Chemistry book awarded international recognition

The volumen is one of two chosen in the field of Chemistry. Its autor is a recognized faculty and researcher from Rosario´s public university and the Argentine research council.

By Claudio Pairoba*

Alejandro Olivieri is a member of the National University of Rosario faculty and the National Research Council in Science and Technology from Argentina. Author of "Introduction to multivariate calibration. A practicalapproach", a book on Chemometrics published in 2018 by Springer Nature Germany, Olivieri´s text has been chosen as a “2019 Outstanding Academic Title” by Choice magazine among thousands of titles published worldwide.

HPV lesions: new treatments

A group of researchers from La Plata, Argentina, works on developing new therapies to treat aesthetically unpleasant, problematic lesions caused by the virus.

By Claudio Pairoba

Estela Albanesi standing by the poster presented during the symposium

Human papilloma viruses cause visible lesions known as warts. They can also produce another type of lesions, less visible, described as intraepithelial. These lesions require a specific approach due to their distinctive features.

Estela Albanesi has a degree in Biochemical Sciences and presented a poster in the recent symposium on HPV that took place in the city of Rosario. Their research focuses on the photodynamic diagnostic and treatment of intraepithelial lesions caused by HPV. She explains it in more detail.

Which are the available treatments for lesions produced by HPV?

Currently, they are surgically removed with scalpel or using carbon dioxide lasers, which vaporize water eliminating affected areas. Electro scalpels are also used.

I know that therapies with niobium particles are also an option. The drawback is that these particles need to be removed from the body. Active research is currently underway to develop methods to accomplish this.

Which is the goal of your research team?

We propose a new technology using the characteristic fluorescence of tissues. We use a spectrofluorometer with a 2-mm laser tip to touch the skin and obtain a specific spetrum. Pre-neoplastic or neoplastic tissues display a spectrum different from normal tissue.

For example, we show the results obtained working with a case of parotid neoplasia. The area was defined applying infrared thermography and the light intensity released by tissues in response to thermography is different whether tissues are healthy or not.

This process is used as a diagnostic tool.

Which are other applications for infrared thermography?

This technique is extremely useful to control temperature during photodynamic treatments since marked increases can be observed causing discomfort to patients. To avoid this, on and off periods are applied.

What other techniques can be applied?

Another approach uses a photosensitizer, which is absorbed in higher levels by tumor cells compared to normal ones. By using blue light, tumor cells can be detected even before changes are visible.

If we apply laser therapy, sick cells implode as a result of free radicals produced by the interaction among the photosensitizer, oxygen and light. After a period of time, the treated area recovers its normal appearance.

Have you been able to apply this treatment to patients?

We had the case of a female patient with a 10-year lesion. Her surgeon considered that breast removal was the only option available since intraepithelial lesions would not heal.

Considering this, we decided to apply laser therapy. The most superficial layers were peeled off and new blood vessels were detected. Next, we performed another screening using a diferent laser intensity and intraepithelial lesions healed.

Based on these results, we consider to be on the right track for the diagnosis and treatment of this type of lesions. Spectrophotometry is highly promising

In summary, these techniques can be applied ether for diagnosis or treatment.

Definitely. We are currently exploring to link fotosensitizers to HPV-specific molecules.

The research team is also formed by María Eugenia Etcheverry, Agustina Corti, Horacio Poteca and Mario Garavaglia. Researchers belong to different organizations such as Hospital Zonal de Agudos Ricardo Gutierrez de La Plata, Facultad de Cs.Exactas de la Universidad Nacionalde La Plata, Centro Médico Láser, Instituto Médico Mater Dei de La Plata and Centro deInvestigaciones Ópticas (CCT-CONICET, CIC).

Science Journalism Specialization in Rosario, Argentina

Organized by Antonio Capriotti and the Higher Institute for Technical Education (ISET 18), this specialization covers different aspects of Science in this area not quite developed in Argentina.

Pairoba´s talk was an introduction on how the S & T system works in Argentina

By Claudio Pairoba 

Science Journalism is not a well-established culture in Argentina yet. Although there are some self-educated, experienced professionals, posgraduate courses in Buenos Aires and Cordoba seem to be the only institutionalized efforts to cover this dynamic and constantly-growing field of study.

Due to this, the new Specialization in Science Journalism developed by professor Capriotti along with the authorities of the ISET 18 is a remarkable effort to give journalism students in Rosario the chance to know more about Science.

