Search

Abstract Background Zinc (Zn) deficiency is one of the most widespread mineral nutritional problems that affect normal development in plants. Because Zn cannot passively diffuse across cell membranes, it must be transported into intracellular compartments for all biological processes where Zn is required. Several members of the Zinc-regulated transporters, Iron-regulated transporter-like Protein (ZIP) gene family have been characterized in plants, and have shown to be involved in metal uptake and transport. This study describes the first putative Zn transporter in grapevine. Unravelling its function may explain an important symptom of Zn deficiency in grapevines, which is the production of clusters with fewer and usually smaller berries than normal. Results We identified and characterized a putative Zn transporter from berries of Vitis vinifera L., named VvZIP3. Compared to other members of the ZIP family identified in the Vitis vinifera L. genome, VvZIP3 is mainly expressed in reproductive tissue - specifically in developing flowers - which correlates with the high Zn accumulation in these organs. Contrary to this, the low expression of VvZIP3 in parthenocarpic berries shows a relationship with the lower Zn accumulation in this tissue than in normal seeded berries where its expression is induced by Zn. The predicted protein sequence indicates strong similarity with several members of the ZIP family from Arabidopsis thaliana and other species. Moreover, VvZIP3 complemented the growth defect of a yeast Zn-uptake mutant, ZHY3, and is localized in the plasma membrane of plant cells, suggesting that VvZIP3 has the function of a Zn uptake transporter. Conclusions Our results suggest that VvZIP3 encodes a putative plasma membrane Zn transporter protein member of the ZIP gene family that might play a role in Zn uptake and distribution during the early reproductive development in Vitis vinifera L., indicating that the availability of this micronutrient may be relevant for reproductive development.

The usefulness of nanotechnology to increase the bioavailability of drugs and decrease their toxicity may be a tool to deal with multiresistant P. aeruginosa (Mr-Pa) respiratory infections. We describe the preparation and the in vivo efficacy and safety of sodium colistimethate-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (SCM-NLC) by the pulmonary and intramuscular routes. Nanoparticles showed 1-2 mg/L minimum inhibitory concentration against eight extensively drug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. In vivo , SCM-NLC displayed significantly lower CFU/g lung than the saline and similar to that of the free SCM, even the dose in SCM-NLC group was lower than free SCM. There was no tissue damage related to the treatments. Biodistribution assessments showed a mild systemic absorption after nebulization and a notorious absorption after IM route. Altogether, it could be concluded that SCM-NLC were effective against P. aeruginosa in vivo , not toxic and distribute efficiently to the lung and liver after pulmonary or intramuscular administrations. A novel formulation against different Pseudomonas aeruginosa multiresistant clinical isolates based on sodium colistimethate-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (SCM-NLC) was developed, characterized and administered by pulmonary and intramuscular routes. In addition, the effectiveness, safety and biodistribution of SCM-NLC were tested against non-encapsulated SCM, using both in vitro and in vivo models. Encapsulation process enhances the pharmacological efficacy of SCM and decreases toxicity, and both administration routes result in an efficient therapy against P. aeruginosa : pulmonary route for maintenance therapy due to its main effect in lungs, while intramuscular route for an emergency as it showed a faster absorption. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the student reported outcomes among dental students reading/studying different courses offered in the only dental school in Malta. Materials and methods: An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 13 closedended and open-ended questions was sent to all students (n = 97) at the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the University of Malta. Emergent themes from open-ended questions were identified and tallied. Since data were classified as categorical ranks, nonparametric tests were used to compare variables among the different courses, years of study, preclinical/clinical students, and gender categories. Results: Dental technology students were significantly less stressed about contracting COVID-19 (P = 0.005) and regarding lack of preparation due to inability to physically go to the library (P = 0.019). Female students reported significantly more anxiety for the following factors: "feeling anxious all the time" (P = 0.033), "worried about contracting COVID-19'" (P=0.012), "worried that a family member may contract COVID-19'" (P = 0.048), "more anxious about exams this year because of the challenges we are facing" (P = 0.029), and "concern about losing manual dexterity skills" (P = 0.038). Qualitative data gathered show considerable stress reported by students regarding changes in examination processes and formats and lack of timely communication. Conclusion: Students were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and this caused fear of losing their manual dexterity skills, anxiety related to its consequences on their long-term plans, and anxiety related to the examinations. Dental schools in turn should adapt rapidly and customize changes that are specific to the individual student cohort and their stage of training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ideas y Valores is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) using non-invasive approaches have attracted great attention due to their anti-epileptic, anti-depressive and pro-cognitive effects. It has been proposed that auricular transcutaneous VNS (atVNS) could benefit intellectual disability disorders, but preclinical data supporting this idea is limited. To develop an atVNS device for mice and to test its efficacy on memory performance in naïve mice and in a mouse model for intellectual disability. Naïve outbreed CD-1 mice and a model for fragile X syndrome, the Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1 KO), were used to assess the effect of atVNS in the novel object-recognition memory performance. We found that atVNS significantly improves memory persistence in naïve mice. Notably, atVNS was efficacious in normalizing the object-recognition memory deficit in the Fmr1 KO model. Our data show that atVNS improves memory persistence in naïve mice and in a model of intellectual disability and support further studies taking advantage of preclinical mouse models of cognitive disorders. • Auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation was performed in anesthetized mice. • atVNS enhanced non-emotional memory persistence in naïve mice. • atVNS improved memory performance in the Fmr1 KO mouse model for fragile X syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parte de Síntesis.

