Novel repellents for the blood-sucking insects Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans, vectors of Chagas disease

Background: Studying the behavioral response of blood-sucking disease-vector insects to potentially repellent volatile compounds could shed light on the development of new control strategies. Volatiles released by human facial skin microbiota play different roles in the host-seeking behavior of triatomines. We assessed the repellency effect of such compounds of bacterial origin on Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus, two important vectors of Chagas disease in Latin America. Methods: Using an exposure device, insects were presented to human odor alone (control) and in the presence of three individual test compounds (2-mercaptoethanol, dimethyl sulfide and 2-phenylethanol, the latter only tested in R. prolixus) and the gold-standard repellent NN-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). We quantified the time the insects spent in the proximity of the host and determined if any of the compounds evaluated affected the behavior of the insects. Results: We found volatiles that significantly reduced the time spent in the proximity of the host. These were 2-phenylethanol and 2-mercaptoethanol for R. prolixus, and dimethyl sulfide and 2-mercaptoethanol for T. infestans. Such an effect was also observed in both species when DEET was presented, although only at the higher doses tested. Conclusions: The new repellents modulated the behavior of two Chagas disease vectors belonging to two different triatomine tribes, and this was achieved using a dose up to three orders of magnitude lower than that needed to evoke the same effect with DEET. Future efforts in understanding the mechanism of action of repellent compounds such as 2-mercaptoethanol, as well as an assessment of their temporal and spatial repellent properties, could lead to the development of novel control strategies for these insect vectors, refractory to DEET.Fil: Ramírez, Melanie. Universidad de los Andes; ColombiaFil: Ortiz, Mario I.. Universidad de los Andes; ColombiaFil: Guerenstein, Pablo Gustavo. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Jorge Luis. Universidad de los Andes; Colombi

Predictor factors of perceived health in family caregivers of people diagnosed with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease

Caring for a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease has a negative impact on family caregivers’ psychological health. This study examined the factors related to ‘perceived health’ and ‘presence of new-onset mental health problems’ in family caregivers of people diagnosed with mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease. A cross-sectional observational study carried out in Almeria’s Healthcare District (Spain). A total of 255 family caregivers (42.4% cared for people with mild Alzheimer’s disease and 57.6% cared for people with moderate Alzheimer’s disease) participated in the study from January to December 2015. Mainly, caregivers were women (81.5% in the mild Alzheimer’s disease group and 88.4% in the moderate Alzheimer’s disease group), and their average age was 56.54 years (standard deviation (SD) = 13.13) and 54.47 years (SD = 11.71), respectively. Around 47% of the caregivers had been caring for the person with Alzheimer’s between two and five years. The Goldberg General Health Questionnaire was used to measure perceived health and the presence of new-onset mental health problems. An exploratory descriptive analysis and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted. For caregivers of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease, ‘perceived health’ was related to ‘perceived social support’ (r = −0.21; p = 0.028), ‘person’s level of dependency’ (r = −0.24, p = 0.05), ‘severity of the person’s neuropsychiatric symptoms’ (r = 0.22; p = 0.05), and ‘caregiver’s emotional distress in response to the person’s neuropsychiatric symptoms’ (r = 0.22; p = 0.05). For caregivers of people with moderate Alzheimer’s disease, ‘perceived health’ was related to ‘perceived social support’ (r = −0.31; p ˂ 0.01), ‘presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms’ (r = 0.27, p = 0.01), ‘severity of the person’s neuropsychiatric symptoms’ (r = 0.32, p = 0.01) and ‘caregiver’s emotional distress in response to the person’s neuropsychiatric symptoms’ (r = 0.029; p = 0.01). The presence of new-onset mental health problems was detected in 46.3% (n = 50) of caregivers of people with mild Alzheimer’s and 61.9% (n = 91) of caregivers of people with moderate Alzheimer’s. When people are diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease, intervention programs for caregivers should aim to regulate emotions and promote positive coping strategies. When people are diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer’s disease, intervention programs for caregivers must allow them to adapt to caregiving demands that arise with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Intra-breed genetic diversity characterization of the Iberian pig

