Down-regulation of a pectin acetylesterase gene modifies strawberry fruit cell wall pectin stracture and increases fruit firmness

Antisense-mediated down-regulation of several fruit-specific genes has previously demonstrated how the cell wall disassembly in strawberry fruit is mediated by a series of enzymes that act sequentially (Posé et al. 2011). An interesting example, the silencing of the polygalacturonase gene FaPG1, was also related with a significant increase of the post-harvest strawberry fruit firmness (Posé et al. 2013). Our research group has isolated a pectin acetylesterase gene, FaPAE1, which expression is enhanced during strawberry ripening. The main goal of this work was to elucidate the role of the degree of acetylation in cell wall integrity and fruit firmness through the antisense-mediated down-regulation of FaPAE1 in strawberry plants. Several transgenics lines were generated and 5 of them produced fruits 5-15% firmer than controls. Cell wall from ripe fruits was isolated from two independent transgenic lines and a control line, and sequentially extracted with different solvents (PAW, H2O, CDTA, Na2CO3). Modifications in fraction yield, its sugar composition and the degree of acetylation in each fraction were determined. Higher amounts of CDTA and Na2CO3 fractions were obtained in transgenic fruits, suggesting a decreased pectin solubilization as results of FaPAE1 silencing. Accordingly, the degree of acetylation of the Na2CO3-soluble pectins was greater in the transgenic lines than the control, but the opposite result was found in pectins from the CDTA fraction. These results suggest that PAE is preferentially active in pectis that are tightly bound to the cellulose-hemicellulose network and its activity could reduce the complexity of the cell wall structure, allowing that other hydrolytic enzymes could access the pectin chains. Thus, the increased fruit firmness observed in the transgenic FaPAE1 lines could be attributed to the direct effect of the silencing of the PAE enzyme and also to the indirect effect that the increase of the degree of acetylation of pectins has on the activity of other enzymes involved in the cell wall degradation. * Posé et al. (2011). Genes, Genomes and Genomics, 5 (Special Issue 1):40-48 * Posé et al. (2013). Plant Physiology, 150: 1022-1032 We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and competitivity and Feder EU Funds (grant reference AGL2011-24814), FPI fellowships support for SP (BES-2006-13626) and CP (BES-2009027985), and grant "Ramón y Cajal" support for AJMA (RYC-2011-08839).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

When the catenary degree agrees with the tame degree in numerical semigroups of embedding dimension three

We characterize numerical semigroups of embedding dimension three having the same catenary and tame degrees.García Sánchez is supported by the projects MTM2010-15595, FQM-343, FQM-5849, and FEDER funds. The contents of this article are part of Viola’s master’s thesis. Part of this work was done while she visited the Univerisidad de Granada under the European Erasmus mobility program

The Role of IL-33 in Host Response to Candida albicans

Background. Interleukin (IL) 33 is a recently identified pleiotropic cytokine that influences the activity of multiple cell types and orchestrates complex innate and adaptive immune responses. Methods. We performed an extensive review of the literature published between 2005 and 2013 on IL-33 and related cytokines, their functions, and their regulation of the immune system following Candida albicans colonization. Our literature review included cross-references from retrieved articles and specific data from our own studies. Results. IL-33 (IL-1F11) is a recently identified member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in host immune defense against fungal pathogens, including C. albicans. IL-33 induces a Th2-type inflammatory response and activates both innate and adaptive immunity. Studies in animal models have shown that Th2 inflammatory responses have a beneficial role in immunity against gastrointestinal and systemic infections by Candida spp. Conclusions. This review summarizes the most important clinical studies and case reports describing the beneficial role of IL-33 in immunity and host defense mechanisms against pathogenic fungi. The finding that the IL-33/ST2 axis is involved in therapeutic target has implications for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases, including acute or chronic candidiasis

Aplicación de la termografía en el estudio de la ubre de los grandes rumiantes y en sus posibles complicaciones patológicas

Se ha estudiado la aplicación de la termografía en la ubre sana y con mamitis, en ganado vacuno Frisón y de carne ecológica mestizo. Se han valorado distintos factores que influyen en la aplicación de esta técnica, tanto del animal (pelo, pliegue inguinal) como externos a éste (suciedad, ambiente). Se ha establecido la relación entre la temperatura superficial de la ubre y sus patologías, centrando el estudio en mamitis.The application of the thermography has been studied in healthy and mastitic udder, both in dairy Holstein and organic beef mixed-breed cattle. Different factors that may influence the application of this technology have been evaluated, both animal (hair, inguinal fold) and external factors (dirt, environment). The aim of this study was to establish a relation between the superficial temperature of the udder and its pathologies, focusing he study on mastitis

