Diverse phytoplasmas associated with maize bushy stunt disease in Peru

Corn plants showing symptoms of midribs chlorosis, and leaf reddening, short internodes, ear pro- liferation, and plant growth reduction were collected in Peru from fields in nine localities in the provinces of Huancayo, Chupaca, and Jauja in the Junín region, and tested to verify phytoplasma presence and identity. Primers amplifying the phytoplasma ribosomal 16S and ribosomal protein genes were used. The phytoplas- ma presence was detected in symptomatic samples from all the surveyed areas. The sequencing of the obtained amplicons indicated the presence of ‘Candidatus Phy- toplasma asteris’ and ‘Ca. P. pruni’-related strains. A BLASTn search of sequenced genes showed that the two ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ strains identified in corn shares 100% and 99.82% identity with the ‘Ca. P. asteris’ strains from maize and 99.92% and 99.55% with ‘Ca. P. pruni’-related strains, respectively. The RFLP analyses allowed to enclose these phytoplasma strains in the 16SrI-B and 16SrIII-J subgroups; howev- er, the two phytoplasmas were, in some cases, present in mixed infection. The 16SrIII-J phytoplasma is for the first time reported associated with the maize bushy stunt disease and this represent a relevant information for the disease epidemiology towards its appropriate manage- ment in the affected area

Efectos de la transferencia de conocimiento en las alianzas para la innovaci?n

Esta investigaci?n plantea responder en primer lugar la siguiente pregunta ?En qu? medida la transferencia de conocimiento t?cito genera mayores niveles de logro que la transferencia de conocimiento codificado en una alianza con objetivos de innovaci?n? En segundo lugar se espera responder ?De qu? forma la capacidad de absorci?n de la empresa receptora as? como la cercan?a de conocimiento de los socios y la confianza entre ambos aumenta el impacto del conocimiento t?cito respecto del conocimiento codificado? Se espera verificar si aquellas empresas con una mayor base de conocimiento en ?reas de investigaci?n y desarrollo, as? como mejor experiencia y relaci?n con sus socios logran aprovechar m?s el conocimiento t?cito para lograr mejores resultados de la alianza

Native plants from Argentina reported as effective against Leishmania spp.

Leishmaniasis represents a spectrum of diseases caused by infection with protozoan pathogens of the genus Leishmania. It is a major neglected tropical disease associated with high rates of disability and death, with extended endemic areas in the Americas. Despite current therapeutic approaches, current treatments for leishmaniasis are unsatisfactory due to high associated toxicity, cost, complex administration and the emergence of resistant strains. Because of this, efforts have greatly increased over the last decade to identify novel compounds with anti-leishmanial properties. Thus, one strategy in the search for new compounds is the screening of molecules purified from plant sources. The current work reviewed the available information about the Argentinean natural sources reported as effective against Leishmania spp; including: its relevant chemical compounds, efficiency and applied methodology. Reported studies need to be considered as precursors works to extend the search between the profuse native plants from Argentina.Fil: Lozano, Esteban Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Fisiología; ArgentinaFil: Hapon, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo. ; ArgentinaFil: Cargnelutti, D. E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo. ; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

An Analysis of Colombian Perceptions: Internal and External Actors and the Pursuit of Peace

Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy (JGI) and the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) conducted a study to understand Colombian perceptions towards internal and external actors and Colombia’s pursuit of peace. The study revolved around the analysis of 14 focus groups conducted in seven Colombian cities: Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena, Cúcuta, Medellín, and Pasto. The results of these focus groups reflect the opinions and perceptions of those who participated in the study.https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/jgi_research/1024/thumbnail.jp

Mifepristone increases mRNA translation rate, triggers the unfolded protein response, increases autophagic flux, and kills ovarian cancer cells in combination with proteasome or lysosome inhibitors

