Interaction at the molecular and genetic level between the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its hosts Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) es un endoparasitoide de estadios larvales de moscas de la fruta. Actualmente en Argentina, se encuentra en evaluación su aplicación en estrategias de control biológico contra dos especies plagas de importancia económica: Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) y Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.). El presente trabajo de tesis propone abordar el estudio de factores asociados a la interacción entre especies en el sistema parasitoide: moscas de la fruta. Los resultados obtenidos a nivel citológico evidenciaron la presencia de una respuesta inmune celular débil en A. fraterculus ante el ataque del parasitoide, siendo la misma ausente en el caso de C. capitata. Mediante el análisis del transcriptoma de A. fraterculus y evaluación de patrones de expresión de genes asociados a la respuesta inmune, se halló una disminución en la expresión del gen Pro-fenoloxidasa en larvas parasitadas, mostrando una posible respuesta de la larva ante la parasitación. Asimismo, se identificó la presencia de secuencias del virus DLEPV en el parasitoide y dos cepas de Wolbachia en A. fraterculus. Una de estas cepas bacterianas otorga un potencial efecto protector frente al ataque por el parasitoide. Los resultados obtenidos aportan información sobre la interacción hospedador-parasitoide, útil en la implementación de técnicas sustentables de control de plagas.Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) is an endoparasitoid of larval stages of fruit flies. Currently, in Argentina, its application in biological control strategies against two economically important pest species (Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus) is being evaluated. This thesis proposes to address the study of factors associated with the interaction between species in the system parasitoid: fruit flies. The results obtained at the cytological level evidenced the presence of a weak cellular immune response in A. fraterculus to the attack of the parasitoid, being the same absent in the case of C. capitata. The analysis of the A. fraterculus transcriptome and the evaluation of expression profiles of genes involved in immune response evidenced a decrease in the expression of Pro-phenoloxidase gene in parasitized larvae, showing a possible inhibition of the larval response to parasitization. In addition, the presence of DLEPV virus sequences was identified in the parasitoid and two Wolbachia strains in A. fraterculus. One of these strains provides a potential protective effect against the parasitoid attack. The results obtained provide information on the host-parasitoid interaction to support the implementation of sustainable pest control techniques.Fil: Conte, Claudia Alejandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

USP45 and Spindly are part of the same complex implicated in cell migration

Abstract Ubiquitylation is a protein modification implicated in several cellular processes. This process is reversible by the action of deubiquinating enzymes (DUBs). USP45 is a ubiquitin specific protease about which little is known, aside from roles in DNA damage repair and differentiation of the vertebrate retina. Here, by using mass spectrometry we have identified Spindly as a new target of USP45. Our data show that Spindly and USP45 are part of the same complex and that their interaction specifically depends on the catalytic activity of USP45. In addition, we describe the type of ubiquitin chains associated with the complex that can be cleaved by USP45, with a preferential activity on K48 ubiquitin chain type and potentially K6. Here, we also show that Spindly is mono-ubiquitylated and this can be specifically removed by USP45 in its active form but not by the catalytic inactive form. Lastly, we identified a new role for USP45 in cell migration, similar to that which was recently described for Spindly

El mundo cotidiano de Isabel la Católica. La Casa de la Reina, educación y cultura.

Este Trabajo Fin de Grado tiene como objetivo ahondar en aspectos menos conocidos de la vida de Isabel la Católica en relación a sus costumbres y gustos cotidianos, como podían ser su alimentación o su biblioteca. Guiado por los estudios culturales, de Historia de las mujeres y de las elites. Para ello, el trabajo se encuentra divido en dos grandes bloques, “La Casa de la Reina” y “Educación y Cultura”. En el primero de los bloques se analizan tres grandes ámbitos relacionados con la cotidianeidad de la reina: los oficiales de su Casa, las residencias reales, la moda durante el reinado de la soberana y, por ultimo su vida cotidiana en la que encontraremos la el entretenimiento, la alimentación y las ceremonias. En el segundo de los bloques hay una división entre el estudio de la educación y la cultura. Dentro del apartado dedicado a la educación podemos encontrar toda aquella información referente a la formación que recibió la propia reina Isabel en su juventud así como las formas de educación que impuso en su Casa. En el apartado de cultura se habla del mecenazgo realizado por la soberna, del grupo de mujeres cultas que hubo en su corte, las Puellae Doctae y por ultimo su biblioteca. La reina Isabel buscó crear una imagen de poder en torno a su figura y a la de la Monarquía Hispánica para lo que utilizó diversos instrumentos como la moda o la educación de sus hijos, logrando convertirse en un modelo a seguir, como reina, mujer culta y madre protectora entre otros aspectos. Su Casa se convirtió en un lugar de referencia en el que confluían desde eclesiásticos, intelectuales a grandes artistas, logrando con creces su objetivo, ser alabada tanto por sus súbditos como por otras monarquías europeas.<br /

