Transferrina y su posible relación con producción de gonadotrofina corionica equina

La gonadotrofina corionica equina (eGC) es una hormona glicoproteica producida por las células del trofoblasto fetal que invaden el endometrio uterino. La elevada actividad de esta hormona en la estimulación del desarrollo folicular y su alta persistencia in vivo permite que sea usada como agente estimulante en especies heterólogas. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en evaluar la posible asociación entre un marcador genético y el nivel de eGC. Como marcador genético se seleccionó a la transferrina, ya que por su función biológica está relacionada con el estado general del animal y del endometrio en particular. El plantel en estudio estaba compuesto por caballos mestizos, destinados a la producción de la hormona. Los mismos fueron seleccionados para realizarse cruzamientos dirigidos teniendo en cuenta el genotipo para el locus de las transferrinas, permitiendo conocer el alelo obligado en la cría (dado por herencia paterna). El nivel de hormona producido se calculó mediante el método de enzimoinmunoensayo (EIE). Mientras que para la determinación de los alelos de transferrina se empleó la técnica de electroforesis en geles de poliacrilamida según el método PAGE . Una vez obtenida la información de las variantes que presentaban los individuos para el locus de transferrina, se analizó la posible asociación entre los marcadores genéticos y la producción de eGC, mediante el método de ANOVA multifactorial. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, pudieron elaborarse las siguientes conclusiones: 1) La transferrina evidenció diferencias significativas tanto a nivel fenotípico, como en la presencia/ausencia de los alelos F1 y H. La presencia del alelo F1 se encontró asociado con una mayor producción de eGC. Por el contrario la presencia del alelo H está relacionada con un menor nivel de producción de la hormona. 2) En las yeguas homocigotas para transferrina, se encontró una disminución de la producción de eGC, conforme avanzaba la edad del animal analizado. Este hecho no se observó en las yeguas heterocigotas para el mismo locus. 3) Los fenotipos homocigotas para el alelo F2 presentaron una menor producción de la hormona que los individuos que portaban ese mismo alelo en combinación con D, H o R. A pesar del desarrollo conceptual y metodológico de la mejora genética animal, la selección asistida por marcadores es un área poco transitada en la actualidad. Por lo tanto, aunque preliminar resulta un aporte original, teniendo en cuenta el escaso desarrollo de este tipo de trabajos en equinos y más específicamente en el ámbito de la producción.

Diagnóstico reproductivo de vacas destinadas al sacrificio en el rastro municipal de Camoapa, Boaco

La investigación se realizó en el rastro municipal de Camoapa, departamento de Boaco. Los objetivos fueron: Diagnosticar el estado reproductivo y patológico de las vacas destinadas al sacrificio y, proponer estrategias que permitan un adecuado control higiénico sanitario antes y después del proceso de matanza. Se evaluó una muestra de 145 animales (período: tres meses y medio) que equivale al 25 % del total de hembras sacrificadas anualmente. El trabajo consistió en visitar el rastro municipal para realizar el examen clínico general a las vacas que serian sacrificadas, determinando la triada clínica (frecuencias respiratoria, cardiaca y temperatura), revisión de mucosas y condición corporal. También se realizó el diagnóstico reproductivo a través de la palpación rectal el día antes de la matanza, y la observación directa del aparato reproductor, post mortem. También se utilizó un formulario que permitió obtener datos para enriquecer la información. La valoración de los animales evaluados indica que, a este rastro municipal llegan vacas normalmente sanas, sin embargo se encontraron animales con altas frecuencias respiratorias y cardiacas, y elevadas temperaturas. El 48.3 % de las vacas evaluadas resultaron gestadas, encontrándose un máximo de edad fetal de 252 días, faltando pocos días para un posible parto. Las vacas que llegaron vacías, en su mayoría presentaron problemas reproductivos, siendo de mayor relevancia los quistes foliculares en un 30.5%. El 79.3 % de vacas evaluadas, presentaron menos de 4 partos, consideradas como animales jóvenes aptos a la reproducción, coincidiendo con los motivos de descarte reflejados por los productores (problemas reproductivos, económicos y otros). Los resultados permitieron proponer estrategias de mejora en las condiciones de manejo, sobre el control sanitario antes y post mortem, y sobre la higiene general del rastro.

