Recovery of wheat heritage for traditional food: genetic variation for high molecular weight glutenin subunits in neglected/underutilized wheat

Club wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. compactum (Host) Mackey), macha wheat (T. aestivum L. ssp. macha (Dekapr. & A.M. Menabde) Mackey) and Indian dwarf wheat (T. aestivum L. ssp. sphaerococcum (Percival) Mackey) are three neglected or underutilized subspecies of hexaploid wheat. These materials were and are used to elaborate modern and traditional products, and they could be useful in the revival of traditional foods. Gluten proteins are the main grain components defining end-use quality. The high molecular weight glutenin subunit compositions of 55 accessions of club wheat, 29 accessions of macha wheat, and 26 accessions of Indian dwarf wheat were analyzed using SDS-PAGE. Three alleles for the Glu-A1 locus, 15 for Glu-B1 (four not previously described), and four for Glu-D1 were detected. Their polymorphisms could be a source of genes for quality improvement in common wheat, which would permit both their recovery as new crops and development of modern cultivars with similar quality characteristics but better agronomic traits

Metástasis gingival de adenocarcinoma de colon

La cavidad oral es lugar de asiento de tumores metastásicos, sobre todo con origen en mama y pulmón. La mayoría de los casos afectan por este orden a los huesos mandibular y maxilar, aunque en ocasiones se desarrollan sobre las partes blandas intraorales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 62 años diagnosticado de adenocarcinoma de colon sigmoide con metástasis ganglionares y hepáticas, que 6 meses después presenta una lesión vegetante en la encía, interpretada inicialmente como neoplasia primaria de encía, que tras ser biopsiada fue diagnosticada como adenocarcinoma intestinal metastásico. El estudio histológico es obligatorio para diferenciar un adenocarcinoma de los carcinomas de células escamosas, habituales en la zona, y las técnicas inmunohistoquímicas permiten diferenciar entre un tumor metastásico, sea intestinal o de otro origen, y un adenocarcinoma primario originado en glándulas salivares menores de la zona. La presencia de un tumor diseminado con extensión intraoral acarrea un pronóstico ominoso, aunque si se trata de una metástasis única es posible un tratamiento quirúrgico radical con una supervivencia mayor.Metastatic tumors involve the oral cavity, and the most common primary sites are the breast and lung. Most cases affect the mandible and maxilla in that order, although some of them can be located in the soft perioral tissues. We report the case of a 62-year-old male who had been diagnosed with sigmoid adenocarcinoma with nodal and liver metastasis, who presented 6 months later with a gingival polypoid tumor, at first considered as a primary neoplasm of gingiva, that was diagnosed in a biopsy as metastatic intestinal adenocarcinoma. The histological evaluation is essential to separate adenocarcinoma from the commoner in this site squamous cell carcinoma, and the immunohistochemical techniques are useful to distinguish metastatic tumor versus primary adenocarcinoma from the minor salivary glands of the area. The intraoral spread of a disseminated neoplasm is generally a sign of bad prognosis, although a longer survival can be expected if a radical surgical treatment of a solitary metastasis is carried out

Colon adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the gingiva

La cavidad oral es lugar de asiento de tumores metastásicos, sobre todo con origen en mama y pulmón. La mayoría de los casos afectan por este orden a los huesos mandibular y maxilar, aunque en ocasiones se desarrollan sobre las partes blandas intraorales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 62 años diagnosticado de adenocarcinoma de colon sigmoide con metástasis ganglionares y hepáticas, que 6 meses después presenta una lesión vegetante en la encía, interpretada inicialmente como neoplasia primaria de encía, que tras ser biopsiada fue diagnosticada como adenocarcinoma intestinal metastásico. El estudio histológico es obligatorio para diferenciar un adenocarcinoma de los carcinomas de células escamosas, habituales en la zona, y las técnicas inmunohistoquímicas permiten diferenciar entre un tumor metastásico, sea intestinal o de otro origen, y un adenocarcinoma primario originado en glándulas salivares menores de la zona. La presencia de un tumor diseminado con extensión intraoral acarrea un pronóstico ominoso, aunque si se trata de una metástasis única es posible un tratamiento quirúrgico radical con una supervivencia mayor

