Effects of the post-spinal cord injury microenvironment on the differentiation capacity of human neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells

This work was supported by TERCEL and CIBERNED funds from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III of Spain, and FEDER funds from the EC.Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes loss of neural functions below the level of the lesion due to interruption of spinal pathways and secondary neurodegenerative processes. The transplant of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a promising approach for the repair of SCI. Reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is expected to provide an autologous source of iPSC-derived NSCs, avoiding the immune response as well as ethical issues. However, there is still limited information on the behavior and differentiation pattern of transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs within the damaged spinal cord. We transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs, obtained from adult human somatic cells, into rats at 0 or 7 days after SCI, and evaluated motor-evoked potentials and locomotion of the animals. We histologically analyzed engraftment, proliferation, and differentiation of the iPSC-derived NSCs and the spared tissue in the spinal cords at 7, 21, and 63 days posttransplant. Both transplanted groups showed a late decline in functional recovery compared to vehicle-injected groups. Histological analysis showed proliferation of transplanted cells within the tissue and that cells formed a mass. At the final time point, most grafted cells differentiated to neural and astroglial lineages, but not into oligodendrocytes, while some grafted cells remained undifferentiated and proliferative. The proinflammatory tissue microenviroment of the injured spinal cord induced proliferation of the grafted cells and, therefore, there are possible risks associated with iPSC-derived NSC transplantation. New approaches are needed to promote and guide cell differentiation, as well as reduce their tumorigenicity once the cells are transplanted at the lesion site

COMPORTAMIENTO AGROPRODUCTIVO DE UN SISTEMA DE PRODUCCIÓN DE FRIJOL (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS. L) CON ENFOQUE AGROECOLÓGICO EN EL MUNICIPIO PRIMERO DE ENERO

La presente investigación se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar el comportamiento agroproductivo de un sistema de producción de frijol con enfoque agroecológico en el municipio Primero Enero, en el periodo comprendido entre diciembre 2013 y marzo de 2014. En los resultados se pudo constatar que el tratamiento de semillas es importante para mantenerlas sanas y con alto porcentaje de germinación, aunque los tratadores inorgánicos encarecen el paquete de producción porque son importados. Las plantas del sistema de producción agroecológico alcanzaron los mayores valores en cuanto la altura, número de hojas, vaina por plantas, granos por vaina, masa de 100 semillas y masa de la planta. Aunque tuvieron mayor afectación de plagas con respecto al sistema convencional, no se afectaron los rendimientos, porque el grado de afectación nunca sobrepasó el umbral económico. El sistema agroecológico alcanzó mayor  beneficio económico neto, tanto en la producción de frijoles negros, como rojos

COMPORTAMIENTO AGROPRODUCTIVO DE DIFERENTES VARIEDADES DE FRÍJOL NEGRO (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS. L) EN LA FINCA «LAS MARÍA» DEL MUNICIPIO PRIMERO DE ENERO

El fríjol común es uno de los granos más importantes para el consumo humano. Para los cubanos este grano se ha convertido en un plato esencial en la mesa. En la producción, el uso de las prácticas agrícolas ha demostrado que el productor debe contar con más de una variedad del cultivo, siendo importante la introducción de nuevas variedades para aumentar el espectro de variabilidad de los cultivos en producción. La investigación se realizó en la finca «La Maria» con el objetivo de determinar el comportamiento agroproductivo de diferentes variedades de fríjol negro. En los resultados se pudo apreciar que el cultivo presenta alta plasticidad genética, porque   se adapta a las condiciones climáticas de la finca, con porcentajes de emergencia por encima del 94 %. Las variedades Selección la Palma, Cabaiguan y Tomeguín-93 alcanzaron los mayores resultados en cuanto a la mayoría de variables morfo-agronómicas. Todas las variedades se caracterizan como promisorios bajos las condiciones climáticas de estudio, destacando la variedad Selección la Palma, Cabaiguan y Tomeguín-93 con rendimientos superiores a la media nacional

