Crude extracts of bacterially expressed dsRNA can be used to protect plants against virus infections

BACKGROUND: Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a potent initiator of gene silencing in a diverse group of organisms that includes plants, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and mammals. We have previously shown and patented that mechanical inoculation of in vitro-transcribed dsRNA derived from viral sequences specifically prevents virus infection in plants. The approach required the in vitro synthesis of large amounts of RNA involving high cost and considerable labour. RESULTS: We have developed an in vivo expression system to produce large amounts of virus-derived dsRNAs in bacteria, with a view to providing a practical control of virus diseases in plants. Partially purified bacterial dsRNAs promoted specific interference with the infection in plants by two viruses belonging to the tobamovirus and potyvirus groups. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that easy to obtain, crude extracts of bacterially expressed dsRNAs are equally effective protecting plants against virus infections when sprayed onto plant surfaces by a simple procedure. Virus infectivity was significantly abolished when plants were sprayed with French Press lysates several days before virus inoculation. CONCLUSION: Our approach provides an alternative to genetic transformation of plant species with dsRNA-expressing constructs capable to interfere with plant viruses. The main advantage of this mode of dsRNA production is its simplicity and its extremely low cost compared with the requirements for regenerating transgenic plants. This approach provides a reliable and potential tool, not only for plant protection against virus diseases, but also for the study of gene silencing mechanisms in plant virus infections

Estudio de prefactibilidad para la creación de una empresa dedicada a la producción y comercialización de vino a base de fruta de piña, ubicada en el municipio de Ticuantepe, Managua

Presenta el estudio de prefactibilidad para la creación de una empresa dedicada a la producción y comercialización de vino a base de fruta de piña, ubicada en el municipio de Ticuantepe, Managua, se evaluó la localización del proyecto a través del método Brown Gibson en base a criterios que comprenden la facilidad de acceso vehicular por carretera, cercanía de los proveedores, cercanía de la capital y disponibilidad de un área para la implementación del proyecto

The study of the effect of mannose in GALE Caenorhabditis elegans mutants using as food source Escherichia Coli mutants defective in mannose metabolism pathway

Type III galactosemia is a rare disease characterized by mutations in the GALE gene that encodes the enzyme UDP-galactose 4-epimerase. The deficit of this enzyme gives rise to various physical and mental problems in humans (Walter et al. 1999). Several studies in gale-1 mutants of C. elegans worms have shown a  positive effect of mannose (Brokate-Llanos et al. 2014), on the longevity and development of these mutants. These worms have as their main diet E. coli (OP50), so that the positive effects of mannose can be influenced by the transformation these bacteria can produce through metabolic transformation of mannose. Trying to eliminate this possible influence of OP50 mannose metabolism on these experiments, UV radiation inactivated  E.coli  has been used as worm food in the presence of different concentrations of mannose. This approach presents, among others, the problem that by inactivating bacteria by UV radiation we are eliminating their replication, but not their complete metabolism,demanding other experimental approaches as using E. coli strains unable to metabolize mannose to feed the worms. Therefore, the objective of this work is to study the effects of mannose in C. elegans, fed with OP50 mutants defective in different steps of mannose metabolism to assess the direct effects of mannose on C. elegans GALE mutants. - Construction of OP50 isogenic strains defective in different steps of mannose metabolism by transformation with mutant alleles obtained from E. coli (K12) mutant strains. OP50 was transformed by homologous recombination with fragments containing deletions in ΔmanA (gene for the enzyme of the sugars metabolism mannose derived pathway), ΔmanB (gene for the enzyme of the lipopolysaccharide synthesis mannose derived pathway) and ΔmanX (gene for one of the mannose transporters within the cell). These deleted genes were replaced by a kanamycin resistance gene. - Preparation of eggs of C. elegans and incubation in plates with different concentrations of mannose (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%).The E. coli used are the different mutant strains obtained and a control (wild type OP50). OP50 mutants for the genes indicated above were correctly obtained. They were tested with the GALE worms, and we observed that ΔmanA and ΔmanX show a great improvement in GALE mutants growth and development with respect to the wt OP50 control. Nevertheless, we did not observe these changes with ΔmanB. It seems that LPS pathway is probably important for the mannose asimilation

Energías renovables y cambios de usos del suelo en el sur de la Península Ibérica: una lectura territorial de la política energética

La lucha contra el cambio climático necesita de una transformación del modelo energético que está siendo fuertemente apoyado desde las políticas de la Unión Europea y de los estados miembros. La materialización espacial de la política energética de fomento de las energías renovables es un elemento crucial que ha de concretarse sobre los usos de suelo pre-existentes, lo que a su vez provoca cambios sobre los ecosistemas y los paisajes. Este artículo investiga la implantación territorial de las plantas eólicas y solares en la Península Ibérica para evaluar qué tipos de usos del suelo están siendo más afectados. A partir de la evolución de la política energética en España y Portugal se analizan de forma comparada los desarrollos de plantas eólicas y solares y los usos del suelo utilizando la cartografía temática publicada tanto en España como en Portugal entre 2005 y 2020. Los resultados de la investigación constatan la exclusividad de estos desarrollos en ámbitos rurales, destacando la sustitución de cultivos herbáceos junto con cubiertas de matorral y pastizal, provocando una alteración significativa de las economías y los paisajes rurales

