Gene expression and fatty acid profiling in longissimus thoracis muscle, subcutaneous fat, and liver of light lambs in response to concentrate or alfalfa grazing

A better understanding of gene expression and metabolic pathways in response to a feeding system is critical for identifying key physiological processes and genes associated with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content in lamb meat. The main objective of this study was to investigate transcriptional changes in L. thoracis (LT) muscle, liver, and subcutaneous fat (SF) of lambs that grazed alfalfa (ALF) and concentrate-fed (CON) slaughtered at 23 kg and using the Affymetrix Ovine Gene 1.1 ST whole-genome array. The study also evaluated the relationship between meat traits in LT muscle, including color, pigments and lipid oxidation during 7 days of display, a-tocopherol content, intramuscular fat (IMF) content and the fatty acid (FA) profile. Lambs that grazed on alfalfa had a greater a-tocopherol concentration in plasma than CON lambs (P 0.05). Grazing increased the a-tocopherol content (P < 0.001) and decreased lipid oxidation on day 7 of display (P < 0.05) in LT muscle. The ALF group contained a greater amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), C18:3 n-3, C20:5 n-3, C22:5 n-3, and C22:6 n-3 than did the CON group (P < 0.05). We identified 41, 96 and four genes differentially expressed in LT muscle, liver, and subcutaneous fat, respectively. The most enriched biological processes in LT muscle were skeletal muscle tissue development, being the genes related to catabolic and lipid processes downregulated, except for CPT1B, which was upregulated in the ALF lambs. Animals grazing alfalfa had lower expression of desaturase enzymes in the liver (FADS1 and FADS2), which regulate unsaturation of fatty acids and are directly involved in the metabolism of n-3 PUFA series. The results found in the current study showed that ingesting diets richer in n-3 PUFA might have negative effects on the de novo synthesis of n-3 PUFA by downregulating the FADS1 and FADS2 expression. However, feeding diets poorer in n-3 PUFA can promote fatty acid desaturation, which makes these two genes attractive candidates for altering the content of PUFAs in meat

Potential of a new strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BUZ-14 as a biocontrol agent of postharvest fruit diseases

The biocontrol potential of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain BUZ-14 was tested against the main postharvest diseases of orange, apple, grape and stone fruit. After characterizing the temperature and pH growth curves of strain BUZ-14, its in vitro antifungal activity was determined against Botrytis cinerea, Monilinia fructicola, M. laxa, Penicillium digitatum, P. expansum and P. italicum. Subsequently, in vivo activity was tested against these pathogens by treating fruit with cells, endospores and cell-free supernatants. The in vitro results showed that BUZ-14 inhibited the growth of all the pathogens tested corresponding to the least susceptible species, P. italicum, and the most susceptible, M. laxa. In vivo tests corroborated these results as most of the treatments decreased the incidence of brown rot in stone fruit from 100% to 0%, establishing 107 CFU mL-1 as the minimum inhibitory concentration. For the Penicillium species a preventive treatment inhibited P. digitatum and P. italicum growth in oranges and reduced P. expansum incidence in apples from 100% to 20%. Finally, it has been demonstrated that BUZ-14 was able to survive and to control brown rot in peaches stored at cool temperatures, making it a very suitable biocontrol agent for application during the post-harvest storage and marketing of horticultural products

Milk yield and genomewide expression profiling in the mammary gland of beef primiparous cows in response to the dietary management during the pre- and postweaning periods

Accelerated growth programs during prepubertal periods have been promoted to advance the first calving of beef heifers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate nutrition-induced changes on first lactation milk yield and composition and on gene expression of the mammary gland in Parda de Montaña primiparous cows. Female calves (n = 16) were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. In the preweaning period (PRE-W; 0–6 mo), female calves were either fed a creep feed supplement (Creep) or fed only their dam’s milk (Control). In the postweaning period (POST-W; 6–15 mo), heifers received either a high-energy diet (91.7 MJ/d) or a moderate-energy diet (79.3 MJ/d). All the heifers were managed together from breeding (15 mo) to the end of their first lactation (32 mo). Animal performance; milk production and quantity during the first lactation; plasma glucose, IGF-I, and leptin concentrations; and RNA samples from the mammary gland at the end of the first lactation of the primiparous cows (32 mo) were analyzed. The BW and ADG of the primiparous cow during its first lactation were not different among treatments; however, creep feeding during PRE-W reduced milk production (P < 0.01), milk CP, crude fat, lactose, nonfat solids, and casein content throughout lactation and increased somatic cell count in the third (P < 0.05) and fourth month of lactation (P < 0.10). The energy level during the POST-W had no effect on milk production and quality. Gene expression in the mammary gland was affected by the diet in the PRE-W and POST-W, with the PRE-W diet having the greatest impact. During the PRE-W, creep feeding resulted in upregulation of genes related to immune response and chemokine activity, suggesting that these animals might be in a compromised immune status. Therefore, this strategy would not be recommendable; meanwhile, increasing the energy level in the diet during the POST-W would be recommendable, because it had no deleterious effects on milk yield and composition

