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El trastorno de la queratina aviar ocasiona un crecimiento anormal del pico y afecta a varias especies de aves en América y Europa. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, no se había registrado en el grupo de los colibríes. En este trabajo reportamos a un individuo de Hylocharis leucotis con dicho trastorno, el cual fue capturado en la localidad de San Bernardino Lagunas, Vicente Guerrero, Puebla. Es posible que esta alteración afecte la alimentación y polinización de los colibríes que la padecen.

Food industry has been recently aiming among other things toward the production of functional foods. Probiotics fall into this category. Although dairy food matrices have traditionally been used for the elaboration of them, in recent years, a number of allergic or abnormal reactions to some of the ingredients that are normally found in dairy matrices have encouraged. This review has focused particularly on non-dairy probiotic beverages. The viability of these products and its persistence have been a special matter of interest, since it is clearly dependent on the technique used for the inoculation or addition of the microorganisms. Such persistence is generally affected both by the processing of the food and by the storage period. Many studies have also observed that the presence of microorganisms results in reactions that may alter the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the product, which have been, for the most part, positively valued by consumers.

Human and other genomes encode tens of thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), the vast majority of which remain uncharacterised. High-throughput functional screening methods, notably those based on pooled CRISPR-Cas perturbations, promise to unlock the biological significance and biomedical potential of lncRNAs. Such screens are based on libraries of single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) whose design is critical for success. Few off-the-shelf libraries are presently available, and lncRNAs tend to have cell-type-specific expression profiles, meaning that library design remains in the hands of researchers. Here we introduce the topic of pooled CRISPR screens for lncRNAs and guide readers through the three key steps of library design: accurate annotation of transcript structures, curation of optimal candidate sets, and design of sgRNAs. This review is a starting point and reference for researchers seeking to design custom CRISPR screening libraries for lncRNAs.

28 p.-5 fig.- + 4 fig. supl.-1 tab. supl., In most bacteriophages, genome transport across bacterial envelopes is carried out by the tail machinery. In viruses of the Podoviridae family, in which the tail is not long enough to traverse the bacterial wall, it has been postulated that viral core proteins assembled inside the viral head are translocated and reassembled into a tube within the periplasm that extends the tail channel. Bacteriophage T7 infects Escherichia coli, and despite extensive studies, the precise mechanism by which its genome is translocated remains unknown. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we have resolved the structure of two different assemblies of the T7 DNA translocation complex composed of the core proteins gp15 and gp16. Gp15 alone forms a partially folded hexamer, which is further assembled upon interaction with gp16 into a tubular structure, forming a channel that could allow DNA passage. The structure of the gp15–gp16 complex also shows the location within gp16 of a canonical transglycosylase motif involved in the degradation of the bacterial peptidoglycan layer. This complex docks well in the tail extension structure found in the periplasm of T7-infected bacteria and matches the sixfold symmetry of the phage tail. In such cases, gp15 and gp16 that are initially present in the T7 capsid eightfold-symmetric core would change their oligomeric state upon reassembly in the periplasm. Altogether, these results allow us to propose a model for the assembly of the core translocation complex in the periplasm, which furthers understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in the release of T7 viral DNA into the bacterial cytoplasm., This work was supported by the Ministry of Science,Innovation and Universities of Spain, Grant BFU 2014-54181 (to J.L.C.) and Contracts SEV-2013-0347 (to A.C.) and BES-2015-073615 to (M.P.-R.).

Background Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are calcifying red macroalgae that play important ecological roles including stabilisation of reef frameworks and provision of settlement cues for a range of marine invertebrates. Previous research into the responses of CCA to ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA) have found magnitude of effect to be species-specific. Response to OW and OA could be linked to divergent underlying molecular processes across species. Results Here we show Sporolithon durum, a species that exhibits low sensitivity to climate stressors, had little change in metabolic performance and did not significantly alter the expression of any genes when exposed to temperature and pH perturbations. In contrast, Porolithon onkodes, a major coral reef builder, reduced photosynthetic rates and had a labile transcriptomic response with over 400 significantly differentially expressed genes, with differential regulation of genes relating to physiological processes such as carbon acquisition and metabolism. The differential gene expression detected in P. onkodes implicates possible key metabolic pathways, including the pentose phosphate pathway, in the stress response of this species. Conclusions We suggest S. durum is more resistant to OW and OA than P. onkodes, which demonstrated a high sensitivity to climate stressors and may have limited ability for acclimatisation. Understanding changes in gene expression in relation to physiological processes of CCA could help us understand and predict how different species will respond to, and persist in, future ocean conditions predicted for 2100.

Background and Aim: Enzootic bovine leukosis is a disease economically important to the dairy farming industry worldwide. The virus is of the Deltaretrovirus genus and is primarily transmitted iatrogenically. Most bovines infected with the virus remain asymptomatic with only 5-10% of cattle having lymphomas. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of bovine leukosis virus (BLV) in Sotaquirá, Boyacá, Colombia. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive, observational epidemiological cross-sectional study using the simple random sampling method with a sample size of 1000. Blood samples from random bovine were processed using the SERELISA® BLV Ab Mono Blocking indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (Zoetis, USA). The assay had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 98%. The collected data were processed using Epi Info® (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, Georgia). From the study, we could determine a high seroprevalence of BLV in Sotaquirá. Results: We established a high seroprevalence on BLV in the municipality, with 31.1% apparent seroprevalence and 30.6% real seroprevalence rate. We found that male cattle more than 4 years old (39.4%) and the Ayrshire breed (45.5%) had the highest prevalence rates of the virus. In this study, we could establish statistically significant associations according to breed, age, and gender of the cattle under study. Moreover, we identified the risk factors for BLV infection. We found that in cattle aged

All aerobic organisms are susceptible to damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-induced damage has been associated with aging and diseases such as metabolic syndrome and cancer. However, not all organisms develop these diseases, nor do they age at the same rate; this is partially due to resistance to oxidative stress, a quantitative trait attributable to the interaction of factors including genetics and environmental. Drosophila melanogaster represents an ideal system to study how genetic variation can affect resistance to oxidative stress. In this work, oxidative stress (total and mitochondrial ROS), antioxidant response, and Cap 'n' collar isoform C and Spineless gene expression, one pesticide resistant (Oregon R(R)-flare) and wild-type (Canton-S) strains of D. melanogaster, were analyzed to test resistance to basal oxidative stress. ROS, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were determined by flow cytometry, and Cap 'n' collar isoform C and Spineless expression by qRT-PCR. The intensity of oxidative stress due to the pro-oxidant zearalenone in both was evaluated by flow cytometry. Data confirm expected differences in oxidative stress between strains that differ in Cyp450s levels. The Oregon (R)R-flare showed greater ROS, total and mitochondrial, compared to Canton-S. Regarding oxidative stress genes expression Cap 'n' collar isoform C and Spineless (Ss), Oregon R(R)-flare strain showed higher expression. In terms of response to zearalenone mycotoxin, Canton-S showed higher ROS concentration. Our data show variation in the resistance to oxidative stress among these strains of D. melanogaster.

