ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the anatomical aspects of the kidney surface in human fetuses during the second gestational trimester. Material and Methods: We studied 108 kidneys obtained from 54 human fetuses (29 males and 25 females). The kidney was dissected and the number of clefts was counted. The renal volume was also assessed. To compare the quantitative data in both sexes, the Students-t-test was used (p < 0.05). Simple linear correlations were calculated for all kidney measurements, according to fetal age. Statistical analysis was performed with the R program (Version 3.5.1). Results: The fetuses ranged in age between 11.4 to 23 weeks post-conception. The renal volume of the right kidney ranged from 0.09 to 2.397 cm (mean=0.8479) and the renal volume of the left kidney ranged from 0.07 to 2.416 cm (mean=0.8036). The mean number of renal clefts in fetuses studied was 15.25 (7 to 28). There was no statistical significant difference in renal clefts between the sides either in males (p = 0.646) or in females (p = 0.698). Also, there was no significant difference in the mean number of renal clefts between male and female fetuses in right kidney (p = 0.948) and in left kidney (p = 0.939). Conclusions: The number of renal clefts has a great variation, weak correlation and no tendency to decrease during the 2nd gestational trimester. The number of clefts in right kidney of total sample and female fetuses has a significant development with age.

This work describes the development and characterization of triglyceride-based magnetic nanocomposites for application in magnetic hyperthermia and controlled drug delivery. The magnetic solid lipid nanocomposites (MSLN) constituted by mixtures of trilaurin-tricaprylin and trilaurin-tricaprin have been successfully obtained by emulsification-solvent evaporation method. The developed MSLNs were subjected to an external oscillating magnetic field and showed significant hyperthermia. The samples were exposed to frequencies of 688 and 869 kHz causing, respectively, a temperature increase of 15.5 and 22.7 °C (trilaurin-tricaprylin) and 17.3 and 26.1 °C (trilaurin-tricaprin). Also, in vitro assays in the absence of magnetic field showed that the triglyceride-based formulations were able first to encapsulate and then to sustained release an antitumoural hydrophobic drug. After 72 h of assay trilaurin-tricaprylin and trilaurin-tricaprin released 73 and 55% of their cargo, respectively. In addition, MSLN exhibited low in vitro cytotoxic activity against human neutrophils.

Los efluentes de la industria textil imponen grandes retos ambientales. Estos son una mezcla compleja de productos químicos, donde colorantes son de particular interés. En este estudio, se implementó un diseño factorial completo 2³ para establecer las condiciones más apropiadas para la degradación del rojo básico 46 bajo fermentación en estado sólido, FES. Tres hongos de podredumbre blanca Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus y Pleurotus pulmonarius fueron utilizados en el proceso de fermentación. Se alcanzó una degradación máxima de 63.0% a los 17 días de incubación con T. versicolor con una humedad del 90%, proporción carbono:nitrógeno de 12:1 y a 20°C. P. ostreatus y P. pulmonarius alcanzaron porcentajes máximos de degradación del 69.3% y 63.1% respectivamente luego de 25 días de fermentación. El escalado del proceso con T. versicolor condujo a una degradación del 45.7% a los 30 días de incubación. Adicionalmente, se cuantificó la actividad de las enzimas lacasa, manganeso peroxidasa y lignina peroxidasa. Los resultados señalan que la FES ofrece una degradación satisfactoria, cuya eficiencia depende de la optimización de las condiciones del proceso.

Textile industry effluents-a complex mix of chemicals, among which colorants are of particular concern-impose great environmental challenges. In this study, a full 2³ factorial design was used for determining the best conditions for the degradation of textile dye Basic Red 46 under solid state fermentation (SSF). Three white rot fungi Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Pleurotus pulmonarius were used in the fermentation process. A maximum degradation percentage of 63.0% was achieved at 17 days of incubation with T. versicolor under a moisture content of 90%, carbon to nitrogen ratio of 12: 1, and at 20°C. P. ostreatus and P. pulmonarius reached a maximum degradation percentage of 69.3% and 63.1%, respectively, after 25 days of fermentation. The scale-up of the fermentation process using T. versicolor led to a degradation percentage of 45.7% after 30 days of incubation. Additionally, the enzyme activity of laccase, manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase was measured. The results indicate that SSF offers a satisfactory degradation, whose efficiency depends on the optimization of process conditions.

