Isolation and characterization of new microsatellite markers for application in population genetic studies of Caiman latirostris and related species Amavet, Patricia Susana; Rueda, Eva Carolina; Siroski, Pablo Ariel; Larriera, Alejandro; Saidman, Beatriz Ofelia Wild populations of Caiman latirostris are subject to sustainable use programs in Argentina, becoming a species with important impact in the regional economy, based in their skin and meat. Genetic studies are fundamental to acquire information on important parameters for conservation and management, which may be obtained from analysis of molecular markers. Some microsatellites have been previously isolated in this species, but due to some difficulties in using them, we obtained new ones using NGS approach. This study reports eight new microsatellites for C. latirostris and tests their utility in a related species, Caiman yacare, with successful application in population genetics and mating systems studies. In addition, we shared data about a novel and fast bioinformatics tool to find microsatellites and to design their corresponding primers.

Reading shell shape: implications for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. A case study for bivalves from the marine Quaternary of Argentina (south-western Atlantic) Aguirre, Marina Laura; Richiano, Sebastian Miguel; Alvarez, Alicia; Farinati, Ester Amanda Most research on bivalves from the south-western Atlantic used morphological (shell) characters for taxonomic discriminations. Dominant Veneroids from Argentinian Quaternary coastal deposits exhibit wide morphological variation – often making objective discriminations difficult/impossible, which could be objectively described and compared through geometric morphometrics techniques. This work focuses on comparison of geometric morphometrics methods applied to fossil and modern shells, to assess inter- and intra-generic variations. Three approaches were considered: landmarks (L), semi-landmarks (SL) and outlines. Shell shape analyses for different time spans (Pleistocene, fossil Holocene and modern) and areas (Patagonia and Bonaerensian) showed that Elliptic Fourier analysis (EFA), Landmarks and Landmarks plus Semilandmarks (L þ SL) can discriminate at generic levels: Mactra, Mulinia (Mactridae) vs. Pitar, Protothaca, Eurhomalea, Clausinella (Veneridae). L and L þ SL are powerful for inter/intraspecific distinctions of Mactra. Variability of Mactra isabelleana includes the remaining nominal ‘species’ (transitional morphs). Causal environmental factors of (phenotype) variation could be addressed for modern environments (substrate, salinity and energy). Subtrigonal-inflated shells predominate in muddy, quieter, shallow mixo-polyhaline waters; ovate-elongate-compressed in sandy, poly-euhaline, deeper habitats. Differential spatial distribution (and abundance) across time responds to Late Quaternary high sea-level stands: transgressive maxima allowed higher salinity in marginal-marine areas and optimal conditions for Mactra isabelleana contrasting with scarcer records in the Mar Argentino today.

Revision of the family Gymnophallidae Odhner, 1905 (Digenea) based on morphological and molecular data Cremonte, Florencia; Gilardoni, Carmen Mariangel; Pina, Susana; Rodrigues, Pedro; Ituarte, Cristian Federico This paper reviews the family Gymnophallidae, recognizing as valid seven genera; four within the subfamily Gymnophallinae: Gymnophallus Odhner, 1900 (syn. Meiogymnophallus Ching, 1965), Paragymnophallus Ching, 1973, Pseudogymnophallus Hoberg, 1981, and Bartolius Cremonte, 2001, and three in the Parvatrematinae: Parvatrema Cable, 1953, Lacunovermis Ching, 1965, and Gymnophalloides Fujita, 1925. Specimens representing one species of each available genus were chosen from those well-described and non controversial species, for which strong morphological information was available, and used for molecular studies (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S rDNA strands were sequenced). The presence or absence of a pars prostatica differentiates between the 2 subfamilies, Gymnophallinae and Parvatrematinae. The characters used to differentiate genera are: location of the ovary (pre-, post- or inter-testicular), size and location of the genital pore (inconspicuous and located at the anterior margin of the ventral sucker, or conspicuous and located at some distance from the anterior margin of ventral sucker), presence of caecal pockets, and presence or absence of ventral pit (a muscular structure which can be either well-developed, similar in size and musculature to the ventral sucker, or be poorly developed). The characters previously used to distinguish among genera that actually should be considered to separate species include: shape of tegument spines (broad, sharp or serrated), presence of lateral projections on the oral sucker (also called papillae or lips), shape of the seminal vesicle (unipartite or bipartite), shape of the prostatic duct (elongate or oval), presence of papillae on the genital pore, shape of the genital atrium (tubular, wide, oval), shape of the vitellaria (follicular in a variable degree, paired or single), shape of the excretory vesicle (V or Y), and extension of uterus (restricted to forebody, at hindbody or extending in both). Additionally, some of these characters may vary with the age of worm. The morphological and molecular information obtained in this study provided strong support for recognizing seven valid genera in the family Gymnophallidae.

