Chromosomal location of genes encoding for resistance to septoria tritici blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola) in substitution lines of wheat

Chromosomal location of resistance to Mycosphaerella graminicola was studied in substitution lines of resistant Triticum genotypes into the (susceptible) cultivar Chinese Spring (T. aestivum). (Moderately) resistant genotypes for which substitution lines were available were tested in a first screening. We selected a synthetic hexaploid wheat (Synthetic 6x; T. dicoccoides × T. tauschii), T. spelta and the wheat (T. aestivum) cultivars Cheyenne and Cappelle-Desprez. In a second screening the most suitable Argentinian isolates were identified. We decided to use the isolate IPO 92067 (all sets of substitution lines), IPO 93014 (substitution lines of Synthetic 6x, Cappelle-Desprez and T. spelta) and IPO 92064 (substitution lines of Cheyenne). In the final experiments, substitution lines of the selected genotypes into Chinese Spring were grown in two different environments and inoculated with the selected isolates at the seedling stage (lines of all four selected genotypes) or the adult stage (lines of Synthetic 6x and Cheyenne). Resistance was expressed as (reduction in) necrosis percentage or pycnidial coverage percentage; the two measures were highly (linearly) correlated. When tested in the seedling stage, all chromosomes seemed to carry genes effective against M. graminicola. Many genes were effective against only one isolate or in only one environment or their effects only showed in one resistance parameter. Often these effects were minor. Only chromosome 7D of Synthetic 6x was found with a major effect against both isolates tested. When tested in the adult stage, all lines but the one carrying chromosome 4B from the resistant parent seemed to show genes effective against M. graminicola. The line carrying chromosome 7D from Synthetic 6x showed a level of resistance similar to the resistant parent for isolate IPO 92067, but not for isolate IPO 93014. Major genes, effective against both isolates, were also found on chromosomes 5A and 5D from Synthetic 6x. Lines carrying chromosome 1B, 5D or 6D from Cheyenne showed major effects against isolate IPO 92064. For both necrosis percentage and pycnidial coverage percentage, highly significant linear correlations were found between resistance in the seedling stage and resistance in the adult stage. However, the variance accounted for was only small (20-24%; n = 184).Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Enteral Feeding: Brain-Visceral Interactions in the Processing of Nutrients

Enteral nutrition is often mandatory, especially for patients in vegetative or minimally conscious state. However, its application is nonviable in certain cases due to various adverse effects. Some of these are explained by absence of the cephalic phase of digestion, during which exocrine, endocrine, and motor physiological responses prepare the digestive system to receive, digest, transform, and utilize ingested nutrients. These responses result from the stimulation by nutrients of cephalic sensory systems, mainly in the oropharyngeal cavity, and can also be elicited by food-related thoughts or expectations. The digestive system appears able to rapidly assess the suitability of food and transmit this information to the brain. The vagus nerve and its brainstem relays in the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) and parabrachial complex appear to participate in the anatomic pathway responsible for this rapid processing. Thus, blockade of the vagus nerve, NST, or external lateral parabrachial region (LPBe) interrupts expression of conditioned taste preferences induced by administration of “predigested” food, while LPBe activation by electric stimulation generates similar preferences to those observed after cephalic food administration. This review may help design enteral diets better adapted to digestive physiology and develop pharmacological interventions against adverse effects of enteral nutrition

Sensation seeking and impulsivity as predictors of aggression in adolescents

La adolescencia es una etapa, en la que la impulsividad y la búsqueda de sensaciones se presentan como dos factores que confluyen con un amplio abanico de cambios, inherentes al desarrollo adolescente. La impulsividad y la búsqueda de sensaciones han sido frecuentemente vinculadas a comportamientos de riesgo en adolescentes, y especialmente afines a la agresividad. Con el presente trabajo se pretende analizar el valor predictivo de variables relacionadas con la búsqueda de sensaciones y la impulsividad, en relación a la adopción de diferentes formas de agresión (agresión física, agresión verbal, ira y hostilidad), en adolescentes. Para ello, se seleccionó una muestra de 822 alumnos de secundaria, y se aplicaron la Escala de Búsqueda de Sensaciones, la Escala de Impulsividad Estado (EIE) y el Cuestionario de Agresión (AQ). Los resultados obtenidos, evidencian la existencia de correlaciones positivas entre los factores de búsqueda de sensaciones e impulsividad, con respecto a las modalidades de agresión analizadas. Por otro lado, los análisis de regresión múltiple evidencian el valor predictivo de los factores de búsqueda de sensaciones e impulsividad, para las diferentes manifestaciones de la conducta agresiva. Más concretamente, destaca la presencia de los componentes de la impulsividad en los modelos explicativos de la agresión física y verbal, y el factor Atencional como el mejor predictor de la ira y la hostilidad

Monitoring and environmental risk assessment of pesticide residues and some of their degradation products in natural waters of the Spanish vineyard region included in the Denomination of Origin Jumilla

