Demonstration of IS711 transposition in Brucella ovis and Brucella pinnipedialis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>Brucella </it>genome contains an insertion sequence (IS) element called IS<it>711 </it>or IS<it>6501</it>, which is specific to the genus. The copy number of IS<it>711 </it>varies in the genome of the different <it>Brucella </it>species, ranging from 7 in <it>B. abortus</it>, <it>B. melitensis </it>and <it>B. suis </it>to more than 30 in <it>B. ovis </it>and in <it>Brucella </it>strains isolated from marine mammals. At present, there is no experimental evidence of transposition of IS<it>711</it>, but the occurrence of this element with a high copy number in some species, and the isolation of <it>Brucella </it>strains with "ectopic" copies of IS<it>711 </it>suggested that this IS could still transpose.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study we obtained evidence of transposition of IS<it>711 </it>from the <it>B. ovis </it>and <it>B. pinnipedialis </it>chromosomes by using the "transposon trap" plasmid pGBG1. This plasmid expresses resistance to tetracycline only if the repressor gene that it contains is inactivated. The strains <it>B. melitensis </it>16 M, <it>B. abortus </it>RB51, <it>B. ovis </it>BOC22 (field strain) and <it>B. pinnipedialis </it>B2/94, all containing the plasmid pGBG1, were grown in culture media with tetracycline until the appearance of tetracycline resistant mutants (Tc^R). Tc^Rmutants due to IS<it>711 </it>transposition were only detected in <it>B. ovis </it>and <it>B. pinnipedialis </it>strains.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Four different copies of IS<it>711 </it>were found to transpose to the same target sequence in the plasmid pGBG1. This demonstrated that IS<it>711 </it>are active <it>in vivo</it>, specially in <it>Brucella </it>species with a high number of IS<it>711 </it>copies as <it>B. ovis </it>and <it>B. pinnipedialis</it>.</p

Solid-state cultures of Fusarium oxysporum transform aromatic components of olive-mill dry residue and reduce its phytotoxicity

The present study mainly investigated the ability of solid-state cultures of the non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum strain BAFC 738 to transform aromatic components to reduce the phytotoxicity in olive-mill dry residue (DOR), the waste from the two-phase manufacturing process. Lignin, hemicellulose, fats and water-soluble extractives contents of DOR colonized by the fungus for 20 weeks were reduced by 16%, 25%, 71% and 13%, respectively, while the cellulose content increased by 25%. In addition, the ethyl acetate-extractable phenolic fraction of the waste was reduced by 65%. However, mass-balance ultra-Wltration and size-exclusion chromatography experiments suggested that the apparent removal of that fraction, mainly including 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl alcohol and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl alcohol, was due to polymerization. Mn-peroxidase and Mn-independent peroxidase activities were found in F. oxysporum solid-state cultures, while laccase and aryl alcohol oxidase activities were not detected. Tests performed with seedlings of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.), soybean (Glycine maximum Merr.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown on soils containing 6% (w/w) of bioconverted DOR (kg soil)¡1 showed that the waste’s phytotoxicity was removed by 20 weeks-old fungal cultures. By contrast, the same material exhibited a high residual toxicity towards lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).L'articolo é disponibile sul sito dell'editore: http://www.sciencedirect.co

Influence of the insecticide dimethoate on arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and growth in soybean plants

Application to the soil of the insecticide dimethoate had no effect on the growth of soybean colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae and by the indigenous AM fungus. The application of the recommended concentration of dimethoate decreased the percentage of colonization of soybean by the indigenous AM population, but no significant effect was observed on the colonization of soybean inoculated with G. mosseae. The insecticide did not affect the germination of G. mosseae spores; however, 0.5 mg/l of dimethoate increased the germination of Gigaspora roseae and 5 mg/l of dimethoate decreased the germination of Scutellospora castaneae spores

