Selection for Drought Tolerance in Dry Bean Derived from the Mesoamerican Gene Pool in Western Nebraska

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is highly susceptible to drought stress, and drought affects 60% of global bean production. We evaluated elite exotic dry bean germplasm derived from the Mesoamerican gene pool for drought tolerance, yield, and adaptation to western Nebraska during 2006 and 2007 at three research sites. Seven tropical lines were evaluated with two great northern cultivars (Matterhorn and Beryl- R) and one pinto cultivar (Bill-Z) serving as checks. Adjacent nonstressed (NS) and droughtstressed (DS) blocks were evaluated. Within each block, the selected lines were assigned to experimental units using a randomized complete block design with four replications at each location. On average, yield was 60% less, 100-seed weight was 19.2% lower, and maturity occurred 4 d earlier under DS than under NS conditions. Beryl-R, SER 22, and Matterhorn had the greatest average yield under both NS (3564, 3347, and 3440 kg ha–1, respectively) and DS (1701, 1773, and 1584 kg ha–1, respectively). These genotypes were also the most drought tolerant based on the drought susceptibility index (0.9, 0.8, and 0.9, respectively) and geometric mean (2462, 2436, and 2335, respectively). Based on these results, Matterhorn, Beryl-R, and SER 22 show the most promise for use in breeding for drought tolerance

Estimación de la evaporación/transpiración en un cultivo de viña mediante radiometría térmica

La estimación precisa de la evapotranspiración de cultivo (ETc), así como su partición en las componentes evaporativa (E) y transpirativa (T), resultan fundamentales para mejorar la eficacia en la gestión del riego de cultivos en hilera en regiones áridas y semiáridas. El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a un mejor entendimiento de la partición E/T sobre viña llevando a cabo un balance de energía por separado para las componentes de suelo y de vegetación. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de un experimento llevado a cabo en la finca de Las Tiesas, Albacete, de junio a octubre de 2013. Se instalaron un conjunto de radiómetros de infrarrojo térmico, apuntando directamente a las plantas y al suelo entre hileras. Se tomaron medidas de las cuatro componentes de la radiación neta, del flujo de calor en el suelo, además de variables meteorológicas y parámetros biofísicos. Todas las medidas se almacenaron en intervalos de 15 minutos, y se promediaron después a escala horaria y diaria. El valor medio observado de ETc fue de 3,1 mm día-1. La evaporación se estimó en torno al 30%. Los resultados presentados en este trabajo ofrecen una primera impresión de la partición E/T, y muestran el potencial de la caracterización térmica de la viña con este finAn accurate estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and its partition into both components, soil evaporation (E) and canopy transpiration (T), is known to be critical for a more effective irrigation scheduling of row-crops in arid and semi-arid environments. Vineyards are the best example in Mediterranean countries. The aim of this work is to improve our understanding of the E/T partition in vineyards by establishing a separate energy balance for soil and canopy components. An experiment was conducted in Las Tiesas experimental farm, Albacete (Spain), from June to October of 2013. A set of thermal-infrared radiometers were assembled pointing directly to the plants and the soil between rows. Measurements of the four components of the net radiation over the canopy and soil heat fluxes, as well as meteorological variables and biophysical parameters were all collected and stored every 15-min. Hourly and daily averages were then computed and analyzed. An average daily ETc value of 3.1 mm day-1 was observed in both sites. Interrow soil evaporation reached as much as 30% of the total ETc. These results provide a first insight into the partition E/T and show the potential of the vine thermal characterization with this aim.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CGL2013-46862-C2-1/2-PUnión Europea, AGL2014-54201-C4-4-RInstituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias RTA 2011-00100-C05-04Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias RTA 2014-00049-C05-03Generalitat Valenciana PROMETEOII/2014/08

Switching from a protease inhibitor-based regimen to a dolutegravir-based regimen : a randomized clinical trial to determine the effect on peripheral blood and ileum biopsies from antiretroviral therapy-suppressed human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

