Aplicación de visión por computadora en la evaluación del desarrollo in vitro de protocormos de Oncidium sphacelatum Lindl., (Orchidaceae)

Se presenta una aplicación de visión por computadora diseñada para monitorear el desarrollo de protocormos de orquídea en condiciones in vitro, con el objetivo de evaluar el proceso de germinación de manera eficiente, rápida y objetiva. A partir de fotografías digitales, se evaluó el desarrollo de protocormos de Oncidium sphacelatum Lindl. (Orchidaceae) en términos de tamaño (medido a través de su área en pixeles), el cambio de etapa fenológica dentro del proceso de germinación (medido a través del factor de redondez) y el estado de salud (por tonalidad de color). La programación desarrollada para que el ordenador sea capaz de este tipo de análisis, se compone de una etapa de segmentación para discernir los pixeles de interés (protocormos) del fondo, una de entrenamiento-aprendizaje para establecer criterios de segregación y una última de clasificación. La programación se realizó mediante la plataforma Matlab R2012a. Las características obtenidas por el sistema permiten proporcionar de manera automática, digerida y objetiva, información útil para la evaluación del proceso de germinación de las orquídeas en condiciones in vitro, con un significativo ahorro en termino de horas/trabajo y desgaste físico del operador humano, sin perturbar la calidad de la evaluación

Herbivoría de Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) en Carica papaya L.

Objective: Characterize malformations caused by the mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks, to papaya (Carica papaya L.) at three phenological stages. Design/methodology/approach: Papaya seedlings variety Maradol kept at 26 ±2 ºC, R.H. 65-80% and photoperiod 13:11 h (light: darkness), were infested with specimens of P. latus, in a completely randomized design with paired plots, at the phenological stages of three, five and seven true leaves, plus an uninfested control. With 10 weekly samplings, measurements were taken of area of the apical leaf, diameter of stems, fresh weight of petioles, stems and roots; number of apical, total and axillary leaves; number of specimens of every developmental stage of P. latus. Results: Highly significant differences were recorded for leaf area, weight of total leaves, weight and diameter of the stem and number of leaves, between infested and uninfested plants. P. latus caused the so called “monkey´s hand”, with reduced foliar area; the most susceptible stage was five true leaves. This mite settles for short time on papaya leaves, making difficult to establish a relation between infestation and injuries. Limitations of the study/implications: It is not excluded that other agents may cause similar injuries to papaya; because of that, mite control will not necessarily result on reduced injuries. Findings/conclusions: P. latus causes symptoms to papaya plants such as color changes, malformations, reduced foliar area and necrosed apical tissues. In those injuries there is no apparent association of any virus.Objetivo: Caracterizar las deformaciones que el ácaro Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks, causa a papayo (Carica papaya L.) en tres etapas fenológicas. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Plántulas de papayo variedad Maradol mantenidas a 26 ±2 ºC, H.R. 65-80% y fotoperiodo 13:11 h (luz: oscuridad), se infestaron con ejemplares de P. latus, en un diseño completamente al azar en parcelas apareadas, en las etapas fenológicas de tres, cinco o siete hojas verdaderas, más un testigo sin infestación. Con diez muestreos semanales, se cuantificó área de la hoja apical, diámetro de tallos, peso fresco de pecíolos, tallos y raíces; número de hojas apicales, totales y axilares; número de ejemplares de cada estado de desarrollo de P. latus. Resultados: Se registraron diferencias altamente significativas en área foliar, peso de hojas totales, peso y diámetro del tallo y número de hojas, entre plantas infestadas y no infestadas. El ácaro P. latus causó la llamada “mano de mono”, con reducción de área foliar; la etapa más susceptible fue cinco hojas verdaderas. Este ácaro se establece por corto tiempo en hojas de papayo, lo que dificulta establecer una relación entre su infestación y los daños causados. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: No se excluye que otros agentes puedan causar daños similares a papayo; por ello, el control de los ácaros no necesariamente resultará en reducción de daños. Hallazgos/conclusiones: P. latus causa a plántulas de papayo síntomas tales como cambios de color a deformaciones, reducción de área foliar y necrosis de tejidos apicales. En estos daños no hay asociación aparente con algún virus

Evaluación fisicoquímica del guandul (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) cultivado en Sibarco, Baranoa, Colombia

The aim of this research was to compare three cultural denominations of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) named cuarentano, siete granos y mojarrita, cropped at Sibarco, Baranoa, Atlántico department, Colombia. The gastronomic characteristics for cooking temperatures and times were evaluated at 95ºC to 105ºC and 0´-15´, 15´-30´ and 30´-37´, respectively. The different cultural denominations of pigeon pea did not show differences. In the physicochemical analysis, the moisture, ash, fat content, crude fibre and protein parameters were evaluated. A one-way analysis of variance "ANOVA" was performed at 95% confidence between pairs of means of the three denominations in each of the parameters. The statistical analysis showed that the only parameter that did not present a significant difference was crude fibre. The parameters for fat content, moisture, protein, ashes showed statistically significant differences. Multiple range test was applied to observe the behaviour of pair means that differ from each other, and to analyze the set of means in a total of the denominations against each parameter. The findings allowed to identify that there are means that differ in these parameters and that the analysis of the means as a whole did not show a significant difference at 95% confidence.El objetivo de la investigación fue comparar tres denominaciones culturales de guandul (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.), denominadas cuarentano, siete granos y mojarrita, cultivado Sibarco, Baranoa, departamento del Atlántico, Colombia. Se evaluaron las características gastronómicas a temperaturas y tiempos de cocción entre 95 ºC y 105 ºC, y 0 – 15 minutos, 15 – 30 minutos y 30 - 37 minutos, respectivamente. Las tres denominaciones culturales del guandul no presentaron diferencias. En el análisis fisicoquímico se evaluaron lo parámetros humedad, ceniza, contenido graso, fibra cruda y proteína. Se realizó un análisis de varianza de una vía “ANOVA” al 95% de confianza entre pares de medias de las tres denominaciones en cada uno de los parámetros. El análisis estadístico mostró que el único parámetro que no presentó diferencia significativa fue la fibra cruda. Los parámetros contenido graso, humedad, proteína, cenizas presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Se aplicó la prueba de rango múltiple, para observar el comportamiento de los pares de medias que difieren entre sí, y analizar el conjunto de medias en total de las denominaciones frente a cada parámetro. Los hallazgos permitieron identificar, que existen medias que difieren en estos parámetros, y que el análisis de las medias en conjunto no arrojó diferencia significativa al 95% de confianza

In vitro callogenesis induction of Guarianthe skinneri (Bateman) Dressler and W.E. Higgins (Orchidaceae)

Guarianthe skinneri (Bateman) Dressler and W.E. Higgins, is a native orchid from Mexico, considered as threatened species in the NOM-ECOL-059-SEMARNAT-2010, mainly due to the disappearance of its natural habitat and illegal collection during the flowering season. The aim of this research was to induce in vitro callogenesis using different types of explants and phytoregulators, in order to establish a mass production technique as a contribution to the conservation of this species. We evaluated leaf and pseudobulb pith explants growing in semi-solid medium MS, adding BAP, 2, 4-D, Kin, the combination of BAP/2 and 4-D/Kin/Sad and a control without any type of plant growth regulators. Statistical analysis showed that pseudobulb pith explants are more suitable for in vitro callus induction in comparison to leaf explants, because of a lower percentage of contamination (18.8% in pith and 73.2% in leaves). Likewise, the pseudobulb pith explants showed increased callus formation (10.8%) in comparison to leaf explants (7.6%). Regarding the phytoregulators employed, BAP promoted increased callus formation (17%) compared to other phytoregulators (7-10%). This is the first report of the use of pseudobulb pith as an explant for callus induction in G. skinneri.Guarianthe skinneri (Bateman) Dressler and W.E. Higgins., is a native orchid from Mexico, considered as threatened species by NOM-ECOL-059-SEMARNAT-2010, mainly due to the disappearance of its natural habitat and the illegal collection during its flowering season. The aim of this research was to induce in vitro callogenesis from different type of explants, using phytoregulators, in order to look for a massive production technique to contribute to its conservation. We evaluated the leaf and pseudobulb marrow explants growing in semi-solid medium MS adding BAP, 2, 4-D, Kin, the interaction of BAP/2, 4-D/Kin/Sad and a control without any type of plant growth regulators. Statistical analysis showed the pseudobulb marrow explants are more suitable for in vitro introduction in comparison to leaf explants, since they perform a lower percentage of contamination (18.8% in marrow and 73.2% in leaves). Likewise, the pseudobulb marrow explants increased callus formation (10.8%) in comparison to leaf explants (7.6%). Regarding the phytoregulators employed, BAP have allowed to increased callus formation (17%) compared to other phytoregulators (7-10%). This is the first report, which proposes the use of pseudobulb marrow as explant for callus induction in G. skinneri

