Flow Cytometry Data Preparation Guidelines for Improved Automated Phenotypic Analysis.

Advances in flow cytometry (FCM) increasingly demand adoption of computational analysis tools to tackle the ever-growing data dimensionality. In this study, we tested different data input modes to evaluate how cytometry acquisition configuration and data compensation procedures affect the performance of unsupervised phenotyping tools. An analysis workflow was set up and tested for the detection of changes in reference bead subsets and in a rare subpopulation of murine lymph node CD103+ dendritic cells acquired by conventional or spectral cytometry. Raw spectral data or pseudospectral data acquired with the full set of available detectors by conventional cytometry consistently outperformed datasets acquired and compensated according to FCM standards. Our results thus challenge the paradigm of one-fluorochrome/one-parameter acquisition in FCM for unsupervised cluster-based analysis. Instead, we propose to configure instrument acquisition to use all available fluorescence detectors and to avoid integration and compensation procedures, thereby using raw spectral or pseudospectral data for improved automated phenotypic analysis.We thank Irene Palacios, Elena Prieto, Mariano Vito´n, and Raquel Nieto for excellent technical assistance and Dr. Salvador Iborra for helpful discussion of dendritic cell studies. Editorial assistance was provided by Simon Bartlett.S

Reproductive outcomes after hysteroscopic metroplasty for women with dysmorphic uterus and recurrent implantation failure

The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive outcomes of women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) after hysteroscopic metroplasty for dysmorphic uteri. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 190 women with a diagnosis of RIF. These patients were eligible for hysteroscopic metroplasty for dysmorphic uteri, including T-shaped uteri, between January 2008 and September 2015 at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI) in Valencia, Spain. Results: The total clinical pregnancy rate, the live birth rate, and the abortion rate were 80.0% (152/190), 77.9% (147/190) and 8.9%, respectively. At 12 months, the clinical pregnancy rate was 76.3% (145/190) and at 6 months 50.5% (96/190). After the metroplasty, approximately 76% of all gravidities, were achieved during the first 12 months of follow-up. Within the first IVF cycle, pregnancy and live birth rates were 77.8% and 86.1%, respectively. The mean time to pregnancy was 6.5 months. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hysteroscopic metroplasty improves pregnancy and live birth rates for women with a history of recurrent implantation failure and dysmorphic uterus. However, conclusions must be taken carefully as this is an observational study. A prospective, randomized and controlled study is necessary to support these results

Phytotoxicity Study of Ortho-Disubstituted Disulfides and Their Acyl Derivatives

Six different ortho-disubstituted disulfides were synthesized and evaluated in wheat coleoptiles bioassays. The most active ones were evaluated on seeds of four different plant species (Solanum lycopersicum L., Lolium rigidum Gaudin, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauvois, and Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. D. Webster) to evaluate their effects on the germination and plant growth, presenting, in general, higher activity than the model herbicide Logran. The results shown in this study indicate that these compounds are potential candidates as herbicide leads for weed control in agriculture

Health system reform in chile and colombia: results and balance

In order to understand the health system reforms, factors inherent to the health sector as well as external factors that gave origin to them must be considered. The policy of the World Bank acted as a determining factor and was taken into practice in the middle of processes that increased the inequalities in Latin America. The models of Chile and Colombia are examined from this background and some of the lessons that can be drawn from these experiences for other countries are pointed out.Para ubicar procesos de reforma de los sistemas de salud se consideran los factores sectoriales y extra sectoriales que les dieron origen. La política del Banco Mundial operó como un factor determinante y se puso en práctica en medio de procesos que acrecentaron la inequidad en América Latina. A partir de este marco general se examinan los modelos de Chile y de Colombia, y se plantean algunas de las enseñanzas que tienen estas experiencias para los demás países

Study of overall and local electrochemical responses of oxide films grown on CoCr alloy under biological environments

The interaction of the physiological medium and living tissues with the implant surfaces in biological environments is regulated by biopotentials that induce changes in the chemical composition, structure and thickness of the oxide film. In this work, oxide films grown on CoCr alloys at 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl and 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl have been characterized through overall and localized electrochemical techniques in a phosphate buffer solution and 0.3% hyaluronic acid. Nanopores of 10–50 nm diameter are homogeneously distributed along the surface in the oxide film formed at 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl. The distribution of the Constant Phase Element studied by local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a three-dimensional (3D) model on the oxide films grown at 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl and 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl. This behaviour is especially noticeable in oxide films grown at 0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl, probably due to surface inhomogeneities, and resistive properties generated by the potentiostatic growth of the oxide film.This work was supported by the Spanish National government [MINECO-MAT2011-29152-C02-01].Peer reviewe

