bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemopreventive and hepatoprotective roles of adiponectin (SULF2 inhibitor) in hepatocelluar carcinoma
Authors: Al-Gayyar Mohammed M.H. , Abbas Ahmed , Hamdan Ahmed M.
Published: January 2016

Sulfatase 2 (SULF2) is an extracellular enzyme that catalyzes the removal of 6-O-sulfate groups from the heparan sulfate (HS). As elevated SULF2 activity has been correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), this study was conducted to evaluate the chemoprotective and the hepatoprotective roles of adiponectin, as a SULF2 inhibitor, against hepatocellular carcinoma both in vivo and in vitro. HCC was induced in rats using thioacetamide (200 mg/kg). Treated rats received adiponectin (5 μg/kg) once a week. Moreover, human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line was used as an in-vitro model. In both in-vivo and in-vitro models, adiponectin completely blocked HCC-induced SULF2 elevation. The antitumor activity of adiponectin was confirmed by 80% increased the survival rate, 73% reduction in the average number of nodules per nodule-bearing liver and 46% reduction in serum AFP. In addition, adiponectin ameliorated HCC-induced expression of tumor invasion markers, MMP9, syndecan-1 and FGF-2. Moreover, adiponectin attenuated HCC-induced elevation of nfκb and TNF-α levels. Moreover, treatment of HepG2 cell line with adiponectin showed dose-dependent reduction of HepG2 cell viability and elevation of cellular cytotoxicity. Besides, Adiponectin yielded the same results in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Adiponectin achieved both hepatoprotective and chemoprotective effects against HCC through blocking of SULF2.
Role of chitinase-like proteins in cancer
Authors: Kzhyshkowska Julia , Yin Shuiping , Liu Tengfei , Riabov Vladimir , Mitrofanova Irina
Published: January 2016

Chitinase-like proteins (CLPs) are lectins combining properties of cytokines and growth factors. Human CLPs include YKL-40, YKL-39 and SI-CLP that are secreted by cancer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, synoviocytes, chondrocytes and other cells. The best investigated CLP in cancer is YKL-40. Serum and plasma levels of YKL-40 correlate with poor prognosis in breast, lung, prostate, liver, bladder, colon and other types of cancers. In combination with other circulating factors YKL-40 can be used as a predictive biomarker of cancer outcome. In experimental models YKL-40 supports tumor initiation through binding to RAGE, and is able to induce cancer cell proliferation via ERK1/2-MAPK pathway. YKL-40 supports tumor angiogenesis by interaction with syndecan-1 on endothelial cells and metastatic spread by stimulating production of pro-inflammatory and pro-invasive factors MMP9, CCL2 and CXCL2. CLPs induce production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and are potential modulators of inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Targeting YKL-40 using neutralizing antibodies exerts anti-cancer effect in preclinical animal models. Multifunctional role of CLPs in regulation of inflammation and intratumoral processes makes them attractive candidates for tumor therapy and immunomodulation. In this review we comprehensively analyze recent data about expression pattern, and involvement of human CLPs in cancer.
Leptin and Gaba Interactions on Thermoregulation of Rats
Authors: Yakimova Krassimira S. , Nikolov Rumen P. , Todorov Ivan G. , Hristov Milen H.
Published: January 2016

Leptin inhibits feeding, reduces body weight and increases thermogenesis. Experimental data suggest involvement of GABAergic mechanisms in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance. The present study was set to determine the effect of combinations from leptin, GABAB-agonist baclofen and GABAB-antagonist CGP35348 on thermoregulation of male Wistar rats, using in vivo and in vitro experiments. The substances used for in vivo experiments were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). The measurement of the body temperature was done via thermistor probes (TX8) and monitored on multichannel recorder Iso-Thermex16. In vitro experiments were conducted on rat PO/AH neurons, recorded extracellulary by conventional electrophysiological equipment, using brain slice preparations. The separate intraperitoneal injection of leptin as well as GABAB-antagonist CGP35348 produced significant hyperthermia in rats while the GABAB-agonist baclofen caused a decrease in the core body temperature. The probable synergy between the hyperthermic effects of leptin and GABAB-antagonist did not occur. On the contrary, the effect of this combination was lower as compared to the result of the separate administration of GABAB-antagonist. When leptin was applied just prior to GABAB-agonist baclofen, neither of their separate effects appeared. In vivo effects determined correlated with in vitro changes of firing rate observed in PO/AH neurons. The data from this study provide a new point of view concerning the interactions of leptin and GABA on the level of thermoregulation. These results represent a step forward in understanding the complicated mechanisms involved in thermoregulation.
Correlation Between Self-Rated Health and Socioeconomic and Psychological Charasteristics of Ambulatory and Hospitalized Patients Over 44 Years of Age
Authors: Simeonova Joana I. , Velkova Angelika S. , Tsvetkova Silvia B. , Kostadinova Penka S. , Hristova Petkana A. , Kamburova Mariela S.
Published: January 2016

The aim of the study was to identify socioeconomic and psychological determinants of self-rated health among ambulatory and hospitalized patients. A cross-sectional study was carried-out in 2014. Two hundred and twelve patients over 44 years of age filled in a self-administrated questionnaire. Self-rated health (SRH) was measured by 5-point range scale. The level of well-being (WB), sources of social support, personal financial capacity, social status, etc. were studied as well. Data were processed by SPSS.v.19. Parametric and non-parametric statistical methods were applied. Over 70% of patients evaluated their health as fair and good. The persons with higher WB had higher SRH, that correlation was moderate (r=0.452; p=0.001). In regard to the social status the differences were significant - the unemployed, old age retirees or ill health retirees evaluated their health lower (p<0.05). A proportion of patients indicated two or more sources of emotional and instrumental support, but increased number of support sources had no effect on SRH (p>0.05). Identification of socioeconomic and psychological factors of self-rated health allows clarifying better their effect mechanisms and planning appropriate health services
Risks of Oral Methotrexate Administration in Outpatients
Authors: Ganeva Maria G. , Gancheva Tanya T. , Baldaranov Ivan D. , Kiriyak Nataliya J. , Hristakieva Evgeniya H.
Published: January 2016

Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytostatic agent used in oncology. Because of its immunosuppressive properties, MTX is also used in autoimmune disorders. Low-dose MTX regimens in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis are considered to be safe. However, pharmacovigilance centers warn of serious and even fatal incidents due to errors in oral MTX administration. The aim of this case series presentation was to identify the specific factors related to the development of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) induced by MTX. A prospective pharmacovigilance study was conducted at the Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital, Stara Zagora. We report 3 cases of patients with psoriasis vulgaris in which severe haematological abnormalities associated with previous administration of MTX were detected during hospitalization. A 73-year old female with malaise, vomiting and oral ulcers who had taken approximately 120 mg MTX was found to have pancytopenia. A 59-year old male hospitalized for psoriatic erythroderma who had erroneously taken 10 mg MTX daily instead of weekly for 8 days, was diagnosed with bicytopenia and toxic hepatitis. An 88-year old male with psoriatic arthritis presented with aphthous stomatitis, erosive crusted lesions, ecchymoses and aplastic anemia 2 weeks after treatment with 12.5 mg MTX once weekly plus i.m. Movalis®, followed by Diclophenac Duo®. The main predisposing factors for the development of these ADRs were patient-related dosage errors and concomitant administration of NSAIDs. Safe use of oral MTX requires clear dosing instructions and strict patient compliance. Potential drug interactions of MTX with other drugs should also be considered.
Enhanced Store-Operated Calcium Entry Leads to Striatal Synaptic Loss in a Huntington's Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Wu Jun , Ryskamp Daniel A. , Liang Xia , Egorova Polina , Zakharova Olga , Hung Gene , Bezprozvanny Ilya
Published: January 2016

In Huntington's disease (HD), mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) protein causes striatal neuron dysfunction, synaptic loss, and eventual neurodegeneration. To understand the mechanisms responsible for synaptic loss in HD, we developed a corticostriatal coculture model that features age-dependent dendritic spine loss in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) from YAC128 transgenic HD mice. Age-dependent spine loss was also observedin vivoin YAC128 MSNs. To understand the causes of spine loss in YAC128 MSNs, we performed a series of mechanistic studies. We previously discovered that mHtt protein binds to type 1 inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R1) and increases its sensitivity to activation by InsP3. We now report that the resulting increase in steady-state InsP3R1 activity reduces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+levels. Depletion of ER Ca2+leads to overactivation of the neuronal store-operated Ca2+entry (nSOC) pathway in YAC128 MSN spines. The synaptic nSOC pathway is controlled by the ER resident protein STIM2. We discovered that STIM2 expression is elevated in aged YAC128 striatal cultures and in YAC128 mouse striatum. Knock-down of InsP3R1 expression by antisense oligonucleotides or knock-down or knock-out of STIM2 resulted in normalization of nSOC and rescue of spine loss in YAC128 MSNs. The selective nSOC inhibitor EVP4593 was identified in our previous studies. We now demonstrate that EVP4593 reduces synaptic nSOC and rescues spine loss in YAC128 MSNs. Intraventricular delivery of EVP4593 in YAC128 mice rescued age-dependent striatal spine lossin vivo. Our results suggest EVP4593 and other inhibitors of the STIM2-dependent nSOC pathway as promising leads for HD therapeutic development.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn Huntington's disease (HD) mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) causes early corticostriatal synaptic dysfunction and eventual neurodegeneration of medium spine neurons (MSNs) through poorly understood mechanisms. We report here that corticostriatal cocultures prepared from YAC128 HD mice feature age-dependent MSN spine loss, mirroring YAC128 MSN spine lossin vivo. This finding establishes a system for mechanistic studies of synaptic instability in HD. We use it to demonstrate that sensitization of type 1 inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors by mHtt, which depletes endoplasmic reticulum calcium, contributes to synaptotoxic enhancement of STIM2-dependent store-operated calcium (SOC) entry. Treatment with EVP4593, a neuroprotective inhibitor of neuronal SOC channels, rescues YAC128 MSN spine loss bothin vitroandin vivo. These results suggest that enhanced neuronal SOC causes synaptic loss in HD-afflicted MSNs.
Smoking-Relevant Nicotine Concentration Attenuates the Unfolded Protein Response in Dopaminergic Neurons
Authors: Srinivasan Rahul , Henley Beverley M. , Henderson Brandon J. , Indersmitten Tim , Cohen Bruce N. , Kim Charlene H. , McKinney Sheri , Deshpande Purnima , Xiao Cheng , Lester Henry A.
Published: January 2016

