Differential in vitro and in vivo effect of barley cysteine and serine protease inhibitors on phytopathogenic microorganisms

Protease inhibitors from plants have been involved in defence mechanisms against pests and pathogens. Phytocystatins and trypsin/α-amylase inhibitors are two of the best characterized protease inhibitor families in plants. In barley, thirteen cystatins (HvCPI-1 to 13) and the BTI-CMe trypsin inhibitor have been previously studied. Their capacity to inhibit pest digestive proteases, and the negative in vivo effect caused by plants expressing these inhibitors on pests support the defence function of these proteins. Barley cystatins are also able to inhibit in vitro fungal growth. However, the antifungal effect of these inhibitors in vivo had not been previously tested. Moreover, their in vitro and in vivo effect on plant pathogenous bacteria is still unknown. In order to obtain new insights on this feature, in vitro assays were made against different bacterial and fungal pathogens of plants using the trypsin inhibitor BTI-CMe and the thirteen barley cystatins. Most barley cystatins and the BTI-CMe inhibitor were able to inhibit mycelial growth but no bacterial growth. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants independently expressing the BTI-CMe inhibitor and the cystatin HvCPI-6 were tested against the same bacterial and fungal pathogens. Neither the HvCPI-6 expressing transgenic plants nor the BTI-CMe ones were more resistant to plant pathogen fungi and bacteria than control Arabidopsis plants. The differences observed between the in vitro and in planta assays against phytopathogenic fungi are discusse

A comparison of Clinical Risk Index for babies (CRIB-II), Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP-II) and SNAPPE-II in predicting parenteral nutrition necessity in low birth weight preterm neonates.

Advances in perinatal care have made it possible to improve survival of low birth weight neonates. Clinical risk index for babies (CRIB-II), score for neonatal acute physiology (SNAP-II), and SNAP-perinatal extension-II (SNAPPE-II) have been used as mortality predictors for preterm infants. Feeding intolerance is very frequent in preterm neonates, and the development of an early effective biomarker for its prediction could be useful for carrying out a proper feeding strategy. Our aim was to compare the ability of CRIB-II, SNAP-II and SNAPPE-II in predict the feeding intolerance and parenteral nutrition necessity in preterm neonates. Methods: A retrospective cohort study on preterm neonates’ born at Jaen Hospital Complex with low birth weight and ≤ 36 weeks of gestation was done. Epidemiological, clinical and clinical scores CRIB II, SNAP-II and SNAPPE-II were recorded. Results: 255 low birth weight preterm neonates, 131 males (51.4%), aged ≤32 weeks of gestation (71%), were enrolled at our hospital. Parenteral nutrition needed were significantly higher in preterm neonates weighed 2500-1500 g (73.3%) and ≤ 1000g (87%). CRIB-II, SNAP-II and SNAPPE-II mean values were higher in neonates group subjected to parenteral nutrition compared with oral nutrition (p<0.05). CRIB-II and SNAPPE-II scores significantly correlated with parenteral nutrition days (p<0.05). Overall mortality rate was 11%. The 78.6% of all deceased infants needed parenteral nutrition. Conclusion: Clinical Risk Index for babies (CRIB-II) better than SNAPPE-II correlated with the feeding intolerance and thus the parenteral nutrition days in preterm neonates with low birth weight.Subvencionado: Ayuda del Plan Propio de Investigación de la UMA. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

p27Kip1 V109G as a biomarker for CDK4/6 inhibitors indication in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer

Biomarker; Hormone receptor-positive; Breast cancerBiomarcador; Cáncer de mama; Receptor hormonal positivoBiomarcador; Càncer de mama; Receptor hormonal positiuCDK4/6 inhibitors benefit a minority of patients who receive them in the breast cancer adjuvant setting. p27Kip1 is a protein that inhibits CDK/Cyclin complexes. We hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms that impaired p27Kip1 function could render patients refractory to endocrine therapy but responsive to CDK4/6 inhibitors, narrowing the patient subpopulation that requires CDK4/6 inhibitors. We found that the p27Kip1 V109G single-nucleotide polymorphism is homozygous in approximately 15% of hormone-positive breast cancer patients. Polymorphic patients experience rapid failure in response to endocrine monotherapy compared with wild-type or heterozygous patients in the first-line metastatic setting (progression-free survival: 92 vs 485 days, P < .001); when CDK4/6 inhibitors are added, the differences disappear (progression-free survival: 658 vs 761 days, P = .92). As opposed to wild-type p27Kip1, p27Kip1 V109G is unable to suppress the kinase activity of CDK4 in the presence of endocrine inhibitors; however, palbociclib blocks CDK4 kinase activity regardless of the p27Kip1 status. p27Kip1 genotyping could constitute a tool for treatment selection.MM is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RTI2018-095582-B-100; PLEC2021-007892 and RED2018-102723-T), AES (DTS21/00132) and Comunidad de Madrid (B2017/BMD-3884 and Y2020/BIO-6519). MQF is a recipient of the following grants: AES—PI 19/00454 funded by the ISCIII and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and B2017/BMD3733 (Immunothercan-CM) – Call for Coordinated Research Groups from the Madrid Region—Madrid Regional Government—ERDF funds. This study was also funded by a donation from CRIS Contra El Cancer Foundation

Cysteine-proteases and cystatins from barley: molecular and functional characterization in housekeeping and defense processes

Plant cysteine-proteases (CysProt) represent a well-characterized type of proteolytic enzymes that fulfill tightly regulated physiological functions (senescence and seed germination among others) and defense roles. This article is focused on the group of papain-proteases C1A (family C1, clan CA) and their inhibitors, phytocystatins (PhyCys). In particular, the protease–inhibitor interaction and their mutual participation in specific pathways throughout the plant's life are reviewed. C1A CysProt and PhyCys have been molecularly characterized, and comparative sequence analyses have identified consensus functional motifs. A correlation can be established between the number of identified CysProt and PhyCys in angiosperms. Thus, evolutionary forces may have determined a control role of cystatins on both endogenous and pest-exogenous proteases in these species. Tagging the proteases and inhibitors with fluorescence proteins revealed common patterns of subcellular localization in the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi network in transiently transformed onion epidermal cells. Further in vivo interactions were demonstrated by bimolecular fluorescent complementation, suggesting their participation in the same physiological processes

Operaciones de cobertura con derivados financieros sobre los precios del café.

En el presente trabajo se analiza cómo se pueden gestionar los riesgos financieros básicamente en el sector cafetero, entre los que se incluyen los futuros y las opciones, además de demostrar las ventajas que ofrece la aplicación de estos instrumentos financieros, con el objetivo de resaltar cómo, en un uso adecuado de los mismos, no sólo puede ayudar a cumplir los objetivos de rentabilidad, sino también a reducir claramente las posiciones de riesgo y alcanzar una mayor eficiencia empresarial Para ello se tomó como base de información del café la cotización en el mercado al día 28 de octubre del 2010 con vencimiento a 17 diciembre 2010, con monitoreos el 03/11/2010, 08/11/2010, 11/11/2010, 16/11/2010, 18/11/2010, 22/11/2010, 25/11/2010.Además, se realiza un análisis del comportamiento de los precios spot y de futuros para establecer la existencia de correlación entre ambos mercados y así concluir que las coberturas que se exponen son eficientes. Finalmente aplicamos el modelo constante de Black & Scholes

Compress sensing algorithm for estimation of signals in sensor networks

ARTICULO DE INVESTIGACION IDEXADO EN JCR CON FACTOR DE IMPACTO 2.4In this research, we present a data recovery scheme for wireless sensor networks. In some sensor networks, each node must be able to recover the complete information of the network, which leads to the problem of the high cost of energy in communication and storage of information. We proposed a modified gossip algorithm for acquire distributed measurements and communicate the information across all nodes of the network using compressive sampling and Gossip algorithms to compact the data to be stored and transmitted through a network. The experimental results on synthetic data show that the proposed method reconstruct better the signal and in less iterations than with a similar method using a thresholding algorithm

A Developmental Switch of Gene Expression in the Barley Seed Mediated by HvVP1 (Viviparous-1) and HvGAMYB Interactions

The accumulation of storage compounds in the starchy endosperm of developing cereal seeds is highly regulated at the transcriptional level. These compounds, mainly starch and proteins, are hydrolyzed upon germination to allow seedling growth. The transcription factor HvGAMYB is a master activator both in the maturation phase of seed development and upon germination, acting in combination with other transcription factors. However, the precise mechanism controlling the switch from maturation to germination programs remains unclear. We report here the identification and molecular characterization of Hordeum vulgare VIVIPAROUS1 (HvVP1), orthologous to ABA-INSENSITIVE3 from Arabidopsis thaliana. HvVP1 transcripts accumulate in the endosperm and the embryo of developing seeds at early stages and in the embryo and aleurone of germinating seeds up to 24 h of imbibition. In transient expression assays, HvVP1 controls the activation of Hor2 and Amy6.4 promoters exerted by HvGAMYB. HvVP1 interacts with HvGAMYB in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the plant nuclei, hindering its interaction with other transcription factors involved in seed gene expression programs, like BPBF. Similarly, this interaction leads to a decrease in the DNA binding of HvGAMYB and the Barley Prolamine-Box binding Factor (BPBF) to their target sequences. Our results indicate that the HvVP1 expression pattern controls the full Hor2 expression activated by GAMYB and BPBF in the developing endosperm and the Amy6.4 activation in postgerminative reserve mobilization mediated by GAMYB. All these data demonstrate the participation of HvVP1 in antagonistic gene expression programs and support its central role as a gene expression switch during seed maturation and germination