Objectives: We compared the characteristics and clinical outcomes of hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 with [people with HIV (PWH)] and without (non-PWH) HIV co-infection in Spain during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study. People with HIV were identified by reviewing clinical records and laboratory registries of 10 922 patients in active-follow-up within the Spanish HIV Research Network (CoRIS) up to 30 June 2020. Each hospitalized PWH was matched with five non-PWH of the same age and sex randomly selected from COVID-19@Spain, a multicentre cohort of 4035 patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. The main outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Results: Forty-five PWH with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were identified in CoRIS, 21 of whom were hospitalized. A total of 105 age/sex-matched controls were selected from the COVID-19@Spain cohort. The median age in both groups was 53 (Q1-Q3, 46-56) years, and 90.5% were men. In PWH, 19.1% were injecting drug users, 95.2% were on antiretroviral therapy, 94.4% had HIV-RNA

Introducción. El riesgo de infección con Brucella canis en humanos y perros aumenta con la exposición constante a perros portadores asintomáticos. En Colombia hay evidencia de infección con B. canis en personas que conviven con perros. Una preocupación adicional en Bogotá es la falta de información actualizada sobre la prevalencia de la infección en perros destinados a programas de adopción.Objetivo. Establecer la seroprevalencia de la infección por B. canis en perros de un refugio para animales de compañía destinados a la adopción en Bogotá.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en un refugio ara animales de Bogotá. Se detectaron anticuerpos contra B. canis en el suero de 51 perros (28 hembras y 23 machos) mediante una prueba inmunocromatográfica de flujo lateral. Asimismo, los individuos positivos se analizaron con PCR para la detección del ADN de Brucella spp.Resultado. La seroprevalencia de B. canis fue del 1,96 % (1/51). El perro seropositivo correspondió a una hembra asintomática de tres años de edad en la cual no se detectó ADN bacteriano en sangre mediante la PCR.Conclusiones. La seroprevalencia representada por un solo perro con IgG anti-B. canis puede considerarse un riesgo potencial para las poblaciones de perros y humanos, ya que podría tratarse de un animal con infección persistente capaz de diseminar la bacteria.

Objective/background The great auricular nerve (GAN) is a major sensory branch of the cervical plexus. Painful great auricular neuropathy causes pain circumscribed to the inferior preauricular region, the jaw angle, the ventral pinna, and the mastoid region. Methods We present a 46-year-old woman experiencing facial pain in the bilateral preauricular and infra-auricular region, constant, of abrasive quality without any other associated symptomatology that is triggered or aggravated with cephalic movements, cervical turn, mandibular movement, and palpation on the affected area. Results Symptomatic treatment with analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and neuropathic preventive medications was ineffective. However, nerve block anesthetic treatment resulted in complete pain remission. Conclusion Great auricular neuropathy is an uncommon cause of facial pain; our case report is the first bilateral occurrence reported to date. It should be suspected in patients with circumscribed shooting or lancinating paroxysmal pain in the territory of the GAN. It is characterized by the aggravation of pain with cervical movements and complete relief after anesthetic blockade.

Versión preprint disponible en: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/217937, The current genomics era is bringing an unprecedented growth in the amount of gene expression data, only comparable to the exponential growth of sequences in databases during the last decades. This data allow the design of secondary analyses that take advantage of this information to create new knowledge. One of these feasible analyses is the evaluation of the expression level for a gene through a series of different conditions or cell types. Based on this idea, we have developed Automatic and Serial Analysis of CO-expression, which performs expression profiles for a given gene along hundreds of heterogeneous and normalized transcriptomics experiments and discover other genes that show either a similar or an inverse behavior. It might help to discover co-regulated genes, and common transcriptional regulators in any biological model. The present severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is an opportunity to test this novel approach due to the wealth of data that are being generated, which could be used for validating results. Thus, we have identified 35 host factors in the literature putatively involved in the infectious cycle of SARS-CoV viruses and searched for genes tightly co-expressed with them. We have found 1899 co-expressed genes whose assigned functions are strongly related to viral cycles. Moreover, this set of genes heavily overlaps with those identified by former laboratory high-throughput screenings (with P-value near 0). Our results reveal a series of common regulators, involved in immune and inflammatory responses that might be key virus targets to induce the coordinated expression of SARS-CoV-2 host factors.

Previous studies using Cytochrome- b or ND3-ND4 mitochondrial gene have yielded intriguing evidence about the phylogenetic relationships among populations of Peromyscus furvus ; however, those studies each based on phylogenies for a single type of genes, yielded conflicting topologies. In addition, analyses with traditional morphometrics have revealed differences in skull size among certain populations of the species. Therefore, in order to reassess the systematic and taxonomic status of P. furvus , we incorporated a suite of genetic and morphometric characters and employed cladistic analyses. Herein, we present results mostly derived from our genetic analyses (results from the phylogenetic examination of skull size and shape will appear later). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using four mitochondrial genes ( Cytb and ND3-ND4L-ND4) with the respective data analyzed separately or combined, followed by an analysis with genetic and morphometric data (size and shape characters). Most phylogenetic constructions were made with parsimonious methods, but probabilistic methods also were used in the analyses with the genes separated by type. Similar topologies were recovered from all analyses of the Cytb gene and from all parsimony analyses of the NADH genes; however, conflicting topologies were obtained with the probabilistic methods for the NADH genes. Additionally, to better understand the genetic variation in each type of gene, analyses for genetic divergence were conducted within and among genetic groups and haplotype networks were constructed. All the topologies obtained using genetic data questioned the monotypic status of P. furvus , as two additional clades were identified that seemingly correspond to unrecognized entities. The first of these, P. latirostris , occurs in the northern region and could be considered as either a species or subspecies. An unknown Peromyscus species nova that occurs to the south is considered as a valid species. Further, P. furvus s. s. becomes a polytypic species by recognizing at least two subspecies ( P. f. angustirostris and P. f. furvus ). Phylogenetic analyses also rejected membership of P. melanocarpus and P. ochraventer within the furvus species group. Instead, P. melanocarpus showed a greater affinity to P. mexicanus totontepecus , whereas, P. ochraventer either joined to the clade containing P. melanocarpus and P. m. tototepecus or to Megadontomys cryophilus in a sister clade. Finally, Osgoodomys banderanus (subgenus Haplomylomys ) always remained basally positioned and segregated from all members of the subgenus Peromyscus .

The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality of cheese produced by formal and informal micro-enterprises in Paipa, Colombia, to isolate potentially pathogenic bacteria and to determine their prevalence and resistance to antimicrobials such as antibiotics and biocides. Sixteen micro-enterprises of the seventy existing in the region were sampled during 3 years. Viable concentrations of aerobic mesophiles, total and fecal coliforms, Salmonella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus sp., yeasts, and molds were determined. Seventy-three bacterial isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics and biocides was determined. The results indicated that between 98 and 100% of the cheese samples (n = 48 samples) of formal and informal micro-enterprises presented populations of total and fecal coliforms and Staphylococcus sp. above the limits established by Colombian regulations and varied according to the micro-enterprise. The results also indicated that 56% of Staphylococcus isolates were S. aureus. L. monocytogenes was positive in 38% of the samples. Salmonella sp. was not detected. The coliforms that prevailed were Escherichia coli (25%), Citrobacter freundii (14%), and Proteus mirabilis (8%). All L. monocytogenes were sensitive to ampicillin but resistant to erythromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. S. aureus isolates were susceptible to most antibiotics, except tetracycline and erythromycin (7% resistance). Likewise, 30% of coliforms (n = 36) were multidrug-resistant to antibiotics but susceptible to biocides.

Background Many studies have corroborated the association of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) use with bullous pemphigoid (BP). It has been speculated that this drug-induced variant presents with a different clinical spectrum than conventional BP. Objective To determine the prevalence of DPP4i-induced cases of BP and to evaluate whether gliptin-related BP has specific clinicopathological and immunological features. Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational study of BP cases attended at our centre between January 2000 and June 2020. Epidemiological, clinical, histopathological and laboratory data were collected. Results A total of 257 cases of BP were collected; 51 (24.3%) were on treatment with DPP4i. When analysing DPP4i-induced BP cases, generalized BP was the predominant pattern and scalp/mucosal involvement was found in 13 patients. Gliptin-related BP cases were associated to a decrease in the eosinophilic infiltrate (p = 0.000) and both the detection rate and concentration of anti-BP180 IgG were lower (p = 0.004, p = 0.001, respectively) than non-DPP4i cases. Limitations Retrospective, single-centre study. Conclusion Our large DPP4i-induced BP case series has highlighted that DPP4i-induced BP is characterized by generalized lesions and scalp involvement. Lower titres of anti-BP180 antibodies and a decrease in eosinophils infiltrating into the skin may be distinct features of DPP4i-related BP.