Revista de Psicología, Vol. 10, Nº 20, 2014

Contenido: Depresión y calcificación en la raíz aórtica y arterias coronarias / Mariana Suárez Bagnasco ; Miguel Cerdá ; Guillermo Ganum -- Tiempo de lectura y formación de representaciones ortográficas en español / Marina Ferroni ; Beatriz Diuk ; Milagros Mena -- Creencias de control con respecto a la salud del feto : estructura factorial y fiabilidad de una adaptación al castellano de la Escala Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) / Mariana Beatriz López -- Satisfacción laboral y síndrome de Burnout en docentes de nivel primario / María Soledad Menghi ; Laura Beatriz Oros -- Estrategias de afrontamiento en estudiantes de Psicología / Estefanía Sicre ; Leandro Casari -- Aportes teóricos de la psicología cognitiva para la construcción de una nueva economía científica / Mauricio Cervigni ; Jorge Vivas -- Recensión bibliográfica

Diagnóstico prenatal en el marco de la bioética personalista ontológica : percepción del uso, actitudes y requerimientos de los pacientes en un centro privado de la ciudad de Buenos Aires

Resumen: Los estudios prenatales tienen la capacidad de realizar diagnósticos precoces de anomalías en el feto, ello facilita la posibilidad de implementar intervenciones tempranas, tanto médicas como no médicas, en el cuidado de la gestación y controles perinatales, pero también permite, en ciertas circunstancias, considerar como opción el aborto electivo del hijo en gestación. Surgen dos dilemas: por un lado, la forma en que esta información es comunicada a la familia y, por otro -y como consecuencia del anterior-, responder en qué circunstancias estos diagnósticos genéticos permitirán obtener más beneficio que daño.

Impacto de la evolución científico-tecnológica en la Bioética neonatal-perinatal

Resumen: Los avances científico-tecnológicos en neonatología en los últimos 40 años han permitido una importante mejoría en la sobrevida de recién nacidos de extremo bajo peso al nacer, sin embargo la mortalidad neonatal aun representa un porcentaje muy grande de la mortalidad infantil. Esto esta principalmente relacionado a las muertes por prematuridad y sus complicaciones, anomalías congénitas y asfixia perinatal. La mayoría de los recién nacidos son tratados favorablemente en sala de partos y son admitidos a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN). La incertidumbre en el pronóstico de los prematuros extremos en el límite de la viabilidad con alto riesgo de morir en la UCIN o presentar alguna discapacidad, presenta un difícil dilema ético. Se deberá considerar cada caso en forma individual y evaluar el riesgo-beneficio entre las conductas a seguir y el “mejor interés para el niño” y los deseos de los padres que guiarán a decisiones éticas. Diferentes guías de cuidado y variaciones en la práctica médica en los límites de la viabilidad fetal se han descripto dentro y entre países. El objetivo es proveer a los padres una comunicación abierta, directa y transparente con suficiente entendimiento de los factores más relevantes en relación a la situación clínica, el pronóstico y las opciones de tratamiento para que ellos puedan tener una significativa participación en la toma de decisiones. Aceptar que en neonatología, hacer todo lo que uno puede hacer puede ser perjudicial, no útil o beneficioso. No todo lo técnicamente posible es éticamente correcto. El dilema afecta tanto al origen de la vida como a la terminación de la vida.

Diagnóstico reproductivo de vacas destinadas al sacrificio en el rastro municipal de Camoapa, Boaco

