Interspecies DNA acquisition by a naturally competent Acinetobacter baumannii strain

The human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii possesses high genetic plasticity and frequently acquires antimicrobial resistance genes. Here we investigated the role of natural transformation in these processes. Genomic DNA from different sources, including from carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, was mixed with A. baumannii A118 cells. Selected transformants were analysed by whole-genome sequencing. In addition, bioinformatics analyses and in silico gene flow prediction were also performed to support the experimental results. Transformant strains included some that became resistant to carbapenems or changed their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Foreign DNA acquisition was confirmed by whole-genome analysis. The acquired DNA most frequently identified corresponded to mobile genetic elements, antimicrobial resistance genes and operons involved in metabolism. Bioinformatics analyses and in silico gene flow prediction showed continued exchange of genetic material between A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae when they share the same habitat. Natural transformation plays an important role in the plasticity of A. baumannii and concomitantly in the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains.Fil: Traglia, German Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Place, Kori. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Dotto, Cristian Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Jennifer. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Montaña, Sabrina Daiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Bahiense, Camila dos Santos. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Soler Bistue, Alfonso J. C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Iriarte, Andres. Universidad de la Republica. Facultad de Medicina; UruguayFil: Perez, Federico. Louis Stokes Cleveland Department Of Veterans Affairs; Estados UnidosFil: Tolmasky, Marcelo E.. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Bonomo, Robert A.. Louis Stokes Cleveland Department Of Veterans Affairs; Estados UnidosFil: Melano, Roberto Gustavo. Public Health Ontario Laboratories; CanadáFil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. California State University; Estados Unido

Elucidation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome in Western Corn Rootworm Reveals Its Dynamic and Evolutionary Complexity

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (western corn rootworm, WCR) is one of the most destructive agricultural insect pests in North America. It is highly adaptive to environmental stimuli and crop protection technologies. However, little is known about the underlying genetic basis of WCR behavior and adaptation. More specifically, the involvement of small RNAs (sRNAs), especially microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous small non-coding RNAs that regulate various biological processes, has not been examined, and the datasets of putative sRNA sequences have not previously been generated for WCR. To achieve a comprehensive collection of sRNA transcriptomes in WCR, we constructed, sequenced, and analyzed sRNA libraries from different life stages of WCR and northern corn rootworm (NCR), and identified 101 conserved precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) in WCR and other Arthropoda. We also identified 277 corn rootworm specific pre-miRNAs. Systematic analyses of sRNA populations in WCR revealed that its sRNA transcriptome, which includes PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and miRNAs, undergoes a dynamic change throughout insect development. Phylogenetic analysis of miRNA datasets from model species reveals that a large pool of species-specific miRNAs exists in corn rootworm; these are potentially evolutionarily transient. Comparisons of WCR miRNA clusters to other insect species highlight conserved miRNA-regulated processes that are common to insects. Parallel Analysis of RNA Ends (PARE) also uncovered potential miRNA-guided cleavage sites in WCR. Overall, this study provides a new resource for studying the sRNA transcriptome and miRNA-mediated gene regulation in WCR and other Coleopteran insects

Research on the Cultivation of Business English Talents and the Teaching Mode of Business English in Colleges for Nationalities

With the development of society, the strengthening of economic globalization and the deepening of reform and open-up, Business English teaching is attracting more and more attention. But Business English teaching in colleges for nationalities is still facing many problems, hinders the improvement of Business English teaching quality and the development of Business English. Starting from the connotation of Business English, this paper reveals the common problems existing in Business English teaching, analyzes the causes and puts forward some reform measures, in order to cultivate well-educated Business English talents for the ethnic areas

Fracción de carbono en la biomasa de Prosopis affinis sprengel (Fabaceae) en un bosque nativo del espinal (Argentina)