International audience; The coralline algal genus Corallinapetra is currently monospecific, and was established on the species Corallinapetra novaezelandiae, known from a single collection from north-eastern New Zealand. On the basis of multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, Corallinapetra has been resolved apart from all currently recognized families and orders within the Corallinophycidae. We analysed DNA sequence data from the holotype of Lithothamnion gabrieli, which has been considered a heterotypic synonym of L. muelleri, and an unidentified sample collected from Stewart Island in New Zealand, using psbA, rbcL, and COI-5P genes. We also observed detailed morphological characters with light and scanning electron microscopy. Our phylogenetic analyses showed that L. gabrieli and the sample from New Zealand belonged to the same clade as Corallinapetra, distinct from other families and orders in the Corallinophycidae. Members of this clade are distinguishable from other families and orders in the Corallinophycidae by possessing sporangia that are surrounded by remnant sterile filaments that are weakly calcified in mature multiporate sporangial conceptacles that produce zonately divided tetrasporangia. Therefore, we propose that Corallinapetra be placed in its own family, Corallinapetraceae and order, Corallinapetrales, and that L. gabrieli should be assigned to Corallinapetra, as C. gabrielii, to reflect their phylogenetic relationships. We also obtained a partial rbcL sequence data from the lectotype of L. muelleri, the generitype of Lithothamnion. Comparison of the L. muelleri type sequence with L. gabrieli unambiguously demonstrated that these two species are not conspecific, and confirm the placement of L. muelleri within the Hapalidiales.

Tissue-specific differentially methylated regions (tDMRs) are regions of the genome with methylation patterns that modulate gene expression in those tissue types. The detection of tDMRs in forensic evidence can permit the identification of body fluids at trace levels. In this report, we have performed a bioinformatic analysis of an existing array dataset to determine if new tDMRs could be identified for use in body fluid identification from forensic evidence. Once these sites were identified, primers were designed and bisulfite modification was performed. The relative methylation level for each body fluid at a given locus was then determined using qPCR with high-resolution melt analysis (HRM). After screening 127 tDMR's in multiple body fluids, we were able to identify four new markers able to discriminate blood (2 markers), vaginal epithelia (1 marker) and buccal cells (1 marker). One marker for each target body fluid was also tested with pyrosequencing showing results consistent with those obtained by HRM. This work successfully demonstrates the ability of in silico analysis to develop a novel set of tDMRs capable of being differentiated by real time PCR/HRM. The method can rapidly determine the body fluids left at crime scenes, assisting the triers of fact in forensic casework.

Phymatolithon atlanticum is newly described from France and Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom) using both molecular (rbcL sequence data, concatenated psbA and COI-5P datasets) and morpho-anatomical analyses. The species shows sequence divergences from other Phymatolithon species by 10.7–15.3% in rbcL, 5.1–9.2% in psbA and 9.6–16.8% in COI-5P. Morpho-anatomically, P. atlanticum is encrusting to lumpy, has slightly sunken female conceptacles with raised rims, lacks buried conceptacles, has five to six rosette cells surrounding tetra/bisporangial conceptacle pores, and has tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roofs that are pitted with depressions as a result of the disintegration of rosette cells. This latter feature is what currently separates the species morpho-anatomically from all other species of Phymatolithon. The tetra/bisporangial conceptacle of P. atlanticum closely resembles those of Lithothamnion crispatum and Leptophytum bornetii and may well represent additional examples of convergent evolution in the non-geniculate coralline algae.

Functional traits can determine pairwise species interactions, such as those between plants and pollinators. However, the effects of biogeography and evolutionary history on trait-matching and trait-mediated resource specialization remain poorly understood.We compiled a database of 93 mutualistic hummingbird-plant networks (including 181 hummingbird and 1,256 plant species), complemented by morphological measures of hummingbird bill and floral corolla length. We divided the hummingbirds into their principal clades and used knowledge on hummingbird biogeography to divide the networks into four biogeographical regions: Lowland South America, Andes, North & Central America, and the Caribbean islands. We then tested: (a) whether hummingbird clades and biogeographical regions differ in hummingbird bill length, corolla length of visited flowers and resource specialization, and (b) whether hummingbirds' bill length correlates with the corolla length of their food plants and with their level of resource specialization.Hummingbird clades dominated by long-billed species generally visited longer flowers and were the most exclusive in their resource use. Bill and corolla length and the degree of resource specialization were similar across mainland regions, but the Caribbean islands had shorter flowers and hummingbirds with more generalized interaction niches. Bill and corolla length correlated in all regions and most clades, that is, trait-matching was a recurrent phenomenon in hummingbird-plant associations. In contrast, bill length did not generally mediate resource specialization, as bill length was only weakly correlated with resource specialization within one hummingbird clade (Brilliants) and in the regions of Lowland South America and the Andes in which plants and hummingbirds have a long co-evolutionary history. Supplementary analyses including bill curvature confirmed that bill morphology (length and curvature) does not in general predict resource specialization.These results demonstrate how biogeographical and evolutionary histories can modulate the effects of functional traits on species interactions, and that traits better predict functional groups of interaction partners (i.e. trait-matching) than resource specialization. These findings reveal that functional traits have great potential, but also key limitations, as a tool for developing more mechanistic approaches in community ecology.A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

In our clinical trials of oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus expressing interferon beta (VSV-IFNβ), several patients achieved initial responses followed by aggressive relapse. We show here that VSV-IFNβ-escape tumors predictably express a point-mutated CSDE1P5S form of the RNA-binding Cold Shock Domain-containing E1 protein, which promotes escape as an inhibitor of VSV replication by disrupting viral transcription. Given time, VSV-IFNβ evolves a compensatory mutation in the P/M Inter-Genic Region which rescues replication in CSDE1P5S cells. These data show that CSDE1 is a major cellular co-factor for VSV replication. However, CSDE1P5S also generates a neo-epitope recognized by non-tolerized T cells. We exploit this predictable neo-antigenesis to drive, and trap, tumors into an escape phenotype, which can be ambushed by vaccination against CSDE1P5S, preventing tumor escape. Combining frontline therapy with escape-targeting immunotherapy will be applicable across multiple therapies which drive tumor mutation/evolution and simultaneously generate novel, targetable immunopeptidomes associated with acquired treatment resistance., Oncolytic viruses, such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), are a promising class of cancer therapeutics. Here the authors report that a mutation in the CSDE1 gene renders cancer cells resistant to VSV replication and oncolysis, but a mutation-derived escape-associated neoantigen could be exploited for immunotherapy against treatment-resistant tumors.

Purpose Next-generation sequencing has implicated some risk variants for human spina bifida (SB), but the genome-wide contribution of structural variation to this complex genetic disorder remains largely unknown. We examined copy-number variant (CNV) participation in the genetic architecture underlying SB risk. Methods A high-confidence ensemble approach to genome sequences (GS) was benchmarked and employed for systematic detection of common and rare CNVs in two separate ancestry-matched SB case–control cohorts. Results SB cases were enriched with exon disruptive rare CNVs, 44% of which were under 10 kb, in both ancestral populations (P = 6.75 × 10−7; P = 7.59 × 10−4). Genes containing these disruptive CNVs fall into molecular pathways, supporting a role for these genes in SB. Our results expand the catalog of variants and genes with potential contribution to genetic and gene–environment interactions that interfere with neurulation, useful for further functional characterization. Conclusion This study underscores the need for genome-wide investigation and extends our previous threshold model of exonic, single-nucleotide variation toward human SB risk to include structural variation. Since GS data afford detection of CNVs with greater resolution than microarray methods, our results have important implications toward a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic risk and mechanisms underlying neural tube defect pathogenesis.