La investigación se realizó en el rastro municipal del municipio de Camoapa departamento de Boaco. Los objetivos fueron: Diagnosticar el estado reproductivo y patológico de vacas destinadas al sacrificio en el rastro municipal de Camoapa y proponer estrategias que permitan un adecuado control reproductivo de las mismas. Se evaluó una muestra de 145 animales (por un periodo de tres meses y medio) que equivalen al 25 % del total de hembras que son sacrificadas anualmente en el rastro municipal. El trabajo consistió en visitar el rastro municipal para realizar el examen clínico general a las vacas que serían sacrificadas, identificando los diferentes trastornos reproductivos, así como la edad y peso del feto de las vacas preñadas. Se realizó un examen clínico general, en donde se determinó la triada clínica (frecuencias respiratoria, cardiaca y temperatura), revisión de mucosas y condición corporal. También se realizó el diagnóstico de gestación a través de la palpación rectal el día antes de la matanza y la observación directa. post mortem, al aparato reproductor. Al mismo tiempo se utilizó un formulario que permitió obtener información sobre aspectos de importancia que contribuyeron a enriquecer la información, tales como: causa de la venta o descarte del animal (económicos, problemas reproductivos) y otros. La valoración general de los animales evaluados indica que a este rastro municipal llegan animales normalmente sanos sin embargo hay presencia de anímales con altas frecuencias respiratorias, cardiacas y elevadas temperaturas. El 14.5 % y l.4 % se encontraron con la mucosa vaginal de color pálida e ictérica respectivamente resultados que se atribuyen al alto grado de garrapatas observadas en las vacas destinadas al sacrificio. El 79.3 % vacas presentan menos de 4 partos por lo que son considerados como animales jóvenes, aptos a la reproducción. Este dato se atribuye a los motivos de descarte reflejado por los productores, siendo de mayor relevancia los problemas reproductivos (quistes foliculares: 30.55 %), económica; y otros. Además es importante señalar la falta de asistencia técnica a pequeños productores, lo que indica que en las fincas no se lleva ningún control reproductivo del hato. El 48.3 % de las vacas evaluadas resultaron gestadas y el 57.l %. 27.1 %y l5.7% fueron sacrificadas en el segundo, primer y último tercio de la gestación respectivamente, encontrándose un máximo en la edad fetal de 252 días, faltando pocos días para un posible parto, lo que indica un alto porcentaje de vacas sacrificadas culminando su periodo de gestación. Los resultados permiten proponer estrategias de mejora en las condiciones de manejo, sobre el control sanitario antes y post mortem y sobre la higiene general del rastro: disminuir el manejo que provoca estrés en los animales ante mortero, mejorar el control sanitario del animal a sacrificar y de la carne a distribuir al consumidor, mejorar las condiciones básicas de las instalaciones.

论长期稳定性和动力稳定性

<正> 根据Lejeune-Dirichlet定理,力学系统处于静平衡情形的稳定的充要条件是系统的势能在平衡位置具有极小值。对于旋转的力学系统(机械系统或液体系统)就不象这样简单了。早在100年前Thomson和Tait就指出了旋转力学系统具有长期稳定性(secular stability)和动力稳定性(dynamiC stability)的重要差别。对于旋转液体星准稳演化过程到底按哪一种稳定性判断,是一个争论近百年的问题。在本世纪50年代以前,Thomson,Tait,Poincare,Liapounoff,Darwin,Teans和Lamb等,主张“长期稳定是真实的稳定”,“是天体演化学唯一感兴趣的稳定”。基于这种观点建立的Jeans-Darwin双星分裂理论曾

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 104]

Mulheres opinam sobre o aborto. Narrador descreve dados da Organização das Nações Unidas - ONU, segundo os quais no Brasil são feitos 10% dos abortos do mundo . Aparecida Shumaher, do Conselho Nacional de Defesa da Mulher, diz que o aborto é questão de responsabilidade ética da mulher, cabendo a ela decidir. Dom Antonio C. de Queiroz, Secretário Geral da Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil (CNBB), afirma que a igreja é radicalmente contra o aborto. Leonor Nunes de Paiva, da OAB-RJ, defende que a mulher deve ter o direito de interromper a gestação. Diz também que a OAB-RJ entende o aborto como assunto para a legislação ordinária. Deputados da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC) consideram que o aborto não é matéria constitucional. José Paulo Bisol (PMDB-RS) afirma que o aborto deve ser tratado no Código Penal, não na Constituição. Eunice Michilis (PFL-AM) sugere o aborto apenas nos casos de estupro, gravidez de alto risco e má formação fetal que leve a uma vida vegetativa. Lídice da Mata (PC do B-BA) defende que a descriminalização do aborto refletiria a busca de articular a lei com os acontecimentos da sociedade e que, para evitar o aborto no Brasil, é preciso implementar políticas de planejamento familiar.

Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio Has a Non-Monotonic Impact on Altruism

Gene-culture co-evolution emphasizes the joint role of culture and genes for the emergence of altruistic and cooperative behaviors and behavioral genetics provides estimates of their relative importance. However, these approaches cannot assess which biological traits determine altruism or how. We analyze the association between altruism in adults and the exposure to prenatal sex hormones, using the second-to-fourth digit ratio. We find an inverted U-shaped relation for left and right hands, which is very consistent for men and less systematic for women. Subjects with both high and low digit ratios give less than individuals with intermediate digit ratios. We repeat the exercise with the same subjects seven months later and find a similar association, even though subjects' behavior differs the second time they play the game. We then construct proxies of the median digit ratio in the population (using more than 1000 different subjects), show that subjects' altruism decreases with the distance of their ratio to these proxies. These results provide direct evidence that prenatal events contribute to the variation of altruistic behavior and that the exposure to fetal hormones is one of the relevant biological factors. In addition, the findings suggest that there might be an optimal level of exposure to these hormones from social perspective.

New Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role of the RNA Binding Protein Hu antigen R

156 p. : graf.

Anatomical and developmental patterns of interleukin-2 gene expression in the mouse: analysis of IL-2 expressing cells and partial characterization of interactions involved in mediating IL-2 gene expression in vivo

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important mediator in the vertebrate immune system. IL-2 is a potent growth factor that mature T lymphocytes use as a proliferation signal and the production of IL-2 is crucial for the clonal expansion of antigen-specific T cells in the primary immune response. IL-2 driven proliferation is dependent on the interaction of the lymphokine with its cognate multichain receptor. IL-2 expression is induced only upon stimulation and transcriptional activation of the IL-2 gene relies extensively on the coordinate interaction of numerous inducible and constitutive trans-acting factors. Over the past several years, thousands of papers have been published regarding molecular and cellular aspects of IL-2 gene expression and IL-2 function. The vast majority of these reports describe work that has been carried out in vitro. However, considerably less is known about control of IL-2 gene expression and IL-2 function in vivo.

To gain new insight into the regulation of IL-2 gene expression in vivo, anatomical and developmental patterns of IL-2 gene expression in the mouse were established by employing in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining methodologies to tissue sections generated from normal mice and mutant animals in which T -cell development was perturbed. Results from these studies revealed several interesting aspects of IL-2 gene expression, such as (1) induction of IL-2 gene expression and protein synthesis in the thymus, the primary site of T-cell development in the body, (2) cell-type specificity of IL-2 gene expression in vivo, (3) participation of IL-2 in the extrathymic expansion of mature T cells in particular tissues, independent of an acute immune response to foreign antigen, (4) involvement of IL-2 in maintaining immunologic balance in the mucosal immune system, and (5) potential function of IL-2 in early events associated with hematopoiesis.

Extensive analysis of IL-2 mRNA accumulation and protein production in the murine thymus at various stages of development established the existence of two classes of intrathymic IL-2 producing cells. One class of intrathymic IL-2 producers was found exclusively in the fetal thymus. Cells belonging to this subset were restricted to the outermost region of the thymus. IL-2 expression in the fetal thymus was highly transient; a dramatic peak ofiL-2 mRNA accumulation was identified at day 14.5 of gestation and maximal IL-2 protein production was observed 12 hours later, after which both IL-2 mRNA and protein levels rapidly decreased. Significantly, the presence of IL-2 expressing cells in the day 14-15 fetal thymus was not contingent on the generation of T-cell receptor (TcR) positive cells. The second class of IL-2 producing cells was also detectable in the fetal thymus (cells found in this class represented a minority subset of IL-2 producers in the fetal thymus) but persist in the thymus during later stages of development and after birth. Intrathymic IL-2 producers in postnatal animals were located in the subcapsular region and cortex, indicating that these cells reside in the same areas where immature T cells are consigned. The frequency of IL-2 expressing cells in the postnatal thymus was extremely low, indicating that induction of IL-2 expression and protein synthesis are indicative of a rare activation event. Unlike the fetal class of intrathymic IL-2 producers, the presence of IL-2 producing cells in the postnatal thymus was dependent on to the generation of TcR+ cells. Subsequent examination of intrathymic IL-2 production in mutant postnatal mice unable to produce either αβ or γδ T cells showed that postnatal IL-2 producers in the thymus belong to both αβ and γδ lineages. Additionally, further studies indicated that IL-2 synthesis by immature αβ -T cells depends on the expression of bonafide TcR αβ-heterodimers. Taken altogether, IL-2 production in the postnatal thymus relies on the generation of αβ or γδ-TcR^+ cells and induction of IL-2 protein synthesis can be linked to an activation event mediated via the TcR.

