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Thyroid nodules are the main indicators of thyroid cancer, their malignancy is evaluated by cytological analysis and imaging technology, however, there are still cases where the result is not enough to classify thyroid cancer. Therefore, there is a necessity for accurate molecular biomarkers to collaborate in the diagnosis. Here, we analyzed the mRNA relative expression of CLDN1, TIMP1, and KRT19 genes in FNA of malignant (n = 48) and benign (n = 49) thyroid nodules by RT-qPCR analysis to assess their predictive value as cancer biomarkers. We identified a significant overexpression of the three transcripts in malignant nodules, therefore, the evaluation of their predictive capacity to distinguish between benign and malignant nodule as individual biomarkers were evaluated by logistic regression tests, obtaining promising prediction results to rule out cancer; later by random forest to create a stronger model, we included expression results with clinicopathological characteristics, the best model consists of the three-mRNA level expression with patient's history of cancer (AUC = 0.821, accuracy = 85.4% and sensitivity of 81.1%). These results demonstrate a dysregulated expression of CLDN1, KRT19 and TIMP1 in thyroid cancer, thus, represent a promising panel of biomarkers to be evaluated in indeterminate thyroid nodules.

El Grupo de Estudios Geoarqueologicos de America Latina (GEGAL) fue creado en 2012 para favorecer el desarrollo de la geoarqueologia (aplicacion de los metodos y tecnicas de las geociencias a la arqueologia). La actividad principal del GEGAL son los talleres anuales de geoarqueologia, rotando paises, en los que se combinan presentaciones orales y salidas de campo. Los hemos realizado en Argentina (2013), Chile (2014), Ecuador (2015), Uruguay (2016), Colombia (2017), Brasil (2018), Peru (2019) y en el 2020 vuelve a la Argentina. EL 2020 sera recordado como el ano de la pandemia de COVID-19, la que genero una situacion sanitaria inedita. Muchos paises sufrieron cuantiosas perdidas humanas y economicas, y en algunos casos, como el de Argentina, se adopto una estrategia de Aislamiento Social, Preventivo y Obligatorio (ASPO) que redujo la circulacion y prohibio las aglomeraciones de personas (reuniones, espectaculos, eventos deportivos y culturales, entre otros). En este contexto, la comision organizadora del VIII Taller del GEGAL a desarrollarse en la ciudad de La Plata, tuvo que tomar una decision en cuanto a su realizacion. De esta manera es que luego de debatirlo y ante la incertidumbre generada por esta nueva realidad, optamos por la realizacion del taller mediante la modalidad online, algo que nos permite continuar con la tradicion del taller sin arriesgar la salud de quienes participan. En este taller contamos con la participacion de investigadores de Mexico, Colombia, Brasil, Uruguay y Argentina y sera realizado entre los dias 30 de septiembre y 2 de octubre de 2020. Comision Organizadora Dr. Bruno Mosquera Dra. Carola Castineira Latorre Lic. Marco Alvarez Dr. Eduardo Apollinaire Lic. Diego Block Dra. Irina Capdepont

Palynology can be applied to different areas, such as archeology and allergy, where it is constantly growing. However, no publication comparing human classifications with machine learning classifications at different optical scales has been found in the literature. An image dataset with 17 pollen species that occur in Brazil was created, and machine learning algorithms were used for their automatic classification and subsequent comparison with humans. The experiments presented here show how machine and human classification behave according to different optical image scales. Satisfactory results were achieved, with 98.88% average accuracy for the machine and 45.72% for human classification. The results impact a single scale pattern for capturing pollen grain images for both future computer vision experiments and for a faster advance in palynology science.