espanolEl cancer infantil es un problema de salud publica en Mexico. Esta enfermedad es motivo de angustia y problemas psicosociales tanto en el paciente como en su cuidador primario. Si las necesidades del cuidador no son identificadas y atendidas se impacta sobre el bienestar y la salud del infante. EI objetivo de la presente investigacion fue evaluar las necesidades de apoyo (NA) y calidad de vida del cuidador primario informal (CPI) de pacientes pediatricos con cancer. Metodo: El diseno fue no experimental y correlacional. Participaron 100 CPIs de pacientes pediatricos con cancer hospitalizados, la mayoria fueron mujeres y madres de los pacientes. Resultados: Se encontro que las NA mayormente insatisfechas fueron la necesidad de resolver las preocupaciones por el futuro, seguido por las necesidades emocionales y las necesidades de informacion. Aquellas percibidas con una menor urgencia por resolver fueron las necesidades relacionadas con el acceso medico de los pacientes. El funcionamiento emocional, fisico y social fueron las areas mas afectadas en la calidad de vida (CV). Con respecto al impacto familiar, las relaciones familiares mostraron ser uno de los dominios menos afectados. El analisis de regresion multiple por metodo intro demostro que las necesidades emocionales y de informacion no satisfechas, las preocupaciones, actividades diarias, y relaciones familiares de los CPIs explican el 74% de la varianza en calidad de vida. Conclusion: Se recomienda integrar a su protocolo clinico de rutina la deteccion de necesidades, evaluacion de CV, asi como la implementacion de intervenciones psicoeducativas y, en su caso, la atencion psicologica personalizada. EnglishChildren’s cancer is a public health problem in Mexico. This disease is also cause of distress and psychosocial problems for the patient, as well as their primary caregiver. The family is the first circle of support for a patient, therefore, if their needs are unmet, the infant’s health and wellbeing will suffer in turn. The purpose of this investigation project was to evaluate supportive needs (SN) and quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers (FCs) of pediatric cancer patients. Method: This investigation’s design was correlational and non-experimental. The study’s participants were 100 FCs for pediatric cancer patients currently hospitalized at the National Institute of Pediatrics in Mexico City, the majority were women and mothers of the patients. Results: The results showed that facing the worries about the future, emotional needs, as well as information needs were the most unsatisfied SN’s. The one with least urgency to solve was the patients access and medical continuity needs. Proper emotional, physical and social function were the most affected areas of their quality of life. On the other hand, the family relationship of the family impact domain was one of the less affected. Furthermore, intro multiple regression showed that unmet needs relating to information and emotions, in addition to worries, daily activities and family relationships explained 74% of the variance in QOL. Conclusion: It is advised that detection of needs, evaluation of quality of life, psychological support and the implementation of psychoeducational interventions be integrated into routine clinical attention in this population.

Coral reef growth is primarily determined by constructive and bioerosive processes acting on key reef-building organisms. Among them, corals are major contributors to the construction of reef frameworks, while crustose coralline algae (CCA) primarily take part in reef cementation. Despite the significance of CCA for reef ecology and functioning, there is very little information on CCA bioerosion rates, in particular in reefs influenced by coastal upwelling. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the percentage and rates of internal bioerosion by macroborer invertebrates in two dominant CCA species and to explore whether the oceanographic variability influences the nature of bioerosion in coral reefs of the Tayrona Natural National Park (Colombian Caribbean). Annual rates of gross calcium carbonate production for Lithoplyllum kaiseri and Porolithon antillarum were 0.556 (± 0.38) and 0.883 (± 1.0) g CaCO3 cm−2 year−1, respectively, and estimates of percent area covered by macroborer boreholes showed values of 29.7% for L. kaiseri and 18.0% for P. antillarum. Rates of calcium carbonate removal by internal macroborers in L. kaiseri (0.19 ± 0.17 g CaCO3 cm−2 year−1) were higher than those in P. antillarum (0.14 ± 0.17 g CaCO3 cm−2 year−1). The percentage of internal bioerosion did not vary significantly across climatic/oceanographic seasons. Boreholes produced by mollusks, polychaetes, sponges and sipunculids were identified, with mollusks having the highest erosion activity. A total of 2,095 individuals of boring and opportunistic organisms were identified and grouped into 29 families (17 polychaetes, 4 mollusks, 2 sipunculids and 6 crustaceans). The composition of the macroborer invertebrate community also varied between CCA species, with higher boreholes attributed to vermetids in L. kaiseri than in P. antillarum. Although there is no clear influence of climatic seasons on internal bioerosion, the high rates of CCA bioerosion may reduce reef consolidation in the region.

The apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide (APOBEC) family protects against infection by degrading incoming viral genomes through cytosine deamination. Here, we review how the potential to unleash these potent DNA mutagens comes at a price as APOBEC DNA mutagenesis can contribute to development of multiple types of cancer. In addition, because viral infection induces its expression, APOBEC is seen as the enemy of oncolytic virotherapy through mutation of the viral genome and by generating virotherapy-resistant tumors. Therefore, overall APOBEC in cancer has received very poor press. However, we also speculate how there may be silver linings to the storm clouds (kataegis) associated with APOBEC activity. Thus, although mutagenic genomic chaos promotes emergence of ever more aggressive subclones, it also provides significant opportunity for cytotoxic and immune therapies. In particular, the superpower of cancer immunotherapy derives in part from mutation, wherein generation of tumor neoantigens—neoantigenesis—exposes tumor cells to functional T-cell repertoires, and susceptibility to immune checkpoint blockade. Moreover, APOBECs may be able to induce suprathreshold levels of cellular mutation leading to mitotic catastrophe and direct tumor cell killing. Finally, we discuss the possibility that linking predictable APOBEC-induced mutation with escape from specific frontline therapies could identify mutated molecules/pathways that can be targeted with small molecules and/or immunotherapies in a Trap and Ambush strategy. Together, these considerations lead to the counterintuitive hypothesis that, instead of attempting to expunge and excoriate APOBEC activity in cancer therapy, it might be exploited—and even, counterintuitively, encouraged.

The purpose of the present study was to examine how coaches' satisfaction with the team could be related to their reported interpersonal style towards young athletes, and to analyze the mediating role of basic psychological needs (i.e. need satisfaction and need frustration) in this relationship. Participants were 352 coaches (16-67 years old; Mage = 32.88, SD = 11.14) from 48 clubs, who had between 1 and 52 years of training experience (M = 23.23, SD = 15.02). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test the relationships between variables. Results showed that satisfaction with the team is positively related to coaches' need satisfaction, and negatively to their need frustration. Need satisfaction positively predicted coaches' need-supportive style, and need frustration predicted their need-thwarting style. Regarding indirect effects, need satisfaction positively mediated the relationship between coaches' satisfaction with the team and their need-supportive style, and need frustration negatively mediated the relationship between coaches' satisfaction with the team and their need-thwarting style. These findings are a first step to highlight satisfaction with the team as an antecedent of coaches' self-reported need-supportive and need-thwarting behaviours towards athletes, and the mediating role of coaches' psychological needs (need satisfaction and need frustration) in this relationship.Highlights We examined the satisfaction of the team as antecedent of coaches' interpersonal style.We tested the mediating role of coaches' psychological needs in this relationship.Satisfaction with the team was positively related to need-supportive style.Satisfaction with the team was negatively associated with need-thwarting behaviors.Coaches' psychological needs mediated the relationship between team satisfaction and their interpersonal style.

The regenerative success of generalist and specialist species may be due to differences in their physiology. Measurements of stomatal conductance (gS) provide an efficient way to infer immediate physiological responses of plants to diurnal environment variation. Radiation, air temperature, and relative humidity were measured in the Colombian Amazon rainforest, to identify the extreme environmental conditions that limit the gS of seedlings in three site types: small gap, open forest, and closed forest. We hypothesized that the diurnal physiological performance of generalist species must be plastic in these three environments. Morphological traits, gS, and leaf temperature were evaluated in seedlings of four species: one generalist, common to all sites, and one specialist from each site. The gap site was warmer and more irradiated than the other two sites, which caused several midday physiological depressions, limited seedling survival, and facilitated the specialized strategy. Leaf and air temperatures were strong determinants of overall gS. The generalist species was physiologically plastic and, at some hours of the day, more efficient than the specialists from open forest andclosed forests. This factor interplay could allow the coexistence of both types of plants.

