Cell Wall Localization of Two DUF642 Proteins, BIIDXI and TEEBE, during Meloidogyne incognita Early Inoculation

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita infects a variety of plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana. During migration, root-knot nematodes secrete different proteins to modify cell walls, which include pectolytic enzymes. However, the contribution of host cell wall proteins has not been described during this process. The function of two DUF642 cell wall proteins, BIIDXI (BDX, At4g32460) and TEEBE (TEB, At2g41800), in plant development could be related to the regulation of pectin methyl esterification status in the cell walls of different tissues. Accordingly, the expression of these two genes is up-regulated by auxin. BDX and TEB were highly induced during early M. incognita inoculation. Moreover, cell wall localization of the proteins was also induced. The cell wall localization of BDX and TEB DUF642 proteins during M. incognita early inoculation suggested that these two proteins could be involved in the regulation of the degree of pectin methylation during cell separation

CD4+ T Cell Regulatory Network Underlies the Decrease in Th1 and the Increase in Anergic and Th17 Subsets in Severe COVID-19

In this model we use a dynamic and multistable Boolean regulatory network to provide a mechanistic explanation of the lymphopenia and dysregulation of CD4+ T cell subsets in COVID-19 and provide therapeutic targets. Using a previous model, the cytokine micro-environments found in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 with and without TGF-β and IL-10 was we simulated. It shows that as the severity of the disease increases, the number of antiviral Th1 cells decreases, while the the number of Th1-like regulatory and exhausted cells and the proportion between Th1 and Th1R cells increases. The addition of the regulatory cytokines TFG-β and IL-10 makes the Th1 attractor unstable and favors the Th17 and regulatory subsets. This is associated with the contradictory signals in the micro-environment that activate SOCS proteins that block the signaling pathways. Furthermore, it determined four possible therapeutic targets that increase the Th1 compartment in severe COVID-19: the activation of the IFN-γ pathway, or the inhibition of TGF-β or IL-10 pathways or SOCS1 protein; from these, inhibiting SOCS1 has the lowest number of predicted collateral effects. Finally, a tool is provided that allows simulations of specific cytokine environments and predictions of CD4 T cell subsets and possible interventions, as well as associated secondary effects

Overview of the Role of Cell Wall DUF642 Proteins in Plant Development

The DUF642 protein family is found exclusively in spermatophytes and is represented by 10 genes in Arabidopsis and in most of the 24 plant species analyzed to date. Even though the primary structure of DUF642 proteins is highly conserved in different spermatophyte species, studies of their expression patterns in Arabidopsis have shown that the spatial-temporal expression pattern for each gene is specific and consistent with the phenotypes of the mutant plants studied so far. Additionally, the regulation of DUF642 gene expression by hormones and environmental stimuli was specific for each gene, showing both up- and down-regulation depending of the analyzed tissue and the intensity or duration of the stimuli. These expression patterns suggest that the DUF642 genes are involved throughout the development and growth of plants. In general, changes in the expression patterns of DUF642 genes can be related to changes in pectin methyl esterase activity and/or to changes in the degree of methyl-esterified homogalacturonans during plant development in different cell types. Thus, the regulation of pectin methyl esterases mediated by DUF642 genes could contribute to the regulation of the cell wall properties during plant growth

Clinical indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus of an outpatient medical unit

Objetivo: analizar el estado de los indicadores clínicos de acuerdo con el resultado de hemoglobina glucosilada en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 de una unidad médica ambulatoria de Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. Método: estudio descriptivo y transversal. La muestra fue de 662 pacientes. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos y clínicos relacionados con la enfermedad. Se utilizó estadística inferencial para comparar las medianas de la hemoglobina glucosilada de acuerdo con otros indicadores clínicos en el Paquete Estadístico para las Ciencias Sociales. Resultados: La media de edad fue de 54.6 años: el 75.4% de los participantes eran mujeres, prevalecieron los pacientes que estaban en una relación (60%), 30% no tenían educación y solo el 19% tenía un empleo formal. El nivel de hemoglobina glucosilada osciló entre 4,7% y 15,8% ( 7,4%; IC95% 7.29-7.55); el 83,4% presentaba dislipidemias; el 45% eran  hipertensos, 65% llevaba una inadecuada alimentación, 44,4% presentaban obesidad y 37.2% sobrepeso. Conclusiones: el control en los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 continúa siendo un reto para la salud pública, aun cuando son atendidos por grupos multidisciplinarios en salud. El tipo de medicación, la actividad física, el estado nutricional y la alimentación pueden influir positivamente en el nivel de hemoglobina glucosilada.Objective: to analyze the status of clinical indicators according to the outcome of glycosylated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus of an outpatient medical unit in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. Method: descriptive and transversal study. The sample was 662 patients. Sociodemographic and clinical data related to the disease were obtained. Inferential statistics were used to compare medians of glycosylated hemoglobin according to other clinical indicators, in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: the averege age was 54.6 years; 75.4% of the participants were women, patients who were in a relationship prevailed (60%), 30% had no education and only 19% had a formal employment. The level of glycosylated hemoglobin ranged from 4.7% to 15.8% ( 7.4%; IC95% 7.29-7.55); 83.4% had dyslipidemias; 45% were hypertensive, 65% had inadequate feeding, 44.4% were obese and 37.2% overweight. Conclusions: Control in patients with type 2 diabetes remains a public health challenge, even when they are served by multidisciplinary health groups. The type of medication, physical activity, nutritional status and diet can positively influence the level of glycosylated hemoglobin