Ponencia publicada en ITEA, vol.104El desenvolvimiento en el tiempo de subpoblaciones aisladas adscritas a un mismo tipo racial es el origen de la diversidad natural que surge en toda raza animal enriqueciéndola. El Cerdo Ibérico no ha sido ajeno a este proceso, acumulando a lo largo de los siglos una gran heterogeneidad intrarracial, reflejada en un valor alto (0,19) para el FST de Wright entre las subpoblaciones analizadas. En el presente trabajo abordaremos el estudio de esta diversidad genética interna del Cerdo Ibérico con especial atención a las cuatro estirpes principales (Negro Lampiño, Entrepelado, Retinto y Torbiscal), sin descuidar, no obstante, otras estirpes y líneas que la integran. Para ello partiremos de diferentes estudios de caracterización de las estirpes y líneas del Cerdo Ibérico. Resaltaremos no sólo sus diferencias genéticas sino también las habidas entre sus productos para consumo en fresco (solomillos), en los que la estirpe Negro Lampiño muestra los porcentajes de proteína, capacidad de retención de agua (CRA) e infiltración grasa intramuscular más elevados (23.74, 17.06 y 5.28, respectivamente), definiendo una calidad diferenciada. Finalmente aportaremos una clasificación que explique la estructura interna del Cerdo Ibérico.The evolution in time of isolated subpopulations assigned to a same breed is the origin of the natural diversity that arises in any breed animal enriching it. The Iberian Pig breed has not been unaware of this process, accumulating throughout the centuries a great intra-breed heterogeneity that is reflected by a high FST value (0.19) among the subpopulations analyzed. In the present study we will undertake the assessment of the internal genetic diversity of the Iberian Pig breed with special attention to the four main strains (Negro Lampiño, Entrepelado, Retinto and Torbiscal), without forgetting others strains and lines that integrate Iberian Pig Breed. To that purpose, we based on different characterization studies of the strains and lines of the Iberian Pig breed. We emphasize not only their genetic differences but also the differences among their meat products for fresh consumption (tenderloin) by strain, in which Negro Lampiño shows the higher percentages of protein, water-holding capacity (ARC) and intramuscular fat infiltration (23.74, 17.06 and 5.28, respectively), defining a differentiated quality. Finally, we expose a classification to explain the population structure of the Iberian Pig Breed

Detección de single nucleotide polymorphisms en genes relacionados con la terneza de la carne (capn1 y cast) en las razas bovinas autóctonas españolas

Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentació

Territorios y textos en conflicto: Las novelas porteñas durante la Confederación Argentina

Después de la batalla de Caseros, Justo J. de Urquiza asumió el poder del Estado y su primer deseo fue concretar la redacción de la Constitución Nacional. Bajo el signo de la oposición porteña, viajó a Santa Fe en septiembre de 1852 y presidió el Congreso Constituyente, pero tres días después de su partida, una parte del ejército urquicista se sublevó y se unió a la dirigencia porteña disidente. A partir de entonces, Buenos Aires se declaró independiente de las demás provincias argentinas. A pesar de la situación crítica, la Constitución fue sancionada y nombraba a Buenos Aires como capital de la nación, pero dada la disidencia porteña, la Confederación Argentina designó a Paraná como cabeza del país y al general Urquiza como presidente del mismo. Los miembros del nuevo gobierno estaban de acuerdo con que había que modernizar al país y dar a la población garantías cívicas que favorecieran el progreso (Botana 50). Al mismo tiempo, era necesario encauzar a la Confederación en los carriles de la Constitución, una tarea nada sencilla porque la arbitrariedad y la violación de derechos conformaba una situación generalizada.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Territorios y textos en conflicto: Las novelas porteñas durante la Confederación Argentina

Después de la batalla de Caseros, Justo J. de Urquiza asumió el poder del Estado y su primer deseo fue concretar la redacción de la Constitución Nacional. Bajo el signo de la oposición porteña, viajó a Santa Fe en septiembre de 1852 y presidió el Congreso Constituyente, pero tres días después de su partida, una parte del ejército urquicista se sublevó y se unió a la dirigencia porteña disidente. A partir de entonces, Buenos Aires se declaró independiente de las demás provincias argentinas. A pesar de la situación crítica, la Constitución fue sancionada y nombraba a Buenos Aires como capital de la nación, pero dada la disidencia porteña, la Confederación Argentina designó a Paraná como cabeza del país y al general Urquiza como presidente del mismo. Los miembros del nuevo gobierno estaban de acuerdo con que había que modernizar al país y dar a la población garantías cívicas que favorecieran el progreso (Botana 50). Al mismo tiempo, era necesario encauzar a la Confederación en los carriles de la Constitución, una tarea nada sencilla porque la arbitrariedad y la violación de derechos conformaba una situación generalizada.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Addressing potential sources of variation in several non-destructive techniques for measuring firmness in apples

Measurements of firmness have traditionally been carried out according to the Magness Taylor (MT) procedure; using a texture analyser or penetrometer in reference texture tests. Non-destructive tests like the acoustic impulse response of acoustic firmness sensors (AFSs), a low-mass impact firmness sensor Sinclair International (SIQ-FT) and impact test (Lateral Impact – UPM) have also been used to measure texture and firmness. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of different sources of variation in these three non-destructive tests and to evaluate their respective capabilities of discriminating between fruit maturity at two different harvest dates, turgidity before and after dehydration treatment and ripening after different storage periods. According to our results, fruit studied an unexpected AFS trend with turgidity. Contact measurements (Lateral Impact – UPM and SIQ-FT) appeared highly sensitive to changes in turgidity, but were less able to follow changes in ripening caused by storage period. Contact measurements were suitable for detecting differences between fruits from different harvest dates and showed higher correlation coefficients with reference texture tests than acoustic measurements. The Lateral Impact – UPM test proved better at separating fruits according to turgidity than the SIQ-FT instrumen