Background Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality and stresses hospital resources during periods of increased circulation. We evaluated the effectiveness of the 2019–2020 influenza vaccine against influenza-associated hospitalization in the United States. Methods We included adults hospitalized with acute respiratory illness at 14 hospitals and tested for influenza viruses by reserve-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) was estimated by comparing the odds of current-season influenza vaccination in test-positive influenza cases vs test-negative controls, adjusting for confounders. VE was stratified by age and major circulating influenza types along with A(H1N1)pdm09 genetic subgroups. Results A total of 3116 participants were included, including 18% (n = 553) influenza-positive cases. Median age was 63 years. Sixty-seven percent (n = 2079) received vaccination. Overall adjusted VE against influenza viruses was 41% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27%–52%). VE against A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses was 40% (95% CI, 24%–53%) and 33% against B viruses (95% CI, 0–56%). Of the 2 major A(H1N1)pdm09 subgroups (representing 90% of sequenced H1N1 viruses), VE against one group (5A + 187A,189E) was 59% (95% CI, 34%–75%) whereas no VE was observed against the other group (5A + 156K) (–1% [95% CI, –61% to 37%]). Conclusions In a primarily older population, influenza vaccination was associated with a 41% reduction in risk of hospitalized influenza illness.

As a result of botanical explorations carried out in the seasonally dry forests and shrub-lands of the eastern end of the Araya Peninsula, state of Sucre, Venezuela, the presence of Psidium schenckianum Kiaersk. is reported for the first time for Venezuela and Psidium appendiculatum Kiaersk. for the first time for Sucre. Due to the current degradation of these wild ecosystems in the peninsula and the state in general, there is an urgent need to conduct rigorous surveys that provide more information on the geographical distribution of these and other species yet to be discovered.

Versión postprint publicada en Briefings in Bioinformatics, próximamente disponible en: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/228222, The current genomics era is bringing an unprecedented growth in the amount of gene expression data, only comparable to the exponential growth of sequences in databases during the last decades. This data now allows the design of secondary analyses that take advantage of this information to create new knowledge through specific computational approaches. One of these feasible analyses is the evaluation of the expression level for a gene through a series of different conditions or cell types. Based on this idea, we have developed ASACO, Automatic and Serial Analysis of CO-expression, which performs expression profiles for a given gene along hundreds of normalized and heterogeneous transcriptomics experiments and discover other genes that show either a similar or an inverse behavior. It might help to discover co-regulated genes, and even common transcriptional regulators in any biological model, including human diseases or microbial infections. The present SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an opportunity to test this novel approach due to the wealth of data that is being generated, which could be used for validating results. In addition, new cell mechanisms identified could become new therapeutic targets. Thus, we have identified 35 host factors in the literature putatively involved in the infectious cycle of SARS-CoV and/or SARS-CoV-2 and searched for genes tightly co-expressed with them. We have found around 1900 co-expressed genes whose assigned functions are strongly related to viral cycles. Moreover, this set of genes heavily overlap with those identified by former laboratory high-throughput screenings (with p-value near 0). Some of these genes aim to cellular structures such as the stress granules, which could be essential for the virus replication and thereby could constitute potential targets in the current fight against the virus. Additionally, our results reveal a series of common transcription regulators, involved in immune and inflammatory responses, that might be key virus targets to induce the coordinated expression of SARS-CoV-2 host factors. All of this proves that ASACO can discover gene co-regulation networks with potential for proposing new genes, pathways and regulators participating in particular biological systems.

A series of peptide receptors were designed using an in-silico approach for the recognition of the heme prosthetic group in carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). These peptide chains were designed from the amino acids present in the enzyme Cytochrome b561 (Cyt b561) active site. The evaluation of the interaction energy of the heme prosthetic group against the Cyt b561 active site was found to be −7.1 kcal/mol. However, after evaluating the interaction energies of the heme group against the different peptides representing the enzyme's active site, a higher affinity was discovered with one particular peptide chain (−8.2 kcal/mol). For the design, the peptide was built preserving the distance between the amino acids involved in the catalytic process of Cyt b561, using methylenes as spacers. Additionally, the peptide was polymerized with styrene, resulting in the following peptide chain poly(styrene)-A(CH2)5QW(CH2)5GF(CH2)5YW(CH2)6M(CH2)5HA(CH2)6G-(styrene)poly. This result promotes the rational design of peptide receptors in the detection and quantification of COHb from the recognition of its prosthetic group. Keywords: Active site, Amino acids, Molecular docking, Steric hindrance

Due to the ever-increasing data collected in genomic breeding programs, there is a need for genomic prediction models that can deal better with big data. For this reason, here we propose a Maximum a posteriori Threshold Genomic Prediction (MAPT) model for ordinal traits that is more efficient than the conventional Bayesian Threshold Genomic Prediction model for ordinal traits. The MAPT performs the predictions of the Threshold Genomic Prediction model by using the maximum a posteriori estimation of the parameters, that is, the values of the parameters that maximize the joint posterior density. We compared the prediction performance of the proposed MAPT to the conventional Bayesian Threshold Genomic Prediction model, the multinomial Ridge regression and support vector machine on 8 real data sets. We found that the proposed MAPT was competitive with regard to the multinomial and support vector machine models in terms of prediction performance, and slightly better than the conventional Bayesian Threshold Genomic Prediction model. With regard to the implementation time, we found that in general the MAPT and the support vector machine were the best, while the slowest was the multinomial Ridge regression model. However, it is important to point out that the successful implementation of the proposed MAPT model depends on the informative priors used to avoid underestimation of variance components.

The cattle heron is native of the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and Asia, from where it arrived on the northeast coast of SouthAmerica in 1877 and extended its distribution range to Central America and North America. It has undergone dynamic demographictransformations that have led to the colonization of vast areas, through a process of world expansion that has turned it into a cosmopolitanbird. Various factors such as its large size, long-distance flight capacity, its omnivore condition, its opportunistic nature, its remarkableability to adapt to new environments; as well as deforestation and the establishment of grasslands for cattle on a large scale, havecontributed to the expansion of its distribution range. In the present work a historical review of the colonization of the cattle heron iscarried out since its arrival to America. Here we would see how geographic and environmental factors have contributed to the distributionof its populations in different ecosystems ranging from the marine coasts up to 4,400 meters high in the Andes of South America. Aswell, this work highlights the importance of meteorological and genetical tools that provide information about the routes that the specieshas followed in conquering new areas.

The aim of this study was to determine animal performance, rumen fermentation, and health-related blood metabolites of dairy cows in mid lactation fed with increasing levels (30 and 45%) of forage rape (FR) in the diet. Twelve pregnant multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 dietary treatments in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The experiment was divided into three 21-d periods. For the control diet, 13.0 kg (dry matter, DM) of grass silage, 3.0 kg DM of commercial concentrate, 2.7 kg of DM cold-pressed extracted canola meal, and 0.45 kg DM of solvent-extracted soybean meal were offered daily. For the other two treatments, 30 and 45% of the DM from silage, canola meal, and commercial concentrate were replaced in equal proportions with FR. Data were analyzed individually using linear and quadratic orthogonal polynomials. Ingestive behavior was altered by the inclusion of FR. We observed a linear increase in eating time at the expense of rumination time. Nevertheless, total DM intake was not affected by dietary treatments, averaging 19.5 ± 0.24 kg of DM/d. Milk yield increased linearly with increasing concentration of FR in the diet. Thus, feed efficiency of cows (kg of milk/kg of DM intake) increased linearly with the percentage of FR in the diet. Inclusion of FR in the diet had no effect on milk composition or milk sensory characteristics. Mean rumen pH of cows decreased linearly from the control to the 45% FR diet; however, dietary treatments had no effect on the daily amount of time that rumen pH was below 5.8 (252 ± 71.4), indicating no risk of subacute ruminal acidosis. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acids in the rumen and molar proportions of acetate and butyrate were increased with FR inclusion, whereas the proportion of propionate was linearly reduced. Excretion of uric acid and total purine derivatives tended to be greater for cows fed FR, which resulted in a trend toward a linear increase in estimated microbial N flow. However, N use efficiency was not affected by FR inclusion. Although differences for some hematological measures (increased white blood cell and neutrophils counts) and a quadratic response for glutamate dehydrogenase for cows fed FR in the diet (decreased with inclusion of 30% and increased with 45% in the diet) were observed, all values were within appropriate ranges for dairy cows. These results indicated that including FR to dairy cow diets, up to 45% of diet DM, improved milk production due to changes in volatile fatty acids and predicted microbial N flow and had no negative effects on dairy cow health or sensory characteristics of milk.