Hidrología isotópica, herramienta nuclear para la gestión sostenible del recurso hídrico; Isotopic hydrology, nuclear tool for sustainable management of water resources Peralta Vital, José Luis; Gil Castillo, Reinaldo; Dapeña, Cristina; Valdés González, Lourdes; Olivera Acosta, Jorge; Morejón Miranda, Yilian Maria La gestión y protección del agua subterránea, establece una utilización planificada del acuífero, sin causar daños en calidad y cantidad; considerando los factores sociales y económicos del entorno. Se caracterizó mediante el uso de las técnicas nucleares (hidrología isotópica), el acuífero kárstico de la sub-cuenca Artemisa-Quivicán, el cual sustenta la producción alimenticia de la provincia Artemisa y la Habana. Para ello se desarrollaron 3 etapas investigativas: el diseño y definición de la red optimizada para el monitoreo isotópico y fisicoquímico en el agua subterránea y superficial; la caracterización isotópica (tritio, oxígeno disuelto, deuterio) y físicoquímica (macro-componentes químicos, parámetros físicos y de calidad) del agua de la subcuenca y de las precipitaciones registradas en la región y la identificación de las posibles fuentes de contaminación en la sub-cuenca.; Management and protection of the ground water requires a planned use of the aquifer, considering the social and economic factors of the environment without causing damages in quality and quantity. The karstic aquifer of the sub-basin Artemisa-Quivicán, which supports food production for Artemisa and Havana counties, has been characterised through the nuclear techniques application (isotopic hydrology). Three investigation stages were developed: the design and definition of the optimized network for the isotopic and physicochemical monitoring of ground and surface waters; the isotopic characterization (tritium, dissolved oxygen, deuterium) and physicochemical characterization (chemical macro-components, physical and quality parameters) of the sub-basin water and of registered precipitations in the region; and finally the identification of the possible contamination sources in the sub-basin.

The 2009 multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 421: Variability and correlation studies Aleksic, J.; Ansoldi, S.; Antonelli, L. A.; Antoranz, P.; Babic, A.; Bangale, P.; Barres de Almeida, U.; Barrio, J. A.; Becerra Gonzalez, J.; Bednarek, W.; Berger, K.; Bernardini, E.; Bijand, A.; Blanch, O.; Bock, R. K.; Bonnefoy, S.; Bonnoli, G.; Borracci, F.; Bretz, T.; Carmona, E.; Carosi, A.; Carreto Fidalgo, D.; Colin, P.; Colombo, E.; Contreras, J. L.; Cortina, J.; Covino, S.; Pichel, Ana Carolina; Rovero, Adrian Carlos; The Magic Collaboration; The Veritas Collaboration Aims: We perform an extensive characterization of the broadband emission of Mrk 421, as well as its temporal evolution, during the non-flaring (low) state. The high brightness and nearby location (z = 0.031) of Mrk 421 make it an excellent laboratory to study blazar emission. The goal is to learn about the physical processes responsible for the typical emission of Mrk 421, which might also be extended to other blazars that are located farther away and hence are more difficult to study. Methods: We performed a 4.5-month multi-instrument campaign on Mrk 421 between January 2009 and June 2009, which included VLBA, F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, Swift, RXTE, Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, and Whipple, among other instruments and collaborations. This extensive radio to very-high-energy (VHE; E> 100 GeV) γ-ray dataset provides excellent temporal and energy coverage, which allows detailed studies of the evolution of the broadband spectral energy distribution. Results: Mrk421 was found in its typical (non-flaring) activity state, with a VHE flux of about half that of the Crab Nebula, yet the light curves show significant variability at all wavelengths, the highest variability being in the X-rays. We determined the power spectral densities (PSD) at most wavelengths and found that all PSDs can be described by power-laws without a break, and with indices consistent with pink/red-noise behavior. We observed a harder-when-brighter behavior in the X-ray spectra and measured a positive correlation between VHE and X-ray fluxes with zero time lag. Such characteristics have been reported many times during flaring activity, but here they are reported for the first time in the non-flaring state. We also observed an overall anti-correlation between optical/UV and X-rays extending over the duration of the campaign. Conclusions: The harder-when-brighter behavior in the X-ray spectra and the measured positive X-ray/VHE correlation during the 2009 multi-wavelength campaign suggests that the physical processes dominating the emission during non-flaring states have similarities with those occurring during flaring activity. In particular, this observation supports leptonic scenarios as being responsible for the emission of Mrk 421 during non-flaring activity. Such a temporally extended X-ray/VHE correlation is not driven by any single flaring event, and hence is difficult to explain within the standard hadronic scenarios. The highest variability is observed in the X-ray band, which, within the one-zone synchrotron self-Compton scenario, indicates that the electron energy distribution is most variable at the highest energies.