Rapid formulation of redox-responsive oligo-β-aminoester polyplexes with siRNA via jet printing

Here we describe a rapid inkjet formulation method for screening newly-synthesised cationic materials for siRNA delivery into cancer cells. Reduction responsive oligo-β-aminoesters were prepared and evaluated for their ability to condense siRNA into polyplexes through a fast inkjet printing method. A direct relationship between the oligomer structures and charge densities, and the final cell response in terms of uptake rate and transfection efficacy, was found. The oligo-β-aminoesters were well-tolerated by the cancer cells, compared to conventional cationic polymers so far employed in gene delivery, and were as active in silencing of a representative luciferase gene

Effets de Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia) sur la santé de l'abeille domestique Apis mellifera L. (changements physiologiques et comportementaux)

Nosema ceranae est un parasite émergeant d Apis mellifera décrit dans certaines régions comme la cause majeure de la mortalité des abeilles. Dans d autres cas, il est soupçonné d affaiblir les colonies par l interaction avec d autres facteurs de pression de l environnement. Dans le cadre du phénomène global de la mortalité des abeilles, nous avons orienté nos recherches vers l étude des effets N. ceranae, en faisant l hypothèse que ce parasite est capable d induire des changements comportementaux chez A. mellifera dus à des altérations physiologiques, ce qui pourrait éventuellement perturber l organisation sociale et aboutir à la mort de la colonie. Etant donné cette hypothèse, trois domaines d étude ont été inclus dans notre recherche, (i) les effets de N. ceranae sur l organisation sociale de la colonie, (ii) les mécanismes moléculaires à la base des effets chez les abeilles parasitées, et (iii) les différences en virulence d isolats de N. ceranae ce qui pourrait expliquer la variation des effets du parasite chez l abeille. Nous avons obtenu trois résultats majeurs. D abord, nous avons constaté des modifications dans la structure sociale des abeilles après l infection. Ces changements sembleraient contribuer à la survie de la colonie constituant probablement un mécanisme d immunité sociale. Ce mécanisme géré par un signal phéromonal, permettrait de diminuer la transmission du parasite au sein de la colonie et prolonger la survie des abeilles saines. Ensuite, nous avons mis en évidence des effets sur la physiologie de l intestin de l abeille qui pourraient causer sa mort : l induction du stress oxydatif et l inhibition du renouvellement cellulaire de l épithélium. Finalement, nos résultats suggèrent que certaines caractéristiques de l hôte et conditions environnementales augmenteraient la probabilité de N. ceranae d induire la mort. En conclusion, N. ceranae a le potentiel de causer la mort des abeilles, cependant, la colonie pourrait contrer l infection, par exemple, par de mécanismes d immunité sociale, or, la réponse générale à l infection dépendrait des caractéristiques de l hôte en combinaison avec les conditions de l environnement. Le phénomène d effondrement de colonies à l échelle mondiale a mis en évidence la fragilité du système colonie d abeilles environnement. L étude de chaque facteur participant au système, en autres, parasites, pesticides, changements dans l environnement, pratiques apicoles, est essentielle pour une meilleure compréhension de toutes les interactions qui maintiennent l équilibre écologique des coloniesNosema ceranae is an emergent parasite of the honey bee Apis mellifera. In some regions it has been found to be the main reason for bee mortality, while in others it is suspected of weakening honey bee colonies by interacting with other environmental stressors. In the context of worldwide colony losses, we focus our research on the study of N. ceranae, with the hypothesis that this parasite is able to induce behavioral changes in bees through physiological modifications, which could alter social organization and cause colony death. Given this hypothesis, the program of study falls into three areas; (i) N. ceranae effects on colony social organization, (ii) molecular mechanisms of N. ceranae infection underlying observed effects, and (iii) differences in virulence of N. ceranae strains which could explain the diversity of parasite effects. We obtained three main results. First, we observed modifications in honey bee social structure after infection. This mechanism under pheromone control, would reduce parasite transmission within the colony and increase the lifespan of healthy bees. These changes may contribute to colony survival as part of a mechanism of social immunity. Second, we found two mechanisms whereby the pathogen affects the physiology of bee midgut epithelium that could lead to host mortality: oxidative stress and the inhibition of cellular renewal. Finally, our results suggest that certain host and environmental conditions increase the probability that N. ceranae will cause bee mortality. In conclusion, N. ceranae has the potential to cause bee death, however at colony level bees might counteract infection through, for example, social immunity mechanisms; although, overall honey bee response to infection would depend on characteristics of the host in combination with environmental conditions. Worldwide colony losses phenomenon have highlighted the fragility of the honey bee colony environment system. The study of each factor involve in this system, including parasites, pesticides, environmental changes and beekeeping practices, is essential to better understand all of the interactions that maintain the ecological balance of honey bee coloniesAVIGNON-Bib. numérique (840079901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Petrographic-Mineralogical Characterization of Archaeological Materials from “Casa di Diana” Mithraeum Sited in the Open Museum of Ostia Antica

