Aging,mitochondria,and neurodegenerative diseases:Aging is often viewed as the buildup of changes that lead to the gradual transformations associated with getting older,along with a rising likelihood of disease and mo...Aging,mitochondria,and neurodegenerative diseases:Aging is often viewed as the buildup of changes that lead to the gradual transformations associated with getting older,along with a rising likelihood of disease and mortality.Although organis m-wide deterioration is observed during aging,organs with high metabolic demand,such as the brain,are more vulnerable.展开更多
Climate change is altering river regimes in mountainous regions,affecting water availability and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.In the Andes Mountains,characterizing the natural flow regime is essential for est...Climate change is altering river regimes in mountainous regions,affecting water availability and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.In the Andes Mountains,characterizing the natural flow regime is essential for establishing operational conditions that balance multiple water uses(irrigation,supply,hydropower)with the conservation of high-elevation ecosystems in the context of increasing hydroclimatic variability.This study analyzes extreme hydrological conditions in nivoglacial rivers of the upper Mendoza River Basin(Argentina),using indicators of magnitude,frequency,duration,and timing of high(HP)and low(LP)pulses.Daily flow records from the Cuevas,Vacas,Tupungato,and Mendoza Rivers were used to define eight ecologically relevant extreme hydrological parameters over the period 1956–2023.The results reveal a reduction in the magnitude of extreme flows since 2010(−30%to–55%)and significant delays in their timing,with maximum and minimum flow shifting by 15–20 days later in recent decades.The duration of LP events increased by 120%–240%in the Cuevas,Tupungato,and Mendoza Rivers,while in the Tupungato River,HP events tended to occur less frequently but with longer durations.These changes are associated with a 0.1℃decade^(−1)rise in mean temperature and a∼25%decrease in precipitation since 2009.Such trends have major implications for water resource management and the resilience of high-Andean ecosystems under climate warming.展开更多
Dune barrier systems represent highly sought-after coastal landscapes for tourism and urban development around the world.However,a century ago,they were considered hazardous environments due to their great dynamic nat...Dune barrier systems represent highly sought-after coastal landscapes for tourism and urban development around the world.However,a century ago,they were considered hazardous environments due to their great dynamic nature.As a result,stabilization practices were considered necessary.The systematic introduction of fast-growing exotic trees helped stabilize the sand,making it easier for tourism urbanization to take place,but also leading to erosion processes.This paper aims to assess long-term changes in vegetation cover over a large temperate barrier in Argentina.This complex region includes urban resorts,afforestation zones,and protected areas.A GIS-based geospatial analysis was conducted using a large satellite database(>350 images),and the future evolution of the vegetation was modeled.The results revealed two primary spatiotemporal patterns associated with a gradual expansion of vegetation cover,accompanied by a concurrent reduction in sandy areas.In 1986,the dune area comprised 75%more surface than vegetation,whereas in 2021,it represented 60%less than vegetation.Furthermore,the 2050 scenario suggests a potential 40%reduction of dunes in certain areas.It is necessary to enhance management actions aimed at maintaining dune mobility and ensuring local and regional sediment balance.Long-term management strategies must focus on restoring native plant communities and controlling invasive species,and avoiding new dune fixation initiatives based on the introduction of exotic species.展开更多
The global demand for renewable and sustainable non-petroleum-based resources is rapidly increasing.Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable resource with broad potential for nanocellulose(NC)production.However,limited s...The global demand for renewable and sustainable non-petroleum-based resources is rapidly increasing.Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable resource with broad potential for nanocellulose(NC)production.However,limited studies are available regarding the potential toxicological impact of NC.We provide an overview of the nanosafety implications associated mainly with nanofibrillated cellulose(CNF)and identify knowledge gaps.For this purpose,we present an analysis of the studies published from 2014 to 2025 in which the authors mention aspects related to toxicity in the context of packaging.We also analyze the main methods used for toxicity evaluations and the main studies about toxicity evaluation using different biomarkers for a broad interpretation.This comprehensive biblio-graphic review highlights the critical need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms fully underlining NC toxicity,mainly due to its nanofibrillar structure.We focus on the cellular responses across different evaluated cell types through in vitro evaluation,always within the context of the dose used,the type of material or its source,and the type of biomarkers used in the assessments.The importance of addressing safety considerations and key knowledge gaps for the responsible use of CNF derived fromlignocellulosic biomass and its bionanocomposites in food packaging is highlighted.展开更多
The inner Milky Way disk globular cluster NGC 6362 appears to exhibit tidal tails composed of stars that have proper motions and positions in the color–magnitude diagram similar to those of cluster stars. Because rec...The inner Milky Way disk globular cluster NGC 6362 appears to exhibit tidal tails composed of stars that have proper motions and positions in the color–magnitude diagram similar to those of cluster stars. Because recent results seem also to show that these stars are distributed across the regions least affected by interstellar absorption and reproduce the observed composite star field density map, we carried out a detailed spectroscopic analysis of a number of chemical element abundances of tidal tail star candidates in order to investigate the relationship between them and NGC 6362. From European Southern Observatory's VLT@FLAMES spectra we found that the red giant branch stars selected as the cluster's tidal tail stars neither have overall metallicities nor abundances of Mg, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Ni and Ba similar to the cluster's ones. Moreover, they are mainly alike to stars that belong to the Milky Way thick disk, some of them could be part of the thin disk and a minor percentage could belong to the Milky Way halo star population. On the other hand, since the resulting radial velocities do not exhibit a distribution function similar to that of the cluster's stars, we concluded that looking for kinematic properties similar to those of the cluster would not seem to be as suitable of an approach for selecting the cluster's tidal tail stars as previously thought.展开更多