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Diversity of microorganisms associated with atypical superficial blemishes of potato tubers and pathogenicity assessment

Publication Inra prise en compte dans l'analyse bibliométrique des publications scientifiques mondiales sur les Fruits, les Légumes et la Pomme de terre. Période 2000-2012. http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/256699International audienceSkin blemishes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers can cause severe economical losses to production. Some blemishes are due to known pathogens and others whose causes are unknown are called atypical blemishes. The present work aims at determining the origin of superficial atypical blemishes on a set of 204 tubers coming from 12 different French regions producing potato. The diversity of fungi and Streptomyces bacteria associated with blemishes was investigated by systematic isolation followed by identification by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA for fungi and by sequencing the 16S ribosomal DNA for bacteria. We found a high microbial diversity represented by 349 fungal isolates belonging to at least 47 different species and 21 bacterial strains of Streptomyces sp. The most represented fungi belonged to the genera Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Clonostachys. The pathogenicity of representative isolates was assessed in three bioassays; two bioassays based on single inoculations in previously sterilized potting mixture, and one bioassay based on both single and double inoculations under hydroponic conditions. We fulfilled the Koch’s postulates for Rhizoctonia solani AG 3 producing sclerotia. For other fungal and bacterial strains, our results did not show any causality or relationship between a single isolate or a complex and the occurrence of the blemishes. Moreover, the observation of irregular polygonal sunken corky lesions (polygonal lesions)—the most frequent atypical blemish—on non-inoculated tubers, suggested that the atypical blemishes could as well be a reaction of the plant to stressful environmental conditions

Effects of the spinal cord injury environment on the differentiation capacity of human neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes loss of neural functions below the level of the lesion due to interruption of spinal pathways and secondary neurodegenerative processes. The transplant of neural stem sells (NSCs) is a promising approach for the repair of SCI. Reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) is expected to provide an autologous source of iPSC-derived NSCs avoiding the immune response as well as ethical issues. However, there is still limited information on the behavior and differentiation pattern of transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs within the damaged spinal cord. We transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs, obtained from adult human somatic cells, to rats at 0 or 7 days after SCI, and evaluated motor evoked potentials and locomotion of the animals. We histologically analyzed engraftment, proliferation and differentiation of the iPSC-derived NSCs and the spared tissue in the spinal cords at 7, 21 and 63 days post-transplant. Both transplanted groups showed a late decline in functional recovery compared to vehicle-injected groups. Histology showed proliferation of transplanted cells within the tissue, forming a cell mass. Most grafted cells differentiated to neural and astroglial lineages, but not to oligodendrocytes. Some cells remained still undifferentiated and proliferating at final time points. The proinflammatory ambiance of the injured spinal cord induced proliferation of the grafted cells. Therefore, iPSC-derived NSCs cells have a potential risk for transplantation. New approaches are needed to promote and guide cell differentiation, as well as reducing their tumorigenicity once the cells are transplanted at the lesion site

Effects of the Post-Spinal Cord Injury Microenvironment on the Differentiation Capacity of Human Neural Stem Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

This work was supported by TERCEL and CIBERNED funds from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III of Spain, and FEDER funds from the EC.Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes loss of neural functions below the level of the lesion due to interruption of spinal pathways and secondary neurodegenerative processes. The transplant of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a promising approach for the repair of SCI. Reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is expected to provide an autologous source of iPSC-derived NSCs, avoiding the immune response as well as ethical issues. However, there is still limited information on the behavior and differentiation pattern of transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs within the damaged spinal cord. We transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs, obtained from adult human somatic cells, into rats at 0 or 7 days after SCI, and evaluated motor-evoked potentials and locomotion of the animals. We histologically analyzed engraftment, proliferation, and differentiation of the iPSC-derived NSCs and the spared tissue in the spinal cords at 7, 21, and 63 days posttransplant. Both transplanted groups showed a late decline in functional recovery compared to vehicle-injected groups. Histological analysis showed proliferation of transplanted cells within the tissue and that cells formed a mass. At the final time point, most grafted cells differentiated to neural and astroglial lineages, but not into oligodendrocytes, while some grafted cells remained undifferentiated and proliferative. The proinflammatory tissue microenviroment of the injured spinal cord induced proliferation of the grafted cells and, therefore, there are possible risks associated with iPSC-derived NSC transplantation. New approaches are needed to promote and guide cell differentiation, as well as reduce their tumorigenicity once the cells are transplanted at the lesion site

Effects of the spinal cord injury environment on the differentiation capacity of human neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes loss of neural functions below the level of the lesion due to interruption of spinal pathways and secondary neurodegenerative processes. The transplant of neural stem sells (NSCs) is a promising approach for the repair of SCI. Reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) is expected to provide an autologous source of iPSC-derived NSCs avoiding the immune response as well as ethical issues. However, there is still limited information on the behavior and differentiation pattern of transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs within the damaged spinal cord. We transplanted iPSC-derived NSCs, obtained from adult human somatic cells, to rats at 0 or 7 days after SCI, and evaluated motor evoked potentials and locomotion of the animals. We histologically analyzed engraftment, proliferation and differentiation of the iPSC-derived NSCs and the spared tissue in the spinal cords at 7, 21 and 63 days post-transplant. Both transplanted groups showed a late decline in functional recovery compared to vehicle-injected groups. Histology showed proliferation of transplanted cells within the tissue, forming a cell mass. Most grafted cells differentiated to neural and astroglial lineages, but not to oligodendrocytes. Some cells remained still undifferentiated and proliferating at final time points. The proinflammatory ambiance of the injured spinal cord induced proliferation of the grafted cells. Therefore, iPSC-derived NSCs cells have a potential risk for transplantation. New approaches are needed to promote and guide cell differentiation, as well as reducing their tumorigenicity once the cells are transplanted at the lesion site

Exposure of Calophyllum antillanum seeds to liquid nitrogen delays seedling emergence and decreases leaf anthraquinones

[EN] BACKGROUND: Trees within the Calophyllum genus are multi-use trees that produce valuable wood, phytochemicals with a range of biological activities, and seed oil as a source of biodiesel. As a consequence of climate change, there is a need to develop strategies to preserve valuable plant genetic resources. Cryopreservation represents the most suitable option for the long-term storage of germplasm with minimal space and maintenance requirements. OBJECTIVE: To determine appropriate methods to cryopreserve seeds of Calophyllum antillanum and maintain secondary compound production. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seeds at a moisture content of 6% were used to evaluate two treatments: seeds immersed in liquid nitrogen and control seeds. Biosynthetic pathway efficiency was assessed post-cryo by determining anthraquinone contents in roots, stems and leaves following 30 and 75 d of seedling growth. RESULTS: The results indicated that exposure to liquid nitrogen delayed germination and seedling emergence for a period of up to 45 d after seed sowing. By 60 d of cultivation, no significant differences in plant growth were observed for cryostored and control seeds. The levels of anthraquinones, which were also measured in seeds and seedlings, were lower in plants regenerated from cryostored seeds following 30 d of growth, but there were no differences in roots and stems by 75 d of growth. Furthermore, the difference in leaf anthraquinone levels for cryopreserved and control seeds at 75 d was much smaller than at 30 d. CONCLUSION: The low initial anthraquinone levels in emerging seedlings correlated with the initial slow growth of cryopreserved seedsThis research was supported by the Bioplant Centre, University of Ciego de Avila (Cuba); Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabi (UNESUM, Ecuador); the Agricultural Research Council (South Africa); and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain).Entensa, Y.; González-Morales, A.; Linares, C.; Vázquez, JG.; Martínez-Montero, ME.; Zevallos-Bravo, BE.; Hajari, E.... (2022). Exposure of Calophyllum antillanum seeds to liquid nitrogen delays seedling emergence and decreases leaf anthraquinones. CRYO-LETTERS. 43(1):58-65. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr22110110812586543