Quantitative Assessment of Nucleocytoplasmic Large DNA Virus and Host Interactions Predicted by Co-occurrence Analyses

Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) are highly diverse and abundant in marine environments. However, the knowledge of their hosts is limited because only a few NCLDVs have been isolated so far. Taking advantage of the recent large-scale marine metagenomics census, in silico host prediction approaches are expected to fill the gap and further expand our knowledge of virus-host relationships for unknown NCLDVs. In this study, we built co-occurrence networks of NCLDVs and eukaryotic taxa to predict virus-host interactions using Tara Oceans sequencing data. Using the positive likelihood ratio to assess the performance of host prediction for NCLDVs, we benchmarked several co-occurrence approaches and demonstrated an increase in the odds ratio of predicting true positive relationships 4-fold compared to random host predictions. To further refine host predictions from high-dimensional co-occurrence networks, we developed a phylogeny-informed filtering method, Taxon Interaction Mapper, and showed it further improved the prediction performance by 12-fold. Finally, we inferred virophage-NCLDV networks to corroborate that co-occurrence approaches are effective for predicting interacting partners of NCLDVs in marine environments

An oleuropein β-glucosidase from olive fruit is involved in determining the phenolic composition of virgin olive oil

Phenolic composition of virgin olive oil is determined by the enzymatic and/or chemical reactions that take place during olive fruit processing. Of these enzymes, β-glucosidase activity plays a relevant role in the transformation of the phenolic glycosides present in the olive fruit, generating different secoiridoid derivatives. The main goal of the present study was to characterize olive fruit β-glucosidase genes and enzymes responsible for the phenolic composition of virgin olive oil. To achieve that, we have isolated an olive β-glucosidase gene from cultivar Picual (OepGLU), expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and purified its corresponding recombinant enzyme. Western blot analysis showed that recombinant OepGLU protein is detected by an antibody raised against the purified native olive mesocarp β-glucosidase enzyme, and exhibits a deduced molecular mass of 65.0 kDa. The recombinant OepGLU enzyme showed activity on the major olive phenolic glycosides, with the highest levels with respect to oleuropein, followed by ligstroside and demethyloleuropein. In addition, expression analysis showed that olive GLU transcript level in olive fruit is spatially and temporally regulated in a cultivar-dependent manner. Furthermore, temperature, light and water regime regulate olive GLU gene expression in olive fruit mesocarp. All these data are consistent with the involvement of OepGLU enzyme in the formation of the major phenolic compounds present in virgin olive oil

Detection of metabolites in Flor de Mayo common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and their response to inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum

Seed germination involves complex processes where plant growth-promoting substances are released into the growth medium, mainly involving pathways that start in tryptophan (TRP) and end in the formation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Among them, four are known as TRP-dependent and a fifth as TRP-independent. Some compounds were observed during germination of bean seeds that involved at least three IAA synthesis pathways and that kynurenine (KYN) is the first detected metabolite which is found in greater concentration. It was followed by tryptamine (TAM), TRP and IAA. The results of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation in greenhouse tests showed variability in Flor de Mayo beans seedlings in response to physiological level and production parameters. The effect of Trichoderma in Flor de Mayo common bean showed that strain 802 had a significant effect on the development of the height of bean seedlings, and that the 812 strain showed significant effect on the development of root bean seedlings. Increased growth of stem and root caused by Trichoderma strains in Flor de Mayo beans involves beneficial effects of inoculation on plant growth and development parameters and can be taken as they were a measure of survival and development of seedlings.Key words: Biofertilizers, indole-3-acetamide, tryptophan,indole-3- acetic acid, kynurenine

Cost-effectiveness of introducing a rotavirus vaccine in developing countries: The case of Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In developing countries rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea and diarrhoeal deaths in children under 5. Vaccination could greatly alleviate that burden, but in Mexico as in most low- and middle-income countries the decision to add rotavirus vaccine to the national immunisation program will depend heavily on its cost-effectiveness and affordability. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of including the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in Mexico's national immunisation program.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cost-effectiveness model was developed from the perspective of the health system, modelling the vaccination of a hypothetical birth cohort of 2 million children monitored from birth through 60 months of age. It compares the cost and disease burden of rotavirus in an unvaccinated cohort of children with one vaccinated as recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Including the pentavalent vaccine in the national immunisation program could prevent 71,464 medical visits (59%), 5,040 hospital admissions (66%), and 612 deaths from rotavirus gastroenteritis (70%). At US$10 per dose and a cost of administration of US$13.70 per 3-dose regimen, vaccination would cost US$122,058 per death prevented, US$4,383 per discounted life-year saved, at a total net cost of US$74.7 million dollars to the health care system. Key variables influencing the results were, in order of importance, case fatality, vaccine price, vaccine efficacy, serotype prevalence, and annual loss of efficacy. The results are also very sensitive to the discount rate assumed when calculated per life-year saved.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>At prices below US$15 per dose, the cost per life-year saved is estimated to be lower than one GNP per capita and hence highly cost effective by the WHO Commission on Macroeconomics and Health criteria. The cost-effectiveness estimates are highly dependent upon the mortality in the absence of the vaccine, which suggests that the vaccine is likely to be significantly more cost-effective among poorer populations and among those with less access to prompt medical care – such that poverty reduction programs would be expected to reduce the future cost-effectiveness of the vaccine.</p

Utilización de harina de pimiento morrón (capsicum annuum) en la elaboración de pan artesanal

