Characterization of a new partitivirus strain in Verticillium dahliae provides further evidence of the spread of the highly virulent defoliating pathotype through new introductions

The soilborne pathogen Verticillium dahliae, causal agent of Verticillium wilt, has a worldwide distribution and many hosts of agronomic value. The worldwide spread of a highly virulent defoliating (D) pathotype has greatly increased the threat posed by V. dahliae in olive trees. For effective disease management, it is important to know if the D pathotype is spreading long distances from contaminated material, or if D pathotype isolates may have originated locally from native V. dahliae populations several times. We identified a double-stranded RNA mycovirus in an olive D pathotype isolate from Turkey. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis clustered the virus with members of the family Partitiviridae. The virus was most similar to a partitivirus previously identified in a V. dahliae isolate from cotton in China (VdPV1), with sequence identities of 94% and 91% at the nucleotide level for RNA1 and RNA2, respectively. The virus therefore corresponded to a strain of the established species, and we designated it VdPV1-ol (VdPV1 from olive). The identification of the same viral species in these two fungal isolates from geographically distant origins provides evidence of their relationships, supporting the hypothesis of long-distance movement of V. dahliae isolates.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Grants AGL2009- 13445), and the Junta de Andalucía (Grant FEDER P07-TIC-02682) and AGL2013-48980-R.Peer reviewe

Calidad, usabilidad y accesibilidad en los entornos virtuales de enseñanza-aprendizaje

La Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA) está implementando un modelo base para gestionar el aprendizaje mediado por tecnologías. El modelo propuesto busca, a través de la definición de diferentes áreas de incumbencia, sistematizar las leyes, ideas, principios y normas que serán aplicadas en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje mediados por tecnologías de esta universidad. Una de las premisas que condujo a la definición de este modelo fue la de hacerlo permeable a los cambios y poder redefinirlo sistemáticamente en beneficio de una mejor experiencia. Con la implementación de este modelo, además surge el desafío de que no se convierta en una barrera para los estudiantes, por ello surge la necesidad de dotarlo de usabilidad y accesibilidad, como también de definir criterios para poder medir que tanto se satisfacen estas características

Erosion rate maps highlight spatio-temporal patterns of uplift and quantify sediment export of the Northern Andes

Erosion rates are widely used to assess tectonic uplift and sediment export from mountain ranges. However, the scarcity of erosion rate measurements often hinders detailed tectonic interpretations. Here, we present 25 new cosmogenic nuclide-derived erosion rates from the Northern Andes of Colombia to study spatio-temporal patterns of uplift along the Central and Eastern Cordillera. Specifically, we combine new and published erosion rate data with precipitation-corrected normalized channel steepness measurements to construct high-resolution erosion rate maps. We find that erosion rates in the southern Central Cordillera are relatively uniform and average ∼0.3 mm/a. In the northern Central Cordillera rapidly eroding canyons dissect slowly eroding, low-relief surfaces uplifting since 8.3+ 3.7 - 2.6 Ma, based on a block uplift model. We interpret that persistent steep slab subduction has led to an erosional steady-state in the southern Central Cordillera, whereas in the northern Central Cordillera, Late Miocene slab flattening caused an acceleration in uplift, to which the landscape has not yet equilibrated. The Eastern Cordillera also displays pronounced erosional disequilibrium, with a slowly eroding central plateau rimmed by faster eroding western and eastern flanks. Our maps suggest Late Miocene topographic growth of the Eastern Cordillera, with deformation focused along the eastern flank, which is also supported by balanced cross-sections and thermochronologic data. Spatial gradients in predicted erosion rates along the eastern flank of the Eastern Cordillera suggest transient basin-ward migration of thrusts. Finally, sediment fluxes based on our erosion maps, suggest that the Eastern Cordillera exports nearly four times more sediment than the Central Cordillera. Our analysis shows that accounting for spatial variations in erosion parameters and climate reveals important variations in tectonic forcing that would otherwise be obscured in traditional river profile analyses. Moreover, given relationships between tectonic and topographic evolution, we hypothesize that spatio-temporal variations in slab dip are the primary driver of the dynamic landscape evolution of the Northern Andes, with potentially superposed effects from inherited Mesozoic rift structures

