DNA interference by a mesophilic argonaute protein, CbcAgo

The search for putative enzymes that can facilitate gene editing has recently focused its attention on Argonaute proteins from prokaryotes (pAgos). Though they are structural homologues of human Argonaute protein, which uses RNA guides to interfere with RNA targets, pAgos use ssDNA guides to identify and, in many cases, cut a complementary DNA target. Thermophilic pAgos from Thermus thermophilus, Pyrococcus furiosus and Methanocaldococcus jasmanii have been identified and thoroughly studied, but their thermoactivity makes them of little use in mesophilic systems such as mammalian cells. Methods: Here we search for and identify CbcAgo, a prokaryotic Argonaute protein from a mesophilic bacterium, and characterize in vitro its DNA interference activity. Results: CbcAgo efficiently uses 5'P-ssDNA guides as small as 11-mers to cut ssDNA targets, requires divalent cations (preferentially, Mn 2+) and has a maximum activity between 37 and 42 °C, remaining active up to 55 °C. Nicking activity on supercoiled dsDNA was shown. However, no efficient double-strand breaking activity could be demonstrated. Conclusions: CbcAgo can use gDNA guides as small as 11 nucleotides long to cut complementary ssDNA targets at 37ºC, making it a promising starting point for the development of new gene editing tools for mammalian cells This work was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [BIO2016-77031-R] to J. Grant information: Berenguer. An institutional grant from Fundación Ramón Areces to the CBMSO is also acknowledged. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Visual acuity and olfatory sensitivity in the swordfish (Xiphias gladius) for the detection of prey during field experiments using the surface longline gear with different bait types

During a total of 20 sets carried out on board a surface longliner, the different degrees of effectiveness obtained in the capture of swordfish were evaluated using 5 different bait types (natural, artificial and mixed). The results point to substantial and significant differences in the CPUEs obtained among the different bait types tested to catch swordfish. However, the results show few mean differences that were not statistically significant between the CPUEs obtained using natural bait (control) or mixed bait consisting of artificial bait on the outside -which in itself was of null effectiveness- into which was inserted a piece of natural bait, concealed from view. Both types of bait (control and mixed) were effective in the capture of swordfish despite the differences in constitution and properties. On the basis of these results, it is possible to make an indirect assessment of the importance of visual and odor stimuli in the swordfish to detect and carry out the final attack on its prey. Odor was found to be the key element in this process

Modernización en la provincia de Buenos Aires: presentación de casos

El presente trabajo es un estudio descriptivo, cuyo objetivo es presentar las experiencias de modernización del Estado durante la gestión de Felipe Solá. Para ello en primer lugar se sintetizan las principales concepciones sobre reforma del Estado a fin de enmarcar el contexto donde se desarrolla el Plan de Modernización Provincial. En un segundo apartado se describirá el Plan Trienal de la Gestión Pública (2004/7), sus antecedentes, ejes de implementación y algunos resultados obtenidos, tomándolo como caso de modernización en la Provincia. Por último, se comparten algunas reflexiones finales.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

A thermostable DNA primase-polymerase from a mobilegenetic element involved in defence againstenvironmental DNA.

Primase-polymerases (Ppol) are one of the few enzymes able to start DNA synthesis on ssDNA templates. The role of Thermus thermophilus HB27 Ppol, encoded along a putative helicase (Hel) within a mobile genetic element (ICETh2), has been studied. A mutant lacking Ppol showed no effects on the replication of the element. Also, no apparent differences in the sensitivity to DNA damaging agents and other stressors or morphological changes in the mutant cells were detected. However, the mutants lacking Ppol showed an increase in two to three orders of magnitude in their transformation efficiency with plasmids and genomic DNA acquired from the environment (eDNA), independently of its origin and G + C content. In contrast, no significant differences with the wild type were detected when the cells received the DNA from other T. thermophilus partners in conjugation-like mating experiments. The similarities of this behaviour with that shown by mutants lacking the Argonaute (ThAgo) protein suggests a putative partnership Ppol-ThAgo in the DNA–DNA interference mechanism of defence, although other eDNA defence mechanisms independent of ThAgo cannot be discarded.post-print697 K

Feasibility Studies for Single Transverse-Spin Asymmetry Measurements at a Fixed-Target Experiment Using the LHC Proton and Lead Beams (AFTER@LHC)

The measurement of Single Transverse-Spin Asymmetries, $A_N$ , for various quarkonium states and Drell–Yan lepton pairs can shed light on the orbital angular momentum of quarks and gluons, a fundamental ingredient of the proton-spin puzzle. The AFTER@LHC proposal combines a unique kinematic coverage and large luminosities thanks to the Large Hadron Collider beams to deliver precise measurements, complementary to the knowledge provided by collider experiments such as at RHIC. In this paper, we report on sensitivity studies for $J/\psi$ , $\varUpsilon$ and Drell–Yan $A_N$ done using the performance of LHCb-like or ALICE-like detectors, combined with polarised gaseous hydrogen and helium-3 targets. In particular, such analyses will provide us with new insights and knowledge about transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions for quarks and gluons and on twist-3 collinear matrix elements in the proton and the neutron.Peer Reviewe

El desafío de gestionar los Recursos Humanos en la Administración Pública Provincial

En el marco de los procesos de fortalecimiento y recuperación del Estado, uno de los ejes fundamentales es el empleo público y dentro de este concepto la gestión de los Recursos Humanos (en adelante RRHH) tomada –justamente- como un sistema que permite aumentar la capacidad administrativa estatal. A pesar de ser uno de los elementos más complejos de toda organización, el capital humano al mismo tiempo agrega valor y constituye una de las claves del éxito de las mismas. La virtud estratégica que tienen los RRHH para la obtención de los resultados esperados es cada vez más reconocida. En este contexto resulta necesario diseñar políticas orientadas no sólo a la administración del personal, sino a una estrategia de gestión de los agentes públicos, considerándolos como uno de los factores más importantes para la consecución de los objetivos institucionales y, en consecuencia, de la gestión estatal en términos de los procesos que sus organizaciones deberían poner en marcha para poder responder a las exigencias y necesidades de la ciudadanía. El propósito del presente artículo es reflexionar sobre la gestión estratégica de RRHH, caracterizándola como un sistema enfocado hacia la profesionalización y la flexibilidad, componentes necesarios para el acompañamiento de las políticas de empleo en la Administración Pública Provincial (en adelante APP). Por último, se presentarán algunas consideraciones y aportes que permitan repensar al empleo público y su gestión, tratando de contribuir a la posibilidad y el desafío de impulsar nuevos diseños de gestión estratégica de RRHH que tomen en cuenta el contexto y las particularidades de desarrollo de las prácticas de personal que se encuentran instaladas culturalmente en este ámbito. El recorrido presentado se centrará en nuestra propia experiencia y práctica laboral en la provincia de Buenos Aires donde nos desempeñamos, enfocando el análisis en el régimen estatutario general del empleado estatal, Ley N° 10.430 y sus modificaciones.Facultad de PsicologíaFacultad de Ingenierí

Tintorera

Versión del edito

Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activity from Algae of the Genus Caulerpa

Marine natural products have been the focus of discovery for new products of chemical and pharmacological interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the methanolic (ME), acetate (AE), hexanic (HE) and chloroform (CE) extracts obtained from Caulerpa mexicana, and ME, CE and HE obtained from Caulerpa sertularioides. These marine algae are found all over the world, mainly in tropical regions. Models such as the writhing test, the hot plate test and formalin-induced nociception test were used to evaluate antinociceptive activity in laboratory mice. In the writhing test, all the extracts were administered orally at a concentration of 100 mg/kg, and induced high peripheral antinociceptive activity, with a reduction in the nociception induced by acetic acid above 65%. In the hot plate test, treatment with extracts from C. sertularioides (100 mg/kg, p.o.) did not significantly increase the latency of response, although the ME, AE and HE from C. mexicana showed activity in this model. This result suggests that these extracts exhibit antinociceptive activity. In the formalin test, it was observed that ME, AE and HE obtained from C. mexicana reduced the effects of formalin in both phases. On the other hand only CE from C. sertularioides induced significant inhibition of the nociceptive response in the first phase. To better assess the potential anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, the carrageenan-induced peritonitis test was used to test Caulerpa spp. extracts on cell migration into the peritoneal cavity. In this assay, all extracts evaluated were able to significantly inhibit leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity in comparison with carrageenan. These data demonstrate that extracts from Caulerpa species elicit pronounced antinociceptive and anti-inflamatory activity against several nociception models. However, pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism(s) responsible for the antinociceptive action and also to identify the active principles present in the Caulerpa species

Aplicación didáctica de la canción popular en los estudios de Musciología. Recursos audiovisuales (televisión y radio) para el discente activo

Memoria ID-0149. Ayudas de la Universidad de alamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2015-2016

COVID-19: Is There Evidence for the Use of Herbal Medicines as Adjuvant Symptomatic Therapy?

Background: Current recommendations for the self-management of SARS-Cov-2 disease (COVID-19) include self-isolation, rest, hydration, and the use of NSAID in case of high fever only. It is expected that many patients will add other symptomatic/adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines. Aims: To provide a benefits/risks assessment of selected herbal medicines traditionally indicated for “respiratory diseases” within the current frame of the COVID-19 pandemic as an adjuvant treatment. Method: The plant selection was primarily based on species listed by the WHO and EMA, but some other herbal remedies were considered due to their widespread use in respiratory conditions. Preclinical and clinical data on their efficacy and safety were collected from authoritative sources. The target population were adults with early and mild flu symptoms without underlying conditions. These were evaluated according to a modified PrOACT-URL method with paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine as reference drugs. The benefits/risks balance of the treatments was classified as positive, promising, negative, and unknown. Results: A total of 39 herbal medicines were identified as very likely to appeal to the COVID-19 patient. According to our method, the benefits/risks assessment of the herbal medicines was found to be positive in 5 cases (Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix, and Sambucus nigra), promising in 12 cases (Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis, Mikania glomerata, Pelargonium sidoides, Pimpinella anisum, Salix sp, Zingiber officinale), and unknown for the rest. On the same grounds, only ibuprofen resulted promising, but we could not find compelling evidence to endorse the use of paracetamol and/or codeine. Conclusions: Our work suggests that several herbal medicines have safety margins superior to those of reference drugs and enough levels of evidence to start a clinical discussion about their potential use as adjuvants in the treatment of early/mild common flu in otherwise healthy adults within the context of COVID-19. While these herbal medicines will not cure or prevent the flu, they may both improve general patient well-being and offer them an opportunity to personalize the therapeutic approaches