SUMMARY: Establishing guidelines for responsible management in fish production systems requires knowledge of the basic biology of the fish to be raised. The objective of this work was to determine the reproductive capacity of hybrids produced from the crossing of females of Pseudoplatystoma metaense with males of Leiarius marmoratus. Males presented a digitiform, unrestricted spermatogonial testicle containing caudal digits producing glycoproteins that do not form a seminal vesicle. It was possible to find free sperm in the lumen of the tubules and in the ducts. The ovary of the females was found to be saccular and synchronous with at least three groups of oocytes. In the first year of life, only oogonia up to previtellogenic oocytes (cortical alveolus 284.9 ± 35.7 mm in diameter) were found. After the second year vitellogenic oocytes 730 ± 3.78 mm in diameter were observed. The events of gonadal development of the hybrids indicate that they are gonochoric, synchronic animals. The maturation peaks in the high-water season, overlapping with the parental species. Therefore, the escape of hybrids from fish cultures to the rivers may increase the risk of crosses, gene introgression, or diminution of the reproductive capacity of the pure species.

El lobo gris mexicano (Canis lupus baileyi) es la subespecie genéticamente más distintiva de los lobos que habitan Norteamérica y que ha sido eliminada de las zonas en que residía originalmente en nuestro país.Actualmente no hay evidencia de poblaciones en vida libre, por lo que todos los individuos existentes están en zoológicos o encierros construidos especialmente para su reproducción. Referente a su comportamiento yestructura social hay algunos estudios pero son menos los relacionados a su fisiología reproductiva. El presente trabajo describe en una pareja (macho-hembra) de lobo mexicano los perfiles de hormonas esteroides sexuales(HES) durante las estaciones de invierno y primavera que son cuando se reproduce. La cuantificación de las HES (progesterona, P4; testosterona, T, y estradiol, E2) se hicieron por inmunoanálisis a partir de heces fecales.Realizándose, además, observaciones de su conducta sexual usando el método focal con registros de puntos. Al ser las muestras de sexo desconocido se hizo su sexado a partir de la concentración diferencial de T. Validado lo anterior, el perfil hormonal de P4 y T en el macho resultó ser de tipo cíclico, mientras que el de E2 no tuvo cambios significativos durante toda la temporada; siendo su concentración inferior a las de P4 y T. En las hembras, la P4 tuvo un patrón cíclico con evidentes incrementos, así como el de T pero siendo sus concentraciones inferiores. El E2 tuvo incrementos considerables, sin embargo, sus concentraciones fueron menores que las otras dos hormonas. Se observaron montas del macho sobre la hembra pero sin constatarse cópulas, las cuales coincidieron con el perfil de HES, que concuerda con lo reportado para el estro en cánidos.

Se examinaron ejemplares de cuatro especies monotípicas, Cryptotis mexicana (n = 48), C. obscura (n = 47),C. alticola (n = 8) y C. magna (n = 3); además, de una politípica, C. parva berlandieri (n = 1), C. p. pueblensis (n= 16) y C. p. soricina (n = 84). La gran mayoría del material proviene de localidades del centro de México, exceptolos de Cryptotis magna, C. obscura y C. p. berlandieri. Los ejemplares de C. mexicana, C. obscura y C. magnafueron recolectados en bosque mesófilo de montaña, los de C. alticola en bosque de Pinus sp. y Abies sp. y losde C. parva en bosque tropical y subtropical, mesófilo de montaña, bosque de Quercus sp. y bosques mixto depino-encino. Las medidas morfométricas de 25 variables externas, craneales y mandibulares se obtuvieron decada ejemplar. Las especies C. alticola, C. magna y C. parva se reconocieron con facilidad; sin embargo, en C.mexicana y en C. obscura se traslapan sus medidas pero se pudieron distinguir con el empleo de un AnálisisDiscriminante. Las medidas de C. magna fueron mayores que las de las otras cuatro especies, así como las deC. alticola en general lo fueron de C. mexicana, C. obscura y C. parva. La comparación de las medidas de C. p.pueblensis y C. p. soricina mostraron que las de la primera son mayores que las de la segunda. Variación sexualsecundaria se encontró solamente en C. p. soricina, en donde las hembras resultaron de mayores dimensionesque los machos. Se mencionan dos registros de simpatría entre C. obscura y C. parva y uno entre C. mexicanay C. parva.

Se realizó un estudio sobre la distribución local, altitudinal y por comunidad vegetacional de las mariposas de la superfamilia Papilionoidea en 37 localidades de las cuatro entidades que comprende la Sierra Nevada. El área se encuentra entre los 1900 y los 3800 msnm y presenta las siguientes comunidades vegetacionales: bosque mesófilo de montaña, de oyamel, Alnus, encino, encino-pino, pino, pino-encino, bosque caducifolio, selva baja caducifolia-bosque mesófilo de montaña, vegetación perturbada y cultivos. En este trabajo se registraron 75especies, de las cuales 34 son nuevos registros para el área. Se integró una relación actualizada de 85 especies con base en la literatura y en los registros obtenidos en el trabajo de campo. El mayor número de especies correspondió a la familia Nymphalidae. En el análisis espacial de los papilionoideos se encontró que la mayor riqueza y abundancia ocurrió en la localidad de Santa Catarina, en el Estado de México. Se observó que aunque la riqueza específica entre la vertiente occidental y la oriental fue la misma (58 especies), su composición faunística es distinta. Con respecto a la distribución por vegetación, se encontró que en la vertiente oriental las especies de Papilionoidea mostraron los valores más altos y que el bosque mesófilo de montaña y el de encino fueron las comunidades más ricas y abundantes de las 11 reconocidas en el estudio.

Purpose: The snakes in Venezuela vary in their different venom composition amid the species. In this sense, studies have been carried out elucidating mechanisms related to their immunostimulatory a...

The hybrids of pimelodid catfish provide products of excellent genetic value for aquaculture due to their greater growth in size, resistance to diseases and adaptation to feed concentrate. However, this practice involves risks such as genetic contamination, the commercialization of hybrid products as pure species, the introduction of exotic species and escapes of fish farming products. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate microsatellites for the identification of hybrids between Pseudoplatystoma metaense and Leiarius marmoratus. Genomic DNA extraction was achieved from fin tissue and nine heterologous microsatellites previously reported in the literature were amplified: Pcor01, Pcor02, Pcor05, Pcor10, Phrac02, Phrac07, Phrac09, Prt03, and Prt30. The DNA extraction resulted in high concentrations and a good DNA quality with absorbance values at 260/280 nm between 1.96 and 2.07. The microsatellites Pcor10, Phrac02, Phrac07 and Prt03 indicated heterozygosity patterns in the agarose gel for hybrids, with the presence of two diagnostic bands. Our results showed that these microsatellites are a powerful and economic tool for identifying interspecific hybridization, without requiring genotyping or sequencing. Here, we made the first report of amplification of these microsatellites for the endemic species of the Orinoco basin Pseudoplatystoma metaense, useful information for population and phylogeny studies. We also highlight the importance of using molecular identification techniques for hybrids and we invite the aquaculture industry to conserve good management practices in the fish farming areas. Thereby, hybrids do not compromise the sustainable development of aquaculture or pose serious risks for native and wild species.

