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Abstract Microbial extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) is critical for the decomposition of organic matter in soils. Generally, EEA represents the limiting step governing soil organic matter mineralization. The high complexity of soil microbial communities and the heterogeneity of soils suggest potentially complex interactions between microorganisms (and their extracellular enzymes), organic matter, and physicochemical factors. Previous studies have reported the existence of maximum soil EEA at high temperatures although microorganisms thriving at high temperature represent a minority of soil microbial communities. To solve this paradox, we attempt to evaluate if soil extracellular enzymes from thermophiles could accumulate in soils. Methodology at this respect is scarce and an adapted protocol is proposed. Herein, the approach is to analyze the persistence of soil microbial extracellular enzymes at different temperatures and under a broad range of water availability. Results suggest that soil high‐temperature EEA presented longer persistence than enzymes with optimum activity at moderate temperature. Water availability influenced enzyme persistence, generally preserving for longer time the extracellular enzymes. These results suggest that high‐temperature extracellular enzymes could be naturally accumulated in soils. Thus, soils could contain a reservoir of enzymes allowing a quick response by soil microorganisms to changing conditions. This study suggests the existence of novel mechanisms of interaction among microorganisms, their enzymes and the soil environment with relevance at local and global levels.

Objetivo: El objetivo de la presente investigación es descubrir la realidad existente en el sector hotelero de lujo de la zona centro de Madrid en lo concerniente a la implementación de estrategias y técnicas de Marketing Sensorial Olfativo a fin de revelar en qué medida se llevan a cabo tales estrategias en la actualidad, dónde, quién y con qué finalidad. Diseño/metodología/enfoque: La investigación es de carácter cuantitativo y ha sido llevada a cabo mediante una encuesta tipo CAPI asistida por un Smartphone con un software que navega por el cuestionario. Dicha encuesta tuvo que ser completada por personal del hotel cualificado con los conocimientos necesarios para poder responder a las preguntas planteadas. Resultados: Los resultados de la investigación validaron tres de las cinco hipótesis inicialmente planteadas para el estudio, por lo que se demostró que los hoteles de lujo de Madrid Centro utilizan tales estrategias para diferenciarse de la competencia y crear marca olfativa. Asimismo, se pone de relieve que un pequeño porcentaje de hoteles sigue sin usar dichas técnicas y que los niveles de satisfacción de los clientes se ven afectados por éstas positivamente entre otros resultados que serán expuestos más adelante. Limitaciones/implicaciones: Debido a la responsabilidad y carga de trabajo que implican las funciones de las personas necesarias para responder la encuesta, no se obtuvieron respuestas de ciertos hoteles. De la planificación de veintiún hoteles inicialmente listados conseguimos catorce respuestas, todas ellas cara a cara. Originalidad/contribución: Ha sido posible definir la realidad del Marketing Olfativo en el sector hotelero de lujo de Madrid Centro, así como las implicaciones que tiene y su contribución para crear una atmosfera agradable para los consumidores y garantizar su captación y fidelización a través de los aromas.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics are a major concern in the clinic. ß-lactam antibiotics are the class most frequently reported to cause hypersensitivity reactions. One of the mechanisms involved in this outcome is the modification of proteins by covalent binding of the drug (haptenation). Hence, interest in identifying the corresponding serum and cellular protein targets arises. Importantly, haptenation susceptibility and extent can be modulated by the context, including factors affecting protein conformation or the occurrence of other posttranslational modifications. We previously identified the glycolytic enzyme α-enolase as a target for haptenation by amoxicillin, both in cells and in the extracellular milieu. Here, we performed an in vitro study to analyze amoxicillin haptenation of α-enolase using gel-based and activity assays. Moreover, the possible interplay or interference between amoxicillin haptenation and acetylation of α-enolase was studied in 1D- and 2D-gels that showed decreased haptenation and displacement of the haptenation signal to lower pI spots after chemical acetylation of the protein, respectively. In addition, the peptide containing lysine 239 was identified by mass spectrometry as the amoxicillin target sequence on α-enolase, thus suggesting a selective haptenation under our conditions. The putative amoxicillin binding site and the surrounding interactions were investigated using the α-enolase crystal structure and molecular docking. Altogether, the results obtained provide the basis for the design of novel diagnostic tools or approaches in the study of amoxicillin-induced allergic reactions.