Background:Triple-negative(TN)breast cancer,the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer,is usually treated with high doses of paclitaxel(PX),which induces resistance.To prevent this adverse effect,metronomic chemothe...Background:Triple-negative(TN)breast cancer,the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer,is usually treated with high doses of paclitaxel(PX),which induces resistance.To prevent this adverse effect,metronomic chemotherapy based on administering low doses of PX plus carbachol(Carb),a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor(mAChR)agonist,has emerged as an alternative.Other acetylcholine receptors also present in breast tissue are nicotinic ones.When activated by nicotine(Nic),these receptors can decrease the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy.However,whether metronomic chemotherapy with PX and Carb is affected by Nic has not yet been described.This study aimed to determine the efficacy of metronomic chemotherapy with PX and Carb in human breast tumor MDA-MB-231 cells in the presence or absence of Nic and assess the intermediaries involved.Methods:Cell viability and proliferation were determined using colorimetric assays with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)and trypan blue.Nitrite levels in cell supernatant were determined using Griess reagent.The expression of proteins was determined by western blot assays.Apoptosis/necrosis and the proportion of cancer stem cells(CSC)were determined by flow cytometry.Mammosphere-forming units were determined with anchorage-free growth assays.Results:The metronomic chemotherapy combining PX and Carb effectively inhibited the viability of TN MDA-MB-231 cells in the presence and absence of Nic.These effects were mediated by the activation of mAChRs,triggering signaling pathways dependent on several kinases.These mediators induce increased expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase(NOS).Only the inducible and endothelial isoforms were expressed in these cells,and their activity was increased by the metronomic chemotherapy with PX and Carb.Nitric oxide(NO),a product of NOS activity,may contribute to the observed increase in apoptosis.We also observed an increased sensitivity to PX in the residual cells after the metronomic chemotherapy,as well as a decrease in mammosphere-forming units and CSC proportion.We also determined a decrease in the expression of stemness proteins such as ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2(ABCG2),sex-determining region Y-box 2(SOX2),octamer-binding transcription factor 4(OCT-4),and Nanog.Conclusions:Metronomic chemotherapy combining PX with Carb was selective for MDA-MB-231 cells and increased their sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy in the presence and absence of Nic,indicating that it could be a useful neoadjuvant strategy for the treatment of TN breast tumors.展开更多
Mountains are important reservoirs of biodiversity and endemism on a global scale, but little is known about the altitudinal configuration of this diversity and its driving factors in arid mountains. We explored varia...Mountains are important reservoirs of biodiversity and endemism on a global scale, but little is known about the altitudinal configuration of this diversity and its driving factors in arid mountains. We explored variations in composition, diversity, cover,and life forms of vascular plants along a complete altitudinal gradient(1300-4000 m a.s.l) in Sierra de Velasco, an arid mountain in northwestern Argentina.We evaluated the influence of environmental variables on plant diversity and cover. Field sampling was conducted in the northern sector of the Sa. de Velasco,on the western slope in eight 50 m wide altitudinal bands at 400 m elevation intervals. We used rectangular plots(20 × 4 m;n:10/altitudinal band) to register the vascular plants of all the growth forms, and linear transects(20 m long.;n:30/altitudinal band) to quantify the vegetation cover using the point intercept method. Diversity was calculated using hill numbers.Data analysis included non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS), indicator species analysis,generalized linear models(GLMs), and variance partitioning analysis. A total of 232 species from 51families and 158 genera were registered. Species composition showed greater similarity at intermediate elevations. Plant diversity and cover exhibited a unimodal distribution, peaking at intermediate elevations(2100-2500 m). In contrast, life forms' distribution showed divergent patterns. Therophytes and succulents predominated at low altitudes,phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes at medium altitudes, and chamaephytes and geophytes at high altitudes. The altitudinal patterns of plant diversity and cover were primarily driven by climatic factors.Conservation efforts in the Sierra de Velasco should focus on the middle and upper zones due to their high biodiversity and vulnerability to climate change.展开更多
A rotating neoclassical tearing mode(NTM)can increase the trapped ion losses when the frequency of the NTM is close to the precessional frequency of the trapped particles.When an equilibrium electric field,produced by...A rotating neoclassical tearing mode(NTM)can increase the trapped ion losses when the frequency of the NTM is close to the precessional frequency of the trapped particles.When an equilibrium electric field,produced by the rotation of the plasma and the density gradient,is present,the average precessional frequency of the trapped ions changes and so does the mode frequency corresponding to the maximum loss rate.Our results show that when an electric field with a value of 11.2 kV/m at q=2 is included the maximum of the trapped ion losses increases from 27% to 30% based on EAST equilibrium.展开更多
Grain yield variation has been associated to variation in grain number per unit area(GN).It has been shown in the last about 40 years that GN is linearly associated to the spike dry weight(SDW)at anthesis in wheat,fac...Grain yield variation has been associated to variation in grain number per unit area(GN).It has been shown in the last about 40 years that GN is linearly associated to the spike dry weight(SDW)at anthesis in wheat,fact that has been useful to understand mechanistically potential grain yield.Fruiting efficiency(FE,grains per gram of spike dry weight),the slope between GN and SDW relationship,has been proposed as a possible trait to improve wheat yield potential.The linear relationship between GN and SDW implies a constant increase in GN per unit increase in spike growth and,then a constant FE.However,there are empirical and theoretical elements suggesting that this relationship would not be linear.In this study,we hypothesised and showed that the linearity of the relationship between GN and SDW would be non-linear for extreme values of SDW,implying that the FE would be noticeably reduced at these extreme cases of dry matter allocation to the juvenile spikes.These results have implications for both,genetic and management improvements in grain yield.展开更多