Copyright of DYNA - Ingeniería e Industria is the property of Publicaciones Dyna SL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the present paper is to study by Finite Element Method (FEM) the hard turning of 42CrMoS4 steel. A numerical and experimental study was carried out to analyze the effect that cutting parameters have on cutting and feed forces, temperatures on the cutting zone, contact length and chip morphology. A flow stress model for the FEM model was developed by dynamic compression tests. Experimental tests were done to establish the accuracy of the FEM model, developed in DEFORM. The tendencies of both frameworks agreed in forces and temperatures. Greater differences were found for contact length and chip thickness predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

INTRODUCTION By the end of 2017, there were more than 28,000 individuals living with HIV in Cuba, over 80% receiving antiretroviral therapy, which dramatically reduces viral replication, improves immune status and decreases risk of transmission. These results could be jeopardized by emergence of HIV-1 drug resistance. In 2009, a test for HIV-1 genotypic resistance was introduced in routine clinical practice in Cuba. OBJECTIVE Investigate antiretroviral resistance and its relation to subtype distribution in HIV-1 treatment-naive and previously treated patients in Cuba. METHODS Resistance and HIV-1 subtype distribution were determined in 342 antiretroviral treatment-naive patients and 584 previously treated for HIV-1 whose blood specimens were sent to the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute during 2009-2014. Transmitted drug resistance was determined using the Calibrated Population Resistance Tool v.6. Drug resistance analysis was conducted using the algorithm Rega v9.1.0. RESULTS Prevalence of transmitted drug resistance was 11.4%, and 41% of mutated viruses exhibited dual-class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Overall, 84.9% of patients had >1 resistance mutation, 80% had >1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutation, 71.4% had >1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutation and 31.7% had >1 protease inhibitor mutation. K65R and K101E mutations were significantly more frequent in subtype C, L210W in CRF19_cpx, and M47V/I in CRF BGs (20, 23, 24). Full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors and multidrug resistance were detected in 21.2%, 32.4%, 8% and 4.1% of patients, respectively. Average percentage resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, protease inhibitor, full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, protease inhibitor and multidrug resistance increased in patients failing two or more regimens. Nevertheless, after 2011, a declining trend was observed in the frequency of multidrug resistance and full class resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Detected levels of transmitted drug resistance highlight the need for a national surveillance study in treatment-naive patients. Resistance prevalence is high in previously treated patients but appears to be decreasing over time. The frequency of resistance mutations in recombinant forms of HIV in Cuba needs further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes is the property of Editorial Sanchez y Barcelo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The pathophysiological role of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in aortic stenosis (AS) remains unknown. Valve avascularity is seemly abrogated in AS and neovascularization is wellcorrelated with the disease(1,2). We study sex-related differences in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in aortic valves (AVs) and valve interstitial cells (VICs) from AS patients. Methods: 226 patients recruited (60.6% men) with severe AS undergoing surgical valve replacement. Results: The density of total neovessels was higher in AVs from men versus women's. Small and medium neovessels were more abundant in men's AVs. Male AVs exhibited enhanced CD31 and VE-cadherin expressions. Levels of the pro-angiogenic markers [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)1, VEGFR2, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2), interleukin (IL)-8, chemerin and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7] were increased in men's AVs. Transforming growth factor-β expression was higher in male AVs. Expression of antiangiogenic molecules [thrombospondin (Tsp)-1, endostatin and CD36] was upregulated in male AVs, although the levels of Tsp-2, IL-4, IL-12p70 and chondromodulin-1 were similar between sexes. The number of lymphatic vessels and the expression of the lymphangiogenic markers Lyve-1 and D2-40 was enhanced in men's AV also VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR3. VICs isolated from men's AVs secreted higher amounts of pro-angiogenic (VEGF-A, VEGFR1, IGFBP-2 and FGF-7) and pro-lymphangiogenic factors (VEGF-C, VEGFD and VEGFR3) than women's without changes in antiangiogenic markers. Conclusions: We show that aberrant angiogenic and lymphangiogenic cues are over-represented in male AVs. VICs are a relevant source of multiple morphogens involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis likely endowing the AV of men with the predominant calcific AS phenotypes (3,4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: la toxoplasmosis es una enfermedad de etiología parasitaria causada por el protozoo Toxoplasma gondii, esta entidad resulta de interés para la salud pública debido al riesgo de transmisión del parásito de la madre al feto durante el embarazo. Objetivo: explorar el nivel de conocimientos sobre la toxoplasmosis que poseen las mujeres en edad fértil del Consultorio Médico de la Familia N 0 21 del Policlínico II en Trinidad. Sancti Spíritus. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal que consistió en la aplicación de un cuestionario sobre el tema a las 119 mujeres en edad fértil del Consultorio antes mencionado, de ellas 15 eran gestantes (12,61 %) y 104 no gestantes (87,39 %). Resultados: se determinó un alto porcentaje de mujeres evaluadas de no satisfactorio. Una cifra considerable de encuestadas relacionó a los gatos con la enfermedad. Conclusiones: El conocimiento de las mujeres encuestadas sobre la toxoplasmosis es insuficiente, lo cual dicta la necesidad de una intervención educativa sobre el tema con vista a prevenir los efectos negativos de la misma.