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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

El Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCyT) anuncia que se han actualizado los montos de los estipendios de becas (nivel inicial y superior) mediante Resolución de Presidencia de AGENCIA N° 323/16.

El Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCYT) anuncia los resultados del proceso de adjudicación para la convocatoria PICT 2015 Categoría V Proyectos Interdisciplinarios de Impacto Internacional mediante Resolución de Agencia N°360/16 con fecha 11/07/2016.

Highly crystalline LiCuXFe1-XPO4 nanoparticles synthesized by high temperature thermal decomposition: A morphological and electrical transport study Martinez, Pablo Sergio; Ruiz, Fabricio Carlos; Curiale, Carlos Javier; Vasquez Mansilla, Marcelo; Zysler, Roberto Daniel; Dada, L.; Moreno, Mario Sergio Jesus; Rodriguez, Luis Miguel; Fregenal, Daniel Eduardo; Bernardi, Guillermo Carlos; Lima, Enio Junior In this work, we report the morphological and electrical characterization of highly crystalline LiCuxFe1-xPO4 nanoparticles synthesized via the high-temperature (380 °C) thermal decomposition of organometallic precursors. The mean diameter of the studied nanoparticles was 30–40 nm. The Cu/Fe relations of 0, 0.001 and 0.042 for the three studied samples were obtained via particle-induced x-ray emission spectroscopy. Crystallographic and morphological studies were performed using x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. We investigated the effects of incorporating copper on the electric transport properties of this highly crystalline nanometric system using impedance spectroscopy and DC transport techniques. The experimental evidence allowed us to conclude that in the frequency range f   <  1 kHz the transport is dominated by the diffusion of Li and the presence of Cu atoms in the systems hinders this transport mechanism, despite the high crystallinity of the system.

A new species of arboreal rat, genus Oecomys (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Chaco Pardiñas, Ulises Francisco J.; Teta, Pablo Vicente; Jorge Salazar Bravo; Myers, Phil; Galliari, Carlos Alberto A new species of rodent is added to the highly diverse genus Oecomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae, Oryzomyini)based on specimens collected in the Argentinian provinces of Chaco and Formosa. The new species ischaracterized by a derived carotid circulatory pattern, a feature shared with O. concolor, O. mamorae, and O. sydandersoni. A unique combination of morphological, morphometric, and molecular characters, however,provides unambiguous evidence of its validity as a separate entity. Individuals of the new species are larger thanother representatives of Oecomys, and their skulls have wide and cuneate interorbital regions with well-developedsupraorbital shelves, long incisive foramina, long palates, absent alisphenoid struts, and broad Eustachian tubes.This new Oecomys appears to be endemic to the Humid Chaco, an ecoregion listed as Vulnerable due to thehuman impact. Preliminary observations suggest that several specimens from Eastern Paraguay and the BrazilianPantanal could also be assigned to the new species described herein.; Una nueva especie es adicionada al altamente diverso género de roedores Oecomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae, Oryzomyini), sobre la base de especímenes coleccionados en las provincias Argentinas de Chaco y Formosa. La nueva especie se caracteriza por un patrón de circulación carotídea derivado, un rasgo compartido con O. concolor, O. mamorae y O. sydandersoni. Sin embargo, la combinación única de caracteres morfológicos, morfométricos y moleculares provee evidencia inequívoca sobre su validez como una entidad separada. Individuos de la nueva especie son de mayor tamaño en comparación con otros Oecomys y sus cráneos tienen una región interorbitaria ancha y acuñada con plataformas supraorbitarias bien desarrolladas, forámenes incisivos largos, paladares largos, ausencia de las barras alisfenoideas y tubos de Eustaquio anchos. Este nuevo Oecomys parece ser endémico del Chaco Húmedo, una ecorregión considerada como Vulnerable debido al impacto antrópico. Observaciones preliminares sugieren que varios especímenes de Paraguay Oriental y del Pantanal Brasilero podrían también ser asignados a la nueva especie aquí descrita.