Scoping Review of Kaizen and Green Practices: State of the Art and Future Directions

ABSTRACT: Given the importance that environmental management is acquiring, the main aim of this work is to know what the state of the field kaizen and green practices is at present. A systematic narrative review is conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Two databases (Web of Science and Scopus) were searched. Finally, after applying the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 documents were analyzed. Based on the results, it might be concluded that, despite the growing interest in the relationship between kaizen and green practices, this is a topic in the early stages of development, with a clear predominance of case studies. It is, therefore, necessary to develop more research on this kaizen and green issue as improving environmental management is undeniably becoming a must in today's competitive environment. For instance, more research is needed on the application of kaizen tools as results obtained so far seem not to be conclusive. Additionally, more academic and rigorous studies should be developed on this topic as many of the analyzed papers seem to be clearly created for dissemination among practitioners, some of them lacking the traditional academic structure and scientific method during their development

Definición y cartografía de las áreas potenciales fisiográfico-climáticas de hayedo en España

On this work it is presented the methodology used in mapping the potential physiographic-climatic areas for beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Spain. On the basis of sample data taken from 235 sites of beech, and from 2944 beech stands from National Forest Inventory, a range of ecological parameters, physiographical and climatic, has been established, together with values defining optimal and marginal habitats; a parametric methodology was used, previously contrasted in earlier studies. These results have made possible to define a potentiality indicator for beech (IPot). By integrating all information elaborated in a S.I.G., and using a digital model of the terrain, digital models of potentiality, physiographical and climatic, have been generated for beech in Spain. This work has allowed to obtain the detail cartography of the potential areas for this species.Se presenta en este trabajo la metodología para la elaboración y la cartografía de las áreas potenciales fisiográfico-climáticas para el haya (Fagus sylvatica) en España. A partir de los datos procedentes del muestreo de 235 sitios de hayedo y de 2.944 puntos procedentes del Inventario Forestal Nacional (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, 1998), correspondientes a estaciones de haya, se han elaborado un conjunto de parámetros ecológicos, de naturaleza fisiográfica y climática y se han establecido los valores que definen los hábitats óptimos y marginales, utilizando una metodología paramétrica, ya contrastada en estudios anteriores. Estos resultados han permitido la definición de un indicador de potencialidad para el haya (IPot). Mediante la integración de toda la información elaborada en un S.I.G. y utilizando un modelo digital del terreno, se han generado los modelos digitales de potencialidad, de naturaleza fisiográfica y climática, para el haya en España

Milk yield and genomewide expression profiling in the mammary gland of beef primiparous cows in response to the dietary management during the pre- and postweaning periods

Accelerated growth programs during prepubertal periods have been promoted to advance the first calving of beef heifers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate nutrition-induced changes on first lactation milk yield and composition and on gene expression of the mammary gland in Parda de Montaña primiparous cows. Female calves (n = 16) were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. In the preweaning period (PRE-W; 0–6 mo), female calves were either fed a creep feed supplement (Creep) or fed only their dam’s milk (Control). In the postweaning period (POST-W; 6–15 mo), heifers received either a high-energy diet (91.7 MJ/d) or a moderate-energy diet (79.3 MJ/d). All the heifers were managed together from breeding (15 mo) to the end of their first lactation (32 mo). Animal performance; milk production and quantity during the first lactation; plasma glucose, IGF-I, and leptin concentrations; and RNA samples from the mammary gland at the end of the first lactation of the primiparous cows (32 mo) were analyzed. The BW and ADG of the primiparous cow during its first lactation were not different among treatments; however, creep feeding during PRE-W reduced milk production (P < 0.01), milk CP, crude fat, lactose, nonfat solids, and casein content throughout lactation and increased somatic cell count in the third (P < 0.05) and fourth month of lactation (P < 0.10). The energy level during the POST-W had no effect on milk production and quality. Gene expression in the mammary gland was affected by the diet in the PRE-W and POST-W, with the PRE-W diet having the greatest impact. During the PRE-W, creep feeding resulted in upregulation of genes related to immune response and chemokine activity, suggesting that these animals might be in a compromised immune status. Therefore, this strategy would not be recommendable; meanwhile, increasing the energy level in the diet during the POST-W would be recommendable, because it had no deleterious effects on milk yield and composition

