Centrolene savagei

Number of Pages: 11Geological SciencesIntegrative Biolog

FIRST REPORT OF SOOTY MOLD OF LONGAN (DIMOCARPUS LONGAN L.) CAUSED BY TRIPOSPERMUM POROSPORIFERUM MATSUSHIMA AND T. VARIABILE MATSUSHIMA IN PUERTO RICO

FIRST REPORT OF SOOTY MOLD OF LONGAN (DIMOCARPUS LONGAN L.) CAUSED BY TRIPOSPERMUM POROSPORIFERUM MATSUSHIMA AND T. VARIABILE MATSUSHIMA IN PUERTO RIC

A Fungal Effector With Host Nuclear Localization and DNA-Binding Properties Is Required for Maize Anthracnose Development

Plant pathogens have the capacity to manipulate the host immune system through the secretion of effectors. We identified 27 putative effector proteins encoded in the genome of the maize anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola that are likely to target the host’s nucleus, as they simultaneously contain sequence signatures for secretion and nuclear localization. We functionally characterized one protein, identified as CgEP1. This protein is synthesized during the early stages of disease development and is necessary for anthracnose development in maize leaves, stems, and roots. Genetic, molecular, and biochemical studies confirmed that this effector targets the host’s nucleus and defines a novel class of double-stranded DNA-binding protein. We show that CgEP1 arose from a gene duplication in an ancestor of a lineage of monocot-infecting Colletotrichum spp. and has undergone an intense evolution process, with evidence for episodes of positive selection. We detected CgEP1 homologs in several species of a grass-infecting lineage of Colletotrichum spp., suggesting that its function may be conserved across a large number of anthracnose pathogens. Our results demonstrate that effectors targeted to the host nucleus may be key elements for disease development and aid in the understanding of the genetic basis of anthracnose development in maize plants.Fil: Vargas, Walter Alberto. Universidad de Salamanca; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sanz Martín, José M.. Universidad de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Rech, Gabriel E.. Universidad de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Armijos Jaramillo, Vinicio D.. Universidad de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Rivera Rodriguez, Lina Patricia. Universidad de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Echeverria, María de Las Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Díaz Mínguez, José M.. Universidad de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Thon, Michael R.. Universidad de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Sukno, Serenella A.. Universidad de Salamanca; Españ

Some studies on the deformation of the membrane in an RF MEMS switch

Radio Frequency (RF) switches of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are appealing to the mobile industry because of their energy efficiency and ability to accommodate more frequency bands. However, the electromechanical coupling of the electrical circuit to the mechanical components in RF MEMS switches is not fully understood. In this paper, we consider the problem of mechanical deformation of electrodes in RF MEMS switch due to the electrostatic forces caused by the difference in voltage between the electrodes. It is known from previous studies of this problem, that the solution exhibits multiple deformation states for a given electrostatic force. Subsequently, the capacity of the switch that depends on the deformation of electrodes displays a hysteresis behaviour against the voltage in the switch. We investigate the present problem along two lines of attack. First, we solve for the deformation states of electrodes using numerical methods such as finite difference and shooting methods. Subsequently, a relationship between capacity and voltage of the RF MEMS switch is constructed. The solutions obtained are exemplified using the continuation and bifurcation package AUTO. Second, we focus on the analytical methods for a simplified version of the problem and on the stability analysis for the solutions of deformation states. The stability analysis shows that there exists a continuous path of equilibrium deformation states between the open and closed state

Epigean Insects of Chañaral Island (Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve, Atacama, Chile)

The Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve in Chile is an area of biodiversity conservation in arid island ecosystems. The reserve is located both in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions and is composed of the Choros (29º 15’ S, 71º 32’ W), Damas (29º 13’ S, 71º 31’ W) and Chañaral (29°02’ S, 71°36’ W) islands. Pitfall traps were used to study the taxonomic diversity of epigean insects in Chañaral Island. The study area was divided into 3 vegetationally contrasting ecotopes: E1 represented by a subdesert steppe, E2 represented by a xeric shrubland and E3 represented by a xeric shrub steppe. A total of 730 specimens were captured, belonging to 40 species arranged in 34 genera and 17 families. Four insect orders were recorded, of which the most diverse were Coleoptera, with 29 species, and Hymenoptera, with 7 species. Coleoptera was the most represented group, with 24 genera grouped in 11 families. The richest families were Curculionidae (9 species) and Tenebrionidae (8 species). The highest species richness was recorded in E1 (28 species), followed by E2 (21 species) and E3 (19 species). The number of exclusive species varied between habitats, with E1 showing the highest number (14), and E2 and E3 being represented by 5 and 3 species, respectively. On the other hand, 10 species were common to all three sampled sites. The differences in vegetation between the sites were clearly reflected in the relative abundance and species richness of epigean insects. We did not record the presence of Gyriosomus granulipennis, an endemic species of Choros Island, which confirms that this species is restricted to a specific area of the reserve. This work is the first biological inventory of epigean insects on Chañaral Island.Fil: Pizarro Araya, Jaime. Universidad de la Serena; ChileFil: Alfaro, Fermin M.. Universidad de la Serena; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Cortes Contreras, Maximiliano. Universidad de la Serena; ChileFil: Rivera, Cristian. Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt; ChileFil: Vargas Talciani, Paola. Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas; ChileFil: Ojanguren Affilastro, Andres Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentin

Stated benefits from urban afforestation in an arid city: a contingent valuation in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

The pervasiveness of particulate matter in arid cities has yet to be discussed and tackled. Given that urban trees have been documented to provide air-filtering and dry deposition services, this study documents the stated benefits from an urban afforestation scenario in Mexicali –an arid city located northwest Mexico at the US-Mexico border. Our doublebounded dichotomous contingent valuation protocol yields an estimated average annual willingness to pay (WTP) of USD 88 per household. Variations in the WTP are associated with perception of air quality and presence of respiratory symptoms in the respondent’s household. The smallest WTP (USD 75) is reported by respondents perceiving poor air quality in their neighborhood and with no household members affected by respiratory symptoms. In contrast, respondents perceiving good air quality and with at least one household member facing respiratory symptoms reported a WTP of USD 99. The average stated benefits represent around 0.8% of the annual household income

Stated benefits from air quality improvement through urban afforestation in an arid city – A contingent valuation in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

Cities in drylands are expected to experience increasing challenges when it comes to air pollution. Currently, concentrations of particulate matter in these cities frequently reach dangerous levels. Urban afforestation represents an alternative to increase human health in arid cities via air-filtering and dry deposition. By simulating a non-existing market through a contingent valuation protocol, this study estimates the willingness to contribute monetarily to an urban afforestation scenario in Mexicali -an arid city located at the US-Mexico border. We estimate an average annual willingness to pay (WTP) of (2019) USD 88 per household. Variations in WTP are associated with the respondent's perception of air quality and the presence of respiratory symptoms in the respondent's household. The smallest WTP (USD 75) is reported by those perceiving poor air quality in their neighborhood and with no household members affected by respiratory symptoms. Respondents perceiving good air quality and with at least one household member facing respiratory symptoms report a WTP of USD 99. The highest WTP represents around 0.8 % of the annual household income. This WTP, when extrapolated to and aggregated over the total number of households in Mexicali, justifies the implementation of an urban afforestation program supplying 30 thousand tree seedlings annually

Analysis of the Relationship between Lifestyle and Coffee Consumption Habits, from the Myth Approach, in the Municipalities of Orizaba, Tehuipango, and Zongolica Veracruz.

Coffee consumption habits have evolved along with society for more than 300 years around the world. Social changes imply different lifestyles in each culture. Lifestyles influence the myths used by people in their consumption decisions. The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between lifestyle and coffee consumption habits, from the perspective of myth, in the inhabitants of the Mexican municipalities of Orizaba, Tehuipango, and Zongolica. A survey was conducted with a sample of inhabitants of the three municipalities studied. The statistical analyzes applied were the central limit theorem, Pearson, and Chi-square. The results show that the variables Consumption habits-Lifestyle-Myth, are highly dependent on the level of perception of people. It is concluded that the coffee myth corresponds to the "family union" in the study municipalities. This myth is not characterized in the evolutionary stages contemplated in the "waves of coffee"

