350 research outputs found
Negative Cell Cycle Regulation and DNA Damage-inducible Phosphorylation of the BRCT Protein 53BP1
In a screen designed to discover suppressors of mitotic catastrophe, we identified the Xenopus ortholog of 53BP1 (X53BP1), a BRCT protein previously identified in humans through its ability to bind the p53 tumor suppressor. X53BP1 transcripts are highly expressed in ovaries, and the protein interacts with Xp53 throughout the cell cycle in embryonic extracts. However, no interaction between X53BP1 and Xp53 can be detected in somatic cells, suggesting that the association between the two proteins may be developmentally regulated. X53BP1 is modified via phosphorylation in a DNA damage-dependent manner that correlates with the dispersal of X53BP1 into multiple foci throughout the nucleus in somatic cells. Thus, X53BP1 can be classified as a novel participant in the DNA damage response pathway. We demonstrate that X53BP1 and its human ortholog can serve as good substrates in vitro as well as in vivo for the ATM kinase. Collectively, our results reveal that 53BP1 plays an important role in the checkpoint response to DNA damage, possibly in collaboration with ATM
Selection of best conditions of inoculum preparation for optimum performance of the pigment production process by Talaromyces spp. using the Taguchi method
Process optimisation techniques increasingly need to be used early on in research and development of processes for new ingredients. There are different approaches and this article illustrates the main issues at stake with a method that is an industry best practice, the Taguchi method, suggesting a procedure to assess the potential impact of its drawbacks. The Taguchi method has been widely used in various industrial sectors because it minimises the experimental requirements to define an optimum region of operation, which is particularly relevant when minimising variability is a target. However, it also has drawbacks, especially the intricate confoundings generated by the experimental designs used. This work reports a process optimisation of the synthesis of red pigments by a fungal strain, Talaromyces spp. using the Taguchi methodology and proposes an approach to assess from validation trials whether the conclusions can be accepted with confidence. The work focused on optimising the inoculum characteristics, and the studied factors were spore age and concentration, agitation speed and incubation time. It was concluded that spore age was the most important factor for both responses, with optimum results at 5 days old, with the best other conditions being spores concentration, 100,000 (spores/mL); agitation, 200 rpm; and incubation time, 84 h. The interactive effects can be considered negligible and therefore this is an example where a simple experimental design approach was successful in speedily indicating conditions able to increase pigment production by 63% compared to an average choice of settings
Perstraction of intracellular pigments through submerged fermentation of Talaromyces spp. in a surfactant rich media: a novel approach for enhanced pigment recovery
A high percentage of the pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. remains inside the cell, which could lead to a high product concentration inhibition. To overcome this issue an extractive fermentation process, perstraction, was suggested, which involves the extraction of the intracellular products out of the cell by using a two-phase system during the fermentation. The present work studied the effect of various surfactants on secretion of intracellular pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. in submerged fermentation. Surfactants used were: non-ionic surfactants (Tween 80, Span 20 and Triton X-100) and a polyethylene glycerol polymer 8000, at different concentrations (5, 20, 35 g/L). The highest extracellular pigment yield (16 OD500nm) was reached using Triton X-100 (35 g/L), which was 44% higher than the control (no surfactant added). The effect of addition time of the selected surfactant was further studied. The highest extracellular pigment concentration (22 OD500nm) was achieved when the surfactant was added at 120 h of fermentation. Kinetics of extracellular and intracellular pigments were examined. Total pigment at the end of the fermentation using Triton X-100 was 27.7% higher than the control, confirming that the use of surfactants partially alleviated the product inhibition during the pigment production cultur
First Record of Leea guineensis (Vitaceae) in Cuban Scientific Literature
The presence of Leea guineensis G. Don. was confirmed in Cuba. It is a widely cultivated alochtonous species used in Cuba as ornameltal plants, which had not been previously registered in the scientific literature of the country. Several botanical procedures (collections, specialized catalogs, descriptions, and scientific illustrations) were applied. It is a new taxon of the genus in the country. A key is suggested as a way to distinguish it from other genera of the Vitaceae family
