Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of olive (Olea europaea L.) with an antifungal protein from Aspergillus giganteus.

Broad-spectrum resistance to pests and diseases is difficult to obtain through classical breeding programs, hence, this is a targeted trait for accelerating the development of major olive cultivars using plant trans- formation technologies. Olive Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is considered to be an important constraint for cultivation of olive trees (López-Escudero and Mercado-Blanco 2010). Different transgenic approaches have been proposed to engineer plants for resistance to fungal diseases, including production of antifungal proteins (Gurr and Rushton 2005). Regarding this approach, among different anti- fungal compounds, the antifungal protein (AFP) from Aspergillus giganteus can be considered a promising candidate for practical applications in crop protection (Meyer 2007). AFP is a defensin-like protein that belongs to a group of small-sized secretory proteins rich in cysteine residues. The protein possesses in vitro antifungal activity inhibiting the growth of several fungal pathogens. Previous work has already shown that afp gene can be expressed in transgenic rice plants inducing resistance to the fungus Magnaporthe grisea and indicating the usefulness of such approach for protection against rice blast. (Coca et al. 2004). In this work, transgenic olive plants were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation as des- cribed by Torreblanca et al. (2010). The AGL-1 strain containing the pBIN61-afp binary vector was used. This plasmid contains the nptII gene for paromomycin selection and a chemically synthesized codon-op- timized afp gene under the control of the 35S CaMV promoter. Globular somatic embryos derived from a mature seed of cultivar `Picual ́ were transformed obtaining an average success rate around 2%. Plants were regenerated from six independent lines and transgenic nature was confirmed by PCR studying nptII and afp insertion. With the aim of studying whether the afp gene can be used to induce resistance against fungal diseases in olive, susceptibility to the fungal pathogens Rosellinia necatrix and Verticilium dahliae will be evaluated. In addition, the inhibitory effect of proteins extracts from transgenic leaves on the in vitro growth of these fungal pathogens will also be examined.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucia Tec

Expression analysis of Flowering related genes in olive plants transformed with the "Medicago truncatula" FT gene MtFTa1

Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) forms inflorescences in lateral buds that flower in spring. Flowering occurs due to the presence of a mobile flower-promoting factor called florigen, the product of “FLOWERING LOCUS T” (FT). In many plants, FT and TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) genes encode related proteins with opposite functions, i.e. FT induces flowering, while TFL1 represses it. Olive flower induction seems to be mediated by an increase in FT levels in response to cold winters. Because of climate change, warmer winters are expected, which can alter flowering time. Three olive transgenic lines containing the MtFTa1 gene from Medicago truncatula were obtained (FT5, FT7 and FT15) to study the effect of FT on flowering time (Haberman et al., 2017). The embryogenic line P1 from a seed of cv. Picual was used for transformation, and also as control (CP1). FT7 flowered continuously; FT5 did not flower and showed a dwarf branching phenotype, and FT15 had a dwarf-branching habit and developed abnormal flowers. The expression of the transgene and three endogenous genes (OeFT1, OeFT2 and OeTFL1-1) was analyzed in these juvenile plants, as well as in the control (CP1), throughout the year (autumn, winter and spring).Proyecto de Excelencia P11-AGR-7992, Junta de Andalucí

Micro-Scale Abrasive Wear Testing of CrN Duplex PVD Coating on Pre-Nitrided Tool Steel

Specific wear rates were calculated from a series of micro-scale abrasive tests by means of the calotte-grinding method. The tested material was a CrN coating deposited by arc evaporation on ionnitrided AISI H13 steel. Characterizations included: phase analysis, chemical composition, metallography, microhardness, micro-scratch resistance and nano-indentation hardness. On wear testing, the counter body was a 30 mm diameter steel ball rotating at a tangential speed of 9.42 m/min and normal load of 0.54 N. The abrasive was a mono-crystalline diamond micro abrasive paste, 1 micrometer grit. Wear volumes were calculated by measuring the wear scars at various test intervals. In non-perforating tests, Archard’s wear equation was directly employed for calculating coating wear rate as the slope of the linear least square data fit. In perforating tests, Allsopp’s method was employed for the simultaneous determination of coating and substrate wear rates, from the slope and intercept values of the linear least square data fit. Coating specific wear rate values obtained from both non-perforating and perforating tests were very consistent, with a relative difference within 6%. Relative errors in specific wear rate values were estimated to be of the order of 0.05 for the coating and 0.2 for the substrate. Keywords: Micro-scale abrasion, duplex surface treatment, specific wear rate, calotte grinding method, PVD coating, ion nitridin

