effects of topography, soil properties, vegetation type, and climate on soil carbon concentration in Southern Patagonia Peri, Pablo Luis; Ladd, B.; Lasagno, R. G.; Martínez Pastur, Guillermo José Grazing is an economically important activity in Southern Patagonia?s steppe and woodland ecosystems. In the past, emphasis has been on maximizing the provisioning capacity of these ecosystems with little concern for the longer term conservation of the ecosystem services related to climate regulation, likecarbon sequestration. This is changing rapidly as livestock producers in the region work to develop a certification scheme for sustainable land management for Patagonians rangelands. This study is a scientific contribution towards this broader social objective in which we test whether soil C concentrationin topsoil (10 cm depth) can be used as an indicator of rangeland condition. Data on climate, soil chemistry, topography, ecosystem type and stocking rates were obtained from the PEBANPA network of permanent plots database for 145 sites across Southern Patagonia. These variables were used as independent variables in a partial least squares regression in which top soil C was the dependent variable. The effects of land use (stocking rate) on top soil C were barely detectable at the regional scale in Patagonia. Top soil C was however strongly associated with other independent variables, notably soil chemistry and climate variables and also vegetation type. Thus, changes in land use management may not have a significant impact on soil carbon sequestration in these types of ecosystems. This may be because many factors interact to determine top soil C such that the footprint of overgrazing on top soil C is drowned out at the regional scale by other variables. This highlights the need for further work todevelop indicators for sustainable land management in the region.

Essential function of the transcription factor Rax in the early patterning of the mammalian hypothalamus Orquera, Daniela Paula; Nasif, Sofia; Low, Malcolm J.; Rubinstein, Marcelo; Silva Junqueira de Souza, Flavio The hypothalamus is a region of the anterior forebrain that controls basic aspects of vertebrate physiology, but the genes involved in its development are still poorly understood. Here, we investigate the function of the homeobox gene Rax/Rx in early hypothalamic development using a conditional targeted inactivation strategy in the mouse. We found that lack of Rax expression prior to embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) caused a general underdevelopment of the hypothalamic neuroepithelium, while inactivation at later timepoints had little effect. The early absence of Rax impaired neurogenesis and prevented the expression of molecular markers of the dorsomedial hypothalamus, including neuropeptides Proopiomelanocortin and Somatostatin. Interestingly, the expression domains of genes expressed in the ventromedial hypothalamus and infundibulum invaded dorsal hypothalamic territory, showing that Rax is needed for the proper dorsoventral patterning of the developing medial hypothalamus. The phenotypes caused by the early loss of Rax are similar to those of eliminating the expression of the morphogen Sonic hedgehog (Shh) specifically from the hypothalamus. Consistent with this similarity in phenotypes, we observed that Shh and Rax are coexpressed in the rostral forebrain at late head fold stages and that loss of Rax caused a downregulation of Shh expression in the dorsomedial portion of the hypothalamus.

El trabajo asalariado agropecuario en la región yerbatera argentina. Imágenes de situación en datos cuantitativos; The farmwork in the yerba mate region from Argentina. Images of situation in quantitative data Rau, Victor Horacio El estudio describe la situación estructural de los trabajadores agropecuarios en la región argentina productora de yerba mate, dando cuenta de sus distribuciones territoriales, sus ámbitos de residencia,las estructuras socioproductivas en que se insertan, y de sus condiciones de vida y empleo en diferentes contextos. Se basa en el análisis de datos cuantitativos provenientes de diversas fuentes. Caracteriza ala región yerbatera en el contexto nacional y del NEA, y describe sus heterogeneidades internas.Advierte sobre la importancia que conserva la residencia rural, el vínculo de la pobreza con el trabajo agropecuario, y de la informalidad con la transitoriedad del empleo.; The study describes the structural situation of farmworkers in argentine region producer of yerba mate, indicating their territorial distribution, their areas of residence, the socio-productive structures in which are inserted, and their conditions of life and employment in different contexts. It is based on the analysis of quantitative data from different sources. It characterizes the yerba mate region in the national context and the NEA, and describes their internal heterogeneities. It warns about the importance that preserves the rural residence, the link poverty with farmwork, and the informality with the seasonal employment.