Inherited photoreceptor degeneration causes the death of melanopsin-positive retinal ganglion cells and increases their coexpression of brn3a

Purpose: To study the population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (melanopsin-expressing RGCs, m+RGCs) in P23H-1 rats, a rat model of inherited photoreceptor degeneration. Methods: At postnatal (P) times P30, P365, and P540, retinas from P23H dystrophic rats (line 1, rapid degeneration; and line 3, slow degeneration) and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (control) were dissected as whole-mounts and immunodetected for melanopsin and/or Brn3a. The dendritic arborization of m+RGCs and the numbers of Brn3a+RGCs and m+RGCs were quantified and their retinal distribution and coexpression analyzed. Results: In SD rats, aging did not affect the population of Brn3a+RGCs or m+RGCs or the percentage that showed coexpression (0.27%). Young P23H-1 rats had a significantly lower number of Brn3a+RGCs and showed a further decline with age. The population of m+RGCs in young P23H-1 rats was similar to that found in SD rats and decreased by 22.6% and 28.2% at P365 and P540, respectively, similarly to the decrease of the Brn3a+RGCs. At these ages the m+RGCs showed a decrease of their dendritic arborization parameters, which was similar in both the P23H-1 and P23H-3 lines. The percentage of coexpression of Brn3a was, however, already significantly higher at P30 (3.31%) and increased significantly with age (10.65% at P540). Conclusions: Inherited photoreceptor degeneration was followed by secondary loss of Brn3a+RGCs and m+RGCs. Surviving m+RGCs showed decreased dendritic arborization parameters and increased coexpression of Brn3a and melanopsin, phenotypic and molecular changes that may represent an effort to resist degeneration and/or preferential survival of m+RGCs capable of synthesizing Brn3a

Intelligent system for upper limb motor function assessment of patients with hemiparesis

[Resumen] La evaluación de la función motora del miembro superior de los pacientes con hemiparesia tras un ictus es necesaria para llevar a cabo el seguimiento de la recuperación de los pacientes y para adaptar la terapia a sus necesidades. Para ello, es necesario desarrollar nuevos métodos sencillos, rápidos y fiables que ayuden al personal clínico. Este artículo presenta un nuevo sistema de evaluación a través de dispositivos Magnetic, Angular Rate, and Gravity Sensor (MARG), con métodos de aprendizaje automático en base a técnicas de alineamiento temporal (DTW) para medir de forma objetiva la calidad de los movimientos ejecutados por el paciente. En este estudio se presentan los primeros resultados obtenidos de un estudio transversal cuyo objetivo es comprobar la eficiencia de este nuevo sistema de evaluación relacionando los resultados obtenidos mediante este sistema, con la clasificación de la función motora del miembro superior de pacientes con ictus basada en la evaluación de la escala Fugl-Meyer (FMA).[Abstract] The assessment of upper limb motor function in stroke patients with hemiparesis is necessary to monitor patients’ recovery and to adapt therapy to their needs. To this end, new simple, fast and reliable methods need to be developed to assist therapists. This article presents a new evaluation system using MARG devices, with machine learning techniques based on temporal alignment techniques to objectively measure the quality of the movements executed by the patient. This study presents the preliminary results obtained from a cross-sectional study whose objective is to evaluate the performance of this new evaluation system by relating the results obtained through this system, with the classification of upper limb motor function of stroke patients based on the evaluation of the Fugl-Meyer scale.Generalitat Valenciana; INNVA1/2021/7

Influencia de la visualización en terapias de rehabilitación virtual asistidas por robots