The use of food wastes to enhance existing products such as breads by their nutritional properties, is a field that has become more popular within the years. Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) are a rich source of fibre and carotenoids, also the increasing need of these nutrients are vital to reduce and prevent future diseases. Along this article, certain methods are employed in order to obtain the bell pepper flour and a 10 %, 15 % and 20 % substitution of wheat flour for bell pepper flour is made. The products were analysed to obtain their unique characteristics, resulting in the 10 % substitution being the best option for either acceptance and versatility in future markets. It showed a P value of 0.318 in relation to the protein content and a P value of 0.000 in relation to the fibre content.El uso de alimentos de desecho para enriquecer las propiedades de un producto como lo es el pan, mediante sus propiedades nutricionales es un área que ha ganado interés en los últimos años. El pimiento morrón (Capsicum annuum) es una rica fuente de fibra y carotenoides. La necesidad del consumo en los humanos de dichos fitonutrientes ha incrementado debido a sus propiedades preventivas. Diferentes métodos como deshidratación y molienda para la obtención de la harina de pimiento y para una realización de panes con diversos porcentajes de sustitución de harina de trigo común por harina de pimiento son mostrados. Sus características únicas mostraron aquel con un 10 % de sustitución como la mejor opción por su aceptación y versatilidad en futuros mercados. Se obtuvo un P valor de 0.318 con relación al contenido proteico mientras que para fibra se obtuvo un P valor de 0.000

Multiple Sclerosis and Its Relationship with Oxidative Stress, Glutathione Redox System, ATPase System, and Membrane Fluidity

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with a focus on inflammation, demyelination, and damage to axons leading to neurological deficits. MS pathology is associated with excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and generation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS), causing oxidative/nitrosative stress. Deregulation of glutathione homeostasis and alterations in glutathione‐dependent enzymes are implicated in MS. Reactive oxygen species enhance both monocyte adhesion and migration across brain endothelial cells. In addition, ROS can activate the expression of the nuclear transcription factor‐kappa, which upregulates the expression of many genes involved in MS, such as tumor necrosis factor‐α and nitric oxide synthase, among others, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and energy deficits that result in mitochondrial and cellular calcium overload. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential can increase the release of cytochrome c, one pathway that leads to neuronal apoptosis. Clinical studies suggest that omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects in MS and animal models of MS. Here, we review the relationship of oxidative stress, the glutathione redox system, the ATPase system, and membrane fluidity with the development of MS. In addition, we describe the main findings of a clinical trial conducted with relapsing‐remitting MS patients who received a diet supplemented with 4 g/day of fish oil or olive oil. The effects of PUFAs supplementation on the parameters indicated above are analyzed in this work

Respuesta superovulatoria y calidad embrionaria de vacas Brahman lactando sincronizadas con dosis bajas de FSH en condiciones del sur de México

Objetivo: evaluar la respuesta superovulatoria y calidad embrionaria de un grupo de vacas Brahman lactando sometidas a un protocolo de dosis bajas de FSH. Metodología: en el estudio fueron superovuladas 33 vacas de raza Brahman multíparas lactando. Las hembras fueron sincronizadas con CIDR (inserción día 0) y dosis decrecientes de FSH (día 5: 250mg FSH, día 6: 200 mg FSH, día 7: 150 mg), el día 9 y 10 se practicó la inseminación artificial (IA); finalmente el día 17 se realizó el lavado para la recolección de embriones. Los embriones fueron colectados con una sonda Foley, y el contenido fue depositado en una caja de&nbsp; Petri cuadrada de 100 ? 100 mm con fondo cuadriculado para la posterior búsqueda de embriones en el microscopio provisto de un aumento de 20 a 30 X. Los embriones fueron clasificados de acuerdo a su morfología y estadio de desarrollo en una escala del 1 (estadio de una célula) al 9 (estadio de blastocito eclosionado) y calidad como 1 (excelente), 2 (bueno), 3 (regular) y 4 (degenerado). Resultados: Del 100% de las vacas tratadas se obtuvieron 363 embriones: 41.8% fueron viables; 65% se clasificaron como blastocisto eclosionado de calidad 8 y 34.8% de calidad 7. De los embriones clasificados como blastocisto eclosionado, 60.6% fueron de calidad excelente, 28.28% de calidad buena y 11.11% de calidad regular. El promedio de embriones viables por vaca fue de 2.9% y 1.9% transferibles. Implicaciones: Es difícil superovular vacas lactando, por el control de los becerros durante el proceso experimental, y no es recomendable este tipo de tratamiento por el gasto metabólico y reproductivo a lasque son sometidas las hembras. Conclusiones: Las vacas de raza Brahman lactando tienen una respuesta superovulatoria baja cuando son sincronizadas con un protocolo de dosis bajas de FSH

VAMOS: a Pathfinder for the HAWC Gamma-Ray Observatory

VAMOS was a prototype detector built in 2011 at an altitude of 4100m a.s.l. in the state of Puebla, Mexico. The aim of VAMOS was to finalize the design, construction techniques and data acquisition system of the HAWC observatory. HAWC is an air-shower array currently under construction at the same site of VAMOS with the purpose to study the TeV sky. The VAMOS setup included six water Cherenkov detectors and two different data acquisition systems. It was in operation between October 2011 and May 2012 with an average live time of 30%. Besides the scientific verification purposes, the eight months of data were used to obtain the results presented in this paper: the detector response to the Forbush decrease of March 2012, and the analysis of possible emission, at energies above 30 GeV, for long gamma-ray bursts GRB111016B and GRB120328B.Comment: Accepted for pubblication in Astroparticle Physics Journal (20 pages, 10 figures). Corresponding authors: A.Marinelli and D.Zaboro