The specialization addresses different aspects of science: from experimental issues to scientific policy, allowing future science journalists access to a broad variety of scientific matters.

Science and Journalism share curiosity, which is at the core of their existence.

More knowledge about Science allows for more and deeper questions. That is why learning about different scientific topics (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Genetics, Biotechnology) as well as science policy design and implementation gives future science journalists a more solid background when dealing with science and scientists.

As part of this new program, I was invited to talk about "Structure and Operation of the Science & Technology system in Argentina". Students actively participated by asking questions that led to brief descriptions of other topics as interesting and complex as the main one. 

The creation of this new and absolutely necessary program must be celebrated by all those who love science and work to improve its communication. 

Article in Spanish

Affordable red cell rheometer.

The goal is to incorporate red cell deformability measurements to the routine clinical lab. 

 Claudio Pairoba*

The new device was presented at INNOVAR, the argentine science and technology exhibition (Photo credits: Pagina12 and leclinic.wordpress.com)

Researchers at the National University of Rosario have developed a portable and easy-to-operate red cell rheometer for clinical laboratories.

The interdisciplinary group lead by Dr. Bibiana Riquelme (head of the Biology-applied Optics Group, Rosario Institute of Physics) showed the new equipment at INNOVAR, the technological innovation fair included as part of the Tecnopolis exhibition.

Normal red cells require deformable membranes in order to freely move through tiny vessels. This deformability is compromised as a result of a variety of diseases, such as anemia, diabetes, high-blood pressure and certain addictions. Under these conditions, red cells either get stuck in small blood vessels or are simply destroyed due to lack of membrane elasticity. Due to these facts, deformability studies are useful as diagnostic tools and to monitor disease treatment and evolution.

“Our idea is for this equipment to be used in a conventional biochemical laboratory, that is why we aimed at designing a compact, low-cost and easy-to-operate device, built with parts affordable in our country, which makes it easy to repair and update”, said Riquelme.

The group includes students from the School of Electronic Engineering led by engineers Angel Olivero y Aldo Marenzana, who were in charge of the device electronics. Riquelme and undergrad student Brenda Albea (Department of Biotechnology, School of Biochemical Sciences and Pharmacy) designed the prototype. Other participants included Dr. Horacio Castellini who developed the analytical software and members from the Rosario Institute of Physics.

* Science Communication Division – Office of Science and Technology – National University of Rosario (secty.unr.edu.ar)

Sources:

1. http://unr.edu.ar/noticia/5675/tecnopolis-exposicion-del-reometro-eritrocitario-en-innovar-2012

2. http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/suplementos/rosario/9-36380-2012-11-10.html

Malassezia: a fungus among us

Hypopigmentation caused by Malassezia (Photo: astrium.com)

A group of clinical researchers from the School of Biochemistry and Pharmacy at the National University of Rosario received the Best Scientific Work Award for their work in the assessment of culture media for studies on Malassezia growth and drug sensitivity. The ceremony took place during the Argentine Meeting on Micology in Posadas, Misiones.

According to Silvana Ramadán, the researcher who presented the work, “I believe that more than the methodology applied, our dedication, the bench work and our efforts to obtain the yeast isolates were considered”.

Along with Silvana Ramadán, authors  Maximiliano Sortino , Lucía Bulacio, Clara López  and Laura Ramos were interested in a kind of yeast that produces human mycoses, known as Malassezia. Formerly known as Pitirosporum, name we have heard in many commercial ads refering to anti dandruff shampoos against Pitirosporum ovale, this fungus is currently considered to be the same as Malazzesia. This yeast species is very difficult to propagate since its nutritional requirements are very specific and heavily-dependent on lipids. At the same time, the development of appropriate culture media is absolutely neccesary if we are to determine this fungus sensitivity to different antifungal drugs used in the treatment of patients.

Malassezia is usually present on normal human skin (and in dogs) but under some conditions may overgrow leading to skin manifestations and folliculitis. In hospitalized patients, Malassezia may display a more agressive behaviour leading to catheter-associated sepsis, especially in those cases where patients receive lipid-based parenteral nutrition.

“When I was a student, Malassezia furfur was the only species we had knowledge of. Now, we know that there are more than 15 species and it is hard to distinguish between them, especially because they are hard to grow in regular culture media and also very difficult to maintain in the lab since they require lipid-rich media. That is the reason why these yeasts are found in patients with sebhorreic skin and in body areas such as chest and face”, added Ramadán.