UtilizaciĂłn de Clorhexidina en la prevenciĂłn de enfermedad gingival de pacientes embarazadas
Varios trabajos de investigaciĂłn señalan la relaciĂłn entre enfermedad periodontal (EP) y parto prematuro. Por otra parte durante el embarazo, mĂşltiples factores promueven inflamaciĂłn y sangrado de las encĂas. Esta situaciĂłn puede verse agravada por la persistencia de placa dental debido a modificaciones en los hábitos higiĂ©nicos- dietĂ©ticos y a la situaciĂłn socioeconĂłmica y cultural de la gestante. La gingivitis no prevenida o no tratada facilita el desarrollo de la EP En el presente trabajo se ha adicionado a la terapia básica convencional clorhexidina, un fármaco de valor intrĂnseco elevado para prevenir la placa dental, con el propĂłsito de mejorar recursos terapĂ©uticos que reduzcan la prevalencia y las complicaciones asociadas a inflamaciĂłn gingival en la etapa gestacional.Para el estudio comparativo, controlado y abierto se consideraron a 60 mujeres embarazadas con un rango de edad entre los I 7 y 40 años, atendidas en un Hospital PĂşblico de la ciudad de Corrientes, RepĂşblica Argentina. Mediante selecciĂłn aleatoria simple fueron divididas en dos grupos, uno de control con tratamiento de terapia básica y otro considerado experimental a quien se le agregĂł clorhexidina al 0,12 % del 3° al 8° mes de embarazo. Los marcadores utilizados para la evaluaciĂłn fueron el Ăndice de O ’Leary de placa dental y el Ăndice gingival de Loe y Silness.Los resultados demostraron que la asociaciĂłn clorhexidina- terapia básica es más eficaz y efectiva que el control mecánico de la placa dental exclusivamente. Asimismo sugieren que programas de prevenciĂłn de salud bucal dirigido especialmente a grupos de mujeres gestantes de alta vulnerabilidad socioeconĂłmica podrĂan beneficiarse con una relaciĂłn beneflcio/riesgo/costo favorable al reducir riesgos asociados al uso de medicamentos sistĂ©micos y las intervenciones odontolĂłgicas invasivas implicados en el trataÂmiento de enfermedad periodontal instalada
PREVALENCIA Y FACTORES DE RIESGO ASOCIADOS CON LA INFECCIĂ“N DE TOXOCARA CANIS Y ANCYLOSTOMA CANINUM EN CANES DE COMPAĂ‘ĂŤA
El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia y factores de riesgo de infecciĂłn de Toxocara canis y Ancylostoma caninum en canes de compañĂa en Santa Clara, Cuba. Se tomaron muestras de heces frescas de 108 canes de compañĂa y se encuestaron a sus dueños. La prevalencia de infestaciĂłn por T. canis en los Consejos Populares urbano y rural, fueron del 9% y el 40% respectivamente, existiendo diferencias significativas entre ellos. La prevalencia de A. caninum en los consejos populares urbano y rural fueron 39% y 42%, respectivamente. No se encontrĂł asociaciĂłn entre la variable prevalencia de infestaciĂłn de ambos nemátodos y los factores genĂ©ticos: edad, raza y sexo, asĂ como con las condiciones de tenencias y nivel cultural del propietario, y regiĂłn geográfica de los canes de compañĂa. Solamente una asociaciĂłn significativa fue encontrada entre la prevalencia de infestaciĂłn por T. canis y la regiĂłn geográfica de los canes de compañĂa
Trichanthera gigantea (Homb. & Bonpl.) Nees, (Acanthaceae) y su cultivo en Cuba
Context: The investigation is part of the efforts being made to specify a new taxonomic treatment of the Acanthaceae family in Cuba and to specify the situation of the taxa that have been introduced in the country, the verification of their permanence in cultivation, the probable naturalization and (in case of become definite the last one) its subsequent behavior.
Objective: Clarify the status of introduction and current situation of the cultivation or establishment of Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) in Cuba.
Methods: Botanical research methods were used, such as the work with collections, comparison with descriptions and keys contained in catalogs, as well as scientific description and illustration. It was investigated with inhabitant to verify the use they make of the species.
Results: The presence of T. gigantea in Cuba is confirmed, details are made on its nomenclature, the taxon is described and illustrated, and an analytical key is offered to differentiate it from the other closely related representatives reported for the national territory. Aspects related to their utility as a forage plant are discussed.
Conclusions: T. gigantea should be included in catalogs and specialized publications on Cuban flora. Its proven usefulness as a forage plant will necessarily have to be taken into account by economic botany and will undoubtedly constitute a factor that will continue to promote the expansion of its cultivation throughout the national territory.Contexto: La investigaciĂłn forma parte de los esfuerzos que se realizan para concretar un nuevo tratamiento taxonĂłmico de la familia Acanthaceae en Cuba y esclarecer la situaciĂłn de taxones que han sido introducidos en el paĂs, verificar su permanencia en cultivo, la probable naturalizaciĂłn y (en caso de concretarse esta Ăşltima) su comportamiento posterior.