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa neurosurgical meningitis is a rare entity, usually related with intraventricular catheters and associated with high mortality rates. We describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of a series of neurosurgical meningitis caused by P. aeruginosa along 1990–2016. Methods Descriptive, retrospective study of all postsurgical meningitis due to P. aeruginosa related to intraventricular catheters in Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, between 1990 and 2016. Clinical features, therapeutic approaches and prognostic factors were analyzed statistically. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing the infection mortality. Result 51 episodes from 51 different patients with CSF culture positive for P. aeruginosa were reviewed. Seventeen patients (33.3%) died as a direct consequence of the infection. Univariate analysis showed that mortality was higher in the group of patients treated with ceftazidime (12 vs. 15, p = 0.068, OR 3.040 [0.877–10.544]) and lower in patients whom had received intrathecal therapy (2 vs. 13, p = 0.050, OR 4.64 [0.80–34.93]), without differences observed between those patients treated with aminoglycosides or with colistin. Any patient treated with colistin died (0 vs. 6, p = 0.067, OR: not defined). In the multivariate analysis mortality was only significant higher for patients without catheter withdrawal (p = 0.014) and lower for those patients who received intrathecal therapy (p = 0.05) or adequate empirical treatment (p = 0.006). Conclusions The mortality of P. aeruginosa meningitis is high especially in infections without catheter withdrawal and in patients for whom the intrathecal route of administration was not used. Catheter withdrawal was an independent factor of good outcome in our series.

The modeling of pedestrian flow is a relevant topic which can lead to valuable information for urban planning as well as for improving evacuation strategies. Most works in this field include a heavy numerical component while theoretical predictions are scarce. In the present work we propose a simple yet rich model for bidirectional pedestrian flow in a one dimensional evacuation scenario where a dense crowd of passive walkers exit the building while a sparse group of aggressive individuals attempt to re-enter. The model is based on a kinetic theory treatment with Boltzmann-like equations considering a two moment approach for the transport equations. The corresponding system in linearly analyzed in order to identify stability regions where the flow towards the exit is uninterrupted provided the countercurrent is aggressive enough. The criterion for the onset of a congestion, and thus the relevant parameters in order to avoid it, are obtained in a purely analytical fashion based on statistical physics.

Resumen El siguiente ensayo busca ofrecer una alternativa para interpretar el registro sedimentario en arqueología, por consiguiente, concebiremos a los suelos, estratos y sucesiones sedimentarias como cosas. Las cosas son un lugar donde varios caminos se cruzan y se entrelazan, son un nudo compuesto por múltiples hilos que se pueden rastrear más allá del nudo en sí. Esta forma interpretativa, nos invita a reflexionar que todo aquello que envuelve a los materiales arqueológicos no es sólo una clase dentro de la taxonomía sedimentaria, sino que suelos y estratos son el resultado de una compleja asamblea de actores. Esta herramienta heurística aporta información contextual del pasado, así como también puede utilizarse para la identificación de elementos de interés con el fin de ampliar el horizonte de la investigación arqueológica. Luego de la definición y discusión de una serie de términos como suelos, estratos, objetos y cosas, interpretaremos la secuencia sedimentaria del sitio Cárcava Paso del Hervidero como cosa. Por último, se genera un ensamble compuesto por los múltiples elementos que componen a la cosa-secuencia del sitio arqueológico y dejaremos expuestas las hebras que guiarán investigaciones futuras. Abstract The following essay seeks to offer an alternative to interpret the sedimentary record in archeology, where soils, strata and sedimentary successions are conceived as things. Things are a place where various paths intersect and intertwine, they are a knot made up of multiple threads that can be traced beyond the knot itself. In line with this, this interpretive form invites us to reflect that everything that surrounds archaeological materials is not only a class within the sedimentary taxonomy, but that soils and strata are the result of a complex assembly of actors. This heuristic tool provides contextual information from the past, as well as can also be used to identify elements of interest in order to broaden the horizon of archaeological research. After the definition and discussion of a series of terms such as soils, strata, objects and things, we will interpret Cárcava Paso del Hervideros site´s sedimentary sequence as a thing. Finally, an assembly composed of the multiple elements that shape the thing-sequence of the archaeological site is generated and we will expose the strands that will guide future research.

