Functions of MICRORNA172 and APETALA2-LIKE genes during floral transition at the shoot apical meristem

The integration of environmental and internal signals controls floral transition at the shoot apical meristem (SAM), which contains one of the stem-cell niches that generate aerial organs. During floral transition, the identity of the SAM changes from a vegetative meristem that initiates leaf primordia at its periphery, to an inflorescence meristem that produces floral primordia. Five MICRORNA172 (MIR172) genes encode microRNA172 (miR172), which is a small RNA molecule that accumulates at the SAM during floral transition and promotes flowering by repressing the expression of the APETALA2-LIKE (AP2-LIKE) genes. MIR172A, MIR172B and MIR172D are expressed at the SAM during floral transition, and their onset of expression is earlier under inductive long days compared to short days. Notably, miR172 is also a positive regulator of inflorescence meristem size, largely by down-regulating the expression of the positive SAM area regulator AP2. Considering the earlier expression of MIR172 genes at the SAM under inductive long days, the genetic relationships between the main components of the photoperiodic pathway and MIR172 and AP2-LIKE genes were characterised. In the second chapter of this dissertation, it is shown that although the regulation of flowering time by MIR172 and AP2-LIKE genes is influenced by inductive photoperiods, these genes also regulate flowering time in a photoperiod-independent manner. In light of the negative role of miR172 and the positive role of APETALA2 (AP2) in the regulation of inflorescence meristem size, the involvement of MIR172 and AP2 genes in the enlargement of the SAM during floral transition was explored. The results in the third chapter of this dissertation show that AP2 is a positive regulator of shoot meristem size during floral transition and is essential for changes in SAM size. A genetic relation between AP2 and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1, which encodes a MADS domain transcription factor, was proposed as a mechanism that couples changes in SAM morphology and floral transition. The involvement of MIR172 genes in the regulation of flowering time was analysed by comparing the transcriptome profile of dissected plant apices from Col-0 vs. mir172 mutants. The constant mRNA levels of TARGET OF EAT 2, an AP2-LIKE gene, are a candidate main alteration that underlies the late-flowering of mir172 mutants. The transcription factor TOE2 was then characterised and a genetic relation between TOE2, AP2 and SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE 4 is proposed. This work provides a framework for understanding the positive role of miR172 in the regulation of flowering time by repressing AP2-LIKE genes and constitutes evidence for the involvement of flowering-time regulators in the changes of SAM morphology during floral transition

Assessing the Resilience of Global Sea Routes

This research develops an attacker-defender model of maritime trading. The defender's problem is represented as a minimum cost, multi-commodity network flow model. System cost is measured in terms of total ton-n.m. in the network. Our network contains the 120 most important ports in the world (by volume of cargo), 35 waypoints at sea, and 416 arcs. Port supply and demand have been estimated from different sources. Interdictions represent manmade disruption of the seaways, such as those in the presence of piracy. An interdicted arc is assumed to incur a penalty equivalent to the additional distance that a ship would need to travel in order to avoid the threat, or a total blockade of the arc in the case of straits and canals. We analyze several scenarios with varying assumptions on the defended arcs and the number of simultaneous interdictions. The most disruptive, single interdiction occurs in the Strait of Gibraltar, increasing cost by almost 25%, followed by the Straits of Bab el Mandeb (20%) and Suez Canal (19%). For two simultaneous interdictions, cost increases to 33%, but decreases to 23%, 8% and 1.5% when we defend three, four or five select straits and canals, respectively.http://archive.org/details/assessingresilie109457344Lieutenant Colonel, Argentine Air Forc

Web 2.0 en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Aplicación a la enseñanza de Economía de la Empresa

El uso de Internet y su evolución acelerada en el tiempo no afecta exclusivamente a las empresas, sino que su ritmo viene marcado precisamente por los que se han de considerar nuevos productores de contenido en la Red. La Universidad no puede quedarse atrás en el uso de las TIC pero tampoco puede centrarse exclusivamente en plataformas de aprendizaje on-line de sofisticación elevada –OCW, Moodle, entre otros-, pero sin otorgar poder para modificar y generar contenidos a los usuarios. La Unidad Docente de Organización de Empresas del Departamento de Economía y Gestión Forestal de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid propone el uso de plataformas Web 2.0 con el objeto de desarrollar competencias tradicionales y competencias 2.0. Estas plataformas tienen una gran acogida entre el alumnado, presentan utilidad tanto en el presente como en el futuro, y se puede utilizar como plataforma de Learning 2.0 de la Economía y Organización de Empresa

Construcción y reflexión metalingüística de textos orales monogestionados y plurigestionados en el grado de maestro.

