Repellent Activity of the Essential Oil from the Heartwood of Pilgerodendron uviferum (D. Don) Florin against Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The weevil Aegorhinus superciliosus Guérin (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which is endemic to Central-Southern Chile and Argentina, is one of the major berry pests in Chile and the most important pest in the La Araucanía Region (38°44'9″S, 72°35'25″W). Due to the poor effectiveness and problems surrounding the implementation of the traditional control methods using organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, new strategies for controlling this pest are needed. In this communication, we evaluated the behavioral responses of male and female A.

The Antagonistic Gene Paralogs Upf3a and Upf3b Govern Nonsense-Mediated RNA Decay.

Gene duplication is a major evolutionary force driving adaptation and speciation, as it allows for the acquisition of new functions and can augment or diversify existing functions. Here, we report a gene duplication event that yielded another outcome--the generation of antagonistic functions. One product of this duplication event--UPF3B--is critical for the nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway, while its autosomal counterpart--UPF3A--encodes an enigmatic protein previously shown to have trace NMD activity.

The inflammatory inception of gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder cancer is a lethal disease with notable geographical variations worldwide and a predilection towards women. Its main risk factor is prolonged exposure to gallstones, although bacterial infections and other inflammatory conditions are also associated. The recurrent cycles of gallbladder epithelium damage and repair enable a chronic inflammatory environment that promotes progressive morphological impairment through a metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma, along with cumulative genome instability.

Performance of electrochemical oxidation process for removal of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most detected and concentrated plasticizer in environment and wastewaters, worldwide. In this study, different operating parameters such as current intensity, treatment time, type of anodes, and supporting electrolytes were tested to optimized the electro-oxidation process (EOP) for the removal of DEHP in the presence of methanol as a dissolved organic matter. Among the anodes, the Nb/BDD showed the best degradation rate of DEHP, at low current intensity of 0.

Modulation of antigen processing by haem-oxygenase 1. Implications on inflammation and tolerance.

Haem-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of haem that can suppress inflammation, through the production of carbon monoxide (CO). It has been shown in several experimental models that genetic and pharmacological induction of HO-1, as well as non-toxic administration of CO, can reduce inflammatory diseases, such as endotoxic shock, type 1 diabetes and graft rejection. Recently, it was shown that the HO-1/CO system can alter the function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and reduce T-cell priming, which can be beneficial during immune-driven inflammatory diseases.

Plankton networks driving carbon export in the oligotrophic ocean.

The biological carbon pump is the process by which CO2 is transformed to organic carbon via photosynthesis, exported through sinking particles, and finally sequestered in the deep ocean. While the intensity of the pump correlates with plankton community composition, the underlying ecosystem structure driving the process remains largely uncharacterized. Here we use environmental and metagenomic data gathered during the Tara Oceans expedition to improve our understanding of carbon export in the oligotrophic ocean.

Myocardial Revascularization Exclusively With Bilateral Internal Thoracic Arteries in T-Graft Configuration: Effects on Late Survival.

Background: We studied long-term survival using bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in a T-configuration exclusively versus using single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting in patients with multivessel disease.

Methods: Consecutive coronary operations performed at a single center between 1996 and 2014 were reviewed. Long-term survival among patients receiving coronary revascularization exclusively with BITA grafting in a T-configuration (n = 2,098) versus SITA grafts plus other types of conduits (saphenous vein graft [SVG] and radial artery [RA]) grafts (n = 1,659).

Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction: proposal for standardized multidisciplinary prenatal management based on disease severity.

Objective: To present a single center experience of a standardized prenatal multidisciplinary management protocol for fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and to propose a classification of fetal LUTO based on disease severity.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 25 consecutive fetal patients with prenatal diagnosis of primary LUTO. Fetal intervention was offered after evaluation by a multidisciplinary team.

Effects of green and red light in βL-crystallin and ovalbumin.

The effects of visible light on biological systems have been widely studied. In particular, the alterations of blue light on the ocular lens have recently attracted much attention. Here, we present a study about the effects produced by green and red light on two different proteins: βL-crystallin and ovalbumin.

Defining and predicting 'intrauterine fetal renal failure' in congenital lower urinary tract obstruction.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of 'intrauterine fetal renal failure' in fetuses with severe congenital lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO).

Methods: We undertook a retrospective study of 31 consecutive fetuses with a diagnosis of LUTO in a tertiary Fetal Center between April 2013 and April 2015. Predictors of 'intrauterine fetal renal failure' were evaluated in those infants with severe LUTO who had either a primary composite outcome measure of neonatal death in the first 24 h of life due to severe pulmonary hypoplasia or a need for renal replacement therapy within 7 days of life.