Background: Optimization of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can impact the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir. We evaluated the effect on the HIV reservoir in peripheral blood and ileum biopsies in patients switching from boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r)-based therapy to dolutegravir (DTG)-based therapy. Methods: Impact of Integrase-inhibitor DOlutegravir On the viral Reservoir (INDOOR) is a phase 4 open-label clinical trial that randomly included 42 HIV type 1-infected individuals on effective cART: 20 who switched from PI/r-based to DTG-based cART (switch group), and 22 who remained in PI/r-based regimens (control group). We analyzed blood and ileum biopsies to quantify episomal, total, and integrated HIV DNA, cell-associated HIV RNA, residual plasma viremia, T-cell subsets, cell activation, and inflammation markers. Results: There were no related adverse events or treatment discontinuations due to drug intolerance. The HIV reservoir was consistently larger in ileal than in peripheral CD4(+) T cells in both groups (P <.01). Residual viremia in plasma decreased in the switch group (P =.03). However, we did not observe significant longitudinal changes in low-level viral replication, total and integrated HIV reservoir, HIV transcription, T-cell maturation subsets, immunoactivation markers, inflammatory soluble proteins, or cellular markers of latently infected cells. Conclusions: The INDOOR study is the first evaluation of changes in HIV reservoir size in ileum biopsies and in peripheral blood in individuals switched from PI/r- to DTG-based cART. Although this switch was safe and well tolerated, it had no impact on a large array of immunological and inflammatory markers or on HIV reservoir markers in peripheral or in ileal CD4(+) T cells

Novel aerobic perchloroethylene degradation by the White-Rot Fungus trametes versicolor

Premi a l'excel·lència investigadora. Àmbit de les Ciències Tecnològiques. 2008Perchloroethylene (PCE) is one of the most important groundwater pollutants around the world. It is a suspected carcinogen and is believed to be rather recalcitrant to microbial degradation. We report here, for the first time, aerobic degradation of PCE by the white rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, to less hazardous products. Aerobic degradation rate of PCE was 2.04 to 2.75 × 10-4 μmol h-1 mg dry weight of fungal biomass. Trichloroacetyl chloride (TCAC) was identified as the main intermediate using [2-13C]PCE as the substrate. Chloride release was stoichiometric with PCE degradation. Re-oxygenation of the cultures resulted in increased PCE degradation as well as a corresponding increase in chloride release. These results suggest that better degradation rates can be achieved by appropriate optimization of culture conditions. Additionally, our studies using 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT), an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450, suggested that cytochrome P-450 system is involved in PCE degradation by T. versicolor. These results are of particular interes

El acceso a los servicios de salud bucodental para la población adulta mayor en la red hospitalaria pública de Medellín (Colombia)

Antecedentes/Objetivos: La población adulta mayor es un grupo poblacional significativo teniendo en cuenta los cambios demográficos de las últimas décadas. En el país y en la ciudad de Medellín, este grupo presenta alta vulnerabilidad social, así mismo se observan necesidades en salud bucal, descritas en los estudios nacionales y regionales en el tema. Aunque se han realizado investigaciones que tratan de identificar determinantes que afectan el acceso y la utilización de los servicios de salud, los estudios en salud bucal son más escasos y en especial en la población adulta mayor. Objetivo: identificar barreras y facilitadores de acceso a los servicios de salud bucal en población adulta mayor atendida en la red hospitalaria pública de Medellín desde la perspectiva del personal de salud. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo. Se realizaron 34 entrevistas semiestructuradas en personal que presta servicios de salud en la red Metrosalud de Medellín. Se identificaron barreras y facilitadores según el modelo de Tanahashi sobre cobertura en los servicios de salud a través de 4 categorías: disponibilidad (D), accesibilidad (A), aceptabilidad (P) y contacto con el servicio (C). Se utilizó la herramienta informática AtlasTi. Resultados: Se identificaron barreras relacionadas con: dificultades en la implementación de políticas sociales debido a que la salud bucal no es una prioridad; se han priorizado otras poblaciones para dar atención en salud bucal y existe insuficiente recurso humano para prestar los servicios de salud (D); la situación de discapacidad de los adultos mayores (A); aspectos educativos, culturales y de género (P); y la crisis del sector salud como una barrera estructural del sistema (C). En cuanto a los facilitadores se mencionan: la existencia de programas que facilitan la demanda inducida a programas de salud bucal y de mecanismos para hacer valer los derechos en salud a través de instancias gubernamentales y otras (D); la ubicación de las unidades y centros de salud en zonas de fácil acceso (A); la capacidad de los profesionales para atender esta población (P) y la articulación de la odontología con otras áreas (C). Conclusiones: Se identificaron determinantes que afectan el acceso a servicios sanitarios en la población adulta mayor, por lo que se requieren estrategias para mejorar la calidad de la atención en salud bucal en este grupo socialmente vulnerable.E.S.E Metrosalud. Medellín (Código: C02-E11-L3-01)

