The Arabidopsis NADPH oxidases RbohD and RbohF display differential expression patterns and contributions during plant immunity

Plant NADPH oxidases, also known as respiratory burst oxidase homologues (RBOHs), produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that perform a wide range of functions. RbohD and RbohF, two of the 10 Rboh genes present in Arabidopsis, are pleiotropic and mediate diverse physiological processes including the response to pathogens. We hypothesized that the spatio-temporal control of RbohD and RbohF gene expression might be critical in determining their multiplicity of functions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants with RbohD and RbohF promoter fusions to β-glucuronidase and Luciferase reporter genes were generated. Analysis of these plants revealed a differential expression pattern for RbohD and RbohF throughout plant development and during immune responses. RbohD and RbohF gene expression was differentially modulated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Histochemical stains and in vivo expression analysis showed a correlation between the level of RbohD and RbohF promoter activity, H2O2 accumulation and the amount of cell death in response to the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and the necrotrophic fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina. A promoter-swap strategy revealed that the promoter region of RbohD was required to drive production of ROS by this gene in response to pathogens. Moreover, RbohD promoter was activated during Arabidopsis interaction with a non-virulent P. cucumerina isolate, and susceptibility tests with the double mutant rbohD rbohF uncovered a new function for these oxidases in basal resistance. Altogether, our results suggest that differential spatio-temporal expression of the Rboh genes contributes to fine-tune RBOH/NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS production and signaling in Arabidopsis immunity

Accumulation and distribution of diterpenic acids in leaves of Montanoa tomentosa

Montanoa tomentosa has been used for at least last five centuries in traditional medicine in Mexico as a remedy for reproductive impairments. The accumulation of diterpenic acids in M. tomentosa leaves was determined. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, the type and distribution of glandular trichomes (GTs) was observed on the abaxial and adaxial sides of leaves. GTs and non-glandular trichomes (NGTs) were observed on leaf surface, but the latter are confined to the leaves abaxial side. On the adaxial surface, only non-glandular trichomes were observed. Accumulation in GTs and leaf lamina of kaurenoic (KA) and grandiflorenic (GFA) acids was determined by Gas Chromatography coupled to an Electron Impact Mass Spectrometric Detector (GC/EI-MSD). GC-MSD analysis indicated that GTs accumulated KA and GFA, with KA accumulation being at a higher level than GFA in these structures. Attention on GFA and KA is due to their importance as plant growth regulator precursors with potential pharmacological applications.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Accumulation and distribution of diterpenic acids in leaves of Montanoa tomentosa

Montanoa tomentosa has been used for at least last five centuries in traditional medicine in Mexico as a remedy for reproductive impairments. The accumulation of diterpenic acids in M. tomentosa leaves was determined. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, the type and distribution of glandular trichomes (GTs) was observed on the abaxial and adaxial sides of leaves. GTs and non-glandular trichomes (NGTs) were observed on leaf surface, but the latter are confined to the leaves abaxial side. On the adaxial surface, only non-glandular trichomes were observed. Accumulation in GTs and leaf lamina of kaurenoic (KA) and grandiflorenic (GFA) acids was determined by Gas Chromatography coupled to an Electron Impact Mass Spectrometric Detector (GC/EI-MSD). GC-MSD analysis indicated that GTs accumulated KA and GFA, with KA accumulation being at a higher level than GFA in these structures. Attention on GFA and KA is due to their importance as plant growth regulator precursors with potential pharmacological applications.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Elaboración Y Caracterización De Bloques Cerámicos Extruídos Usando Cenizas De La Combustión De Carbón A Escala De Laboratorio