Hydrocephalus is a central nervous system condition characterized by CSF buildup and ventricular hypertrophy. It is divided into two types: communicative and non-communicating hydrocephalus. Congenital hydrocephalus has been linked to several changes in the subcommissural organ (SCO). However, it is unclear whether these changes occur before or as a result of the hydrocephalic illness. This report presents three cases of human fetuses with hydrocephalus: one non-communicating case, two communicating cases, and two controls. Hematoxylin–Eosin (H&E) or cresyl violet and immunohistochemistry with anti-transthyretin were used to analyze SCO morphological and secretory changes. We conclude that in the cases presented here, there could be an early regression in the SCO of the communicating cases that is not present in the non-communicating case.

The scarcity of energy and water resources and rising temperatures due to climate change has set the focus on improving the energy efficiency of power plant thermodynamic cycles to adapt to higher heat sink temperatures and use fewer resources for energy production. In this work, a review of power production thermodynamic cycles is presented: from Brayton to Rankine and combined cycles, alongside particular cycles such as Organic Rankine Cycles, Kalina, Goswami or the more recently developed Hygroscopic Cycle. The efficiency of these cycles and their possible improvements are considered, as well as their environmental impact. Costs associated with existing power plants found in the literature have also been included in the study. The main existing facilities for each cycle type are assessed, and the most sustainable options in terms of resource consumption (fuel, water, etc.) and future perspectives to ensure both their energy efficiency and sustainability are identified.

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a birth defect that occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy and as a result the prosencephalon does not clearly divide in diencephalon, two halves of the telencephalon and lateral ventricles in the brain of the fetus and, in general, HPE is accompanied by facial defects. There are three main types of holoprosencephaly according to severity; alobar, semi-lobar and lobar. We report here a case that could be defined as a semi-lobar form of HPE with hydrocephalus and scarce facial malformations. Keywords: Human foetus, Holoprosencephaly, Brain malformation, Facial defects

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is a legume used for animal feed because of its high protein content and great capacity for nitrogen fixation, making this crop relevant in sustainable agriculture. The Spanish vetch collection, conserved at the Spanish Plant Genetic Resources Center (CRF), is one of the largest collections of this species worldwide, including landraces, wild relatives mainly collected in Spain, and commercial cultivars, but also accessions of international origin. The analysis of the genetic diversity of this material, whose genome has not been sequenced yet, and the assembly of a representative collection could play a pivotal role in conserving and exploiting these genetic resources in breeding programs mainly in those focused on consequences and demands of climate change. In this work, a set of 14 simple sequence repeat (SSR) reference alleles for genetic diversity analysis of the CRF vetch collection has been developed, used for genotyping more than 545 common vetch accessions from all over the world and validated. All the tested markers were polymorphic for the analyzed accessions. Overall, at least 86 different loci were identified with 2–11 alleles per locus with an average of 6.1 alleles per locus. Also, the analyses of the generated SSR database support that most of these SSR markers are transferable across closely related species of Vicia genus. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that wild relatives have a higher genetic diversity than landraces. However, cultivars have similar diversity than landraces, indicating that genetic variability has been barely lost due to the breeding of this legume. Low differences of genetic variations between Spanish and non-Spanish accessions have been observed, suggesting a high degree of diversity within Spanish genotypes, which provide 95% of the total genetic variation, so we have focused our efforts on characterizing genotypes of Spanish origin that were further studied using storage protein profiles. Based on SSR, seed protein profiles, and agromorphological and passport data, a vetch core collection (VCC) containing 47 V. sativa accessions of Spanish origin has been established. In this collection, the characterization has been expanded using ISSR markers, and it has been reevaluated with new agromorphological data, including drought tolerance characters. This VCC presents a minimum loss of genetic diversity concerning the total collection and constitutes an invaluable material that can be used in future breeding programs for direct use in a resilient agricultural system.