[Resumen] La neurorehabilitación post-ictus basada en terapias virtuales se realiza junto con dispositivos visuales. El tipo de visualización puede influenciar en la calidad de la percepción de la tarea afectando al rendimiento sensomotor del paciente. El propósito de este trabajo es evaluar si existe diferencias en los patrones de movimientos cinemáticos cuando pacientes post-ictus realizan una tarea de alcance, visualizando un juego terapéutico virtual con dos diferentes tipos de representación del entorno virtual: 2D y 3D. En este estudio han participado nueve pacientes post-ictus recibiendo una terapia virtual asistida por el robot de rehabilitación PUPArm. Los pacientes deb´ian realizar movimientos horizontales con el miembro superior para completar el objetivo principal de las tareas, el cuál consistía en alcanzar objetivos perif´ericos o perspectivos dependiendo del tipo de entorno virtual mostrado. Para realizar un análisis del rendimiento sensomotor de los pacientes se registran diferentes tipos de parámetros a partir de la adquisición de datos objetivos por parte del dispositivo robótico para evaluar la influencia de la visualización de la tarea.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por la Comisión Europea a través del proyecto HomeRehab: Echord++ (GA 601116) y por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad a través del proyecto DPI2015-70415-C2-2-Rhttps://doi.org/10.17979/spudc.978849749808

Estudio comparativo de efectos tDCS y rehabilitación combinado con rehabilitación con dispositivo robótico

[Resumen] El Accidente Cerebrovascular (ACV), representa uno de los principales problemas en la salud pública en todo el mundo. Una nueva herramienta empleada en rehabilitación es la estimulación transcraneal por corriente directa (tDCS) no invasiva. Se trata de técnica segura, ya que no se realiza ningún tipo de punción o perforación sobre el paciente. Esta técnica modula la excitabilidad o inhibición neuronal en áreas corticales específicas. En este estudio han participado 2 pacientes con ACV y sintomatología espástica e hipotónica (1:1) que recibieron un total de 10 sesiones de estimulación tDCS y terapia con dispositivo robótico. Se emplearon evaluaciones funcionales al inicio y final del tratamiento tales como, valoración del Índice Motor, escala STREAM y valoración Frenchay, además se registraron datos electromiográficos durante todas las sesiones. Tras la realización del tratamiento se analizaron todos los datos obtenidos tanto en las valoraciones funcionales como en las señales registradas obteniendo resultados positivos en referencia al control motor voluntario, disminuyendo o aumentando el tono muscular con el que partían de inicio los pacientes. Concluyendo este estudio en que la estimulación tDCS puede emplearse como una herramienta más al alcance del personal rehabilitador, la cual, puede combinarse con terapias alternativas como las generadas por un dispositivo robótico.Esta investigación ha sido financiada por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad a través del proyecto DPI2015-70415-C2-2-Rhttps://doi.org/10.17979/spudc.978849749808

Sistema robótico multimodal de miembro superior para interacción con entornos físicos

[Resumen] Este artículo describe el diseño de un sistema robótico multimodal enfocado a proporcionar a personas con movilidad reducida, la capacidades de interaccionar con objetos reales. Con este sistema se pretende cubrir todo el proceso de interacción, desde la selección del objeto con el que se quiere interactuar, pasando por alcanzar y agarrarlo, hasta volver a dejar el objeto. El sistema se compone de un robot diseñado para rehabilitación de miembro superior, de un exoesqueleto de mano, un sistema de seguimiento de mirada, un dispositivo de seguimiento de objetos, y un sistema de detección de intención de movimiento. Con este propósito, en este artículo se presenta la arquitectura del sistema, especificando los elementos particulares que serán utilizados en un escenario experimental para comprobar la viabilidad del sistema.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por la Comisión Europea (ICT-22-2014: Multimodal and Natural computer interaction) a través del proyecto AIDE: ”Adaptive Multimodal Interfaces to Assist Disabled People in Daily Activities” (Grant agreement no: 645322); y por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad a través del proyecto DPI2015-70415-C2-2-Rhttps://doi.org/10.17979/spudc.978849749808

Cost-utility and biological underpinnings of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) versus a psychoeducational programme (FibroQoL) for fibromyalgia: a 12-month randomised controlled trial (EUDAIMON study)