Conteo de plaquetas en sujetos sanos tratados con antiagregantes plaquetarios

Platelet count in peripheral blood of healthy subjects with antiplatelet drugs. 20 subjects were analized. They were distributed in two groups: subject A: 10 who received aspirin (100 mg) and B:10 with Clopidogrel (75 mg) for 7 days. In all subjects studied platelet count in peripheral blood and PRP. It found a platelet count before treatment with antiplatelet agents in peripheral blood of 258,6 ± 54,46 x 109 l and 7 days after 254 ± 41,86 x 109 l (aspirin) and 285,4 ± 70, 196,5 ± 37,90 x 109 l (Clopidogrel) respectively. In the PRP of subjects before receiving aspirin was 486,5 ± 129,54 x 109 l and after 449,2 ± 85,51 x 109 l; prior to Clopidogrel ingestion was 565,2 ± 150,41 and 592,9 ± 203,46 x 109 l after treatment. Significant differences were found only for the platelet count in the Clopidogrel Group (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in platelet count was observed in peripheral blood after administration of Clopidogrel, possibly as a result of its pharmacological mechanism. More studies are needed to assess a greater number of individuals and better measure the effect of antiplatelet agents.Se evaluó el recuento plaquetario en sangre periférica de sujetos sanos tratados con antiagregantes plaquetarios. Se analizaron 20 sujetos. Se distribuyeron en dos grupos: A: 10 sujetos que recibieron Aspirina (100 mg) y B: 10 con Clopidogrel (75 mg) por 7 días. Se les realizó recuento plaquetario en sangre periférica y en PRP. Encontrándose un conteo de plaquetas antes del tratamiento con antiagregantes en sangre periférica de 258,6 ± 54,46 x 109 l7 días después de 254 ± 41,86 x 109 l (Aspirina), 285,4±70,92 y 196,5±37,90 x 109 l (Clopidogrel) respectivamente. En el PRP de los sujetos antes de recibir Aspirina fue 486,5 ± 129,54 x 109 l y después 449,2 ± 85,51 x 109 l; antes de la ingestión de Clopidogrel fue 565,2 ± 150,41 y 592,9 ± 203,46 x 109 l después del tratamiento.Se encontraron diferencias significativas solo para el conteo plaquetario en el grupo del Clopidogrel (p< 0.05). Se observó una disminución significativa del conteo plaquetario en sangre periférica posterior a la administración del Clopidogrel, posiblemente como consecuencia del mecanismo farmacológico del mismo. Son necesarios más estudios para evaluar un mayor número de individuos y medir mejor el efecto de los antiplaquetario

Ruptura del músculo papilar anterolateral, una causa poco común de complicación post isquémica: reporte de caso

Despite the low incidence of mechanical complications in myocardial infarction, the severity of them requires a fast and accurate diagnosis, as well as early treatment, with echocardiography being the leading imaging technique in these cases. Classically, the most frequently affected papillary muscle is the posteromedial one, due to its unique vascularization by the posterior descending artery. We present the case of a patient with rupture of the anterolateral muscle and secondary acute mitral insufficiency as a complication of a previous infarction due to occlusion of the anterior descending artery.A pesar de la baja incidencia de las complicaciones mecánicas del infarto de miocardio, la gravedad que implican exige un rápido y acertado diagnóstico, así como un tratamiento precoz, siendo la ecocardiografía la técnica de imagen protagonista en estos casos. Clásicamente, el músculo papilar más frecuentemente afectado es el posteromedial, por su vascularización única por la arteria descendente posterior. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con ruptura del músculo anterolateral e insuficiencia mitral aguda secundaria como complicación de un infarto anterior evolucionado por oclusión de la arteria descendente anterior

Sars-cov-2 seroprevalence in household domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Animal infections with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in different countries and several animal species have been proven to be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 both naturally and by experimental infection. Moreover, infections under natural conditions in more than 20 mink farms have been reported where humans could have been the source of infection for minks. However, little information is available about the susceptibility of pet animals under natural conditions and currently there is no SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological assessment occurrence in household ferrets. In this study, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was evaluated in serum samples obtained from 127 household ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) in the Province of Valencia (Spain). Two ferrets tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 (1.57%) by in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike antigen. Furthermore, anti- RBD SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persisted at detectable levels in a seropositive SARS-CoV-2 domestic ferret beyond 129 days since the first time antibodies were detected. This study reports for the first time the evidence of household pet ferrets exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in Spain to date