El dominio de la competencia comunicativa en los estudiantes del grado de maestro es crucial por ser instrumento de aprendizaje y por el perfil profesional. Se presentan resultados de un estudio piloto cuyo objetivo es la mejora en la construcción de textos orales argumentativos y la reflexión metalingüística. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes aprenden a construir textos monogestionados y plurigestionados y a reflexionar sobre ellos si se introducen estrategias e instrumentos ajustados

Generation of a Sprague-Dawley-GFP rat iPS cell line

We generated a rat iPSC line called ATCi-rSD95 from transgenic Sprague-Dawley GFP fetal fibroblasts. Established ATCi-rSD95 cells present a normal karyotype, silencing of the transgenes and express pluripotency-associated markers. Additionally, ATCi-rSD95 cells are able to form teratoma with differentiated cells derived from the three germ-layers that maintain the GFP expression

Presence of the transmembrane protein neuropilin in cytokine-induced killer cells

Background/Aim: Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are a heterogenous population of immune cells showing promising applications in immunotherapeutic cancer treatment. Neuropilin (NRP) proteins have been proven to play an important role in cancer development and prognosis. In this study, CIK cells were tested for expression of NRPs, transmembrane proteins playing a role in the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. Materials and Methods: CIK cells were analyzed at different time points via flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for neuropilin expression. Results: Phenotyping results showed CIK cells having developed properly, and low levels of NRP2 were detected. On the other hand, no NRP1 expression was found. Two cancer cell lines were tested by flow cytometry: A549 cells expressed NRP1 and NRP2; U251-MG cells expressed high amounts of NRP2. CIK cell showed low levels of NRP2 expression on day 14. Conclusion: The presence of NRP2, but not NRP1, was shown for CIK cells. Recognizing NRP2 in CIK cells might help to improve CIK cell cytotoxicity

Isolation and characterization of Sprague-Dawley and Wistar Kyoto GFP rat embryonic stem cells

We generated two rat embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines: ATCe-SD7.8 from Sprague-Dawley strain and ATCe-WK1 from Wistar Kyoto strain. Cells were marked with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) by transduction with a lentiviral vector. Cells present a normal karyotype and express pluripotency-associated markers. Pluripotency was tested in vivo with the teratoma formation assay. Cells maintain eGFP expression upon differentiation to the three-germ layers. These cells can be a useful tool for cell therapy studies and chimera generation as they can be easily tracked by eGFP expression

Prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections by geofencing and contextualized messages with a gamified APP, UBESAFE : Design and creation study

Advances in the development of information and communication technologies have facilitated social and sexual interrelationships, thanks to the websites and apps created to this end. However, these resources can also encourage sexual contacts without appropriate preventive measures in relation to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). How can users be helped to benefit from the advantages of these apps while keeping in mind those preventive measures? This study aimed to prevent STIs by helping users to remember preventive measures in the risky situations. We have used the design and creation methodology and have developed a software system. This system has two parts: an Android operating system app with emphasis on ubiquitous computing and gamification as well as a server with a webpage. First, a functional test with 5 men who have sex with men (MSM) allowed us to test the app with end users. In addition, a feasibility test with 4 MSM for a month allowed us to try the UBESAFE system with all its functionalities. The main output is a system called UBESAFE that is addressed to MSM. The system has two main parts: (1) an app that sends preventive contextualized messages to users when they use a contact app or when they are near a point where sexual contacts are likely and (2) a server part that was managed by the public health agency of Barcelona (ASPB), which preserves the quality and pertinence of messages and places and offers instant help to users. To increase users' adherence, UBESAFE uses a gamified system to engage users in the creation of preventive messages. Users increased the initial pool of messages by more than 100% (34/30) and created more than 56% (9/16) of places (named hot zones). The system helped MSM who used it to become conscious about HIV and other STIs. The system also helped the ASPB to stay in contact with MSM and to detect behaviors that could benefit from preventive measures. All functions were performed in a nonintrusive manner because users used the app privately. Furthermore, the system has shown how important it is to make users a part of the creation process as well as to develop apps that work by themselves and thus become useful to the users