Evaluation of fungal diversity restoration in an afforestation of Polylepis australis (Rosaceae): a case study: Polylepis australis forest had been significantly disturbed and afforestation is an alternative to restore these ecosystems. The aim of this study is to evaluate the restoration of the fungal community in P. australis afforestation. Our hypothesis is that the fungal community varies between forest situations: high degraded, mature forest, and restored forest. Fungal variables (richness, abundance and evenness of macromicetes) were compared between a native area, an afforestation and a degraded land. To this end, 15 plots of 5x5 m were established and five of them were sampled in each season. Macromicetes fruiting bodies were collected and classified into different morpho-taxonomical groups. Principal Components Analyses and correlation analyses between the fungal variables and the plot's structure were performed as well as correlation analysis between the fungal variables and soil chemical variables. Richness, abundance and evenness were significantly higher in the native area, intermediate in the afforestation and lower in the degraded land. The native area's plots showed high tree cover, the afforestation´s plots high graminoid and young trees cover, and the degraded land's plots high forbs cover. Values of fungal variables were higher at higher tree cover and were positively correlated with soil phosphorus content and pH. The results show that, after 12 years of afforestation with P. australis, the fungal diversity in that ecosystem is higher than the observed in reference degraded land but is far from the observed in a native area. It can be hypothesized that fungi are sensitive bioindicators of forest degradation and restoration.

Los bosques de Polylepis australis han sido muy disturbados y la reforestación es una alternativa para restaurar esos ecosistemas. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la restauración de la comunidad fúngica en un bosque de P. australis reforestado. Nuestra hipótesis de trabajo es que la comunidad fúngica se modifica en concordancia con las situaciones del bosque: alta degradación, bosque natural maduro y bosque restaurado. Se compararon variables fúngicas (riqueza, abundancia y equitatividad de macromicetes) de un área nativa, de un área degradada y reforestada y de un área degradada sin reforestación. Para ello se establecieron 15 parcelas de 5x5 m y se muestrearon cinco por estación. Se recolectaron las fructificaciones de macromicetes, y luego se las clasificó en grupos morfo-taxonómicos. Se hicieron análisis de componentes principales y de correlación entre las variables fúngicas y la estructura vegetal, y análisis de correlación entre las variables fúngicas y las variables químicas del suelo. La riqueza, la abundancia y la equitatividad fueron significativamente mayores en el área nativa, intermedias en el área reforestada y menores en el área degradada. Las parcelas del área nativa se caracterizaron por una alta cobertura de árboles maduros, las del área reforestada por graminoides y árboles jóvenes y las del área degradada por herbáceas latifoliadas. Las tres variables fúngicas fueron máximas a mayor cobertura arbórea y correlacionaron positivamente con el fósforo y pH del suelo. Los resultados muestran que 12 años después de que un área degradada fuera reforestada con P. australis, la diversidad fúngica es mayor que la de un área degradada, pero está lejos de alcanzar los niveles del área nativa. Se postula que los hongos serían bioindicadores sensibles a la degradación y la restauración de los bosques.

Phytolacca tetramera Hauman "ombusillo" is an endemism of southeastern Buenos Aires province (Argentina). This species has fungicidal action against opportunistic pathogens of humans. In order to search natural alternatives for the control of diseases in plants caused by fungi, the objective was to evaluate the effects of aqueous and alcohol extracts of P. tetramera leaves on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc. This fungus has a wide distribution in different species with agricultural, forestry, and ornamental value. The antifungal activity of aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts was assessed in vitro against fungi. The fungus was subjected to two types of extracts already incorporated into the Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium at 5-50% concentrations. The aqueous extract concentrations within the range 15-30% led to a decrease in the average diameter and speed of mycelium growth, while the range of 15-40% was the most effective in relation to a decrease in conidial production. Also, leaf alcohol extract inhibited the conidial production at concentrations of 5%, and had fungicidal action at concentrations of 15%. From "ombusillo" leaves a foam index of 250 was obtained. This high concentration of saponins would be at least one cause of the antifungal activity.

Efecto de los extractos acuoso y alcohólico de la hoja de Phytolacca tetramera (Phytolaccaceae) sobre Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Ascomycota). Phytolacca tetramera Hauman "ombusillo" es un endemismo del sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Esta especie presenta acción fungicida contra patógenos oportunistas de humanos. Con el propósito de buscar alternativas naturales para el control de enfermedades en los vegetales, se planteó como objetivo evaluar el efecto de los extractos foliares acuoso y alcohólico de P. tetramera sobre el desarrollo del hongo Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc., el cual tiene amplia distribución en especies de importancia agrícola, forestal y ornamental. El ensayo se realizó in vitro. El hongo fue cultivado en agar papa glucosado (APG), con aplicación del extracto en concentraciones del 5-50%. Las concentraciones del extracto acuoso del 15-30% produjeron una disminución del diámetro y velocidad media de crecimiento del micelio, mientras que las concentraciones del 15-40% fueron las más efectivas en el control de producción de conidios. El extracto alcohólico inhibió la producción de conidios con el 5% de concentración y con el 15% resultó fungicida. A partir de las hojas de "ombusillo" se obtuvo un índice de espuma de 250. Esta alta concentración de saponinas hace suponer que sería, al menos, una de las causas de la actividad antifúngica.