A SCN9A gene-encoded dorsal root ganglia sodium channel polymorphism associated with severe fibromyalgia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A consistent line of investigation suggests that autonomic nervous system dysfunction may explain the multi-system features of fibromyalgia (FM); and that FM is a sympathetically maintained neuropathic pain syndrome. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are key sympathetic-nociceptive short-circuit sites. Sodium channels located in DRG (particularly Nav1.7) act as molecular gatekeepers for pain detection. Nav1.7 is encoded in gene SCN9A of chromosome 2q24.3 and is predominantly expressed in the DRG pain-sensing neurons and sympathetic ganglia neurons. Several SCN9A sodium channelopathies have been recognized as the cause of rare painful dysautonomic syndromes such as paroxysmal extreme pain disorder and primary erythromelalgia. The aim of this study was to search for an association between fibromyalgia and several SCN9A sodium channels gene polymorphisms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied 73 Mexican women suffering from FM and 48 age-matched women who considered themselves healthy. All participants filled out the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Genomic DNA from whole blood containing EDTA was extracted by standard techniques. The following SCN9A single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were determined by 5' exonuclease TaqMan assays: rs4371369; rs4387806; rs4453709; rs4597545; rs6746030; rs6754031; rs7607967; rs12620053; rs12994338; and rs13017637.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequency of the rs6754031 polymorphism was significantly different in both groups (<it>P </it>= 0.036) mostly due to an absence of the GG genotype in controls. Interestingly; patients with this rs6754031 GG genotype had higher FIQ scores (median = 80; percentile 25/75 = 69/88) than patients with the GT genotype (median = 63; percentile 25/75 = 58/73; <it>P </it>= 0.002) and the TT genotype (median = 71; percentile 25/75 = 64/77; <it>P </it>= 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this ethnic group; a disabling form of FM is associated to a particular SCN9A sodium channel gene variant. These preliminary results raise the possibility that some patients with severe FM may have a dorsal root ganglia sodium channelopathy.</p

Efectos inmunológicos de la vitamina D en COVID-19

El síndrome respiratorio severo o grave causado por el nuevo coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) es una enfermedad de gran auge en la actualidad, que se ha propagado vertiginosamente a lo largo de los 5 continentes, siendo Norteamérica y algunos países europeos como Italia, España y Francia los más afectados por esta pandemia. En la actualidad, no se cuenta con una estrategia de prevención o tratamiento que logre mitigar de forma contundente las cifras de infectados y muertos a nivel mundial; sin embargo, se están estudiando alternativas que podrían impactar de forma positiva en el curso de la enfermedad. El déficit de 25 hidroxivitamina D (25OH D) ha mostrado ser un factor independiente de mortalidad por todas las causas, principalmente en enfermedades cardiovasculares y cáncer. La suplementación de esta también se ha asociado a beneficios en la prevención de enfermedades respiratorias; para el caso de la COVID-19, los mecanismos por los cuales la vitamina D podría ser útil para el tratamiento y la prevención se resumen en la actividad sobre las barreras físicas y la inmunidad natural celular y adaptativa, que disminuye la probabilidad de tormenta de citocinas. Algunos estudios realizados concluyeron que el pico de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 se presentó durante el invierno, tiempo donde los niveles de 25OH D son más bajos; además, estos niveles subóptimos se han relacionado con aumento en la incidencia de complicaciones tales como falla cardíaca, sepsis y progresión a síndrome de dificultad respiratoria del adulto (SDRA) y, por consiguiente, con un aumento en las tasas de mortalidad, lo cual respalda el papel de la vitamina D en la modificación del curso natural de la enfermedad. Sin embargo, también se prendieron las alarmas, ya que se ha demostrado una prevalencia alta de hipovitaminosis D en Bogotá, Villavicencio, Neiva, Barranquilla y Medellín, que podría exponer a la población colombiana a resultados adversos. La evidencia indica que la suplementación con vitamina D modula y reduce el riesgo de infección por SARS-CoV-2, pero se precisan más estudios para corroborar los efectos benéficos en la población