The tetrapod fauna of the upper Permian Naobaogou Formation of China: 5. Caodeyao liuyufengi gen. et sp. nov., a new peculiar therocephalian Liu, Jun; Abdala, Nestor Fernando The upper Permian Naobaogou Formation has been the goal of recent contributions that notably increased the knowledge of its terrestrial vertebrate fauna and unravelled a hidden late Permian therocephalian diversity in China. Two very different species of therocephalians have been documented in the Naobaogou Formation and they were recovered as basal akidnognathids in cladistic analyses. In this contribution we describe Caodeyao liuyufengi gen. et sp. nov., represented by a partial skull and mandible, and a humerus. The new taxon features a short, high snout and a wide temporal opening with the coronoid process of the mandible separated by a wide space medially to the zygomatic arch. The latter feature is only recognized in the Russian therocephalian Purlovia maxima and it is also characteristic of non-mammaliaform cynodonts. Phylogenetic analysis indicates a close relationship of the new Chinese taxon with Purlovia maxima, producing a monophyletic Laurasian group in therocephalian phylogeny. With the representation of three different species, the Naobaogou Formation is now the most prolific unit documenting therocephalian late Permian diversity in China.

Analysis of cutaneous allergic reactions in clinical trials of eslicarbazepine acetate Rogin, Joanne; Resnick, Trevor; Strom, Laura; Ben Menachem, Elinor; Kochen, Sara Silvia; Blum, David; Gama, Helena; Soares da Silva, Patrício; Li, Yan; Grinnell, Todd Objectives: To evaluate cutaneous allergic reactions in clinical trials of adjunctive eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) for focal seizures. Materials and methods: Data were analyzed from three phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of adjunctive ESL in adults (placebo, n = 426; ESL, n = 1021) and two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (and open-label extensions [OLEs]) of adjunctive ESL in children aged 4-17 years (placebo, n = 160; ESL, n = 202; OLE, n = 337). Results: Adult studies: Rash (ESL 1.9%, placebo 0.9%) and pruritus (ESL 1.2%, placebo 0.9%) were the most frequent rash-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Most rash-related TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity. Incidence of rash increased with increasing ESL dose, but was not higher for patients who initiated treatment with higher ESL doses. Pediatric studies: Allergic dermatitis (ESL 3.0%, placebo 0) and rash (controlled studies: ESL 1.0%, placebo 1.3%; OLE periods: ESL ≤1.2%) were the most frequent rash-related TEAEs. There was one case of DRESS in the ESL group. Most rash-related TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity and judged as not related to treatment with ESL. Conclusions: Serious skin rashes were rare during adult and pediatric clinical trials of ESL. Although the incidence of rash with ESL was low, it is important for patients/caregivers to be made aware of the potential signs and symptoms associated with serious skin rashes.

Everything you must know about Azospirillum and its impact on agriculture and beyond Cassan, Fabricio Dario; Coniglio, Nayla Anahí; Lopez, Gaston Alberto; Molina, Romina Micaela; Nievas, Sofia Mariela; Le Noir de Carlan, Coline; Donadío, Evelyn Florencia; Torres, Daniela Soledad; Rosas, Susana Beatriz; Olivera Pedrosa, Fabio; de Souza, Emanuel; Diaz Zorita, Martin; de-Bashan, Luz; Mora, Maria Veronica Azospirillum is one of the most studied plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB); it represents a common model for plant-bacterial interactions. While Azospirillum brasilense is the species that is most widely known, at least 22 species, including 17 firmly validated species, have been identified, isolated from agricultural soils as well as habitats as diverse as contaminated soils, fermented products, sulfide springs, and microbial fuel cells. Over the last 40 years, studies on Azospirillum-plant interactions have introduced a wide array of mechanisms to demonstrate the beneficial impacts of this bacterium on plant growth. Multiple phytohormones, plant regulators, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, a variety of small-sized molecules and enzymes, enhanced membrane activity, proliferation of the root system, enhanced water and mineral uptake, mitigation of environmental stressors, and competition against pathogens have been studied, leading to the concept of the Multiple Mechanisms Hypothesis. This hypothesis is based on the assumption that no single mechanism is involved in the promotion of plant growth; it posits that each case of inoculation entails a combination of a few or many mechanisms. Looking specifically at the vast amount of information about the stimulatory effect of phytohormones on root development and biological nitrogen fixation, the Efficient Nutrients Acquisition Hypothesis model is proposed. Due to the existence of extensive agriculture that covers an area of more than 60 million hectares of crops, such as soybeans, corn, and wheat, for which the bacterium has proven to have some agronomic efficiency, the commercial use of Azospirillum is widespread in South America, with over 100 products already in the market in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Studies on Azospirillum inoculation in several crops have shown positive and variable results, due in part to crop management practices and environmental conditions. The combined inoculation of legumes with rhizobia and Azospirillum (co-inoculation) has become an emerging agriculture practice in the last several years, mainly for soybeans, showing high reproducibility and efficiency under field conditions. This review also addresses the use of Azospirillum for purposes other than agriculture, such as the recovery of eroded soils or the bioremediation of contaminated soils. Furthermore, the synthetic mutualistic interaction of Azospirillum with green microalgae has been developed as a new and promising biotechnological application, extending its use beyond agriculture.

