Molecular Diagnostics in the Mycosphaerella Leaf Spot Disease Complex of Banana and for Radopholus similis

Mycosphaerella leaf spots and nematodes threaten banana cultivation worldwide. The Mycosphaerella disease complex involves three related ascomycetous fungi: Mycosphaerella fijiensis, M. musicola and M. eumusae. The exact distribution of these three species and their disease epidemiology remain unclear, since their symptoms and life cycles are rather similar. Diagnosing these diseases and the respective causal agents is based on the presence of host symptoms and fungal fruiting structures, but is time consuming and not conducive to preventive management. In the present study, we developed rapid and robust species-specific diagnostic tools to detect and quantify M. fijiensis, M. musicola and M. eumusae. Conventional species-specific PCR primers were developed based on the actin gene that detected as little as 100, 1 and 10 pg/µl DNA from, respectively, M. fijiensis, M. musicola and M. eumusae. Furthermore, TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR assays that were developed based on the ß-tubulin gene detected quantities as low as 1 pg/µl DNA of each species from pure cultures and 1.6 pg/µl DNA/mg of M. fijiensis from dry leaf tissue. The efficacy of the tests was validated using naturally infected banana leaves. Similar technology has been used to develop a quantitative PCR assay for the banana burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis, which is currently being validate

The acute effect of different intensity aerobic and resistance training exercise on the body image in adult women

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the acute effect of different intensity aerobic (AE) and resistance training (RT) exercises on BI in adult women. Participants were 62 adult women (19.47 ± 2.53 yr., range 18 a 33 yr.), who were randomly assigned to three sessions of either: 1) Control group, 2) Low-intensity AE, 3) High-intensity AE, 4) Low-intensity RT, or 5) High-intensity RT. Before and immediately following each experimental intervention, BI, body weight, and arm and leg circumferences were measured. Three familiarization sessions were performed every 7 days before the AE and RT experimental interventions. Also, 5-RM tests were performed one week before the RT experimental interventions. Data were analyzed using mixed 3-way ANOVA, mixed 4-way ANOVA, and post-hoc analysis. An acute effect of RT on BI was observed, regardless of the exercise intensity, women felt more muscular immediately following the RT session. Regardless of the exercise intensity, 30-min of acute RT exercise changed BI perception, contrary to 30 min AE

Adaptaciones posturales en el plano sagital y posterior de hombres chilenos Hockistas sobre césped de alto rendimiento.

Tesis (Licenciado en Kinesiología)RESUMEN: Introducción: La Postura es un tema que ha sido motivo de diversos estudios desde hace muchos años. Mantener una postura determinada, es esencial al momento de realizar una actividad relacionada con la vida diaria, como en la realización de un gesto o actividad deportiva. Respecto a esto último se ha establecido que la práctica repetitiva de una disciplina deportiva por un tiempo prolongado genera adaptaciones posturales en los sujetos en diferentes segmentos corporales y planos anatómicos. Objetivo:El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las principales adaptaciones posturales en deportistas chilenos hombres de alto rendimiento de la especialidad Hockey sobre Césped. Materiales y Métodos:Se realizó una evaluación postural a través del análisis fotográfico de 15 hombres hockistas sobre césped de alto rendimiento y de 15 sujetos hombres no deportistas, ambos grupos pertenecientes a un rango etario de entre 20 y 30 años. Además se cuantificó la angulación de las curvaturas de la columna mediante dos inclinómetros validados. Resultados y Discusión: Los deportistas de alto rendimiento presentaron una tendencia al aumento de la lordosis lumbar y un ascenso del hemicuerpo derecho respecto al izquierdo en comparación con el grupo control. Comparando ambos grupos se estableció que existían diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en la curvatura lumbar y posición de la pelvis en el plano sagital, mientras que en el plano posterior fue significativa la diferencia sólo en la posición de los hombros. Finalmente se observó que existía anteposición de cabeza en ambos grupos, lo que podría significar que tal adaptación postural no es consecuencia de la práctica deportiva sino que podría estar presente en la población en general

Reversal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 with terlipressin plus albumin vs. placebo plus albumin in a pooled analysis of the OT-0401 and REVERSE randomised clinical studies

Background The goal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS-1) treatment is to improve renal function. Terlipressin, a synthetic vasopressin analogue, is a systemic vasoconstrictor used for the treatment of HRS-1, where it is available. Aim To compare the efficacy of terlipressin plus albumin vs. placebo plus albumin in patients with HRS-1. Methods Pooled patient-level data from two large phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled studies were analysed for HRS reversal [serum creatinine (SCr) value ≤133 μmol/L], 90-day survival, need for renal replacement therapy and predictors of HRS reversal. Patients received intravenous terlipressin 1–2 mg every 6 hours plus albumin or placebo plus albumin up to 14 days. Results The pooled analysis comprised 308 patients (terlipressin: n = 153; placebo: n = 155). HRS reversal was significantly more frequent with terlipressin vs. placebo (27% vs. 14%; P = 0.004). Terlipressin was associated with a more significant improvement in renal function from baseline until end of treatment, with a mean between-group difference in SCr concentration of −53.0 μmol/L (P \u3c 0.0001). Lower SCr, lower mean arterial pressure and lower total bilirubin and absence of known precipitating factors for HRS were independent predictors of HRS reversal and longer survival in terlipressin-treated patients. Conclusions Terlipressin plus albumin resulted in a significantly higher rate of HRS reversal vs. albumin alone in patients with HRS-1. Terlipressin treatment is associated with improved renal function

Aplicación de ondas sónicas y ultrasónicas como medio de control del ataque de termitas subterráneas Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) en madera de Pino Radiata

Se analizó el comportamiento de las termitas al aplicar campos sónicos y ultrasónicos con diferentes frecuencias, niveles de energía y formas de onda, de modo de establecer las condiciones para crear una barrera física frente a la acción de las termitas en probetas de madera de pino radiata.Los ensayos a nivel del rango ultrasónico se efectuaron con frecuencias de 100, 500 y 1000kHz en probetas de 1x4x10cm mediante una adaptación de la norma Europea EN118.La aplicación de irradiación a nivel sónico se realizó sobre probetas de diferentes escuadrías comerciales en dirección transversal considerando distintas orientaciones de los anillos de crecimiento (radial, tangencial y mixto) y tres niveles de densidad (baja, media y alta). Para este efecto se diseñó un sistema constituido de un mini-termitero conteniendo 500 termitas unido a la muestra y una fuente de alimentación de modo de establecer un flujo continuo de termitas a través de una perforación central practicada en la muestra.En el rango ultrasónico se obtuvo que con una frecuencia de 500kHz, fue posible inhibir la alimentación de las termitas mientras el campo acústico se mantiene activo.En el rango audible estudiado, (16Hz a 20kHz) se observó que a una frecuencia de 80Hz se inhibe el paso de las termitas a través de la muestra alterándose drásticamente su comportamiento; en tiempos superiores a una hora de irradiación continúa, la rapidez de recuperación es parcial, disminuyendo las tasas de alimentación y la sobrevivencia, lo que evidencia la generación de un efecto fisiológico irreversible. AbstractThe behavior of the termites was analyzed when applying sonic and ultrasonic waves with different frequencies, levels of energy, and waveform to establish the conditions to create a physical barrier to the action of the termites in wood specimens of radiata pine.The tests at ultrasonic level were conducted using frequencies of 100, 500 and 1000kHz in specimens of 1x4x10cm by means of an adaptation of European Standard EN118.The application of irradiation at sonic level was made on specimens with different cross section in transverse direction considering different orientation of growth rings (radial, tangential and mixed) and three levels of density (low, medium and high). For this effect was constituted a system of a scale termite nest containing 500 termites with the wood specimen and a feed supply to establish a continuous flow of termites through a practiced central perforation in the specimen.In the ultrasonic rank it was obtained that with a frequency of 500kHz it is possible to inhibit the feeding of the termites while the acoustic field stays assets.In the studied audible rank, (16Hz to 20kHz) it was observed that to a frequency of 80Hz the passage of the termites through the sample was inhibited and they altered their behavior; in times superior to one hour of continuous irradiation the rapidity of recovery is partial, diminishing the rates of feeding and survival with generation of irreversible a physiological effect

Self-regulation learning as active inference: dynamic causal modeling of an fMRI neurofeedback task