Screening of charged spheroidal colloidal particles

We study the effective screened electrostatic potential created by a spheroidal colloidal particle immersed in an electrolyte, within the mean field approximation, using Poisson--Botzmann equation in its linear and nonlinear forms, and also beyond the mean field by means of Monte Carlo computer simulation. The anisotropic shape of the particle has a strong effect on the screened potential, even at large distances (compared to the Debye length) from it. To quantify this anisotropy effect, we focus our study on the dependence of the potential on the position of the observation point with respect with the orientation of the spheroidal particle. For several different boundary conditions (constant potential, or constant surface charge) we find that, at large distance, the potential is higher in the direction of the large axis of the spheroidal particle

Potential Use of Wild Einkorn Wheat for Wheat Grain Quality Improvement: Evaluation and Characterization of Glu-1, Wx and Ha Loci

Wild einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. ssp. aegilopoides (Link) Thell.) is a diploid wheat species from the Near East that has been classified as an ancestor of the first cultivated wheat (einkorn; T. monococcum L. ssp. monococcum). Its genome (Am), although it is not the donor of the A genome in polyploid wheat, shows high similarity to the Au genome. An important characteristic for wheat improvement is grain quality, which is associated with three components of the wheat grain: endosperm storage proteins (gluten properties), starch synthases (starch characteristics) and puroindolines (grain hardness). In the current study, these grain quality traits were studied in one collection of wild einkorn with the objective of evaluating its variability with respect to these three traits. The combined use of protein and DNA analyses allows detecting numerous variants for each one of the following genes: six for Ax, seven for Ay, eight for Wx, four for Gsp-1, two for Pina and three for Pinb. The high variability presence in this species suggests its potential as a source of novel alleles that could be used in modern wheat breeding

Allelic Variation of Puroindolines Genes in Iranian Common Wheat Landraces

Wheat is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. One of the traits that defines wheat quality is grain hardness, which is determined by puroindolines (PINA and PINB) proteins encoded with Pina-D1 and Pinb-D1 genes. In this study, the diversity of Pina-D1 and Pinb-D1 was evaluated in a collection of 271 Iranian common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. aestivum) landraces, whose kernels had previously been classified as hard or semi-hard based on PSI analysis. Three alleles previously described as associated with hard grain were detected in the collection: Pinb-D1b in 11 accessions, Pinb-d1ab in 175 accessions, and Pinb-d1p in 80 accessions. In addition, a novel allele tentatively named Pinb-d1ak was detected in Pinb-D1 and was characterized by a change at position 140 of the deduced protein (cysteine/tyrosine). On average, the accessions with this allele showed a lower PSI value than the accessions with other Pin allele. This means that this novel allele may be associated with harder grains than other Pin alleles and could be used by breeding programs targeting different grain hardness levels. This study highlights the importance of conserving and characterizing wheat genetic resources that could be used as sources of genetic variability in breeding programs

Análise comparativa da qualidade de panificaçao e rendimento de graos entre tritórdeo hexaplóide e outros cereais de inverno

A duplicação cromossômica dos híbridos entre Hordeum chilense e Triticum turgidum conv. durum originou o tritórdeo hexaplóide (X Tritordeum Ascherson et Graebner), um novo cereal cujas características estão sendo avaliadas. Com o objetivo de obter maiores informações sobre o potencial do tritórdeo para a qualidade de panificação e componentes do rendimento de grãos, foi instalado em 1996 em Córdoba, Espanha, um experimento de campo com três repetições. O desempenho de três linhagens de tritórdeo foi comparado com o rendimento de duas variedades comerciais de trigo, duas de trigo duro e quatro de triticale. O conjunto de resultados indicou perspectivas do tritórdeo para o desenvolvimento de variedades altamente produtivas com aceitável qualidade de panificação, especialmente por se tratar de uma espécie nova e ainda pouco melhoradaChromosome duplication of hybrids between Hordeum chilense and Triticum turgidum conv. durum originated a new cereal, of which characteristics for cropping being evaluated, the hexaploid tritordeum (X Tritordeum Ascherson et Graebner). In order to have more information about breadmaking quality and grain yield components in tritordeum, are a field experiment with three replications was carried out during the growing season of 1996 in Córdoba, Spain. Performance of three tritordeum lines was compared with two varieties of wheat, two of durum wheat and four of triticale. Results allow to expect the development of high yielding varieties of tritordeum with acceptable breadmaking qualit