The synthetic steroid mifepristone blocks the growth of ovarian cancer cells, yet the mechanism driving such effect is not entirely understood. Unbiased genomic and proteomic screenings using ovarian cancer cell lines of different genetic backgrounds and sensitivities to platinum led to the identification of two key genes upregulated by mifepristone and involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR): the master chaperone of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), glucose regulated protein (GRP) of 78 kDa, and the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous transcription factor (CHOP). GRP78 and CHOP were upregulated by mifepristone in ovarian cancer cells regardless of p53 status and platinum sensitivity. Further studies revealed that the three UPR-associated pathways, PERK, IRE1α, and ATF6, were activated by mifepristone. Also, the synthetic steroid acutely increased mRNA translation rate, which, if prevented, abrogated the splicing of XBP1 mRNA, a non-translatable readout of IRE1α activation. Moreover, mifepristone increased LC3-II levels due to increased autophagic flux. When the autophagic–lysosomal pathway was inhibited with chloroquine, mifepristone was lethal to the cells. Lastly, doses of proteasome inhibitors that are inadequate to block the activity of the proteasomes, caused cell death when combined with mifepristone; this phenotype was accompanied by accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins denoting proteasome inhibition. The stimulation by mifepristone of ER stress and autophagic flux offers a therapeutic opportunity for utilizing this compound to sensitize ovarian cancer cells to proteasome or lysosome inhibitors.Fil: Zhang, Lei. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Hapon, María Belén. University Of South Dakota; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Goyeneche, Alicia A.. University Of South Dakota; Estados Unidos. McGill University; CanadáFil: Srinivasan, Rekha. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. University Of South Dakota; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Callegari, Eduardo A.. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Drappeau, Donis D.. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Terpstra, Erin J.. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Pan, Bo. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Knapp, Jennifer R.. University of Kansas; Estados UnidosFil: Chien, Jeremy. University of Kansas; Estados UnidosFil: Wang, Xuejun. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Eyster, Kathleen M.. University Of South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Telleria, Carlos Marcelo. University Of South Dakota; Estados Unidos. McGill University; Canadá. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

CARACTERIZACIÓN MOLECULAR DE Azospirillum sp., Azotobacter sp. Y Pseudomonas sp. PROMOTORAS DEL CRECIMIENTO VEGETAL DE CULTIVOS DE Solanum tuberosum y Zea mays

Con el objetivo de generar un banco autóctono con bacterias promotoras del crecimiento vegetal (PGPR) y su posterior utilización como inoculantes del suelo que disminuyan la fertilización química, se tomaron muestras de raíces de cultivos de papa (Solanum tuberosum Var Canchan) y de maíz (Zea mayz Var Blanco mejorado) tratados con cinco tipos de abonamiento: estiércol de ovino, cuy y vacuno, fertilización química y sin fertilizante, de las cuales se aislaron cepas de bacterias nitrificantes correspondientes a los géneros Azospirillum, Azotobacter y Pseudomonas. Las bacterias fueron diferenciadas en base a su morfología, poder generador de auxinas, solubilización de fosfatos, reacción a la catalasa, oxidasa y similaridad genética previa amplificación de la región del mRNA 16S. Los resultados muestran una amplia base genética que necesita ser caracterizada e identificada exhaustivamente. La producción de AIA en Azospirillum llegó hasta niveles de 120 ppm; 118 ppm para el género Azotobacter y 115 ppm en Pseudomonas fluorescens. De cepas seleccionadas, el DNA fue secuenciado, comparado con la Base de Datos del GenBank  e identificadas hasta especie, tales como Azospirillum brasilense; Azotobacter vinelandii,  A. choccrococum, A. nigricans y A. salinestris. Las secuencias amplificadas con los primer universales 9-27F y 1542R para las cepas de Azospirillum, Azotobacter y Pseudomonas fluorescens utilizados para este estudio no están reportados en la base de datos del GenBank. Palabras clave: Bacterias promotoras del crecimiento vegetal (PGPR), Azospirillum sp, Azotobacter sp, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acido Indol Acético, Solubilización de fosfatos.ABSTRACTWith the aim of generating a native bank with Promoting Grow Plant Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their later use as inoculates of the soils that diminishes the chemical fertilization, samples were taken from roots of cultures of potato (Solanum tuberosum Var Canchan) and of maize (Zea mayz Var Improved white) dealt with five types of fertilization: ovine, bovine guinea and pig manure, chemical fertilization and without fertilizer, of which strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria corresponding to the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Pseudomonas were isolated. The bacteria were differentiated on the basis of their morphology, generating power of auxins, phosphate solubilization, reaction to the catalase, oxidasa and genetic similarity previous amplification of the region of rRNA 16S. The results show an ample genetic base that exhaustive need to be characterized and to be identified. The production of AIA in Azospirillum arrived until 120 levels of ppm; 118 ppm for the genera Azotobacter and 115 ppm in Pseudomonas fluorecens. Of selected strains, the DNA was sequenced, compared with Base of Data the GenBank and identified until species, such as Azospirillum brasilense; Azotobacter vinelandii, A. choccrococum, A. nigricans and A. salinestris. The sequences amplified with primer universal 9-27F and 1542R for the strains of Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Pseudomonas fluorescens used for this study are not reported in the data base of the GenBank.Key words: Promoting Grow Plant Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Azospirillum sp., Azotobacter sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acetic Indol Acid, phosphate solubilization.

