Biology subjects

Vargas, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Vargas, P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Three-Dimensional Histology of Whole Zebrafish by Sub-Micron Synchrotron X-ray Micro-Tomography

Histological studies providing cellular insights into tissue architecture have been central to biological discovery and remain clinically invaluable today. Extending histology to three dimensions would be transformational for research and diagnostics. However, three-dimensional histology is impractical using current techniques. We have customized sample preparation, synchrotron X-ray tomographic parameters, and three-dimensional image analysis to allow for complete histological phenotyping using whole larval and juvenile zebrafish. The resulting digital zebrafish can be virtually sectioned and visualized in any plane. Whole-animal reconstructions at subcellular resolution also enable computational characterization of the zebrafish nervous system by region-specific detection of cell nuclei and quantitative assessment of individual phenotypic variation. Three-dimensional histological phenotyping has potential use in genetic and chemical screens, and in clinical and toxicological tissue diagnostics.\n\nOne Sentence SummarySynchrotron X-ray micro-tomography can be used to rapidly create 3-dimensional images of fixed and stained specimens without sectioning, enabling computational histological phenotyping at cellular resolution.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2017

Phylogenomics of the olive tree (Olea europaea) disentangles ancient allo- and autopolyploidizations in Lamiales.

BackgroundPolyploidization is one of the major evolutionary processes that shape eukaryotic genomes, being particularly common in plants. Polyploids can arise through direct genome doubling within a species (autopolyploidization) or through the merging of genomes from distinct species after hybridization (allopolyploidization). The relative contribution of either mechanism in plant evolution is debated. Here we used phylogenomics to dissect the tempo and mode of duplications in the genome of the olive tree (Olea europaea), one of the first domesticated Mediterranean fruit trees.\n\nResultsOur results depict a complex scenario involving at least three past polyploidization events, of which two -at the bases of the family Oleaceae and the tribe Oleeae, respectively- are likely to be the result of ancient allopolyploidization. A more recent polyploidization involves specifically the olive tree and relatives.\n\nConclusionOur results show the power of phylogenomics to distinguish between allo- and auto- polyplodization events and clarify the conundrum of past duplications in the olive tree lineage.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Oral diseases: a 14-year experience of a Chilean institution with a systematic review from eight countries

BACKGROUNDRetrospective studies to assess the distribution of oral diseases (ODs) are helpful in estimating the prevalence of oral diagnoses in the population, and thus help in preventive and curative services. Prevalence and frequency data for ODs are available from many countries, but information from Chile is scarce.\n\nMETHODSThis study investigated the frequency of ODs in a Chilean population. For this, we included all patients treated at the University of Talca (UTALCA, Chile) between 2001 and 2014. Patient characteristics were retrieved from medical files. To contextualize our results, we conducted a systematic review (SystRev) using Publish or Perish software (PoP), Google Scholar and MEDLINE/PubMed.\n\nRESULTSOne hundred sixty-six ODs were diagnosed, and the most prevalent groups were soft tissue tumours, epithelial pathology and salivary gland pathology. Individually, irritation fibroma, oral lichen planus (OLP) and mucocele were the most common diagnoses. ODs frequently affected unspecified parts of the mouth (including cheek, vestibule and retromolar area), gum, lips, tongue and palate. In the SystRev, the more studied diagnoses were leukoplakia, OLP and recurrent aphthous stomatitis; prevalent lesions included Fordyces spots, recurrent aphthous stomatitis and fissured tongue. Chilean patients and SistRev shared almost all ODs.\n\nCONCLUSIONThe results reflect ODs diagnosed in a specialized service of oral pathology and medicine in Chile and will allow the establishment of preventive/curative policies, adequate health services and dentistry curriculum.

pathology↗