A simple hydroponic hardening system and the effect of nitrogen source on the acclimation of in vitro cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Peer Revie

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

An optimized isolation protocol yields high‐quality RNA from cassava tissues (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

We developed and modified a precise, rapid, and reproducible protocol isolating high‐quality RNA from tissues of multiple varieties of cassava plants (Manihot esculenta Crantz). The resulting method is suitable for use in mini, midi, and maxi preparations and rapidly achieves high total RNA yields (170–600 μg/g) using low‐cost chemicals and consumables and with minimal contamination from polysaccharides, polyphenols, proteins, and other secondary metabolites. In particular, A260:A280 ratios were >2.0 for RNA from various tissues, and all of the present RNA samples yielded ribosomal integrity number values of greater than six. The resulting high purity and quality of isolated RNAs will facilitate downstream applications (quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction or RNA sequencing) in cassava molecular breeding

Raíces: plazas, tradición y cultura

Desde sus inicios como oficio se ha entendido el diseño gráfico como una disciplina orientada a la creación y transferencia de mensajes visuales construidos por medio de estrategias gráficas previamente estructuradas y planificadas para dar respuesta a necesidades comunicativas, apoyadas en una variedad de herramientas, técnicas y medios tanto impresos como digitales. Esta definición podría dar a entender que la función del diseño está más enfocada a dar respuesta a las necesidades estéticas de la comunicación sin un involucramiento directo con el tipo de mensaje que se transmite y las audiencias a las que va dirigido. Sin embargo el rol del diseño gráfico es mucho más complejo en la sociedad actual, es más relevante que los diseñadores trabajen con comunidades, haciendo parte de equipos de trabajo con comunicadores sociales, administradores, sociólogos, antropólogos, entre otras disciplinas académicas para intervenir tanto en la creación como en la aplicación de estrategias de comunicación..