El tema general de esta Tesis Doctoral es navegación, guiado y control para Sistemas Aeroespaciales Distribuidos (SAD). Los Satélites de Arquitectura Segmentada (SAS) son un tipo de SAD, donde dos o más satélites pequeños y simples, denominados segmentos, cumplen una función similar a la de un satélite monolítico tradicional. Algunos términos relacionados con SAS son: vuelo en formación, redes espaciales, instrumentos partidos y navegación en clúster, siendo éste último el tema particular de la presente investigación. Ésta propone centrarse en aspectos relacionados con la navegación relativa entre los segmentos, y su uso para el guiado y control de forma autónoma.

In male, the prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most frequent neoplasias and the second cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In 2015, more than 6000 men died in Mexico due to this disease. In this regard, prostate cancer associated gene 3 (

In male, the prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most frequent neoplasias and the second cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In 2015, more than 6000 men died in Mexico due to this disease. In this regard, prostate cancer associated gene 3 (PCA3) has become an interesting target in PCa as is found highly overexpressed. Moreover, TAAA tandem repeats have been suggested to be associated with the regulation of PCA3 expression and, in turn, to be related with the development of the disease. The aim of the study was to understand thegenetic basis of the disease in search for a better diagnosis. Expression levels of PCA3 gene were analysed in tissue of 13 patients diagnosed with PCa and six patients diagnosed with a benign prostatic disease (BPD). The absolute expression of PCA3 was quantified by real-time PCR. Genotype for TAAA tandem repeats was measured using automatic sequencing and the results were analysed to determine whether an association existed between them. We identified three alleles: 4, 5, 6 and four genotypes: 4/5, 5/5, 5/6, 6/6. Our analysis identified amutation in the nucleotide 76764237 of the PCA3 gene that generates an extra TAAA tandem repeat. The nucleotide mutation is present in 61.53% of PCa and 66.66% of BPD patients. Our study revealed the presence of a mutation in the PCA3 gene that generates an extra TAAA tandem. We observed no association between the absolute expression of PCA3 messenger and the number of TAAA repetitions.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of death among men. Genes such as PCA3, PSA, and Fra-1 are suggested to serve as potential tools for the detection of PCa, as they are deregulated during this pathology. A similar event occurs with small non-coding RNAs, called miRNAs, specifically miR-195-5p, miR-133a-3p, and miR-148b-3p, which were analyzed in a Chinese population and suggested to be possible candidates for PCa diagnosis. We evaluated the expression levels of three miRNAs and three genes in tissue samples of PCa and benign prostate disease, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostatitis, in order to determine their potential as candidates for PCa detection. Our results showed a statistically significant overexpression of 279-fold increase in PSA levels and a 1,012-fold increase in PCA3 levels in PCa patients compared to benign prostate disease patients (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). We observed a positive correlation between the expression of miR-148b-3p and the expression of PSA and PCA3 genes, two established biomarkers in PCa. The expression of miR-148b-3p was not related to clinical characteristics, such as age and weight, as observed for the other miRNAs analyzed, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for detection of this pathology.

Background and Study Aims To determine the effect on psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in 30 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of both subthalamic nuclei (STN) after 1 year of follow-up. Material and Method We conducted a prospective 1-year follow-up study with a baseline assessment before and 6 and 12 months after surgery. The following were used as assessment instruments: the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale (MES), the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale (MAS), the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI), the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire (OSQ), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the dose of levodopa, and the active contact stereotactic coordinates. Results We recorded a clinical improvement between baseline with medication use (ON medication) and the results obtained at 6 and 12 months with medication use and stimulation (ON stimulation, ON medication) in MES and OSQ (p Conclusions DBS of the STN in patients with PD is associated with an improvement in psychiatric (affective and sleep-wake cycle) symptoms, clinical motor symptoms, and quality of life at 1 year after surgery.

