Antennal Phenotype of Triatoma dimidiata Populations and Its Relationship with Species of phyllosoma and protracta Complexes

Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille 1811) Reduviidae Triatominae is the main vector of Chagas disease in several countries of Latin America. As for other vector species, the characterization of T. dimidiata subpopulations within particular geographical regions or occupying different habitats could help in better planning of vector control actions. A Þrst objective in this study was to evaluate the antennal phenotype as a phenetic marker to characterize populations of T. dimidiata collected in different geographic areas and domestic and sylvatic habitats. A second objective was to evaluate the phenetic relationships of T. dimidiata with other species of the phyllosoma complex: longipennis, pallidipennis, and phyllosoma. The antennal sensilla of T. dimidiata specimens collected in Mexico, Central America, and Colombia were analyzed and compared with the antennal sensilla of T. longipennis, T. pallidipennis, and T. phyllosoma. T. barberi was used as an outgroup in the analysis. For each specimen, the ventral side of the three distal segments of the antennae was drawn, identifying and counting four types of sensilla. In T. dimidiata, univariate and multivariate analysis showed differences between sexes, among populations collected in different habitats within the same region, and among populations collected in different geographic regions. Two types of antennal sensilla showed a latitudinal variation. Domestic specimens showed intermediate characteristics of the antennal phenotype, between sylvatic cave- and sylvatic forest-collected specimens. The antennal phenotypes show high similarities among T. pallidipennis, T. phyllosoma, and T. longipennis, with a better differentiation of T. pallidipennis. T. dimidiata is separated from the other members of the complex by a similar distance to T. barberi, of the protracta complex.Fil: Catala, Silvia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Sachetto, C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Moreno, Mariana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Rosales, R.. Universidad de San Carlos; GuatemalaFil: Salazar Schettino, P. M.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Gorla, David Eladio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentin

Killing many birds with two stones: hypoxia and fibrosis can generate ectopic beats in a human ventricular model

During cardiac diseases many types of anatomical and functional remodeling of cardiac tissue can occur. In this work, we focus on two conditions: hypoxia and fibrosis, which are part of complex pathological modifications that take place in many cardiac diseases (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease, and recurrent myocardial infarction) and respiratory diseases (obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and cystic fibrosis). Using computational models of cardiac electrophysiology, we evaluate if the interplay between hypoxia and fibrosis is sufficient to trigger cardiac arrhythmia. We study the mechanisms behind the generation of ectopic beats, an arrhythmic trigger also known as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), in regions with high hypoxia and fibrosis. First, we modify an electrophysiological model of myocytes of the human left ventricle to include the effects of hypoxia. Second, diffuse fibrosis is modeled by randomly replacing cardiac myocytes by non-excitable and non-conducting cells. The Monte Carlo method is used to evaluate the probability of a region to generate ectopic beats with respect to different levels of hypoxia and fibrosis. In addition, we evaluate the minimum size of three-dimensional slabs needed to sustain reentries for different stimulation protocols. The observed mechanism behind the initiation of ectopic beats is unidirectional block, giving rise to sustained micro-reentries inside the region with diffuse fibrosis and hypoxia. In summary, our results suggest that hypoxia and fibrosis are sufficient for the creation of a focal region in the heart that generates PVCs.We acknowledge support from CAPES by the grant 88881.065002/2014-01 of the Brazilian program Science without borders, and from MINECO of Spain under the Ramon y Cajal program with the grant number RYC-2012-11265Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Ectopic beats arise from micro-reentries near infarct regions in simulations of a patient-specific heart model