To improve crop yields,global food production needs sustainable agronomic tools like Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria(PGPR).Region-adapted PGPR strains are crucial to increasing peanut production.Argentina is the ...To improve crop yields,global food production needs sustainable agronomic tools like Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria(PGPR).Region-adapted PGPR strains are crucial to increasing peanut production.Argentina is the seventh-largest peanut producer,and Cordoba is the main region with 250,000 ha(75%of the total sowing area).This study aimed to isolate,identify,and characterize the biocontrol and growth promotion capacity of PGPR strains belonging to the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera.The strains were tested against Sclerotinia minor,Sclerotium rolfsii,Fusarium verticillioides,and Aspergillus flavus for biocontrol assays.For growth promotion,pot trials used two peanut cultivars,ASEM 400 INTA and Granoleico,under 40%and 60%field capacity under two water regimes.The isolated strains were Bacillus velezensis,B.subtilis,B.tequilensis,B.safensis,B.altitudinis,and Pseudomonas psychrophila.These strains demonstrated in-vitro phosphorus solubilization,nitrogen fixation,ammonification,nitrification,enzyme releasing,phytohormones production,and high biocontrol capacity of over 75%.SC6 and RI3(both B.velezensis)and P10(P.psychrophila)exhibited outstanding performance.They significantly promoted peanut root biomass by more than 50%and leaf area by 30%,with increased chlorophyll content index and leaf relative water content,particularly under water stress conditions(40%field capacity).According to the results,RI3,SC6,and P10 could be classified as PGPR,which supports the results obtained in other field studies with these same microorganisms.Future investigations should prioritize the development of industrial formulations to assess their effectiveness in alternative crops and to incorporate them into other agricultural practices.展开更多
Anthropogenic disturbances are causing significant impacts on plant distribution worldwide,and many of these effects are driven by changes in the recruitment patterns of plant species.Global warming and land-use chang...Anthropogenic disturbances are causing significant impacts on plant distribution worldwide,and many of these effects are driven by changes in the recruitment patterns of plant species.Global warming and land-use change are two major disturbances leading to changes in germination strategies by changing both soil temperature regimes and light quality reaching the seeds due to soil disturbance.Investigating the range,overlap,and redundancy of niche germination of co-occurring plant species allows us to understand whether endemic species are threatened either by native non-endemic or by alien species,especially in an ecosystem of restricted distribution such as the campo rupestre.Employing a systematic review,this study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature increase and seed burial on the germination of endemic and non-endemic species in the campo rupestre in Brazil.We performed a metaanalysis using increased temperature and darkness as proxies for the impact of disturbance on germination patterns.In this context,we hypothesized that:increased temperature and darkness negatively influence the germination of native species and positively influence the germination of alien species in the campo rupestre.Specifically,we expect the negative effect to be more pronounced in endemic species than in native non-endemic species.Moreover,we intend to describe the role of seed size in the germination of native and alien species from campo rupestre in the context of increased temperature and darkness.Our analysis showed that increased temperature influenced the germination of alien species by ca.55%,while it did not influence the germination of endemic or native non-endemic species.Furthermore,the germination of alien species under higher temperatures was promoted by increasing seed size.Darkness negatively influenced seed germination of native species,independent of their distribution.Moreover,under darkness conditions,the germination of endemic seeds decreased with seed size.Through their direct effects on germination strategies,we conclude that warming temperatures and land-use change can lead to a long-term displacement of endemic species by native non-endemic and alien species in campo rupestre,thus compromising ecosystem services and conservation of these fragile physiognomies in the near future.展开更多
The development of cancer cell resistance to conventional treatments continues to be a major obstacle in the successful treatment of tumors of many types.The discovery of a highly efficient direct and indirect free ra...The development of cancer cell resistance to conventional treatments continues to be a major obstacle in the successful treatment of tumors of many types.The discovery of a highly efficient direct and indirect free radical scavenger,melatonin,in the mitochondrial matrix may be a factor in determining both the occurrence of cancer cell drug insensitivity as well as radioresistance.This relates to two of the known hallmarks of cancer,i.e.,exaggerated free radical generation in the mitochondria and the development ofWarburg type metabolism(glycolysis).The hypothesis elaborated in this report assumes that the high oxidative environment in the mitochondria contributes to a depression of local melatonin levels because of its overuse in neutralizing the massive amount of free radial produced.Moreover,Warburg typemetabolism and chemoresistance are functionally linked and supplementalmelatonin has been shown to reverse glycolysis and convert glucose processing to the type that occurs in normal cells.Since thismetabolic type is a key factor in determining chemoresistance,melatonin would predictably also negate cancer drug insensitivity.The possible mechanisms by which melatonin may interfere either directly or indirectly with drug resistance are summarized in the current review.展开更多
Neurodegenerative diseases(NDs)such as Alzheimer’s disease(AD),Parkinson’s disease(PD),Huntington’s disease(HD),and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)are characterized by progressive neuronal loss,which is closely ...Neurodegenerative diseases(NDs)such as Alzheimer’s disease(AD),Parkinson’s disease(PD),Huntington’s disease(HD),and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)are characterized by progressive neuronal loss,which is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.These pathologies involve a complex interplay of genetics,protein misfolding,and cellular stress,culminating in impaired energy metabolism,an increase in reactive oxygen species(ROS),and defective mitochondrial quality control.The accumulation of damaged mitochondria and dysregulation of pathways such as the Integrated Stress Response(ISR)are central to the pathogenesis of these conditions.This review explores the critical relationship between mitochondrial stress and neurodegeneration,highlighting the molecular mechanisms and biomarkers involved.It delves into the multifaceted role of melatonin as a potent neuroprotective agent.Melatonin,a lipophilic indoleamine,is produced both in the pineal gland and locally within mitochondria,where it exerts powerful antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and anti-apoptotic effects.Its unique ability to neutralize multiple free radicals and its cascade-based antioxidant action make it superior to conventional antioxidants.Its mechanisms of action are discussed,including signaling pathway modulation and enhancement of the brain’s clearance system(the glymphatic system).Despite its potential,melatonin’s low bioavailability and rapid metabolism limit its therapeutic efficacy.In this context,nanopharmacology emerges as a promising strategy.Nanoparticles such as liposomes,polymers,and solid lipids can encapsulate melatonin and protect it from degradation,facilitating its transport across the blood-brain barrier.Preclinical evidence has shown that melatonin-loaded nanoparticles significantly improve cognitive function,reduce oxidative stress,and restore mitochondrial homeostasis in models of AD,PD,and ALS.In conclusion,the synergistic combination of melatonin and nanopharmacology offers a multimodal and highly targeted approach formitigatingmitochondrial dysfunction in NDs.While challenges remain in optimizing the formulation and safety of these nanocarriers,this combination represents a crucial frontier for developing more effective and specific treatments in the future.展开更多
