Eficacia antiparasitaria in vitro del extracto de quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) sobre larvas infectantes de Haemonchus contortus de ovinos

El objetivo fue evaluar in vitro la eficacia del extracto de quebracho (Bioquina®), rico en taninos condensados, en el control de H. contortus de ovinos, dadas las evidencias de que los taninos condensados provenientes del extracto de quebracho (Schinopsis spp.) pueden reducir la excreción de huevos, la fecundidad de las hembras parásitas y la carga de parásitos nematodos gastrointestinales adultos en rumiantes. Se utilizó el test de inhibición de migración larval (IML) a 3 concentraciones diferentes (5 mg/ml, 15 mg/ml y 30 mg/ml) sobre larvas infectantes de H. contortus susceptibles a todos los grupos químicos. El efecto se analizó mediante un análisis de varianza y para la estimación de las diferencias entre grupos (a posteriori) se usó la prueba LSD Fisher. El test in vitro demostró que el extracto de quebracho evaluado redujo aproximadamente entre un 74% y un 80% la migración larval a las concentraciones de entre 5 mg/ml y 30 mg/ml. Del análisis de varianza surgen diferencias significativas entre tratamientos (p = 0,0494). Al realizar la prueba de comparación de medias se evidenciaron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) entre los promedios de migración a las diluciones de 5 mg/ml y 15 mg/ml y de 5 mg/ml y 30 mg/ml, mientras que no se detectaron diferencias significativas entre la dilución de 15 mg/ml y 30 mg/ml. Estos resultados señalaron que el extracto de quebracho, a las diluciones evaluadas, presentó actividad antihelmíntica sobre larvas L3 susceptibles de H. contortus; sin embargo, se requiere ampliar los estudios in vivo en ovinos.

The Genomics of Cannabis and Its Close Relatives

Cannabis sativa L. is an important yet controversial plant with a long history of recreational, medicinal, industrial, and agricultural use, and together with its sister genus Humulus, it represents a group of plants with a myriad of academic, agricultural, pharmaceutical, industrial, and social interests. We have performed a meta-analysis of pooled published genomics data, andwe present a comprehensive literature review on the evolutionary history of Cannabis and Humulus, including medicinal and industrial applications. We demonstrate that current Cannabis genome assemblies are incomplete, with ∼10% missing, 10-25% unmapped, and 45S and 5S ribosomal DNA clusters as well as centromeres/satellite sequences not represented. These assemblies are also ordered at a low resolution, and their consensus quality clouds the accurate annotation of complete, partial, and pseudogenized gene copies. Considering the importance of genomics in the development of any crop, this analysis underlines the need for a coordinated effort to quantify the genetic and biochemical diversity of this species.

Comparative proteomic profiling of Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is a malignancy with complex pathogenesis. The hallmark of the disease is the presence of large mononucleated Hodgkin and bi- or multinucleated Reed/Sternberg (H/RS) cells. The origin of HRS cells in cHL is controversial as these cells show the coexpression of markers of several lineages. Using a proteomic approach, we compared the protein expression profile of cHL models of T- and B-cell derivation to find proteins differentially expressed in these cell lines. A total of 67 proteins were found differentially expressed between the two cell lines including metabolic proteins and proteins involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton and/or cell migration, which were further validated by western blotting. Additionally, the expression of selected B- and T-cell antigens was also assessed by flow cytometry to reveal significant differences in the expression of different surface markers. Bioinformatics analysis was then applied to our dataset to find enriched pathways and networks, and to identify possible key regulators. In the present study, a proteomic approach was used to compare the protein expression profiles of two cHL cell lines. The identified proteins and/or networks, many of which not previously related to cHL, may be important to better define the pathogenesis of the disease, to identify novel diagnostic markers, and to design new therapeutic strategies.

Exposure to parasites increases promiscuity in a freshwater snail

Under the Red Queen hypothesis, outcrossing can produce genetically variable progeny, which may be more resistant, on average, to locally adapted parasites. Mating with multiple partners may enhance this resistance by further increasing the genetic variation among offspring. We exposed Potamopyrgus antipodarum to the eggs of a sterilizing, trematode parasite and tested whether this altered mating behaviour. We found that exposure to parasites increased the number of snail mating pairs and the total number of different mating partners for both males and females. Thus, our results suggest that, in host populations under parasite-mediated selection, exposure to infective propagules increases the rate of mating and the number of mates.