La estimación del carbono (C) almacenado en la biomasa forestal requiere información precisa acerca de la fracción de C por especie y por componente de la biomasa. Nuestro objetivo fue estimar la fracción de C en los diferentes componentes aéreos de la biomasa del ñandubay Prosopis affinis, y su variación por clase diamétrica en un bosque nativo del Espinal (Entre Ríos, Argentina). En 30 individuos de distintas clases diamétricas diferentes, se estimó la fracción de C en tres componentes: fustes (F), ramas grandes (RG), y ramas pequeñas+hojas+flores+frutos (RPHFF). Las fracciones medias de C evidenciaron diferencias altamente significativas (p<0,01) entre componentes, correspondiendo el menor valor a RPHFF (0,457). El mayor contenido de C correspondió a F, los cuales no difirieron estadísticamente de las RG (0,485 y 0,482, respectivamente). El valor medio de la fracción de C fue de 0,474 ± 0,023. Considerando la distribución de la biomasa individual en los diferentes componentes, y la fracción de C de cada uno, se obtuvo una fracción promedio ponderada de 0,472 ±0,013. Las fracciones de C mostraron diferencias significativas entre las diferentes clases diamétricas (p<0,05) solamente en los F, correspondiendo los mayores valores a los individuos con diámetros superiores a 20 cm. Los valores obtenidos en este trabajo resultan inferiores al valor por defecto de 0,50 sugerido por el IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). La información generada constituye una herramienta que aporta precisión a las estimaciones del C almacenado y de las emisiones de CO2 causadas por la deforestación y degradación de los bosques nativos del espinal entrerriano.Estimation of carbon (C) stored in forest biomass requires accurate information of the C fraction for species and components of tree biomass. Our aim was to determine the C fraction in the biomass components of the ñandubay tree (Prosopis affinis), and its variation by diameter class, in a native forest of Espinal (Entre Ríos, Argentina). The C fraction was analyzed in the components of the above-ground biomass (trunks, T; large branches, LB; and small branches+leaves+flowers+fruits, SBLFF), on 30 individuals of five different diameter classes. There were highly significant differences (p<0,01) between the biomass components, and the lowest C fraction was found in SBLFFT (0,457). The component with the highest carbon concentration was T, although it did not differ significantly of the LB (0,485 and 0,482, respectively). The mean value of the C fraction was 0.474 ± 0,023. Considering the biomass partitioned by component, and the C fraction of each, the weighted average C fraction was 0,472 ± 0,013. The C fraction of T showed significant statistical differences (p<0,05) between diameter classes; the highest values were found in individuals with trunk diameters larger than 20 cm. The values obtained in this study are lower than the default value suggested by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (0,50). Information obtained is a tool that provides precision to the estimation of stored C and CO2 emissions from deforestation and degradation of the Espinal native forests of Entre Ríos province.EEA ParanáFil: Sione, Silvana María José. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Ledesma, Silvia Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Rosenberger, Leandro Javier. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Oszust, José Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Carpp, Ignacio A. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Wilson, Marcelo German. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentina.Fil: Andrade-Castañeda, Hernán J. Universidad del Tolima. Facultad de Ingeniería Agronómica; ColombiaFil: Sasal, Maria Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentin

Microvertebrates preserved in mammal burrows from the Holocene of the Argentine Pampas: a taphonomic and paleoecological approach

Microvertebrates are a major component of many assemblages recovered from the Quaternary of the Argentine Pampas. The main goal of this paper is to analyse the taphonomic history of a Holocene microfossil bonebed, recovered from the infilling of a burrow. Evidences suggest the plains vizcacha Lagostomus maximus as the putative producer of the burrow. The assemblage includes individuals belonging to different taxa of mammals (marsupials and rodents) and reptiles (snakes). Taphonomic features suggest that the accumulation inside the burrow was related to flooding processes in the plain. The burrow was a natural trap that favoured the accumulation and preservation of remains corresponding to individuals from different sources. According to the taphonomic evidence, some individuals (Lagostomus maximus, Lestodelphys halli and Serpentes indet.) died inside the burrow, whereas others (Microcavia australis, Reithrodon auritus and Ctenomys sp.) died outside the burrow, and after a time of being exposed on the surface their remains were transported by surface run-offs into the burrow. The record of Lestodelphys halli and Serpentes indet. in the burrow produced by Lagostomus maximus could be related to a circumstantial use. Mammal burrows are a significant taphonomic mode for the late Cenozoic of the Argentine Pampas

Parallel analysis of RNA ends enhances global investigation of microRNAs and target RNAs of Brachypodium distachyon

BACKGROUND: The wild grass Brachypodium distachyon has emerged as a model system for temperate grasses and biofuel plants. However, the global analysis of miRNAs, molecules known to be key for eukaryotic gene regulation, has been limited in B. distachyon to studies examining a few samples or that rely on computational predictions. Similarly an in-depth global analysis of miRNA-mediated target cleavage using parallel analysis of RNA ends (PARE) data is lacking in B. distachyon. RESULTS: B. distachyon small RNAs were cloned and deeply sequenced from 17 libraries that represent different tissues and stresses. Using a computational pipeline, we identified 116 miRNAs including not only conserved miRNAs that have not been reported in B. distachyon, but also non-conserved miRNAs that were not found in other plants. To investigate miRNA-mediated cleavage function, four PARE libraries were constructed from key tissues and sequenced to a total depth of approximately 70 million sequences. The roughly 5 million distinct genome-matched sequences that resulted represent an extensive dataset for analyzing small RNA-guided cleavage events. Analysis of the PARE and miRNA data provided experimental evidence for miRNA-mediated cleavage of 264 sites in predicted miRNA targets. In addition, PARE analysis revealed that differentially expressed miRNAs in the same family guide specific target RNA cleavage in a correspondingly tissue-preferential manner. CONCLUSIONS: B. distachyon miRNAs and target RNAs were experimentally identified and analyzed. Knowledge gained from this study should provide insights into the roles of miRNAs and the regulation of their targets in B. distachyon and related plants.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by BioMed Central Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://genomebiology.com/

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049