Cytogenetic observations, phylogenetic studies and genome analysis using high-density genetic markers have suggested a tetraploid Avena species carrying the C and D genomes (formerly C and A) to be the donor of all hexaploid oats (AACCDD). However, controversy surrounds which of the three extant CCDD tetraploid species—A. insularis, A. magna and A. murphyi—is most closely related to hexaploid oats. The present work describes a comparative karyotype analysis of these three CCDD tetraploid species and two hexaploid species, A. sativa and A. byzantina. This involved the use of FISH with six simple sequence repeats (SSRs) with the motifs CT, AAC, AAG, ACG, ATC and ACT, two repeated ribosomal sequences, and C genome-specific repetitive DNA. The hybridization pattern of A. insularis with oligonucleotide (AC)10 was also determined and compared with those previously published for A. sativa and A. byzantina. Significant differences in the 5S sites and SSR hybridization patterns of A. murphyi compared to the other CCDD species rule out its being directly involved in the origin of the hexaploids. In contrast, the repetitive and SSR hybridization patterns shown by the D genome chromosomes, and by most of the C genome chromosomes of A. magna and A. insularis, can be equated with the corresponding chromosomes of the hexaploids. Several chromosome hybridization signals seen for A. insularis, but not for A. magna, were shared with the hexaploid oats species, especially with A. byzantina. These diagnostic signals add weight to the idea that the extant A. insularis, or a direct ancestor of it, is the most closely related progenitor of hexaploid oats. The similarity of the chromosome hybridization patterns of the hexaploids and CCDD tetraploids was taken as being indicative of homology. A common chromosome nomenclature for CCDD species based on that of the hexaploid species is proposed.

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum, 2n = 4x = AABB) includes several subspecies with differential characteristics in their root system architecture (RSA). Subspecies durum has longer and more vertical roots, while subspecies turgidum has smaller and shallower roots. The homeologous genes TtDro1A and TtDro1B of both subspecies have been identified and found to differ in their sizes, sequences and the proteins they encode. To determine whether there is a relationship between the level of expression of these two genes and the angle adopted by the roots of durum wheat seedlings, their expressions has been studied by RT-qPCR, both in the primary seminal root and in the other seminal roots. The results of the analyses showed that the TtDro1A gene is expressed 1.4 times more in the primary seminal root than in the other seminal roots. Furthermore, this gene is expressed 2.49 to 8.76 times more than TtDro1B depending on root type (primary or seminal) and subspecies. There are positive correlations between the expression ratio of both genes (TtDro1A/TtDro1B) and the mean of all root angles, the most vertical root angle and the most horizontal root angle of the seedlings. The higher the expression of TtDro1B gene, the lower the root growth angles.

Abstract Background Protein kinases play a key role in plant cell homeostasis and the activation of defense mechanisms. Partial resistance to fungi in plants is interesting because of its durability. However, the variable number of minor loci associated with this type of resistance hampers the reliable identification of the full range of genes involved. The present work reports the technique of protein kinase (PK)-profiling for the identification of the PK genes induced in the partially resistant oats line MN841801–1 following exposure to the fungus Puccinia coronata. This is the first time this technique has been used with cDNA (complementary DNA) from a suppression subtractive hybridization library obtained after the hybridization of cDNAs from inoculated and mock-inoculated plants. Results Six degenerate primers based on the conserved domains of protein kinases were used in a PK-profiling assay including cDNA from mock-inoculated leaves and subtracted cDNA. Of the 75.7% of sequences cloned and sequenced that showed significant similarity to resistance genes, 76% were found to code for PKs. Translation and ClustalW2 alignment of each sequence cloned with the complete sequences of the most similar B. distachyon PKs allowed those of the partially resistant oat line to be deduced and characterized. Further, a phylogenetic study carried out after alignment of these B. distachyon PK sequences with the most similar protein sequences of related species also allowed to deduce different functions for the PK cloned. RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription-quantitative PCR) was analyzed on nine representative sequences to validate the reliability of the employed PK-profiling method as a tool for identifying the expression of resistance-associated genes. Conclusions PK-profiling would appear to be a useful tool for the identification of the PKs expressed in oats after challenge by P. coronata, and perhaps other pathogens. Most of the PKs studied are related to receptor-like protein kinases expressed shortly after infection. This is in agreement with previous studies indicating a close relationship between partial resistance and the first layer of defense against pathogen used by plants.

