Halitus Instituto Médico

Low-gradient, prairie streams from the Pampa Plain, Argentina, constitute the southernmost geographic occurrence for many Neotropical fish species. Fish assemblages in Neotropical streams have shown drastic responses to the modification of habitat and water quality. Under this scenario it could be hypothesized that the water quality will be influenced by the anthropic activities and the natural conditions and that the ichthyofauna will be responsive. Therefore, understanding the functioning of these ecosystems is crucial for their conservation in a world with ever-growing anthropic pressures. In order to explore patterns in fish assemblage and water quality under urbanization pressure, the Del Azul stream (Buenos Aires, Argentina) was sampled. The objectives of the study were: (1) to explore trends in water quality and fish assemblage structure along the stream, (2) to study the relationship between fish assemblage structure and water quality, and (3) to pinpoint individual species with potential for biomonitoring. Seven sites were selected along the stream, and they were sampled twice during each of five consecutive summer periods. Through the use of multivariate analysis, we revealed trends in water quality and fish assemblage structure where water quality characteristics were more distinctive of a basin sector than the fish species abundances. Irrespective of that, the Indicator Species Analysis evidenced some key species indicative of given groups of sites sharing similar water quality characteristics. Namely, Cnesterodon decemmaculatus was associated to polluted reaches downstream from the point-source urban effluent, and Cheirodon interruptus, Pimelodella laticeps and Oligosarcus jenynsii to lower salinities and less polluted reaches upstream from the point-source urban effluent. All these species could be useful for biomonitoring temperate Neotropical streams.

Evapotranspiration is the hydrological variable of greatest relevance in the Argentina Pampas Region (APR). The estimation of potential evapotranspiration (PET) in this area becomes essential since primary productivity is directly linked to water availability. In order to evaluate the MOD16_A2 product of evapotranspiration (ET), a comparison with in situ measurements was conducted. We used ET data provided by the Oficina de Riesgo Agropecuario, corresponding to 24 stations placed in the region covering all seasons for the years 2012 to 2014. Results show an overestimation of 86% and 52% in Autumn-Winter and Spring-Summer, respectively. Mean Absolut Error (MAE) range between ±0.9 and ±2.1 mm day−1 in Autumn-Winter, and between ±1.6 and ±2.6 mm day−1 in Spring-Summer, with R2 values close to 0.7 for both data sets, with no seasonal differences at this point. Overestimation in PET was found to be partly due to the empirical model used in the MOD16_A2 product to determine the downward longwave radiation (Rl ↓ ) term. A specific application in our study sites showed that the term of Rl ↓ produces in an overestimation of 1 mm day−1 in the calculation of PET. Although further research is still required to find out the reasons for these discrepancies, these results advice to be cautious when using PET data of the MOD16_A2 product in the APR.

Seminal plasma is not just a carrier for spermatozoa. It contains high concentrations of cytokines, chemokines, and other biological compounds that are able to exert potent effects on the immune system of the receptive partner. Previous studies have shown that semen induces an acute inflammatory response at the female genital mucosa after coitus. Moreover, it induces regulatory mechanisms that allow the fetus (a semiallograft) to grow and develop in the uterus. The mechanisms underlying these regulatory mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. In this study, we show that seminal plasma redirects the differentiation of human dendritic cells (DCs) toward a regulatory profile. DCs differentiated from human monocytes in the presence of high dilutions of seminal plasma did not express CD1a but showed high levels of CD14. They were unable to develop a fully mature phenotype in response to LPS, TNF-α, CD40L, Pam2CSK4 (TLR2/6 agonist), or Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2 agonist). Upon activation, they produced low amounts of the inflammatory cytokines IL-12p70, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, but expressed a high ability to produce IL-10 and TGF-β. Inhibition of the PG receptors E-prostanoid receptors 2 and 4 prevented the tolerogenic effect induced by seminal plasma on the phenotype and function of DCs, suggesting that E-series PGs play a major role. By promoting a tolerogenic profile in DCs, seminal plasma might favor fertility, but might also compromise the capacity of the receptive partner to mount an effective immune response against sexually transmitted pathogens.

Semen is the main vector for HIV-1 dissemination worldwide. It contains three major sources of infectious virus: free virions, infected leukocytes, and spermatozoa-associated virions. We focused on the interaction of HIV-1 with human spermatozoa and dendritic cells (DCs). We report that heparan sulfate is expressed in spermatozoa and plays an important role in the capture of HIV-1. Spermatozoa-attached virus is efficiently transmitted to DCs, macrophages, and T cells. Interaction of spermatozoa with DCs not only leads to the transmission of HIV-1 and the internalization of the spermatozoa but also results in the phenotypic maturation of DCs and the production of IL-10 but not IL-12p70. At low values of extracellular pH (∼6.5 pH units), similar to those found in the vaginal mucosa after sexual intercourse, the binding of HIV-1 to the spermatozoa and the consequent transmission of HIV-1 to DCs were strongly enhanced. Our observations support the notion that far from being a passive carrier, spermatozoa acting in concert with DCs might affect the early course of sexual transmission of HIV-1 infection.