Retrospective epidemiological studies show an inverse correlation between susceptibility to Parkinson's disease and a person's history of tobacco use. Animal model studies suggest nicotine as a neuroprotective agent and nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (nAChRs) as targets for neuroprotection, but the underlying neuroprotective mechanism(s) are unknown. We cultured mouse ventral midbrain neurons for 3 weeks. Ten to 20% of neurons were dopaminergic (DA), revealed by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity. We evoked mild endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with tunicamycin (Tu), producing modest increases in the level of nuclear ATF6, phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, nuclear XBP1, and the downstream proapoptotic effector nuclear C/EBP homologous protein. We incubated cultures for 2 weeks with 200 nmnicotine, the approximate steady-state concentration between cigarette smoking or vaping, or during nicotine patch use. Nicotine incubation suppressed Tu-induced ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Study of mice with fluorescent nAChR subunits showed that the cultured TH+ neurons displayed α4, α6, and β3 nAChR subunit expression and ACh-evoked currents. Gene expression profile in cultures from TH-eGFP mice showed that the TH+ neurons also express several other genes associated with DA release. Nicotine also upregulated ACh-induced currents in DA neurons by ∼2.5-fold. Thus, nicotine, at a concentration too low to activate an appreciable fraction of plasma membrane nAChRs, induces two sequelae of pharmacological chaperoning in the ER: UPR suppression and nAChR upregulation. Therefore, one mechanism of neuroprotection by nicotine is pharmacological chaperoning, leading to UPR suppression. Measuring this pathway may help in assessing neuroprotection.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTParkinson's disease (PD) cannot yet be cured or prevented. However, many retrospective epidemiological studies reveal that PD is diagnosed less frequently in tobacco users. Existing programs attempting to develop nicotinic drugs that might exert this apparent neuroprotective effect are asking whether agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, or channel blockers show the most promise. The underlying logic resembles the previous development of varenicline for smoking cessation. We studied whether, and how, nicotine produces neuroprotective effects in cultured dopaminergic neurons, an experimentally tractable, mechanistically revealing neuronal system. We show that nicotine, operating via nicotinic receptors, does protect these neurons against endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, the mechanism is probably “inside-out”: pharmacological chaperoning in the endoplasmic reticulum. This cellular-level insight could help to guide neuroprotective strategies.
Hippocampal Respiration-Driven Rhythm Distinct from Theta Oscillations in Awake Mice
Authors: Nguyen Chi Vivan , Müller Carola , Wolfenstetter Thérèse , Yanovsky Yevgenij , Draguhn Andreas , Tort Adriano B.L. , Brankačk Jurij
Published: January 2016

We have recently described a slow oscillation in the hippocampus of urethane-anesthetized mice, which couples to nasal respiration and is clearly distinct from co-occurring theta oscillations. Here we set out to investigate whether such type of patterned network activity, which we named “hippocampal respiration rhythm” (HRR), also occurs in awake mice. In freely moving mice, instantaneous respiration rate is extremely variable, and respiration is superimposed by bouts of sniffing. To reduce this variability, we clamped the behavior of the animal to either awake immobility or treadmill running by using a head-fixed setup while simultaneously recording respiration and field potentials from the olfactory bulb (OB) and hippocampus. Head-fixed animals often exhibited long periods of steady respiration rate during either immobility or running, which allowed for spectral and coherence analyses with a sufficient frequency resolution to sort apart respiration and theta activities. We could thus demonstrate the existence of HRR in awake animals, namely, a respiration-entrained slow rhythm with highest amplitude at the dentate gyrus. HRR was most prominent during immobility and running with respiration rates slower than theta oscillations. Nevertheless, HRR could also be faster than theta. Discharges of juxtacellularly recorded cells in CA1 and dentate gyrus were modulated by HRR and theta oscillations. Granger directionality analysis revealed that HRR is caused by the OB and that theta oscillations in OB are caused by the hippocampus. Our results suggest that respiration-coupled oscillations aid the exchange of information between olfactory and memory networks.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOlfaction is a major sense in rodents. In consequence, the olfactory bulb (OB) should be able to transmit information to downstream regions. Here we report potential mechanisms underlying such information transfer. We demonstrate the existence of a respiration-entrained rhythm in the hippocampus of awake mice. Frequencies of the hippocampal respiration rhythm (HRR) overlap with classical theta oscillations, but both rhythms are clearly distinct. HRR is most prominent in the dentate gyrus, especially when respiration is slower than theta frequency. Discharges of neurons in CA1 and dentate gyrus are modulated by both HRR and theta. Directionality analysis shows that HRR is caused by the OB. Our results suggest that respiration-coupled oscillations aid the exchange of information between olfactory and memory networks.
Bridging Darwin's Origin of Species & Wegener's Origin of Continents and Oceans:
Authors: Sousa Cristina
Published: January 2016

The common ancestor and evolution by natural selection, concepts introduced by Charles Darwin, constitute the central core of biology research and education. However, students generally struggle to understand these concepts and commonly form misconceptions about them. To help teachers select the most revelant portions of Darwin's work, I suggest some sentences from On the Origin of Species and briefly discuss their implications. I also suggest a teaching strategy that uses history of science and curriculum crosscutting concepts (cause and effect) that constitute the framework to explain the evolutionary history of ratites (flightless birds) as described by Darwin, starting in the Jurassic, with the breakup of Gondwanaland, as first described by Alfred Wegener in The Origin of Continents and Oceans.
Why Do We Choose Certain Foods?
Authors: Graziose Matthew M.
Published: January 2016

Research into human eating behavior is complex. Innate preferences for sweet and aversions to bitter tastes may explain why we choose certain foods. Some segments of the population, called “supertasters,” are more sensitive to bitter-tasting foods because of a genetic polymorphism. These individuals may reject bitter vegetables like broccoli, potentially putting them at risk for obesity and chronic disease. However, learned associations with food, including rewards, social experiences, and modeling, have also been shown to explain food choice. The respective roles of taste and learning in food choice are explored here in a classroom investigation designed for undergraduates.
Photomicroscopy Made Easy by Converting Cell Phones into “CellCams”
Authors: Martin Rick , Shin Soojung
Published: January 2016

Photo and video microscopy expand the utility of microscopic observations in education, but attachments needed for this have been prohibitively expensive or too fragile to allow students individual access to these techniques. We describe a do-it-yourself method using inexpensive materials that allows students to build an adaptor that will allow them to turn their cell phones into “CellCams” that they can use to capture microscopic images and videos. Activities are presented that give students ways to learn about concepts of microscopy using their self-collected images.
La Práctica Veterinaria con Caninos Domésticos como Factor de Riesgo para la Exposición a Toxocara Canis en Lima, Perú
Authors: Anacleto N. Lady , Falcón P. Néstor , Roldán G. William , Noé M. Norma , Espinoza B. Yrma
Published: January 2016