Los medios de comunicación y la publicidad actúan como agentes de socialización ejerciendo una fuerte influencia en la audiencia, llevándoles a asimilar, reforzar, reproducir y amplificar actitudes, roles y estereotipos. En la etapa infantil este proceso de asimilación es más acentuado, los diferentes mensajes e imágenes que la publicidad transmite les lleva a crear ideas que influyen en su percepción del mundo y a adoptar ciertos roles y estereotipos según el género, relacionados asimismo con la sociedad y cultura de cada época. Se ha realizado una investigación cuantitativa de carácter exploratorio que se centra en mostrar la evolución de la publicidad infantil de juguetes en España en las últimas décadas, con el objetivo de identificar la existencia de sexismo así como los roles y estereotipos de género que más se reproducen. A partir de los conceptos, teorías e investigaciones previas revisadas se ha realizado una investigación cuantitativa a través de la metodología de «análisis de contenido» para la que se han elegido cuatro marcas fabricantes y distribuidoras de juguetes en España (Playmobil, Hasbro (MB), Famosa y Mattel) y se ha analizado su publicidad desde el año 1990 hasta el 2017. La herramienta principal utilizada ha sido una tabla de indicadores especialmente diseñada a partir de la literatura revisada para su aplicable a todos los anuncios y marcas.

Roots are important for crop adaptation, particularly in dryland environments. We evaluated root development of 37 durum wheat genotypes (modern cultivars and landraces) in the field at the adult plant stage, through a shovelomics approach. Large genotypic variability was found for root traits. Differences between the landraces and modern cultivars were the main driver of this variation, with landraces showing higher plant vigor for roots and shoots. Nonetheless, genotypic variation within groups was also observed, related to different models of root growth, largely independent of total root length. These two models represented root growth were oriented either to occupy more soil volume, or to occupy less soil volume with increased density. The field results were then compared with root data previously collected in seedlings using a filter paper-based method, to assess whether early root anticipated adult root features. Field plants showed a narrower root angle than seedlings. In particular, landraces presented a narrower root angle than cultivars, but only at seedling stage. Potentially useful correlations were found between the two growth stages for root length and number.

We analysed nine traits of the root system of 223 genotypes of Triticum turgidum (2n = 4x = AABB) subspecies dicoccoides, dicoccum, turgidum, durum and polonicum, finding a large intra and interspecific variability in both the number and size of roots, as well as in their spatial distribution. We studied the presence of an incomplete MITE (Miniature Inverted-repeat Transposable Element) inserted in the TtDro1B gene, which is present in some genotypes of dicoccoides, dicoccum, and turgidum, but not in polonicum and the 97.9% of the durum accessions. Comparison between genotypes shows that genotypes with the MITE element have smaller and shallower roots. Since Aegilops is considered to be the donor of the wheat B genome, the presence of the same MITE element was analysed in 55 accessions of the species Aegilops speltoides, searsii, bicornis and longissima, and in no case was it detected. We propose that after the emergence of T. turgidum subsp. dicoccoides, the insertion of the MITE element probably occurred in a single plant. Subsequent domestication resulted in genotypes of dicoccum with and without the MITE element, which after selection gave rise to the subspecies turgidum, and durum and polonicum, respectively. The MITE element can be used to differentiate turgidum from the durum and polonicum with high reliability.