Distinct dual C-Cl isotope fractionation patterns during anaerobic biodegradation of 1,2-dichloroethane: potential to characterize microbial degradation in the field

This study investigates, for the first time, dual C-Cl isotope fractionation during anaerobic biodegradation of 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) via dihaloelimination by Dehalococcoides and Dehalogenimonas-containing enrichment cultures. Isotopic fractionation of 1,2-DCA (εbulkC and εbulkCl) for Dehalococcoides (−33.0 ± 0.4¿ and −5.1 ± 0.1¿) and Dehalogenimonas-containing microcosms (−23 ± 2¿ and −12.0 ± 0.8¿) resulted in distinctly different dual element C-Cl isotope correlations (Λ = Δδ13C/Δδ37Cl ≈ εbulkC/εbulkCl), 6.8 ± 0.2 and 1.89 ± 0.02, respectively. Determined isotope effects and detected products suggest that the difference on the obtained Λ values for biodihaloelimination could be associated with a different mode of concerted bond cleavage rather than two different reaction pathways (i.e., stepwise vs concerted). Λ values of 1,2-DCA were, for the first time, determined in two field sites under reducing conditions (2.1 ± 0.1 and 2.2 ± 2.9). They were similar to the one obtained for the Dehalogenimonas-containing microcosms (1.89 ± 0.02) and very different from those reported for aerobic degradation pathways in a previous laboratory study (7.6 ± 0.1 and 0.78 ± 0.03). Thus, this study illustrates the potential of a dual isotope analysis to differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation pathways of 1,2-DCA in the field and suggests that this approach might also be used to characterize dihaloelimination of 1,2-DCA by different bacteria, which needs to be confirmed in future studies

Rapid gains in yield and adoption of new maize varieties for complex hillside environments through farmer participation. II. Scaling-up the adoption through community-based seed production (CBSP)

Participatory varietal selection (PVS) led to the identification of Population-22 and its later release as Manakamana-3. Subsequently further mother–baby trials tested five unreleased open-pollinated varieties (OPVs), ZM-621, Shitala, Population-45, Hill Pool White, and Hill Pool Yellow to compare them with Manakamana-3. Farmers again preferred Manakamana-3 as well as ZM-621 for their stable, higher grain yield, and for other traits such as stay-green, non-lodging, large white grains, and tolerance to foliar diseases. However, Manakamana- 3 and ZM-621 both had late maturity, open husks and dented grain. Both were tested with farmers on-farm coordinated farmers field trials (CFFTs) and had not been identified as this was more contractual type of participatory research. Individual traits were measured but overall farmers’ preferences were not elicited. In the more collaborative participation of the mother– baby trials the overall preference was determined and farmers traded-off the late maturity and dented grains of Manakamana-3 and ZM-621 against other favorable traits. Depending on location, these genotypes yielded 15–45% more grain than the local varieties in the mother–baby trials. These results led to the release of ZM-621 as Deuti in 2006. Farmers had adopted Manakamana-3 (released in 2002) and ZM-621 (Deuti) as a direct result of PVS trials and increased area under them year after year. Farmers awareness of the varieties has increased and seeds of these varieties are under community-based seed production (CBSP). Involving farmers through a collaborative mode of participation in varietal selection overcame bottlenecks to finding new varieties that had occurred with more contractual on-farm research