With regard to tissue specificity of IL-2 gene expression in vivo, analysis of whole body sections obtained from normal neonatal mouse pups by in situ hybridization demonstrated that IL-2 mRNA^+ cells were found in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues with which T cells are associated, such as the thymus (as described above), dermis and gut. Tissues devoid of IL-2 mRNA^+ cells included brain, heart, lung, liver, stomach, spine, spinal cord, kidney, and bladder. Additional analysis of isolated tissues taken from older animals revealed that IL-2 expression was undetectable in bone marrow and in nonactivated spleen and lymph nodes. Thus, it appears that extrathymic IL-2 expressing cells in nonimmunologically challenged animals are relegated to particular epidermal and epithelial tissues in which characterized subsets of T cells reside and thatinduction of IL-2 gene expression associated with these tissues may be a result of T-cell activation therein.

Based on the neonatal in situ hybridization results, a detailed investigation into possible induction of IL-2 expression resulting in IL-2 protein synthesis in the skin and gut revealed that IL-2 expression is induced in the epidermis and intestine and IL-2 protein is available to drive cell proliferation of resident cells and/or participate in immune function in these tissues. Pertaining to IL-2 expression in the skin, maximal IL-2 mRNA accumulation and protein production were observed when resident Vγ_3^+ T-cell populations were expanding. At this age, both IL-2 mRNA^+ cells and IL-2 protein production were intimately associated with hair follicles. Likewise, at this age a significant number of CD3ε^+ cells were also found in association with follicles. The colocalization of IL-2 expression and CD3ε^+ cells suggests that IL-2 expression is induced when T cells are in contact with hair follicles. In contrast, neither IL-2 mRNA nor IL-2 protein were readily detected once T-cell density in the skin reached steady-state proportions. At this point, T cells were no longer found associated with hair follicles but were evenly distributed throughout the epidermis. In addition, IL-2 expression in the skin was contingent upon the presence of mature T cells therein and induction of IL-2 protein synthesis in the skin did not depend on the expression of a specific TcR on resident T cells. These newly disclosed properties of IL-2 expression in the skin indicate that IL-2 may play an additional role in controlling mature T-cell proliferation by participating in the extrathymic expansion of T cells, particularly those associated with the epidermis.

Finally, regarding IL-2 expression and protein synthesis in the gut, IL-2 producing cells were found associated with the lamina propria of neonatal animals and gut-associated IL-2 production persisted throughout life. In older animals, the frequency of IL-2 producing cells in the small intestine was not identical to that in the large intestine and this difference may reflect regional specialization of the mucosal immune system in response to enteric antigen. Similar to other instances of IL-2 gene expression in vivo, a failure to generate mature T cells also led to an abrogation of IL-2 protein production in the gut. The presence of IL-2 producing cells in the neonatal gut suggested that these cells may be generated during fetal development. Examination of the fetal gut to determine the distribution of IL-2 producing cells therein indicated that there was a tenfold increase in the number of gut-associated IL-2 producers at day 20 of gestation compared to that observed four days earlier and there was little difference between the frequency of IL-2 producing cells in prenatal versus neonatal gut. The origin of these fetally-derived IL-2 producing cells is unclear. Prior to the immigration of IL-2 inducible cells to the fetal gut and/or induction of IL-2 expression therein, IL-2 protein was observed in the fetal liver and fetal omentum, as well as the fetal thymus. Considering that induction of IL-2 protein synthesis may be an indication of future functional capability, detection of IL-2 producing cells in the fetal liver and fetal omentum raises the possibility that IL-2 producing cells in the fetal gut may be extrathymic in origin and IL-2 producing cells in these fetal tissues may not belong solely to the T lineage. Overall, these results provide increased understanding of the nature of IL-2 producing cells in the gut and how the absence of IL-2 production therein and in fetal hematopoietic tissues can result in the acute pathology observed in IL-2 deficient animals.

