Carolina Merlo

Bio: Carolina Merlo is an academic researcher from National University of Cordoba. The author has contributed to research in topics: Riparian zone & Sediment. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 19 publications receiving 188 citations. Previous affiliations of Carolina Merlo include National Scientific and Technical Research Council.

Parotid sialosis: morphometrical analysis of the glandular parenchyme and stroma among diabetic and alcoholic patients.

Abstract: J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 10–15 Background: Among the agents that cause parotid sialosis, diabetes mellitus type 2 and chronic alcoholism are included. In this study, the morphometrical modifications in the diabetic parotid sialosis were determined to compare them with the histopathological characteristics of alcoholic parotid sialosis. Methods: Five parotid biopsy samples obtained from patients with diabetic sialosis, 12 samples from patients with alcoholic sialosis and seven from individuals without these pathologies (control group) were analyzed. A morphometrical study of parotid parenchyme and stroma, using a digital image analyzer attached to an optical microscope, was carried out. Dimensions of serous acini and striated ducts, the area occupied by the fatty tissue, and the number of ducts were recorded. Mean values were compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test (P ≤ 0.05). Results: The variables analyzed in diabetic patients did not show significant differences with respect to the control group. However, when diabetics were compared with alcoholics, the alcoholics exhibited a noticeable reduction in the proportion of fatty tissue of stroma and a significant development of ductal epithelium that contributed to increase the caliber of the striated ducts. Conclusions: These results indicate that the glandular hypertrophy in the diabetic parotid sialosis is not directly associated with the ductal and acinar size, amount of fatty tissue and ductal hyperplasy. Nevertheless, these findings show that the ductal dimensions and the proportion of adipose tissue are variables that allow us to establish histopathological differences between diabetic and alcoholic sialosis.

Land use impact on chemical and spectroscopical characteristics of soil organic matter in an arid ecosystem

Abstract: Soil organic matter (SOM) storage and composition in ecosystems may undergo change as a result of long-term livestock and soil cultivation, particularly in arid environments. In this work, we evaluated the alterations produced in both the quantity and quality of SOM due to productive management systems. The impact of land use change on SOM, dissolved and hot water-extractable carbon (DOC and HWC), humic substances (HS), humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA) and the infrared and visible spectroscopy of HS were studied at three productive sites: total and selective clearings with livestock (TC livestock and SC livestock), total clearing with irrigated agriculture (TC agriculture), and an undisturbed site located in central-western Argentina. The SOM content was higher at the undisturbed and TC agriculture sites. DOC varied among the study sites only during the dry season, while HWC decreased during the wet season, clearly indicating the lability of this fraction. The concentrations of HS, HA, and FA were reduced (50–75 %) by land use change, with the HS composition determined by infrared spectroscopy reflecting a high quantity of polysaccharides in TC agriculture, while the E 4/E 6 ratio (UV–vis) presented low values at the undisturbed site, indicating a high degree of condensation of aromatic substances. In conclusion, (a) the conversion of native woodlands to livestock systems favored soil C losses, (b) the highest SOM storage recorded in TC agriculture may reflect a greater residue accumulation at the soil surface and (c) the combination of different techniques provided a very good insight into the status of soil degradation.

Morphometric analysis of the parotid gland affected by alcoholic sialosis.

Abstract: Background: In alcoholic parotid sialosis, the gland is frequently enlarged due to ductal and/or acinar hypertrophy, ductal hyperplasy and stromal fat infiltration. The aim of this study was to determine acinar and ductal dimensions, the number of striated ducts and the proportion of fat tissue in patients with and without alcoholic parotid sialosis. Methods: Twelve parotid biopsy samples from patients with hepatic alcoholic cirrhosis and those from seven controls were used. A morphometrical study with a digital image analyser attached to an optical microscope was carried out. Direct and indirect indicators from acinar and ductal dimensions were recorded. The number of striated ducts and the proportion of fat tissue in stroma were determined. Fifteen records for each variable were taken. Mean values were compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test (P ≤ 0.05). Results: There were no significant differences in acinar and ductal dimensions and the number of striated ducts between alcoholic and control patients. The proportion of fat tissue in alcoholic parotides was significantly lower than that in the controls. Conclusions: These results do not corroborate previous qualitative descriptions about acinar and ductal hypertrophy and ductal hyperplasy in alcoholic patients. The main cause of parotid enlargement could not be stromal fat infiltration. The data could be used for differential diagnoses of sialosis.

Chemistry, Antimicrobial Mechanisms, and Antibiotic Activities of Cinnamaldehyde against Pathogenic Bacteria in Animal Feeds and Human Foods

Abstract: Cinnamaldehyde is a major constituent of cinnamon essential oils produced by aromatic cinnamon plants. This compound has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial properties in vitro in laboratory media and in animal feeds and human foods contaminated with disease-causing bacteria including Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. This integrated review surveys and interprets our current knowledge of the chemistry, analysis, safety, mechanism of action, and antibiotic activities of cinnamaldehyde in food animal (cattle, lambs, calves, pigs, poultry) diets and in widely consumed liquid (apple, carrot, tomato, and watermelon juices, milk) and solid foods. Solid foods include various fruits (bayberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries), vegetables (carrots, celery, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and tomatoes), meats (beef, ham, pork, and frankfurters), poultry (chickens and turkeys), seafood (oysters and shrimp), ...