Precision Health for Chagas Disease: Integrating Parasite and Host Factors to Predict Outcome of Infection and Response to Therapy Martinez, Santiago Jose; Romano, Patricia Silvia; Engman, David M. Chagas disease, caused by the infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is clinically manifested in approximately one-third of infected people by inflammatory heart disease (cardiomyopathy) and, to a minor degree, gastrointestinal tract disorders (megaesophagus or megacolon). Chagas disease is a zoonosis transmitted among animals and people through the contact with triatomine bugs, which are found in much of the western hemisphere, including most countries of North, Central and South America, between parallels 45° north (Minneapolis, USA) and south (Chubut Province, Argentina). Despite much research on drug discovery for T. cruzi, there remain only two related agents in widespread use. Likewise, treatment is not always indicated due to the serious side effects of these drugs. On the other hand, the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Chagas disease are both highly complex, and much is known about both. However, it is still impossible to predict what will happen in an individual person infected with T. cruzi, because of the highly variability of parasite virulence and human susceptibility to infection, with no definitive molecular predictors of outcome from either side of the host-parasite equation. In this Minireview we briefly discuss the current state of T. cruzi infection and prognosis and look forward to the day when it will be possible to employ precision health to predict disease outcome and determine whether and when treatment of infection may be necessary.

Virus isolation and full-length genome sequencing of a representative canine distemper virus wild type strain of the South America 2 clade Romanutti, Carina; Keller, Leticia; La Torre, José; Panzera, Yanina; Fuques, Eddie; Pérez, Ruben; Gallo Calderon, Marina Beatriz Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a highly contagious pathogen of dogs that causes severe respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous signs. Although vaccines have been used to prevent infections, CDV has been reported worldwide, even in vaccinated animals. In the present study, a representative wild type CDV strain (Arg24) was isolated from a sick vaccinated dog and its genome was completely sequenced using Illumina technology. This strain produced a strong cytopathic effect in Vero SLAM (Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule) cells with a higher titer of 1.1 × 105 Median Tissue Culture Infectious Dose (TCID50/mL) at 32 h post infection, in cell-associated virus. The Arg24 strain genome, showed values of 97.1, 90.3, 96.7, 90.6, 89.8 and 97.3 % of amino acid identity with respect to the Onderstepoort vaccine strain (Nucleoprotein, Phosphoprotein, Matrix, Fusion, Hemagglutinin and Large polymerase, respectively). Focusing on the Hemagglutinin gene, which is the target for genetic characterization, Arg24 showed four additional potential glycosylation sites, with respect to the Onderstepoort. The availability of Arg24 strain, which can be easily grown in Vero SLAM cells, is an important tool to perform immunological and antigenic comparative studies, between wild type and vaccine CDV strains.