El tema general de esta Tesis Doctoral es navegación, guiado y control para Sistemas AeroespacialesDistribuidos (SAD). Los Satélites de Arquitectura Segmentada (SAS) son un ejemplo de SAD, donde dos o mássegmentos (satélites pequeños y simples) cumplen una función similar a la de un satélite monolíticotradicional. Algunos términos relacionados con SAS son: vuelo en formación [3], redes espaciales,instrumentos partidos y navegación en clúster, siendo este último el tema particular de la presenteinvestigación. Ésta propone centrarse en aspectos relacionados con la navegación relativa (determinaciónprecisa de la órbita y orientación relativas a bordo) entre los segmentos, y su uso para guiarlos y controlarlos de forma autónoma.

El presente trabajo, se centra en la discusión de los recientes resultados arqueológicos alcanzados en ambas márgenes del litoral (oriental y occidental) de la cuenca media del río Uruguay. Mediante la realización de trabajos sistemáticos de campo y del análisis de múltiples líneas de evidencias se ha generado información novedosa sobre la distribución de los vestigios arqueológicos en el paisaje, las tecnologías líticas y alfareras prehispánicas, la cronología de las ocupaciones y la evolución del paisaje durante el Cuaternario reciente. El objetivo principal de las investigaciones llevadas a cabo en el área, es actualizar y contribuir al conocimiento de la evolución sociocultural de las poblaciones que ocuparon los litorales fluviales del sur de Sudamérica. Los materiales culturales recuperados en las recientes investigaciones desarrolladas en el sector, nos permite consolidar la caracterización del área como área-soporte de distribución de materiales e ideas, circulación y consumo de materiales culturales durante el Holoceno tardío. En tanto que a partir de nuevos análisis estratigráficos, sedimentológicos, microbiológicos y cronológicos implementados en diferentes secuencias depositacionales fluviales, aportamos resultados para caracterizar la dinámica paleoambiental y paleoclimática dominante durante ese lapso en la cuenca Paraná Uruguay. This paper focuses on the assessment of recent data recovered in both margins of the middle Uruguay River basin. The new information was generated from fieldwork and laboratory analyses concerning the spatial distribution of lithic, pottery and other archaeological remains, chronological data, and fluvial landform evolution. This research aims to update our knowledge of fluvial human adaptations in Southern South America. The recovered cultural materials allowed us to support the characterization of the area as a node of distribution of objects and ideas, and of circulation and consumption of cultural materials during Late Holocene. We also contribute to the characterization of the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic dynamics in the Paraná-Uruguay basin through the interpretation of sedimentological, microbiological, and chronological data from the fluvial sedimentary sequences developed during the Late Holocene. Fil: Castiñeira Latorre, Carola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Capdepont, Irina. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay Fil: Costa Angrizani, Rodrigo. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentina Fil: Blasi, Adriana. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina Fil: Apolinaire Vaamonde, Eduardo Saúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Arqueología; Argentina Fil: Zucol, Alejandro Fabián. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentina Fil: Alvarez, Marco. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Ministerio de Ciencia. Tecnología e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica; Argentina Fil: Maravilla, María Laura. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina

To ensure homeostasis, ectothermic organisms adapt to environmental variations through molecular mechanisms. We previously reported that during the seasonal acclimatization of the common carp Cyprinus carpio, molecular and cellular functions are reprogrammed, resulting in distinctive traits. Importantly, the carp undergoes a drastic rearrangement of nucleolar components during adaptation. This ultrastructural feature reflects a fine modulation of rRNA gene transcription. Specifically, we identified the involvement of the transcription termination factor I (TTF-I) and Tip-5 (member of nucleolar remodeling complex, NoRC) in the control of rRNA transcription. Our results suggest that differential Tip5 enrichment is essential for silencing carp ribosomal genes and that the T0 element is key for regulating the ribosomal gene during the acclimatization process. Interestingly, the expression and content of Tip5 were significantly higher in winter than in summer. Since carp ribosomal gene expression is lower in the winter than in summer, and considering that expression concomitantly occurs with nucleolar ultrastructural changes of the acclimatization process, these results indicate that Tip5 importantly contributes to silencing the ribosomal genes. In conclusion, the current study provides novel evidence on the contributions of TTF-I and NoRC in the environmental reprogramming of ribosomal genes during the seasonal adaptation process in carp.

