Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina

Purpose Recent advancements in psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology indicate that numerous noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) originate from disruptions in the cytokine immune network, resulting in chronic inflammatory responses. This persistent low-degree inflammation is attributed to deficiencies in crucial endogenous anti-inflammatory neuroendocrine systems, including the pineal gland, the endocannabinoid system, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 / angiotensin 1–7 axis. The administration of pineal methoxyindoles (melatonin, 5-methoxytryptamine), cannabinoids, and angiotensin 1–7 may entail potential therapeutic benefits for NCDs, particularly for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments. Patients and Methods This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a neuroimmune regimen comprising melatonin (100 mg/day at night), 5-methoxytryptamine (30 mg in the early afternoon), angiotensin 1–7 (0.5 mg twice daily), and cannabidiol (20 mg twice daily) in 306 patients with NCDs, including advanced cancer, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Results The neuroimmune regimen successfully halted cancer progression in 68% of cancer patients, who also reported improvements in mood, sleep, and relief from anxiety, pain, and fatigue. In patients with autoimmune diseases, the treatment effectively controlled the disease process, remarkable in cases of multiple sclerosis. Additionally, positive outcomes were observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. Conclusion Randomized controlled trials are required to assess this therapeutic approach for NCDs that includes endogenous neuroendocrine molecules regulating immune responses in an anti-inflammatory manner.

Introduction Hyperthyroidism is known to affect various physiological systems, including the immune system. Thyroid hormones (THs) play a crucial role in regulating immune function, and alterations in THs levels can lead to immune dysregulation. Objective Currently, we aimed to elucidate the effects of hyperthyroidism on immune function in BALB/c mice, with a focus on anatomical and histological changes in lymphoid organs, the immune response to mitogenic stimulation, mitochondrial dynamics, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Methods Hyperthyroidism was induced in BALB/c mice by administering thyroxine (T4; 14 mg/L) in their drinking water for 30 days. Thyroid function was assessed by measuring triiodothyronine (T3), T4, and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels. Lymphoid organ hyperplasia was evaluated through anatomical dissection. Lymphoid responses were analyzed by subcutaneous inoculation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), followed by histological analysis of lymphoid follicles and evaluation of the morphometric parameters of lymphoid cells using flow cytometry. In vitro cell proliferation was quantified using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Mitochondrial morphology and density were assessed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). ROS and superoxide anion (O2⁻) production were measured using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) assays. Results Hyperthyroid mice exhibited significantly increased T3 and T4 levels, with decreased TSH levels. Lymphoid organs, including the spleen and lymph nodes, were notably enlarged in hyperthyroid mice, with a corresponding increase in lymphoid cell number. LPS stimulation enhanced the number and size of lymphoid follicles, with hyperthyroid mice showing a greater proliferative response. TEM analysis revealed increased mitochondrial density and changes in mitochondrial structure in hyperthyroid lymphoid cells. ROS and O2⁻ production were significantly higher in hyperthyroid mice, though no apoptotic activity was detected. Conclusion Hyperthyroidism leads to significant alterations in immune responses, including enhanced lymphoid organ size, increased proliferation of immune cells, and elevated ROS production. These findings provide new insights into the immunomodulatory effects of thyroid dysfunction and its potential impact on immune system regulation, offering a deeper understanding of THs interactions with immune activation.