Influences of landscape characteristics and historical barriers on the population genetic structure in the endangered sand-dune subterranean rodent Ctenomys australis Austrich, Ailin; Mora, Matias Sebastian; Mapelli, Fernando Javier; Fameli, Alberto Francisco; Kittlein, Marcelo Javier Understanding the processes and patterns of local adaptation and migration involves an exhaustive knowledge of how landscape features and population distances shape the genetic variation at the geographical level. Ctenomys australis is an endangered subterranean rodent characterized by having a restricted geographic range immerse in a highly fragmented sand dune landscape in the Southeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. We use 13 microsatellite loci in a total of 194 individuals from 13 sampling sites to assess the dispersal patterns and population structure in the complete geographic range of this endemic species. Our analyses show that populations are highly structured with low rates of gene flow among them. Genetic differentiation among sampling sites was consistent with an isolation by distance pattern, however, an important fraction of the population differentiation was explained by natural barriers such as rivers and streams. Although the individuals were sampled at locations distanced from each other, we also use some landscape genetics approaches to evaluate the effects of landscape configuration on the genetic connectivity among populations. These analyses showed that the sand dune habitat availability (the most suitable habitat for the occupation of the species), was one of the main factors that explained the differentiation patterns of the different sampling sites located on both sides of the Quequén Salado River. Finally, habitat availability was directly associated with the width of the sand dune landscape in the Southeast of Buenos Aires province, finding the greatest genetic differentiation among the populations of the Northeast, where this landscape is narrower.

Electroactive Silk Fibroin Films for Electrochemically Enhanced Delivery of Drugs Mousavi, Seyed T.; Harper, Garry R.; Municoy, Sofia; Ashton, Mark D.; Townsend, David; Alsharif, Ghazi H. K.; Oikonomou, Vasileios K.; Firlak, Melike; Au Yong, Sophie; Murdock, Bethany E.; Akien, Geoffrey R.; Halcovitch, Nathan R.; Baldock, Sara J.; Fazilati, Mohamad; Kolosov, Oleg V.; Robinson, Benjamin J.; Desimone, Martín Federico; Hardy, John G. Biomaterials capable of controlling the delivery of drugs have the potential to treat a variety of conditions. Herein, the preparation of electrically conductive silk fibroin film-based drug delivery devices is described. Casting aqueous solutions of Bombyx mori silk fibroin, followed by drying and annealing to impart β-sheets to the silk fibroin, assure that the materials are stable for further processing in water; and the silk fibroin films are rendered conductive by generating an interpenetrating network of a copolymer of pyrrole and 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid in the silk fibroin matrix (characterized by a variety of techniques including circular dichroism, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy, resistance measurements, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Fibroblasts adhere on the surface of the biomaterials (viability assessed using an (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and visualized using a confocal microscope), and a fluorescently labeled drug (Texas-Red Gentamicin) can be loaded electrochemically and released (µg cm−2 quantities) in response to the application of an electrical stimulus.

