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A collection of 30 melon introgression lines (ILs) was developed from the wild accession Ames 24297 (TRI) into ‘Piel de Sapo’ (PS) genetic background. Each IL carried an average of 1.4 introgressions from TRI, and the introgressions represented 91.4% of the TRI genome. Twenty-two ILs, representing 75% of the TRI genome, were evaluated in greenhouse (Algarrobo and Meliana) and field (Alcàsser) trials, mainly to study traits related to domestication syndrome such as fruit weight (FW) and flesh content (FFP), as well as other fruit quality traits as fruit shape (FS), flesh firmness (FF), soluble solid concentration (SSC), rind color and abscission layer. The IL collection showed an impressive variation in size-related traits, with FW ranging from 800 to 4100 g, reflecting the strong effect of the wild genome on these traits. Most of the ILs produced smaller fruits compared with PS; however, unexpectedly, the IL TRI05-2 produced bigger fruits, likely due to new epistatic interacions with the PS genetic background. In contrast, the genotypic effect for FS was smaller, and few QTLs with notable effects were detected. Interestingly, variability was also observed for FFP, FF and SSC, rind color and abscission layer formation. Genes in these introgressions are candidates for having been involved in melon domestication and diversification as well. These results confirm that the TRI IL collection is a very powerful tool for mapping traits of agronomic interest in melon, allowing the confirmation of previously reported QTLs and the identification of new ones to better understand the domestication process of this crop. Esta investigación ha sido financiada por las ayudas ID2020-116055RB-C22, RTI2018-097665-B-C22, AGL2015-64625-C2-2-R, financiadas por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por "ERDF A way of making Europe" de la Unión Europea, así como por los proyectos PROMETEO para grupos de investigación de excelencia 2021/072 financiados por la Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital (Generalitat Valenciana, España). exotic germplasm Piel de Sapo fruit morphology quality QTL transgressive segregation Published

Trabajo presentado en el 44º Congreso Nacional de la Sociedad Española de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular SEBBM, celebrado en Málaga (España) del 06 al 09 de septiembre de 2022., Peripheral neuropathies are neuromotor diseases that affect the peripheral nervous system. These include spinal muscular atrophy, hereditary motor sensory neuropathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. VRK1 (Vaccinia-related kinase 1) is a nuclear kinase implicated in chromatin remodeling and regulation of DNA damage response (DDR). 25 pathogenic variants of VRK1 have been found in patients with these diseases, including a 49-year-old woman with a juvenile-onset motor neuropathy with pyramidal tract signs who is a carrier of a compound heterozygous VRK1-L200P/R387H mutations. To date, the involvement of VRK1 in these pathogenic mechanisms remains unknown. Yet a dysfunctional activity of VRK1 in the regulation of processes like the Dmay mediate such phenotypes. In our study, we performed the structural modeling of VRK1-L200P to predict its stability and activity in silico. We further confirmed the results in vitro with kinase activity assays and in vivo with protein stability assays in cells exposed to cycloheximide treatment to inhibit protein translation. Then we evaluated the modulation of H4K16ac and 53BP1 foci by immunofluorescence after doxorubicin-induced in VRK1-depleted cells expressing murine VRK1 (mVRK1) variants (mimicking the human pathogenic variant). Structural prediction of the L200P variant indicated an alteration in the opening of the active site that could affect VRK1 activity. In vitro kinase activity assays confirmed this prediction, since the L200P variant lacked kinase activity using several substrates (H3 and H2AX, p53, coilin, BAF, and 53BP1), while R387H exhibited kinase activity. The protein stability study revealed a decreased L200P and increased R387H variant stability. Dwas affected by the presence of such mVRK1 variants as indicated by the loss of H4K16ac and a defective formation of 53BP1 foci. Our findings suggest that pathological mechanisms mediating peripheral neuropathies might be promoted by a oss of function in the VRK1 pathogenic variants included in our study leading to an altered in patients harboring such variants.

Antecedentes: Con la llegada de la menopausia se acelera notablemente la pérdida de masa mineral ósea, especialmente durante los cinco primeros años desde su diagnóstico en los que se puede perder hasta un 5% de masa ósea al año. La principal defensa para evitar la pérdida sustancial de masa ósea es la prevención. Objetivo general: evaluar si una intervención dietética personalizada contribuye a frenar la pérdida de densidad ósea. Material y métodos: Se realizará un ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado, que contará con dos ramas o grupos: por un lado, el grupo de intervención, en el que se empleará una dieta personalizada en pacientes postmenopáusicas. Por otro lado, el grupo control no recibirá ningún tipo de intervención. La variable dependiente principal es la deceleración en la pérdida de masa mineral ósea en el grupo de intervención en comparación con el grupo control. La variable dependiente se valorará utilizando una Absorciometría de Energía Dual de Rayos X (por sus siglas en inglés, DEXA: Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry). Análisis estadístico: se llevará a cabo un análisis descriptivo de todas las variables, utilizando porcentajes para variables cualitativas y medias y desviaciones estándar para variables cuantitativas. La hipótesis nula será rechazada con un nivel de significación estadística de p < 0,05. El análisis estadístico de los datos se llevará a cabo utilizando el programa informático PSPP 0.8.5. Para evaluar las diferencias basales de la densidad ósea entre los grupos se empleará la t de Student. La misma prueba se utilizará al finalizar la intervención para analizar si ha habido diferencias entre los grupos en relación con la pérdida de masa ósea. Por último, para comprobar las diferencias pre-post intervención en la densidad ósea en cada uno de los grupos se empleará también la t de Student para muestras emparejadas. Si no se cumplieran los supuestos de normalidad se usaría en su lugar la prueba no paramétrica U de Mann Whitney. Se obtendrán los Intervalos de Confianza al 95% (IC-95%) de las diferencias en la densidad ósea entre grupos. Máster en Investigación en Cuidados de Salud

Vitamins, especially vitamin C, are important micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is also a major contributor to their antioxidant capacity. Lettuce is one of the most popular vegetables among consumers worldwide. An accurate protocol to measure vitamin C content in lettuce and other related species is crucial. We describe here a method using the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (UPLC-UV) technique, in which sample preparation, vitamin extraction and chromatography conditions were optimized. Samples were collected to represent the entire plant, frozen at -80 °C and lyophilized to prevent undesirable oxidation and make their manipulation easier. The extraction of vitamin C was carried out in acidic media, which also contributed to its stability. As vitamin C can be present in two different interconvertible forms, ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), both compounds should be measured for accurate quantification. The DHAA was quantified indirectly after its reduction to AA because AA shows a higher absorptivity than DHAA in the UV range of the spectrum. From the same extract, two measurements were carried out, one before and one after that reduction reaction. In the first case, we were quantifying the AA content, and in the second one, we quantified the sum of AA and DHAA (TAA: total ascorbic acid) in the form of AA. Then, DHAA quantity was indirectly obtained by subtracting AA coming from the first measurement from TAA. They were determined by UPLC-UV, using a commercial AA standard to build a calibration curve and optimizing the chromatographic procedure, to obtain AA peaks that were completely resolved in a short time. This protocol could be easily extrapolated to any other plant material with slight or no changes. Its accuracy revealed statistically significant differences otherwise unperceived. Other strengths and limitations are discussed more in depth in the manuscript. This work was funded by the projects RTA2017-00093-00-00 from the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA) and LMP164_18 from the Government of Aragón; and by the Operational Programme FEDER Aragón 2014-2020 and the European Social Fund from the European Union [Grupos Consolidados A12-17R: “Grupo de investigación en fruticultura: caracterización, adaptación y mejora genéica” and A14-17R: “Sistemas agroganaderos alimentarios sostenibles” (SAGAS)]. I. M.L. was supported by a predoctoral contract for training doctors from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU) and the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI). Published

RESUMEN: La preocupación de la población por la pérdida de peso ha ido aumentando en los últimos años. El sobrepeso y la obesidad actual han potenciado la búsqueda de soluciones rápidas con el objetivo de paliar tales problemas. Esto ha estimulado el desarrollo de las conocidas como “dietas milagro”, las cuales comparten una serie de características que las distinguen de una dieta sana y equilibrada. Todas ellas incluyen conceptos erróneos sobre “cómo hay que alimentarse” con el fin de adelgazar. Algunos ejemplos de estas dietas son la Dukan o la Atkins. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la evidencia sobre las características y efectos de las “dietas milagro”. La mayor parte de estas dietas producen una carencia de nutrientes esenciales para el correcto funcionamiento del organismo. Además, todas ellas aumentan el riesgo de adquirir unos malos hábitos alimenticios, con su consecuente repercusión a corto y largo plazo, así como la probabilidad de padecer enfermedades a nivel renal, hepático, endocrino y otros problemas de salud. En conclusión, hasta la fecha no existe evidencia científica que respalde los supuestos beneficios de estas dietas, que se basan en creencias no demostradas científicamente y en conceptos engañosos con el objetivo de captar la atención del público ABSTRACT: The population´s concern about weight loss has been increasing in recent years. The current overweight and obesity have promoted the search for quick solutions with the purpose of removing such problems. This has stimulated the development of the well-know “miracle diets”, which share a series of similar characteristics that distinguish them from a healthy and balanced diet. All of them include misconceptions about “how to eat” in order to lose weight. Some examples of these diets are the Dukan or the Atkins. The objective of this work is to describe the evidence on the characteristics and effects of miracle diets. Most of these diets produce a lack of essential nutrients for the proper functioning of the body. In addition, all of them increase the risk of acquiring bad eating habits, with its consequent short and long-term repercussions, as well as the probability of suffering from kidney, liver, endocrine diseases and other health problems. In conclusion, to date there is no scientific evidence to support the alleged benefits of these diets, which are based on scientifically unproven beliefs and misleading concepts in order to get the public´s attention. Grado en Enfermería