Despite tremendous efforts devoted to the area, image texture analysis is still an open research field. This paper presents an algorithm and experimental results demonstrating the feasibility of developing automated tools to detect abnormal X-ray images based on tissue attenuation. Specifically, this work proposes using the variability characterised by singular values and conditional indices extracted from the singular value decomposition (SVD) as image texture features. In addition, the paper introduces a “tuning weight" parameter to consider the variability of the X-ray attenuation in tissues affected by pathologies. This weight is estimated using the coefficient of variation of the minimum covariance determinant from the bandwidth yielded by the non-parametric distribution of variance-decomposition proportions of the SVD. When multiplied by the two features (singular values and conditional indices), this single parameter acts as a tuning weight, reducing misclassification and improving the classic performance metrics, such as true positive rate, false negative rate, positive predictive values, false discovery rate, area-under-curve, accuracy rate, and total cost. The proposed method implements an ensemble bagged trees classification model to classify X-ray chest images as COVID-19, viral pneumonia, lung opacity, or normal. It was tested using a challenging, imbalanced chest X-ray public dataset. The results show an accuracy of 88% without applying the tuning weight and 99% with its application. The proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods, as attested by all performance metrics.

Hereditary or genetic ataxias are hundreds of disorders characterized by large phenotypic, genetic, and epidemiological heterogeneity. In Argentina, 35 genetic ataxias have been identified, with SCA1 (ATX-ATXN1), SCA2 (ATX-ATXN2), SCA3 (ATX-ATXN3), and Friedreich ataxia (ATX-FXN) as the most prevalent causes, reflecting the epidemiology of most Western European countries, the main origin of immigration to the country. Genetic diagnostic studies of ataxia cohorts in Argentina have found high rates of undiagnosed patients, ranging from 65 to 82%. Deep phenotyping, comprehensive genetic testing, and knowledge of the prevalence of different genetic ataxias are essential for an accurate diagnostic and treatment approach in clinical practice. This narrative review proposes a targeted, tiered genetic diagnostic approach for undiagnosed patients based on the Argentinian epidemiological and healthcare system data. Future national efforts should support comprehensive screening studies on ataxia cohorts, including testing for repeat expansions in RFC1 and FGF14 genes. In addition, establishing a trial-ready patient registry for genetic ataxias, enhancing networking with international clinical and research initiatives, and developing specialized centers for interdisciplinary care of genetic ataxia patients are recommended.

In this work, we present an experimental and theoretical study of a passively modelocked all-fiber laser that fully retains polarization with a fundamental repetition rate ranging from 0.1 to 1 GHz. The whole cavity consists of a highly-Tm-doped fiber in tandem with a passive fiber, both with polarization-maintenance, with a dichroic mirror on one end and a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror on the other. We experimentally characterized the output of this laser, which emits a train of transform-limited sub-picosecond light pulses around the two microns. The high stability of this laser was also experimentally verified. Together with this, a detailed theoretical model was developed, confirming the experimental results.

This study examines the impact of temperature on human well-being using approximately 80 million geo-tagged tweets from Argentina spanning 2017–2022. Employing text mining techniques, we derive two quantitative estimators: sentiments and a social media aggression index. The Hedonometer Index measures overall sentiment, distinguishing positive and negative ones, while social media aggressive behavior is assessed through profanity frequency. Non-linear fixed effects panel regressions reveal a notable negative causal association between extreme heat and the overall sentiment index, with a weaker relationship found for extreme cold. Our results highlight that, while heat strongly influences negative sentiments, it has no significant effect on positive ones. Consequently, the overall impact of extremely high temperatures on sentiment is predominantly driven by heightened negative feelings in hot conditions. Moreover, our profanity index exhibits a similar pattern to that observed for negative sentiments.

With over 10 million people affected worldwide, Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurological disorder. More than two-thirds of people with Parkinson's disease live with chronic pain, which can manifest in various stages of the disease, substantially affecting daily activities and quality of life. The Parkinson's disease Pain Classification System overcomes the limitations of previous classification systems by distinguishing between pain related to Parkinson's disease and unrelated pain, while also incorporating clinical and pathophysiological (mechanistic) descriptors such as nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain. This system provides a framework for accurate diagnosis and mechanism-based therapy. Alongside the appropriate classification of pain, consideration of treatment approaches that include non-invasive (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) and invasive strategies tailored to specific types of pain will refine and inform research trials and clinical practice when it comes to treating pain in Parkinson's disease.