Estado da Arte da espécie Persea americana Mill (abacate)

El aguacate (Persea americana Mill) es una fruta comestible de importancia económica de la Familia Lauraceae. Es Originario de América Central y el Caribe pero su cultivo se ha extendido a otras regiones tropicales y subtropicales del planeta. Este trabajo resume informaciones relacionadas con las investigaciones sobre las propiedades biológicas de esta especie y se discuten aspectos relevantes sobre su uso como insecticida y la posibilidad de realizar nanoformulaciones a partir de sus aceites y extractos. El objetivo de la investigación fue el evaluar el estado del arte sobre las propiedades biológicas de Persea americana Mill (aguacate) desde 1900 hasta 2019. La metodología utilizada consistió en consultar en bases de datos internacionales como HighWire, DOAJ, EBSCO, Scielo, Scopus, Chemical abstract, Medline, PudMed, y Pharmaceutical Abstract. Como resultados se obtuvo que la fítoquímica de la especie Persea americaca Mill ha sido ampliamente estudiada tanto para las hojas, el fruto como las semillas. La composición química de esta especie está caracterizada por diferentes grupos de metabolitos, los cuales se pueden dividir en diversos derivados que contienen anillo de furano, glicósidos, terpenoides, flavonoides y cumarinas. La familia principal de compuestos fenólicos que se encuentran en las cáscaras y las semillas de aguacate son los derivados de (epi) catequina. Se han reportado gran variedad de actividades farmacológicas para los diferentes órganos (hojas, frutos, semillas y corteza) de P. americana Mill. como hipocolesterolémica, hipotensora, antiinflamatoria, hipoglucemiante, analgésica, antioxidante, anticonvulsiva, cicatrizante y anticancerígena. Aunque el uso como insecticida de los extractos de Persea americana ha sido demostrado, no se encontró en la revisión bibliográfica realizada ninguna nanoformulación a base de estos extractos que se utilice para combatir insectos.The avocado (Persea americana Mill) is an edible fruit of economic importance of the Lauraceae Family. It is native to Central America and the Caribbean but its cultivation has spread to other tropical and subtropical regions of the planet. This work summarizes information related to research on the biological properties of this species and discusses relevant aspects of its use as insecticide and the possibility of performing nanoformulations from its oils and extracts. The objective of the research was to evaluate the state of the art on the biological properties of Persea americana Mill (avocado) from 1900 to 2019. The methodology used consisted of consulting international databases such as HighWire, DOAJ, EBSCO, Scielo, Scopus, Chemical abstract, Medline, PudMed, and Pharmaceutical Abstract. The results showed that the phytochemistry of Persea americanaca Mill has been widely studied for leaves, fruit and seeds. The chemical composition of this species is characterized by different groups of metabolites, which can be divided into various derivatives that contain furan ring, glycosides, terpenoids, flavonoids and coumarins. The main family of phenolic compounds found in avocado peels and seeds are (epi) catechin derivatives. A large variety of pharmacological activities have been reported for the different organs (leaves, fruits, seeds and bark) of P. americana Mill. as hypocholesterolemic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, analgesic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, cicatrizant and anticancer. Although the use as an insecticide of Persea americana extracts has been demonstrated, no nanoformulation based on these extracts used to fight insects was found in the literature review.O abacate (Persea americana Mill) é um fruto comestível de importância econômica da Familia Lauraceae. É nativo da América Central e do Caribe, mas seu cultivo se espalhou para outras regiões tropicais e subtropicais do planeta. Este artigo resume as informações relacionadas com a pesquisa sobre as propriedades biológicas desta espécie e aspectos relevantes do seu uso como inseticida e a possibilidade de obter nanoformulações de seus óleos e extratos são discutidos. O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o estado da arte sobre as propriedades biológicas de Persea americana Mill (abacate) de 1900 a 2019. A metodologia utilizada consistiu na consulta de bases de dados internacionais, como HighWire, DOAJ, EBSCO, Scielo, Scopus, Chemical Abstracts, Medline, PudMed e Pharmaceutical Abstract. Os resultados mostraram que a fitoquímica da espécie Persea americanaca tem sido amplamente estudada para folhas, frutos e sementes. A composição química desta espécie é caracterizada por diferentes grupos de metabolitos, os quais podem ser divididos em vários derivados que contem anel de furano, glicosídeos, terpenos, flavonoides e cumarinas. A principal família de compostos fenólicos encontrados nas cascas e sementes de abacate são derivados (epi) das catequinas. Uma grande variedade de atividades farmacológicas têm sido relatada para os diferentes órgãos (folhas, frutos, sementes e casca) de P. americana Mill. como hipocolesterolêmica, hipotensora, antiinflamatória, hipoglicêmica, analgésica, antioxidante, anticonvulsivante, cicatrizante e anticancerígena. Embora o uso de extratos de Persea americana como inseticida tenha sido relatado, nenhuma nanoformulação desses extratos utilizados para combater insetos foi encontrada na literatura revisada