Nanoestructuras de sílice, con diámetro y distribución de mesoporos variable, modificadas con ácido tungstofosfórico como catalizadores en la síntesis de quinoxalinas; Silica nanostructures, with variable diameter and mesopore size distribution, modified with tungstophosphoric acid as catalyst in the synthesis of quinoxalines; Nanoestruturas de sílica, com distribuição variável de diâmetro e tamanho de mesoporos, modificadas com ácido tungstofosfórico como catalisador na síntese de a síntese da quinoxalina Sosa, Alexis Alberto; Romanelli, Gustavo Pablo; Pizzio, Luis Rene Se sintetizaron catalizadores (SNX#WPA) basados en ácido tungstofosfórico, en soportes de nanoestructuras de sílice (SNX), con distribución de diámetros y tamaños de mesoporos variables. Las SNX se prepararon en medio de octano/agua, usando poliestireno y bromuro de cetiltrimetilamonio como plantillas. Los materiales se caracterizaron por DRX, TEM y adsorción/desorción de nitrógeno. La relación octano/agua influyó tanto en la morfología y el tamaño de las SNX como en la distribución del tamaño de poro. Las SNX obtenidas utilizando relaciones OCT/H2 O en el rango de 0,07-0,35, presentan mesoporos pequeños (5-6 nm) y grandes (28-34 nm), generados principalmente por poliestireno. Los mesoporos grandes y su contribución de volumen fueron claramente más altos que en las muestras SN1, SN2 y SN3. La estructura y la morfología de SNX#WPA fueron similares a las de las SNX usadas como soporte. Además, la caracterización de todos los materiales SNX#WPA por FT-IR y 31P NMR indicó la presencia de especies [PW12O40]3− y [H3- XPW12O40](3-X)− sin degradar. Según los resultados de la valoración potenciométrica, los sólidos presentaron sitios ácidos muy fuertes. Se evaluó la actividad de SNX#WPA como catalizadores en la síntesis de quinoxalinas, a partir de lo cual se obtuvieron altos rendimientos, sin formación de subproductos. De ello resultó que los materiales preparados son catalizadores altamente selectivos y reutilizables.; Tungstophosphoric acid supported on silica nanostructures (SNX#WPA) with variable diameter and mesopore size distribution were synthetized. Silica nanostructures (SNX) were prepared in octane/aqueous media using polystyrene and CTAB as organic templates. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and dinitrogen adsorption/ desorption isotherm analysis. The octane/ water ratio influenced the morphology and size of SNX prepared, as well as its pore size distribution. The SNX samples obtained using OCT/H2 O ratios in the range 0.07-0.35 (SN4, SN5, and SN6 samples). present small (5-6 nm) and large (28-34 nm) mesopores (mainly generated by polystyrene). Large mesopores and their volume contribution were clearly higher than in the SN1, SN2, and SN3 samples. The structure and morphology of SNX#WPA samples were similar to those of the SNX. Furthermore, the characterization of all the SNX#WPA materials by FT-IR and 31P NMR indicated the presence of undegraded [PW12O40]3− and [H3-XPW12O40](3-X)− species. According to the potentiometric titration results, the solids presented very strong acid sites. The performance of SNX#WPA materials as catalysts in the synthesis of quinoxalines was evaluated. The yields achieved were high, without formation of by-products resulting from competitive reactions or decomposition products, so the prepared materials are highly selective and reusable catalysts.; Catalisadores (SNX#WPA) baseados em ácido tungsofosfórico suportado em nanoestruturas de sílica (SNX) foram sintetizados com distribuição de tamanhos e diâmetros variados de mesoporos. Os SNX foram preparados em meio octano/aquoso usando poliestireno e brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio como modelos orgânicos. Os materiais foram caracterizados por DRX, TEM e adsorção/ dessorção de nitrogênio. A razão octano/ agua influenciou a morfologia e o tamanho do SNX, bem como a distribuição do tamanho dos poros. O SNX obtido usando razões OCT/ H2 O na faixa de 0,07-0,35, possui mesoporos pequenos (5-6 nm) e grandes (28-34 nm) (gerados principalmente por poliestireno). Mesoporos grandes e sua contribuição em volume foram claramente maiores do que nas amostras SN1, SN2 e SN3. A estrutura e a morfologia do SNX#WPA foram semelhantes às do SNX usado como suporte. Além disso, a caracterização de todos os materiais SNX#WPA por FT-IR e 31P NMR indicou a presença das espécies [PW12O40]3− e [H3- XPW12O40](3-X)− sem degradar. De acordo com os resultados da titulação potenciométrica, os sólidos apresentaram locais ácidos muito fortes. A atividade do SNX#WPA como catalisadores na síntese de quinoxalinas foi avaliada, produzindo altos rendimentos, sem formação de subprodutos, resultando em materiais catalisadores altamente seletivos e reutilizáveis

Bacterial Infection Disrupts Clock Gene Expression to Attenuate Immune Responses de Leone, María José; Hernando, Carlos Esteban; Romanowski, Andrés; Careno, Daniel Alejandro; Faigon Soverna, Ana; Sun, Hequan; Martínez Bologna, Gabriel Nicolás; Vázquez, Martín; Schneeberger, Korbinian; Yanovsky, Marcelo Javier Little is known regarding the mechanisms involved in the clock-immunity crosstalk. de Leone et al. report that the defense mutant eds4 carries a mutation in NUCLEOPORIN205 which affects its circadian function, and that leads to an attenuation of the transcriptional reprogramming in core clock genes that take place soon after a bacterial infection.