Phytotoxins from Tithonia diversifolia

Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) is a dominant plant of the Asteraceae family, which suggests it produces allelochemicals that interfere with the development of surrounding plants. The study described herein was conducted to identify the compounds that have phytotoxic activity in T. diversifolia extracts. Ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves, stems, and roots showed significant inhibition of wheat coleoptile growth, and the leaf extract had similar inhibitory effects to a commercial herbicide. Fourteen compounds, 12 of which were sesquiterpene lactones, have been isolated. Two sesquiterpene lactones are reported for the first time and were isolated as an inseparable mixture of 8β-O-(2-methylbutyroyl)- tirotundin (4) and 8β-O-(isovaleroyl)tirotundin (5). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. The sesquiterpene lactones 1β methoxydiversifolin (6), tagitinin A (7), and tagitinin C (8) were the major products identified. These compounds were active on etiolated wheat coleoptiles, seed germination, and the growth of STS and weeds. The phytotoxic activity shown by these sesquiterpene lactones indicates that they are the compounds responsible for the activity exhibited by the initial extracts

“LA CORRUPCIÓN COMO PRINCIPAL FACTOR DEL DEBILITAMIENTO DE LA VIDA INSTITUCIONAL”

La lucha contra la corrupción es uno de los reclamos sociales que más se hacen al gobierno; pero esta coexiste gracias al binomio sociedad-gobierno. Pues ambos son corresponsables de esta, mientras que haya quien ofrezca y reciba, pida y de, esto no se termina. Por ello solo la educación y la cultura, en todos los ámbitos sociales, académicos, políticos, religiosos y empresariales, de cero tolerancia a la corrupción, es lo que va a permitir bajar los índices de corrupción hasta lograr una sociedad incorruptible. En este orden de ideas y a partir de que la institucionalización conlleva a una reforma Constitucional; la cual a su vez implica una transformación social. Se propone: COMBATIR A LA CORRUPCIÓN DE FORMA HOLÍSTICA, es decir:La corrupción no es un problema nuevo se ha dado en todas las épocas históricas de la humanidad; ni mucho menos privativo de nuestro país, alguna de sus instituciones u organizaciones sociales; sino que es, un fenómeno que se presenta a nivel mundial y en diversos ámbitos: económico, político y social; sin embargo actualmente se presenta un mayor interés por combatirla ya que una de sus principales consecuencias es la tergiversación de los valores. Cabe destacar que, desde el punto de vista normativo las leyes e instrumentos jurídicos internacionales constituyen el aspecto jurídico fundamental en el combate a la corrupción

