An integrative approach to discovering cryptic species within the Bemisia tabaci whitefly species complex

Bemisia tabaci is a cryptic whitefly-species complex that includes some of the most damaging pests and plant-virus vectors of a diverse range of food and fibre crops worldwide. We combine experimental evidence of: (i) differences in reproductive compatibility, (ii) hybrid verification using a specific nuclear DNA marker and hybrid fertility confirmation and (iii) high-throughput sequencing-derived mitogenomes, to show that the “Mediterranean” (MED) B. tabaci comprises at least two distinct biological species; the globally invasive MED from the Mediterranean Basin and the “African silver-leafing” (ASL) from sub-Saharan Africa, which has no associated invasion records. We demonstrate that, contrary to its common name, the “ASL” does not induce squash silver-leafing symptoms and show that species delimitation based on the widely applied 3.5% partial mtCOI gene sequence divergence threshold produces discordant results, depending on the mtCOI region selected. Of the 292 published mtCOI sequences from MED/ASL groups, 158 (54%) are low quality and/or potential pseudogenes. We demonstrate fundamental deficiencies in delimiting cryptic B. tabaci species, based solely on partial sequences of a mitochondrial barcoding gene. We advocate an integrative approach to reveal the true species richness within cryptic species complexes, which is integral to the deployment of effective pest and disease management strategies

Toward osteogenic differentiation of marrow stromal cells and in vitro production of mineralized extracellular matrix onto natural scaffolds

Uncorrected proofTissue engineering has emerged as a new interdisciplinary field for the repair of various tissues, restoring their functions by using scaffolds, cells, and/or bioactive factors. A temporary scaffold acts as an extracellular matrix analog to culture cells and guide the development of new tissue. In this chapter, we discuss the preparation of naturally derived scaffolds of polysaccharide origin, the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on biomimetic calcium phosphate coatings, and the delivery of biomolecules associated with extracellular matrix mineralization

2017 update of the WSES guidelines for emergency repair of complicated abdominal wall hernias

Emergency repair of complicated abdominal wall hernias may be associated with worsen outcome and a significant rate of postoperative complications. There is no consensus on management of complicated abdominal hernias. The main matter of debate is about the use of mesh in case of intestinal resection and the type of mesh to be used. Wound infection is the most common complication encountered and represents an immense burden especially in the presence of a mesh. The recurrence rate is an important topic that influences the final outcome. A World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) Consensus Conference was held in Bergamo in July 2013 with the aim to define recommendations for emergency repair of abdominal wall hernias in adults. This document represents the executive summary of the consensus conference approved by a WSES expert panel. In 2016, the guidelines have been revised and updated according to the most recent available literature.Peer reviewe

Revisión de enfoques de políticas alimentarias: entre la seguridad y la soberanía alimentaria (2000-2013)

Las políticas alimentarias han cobrado especial interés, a raíz de la crisis alimentaria mundial de 2008 y el impulso de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio; dando lugar a enfoques desde diversas orientaciones disciplinarias. Esta revisión temática tiene como objetivo describir los principales enfoques teóricos y metodológicos de políticas, elaborados desde las perspectivas de la seguridad alimentaria y soberanía alimentaria. Se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos para publicaciones académicas entre 2000 y 2013. De 2.699 publicaciones, se seleccionaron 320 artículos completos. Luego de su lectura para aplicar los criterios de inclusión, se conservaron 55 artículos para el análisis. Se concluye que, frente al predominio de la seguridad alimentaria como orientadora de políticas, emerge la respuesta crítica de la soberanía alimentaria, que debe ser incluida en el diseño y estudio de políticas alimentarias. Éstas son un asunto esencial para el logro de los objetivos de la salud pública. Por tanto, ella debe asumir un rol protagónico, orientador y articulador en dichas políticas