Molecular Characterization of a Strawberry FaASR Gene in Relation to Fruit Ripening

BACKGROUND: ABA-, stress- and ripening-induced (ASR) proteins have been reported to act as a downstream component involved in ABA signal transduction. Although much attention has been paid to the roles of ASR in plant development and stress responses, the mechanisms by which ABA regulate fruit ripening at the molecular level are not fully understood. In the present work, a strawberry ASR gene was isolated and characterized (FaASR), and a polyclonal antibody against FaASR protein was prepared. Furthermore, the effects of ABA, applied to two different developmental stages of strawberry, on fruit ripening and the expression of FaASR at transcriptional and translational levels were investigated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: FaASR, localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus, contained 193 amino acids and shared common features with other plant ASRs. It also functioned as a transcriptional activator in yeast with trans-activation activity in the N-terminus. During strawberry fruit development, endogenous ABA content, levels of FaASR mRNA and protein increased significantly at the initiation of ripening at a white (W) fruit developmental stage. More importantly, application of exogenous ABA to large green (LG) fruit and W fruit markedly increased endogenous ABA content, accelerated fruit ripening, and greatly enhanced the expression of FaASR transcripts and the accumulation of FaASR protein simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that FaASR may be involved in strawberry fruit ripening. The observed increase in endogenous ABA content, and enhanced FaASR expression at transcriptional and translational levels in response to ABA treatment might partially contribute to the acceleration of strawberry fruit ripening

The Helicobacter pylori Genome Project : insights into H. pylori population structure from analysis of a worldwide collection of complete genomes

Helicobacter pylori, a dominant member of the gastric microbiota, shares co-evolutionary history with humans. This has led to the development of genetically distinct H. pylori subpopulations associated with the geographic origin of the host and with differential gastric disease risk. Here, we provide insights into H. pylori population structure as a part of the Helicobacter pylori Genome Project (HpGP), a multi-disciplinary initiative aimed at elucidating H. pylori pathogenesis and identifying new therapeutic targets. We collected 1011 well-characterized clinical strains from 50 countries and generated high-quality genome sequences. We analysed core genome diversity and population structure of the HpGP dataset and 255 worldwide reference genomes to outline the ancestral contribution to Eurasian, African, and American populations. We found evidence of substantial contribution of population hpNorthAsia and subpopulation hspUral in Northern European H. pylori. The genomes of H. pylori isolated from northern and southern Indigenous Americans differed in that bacteria isolated in northern Indigenous communities were more similar to North Asian H. pylori while the southern had higher relatedness to hpEastAsia. Notably, we also found a highly clonal yet geographically dispersed North American subpopulation, which is negative for the cag pathogenicity island, and present in 7% of sequenced US genomes. We expect the HpGP dataset and the corresponding strains to become a major asset for H. pylori genomics

Inclusión del enfoque de equidad y determinantes sociales de la salud en los programas de educación en salud en Colombia: una aproximación cualitativa

6 páginasPurpose. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection have determined a need for an approach to include Equity Focus (EF) and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) in health training programmes in Colombia. We studied the incorporation of EF and SDH in the curricula of several universities in Colombia to identify opportunities to strengthen their inclusion. Methods. Qualitative methodology was performed in two stages: (i) initial exploration (self-administered questionnaires and review of curricula) and (ii) validation of the information (semi-structured interviews). Results. The inclusion of the EF and SDH in university curricula is regarded as an opportunity to address social problems. This approach addresses a broad cross-section of the curriculum, especially in the subjects of public health and Primary Health Care (PHC), where community outreach generates greater internalization by students. The dominance of the biomedical model of study plans and practice scenarios focusing on disease and little emphasis on community outreach are factors that limit the inclusion of the approach. Conclusions. The inclusion of EF and SDH in university curricula in Colombia has primarily focused on increasing the knowledge of various subjects oriented towards understanding the social dynamics or comprehensiveness of health and disease and, in some programmes, through practical courses in community health and PHC. Increased integration of EF and SDH in subjects or modules with clinical orientation is recommended.Propósito. La Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y el Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social de Colombia han determinado la necesidad de un enfoque para incluir el Enfoque de Equidad (FE) y los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud (DSS) en los programas de formación en salud en Colombia. Estudiamos la incorporación de EF y SDH en los planes de estudio de varias universidades de Colombia para identificar oportunidades para fortalecer su inclusión. Métodos. La metodología cualitativa se realizó en dos etapas: (i) exploración inicial (cuestionarios autoadministrados y revisión de currículos) y (ii) validación de la información (entrevistas semiestructuradas). Resultados. La inclusión de las EF y SDH en los currículos universitarios es vista como una oportunidad para abordar problemas sociales. Este enfoque aborda una amplia transversalidad del currículo, especialmente en las materias de salud pública y Atención Primaria de Salud (APS), donde la proyección comunitaria genera una mayor interiorización por parte de los estudiantes. El predominio del modelo biomédico de planes de estudio y escenarios de práctica centrados en la enfermedad y el poco énfasis en la proyección comunitaria son factores que limitan la inclusión del enfoque. Conclusiones. La inclusión de FE y SDH en los currículos universitarios en Colombia se ha enfocado principalmente en aumentar el conocimiento de diversas materias orientadas a comprender la dinámica social o la integralidad de la salud y la enfermedad y, en algunos programas, a través de cursos prácticos en salud comunitaria y APS. Se recomienda una mayor integración de EF y SDH en asignaturas o módulos con orientación clínica

Frequency and tendency of malaria in Colombia, 1990 to 2011: a descriptive study

8 páginasMalaria is a serious health problem in Colombia. This paper intends to analyse the frequency and tendencies of the disease in Colombia over the last 22 years. The researchers used the Box-Jenkins (ARIMA) methodology for the analysis of time series

"Las cosas singulares de piedras, animales, plantas": la formación y el funcionamiento de la red imperial española de remesas centíficas en el Virreinato del Río de la Plata

El presente artículo acompaña el proceso de remesa de especímenes animales y vegetales de la región administrativa del Virreinato del Río de la Plata para las instituciones científicas españolas, tales como el Real Gabinete, el Real Jardín Botánico y las menageries del Retiro y de Aranjuez. El propósito fue intentar sorprender esas remesas en el exacto momento en que tales instituciones y sus redes de recolección estaban siendo creadas, buscando expli- car las lógicas que las presidían, en un momento en que se mezclaban propósitos de orden económico; la cultura de la dádiva, típica del Antiguo Régimen; con las modernas prácticas científicas que estaban en construcción