Evaluation of the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from the larvae of the corn stem borer Diatraea grandiosella Dyar (Lepidoptera: crambidae): Avaliação da patogenicidade de fungos entomopatogênicos isolados das larvas da broca-da-colha Diatraea grandiosella Dyar (Lepidoptera: crambidae)

Los barrenadores del tallo del género Diatraea son plagas importantes en el cultivo del maíz (Zea mays L.) debido a la dificultad que se tiene en su manejo, ya que éstas barrenan el tallo de la planta y es difícil de presenciar su daño. Los hongos entomopatógenos constituyen una opción para su manejo. Se evaluó la patogenicidad de dos cepas de Beauveria bassiana (BbP 001 y BbP 002) y una de Metarhizium rileyi (MrP 001) con el objetivo de seleccionar la más patogenica sobre larvas del cuarto instar de Diatraea grandiosella. Para determinar la patogenicidad de estas cepas, se empleó una concentración de 1x108 esporas mL-1 para lo cual se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones, aplicando los tratamientos sobre trozos de tallos de maíz de 5 cm de longitud para posteriormente colocarles una larva a cada tallo (12 tallos y larvas por cada repetición, en total 48 larvas por tratamiento). La mortalidad se analizó mediante un ANOVA y una prueba de Tukey donde se observaron diferencias significativas (α = 0,05) entre los tratamientos, en el cual se presentó un porcentaje de mortalidad del 71%, 50%, 27% ocasionado por las cepas BbP 001, BbP 002, MrP 001 respectivamente. Se seleccionaron las cepas de B. bassiana para determinar la concentración letal 50 mediante un análisis PROBIT con el paquete estadístico SAS 9.0, se evaluaron las concentraciones (conidios mL-1) de 1x106, 1x107, 1x108, 4x108 y 7x108, la cepa más patogénica fue la BbP 001 presentando una CL 50 de 1.8x107 y una CL 90 de 1.3x109, mientras que la cepa BbP 002 fue menos patogénica con una CL 50  de 7.2x108 y una CL90 de 4.5x109. Con base en estos resultados se concluyó que existen hongos entomopatógenos presentes en forma natural que infectan a las larvas de D. grandioella que pueden ser aislados para emplearlos como fuente de control biológico

Characterising the KMP-11 and HSP-70 recombinant antigens' humoral immune response profile in chagasic patients

11 pages, 6 figures.-- The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/9/186/pre pubBackground: Antigen specificity and IgG subclass could be significant in the natural history of Chagas' disease. The relationship between the different stages of human Chagas' disease and the profiles of total IgG and its subclasses were thus analysed here; they were directed against a crude T. cruzi extract and three recombinant antigens: the T. cruzi kinetoplastid membrane protein-11 (rKMP-11), an internal fragment of the T. cruzi HSP-70 protein192-433, and the entire Trypanosoma rangeli HSP-70 protein. Methods: Seventeen Brazilian acute chagasic patients, 50 Colombian chronic chagasic patients (21 indeterminate and 29 cardiopathic patients) and 30 healthy individuals were included. Total IgG and its subtypes directed against the above-mentioned recombinant antigens were determined by ELISA tests. Results: The T. cruzi KMP-11 and T. rangeli HSP-70 recombinant proteins were able to distinguish both acute from chronic chagasic patients and infected people from healthy individuals. Specific antibodies to T. cruzi crude antigen in acute patients came from IgG3 and IgG4 subclasses whereas IgG1 and IgG3 were the prevalent isotypes in indeterminate and chronic chagasic patients. By contrast, the specific prominent antibodies in all disease stages against T. cruzi KMP-11 and T. rangeli HSP-70 recombinant antigens were the IgG1 subclass.This work was supported by Colciencias Research project No. 1203-333- 18692. IDF was supported by Colciencias and the Universidad Javeriana's Young Researcher 2008 Programme (Bogotá, Colombia). MCT and MCL were supported by P06-CTS-02242 Grant from PAI (Junta de Andalucia) and RICET-RD06/0021-0014, Spain. MS received financial support from the Brazilian agency - CNPq.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of the humoral and mucosal immune response of a multiepitope vaccine against COVID-19 in pigs

