Diaphragm Fatigue in SMNΔ7 Mice and Its Molecular Determinants: An Underestimated Issue.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder characterized by the loss of spinal motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and respiratory failure. Mitochondrial dysfunctions are found in the skeletal muscle of patients with SMA. For obvious ethical reasons, the diaphragm muscle is poorly studied, notwithstanding the very important role that respiratory involvement plays in SMA mortality.

Determination of stomatic density, index, and area as exposition biomarkers of pollution in Deschampsia antárctica Desv. (Poaceae).

Until not so long ago, Antarctica was considered to be a polar region practically pristine. The Antarctic Peninsula has the highest concentration of scientific stations from different countries. Anthropogenic activity has caused alterations in the Antarctic ecosystems directly affecting terrestrial vegetation.

Exploring fungal diversity in Antarctic wildlife: isolation and molecular identification of culturable fungi from penguins and pinnipeds.

Aims: To survey the diversity of fungal species that may be cultured from Antarctic penguins and pinnipeds, and to test the susceptibility to triazole drugs of any medically important s spp. isolates.

Methods: During an expedition to Argentinean Antarctic research stations at Potter Peninsula (South Shetland Islands) and Primavera Cape (Antarctic Peninsula) in February 2019, samples (n = 212) were collected from fur seals (), elephant seals (), leopard seals (), Weddell seals () and crabeater seals () and gentoo penguins ().

Blood biochemistry and antioxidant status altered by anthropogenic impact in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae).

Human activities are increased in Antarctica during decades, primarily due to the logistic and tourism operations, which consequent negative impact on penguin populations, altering their physiological responses. Therefore, we aimed to assess the blood biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant balance of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) inhabiting two selected colonies: Potter Peninsula, considered as a low impacted colony, and Esperanza/Hope Bay as a high impacted colony. The levels of calcium, uric acid, and fructosamine, showed significant high values (p<0.

Trace elements baseline levels in Usnea antarctica from Clearwater Mesa, James Ross Island, Antarctica.

Clearwater Mesa is a pristine area located SE of Croft Bay in James Ross Island, at the northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The closest anthropic construction is the summer Mendel station located 25 km to the NE. Clearwater is a remote basalt volcanic mesa, (64° 01' S, 57° 42' W) located at ~ 250 m a.