Negative feedback and transcriptional overshooting in a regulatory network for horizontal gene transfer

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major force driving bacterial evolution. Because of their ability to cross inter-species barriers, bacterial plasmids are essential agents for HGT. This ability, however, poses specific requisites on plasmid physiology, in particular the need to overcome a multilevel selection process with opposing demands. We analyzed the transcriptional network of plasmid R388, one of the most promiscuous plasmids in Proteobacteria. Transcriptional analysis by fluorescence expression profiling and quantitative PCR revealed a regulatory network controlled by six transcriptional repressors. The regulatory network relied on strong promoters, which were tightly repressed in negative feedback loops. Computational simulations and theoretical analysis indicated that this architecture would show a transcriptional burst after plasmid conjugation, linking the magnitude of the feedback gain with the intensity of the transcriptional burst. Experimental analysis showed that transcriptional overshooting occurred when the plasmid invaded a new population of susceptible cells. We propose that transcriptional overshooting allows genome rebooting after horizontal gene transfer, and might have an adaptive role in overcoming the opposing demands of multilevel selection.Work was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (BFU2011–26608) and the European Seventh Framework Program (289326/FP7-KBBE-2011-5 and 282004/FP7–HEALTH-2011-2.3.1–2) to FdlC.Peer Reviewe

Una propuesta para mejorar el rendimiento académico en el área de tecnología e informática a través de una intervención basada en TIC

El presente estudió analizó el efecto de un programa de intervención llamado "Martin TIC" en el rendimiento académico basado en las inteligencias múltiples a través de una plataforma virtual de aprendizaje. Para ello, se seleccionó una muestra de 57 estudiantes del grado décimo y undécimo de secundaria de un colegio colombiano, siendo fueron evaluados a través el cuestionario de inteligencias múltiples y los resultados de rendimiento académico en dos momentos (pre test y post test). El diseño es cuasi experimental, y los datos fueron analizados con el software estadístico SPSS 24. Los resultados spotenciar el rendimiento académico.The present study analyzed the effect of an intervention program called "Martin TIC" on academic performance based on multiple intelligences through a virtual learning platform. To do this, a sample of 57 tenth and eleventh grade students from a Colombian school was selected, and they were evaluated throughthe multiple intelligences questionnaire and the results of academic performance in two moments (pre-test and post-test). The design is quasi-experimental, and the data was analyzed with the statistical software SPSS 24. The results increase academic performance

Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in obese patients with negative exercise echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health problem due to its high prevalence. The relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease is unclear. Some studies agree that certain conditions associated with obesity, such as physical inactivity or cardiovascular risk factors, are responsible for cardiovascular risk excess among obese people. Carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques (CP) have been associated with cardiovascular adverse events in healthy populations, and recent data suggest a higher prevalence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in obese and metabolically unhealthy patients. However, there are no studies correlating subclinical atherosclerosis and adverse events (AE) in obese subjects. AIM: To determine the association between carotid disease and AE in obese patients with negative exercise echocardiography (EE). METHODS: From January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, 2000 consecutive patients with a suspicion of coronary artery disease were submitted for EE and carotid ultrasonography. Exclusion criteria included previous vascular disease, left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, positive EE, significant valvular heart disease and inferior to submaximal EE. An AE was defined as all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as CP presence according to Manheim and the American Society of Echocardiography Consensus. RESULTS: Of the 652 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 226 (34.7%) had body mass indexes ≥ 30 kg/m2, and 76 of them (33.6%) had CP. During a mean follow-up time of 8.2 (2.1) years, 27 AE were found (11.9%). Mean event-free survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 99.1% (0.6), 95.1% (1.4) and 86.5% (2.7), respectively. In univariate analysis, CP predicted AE [hazard ratio (HR) 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-5.46; P = 0.019]. In multivariable analysis, the presence of CP remained a predictor of AE (HR 2.26, 95%CI 1.04-4.95, P = 0.041). Other predictors identified were glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-0.99; P = 0.023), peak metabolic equivalents (HR 0.83, 95%CI 0.70-0.99, P = 0.034) and moderate mitral regurgitation (HR 5.02, 95%CI 1.42-17.75, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Subclinical atherosclerosis defined by CP predicts AE in obese patients with negative EE. These patients could benefit from aggressive prevention measures