Vegetative as bioindicators of heavy metals in a semiarid system

Evaluar la contaminación por metales pesados en los ecosistemas permite conocer la capacidad bioindicativa de especies vegetativas. El objetivo fue determinar la concentración de metales pesados en Prosopis laevigata, Acacia spp. y Schinus molle bajo el efecto de usos suelo y temporalidad. El área se sitúa en la colindancia de los Municipios de Soledad de Graciano Sánchez y San Luis Potosí fragmentada por usos de suelo: agropecuario, comercio y servicios, residencial urbano y minero. Fueron tomadas muestras de hojas de las tres especies en las estaciones de verano, otoño, invierno y primavera y se evaluó la concentración de metales pesados a través de la técnica de ICP-MS. Los análisis estadísticos indicaron niveles de Aluminio (Al) > Cinc (Zn) > Plomo (Pb) > Cobre (Cu) > Titanio (Ti) > Vanadio (V) > Arsénico (As) > Cromo (Cr) > Cadmio (Cd) > Cobalto (Co). Los elementos Al, As, Cd, Cr, Pb y Ti presentaron niveles por encima del umbral normal en vegetación. El uso de suelo tuvo efecto significativo con Al, Ti, Cd, As y Pb; los árboles ubicados en los usos de suelo minero, comercio y servicios tuvieron la mayor concentración. La especie tuvo efecto significativo con Al y Pb siendo Acacia spp. el que presentó la mayor capacidad de acumulación. La temporada del año impactó significativamente en la acumulación de As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr y Ti en las tres especies. La dinámica antropogénica de los diferentes usos de suelo genera partículas y residuos con metales pesados impactando en la disponibilidad y acumulación en las especies evaluadas. Se contribuye a evaluar el impacto ambiental en el sistema fragmentado recomendando dar continuidad a este tipo de estudios.The evaluation of pollution by heavy metals on ecosystems can determine the bioindicative capacity of plant species. The presence of heavy metals was determined in Prosopis laevigata, Acacia spp. and Schinus molle under the effect of different of land uses and seasons. The area is located near of the municipalities of Soledad de Graciano Sánchez and San Luis Potosi which has fragmented land use such as: agriculture, commercial and services, urban residential and mining. Samples were taken from leaves of the three species during summer, autumn, winter and spring to assess the concentrations of heavy metals through the technique of ICP-MS. Statistical analyzes showed levels of Aluminum (Al) > Zinc (Zn) > Lead (Pb) > Copper (Cu) > Titanium (Ti) > Vanadium (V) > Arsenic (As) > Chromium (Cr) > Cadmium (Cd) > Cobalt (Co). The elements Al, As, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ti had levels above the normal threshold in vegetation. Land use had a significant effect with Al, Ti, Cd, As and Pb having the trees being located in the land with mining and commercial and services use the greater concentrations. The species had a significant effect on Al and Pb with Acacia spp., having the largest storage capacity. The season of the year significantly impacted the accumulation of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr and Ti in the three species. The anthropogenic dynamics of different land uses generated waste particles and residues of heavy metals, impacting the availability and accumulation in the species evaluated. This study contribute to evaluate the environmental impact in the system with a fragmented land use and the continuation of this type of studies is recommended.Fil: Alcalá Jáuregui, Jorge. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Rodríguez Ortíz, Juan C.. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Villaseñor Zuñiga, María Elena. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Hernández Montoya, Alejandra. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: García Arreola, María Elena. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Beltrán Morales, F. Alfredo. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (México)Fil: Rodríguez Fuentes, Humberto. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (México). Facultad de Agronomía

Dynamic interaction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 with moesin and ezrin in a novel endothelial docking structure for adherent leukocytes

Ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) regulate cortical morphogenesis and cell adhesion by connecting membrane adhesion receptors to the actin-based cytoskeleton. We have studied the interaction of moesin and ezrin with the vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 during leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration (TEM). VCAM-1 interacted directly with moesin and ezrin in vitro, and all of these molecules colocalized at the apical surface of endothelium. Dynamic assessment of this interaction in living cells showed that both VCAM-1 and moesin were involved in lymphoblast adhesion and spreading on the endothelium, whereas only moesin participated in TEM, following the same distribution pattern as ICAM-1. During leukocyte adhesion in static or under flow conditions, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and activated moesin and ezrin clustered in an endothelial actin-rich docking structure that anchored and partially embraced the leukocyte containing other cytoskeletal components such as α-actinin, vinculin, and VASP. Phosphoinositides and the Rho/p160 ROCK pathway, which participate in the activation of ERM proteins, were involved in the generation and maintenance of the anchoring structure. These results provide the first characterization of an endothelial docking structure that plays a key role in the firm adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium during inflammation

CNVs in the 22q11.2 chromosomal region should be an early suspect in infants with congenital cardiac disease

Q2Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation, it is frequently found as an isolated defect, and the etiology is not completely understood. Although most of the cases have multifactorial causes, they can also be secondary to chromosomal abnormalities, monogenic diseases, microduplications or microdeletions, among others. Copy number variations (CNVs) at 22q11.2 are associated with a variety of symptoms including CHD, thymic aplasia, and developmental and behavioral manifestations. We tested CNVs in the 22q11.2 chromosomal region by MLPA in a cohort of Colombian patients with isolated CHD to establish the frequency of these CNVs in the cohort. Methods: CNVs analysis of 22q11.2 by MLPA were performed in 32 patients with apparently isolate CHD during the neonatal period. Participants were enrolled from different hospitals in Bogotá, and they underwent a clinical assessment by a cardiologist and a clinical geneticist. Results: CNVs in the 22q11.2 chromosomal region were found in 7 patients (21.9%). The typical deletion was found in 6 patients (18.75%) and atypical 1.5 Mb duplication was found in 1 patient (3.1%). Conclusions: CNVs in 22q11.2 is a common finding in patients presenting with isolated congenital cardiac disease, therefore these patients should be tested early despite the absence of other clinical manifestations. MLPA is a very useful molecular method and provides an accurate diagnosis.Revista Internacional - Indexad