Inverted batch distillation column(stripper) is opposed to a conventional batch distillation col-umn(rectifier). It has a storage vessel at the top and products leave the column at the bottom. The batch stripper is fa...Inverted batch distillation column(stripper) is opposed to a conventional batch distillation col-umn(rectifier). It has a storage vessel at the top and products leave the column at the bottom. The batch stripper is favourable to separate mixtures with a small amount of light components by removing the heavy components as bottom products. In this paper, we are presenting a shortcut procedure based on our earlier work for design and simulation of the inverted batch distillation column, which is equivalent to the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland procedure for continuous distillation. Given a separation task, we propose to compute the minimum number of stages(Nbmin) and the minimum reboil ratio(Rbmin) required in a batch stripper,which are the stages and reboil ratio required in a hypothetical inverted batch distillation column operating in total reboil ratio or having an infinite number of stages, respectively. Then, it is shown that the performance of inverted batch columns with a finite number of stages and reboil ratios could be correlated in Gilliland coordinates with the minimum stages Nbmin and the minimum reboil ratio Rbmin.展开更多
Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies have identified several variants that predispose indi- viduals to developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. However, the gene that has been consis- tentl...Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies have identified several variants that predispose indi- viduals to developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. However, the gene that has been consis- tently involved in the genetic susceptibility of NAFLD in humans is patatin-like phospholipase domain contain- ing 3 （PNPLA3, also known as adiponutrin）. A nonsyn- onymous single nucleotide polymorphism in PNPLA3 （rs738409 C/G, a coding variant that encodes an amino acid substitution I148M） is significantly associated with fatty liver and histological disease severity, not only in adults but also in children. Nevertheless, how PNPLA3 influences the biology of fatty liver disease is still an open question. A recent article describes new aspects about PNPLA3 gene/protein function and suggests that the I148M variant promotes hepatic lipid synthesis due to a gain of function. We revise here the published data about the role of the I148M variant in lipogen- esis/lipolysis, and suggest putative areas of future research. For instance we explored in silico whether the rs738409 C or G alleles have the ability to modify miRNA binding sites and miRNA gene regulation, and we found that prediction of PNPLA3 target miRNAs shows two miRNAs potentially interacting in the 3＇ UTR region （hsa-miR-769-3p and hsa-miR-516a-3p）. In addition, interesting unanswered questions remain to be explored. For example, PNPLA3 lies between two CCCTC-binding factor-bound sites that could be tested for insulator activity, and an intronic histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation peak predicts an enhancer element, cor- roborated by the DNase I hypersensitivity site peak. Finally, an interaction between PNPLA3 and glycerol- 3-phosphate acyltransferase 2 is suggested by data miming.展开更多
Viral hepatitis,secondary to infection with hepatitis A,B,C,D,and E viruses,are a major public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality.Despite the huge medical advances achieved in recent year...Viral hepatitis,secondary to infection with hepatitis A,B,C,D,and E viruses,are a major public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality.Despite the huge medical advances achieved in recent years,there are still points of conflict concerning the pathogenesis,immune response,development of new and more effective vaccines,therapies,and treatment.This review focuses on the most important research topics that deal with issues that are currently being solved,those that remain to be solved,and future research directions.For hepatitis A virus we will address epidemiology,molecular surveillance,new susceptible populations as well as environmental and food detections.In the case of hepatitis B virus,we will discuss host factors related to disease,diagnosis,therapy,and vaccine improvement.On hepatitis C virus,we will focus on pathogenesis,immune response,direct action antivirals treatment in the context of solid organ transplantation,issues related to hepatocellular carcinoma development,direct action antivirals resistance due to selection of resistanceassociated variants,and vaccination.Regarding hepatitis D virus,we describe diagnostic methodology,pathogenesis,and therapy.Finally,for hepatitis E virus,we will address epidemiology(including new emerging species),diagnosis,clinical aspects,treatment,the development of a vaccine,and environmental surveillance.展开更多
A stripping batch distillation column is preferred when the amount of the light component in the feed is small and the products are to be recovered at high purity. The operation modes of a batch stripping are believed...A stripping batch distillation column is preferred when the amount of the light component in the feed is small and the products are to be recovered at high purity. The operation modes of a batch stripping are believed to be the same as those of a rectifier. However, the control system of a stripper is different. In this paper, we explore three different control methods with Hysys (Hyprotech Ltd. 1997) for a batch stripper. The main difference is the control scheme for reboiler liquid level: (a) controlled by reflux flow; (b) controlled by reboiler heat duty; (c) controlled by bottom product flow. The main characteristics of operating a batch stripper with different control scheme are presented in this paper. Guidelines are provided for the startup of a batch stripper, the effects of somecontrol tuning parameters on the column performance are discussed.展开更多
文摘Aging,mitochondria,and neurodegenerative diseases:Aging is often viewed as the buildup of changes that lead to the gradual transformations associated with getting older,along with a rising likelihood of disease and mortality.Although organis m-wide deterioration is observed during aging,organs with high metabolic demand,such as the brain,are more vulnerable.