Agricultural activity, closely linked to nature, faces significant sustainability challenges, requiring appropriate technology. In this paper, we explore the willingness of agricultural producers to adopt technological innovations, analysing both the drivers that motivate change and the barriers that hinder it. By understanding these factors, we seek to provide a more complete perspective on how to facilitate the transition towards sustainable and resilient agricultural practices. There is prolific literature about innovation, addressing the subject from different perspectives. However, little is known about the intricacies of the adoption process, right where initiatives prosper or fail. Indeed, the Innovation Diffusion Theory predicts the rate of adoption, the Technology Acceptance Model postulates the key adoption factors, the Concern Based Adoption Model focuses on the service delivery and barriers; nevertheless, all of them simplify the adoption process into a binary phenomenon, where the aware decision maker has either fully adopted the new technology or rejected it completely. No intermediate state is allowed. We propose in this article a technology adoption model focused on the attitudinal evolution of the decision maker along a multi-stage process, ranging from technology awareness through contemplation and decision to change, to implementation and maintenance. Our empirical approach involves an econometric model applied to behavioural and attitudinal data from agricultural producers in Argentina, to identify the drivers and barriers, either related to the technology characteristics, the company situation, or the psycho-demographic characteristics of the farmers. This information is useful for policy development towards sustainability and provides indicators to measure progress.

Preoperative anxiety is a common response to stress specifically in the pediatric population exhibiting heightened susceptibility to it. High anxiety levels can negatively impact the quality of anesthesia, increase analgesia requirements, and result in significant postoperative pain. The present review synthesizes recent literature regarding virtual reality (VR)’s efficacy in mitigating preoperative anxiety in the pediatric population. Virtual reality is a nonpharmacological intervention that alleviates pain and preoperative anxiety through cognitive distraction, redirecting patients’ focus away from discomfort. Neurophysiologically, VR engages the prefrontal cortex, influences pain pathways, and reduces pain-related activity in the thalamus, insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and primary and secondary somatosensory cortices. Evidence indicates that VR is more effective in reducing anxiety compared to other nonpharmacological strategies, particularly benefiting younger children, who tend to exhibit higher levels of engagement in magical thinking compared to adolescents. Virtual reality presents numerous clinical applications, including facilitating postsurgical recovery, assisting in physiotherapy for neuromuscular disorders, and providing nonpharmaceutical analgesia. However, its integration into healthcare faces several challenges, such as the high costs of acquiring and maintaining the equipment, particularly in resource-limited settings. Moreover, the limited number of studies examining VR exposure with small nonrepresentative sample sizes further constrains its recommendation as an anxiety-reduction technique. Despite its limitations, substantial evidence suggests that VR has the potential to alleviate preoperative anxiety and mitigate the psychological responses of pediatric patients. Standardized research protocols featuring larger sample sizes and expanded access to VR across various levels of care are necessary.

Background Diabetes produces changes on cellular hemeprotein metabolism. The last enzyme of heme biosynthetic pathway is ferrochelatase (FECH), an enzyme that catalyzes the insertion of ferrous ion into protoporphyrin IX to produce heme. The aim of this work was to investigate whether FECH expression can be other key point in the regulation of heme biosynthesis in diabetic animals. Methods Mice were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ, 170 mg/kg body weight i.p. for 15 days). Liver FECH protein and mRNA levels were evaluated by Western blot and Northern blot respectively. Vanadate was used as a hypoglycemic agent. The levels of the transcription factor Sp1 bound to the FECH promoter were assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Results Hyperglycemia caused an increase in FECH mRNA levels but no changes in FECH protein expression. ChIP analysis revealed that the increase in FECH mRNA levels was due to enhanced Sp1 binding to the FECH promoter in diabetic animals, which was reduced by vanadate administration. Conclusions In diabetic animals, enhanced binding of Sp1 to the FECH promoter may be responsible for the increase in FECH mRNA levels. However, this increase was not reflected in the amount of FECH protein, which would confirm that FECH could be another control point in heme synthesis.