Se determinó la frecuencia de serorreactores y riesgo de exposición a Toxocara canis en el personal que laboraba en clínicas y consultorios veterinarios de la ciudad de Lima. Se consideró un grupo expuesto, en contacto directo con canes (n=135) y un grupo no expuesto, de personal administrativo (n=108). Los sueros fueron evaluados mediante una prueba de ELISA con antígenos de excreción / secreción de larvas L2 de T. canis, en diluciones de 1/200, 1/400, 1/800, 1/1600 y más de 1/1600, en búsqueda de anticuerpos IgG. En el grupo expuesto, el 95.6, 58.5, 37.0, 23.7 y 9.6% resultaron positivos en las diluciones indicadas, respectivamente, en tanto que en el grupo no expuesto se encontró el 97.2, 50.0, 32.4, 17.6 y 3.7%, respectivamente. No se encontró asociación entre la proporción de positivos y los grupos de exposición. Se concluye que la práctica profesional no representa un factor de riesgo para la presentación de infecciones humanas a T. canis
Desarrollo de los Islotes de Langerhans en Páncreas de Alpacas Neonatas
Authors: Rodríguez G. José , Espinoza B. Juan , Rojas Z. Gabriela , Lira M. Boris , Vásquez C. María , López-Torres Bernardo , Caro M. César
Published: January 2016

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el desarrollo posnatal de los Islotes de Langerhans (IL) en alpacas de 0 a 45 días de edad. Los animales fueron agrupados en nueve grupos etarios con rangos de cinco días se edad. El número de IL varió entre 3.03 a 4.46 en campos de 10x (con ocular de 10x), el diámetro de IL entre 67.89 a 72.55 µm, el número de células B dentro del IL de 23.79 a 47.08 y el resto de células de 18.15 a 39.93. Por otra parte, el receptor de insulina y la proteína de transporte GLUT-2 fueron observadas mediante la técnica de inmunohistoquímica a partir del primer día de edad. Se concluye que los IL incrementan en número y tamaño con la edad (p<0.05), mientras que las células B no muestran esta tendencia.
Comparación entre la Prueba de Puntas de Papel Absorbente Estériles y la Prueba Lagrimal de Schirmer para la Evaluación de Producción de Lágrimas en Canes Clínicamente Normales
Authors: Huaringa P Víctor , Grandez R. Ricardo , Hinostroza M. Elizabeth
Published: January 2016

El propósito del estudio fue determinar los valores normales de producción de lágrimas en perros mestizos, sin evidencias de alteraciones oftalmológicas, utilizando la prueba de puntas de papel absorbente estériles (PPPAE) y su comparación con la prueba lagrimal de Schirmer (PLS). Se evaluaron 33 perros (66 ojos) con cráneo de tipo dolicocéfalo, con edades de 2 a 6 años y de tamaño mediano (15 a 24 kg). El valor de la producción lagrimal promedio determinado mediante PPPAE fue de 20.85 ± 1.44 mm/min (rango de 18 a 24) y con la PLS de 18.05 ± 1.58 mm/min. Se encontró una correlación positiva débil entre los resultados de PPPAE y PLS.
Estudio Microbiológico e Histopatológico en Peces Tetra Neón (Paracheirodon innesi) de la Amazonía Peruana
Authors: Palacios H. Shirley , Sandoval C. Nieves , Bueno M. Chen , Manchego S. Alberto
Published: January 2016

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la presencia de agentes infecciosos mediante estudios microbiológicos e histopatológicos en tetra neón (Paracheirodon innesi), pez amazónico ornamental. Se colectaron 168 peces, al azar, del acuario de un acopiador minorista de peces ornamentales de Iquitos, Perú. En la necropsia de 84 peces se tomaron muestras de riñón y bazo para el aislamiento de bacterias en agar tripticasa de soya (TSA), Citophaga (AO) y Middlebrook 7H9, haciendo la identificación mediante coloración Gram y análisis bioquímico. El estudio histopatológico se hizo con los 84 peces restantes. Se aislaron bacterias de los géneros Flavobacterium, Staphylococcus, Carnobacterium, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Bacillus y de la familia Enterobacteriaceae. En branquias se observó hiperplasia lamelar, fusión de lamelas, aspi como presencia de esporas de Mixosporidia en los ápices de las lamelas; en intestino se encontró hiperplasia del epitelio y presencia de esporas de Microsporidium en enterocitos; en hígado se encontró degeneración hidrópica, grasa y presencia de un granuloma parasitario; en riñones se encontró edema peritubular y degeneración hidrópica tubular; y en músculo esquelético se encontró necrosis, granulomas y presencia de quistes de Mixosporidium y esporas de Microsporidium, Pleistophora y Heterosporis.
Efecto de la Suplementación del Medio de Maduración con Cisteamina y de Dos Medios de Cultivo (KSOMaa y SOF) en la Fecundación in vitro de Ovocitos Bovinos
Authors: Quintanilla M. Lisbeth , Huanca L. Wilfredo , Córdova G. Alejandro , Ampuero B. Antonio , Benavides I. Lenin
Published: January 2016

