45,X/46,XY qh–karyotype and aspermia. Case report

A 41-years old male with short stature, abnormal male sex differentiation, aspermia and schizoid character disorder is described. The patient was studied from clinical, endocrinological and genetic perspectives. Cytogenetical analysis revealed a chromosomic mosaicism formed by two normal lines 45X and 46,XY qh–. Molecular studies on AZF region evidenced that it was conserved. The correlation of the symptoms with the cytogenetic finding is discussed.Пациент 41 года, с задержкой роста, аномальным развитием мужских половых признаков, аспермией и шизоидным типом темперамента был изучен в отношении клинических, эндокринологических и генетических параметров. Цитогенетический анализ показал хромосомный мозаицизм, полученный от двух нормальных линий 45X и 46,XY qh–. Молекулярный анализ локуса AZF показал, что он был сохранен. Обсуждается корреляция симптомов с цитогенетическими данными.Пацієнт 41 року, із затримкою росту, аномальним розвитком чоловічих статевих ознак, аспермією і шизоїдним типом темпераменту був досліджений відносно клінічних, ендокринологічних і генетичних параметрів. Цитогенетичний аналіз показав хромосомний мозаїцизм, отриманий від двох нормальних ліній 45X і 46,XY qh–. Молекулярний аналіз локуса AZF показав, що він був збережений. Обговорюється кореляція симптомів з цитогенетичними даними

Alterations in peptide levels in Parkinson's disease and incidental Lewy body disease

The levels of the neuropeptides Met- and Leu-enkephalin (MET-ENK, LEU-ENK), substance P and neurotensin were measured by a combined high performance liquid chromatography/radioimmunoassay (HPLC/RIA) method in postmortem samples of basal ganglia from Parkinson's disease patients, incidental Lewy body disease patients (presymptomatic Parkinson's disease) and matched controls. Dopamine (DA) levels were reduced in the caudate nucleus and putamen in Parkinson's disease, but unaltered in incidental Lewy body disease. The levels of MET-ENK were reduced in the caudate nucleus, putamen and substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease. Met-enkephalin levels were reduced in the caudate nucleus and in the putamen in incidental Lewy body disease. Leu-enkephalin levels were decreased in the putamen and were undetectable in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease. Leu-enkephalin levels were unchanged in incidental Lewy body disease, although there was a tendency to a reduction in putamen. Substance P levels were reduced in the putamen in Parkinson's disease. No significant changes in substance P content were observed in incidental Lewy body disease. Neurotensin levels were increased in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease. Neurotensin levels in incidental Lewy body disease were not altered significantly, but tended to parallel the changes in Parkinson's disease. The changes in basal ganglia peptide levels in incidental Lewy body disease generally followed a trend similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease, but were less marked. This suggests that they are an integral part of the pathology of the illness and not secondary to DA neuronal loss or a consequence of prolonged drug therapy.Peer Reviewe

The Birds, the Bees & the Swedes: Exploring the Role of Pleasure in Swedish Sex Education

The Birds, the Bees & the Swedes displays excerpts of semi-structured interviews with 15 Swedish students on their perspectives of sex education in schools. Arielle uses clever visuals in presenting notions of pleasure in the middle of the poster, followed by students\u27 direct quotes at the bottom. The gray and white contrast work well together to highlight both the text and the circular visuals on the side of the poster.Key visual elements: Effective gray and white contrast Creative use of text throughout poster Clever visuals to highlight text This was created for the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (CURF) Undergraduate Research Symposium.https://repository.upenn.edu/showcase_posters/1004/thumbnail.jp

Big Tech’s Election Plans Have a Blind Spot: Influencers

This is an news article that was in the Good Systems Network Digest in October 2020.Office of the VP for Researc

Photosynthetic Adaptation to Length of Day Is Dependent on S-Sulfocysteine Synthase Activity in the Thylakoid Lumen

Abstract Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) chloroplasts contain two O-acetyl-serine(thiol)lyase (OASTL) homologs, OAS-B, which is an authentic OASTL, and CS26, which has S-sulfocysteine synthase activity. In contrast with OAS-B, the loss of CS26 function resulted in dramatic phenotypic changes, which were dependent on the light treatment. We have performed a detailed characterization of the photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in cs26 plants compared with those of wild-type plants under short-day growth conditions (SD) and long-day growth conditions (LD). Under LD, the photosynthetic characterization, which was based on substomatal CO2 concentrations and CO2 concentration in the chloroplast curves, revealed significant reductions in most of the photosynthetic parameters for cs26, which were unchanged under SD. These parameters included net CO2 assimilation rate, mesophyll conductance, and mitochondrial respiration at darkness. The analysis also showed that cs26 under LD required more absorbed quanta per driven electron flux and fixed CO2. The nonphotochemical quenching values suggested that in cs26 plants, the excess electrons that are not used in photochemical reactions may form reactive oxygen species. A photoinhibitory effect was confirmed by the background fluorescence signal values under LD and SD, which were higher in young leaves compared with mature ones under SD. To hypothesize the role of CS26 in relation to the photosynthetic machinery, we addressed its location inside of the chloroplast. The activity determination and localization analyses that were performed using immunoblotting indicated the presence of an active CS26 enzyme exclusively in the thylakoid lumen. This finding was reinforced by the observation of marked alterations in many lumenal proteins in the cs26 mutant compared with the wild type.</jats:p