Effect of chestnut flour and probiotic microorganism on the functionality of dry-cured meat sausages

The meat industry has made efforts to develop meat and meat products with functional ingredients to prevent the risk of disease and to promote health conditions. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to study the combined use of the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum, and potential prebiotic chestnut flour in Spanish dry-cured sausage (Longaniza de Pascua). Chestnut flour and the probiotic strain improved LAB counts on Longaniza de Pascua without modifying product flavour. Chestnut flour had a significant effect on pH decrease and residual nitrite values, but lipid oxidation values were increased. The symbiotic meat product could be considered a healthy matrix as a probiotic carrier.Fil: Sirini, Noelí Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Roldán, A.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Lucas González, R.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Fernández López, J.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Viuda Martos, M.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Pérez Álvarez, J.A.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Frizzo, Laureano Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Rosmini, Marcelo Raul. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

MODO DE ACCIÓN DE LOS INSECTICIDAS

La generalidad de los insecticidas actúa en algunos organismos y todos se inmiscuyen en LA interrupción de determinadas transformaciones metabólicas; pero es complejo establecer el modo de acción y en algunas casos no se conoce, ya que algunos insecticidas muestran más de un modo de acción, lo que dificulta su clasificación.En este caso nos encaminaremos a exponer los diferentes maneras de acción de los cuatro grupos más importantes de insecticidas conocidos como son los organoclorados, organofosforados, carbamatos y piretroides.Palabras claves: insecticidas, organoclorados, organofosforados, carbamatos y piretroidesinsecticide, organochlorinated, organophosphorated, carbamates, piretroid

Comunidades de coralígeno ligadas a procesos diapíricos de la plataforma española del golfo de Cádiz

The Gulf of Cádiz (GoC) represents an important area of seepage activity and of biological diversity due to the tectonic activity and subsoil fluid mobility, as well as the confluence of Atlantic and Mediterranean water masses and organisms from both basins. Some circalittoral and bathyal areas of the GoC remain still unexplored and they could harbour interesting communities and species that may deserve protection. In summer 2013, a geological expedition carried out between San Fernando and Conil de la Frontera, at water depths between 40 and 55 m and 10 M from Cádiz detected complex coralligenous communities that may be linked to diapiric processes. These communities represent a well preserved 1170 habitat type (Reefs) of the Habitat Directive and also contain ca. 20 spp. of invertebrates that are included in European, National and Local (Andalusian) threatened species lists. The area should be included in the Natura 2000 network as it represents one of the few circalittoral coralligenous communities from Spanish waters of the GoC.Versión del edito

Effect of probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and chestnut flour (Castanea sativa mill) on microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of dry-cured sausages during storage

The effect of chestnut flour (Castanea sativa Mill) on L. plantarum viability and physicochemical characteristics in a dry-cured sausage (Longaniza de Pascua) during storage is discussed. Four batches were prepared: CL with 3% chestnut flour added; CPL with 3% chestnut flour and 8.5 log CFU/g L. plantarum added; PL with 8.5 log CFU/g L. plantarum added and L, the batch control. The sausages were stored at 4 °C and 20 °C, and vacuum packed for 43 d. L. plantarum viability was affected by storage time (P < 0.001). However, higher L. plantarum counts at the final of storage were reached due to chestnut flour addition (P < 0.001). At room storage, chestnut flour caused a higher increase in TBARS values (P = 0.022). Nevertheless, all lipid oxidation treatments were in the range of accepted values at the sensory detection level. In conclusion, Longaniza de Pascua can be kept at 4 °C or 20 °C for 43 d without causing any rancidity problems.Fil: Sirini, Noelí Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Lucas González, R.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Fernández López, J.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Viuda Martos, M.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Pérez Álvarez, J. A.. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Frizzo, Laureano Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Signorini Porchietto, Marcelo Lisandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Zbrun, María Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Rosmini, Marcelo Raul. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Comprehensive characterization of a novel, oncogenic and targetable SEPTIN6::ABL2 fusion in T-ALL

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Bioformulação de Beauveria bassiana (ATCC MYA-4886) e Trichoderma lignorum (ATCC-8751) como biocontrolador de Atta cephalotes