The archaeological record recovered in fluvial deposits of the Uruguay River has been widely used to build interpretative frameworks about the South American prehistory. The interpretation of these records helped to consolidate the North American Clovis First paradigm and, currently, to contribute to its discussion. They are useful as well to understand the technological divergences of lithic, pottery, and agricultural pre-Hispanic industries on a continental scale. The information of this sector mostly corresponds to the fieldwork carried out by the Archaeological Rescue Mission of Salto Grande before the beginning of the construction of the hydroelectrical dam in the middle Uruguay River. Recently, an international and interdisciplinary team of archaeology begun to develop systematic investigations in order to recognize and actualize the information of this area. One of the main goals of this work is to reconstruct the paleoecological scenario in which the pre-Hispanic populations lived and interacted with each other and with the environment. To this purpose, different stratigraphic successions on the middle littoral Uruguay River were surveyed. They allowed to define and date a succession of fluvial erosive–aggradational episodes that characterized the fluvial dynamics during the Late Holocene. These episodes can be linked to the evolution of paleoclimatological phenomena supported by regional models. On the other hand, the archaeological records registered in the successions of the studied sites allowed to understand the coast of the Uruguay River as a hot spot area since its early human colonization.

This paper presents a software-defined testbed to perform hardware-in-The-loop test of miniaturized coherent transponders. Such a setup has been designed to minimize the access threshold for future users, heavily relying on available open source applications and commercial hardware, targeting future coherent transponders for interplanetary CubeSats. The paper presents the overall architecture of the testbed, a tradeoff to select the most suited development framework and the detailed design of the different blocks. Upcoming interplanetary CubeSat missions that would require a coherent transponder are also presented to highlight the need sof such a system. Software qualification, given the use of third-party software with multiple developers, was also addressed to guarantee performances can be consistent and reliable.

El sitio Arroyo La Glorieta (Delta inferior del río Paraná, pcia. de Buenos Aires) fue excavado en 1926 por el técnico del Museo de la Plata Antonio Castro. Debido a las urnas funerarias recuperadas entonces, fue considerado como un cementerio. Los materiales arqueológicos y los restos humanos fueron guardados en las divisiones de Arqueología y Antropología del Museo de La Plata. Pasados casi noventa años de su excavación recién en los últimos tiempos estos materiales empezaron a ser estudiados de manera sistemática. En este trabajo se presentan los primeros resultados de los análisis realizados sobre la alfarería y los restos humanos procedentes del sitio. Con esto se pretende aportar al conocimiento de las ocupaciones indígenas de la región y, en particular, de las guaraníes que arribaron a estas latitudes en momentos anteriores a la conquista.

Background and Study Aims Bronchogenic carcinoma is the cancer that most commonly metastasizes to the brain. The standard treatment schedule for these patients is still unclear, although recommendation level 1 class I advocates for surgical resection together with postoperative whole-brain radiotherapy for patients with good Karnofsky performance status (KPS). We performed a study to identify prognostic factors for the long-term survival of patients with brain metastases from non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients This retrospective single-center study included 71 patients with brain metastases from NSCLC having undergone surgical metastasectomy between January 2002 and January 2015. Results The average age was 58.8 years. A total of 85.9% of the lesions were located in the supratentorial region, 61.9% of the lesions were 70 in 74.6% of patients, and the postoperative KPS was > 70 in 85.9% of patients. Overall, 84.5% of the brain surgeries had no complications. Brain metastases were diagnosed as a synchronous presentation in 64.7% of patients.The average survival after brain surgery was 20.38 months. The survival rate was 66.2% at 6 months, 45.1% at 12 months, 22.5% at 24 months, 14.1% at 36 months, and 8.5% at 48 months. Patients 70 years of age showed a higher mortality rate at 6 months. Complete surgical brain metastasis resection was associated with an increased survival at 6 months, and patients undergoing primary lung surgery had better survival rates at 48 months. A preoperative KPS > 70% improved the prognosis of patients at 6 and 24 months. Surgical complications reduced survival at 6 and 12 months. Conclusion Surgical resection may be beneficial for a given group of patients: a preoperative KPS > 70; age