Chemical studies of viral entry mechanisms: I. Hydrophobic protein-lipid interactions during sendai virus membrane fusion. II. Kinetics of bacteriophage λ DNA injection.

Viruses possess very specific methods of targeting and entering cells. These methods would be extremely useful if they could also be applied to drug delivery, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the viral entry process. In order to gain further insight into mechanisms of viral entry, chemical and spectroscopic studies in two systems were conducted, examining hydrophobic protein-lipid interactions during Sendai virus membrane fusion, and the kinetics of bacteriophage λ DNA injection.

Sendai virus glycoprotein interactions with target membranes during the early stages of fusion were examined using time-resolved hydrophobic photoaffinity labeling with the lipid-soluble carbene generator3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-^(125 )I] iodophenyl)diazirine (TID). The probe was incorporated in target membranes prior to virus addition and photolysis. During Sendai virus fusion with liposomes composed of cardiolipin (CL) or phosphatidylserine (PS), the viral fusion (F) protein is preferentially labeled at early time points, supporting the hypothesis that hydrophobic interaction of the fusion peptide at the N-terminus of the F_1 subunit with the target membrane is an initiating event in fusion. Correlation of the hydrophobic interactions with independently monitored fusion kinetics further supports this conclusion. Separation of proteins after labeling shows that the F_1 subunit, containing the putative hydrophobic fusion sequence, is exclusively labeled, and that the F_2 subunit does not participate in fusion. Labeling shows temperature and pH dependence consistent with a need for protein conformational mobility and fusion at neutral pH. Higher amounts of labeling during fusion with CL vesicles than during virus-PS vesicle fusion reflects membrane packing regulation of peptide insertion into target membranes. Labeling of the viral hemagglutinin/neuraminidase (HN) at low pH indicates that HN-mediated fusion is triggered by hydrophobic interactions, after titration of acidic amino acids. HN labeling under nonfusogenic conditions reveals that viral binding may involve hydrophobic as well as electrostatic interactions. Controls for diffusional labeling exclude a major contribution from this source. Labeling during reconstituted Sendai virus envelope-liposome fusion shows that functional reconstitution involves protein retention of the ability to undergo hydrophobic interactions.

Examination of Sendai virus fusion with erythrocyte membranes indicates that hydrophobic interactions also trigger fusion between biological membranes, and that HN binding may involve hydrophobic interactions as well. Labeling of the erythrocyte membranes revealed close membrane association of spectrin, which may play a role in regulating membrane fusion. The data show that hydrophobic fusion protein interaction with both artificial and biological membranes is a triggering event in fusion. Correlation of these results with earlier studies of membrane hydration and fusion kinetics provides a more detailed view of the mechanism of fusion.

The kinetics of DNA injection by bacteriophage λ. into liposomes bearing reconstituted receptors were measured using fluorescence spectroscopy. LamB, the bacteriophage receptor, was extracted from bacteria and reconstituted into liposomes by detergent removal dialysis. The DNA binding fluorophore ethidium bromide was encapsulated in the liposomes during dialysis. Enhanced fluorescence of ethidium bromide upon binding to injected DNA was monitored, and showed that injection is a rapid, one-step process. The bimolecular rate law, determined by the method of initial rates, revealed that injection occurs several times faster than indicated by earlier studies employing indirect assays.

It is hoped that these studies will increase the understanding of the mechanisms of virus entry into cells, and to facilitate the development of virus-mimetic drug delivery strategies.

An identification key of the most important German freshwater teleost fishes by means of their eggs [Translation from: Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 83(2), 200-212, 1978]

The fetal and larval development of many freshwater fish is already relatively well covered. Coverage of the morphology of fish-species' eggs is very sparse. For this reason the authors have attempted to prepare a key on fish eggs which covers the bulk of German Teleostei fish. The key also includes a discussion of problems of categorization and terminology.