Se evaluó el efecto de la cisteamina en el medio de maduración sobre la tasa de división posfecundación y el efecto de los medios de cultivo KSOMaa y SOF sobre la tasa de desarrollo embrionario in vitro hasta los 8 días posfecundación. Se utilizaron 680 ovocitos procedentes de ovarios de hembras bovinas distribuidos al azar en dos tratamientos: T1 (n=321) medio de maduración TCM-199 y T2 (n=359) medio de maduración TCM-199 adicionado con cisteamina 100 mM. Los ovocitos fueron fecundados a las 24 h con semen congelado de un solo toro y cultivados en medio KSOMaa por 18 h, evaluándose la tasa de división 72 h después. En la segunda fase, luego del primer cultivo, ambos grupos se subdividieron en dos grupos, donde el primero se cultivó con medio KSOMaa y el segundo con medio SOF hasta el día 8 posfecundación. Los resultados de la primera fase indican una tasa de división de 43.6% para el grupo control y 46.0% para el grupo suplementado con cisteamina, sin encontrar diferencia significativa. En la fase 2, se obtuvo una tasa de 18.0% de blastocistos para el tratamiento TCM-199 + KSOMaa y 20.9% para TCM-199 c/ cisteamina + KSOMaa (p<0.05), y 15.8% para TCM-199 + KSOMaa y SOF y 18.7% para TCM-199 c/ cisteamina + KSOMaa y SOF (p<0.05). Los resultados indican que la adición de cisteamina al medio de cultivo mejoró la tasa de desarrollo embrionario in vitro hasta el estadio de blastocisto en ovocitos madurados en medio TCM 199, no habiendo diferencias por el uso de los medios de cultivo.
Evaluación Morfológica de Ovocitos Caninos Recuperados en Diferentes Fases del Ciclo Estral
Authors: Sánchez R. Alfonso , Ahumada C. Carolina
Published: January 2016

El objetivo del estudio fue obtener y evaluar morfológicamente ovocitos caninos procedentes de hembras en las diferentes fases del ciclo estral y comparar las proporciones de ovocitos potencialmente aptos para maduración in vitro (MIV). Se obtuvieron los ovarios de 24 perras, 6 por cada fase del ciclo estral, y mediante cortes finos se recuperaron los ovocitos, que fueron clasificados morfológicamente como aptos y no aptos para MIV. Dentro de los ovocitos recuperados como aptos para IMV, el 86.6% fue recuperado de hembras en proestro y estro (p<0.01). La mayor cantidad de ovocitos aptos para MIV por hembra (448.0 ± 52.7) se obtuvo en la fase de estro (p<0.01). Se concluye que la evaluación morfológica de los ovocitos permitió establecer que la calidad y cantidad de ovicitos recuperados durante las fases de estro y proestro del ciclo estral, en términos de su potencial uso para MIV, fueron mejores y mayores a los ovocitos obtenidos en anestro y diestro.
Efecto de Tres Crioprotectores en la Criopreservación de Espermatozoides Epididimarios de Alpaca
Authors: Terreros C. Marino , Huanca L. Wilfredo , Arriaga C. Irma , Ampuero B. Antonio
Published: January 2016

El estudio tuvo por objetivo evaluar el efecto de tres crioprotectores: Dimetil Sulfóxido (DMSO), Etilenglicol (EG) y Glicerol (GL) sobre la criopreservación de espermatozoides epididimarios de alpaca. Se trabajó con testículos de alpacas mayores de tres años. Se separaron los epidídimos y se diseccionaron las colas. Los espermatozoides fueron recuperados con la fracción A del dilutor (leche descremada, yema de huevo y fructosa) y se emplearon las muestras con motilidad espermática igual o mayor a 50% (n=18, motilidad = 69%, integridad funcional de membrana espermática = 48%). La fracción A con los espermatozoides fue refrigerada (1 ºC/5 min) hasta alcanzar 5 ºC. Esta fracción se dividió en tres y se añadió un volumen igual de la fracción B conteniendo un crioprotector (DMSO: 7%, 0.9M; EG: 7%, 0.9M; GL: 7%, 1.2M). Se llenaron pajillas de 0.5 ml con la dilución final y se congelaron en nitrógeno líquido. Después de 7 días de almacenamiento, las motilidades posdescongelación fueron de 31, 8 y 24% y los porcentajes de integridad funcional de la membrana espermática fueron de 28, 17 y 26% para DMSO, EG y GL, respectivamente. Se llevó a cabo un ensayo de fecundación in vitro con los espermatozoides descongelados de los grupos DMSO y GL, donde la tasa de división a las 72 h posfecundación fue de 47 y 27%, respectivamente, sin diferencias significativas. Los resultados sugieren que el dimetil sulfóxido y el glicerol son agentes crioprotectores más efectivos en comparación al etilenglicol.
Actividad Letal in vitro del Extracto Proteico Total de Bacillus thuringiensis sobre Huevos y Larvas (L3) Infectivas de Nematodirus Spathiger
Authors: Ochoa Silvera Adolfo Alfredo , Mujica Lengua Fidel Rodolfo
Published: January 2016

Se obtuvo una suspensión conteniendo el extracto proteico total de Bacillus thuringiensis de las variedades kurstaki HD-1, thompsoni HD-542, neoleonensis T-24- 001, israeliensis HD-500 e israeliensis WHO-2013-9 y se determinó la concentración (mg/ml) de cada variedad por el método de Biuret. La actividad nematicida se evaluó en placas de Petri enfrentando huevos y larvas (L3) infectivas de Nematodirus spathiger contra la suspensión del extracto proteico total (1.2 ml), considerando cinco tratamientos (variedades) y 10 repeticiones. El grupo control solo contenía nematodos. Las placas de Petri se incubaron a 25 °C por 24, 48 y 72 h. La variedad kurstaki HD-1 en una concentración de 5.042 mg/ml fue la variedad con mayor eficiencia antihelmíntica en los tres tiempos de incubación, obteniendo una mortalidad de 44.7% en huevos y 45.6% en larvas. El extracto proteico total de B. thuringiensis variedad kurstaki HD-1 contiene las toxinas nematicidas que pudieran ser empleadas para el futuro en pruebas in vivo con animales infectados experimentalmente con N. spathiger.
Escherichia coli Enteropatógena en Crías de Primate Aotus (Aotidae) con Diarrea en Cautiverio
Authors: Sánchez P. Nofre , Arias B. Isabel , Gálvez C. Hugo , Carranza Victoria , Romaina R. Arnulfo
Published: January 2016