Epidemiology of imported malaria among children and young adults in Barcelona (1990-2008)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increasing international travel and migration is producing changes in trends in infectious diseases, especially in children from many European cities. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and determine the trends of imported malaria in patients under 20 years old in the city of Barcelona, Spain, during an 18-year period.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study included malaria cases that were laboratory confirmed and reported to the malaria register at the Public Health Agency of Barcelona from 1990 to 2008, residing in Barcelona and less than 20 years old. Patients were classified as natives (born in Spain) or immigrants. Differences in the distribution of demographic, clinical characteristics, and incidence per 100,000 person-year evolution were analysed. Natives and immigrants were compared by logistic regression by calculating the <it>odds ratio </it>(OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and Chi-square for a linear trend (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the total 174 cases, 143 (82.1%) were immigrants, 100 (57.5%) were female, 121 (69.5%) <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>, and 108 (62.1%) were visiting friends and relatives (VFR) as the reason for travel. Among the immigrants, 99 (67.8%) were from Equatorial Guinea. Immigrant cases more frequently travelled to Africa than natives (p = 0.02). The factors associated with imported malaria among immigrant residents was travelling for VFR (OR: 6.2 CI 1.9-20.2) and age 15-19 (OR: 3.7 CI 1-13.3). The incidence increased from 1990 to 1999 (p < 0.001) and decreased from 2000 to 2008 (p = 0.01), although the global linear trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.41). The fatality rate was 0.5%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The majority of cases of malaria in population less than 20 years in Barcelona were immigrants, travelling to Africa for VFR and <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>was most frequently detected. The trend analysis of the entire study period did not show a statistically significant decline. It is recommended to be aware of malaria, especially among children of immigrants who travel to their parent's home country for VFR. Better access to pre travel advice should be provided.</p

Successful clinical outcomes following decentralization of tertiary paediatric HIV care to a community-based paediatric antiretroviral treatment network, Chiangrai, Thailand, 2002 to 2008

Introduction: Most paediatric antiretroviral treatments (ARTs) in Thailand are limited to tertiary care hospitals. To decentralize paediatric HIV treatment and care, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital (CRH) strengthened a provincial paediatric HIV care network by training community hospital (CH) care teams to receive referrals of children for community follow-up. In this study, we assessed factors associated with death and clinical outcomes of HIV-infected children who received care at CRH and CHs after implementation of a community-based paediatric HIV care network. Methods: Clinical records were abstracted for all children who initiated ART at CRH. Paired Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to assess CD4% and virological change among all children. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess factors associated with death. Treatment outcomes (CD4%, viral load (VL) and weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ)) were compared between CRH and CH children who met the criteria for analysis. Results: Between February 2002 and April 2008, 423 HIV-infected children initiated ART and 410 included in the cohort analysis. Median follow-up for the cohort was 28 months (interquartile range (IQR)=12 to 42); 169 (41%) children were referred for follow-up at CH. As of 31 March 2008, 42 (10%) children had died. Baseline WAZ (&#60;&#x2212;2 (p=0.001)) and baseline CD4% (&#60;5% (p=0.015)) were independently associated with death. At 48 months, 86% of ART-na&#x00EF;ve children in follow-up had VL&#60;400 copies/ml. For sub-group analysis, 133 children at CRH and 154 at CHs were included for comparison. Median baseline WAZ was lower in CH children than in CRH children (p=0.001); in both groups, WAZ, CD4% and VL improved after ART with no difference in rate of WAZ and CD4% gain (p=0.421 and 0.207, respectively). Conclusions: Children at CHs had more severe immunological suppression and low WAZ at baseline. Community- and tertiary care-based paediatric ART follow-ups result in equally beneficial outcomes with the strengthening of a provincial referral network between tertiary and community care. Nutrition interventions may benefit children in community-based HIV treatment and care