基金National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina(CONICET),Grant/Award Number:PIBAA2022-202328720210100485CO。
文摘Climate change is altering river regimes in mountainous regions,affecting water availability and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.In the Andes Mountains,characterizing the natural flow regime is essential for establishing operational conditions that balance multiple water uses(irrigation,supply,hydropower)with the conservation of high-elevation ecosystems in the context of increasing hydroclimatic variability.This study analyzes extreme hydrological conditions in nivoglacial rivers of the upper Mendoza River Basin(Argentina),using indicators of magnitude,frequency,duration,and timing of high(HP)and low(LP)pulses.Daily flow records from the Cuevas,Vacas,Tupungato,and Mendoza Rivers were used to define eight ecologically relevant extreme hydrological parameters over the period 1956–2023.The results reveal a reduction in the magnitude of extreme flows since 2010(−30%to–55%)and significant delays in their timing,with maximum and minimum flow shifting by 15–20 days later in recent decades.The duration of LP events increased by 120%–240%in the Cuevas,Tupungato,and Mendoza Rivers,while in the Tupungato River,HP events tended to occur less frequently but with longer durations.These changes are associated with a 0.1℃decade^(−1)rise in mean temperature and a∼25%decrease in precipitation since 2009.Such trends have major implications for water resource management and the resilience of high-Andean ecosystems under climate warming.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science,Technology and Innovation of Argentina trough the project“Topografía,escurrimiento superficial y monitoreo de playas en el Partido de Villa Gesell,provincia de Buenos Aires”(Impact.AR N°106-RESOL-2022-224-APN-SACT#MCT)by the Nacional Council of Scientific and Technical Research(CONICET)through the project“Impactos de la reversión del nivel del mar en Buenos Aires,Argentina”(PIP 21/2311220200100041CO-RESOL-2021-1639-APN-DIR#CONICET)。
文摘Dune barrier systems represent highly sought-after coastal landscapes for tourism and urban development around the world.However,a century ago,they were considered hazardous environments due to their great dynamic nature.As a result,stabilization practices were considered necessary.The systematic introduction of fast-growing exotic trees helped stabilize the sand,making it easier for tourism urbanization to take place,but also leading to erosion processes.This paper aims to assess long-term changes in vegetation cover over a large temperate barrier in Argentina.This complex region includes urban resorts,afforestation zones,and protected areas.A GIS-based geospatial analysis was conducted using a large satellite database(>350 images),and the future evolution of the vegetation was modeled.The results revealed two primary spatiotemporal patterns associated with a gradual expansion of vegetation cover,accompanied by a concurrent reduction in sandy areas.In 1986,the dune area comprised 75%more surface than vegetation,whereas in 2021,it represented 60%less than vegetation.Furthermore,the 2050 scenario suggests a potential 40%reduction of dunes in certain areas.It is necessary to enhance management actions aimed at maintaining dune mobility and ensuring local and regional sediment balance.Long-term management strategies must focus on restoring native plant communities and controlling invasive species,and avoiding new dune fixation initiatives based on the introduction of exotic species.
基金funded by General Secretariat of Science and Technology,National University of Misiones(SGCyT-UNaM),grant number:16/Q2384-PI.
文摘The global demand for renewable and sustainable non-petroleum-based resources is rapidly increasing.Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable resource with broad potential for nanocellulose(NC)production.However,limited studies are available regarding the potential toxicological impact of NC.We provide an overview of the nanosafety implications associated mainly with nanofibrillated cellulose(CNF)and identify knowledge gaps.For this purpose,we present an analysis of the studies published from 2014 to 2025 in which the authors mention aspects related to toxicity in the context of packaging.We also analyze the main methods used for toxicity evaluations and the main studies about toxicity evaluation using different biomarkers for a broad interpretation.This comprehensive biblio-graphic review highlights the critical need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms fully underlining NC toxicity,mainly due to its nanofibrillar structure.We focus on the cellular responses across different evaluated cell types through in vitro evaluation,always within the context of the dose used,the type of material or its source,and the type of biomarkers used in the assessments.The importance of addressing safety considerations and key knowledge gaps for the responsible use of CNF derived fromlignocellulosic biomass and its bionanocomposites in food packaging is highlighted.
基金Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory under ESO program(s)113.2661.001.
文摘The inner Milky Way disk globular cluster NGC 6362 appears to exhibit tidal tails composed of stars that have proper motions and positions in the color–magnitude diagram similar to those of cluster stars. Because recent results seem also to show that these stars are distributed across the regions least affected by interstellar absorption and reproduce the observed composite star field density map, we carried out a detailed spectroscopic analysis of a number of chemical element abundances of tidal tail star candidates in order to investigate the relationship between them and NGC 6362. From European Southern Observatory's VLT@FLAMES spectra we found that the red giant branch stars selected as the cluster's tidal tail stars neither have overall metallicities nor abundances of Mg, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Ni and Ba similar to the cluster's ones. Moreover, they are mainly alike to stars that belong to the Milky Way thick disk, some of them could be part of the thin disk and a minor percentage could belong to the Milky Way halo star population. On the other hand, since the resulting radial velocities do not exhibit a distribution function similar to that of the cluster's stars, we concluded that looking for kinematic properties similar to those of the cluster would not seem to be as suitable of an approach for selecting the cluster's tidal tail stars as previously thought.
基金the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion(ANPCyT)[2015-2396]ORT Argentina’s 2021-2025 Scientific Research Internship Program.