Radiología intervencionista en el tratamiento de hepatocarcinoma y metástasis hepáticas: experiencia inicial en Clínica Internacional

We describe locoregional therapies of the interventionist radiology and its indications for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic metastasis. Now, these treatments are available in Peru. Therapies include percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), trans-arterial chemo-embolization (TACE), and combined treatments. Special mention for the new procedure in Peru: MWA. Furthermore, we describe our first experience working with these therapies in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Clínica Internacional. It includes seven patients with HCC. They were treated with good results. We used the Barcelona Clinic Liver Staging Classification. This work was performed by a multidisciplinary team.Se presentan las diferentes terapias locorregionales de radiología intervencionista y su indicación para el tratamiento de hepatocarcinoma y metástasis hepáticas, terapias que se encuentran disponibles actualmente en el Perú y en Clinica Internacional. Estas terapias incluyen la inyección percutánea de etanol (PEI), ablación por radiofrecuencia (RFA), ablación por microondas (MWA), quimioembolización hepática (TACE o Trans-arterial Chemo-embolization) y terapias combinadas. Mención especial a la más reciente técnica ablativa disponible en nuestro país denominada electroporación irreversible (IRE). Además, se presenta la experiencia inicial con estas terapias en el manejo de hepatocarcinoma en Clínica Internacional, que incluye a 7 pacientes con este diagnóstico quienes fueron tratados con buenos resultados. Estos casos se realizaron siguiendo el Sistema de Estadiaje de Barcelona (BCLC) y con la participación de un equipo multidisciplinario

Renal vasculitis in Colombia

A retrospective review of publications about primary vasculitis cases was performed from the Colombian medical literature, the clinical and pathological features are described.The Renal vasculitis occurred in 33.9% of cases of primary vasculitis reviewed and was more frequent in women. The main clinical, hematological, immunological variables and nephropathology and immunosuppressive treatments used findings are described

Ferromagnetic resonance for the quantification of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in biological materials

The aim of the present work is the presentation of a quantification methodology for the control of the amount of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) administered in biological materials by means of the ferromagnetic resonance technique (FMR) applied to studies both in vivo and in vitro. The in vivo study consisted in the analysis of the elimination and biodistribution kinetics of SPIONs after intravenous administration in Wistar rats. The results were corroborated by X-ray fluorescence. For the in vitro study, a quantitative analysis of the concentration of SPIONs bound to the specific AC133 monoclonal antibodies was carried out in order to detect the expression of the antigenic epitopes (CD133) in stem cells from human umbilical cord blood. In both studies FMR has proven to be an efficient technique for the SPIONs quantification per volume unit (in vivo) or per labeled cell (in vitro)