Ashes resulting from the combustion of coal used to feed the hive furnaces of the ceramic industry of Norte de Santander, contain potentially hazardous pollutants for the environment and have no practical application so far, for that reason they become a waste material. In this study, a formulation was developed to make a ceramic material composed of a mixture of clay from Norte de Santander (Colombia) and ash residues from the combustion of coal used to feed hive kilns in the region, which were added in proportions of 10, 20 and 30% w/w, forming prototype mixtures of extruded and sintered ceramic blocks in a temperature range between 900 to 1100 ° C, with gradients of 50 ° C. FTIR-ATR was used to identify the presence of different functional groups and the mineralogical composition was studied by DRX of the raw materials; Likewise, the technological behavior of the developed mixtures was evaluated. The results allowed to select the mixture in which 10% of coal ashes and a cooking temperature of 950 ° C were added, since it has a percentage of water absorption and a compressive strength according to the ranges established by the Colombian standards, generating as an added value the lightening and reduction of the cooking temperature, becoming an alternative of innovation and development that can be used in the production processes of traditional materials of the region with an ecological seal.Las cenizas producto de la combustión del carbón utilizado para alimentar los hornos colmena de la industria cerámica de Norte de Santander, contienen contaminantes potencialmente peligrosos para el medio ambiente y hasta el momento no tienen ninguna aplicación práctica, por lo cual, se convierten en un material de desecho en el departamento. En este estudio, se desarrolló una formulación para realizar un material cerámico compuesto de una mezcla de arcilla de Norte de Santander (Colombia) y residuos de cenizas provenientes de la combustión del carbón utilizado para alimentar hornos colmena de la región, las cuales fueron adicionadas en proporciones de 10, 20 y 30% en peso, conformando con las mezclas prototipos de bloques cerámicos extruídos y sinterizados en un rango de temperatura entre 900 a 1100 °C, con gradientes de 50°C. Se usó FTIRATR para identificar la presencia de diferentes grupos funcionales y se estudió la composición mineralógica mediante DRX de las materias primas; así mismo, se evaluó el comportamiento tecnológico de las mezclas desarrolladas. Los resultados permitieron seleccionar la mezcla en la que se agregó el 10 % de cenizas de carbón y una temperatura de cocción de 950 °C, ya que presentó un porcentaje de absorción de agua y una resistencia a la compresión acorde a los rangos establecidos por las normas colombianas, generando como valor agregado el aligeramiento y reducción de la temperatura de cocción, convirtiéndose en una alternativa de innovación y desarrollo que se puede utilizar en los procesos de producción de materiales tradicionales de la región con un sello ecológic

Geometallurgical methodology to improve the small-scale gold mining process of the Gualconda mine in Nariño – Colombia

In the gold beneficiation processes, the degree of particle size reduction is strongly influenced by the size and shape of the mineral species associated with the economically important metals. The capacity, energy consumption, and costs of the gold-bearing ore processing depend mainly on the operational parameters of the equipment of comminution and gravimetric concentration; therefore, it is essential to characterize the liberation degree of the minerals of interest as function of particle size. The small-scale mining beneficiation plants usually do not consider the liberation of sulfide particles as a requirement to define the grinding size reduction ratio, this is determined empirically, evaluating in which size a higher percentage of gold recovery is obtained. The methodology proposed in this paper constitutes a low cost analytical technique, using the free software IMAGE-J, to determine the appropriate liberation size for sulfide particles and associated gold particles, as well as the size distribution of gold ore particles. Additionally, the Molycop-Tools software was used to simulate the best grinding strategy based on the liberation results obtained. Through the methodology of automatic image analysis to determine the liberation degree of sulfides, the mineralogical characterization, and the recommendation of a metallurgical processing strategy for the gold-bearing ore based on steady-state simulations, it was possible to establish the appropriate parameters of ball mill grinding and gravimetric concentration of the Gualconda mine in the Department of Nariño, in order to improve the gold recovery and increase the plant capacity.En los procesos de beneficio del oro, el grado de reducción del tamaño de partícula está fuertemente influenciado por el tamaño y la forma de las especies minerales asociadas con los metales de importancia económica. La capacidad, el consumo de energía y los costos del procesamiento del mineral aurífero dependen principalmente de los parámetros operativos de los equipos de conminución y concentración gravimétrica; por lo tanto, es esencial caracterizar el grado de liberación de los minerales de interés en función del tamaño de partícula. Las plantas de beneficio mineral en pequeña escala generalmente no consideran la liberación de las partículas de sulfuros como un requisito para definir la relación de reducción del tamaño de molienda, esto se determina empíricamente, evaluando en qué tamaño se obtiene un mayor porcentaje de recuperación de oro. La metodología propuesta en el presente artículo constituye una técnica analítica de bajo costo, utilizando el software libre IMAGE-J, para determinar el tamaño de liberación apropiado para las partículas de sulfuros y las partículas de oro asociadas, así como la distribución de tamaño de las partículas oro. Adicionalmente, fue utilizado el software Molycop-Tools para simular la mejor estrategia de molienda basada en los resultados de liberación obtenidos. A través de la metodología del análisis automático de imágenes para determinar el grado de liberación de sulfuros, la caracterización mineralógica y la recomendación de una estrategia de procesamiento metalúrgico para el mineral aurífero basado en simulaciones en estado estacionario, fue posible establecer los parámetros apropiados de la bola molienda y concentración gravimétrica de la mina Gualconda en el departamento de Nariño, para mejorar la recuperación de oro y aumentar la capacidad de la planta. &nbsp

Análisis y aplicación de los derechos humanos en el contexto de la Corte Interamericana