Pregnancy Increases Relaxation in Human Omental Arteries to the CGRP Family of Peptides.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CALCB) and its family members adrenomedullin (ADM) and intermedin (ADM2) play important roles in maintaining vascular adaptations during pregnancy in animal models. The present study was designed to evaluate the responses of omental arteries to CALCB, ADM, and ADM2 in pregnant and nonpregnant women, and to determine the mechanisms involved. By using resistance omental arteries collected from nonpregnant women (n = 15) during laparotomy and from term pregnant women (n = 15) at cesarean delivery, this study shows that the receptor components--calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) 1, 2 and 3--are localized to endothelial and smooth muscle cells in omental arteries, with increased expressions of both mRNA and protein in pregnant compared with nonpregnant women.

Detection and phylogenetic analysis of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in Chile.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is the etiological agent of a highly contagious disease that is endemic to salmon farming in Chile and causes great economic losses to the industry. Here we compared different diagnostic methods to detect IPNV in field samples, including 3 real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays, cell culture isolation, and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Additionally, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to investigate the genogroups prevailing in Chile, as well as their geographic distribution and virulence.

Prenatal Therapy of Large Placental Chorioangiomas: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Objective To review techniques and outcomes of different prenatal treatments for large placental chorioangiomas. Study Design Presentation of a case of laparoscopic-assisted laser coagulation and a systematic review of the literature for articles related to intervention for placental chorioangioma. Results A total of 37 cases of definitive (n = 23) and supportive therapy (n = 14) were evaluated, including one case treated in our center.

miR-101-2, miR-125b-2 and miR-451a act as potential tumor suppressors in gastric cancer through regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a deadly malignancy worldwide. In the past, it has been shown that cellular signaling pathway alterations play a crucial role in the development of GC. In particular, deregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway seems to affect multiple GC functions including growth, proliferation, metabolism, motility and angiogenesis.

Novel therapies and vaccines against the human respiratory syncytial virus.

Introduction: Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections worldwide in infants, as well as an important pathogen affecting the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Despite more than a half a century of research, no licensed vaccines are available and only palivizumab has been approved to use in humans, mostly recommended or limited to high risk infants. Therefore, novel therapeutic and preventive drugs need to be developed to fight this major human pathogen.

Rapamycin and WYE-354 suppress human gallbladder cancer xenografts in mice.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly malignant tumor characterized by a poor response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy of mTOR inhibitors, rapamycin and WYE-354. In vitro assays showed WYE-354 significantly reduced cell viability, migration and invasion and phospho-P70S6K expression in GBC cells.

Resveratrol selectively induces apoptosis in malignant cells with the JAK2V617F mutation by inhibiting the JAK2 pathway.

Scope: Resveratrol is a natural occurring polyphenol with several health promoting activities, including anticancer potential. Here, we analyzed the cytotoxic effects of resveratrol against malignant cells characterized by aberrant activation of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2).

Methods And Results: Cell-cycle analysis, proliferation, apoptosis, and Western blotting assays were performed to study the effect of resveratrol on malignant cells exhibiting an excessive activation of the JAK2 pathway secondary to the JAK2(V617F) mutation.

Split liver transplantation: Report of right and left graft outcomes from a multicenter Argentinean group.

Grafts from split livers (SLs) constitute an accepted approach to expand the donor pool. Over the last 5 years, most Argentinean centers have shown significant interest in increasing the use of this technique. The purpose of this article is to describe and analyze the outcomes of right-side grafts (RSGs) and left-side grafts (LSGs) from a multicenter study.

L-arginine prevents hypoxia-induced vasoconstriction in dual-perfused human placental cotyledons.

Introduction: Chronic hypoxia in the uteroplacental unit is associated with increased resistance to blood flow in the fetal-placental circulation. These changes can lead to adverse cardiovascular events in adulthood. This study investigates whether L-arginine (substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) or endothelin-A receptor antagonist BQ123 administration reverses hypoxia-induced changes in perfusion pressure in the fetal compartment in dual-perfused placental cotyledons.

Wearable Technology for Global Surgical Teleproctoring.

Objective: In underserved communities around the world, inguinal hernias represent a significant burden of surgically-treatable disease. With traditional models of international surgical assistance limited to mission trips, a standardized framework to strengthen local healthcare systems is lacking. We established a surgical education model using web-based tools and wearable technology to allow for long-term proctoring and assessment in a resource-poor setting.

Molecular classification of gastric cancer: Towards a pathway-driven targeted therapy.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Although surgical resection is a potentially curative approach for localized cases of GC, most cases of GC are diagnosed in an advanced, non-curable stage and the response to traditional chemotherapy is limited. Fortunately, recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate GC hold great promise for the development of more effective treatment strategies.