Antifungal sensitivity tests are neccesary to determine drugs and concentrations required to treat patients. This becomes a problem when no standard methods are available to grow Malassezia in optimal conditions. The two methods employed by the researchers yielded results comparable to previously published data. The next steps include the standardization of the different variables as well as correlation studies between both techniques. The aim is to provide new approaches to determine antifungal resistance for Malassezia at the hospital and community levels.

Source:
http://www.unr.edu.ar/noticia/3738/premio-al-mejor-trabajo-cientifico-sobre-micologia-clinica/

Let there be (UV) light

Vinchucas (Triatoma infestans) are carriers of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas-Mazza disease, an endemic pathology affecting different countries in Latin America. Mainly affected areas in Argentina include the north and northwest parts of the country. Also known as American trypanosomiasis, the disease is one of Argentina’s main health problems for which no cure is available although different treatments have been developed to lessen its effects. Parasites may cause heart disease and lesions affecting the digestive and nervous systems and in view of the current status, prevention is key.

Now, a group of researchers at the Regional Center for Scientific Research and Technology Transfer (CRILAR) from the province of La Rioja, report the results of a study aimed at the early detection of vinchucas. Methods to clearly determine the risk of the spread of disease as well as the presence of these insects are crucial for the successful design and evaluation of programs to control the malady.
Researchers point to the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to expose vinchuca´s feces as an easy way for the early detection of these vectors. “Vinchuca detection through the use of UV light is based in the fluorescent properties of these insects’ droppings when exposed to that light wavelength”, said Silvia Catalá, researcher at the CRILAR and the paper’s main author (see Sources).

Vinchuca’s feces vary in color (yellow, black, white or colorless) and the study showed that, except when black, all other colors display different fluorescent intensities. Fluorescence is higher in more recent depositions and in materials such as ordinary and adobe bricks, wood, paper and plastic. Droppings on certain fabrics and cardboard showed weaker fluorescence. According to Catalá “if we consider brick and wood as the two most common materials found in humble rural homes, this technique would allow us for an efficient detection of these insects”. According to the paper, colorless urine can also be detected by this method.

The technique would also provide with a quick way for the early detection of vinchuca infestation, since it can estimate number of insects and date of depositions (fluorescence decreases over time).
Dr. Catalá indicated the existence of portable UV flashlights which are commercially available and would permit the early detection of vinchuca infestation before their number becomes harder to handle.

Sources:
www.agenciacyta.org.ar
Paper in Acta Tropica

The sooner the better: detecting hepatitis C and HIV

The research group (left to right): Taborda, Giri, Perez and Gardiol.

Current methods to screen blood donors include a questionnaire and tests to detect a disease. But all those precautions cannot rule out the existence of the so-called window period. This is the period of time during which no antibody against an infection can be detected. Considering the hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency viruses this is a worrying situation when we think that for 22 (HIV) or 69 days (HCV) a
person can be considered suitable as a donor while they are actually infected. That is why proper detection methods are key when a blood transfusion is required.

A group of researchers at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Rosario are currently working to develop a method that will allow the detection of genetic material from any of these viruses. Such material is already present in the blood right after the infection unlike antibodies, which appear several days after the event, originating the window period.

Researchers, who are also faculty members at the School of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Rosario, are currently conducting a pilot study at one of the local public hospitals. Depending on the results, authorities will be notified in order to consider a large-scale implementation of the new test.

Another advantage of the new analysis is that it will allow for the detection of HIV and Hepatitis C virus strains circulating in the region. This, in turn, will favor better detection methods and treatments. “Many molecular diagnostic systems use kits made in the USA and Europe and may not consider strains circulating in our country leading to inaccuracies when making a diagnosis”, explained Project Director Adriana Giri.

The research group is formed by Adriana Giri, Daniela Gardiol y Miguel Taborda (PhDs), PhD-student Germán Perez and the Hemotherapy Service at the Hospital Provincial del Centenario leaded by Dr. Marcela Ruzzini.

Source:
Distéfano, S. Diseñan un test para detección temprana de virus de Hepatitis C y HIV. www.unr.edu.ar. 06/27/2011. www.unr.edu.ar/noticia/3715/disenan-un-test-para-deteccion-temprana-de-virus-de-hepatitis-c-y-hiv