文摘Background:Triple-negative(TN)breast cancer,the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer,is usually treated with high doses of paclitaxel(PX),which induces resistance.To prevent this adverse effect,metronomic chemotherapy based on administering low doses of PX plus carbachol(Carb),a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor(mAChR)agonist,has emerged as an alternative.Other acetylcholine receptors also present in breast tissue are nicotinic ones.When activated by nicotine(Nic),these receptors can decrease the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy.However,whether metronomic chemotherapy with PX and Carb is affected by Nic has not yet been described.This study aimed to determine the efficacy of metronomic chemotherapy with PX and Carb in human breast tumor MDA-MB-231 cells in the presence or absence of Nic and assess the intermediaries involved.Methods:Cell viability and proliferation were determined using colorimetric assays with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)and trypan blue.Nitrite levels in cell supernatant were determined using Griess reagent.The expression of proteins was determined by western blot assays.Apoptosis/necrosis and the proportion of cancer stem cells(CSC)were determined by flow cytometry.Mammosphere-forming units were determined with anchorage-free growth assays.Results:The metronomic chemotherapy combining PX and Carb effectively inhibited the viability of TN MDA-MB-231 cells in the presence and absence of Nic.These effects were mediated by the activation of mAChRs,triggering signaling pathways dependent on several kinases.These mediators induce increased expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase(NOS).Only the inducible and endothelial isoforms were expressed in these cells,and their activity was increased by the metronomic chemotherapy with PX and Carb.Nitric oxide(NO),a product of NOS activity,may contribute to the observed increase in apoptosis.We also observed an increased sensitivity to PX in the residual cells after the metronomic chemotherapy,as well as a decrease in mammosphere-forming units and CSC proportion.We also determined a decrease in the expression of stemness proteins such as ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2(ABCG2),sex-determining region Y-box 2(SOX2),octamer-binding transcription factor 4(OCT-4),and Nanog.Conclusions:Metronomic chemotherapy combining PX with Carb was selective for MDA-MB-231 cells and increased their sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy in the presence and absence of Nic,indicating that it could be a useful neoadjuvant strategy for the treatment of TN breast tumors.
文摘Mountains are important reservoirs of biodiversity and endemism on a global scale, but little is known about the altitudinal configuration of this diversity and its driving factors in arid mountains. We explored variations in composition, diversity, cover,and life forms of vascular plants along a complete altitudinal gradient(1300-4000 m a.s.l) in Sierra de Velasco, an arid mountain in northwestern Argentina.We evaluated the influence of environmental variables on plant diversity and cover. Field sampling was conducted in the northern sector of the Sa. de Velasco,on the western slope in eight 50 m wide altitudinal bands at 400 m elevation intervals. We used rectangular plots(20 × 4 m;n:10/altitudinal band) to register the vascular plants of all the growth forms, and linear transects(20 m long.;n:30/altitudinal band) to quantify the vegetation cover using the point intercept method. Diversity was calculated using hill numbers.Data analysis included non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS), indicator species analysis,generalized linear models(GLMs), and variance partitioning analysis. A total of 232 species from 51families and 158 genera were registered. Species composition showed greater similarity at intermediate elevations. Plant diversity and cover exhibited a unimodal distribution, peaking at intermediate elevations(2100-2500 m). In contrast, life forms' distribution showed divergent patterns. Therophytes and succulents predominated at low altitudes,phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes at medium altitudes, and chamaephytes and geophytes at high altitudes. The altitudinal patterns of plant diversity and cover were primarily driven by climatic factors.Conservation efforts in the Sierra de Velasco should focus on the middle and upper zones due to their high biodiversity and vulnerability to climate change.
基金partially supported by the Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica,CNEA(Controlled Nuclear Fusion Program),CONICET(No.11220200101929CO)Universidad Nacional de Cuyo(No.06-C565).
文摘A rotating neoclassical tearing mode(NTM)can increase the trapped ion losses when the frequency of the NTM is close to the precessional frequency of the trapped particles.When an equilibrium electric field,produced by the rotation of the plasma and the density gradient,is present,the average precessional frequency of the trapped ions changes and so does the mode frequency corresponding to the maximum loss rate.Our results show that when an electric field with a value of 11.2 kV/m at q=2 is included the maximum of the trapped ion losses increases from 27% to 30% based on EAST equilibrium.
基金mainly funded by the State Research Agency of Spain through the Competitive Project PID2021-127415OB-I00 on "Spike fertility in wheat" with some contribution from an AGROTECNIO Seed-funding on "Analysing the physiology of spike density to provide support to selection in breeding programs"RAS did part of the work in this project during a research stay at the Crop Physiology Lab of the University of Lleida co-funded by AUIP (Postgraduate Iberoamerican University Association) grants+1 种基金core funds Crop Physiology Lab of the Ud L. CSC held a Maria Zambrano’s fellowship from the University of Lleida funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities and the European Social Fund and is a member of CONICET (the Scientific Research Council of Argentina)INTA (the National Institute of Agriculture Technology of Argentina)
文摘Grain yield variation has been associated to variation in grain number per unit area(GN).It has been shown in the last about 40 years that GN is linearly associated to the spike dry weight(SDW)at anthesis in wheat,fact that has been useful to understand mechanistically potential grain yield.Fruiting efficiency(FE,grains per gram of spike dry weight),the slope between GN and SDW relationship,has been proposed as a possible trait to improve wheat yield potential.The linear relationship between GN and SDW implies a constant increase in GN per unit increase in spike growth and,then a constant FE.However,there are empirical and theoretical elements suggesting that this relationship would not be linear.In this study,we hypothesised and showed that the linearity of the relationship between GN and SDW would be non-linear for extreme values of SDW,implying that the FE would be noticeably reduced at these extreme cases of dry matter allocation to the juvenile spikes.These results have implications for both,genetic and management improvements in grain yield.