Ectopic beats are known to be involved in the initiation of a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. Although their location may vary, ectopic excitations have been found to originate from infarct areas, regions of micro-fibrosis and other heterogeneous tissues. However, the underlying mechanisms that link ectopic foci to heterogeneous tissues have yet to be fully understood. In this work, we investigate the mechanism of micro-reentry that leads to the generation of ectopic beats near infarct areas using a patient-specific heart model. The patient-specific geometrical model of the heart, including scar and peri-infarct zones, is obtained through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The infarct region is composed of ischemic myocytes and non-conducting cells (fibrosis, for instance). Electrophysiology is captured using an established cardiac myocyte model of the human ventricle modified to describe ischemia. The simulation results clearly reveal that ectopic beats emerge from micro-reentries that are sustained by the heterogeneous structure of the infarct regions. Because microscopic information about the heterogeneous structure of the infarct regions is not available, Monte-Carlo simulations are used to identify the probabilities of an infarct region to behave as an ectopic focus for different levels of ischemia and different percentages of non-conducting cells. From the proposed model, it is observed that ectopic beats are generated when a percentage of non-conducting cells is near a topological metric known as the percolation threshold. Although the mechanism for micro-reentries was proposed half a century ago to be a source of ectopic beats or premature ventricular contractions during myocardial infarction, the present study is the first to reproduce this mechanism in-silico using patient-specific data.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Challenges with measuring tissue factor antigen and activity in human plasma

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane protein that in association with its ligand factor (F) VII/FVIIa activates blood coagulation. TF is highly procoagulant and even very small amounts can activate blood coagulation. Levels of TF-positive extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increased in blood in diseases associated with thrombosis. However, it is challenging to accurately quantify the very low levels of TF in blood. Activity-based assays have higher sensitivity and specificity than antigen-based assays. Many anti-human TF antibodies have been generated but they differ in their affinity for TF and bind to different epitopes. They can be divided into two groups: those that compete with FVIIFVIIa binding to TF and those that bind to both TF and the TF-FVII/VIIa complex. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are commonly used to measure TF antigen in plasma but have low sensitivity and specificity for the detection of TF antigen in plasma. Flow cytometry is used to measure TF antigen on EVs but also has low sensitivity and specificity. Functional TF activity assays should be performed in the presence and absence of an inhibitory anti-TF antibody to distinguish between TF-dependent and TF-independent FXa generation because FVIIa can activate FX in the absence of TF. Tissue factor pathway inhibits the TF-FVIIa complex and reduces TF activity of isolated EVs. Two commercial assays are available for the measurement of TF activity of EVs isolated from human plasma. Measurement of TF activity of EVs isolated from plasma may be a useful biomarker of thrombotic risk in different diseases