IntroductionThis study evaluated the immune response to a multiepitope recombinant chimeric protein (CHIVAX) containing B- and T-cell epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 spike’s receptor binding domain (RBD) in a translational porcine model for pre-clinical studies.MethodsWe generated a multiepitope recombinant protein engineered to include six coding conserved epitopes from the RBD domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Pigs were divided into groups and immunized with different doses of the protein, with serum samples collected over time to determine antibody responses by indirect ELISA and antibody titration. Peptide recognition was also analyzed by Western blotting. A surrogate neutralization assay with recombinant ACE2 and RBDs was performed. Intranasal doses of the immunogen were also prepared and tested on Vietnamese minipigs.ResultsWhen the immunogen was administered subcutaneously, it induced specific IgG antibodies in pigs, and higher doses correlated with higher antibody levels. Antibodies from immunized pigs recognized individual peptides in the multiepitope vaccine and inhibited RBD-ACE2 binding for five variants of concern (VOC). Comparative antigen delivery methods showed that both, subcutaneous and combined subcutaneous/intranasal approaches, induced specific IgG and IgA antibodies, with the subcutaneous approach having superior neutralizing activity. CHIVAX elicited systemic immunity, evidenced by specific IgG antibodies in the serum, and local mucosal immunity, indicated by IgA antibodies in saliva, nasal, and bronchoalveolar lavage secretions. Importantly, these antibodies demonstrated neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.DiscussionThe elicited antibodies recognized individual epitopes on the chimeric protein and demonstrated the capacity to block RBD-ACE2 binding of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and four VOCs. The findings provide proof of concept for using multiepitope recombinant antigens and a combined immunization protocol to induce a neutralizing immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in the pig translational model for preclinical studies

XVI International Congress of Control Electronics and Telecommunications: "Techno-scientific considerations for a post-pandemic world intensive in knowledge, innovation and sustainable local development"

Este título, sugestivo por los impactos durante la situación de la Covid 19 en el mundo, y que en Colombia lastimosamente han sido muy críticos, permiten asumir la obligada superación de tensiones sociales, políticas, y económicas; pero sobre todo científicas y tecnológicas. Inicialmente, esto supone la existencia de una capacidad de la sociedad colombiana por recuperar su estado inicial después de que haya cesado la perturbación a la que fue sometida por la catastrófica pandemia, y superar ese anterior estado de cosas ya que se encontraban -y aún se encuentran- muchos problemas locales mal resueltos, medianamente resueltos, y muchos sin resolver: es decir, habrá que rediseñar y fortalecer una probada resiliencia social existente - producto del prolongado conflicto social colombiano superado parcialmente por un proceso de paz exitoso - desde la tecnociencia local; como lo indicaba Markus Brunnermeier - economista alemán y catedrático de economía de la Universidad de Princeton- en su libro The Resilient Society…La cuestión no es preveerlo todo sino poder reaccionar…aprender a recuperarse rápido.This title, suggestive of the impacts during the Covid 19 situation in the world, and which have unfortunately been very critical in Colombia, allows us to assume the obligatory overcoming of social, political, and economic tensions; but above all scientific and technological. Initially, this supposes the existence of a capacity of Colombian society to recover its initial state after the disturbance to which it was subjected by the catastrophic pandemic has ceased, and to overcome that previous state of affairs since it was found -and still is find - many local problems poorly resolved, moderately resolved, and many unresolved: that is, an existing social resilience test will have to be redesigned and strengthened - product of the prolonged Colombian social conflict partially overcome by a successful peace process - from local technoscience; As Markus Brunnermeier - German economist and professor of economics at Princeton University - indicates in his book The Resilient Society...The question is not to foresee everything but to be able to react...learn to recover quickly.Bogot

Colombian consensus recommendations for diagnosis, management and treatment of the infection by SARS-COV-2/ COVID-19 in health care facilities - Recommendations from expert´s group based and informed on evidence

La Asociación Colombiana de Infectología (ACIN) y el Instituto de Evaluación de Nuevas Tecnologías de la Salud (IETS) conformó un grupo de trabajo para desarrollar recomendaciones informadas y basadas en evidencia, por consenso de expertos para la atención, diagnóstico y manejo de casos de Covid 19. Estas guías son dirigidas al personal de salud y buscar dar recomendaciones en los ámbitos de la atención en salud de los casos de Covid-19, en el contexto nacional de Colombia

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Understanding Math Concepts Through Computer-Modeled Virtual Objects