Las ciudades se deben considerar como espacios donde ocurren una gran cantidad de fenómenos expresivos, comunicativos y culturales y también como escenarios desde el cual se organizan las diversas experiencias de los grupos que la habitan y que buscan su propia identidad buscando satisfacer sus expectativas. Desde esta perspectiva, el presente artículo aborda la construcción de identidad colectiva en los músicos del Metro Valparaíso, fijando especial atención en la existencia de referentes identitarios entre estos actores que desarrollan sus prácticas artístico-urbanas en un contexto de ilegalidad. Por medio de un trabajo de observación participante se ha profundizado en las creencias que los músicos tienen respecto a su oficio, así también se ha buscado describir los valores, la historia grupal y prácticas colectivas, categorías útiles para develar una identidad colectiva compleja que es generada a partir de la experiencia urbana y que se debate entre el auto-reconocimiento y el estigma. Palabras claves: Arte urbano, identidades colectivas, espacio público, referentes identitarios, metro de Valparaíso Abstract Cities should be considered as places where a lot of expressive, communicative and cultural phenomena occur and as scenarios from which, the diverse experiences of the groups inhabiting and seeking their own identity seeking to satisfy their expectations, are organized. From this perspective, this article discusses the construction of collective identity in Metro Valparaíso musicians, setting focus on the existence of identity references between these actors that develop their artistic and urban practices in a context of illegality. Through a work of participant observation, has deepened on the beliefs that musicians have regarding their job, and has also sought to describe the values, group history and group practices, categories useful to reveal a complex collective identity that is generated from the urban experience that is torn between self-awareness and stigma.

For intertidal fishes belonging to three species, the herbivore Scartichthys viridis (Blenniidae), the omnivore Girella laevifrons (Kyphosidae) and the carnivore Graus nigra (Kyphosidae), mass and body size relationships were higher in individuals from an upwelling zone compared with those from a non-upwelling zone. RNA:DNA were higher in the herbivores and omnivores from the upwelling zone. Higher biomass and RNA:DNA in the upwelling intertidal fishes may be a consequence of an increased exposure to higher nutrient availability, suggesting that increased physiological conditioning in vertebrates from upwelling areas can be detected and measured using intertidal fishes of different trophic levels.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) subjected to three consecutive, alternating treatments with emamectin benzoate (EMB) and deltamethrin (DM) during outbreaks of Caligus rogercresseyi in a farm located in southern Chile (Hornopiren, Chiloe), were studied to determine the effects of these treatments on the protein and enzymatic activity levels of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in different tissues. Consecutive and alternating EMB/DM treatments resulted in a 10-fold increase and 3-fold decrease of CYP1A protein levels in the intestine and gills, respectively. Notably, CYP1A activity levels decreased in most of the analyzed tissues. FMO protein and activity levels markedly increased in the kidney and the intestine. GST was up-regulated in all tissues, either as protein or enzyme activity. When comparing consecutive EMB/DM treatments against previous studies of EMB treatment alone, CYP1A activity levels were similarly diminished, except in muscle. Likewise, FMO activity levels were increased in most of the analyzed tissues, particularly in the muscle, kidney, and intestine. The increases observed for GST were essentially unchanged between consecutive EMB/DM and EMB only treatments. These results indicate that consecutive EMB/DM treatments in rainbow trout induce the expression and activity of FMO and GST enzymes and decrease CYP1A activity. These altered activities of detoxification enzymes could generate imbalances in metabolic processes, synthesis, degradation of hormones and complications associated with drug interactions. It is especially important when analyzing possible effects of consecutive antiparasitic treatments on withholding periods and salmon farming yields.