La melatonina en la enfermedad de Chagas: Su posible valor terapéutico

La enfermedad de Chagas es un problema grave de salud en América Latina, causando cerca de 50 000 muertes al año y unos 18 millones de infectados. Alrededor del 25-30% de los pacientes infectados con Trypanosoma cruzi desarrollan la forma crónica de la enfermedad. La respuesta de defensa ante el T. cruzi depende de la inmunidad innata y adquirida con la participación de macrófagos, células “natural killer”, linfocitos T y B, y la producción de citoquinas proinflamatorias de tipo Th-1. Además, el aumento en la producción de óxido nítrico (NO) en los macrófagos lleva a una acción microbicida eficaz necesaria para controlar la parasitemia. La melatonina es detectable en T. cruzi y podría desempeñar un papel en la promoción de la infección como lo hace en el paludismo, mientras que, cuando se administra en dosis farmacológicas altas durante la fase aguda de la infección por T. cruzi, disminuye la parasitemia, aun en presencia de una reducción de la producción de NO. Durante la progresión de la enfermedad de Chagas a la cronicidad, el estrés oxidativo aumentado con el concomitante daño miocárdico podría reducirse por la administración de melatonina, de reconocida acción antioxidante. Se propone como un nuevo enfoque complementario en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Chagas la administración durante la fase aguda de un agonista MT1/MT2 de la melatonina como el ramelteon, que carece de actividad antioxidante y podría no afectar a la producción de NO, y de melatonina durante la fase crónica de en dosis suficientemente altas como para disminuir el daño oxidativo y prevenir la miocardiopatía.Chagas’ disease is a severe health problem in Latin America, causing approximately 50 000 deaths a year, with approximately 18 million infected people. About 25-30% of the patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi develop the chronic form of the disease. The protective response against T. cruzi depends on both innate and acquired immunity involving macrophages, natural killer cells, T and B lymphocytes, and the production of proinflammatory Th-1 cytokines. In addition, an increased nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages leading to effective microbicidal action is needed to control parasitemia. Melatonin is detectable in T. cruzi and may play a role in promoting infection whereas, when administered in high doses during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection, it can decrease parasitemia while reducing NO production. During chronic disease progression, the sustained oxidative stress concomitant to myocardial damage could be reduced by administering melatonin. It is hypothesized that the coordinated administration of a melatonin agonist like the MT1/MT2 agonist ramelteon, that lacks antioxidant activity and may not affect NO production during the acute phase, and of melatonin in doses high enough to decrease oxidative damage, to preserve mitochondrial and to prevent cardiomyopathy during the chronic phase, could be a novel add-on treatment of Chagas´ diseaseFil: Cardinali, Daniel Pedro. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Álvarez, Carlos B.. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; Argentin

La melatonina en la enfermedad de Chagas: Su posible valor terapéutico

La enfermedad de Chagas es un problema grave de salud en América Latina, causando cerca de 50 000 muertes al año y unos 18 millones de infectados. Alrededor del 25-30% de los pacientes infectados con Trypanosoma cruzi desarrollan la forma crónica de la enfermedad. La respuesta de defensa ante el T. cruzi depende de la inmunidad innata y adquirida con la participación de macrófagos, células “natural killer”, linfocitos T y B, y la producción de citoquinas proinflamatorias de tipo Th-1. Además, el aumento en la producción de óxido nítrico (NO) en los macrófagos lleva a una acción microbicida eficaz necesaria para controlar la parasitemia. La melatonina es detectable en T. cruzi y podría desempeñar un papel en la promoción de la infección como lo hace en el paludismo, mientras que, cuando se administra en dosis farmacológicas altas durante la fase aguda de la infección por T. cruzi, disminuye la parasitemia, aun en presencia de una reducción de la producción de NO. Durante la progresión de la enfermedad de Chagas a la cronicidad, el estrés oxidativo aumentado con el concomitante daño miocárdico podría reducirse por la administración de melatonina, de reconocida acción antioxidante. Se propone como un nuevo enfoque complementario en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Chagas la administración durante la fase aguda de un agonista MT1/MT2 de la melatonina como el ramelteon, que carece de actividad antioxidante y podría no afectar a la producción de NO, y de melatonina durante la fase crónica de en dosis suficientemente altas como para disminuir el daño oxidativo y prevenir la miocardiopatía.Chagas’ disease is a severe health problem in Latin America, causing approximately 50 000 deaths a year, with approximately 18 million infected people. About 25-30% of the patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi develop the chronic form of the disease. The protective response against T. cruzi depends on both innate and acquired immunity involving macrophages, natural killer cells, T and B lymphocytes, and the production of proinflammatory Th-1 cytokines. In addition, an increased nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages leading to effective microbicidal action is needed to control parasitemia. Melatonin is detectable in T. cruzi and may play a role in promoting infection whereas, when administered in high doses during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection, it can decrease parasitemia while reducing NO production. During chronic disease progression, the sustained oxidative stress concomitant to myocardial damage could be reduced by administering melatonin. It is hypothesized that the coordinated administration of a melatonin agonist like the MT1/MT2 agonist ramelteon, that lacks antioxidant activity and may not affect NO production during the acute phase, and of melatonin in doses high enough to decrease oxidative damage, to preserve mitochondrial and to prevent cardiomyopathy during the chronic phase, could be a novel add-on treatment of Chagas´ diseaseFil: Cardinali, Daniel Pedro. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Álvarez, Carlos B.. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; Argentin

Mandibular advancement devices in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

La apnea del sueño es un trastorno respiratorio, con consecuencias no deseables para la salud, que ocurre durante el sueño cuando se obstruyen o colapsan las vías aéreas superiores. El fenómeno es bien conocido clínicamente, con diagnosis y tratamientos médicos contrastados, pero no existe una metodología sencilla ni los instrumentos y técnicas de análisis necesarias para conocer y valorar cualitativa y cuantitativamente la respuesta física y clínica de una actuación mandibular concreta. En este trabajo se muestra como las técnicas digitales de tratamiento de imágenes, la dinámica de fluidos y la implementación de criterios ingenieriles de diseño importados de otros campos de actividad permiten, a partir de unas imágenes médicas convencionales, establecer una metodología de análisis sencilla útil clínicamente para decidir las actuaciones, de presión o mecánicas, mandibulares más convenientes. La metodología se aplica a un paciente que sufre el síndrome y se estudia el efecto de un dispositivo mandibular (DAM® ), especialmente innovador, premiado científica y empresarialmente en varias ocasiones, que por medio de un avance de la mandíbula, variable y distinto para cada paciente según las necesidades clínicas, provoca una apertura significativa de las vías aéreas superiores.Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) consists in the occurrence of recurrent episodes of airflow limitation during sleep, with undesirable consequences for the health. The phenomenon is well known from a medical point of view (prognosis, diagnosis and treatment), but there is not a methodology or analysis tools for the quantification of the clinical response using Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD). This paper shows how combining image processing, fluid dynamics and engineering design criteria, imported from other fields, allow to establish a simple analysis method clinically useful to decide the more convenient positioning of the MAD based on the pressure or mechanical movement of the jaw. This methodology is applied to a patient suffering OSAS which the objective to evaluate the changes provoked in the upper-airways due to an innovative mandibular device.Peer Reviewe