Comunicación, patrimonio e identidad: El discurso de la prensa en torno a la Fiesta Nacional del Cemento en la ciudad de Olavarría, Buenos Aires (Argentina); Communication, heritage, and identity: The media’s discourse about the national party of cement in Olavarria, Argentina Giacomasso, Maria Vanesa; Lemiez, Griselda; Conforti, María Eugenia El objetivo central del presente trabajo consiste en relevar los sentidos de identidad construidos en torno del territorio que comprende el partido de Olavarría (provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina), a partir de un análisis histórico que recupera el discurso de los medios de comunicación como agentes fundamentales en la socialización y consolidación de imaginarios sociales en la población. Para ello, se analiza la cobertura gráfica del Suplemento Especial del diario Tribuna que se publicó con motivo de la realización de la II Fiesta Nacional del Cemento en Olavarría (1974). Se recurrió a una metodología de análisis del discurso con el objetivo de identificar, en el relato periodístico, la manera en que se representan y se construyen significados en relación con la identidad y el patrimonio cultural local. Los principales resultados del análisis realizado demuestran el poder simbólico del relato mediático para construir, reforzar y reproducir una marca de identidad minera vinculada con la industria del cemento en el partido de Olavarría, transformándose en una parte constituyente del patrimonio histórico y cultural de la ciudad que se ha proyectado en el tiempo y que perdura hasta la actualidad. Se espera con este trabajo contribuir a las discusiones acerca del rol protagónico que ha cumplido la prensa gráfica en diferentes momentos históricos y su influencia en la identidad local.; The main objective of this work is to unveil the senses of identity built around the territory that comprises the Olavarria party (Buenos Aires province, Argentina), based on a historical analysis which recovers the discourse of the media as a fundamental agent in the socialization and consolidation of social imaginaries of the population. To accomplish this task, the graphic coverage of the Special Supplement of the newspaper Tribuna, which was published for the II National Cement Festival in Olavarria (1974), is analyzed. A methodology of discourse analysis was used to identify, in the journalistic narrative, the way in which meanings are represented and constructed in relation to identity and local cultural heritage. The main results of the analysis highlight the symbolic power of storytelling in the media to build, reinforce and reproduce a mining identity brand linked to the cement industry in the Olavarria party, which has become a constituent aspect of the historical and cultural heritage of the city, and has been projected over time and remains alive today. This work is expected to contribute to the discussions about the leading role the graphic press has played in different historical moments and its influence on the local identity.

Results of Surgical and Medical Rehabilitation for Adult Patients With Type III Intestinal Failure in a Comprehensive Unit Today: Building a New Model to Predict Parenteral Nutrition Independency Gondolesi, Gabriel Eduardo; Doeyo, Mariana; Constanza, Echevarria; Lobos, Fernando; Rubiolo, Agustín Santiago; Rumbo, Carolina; Ramisch, Diego; Crivelli, Adriana; Barros Schelotto, Pablo; Solar, Héctor Background: Short-bowel syndrome remains the primary cause of intestinal failure (IF) in adult patients. We aim to report the long-term results of medical and surgical rehabilitation in a cohort of patients with type III IF (III-IF) and develop a formula to predict parenteral nutrition (PN) independency. Methods: We used a retrospective analysis of a prospective database for III-IF patients undergoing autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction surgery (AGIRS) from March 2006 to August 2018. Analyzed variables included demographic data, postsurgical intestinal length (PSIL), postsurgical anatomy, teduglutide (TED) treatment, and PN volume reduction. Univariate analysis, Cox regression, logistic regression forward stepwise models, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were done using SPSS v20. Results: AGIRS was performed in 88 patients. The most frequent anatomy at first visit was type 1. Prevailing anatomy after surgery was type 3. Eight patients started TED; 6 achieved freedom from PN. At a mean follow-up time of 1606.1 ± 1190.25 days, freedom from PN survival was achieved in 83%. Variables identified at the logistic regression analysis led to a novel formula to predict intestinal rehabilitation, including PSIL, presence of ileocecal valve, and use of TED as part of postsurgical treatment. Conclusions: AGIRS in this group of patients enabled intestinal length increase and also intestinal anatomy conversion into a more favorable type for intestinal rehabilitation. TED treatment was useful to discontinue PN in patients with classical negative anatomical predictors. The novel predicting formula has an ROC area under the curve = 0.82. Further studies are necessary to validate this formula.