Objectives The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of a coaching intervention on soccer athletes’ perceptions of the coaches’ competencies, enjoyment, satisfaction, and intention to persist in the sport. Equipment and methods: The sample consisted of 117 young male soccer players and eight of their coaches who were divided into two groups: group receiving the coaching effectiveness intervention (EG) ( n = 4; Mage = 32.50 years, SD = 14.24) with an average of 3.00 years of training experience ( SD = 2.44); and control group (CG) ( n = 4; Mage = 28.50 years, SD = 13.67) with an average of 6.25 years of training experience ( SD = 2.87), and their 117 young male soccer players from 45 teams, aged between 10 and 16 years ( Mage = 13.78, SD = 1.38). Focused on coach-effectiveness, coaches from EG received a 12-hour training program. Self-report questionnaires were administered to the athletes both at the beginning and the end of the intervention. A repeated-measures ANOVA was carried out for each dependent variable. Results The results showed significant changes in coaches’ game strategy competency, technique competency, and character-building competency as perceived by the players from the EG compared with the players from the CG. Also, both the CG and the EG athletes decreased their satisfaction with the coach. Thus, these types of interventions are effective for improving and maintaining over time variables related to athletes’ perception of their coaches’ competency, their own enjoyment, and intention to persist practicing sports.

Actualmente el método de doble tinción empleado con rojo de alizarina y azul de alcian para tinción ósea y cartilaginosa, respectivamente, genera costos elevados en la realización de protocolos para estudios de anatomía y sistemática en vertebrados. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar y analizar el colorante extraído de semillas de Bixa orellana con el rojo de alizarina en la tinción ósea en peces juveniles de Piaractus brachypomus. Se utilizaron 70 peces juveniles de 2 ± 0,4 cm de longitud total, los cuales fueron sedados utilizando 2 Fenoxi-etanol a concentración final de 500 mg/L y sacrificados en conformidad con las normas y procedimientos para el uso de animales de laboratorio. Posteriormente, se sometieron a una serie de fases para la conservación del tejido. Se distribuyeron 35 peces para cada tratamiento (rojo de alizarina y achiote) y se observaron e identificaron las estructuras óseas teñidas con cada uno de los colorantes. Además, se analizó la IE (intensidad de luz emergente) y DI (Densidad integral) en ejemplares diafanizados para cada tratamiento. No se observaron diferencias significativas para la IE (P = 0,10), a diferencia de la DI (p < 0,05) para columna vertebral y aleta dorsal. Concluimos que el colorante de Bixa orellana (achiote) presenta afinidad en estructuras óseas de peces juveniles y, por tanto, es una buena alternativa para la realización de la técnica de diafanización y estudios osteológicos de vertebrados a bajo costo.

Resumen La resistencia microbiana ha llevado a la búsqueda de innovadoras alternativas para su contención y dentro de las más promisorias están el uso de péptidos sintéticos, no sólo por sus características intrínsecas antimicrobianas, sino por las interacciones sinérgicas y antagónicas que presenta con otros mediadores inmunológicos. Estas propiedades han permitido crear péptidos sintéticos reguladores de defensa innata que representan un nuevo enfoque inmunomodulador para el tratamiento de infecciones; sin embargo, sólo los diseñados con alto score antimicrobiano, han demostrado eficacia en estudios clínicos de Fase 3. Debido a su amplio espectro de actividad, un único péptido puede actuar contra bacterias Gram negativas, Gram positivas, hongos, e incluso virus y parásitos, aumentando el interés por investigar estas dinámicas moléculas. Por otra parte, se encuentra el sistema CRISPR, para la edición de genomas bacterianos, permitirá reducir su actividad virulenta y diseñar antimicrobianos basados en nucleasas CRISPR-Cas 9 programables contra dianas específicas, las que representan un promisorio camino en el estudio de nuevas alternativas con alto potencial para eliminar la resistencia a antibióticos de bacterias altamente patógenas. Asimismo, se aborda la terapia con fagos, referida a la acción de virus que infectan bacterias, usados solos o en cocteles para aumentar el espectro de acción de estos, aprovechando su abundancia en la naturaleza, ya que se ha considerado que cada bacteria tiene un virus específico que podría emplearse como potente agente antibacteriano. Finalmente, mientras se usen como principal medio de contención solo tratamientos convencionales antimicrobianos, incluso de manera oportuna y acertada, la microevolución en las bacterias se asegurará de seguir su curso. Abstract Microbial resistance has led to the search for innovative alternatives to contain it. One of the most promising ones is the use of peptides, not only due to their intrinsically antimicrobial characteristics, but also due to the synergistic and antagonistic interactions they present with other immunological mediators. These properties have enabled the creation of innate immune regulatory peptides, which represent a new immunomodulatory approach to treat infections. However, despite multiple attempts tested, only the designed with a high antimicrobial score have demonstrated effectiveness in phase three clinical trials. Yet, given their exceptionally wide spectrum of activity, a single peptide can have activity against Gram-negative bacterial, Gram-positive bacterial, fungi and even viruses and parasites, increasing the interest in researching these dynamic molecules. Furthermore, the CRISPR system enables the editing of bacterial genomes, which would make it possible to reduce their virulent activity and design antimicrobials based on programmable CRISPR-Cas 9 nucleases against specific targets. This system represent a promising path in the study of new alternatives with high potential to eliminate antibiotic resistance of highly pathogenic bacteria. Likewise, phage therapy, that is, the action of viruses that infect bacteria, used alone or in cocktails to increase their spectrum of action, taking advantage of their abundance in nature, given that it has been considered that each bacterium has a specific virus that it could be used as a potent antibacterial agent. Finally, as long as conventional antimicrobial treatments continue to be used as the main means of containment, even when they are used correctly, the microevolution of bacteria will be itself sure to continue its own path.

© The Author(s) 2020., [Motivation]: Short bioactive peptides encoded by small open reading frames (sORFs) play important roles in eukaryotes. Bioinformatics prediction of ORFs is an early step in a genome sequence analysis, but sORFs encoding short peptides, often using non-AUG initiation codons, are not easily discriminated from false ORFs occurring by chance., [Results]: AnABlast is a computational tool designed to highlight putative protein-coding regions in genomic DNA sequences. This protein-coding finder is independent of ORF length and reading frame shifts, thus making of AnABlast a potentially useful tool to predict sORFs. Using this algorithm, here, we report the identification of 82 putative new intergenic sORFs in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. Sequence similarity, motif presence, expression data and RNA interference experiments support that the underlined sORFs likely encode functional peptides, encouraging the use of AnABlast as a new approach for the accurate prediction of intergenic sORFs in annotated eukaryotic genomes., [Availability and implementation]: AnABlast is freely available at http://www.bioinfocabd.upo.es/ab/. The C.elegans genome browser with AnABlast results, annotated genes and all data used in this study is available at http://www.bioinfocabd.upo.es/celegans., This research was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Spanish Government [BFU2016-77297-P].

The effect of partial replacement of wheat flour with turmeric flour (Curcuma longa) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of chorizo made with pork was evaluated. Three levels of turmeric flour substitution were proposed 0.8%, 1.4% and 2.1%, corresponding to a substitution of a 19.04%, 33.33% and 50,00%, respectively, along with a control chorizo without the addition of said flour. The pH, water holding capacity, color, texture and sensory evaluation were measured. The pH tended towards acidity in the treatment with the greatest inclusion of uremic flour. The sensory evaluation was carried out with to untrained panelists who determined the chorizo with the highest acceptability. For the sensory parameters, there were no significant differences, except for color. Therefore, turmeric flour can be used as a partial substitute for wheat flour in the production of common chorizo without affecting physicochemical and sensory properties. Resumen Se evaluó el Efecto del remplazo parcial de la harina de trigo por harina de cúrcuma (Curcuma longa) sobre las propiedades fisicoquímicas y sensoriales de chorizos hechos con carne de cerdo. Se propusieron tres niveles de sustitución de harina de cúrcuma 0,8%, 1,4% y 2,1%, correspondientes a una sustitución de 19,04%, 31,33% y 50,00%. Respectivamente y un chorizo control sin adición de dicha harina. Se midieron el pH, la capacidad de retención de humedad, el color, la textura y la evaluación sensorial. El pH mostró una tendencia a la acidez en el tratamiento con una mayor inclusión de harina de cúrcuma. La evaluación sensorial se trabajó con 70 panelistas no entrenados que determinaron el chorizo con la mayor aceptabilidad. En cuanto, a los parámetros sensoriales, no hubo diferencias significativas, excepto para el color. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que la harina de cúrcuma se puede usar como un sustituto parcial de la harina de trigo en la producción de chorizo común, sin afectar sus propiedades fisicoquímicas y sensoriales.