Efectos de la estacionalidad, el sexo y el grupo etario sobre la dieta de Homonota fasciata (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) en una región del Monte de Argentina; Effects of season, sex and age on the diet of Homonota fasciata (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) from Monte region of Argentina Nieva Cocilio, Rodrigo Alfredo; Blanco, Graciela M.; Acosta, Juan C. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer y describir la dieta de Homonota fasciata (Duméril & Bibron, 1836) en una población del Monte de la provincia de San Juan Argentina, analizando posibles variaciones temporales, sexuales y ontogenéticas en la alimentación. Para examinar la dieta, se determinó volumen, numerosidad y frecuencia de ocurrencia para cada ítem-presa, y se calculó el Índice de Importancia Relativa (IRI). Se evaluaron diversidad y equidad trófica, además de variaciones estacionales, sexuales y etarias del espectro trófico. La dieta de H. fasciata es generalista, diversa, basada en artrópodos, incluyendo insectos y arácnidos. La estrategia de forrajeo exhibida fue pasiva ("sit and wait"). Se encontraron variaciones estacionales, sexuales y ontogénicas en la alimentación. Este estudio permite una valiosa contribución al conocimiento de la biología de esta especie, útil a la hora de fijar pautas de manejo para la misma, como así también para los ambientes que habita.; This study aimed to investigate the diet of the gecko Homonota fasciata (Duméril & Bibron, 1836) in a population from Monte of San Juan Province, Argentina, and to analyze possible temporal, sexual, and ontogenetic variations in feeding behavior. We determined the total volume, number, and occurrence frequency of each prey item and calculated the relative importance indexes. We also assessed trophic diversity and trophic equity. Homonota fasciata had a generalist and diverse diet based on arthropods, including insects and arachnids. Individuals adopted a passive 'sit and wait' foraging strategy. There were seasonal-, sex-, and age-related variations in the trophic spectra. The results of this study provide a valuable contribution to our understanding of the biology of this species, with implications for the establishment of management guidelines both for the species and its habitat.

The Dengue Virus NS5 Protein Intrudes in the Cellular Spliceosome and Modulates Splicing de Maio, Federico Andres; Risso, Guillermo; Iglesias, Nestor Gabriel; Shah, Priya; Pozzi, María Berta; Gebhard, Leopoldo German; Mammi, Pablo Andrés; Mancini, Estefania; Yanovsky, Marcelo Javier; Andino, Raul; Krogan, Nevan; Srebrow, Anabella; Gamarnik, Andrea Vanesa Dengue virus NS5 protein plays multiple functions in the cytoplasm of infected cells, enabling viral RNA replication and counteracting host antiviral responses. Here, we demonstrate a novel function of NS5 in the nucleus where it interferes with cellular splicing. Using global proteomic analysis of infected cells together with functional studies, we found that NS5 binds spliceosome complexes and modulates endogenous splicing as well as minigene-derived alternative splicing patterns. In particular, we show that NS5 alone, or in the context of viral infection, interacts with core components of the U5 snRNP particle, CD2BP2 and DDX23, alters the inclusion/exclusion ratio of alternative splicing events, and changes mRNA isoform abundance of known antiviral factors. Interestingly, a genome wide transcriptome analysis, using recently developed bioinformatics tools, revealed an increase of intron retention upon dengue virus infection, and viral replication was improved by silencing specific U5 components. Different mechanistic studies indicate that binding of NS5 to the spliceosome reduces the efficiency of pre-mRNA processing, independently of NS5 enzymatic activities. We propose that NS5 binding to U5 snRNP proteins hijacks the splicing machinery resulting in a less restrictive environment for viral replication.