A core collection of modified strawberry germplasm as a resource tool for funghi infection and fruit texture studies

Strawberry has been extensively used as a model organism for functional genomics of genes related with fungi infection (Amil-Ruiz et al, 2011) and fruit ripening, specially fruit texture (Posé et al, 2011). These studies implied the genetic transformation and subsequent characterization of a wide range of traits, resulting in a considerable number of lines being created and more or less extensively studied. A preliminary data survey was performed previous publications, laboratory notebooks and project reports. Main categories and the relevant features (like cultivar, transgene sequence, germplasm availability, plant phenotype, experiment results, etc) were identified, establishing the appropriate relationships. The project followed the Chado schema used by the GMOD initiative http://www.gmod.org. The germplasm collection currently hosts two strawberry cultivar (Camarosa and Chandler), nine transgenic lines with resistance genes against fungi infections and over a dozen for fruit texture related genes. Collected information includes in vitro and in planta leaf symptomatology and fungus spore germination, as well as gene expression for each transgene, plant production, fruit color, shape and firmness. Data on cell wall fractionation, pectin and soluble sugars quantification, FT-IR and size exclusion chromatography, AFM pectin structure characterization and Immunohistological analysis. The intrinsic value of these studies makes necessary to preserve both the germplasm and the data generated, and to make it available to the community for further study and reuse. Community driven formats will facilitate the use of the data in new. studies. The present project aims to increase the value of the transgenic strawberry plants in the collection, using standard data formats and open source tools to facilitate access to the research and breeding communities as well as to facilitate the distribution of the germplasm.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. AGL2011-2481

Modelo Multifractal Aplicado al Riego

We define the binomial multifractal distribution as an expression of a law of small numbers. We studied a form of evaluation or design of a distribution system in an irrigation district by determining its conduction capacity with the desired flexibility knowing the following parameters: flow, frequency, and irrigation time. The method consists of the approximation of the binomial distribution through the Gaussian, an inverse relation of probability, two estimations of Gaussian parameters, and the application of the multifractal distribution. We present the mathematical reformulation of Boltzmann relation in the statistical mechanics, which gives origin to the multifractal model. In particular, we illustrate its application in the problems of irrigation,  pointing out that it is also possible to apply it to multifractal models: variogram, exponential, gamma, and Gaussian.Definimos la distribución multifractal binomial, como expresión de una ley de los pequeños números. Estudiamos una forma de evaluación o de diseño de un sistema de distribución en un distrito de riego, al determinar su capacidad de conducción con la flexibilidad deseada, conociendo los parámetros de gasto, frecuencia y tiempo de riego. El método es la aproximación de la distribución binomial por la Gaussiana, una relación inversa de probabilidad, dos estimaciones de parámetros Gaussianos, y la aplicación de la distribución multifractal. Presentamos la reformulación matemática de la relación de Boltzmann en la mecánica estadística, que da origen al modelo multifractal. En particular, ilustramos su aplicación en el problema del riego. Pero también es posible aplicarlo a los modelos multifractales: variograma, exponencial, gama, y Gaussiano

Caracterización de variantes somaclonales de olivo obtenidos tras la exposición al filtrado crudo del hongo Rosellinia necatrix.

Líneas embriogénicas de olivo tolerantes al filtrado crudo (FC) del hongo Rosellinia necatrix, un patógeno muy extendido por el sur de España y que afecta al aguacate y al olivo, fueron previamente obtenidas (Palomo-Ríos et al. 2017). Dos de estas líneas fueron seleccionadas para la regeneración de plantas, R2-L3 y R2-L4, ambas tolerantes al 60% (v/v) del FC del hongo. En este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo una caracterización del crecimiento de estas plantas y de su comportamiento tras la inoculación con R. necatrix.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Characterization of wine grape from different regions of Mendoza (Argentina)