138 p.Hoy en día, los derechos humanos no tienen las mismas características ni los mecanismos de protección que tenían años atrás. Por ello, este libro presenta la evolución histórica que estos han tenido desde diversos ámbitos, tanto en el escenario internacional como en el Derecho interno de los Estados. En la práctica de los derechos humanos en el Derecho interno de los países, se evidencian hechos fácticos diferentes a los que se pretenden en contenidos sustanciales, ya que no son aplicados de forma homogénea. Esto implica modificaciones a la economía de las Naciones del mundo, razón por la cual se analiza tal problemática. La relación entre el Derecho interno, la Fuerza Pública y el Derecho Internacional que se emplea mediante el control de convencionalidad en Colombia. Esto se sustenta en que el Estado colombiano forma parte de la Convención Americana de Derechos Humanos (CADH) y en la importancia de que una parte fundamental del Estado, que es la Fuerza Pública, guarde estrecha relación con las decisiones que toma la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Corte IDH) y de que el Poder Judicial ejerza el control de convencionalidad. En general, los derechos humanos se basan sobre todo en el derecho a la vida, por lo que se plantea la posición que asume la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) acerca del proyecto de vida de las personas, los principios del Derecho Internacional de los Derechos Humanos frente a esta temática y cómo se deben resarcir e indemnizar cuando dicho proyecto se vulnera.Prólogo Introducción Capítulo 1. Las hipocresías en torno a los derechos humanos Capítulo 2. La memoria histórica y su protección: una mirada comparada Capítulo 3. El daño al proyecto de vida: una categoría autónoma y necesaria en la jurisprudencia de la CIDH Capítulo 4. El control de convencionalidad (CCV) y sus relaciones con la Fuerza Pública en Colombia Conclusiones Bibliografí

Preliminary Results on the Preinduction Cervix Status by Shear Wave Elastography

The mechanical status of the cervix is a key physiological element during pregnancy. By considering a successful induction when the active phase of labor is achieved, mapping the mechanical properties of the cervix could have predictive potential for the management of induction protocols. In this sense, we performed a preliminary assessment of the diagnostic value of using shear wave elastography before labor induction in 54 women, considering the pregnancy outcome and Cesarean indications. Three anatomical cervix regions and standard methods, such as cervical length and Bishop score, were compared. To study the discriminatory power of each diagnostic method, a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated. Differences were observed using the external os region and cervical length in the failure to enter the active phase group compared to the vaginal delivery group (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve resulted in 68.9%, 65.2% and 67.2% for external os, internal os and cervix box using elastography, respectively, compared to 69.5% for cervical length and 62.2% for Bishop score. External os elastography values have shown promise in predicting induction success. This a priori information could be used to prepare a study with a larger sample size, which would reduce the effect of any bias selection and increase the predictive power of elastography compared to other classical techniques.Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte grant DPI2017-83859-R DPI2014-51870-R UNGR15-CE-3664 EQC2018-004508-PSpanish Government DTS15/00093 PI16/00339Instituto de Salud Carlos IIISpanish GovernmentEuropean Commission PID2020-115372RB-I00 PYC20 RE 072 UGRInstituto de Salud Carlos III y Fondos FederJunta de Andalucia PI-0107-2017 PIN-0030-2017 IE2017-5537 B-TEP-026-UGR18 P18-RT-1653MCIN/AEI (European Social Fund "Investing in your future") PRE2018-086085European Commission P18-RT-1653 SOMM17/6109/UG

Toxoplasma gondii Seropositivity Interacts with Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val105/158Met Variation Increasing the Risk of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous and severe psychotic disorder. Epidemiological findings have suggested that the exposure to infectious agents such as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is associated with an increased risk for schizophrenia. On the other hand, there is evidence involving the catechol- O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val105/158Met polymorphism in the aetiology of schizophrenia since it alters the dopamine metabolism. A case–control study of 141 patients and 142 controls was conducted to analyse the polymorphism, the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG, and their interaction on the risk for schizophrenia. IgG were detected by ELISA, and genotyping was performed with TaqMan Real- Time PCR. Although no association was found between any COMT genotype and schizophrenia, we found a significant association between T. gondii seropositivity and the disorder ( 2 = 11.71; p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, the risk for schizophrenia conferred by T. gondii was modified by the COMT genotype, with those who had been exposed to the infection showing a different risk compared to that of nonexposed ones depending on the COMT genotype ( 2 for the interaction = 7.28, p-value = 0.007). This study provides evidence that the COMT genotype modifies the risk for schizophrenia conferred by T. gondii infection, with it being higher in those individuals with the Met/Met phenotype, intermediate in heterozygous, and lower in those with the Val/Val phenotype.Junta de Andalucia P06-CTS-01686Spanish Ministry of Health via the Instituto de Salud Carlos III FIS PS09/01671 PI13/01967 PI18/00467Programa Operativo FEDER B-CTS-361-UGR1