A functional variant in the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) gene promoter affects gene expression in ovine muscle

The nutritional quality of lambs may be improved with increased stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) gene expression, which increases the desaturation of stearic acid to oleic acid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rs412429481 (FJ513370: g.31C > A) SNP located at the SCD gene on the functionality of the gene in lambs reared under different production systems. The effect of the rs412429481 SNP on gene expression in Rasa Aragonesa male lambs slaughtered at 22–24 kg was studied in two experiments. In Experiment 1 (n = 44), the semitendinosus muscle of lambs grazing alfalfa (ALF) or fed concentrates indoors (IND) was analysed; in Experiment 2 (n = 48), the semitendinosus and longissimus thoracis muscles of lambs that received supplementation with dl-a-tocopheryl acetate for different finishing periods were used. In Experiment 1, the effect of the rs412429481 SNP on the expression of the SCD gene in the semitendinosus muscle depended on the feeding group (P < 0.001), as it had no effect in ALF lambs, but CA lambs had greater SCD expression than CC lambs under the IND conditions. Moreover, ALF lambs showed lower levels of SCD gene expression than IND lambs (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, gene expression was affected by the rs412429481 SNP in both muscles. Animals carrying the C- allele showed a lower expression rate than animals carrying the A- allele. These different expression levels were not associated with changes in the DNA methylation pattern or by the binding of specific nuclear proteins. Finally, we confirmed these results by luciferase assays, demonstrating that the SCD promoter containing the A variant had a 23.9% higher activity than the promoter containing the C variant

Influencia de los parámetros nutricionalesen cirugía de cadera

Bajo la hipótesis de que los parámetros nutricionales influyen en el desarrollo perioperatorio de la cirugía de cadera realizamos un estudio prospectivo observacional de tipo clínico sobre 100 pacientes con una edad media de 76 años. Realizamos una evaluación clínica al ingreso: talla, peso, pliegue cutáneo, circunferencia braquial y muscular. Medición de proteínas plasmáticas y linfocitos totales al ingreso, en el postoperatorio y cada 7 días. Definimos los pacientes según los valores nutricionales analíticos y clínicos. El 51% de nuestros pacientes presentaban desnutrición caloricoproteica. La media transfusional en malnutridos fue 600 c.c. frente a 350 c.c. del grupo nutrido (p < 0,05). El 73% de las complicaciones se presentaron en pacientes malnutridos. No hallamos diferencias en los períodos de sedestación y deambulación, aunque sí en la estancia hospitalaria, 15 días frente a 18,5 días (p < 0,01). La prealbúmina mostró variaciones de forma más precoz ante el acto quirúrgico.A prospective observation was conducted with the hypothesis that the nutritional situation has influence in postoperative development of hip surgery [n = 100; age 76 years (55-95)]. A nutritional evaluation was performed before surgery through the evolution of height, body weight, skin fold and braquial and muscular circunference. Serie proteins and lymphocytes levels were measured during hospital admission, in postoperative and each seven days. A 51% of patients showed protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Transfusional haematic requirements were 600 c c . in malnutrition patients and 350 c.c. in the rest (p < 0.05). Complications appeared in PEM patients in 73% cases. The hospital stay was longer in those patients who presented PEM upon admittance (p < 0.01). Postoperatively, the prealbumin was the protein whose serie level had faster changes

Clinical implications of epithelial cell plasticity in cancer progression

Mini-review[Abstract] In the last few years, the role of epithelial cell plasticity in cancer biology research has gained increasing attention. This concept refers to the ability of the epithelial cells to dynamically switch between different phenotypic cellular states. This programme is particularly relevant during the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer progression. During colonization, epithelial cells first activate the EMT programme to disseminate from a primary tumour to reach a distant tissue site. During this process, cells are transported into the circulation and are able to escape the immune system of the host. Then, a reverse process called mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) occurs on cells that settle in the distant organs. Although epithelial cell plasticity has an important impact on tumour biology, the clinical relevance of this concept remains to be recapitulated. In this review, we will update the current state of epithelial cell plasticity in cancer progression and its clinical implications for the design of therapeutic strategies, the acquisition of multidrug resistance, and future perspectives for the management of cancer patients.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI13/00250Xunta de Galicia; 10CSA916023PRXunta de Galicia; PS09/2

Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab as First-line Treatment for Patients With Metastatic Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With High Tumor Mutation Burden: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Bevacizumab; Lung neoplasms; Neoplasm metastasisBevacizumab; Neoplasias pulmonares; Metástasis neoplásicaBevacizumab; Càncer de pulmó; Metàstasi neoplàsicaImportance: Antiangiogenic drug combinations with anti-programmed cell death 1 protein and anti-programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) agents are a novel treatment option for lung cancer. However, survival remains limited, and the activity of these combinations for tumors with high tumor mutation burden (TMB) is unknown. Objective: To assess the clinical benefits and safety of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for patients with high-TMB advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Design, setting, and participants: This multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial (Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab in First-Line NSCLC Patients [TELMA]) included treatment-naive patients aged 18 years or older with confirmed stage IIIB-IV nonsquamous NSCLC with TMB of 10 or more mutations/megabase and no EGFR, ALK, STK11, MDM2, or ROS1 alterations. From May 2019 through January 2021, patients were assessed at 13 sites in Spain, with follow-up until February 28, 2022. Interventions: Participants were given atezolizumab, 1200 mg, plus bevacizumab, 15 mg/kg, on day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Treatment was continued until documented disease progression, unacceptable toxic effects, patient withdrawal, investigator decision, or death. Main outcomes and measures: The primary end point was 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate (according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours, version 1.1 criteria); PFS was defined as the time from enrollment to disease progression or death. Adverse events were monitored according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. Results: A total of 307 patients were assessed for trial eligibility, of whom 266 were ineligible for enrollment. Of the 41 patients enrolled, 3 did not fulfill all inclusion criteria and were excluded. The remaining 38 patients (28 [73.7%] male; mean [SD] age, 63.7 [8.3] years) constituted the per-protocol population. The 12-month PFS rate was 51.3% (95% CI, 34.2%-66.0%), which met the primary end point. The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 72.0% (95% CI, 54.1%-83.9%). The median PFS was 13.0 months (95% CI, 7.9-18.0 months), and the median OS was not reached. Of the 38 patients, 16 (42.1%) achieved an objective response and 30 (78.9%) achieved disease control. The median time to response was 2.8 months (IQR, 2.8-3.58 months), with a median duration of response of 11.7 months (range, 3.57-22.4 months; the response was ongoing at cutoff). Of 16 responses, 8 (50.0%) were ongoing. Most adverse events were grade 1 or 2. For atezolizumab, the most common adverse events were fatigue (6 [15.8%]) and pruritus (6 [15.8%]). For bevacizumab, they were hypertension (10 [26.3%]) and proteinuria (4 [10.5%]). Drug discontinuation occurred in 2 patients receiving atezolizumab (5.3%) and 3 patients receiving bevacizumab (7.9%). PD-L1 levels were not associated with response, PFS, or OS. Conclusions and relevance: These findings suggest that atezolizumab with bevacizumab is a potential treatment for high-TMB nonsquamous NSCLC

Circumventing Traditional Conditioning Protocols in Polymer Membrane-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes

Preparation of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) often requires long and complicated conditioning protocols limiting their application as tools for in-field measurements. Herein, we eliminated the need for electrode conditioning by loading the membrane cocktail directly with primary ion solution. This proof of concept experiment was performed with iodide, silver, and sodium selective electrodes. The proposed methodology significantly shortened the preparation time of ISEs, yielding functional electrodes with submicromolar detection limits. Moreover, it is anticipated that this approach may form the basis for the development of miniaturized all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes for in situ measurements

Abriendo la formación de los profesionales de la educación al campo de los MOOC. Resultados de un proyecto de investigación en las universidades de Cantabria y Oviedo

This research deals with the role of principals in Latin-American secondary schools. Becoming a school leader is a slow process which demands a series of management and administration skills, and also a series of personal values which define his/her leadership in the community and promote a suitable environment for learning. In this study, we look into the values they attempt to apply in their work and the challenges they face when building an educational community. Through a cross-case study, we address the reality of seven Latin-American principals. To do so, we have chosen a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews and observation are our data-gathering techniques. In the findings, we stress the importance of honesty, justice or courage and cordiality as values which mark his/her management. However, teacher resistance and the lack of family support are key factors in the building of a united community.En el artículo se presentan los resultados de una investigación centrada en acercar el debate académico sobre los MOOC a las titulaciones de educación superior, tratando con ello de poner a dialogar a los estudios del currículum y a las tecnologías educativas. El objetivo fue realizar un análisis pedagógico de cursos MOOC ofertados en castellano y de temática pedagógica que finalizase con la elaboración de una Guía de Buenas Prácticas con MOOC. En la investigación, de corte cualitativo, se utilizaron técnicas de recogida de datos como las observaciones, diarios de campo, grupos de discusión y entrevistas. El trabajo se estructuró en tres grandes fases y se ha desarrollado durante un año en las Facultades de Educación de las Universidades de Cantabria y Oviedo (junio 2014- junio 2015).  Su desarrollo ha sido posible en el marco de un Proyecto de Innovación Docente concedido por el Vicerrectorado de Profesorado de la Universidad de Cantabria. Los resultados muestran la importancia que ha tenido el trabajo de análisis realizado con los estudiantes en el marco de varias asignaturas de las titulaciones de educación, tanto por los resultados obtenidos como por el proceso de trabajo desarrollado. Se concluye que es necesario acercar el fenómeno de los MOOC a los estudios educativos, ampliando el horizonte de los mismos con el abordaje de nuevos fenómenos sociales y educativos, así como realizar un análisis crítico de este tipo de formación on-line que no solamente tenga en cuenta factores tecnológicos o económicos, sino también elementos pedagógicos. Al mismo tiempo, el proyecto ha servido para generar procesos de coordinación docente en las titulaciones implicadas y ha ayudado a la creación de una comunidad de práctica