NH4F Modified Al-SBA-15 Materials for Esterification of Valeric Acid to Alkyl Valerates

Al-SBA-15 materials were functionalized by ball milling with several niobium loadings (0.25–1 wt.%) and/or with several F- loadings, using NH4F as a precursor. The catalysts synthesized in this study were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 porosimetry, and diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT) among others. The prepared materials shown, form moderate to high catalytic activities in the microwave-assisted transformation of valeric acid to ethyl valerate via esterification. The incorporation of fluoride anions either into Al-SBA-15 or on Nb1%/Al-SBA-15 led to a linear increase in valeric acid conversion with the F− content. Thus, F− modified mesoporous aluminosilicates efficiently catalyze the transformation of valeric acid into alkyl valerate esters as renewable fuels

Targeted expression of the human uncoupling protein 2 (hUCP2) to adult neurons extends life span in the fly

SummaryThe oxidative stress hypothesis of aging predicts that a reduction in the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) will decrease oxidative damage and extend life span. Increasing mitochondrial proton leak-dependent state 4 respiration by increasing mitochondrial uncoupling is an intervention postulated to decrease mitochondrial ROS production. When human UCP2 (hUCP2) is targeted to the mitochondria of adult fly neurons, we find an increase in state 4 respiration, a decrease in ROS production, a decrease in oxidative damage, heightened resistance to the free radical generator paraquat, and an extension in life span without compromising fertility or physical activity. Our results demonstrate that neuronal-specific expression of hUCP2 in adult flies decreases cellular oxidative damage and is sufficient to extend life span

Design of a instructional program on Construction Materials for future building engineers in the EHEA

[EN] The purpose of this paper is, on the one hand, to inform and provide an overall strategy for the design of the subjects within the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), which, as we understand, contemplates the main concerns and habitual practices of university teachers and responds to the demands of the planning process consistent with an approach based on competences. For that, it’s proposed to search explicit relations between the competences and the different typologies of disciplinary knowledge, as it’s the main reference for university teachers in the process of planification, and adopt a strategy for progressive change in the teaching practice through sequential levels of concretion: the didactic model, the teaching sequences and the teaching activities. On the other hand, to show the implementation of this strategy in the case of a subject, Construction Materials, degree of Building Engineer, that enables for a legally regulated profession in our country. From the competences assumed by the subject, the different tasks performed to complete the training program are described, including the evaluation system; it’s worth noting the use of different taxonomies to relate contents and goods, of an heuristic to order the concept that structure the disciplinary knowledge, of an original sequence of teaching that permits harmonizing the most conventional activities with the newest ones, and of the criteria and the evaluating procedures to ensure the achievement, at one sufficient level, of all the competences assumed.[ES] La finalidad del trabajo es doble, por un lado, fundamentar y ofrecer una estrategia general para el diseño de las asignaturas en el marco del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) que entendemos contempla las principales preocupaciones y prácticas habituales de los profesores universitarios y da respuesta a las exigencias del proceso de planificación coherente con un enfoque basado en competencias. Para ello, se propone buscar relaciones explícitas de las competencias con diferentes tipologías del conocimiento disciplinar, al ser la principal referencia del profesor universitario en el proceso de planificación, y adoptar una estrategia de cambio progresivo en la práctica docente a través de sucesivos niveles de concreción: el modelo didáctico, las secuencias de enseñanza y las actividades de enseñanza. Por otro lado, mostrar la aplicación de dicha estrategia al caso de una asignatura, Materiales de Construcción, del título de grado de Ingeniero de Edificación que habilita para una profesión regulada por ley en nuestro país. A partir de las competencias asumidas por la asignatura, se describen las diferentes tareas realizadas para completar el programa de formación, incluyendo el sistema de evaluación; cabe destacar el uso de distintas taxonomías para relacionar contenidos y objetivos, de un heurístico para ordenar los conceptos que estructuran el conocimiento disciplinar, de una secuencia de enseñanza original que permite armonizar las actividades más convencionales con las más novedosas y de los criterios y procedimientos de evaluación para garantizar, en un nivel suficiente, el logro de todas las competencias asumidas.Garrido Hernández, A.; Sánchez Blanco, G. (2017). Diseño de un programa de formación sobre Materiales de Construcción para los futuros ingenieros de edificación en el EEES. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 15(1):219-239. doi:10.4995/redu.2017.6040.SWORD21923915