Background Obesity is a global epidemic, projected to affect 4 billion people by 2035. Anesthesia regimens, including volatile anesthetics and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), impact postoperative outcomes, particularly in obese patients who face increased risks of complications. Volatile anesthetics are often associated with higher rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), while TIVA may improve recovery but can increase costs and present additional challenges. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effects of these anesthesia methods on perioperative outcomes, including hemodynamic stability, recovery, and PONV, in this high-risk population. Methods Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024547776) studies were identified through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CINDAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was conducted. Results Thirteen studies with 1072 participants were included. Inhalational anesthesia significantly increases PONV (RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.21–3.60; p = 0.01; I ² = 34%) and intraoperative heart rate (MD, 3.49; 95% CI, 0.01–6.97; p < 0.01; I ² = 67.6%) compared to TIVA. Other outcomes, including mean arterial pressure, duration of intensive care unit stay, recovery time, opioid use, and pain, showed no significant differences between TIVA and inhalational anesthesia in the present analysis. Conclusion TIVA appears to improve perioperative outcomes in obese patients by reducing PONV and intraoperative heart rate, highlighting its potential advantages in clinical practice. Further research is needed to address variability and establish evidence-based guidelines for anesthesia management in this high-risk population. Systematic review registration Number in PROSPERO CRD42024547776

Objective To update evidence‐based medicine recommendations for treating motor fluctuations of Parkinson's disease (PD). Background The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Evidence Based Medicine in Movement Disorders Committee recommendations for the treatments of PD were first published in 2002 and regularly updated. The current review uses a new methodology, including the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and a modified version of GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations). Methods On January 1, 2023, a literature search was conducted without date limit in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases using the following search terms: Parkinson disease, levodopa and, for the Embase database, randomized controlled trial (RCT). The inclusion criteria for studies were: patients with PD, on oral levodopa therapy, experiencing motor fluctuations, investigating an intervention that was (commercially) available in at least one country, study design RCT, and with a follow‐up duration of at least 3 months. Results A total of 102 studies were included. Levodopa extended release, pramipexole immediate release and extended release, ropinirole immediate release, rotigotine, opicapone, safinamide, and bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (DBS) were assessed as efficacious, and continuous intestinal levodopa infusion, continuous subcutaneous levodopa, continuous subcutaneous apomorphine, ropinirole prolonged release, ropinirole patch, entacapone, rasagiline, istradefylline, amantadine extended release, zonisamide, bilateral globus pallidus DBS, and pallidotomy were assessed as likely efficacious for the treatment of motor fluctuations in people with PD who are already being treated with levodopa. Conclusions There are several treatment options that can improve motor fluctuations in PD. These recommendations will assist physicians and patients in determining which intervention to use. © 2025 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Movement disorders after dengue virus (DENV) infection have been increasingly recognized. We aimed to synthesize the clinical and paraclinical characteristics , treatment responses, and outcomes of these neurologic complications. We systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and LILACS databases up to September 2023 following a published protocol. We identified 73 cases of DENV-induced movement disorders. Cerebellar ataxia was the most common, followed by parkinsonism, opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome , and dystonia. Movement disorders typically developed within 14 days of DENV infection and were associated with a range of neurological symptoms, including cognitive impairment and psychiatric disturbances. Neuroimaging studies frequently showed abnormalities in the basal ganglia and brainstem. Treatment varied depending on the specific movement disorder and included corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and symptomatic medications. Whereas a handful of cases met the criteria for acute encephalitis, many lacked sufficient data to establish a definitive diagnosis. Para-infectious and postinfectious immune-mediated movement disorders were also reported. A rare case of chronic progressive panencephalitis due to DENV infection highlights the potential for long-term neurological consequences. Other DENV-related complications, such as stroke, pituitary apoplexy, subacute thyroiditis, and metabolic disturbances, can also cause movement disorders. We emphasize the importance of recognizing the diverse neurological manifestations of DENV infection and the need for further research to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies. We propose a more rigorous approach to determining the causality between infection and movement disorder, demanding stronger evidence beyond mere association and advocating for targeted research to fill the existing knowledge gaps.