Platelet-derived growth factor B restores vascular barrier integrity and diminishes permeability in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome Pascuali, Natalia Marisa; Scotti, Leopoldina; Oubiña, Gonzalo; de Zúñiga, Ignacio Javier; Peña, Mariana Gomez; Pomilio, Carlos Javier; Saravia, Flavia Eugenia; Tesone, Marta; Abramovich, Dalhia Nurit; Parborell, Maria Fernanda Agustina Although advances in the prediction and management of OHSS have been introduced, complete prevention has not been possible yet. Previously, we and other authors have shown that VEGF, ANGPTs and S1P are involved in OHSS etiology. In addition, we have demonstrated that ovarian protein levels of PDGF ligands -B and -D decrease in an OHSS rat model, whilst PDGFR-β and ANGPT2 remain unchanged. In the present work, we delved into the role of PDGF-B in OHSS by evaluating ligand levels in follicular fluid (FF) from women at risk of developing OHSS and by using an animal model that develops OHSS in immature rats. We demonstrated that PDGF-B and PDGF-D are lower in FF from women at risk of developing OHSS compared to control patients. In the OHSS rat model, PDGF-B (0.5 µg/ovary) administration decreased ovarian weight, reduced serum progesterone and lowered the percentage of cysts vs untreated OHSS rats, but had no effect on the proportion of follicles or corpora lutea. PDGF-B treatment also restored the expression of StAR and P450scc to control levels. In addition, PDGF-B increased the peri-endothelial cell area in CL and cystic structures and reduced vascular permeability compared to untreated OHSS ovaries. Lastly, PDGF-B restored the levels of junction proteins claudin-5, occludin and β-catenin to control values, while increasing the extracellular deposition of collagen IV surrounding ovarian vasculature. In conclusion, our findings indicate that PDGF-B could be another crucial mediator in the onset and development of OHSS, leading to novel prediction markers and therapeutic strategies.

Noscapine‐loaded nanostructured lipid carriers as a potential topical delivery to bovine mastitis treatment Otarola, Jessica Johana; Luna, Maria Alejandra; Correa, Nestor Mariano; Molina, Patricia Gabriela Noscapine (NO) is a lipophilic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with antioxidant, antitussive and anti-cancer properties. This study aimed to incorporate this alkaloid into an innovative topical gel-based on nanostructured lipid carrier (NLCs) to facilitate its incorporation and distribution into the organism to bovine mastitis treatment. Drug release studies were carried out using square wave voltammetry (SWV) as an alternative technique. The NLCs showed a 100 % encapsulation efficiency and, a fast release profile, releasing 86.7 % of the incorporated NO in 5 hours. On the other hand, the lipid nanoparticles′ stability was analyzed using SWV and transmission electron microscope techniques. For these studies, NLCs with and without NO incorporated were immobilized onto a carbon paste electrode and exposed to free radicals attack. The stability studies were assisted with dynamic light scattering. The results reveal a promising alternative drug delivery system for NO topical application.

Chagas disease: Historic perspective Chao, Chen; Leone, José L.; Vigliano, Carlos This review is a perspective on the history of Chagas disease, and it adopts a novel approach from literary studies, historical documents and the science and epidemiology of the nature of the disease. From this analysis, comes the review's working definition of the Contact Zone (CZ): “the space in which geographically and historically separated people come into contact with each other and establish long-lasting relationships, which usually involve coercive conditions, radical inequality and intolerable conflict.” In the Patient-Physician CZ, we verified the triple transition phenomena: the American trypanosomiasis shifted from a rural, acute, and vectorial transmitted disease to an urban, chronic and non-vectorial disease. In the Academic CZ, we describe the original disagreements which denied the existence of the disease and the current controversies about pathogenic mechanisms and etiological treatment. From the News from Latin America, and in the Original CZ, we will review the evolution of different forms of transmission. As in any good story, research across broad disciplines is necessary to reveal historical perspectives, scientific approaches, and the epidemiology of the disease, which has a prequel of 9000 years and an open ending: thus, we explore across the Global CZ, with its multiple and unexpected actors.