En las últimas décadas, la actividad vitivinícola de la provincia de Mendoza (Argentina) apunta a mejorar la calidad de sus uvas y sus vinos, para optimizar las condiciones de competencia en el plano internacional. En Mendoza, desde 1999 la Fundación Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (IDR) se propuso determinar el comportamiento agronómico y la caracterización fenológica de las variedades de vid de mayor utilización en la elaboración de vinos en todas las zonas productivas de la provincia. A partir de 2005 y mediante un convenio específico con la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, se realizaron, en esta Institución, los análisis físicos y químicos con el objetivo de describir los mostos de variedades viníferas blancas y tintas. Este proceso permitió generar una herramienta para el desarrollo de estrategias de optimización de calidad de los productos. Se estudiaron las variedades Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec y Bonarda y se realizó una caracterización zonal empleando los Índices de Tonietto (IF), de Winkler (IW) y de Huglin (IH). Los resultados de los análisis físico-químicos de los mostos de variedades tintas durante las cosechas 2005, 2006 y 2007 muestran que existe correlación inversa entre los índices climáticos estudiados y los contenidos de antocianos y polifenoles. Se observa también que las variedades de ciclo largo, como Bonarda, encuentran limitantes importantes en zonas frías para alcanzar contenidos de azúcar comercialmente aceptables (mínimo 220 g/L).The wines of Mendoza, Argentina, have an important place in the world. During the last decades production has been concentrated on quality wines, instead of common wines, to meet the demands of the international market.Rural Development Foundation has tried to determine the agricultural behaviour and the phenolic characterization of the most widely used varieties in Mendoza since 1999. In 2005, due to a specific agreement with the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias of the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, phisical and chemical tests were made in this institution to describe musts of white and red vitis vinifera varieties.The resulting information has been a fundamental tool, for developing strategies to obtain quality products. The representative varieties of Mendoza, such as Chardonay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Bonarda were studied. Tonietto, Winkler and Huglin indexes were used for the climatic characterization. Results of analyses of must of red varieties from 2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages show inverse correlation between climatic indexes and antocyanes –polyphenols contents. Large cicle varieties, as Bonarda, do not get sugar comercial levels (220 g/L) at cold zones.Fil: González, Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Nazrala, Jorge José Bautista. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Ciencias Enológicas y AgroalimentariasFil: Beltrán, Miguel Ángel. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Navarro, Armando. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: De Borbón, Liliana. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Senatra, Liliana. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Albornoz, Liliana. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Hidalgo, Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: López, Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Gez, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Mercado, Laura. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Poetta, Silvia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y FisicoquímicaFil: Alberto, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Biomatemática y Fisicoquímic

Seroepidemiology of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in healthy blood donors of Durango, Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Toxoplasma gondii </it>(<it>T. gondii</it>) infection in blood donors could represent a risk for transmission in blood recipients. There is scarce information about the epidemiology of <it>T. gondii </it>infection in blood donors in Mexico. Therefore, we sought to determine the prevalence of <it>T. gondii </it>infection and associated socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics in a population of healthy blood donors of Durango City, Mexico.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four hundred and thirty two blood donors in two public blood banks of Durango City, Mexico were examined for <it>T. gondii </it>infection between August to September 2006. Blood donors were tested for anti-<it>T. gondii </it>IgG and IgM antibodies by using enzyme-linked immunoassays (Diagnostic Automation Inc., Calabasas, CA, USA). Socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics from each participant were also obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty two (7.4%) of 432 blood donors had IgG anti-<it>T. gondii </it>antibodies. Eight (1.9%) of them had also IgM anti-<it>T. gondii </it>antibodies. Multivariate analysis using logic regression showed that <it>T. gondii </it>infection was associated with the presence of cats at home (adjusted OR = 3.81; 95% CI: 1.45–10.01). The age group of 45–60 years showed a significantly higher frequency of <it>T. gondii </it>infection than the group of 25–34 years (p = 0.02). Blood donors without education had a significantly higher frequency of infection (15.8%) than those with 13–19 years of education (4.5%) (p = 0.04). Other characteristics of blood donors including male gender, consumption of undercooked meat or blood transfusion did not show an association with infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of <it>T. gondii </it>infection in healthy blood donors of Durango City, Mexico is lower than those reported in blood donors of south and central Mexico, and is one of the lowest reported in blood donors worldwide. <it>T. gondii </it>infection in our blood donors was most likely acquired by contact with cats. Prevalence of infection increased with age and decreased with educational level.</p

The ecology of peace : preparing Colombia for new political and planetary climates

ABSTRACT: Colombia, one of the world’s most species-rich nations, is currently undergoing a profound social transition: the end of a decadeslong conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC. The peace agreement process will likely transform the country’s physical and socioeconomic landscapes at a time when humans are altering Earth’s atmosphere and climate in unprecedented ways. We discuss ways in which these transformative events will act in combination to shape the ecological and environmental future of Colombia. We also highlight the risks of creating perverse development incentives in these critical times, along with the potential benefits – for the country and the world – if Colombia can navigate through the peace process in a way that protects its own environment and ecosystems

El podcast como herramienta docente desde una perspectiva participativa

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