Silenciamiento génico en insectos plaga que afectan la industria agrícola usando ARN de interferencia

Pest insects are species of living organisms that are constantly found in high populations, causing economic crops damage. Generally, it tends to be specific species, usually only one or two, which can cause great economic damage in the agricultural sector. In the last 3 decades, the concept of a biological process has been developed, widely detected in eukaryotes, by which genes can be silenced, from double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This machinery has been investigated to understand its operation and to look for potential applications that it could have in the field of biotechnology. In several studies it was found that gene silencing is due to cytoplasmic intracellular enzymatic interactions with small RNA molecules (siRNA), which act on intracellular messenger RNA (mRNA), preventing it from translating a protein. Through this mechanism, the aim is to silence specific genes in pest insects, which are essential for the insect to live and thus prevent the proliferation of the pest. This article compiles the studies carried out on RNA interference, referring to the genetic mechanism of insects, as an alternative for its control.Los insectos plaga, son especies de organismos vivos que en forma constante se encuentran en poblaciones altas, ocasionando daños económicos en los cultivos. Generalmente, suele tratarse de especies puntuales, por lo general, sólo una o dos, que pueden causar gran afectación económica en el sector de la agricultura. En las últimas 3 décadas se ha venido desarrollando el concepto de un proceso biológico, detectado en eucariotas ampliamente, mediante el que se pueden silenciar genes, a partir de ARN de doble cadena (ARNdc). Esta maquinaria se ha investigado para conocer su funcionamiento y buscar potenciales aplicaciones que podrían tener en el campo de la biotecnología. En varios estudios se encontró que el silenciamiento de genes se debe a las interacciones enzimáticas intracelulares citoplasmáticas con moléculas de ARN pequeñas (ARNsi), que actúan sobre el ARN mensajero (ARNm) intracelular, impidiendo que este se traduzca a proteína. Mediante este mecanismo se busca silenciar genes específicos en insectos plaga, que sean esenciales para que el insecto pueda vivir y de esa manera evitar la proliferación de la plaga. Este artículo recopila los estudios realizados acerca del ARN de interferencia, referidos al mecanismo genético de los insectos, como alternativa para su control

The Origin and Evolutionary Consequences of Skeletal Traits Shaped by Embryonic Muscular Activity, from Basal Theropods to Modern Birds

Embryonic muscular activity (EMA) is involved in the development of several distinctive traits of birds. Modern avian diversity and the fossil record of the dinosaur-bird transition allow special insight into their evolution. Traits shaped by EMA result from mechanical forces acting at post-morphogenetic stages, such that genes often play a very indirect role. Their origin seldom suggests direct selection for the trait, but a side-effect of other changes such as musculo-skeletal rearrangements, heterochrony in skeletal maturation, or increased incubation temperature (which increases EMA). EMA-shaped traits like sesamoids may be inconstant, highly conserved, or even disappear and then reappear in evolution. Some sesamoids may become increasingly influenced in evolution by genetic-molecular mechanisms (genetic assimilation). There is also ample evidence of evolutionary transitions from sesamoids to bony eminences at tendon insertion sites, and vice-versa. This can be explained by newfound similarities in the earliest development of both kinds of structures, which suggest these transitions are likely triggered by EMA. Other traits that require EMA for their formation will not necessarily undergo genetic assimilation, but still be conserved over tens and hundreds of millions of years, allowing evolutionary reduction and loss of other skeletal elements. Upon their origin, EMA-shaped traits may not be directly genetic, nor immediately adaptive. Nevertheless, EMA can play a key role in evolutionary innovation, and have consequences for the subsequent direction of evolutionary change. Its role may be more important and ubiquitous than currently suspected.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Selective Fractionation And Isolation Of Allelopathic Compounds From Helianthus Annuus L. Leaves By Means Of High-Pressure Techniques

The allelopathic potential of Helianthus annuus L. leaves was study based on bio-directed chemical fractionation approach. Aerial parts of H. annuus were extracted by means of SFE using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) and ESE using CO2+50% EtOH/H2O (varying ethanol in water from 0 to 100%). Extractions were carried out at 400 bar, 55 °C, 20 g/min and for 4 h. Then, extracts were fractionated in three separators at the following conditions: S1: 200 bar/45 °C; S2: 90 bar/40 °C; and S3: 1 atm/30 °C. ESE obtained higher overall yields than scCO2 and the use of water as cosolvent (CO2+50% H2O) resulted in a S3 fraction free from chlorophylls and rich in bioactive compounds. 14 compounds, including fatty acids, terpenes, flavonoids and heliannuols, were isolated from this fraction. After performing the bioassay on pure compounds, heliannuol D, tambulin, pinoresinol and sesquiterpene 10-oxo-isodauc-3-en-15-al showed the most effective inhibitor profiles

Características psicométricas de la escala infantojuvenil de perfeccionismo en estudiantes de enseñanza básica (primaria) en Chile

The present study seeks to validate a Chilean adaptation of the CAPS scale, of Spanish origin, in Chilean primary school students, through the analysis of psychometric characteristics. The participants were 1195 Chilean students between the ages of 10 and 17 years old (M = 12.5; D.E. = 1.38); the instrument used was the child-adolescent perfectionism scale (CAPS). The dimensionality, reliability, and frequency ranges of the test were analyzed in the sample. The results give an account of three dimensions, with a high general reliability level of .89, according Cronbach's alpha; and an adequate level in its dimensions, alpha values between .722 and .794. It is also observed in the sample that the effort-oriented perfectionism (EOP) is the characteristic with the highest score, while the socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) characteristic the lowest. It is concluded that the instrument has adequate psychometric characteristics, and that the socially prescribed perfectionism, a negative feature of the phenomenon, according to what is observed, is less developed in the participating group, which would strengthen socio-emotional development.El estudio busca validar una traducción chilena de la escala CAPS, de origen español, en estudiantes chilenos de primaria, analizando características psicométricas. Participaron 1195 estudiantes chilenos, entre 10 y 17 años (M= 12.5; D.E.=1.38); el instrumento utilizado fue la escala infantojuvenil de perfeccionismo (CAPS). Se analizó la dimensionalidad del test, confiabilidad y rangos de frecuencia en la muestra. Los resultados dan cuenta de tres dimensiones, con un nivel de confiabilidad general alto, alfa de Cronbach .89; y un nivel adecuado en las dimensiones, valores alfa entre .722 y .794; asimismo se observa que el perfeccionismo orientado a esfuerzo (PAO-E) sería la característica de mayor puntuación en esta muestra, y el socialmente prescrito (PSP), el de menor puntuación. Se concluye que el instrumento tiene adecuadas características psicométricas, además el perfeccionismo socialmente prescrito, rasgo negativo del fenómeno, se observa menos desarrollado en el grupo participante, lo que fortalecería el desarrollo socioemocional

Avaliação de lodos de ETE municipais como inóculo na digestão anaeróbia fracção orgânica dos resíduos sólidos urbanos

The quantity and quality of inoculum used in the Anaerobic Digestion (AD), impact seriously on the biodegradability and the amount of methane produced. This research evaluated the effect of the source of inoculum municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) on the production of methane as a source of renewable energy AD from Municipal Biowaste (MB), analyzing the Substrate-Inoculum (S/I) ratio and the buffering capacity of the inoculum as key aspects. The experiments were performed on a laboratory scale by testing Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) in the mesophilic range with a retention time of solids (RTS) 21 days; two inoculums from UASB reactors and the other of an anaerobic sludge digester. The S/I ratios ranged between 0.5 and 12gVSsubstrate gVS-1 inoculum. Although it was found that there were no statistically signifcant differences between the inoculum (p>0.05), the inoculum from the anaerobic digester presented a better performance because of its greater capacity buffer. The S/I ratio showed statistically signifcant differences (p<0,05), being below 1 ratio that presented the best productions of methane (> 70mLCH4 gVS-1 substrate ) hydrolysis rates (from 0,15 to 0,21d-1) and phases of lethargy (2,7-9,3d).A quantidade e qualidade do inoculo utilizada na Digestão Anaerobia (DA), um impacto signifcativo sobre a biodegradabilidade e a quantidade de metano produzido. Esta pesquisa avaliou o efeito da fonte de inóculo de estações de tratamento, águas residuais municipais (ETARM) na produção de metano como fonte de energia renovável, a partir de DA resíduos biológicos de origem municipal (RBOM) analisando como aspectos importantes a relação substrato-inóculo (S/I), a capacidade buffer do inoculo Os experimentos foram realizados em escala laboratorial por testes bioquímicos metano (BMP) na gama mesofílica com um tempo de retenção dos sólidos (TRS) de 21 dias; Dois inóculos foram de reatores UASB e outra de um digestor de lodo anaeróbio. O S/I a relação variou entre 0,5 e 12gSVsubstrato gSV-1 inoculo Embora verifcou-se que não houve diferenças estatisticamente signifcativas entre o inóculo (p>0,05) o inóculo do digestor anaeróbico apresentou um desempenho melhor por causa de seu buffer de maio capacidade. A relação S/I mostrou diferenças  estatisticamente signifcativa (p<0,05), sendo as relações menores a 1 que apresentaram as melhores produções de metano (> 70mLCH4gSV-1substrato) taxas de hidrólise (de 0,15 a 0,21d-1) e fases de letargia (2,7-9,3d).La cantidad y calidad del inóculo empleado en los procesos de Digestión Anaerobia (DA), incide significativamente sobre la biodegradabilidad y la cantidad de metano que se produce. Esta investigación evaluó el efecto de la procedencia de inóculos de plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales municipales (PTAR) sobre la producción de metano como una fuente de energía renovable, a partir de la DA de Biorresiduos de Origen Municipal (BOM), analizando como aspectos claves la relación Sustrato Inóculo (S/I) y la capacidad buffer del inóculo. Los experimentos se realizaron a escala de laboratorio mediante ensayos de Potencial Bioquímico de Metano (PBM) en el rango mesofílico con un Tiempo de Retención de Sólidos (TRS) de 21 días; dos de los inóculos procedieron de reactores UASB y el otro de un digestor anaerobio de lodos. Las relaciones S/I oscilaron entre 0,5 y 12gSVsustrato gSV-1 inóculo. Aunque se encontró que no existen diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los inóculos (p>0,05), el inóculo procedente del digestor anaerobio presentó un mejor desempeño debido a su mayor capacidad buffer. La relación S/I presentó diferencias estadísticas significativas (p<0,05), siendo las relaciones inferiores a 1 las que presentaron las mejores producciones de metano (>70mLCH4gSV-1 sustrato), tasas de hidrólisis (0,15-0,21d-1) y fases de latencia (2,7-9,3d)

