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.

Back to the bases: Building a terrestrial water δ18O baseline for archaeological studies in North Patagonia (Argentina) Serna, Alejandro; Prates, Luciano Raúl; Valenzuela, Luciano Oscar; Salazar García, Domingo C. Archaeology has been using stable oxygen as an isotopic tracer linked with water consumption for decades, and it has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool to assess paleomobility in bioarchaeology. Central-eastern North Patagonia (Argentina) is an especially appropriate region to apply it since it presents a high density of huntergatherer burials, it was a nodal zone criss-crossed by an extensive network of important routes, and it is characterized by a high environmental fragmentation due to the scarcity of fresh water sources. The aim of this paper is to build an empirical stable oxygen isotope baseline of terrestrial surface waters to assess the potentiality of tracing past human movement. We analyzed 46 water samples from 13 locations with permanent sources (rivers, springs, streams), compared it with predictions of precipitation and evaluated it considering seasonal variation, altitude and distance from the coast. Our results show that different post-precipitation processes change the isotopic signal from the sources with respect to the local precipitation, and highlight the relevance of analyzing terrestrial water sources. According to their oxygen isotope values we defined five hydrologic zones: Colorado River, Negro River, Closed Basins and Plains, Eastern and Western Somuncurá Foothills. Their identification shows the potential to address past human movement using stable oxygen water baselines in central-eastern North Patagonia.

Arsenic in Latin America: A critical overview on the geochemistry of arsenic originating from geothermal features and volcanic emissions for solving its environmental consequences Morales-Simfors, Nury; Bundschuh, Jochen; Herath, Indika; Inguaggiato, Claudio; Caselli, Alberto Tomás; Tapia, Joseline; Choquehuayta, Fredy Erlingtton Apaza; Armienta, María Aurora; Ormachea, Mauricio; Joseph, Erouscilla; López, Dina L. Geothermal fluids and volcanic emissions are important sources of arsenic (As), resulting in elevated concentrations of As in ground-, surface-water and soil, which may adversely affect the environment. Arsenic originating from geothermal features and volcanic activities is common in Latin America forming a serious threat to the livelihoods of millions of people. This review attempts to provide a critical overview of the geochemistry of As originating from these sources in Latin America to understand what information exists about and what future research needs to be undertaken. This study evaluated 15 countries in Latin America. In total, 423 sites were characterized with As originating from geothermal sources, mostly related to present volcanic activity (0.001 < As<73 mg/L, mean: 36.5 mg/L) and the transboundary Guarani Aquifer System (0.001 < As<0.114 mg/L, mean: 0.06 mg/L). Many of the geothermal systems and volcanoes discussed in this study are close to densely populated cities, including Bogota, Managua, San José, Guatemala City and Mexico City, where total As concentrations in natural ground- and surface- water exceed the safe drinking water guideline of 0.01 mg/L, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the wide geographical occurrence of As in geothermal fluids and volcanic emissions of this region is by far not fully understood, so that development of geographical maps based on geographic information system (GIS) is an urgent necessity to understand the real nature of the problem. The assessment of environmental risks and the potential impacts on human health both inadequate and scarce and hence, these gaps need to be addressed by future research. The present holistic assessment of As originating from geothermal features and volcanic emissions would be a driving force to formulate a plan for establishing a sustainable As mitigation in vulnerable areas of Latin America in the near future. An assessment of the geochemistry, mobility and distribution of As would augment the effectiveness of the plan.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Clearance After Treatment With Direct-Acting Antivirals in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-HCV Coinfection Modulates Systemic Immune Activation and HIV Transcription on Antiretroviral Therapy Ghiglione, Yanina Alexandra; Polo, Maria Laura; Urioste, Alejandra; Rhodes, Ajantha; Czernikier, Alejandro; Trifone, César Ariel; Quiroga, María Florencia; Sisto, Alicia; Patterson, Patricia; Salomon, Horacio Eduardo; Rolon, Maria Jose; Bakkour, Sonia; Lewin, Sharon R.; Turk, Gabriela Julia Ana; Laufer, Natalia Lorna Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) might perturb immune function and HIV persistence. We aimed to evaluate the impact of HCV clearance with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on immune activation and HIV persistence in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods In a prospective observational study, ART-treated participants with HIV/HCV coinfection received sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin (n = 19). Blood samples were collected before DAA therapy, at the end of treatment, and 12 months after DAA termination (12MPT). T- and natural killer (NK)-cell phenotype, soluble plasma factors, cell-associated (CA)-HIV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) forms (total, integrated, 2LTR), CA-unspliced (US) and multiple-spliced ribonucleic acid (RNA), and plasma HIV RNA were evaluated. Results Hepatitis C virus clearance was associated with (1) a downmodulation of activation and exhaustion markers in CD4+, CD8+ T, and NK cells together with (2) decreased plasma levels of Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), soluble (s)CD163 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM). Cell-associated US HIV RNA was significantly higher at 12MPT compared to baseline, with no change in HIV DNA or plasma RNA. Conclusions Elimination of HCV in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals alters immune function and the transcriptional activity of latently infected cells. This report provides insights into the effects of HCV coinfection in HIV persistence and regards coinfected subjects as a population in which HIV remission might prove to be more challenging.