MARGINAL ANALYSIS IN THE AUTOMOVILE INDUSTRY

La industria automotriz en Argentina está pasando por un momento crítico por la crisis macroeconómica que está afrontando el país, con lo cual para poder sobrevivir a esta situación buscan herramientas que le brinden información crítica a la hora de tomar decisiones de gran impacto para la misma. Una de las herramientas que utilizan es el análisis marginal, ya que nos permite identificar la sensibilidad de los costos u otras variables financieras en determinadas decisiones, logrando así maximizar el beneficio. Tal es así que, por ejemplo, ante decisiones de cambio de producción o de disminución de costos, podemos identificar cuáles son las variables más cambiantes ante diferentes decisiones y de ahí ver los impactos de las mismas en la empresa. Además, podemos definir escenarios y determinar cuál de todos maximizaría el beneficio o qué acciones tomar ante diferentes acontecimientos que se pueden dar. Hoy en Argentina esto es muy útil por la situación volátil que existe, permitiendo así prepararse de antemano ante estas situaciones y saber qué decisiones tomar. En conclusión, el análisis marginal es una herramienta muy importante y eficaz a la hora de brindar información relevante para la toma de decisiones ya sea de reducción de costos como de adaptación del entorno, ayudando a enfocarnos sobre las variables o costos relevantes que nos darán el mayor beneficio.The automobile industry in Argentina is going through a critical moment due to the macroeconomic crisis that the country is facing, in order to survive this situation, the companies are looking for tools that provide critical information when making decisions of great impact for it. One of the tools they use is marginal analysis, since it allows us to identify the sensitivity of costs or other financial variables in certain decisions; thus achieving the maximum profit. For example, when faced with decisions to change production or decrease costs, we can identify which are the most critical variables when faced with different decisions and their impacts in the company. In addition, we can define scenarios and determine which of all would maximize the benefit or what actions to take in the face of different events that may occur. Today in Argentina this is very useful due to the volatile situation that exists, thus allowing to prepare in advance for these situations and to know what decisions to make. In conclusion, as we can see here, marginal analysis is a very important and effective tool when it comes to providing relevant information for decision-making, both for cost reduction and adaptation of the environment; helping to focus on the relevant variables or costs that will give us the greatest benefit.The automobile industry in Argentina is going through a critical moment due to the macroeconomic crisis that the country is facing, in order to survive this situation, the companies are looking for tools that provide critical information when making decisions of great impact for it. One of the tools they use is marginal analysis, since it allows us to identify the sensitivity of costs or other financial variables in certain decisions; thus achieving the maximum profit. For example, when faced with decisions to change production or decrease costs, we can identify which are the most critical variables when faced with different decisions and their impacts in the company. In addition, we can define scenarios and determine which of all would maximize the benefit or what actions to take in the face of different events that may occur. Today in Argentina this is very useful due to the volatile situation that exists, thus allowing to prepare in advance for these situations and to know what decisions to make. In conclusion, as we can see here, marginal analysis is a very important and effective tool when it comes to providing relevant information for decision-making, both for cost reduction and adaptation of the environment; helping to focus on the relevant variables or costs that will give us the greatest benefit.The automobile industry in Argentina is going through a critical moment due to the macroeconomic crisis that the country is facing, in order to survive this situation, the companies are looking for tools that provide critical information when making decisions of great impact for it. One of the tools they use is marginal analysis, since it allows us to identify the sensitivity of costs or other financial variables in certain decisions; thus achieving the maximum profit. For example, when faced with decisions to change production or decrease costs, we can identify which are the most critical variables when faced with different decisions and their impacts in the company. In addition, we can define scenarios and determine which of all would maximize the benefit or what actions to take in the face of different events that may occur. Today in Argentina this is very useful due to the volatile situation that exists, thus allowing to prepare in advance for these situations and to know what decisions to make. In conclusion, as we can see here, marginal analysis is a very important and effective tool when it comes to providing relevant information for decision-making, both for cost reduction and adaptation of the environment; helping to focus on the relevant variables or costs that will give us the greatest benefit

Análise da ação direta de inconstitucionalidade n°4638-df em face do ativismo judicial a partir da emenda constitucional n° 45/2004

A pesquisa tem como objetivo avaliar a função do Conselho Nacional de Justiça em face ao novo ativismo judicial que está ganhando forças a cada ano que passa. Deste modo, a pesquisa se concentra em reflexões sobre a função do CNJ, principalmente em relação à sua função correicional, no momento em que os magistrados apresentam atuação ativista e a judicialização das políticas públicas tem tomado grandes proporções. Em primeiro lugar, especulam-se as principais mudanças originadas pela Emenda Constitucional n°45 de 2004, e principalmente, a criação do CNJ, suas competências e suas primeiras resoluções, dando ênfase a sua independência e à sua competência funcional. Em segundo lugar, é abordado o exame do crescente fenômeno do ativismo judicial e breves reflexões sobre suas características, bem como a análise da judicialização das políticas públicas em face à atuação do CNJ. Por fim, a análise se concentra em como o julgamento da ADI 4638-DF esclareceu pontos importantes no que tange à função correicional do CNJ e seus limites de atuação. Também investiga se o desempenho do Conselho Nacional de Justiça coloca em risco a independência do Poder Judiciário a partir de decisões adotadas. Por conseguinte, objetiva-se tratar do envolvimento do direito com a política, especialmente quando se trata do fenômeno do ativismo judicial