The impact of proteomics in the understanding of the molecular basis of Paclitaxel-resistance in ovarian tumors

The current therapy for ovarian cancer has advanced from alkylating agents, to a combination of carboplatinum and paclitaxel offering increased survival. Although most patients respond to this first-line therapy, initially, the majority of these patients relapse within 2 years. The mechanisms responsible for acquired drug resistance in ovarian cancer have been elucidated only in part. They include i) enhanced drug export, ii) activation/inhibition of intracellular signalling pathways, iii) molecular alterations in tubulin isotype composition. A better understanding of these mechanisms is needed, in order to develop new approaches, aimed at overcoming resistance to anticancer agents, and to reveal the complexity of causes, which contribute to drug resistance. In this review we offer an updated overview of proteomic studies on the molecular mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance. These proteomic studies also identify potential targets for modulating drug resistance, that could be predictive of response to chemotherapy in ovarian carcinomas.

SU-E-J-180: A Characterization of the LAP Aquarius Phantom for External LAP Laser Alignment and MR Geometric Distortion Verification for the use of SRS Patient Simulation

PURPOSE

To explore additional application of the new Aquarius external laser alignment verification Phantom by LAP (Aq-LAP Phantom) examining geometric accuracy of magnetic resonance images (MRI) commonly used for planning intracranial stereotactic radiation surgery (ICSRS) cases.

METHODS

Newly designed external patient alignment lasers were first aligned by the Aq-LAP Phantom at a Siemens Magneton Vario 3T MR unit. The scans were then performed with the T1 Axial 3D MPRAGE protocols with 0.9 mm temporal resolution, which may be used for ICSRS. They also include FLAIR, T2 BLADE and Diffusion Axial TRACE imaging acquisitions with 1 mm temporal resolution. The MRI will be fused to 1 mm cut computerized tomography (CT) images acquired by a Siemens Somatom Sensation Open©. The geometric distortions (GD) were measured against the CT in all axial, sagital, and coronal directions at different levels.

RESULTS

MR images of the Aquarius Phantom indicate a distinct similarity between the nonlinear GD along the z-axis crosshair and typical magnetic field gradient nonlinearity. There is linear correlation between MR divergence datasets of distorted crosshairs (p-values from 0.57 to 0.00), and nonlinear correlation between MR divergence datasets of the distorted crosshair with the CT divergence datasets of the cross plane (p-values from 8.45×10̂-4 to 1.38×10̂-46). The margin of error exceeded no more than 0.29 mm. GDs up to about 2 mm are observed at the distal regions of the longitudinal axis in the SRS treatment planning MR images.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the Aquarius Phantom, one is able to detect GD in ICSRS planning MRI acquisitions, and align the external LAP patient alignment lasers by following the LAP QA. Based on the results, one may recommend using the Aquarius Phantom to determine if margins should be included for SRS treatment planning. The Aquarius Phantom, used for laser alignment and geometric distortion detection, was provided by LAP of America.

PBMCs protein expression profile in relapsing IFN-treated multiple sclerosis: A pilot study on relation to clinical findings and brain atrophy

This cross-sectional study investigated with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to MALDI-TOF and MRI the relationship between PBMCs protein expression profile and whole-brain atrophy in 16 unselected RR-MS IFN-treated patients compared with 6 RR IFN-untreated and 12 matched healthy control subjects. Grey/white matter fraction, T1/T2 lesion load and clinical variables were considered too. Twenty six proteins showed significant differential expression among RR IFN-treated patients and control samples. Four of these (IN35, GANAB, PP1B, SEPT2) resulted correlated with clinical and MRI findings in RR IFN-treated MS patients. Future clinical applications remain to be validated by other techniques and confirmed by a larger study.

Comparison between the motoric constraints for Amer-Ind and ASL sign formation

Previous research has shown that Amer -Ind signals are more easily learned and remembered than their synonyms in American Sign Language. One possible reason is a difference in motoric complexity between the two systems. To test the hypothesis that such a difference exists, the positions and movements that constitute the 236 signals of Amer -Ind Code were compared with those of their synonyms in American Sign Language. It was found that the ASL signs were indeed more complex in terms of changes of hand orientation during production, the use of two hands rather than one, the number of different handshapes used, and the total amount of movement required. When the two systems were compared in terms of the normal development of finger, hand, and arm movements, it was found that more Amer -Ind signals than ASL signs are within the competence of infants at both the 6-month and 12-month levels. Relative to the motor coordination required to execute both systems, it was concluded that the Amer -Ind corpus is less complex than a matched group of ASL signs.