Development of Primer Pairs from Molecular Typing of Rabies Virus Variants Present in Mexico

Nucleoprotein (N) gene from rabies virus (RABV) is a useful sequence target for variant studies. Several specific RABV variants have been characterized in different mammalian hosts such as skunk, dog, and bats by using anti-nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) via indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test, a technique not available in many laboratories in Mexico. In the present study, a total of 158 sequences of N gene from RABV were used to design eight pairs of primers (four external and four internal primers), for typing four different RABV variants (dog, skunk, vampire bat, and nonhematophagous bat) which are most common in Mexico. The results indicate that the primer and the typing variant from the brain samples, submitted to nested and/or real-time PCR, are in agreement in all four singleplex reactions, and the designed primer pairs are an alternative for use in specific variant RABV typing

Simulación del crecimiento y desarrollo de pimiento ("capsicum annumm" l.) bajo condiciones de invernadero

Greenhouse horticultural production demands practices to have the desired effect, this requires an accurately determination of deviations that occur during growth and crops development. Modeling allows having in a quantitative way the plant simultaneous processes and therefore changes in crops state variables can be anticipated. This work aims to contribute to pepper growth and development prediction using simulation. Considering the specif ic production conditions of Querétaro, Mexico; during 2008-2009. It discusses the implementation in pepper of a growth and development model, originally developed for tomato crop. The model used is TOMGRO (TOMato GROwth Model) simplified, which predicts potential crop growth by solar radiation in photosynthesis (PAR), temperature and carbon dioxide amount at the experimental site. Pepper varieties used were Triple Star and Triple 4. Model parameters adjustment was made by obtaining adequate results in crop development prediction, therefore, generated model adjusted for pepper can be used in intermediate technology greenhouses in Mexico.La producción hortícola en invernadero demanda que las prácticas tengan el efecto esperado, para ello es necesario que se pueda determinar con precisión las desviaciones, que ocurran durante el crecimiento y desarrollo de los cultivos. La modelación permite tener de forma cuantitativa la interacción de procesos simultáneos en la planta y en consecuencia se pueden anticipar los cambios de las variables de estado en los cultivos. Este trabajo tiene el objetivo de contribuir la predicción del crecimiento y desarrollo del pimiento mediante el uso de la simulación. Justamente se hace considerando las condiciones de producción particulares de Querétaro, México, durante el periodo 2008-2009. Se aborda la implementación en pimiento de un modelo de crecimiento y desarrollo, creado originalmente para el cultivo de jitomate. El modelo utilizado es el TOMGRO (TOMato GROwth model) simplificado, el cual predice el crecimiento potencial del cultivo, tomando en cuenta la radiación solar que incide en fotosíntesis (PAR), temperatura y cantidad de dióxido de carbono en el sitio experimental. Se utilizaron las variedades Triple Star y Triple 4 de pimiento. Se realizó el ajuste de parámetros del modelo obteniendo resultados adecuados en la predicción del desarrollo del cultivo; por lo tanto, el modelo ajustado para pimiento que se generó puede ser usado en invernaderos de tecnología intermedia en México

The rs3857059 variant of the SNCA gene is associated with Parkinson’s disease in Mexican Mestizos

ABSTRACT Among the candidate genes for Parkinson’s disease (PD), SNCA has replicated association in different populations. Besides other known mutations in the SNCA gene, the rs3857059 variant has also been linked to various neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to search for association of this variant and sporadic PD in Mexican Mestizo patients. A case-control study was performed including 241 individuals, 106 patients, and 135 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR. The rs3857059 variant demonstrated an association with PD in Mexican Mestizos (OR = 2.40, CI, 1.1 to 5.1, p = 0.02) under the recessive model. In addition, a gender effect was found for the GG genotype in females (OR = 1.31, CI, 1.01 to 1.7, p = 0.037). This is the first study to confirm an association of the rs3857059 variant with PD and also to show a gender effect. Our data contribute to the elucidation of the link between rs3857059 and susceptibility to PD observed in the Mexican Mestizo population

An exact approach for radius of curvature measurement in a calibration test sphere

In this paper we present a technique to measure the radius of curvature of a test sphere based on the relation between acquired images of a circular cosine fringe pattern and size of virtual image formed on the calibration test surface. Radius of curvature is calculated with the exact equation proposed, using the parameters of the optical setup. Fringe pattern evaluation was performed by locating extrema indices. The mathematical formulation as well as the experimental setup and results are presented. After applying a linear fit algorithm to the data as a method of compensation, obtained results show an error within the tolerance established by the ISO 10343 specifications