Resíduos sólidos no sistema de esgotamento sanitário do Distrito Federal

Orientador : Prof. M.Sc. Jean Carlos PadilhaMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Curso de Especialização MBA em Gestão AmbientalInclui referênciasResumo : O presente estudo tem como objetivo mostrara questão dos resíduos sólidos dispostos incorretamente nos sistemas de esgotamento sanitário do Distrito Federal, considerando também a geração, tratamento e destinação destes resíduos.Por meio de método qualitativo e exploratório, apresenta informações, que se mostraram limitadas, coletadas em entrevistas e pesquisasno âmbito dos órgãos públicos federais e distritais afins às áreas deste estudo. O trabalho aborda os aspectos relevantes da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos em relação ao tema; a interface das leis que instituem as Políticas Nacionais de Educação Ambiental, Saneamento Básico e Resíduos Sólidos; relaciona as perdas sociais, econômicas e ambientais; e aborda a educação ambiental como instrumento da gestão de resíduos sólidos. A partir dos resultados obtidos, mostra o gerenciamento integrado de resíduossólidos como fundamental no sucesso da gestão e conclui quea educação ambiental é fundamental para mitigar os problemas causados pela grande quantidade de resíduos sólidos nas redes de esgoto, reforçando que esta não deve ser dissociada da gestão ambiental em qualquer que seja o contexto. O problema dos resíduos sólidos nos sistemas de esgotamento sanitárioainda é pouco conhecido pela população, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de mais estudos sobre o tema, que é primordial para que os objetivos das políticas de saneamento básico e da gestão de resíduos sólidos sejam atingidos

Evaluation of the ability of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure mouse tissue factor

Background: Tissue factor (TF) is the primary cellular initiator of the blood coagulation cascade. Increased levels of TF expression on circulating monocytes or on extracellular vesicles (EVs) are associated with thrombosis in a variety of diseases, including sepsis and COVID-19. Objectives: Here, we aimed to evaluate the ability of 4 commercial TF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to measure mouse TF in cells and plasma. Methods: We used 4 commercial mouse TF ELISAs (SimpleStep, R&D Systems, MyBioSource [sandwich], and MyBioSource [competitive]). We used recombinant mouse TF (rmTF; 16-1000 pg/mL), cell lysates from a TF-expressing mouse pancreatic cancer cell line, and plasma and EVs isolated from plasma from mice injected with vehicle or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: The 2 MyBioSource kits failed to detect rmTF or TF in cell lysates. The SimpleStep and R&D kits detected rmTF in buffer or spiked into plasma in a concentration-dependent manner. These kits also detected TF in cell lysates from a mouse pancreatic cancer cell line. A higher signal was observed with the SimpleStep kit compared to the R&D kit. However, the SimpleStep and R&D kits failed to detect TF in plasma or EVs from LPS-treated mice. Conclusion: Our results indicate that some commercial ELISAs can be used to measure mouse TF levels in cell lysates but they cannot detect TF in plasma or EVs from endotoxemic mice

PROCESSO DE REASSENTAMENTO EM LOTEAMENTO POPULAR DE CAXIAS DO SUL

UNIVERSIDADE DE CAXIAS DO SU

Killing Many Birds With Two Stones: Hypoxia and Fibrosis Can Generate Ectopic Beats in a Human Ventricular Model

During cardiac diseases many types of anatomical and functional remodeling of cardiac tissue can occur. In this work, we focus on two conditions: hypoxia and fibrosis, which are part of complex pathological modifications that take place in many cardiac diseases (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease, and recurrent myocardial infarction) and respiratory diseases (obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and cystic fibrosis). Using computational models of cardiac electrophysiology, we evaluate if the interplay between hypoxia and fibrosis is sufficient to trigger cardiac arrhythmia. We study the mechanisms behind the generation of ectopic beats, an arrhythmic trigger also known as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), in regions with high hypoxia and fibrosis. First, we modify an electrophysiological model of myocytes of the human left ventricle to include the effects of hypoxia. Second, diffuse fibrosis is modeled by randomly replacing cardiac myocytes by non-excitable and non-conducting cells. The Monte Carlo method is used to evaluate the probability of a region to generate ectopic beats with respect to different levels of hypoxia and fibrosis. In addition, we evaluate the minimum size of three-dimensional slabs needed to sustain reentries for different stimulation protocols. The observed mechanism behind the initiation of ectopic beats is unidirectional block, giving rise to sustained micro-reentries inside the region with diffuse fibrosis and hypoxia. In summary, our results suggest that hypoxia and fibrosis are sufficient for the creation of a focal region in the heart that generates PVCs