Does type of substratum affects chironomid larvae assemblage composition? A study in a river catchment in Northern Patagonia, Argentina Mauad, Melina; Siri, Augusto; Donato, Mariano Humberto Chironomid larvae assemblages were investigated at seven sampling stations in relation to stream habitat type in the Challhuaco-Ñireco river system located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the North-Western part of Rio Negro Province, Argentina. A total of 2229 individuals were sampled and 43 Chironomidae taxa were recorded with Orthocladiinae (29) being the best represented subfamily, followed by Diamesinae (5), Tanypodinae (3), Podonominae (3) and Chironominae (3). Stictocladius spF, Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) sp6, Cricotopus sp2, Cricotopus sp3 and Parapsectrocladius sp2 were the most abundant taxa. Sites near the source of the river system were dominated by Podonomus sp, Limnophyes sp, Parapsectrocladius sp and Stictocladius spF; whereas sites close to the river mouth were dominated by Diamesinae sp5 and Cricotopus sp. Rank/abundance plots show that all the analyzed sites displayed dominance of some species. Stictocladius spF, Cricotopus sp2, Cricotopus sp3, Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) sp6, Parapsectrocladius sp and Limnophyes sp resulted as dominant species, or being part of a group of dominant species, at least in one sample. Eleven taxa were associated with habitats related with riffle areas and stable substrates with filamentous algae. Species environment relationships were examined using Ordination Analysis. Elevation was the most significant environmental variable that explained 22% of the total variability of the chironomid assemblages, showing stronger relationships among sites within an altitudinal gradient than among habitat type. Abundance of chironomids increased from headwaters to the outflow in Nahuel Huapi Lake responding to an altitude gradient as well as some environmental factors such as coarse matter and nutrient concentrations.

Regulation of eosinophilia and allergic airway inflammation by the glycan-binding protein galectin-1 Ge, Xiao Na; Ha, Sung Gil; Greenberg, Yana G.; Rao, Amrita; Bastan, Idil; Blidner, Ada Gabriela; Rao, Savita P.; Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián; Sriramarao, P. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a glycan-binding protein with broad antiinflammatory activities, functions as a proresolving mediator in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders. However, its role in allergic airway inflammation has not yet been elucidated. We evaluated the effects of Gal-1 on eosinophil function and its role in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Allergen exposure resulted in airway recruitment of Gal-1-expressing inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, as well as increased Gal-1 in extracellular spaces in the lungs. In vitro, extracellular Gal-1 exerted divergent effects on eosinophils that were N-glycan- And dose-dependent. At concentrations ≤0.25 μM, Gal-1 increased eosinophil adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, caused redistribution of integrin CD49d to the periphery and cell clustering, but inhibited ERK(1/2) activation and eotaxin-1-induced migration. Exposure to concentrations ≥1 μM resulted in ERK(1/2)- dependent apoptosis and disruption of the F- Actin cytoskeleton. At lower concentrations, Gal-1 did not alter expression of adhesion molecules (CD49d, CD18, CD11a, CD11b, L-selectin) or of the chemokine receptor CCR3, but decreased CD49d and CCR3 was observed in eosinophils treated with higher concentrations of this lectin. In vivo, allergen-challenged Gal-1-deficient mice exhibited increased recruitment of eosinophils and CD3+ T lymphocytes in the airways as well as elevated peripheral blood and bone marrow eosinophils relative to corresponding WT mice. Further, these mice had an increased propensity to develop airway hyperresponsiveness and displayed significantly elevated levels of TNF-α in lung tissue. This study suggests that Gal-1 can limit eosinophil recruitment to allergic airways and suppresses airway inflammation by inhibiting cell migration and promoting eosinophil apoptosis.

Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Polyacrylamide Nanoparticles as Photosensitizer Carriers Gualdesi, María Soledad; Alvarez Igarzabal, Cecilia Ines; Vara, Jimena; Ortiz, Cristina Susana At present, polyacrylamide nanoparticles are attractive to drug delivery. However, some physicochemical characteristics of these nanoparticles still need to be further improved in practice. Polyacrylamide nanoparticles with an average size of 80 nm and a zeta potential of 30 mV were synthesized and used as photosensitizer carriers. The new monobrominated derivatives and parent compounds were the photosensitizers for the photodynamic therapy loaded in the nanocarrier. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared nanoparticles, drug loading, the ability to generate singlet oxygen and chemical stability were investigated. The novel tested nanoparticles exhibited a loading percentage of between 80 and 99%, higher generation of singlet oxygen and good stability in comparison with the corresponding starting reagent. According to these results, the novel polyacrylamide nanoparticles are excellent candidates for drug vehiculization.

Influence of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) broodstock age on gamete quality, reproductive performance and plasma sex steroid levels during the spawning season Chalde, Tomás; Garriz, Angela; Sanches, Eduardo A.; Miranda, Leandro Andres This study evaluated the effect of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) broodstock age on gamete and spawning quality and its relationship with sex steroid plasma levels. Sperm was analysed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis CASA) developed for pejerrey. Semen samples were taken from all fish from mid age groups (5- and 7-year fish), but it was not possible to obtain stripped semen samples from all fish of younger (3-year) or older (10-year) groups. The highest relative sperm weight and sperm concentration were recorded in 5- and 7-year groups respectively, while viability was not different between age groups. It was not possible to identify an effect of age on sperm quality by CASA. Nonviable spawned eggs were obtained in the 3-year group and, the relative fecundity and the relative number of fertilized eggs decreased with age in other groups. Fertilization and hatching rates showed the highest values in the 10-year group. However, the estimated number of hatched larvae was similar in 5-, 7- and 10-year fish. A clear effect of age on 11 ketotestosterone (11-KT) and estradiol (E2) levels was identified, with the highest values in the 5- and 7-year groups. These results might be related to the onset of puberty in the 3- year group and ageing in the 10-year group. Considering that the estimated number of larvae obtained was similar among age groups, the results of this study suggest that broodstock maintenancecost could be reduced by using mid-age fish rather than older fish in pejerrey hatcheries.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de reconsideración para la convocatoria ANR Plan Argentina Innovadora 2020 Temas Estratégicos 2015 mediante Resolución de Directorio N° 366/16.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de reconsideración para la convocatoria ANR 2200 2015 C3 mediante Resolución de Directorio N°386/16.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de evaluación para la convocatoria ANR TEC 2016 C1 mediante la Resolución de Directorio N°385/16.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de evaluación para la ventanilla ASIS -TECi mediante Resolución de Directorio N°384/16.

Domain wall interactions due to vacuum Dirac field fluctuations in 2+1 dimensions Fosco, Cesar Daniel; Mazzitelli, Francisco Diego We evaluate quantum effects due to a two-component Dirac field in 2+1 spacetime dimensions, coupled to domain-wall-like defects with a smooth shape. We show that these effects induce nontrivial contributions to the (shape-dependent) energy of the domain walls. For a single defect, we study the divergences in the corresponding self-energy, and also consider the role of the massless zero mode - corresponding to the Callan-Harvey mechanism - by coupling the Dirac field to an external gauge field. For two defects, we show that the Dirac field induces a nontrivial, Casimir-like effect between them, and we provide an exact expression for that interaction in the case of two straight-line parallel defects. As is the case for the Casimir interaction energy, the result is finite and unambiguous.

El Presidente de la AGENCIA se reunió con la Rectora y la Secretaria General de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Universidad Nacional del Nordeste.

El Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCyT) anuncia los resultados del proceso de admisión de la convocatoria RC 2016 mediante Disposición Administrativa del FONCyT N° 26/16 con fecha 13/07/2016.

El Fondo Tecnológico Argentino (FONTAR) anuncia los resultados del proceso de calificación de la convocatoria Crédito Fiscal 2016 mediante la Resolución N° 387/16.