¿Conectadxs?: Arquitectura, aprendizaje y aislamiento corporal Cortez Oviedo, Pablo Sebastián En presente artículo expresa una opinión crítica acerca de las relaciones entre educación, confinamiento social y el rol de la enseñanza en la arquitectura. Busca como objetivo plantear un debate acerca del Aislamiento Social Preventivo y Obligatorio (ASPO) y su vinculación con el debate en el campo de la educación superior, particularmente en el sentido de la enseñanza en un momento crítico de Argentina y el mundo. A partir de un enfoque histórico-crítico, se plantea un debate entre contextos asociados, entre las pandemias COVID-19 y Gripe Española. De qué manera la educación y las tipologías arquitectónicas se vieron afectadas y reconvertidas ante situaciones de crisis o catástrofe, y qué rol jugaron y juegan las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC). Se abre además un debate en torno a las desigualdades sociales que genera el acceso y la expulsión digital, como impactan en el incipiente proceso de la educación digital y cuales son sus debates desde la arquitectura y la universidad pública.

Somos más frágiles de lo que pensábamos: La pandemia y su devenir Pellegrini, Pablo Ariel El Covid-19 pone en jaque los sistemas de salud y las economías del mundo, pero también el modo en que le damos sentido al presente y al futuro: ante la pandemia, las formas en que pensamos se revelaron frágiles. Si vivimos en un mundo dinámico y complejo, debemos evitar los pensamientos lineales, las teorías conspirativas o los binarismos triunfalistas o distópicos. E indagar en las contradicciones de este momento para explorar horizontes posibles. Porque el desafío no es entender el orden de las cosas sino su devenir, dice Pablo Pellegrini.

Near-real-time VTEC maps: New contribution for Latin America Space Weather Mendoza, Luciano Pedro Oscar; Meza, Amalia Margarita; Aragón Paz, Juan Manuel The development of regional services able to provide ionospheric vertical total electron content (VTEC) maps and ionospheric indexes with a high spatial resolution, and in near-real-time, are of great importance for both civilian applications and the research community. We provide here the methodologies, and an assessment, of such a system. It relies on the public Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) infrastructure in South America, incorporates data from multiple constellations (currently GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou), employs multiple frequencies, and produces continental wide VTEC maps with a latency of just a few minutes. To assess the ability of our system to model the ionospheric behavior we performed a year-round intercomparison between our near-real-time regional VTEC maps, and VTEC maps of verified quality produced by several referent analysis centers, resulting in mean biases lower than 1 TEC units (TECU). Also, the evaluation of our products against direct and independent GNSS-based slant TEC measurements shows RMS values better than 1 TECU. In turn, ionospheric weather W-index maps were generated, for calm and disturbed geomagnetic scenarios, solely employing our quality verified VTEC maps. The spatial representation of these W-index maps reflects the state of the ionosphere, with a resolution of 0.5×0.5 degrees. Finally, we conclude that our products, computed every 15 min, do provide an excellent spatial representation of the regional TEC, and are able to provide the bases for the possible computation of ionospheric W-index maps, also in near-real-time.

A cell-free approach with a supporting biomaterial in the form of dispersed microspheres induces hyaline cartilage formation in a rabbit knee model Zurriaga Carda, Javier; Lastra, María Laura; Antolinos Turpin, Carmen M.; Morales Román, Rosa M.; Sancho Tello, María; Perea Ruiz, Sofía; Milián, Lara; Fernández, Juan Manuel; Cortizo, Ana María; Carda, Carmen; Gallego Ferrer, Gloria; Gómez Ribelles, José L. The objective of this study was to test a regenerative medicine strategy for the regeneration of articular cartilage. This approach combines microfracture of the subchondral bone with the implant at the site of the cartilage defect of a supporting biomaterial in the form of microspheres aimed at creating an adequate biomechanical environment for the differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells that migrate from the bone marrow. The possible inflammatory response to these biomaterials was previously studied by means of the culture of RAW264.7 macrophages. The microspheres were implanted in a 3 mm-diameter defect in the trochlea of the femoral condyle of New Zealand rabbits, covering them with a poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) membrane manufactured by electrospinning. Experimental groups included a group where exclusively PLLA microspheres were implanted, another group where a mixture of 50/50 microspheres of PLLA (hydrophobic and rigid) and others of chitosan (a hydrogel) were used, and a third group used as a control where no material was used and only the membrane was covering the defect. The histological characteristics of the regenerated tissue have been evaluated 3 months after the operation. We found that during the regeneration process the microspheres, and the membrane covering them, are displaced by the neoformed tissue in the regeneration space toward the subchondral bone region, leaving room for the formation of a tissue with the characteristics of hyaline cartilage.