Fogones, combustible óseo y procesamiento faunístico en el sitio de Huencú Nazar (Sistema Lagunar Hinojo-Las Tunas, región pampeana, Argentina): Implicancias para el uso del espacio por cazadores-recolectores Scheifler, Nahuel Alberto Huncú Nazar, an open-air archaeological site occupied during the Late Holocene (ca. 3000 years BP), is located on the shore of a shallow lake from the Hinojo-Las Tunas Shallow Lake System in the Pampean region of Argentina. Within an area of 5,000 m2 are distributed 22 hearths, caches of rocks, and concentrations of granitoid rocks. In one of the excavated sectors, researchers identified hearths with concave bases and the use of bones of Lama guanicoe (Artiodactyla, Camelidae) as fuel. In this way, the inhabitants solved the problem of accumulating animal waste that would have otherwise affected their standards of living. They also deposited materials related to subsistence and technology around the hearths.; Huencú Nazar es un sitio arqueológico a cielo abierto localizado en el Sistema Lagunar Hinojo-Las Tunas (región pampeana, Argentina) que fue ocupado durante el Holoceno tardío (ca. 3000 aP). En un área de 5.000 m2 se distribuyen 22 fogones, escondrijos de roca y concentraciones de rocas granitoides. En uno de los sectores excavados se registraron fogones en cubeta y el uso de huesos de Lama guanicoe (Artiodactyla, Camelidae) como combustible. El uso de combustible óseo permitió solucionar el problema de los residuos molestos para la comodidad de las personas ubicadas alrededor de los fogones. En torno a las estructuras de combustión se depositaron materiales relacionados con la subsistencia y la tecnología.

La guerra de las curvas: pandemia, sensibilidades y estructuración social; The war of the curves: pandemic, sensibilities, and social structuration; A guerra das curvas: pandemia, sensibilidades e estruturação social Scribano, Adrián Oscar El presente artículo tiene por objetivo presentar algunos de los componentes básicos del escenario donde la guerra de las curvas se desarrolla y que permiten aproximarse a la Pandemia como un fenómeno epistémico que implica re-estructuración de una política de la sensibilidad planetaria. Para lograr dicho objetivo hemos seguido la siguiente estrategia: a) se expone brevemente la conexión entre Verdad, Curvas y Hechos; b) se explicita la comprensión del origen de la Pandemia; c) se expone la “metáfora bélica” utilizada en el “combate” contra la Pandemia; d) se propone una mirada para la situación de planetarización; e) se indaga sobre el estado de la “razón europea”; f) se analiza los efectos de la distancia social; g) se presenta la preponderancia de las redes sociales en la vida cotidiana; h) se reflexiona sobre el “sentido de emergencia” de la Pandemia; e i) se abren algunas postales para seguir pensando. Se termina el articulo abogando por seguir indagando las cientos de miles de prácticas intersticiales que se performan en Pandemia como unas huellas que permiten ver los caminos de salida para una humanidad acorralada.

Parasite-host glycan interactions during Trypanosoma cruzi infection: trans-Sialidase rides the show Campetella, Oscar Eduardo; Buscaglia, Carlos Andres; Mucci, Juan Sebastián; Leguizamon, Maria Susana Many important pathogen-host interactions rely on highly specific carbohydrate binding events. In the case of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, glycointeractions involving sialic acid (SA) residues are pivotal for parasite infectivity, escape from immune surveillance and pathogenesis. Though unable to synthesize SA de novo, T. cruzi displays a unique trans-Sialidase (TS) enzyme, which is able to cleave terminal SA residues from host donor glycoconjugates and transfer them onto parasite surface mucins, thus generating protective/adhesive structures. In addition, this parasite sheds TS into the bloodstream, as a way of modifying the surface SA signature, and thereby the signaling/functional properties of mammalian host target cells on its own advantage. Here, we discuss the pathogenic aspects of T. cruzi TS: its molecular adaptations, the multiplicity of interactions in which it is involved during infections, and the array of novel and appealing targets for intervention in Chagas disease provided by TS-remodeled sialoglycophenotypes.

Morphology of the mandibular gnathobases of the copepods Calanus australis and Calanoides carinatus: Evidence of omnivory D'Agostino, Valeria C.; Hoffmeyer, Mónica S.; Degrati, Mariana In spite of the worldwide ecological relevance of Calanus australis and Calanoides carinatus, little is known on the morphology of their mandibular gnathobase edges (MGEs). Thus, in order to further learn about the relationship between MGEs and diet, adults and copepodites of C. australis and C. carinatus collected from northern Patagonian coasts, Argentina, were morphologically analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy in transmission mode and scanning electron microscopy. In C. australis males as well as in C. australis and C. carinatus females, MGEs were found to end in one dorsal seta and to have one ventral tooth, four central teeth and three dorsal teeth. In contrast, in C. carinatus males, MGEs were observed to be rudimentary and with no dorsal seta, and −contrary to published data− they were found to have three cone-shaped, short and small tooth-like structures and three-four tooth-like structures that were long and pointed. The main differences between MGEs from copepodites and adults of C. australis and C. carinatus females lied in the number of cuspids observed on the different teeth and the presence of a short inner lateral peak found only in C. australis ventral tooth. Overall, the evidence gathered from our study leads us to classify C. australis and C. carinatus as omnivores.