Caracterización genética de ovinos criollos colombianos

ABSTRACT: indigenous breeds are important for poor farmers because of their natural selection against harsh environments and adaptation to regional conditions. However, inbreeding of indigenous sheep populations has increased in Colombia due to indiscriminate cross-breeding with foreign animals and lack of reproductive controls, with subsequent loss in productivity, which poses a great risk for the conservation of valuable genes. Objective: to determine the genetic diversity in Colombian indigenous sheep by using a panel of 10 microsatellite molecular markers. Methods: blood samples from 362 individuals from 43 farms in 11 Colombian provinces were genotyped and analyzed for a panel of 10 microsatellite markers. Results: a total of 134 alleles were found (13.4 alleles/locus on average) with a range of observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.428 to 0.831 and 0.615 to 0.855, respectively, and 0.742 polymorphic information content (PIC). The average Wright F-statistics (FIS ) of the breeds was 0.107, suggesting moderate levels of inbreeding. Colombian sheep showed a low level of genetic differentiation among breeds (FST = 0.054) and STRUCTURE analysis showed complex patterns of admixture in the breeds. Conclusion: overall, Colombian sheep have high genetic variability, which is very important for future conservation programs and genetic improvement.RESUMEN: las razas animales autóctonas son importantes para los agricultores de escasos recursos a causa de su selección natural contra el duro ambiente y su adaptación a condiciones regionales. Sin embargo en Colombia, debido al cruce indiscriminado con razas foráneas y a la falta de control de la reproducción, ha aumentado la consanguinidad en las poblaciones de ovinos criollos y por lo tanto la pérdida en la productividad, lo que supone un gran riesgo para la conservación de genes valiosos. Objetivo: determinar la diversidad genética en razas criollas de ovinos colombianos utilizando análisis por microsatélites. Métodos: se visitaron 43 granjas localizadas en 11 departamentos del país, en las cuales se tomaron muestras de sangre a 362 individuos. Las muestras fueron genotipadas y analizadas para un panel de 10 marcadores microsatélites. Resultados: un total de 134 alelos fueron encontrados (13,4 alelos/locus en promedio), con un rango de heterocigocidad observada y esperada de 0,428 a 0,831 y 0,615 a 0,855, respectivamente, y un contenido de información polimórfica (PIC) promedio de 0,742. El Wright F-statistics (FIS) promedio de las razas evaluadas fue 0,107, lo cual sugiere que las razas tienen niveles moderados de consanguinidad. Las ovejas colombianas presentaron un bajo grado de diferenciación genética entre las distintas razas (FST = 0,054) y el análisis de STRUCTURE mostro complejos patrones de mezcla en las razas estudiadas. Conclusión: en términos generales, las ovejas colombianas presentan una alta variabilidad genética lo cual es muy importante para futuros programas de conservacion y mejoramiento genetico

Interaction between Trichoderma pseudokoningii strains and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora rosea

The interaction between Trichoderma pseudokoningii (Rifai) 511, 2212, 741A, 741B and 453 and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe BEG12 and Gigaspora rosea Nicolson & Schenck BEG9 were studied in vitro and in greenhouse experiments. All T. pseudokoningii strains inhibited the germination of G. mosseae and Gi. rosea except the strain 453, which did not affect the germination of Gi. rosea. Soluble exudates and volatile substances produced by all T. pseudokoningii strains inhibited the spore germination of G. mosseae. The germination of Gi. rosea spores was inhibited by the soluble exudates produced by T. pseudokoningii 2212 and 511, whereas T. pseudokoningii 714A and 714B inhibited the germination of Gi. rosea spores by the production of volatile substances. The strains of T. pseudokoningii did not affect dry matter and percentage of root length colonization of soybean inoculated with G. mosseae, except T. pseudokoningii 2212, which inhibited both parameters. However, all T. pseudokoningii strains decreased the shoot dry matter and the percentage of AM root length colonization of soybean inoculated with Gi. rosea. The saprotrophic fungi tested seem to affect AM colonization of root by effects on the presymbiotic phase of the AM fungi. No influence of AM fungi on the number of CPUs of T. pseudokoningii was found. The effect of saprotrophic fungi on AM fungal development and function varied with the strain of the saprotrophic species tested.Fil: Martinez, Alicia Elba. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Obertello, Mariana. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pardo, Alejandro Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Juan A.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Estación Experimental del Zaidín; EspañaFil: Godeas, Alicia Margarita. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Effect of the fungicide benomyl on spore germination and hyphal length of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae

The fungicide benomyl inhibited spore germination and hyphal length of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae when applied at doses of 21.25 μg/ml (agronomic dose), 10.62 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml. G. mosseae was able to germinate in the presence of 2.12 μg/ml of benomyl, and the percentage of spore germination was unaffected by dosis of 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 μg/ml of the fungicide. However, all doses of fungicide tested in this study decreased the hyphal length. When ungerminated G. mosseae spores previously exposed to benomyl were transferred to water-agar medium without benomyl, the maximum germination was 16%. Small spores of G. mosseae were more resistant to benomyl than the larger ones. Our results show some of the factors which can explain the variability of the effect of benomyl on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Patrones de producción y consumo responsable: La carrera por el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) en mercados emergentes