Objetivo: Esclarecer el estatuto de introducciĂłn y situaciĂłn de cultivo actual o establecimiento de Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) en Cuba.
MĂ©todos: Se utilizaron mĂ©todos de investigaciĂłn propios de la botánica, como el trabajo con colecciones, la comparaciĂłn con descripciones y claves contenidas en catálogos especializados, asĂ como la descripciĂłn e ilustraciĂłn cientĂfica. Se indagĂł con pobladores para constatar el uso que hacen de la especie.
Resultados: Se confirma la presencia en Cuba de T. gigantea, se realizan precisiones sobre su nomenclatura, se describe e ilustra el taxĂłn y se ofrece una clave analĂtica para diferenciarlo de representantes afines reportados para el territorio nacional. Se comentan aspectos relacionados con su utilidad como planta forrajera.
Conclusiones: T. gigantea deberá ser incluida en los catálogos y publicaciones especializadas sobre la flora cubana. Su probada utilidad como planta forrajera tendrán necesariamente que ser tenida en cuenta por la botánica económica e indudablemente constituirá un factor que continuará propiciando la expansión de su cultivo por del territorio nacional
Trichanthera gigantea (Homb. & Bonpl.) Nees, (Acanthaceae) in Cuba
Context: This research is part of the efforts made to establish a new taxonomic approach of family Acanthaceae, and to have an update on the taxa introduced in Cuba. It will also include a verification of its permanence in the land, probable naturalization, and (if it occurs) its later behavior.
Aim: To elucidate the current introduction and status of the cultivation or establishment of Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) in Cuba.
Methods: Botanical methods were used, such as collection studies, comparison of descriptors, and the keys found in specialized catalogs, along with the description and scientific illustration. The local population was surveyed to check how this species can be useful.
Results: This study confirmed the presence of T. gigantea in Cuba, with a detailed analysis of the nomenclature. The taxon was described and illustrated, and the corresponding analytical key was established to contrast it from akin specimens reported in Cuba. Aspects related to its usefulness as a forage-producing plant were tackled as well.
Conclusions: T. gigantea should be included in the catalogs and specialized journals on the Cuban flora. The demonstrated usefulness of the plant to produce forage will have to be considered as part of the economic botany, as it will certainly become a factor for the spreading of the plant throughout Cuba
Joint Effect of MCP-1 Genotype GG and MMP-1 Genotype 2G/2G Increases the Likelihood of Developing Pulmonary Tuberculosis in BCG-Vaccinated Individuals
We previously reported that the – 2518 MCP-1 genotype GG increases the likelihood of developing tuberculosis (TB) in non-BCG-vaccinated Mexicans and Koreans. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this genotype, alone or together with the – 1607 MMP-1 functional polymorphism, increases the likelihood of developing TB in BCG-vaccinated individuals. We conducted population-based case-control studies of BCG-vaccinated individuals in Mexico and Peru that included 193 TB cases and 243 healthy tuberculin-positive controls from Mexico and 701 TB cases and 796 controls from Peru. We also performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of lymph nodes from carriers of relevant two-locus genotypes and in vitro studies to determine how these variants may operate to increase the risk of developing active disease. We report that a joint effect between the – 2518 MCP-1 genotype GG and the – 1607 MMP-1 genotype 2G/2G consistently increases the odds of developing TB 3.59-fold in Mexicans and 3.9-fold in Peruvians. IHC analysis of lymph nodes indicated that carriers of the two-locus genotype MCP-1 GG MMP-1 2G/2G express the highest levels of both MCP-1 and MMP-1. Carriers of these susceptibility genotypes might be at increased risk of developing TB because they produce high levels of MCP-1, which enhances the induction of MMP-1 production by M. tuberculosis-sonicate antigens to higher levels than in carriers of the other two-locus MCP-1 MMP-1 genotypes studied. This notion was supported by in vitro experiments and luciferase based promoter activity assay. MMP-1 may destabilize granuloma formation and promote tissue damage and disease progression early in the infection. Our findings may foster the development of new and personalized therapeutic approaches targeting MCP-1 and/or MMP-1
First Record of Leea guineensis (Vitaceae) in Cuban Scientific Literature
The presence of Leea guineensis G. Don. was confirmed in Cuba. It is a widely cultivated alochtonous species used in Cuba as ornameltal plants, which had not been previously registered in the scientific literature of the country. Several botanical procedures (collections, specialized catalogs, descriptions, and scientific illustrations) were applied. It is a new taxon of the genus in the country. A key is suggested as a way to distinguish it from other genera of the Vitaceae family
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