Los casos de uso (CU), tradicionalmente, han sido utilizados por equipos de desarrollo de software como una herramienta técnica y administrativa. Desde cada una de estas perspectivas, es necesario tener un conjunto de atributos a gestionar, ya que la información que se captura para el desarrollo de un producto software contiene información tanto del sistema, como de la organización. Si toda esta información pretende ser capturada a través de los CU, probablemente, lo que resulta es un aumento significativo de la complejidad de su especificación, lo cual genera cierto nivel de confusión a la hora de utilizarlos. En este trabajo nos proponemos la separación de elementos de negocio y técnicos, al momento de elaborar CU, usando la TxA. Presentamos la TxA en el modelado con CU para reducir su complejidad y principalmente para incrementar su efectividad y utilidad en lo que tiene que ver con la interacción humano computador.

This article reports on the relation between the surface topography and the optical reflectance, both total and diffuse, of different samples of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel. Gaussian filters with different cutoff wavelengths were applied to the height maps of the surface topography of the samples, to separate the different scales of surface roughness involved in optical scattering in the visible range of the spectrum. Significant anisotropy, related to the rolling process, was found in the topography. An effective roughness slope parameter was defined from the dependence of the ratio between the root mean square height and the autocorrelation length on the cutoff wavelength. This roughness slope demonstrated an exceptionally good linear relationship with CIE 1931 luminance, which was calculated from the diffuse reflection spectra. The color uniformity of the samples was analyzed based on their CIE L*a*b* coordinates under daylight and LED illumination. The results confirmed the strong influence of manufacturing process on the surface characteristics of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel sheet products with a bright finish.

Localised-in-the-edge oxidation of four AISI 430 alloys was investigated after an industrial bright annealing process. The oxidised surface of each specimen was characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman-spectroscopy and SEM. The results showed that the selective oxidation of Cr and Mn took place at the coil edges of AISI 430. This led to the formation of an oxide scale based on Cr2O3 and MnCr2O4. On the other hand, the formation of Cr(OH)3 and MnOOH in the outer part of the oxide scale was related to the effect of the H2–N2 environment on the annealing furnace. The results concluded that the composition of Cr and Mn in the alloy determined the composition of the oxidation products. However, the effect of annealing time was minor in this oxidation mechanism, which slightly contributed to an increase in the cation diffusion from the steel to the oxide. Finally, the results obtained indicate that the colouration of the coil edges displayed in each studied material varies according to the alloy chemical composition and annealing time.

Abstract The zebrafish has the capacity to regenerate its heart after severe injury. While the function of a few genes during this process has been studied, we are far from fully understanding how genes interact to coordinate heart regeneration. To enable systematic insights into this phenomenon, we generated and integrated a dynamic co-expression network of heart regeneration in the zebrafish and linked systems-level properties to the underlying molecular events. Across multiple post-injury time points, the network displays topological attributes of biological relevance. We show that regeneration steps are mediated by modules of transcriptionally coordinated genes, and by genes acting as network hubs. We also established direct associations between hubs and validated drivers of heart regeneration with murine and human orthologs. The resulting models and interactive analysis tools are available at http://infused.vital-it.ch . Using a worked example, we demonstrate the usefulness of this unique open resource for hypothesis generation and in silico screening for genes involved in heart regeneration.

Seminal roots are known to play an important role in crop performance, particularly under drought conditions. A set of 37 durum wheat cultivars and local landraces was screened for variation in architecture and size of seminal roots using a laboratory setting, with a filter paper method combined with image processing by SmartRoot software. Significant genetic variability was detected for all root and shoot traits assessed. Four rooting patterns were identified, with landraces showing overall steeper angle and higher root length, in comparison with cultivars, which presented a wider root angle and shorter root length. Some traits revealed trends dependent on the genotypes’ year of release, like increased seminal root angle and reduced root size (length, surface, and volume) over time. We confirm the presence of a remarkable diversity of root traits in durum wheat whose relationship with adult root features and agronomic performance should be explored.