Construcción de un modelo animal de fibrosis pulmonar inducido por Bleomicina

Objetivo. Implementar un modelo de fibrosis pulmonar inducida por Bleomicina en ratas de laboratorio. Materiales y métodos. Se  trabajó con dos grupos de ratas Wistar para la administración del medicamento por vía intratraqueal. El grupo experimental recibió una dosis única (2.0 U/Kg) de Bleomicina, mientras que el grupo control recibió un volumen equivalente de solución salina. A los 14 o 28 días se realizó un lavado broncoalveolar  con recuento total y diferencial  celular y análisis histopatológico pulmonar. Resultados. En el grupo experimental de tratado  con Bleomicina por 14 días, la histología reveló daño pulmonar caracterizado por inflamación aguda, hemorragia intraalveolar y proliferación fibroblástica incipiente  intersticial; en los animales tratados por 28 días, se observó alteración de la arquitectura pulmonar debida a fibrosis  y aumento en el número de macrófagos intraalveolares e inflamación linfocitaria. Conclusiones. Se implementó satisfactoriamente un modelo de fibrosis pulmonar inducido farmacológicamente por Bleomicina en ratas Wistar.

Seedling competition between Pennisetum setaceum (Poaceae) and three native weeds of La Primavera wood, Guadalajara, Jalisco (México)

Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov., 1923 is an exotic grass from the Arabian Peninsula that has been very successful as an ornamental plant worldwide in recent years. Unfortunately, it has proved to be a very competitive invader, causing ecological problems in several regions of the world. We don't know exactly how this species interacts with native weeds in Mexico. Our study aims to show the interactions of Pennisetum with three species of native weeds in the surroundings of the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico: Aeschynomene villosa var. longifolia (Micheli) Rudd, Desmodium aparines (Link) DC. and Paspalum notatum (Flüggé). The seeds of Pennisetum were tested in monospecific groups (competing against itself) and in association with each of the native species mentioned and with a treatment together with all the compound of the species mentioned, thus simulating what could happen in natural conditions upon the arrival of the seeds of P. setaceum in a degraded soil of Guadalajara. The results show how the biomass produced and the speed of growth of Pennisetum can be a real alarm for the conservation of local germplasm

p38γ is essential for cell cycle progression and liver tumorigenesis

The cell cycle is a tightly regulated process that is controlled by the conserved cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)–cyclin protein complex1. However, control of the G0-to-G1 transition is not completely understood. Here we demonstrate that p38 MAPK gamma (p38γ) acts as a CDK-like kinase and thus cooperates with CDKs, regulating entry into the cell cycle. p38γ shares high sequence homology, inhibition sensitivity and substrate specificity with CDK family members. In mouse hepatocytes, p38γ induces proliferation after partial hepatectomy by promoting the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein at known CDK target residues. Lack of p38γ or treatment with the p38γ inhibitor pirfenidone protects against the chemically induced formation of liver tumours. Furthermore, biopsies of human hepatocellular carcinoma show high expression of p38γ, suggesting that p38γ could be a therapeutic target in the treatment of this disease

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Healthcare workers hospitalized due to COVID-19 have no higher risk of death than general population. Data from the Spanish SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

Aim To determine whether healthcare workers (HCW) hospitalized in Spain due to COVID-19 have a worse prognosis than non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Methods Observational cohort study based on the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a nationwide registry that collects sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data on patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Spain. Patients aged 20-65 years were selected. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with mortality. Results As of 22 May 2020, 4393 patients were included, of whom 419 (9.5%) were HCW. Median (interquartile range) age of HCW was 52 (15) years and 62.4% were women. Prevalence of comorbidities and severe radiological findings upon admission were less frequent in HCW. There were no difference in need of respiratory support and admission to intensive care unit, but occurrence of sepsis and in-hospital mortality was lower in HCW (1.7% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.024 and 0.7% vs. 4.8%; p<0.001 respectively). Age, male sex and comorbidity, were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality and healthcare working with lower mortality (OR 0.211, 95%CI 0.067-0.667, p = 0.008). 30-days survival was higher in HCW (0.968 vs. 0.851 p<0.001). Conclusions Hospitalized COVID-19 HCW had fewer comorbidities and a better prognosis than NHCW. Our results suggest that professional exposure to COVID-19 in HCW does not carry more clinical severity nor mortality