基金the Universidad Nacional de Co rdoba,Argentina,and the Secretaría de Cienciay Tecnología (UNC,SECyT) for the financial support of the CONSOLIDAR 2018–2022 project‘EFECTO DE LOS MICROORGANISMOS PROMOTORES DEL CRECIMIENTO SOBRE LA ECOFISIOLOGíA Y EL CONTROL DE ENFERMEDADES EN EL CULTIVO DE MANí.'the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas(CONICET) for the doctoral fellowshipthe University of Córdoba (Spain) for the support provided through the “Plan Propio de Investigación” 2020–2024。
文摘To improve crop yields,global food production needs sustainable agronomic tools like Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria(PGPR).Region-adapted PGPR strains are crucial to increasing peanut production.Argentina is the seventh-largest peanut producer,and Cordoba is the main region with 250,000 ha(75%of the total sowing area).This study aimed to isolate,identify,and characterize the biocontrol and growth promotion capacity of PGPR strains belonging to the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera.The strains were tested against Sclerotinia minor,Sclerotium rolfsii,Fusarium verticillioides,and Aspergillus flavus for biocontrol assays.For growth promotion,pot trials used two peanut cultivars,ASEM 400 INTA and Granoleico,under 40%and 60%field capacity under two water regimes.The isolated strains were Bacillus velezensis,B.subtilis,B.tequilensis,B.safensis,B.altitudinis,and Pseudomonas psychrophila.These strains demonstrated in-vitro phosphorus solubilization,nitrogen fixation,ammonification,nitrification,enzyme releasing,phytohormones production,and high biocontrol capacity of over 75%.SC6 and RI3(both B.velezensis)and P10(P.psychrophila)exhibited outstanding performance.They significantly promoted peanut root biomass by more than 50%and leaf area by 30%,with increased chlorophyll content index and leaf relative water content,particularly under water stress conditions(40%field capacity).According to the results,RI3,SC6,and P10 could be classified as PGPR,which supports the results obtained in other field studies with these same microorganisms.Future investigations should prioritize the development of industrial formulations to assess their effectiveness in alternative crops and to incorporate them into other agricultural practices.
基金financial support from CNPq/Peld CRSC,Fapemig,CAPES,Anglo American,and Vale.
文摘Anthropogenic disturbances are causing significant impacts on plant distribution worldwide,and many of these effects are driven by changes in the recruitment patterns of plant species.Global warming and land-use change are two major disturbances leading to changes in germination strategies by changing both soil temperature regimes and light quality reaching the seeds due to soil disturbance.Investigating the range,overlap,and redundancy of niche germination of co-occurring plant species allows us to understand whether endemic species are threatened either by native non-endemic or by alien species,especially in an ecosystem of restricted distribution such as the campo rupestre.Employing a systematic review,this study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature increase and seed burial on the germination of endemic and non-endemic species in the campo rupestre in Brazil.We performed a metaanalysis using increased temperature and darkness as proxies for the impact of disturbance on germination patterns.In this context,we hypothesized that:increased temperature and darkness negatively influence the germination of native species and positively influence the germination of alien species in the campo rupestre.Specifically,we expect the negative effect to be more pronounced in endemic species than in native non-endemic species.Moreover,we intend to describe the role of seed size in the germination of native and alien species from campo rupestre in the context of increased temperature and darkness.Our analysis showed that increased temperature influenced the germination of alien species by ca.55%,while it did not influence the germination of endemic or native non-endemic species.Furthermore,the germination of alien species under higher temperatures was promoted by increasing seed size.Darkness negatively influenced seed germination of native species,independent of their distribution.Moreover,under darkness conditions,the germination of endemic seeds decreased with seed size.Through their direct effects on germination strategies,we conclude that warming temperatures and land-use change can lead to a long-term displacement of endemic species by native non-endemic and alien species in campo rupestre,thus compromising ecosystem services and conservation of these fragile physiognomies in the near future.
文摘The development of cancer cell resistance to conventional treatments continues to be a major obstacle in the successful treatment of tumors of many types.The discovery of a highly efficient direct and indirect free radical scavenger,melatonin,in the mitochondrial matrix may be a factor in determining both the occurrence of cancer cell drug insensitivity as well as radioresistance.This relates to two of the known hallmarks of cancer,i.e.,exaggerated free radical generation in the mitochondria and the development ofWarburg type metabolism(glycolysis).The hypothesis elaborated in this report assumes that the high oxidative environment in the mitochondria contributes to a depression of local melatonin levels because of its overuse in neutralizing the massive amount of free radial produced.Moreover,Warburg typemetabolism and chemoresistance are functionally linked and supplementalmelatonin has been shown to reverse glycolysis and convert glucose processing to the type that occurs in normal cells.Since thismetabolic type is a key factor in determining chemoresistance,melatonin would predictably also negate cancer drug insensitivity.The possible mechanisms by which melatonin may interfere either directly or indirectly with drug resistance are summarized in the current review.