Since the end of the 20th century, the role of private multinational enterprises (MNEs) has been recognized as critical in implementing increased sustainable production and consumption atterns. Particularly after the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Agenda 2030, this role has increased. In this sense, this paper aims to analyze the measures and actions taken by companies in their contribution to the achievement of the SDG 12. Through the identification of more than 52 metrics in sustainability reports of 854 firms, findings suggest that direct greenhouse gas emissions and indirect greenhouse gas emissions are the most often reported corporate metrics to measure their impact on specific SDGs. This reveals the importance of sustainability actions in emerging market firms as a mechanism to gain legitimacy when operating in foreign markets and as an opportunity to create more sustainable production models.Desde finales del siglo XX, se ha reconocido que el papel de las empresas multinacionales (EMN) privadas es fundamental en el proceso de implementación de patrones de producción y consumo más sostenibles. Especialmente, tras la creación de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) y la Agenda 2030, este papel ha aumentado. En este sentido, este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las medidas y acciones tomadas por las empresas en su contribución al logro del ODS 12. Mediante la identificación de más de 52 métricas en los informes de sostenibilidad de 854 empresas, los hallazgos sugieren que las emisiones directas de gases de efecto invernadero y las emisiones indirectas de gases de efecto invernadero son las métricas corporativas con más información para medir su impacto en ODS específicos. Esto revela la importancia de las acciones de sostenibilidad en las empresas de mercados emergentes como mecanismo para ganar legitimidad al operar en mercados externos y como oportunidad para la creación de modelos de producción más sostenibles

Genetic characterization of Colombian indigenous sheep

Background: indigenous breeds are important for poor farmers because of their natural selection against harsh environments and adaptation to regional conditions. However, inbreeding of indigenous sheep populations has increased in Colombia due to indiscriminate cross-breeding with foreign animals and lack of reproductive controls, with subsequent loss in productivity, which poses a great risk for the conservation of valuable genes. Objective: to determine the genetic diversity in Colombian indigenous sheep by using a panel of 10 microsatellite molecular markers. Methods: blood samples from 362 individuals from 43 farms in 11 Colombian provinces were genotyped and analyzed for a panel of 10 microsatellite markers. Results: a total of 134 alleles were found (13.4 alleles/locus on average) with a range of observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.428 to 0.831 and 0.615 to 0.855, respectively, and 0.742 polymorphic information content (PIC). The average Wright F-statistics (FIS) of the breeds was 0.107, suggesting moderate levels of inbreeding. Colombian sheep showed a low level of genetic differentiation among breeds (FST = 0.054) and STRUCTURE analysis showed complex patterns of admixture in the breeds. Conclusion: overall, Colombian sheep have high genetic variability, which is very important for future conservation programs and genetic improvement

MIRD Pamphlet No 28, Part 2: Comparative Evaluation of MIRDcalc Dosimetry Software Across a Compendium of Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals

Radiopharmaceutical dosimetry is usually estimated via organ-level MIRD schema-style formalisms, which form the computational basis for commonly used clinical and research dosimetry software. Recently, MIRDcalc internal dosimetry software was developed to provide a freely available organ-level dosimetry solution that incorporates up-to-date models of human anatomy, addresses uncertainty in radiopharmaceutical biokinetics and patient organ masses, and offers a 1-screen user interface as well as quality assurance tools. The present work describes the validation of MIRDcalc and, secondarily, provides a compendium of radiopharmaceutical dose coefficients obtained with MIRDcalc. Biokinetic data for about 70 currently and historically used radiopharmaceuticals were obtained from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) publication 128 radiopharmaceutical data compendium. Absorbed dose and effective dose coefficients were derived from the biokinetic datasets using MIRDcalc, IDAC-Dose, and OLINDA software. The dose coefficients obtained with MIRDcalc were systematically compared against the other software-derived dose coefficients and those originally presented in ICRP publication 128. Dose coefficients computed with MIRDcalc and IDAC-Dose showed excellent overall agreement. The dose coefficients derived from other software and the dose coefficients promulgated in ICRP publication 128 both were in reasonable agreement with the dose coefficients computed with MIRDcalc. Future work should expand the scope of the validation to include personalized dosimetry calculations

Compensación salarial y calidad de vida

Este artículo pretende analizar la relación que existe entre la calidad de vida y la compensación salarial. Así mismo presenta el resultado de la aplicación de una encuesta a Líderes de Gestión Humana de las principales empresas del país y de los estudiantes de la maestría en Administración del Desarrollo Humano y Organizacional de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira