Voltage-dependent cationic channels formed by a cytolytic toxin produced by Gardnerella vaginalis

AbstractA cytolytic toxin produced by G. vaginalis was incorporated in artificial membranes and giant liposomes. The toxin formed ionic channels when incorporated in lipid bilayers. The electrical properties of such channels were studied. Current records revealed a unitary conductance of 126 pS (in symmetrical 150 mM KCl). The open state probability of the cytolysin formed channels was a function of the applied membrane potential. The permeability ratio of cations to anions was estimated to be 6.5

Identification of an antigenic domain near the C terminus of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and its spatial localization.

The goal of this study was to map an epitope on the human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) at its C terminus, a region whose integrity is fundamental in maintaining the normal function of this molecule. Residues including the fourth alpha-helix (D, 103-116) were analyzed for their role in the interaction with antibodies (Abs) raised against the protein. Five peptides homologous to different segments of the C terminus of hGM-CSF were synthesized. Peptide-(102-121) included the same residues of the alpha-helix D and the next five amino acids toward the C terminus; peptide-[E108A]-(102-121) introduced the mutation E108A in order to verify the role of acidic residues; peptide-[C96A](93-110) encompassed the beta-sheet 2 and half of the alpha-helix D; peptide-[C121A]-(110-127) included the second half of the alpha-helix D and the C terminus of hGMCSF; peptide-(13-31)-Gly-Pro-Gly-(103-116) included both the alpha-helices A and D connected by the tripeptide Gly-Pro-Gly, which allows the original antiparallel orientation of the two alpha-helices to be maintained. Both anti-protein and anti-peptide-(102-121) antibodies, capable of neutralizing the stimulatory activity of hGMCSF in the bone marrow colony-forming assays, recognized a specific epitope in the C terminus of hGM-CSF. Molecular modeling estimated the surface accessibility of hGM-CSF and the stability of the synthetic peptides in aqueous solution. Altogether, our results showed that the immunogenic region includes part of the alpha-helix D and the residues 116-120, which are external to this helix and particularly exposed on the protein surface, confirming the feasible participation of this region in antibody binding

Analysis of Rainfall in the Locality of Babahoyo, for the Programming of Cultivation of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

The work was carried out with the objective of knowing the precipitation regime of Babahoyo, Los Ríos in Ecuador and in this way contribute to the improvement of the cropping calendar of “rainfed rice", as this information is commonly required by farmers and agricultural professionals who work as agricultural advisers. A serie of record’s rainfalls were processed in about 35 years belonging to the Babahoyo’s Weather Station of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology situated on the premises of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of theTechnical University of Babahoyo (UTB), the methodology applied focuses on the identification of statistics such as the mean, standard deviation, variance, coefficient of variation, asymmetry coefficient and kurtosis coefficient; then on the basis of average is determined dry and wet periods, the frequency and the intensity in which they occur. It was found that in this town from 1980 to 2014 occurred eight dry periods and seven wet periods, that occured with a frequency of 3.4 and 3.7 years respectively. Based on the results, the wet season is defined between the months from December to May and the dry season from June to November. The sheet available average cumulative rainfall, which is determined for wet and dry periods, has the following valuables: 1001,3 mm, 3169 mm and an average of 2167,7 mm. The rainfed rice in the area should be planted from the month of December, to be taken advantage of all the rain of the wet season

A SAXS-based ensemble model of the native and phosphorylated regulatory domain of the CFTR

Abstract The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the defective protein in cystic fibrosis, is an anion channel activated by protein kinase A phosphorylation. The regulatory domain (RD) of CFTR has multiple phosphorylation sites, and is responsible for channel activation. This domain is intrinsically disordered, rendering the structural analysis a difficult task, as high-resolution techniques are barely applicable. In this work, we obtained a biophysical characterization of the native and phosphorylated RD in solution by employing complementary structural methods. The native RD has a gyration radius of 3.25 nm, and a maximum molecular dimension of 11.4 nm, larger than expected for a globular protein of the same molecular mass. Phosphorylation causes compaction of the structure, yielding a significant reduction of the gyration radius, to 2.92 nm, and on the maximum molecular dimension to 10.2 nm. Using an ensemble optimization method, we were able to generate a low-resolution, threedimensional model of the native and the phosphorylated RD based on small-angle X-ray scattering data. We have obtained the first experiment-based model of the CFTR regulatory domain, which will be useful to understand the molecular mechanisms of normal and pathological CFTR functioning

INVO Procedure: Minimally Invasive IVF as an Alternative Treatment Option for Infertile Couples

Intravaginal culture (IVC), also called INVO (intravaginal culture of oocytes), is an assisted reproduction procedure where oocyte fertilization and early embryo development are carried out within a gas permeable air-free plastic device, placed into the maternal vaginal cavity for incubation. In the present study we assessed the outcome of the INVO procedure, using the recently designed INVOcell device, in combination with a mild ovarian stimulation protocol. A total of 125 cycles were performed. On average 6.5 oocytes per cycle were retrieved, and a mean of 4.2 were placed per INVOcell device. The cleavage rate obtained after the INVO culture was 63%. The procedure yielded 40%, 31.2%, and 24% of clinical pregnancy, live birth, and single live birth rates per cycle, respectively. Our results suggest that the INVO procedure is an effective alternative treatment option in assisted reproduction that shows comparable results to those reported for existing IVF techniques

Design, construction and study of the efficiency of green panels with a monitoring system for physical variables

de un grupo de variables dentro de un prototipo a escala de un panel verde, las variables seleccionadas fueron; temperatura, humedad relativa, humedad del substrato, cantidad de luz, vibraciones mecánicas y telúricas, para luego estudiar el comportamiento de las variables mencionadas anteriormente. Para preparar el sistema para capturar y adquirir los datos y almacenarlos, se construyó un complejo electrónico que comprenda diversos sensores electrónicos acoplados a una tarjeta de hardware libre para elaborar prototipos denominada “Arduino Uno” y que mandara los datos a un ordenador vía alámbrica (cable USB) y creaba hojas de cálculo en Microsoft Excel, con un intervalo de tiempo definido por código abierto, creando inmensas bases de datos, después de 44 días de monitorización, para posteriormente, sus cifras fueran procesadas mediante software “R studio” de código de fuentes abiertas, obteniendo las medidas de tendencia central, gráficas, histogramas, curvas de densidad y se demostraron las relaciones entre variables con el coeficiente (R) de correlación se obtuvo mediante el método “Pearson”. El estudio de series de tiempo se logró desarrollar mediante ecuaciones lineales y no lineales; y se efectuó mediante el método de mínimos cuadrados y el método GARCH, corriendo una regresión simple que incluyó términos cuadráticos, logarítmicos, primeras diferencias, variables “dummy” o falsas y constantes, en este caso el software de elección fue E views, secundariamente Minitab, SPSS, SAS y STATA. Al terminar el análisis de regresión lineal, se obtuvieron resultados que confirmaron la eficiencia de los paneles verdes en el prototipo que se construyó, dando resultados que reforzaban la hipótesis del experimento, demostrando que las cubiertas vegetales instaladas en edificios reducen hasta en 8 °C la temperatura atmosférica y la humedad relativa del viento se potencializa hasta en 15 % más que en un edificio común y la disminución del efecto “Isla de Calor Urbana” por área verde determinada.The present work had some challenges such as to design and then construct an electronic system for monitoring the values of a select group of physical variables in a prototype of a green panel, the selected variables were temperature, relative humidity, soil humidity, mechanic and telluric vibrations and quantity of light, then study their behaviors of these variables mentioned before. To get the system ready for data acquisition and saving the data, it became necessary the construction of an electronically arrangement that understands; Open Source code, diverse types of electronic sensors and a free hardware device named “Arduino Uno board”. The prototype of a green panel in which we installed the electronic system with sensors that recorded the changes in an automatic way, then they were sent to a computer connected to the system with an USB wire for capturing data in Microsoft Excel, with an interval defined by Open Source Code, constructing a database, after 44 days of monitoring, for processing the data we occupied the software “R studio” of Open Source for continuing the study with a statistical analysis giving the central tendency measures, graphs, histograms, density curves and proving the correlation between variables with correlation coefficient (R) obtained by “Pearson” methodology. The study of time series and for developing linear and non-linear equations were done with the least squares’ methodology and GARCH method, running a simple regression, that included: logarithmic terms, quadratic terms, first differences, “dummies” and constants, in this case the statistical suites of choice were primarily E views, secondarily Minitab, SPSS, SAS and STATA. At the end of the regression, the results were in favor for the implementation of green panels in buildings, because they can bring several benefits to the environment. The conclusion was that the experiment generated atmospheric conditions that reduced in 8 °C of atmospheric temperature and the relative humidity in air is augmented in 15% and reduces carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and the diminution of the “Urban Heat Island” effect in weather for a determined green area.SIEA UAME

Assessing the Quality of the Steps to Reproduce in Bug Reports

A major problem with user-written bug reports, indicated by developers and documented by researchers, is the (lack of high) quality of the reported steps to reproduce the bugs. Low-quality steps to reproduce lead to excessive manual effort spent on bug triage and resolution. This paper proposes Euler, an approach that automatically identifies and assesses the quality of the steps to reproduce in a bug report, providing feedback to the reporters, which they can use to improve the bug report. The feedback provided by Euler was assessed by external evaluators and the results indicate that Euler correctly identified 98% of the existing steps to reproduce and 58% of the missing ones, while 73% of its quality annotations are correct.Comment: In Proceedings of the 27th ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC/FSE '19), August 26-30, 2019, Tallinn, Estoni

Hepatoprotective effect of atomized hydroethanolic extract from Andean purple (Zea mays L.) in induced hepatic injury in rats.