Oceanographical processes, such as upwelling, induce variations in nutrient availability in marine ecosystems, and evidence indicates that nutrient input can strongly influence the physiological activities, structure, and dynamics of marine communities. Intertidal organisms have long been considered ideal study units in which to quantify the relationship of physical variations and differential energy allocations in specimens that undergo environmental variations, such as observed with nutrient availability. In habitats with differential nutrient input (upwelling versus non-upwelling), both food availability (algae abundance) and seasonal gonadal and foot weight variations were determined in the keyhole limpet Fissurella crassa. Gonadal weight is used as a measure of reproduction allocation whereas foot weight is an indirect indicator of energy allocation towards survival. RNA:DNA ratio in limpets was used as an indicator of biosynthetic capability. Our results indicate that, in general, algae abundance, muscular foot weight, and gonadal weight were higher in upwelling sites during all seasons studied. The same result was found for RNA:DNA ratios. Energetic allocation in animals that inhabit intertidal upwelling habitats supported a constant allocation towards reproduction and soft tissues. In contrast, animals that inhabit non-upwelling habitats showed important energetic restrictions associated with higher water temperature and lower food availability. Our results clearly show that in the keyhole limpet F. crassa food availability is a more important determinant of an individual's condition than a physical variation such as environment temperature.

Phosphorus (P) and other chemical elements have been used to identify residential middens at archaeological sites. This study discusses the relationship of soil chemical elements and middens at Group Chispa, a Late Classic residential complex at a commoner village in the Maya lowlands. The complex was extensively excavated and soil sampled. Ceramic sherd densities, which serve as a proxy for artifact densities, correlate only partially with phosphorus and other chemical elements. One of the three middens in Group Chispa coincides with the highest concentration of P while the two others—including the most extensive one—have medium to low P levels. A spectrum of human activities that include the preparation of pigments explains the nontraditional distribution of chemical elements. High P levels remain useful to detect middens but they provide an incomplete picture and need to be contextualized by comprehensive archaeological data.

Soil science methodologies often enrich archaeological reconstructions. In the Maya Lowlands of Mesoamerica, stable carbon (C) isotope ratio (δ13C) analysis of soil organic matter (SOM) from profiles near ancient archaeological sites has been used to interpret the vegetative histories related to ancient maize agriculture. Due to distinct photosynthetic processes, the decomposed organic matter from the cultivation of maize can be distinguished from SOM derived from native forest detritus. The recalcitrant nature of humic substances allows for this distinction to be preserved through time. This study evaluates SOM δ13C from 98 soil profiles near Tikal, Guatemala to identify areas of ancient Maya agriculture and the staple crops used. Ancillary physical and chemical properties of the soil profiles were examined to facilitate and to supplement the interpretation of the isotope data. Most of the soils analyzed in this study are shallow Haprendolls with limited C isotopic evidence of prehistoric vegetation changes. The deeper, well-developed Argiudolls and Hapludolls contained strong evidence of vegetation changes associated with ancient maize agriculture. Areas with strong δ13C signatures of ancient C4 vegetation corresponded with foot- and toeslope locations, high clay content and low phosphorus (P) levels. The shallow backslope soils lacked significant evidence of ancient agriculture. The connections between profile location, settlement, isotope data, and P levels enable the identification of both agriculture production zones and enhanced understanding of stable C isotope dynamics in soils within the unique physiographic and archaeological surroundings of the Maya Lowlands.

Intertidal organisms have long been considered an ideal system to quantify how physical variations determine differential energy allocations in specimens inhabiting environmental gradients such as exposure to wave action. In habitats with differential intertidal wave exposure (sheltered, Sh; and exposed, E) seasonal gonadal and foot weight variations and their associations with exposure and food availability (algae abundance) were determined in the keyhole limpetFissurella crassa. Gonadal weight is used as a measure of reproduction allocation whereas foot weight is an indirect indicator of energy allocation to survival. RNA:DNA ratio in limpets obtained from Sh and E habitats during the two different seasons was used as an indicator of biosynthetic capability. Our results indicate that algae abundance in E sites was higher in summer and lower in winter compared to Sh sites. In E sites the muscular foot weight of limpet was higher in summer in contrast to Sh sites whereF. crassamuscular foot weight of limpet was higher in winter. Gonadal weight in Sh sites was higher in summer and remained constant in winter; whereas in E sites gonadal weight was lower in summer and higher in winter. RNA:DNA ratios indicate that regardless of intertidal wave exposure,F. crassashowed higher biosynthetic capability in summer. Energetic allocation in animals that inhabit sheltered intertidal habitats would support constant allocation towards reproduction. In contrast, animals that inhabit exposed habitats may favour seasonally reproduction allocation at expense of survival.