Parallel factor analysis of 4.2K excitation-emission matrices for the direct determination of dibenzopyrene isomers in coal-tar samples with a cryogenic fiber optic probe coupled to a commercial spectrofluorimeter Moore, Anthony F. T.; Goicoechea, Hector Casimiro; Barbosa, Fernando Jr.; Campiglia, Andres D. Several studies have shown high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in living spaces and soil adjacent to parking lots sealed with coal-tar-based products. Recent attention has been paid to the presence of seven PAHs in coal-tar samples ? namely, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[k]-fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene ? and their association to significant increases in estimated excess lifetime cancer risk for nearby residents. Herein, we present an analytical approach to screen the presence of five highly toxic, high-molecular weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) in coal-tar samples. These include dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, dibenzo[a,e]pyrene, dibnezo[a,h]pyrene and naphtho[2,3-a]pyrene. Their direct analysis ? no without chromatographic separation ? - in a reference coal-tar sample is made possible with the combination of excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) and parallel-factor analysis (PARAFAC). EEMs are recorded at 4.2 K with the aid of a cryogenic fiber optic probe and a commercial spectrofluorimeter. The simplicity of the experimental procedure and the excellent analytical figures of merit demonstrate the screening potential of this environmentally friendly approach for the routine analysis of numerous coal-tar samples.

Role of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the transcriptional regulation of brain ABC transporters during acute acetaminophen (APAP) intoxication in mice Ghanem, Carolina Inés; Rudraiah, Swetha; Bataille, Amy M.; Vigo, María B.; Goedken, Michael J.; Manautou, José E. Changes in expression of liver ABC transporters have been described during acute APAP intoxication. However, the effect of APAP on brain ABC transporters is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of APAP on brain ABC transporters expression and the role of the oxidative stress sensor Nrf2. Male C57BL/6J mice were administered APAP (400 mg/kg) for analysis of brain mRNA and protein expression of Mrp1-6, Bcrp and P-gp. The results show induction of P-gp, Mrp2 and Mrp4 proteins, with no changes in Bcrp, Mrp1 or Mrp5-6. The protein values were accompanied by corresponding changes in mRNA levels. Additionally, brain Nrf2 nuclear translocation and expression of two Nrf2 target genes, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and Hemoxygenase 1 (Ho-1), was evaluated at 6, 12 and 24 h after APAP treatment. Nrf2 nuclear content increased by 58% at 12 h after APAP along with significant increments in mRNA and protein expression of Nqo1 and Ho-1. Furthermore, APAP treated Nrf2 knockout mice did not increase mRNA or protein expression of Mrp2 and Mrp4 as observed in wildtypes. In contrast, P-gp induction by APAP was observed in both genotypes. In conclusion, acute APAP intoxication induces protein expression of brain P-gp, Mrp2 and Mrp4. This study also suggests that brain changes in Mrp2 and Mrp4 expression may be due to in situ Nrf2 activation by APAP, while P-gp induction is independent of Nrf2 function. The functional consequences of these changes in brain ABC transporters by APAP deserve further attention.

Formas de adhesión al Islam en Argentina: conversión, tradición, elección, reasunción y tránsito intra-islámico; Forms of adhesion to Islam in Argentina: conversion, tradition, choice, return to religion and intra-Islamic transit Montenegro, Silvia Maria En Argentina, como en otros países de América Latina, el Islam llega como religión de inmigrantes, principalmente sirios y libaneses, entre finales del siglo XIX y las primeras décadas del Siglo XX. En la historia de su presencia local es posible reconocer tres etapas que implican distintos momentos de institucionalización, diversificación, visibilidad y negociación de reconocimiento en el espacio nacional. Actualmente la religión musulmana se configura como una opción en un campo religioso plural y cada vez más, aunque en grado diverso, las comunidades cuentan en su membresía tanto con musulmanes de origen como con convertidos. Este artículo enfoca la adhesión al Islam como un proceso dinámico, que incluye pertenencias por conversión, tradición, elección, retorno e itinerancias intra-islámicas entre nacidos musulmanes. Desde un abordaje etnográfico tendremos en cuenta trayectorias individuales de conversos y musulmanes de origen, estableciendo un diálogo crítico con la literatura específica sobre conversión al Islam. Este trabajo también problematiza la dicotomía convertidos/nacidos musulmanes, en pos de lograr una comprensión más amplia de las dinámicas de la adhesión al Islam.; As in other Latin American countries, Muslim presence in Argentina traces its origin to Arab migration waves in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century; most of these immigrants came from Lebanon and Syria. We can identify three historical periods; each of these stages involves different degrees of institutionalization, diversification, visibility and negotiation of recognition in the national arena. Currently, Islam is one of the religious options available in a plural religious field and, increasingly, the communities are composed of Muslim Arab descendants and converts. This paper analyze the adhesion to Islam as a dynamic process that includes conversion, tradition, return to religion and intra-Islamic transit among Muslim descendants. Using an ethnographic approach I will examine individual trajectories of converts and Muslim descendants, on the basis of these analyses I will try to establish a critical dialogue with the literature on conversion to Islam. This article also problematizes the converts/Muslim descendants’ dichotomy in order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic of adhesion to Islam.

Política y sociabilidad barrial: la memoria en torno a las “veladas socialistas” en el Barrio de La Estación de Tandil durante el período de entreguerras Barandiaran, Luciano Oscar; Silva, Ana Cecilia Este artículo se inscribe en el marco de un proceso de activación patrimonial impulsado por una asamblea vecinal del Barrio de La Estación de la localidad bonaerense de Tandil. A inicios de 2013, un grupo de vecinos y vecinas, ante la “pérdida” de la fisonomía identitaria barrial a manos de la “especulación inmobiliaria”, presentó al Concejo Deliberante un petitorio proponiendo la declaración de un Área de Protección Histórica sobre 40 manzanas lindantes a la Estación de Trenes; zona que “vincula gran parte de la historia de la ciudad como son el trabajo, la cultura, las luchas sindicales y la historia del gremio ferroviario”. Aquí se analiza la construcción de la memoria colectiva en vinculación con la identidad barrial, para lo cual estudiamos la significación presente de algunas prácticas sociales de antiguos vecinos y vecinas del barrio, en especial las “veladas” organizadas por el Partido Socialista, partido político con fuerte arraigo en el mencionado barrio en las décadas de 1920 a 1940. Para ello, partimos de la puesta en diálogo de las fuentes periodísticas de la época que se han conservado, con los testimonios de los actores sociales que participan en la re-creación y significación presente de aquellas prácticas.

Chlorogenic acid biosynthesis appears linked with suberin production in potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum) Valiñas, Matías Ariel; Lanteri, Maria Luciana; Ten Have, Arjen; Andreu, Adriana Balbina Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a good source of dietary antioxidants. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and caffeic acid (CA) are the most abundant phenolic acid antioxidants in potato and are formed by the phenylpropanoid pathway. A number of CGA biosynthetic routes that involve hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) and/or hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT) have been proposed, but little is known about their path in potato. CA production requires a caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE), and CA serves as a substrate of lignin precursor ferulic acid via the action of caffeic/5-hydroxyferulic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT I). CGA is precursor of caffeoyl-CoA and, via caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), of feruloyl-CoA. Feruloyl-CoA is required for lignin and suberin biosynthesis, crucial for tuber development. Here, metabolite and transcript levels of the mentioned and related enzymes, such as cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), were determined in the flesh and skin of fresh and stored tubers. Metabolite and transcript levels were higher in skin than in flesh, irrespective of storage. CGA and CA production appear to occur via p-coumaroyl-CoA, using HQT and CSE, respectively. HCT is likely involved in CGA remobilization toward suberin. The strong correlation between CGA and CA, the correspondence with C4H, HQT, CCoAOMT2, and CSE, and the negative correlation of HCT and COMT I in potato tubers suggest a major flux toward suberin.

Charge coupled devices for detection of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering Fernández Moroni, Guillermo; Estrada, Juan; Paolini, Eduardo Emilio; Cancelo, Gustavo Indalecio Eugenio; Tiffemberg, Javier; Molina, Jorge In this article the feasibility of using charge coupled devices (CCD) to detect low-energy neutrinos through their coherent scattering with nuclei is analyzed. The detection of neutrinos through this standard model process has been elusive because of the small energy deposited in such interaction. Typical particle detectors have thresholds of a few keV, and most of the energy deposition expected from coherent scattering is well below this level. The CCD detectors discussed in this paper can operate at a threshold of approximately 30 eV, making them ideal for observing this signal. On a CCD array of 500 g located next to a power nuclear reactor the number of coherent scattering events expected is about 3000 events/year. Our results shows that a detection with a confidence level of 99% can be reached within 16 days of continuous operation; with the current 52 g detector prototype this time lapse extends to five months.

Alpha-Synuclein Levels in Blood Plasma Decline with Healthy Aging Koehler, Niklas K. U.; Stransky, Elle; Meyer, Mirjam; Gaertner, Susanne; Shing, Mona; Schnaidt, Martina; Celej, Maria Soledad; Jovin, Thomas M.; Leyhe, Thomas; Laske, Christoph ; Batra, Anil; Buchkremer, Gerhard; Fallgatter, Andreas J.; Wernet, Dorothee; Richartz Salzburger, Elke There is unequivocal evidence that alpha-synuclein plays a pivotal pathophysiological role in neurodegenerative diseases, and in particular in synucleinopathies. These disorders present with a variable extent of cognitive impairment and alpha-synuclein is being explored as a biomarker in CSF, blood serum and plasma. Considering key events of aging that include proteostasis, alpha-synuclein may not only be useful as a marker for differential diagnosis but also for aging per se. To explore this hypothesis, we developed a highly specific ELISA to measure alpha-synuclein. In healthy males plasma alpha-synuclein levels correlated strongly with age, revealing much lower concentrations in older (avg. 58.1 years) compared to younger (avg. 27.6 years) individuals. This difference between the age groups was enhanced after acidification of the plasmas (p<0.0001), possibly reflecting a decrease of alpha-synuclein-antibody complexes or chaperone activity in older individuals. Our results support the concept that alpha-synuclein homeostasis may be impaired early on, possibly due to disturbance of the proteostasis network, a key component of healthy aging. Thus, alpha-synuclein may be a novel biomarker of aging, a factor that should be considered when analyzing its presence in biological specimens.

Imagen, texto y artefacto. La fotografía etnográfica del Gran Chaco argentino en publicaciones impresas contemporáneas Reyero, Alejandra Paola Yanina El artículo analiza -en clave hermenéutica- el uso de la fotografía etnográfica de la región argentina del Gran Chaco en los libros Tierra Adentro (2006) y Pobladores del horizonte. Pueblos wichí y chorote hoy (2010). Nuestra hipótesis sostiene que la incorporación de la fotografía etnográfica en el contexto editorial de estas publicaciones abre un espacio de disenso (Rancière, 2011) respecto de los usos y sentidos tradicionales. Las imágenes dejan entrever una participación activa de los retratados en la instancia de captura, y de este modo se alejan de viejos estereotipos de representación. No obstante, las relaciones entre las imágenes y los textos que las acompañan en las publicaciones, reactualiza el exotismo de antaño.

Morgana acts as an oncosuppressor in chronic myeloid leukemia Di Savino, Augusta; Panuzzo, Cristina; Rocca, Stefania; Familiari, Ubaldo; Piazza, Rocco; Crivellaro, Sabrina; Carrà, Giovanna; Ferretti, Roberta; Fusella, Federica; Giugliano, Emilia; Camporeale, Annalisa; Franco, Irene; Miniscalco, Barbara; Cutrin, Juan Carlos; Turco, Emilia; Silengo, Lorenzo; Hirsch, Emilio; Rege Cambrin, Giovanna; Gambacorti Passerin, Carlo; Pandolfi, Pier Paolo; Papotti, Mauro; Saglio, Giuseppe; Tarone, Guido; Morotti, Alessandro; Brancaccio, Mara We recently described morgana as an essential protein able to regulate centrosome du- plication and genomic stability, by inhibiting ROCK. Here we show that morgana 1/2 mice spontaneously develop a lethal myeloproliferative disease resembling human atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML), preceded by ROCK hyperactivation, centrosome am- plification, and cytogenetic abnormalities in the bone marrow (BM). Moreover, we found that morgana is underexpressed in the BM of patients affected by atypical CML, a disorder of poorly understood molecular basis, characterized by nonrecurrent cytogenetic abnormalities. Morgana is also underexpressed in the BM of a portion of patients affected by Philadelphia-positive CML (Ph1 CML) caused by the BCR-ABL oncogene, and in this condition, morgana underexpression predicts a worse response to imatinib, the standard treatment for Ph1 CML. Thus, morgana acts as an oncosuppressor with different modalities: (1) Morgana underexpression induces centrosome amplifi- cation and cytogenetic abnormalities, and (2) in Ph1 CML, it synergizes with BCR-ABL signaling, reducing the efficacy of imatinib treatment. Importantly, ROCK inhibitionin the BM of patients underexpressing morgana restored the efficacy of imatinib to induce apoptosis, suggesting that ROCK inhibitors, combined with imatinib treatment, can overcome suboptimal responses in patients in which morgana is underex- pressed.

A set of ontology design patterns for reengineering SBVR statements into OWL/SWRL ontologies Reynares, Emiliano; Galli, Maria Rosa; Caliusco, Maria Laura The interest in the use of ontologies for creating more intelligent and effective enterprise information systems has increased considerably in recent years. The most critical aspects during the development of these systems are: (1) to identify the ontology concepts and (2) to make explicit the business rules by means of the ontology axioms. In order to address these issues, mappings of business rules expressions to ontology statements based on different languages were proposed. Despite the efforts made in this area, some work remain to be done. This work presents a set of ontology design patterns providing a way to obtain an OWL/SWRL ontology by applying metamodel transformation rules over the SBVR specification of a business domain. Patterns are rooted in the structural specification of the standards, providing a set of mappings readily usable for business people or developers concerned with the implementation of a mapping tool. Moreover, translations from SBVR to SWRL language are presented in order to fill the gap in the expressive power of SBVR and OWL. The theoretical expressions of patterns are illustrated by means of an example depicting the core structure of a fictitious company.

Reproductive biology and energy allocation of the sea star Cosmasterias lurida (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Cossi, Paula Fanny; Boy, Claudia Clementina; Giménez, Juliana; Perez, Analia Fernanda Seasonal fluctuations in environmental factors at high-latitude marine regions have a strong influence on the reproductive cycles of echinoderms. The purposes of this study on a population of Cosmasterias lurida in the Beagle Channel are to describe the reproductive cycle through histological analyses, to characterize the pattern of gonad and somatic indices, to determine the energy content of different organs and their temporal variation and to establish the pattern of energy allocation. During the study period, from August 2010 to June 2011, four seasonal samplings were performed in the subtidal zone of Ushuaia Bay. Indices (gonad, pyloric caeca and stomach), gonadal histology, organic matter and calorimetric measurements were determined. Gametogenesis begins in February and continues until June when oocyte size increases. The gonadal maximum development and gamete releasing take place between August and December. Temporal variation of energetic reserves in gonads occurs through the variation in gonad mass, with a GI major peak and energy content during August. Stomach and pyloric caeca show their maximum energy accumulation during June, while decrease of organic matter of the body wall takes place from August to December. The population of C. lurida from Beagle Channel suggests an annual reproductive cycle with two maturation events and the influence of water temperature on maturation and releasing of gametes. Different patterns of energy allocation to gonads between sexes were observed, with a greater energy investment in females than in males. Pyloric caeca, stomach and body wall were proposed as energy reservoirs for gonadal maturation and spawning.

La inducción de E2F1 y E2F2 en respuesta al daño al ADN preserva la estabilidad genómica en células neuronales; E2F1 and E2F2 induction in response to DNA damage preserves genomic stability in neuronal cells Castillo, Daniela Susana Agentes genotóxicos endógenos y exógenos amenazan continuamente la integridad de la estructura molecular del ADN. Dentro del sistema nervioso, respuestas apropiadas al daño al ADN son requeridas para mantener la homeostasis celular y prevenir enfermedades. Dado que las neuronas maduras son células post-mitóticas altamente diferenciadas que no pueden ser reemplazadas -en su gran mayoría- en caso de trauma o enfermedad, las mismas han seleccionado mecanismos para defender la integridad de su genoma, por ende asegurando su longevidad y funcionalidad de cara a dichas amenazas. Defectos en la respuesta al daño al ADN en células neuronales están comúnmente asociados a neurodegeneración. La identificación de factores neuroprotectores y de supervivencia neuronal es clave para la comprensión de la progresión de desórdenes neurodegenerativos y para el establecimiento de terapias para menguar las consecuencias neurológicas de tales enfermedades. La familia de factores de transcripción E2F fue originalmente involucrada en el desempeño de un rol crítico en el control del ciclo celular. Evidencias han dejado en claro que -dado a su plasticidad funcional- estos factores participan en la regulación de una plétora de procesos biológicos, que incluyen la respuesta celular al daño al ADN. El principal objetivo de este trabajo consistió en estudiar la participación de los miembros de la familia de factores de transcripción E2F en el mantenimiento de la integridad genómica en células neuronales, y evaluar su potencial papel como factores neuroprotectores.En esta tesis se demostró que E2F1 y E2F2, el último específicamente en células neuronales, son inducidos transcripcionalmente en respuesta al daño al ADN. Este mecanismo novedoso, el cual es común a la respuesta a diversos agentes genotóxicos y el cual se encuentra conservado en distintas especies, contribuye al incremento de los niveles proteicos de E2F1 y E2F2 como consecuencia de síntesis proteica de novo. Asimismo, se observó que E2F2 es estabilizado tempranamente por un mecanismo post-traduccional luego de injuria genotóxica al igual que fue reportado previamente para E2F1. Por lo tanto, existen dos mecanismos consecutivos en el tiempo que conducen al aumento de E2F1 y E2F2 luego de daño al ADN: la estabilización proteica por modificaciones post-traduccionales de la proteína E2F ya sintetizada, seguida de la inducción transcripcional del gen E2F y la consecuente síntesis proteica de novo. De esta manera, los factores E2F1 y E2F2 inducidos por daño al ADN contribuyen al mantenimiento de la integridad genómica y a la resistencia a la injuria genotóxica al promover la reparación del ADN, conllevando a una reducida respuesta apoptótica y a una incrementada supervivencia celular. Dichas respuestas las llevan a cabo al ejercer dos papeles diferentes. Primero, mediante un rol transcripcional que implica la expresión de genes que favorecen la supervivencia en respuesta al daño al ADN. Segundo, a través de un rol no-transcripcional, localizándose en sitios de lesión al ADN y promoviendo el reclutamiento de factores de reparación y proteínas remodeladoras de la cromatina.En resumen, las evidencias presentadas en este trabajo establecen a E2F1 y E2F2 como factores neuroprotectores implicados en el mantenimiento de la estabilidad genómica en células neuronales en respuesta a injuria genotóxica. Es importante enfatizar que se demostró por primera vez que E2F2 es inducido por estrés genotóxico y que cumple un rol crítico en la respuesta al daño al ADN.; Endogenous and exogenous genotoxic agents continuously threat the integrity of the molecular structure of DNA. Within the nervous system, appropriate responses to DNA damage are required to maintain cellular homeostasis and prevent disease. Since mature neurons are highly differentiated post-mitotic cells that cannot entirely be replaced after disease or trauma, they have evolved mechanisms to defend their genome integrity, hence ensuring their longevity and functionality in the face of these threats. Defects in the DNA damage response in neurons are commonly associated to neurodegeneration. The identification of neuroprotective and prosurvival factors is key to the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders progression and the establishment of therapies to ameliorate the neurological consequences of these diseases. The E2F family of transcription factors was originally described to play a pivotal role in cell cycle control. It has become clear that –due to their functional plasticity– they participate in the regulation of a plethora of biological processes, including the cellular response to DNA damage. The main aim of the present study consisted in studying the participation of the members of the E2F family of transcripction factors in the maintenance of genomic integrity in neuronal cells, and to evaluate their potential role as neuroprotective factors. In this thesis it was shown that E2F1 and E2F2, the latter specifically in neuronal cells, are transcriptionally induced in response to DNA damage. This novel mechanism, which is general to the response to different genotoxic agents and is conserved amongst diverse species, leads to increased E2F1 and E2F2 protein levels as a consequence of de novo protein synthesis. Besides, it was demonstrated that E2F2 is early stabilized by a posttranslational mechanism upon genotoxic injury as it was previously reported for E2F1. Therefore, there are two consecutive mechanisms that lead to the upregulation of E2F1 and E2F2 following DNA damage: the posttranslational modifications of the already synthesized E2F and consequent protein stabilization, followed by E2F transcriptional gene induction and de novo protein synthesis. The resulting E2F1 and E2F2 act to promote DNA repair, leading to a reduced apoptotic response and an increased cell survival capability, thereby conferring resistance to genotoxic insult and cooperating in the maintenance of the genome integrity. These responses are performed by E2F1 and E2F2 through two different roles. First, a transcriptional function involving the expression of prosurvival genes in response to DNA damage. Second, a nontranscriptional role in which these E2Fs localize to sites of DNA lesion upon genotoxic stress, and promote the recruitment of DNA repair factors and chromatin modifying enzymes. In summary, the evidence presented in this work establishes E2F1 and E2F2 as neuroprotective factors implicated in the maintenance of genomic stability in neuronal cells in response to genotoxic injury. It should be emphasized that it was shown for the first time that E2F2 is upregulated following genotoxic stress and plays a critical role in the DNA damage response.

Thermoplastic starch plasticized with alginate-glycerol mixtures:Melt-processing evaluation and film properties Lopez, Olivia Valeria; Ninago, Mario Daniel; Lencina, María Malvina Soledad; García, Maria Alejandra; Andreucetti, Noemi Amalia; Ciolino, Andrés Eduardo; Villar, Marcelo Armando Corn starch melt-processing in the presence of a commonly used plasticizer mixture (water/glycerol)and a non-conventional alternative (alginate/glycerol) was evaluated. All assayed formulations weresuccessfully processed by melt-mixing and injected in circular probes. It was determined that all samples presented a typical viscoelastic behavior, observing a decrease in storage and loss modulus withwater and alginate concentration, which facilitated samples processability. Concerning to thermal sta-bility, it was not affected neither for water nor alginate presence. From injected probes, flexible filmswere obtained by thermo-compression. Films with the highest assayed water content presented a stickyappearance, whereas those containing alginate were non-tacky. Plasticizing action of water and alginatewas evidenced by the occurrence of homogeneous fracture surfaces, without the presence of unmeltedstarch granules. Besides, the shift of glass transition temperature to lower values also corroborated theplasticizing effect of both additives. In conclusion, obtained results demonstrated the well-plasticizingaction of sodium alginate on starch matrix, turning this additive into a promissory alternative to replacewater during melt-processing of thermoplastic corn-starch.

Evaluación de respuesta sísmica de estructuras masivas fundadas superficialmente Trono, Adriano; Pinto, Federico; Prato, Carlos Alberto La Central Nuclear de embalse se encuentra actualmente en proceso de renovación de licencia operativa, por lo que se requiere la disposición de material irradiado en estructuras de almacenamiento denominadas Retube Canisters. Estas estructuras masivas se encuentran fundadas superficialmente, siendo el evento controlante el sismo de diseño establecido mediante un estudio probabilístico realizado para el sitio de emplazamiento. Las demandas sísmicas son caracterizadas mediante un espectro de riesgo uniforme a nivel de afloramiento rocoso. De esta manera, la verificación sísmica considera la amplificación del depósito de suelos y la interacción dinámica suelo estructura. Se realizan dos tipos de análisis de respuesta estructural: análisis de integración en el tiempo y método modal espectral. El análisis de integración en el tiempo considera acelerogramas reales escalados mediante componentes sintéticas para el ajuste espectral, mientras que la superposición espectral se realiza considerando modos complejos obtenidos mediante la formulación en espacio de estado desarrollada por Villaverde y Newmark y mediante modos reales considerando el concepto de amortiguamiento equivalente propuesto por Biggs y Roesset. El presente trabajo describe la aplicación de los distintos métodos de análisis y realiza una evaluación crítica de los resultados obtenidos en relación a las demandas de diseño.; The Embalse Nuclear Power Plant is currently undergoing a license extension process, for which irradiated materials to be discarded are to be disposed of at large storage structures, referred to as Retube Canisters. These massive structures bear on foundation slabs, the controlling design event being a design earthquake, defined by means of a site-specific Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment. The seismic demands are defined in terms of a Uniform Hazard Spectrum at an equivalent rock outcrop. Hence, the seismic verification considers the amplification of the soil deposit, as well as the dynamic soil-structure interaction. Two types of analyses are performed: time integration and spectral superposition. The time integration analysis considers seismic records scaled by means of synthetic components in order to match the design spectrum, whereas the modal superposition considers complex modes derived by means of the space-state formulation developed by Villaverde and Newmark and by means of undamped modes considering the concept of equivalent damping proposed by Biggs and Roesset. The paper describes the application of the different techniques and performs a comparison of the foundation demands obtained.

Evaluation of pH-sensitive poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) copolymers as drug delivery systems for potential applications in ophthalmic therapies Faccia, Paula Andrea; Pardini, Francisco Martín; Amalvy, Javier Smart polymers like pH sensitive systems can improve different pharmacological treatment. In this work the behavior of copolymers containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with different proportions of 2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DPA) and different amounts of cross-linker agent, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) are evaluated as pH-sensitive drug delivery systems for potential application in ophthalmic therapies. A detailed characterization of the pH-responsive behavior was performed by swelling studies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Drug loading and release studies at different pH values were evaluated using Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) as a model drug. The interaction between Rh6G and hydrogels was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the presence of DPA in the copolymers confers pH-responsive properties to the polymer, as noted in swelling and SEM studies, when the pH decreases below 7.40 the swelling degree increases and a porous morphology is observed. The apparent pKa of copolymers was estimated between 6.80 and 7.17 depending on the composition. The amount of Rh6G loaded depends mainly on the medium pH and the interaction between the drug and the copolymers, observed by SEM and FTIR spectrum. The release of Rh6G of copolymers p(HEMA/DPA) show a normal Fickian or anomalous diffusion behavior at different pH values, depending on the HEMA/DPA ratio.