Depression and anxiety in decision-making, existential isolation, death and lack of vital sense in religious and non-religious people

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo describir la ansiedad ante las situaciones existenciales en religiosos y no religiosos en una muestra 100 universitarios colombianos, con una edad promedio de 22 años. Los participantes completaron el ANSIV que mide ansiedad existencial (ANSIV) y la Escala de Depresión de Zung. Los hallazgos comprueban que los no religiosos presentaron mayor ansiedad que los religiosos frente a la toma de decisiones; que no se observaron diferencias en relación al sentido de vida en ambos grupos; que los no religiosos presentaron ansiedad más exacerbada frente a la muerte que los religiosos y que los religiosos se encontraron menos ligeramente deprimidos que los no religiosos.The present study aims to describe the anxiety in existential situations in religious and non-religious people in a sample of 100 students from Colombia with an average age of 22 years. The participants completed the ANSIV that measures Existential Anxiety and SelfRating Depression Scale. The findings show that the non-religious presented higher anxiety than the religious people in decision-making process; no differences were observed in relation to the meaning of life in both groups; non-religious presented anxiety more exacerbated in the face of death than religious people and the religious were found slightly less depressed than non-religious

Depression and anxiety in decision-making, existential isolation, death and lack of vital sense in religious and non-religious people

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo describir la ansiedad ante las situaciones existenciales en religiosos y no religiosos en una muestra 100 universitarios colombianos, con una edad promedio de 22 años. Los participantes completaron el ANSIV que mide ansiedad existencial (ANSIV) y la Escala de Depresión de Zung. Los hallazgos comprueban que los no religiosos presentaron mayor ansiedad que los religiosos frente a la toma de decisiones; que no se observaron diferencias en relación al sentido de vida en ambos grupos; que los no religiosos presentaron ansiedad más exacerbada frente a la muerte que los religiosos y que los religiosos se encontraron menos ligeramente deprimidos que los no religiosos.The present study aims to describe the anxiety in existential situations in religious and non-religious people in a sample of 100 students from Colombia with an average age of 22 years. The participants completed the ANSIV that measures Existential Anxiety and SelfRating Depression Scale. The findings show that the non-religious presented higher anxiety than the religious people in decision-making process; no differences were observed in relation to the meaning of life in both groups; non-religious presented anxiety more exacerbated in the face of death than religious people and the religious were found slightly less depressed than non-religious

Satisfaction with life and its relations with religion and health in Colombian university students

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar las correlaciones entre la satisfacción con la vida, la religión y la salud en una muestra de 446 participantes (42,60% varones y el 57,40% mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre los 18 a 69 años. Adicionalmente se llevó a cabo un análisis de regresión múltiple por pasos con el fin de conocer las variables predictoras de la satisfacción con la vida. Todos los participantes completaron los siguientes instrumentos: Cuestionario sociodemográfico, Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida, Cuestionario de Salud SF-36 y Escala de Religiosidad. A partir de los resultados se comprobó que la satisfacción con la vida no se asocia con la religión profesada. Mayor satisfacción con la vida fue predicha por mayor práctica religiosa organizacional, mejor salud general, mejor salud mental y mejor rol emocional. En definitiva, el nivel de satisfacción con la vida no parece estar relacionado con la religión profesada, aunque sí con la práctica de actividades que propone la institución religiosa de cada uno.The objective of the present study was to estimate the correlations between the satisfaction with life, religion and health in a sample of 446 participants (42,60% men and 57,40% women) between the ages of 18 to 69 years. In addition, an analysis of multiple regression by steps was made in order to determine the predictors of life satisfaction. All participants completed the following instruments: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scales, SF-36 Questionnaire of Health and Scale of Religiosity. From the results it was found that the satisfaction with life was not associated with the religion professed. Greater satisfaction with life was predicted by greater organizational religious practice, better general health, better mental health and better emotional role. In conclusion the level of satisfaction with life does not seem to be related to the religion professed, but with the practice of activities proposed by the religious institution of each one

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods: The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings: We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation: Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding: Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study

Background Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health