I. The Leaf cutting Ant is associated with losses in the agricultural sector, for the most part in the cultivation of citrus fruit sector, due to its activity defoliator. Control of the species has been handmade, chemical and biologically, the latter with environmental benefits and low risk to human health. This research had as objective develop a formulation biological for the control of the Leaf cutting Ant (Atta cephalotes) using a mixture of spores of two fungi filamentous (Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma lignorum). M. He was the isolation of Beauveria bassiana (ATCC MYA-4886) and Trichoderma lignorum (ATCC 8751), through cultivation YPDA and was conducted identifying fungal imprint and biochemical tests. Developing five formulations with ratios of 1:1, 6:4, 4:6, 3:7, 2:8 of Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma lignorum respectively, they underwent the test of viability in nutrient agar, pathogenicity by immersion test and proof of purity; the tests were performed in triplicate. R. The formulations presented viability to 24 h 95% 2, 100% of the formulations were pure after 10 days, formulations 6.4, 1:1, 2:8 infected all of the individuals in 6 days, formulations 4:6 and 3:7-8 days of exposure. C. Formulations 6.4, 1:1, 2:8 of Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma lignorium, present infectious activity on the Leaf cutting Ant (Atta cephalotes) in laboratory.I. La hormiga arriera está asociada a pérdidas en el sector agrícola, debido a su actividad defoliadora. El control de la especie se ha venido realizado artesanal, química y biológicamente, esta última con beneficios ambientales y de bajo riesgo para la salud humana. El objetivo de esta investigación fue desarrollar una formulación biológica para el control de la hormiga arriera (Atta cephalotes) utilizando una mezcla de esporas de dos hongos filamentosos (Beauveria bassiana y Trichoderma lignorum). M. Se desarrollaron 5 formulaciones empleando las relaciones: 1:1,6:4,4:6,3:7,2:8, de cepas de B. bassiana (ATCC MYA-4886) y T. lignorum (ATCC 8751), realizándoles prueba de viabilidad, patogenicidad y pureza. La colonización de las esporas en tejidos, se evaluó mediante la exposición de ratas Wistar a la formulación y sus componentes, realizando diagnóstico veterinario (disección) y cultivo microbiológico. R. Las formulaciones presentaron viabilidad a 24 h del 95+2 %, el 100% de las formulaciones no se contaminaron después de 10 días, las formulaciones 6.4, 1:1, 2:8 infectaron la totalidad de los individuos en 6 días, las formulaciones 4:6 y 3:7 a los 8 días, no se observó colonización de las cepas en la formulación, ni en tejidos de los biomodelos. C. Las formulaciones 6.4, 1:1, 2:8 de Beauveria bassiana y Trichoderma lignorum, poseen mayor actividad infecciosa sobre la hormiga arriera (Atta cephalotes).&nbsp;I. O formigueiro está associado a perdas no setor agrícola, devido à sua atividade desfolhadora. O controle das espécies tem sido realizado artesanalmente, quimicamente e biologicamente, este último com benefícios ambientais e baixo risco para a saúde humana. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi desenvolver uma formulação biológica para o controle de formigas (Atta cephalotes) usando uma mistura de esporos de dois fungos filamentosos (Beauveria bassiana e Trichoderma lignorum). M. 5 As formulações foram desenvolvidas usando a relação: 1: 1,6: 4,4: 6,3: 7,2: 8 estirpes de B. bassiana (ATCC MAA-4886) e T. lignorum (ATCC 8751), realizándoles Teste de viabilidade, patogenicidade e pureza. A colonização dos esporos nos tecidos foi avaliada pela exposição de ratos Wistar à formulação e seus componentes, realizando diagnóstico veterinário (dissecção) e cultura microbiológica. R. As formulações mostraram viabilidade em 24 h de 95 + 2%, 100% das formulações não foram contaminadas após 10 dias, as formulações 6,4, 1: 1, 2: 8 infectaram todos os indivíduos em 6 dias, as formulações 4: 6 e 3: 7 aos 8 dias, nenhuma colonização das cepas foi observada na formulação, nem nos tecidos dos biomodelos. C. As formulações 6.4, 1: 1, 2: 8 de Beauveria bassiana e Trichoderma lignorum, apresentam maior atividade infecciosa sobre os antirretera (Atta cephalotes)

Actividades educativas en el yacimiento de vertebrados miócenos de Somosaguas (Universidad Complutense, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid)

Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu