Manuscritos desde el dolor: ser mujer y marginal en una comunidad judía
Cohen, Elisa Beatriz
En Argentina los grupos migratorios judíos llegados desde finales del siglo XIX intentaron fuertemente integrarse al medio, destacando especialmente sus aportes positivos. La trata de blancas organizada por la organización judía Tzwí Migdal salpicaba la credibilidad comunitaria, de allí la necesidad de su erradicación. Este artículo estudia el discurso de una de esas mujeres, preservado porque al haber sido asesinada, el hecho derivó en la organización de un expediente penal. Aparecen allí dos cartas encontradas en la misma escena del crimen en las que es posible observar que su condición de mujer inmoral no obstaculiza el despliegue de un interior profundamente humano. De esta manera, estudiamos el discurso y el lenguaje y aplicamos herramientas que nos permiten avizorar el mundo interior de la marginación, la soledad y el desamparo.
Hydraulic parameters and longitudinal distribution of macroinvertebrates in a subtropical andean basin; Parámetros hidráulicos y distribución longitudinal de macroinvertebrados en una
cuenca andina subtropical; Parâmetros hidráulicos e de macroinvertebrados distribuição longitudinal em uma bacia andina subtropical
Mesa, Leticia Mariana
Se estudió la influencia de variables hidráulicas, de sustrato y variables físico-químicas sobre la distribución espacial de ensambles de macroinvertebrados en once rápidos de una cuenca subtropical andina del noroeste de Argentina. Variables hidráulicas complejas (velocidad de fricción, rugosidad de la velocidad fricción, número de Reynolds, número limitante de Reynolds, fuerza de fricción), rugosidad de sustrato, y variables físico-químicas (temperatura del agua, conductividad y pH) fueron utilizadas en virtud de identificar aquellas significativamente relacionadas con la distribución de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados. La temperatura del agua, la conductividad y el pH presentaron valores más altos en los sitios de menor altitud, mientras que la rugosidad del sustrato, la velocidad y fuerza de fricción fueron mayores en los sitios de más altos. La abundancia total de macroinvertebrados fue mayor en los sitios de menor altitud, mientras que la diversidad de invertebrados disminuyó desde sitios superiores hacia los inferiores. Los cambios longitudinales en la hidráulica, rugosidad del sustrato y conductividad representan los factores de mayor incidencia en la distribución de los invertebrados bentónicos de la cuenca del Río Lules.; A influência de variáveis hidráulicas, substrato e variáveis físico-químicas sobre a distribuição espacial das assembléias de macroinvertebrados foi investigada em onze rápido do um bacia hidrográfica subtropical Andina do noroeste da Argentina. Variáveis hidráulicas complexas (velocidade de fricção, rugosidade da velocidade de fricção, número de Reynolds, número de Reynolds limitando e força de fricção), rugosidade do substrato, rugosidade relativa e variáveis físico-químicas (temperatura, condutividade e pH) foram utilizados com o objetivo de identificar aqueles significativamente relacionadas com a distribuição da comunidade de macroinvertebrados. A temperatura da água, condutividade e pH apresentaram os maiores valores em sitios de baixa altitude, enquanto a rugosidade do substrato, a velocidade de fricção e força fricção foram maiores nos locais de maior altitude. A abundância total de macroinvertebrados foi maior em locais mais baixa altitude, enquanto a diversidade de invertebrados diminuiu de superior para os locais mais baixos. Alterações longitudinais na hidráulica, rugosidade do substrato e condutividade são importantes fatores ao longo do qual a comunidade bentônica Río Lules bacia é distribuído.; The influence of hydraulic, substratum and physicochemical variables on the spatial distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages was analyzed in eleven riffles in a subtropical Andean basin of Northwestern Argentina. Complex hydraulic variables (shear velocity, roughness shear velocity, inferred boundary Reynolds number, Reynolds number, Froude number, shear stress), substrate roughness, relative roughness, and physicochemical variables (water temperature, conductivity and pH) were used in order to identify those significantly related with the distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages. Water temperature, conductivity and pH were significantly higher in lower altitude sites, whereas substrate roughness, shear velocity and shear stress increased in upper sites. Total macroinvertebrate abundance was higher in lower reaches, whereas invertebrate diversity decreased from upper to lower sites. Longitudinal changes in hydraulic variables, substrate roughness and conductivity represent the major factors affecting the benthic invertebrates distribution of Lules River basin.
Screening of optimal pretreatment and reaction conditions for the isomerization-cracking of long paraffins over Pt/WO3-ZrO2 catalysts
Busto, Mariana; Grau, Javier Mario; Vera, Carlos Roman
Pretreatment and reaction conditions for the isomerization-cracking of long paraffins over commercial Pt/WO3-ZrO2 catalysts were screened. Optimal conditions were seeked for the production of short, high octane branched paraffins for the gasoline pool. n-C16 was used as a model molecule. The reaction over the acidic catalyst was used to adjust the size of the molecules to the boiling range of gasolines and to add branching in order to increase the octane number of the product. These adjustments had to be done while minimizing the production of light gases and getting a stable activity level. With respect to the pretreatment it was confirmed that the best calcination temperature of the tungstate oxoanion promoted hydroxides was 800 °C. Optimality was mostly related to the activity level. The optimum temperature coincides with the appearance of small WO3 crystallites which are thought to be center for creation of Brönsted acid sites in the presence of platinum and hydrogen. Regarding the reaction conditions, increasing temperature values augmented the conversion but also increased the cracking. Therefore optimum values were found at moderate temperature given the high reactivity of the feed. Space velocity values were analyzed with attention to the liquid C5+ yield, the selectivity to branched isomers and the stability of the catalysts. Best yields to branched naphtha products were obtained with Pt/WO3-ZrO2 at WHSV = 18 h-1. The catalyst coking rate was a function of the H2/hydrocarbon ratio. A value of 6 was enough to attain a stable conversion value on Pt/WO 3-ZrO2. The values of liquid yield as a function of pressure displayed a volcano pattern that was rationalized in terms of a non-classical bifunctional mechanism of reaction. High pressure values increased the concentration of Brönsted acid sites and hence the activity. Too high pressures enhanced hydrocracking and decreased the liquid yield. The results indicate that in general terms Pt/WO3-ZrO2 at moderate reaction conditions transforms a paraffinic heavy cut into a branched isomerizate that can be added to the gasoline pool to improve the quality properties. It was however found that under some conditions the octane gain is inversely proportional to the yield of light gases indicating that a high RON isomerizate can only be got at the expense of the liquid yield.
Screening of optimal pretreatment and reaction conditions for the isomerization-cracking of long paraffins over Pt/WO3–ZrO2 catalysts
Busto, Mariana; Grau, Javier Mario; Vera, Carlos Roman
Pretreatment and reaction conditions for the isomerization-cracking of long paraffins over commercial Pt/WO3-ZrO2 catalysts were screened. Optimal conditions were seeked for the production of short, high octane branched paraffins for the gasoline pool. n-C16 was used as a model molecule. The reaction over the acidic catalyst was used to adjust the size of the molecules to the boiling range of gasolines and to add branching in order to increase the octane number of the product. These adjustments had to be done while minimizing the production of light gases and getting a stable activity level. With respect to the pretreatment it was confirmed that the best calcination temperature of the tungstate oxoanion promoted hydroxides was 800 °C. Optimality was mostly related to the activity level. The optimum temperature coincides with the appearance of small WO3 crystallites which are thought to be center for creation of Brönsted acid sites in the presence of platinum and hydrogen. Regarding the reaction conditions, increasing temperature values augmented the conversion but also increased the cracking. Therefore optimum values were found at moderate temperature given the high reactivity of the feed. Space velocity values were analyzed with attention to the liquid C5+ yield, the selectivity to branched isomers and the stability of the catalysts. Best yields to branched naphtha products were obtained with Pt/WO3-ZrO2 at WHSV = 18 h-1. The catalyst coking rate was a function of the H2/hydrocarbon ratio. A value of 6 was enough to attain a stable conversion value on Pt/WO 3-ZrO2. The values of liquid yield as a function of pressure displayed a volcano pattern that was rationalized in terms of a non-classical bifunctional mechanism of reaction. High pressure values increased the concentration of Brönsted acid sites and hence the activity. Too high pressures enhanced hydrocracking and decreased the liquid yield. The results indicate that in general terms Pt/WO3-ZrO2 at moderate reaction conditions transforms a paraffinic heavy cut into a branched isomerizate that can be added to the gasoline pool to improve the quality properties. It was however found that under some conditions the octane gain is inversely proportional to the yield of light gases indicating that a high RON isomerizate can only be got at the expense of the liquid yield.
Costs and Benefits of Radio-collaring on the Behavior, Demography, and Conservation of Owl Monkeys (Aotus azarai) in Formosa, Argentina
Juárez, Cecilia Paola; Rotundo, Marcelo Alejandro; Berg, Wendy; Fernandez Duque, Eduardo
The benefits to researchers of capturing and collaring free-ranging primates are numerous, but so are the actual and potential costs to the individuals. We aimed to 1)evaluate quantitatively the possible demographic long-term costs of radio-collaring a free-ranging primate species, and 2) evaluate qualitatively the costs to the subjects and the overall benefits to the research program that results from monitoring a large number of groups with collared individuals during many years. Between 2000 and 2009, we captured, recaptured, and radio-collared 146 owl monkeys (Aotus azarai) to study the behavior, demography, and genetics of the species. To evaluate the potential long-term costs of the collaring procedures on the population, we compared the demographic composition of groups (n=20) in our core study area with those of undisturbed groups(n=20) in a control area within the same forest. Groups in both areas ranged in size between 2 and 5 individuals. Surprisingly, group size tended to be larger among the study groups owing to more infants and juveniles in those groups than in the control groups. The benefits to the research program have included, among others, the reliable identification of individuals, increased sample sizes, the recovery of specimens, studies of dispersal, outreach activities, and conservation education. Still, some of the benefits will become tangible only when the project persists on time; is fully approved and supported by local authorities; and has broad community participation, as well as conservation and education goals. Thus, any serious initiative to capture and collar individuals should be the result of an extremely careful evaluation of benefits and costs.
Ensayo y error: la reconversión de las estrategias empresariales en la disputa política en el espacio de trabajo : Metrovías y el Cuerpo de delegados de Subterráneos de Buenos Aires
Ventrici, Patricia
Para comprender la dinámica del desarrollo de la organización gremial es imprescindible dar cuenta de la relación siempre dinámica entre la dominación y la resistencia en el espacio de trabajo. La organización de los trabajadores y la corporación empresarial componen un vínculo estructuralmente contradictorio, en el que las acciones de cada parte condicionan y moldean el accionar de la otra, y en el que el objetivo de fondo es conservar la iniciativa política para ganar terreno en la disputa por el control del espacio de trabajo. Desde esta perspectiva, nuestro trabajo se propone aproximarse a la comprensión de la dinámica y transformaciones de la dominación social en un proceso micro, analizando las reconversiones de las estrategias empresariales en función de los acontecimientos políticos generados desde la práctica sindical al interior de la empresa Metrovías, concesionaria del transporte subterráneo en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Creemos que dicho caso reúne un conjunto de particularidades que dan cuenta de su potencialidad para reflexionar en torno a esta problemática, en la medida en que tiene lugar al interior de un tipo de empresa privatizada paradigmático de los cambios en las relaciones del trabajo en las últimas décadas, a la vez que se trata de un sector cuya organización sindical ha sido particularmente exitosa en las luchas por sus reivindicaciones. Frente al avance de estos procesos reivindicativos, a lo largo de los años, la empresa ha ido desarrollando distintas estrategias para contrarrestar la incidencia de la organización colectiva, que abarcaron desde políticas de coerción directa hasta técnicas orientadas a la fidelización e implicación afectiva de los trabajadores. Precisamente serán las causas, modos y consecuencias de estas transformaciones el objeto privilegiado de nuestra indagación.; To understand the dynamics of development of the trade organization is imperative to always realize the relationship dynamics between domination and resistance in the workspace. The organization of workers and business corporation comprise a structurally adversarial relationship in which each party shares condition and
shape the actions of the other and in which the basic aim is to retain the political initiative to gain ground in the dispute over control of the workspace. From this perspective, our paper proposes closer to understanding the dynamics and transformations of social domination in a micro process, analyzing the restructuring of
corporation strategies based on political events stemming from labor practice within the company Metrovías, licensee of the subway system in Buenos Aires. We believe that this case meets a set of characteristics that account for its potential to reflect on this issue, as it takes place within a kind of privatized company paradigmatic changes in labor relations in the past decades, while this is a sector whose union has been
particularly successful in fighting for their claims. Encroachment of these reintegration process, over the years, the company has developed various strategies to counteract the impact of collective organization, ranging from direct coercion policies oriented techniques to the loyalty and emotional involvement of workers. It will be the causes, modes and consequences of these changes the privileged object of our inquiry.
The expression of Sphingosine kinase-1 in head and neck carcinoma
Facchinetti, Maria Marta; Gandini, Norberto Ariel; Fermento, María Eugenia; Sterin, Norma Beatriz; Ji, Youngmi; Patel, Vyomesh; Gutkind, J. Silvio; Rivadulla, Maria G.; Curino, Alejandro Carlos
Sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1) modulates the proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of keratinocytes through the regulation of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate levels. However, studies on the expression of SPHK1 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) specimens are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate SPHK1 expression in human primary HNSCCs and to correlate the results with clinical and anatomopathological parameters. We investigated the expression of this protein by immunohistochemistry performed in tissue microarrays of HNSCC and in an independent cohort of 37 paraffin-embedded specimens. SPHK1 expression was further validated by real-time PCR performed on laser capture-microdissected tissue samples. The positive rate of SPHK1 protein in the cancerous tissues was significantly higher (74%) than that in the nontumor oral tissues (23%), and malignant tissues showed stronger immunoreactivity for SPHK1 than normal matching samples. These results were confirmed by real-time PCR quantification of SPHK1 mRNA. Interestingly, the positive expression of SPHK1 was associated with shorter patient survival time (Kaplan-Meier survival curves) and with the loss of p21 expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SPHK1 is upregulated in HNSCC and provide clues of the role SPHK1 might play in tumor progression.
Animal models in diabetes and pregnancy
Jawerbaum, Alicia Sandra; White, Verónica
The worldwide increase in the incidence of diabetes, the increase in type 2 diabetes in women at reproductive ages, and the cross-generation of the intrauterine programming of type 2 diabetes are the bases for the growing interest in the use of experimental diabetic models in order to gain insight into the mechanisms of induction of developmental alterations in maternal diabetes. In this scenario, experimental models that present the most common features of diabetes in pregnancy are highly required. Several important aspects of human diabetic pregnancies such as the increased rates of spontaneous abortions, malformations, fetoplacental impairments, and offspring diseases in later life can be approached by using the appropriate animal models. The purpose of this review is to give a practical and critical guide into the most frequently used experimental models in diabetes and pregnancy, discuss their advantages and limitations, and describe the aspects of diabetes and pregnancy for which these models are thought to be adequate. This review provides a comprehensive view and an extensive analysis of the different models and phenotypes addressed in diabetic animals throughout pregnancy. The review includes an analysis of the surgical, chemical-induced, and genetic experimental models of diabetes and an evaluation of their use to analyze early pregnancy defects, induction of congenital malformations, placental and fetal alterations, and the intrauterine programming of metabolic diseases in the offspring’s later life.