Cajal bodies (CBs) are small mobile organelles found throughout the nucleoplasm of animal and plant cells. The dynamics of these organelles involves interactions with the nucleolus. The later has been found to play a substantial role in the compensatory response that evolved in eurythermal fish to adapt to the cyclic seasonal habitat changes, i.e., temperature and photoperiod. Contrary to being constitutive, rRNA synthesis is dramatically regulated between summer and winter, thus affecting ribosomal biogenesis which plays a central role in the acclimatization process. To examine whether CBs, up to now, never described in fish, were also sustaining the phenotypic plasticity observed in nuclei of fish undergoing seasonal acclimatization, we identified these organelles both, by transmission electronic microscopy and immunodetection with the marker protein p80-coilin. We found transcripts in all tissues analyzed. Furthermore we assessed that p80-coilin gene expression was always higher in summer-acclimatized fish when compared to that adapted to the cold season, indicating that p80-coilin expression is modulated upon seasonal acclimatization. Concurrently, CBs were more frequently found in summer-acclimatized carp which suggests that the organization of CBs is involved in adaptive processes and contribute to the phenotypic plasticity of fish cell nuclei observed concomitantly with profound reprogramming of nucleolar components and regulation of ribosomal rRNAs.

Antimony (Sb) is the mainstay for the treatment of Leishmaniasis. It has serious, often lethal, cardiovascular side effects. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Sb treatment upon the electrocardiogram (ECG), myocyte contractility (assessed by monitoring sarcomere length during field stimulation), whole-cell action potential (AP) and calcium current (I(Ca)) of the guinea-pig and to evaluate L-carnitine as a cardioprotective agent. Guinea-pigs received daily injections of either saline, Sb(V), Sb(III), L-carnitine or L-carnitine with Sb(III). Eight lead ECGs were recorded under halothane anaesthesia every 4 days. At the end of each treatment regime, animals were killed and ventricular myocytes were enzymatically isolated. Treatment with Sb(V) for 26 days prolonged the QT interval of the ECG. Treatment with Sb(III) was lethal within 2 days for approximately 50% of the animals. The survivors showed ECG alterations similar to those described in man: T wave flattening and/or inversion, depression of the ST segment, and elongation of RR and QT intervals. Their ventricular myocytes showed impaired contraction responses to changes in stimulus frequency, elongated AP and reduced I(Ca). Combined treatment with L-carnitine and Sb(III) delayed mortality. Prior treatment with L-carnitine followed by combined treatment with L-carnitine and Sb(III) reduced mortality to

The most dramatic adaptive responses of the carp fish to the seasonal environmental changes (mostly temperature and photoperiod) is the segregation of the nucleolar components during winter, concomitantly with a remarkable decay of rRNA synthesis and processing of their precursors. In contrast, summer-adapted fish depicts a nucleolar structure indicating an active state of ribosome biogenesis. The mRNA expression of ribosomal protein L41 and CK2 β , as well as the CK2 β protein is higher in summer. On the contrary, nucleolin mRNA expression is strongly induced in the cold- adapted carp, as it is the cognate nuclear protein content. The physiological up-regulation of nucleolin in the cold-acclimatized carp where rRNA transcription and processing are depressed is consistent with the rearrangement of the nucleolar components. Our observations indicate that rRNA transcription and nucleolar organelle dynamics are not constitutive. Both processes are strongly regulated by the environmental temperature of the habitat.