The root is the organ responsible for the uptake of water and therefore has a very important role in drought tolerance. The aims of the present work were to characterize nine traits of the root system architecture (RSA) and the shoot dry weight (W) of twelve genotypes of Brachypodium spp. under water stress and to establish the relationship between RSA phenotyping traits and SSRs. Two culture media, one standard (SM) and one (PEG) to induced water stress have been used. In SM medium, B. stacei had the highest values of W and all the RSA traits, except the mean diameter of the seminal roots, followed by B. hybridum and B. distachyon. In the PEG medium, root length increased in B. distachyon, decreased in B. hybridum and remained the same in B. stacei. A two-way hierarchical cluster analysis from 117 polymorphic SSRs and the traits of the RSA of the Brachypodium spp. genotypes, was performed. Brachypodium genotypes were separated into three groups corresponding to each species. In the second way of the hierarchical clustering association were observed between five RSA variables and SSR markers, which could be useful in the search for genes or QTLs related to RSA characters.

SUMMARY Although it is known that tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signaling plays a crucial role in vascular integrity and homeostasis, the contribution of each receptor to these processes and the signaling pathway involved are still largely unknown. Here, we show that targeted gene knockdown of TNFRSF1B in zebrafish embryos results in the induction of a caspase-8, caspase-2 and P53-dependent apoptotic program in endothelial cells that bypasses caspase-3. Furthermore, the simultaneous depletion of TNFRSF1A or the activation of NF-κB rescue endothelial cell apoptosis, indicating that a signaling balance between both TNFRs is required for endothelial cell integrity. In endothelial cells, TNFRSF1A signals apoptosis through caspase-8, whereas TNFRSF1B signals survival via NF-κB. Similarly, TNFα promotes the apoptosis of human endothelial cells through TNFRSF1A and triggers caspase-2 and P53 activation. We have identified an evolutionarily conserved apoptotic pathway involved in vascular homeostasis that provides new therapeutic targets for the control of inflammation- and tumor-driven angiogenesis.

TiN, AlN and TiAlN were simulated using density functional theory (DFT), obtaining the Mulliken population analysis, electron total density and total energy. These simulations were carried out in order to observe the influence of Al and Ti atoms inclusion in the TiN-FCC and AlN-HCP crystalline structures respectively. Single point energy calculations were performed by unrestricted Hartree-Fock method using Gaussian 98 software. Reactivity decreased in the TiAlN-FCC structure as Al percentage increased. System stabilization explains the chemical inherence of this compound, used in high temperatures applications. Inherent instability was found in TiAlN-HCP simulated systems. Energy increment, high reactivity and density polarization indicate that the formation of lateral compounds such as oxides is highly probable. Total energy shows an equilibrium point near 50/50 Ti/Al ratio, indicating the possibility of phase coexistence, with stabilization energy of -7963, 1349 Hartrees (Eh).

Pyrococcus species are hyperthermophilic members of the order Thermococcales, with optimal growth temperatures approaching 100 °C. All species grow heterotrophically and produce H2 or, in the presence of elemental sulfur (S°), H2S. Pyrococcus woesei and P. furiosus were isolated from marine sediments at the same Vulcano Island beach site and share many morphological and physiological characteristics. We report here that the rDNA operons of these strains have identical sequences, including their intergenic spacer regions and part of the 23S rRNA. Both species grow rapidly and produce H2 in the presence of 0.1% maltose and 10–100 µM sodium tungstate in S°-free medium. However,P. woesei shows more extensive autolysis than P. furiosus in the stationary phase. Pyrococcusfuriosus and P. woesei share three closely related families of insertion sequences (ISs). A Southern blot performed with IS probes showed extensive colinearity between the genomes of P. woesei and P. furiosus. Cloning and sequencing of ISs that were in different contexts in P. woesei and P. furiosus revealed that the napA gene in P. woesei is disrupted by a type III IS element, whereas in P. furiosus, this gene is intact. A type I IS element, closely linked to the napA gene, was observed in the same context in both P. furiosus and P. woesei genomes. Our results suggest that the IS elements are implicated in genomic rearrangements and reshuffling in these closely related strains. We propose to rename P. woesei a subspecies of P. furiosus based on their identical rDNA operon sequences, many common IS elements that are shared genomic markers, and the observation that all P. woesei nucleotide sequences deposited in GenBank to date are > 99% identical to P. furiosus sequences.

The aim of the present work is to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid proteomic profile, trying to find possible biomarkers of the effects of hypertension of the blood to CSF barrier disruption in the brain and their participation in the cholesterol and β-amyloid metabolism and inflammatory processes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a system linked to the brain and its composition can be altered not only by encephalic disorder, but also by systemic diseases such as arterial hypertension, which produces alterations in the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid protein composition. 2D gel electrophoresis in cerebrospinal fluid extracted from the cistern magna before sacrifice of hypertensive and control rats was performed. The results showed different proteomic profiles between SHR and WKY, that α-1-antitrypsin, apolipoprotein A1, albumin, immunoglobulin G, vitamin D binding protein, haptoglobin and α-1-macroglobulin were found to be up-regulated in SHR, and apolipoprotein E, transthyretin, α-2-HS-glycoprotein, transferrin, α-1β-glycoprotein, kininogen and carbonic anhidrase II were down-regulated in SHR. The conclusion made here is that hypertension in SHR produces important variations in cerebrospinal fluid proteins that could be due to a choroid plexus dysfunction and this fact supports the close connection between hypertension and blood to cerebrospinal fluid barrier disruption.

La transmisión del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) a través de la sangre constituye un problema de salud en Cuba y el mundo. Varios tipos de inmunoensayos diagnosticadores se han desarrollado para la certificación de sangre y generalmente cuentan con una elevada sensibilidad y especificidad diagnóstica en donantes sanos. Sin embargo, su comportamiento en muestras de pacientes multitransfundidos podría ser menos eficaz. Para evaluar la eficacia diagnóstica del inmunoensayo cubano UMELISA HCV 3er Gen. (TecnoSUMA SA, La Habana, Cuba) en muestras de pacientes multitransfundidos, se procesaron en paralelo 335 sueros de pacientes por los sistemas UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 (United Biomedical, EE.UU.) y UMELISA HCV 3er Gen., y las muestras con resultados incongruentes se confirmaron por el sistema de PCR COBAS AmpliScreen HCV Test, v2. (Roche, EE.UU.). Cuando se comparó el sistema UMELISA HCV 3er Gen. con el UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 se obtuvo una Sd de 95,8 % IC (95 %): 92,599,15 y Ed de 100 % IC (95 %): 99,7-100, con IY: 0,96 (0,93-0,99). k: 0,9582 ID (95 %): 0,9276-0,9888, p=0,000. Ambos sistemas de inmunoensayos fueron satisfactorios para el inmunodiagnóstico de pacientes multitransfundidos.Hepatitis C virus (CHV) blood-transmission is a health problem in Cuba and in the world. Some types of diagnostic immunoassays have been developed for the blood certification and in general have a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in healthy donors. However, its behavior in samples from multi-transfusion patients could by less effective. To assess the diagnostic effectiveness of the UMELISA HCV third generation Cuban immunoassay (TecnoSUMA, S.A. La Habana), Cuba) in samples from multi-transfusion patients, in parallel, 335 sera from patients were processed by UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 (United Biomedical, EE.UU) and UMELISA HCV third generation, and the samples with incongruous results were verified by PCR COBAS AmpliScreen HCV Test, v2 system (Roche, EE.UU.) Comparing the UMELISA HCV third generation system with the UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 it was achieved a Sd of 95,8% CI(95%): 92,5-99,15 and a Ed of 100% CI (95%): 99,7-100, with IY: 0,96 (0,93-0,99) with k: 0,0582 ID (95%): 0,9276-0,9888, p = 0,000. Both immunoassay systems were satisfactory for immunodiagnosis of multi-transfusion patients.