In this study, we evaluate the performance of the DP4+ and MM-DP4+ methods on molecules featuring small heterocyclic rings. A dataset of 71 molecules containing three- and four-membered heterocycles, known...

Children’s screen use is ubiquitous, with toddlers in particular demonstrating increases after the pandemic and negative associations with cognitive abilities. Thus, the objective of this cross-cultural study was to broaden and deepen existing results by describing Latin American toddlers’ screen use and its association with parental reports of language skills, developmental milestones, and sociodemographic variables. A sample of 1878 toddlers from 12 to 48 months (M.age = 27.55, SD = 9.68, male = 933, low-SES = 945) from 19 different Latin American countries was evaluated. Parent-report measures of children’s use of screens, SES, language, and developmental milestones were administered virtually or face-to-face. Results indicated that infants’ screen exposure times were longer than recommended, with TV and smartphone being the most frequent screen media among them. Also, most of the screen time was shared with an adult. These results were consistent across parent-reported SES and nationality. In addition, negative and significant associations were generally found between screen time and language skills, which were in turn positively associated with shared reading times. The frequency of shared screen use with adults demonstrated positive correlations with language skills, after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Lastly, entertainment and educational content was associated with higher levels of language skills compared to music. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of promoting responsible and accompanied use of screens with age-appropriate content during the first years of life across different contexts.

This study aimed to examine the associations between substituting sedentary time (ST) with physical activity and sleep with obesity parameters in adults from eight Latin American countries. The sample consisted of 2173 adults aged 18–65 years. Physical activity, ST and sleep were objectively measured using accelerometers. The parameters of obesity were defined using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Regression analyses were conducted for isotemporal analysis of the association between substituting 30 min/day of ST with light physical activity (LPA), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sleep in relation to BMI and WC. Substituting light physical activity with higher intensity was also analyzed. Substituting 30 min/day of ST with MVPA was significantly associated with lower odds of a higher BMI (OR: 0.993, 95%CI 0.990–0.998) and WC (OR: 0.998, 95%CI 0.998–0.999). Conversely, substituting ST with LPA did not show a significant impact on obesity parameters. However, the substitution of 30 min/day of LPA with MVPA was also associated with lower odds of a higher BMI (OR: 0.993, 95%CI 0.989–0.997). The results highlight the importance of replacing ST and increasing the intensity of physical activity as an effective strategy for preventing and managing obesity in Latin America.

Chronotype refers to an individual's tendency to engage in activities either earlier or later, in alignment with the biological rhythm of their body and its interaction with the environmental cycle. Chronotypes influence food preferences and meal timing, yet most studies rely solely on questionnaires without integrating real-time tasting data. To address this gap, we developed and validated a method to measure sensory perception and examine its variations throughout the day in alignment with circadian rhythms. Fifty-two university students completed the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire and, over four days within a week, they participated in sensory evaluations using a web-based questionnaire. At four daily time slots (morning, midday, afternoon, evening), participants tasted candies and assessed some sensory attributes—sweetness, sourness, bitterness, freshness, and overall flavor—using the Rate-All-That-Apply method. Before each evaluation, they also reported their level of hunger, thirst, tiredness, and willingness to complete the task. Reminders were sent via pre-programmed messages to ensure adherence to the schedule. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the method, with low attrition rates and consistent participant motivation over the study period. Sensory perception was found to vary across the day and in relation to chronotype, highlighting the method's potential for advancing research in sensory chrononutrition. • A web-based questionnaire including tasting was developed to assess sensory perception at different times of the day over four days. • Perception was analyzed in relation to chronotype. • Face validity was confirmed, as significant variations based on chronotypes were observed.