Objetivos: Evaluar el efecto hepatoprotector del extracto hidroetanólico atomizado de Zea mays variedad morado sobre lesiones hepáticas inducidas en ratas. Diseño: Experimental. Institución: Laboratorio de Farmacología Experimental, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. Material biológico: Extracto hidroetanólico atomizado de maíz morado (EAM). Intervenciones: Se formó seis grupos de ratas machos (n=10, por cada grupo), se les administró fenobarbital a concentración de 0,5 g/L en agua potable ad líbitum por 15 días; posteriormente se administró tetracloruro de carbono (CCl4) a una dosis de 0,2 mL/kg, por vía oral. El diseño experimental fue el siguiente: G1: suero fisiológico (SSF); G2: CCl4 0,2 mL/kg (T); G3: T+silimarina 25 mg/kg; G4: T + EAM 500 mg/kg; G5: T + EAM 1 000 mg/kg; G6: T + EAM 2 000 mg/kg. Principales medidas de resultados: Perfil hepático, especies reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) en suero, índice hepático, observación histológica. Resultados: Se observó aumento  significativo (p<0,05) en la actividad de alanina amino transferasa (ALT) entre el grupo G2 y los grupos G3 y G4 (p<0,001). Hubo disminución significativa (p<0,05) de fosfatasa alcalina (FAL) en el grupo G2 con respecto G1. El nivel de TBARS fue menor en el grupo que recibió 1 000 mg/kg de EAM con respecto al control. Las actividades de HDL-C y triglicéridos no mostraron diferencias significativas. Se ha observado la reducción de 60% de la lesión hepática, evidenciado con menor daño del hepatocito al estudio histológico. Conclusiones: El extracto hidroetanólico atomizado de maíz morado a la dosis de 1 000 mg/kg disminuyó las lesiones hepáticas inducidas en ratas.Objectives: To evaluate the hepatoprotector effect of hydroalcoholic extract atomized of Zea mays against hepatic injuries induced in rats. Design: Experimental. Institution: Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Faculty of Human Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. Biological material: Hydroethanolic extract atomized of purple corn (EAM). Interventions: To six groups of male rats (n = 10, for each group) phenobarbital 0.5 g/L in drinkable water ad libitum was administered for 15 days, followed by carbon tetrachloride 0.2 mL/kg p.o. The experimental design was a follow: G1: normal; G2: CCl4 0.2 mL/kg (T); G3:T+ silimarina 25 mg/kg; G4: T+ EAM 500 mg/kg; G5: T + EAM 1 000 mg/kg; G6 T + EAM 2 000 mg/kg. Main outcome measures: Hepatic profile, reactive species to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), liver index, and histological observation. Results: Significant increase (p<0.05) in ALT activity was observed between group G2 in comparison to groups G3 and G4 (p<0,001). There was significant decrease (p < 0.05) of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in group G2 with respect to G1. TBARS level was less in the group that received 1 000 mg/kg of EAM regarding to control. HDL-C and triglycerides activities did not show significant differences. Reduction in 60% of hepatic injury was observed, evidencing less damage of the hepatocyte by histological study. Conclusions: The purple corn atomized hydroethanolic extract at 1 000 mg/kg dose decreased induced hepatic injuries in rats

Contextualización general de la salud pública

El presente trabajo se realiza con el fin de dar cumplimiento a la última tarea del diplomado de profundización de fundamentos de salud pública y trataremos los temas de la historia de la salud pública la cual es el conjunto de políticas que buscan que de una manera integrada, la salud de la población por medio de acciones de salubridad dirigidas tanto de manera individual como colectiva, ya que sus resultados se apoyan en indicadores de las condiciones de vida, bienestar y desarrollo, también se trabajará en el texto normativo en Colombia y los componentes de la salud pública y como se encuentra en nuestro ámbito social.The present work is carried out with the purpose of fulfilling the last task of the graduate of deepening of public health fundamentals and we will deal with the themes of the history of public health which is the set of policies that seek that in an integrated manner, The health of the population through health actions directed both individually and collectively, since their results are supported by indicators of living conditions, well-being and development, will also work on the normative text in Colombia and the components of public health and how it is found in our social environment

La Imprescriptibilidad de la Acción Penal como Sistema Viable y Garantista contra los Delitos de Corrupción

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objeto principal realizar un estudio, referente a la prescripción de la acción penal contra los delitos de corrupción a manera de contrarrestar el impacto de la corrupción, que comenten los funcionarios públicos. Es por ello que se ha discutido la posibilidad de que los delitos relativos a la corrupción sean de carácter imprescriptibles, a fin de evitar que por cualquier límite temporal se pueda frustrar su persecución y sanción, así como investigación de sus hechos, y así procesar y sancionar a los responsables mediante un juicio previo, donde se respeten los derechos y garantías constitucionales del Debido Proceso Para ello analizamos la acción penal que contra los delitos relativos a la corrupción procede, así como el estudio y análisis de los efectos jurídicos del carácter normativo de la prescripción en materia penal y su incidencia en la corrupción de la administración pública, basándonos en el acontecer jurídico, político y social de nuestra realidad salvadoreña. Asimismo, con la presente investigación se pretende crear un mecanismo o garantía para que los delitos de corrupción cometidos por funcionarios o empleados públicos no queden impunes, es que estos no prescriban y teniendo el tiempo necesario se pueda realizar una investigación a fondo al que comete un delito de corrupción