Genetic inhibition of flowering differs between juvenile and adult Citrus trees

[EN] Background and Aims In woody species, the juvenile period maintains the axillary meristems in a vegetative stage, unable to flower, for several years. However, in adult trees, some 1-year-old meristems flower whereas others remain vegetative to ensure a polycarpic growth habit. Both types of trees, therefore, have non-flowering meristems, and we hypothesize that the molecular mechanism regulating flower inhibition in juvenile trees is different from that in adult trees. Methods In adult Citrus trees, the main endogenous factor inhibiting flower induction is the growing fruit. Thus, we studied the expression of the main flowering time, identity and patterning genes of trees with heavy fruit load (not-flowering adult trees) compared to that of 6-month-old trees (not-flowering juvenile trees). Adult trees without fruits (flowering trees) were used as a control. Second, we studied the expression of the same genes in the meristems of 6-month, and 1-, 3-, 5-and 7-year-old juvenile trees compared to 10-year-old flowering trees. Key Results The axillary meristems of juvenile trees are unable to transcribe flowering time and patterning genes during the period of induction, although they are able to transcribe the FLOWERING LOCUS T citrus orthologue (CiFT2) in leaves. By contrast, meristems of not-flowering adult trees are able to transcribe the flowering network genes but fail to achieve the transcription threshold required to flower, due to CiFT2 repression by the fruit. Juvenile meristems progressively achieve gene expression, with age-dependent differences from 6 months to 7 years, FD-like and CsLFY being the last genes to be expressed. Conclusions During the juvenile period the mechanism inhibiting flowering is determined in the immature bud, so that it progressively acquires flowering ability at the gene expression level of the flowering time programme, whereas in the adult tree it is determined in the leaf, where repression of CiFT2 gene expression occurs.We thank Cristina Ferrandiz (IBMCP-UPV, Spain) and Fernando Andres (UMR AGAP, France) for useful comments on the manuscript. We thank D. Westall for her help in editing the manuscript. This work was supported by a grant from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain (RTA2013-0024-C02-02)Muñoz Fambuena, N.; Nicolas-Almansa, M.; Martinez Fuentes, A.; Reig Valor, C.; Iglesias, DJ.; Primo-Millo, E.; Mesejo Conejos, C.... (2019). Genetic inhibition of flowering differs between juvenile and adult Citrus trees. Annals of Botany. 123(3):483-490. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcy179S4834901233Abe, M. (2005). 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Influence of harvest date on fruit yield and return bloom in ‘Marsh’ grapefruit trees (Citrus paradisiMacf.) grown under a tropical climate. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 89(4), 435-440. doi:10.1080/14620316.2014.11513103Blázquez, M. A., Ferrándiz, C., Madueño, F., & Parcy, F. (2006). How Floral Meristems are Built. Plant Molecular Biology, 60(6), 855-870. doi:10.1007/s11103-006-0013-zBlümel, M., Dally, N., & Jung, C. (2015). Flowering time regulation in crops — what did we learn from Arabidopsis? Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 32, 121-129. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2014.11.023Castillo, M.-C., Forment, J., Gadea, J., Carrasco, J. L., Juarez, J., Navarro, L., & Ancillo, G. (2013). Identification of transcription factors potentially involved in the juvenile to adult phase transition in Citrus. Annals of Botany, 112(7), 1371-1381. doi:10.1093/aob/mct211Chica, E. J., & Albrigo, L. G. (2013). Expression of Flower Promoting Genes in Sweet Orange during Floral Inductive Water Deficits. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 138(2), 88-94. doi:10.21273/jashs.138.2.88Endo, T., Shimada, T., Fujii, H., Kobayashi, Y., Araki, T., & Omura, M. (2005). Ectopic Expression of an FT Homolog from Citrus Confers an Early Flowering Phenotype on Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.). Transgenic Research, 14(5), 703-712. doi:10.1007/s11248-005-6632-3Haberman, A., Ackerman, M., Crane, O., Kelner, J.-J., Costes, E., & Samach, A. (2016). Different flowering response to various fruit loads in apple cultivars correlates with degree of transcript reaccumulation of a TFL1-encoding gene. The Plant Journal, 87(2), 161-173. doi:10.1111/tpj.13190Hanano, S., & Goto, K. (2011). Arabidopsis TERMINAL FLOWER1 Is Involved in the Regulation of Flowering Time and Inflorescence Development through Transcriptional Repression. 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Fruit regulates seasonal expression of flowering genes in alternate-bearing ‘Moncada’ mandarin. Annals of Botany, 108(3), 511-519. doi:10.1093/aob/mcr164Muñoz-Fambuena, N., Mesejo, C., González-Mas, M. C., Primo-Millo, E., Agustí, M., & Iglesias, D. J. (2012). Fruit load modulates flowering-related gene expression in buds of alternate-bearing ‘Moncada’ mandarin. Annals of Botany, 110(6), 1109-1118. doi:10.1093/aob/mcs190Nishikawa, F., Endo, T., Shimada, T., Fujii, H., Shimizu, T., Omura, M., & Ikoma, Y. (2007). Increased CiFT abundance in the stem correlates with floral induction by low temperature in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.). Journal of Experimental Botany, 58(14), 3915-3927. doi:10.1093/jxb/erm246Peña, L., Martín-Trillo, M., Juárez, J., Pina, J. A., Navarro, L., & Martínez-Zapater, J. M. (2001). Constitutive expression of Arabidopsis LEAFY or APETALA1 genes in citrus reduces their generation time. Nature Biotechnology, 19(3), 263-267. doi:10.1038/85719Pillitteri, L. 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Manifold analysis of the P-wave changes induced by pulmonary vein isolation during cryoballoon procedure

Background/Aim: In atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures, it is desirable to know whether a proper disconnection of the pulmonary veins (PVs) was achieved. We hypothesize that information about their isolation could be provided by analyzing changes in P-wave after ablation. Thus, we present a method to detect PV disconnection using P-wave signal analysis. Methods: Conventional P-wave feature extraction was compared to an automatic feature extraction procedure based on creating low-dimensional latent spaces for cardiac signals with the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) method. A database of patients (19 controls and 16 AF individuals who underwent a PV ablation procedure) was collected. Standard 12-lead ECG was recorded, and P-waves were segmented and averaged to extract conventional features (duration, amplitude, and area) and their manifold representations provided by UMAP on a 3-dimensional latent space. A virtual patient was used to validate these results further and study the spatial distribution of the extracted characteristics over the whole torso surface. Results: Both methods showed differences between P-wave before and after ablation. Conventional methods were more prone to noise, P-wave delineation errors, and inter-patient variability. P-wave differences were observed in the standard leads recordings. However, higher differences appeared in the torso region over the precordial leads. Recordings near the left scapula also yielded noticeable differences. Conclusions: P-wave analysis based on UMAP parameters detects PV disconnection after ablation in AF patients and is more robust than heuristic parameterization. Moreover, additional leads different from the standard 12-lead ECG should be used to detect PV isolation and possible future reconnections better