La diarrea es el signo más frecuente de enfermedad gastrointestinal en crías de primates mantenidas en cautiverio. El estudio tuvo como objetivo aislar e identificar especies bacterianas presentes en crías de Aotus con diarrea que son criadas en cautiverio con fines experimentales. Se tomaron muestras de heces mediante hisopado rectal a 78 ejemplares de 1 a 7 meses de edad de A. nancymae (n=65) y A. vociferans (n=13) con diarrea y a 29 ejemplares de 1 mes de edad, aparentemente sanos de A. nancymae (n=21) y A. vociferans (n=8), durante el periodo de 2002 a 2005. En el grupo control se identificó principalmente E. coli, además de Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis y Citrobacter freundii. Resultado similar fue registrado en el grupo con diarrea, además de Klebsiella oxitoca y Enterobacter aerogenes. Los serotipos de E. coli enteropatógena (EPEC) identificados en el grupo con diarrea fueron siete: O158, O142, O86, O125, O126, O55 y O111. Los resultados indican que las crías con diarrea tienen bacterias que corresponden a la flora intestinal normal, siendo E. coli la de mayor frecuencia.
Frecuencia y Clasificación Histopatológica del Mastocitoma Canino en la Casuística (periodo 2000-2006) de un Laboratorio de Histopatología Veterinaria, Lima, Perú
Authors: Heredia N. Ronald , Perales C. Rosa , Chavera C. Alfonso , Tabacchi N. Luis , Santillán A. Gilberto
Published: January 2016

El objetivo del presente estudio fue clasificar el mastocitoma de acuerdo a su grado histológico, a partir de muestras provenientes de necropsias y biopsias caninas diagnosticadas por histopatología en el Laboratorio de Patología Veterinaria de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú, a través de un estudio retrospectivo para el periodo 2000-2006. Se encontraron 40 casos de mastocitomas (4.5%) en 881 neoplasias caninas. Al clasificar los mastocitomas según su grado histológico se encontró que el 42.5% fueron de grado I (bien diferenciado), el 47.5% de grado II (moderadamente diferenciado) y el 10% de grado III (poco diferenciado). Asimismo, el 63.9% (23/36) de los casos se encontraron en perros Bóxer.
Frecuencia Histopatológica de Neoplasias Perianales en Caninos: Casuística del Laboratorio de Patología Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (2005-2012
Authors: Vicente R. Karla , Perales C. Rosa , Tabacchi N. Luis
Published: January 2016

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de neoplasias perianales en caninos mediante diagnóstico histopatológico en el Laboratorio de Patología Animal de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú, en el periodo 2005-2012. Se diagnosticaron 52 casos de neoplasias perianales dentro de 1283 casos de neoplasias caninas (4.1%). El adenoma de glándulas hepatoides fue el de mayor frecuencia (46.2%, 24/52).
Evaluación de la Patogenicidad Inhalatoria del Micoinsecticida Beauveria bassiana LF14 en Ratones
Authors: Cazorla Perfetti Dalmiro , Acosta Quintero María , Morales Moreno Pedro
Published: January 2016

Se realizaron pruebas de bioseguridad para evaluar los posibles efectos patogénicos del aislamiento autóctono LF14 de Beauveria bassiana en ratones albinos NMRI; el cual posee una elevada virulencia hacia Rhodnius prolixus y Triatoma maculata (Triatominae), vectores de enfermedad de Chagas en Venezuela. Se administró 1x109 conidias/ml del hongo mediante gotas nasales. Se realizaron observaciones clínicas y de comportamiento, así como de peso corporal en forma diaria y por 14 días. Asimismo, se estimó el aclaramiento fúngico mediante examen directo y cultivo de muestras intranasales, y de infectividad con la toma de muestras de tejidos de varios órganos, incluyendo un estudio histopatológico a los 3, 7 y 14 días después de la inoculación. No ocurrieron muertes ni alteraciones clínico-patológicas discernibles, siendo el tipo de comportamiento activo-normal en el 100% de los casos. El peso promedio corporal se incrementó, tanto en los animales expuestos a LF14 B. bassiana como los controles, habiendo diferencias entre sexos (p<0.0000). No se detectaron anormalidades en la inspección anatomopatológica ni hubo reacciones tisulares de consideración. Solo se obtuvieron conidias viables sin germinar al día tres de la necropsia en pulmón y tráquea, sugiriendo que no existe evidencia de multiplicación fúngica. Los resultados obtenidos permiten sugerir que el aislamiento B. bassiana LF14 no es patogénico por vía inhalatoria en Mus musculus (NMRI).
Efecto de Antígenos de Clostridium perfringens y Ácido Retinoico sobre la Expresión de IgA en la Mucosa Intestinal de Crías de Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Lázaro B. Roberto , Manchego S. Alberto , Pezo C. Danilo , More B. Juan , Castro S. Gina , Siuce M. Juan , Sandoval C. Nieves
Published: January 2016

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar los niveles de expresión relativa del gen del exón 1 de la IgA en el epitelio intestinal de las crías de alpacas tratadas y no tratadas con antígenos de Clostridium perfringens más ácido holotransretinoico (ATRA) por vía oral. Se muestrearon 32 animales: 14 tratados (6 de 1 día de edad y 8 entre 7 a 14 días de edad) y 18 no tratados (10 de 1 día de edad y 8 entre 7 a 14 días de edad). Los animales fueron sacrificados a la semana del tratamiento, se recolectó un segmento de 2 cm de yeyuno y se almacenó a -196 °C. De cada muestra se realizó la extracción de ARN total con el método de TRIzol® y luego se realizó la técnica del RT PCR a tiempo real empleando oligonucleótidos diseñados para la detección del exón 1 del gen de inmunoglobulina A (IgA) de alpaca. La cuantificación de la expresión relativa mediante normalización con ARNm del gen GAPDH y los cálculos de la expresión relativa se realizaron utilizando el método Ct comparativo (2-ΔΔCt). Los resultados indicaron que la administración de antígenos de C. perfringens y ATRA ejerce un efecto inmunomodulador positivo sobre la expresión de IgA en mucosa intestinal de crías de alpacas tratadas. Los animales tratados de ambos grupos etarios presentaron mayor producción de ARNm de IgA en relación a los animales controles (p<0.05).
Efecto de Cuatro Diluciones de Plasma Seminal sobre la Tasa de Ovulación, Tamaño de Cuerpo Lúteo y Perfil de Progesterona en Alpacas
Authors: Reyna W. Iván , Huanca L. Wilfredo , Ampuero B. Antonio , Huanca M. Teodosio
Published: January 2016

El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de cuatro diluciones de plasma seminal sobre la tasa de ovulación y formación de cuerpo lúteo en alpacas. Se seleccionaron 44 alpacas sin cría al pie y con la presencia de un folículo dominante ≥7 mm detectado por ecografía transrectal. Los animales se distribuyeron al azar en cinco grupos experimentales: G1, plasma seminal (PS) diluido 1:1 (v/v) con fosfato salino bufferado (PBS); G2, PS diluido 1:2 (v/v) con PBS; G3, PS diluido 1:4 (v/v) con PBS; G4, PS diluido 1:8 (v/v) con PBS; y G5, grupo control con PBS. Se aplicó 1.5 ml de la dilución correspondiente por vía intramuscular. La tasa de ovulación y el tamaño de cuerpo lúteo fueron evaluados al segundo y noveno día, respectivamente (D0= inicio de tratamiento) a través de ecografía transrectal. Muestras de sangre fueron tomadas los días D0, D3, D6, D9 y D12 para determinar niveles séricos de progesterona mediante radioinmunoanálisis. Los resultados indicaron una tasa de ovulación del 100% en los grupos tratados con diferentes diluciones de plasma seminal y 0% en el grupo control. El tamaño de cuerpo lúteo y los niveles séricos de progesterona no registraron diferencias estadísticas. Los resultados sugieren que el factor inductor de ovulación presente en el plasma seminal de alpacas tiene un efecto muy potente e induce ovulación aún en dosis bajas.
Impacto Económico de Laringotraquitis Infecciosa Aviar en una Granja de Pollos de Carne en Lima, Perú
Authors: López L. Lupe , Icochea D. Eliana , Reyna S. Pablo , Angulo J. Carlos , Zegarra V. Raúl
Published: January 2016

El objetivo de este estudio fue cuantificar el impacto económico de la laringotraqueitis infecciosa aviar (LTI) en el rendimiento productivo y económico de pollos de engorde. Se evaluaron dos campañas consecutivas de 35 000 pollos criados hasta los 49 días de edad, donde la primera campaña estuvo afectada por LTI. Se realizó una encuesta para recopilar información sobre datos productivos, bioseguridad y costos de producción por campaña, así como los gastos adicionales que demandó el control de la enfermedad. El impacto económico se evaluó mediante la comparación de los datos de ambas campañas usando un modelo de distribución estocástica con el programa de análisis de riesgos @Risk 5.1®. Además, se hizo un análisis estadístico para determinar diferencias entre datos productivos de cada campaña. En la campaña con LTI se incrementó la mortalidad en 3.51% y el índice de conversión en 16.8%, y la eficiencia productiva se redujo en 27.3% en comparación con la campaña sin LTI. Las pérdidas totales por la enfermedad sumaron S/. 88,805 Nuevos Soles. El análisis de riesgos mostró un rango de pérdidas de S/. 28,800.00 hasta S/. 149,300.00 Nuevos Soles con un 95% de probabilidad, para los 35,000 pollos de engorde con LTI.
Identificación de Serogrupos Patógenos de Leptospira en Canes Domésticos
Authors: Siuce M. Juan , Calle E. Sonia , Pinto J. Pinto J. , Pacheco S. Gabriela , Salvatierra R. Guillermo
Published: January 2016

La leptospirosis es una zoonosis bacteriana de gran impacto. Los perros y otros animales pueden infectarse, constituyendo un factor importante en la diseminación de la bacteria al humano. La infección es causada por cualquiera de los serovares patógenos de los 25 serogrupos de Leptospira spp. El estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar serogrupos de Leptospira spp presentes en perros con diagnóstico clínico presuntivo de leptospirosis de la ciudad de Lima. Se obtuvieron 305 muestras de suero sanguíneo de perros de 31 distritos de Lima Metropolitana. Se realizó la prueba de microaglutinación (MAT), estableciéndose títulos ≥1/100 de serorreactividad como seropositivos. Se utilizaron cepas de referencia de los 25 serogrupos, incluyendo al nuevo serogrupo Iquitos, serovar varillal, cepa VAR10, aislado y reportado en casos humanos en Perú. Se detectaron 177 seropositivos (58.0%), 31 (10.2%) de los cuales fueron coaglutinaciones. Los serogrupos reaccionaron contra 18 serogrupos siendo los de mayor frecuencia: Iquitos (15.1%), Tarassovi (12.1%), Canicola (12.1%), Australis (4.6%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (4.3%), Pomona (3.9%), Mini (3.3%) y Ballum (2.6%). No se identificaron serorreactores en los serugrupos Bataviae, Celledoni, Hebdomadis, Lousiana, Panama, Ranarum y Sarmin.
New records of Hippocampus patagonicus Piacentino & Luzzatto, 2004 (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) from the coast of Paraná, southern Brazil
Authors: Pereira Luci F. , Silveira Rosana B. , Abilhoa Vinícius
Published: January 2016