Resin extraction from wild pistachio trees is an extant agroforestry practice in Western Iran. This practice plays a great socio-economic role in rural communities, but its effects on tree survival and forest stand persistence is still unknown. The objective of this study was to assess how this practice could affect the persistence of wild pistachio stands. Specifically, we (1) analyzed the biometric indices of wild pistachio trees under resin extraction vs untreated trees, and (2) evaluated the changes in the distribution of biometric indices classes of resonated wild pistachio trees. Two paired stands, including an unmanaged stand and a managed stand were selected. Tree species was recorded and diameter at breast height (dbh) for all trees (dbh ≥ 5 cm) was measured. Total height, trunk height, and crown diameters were measured in wild pistachio trees as well. Results indicated that the traditional method of resin extraction alters the frequency distribution of trees in all the biometric indices measured. The median dbh (36 cm and 26 cm in unmanaged and managed stands, respectively), total height (6.4 m and 5.1 m, respectively) and crown area (44.2 m2 and 23.3 m2, respectively) differed significantly between investigated stands. Trunk height (2.7 m and 3.2 m, respectively) and trunk height to total height ratio (0.43 and 0.62, respectively) were significantly higher in the managed stand. Resin-tapped trees reached a lower height and crown size for a given stem diameter, indicating that resin-tapping induce some kind of stress and/or consumption of resources that slow down tree growth.

Zygocotyle lunata inhabits the caecum of birds and mammals from the American continent. This amphistome parasite is easily maintained in the laboratory and serves as a model organism in life-cycle studies, but it has seldom been studied using molecular data. Neither the position of Z. lunata in the superfamily Paramphistomoidea nor the monophyly of the Zygocotylidae has been evaluated with molecular phylogenetic methods. In the present study, adult specimens of Z. lunata obtained experimentally in mice from Brazil were submitted to molecular studies. Partial sequences of nuclear (1261 bp of 28S and 418 bp of 5.8S-ITS-2) and mitochondrial (1410 bp of cytochrome c oxidase 1, cox1) markers were compared with published data. In the most well-resolved phylogeny, based on 28S sequences, Z. lunata clustered in a well-supported clade with Wardius zibethicus, the only other species currently included in the Zygocotylidae, thus confirming the validity of this family. Divergence of 28S sequences between these species was 2.2%, which falls in the range of intergeneric variation (0.9–5.6%) observed in the other two monophyletic groups in the 28S tree, i.e., representatives of Gastrodicidae and Neotropical cladorchiids (Cladorchiidae). Analysis of ITS-2 and two parts of the cox1 gene placed Z. lunata within poorly resolved clades or large polytomies composed of several paramphistomoid families, without clarifying higher-level phylogenetic relationships. The cox1 of a Brazilian isolate of Z. lunata is 99.6% similar to a Canadian isolate, confirming the pan-American distribution of the species. Finally, our phylogenetic reconstructions of Paramphistomoidea revealed a complex scenario in the taxonomic composition of some amphistome families, which highlights a need for further integrative studies that will likely result in rearrangements of traditional morphology-based classifications.

Aizoaceae are one of the most diverse succulent plant families in the world, with c. 2 400 species, and they are a major component of the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Despite this diversity, genome size (GS) has only been recorded in three of the c. 144 genera of Aizoaceae. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of GS in the family with 109 genera measured (76% of genera). GS (2C) is conserved in Aizoaceae, varying from 0.54 to 6.34 pg (0.53–6.20 Gbp), with a mean of 2.6 pg. No significant differences between GS and the ecological and environmental traits tested were recovered. Infrageneric GS was explored in the most diverse stoneplant genus, Conophytum, and was found to be extremely conserved [0.98–2.24 pg (1C)]. Furthermore, the extent of endoreduplication in Conophytum was determined across 46 species. Leaf and flower tissues of Conophytum are highly polysomatic and ploidy states of 2C–64C were typically observed across the genus, with some instances of 128C. The relatively conserved and small GS measured across Aizoaceae and in Conophytum is possibly linked to the recent and rapid radiation of the family.

espanolLa Paratuberculosis Bovina (PTB) o Enfermedad de Johne, es una infeccion del tracto gastrointestinal causada por Mycobacterium avium, subespecie paratuberculosis (Map), que se caracteriza por generar enteritis granulomatosa cronica y linfadenitis en rumiantes. La preocupacion mas relevante en relacion con la importancia de la PTB es su posible vinculo con la Enfermedad de Crohn (EC) en humanos, sin embargo, esta asociacion aun esta bajo investigacion. Se determino la seroprevalencia de PTB en el municipio de Sogamoso (Boyaca), donde se recolectaron 604 muestras de sangre, cuyo suero fue procesado mediante la tecnica de ELISA indirecta con el kit comercial PARACHEK® 2 KIT (Prionics, Suiza). La seroprevalencia fue de 10,9% (66/604), donde el grupo etario de 2 a 3 anos y la raza Jersey fueron los de mayor seroprevalencia. Se encontro asociacion estadistica significativa (p≤0,05) entre la edad de los individuos evaluados y el suministro de concentrado. La seroprevalencia encontrada indica que se esta produciendo una transmision activa de la enfermedad y que las medidas de control disponibles no estan siendo llevadas a cabo o no son lo suficientemente efectivas. EnglishBovine Paratuberculosis (BPT), or Johne's Disease, is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract caused by Mycobacterium avium, subspecies paratuberculosis (Map), which is characterized by chronic granulomatous enteritis and lymphadenitis in ruminants. The most relevant concern regarding the importance of BPT is its possible link to Crohn's disease (CD) in humans, however this association is still under investigation. The seroprevalence of BPT was determined in the municipality of Sogamoso (Boyaca), where 604 blood samples were collected, their serum was processed by the indirect ELISA technique with the commercial PARACHEK® 2 KIT (Prionics, Switzerland), following the manufacturer's instructions. The seroprevalence was 10,9% (66/604), with the 2 to 3 years age group and the Jersey breed having the highest seroprevalence. A significant statistical association was found (p≤0,05) with the age of the individuals tested and the supply of concentrate. The seroprevalence found indicates that active transmission of the disease is taking place, and that the available control measures are not being carried out or are not effective enough. portuguesA Paratuberculose Bovina (PTB) ou Doenca de Johne e uma infeccao do trato gastrointestinal causada pela Mycobacterium avium subespecie paratuberculosis (Map), caracterizada por gerar enterite granulomatosa cronica e linfadenite em ruminantes. A preocupacao mais relevante em relacao a importância do PTB e seu possivel vinculo com a Doenca de Crohn (DC) em seres humanos, no entanto, essa associacao ainda esta sob investigacao. A soroprevalencia do PTB foi determinada no municipio de Sogamoso (Boyaca), onde foram coletadas 604 amostras de sangue, cujo soro foi processado pela tecnica ELISA indireta com o kit comercial PARACHEK® 2 KIT (Prionics, Suica). A soroprevalencia foi de 10,9% (66/604), onde a faixa etaria de 2 a 3 anos e a raca Jersey foram as que apresentaram maior soroprevalencia. Foi encontrada associacao estatisticamente significante (p≤0,05) com a idade dos individuos avaliados e o suprimento de concentrado. A soroprevalencia encontrada indica que a transmissao ativa da doenca esta ocorrendo e que as medidas de controle disponiveis nao estao sendo realizadas ou nao sao eficazes o suficiente.