Beyond Western Models: Towards a Global Framework in Youth Emancipation Trajectories

Abstract Purpose: Frameworks on youth emancipation have developed mostly in industrialised contexts. Are these useful to understand the process in other world geographies? This study reviews data from West Africa, Southern Europe, and low-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, to suggest a framework with global benchmarks relevant to the various continents. Youth transitions, coloniality, West Africa, Southern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbea

Entrevista a Marcelo Birmajer

Entrevist

Determination of the aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio for the screening of primary hyperaldosteronism in essential hypertension: a multicentric study

El hiperaldosteronismo primario (HAP) es una afección caracterizada por la producción inapropiadamente elevada y una relativa autonomía del sistema renina-angiotensina. Estimaciones previas, basadas sólo en la evaluación de hipertensos con hipokalemia, consideraban al HAP como una causa poco frecuente de hipertensión (1%). Sin embargo, estudios actuales fundamentados en el cálculo de la relación aldosterona/ actividad de renina plasmática (RAA) arrojan una incidencia mayor (5-10%), siendo la hipertensión arterial (HTA) normokalémica la presentación más frecuente. Dada la amplitud de los valores de corte de la RAA, el Departamento de Suprarrenal de SAEM diseñó un estudio multicéntrico prospectivo en una población de Argentina con el objetivo de establecer nuestro propio valor y determinar así la prevalencia de HAP. Fueron estudiados 353 individuos de ambos sexos, 104 controles normotensos, sin antecedentes familiares de HTA y 249 pacientes hipertensos. Se indicó dieta normosódica y la suspensión de antihipertensivos que interfieran con el eje mineralocorticoideo. Las determinaciones de la actividad de renina plasmática (ARP), DIA-SorinRIA, y de aldosterona, RIA-DPC, fueron realizadas en un único laboratorio. Se realizó ionograma y se evaluaron parámetros clínicos y bioquímicos de síndrome metabólico. La RAA calculada según el percentilo 95 en los controles, fue establecida en la cifra de 36 como valor de corte para sospechar HAP en los hipertensos, requiriéndose una concentración de aldosterona >15 ng/ml. Con una RAA≥36, se realizaron pruebas confirmatorias de sobrecarga salina o de fludrocortisona. La RAA fue ≥36 en 31/249 pacientes, confirmándose HAP en 8 (7 adenomas y 1 hiperplasia), con una prevalencia del 3.2%. Los restantes no completaron estudios confirmatorios. La presencia de síndrome metabólico fue similar en los hipertensos con y sin HAP. En conclusión, este primer estudio multicéntrico argentino determinó nuestro valor de corte de la RAA en 36. Su aplicación permitió establecer una prevalencia de HAP del 3,2% que, aunque podría estar subestimada, resulta significativamente mayor que la previa histórica y concuerda con la incidencia referida en la bibliografía.Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) or Conn's disease was classically suspected in the presence of hypertension (H) and hypokalemia. It was previously considered as a rare cause of H, being reported in only 1% of hypertensive patients. It can be caused by an adrenal adenoma (the former usual presentation) or by adrenal hyperplasia. But since the use of the aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio (AAR) as the screening method in the last years, it is currently considered as almost the most frequent cause of secondary H., accounting for 5-10% of essential H. Plasma rennin activity (PRA) determination is a laborious procedure with low reproducibility and it directly affects the AAR; thus each laboratory must assess its own cut-off value. Therefore, in the Adrenal Department of the Argentine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SAEM), we performed this multicentric prospective study of a population of Argentina with the aim of assessing our own AAR cut-off level in normotensive controls in order to apply it for PHA screening in essential hypertensive patients. We studied 353 adult subjects: 104 controls, aged 45,18 ± 13,78 years-old ( X±SD), with no history of arterial hypertension in their first-degree relatives and with two separate day-registry of blood pressure≤ 139/85 mmHg and 249 hypertensive patients, aged 51± 13,6 years-old ( X ± SD), with arterial blood pressure≥ 140/90 mmHg in the sitting position. Subjects with cardiac, renal, hepatic and neurological diseases were excluded as well as those with Cushing´s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, untreated hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus and patients under glucocorticoids, oral contraceptive pills or estrogen therapy. A normal sodium diet was indicated and potassium was supplemented when needed. Blood was withdrawn between 8 and 10:00 a.m. with the subjects in the upright position. Aldosterone (A) was determined by DPC radioimmunoassay (RIA) and PRA, by DIA-Sorin RIA. The A normal levels are 4-30 ng/dl for ambulatory individuals on a normal sodium diet and the PRA normal values are < 3,3 ng/ml/h. In order to avoid false positive results in the hypertensive group, AAR was calculated when A was above 15 ng/dl. We measured the waist circumference and we determined the body mass index. Blood sodium, potassium, calcium, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride and liver function tests were performed. Statistical Analysis and Results Since the AAR variable showed a non-normal distribution, the cut-off value was considered as the 95th percentile in the control group, which was calculated as 36. This is also in accordance to the function of the empirical distribution of Collings and Hamilton. In our 249 hypertensive patients, 31 had an AAR ≥ 36. PHA was confirmed in 8: seven has an adrenal adenoma and one had hyperplasia. The prevalence of PHA in our population was 3,2 %, with a 95th confidence interval ranging from 1,4 to 6,2 %. In the remaining 23 patients, confirmatory tests could not be completed. There was no correlation between the severity of the hypertension and the AAR value, with no statistical significant differences between those with or without PHA. Likewise, we found no correlation between PRA and advancing age. In hypertensive patients, metabolic syndrome was more prevalent than in controls, but it was present to the same extent in those with or without PHA. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first multicentric study performed in Argentina to determine the aldosterone/ plasma renin activity ratio in our normotensive control population. Our AAR value of 36 agrees with the levels reported in the international literature: thus an AAR ≥ 36 along with an aldosterone ≥ 15 ng/ml in hypertensive patients lead us to suspect PHA and to perform confirmatory tests. Applying these criteria, we found a prevalence of 3,2% of PHA in essential HTA. It is possible that this value may be underestimated due to the fact that confirmatory tests could not be completed in all the hypertensive subjects with an AAR≥ 36. In spite of this, our prevalence is significantly greater than the historical one and it lies in the range reported in the literature.Fil: Pardes, E.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Belli, S.. Hospital Dr. C. Durand; ArgentinaFil: Cornaló, D.. Hospital Rivadavia; ArgentinaFil: Contreras, Liliana Noemi. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas; ArgentinaFil: Costa, L.. Hospital Dr. A. Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Chervin. R.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Damilano, S.. Laboratorio de Bioanalítica; ArgentinaFil: Fenili, C.. Laboratorio de Bioanalítica; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, R. M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Leal Reyna, M.. Complejo Médico Policial "Churruca"; ArgentinaFil: Lupi, S.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, M.. Hospital Francés; ArgentinaFil: Nofal, M.. Clínica Bazterrica; ArgentinaFil: Ruibal, G.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Dr. Teodoro Álvarez"; Argentin