Abstract: The seahorse Hippocampus patagonicus (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) is the southernmost occurring species of its genus in the South Atlantic Ocean. Its distribution seems to be restricted to the Southwestern Atlantic, along the coasts of Argentina and Brazil. Herein we report the incidental capture of six individuals as bycatch in the shrimp trawl fishery off the coast of Paraná, southern Brazil. Additional information on the geographic distribution of H. patagonicus, together with its ecology and life history, is important for conservation of this threatened species. These data can promote the development of appropriate management and conservation strategies for populations along the Brazilian coast.
Editorial
Authors: Filip Florin-Gheorghe , Dzițac Ioan , Manolescu Mișu-Jan
Published: January 2016

Welcome to the International Journal of Computers, Communications & Control (IJCCC), a new scientific journal
in Computer Science.
Personalized e-Learning Implementation - The GIS Case
Authors: Styliadis Athanasios D. , Karamitsos Ioannis D. , Zachariou Dimitrios I.
Published: January 2016

Personalized e-learning implementation is recognized as among one of the most interesting research areas in the distance learning Web-based education. In particular, the GIS e-learning initiatives that incorporate —by default— a number of sequencing spatial techniques (i.e. spatial objects selection and sequencing), will well benefit from a welldefined personalized e-learning implementation with embedded spatial functionality. This is the case addressed in this paper.
 The GIS e-learning implementation introduced in the current paper is based on a set of teaching (lecturing) rules according to the cognitive style of learning preferences of both the learners and the lecturers as well. It is important to note that, in spite of the fact that most of these teaching rules are generic (i.e. domain, view and user independent), there are no so far well-defined and commonly accepted rules on how the learning spatial GIS objects and techniques should be selected and how they should be sequenced to make “instructional sense" in a Web-based GIS course.
Preface
Authors: Hernández Gastón Lefranc
Published: January 2016

It is an honor for me to introduce you a list of papers selected from the XVI Congress of ACCA (Asociación Chilena de Control Automático, Chilean Association of Automatic Control), done in Santiago of Chile at the end of 2004, in its 30 years of existence.
 Since 1974, ACCA organize Congress (every 2 years), Tutorial Courses for continuing education, Seminars, Workshops, Exposition of Systems and Equipments and our Magazine Automatica and Innovation. All of these activities have results: important influence in all ambits, consolidating to ACCA as a point of meeting of people from industries, from private and public institutions, from the academics world, from suppliers of systems and equipments, and professional from all Latin America . In 1976, ACCA had its first Program Committee to select papers, and its first Proceedings.
 This Congress was organized by ACCA, IEEE Chilean Chapter on Control, Robotics and Cybernetics, IFAC and its Technical Committees, and the Universidad de Las Américas, Chile. ACCA is NMO of IFAC since 1984.
 ACCA Congress had Keynotes Speakers for Plenary: Dr. François Vernadat from France, Dr. Florin Filip from Romania, Dr. Shimon Nof from USA and Dr. Philippe Dupont, from France. A Round Table was organised to discuss about productivity, interested in Chile and Latin American professionals. The 46 accepted papers selected by the International Program Committee, were presented in Technical Sessions where new ideas, critical comments, and the beginning of cooperation leading to future projects will take place. The papers come from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba and México. The International Program Committee selected 10 papers as the best of this Congress, to be published in “International Journal of Computers, Communications & Control”. The papers are in areas of artificial intelligence, vision, manufacturing, pattern recognition and robotics.
 ACCA wants to say thanks to Dr. Florin Filip to permit to show the activities in Chile and Latin America, oriented to improve and to solve our own problems.
 It is pleasure to introduce you to this Special Issue Conference dedicated to ACCA in its 30 years.
Development of a Matlab(R) Toolbox for the Design of Grey-Box Neural Models
Authors: Acuña Gonzalo , Pinto Erika
Published: January 2016

A Matlab Toolbox is developed for the design, construction and validation of grey-box neural network models. This toolbox, available in www.diinf.usach.cl=gacuna has been tested in simulations with a continuously stirred reactor process. The grey-box model performs well for validation data with 5% additive gaussian noise for one-step-ahead (OSA) and model-predictive-output (MPO) estimations.
A New Technique For Texture Classification Using Markov Random Fields
Authors: Salinas Renato , Gomez Mauricio
Published: January 2016

This paper proposes, applies and evaluates a new technique for texture classification in digital images. The work describes, as far as possible in a quantitative way, the concept of texture in digital images. Furthermore, we developed an innovative model that allows classifying and characterizing texture in digital images, to be used as a useful tool in noninvasive inspection of visual surfaces. The proposed methodology extracts the statistical order from an image of texture. The extraction of the high statistical order has been made using as a tool Markov Random Fields. The Backpropagation neural net is used for designing a classification module that will serve to test the performance of the configuration histograms, which are based on the statistical order. Furthermore, the research suggests the evaluation of the proposed technique from a qualitative perspective.
Coordinated Control Of Mobile Robots Based On Artificial Vision
Authors: Soria Carlos M. , Carelli Ricardo , Kelly Rafael , Zannatha Juan M. Ibarra
Published: January 2016

This work presents a control strategy for coordination of multiple robots based on artificial vision to measure the relative posture between them, in order to reach and maintain a specified formation. Given a leader robot that moves about an unknown trajectory with unknown velocity, a controller is designed to maintain the robots following the leader at a certain distance behind, by using visual information about the position of the leader robot. The control system is proved to be asymptotically stable at the equilibrium point, which corresponds to the accomplishment of the navigation objective. Experimental results with two robots, a leader and a follower, are included to show the performance of the vision-based control system.