Woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann ecology and its relationship with climatic variables and natural enemies in Mediterranean areas

A multilateral approach that includes both biotic and climatic data was developed to detect the main variables that affect the ecology and population dynamics of woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann). Crawlers migrated up and down the trunk mainly from spring to autumn and horizontal migration through the canopy was observed from May to August. Winter temperatures did not kill the canopy colonies, and both canopy and root colonies are the source of reinfestations in Mediterranean areas. Thus, control measures should simultaneously address roots and canopy. European earwigs Forficula auricularia (Linnaeus) were found to reduce the survival of overwintering canopy colonies up to June, and this can allow their later control by the parasitoid Aphelinus mali (Haldeman) from summer to fall. Preliminary models to predict canopy infestations were developed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Microbial cellulose from a komagataeibacter intermedius strain isolated from commercial wine vinegar

In this study a new bacterial cellulose (BC) producer isolated from commercial vinegar is identified as Komagataeibacter intermedius JF2 based on the examination of general taxonomical characteristics, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The cellulose produced is studied in terms of morphology by scanning electron microscopy, crystallinity by X-Ray diffraction, structure by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and water absorption capacity. BC yield and characteristics of the cellulose produced by the new isolated JF2 are compared with those of the well-known and commonly-used BC producer Komagataeibacter xylinus. Yield of cellulose production was higher for JF2 than for K. xylinus grown on several culture media. JF2 exhibited maximum BC production (1.6 g/L) growing on HS medium supplemented with mannitol. The molecular structure of the produced cellulose was the same for both strains and it was in concordance with that of BC. The nanocellulose fibers produced by JF2 showed a higher degree of crystallinity and a more homogeneous size distribution than those produced by K. xylinus. The results suggested that Komagataeibacter intermedius JF2 could be a suitable candidate as a BC producer for biotechnological applications.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Crosstalk between uterine serpin (SERPINA14) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins at the fetal-maternal interface in pregnant dairy heifers experimentally infected with Neospora caninum

Infection with Neospora caninum is the leading cause of abortion in cattle. In cows naturally infected with N caninum, plasma concentrations of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) 1 and 2 indicate fetal-placental well-being, whereas an excess of progesterone in the second trimester of gestation has been related to high abortion rate. The immunosuppressive action of progesterone on the uterus during gestation has been attributed in part to the uterine serpins (SERPINA14). This study examines expression patterns of the genes SERPINA14, PAG, and PAG2 at the fetal-maternal interface in dairy heifers experimentally infected with N caninum during the second trimester of pregnancy, when most abortions takes place in natural conditions. Irrespective of infection, expression of SERPINAI4 was higher, and expression of PAG1 and PAG2 lower, for intercaruncular endometrium than for caruncles or cotyledons. Cotyledonary tissues showed the highest expression of both PAG genes but lowest expression of SERPINAI4. The expression of SERPINAI4 was significantly higher in intercaruncular endometrium of control dams than for infected animals, pointing to potential disruption of modulation of maternal immune function during infection. Dramatically reduced SERPINAI4 was particularly apparent in infected dams with aborted fetuses. There was also a negative association between N caninum antibody titers with SERPINAI4 and PAG expression in infected animals, further suggesting that N caninum infection downregulates the uterine immunosuppressive function of SERPINAI4.This study was supported by a grant from the Spanish MINECO (AGL2012-39830-C02-01/02) and FEDER. Ramón Mur-Novales was awarded an FPI grant by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, MICINN, BES-2013-063215. The authors thank Ana Burton for editorial assistance, the farmers who provided the experimental animals and the staff of CReSA for their help with managing the animals, and Dr. L.M. Ortega-Mora (SALUVET, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain), for the Neospora isolate

Laccase/TEMPO-mediated bacterial cellulose functionalization: production of paper-silver nanoparticles composite with antimicrobial activity

“This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Cellulose. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-019-02678-5Bacterial cellulose (BC) was functionalized applying the Laccase/TEMPO oxidative treatment, leading to a five-fold increase of the concentration of carboxyl groups. Paper produced with this cellulose showed improved mechanical properties while maintaining barrier function against water and greases as compared to paper produced with non-oxidized BC. Also, the negative charge provided by the carboxyl groups on functionalized BC was used to generate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), obtaining a BC paper and Ag composite. The presence of AgNPs in the composites was validated by SEM, EDS and ICP analysis, showing spherical, uniformly sized particles stabilized in the BC nanofibers matrix. Additionally, antimicrobial property of composites containing AgNPs was tested. The results showed the strong antimicrobial activity of the composites against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The generation of Ag nanoparticles in a matrix that combine the physical characteristics of the BC nanofibers with the stiffness and the mechanical properties of paper produced composites that may have applicability in technological and biomedical usesPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

EV-associated miRNAs from peritoneal lavage as potential diagnostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Current systematic methods for diagnosing have inherent limitations so development of a minimally-invasive diagnosis, based on the identification of sensitive biomarkers in liquid biopsies could therefore facilitate screening among population at risk. Methods: In this study, we aim to develop a novel approach to identify highly sensitive and specific biomarkers by investigating the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from the peritoneal lavage as a source of potential miRNA diagnostic biomarkers. We isolated EVs by ultracentrifugation from 25 ascitic fluids and 25 peritoneal lavages from non-cancer and CRC patients, respectively. Analysis of the expression of EV-associated miRNAs was performed using Taqman OpenArray technology through which we could detect 371 miRNAs. Results: 210 miRNAs were significantly dysregulated (adjusted p value < 0.05 and abs(logFC) ≥ 1). The top-10 miRNAs, which had the AUC value higher than 0.95, were miRNA-199b-5p, miRNA-150-5p, miRNA-29c-5p, miRNA-218-5p, miRNA-99a-3p, miRNA-383-5p, miRNA-199a-3p, miRNA-193a-5p, miRNA-10b-5p and miRNA-181c-5p. Conclusions: This finding opens the avenue to the use of EV-associated miRNA of peritoneal lavages as an untapped source of biomarkers for CRC.EC hold a postdoctoral fellowship from the Departament de Salut of the Generalitat de Catalunya (SLT002/16/00274). This work was supported by grants: Discovery, validation and implementation of biomarkers for Precision Oncology (ISCIII PIE15/00029), CIBERONC (CB16/12/00231 and CB16/12/00328). Grups consolidats de la Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR1368 and 2017SGR1661). Work supported by IRBLleida BIOBANK (B.0000682) and Plataforma biobancos PT17/0015/0027