[EN] Water pollution by pesticides used in agriculture is currently a major concern both in Spain and in Europe as a whole, prompting the need to evaluate water quality and ecological risk in areas of intensive agriculture. This study involved monitoring pesticide residues and certain degradation products in surface and ground waters of the Denomination of Origin (DO) Jumilla vineyard area in Spain. Sixty-nine pesticides were selected and evaluated at twenty-one sampling points using a multi-residue analytical method, based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analysis by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), providing reliable results. Twenty-six compounds from those selected were detected in the samples analyzed (eleven insecticides including one degradation product, nine herbicides, and six fungicides) and fifteen of them were found in concentrations over 0.1 μg L−1 (upper threshold established by the EU for pesticides detected in waters for human consumption). Indoxacarb was present in more than 70% of the samples, being the most frequently detected compound in water samples. Some pesticides were ubiquitous in all the water samples. Ecotoxicological risk indicators, toxic units (TUs) and risk quotients (RQs), for algae, Daphnia magna and fish were calculated to estimate the environmental risk of the presence of pesticides in waters. The compounds with the highest risk were the herbicides pendimethalin, with RQ values > 1 for the three aquatic organisms, and diflufenican, posing a high risk for algae and fish, and the insecticide chlorpyrifos, with a high risk for Daphnia magna and fish. The ∑TUi determined for water at each sampling point posed only a high risk for the three aquatic organisms in a sample. These results are important for considering the selection of pesticides with less environmental risk in intensive agricultural areas

Arte paleolítico en Gorham's Cave (Gibraltar)

En este trabajo presentamos las novedades sobre el arte paleolítico de la cueva de Gorham. En el apartado mobiliar, abordamos una aproximación multidisciplinar en la que se analizan los datos petrográficos, deposicionales, diagenéticos, tafonómicos y antrópicos (técnicos o iconográficos) identificados en dos plaquetas de arte mueble. El arte parietal de Gorham se amplía con las manifestaciones localizadas en una Galería ubicada al final del cavernamiento. En ambos casos, la procedencia estratigráfica o los rasgos estilísticos permiten su atribución al Magdaleniense.We present the news on Palaeolithic art of Gorham’s cave. In paragraph of mobiliary art, we discuss a multidisciplinary approach in analyzing the petrographic, depositional, diagenetic, taphonomic and anthropic (technical or iconographic) data identified of two plaquettes of portable art. The Gorham’s cave art expands with the paintings located in the gallery located at the end of the cave. In both cases, the stratigraphic provenance or stylistic features allow its attribution to the Magdalenian

Impact of FLT3–ITD mutation status and its ratio in a cohort of 2901 patients undergoing upfront intensive chemotherapy: a PETHEMA registry study

FLT3–ITD results in a poor prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the prognostic usefulness of the allelic ratio (AR) to select post-remission therapy remains controversial. Our study focuses on the prognostic impact of FLT3–ITD and its ratio in a series of 2901 adult patients treated intensively in the pre-FLT3 inhibitor era and reported in the PETHEMA registry. A total of 579 of these patients (20%) harbored FLT3–ITD mutations. In multivariate analyses, patients with an FLT3–ITD allele ratio (AR) of >0.5 showed a lower complete remission (CR rate) and OS (HR 1.47, p = 0.009), while AR > 0.8 was associated with poorer RFS (HR 2.1; p < 0.001). Among NPM1/FLT3–ITD-mutated patients, median OS gradually decreased according to FLT3–ITD status and ratio (34.3 months FLT3–ITD-negative, 25.3 months up to 0.25, 14.5 months up to 0.5, and 10 months ≥ 0.5, p < 0.001). Post-remission allogeneic transplant (allo-HSCT) resulted in better OS and RFS as compared to auto-HSCT in NPM1/FLT3–ITD-mutated AML regardless of pre-established AR cutoff (≤0.5 vs. >0.5). Using the maximally selected log-rank statistics, we established an optimal cutoff of FLT3–ITD AR of 0.44 for OS, and 0.8 for RFS. We analyzed the OS and RFS according to FLT3–ITD status in all patients, and we found that the group of FLT3–ITD-positive patients with AR < 0.44 had similar 5-year OS after allo-HSCT or auto-HSCT (52% and 41%, respectively, p = 0.86), but worse RFS after auto-HSCT (p = 0.01). Among patients with FLT3–ITD AR > 0.44, allo-HSCT was superior to auto-HSCT in terms of OS and RFS. This study provides more evidence for a better characterization of patients with AML harboring FLT3–ITD mutations

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Delivery Systems for Cardiac Repair: An Overview

Since the discovery of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its leading role in the angiogenic process, this has been seen as a promising molecule for promoting neovascularization in the infarcted heart. However, even though several clinical trials were initiated, no therapeutic effects were observed, due in part to the short half life of this factor when administered directly to the tissue. In this context, drug delivery systems appear to offer a promising strategy to overcome limitations in clinical trials of VEGF

