Improvement of the design and generation of highly specific plant knockdown lines using primary synthetic microRNAs (pri-smiRNAs)

Niemeier S, Alves jun. L, Merkle T. Improvement of the design and generation of highly specific plant knockdown lines using primary synthetic microRNAs (pri-smiRNAs). BMC Research Notes. 2010;3(1): 59.Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. In plants, they typically show high complementarity to a single sequence motif within their target mRNAs and act by catalyzing specific mRNA cleavage and degradation. miRNAs are processed from much longer primary transcripts via precursor miRNAs containing fold-back structures. Leaving these secondary structures intact, miRNAs can be re-designed experimentally to target mRNAs of choice. Results: We designed primary synthetic miRNAs (pri-smiRNAs) on the basis of the primary transcript of the Arabidopsis MIR159A gene by replacing the original miR159a and the corresponding miR159a* with novel sequences, keeping the overall secondary structure as predicted by the program RNAfold. We used the program RNAhybrid to optimize smiRNA design and to screen the complete Arabidopsis transcriptome for potential off-targets. To improve the molecular cloning of the pri-smiRNA we inserted restriction sites in the original MIR159A primary transcript to easily accommodate the smiRNA/smiRNA* DNA fragment. As a proof-of-concept, we targeted the single gene encoding chalcone synthase (CHS) in Arabidopsis. We demonstrate smiRNA(CHS) expression and CHS mRNA cleavage in different transgenic lines. Phenotypic changes in these lines were observed for seed color and flavonol derivatives, and quantified with respect to anthocyanin content. We also tested the effect of mismatches and excess G:U base pairs on knockdown efficiency. Conclusions: RNAhybrid-assisted design of smiRNAs and generation of pri-smiRNAs using a novel vector containing restriction sites greatly improves specificity and speed of the generation of stable knockdown lines for functional analyses in plants

Tick-Borne Rickettsioses in the Iberian Peninsula

Tick-borne rickettsioses (TBR) are caused by obligate, intracellular bacteria of the spotted-fever group (SFG) of the genus Rickettsia (Order Rickettsiales), transmitted by hard ticks. TBR are one of the oldest known vector-borne zoonoses and pose a threat to both human and animal health, as over the years, new SFG Rickettsia spp. have been reported worldwide with the potential to be human pathogens. In Portugal and Spain, the countries that constitute the Iberian Peninsula, reported TB rickettsiae causing human disease include Rickettsia conorii conorii, Rickettsia conorii israelensis, Rickettsia slovaca, Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia rioja, Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae, and Rickettsia monacensis. An allochthonous case of TBR caused by Rickettsia massiliae, described in Spain, points to the need to monitor disease epidemiology, to predict risks of exposure and spread of disease, and taking into account globalization and climate changes. This review aims to provide up-to-date information on the status of TBR in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as to show the importance of a national and international collaborative epidemiology surveillance network, towards monitoring Rickettsia spp. circulation in both Portugal and Spain.publishersversionpublishe

Biosensors Based on Isothermal DNA Amplification for Bacterial Detection in Food Safety and Environmental Monitoring

The easy and rapid spread of bacterial contamination and the risk it poses to human health makes evident the need for analytical methods alternative to conventional time-consuming laboratory-based techniques for bacterial detection. To tackle this demand, biosensors based on isothermal DNA amplification methods have emerged, which avoid the need for thermal cycling, thus facilitating their integration into small and low-cost devices for in situ monitoring. This review focuses on the breakthroughs made on biosensors based on isothermal amplification methods for the detection of bacteria in the field of food safety and environmental monitoring. Optical and electrochemical biosensors based on loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), rolling circle amplification (RCA), recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), helicase dependent amplification (HDA), strand displacement amplification (SDA), and isothermal strand displacement polymerisation (ISDPR) are described, and an overview of their current advantages and limitations is provided. Although further efforts are required to harness the potential of these emerging analytical techniques, the coalescence of the different isothermal amplification techniques with the wide variety of biosensing detection strategies provides multiple possibilities for the efficient detection of bacteria far beyond the laboratory bench.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Model development to support the process of developing a decision support system