IntroductionLearning to self-regulate brain activity by neurofeedback has been shown to lead to changes in the brain and behavior, with beneficial clinical and non-clinical outcomes. Neurofeedback uses a brain-computer interface to guide participants to change some feature of their brain activity. However, the neural mechanism of self-regulation learning remains unclear, with only 50% of the participants succeeding in achieving it. To bridge this knowledge gap, our study delves into the neural mechanisms of self-regulation learning via neurofeedback and investigates the brain processes associated with successful brain self-regulation.MethodsWe study the neural underpinnings of self-regulation learning by employing dynamical causal modeling (DCM) in conjunction with real-time functional MRI data. The study involved a cohort of 18 participants undergoing neurofeedback training targeting the supplementary motor area. A critical focus was the comparison between top-down hierarchical connectivity models proposed by Active Inference and alternative bottom-up connectivity models like reinforcement learning.ResultsOur analysis revealed a crucial distinction in brain connectivity patterns between successful and non-successful learners. Particularly, successful learners evinced a significantly stronger top-down effective connectivity towards the target area implicated in self-regulation. This heightened top-down network engagement closely resembles the patterns observed in goal-oriented and cognitive control studies, shedding light on the intricate cognitive processes intertwined with self-regulation learning.DiscussionThe findings from our investigation underscore the significance of cognitive mechanisms in the process of self-regulation learning through neurofeedback. The observed stronger top-down effective connectivity in successful learners indicates the involvement of hierarchical cognitive control, which aligns with the tenets of Active Inference. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the neural dynamics behind successful self-regulation learning and provides insights into the potential cognitive architecture underpinning this process

Reactivation of Fault Systems by Compartmentalized Hydrothermal Fluids in the Southern Andes Revealed by Magnetotelluric and Seismic Data

In active volcanic arcs such as the Andean volcanic mountain belt, magmatically‐sourced fluids are channelled through the brittle crust by faults and fracture networks. In the Andes, volcanoes, geothermal springs and major mineral deposits have a spatial and genetic relationship with NNE‐trending, margin‐parallel faults and margin‐oblique, NW‐trending Andean Transverse Faults (ATF). The Tinguiririca and Planchón‐Peteroa volcanoes in the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ) demonstrate this relationship, as their spatially associated thermal springs show strike alignment to the NNE‐oriented El Fierro Thrust Fault System. We constrain the fault system architecture and its interaction with volcanically sourced hydrothermal fluids using a combined magnetotelluric (MT) and seismic survey that was deployed for 20 months. High conductivity zones are located along the axis of the active volcanic chain, delineating fluids and/or melt. A distinct WNW‐trending cluster of seismicity correlates with resistivity contrasts, considered to be a reactivated ATF. Seismicity occurs below 4 km, suggesting activity is limited to basement rocks, and the cessation of seismicity at 9 km delineates the local brittle‐ductile transition. As seismicity is not seen west of the El Fierro fault, we hypothesize that this structure plays a key role in compartmentalizing magmatically‐derived hydrothermal fluids to the east, where the fault zone acts as a barrier to cross‐fault fluid migration and channels fault‐parallel fluid flow to the surface from depth. Increases in fluid pressure above hydrostatic may facilitate reactivation. This site‐specific case study provides the first three‐dimensional seismic and magnetotelluric observations of the mechanics behind the reactivation of an ATF

The Bacterial Product Violacein Exerts an Immunostimulatory Effect Via TLR8

Violacein, an indole-derived, purple-colored natural pigment isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum has shown multiple biological activities. In this work, we studied the effect of violacein in different immune cell lines, namely THP-1, MonoMac 6, ANA-1, Raw 264.7 cells, as well as in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). A stimulation of TNF-α production was observed in murine macrophages (ANA-1 and Raw 264.7), and in PBMCs, IL-6 and IL-1β secretion was detected. We obtained evidence of the molecular mechanism of activation by determining the mRNA expression pattern upon treatment with violacein in Raw 264.7 cells. Incubation with violacein caused activation of pathways related with an immune and inflammatory response. Our data utilizing TLR-transfected HEK-293 cells indicate that violacein activates the human TLR8 (hTLR8) receptor signaling pathway and not human TLR7 (hTLR7). Furthermore, we found that the immunostimulatory effect of violacein in PBMCs could be suppressed by the specific hTLR8 antagonist, CU-CPT9a. Finally, we studied the interaction of hTLR8 with violacein in silico and obtained evidence that violacein could bind to hTLR8 in a similar fashion to imidazoquinoline compounds. Therefore, our results indicate that violacein may have some potential in contributing to future immune therapy strategies.Universidad de Costa Rica/[801-B2-519]/UCR/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones/[FI-497-11]/MICITT/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones/[DFG-TR84]/MICITT/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones/[DFG-KFO325]/MICITT/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de QuímicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacéuticas (INIFAR