Networking for advanced molecular diagnosis in acute myeloid leukemia patients is possible: the PETHEMA NGS-AML project

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has recently been introduced to efficiently and simultaneously detect genetic variations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, its implementation in the clinical routine raises new challenges focused on the diversity of assays and variant reporting criteria. In order to overcome this challenge, the PETHEMA group established a nationwide network of reference laboratories aimed to deliver molecular results in the clinics. We report the technical cross-validation results for NGS panel genes during the standardization process and the clinical validation in 823 samples of 751 patients with newly diagnosed or refractory/relapse AML. Two cross-validation rounds were performed in seven nationwide reference laboratories in order to reach a consensus regarding quality metrics criteria and variant reporting. In the pre-standardization cross-validation round, an overall concordance of 60.98% was obtained with a great variability in selected genes and conditions across laboratories. After consensus of relevant genes and optimization of quality parameters the overall concordance rose to 85.57% in the second cross-validation round. We show that a diagnostic network with harmonized NGS analysis and reporting in seven experienced laboratories is feasible in the context of a scientific group. This cooperative nationwide strategy provides advanced molecular diagnostic for AML patients of the PETHEMA group (clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT03311815)

Chromosomal location of genes encoding for resistance to septoria tritici blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola) in substitution lines of wheat

Chromosomal location of resistance to Mycosphaerella graminicola was studied in substitution lines of resistant Triticum genotypes into the (susceptible) cultivar Chinese Spring (T. aestivum). (Moderately) resistant genotypes for which substitution lines were available were tested in a first screening. We selected a synthetic hexaploid wheat (Synthetic 6x; T. dicoccoides × T. tauschii), T. spelta and the wheat (T. aestivum) cultivars Cheyenne and Cappelle-Desprez. In a second screening the most suitable Argentinian isolates were identified. We decided to use the isolate IPO 92067 (all sets of substitution lines), IPO 93014 (substitution lines of Synthetic 6x, Cappelle-Desprez and T. spelta) and IPO 92064 (substitution lines of Cheyenne). In the final experiments, substitution lines of the selected genotypes into Chinese Spring were grown in two different environments and inoculated with the selected isolates at the seedling stage (lines of all four selected genotypes) or the adult stage (lines of Synthetic 6x and Cheyenne). Resistance was expressed as (reduction in) necrosis percentage or pycnidial coverage percentage; the two measures were highly (linearly) correlated. When tested in the seedling stage, all chromosomes seemed to carry genes effective against M. graminicola. Many genes were effective against only one isolate or in only one environment or their effects only showed in one resistance parameter. Often these effects were minor. Only chromosome 7D of Synthetic 6x was found with a major effect against both isolates tested. When tested in the adult stage, all lines but the one carrying chromosome 4B from the resistant parent seemed to show genes effective against M. graminicola. The line carrying chromosome 7D from Synthetic 6x showed a level of resistance similar to the resistant parent for isolate IPO 92067, but not for isolate IPO 93014. Major genes, effective against both isolates, were also found on chromosomes 5A and 5D from Synthetic 6x. Lines carrying chromosome 1B, 5D or 6D from Cheyenne showed major effects against isolate IPO 92064. For both necrosis percentage and pycnidial coverage percentage, highly significant linear correlations were found between resistance in the seedling stage and resistance in the adult stage. However, the variance accounted for was only small (20-24%; n = 184).Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

LIGHT/HVEM/LTβR Interaction as a Target for the Modulation of the Allogeneic Immune Response in Transplantation

[EN] The exchange of information during interactions of T cells with dendritic cells, B cells or other T cells regulates the course of T, B and DC-cell activation and their differentiation into effector cells. The tumor necrosis factor superfamily member LIGHT (homologous to lymphotoxin, exhibits inducible expression and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for binding to herpesvirus entry mediator, a receptor expressed on T lymphocytes) is transiently expressed upon T cell activation and modulates CD8 T cell-mediated alloreactive responses upon herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) engagement. LIGHT-deficient mice, or WT mice treated with LIGHT-targeting decoy receptors HVEM-Ig, LTβR-Ig or sDcR3-Ig, exhibit prolonged graft survival compared to untreated controls, suggesting that LIGHT modulates the course and severity of graft rejection. Therefore, targeting the interaction of LIGHT with HVEM and/or LTβR using recombinant soluble decoy receptors or monoclonal antibodies represent an innovative therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of allograft rejection and for the promotion of donor-specific tolerance. This review discusses how targeting the interaction of LIGHT with HVEM and/or LTbR using recombinant soluble decoy receptors or monoclonal antibodies may represent an innovative therapeutic intervention for the prevention and treatment of allograft rejection and promotion of donor-specific tolerance. © 2013 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant SurgeonsSIThis work has been supported by grants FIS reference # PI10/01039 from Ministry of Health and Department of Education from Junta of Castilla and Leon reference # LE007A10-2 (to JIRB), and by the Swiss National Science Foundation (to PS