Climate-driven changes in air quality over Europe by the end of the 21st century, with special reference to Portugal
Carvalho, A.; Monteiro, A.; Solman, Silvina Alicia; Miranda, A. I.; Borrego, C.
Climate change alone may deeply impact air quality levels in the atmosphere because the changes in the meteorological conditions will induce changes on the transport, dispersion and transformation of air pollutants. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of climate change on the air quality over Europe and Portugal, using a reference year (year 1990) and a IPCC SRES A2 year (year 2100). The Hadley Centre global atmospheric circulation model (HadAM3P) was used to provide results for these two climatic scenarios, which were then used as synoptic forcing for the MM5-CHIMERE air quality modelling system. In order to assess the contribution of future climate change on O3 and PM concentrations, no changes in regional emissions were assumed and only climate change forcing was considered. The modelling results suggest that the O3 monthly mean levels in the atmosphere may increase almost 50 mg m3 across Europe in July under the IPCC SRES A2 scenario. In Portugal, this increase may reach 20 mg m3 . The changes of PM10 monthly average values over Europe will depend on the region. The increase in PM10 concentrations during specific months could be explained by the average reduction of the boundary layer height and wind speed.
Assessment of the impact of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on indigenous herbicide-degrading bacteria and microbial community function in an agricultural soil
Zabaloy, Maria Celina; Garland, Jay L.; Gómez, Marisa Anahi
The herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) may influence soil microbial communities by altering the balance between resident populations. Our objective was to assess the effect of environmentally relevant levels (ERLs) of 2,4-D on microbial community function and on the population dynamics of 2,4-D degrading bacteria using a microcosm approach. The most probable number approach was used to enumerate 2,4-D-degrading soil bacteria. Carbon substrates utilization was tested with a microtiter-based oxygen sensor system to evaluate short-term functional shifts caused by herbicide treatment. Shifts in the community in response to potential toxicity of 2,4-D were assessed in the agricultural soil and a reference forest soil using the pollution-induced community-tolerance (PICT) approach. Results indicated that the agricultural soil had a stable 2,4-D degrading population able to use the herbicide as C and energy source, which increases immediately after an ERL dose of 2,4-D and remains high for about 1 month after exposure has ceased. An enhanced, dose-dependent response to 2,4-D as substrate was observed in the microtiter assay, while heterotrophic bacterial activity appeared mostly unchanged. The PICT assay showed higher tolerance to 2,4-D in the agricultural soil than in the unexposed forest soil. Our results suggest that agricultural use of 2,4-D at recommended level leads to selection for (1) a copiotrophic degrader population and (2) a persistently herbicide-tolerant, but functionally similar, microbial community.
Effect of steviosides and system composition on stability and antimicrobial action of sorbates in acidified model aqueous systems
Hracek, V. M.; Gliemmo, María Fernanda; Campos, Carmen Adriana
The effect of steviosides on sorbate stability and on its antimicrobial action was studied in aqueous systems (pH 3.0). The use of steviosides decreased sorbate destruction in all the systems. Its effect on nonenzymatic browning (NEB) depended on the system composition. From the point of view of microbial stability, the steviosides promoted a slight increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sorbates against Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii. However, the main effect of steviosides was the protected action on sorbate destruction. This action was essential to ensure that the preservative residual level was higher than the MIC of the preservative to prevent the growth Z. bailii or Z. rouxii during storage. The results reported highlight that the use of steviosides in aqueous model systems resembling low-calorie sweet products can be useful to protect potassium sorbate (KS) from destruction and depending on the system composition also to decrease browning development.
Casimir energy between media-separated cylinders: the scalar case
Lombardo, Fernando Cesar; Mazzitelli, Francisco Diego; Villar, Paula Ines; Dalvit, A. R.
We derive exact expressions for the Casimir scalar interaction energy between media-separated eccentric dielectric cylinders and for the media-separated cylinder-plane geometry using a mode-summation approach. Similarly to the electromagnetic Casimir-Lifshitz interaction energy between fluid-separated planar plates, the force between cylinders is attractive or repulsive depending on the relative values of the permittivities of the three intervening media.
High rates of bovine blastocyst development after ICSI-mediated gene transfer assisted by chemical activation
Bevacqua, Romina Jimena; Pereyra Bonnet, Federico Alberto; Fernandez Martin, Rafael; Salamone, Daniel Felipe
In order to establish conditions for intracytoplasmic sperm injection-mediated gene transfer (ICSI-MGT) in cattle, various aspects of fertilization and embryonic development were assessed after five activation treatments. Spermatozoa were co-incubated with pCX-EGFP (pCX-enhanced green fluorescent protein gene) plasmid and injected into metaphase II oocytes, which were then treated with ionomycin (Io), before further activation with the following agents: 6-dimethylaminopurine (Io-DMAP), additional Io plus DMAP (2Io-DMAP), Io alone (2Io), ethanol (Io-EtOH), or strontium chloride (Io-SrCl2). Fertilization rates at 16 h after ICSI, presence of a condensed spermatozoon head on Day 4 (Day 0 = ICSI), blastocyst and EGFP expression rates on Day 7, and Oct-4 pattern of Day 8 blastocysts were evaluated. Fertilization rates did not differ significantly among treatments. All (100%) of EGFP-positive embryos resulted from ICSI fertilization, whereas at least 60% of EGFP-negative embryos (>4 cells) had a condensed sperm head. Blastocyst rates after 2Io-DMAP were not significantly different from Io-DMAP or Io-EtOH, but they were higher than 2Io or Io-SrCl2 treatments (25.9, 18.7, 14.7, 9.4, and 10.9% respectively; P < 0.05). Transgene expression rates were higher for Io-DMAP, 2Io-DMAP and Io-SrCl2 than for 2Io and Io-EtOH (52.3, 53.0, 42.8, 28.2, and 29.4% respectively; P < 0.05). Over 80% of the blastocysts expressed egfp protein. In conclusion, ICSI-MGT was a powerful technique to produce bovine embryos that expressed the EGFP transgene. Moreover, the actual efficiency of ICSI-MGT could be readily evaluated by this method, which uses a marker expressed early in embryo development.
Chronic cannulation in the small intestine of feral pigeons (Columba livia) to assess bioavailability
Chediack, Juan Gabriel; Cid, Fabricio Damian; Fasulo, S. V.; Caviedes Vidal, Enrique Juan Raul
We improved a method of chronic duodenal cannulation to study intestinal transport of solutes in an in vivo model (pigeon, Columba livia). A hypoallergenic cannula was inserted into the proximal part of the small intestine of pigeons and used for solution administration. Recovery from surgery was extremely rapid and animals started eating and drinking within a day. After surgery, the body mass of cannulated pigeons was stable, and no adverse effects in the weight could be detected. The method is simple, economical and useful to determine intestinal bioavailability of solutes, for nutritional and ecological studies, in intact animals without influence of anesthesia.
Nitric oxide synthase-like dependent NO production enhances heme oxygenase up-regulation in ultraviolet-B-irradiated soybean plants
Santa Cruz, Diego Mario; Pacienza, Natalia Alejandra; Polizio, Ariel Héctor; Balestrasse, Karina Beatriz; Tomaro, Maria Lujan; Yannarelli, Gustavo Gabriel
Heme oxygenase (HO) has antioxidant properties and is up-regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ultraviolet-B-irradiated soybean plants. This study shows that nitric oxide (NO) protects against oxidative damage and that nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like activity is also required for HO-1 induction under UV-B radiation. Pre-treatments with sodium nitroprussiate (SNP), a NO-donor, prevented chlorophyll loss, H2O2 and View the MathML source accumulation, and ion leakage in UV-B-treated plants. HO activity was significantly enhanced by NO and showed a positive correlation with HO-1 transcript levels. In fact, HO-1 mRNA levels were increased 2.1-fold in 0.8 mM SNP-treated plants, whereas subsequent UV-B irradiation augmented this expression up to 3.5-fold with respect to controls. This response was not observed using ferrocyanide, a SNP inactive analog, and was effectively blocked by 2-(4-carboxyphenil)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), a specific NO-scavenger. In addition, experiments carried out in the presence of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) or tungsten, well-known inhibitors of NOS and nitrate reductase, showed that NOS is the endogenous source of NO that mediates HO-1 expression. In summary, we found that NO is involved in the signaling pathway leading to HO-1 up-regulation under UV-B, and that a balance between NO and ROS is important to trigger the antioxidant response against oxidative stress.
Role of polymorphisms 919A>G and 2039A>G of FSH receptor (FSHR) gene in premature ovarian failure (POF) development
Sundblad, Victoria; Chiauzzi, Violeta Alicia; Andreone, Luz; Campo, Stella Maris; Charreau, Eduardo Hernan; Dain, Liliana Beatriz
Although the impact of polymorphisms 919A>G and 2039A>G of FSHR gene in normal ovarian function is almost clear, in Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) it still remains elusive. To analyse the putative association of these polymorphisms with POF development, 97 POF patients and 72 women over 40 years of age with normal menstrual record were genotyped for 919A>G and 2039A>G variants. No association was found between genotype GG of each polymorphism and the risk of POF. Nevertheless, ten POF patients and only one control presented the less common combinations 919G-2039A and 919A-2039G (p<0.05). In addition, the frequency of primary amenorrhoea and the occurrence of familial POF were significantly increased among patients with 919GG-2039GG genotype. In 45 normally menstruating women, no significant differences were found among different FSHR genotypes in FSH, E2, Inhibin A and Inhibin B levels. In conclusion, FSHR polymorphism genotypes were not associated either to the risk of POF or to serum hormone levels of control women. However, 919GG-2039GG genotype might be associated to relatively more severe symptoms of POF. On the other hand, the differences found between controls and patients in the prevalence of the cross haplotypes, may suggest that these rare allelic variants might possibly influence POF development.
Histamine receptors and cancer pharmacology
Medina, Vanina Araceli; Rivera, Elena S.
Considerable evidence has been collected indicating that histamine can modulate proliferation of different normal and malignant cells. High histamine biosynthesis and content together with histamine receptors have been reported in different human neoplasias including melanoma, colon and breast cancer, as well as in experimental tumours in which histamine has been postulated to behave as an important paracrine and autocrine regulator of proliferation. The discovery of the human histamine H(4) receptor in different tissues has contributed to our understanding of histamine role in numerous physiological and pathological conditions revealing novel functions for histamine and opening new perspectives in histamine pharmacology research. In the present review we aimed to briefly summarize current knowledge on histamine and histamine receptor involvement in cancer before focusing on some recent evidence supporting the novel role of histamine H(4) receptor in cancer progression representing a promising molecular target and avenue for cancer drug development.
Phenolic compounds from Pterocaulon alopecuroides
Alarcón, Silvia Rosana; Pacciaroni, Adriana del Valle; Peñaloza, Lidia; Uriburu Monasterio, Maria Laura; Boemo, Analía; Sosa, Virginia Estela
Aerial parts of Pterocaulon alopecuroides (Lam.) DC. (Asteraceae), were collected at the flowering stage in December 2003 in Salta, Argentina. The identification was carried out by Ing. Julio Tolaba. A voucher specimen (n° 3399) is on deposit at the Museo de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina.