Mithraea, religious Roman buildings, are very common in Italian archeological sites. There are sixteen in Ostia Antica (Rome, Italy)The poor state of conservation, due to the intrinsic environmental conditions, characterized them: they consist of open-air museums and caves simultaneously. These places of worship are characterized by the presence of heterogeneous materials, such as wall building materials (bricks and mortars) and others used for furnishings and fittings. This increases the risk of accelerated damage because the materials ‘rheology is different. Here, a full petrographic-mineralogical characterization with polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDS) and isotopic analysis (δ13C, δ18O) is carried out on materials like travertine, marble, pumice, ceramic, and wall-building materials in “Casa di Diana” Mithraeum (Ostia Antica). Their characterization gives provenance information as well as conservation and restoration purposes. The prevalence of siliciclastic or carbonate components discriminates between red and yellow bricks, as well as different textures and minerals in the aggregate of the red ones. The mortars are typically pozzolanic, and the aggregate is mostly made up of black and red pozzolanic clasts. In the altar, apse, and aedicule, which constitute the principal place of the Mithraeum, a variety of materials used for the ornamental purpose are represented by pumices, travertine, marble, and limestone. The altar material, catalogued as marble, resulted in being a limestone coated with a white pigment.This work has been partially supported by the DEMORA (Grant No. PID2020-113391GB-I00) projects funded by the Spanish Agency for Research AEI (MINEICO/FEDER-UE). The authors wish to acknowledge professional support of the Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform from CSIC Open Heritage: Research and Society (PTI-PAIS)

La enseñanza-aprendizaje del Holocausto a través del pensamiento histórico

En este trabajo se busca plasmar los beneficios que tiene estructurar un tema sensible, como lo es el Holocausto, a través del pensamiento histórico y los metaconceptos. Para ello, se han diseñado cuatro actividades que aúnan pensamiento histórico y metodologías activas. <br /

Assessment of blood and productive parameters in mid-lactation dairy cows fed different diets: replacement of corn silage with triticale silage

Corn crops require large amounts of resources that affect the environmental sustainability of dairy cow farming systems. The aim of the study was thus to investigate the effects of the replacement of corn silage (CS) with triticale silage (TS) by evaluating blood and productive parameters. The study lasted 7&nbsp;weeks and involved two groups of 20 Italian Holstein Friesian dairy cows that were homogeneous in terms of parity ( 3±1.5 ), days in milk (DIM) ( 150±85.0 ), and daily milk production ( 26±4.6  kg). Chemical analysis of feeds was carried out weekly. Dry-matter intake was estimated daily. At the beginning and end of the trial, haematological, metabolic, and immunological parameters were analysed. At the same, time body weight and body condition score were measured. Milk characteristics were also analysed weekly. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA on data of the second sampling, and a non-parametric test was performed to analyse BCS. Regarding the haematological parameters in the two groups, only lymphocyte values were not in the normal range (2.86 and 2.50×109  L for CS and TS, respectively). Metabolic parameters were in the normal range except for blood ureic nitrogen (BUN; 13.65 and 14.04  mgdL-1 ), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs; 21.40 and 31.93  µmolL-1 ), and Cl (91.99 and 93.50  mmolL-1 ). Hair cortisol was low (0.94 and 0.91  pgmg-1 ), indicating the absence of stress signs, as confirmed by the results of other immunological parameters (serum lysozyme (SL), bactericidal activity (SBA), haptoglobin (HP), and oxygen free radicals (OFRs)). Statistical differences were not found either for haematological or biochemical parameters. The total replacement of CS with TS did not affect milk yield and composition. In conclusion, the replacement of CS by TS did not give rise to significant modifications in the parameters investigated and did not alter the health status of the animals, thus suggesting the feasibility of its introduction into the diet of mid-lactation dairy cows