Nessa pesquisa exploratória objetiva-se construir um modelo que subsidie o processo de desenvolvimento de software para avaliar um sistema de gestão. Utilizou-se a Metodologia Multicritério de Apoio à Decisão - Construtivista (MCDA-C), a qual identifica, organiza e mensura, ordinal e cardinalmente, os aspectos tidos em conta pelo decisor para a gestão do contexto. Confirma-se a possibilidade de construção de um modelo que explicite os requisitos do cliente, visando avaliar o grau de atendimento que o software proposto, denominado Monitoring and Improving Context (MIC), alcança, e assim ser utilizado como instrumento de negociação para a definição do sistema necessário.The aim of this exploratory research is to construct a model to support a process of software development in order to evaluate a management system. The Multicriteria Methodology of Decision Aiding - Constructivist (MCDA-C) was used, which supports the identification, organization and ordinal and cardinal measurement of the aspects taken into account by the decision maker for the context management. We argue that it is possible to construct a model with the specification of the customer requirements to evaluate the degree of service that the proposed software named Monitoring and Improving Context (MIC) achieves in relation to the demands of the customer, and thus be used as an instrument for the definition of the final system

Eventos generadores de la crisis actual en EEUU y sus consecuencias

29 Páginas.Varios factores importantes marcan precedentes para esta crisis. Es importante poder diferenciar la función crediticia de los bancos de la función inversionista aunque realmente no se haya llevado a cabalidad; ya que los bancos tenían claro que seguramente no conservarían los créditos hasta su maduración sino que los empaquetarían y los cederían a otros que sin el control requerido, con facilidad podría ser “cualquiera” a quien se le podría prestar sin tener en cuenta el riesgo de contraparte con el que estaban corriendo. Pudiéndose de esta forma, generar que no solo los títulos correspondían a Titularizaciones de deuda “Sub-prime” sino también a instrumentos derivados de dicha deuda. En el año 2007, se produjo la quiebra de los fondos hipotecarios de Bernstein marcando así el inicio de la crisis de forma oficial

Low precipitation due to climate change consistently reduces multifunctionality of urban grasslands in mesocosms

Urban grasslands are crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem services in cities, while little is known about their multifunctionality under climate change. Thus, we investigated the effects of simulated climate change, i.e., increased [CO2] and temperature, and reduced precipitation, on individual functions and overall multifunctionality in mesocosm grasslands sown with forbs and grasses in four different proportions aiming at mimicking road verge grassland patches. Climate change scenarios RCP2.6 (control) and RCP8.5 (worst-case) were simulated in walk-in climate chambers of an ecotron facility, and watering was manipulated for normal vs. reduced precipitation. We measured eight indicator variables of ecosystem functions based on below- and aboveground characteristics. The young grassland communities responded to higher [CO2] and warmer conditions with increased vegetation cover, height, flower production, and soil respiration. Lower precipitation affected carbon cycling in the ecosystem by reducing biomass production and soil respiration. In turn, the water regulation capacity of the grasslands depended on precipitation interacting with climate change scenario, given the enhanced water efficiency resulting from increased [CO2] under RCP8.5. Multifunctionality was negatively affected by reduced precipitation, especially under RCP2.6. Trade-offs arose among single functions that performed best in either grass- or forb-dominated grasslands. Grasslands with an even ratio of plant functional types coped better with climate change and thus are good options for increasing the benefits of urban green infrastructure. Overall, the study provides experimental evidence of the effects of climate change on the functionality of urban ecosystems. Designing the composition of urban grasslands based on ecological theory may increase their resilience to global change.publishedVersio

Síndrome de eisenmenger y embarazo – reporte de 2 casos

El síndrome de Eisenmenger es una patología del sistema vascular pulmonar, que se caracteriza por un incremento de las resistencias en los vasos sanguíneos pulmonares, en pacientes con antecedentes de cardiopatía con comunicación entre la circulación pulmonar y circulación sistémica. Este síndrome en la mujer embarazada representa un alto índice de morbilidad y mortalidad tanto para la madre como para el feto; los síntomas que presentan surgen como consecuencia de los cambios fisiológicos en el sistema cardiovascular y hematopoyético. Es un desafío para el obstetra el manejo de estas pacientes idealmente debe ofrecerse asesoría preconcepcional, y valoración por cardiología; si no es posible, se realizará evaluación del riesgo desde el primer control prenatal. El mejor tratamiento consiste en oxigenoterapia, medicamentos vasodilatadores, y anticoagulantes, logrando disminuir el porcentaje de pobres desenlaces materno-fetales. Es de vital importancia definir el momento del nacimiento con el fin de tomar las medidas terapéuticas necesarias para evitar complicaciones, además se requiere de un manejo multidisciplinario, incluido el apoyo por una unidad de cuidado intensivo dado la alta probabilidad de complicaciones asociadas a esta patología.Eisenmenger syndrome is a pathology of the pulmonary vascular system, which is characterized by an increase in resistance of the pulmonary blood vessels in patients with a history of heart disease with communication between the pulmonary circulation and the systemic circulation. This syndrome in pregnant women represents a high morbidity and mortality rate for both the mother and the fetus. The symptoms that arise are a consequence of the physiological changes in the cardiovascular and hematopoietic system. The management of these patients is a challenge for the obstetrician; ideally, preconception counseling and cardiology assessment should be offered and if this is not possible, risk assessment should be carried out from the first prenatal control. The best treatment consists of oxygen therapy, vasodilating agents, and anticoagulant medications with the goal of reducing the percentage of poor maternal-fetal outcomes. It is vitally important to define the time of birth in order to take the necessary therapeutic measures to avoid complications. In addition, multidisciplinary management and an intensive care unit are required due to the high probability of complications associated with this pathology

PERAN DAN EFISIENSI KERJA PRAMUSAJI THE 18TH RESTAURANT DALAM MENINGKATKAN PENDAPATAN DI TRANS LUXURY HOTEL BANDUNG

Dalam industri jasa bidang perhotelan yang diberi label sebagai hospitality industry di dapatkan melalui akomodasi serta food and beverage service. Adanya kemajuan serta kemunduran pada perhotelan yang telah ditentukan dari kedua dalam unsur tersebut.penelitian yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah fenomenologi. Fenomenologi, sesuai dengan namanya, adalah ilmu (logos) mengenai sesuatu yang tampak (phenomenon). Lokasi yang digunakan selama penelitian ini berlangsung adalah di The 18th Restaurant di Trans Luxury Bandung. Informan dalam penelitian ini dari Industri. tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu: Menganalisis pengaruh peran kerja pramusaji The 18th Restaurant dalam meningkatkan pendapatan di Trans Luxury Hotel Bandung, Menganalisis pengaruh efisiensi kerja pramusaji The 18th Restaurant meningkatkan pendapatan di Trans Luxury Hotel Bandung. Peran kerja pramusaji The 18th Restaurant dalam meningkatkan pendapatan di Trans Luxury Hotel Bandung sangat berpengaruh karena menurut Supervisor The 18th Restaurant, pramusaji lah yang melakukan direct approach kepada para tamu di The 18th Restaurant, Semakin efisien seseorang dalam melakukan tugasnya maka dapat dipastikan akan membawa hasil yang memuaskan juga, begitu pula yang terjadi kepada para pramusaji The 18th Restaurant. Menurut supervisor The 18th Restaurant semakin baik atau efisien pramusaji dalam melakukan tugasnya maka keadaan yang tidak diinginkan pun kemungkinan besar tidak terjadi

World university rankings: What they say international studies?

Como decidir em qual universidade devo realizar a graduação? Qual universidade parece mais bem preparada para desenvolver este projeto com o governo? Quais ações devem ser implementadas para melhorar o desempenho de nossa universidade? Os rankings universitários emergem subsidiando informações sobre o posicionamento das universidades com base em um conjunto de indicadores. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa é conhecer as publicações internacionais sobre o tema “rankings universitários” que possibilitem identificar as bases metodológicas adotadas pelos principais rankings existentes. A seleção das publicações foi realizada por meio do instrumento de intervenção Proknow-C que identificou 34 artigos nas bases de dados Web of Science e Scopus alinhados ao tema. Com base na análise do Portfólio Bibliográfico (PB), constatou-se que a ideia de rankings universitários remonta ao ano de 1880, embora os 20 rankings da atualidade tenham sido desenvolvidos a partir de 1983 e possuem objetivos diversos, tais como: qualidade do ensino, qualidade da pesquisa e trabalhos científicos, garantia de mercado de trabalho ao aluno, excelência nos programas de pós-graduação, excelência da universidade pelo desempenho geral, visibilidade da instituição na internet, entre outros. As principais críticas estão relacionadas aos objetivos, indicadores e à metodologia utilizadaHow to decide which university I hold graduation? Which university seems better prepared to develop this project with the government? Actions to be implemented to improve the performance of our university? College rankings emerge subsidizing information about the positioning of universities based on a set of indicators. The objective of this research is to know the international publications on the subject "university rankings" that make it possible to identify the methodological bases adopted by major existing rankings. The selection of publications was performed by the Proknow-C intervention instrument which identified that 34 articles in the databases Web of Science and Scopus aligned to the theme. Based on the analysis of the PB, it was found that the idea of university rankings dating back to 1880, although the 20 current rankings have been developed since 1983 and have several objectives such as: quality of teaching, research quality and scientific research, labor market guarantee the student, excellence in graduate programs, excellence of the university for the overall performance, the institution's visibility on the internet and others. The main criticisms are related to the objectives, indicators and the methodology use