Background: The EUDAIMON study focuses on fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a prevalent chronic condition characterized by pain, fatigue, cognitive problems and distress. According to recent reviews and meta-analyses, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a promising therapeutic approach for patients with FMS. The measurement of biomarkers as part of the analysis of MBSR effects would help to identify the neurobiological underpinnings of MBSR and increase our knowledge of FMS pathophysiology. The main objectives of this 12-month RCT are: firstly, to examine the effectiveness and cost-utility for FMS patients of MBSR as an add-on to treatment as usual (TAU) versus TAU + the psychoeducational programme FibroQoL, and versus TAU only; secondly, to examine pre-post differences in brain structure and function, as well as levels of specific inflammatory markers in the three study arms and; thirdly, to analyse the role of some psychological variables as mediators of 12-month clinical outcomes. Methods: Effectiveness, cost-utility, and neurobiological analyses performed alongside a 12-month RCT. The participants will be 180 adult patients with FMS recruited at the Sant Joan de Deu hospital (St. Boi de Llobregat, Spain), randomly allocated to one of the three study arms: TAU + MBSR vs. TAU + FibroQol vs. TAU. A comprehensive assessment to collect functional, quality of life, distress, costs, and psychological variables will be conducted pre-, post-intervention, and at 12-month post-intervention. Fifty per cent of study participants will be evaluated at pre- and post-treatment using Voxel-Based Morphometry, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, pseudo-continuous Arterial Spin Labeling, and resting state fMRI. A cytokine multiplex kit of high-sensitivity will be applied (cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 + high-sensitivity CRP test). Discussion: The findings obtained from this RCT will indicate whether MBSR is potentially cost-effective for FMS and contribute to knowledge of any brain and inflammatory changes associated with MBSR in FMS patients. Specifically, we will determine whether there are morphometric and functional changes associated with participation in MBSR in brain regions related to meta-awareness, body awareness, memory consolidation-reconsolidation, emotion regulation and in networks postulated to underpin the sensory-discriminative, cognitive-evaluative and affective-motivational aspects of the pain experience

The RNAi machinery controls distinct responses to environmental signals in the basal fungus Mucor circinelloides

BACKGROUND: RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved mechanism of genome defence that can also have a role in the regulation of endogenous functions through endogenous small RNAs (esRNAs). In fungi, knowledge of the functions regulated by esRNAs has been hampered by lack of clear phenotypes in most mutants affected in the RNAi machinery. Mutants of Mucor circinelloides affected in RNAi genes show defects in physiological and developmental processes, thus making Mucor an outstanding fungal model for studying endogenous functions regulated by RNAi. Some classes of Mucor esRNAs map to exons (ex-siRNAs) and regulate expression of the genes from which they derive. To have a broad picture of genes regulated by the silencing machinery during vegetative growth, we have sequenced and compared the mRNA profiles of mutants in the main RNAi genes by using RNA-seq. In addition, we have achieved a more complete phenotypic characterization of silencing mutants.  RESULTS: Deletion of any main RNAi gene provoked a deep impact in mRNA accumulation at exponential and stationary growth. Genes showing increased mRNA levels, as expected for direct ex-siRNAs targets, but also genes with decreased expression were detected, suggesting that, most probably, the initial ex-siRNA targets regulate the expression of other genes, which can be up- or down-regulated. Expression of 50% of the genes was dependent on more than one RNAi gene in agreement with the existence of several classes of ex-siRNAs produced by different combinations of RNAi proteins. These combinations of proteins have also been involved in the regulation of different cellular processes. Besides genes regulated by the canonical RNAi pathway, this analysis identified processes, such as growth at low pH and sexual interaction that are regulated by a dicer-independent non-canonical RNAi pathway.  CONCLUSION: This work shows that the RNAi pathways play a relevant role in the regulation of a significant number of endogenous genes in M. circinelloides during exponential and stationary growth phases and opens up an important avenue for in-depth study of genes involved in the regulation of physiological and developmental processes in this fungal model