Inferring the occurrence of regime shifts in a shallow lake during the last 250 years based on multiple indicators Gonzalez Sagrario, Maria de Los Angeles; Musazzi, Simona; Cordoba, Francisco Elizalde; Mendiolar, Manuela; Lami, Andrea Regime shifts are ecosystem-scale phenomena. In lake studies, most supporting evidence is frequently based on a single state variable. We examined the sediment record of the shallow lake Blanca Chica (Argentina) to explore the response of multiple proxies belonging to different trophic levels (nutrients, chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, diatoms, Cladocera remains, and Rotifera resting eggs) over the last 250 yr. We explored different ecological indicators to assess changes consistent with regime shifts. To do so, first we identified the timing of transitional periods on multiple-proxies. Then, we explored (1) the nature of the change (linear versus non-linear dynamics), (2) different indicators of a shift across the food web: multimodality and resilience indicators (standard deviation and autocorrelation), and (3) examined the synchronicity of the detected indicators at multiple-trophic levels. Generalized additive models fitted to the ordination scores of the assemblages analyzed revealed two transitions: ca. 1860–1900, and 1915–1990. Ecological indicators of regime shifts revealed that the first transition is consistent with a threshold state response (change in the ecosystem state manifest as a jump when the driver exceeds a state threshold), and the second one with a critical transition (hysteretic transition in which the system change to an alternate stable state). After the first transition lake structure shifted from littoral to pelagic species dominance (evidenced by Cladocera and diatom assemblages), and turbidity increased, indicating a rise in lake water level. This transition was non-linear, showed multimodality, and is most likely driven by an increase in precipitation registered in the region since 1870. During the second transition, nutrient levels rose, all indicators showed multimodality, non-linear dynamics and an increase in standard deviation prior to the regime shift. These dynamics are consistent with a critical transition in response to eutrophication, and coincides with a post-1920 change in land use. Our results show that several ecological indicators of regime shifts need to be examined to perform an accurate diagnosis. We highlight the relevance of a multi-proxy approach including multiple-trophic level responses as the appropriate scale of analysis to determine the occurrence, type and dynamics of regime shifts. We also show that resilience indicators and critical transitions can be detectable in the whole food web and that shallow lakes can undergo different types of regime shifts.

Flash and grab: Deep-diving southern elephant seals trigger anti-predator flashes in bioluminescent prey Goulet, Pauline; Guinet, Christophe; Campagna, Claudio; Campagna, Julieta; Tyack, Peter Lloyd; Johnson, Mark Bioluminescence, which occurs in approximately 80% of the world's mesopelagic fauna, can take the form of a low-intensity continuous glow (e.g. for counter-illumination or signalling) or fast repetitions of brighter anti-predatory flashes. The southern elephant seal (SES) is a major consumer of mesopelagic organisms, in particular the abundant myctophid fish, yet the fine-scale relationship between this predator's foraging behaviour and bioluminescent prey remains poorly understood. We hypothesised that brief, intense light emissions should be closely connected with prey strikes when the seal is targeting bioluminescent prey that reacts by emitting anti-predator flashes. To test this, we developed a biologging device containing a fast-sampling light sensor together with location and movement sensors to measure simultaneously anti-predator bioluminescent emissions and the predator's attack motions with a 20 ms resolution. Tags were deployed on female SES breeding at Kerguelen Islands and Peninsula Valdés, Argentina. In situ light levels in combination with duration of prey capture attempts indicated that seals were targeting a variety of prey types. For some individuals, bioluminescent flashes occurred in a large proportion of prey strikes, with the timing of flashes closely connected with the predator's attack motion, suggestive of antipredator emissions. Marked differences across individuals and location indicate that SES do exploit bioluminescent organisms but the proportion of these in the diet varies widely with location. The combination of wideband light and acceleration data provides new insight into where and when different prey types are encountered and how effectively they might be captured.