文摘Neurodegenerative diseases(NDs)such as Alzheimer’s disease(AD),Parkinson’s disease(PD),Huntington’s disease(HD),and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)are characterized by progressive neuronal loss,which is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.These pathologies involve a complex interplay of genetics,protein misfolding,and cellular stress,culminating in impaired energy metabolism,an increase in reactive oxygen species(ROS),and defective mitochondrial quality control.The accumulation of damaged mitochondria and dysregulation of pathways such as the Integrated Stress Response(ISR)are central to the pathogenesis of these conditions.This review explores the critical relationship between mitochondrial stress and neurodegeneration,highlighting the molecular mechanisms and biomarkers involved.It delves into the multifaceted role of melatonin as a potent neuroprotective agent.Melatonin,a lipophilic indoleamine,is produced both in the pineal gland and locally within mitochondria,where it exerts powerful antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and anti-apoptotic effects.Its unique ability to neutralize multiple free radicals and its cascade-based antioxidant action make it superior to conventional antioxidants.Its mechanisms of action are discussed,including signaling pathway modulation and enhancement of the brain’s clearance system(the glymphatic system).Despite its potential,melatonin’s low bioavailability and rapid metabolism limit its therapeutic efficacy.In this context,nanopharmacology emerges as a promising strategy.Nanoparticles such as liposomes,polymers,and solid lipids can encapsulate melatonin and protect it from degradation,facilitating its transport across the blood-brain barrier.Preclinical evidence has shown that melatonin-loaded nanoparticles significantly improve cognitive function,reduce oxidative stress,and restore mitochondrial homeostasis in models of AD,PD,and ALS.In conclusion,the synergistic combination of melatonin and nanopharmacology offers a multimodal and highly targeted approach formitigatingmitochondrial dysfunction in NDs.While challenges remain in optimizing the formulation and safety of these nanocarriers,this combination represents a crucial frontier for developing more effective and specific treatments in the future.
文摘Inverted batch distillation column(stripper) is opposed to a conventional batch distillation col-umn(rectifier). It has a storage vessel at the top and products leave the column at the bottom. The batch stripper is favourable to separate mixtures with a small amount of light components by removing the heavy components as bottom products. In this paper, we are presenting a shortcut procedure based on our earlier work for design and simulation of the inverted batch distillation column, which is equivalent to the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland procedure for continuous distillation. Given a separation task, we propose to compute the minimum number of stages(Nbmin) and the minimum reboil ratio(Rbmin) required in a batch stripper,which are the stages and reboil ratio required in a hypothetical inverted batch distillation column operating in total reboil ratio or having an infinite number of stages, respectively. Then, it is shown that the performance of inverted batch columns with a finite number of stages and reboil ratios could be correlated in Gilliland coordinates with the minimum stages Nbmin and the minimum reboil ratio Rbmin.
基金Supported by Grants PICT 2008-1521 and PICT 2010 0441,from National Agency for Science and TechnologyUBACYT CM04,from Universidad de Buenos AiresSookoian S and Pirola CJ belong to National Council of Scientific and Technical Research
文摘Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies have identified several variants that predispose indi- viduals to developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. However, the gene that has been consis- tently involved in the genetic susceptibility of NAFLD in humans is patatin-like phospholipase domain contain- ing 3 （PNPLA3, also known as adiponutrin）. A nonsyn- onymous single nucleotide polymorphism in PNPLA3 （rs738409 C/G, a coding variant that encodes an amino acid substitution I148M） is significantly associated with fatty liver and histological disease severity, not only in adults but also in children. Nevertheless, how PNPLA3 influences the biology of fatty liver disease is still an open question. A recent article describes new aspects about PNPLA3 gene/protein function and suggests that the I148M variant promotes hepatic lipid synthesis due to a gain of function. We revise here the published data about the role of the I148M variant in lipogen- esis/lipolysis, and suggest putative areas of future research. For instance we explored in silico whether the rs738409 C or G alleles have the ability to modify miRNA binding sites and miRNA gene regulation, and we found that prediction of PNPLA3 target miRNAs shows two miRNAs potentially interacting in the 3＇ UTR region （hsa-miR-769-3p and hsa-miR-516a-3p）. In addition, interesting unanswered questions remain to be explored. For example, PNPLA3 lies between two CCCTC-binding factor-bound sites that could be tested for insulator activity, and an intronic histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation peak predicts an enhancer element, cor- roborated by the DNase I hypersensitivity site peak. Finally, an interaction between PNPLA3 and glycerol- 3-phosphate acyltransferase 2 is suggested by data miming.
文摘Viral hepatitis,secondary to infection with hepatitis A,B,C,D,and E viruses,are a major public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality.Despite the huge medical advances achieved in recent years,there are still points of conflict concerning the pathogenesis,immune response,development of new and more effective vaccines,therapies,and treatment.This review focuses on the most important research topics that deal with issues that are currently being solved,those that remain to be solved,and future research directions.For hepatitis A virus we will address epidemiology,molecular surveillance,new susceptible populations as well as environmental and food detections.In the case of hepatitis B virus,we will discuss host factors related to disease,diagnosis,therapy,and vaccine improvement.On hepatitis C virus,we will focus on pathogenesis,immune response,direct action antivirals treatment in the context of solid organ transplantation,issues related to hepatocellular carcinoma development,direct action antivirals resistance due to selection of resistanceassociated variants,and vaccination.Regarding hepatitis D virus,we describe diagnostic methodology,pathogenesis,and therapy.Finally,for hepatitis E virus,we will address epidemiology(including new emerging species),diagnosis,clinical aspects,treatment,the development of a vaccine,and environmental surveillance.
基金Supported by CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Argentina) (No. 778) and the Scientific Research Foundation of the State Education Ministry for Returned Overseas Chinese Scholar.
文摘A stripping batch distillation column is preferred when the amount of the light component in the feed is small and the products are to be recovered at high purity. The operation modes of a batch stripping are believed to be the same as those of a rectifier. However, the control system of a stripper is different. In this paper, we explore three different control methods with Hysys (Hyprotech Ltd. 1997) for a batch stripper. The main difference is the control scheme for reboiler liquid level: (a) controlled by reflux flow; (b) controlled by reboiler heat duty; (c) controlled by bottom product flow. The main characteristics of operating a batch stripper with different control scheme are presented in this paper. Guidelines are provided for the startup of a batch stripper, the effects of somecontrol tuning parameters on the column performance are discussed.