Exploring Online Communication Strategies to Propagate Meat Consumption Ideologies

Animals are raised for human consumption. This practice has become an increasingly divisive issue in America. On one side of this issue are those who believe that eating animals and using their byproducts is natural, normal, necessary, and nice; on the other are those believe consumption of animals is unnecessary and morally wrong. The purpose of this study was to explore how pro- and anti-meat consumption organizations communicate, reinforce, and advance their ideology online to actively shape public opinion. Online textual and visual strategies were examined, building on the foundational tenets of ELM, social identity theory, anti-consumption/reasons against, and inoculation theory. The homepages of three anti-meat organizations and three pro-meat organization websites were examined using a multi-phase content analysis that included critical discourse analysis, persuasive narratives, and semiotics strategies. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Input and output of animal production is contrasted on the pro- and anti-meat websites. Animal Rights Vegan Activists (ARVA) organizations portray animals as having souls, and are portrayed as equals to humans. Compassionate people are portrayed as those who expose the cruelty of using animals as a food source, and are vegan. Pursuit, rescue, and wretched excess plots are favored. Inoculations against lifestyle norms and values are favored. ARVA consistently portrays itself as an alternative societal lifestyle. The meat organizations focus exclusively on food. Meat is quick, easy, affordable, and nutritious. Families want to eat it, and consumers feel good about serving it. Adventure, discovery, and maturation plots are favored. Inoculations against other meats, rather than against ARVA are present. Lifestyle norms and values, credibility, and information about meat appeared to be the inoculations favored. Rather than strengthening the universal brand of meat, the organizations actively subvert it through internal competition. Instead, pro-meat consumption organizations should promote their universal brand (i.e., meat) in a manner that not only resonates with the average consumer, but also encourages collective action by consumers in defense of the meat industry