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be used in order to motivate students to establish links between the classroom material and real life situations by modeling those situations through the course equations. This article describes the results of an experience involving a group of Multivariable Calculus at Eafit University. 3D-Universal is the program developed for the experience, which runs on Pocket PC. It allows students to interact and communicate inside the classroom. At each stage of the experience, students were asked to establish links between the classroom-covered material and real objects in their environment

Textiles funcionales como barrera de protección ante infecciones asociadas a la atención en salud

ABSTRACT Fibers reinforced with nanostructures has become an area of research that seeks to contain the transmission of microorganisms connected with health care associated infections, a public health problem that carries high burden of morbidity and mortality in the population and millions of dollars lost. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are known to be antimicrobial agents with wide application. This narrative review aims to examine the scientific evidence of functional textiles with antimicrobial properties as a strategy to contain the transmission of microorganisms related with health care associated infections, starting from the context of textiles as a source of contamination and infection, and the antimicrobial mechanisms of the different nanoparticles used as reinforcers to achieve a functional textile. The development of nanotechnology will allow progress in different fields of science and opportunities in functional textiles.RESUMO O tecido reforçado nanoestrutural tornou-se uma área de pesquisa que busca conter a transmissão de microorganismos relacionados a infecções associadas com cuidados de saúde, um problema de saúde pública carrega uma carga elevada de morbidade e mortalidade na população e perdas milionários de recursos econômicos. As nanopartículas metálicas e os óxidos metálicos são agentes antimicrobianos que ganharam importância devido à sua ampla aplicação. Esta revisão narrativa examina a evidência científica de têxteis funcionais com propriedades antimicrobianas como estratégia para conter a transmissão de microorganismos relacionados a infecções associadas com cuidados de saúde, do contexto de têxteis como fonte de contaminação e infecção e mecanismos antimicrobianos de as diferentes nanopartículas utilizadas como reforçadores para atingir um tecido funcional. O desenvolvimento da nanotecnologia permite o progresso em diferentes campos da ciência e oportunidades no campo dos têxteis funcionais.RESUMEN Los tejidos reforzados con nanoestructuras se ha convertido en un área de la investigación que busca contener la transmisión de microorganismos relacionados con las infecciones asociadas a la atención en salud, un problema de salud pública conlleva una alta carga de morbimortalidad en la población y pérdidas millonarias de recursos económicos. Las nanopartículas metálicas y óxido metálicas son agentes antimicrobianos que han cobrado importancia por su amplia aplicación. Esta revisión narrativa examina la evidencia científica de textiles funcionales con propiedades antimicrobianas como una estrategia para contener la transmisión de microorganismos relacionados con infecciones asociadas a la atención en salud, a partir del contexto de los textiles como fuente de contaminación e infección y los mecanismos antimicrobianos de las diferentes nanopartículas usadas como reforzantes para lograr un textil funcional. El desarrollo de la nanotecnología permite el progreso en diferentes campos de la ciencia y oportunidades en el ámbito de textiles funcionales

A validation of the Perceived Negative Context of Reception Scale with recently-arrived Venezuelan immigrants in Colombia and the United States

OBJECTIVES: Millions of Venezuelans have left their country in search of safety and stability in the United States (US) and Colombia, two countries where recent increases in anti-immigrant rhetoric and sentiment have occurred. The Perceived Negative Context of Reception Scale captures the degree to which immigrants report feeling that people from their country are unwanted/marginalized within their new receiving context. In the present study, we examine the psychometric properties of the Perceived Negative Context of Reception Scale with recent Venezuelan immigrant adolescents and adults in the US and Colombia. METHOD: We conducted confirmatory factor analysis using data from the CAMINAR Study, which collected data from Venezuelan adults in Bogotá, Colombia and South Florida in October-November 2017, and the VENE Youth Project which surveyed Venezuelan youth living in Florida between November 2018 and July 2019. RESULTS: We found that the negative context of reception evidenced strong psychometric properties among immigrants in both the US and in Colombia, among adolescents and adults, and among male and female respondents. We also found that negative context of reception scores were associated with elevated scores on criterion-related factors—i.e., perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms—in ways that are theoretically coherent and support measure validity. CONCLUSION: We provide new evidence that the Perceived Negative Context of Reception scale is reliable and valid for use with Venezuelan immigrants in the US and Colombia