Simulación dinámica de una alternativa de generación de energía a partir de residuos

Both problems, the growing solid waste generation and electricity demand continually growing impact the environment by increasing emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere. In relation to the solid waste management, alternative as reuse, recycling or reuse have been raised. In addition, waste to energy appears as an alternative to generate energy from waste. In this paper a comparison of the environmental effects associated with waste incineration (waste to energy) versus alternative reuse or recycling is proposed. The model proposed by system dynamics is validated with information related to plastic packaging waste in Colombia. The model compares the effects on five environmental indicators, finding that such indicators are favored in some scenarios, but is necessary more research on the subject to will be conclusive and definitive results. The results and conclusions provide elements to improve decision-making processes in this area and encourage future researches in the subject.A nivel mundial, la creciente generación de residuos sólidos corre pareja con una demanda de energía eléctrica que aumenta continuamente. Estos dos problemas en conjunto impactan el ambiente incrementando las emisiones de CO2 a la atmósfera. Para manejar los residuos sólidos se han planteado alternativas como la reutilización, el reciclaje o el reúso. Adicionalmente, se ha propuesto el waste to energy como una alternativa para generar energía a partir de los residuos. En este documento se plantea la comparación de los efectos ambientales asociados a la incineración de residuos (waste to energy) con las alternativas de reúso o reciclaje. El modelo planteado mediante la dinámica de sistemas se valida confrontándolo con la información que se tiene en Colombia sobre los residuos de envases plásticos. El modelo de simulación compara los efectos en cinco indicadores ambientales, encontrándose que dichos indicadores se ven favorecidos en algunos escenarios, pero que es necesario continuar investigando en el tema para tener resultados concluyentes y definitivos. Los resultados y las conclusiones buscan aportar elementos para mejorar los procesos de toma de decisión en este aspecto y abren un camino para continuar la investigación en este tema

FAM-MDR: A Flexible Family-Based Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction Technique to Detect Epistasis Using Related Individuals

We propose a novel multifactor dimensionality reduction method for epistasis detection in small or extended pedigrees, FAM-MDR. It combines features of the Genome-wide Rapid Association using Mixed Model And Regression approach (GRAMMAR) with Model-Based MDR (MB-MDR). We focus on continuous traits, although the method is general and can be used for outcomes of any type, including binary and censored traits. When comparing FAM-MDR with Pedigree-based Generalized MDR (PGMDR), which is a generalization of Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) to continuous traits and related individuals, FAM-MDR was found to outperform PGMDR in terms of power, in most of the considered simulated scenarios. Additional simulations revealed that PGMDR does not appropriately deal with multiple testing and consequently gives rise to overly optimistic results. FAM-MDR adequately deals with multiple testing in epistasis screens and is in contrast rather conservative, by construction. Furthermore, simulations show that correcting for lower order (main) effects is of utmost importance when claiming epistasis. As Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a complex phenotype likely influenced by gene-gene interactions, we applied FAM-MDR to examine data on glucose area-under-the-curve (GAUC), an endophenotype of T2DM for which multiple independent genetic associations have been observed, in the Amish Family Diabetes Study (AFDS). This application reveals that FAM-MDR makes more efficient use of the available data than PGMDR and can deal with multi-generational pedigrees more easily. In conclusion, we have validated FAM-MDR and compared it to PGMDR, the current state-of-the-art MDR method for family data, using both simulations and a practical dataset. FAM-MDR is found to outperform PGMDR in that it handles the multiple testing issue more correctly, has increased power, and efficiently uses all available information