Efecto de la mazorca superior sobre el rendimiento de variedades semiprolífica de maices de clima frío.

Se averiguó el aporte que efectúa la mazorca superior en el rendimiento por planta de algunos tipos de maíces semiprofilácticos de clima frío. El experimento se llevó a cabo en el Centro de Investigaciones Tibaitatá (Cundinamarca) y en la Estación Experimental Surbatá (Boyacá). Los materiales utilizados consistieron en diversos ciclos de selección por número de mazorcas por planta en Harinoso Mosquera y Rocamex V-7, diferentes ciclos de selección recurrente por habilidad combinatoria general en Harinoso Mosquera y Blanco Rubí, variedades sintéticas provenientes de la mezcla de semillas de cruzamientos lineas por variedad y 3 tipos de maíces mejorados recomendados para clima frío. Todo este material se sembró en un diseño de bloques al azar de 30 variedades y 16 repeticiones. Se tomaron los siguientes datos: peso de la mazorca superior, peso de la segunda mazorca, rendimiento por planta, número de plantas con 2 mazorcas y porcentaje del rendimiento aportado por la mazorca superior. Aunque el 77.3 por ciento se debió al aporte de la mazorca superior, este componente no fue el principal responsable del mayor o menor rendimiento por planta. El componente que más influyó en el rendimiento fue el peso de la segunda mazorca. La mayor frecuencia y el peso de tales segundas mazorcas se reflejó en una mayor producción en los tipos de maíces estudiados. Además se observó cierta relación entre la prolificidad y el peso de la segunda mazorca, presentándose una asociación más marcada en los ciclos de selección por número de mazorcas por plant

La propuesta reducción del límite máximo permitido de células somáticas en leche cruda y su posible efecto sobre la industria lechera en Puerto Rico.

Data from 302,995 test day records of individual cows of the Puerto Rico Dairy Herd Improvement Program (PRDHIP) and from 8,833 bulk tank results from all herds in Puerto Rico during the years 2004 and 2005 were analyzed for determining the potential effect of implementation of the National Mastitis Council's (NMC) proposal to reduce the present regulatory upper limit for somatic cell count of 750,000 cells/ml of crude milk. Means of herd test day milk yield per cow and of somatic cell scores on the linear scale for this data set were 17.2 kg and 3.9, respectively. On the basis of PRDHIP data, it was estimated that 20% of individual test day values, equivalent to 920,290 kg of raw milk, would exceed the upper limit if it were established at 600,000 cells/ml. The months of highest average milk production were February, March and May (18.4,18.2 and 18.2 kg/day, respectively).The lowest production was observed in August, September and October (16.3,15.6 and 15.8 kg/day, respectively). The months with the lowest average somatic cell score were February and April (both at 3.5) and those of the highest were August, September and October (4.2,4.2 and 4.3, respectively). The average somatic cell counts for herds enrolled or not enrolled in DHIP were similar (461,656 and 473,096, respectively; P greater than 0.05).Se analizaron datos de 302,995 pesajes individuales de leche de vacas de hatos acogidos al Programa de Mejoramiento de Hatos Lecheros de Puerto Rico (PRDHIP, por sus siglas en inglés) y 8,833 resultados de análisis de recuentos de células somáticas (RCS) de muestras de tanque de todas las operaciones lecheras de Puerto Rico durante los años 2004 y 2005 para determinar el efecto potencial que tendría la aplicación de la propuesta del Concilio Nacional de Mastitis (NMC) de reducir el límite máximo actual de 750,000 células por mililitro de leche cruda. Los promedios de producción diaria de leche por vaca y de los recuentos de células somáticas expresados en la escala lineal (RLCS) en este conjunto de datos fueron 17.2 kg y 3.9, respectivamente. Basado en los registros del DHIP, se estimó en un 20% la proporción de pesajes de vacas individuales, equivalentes a 920,290 kg de leche cruda, que estaría fuera de norma si el límite máximo permitido se redujera a 600,000 células somáticas por mililitro. Los meses de mayor producción promedio de leche fueron febrero, marzo y mayo (18.4, 18.2 y 18.2 kg/día, respectivamente), mientras que las producciones menores se registraron en los meses de agosto, septiembre y octubre (16.3,15.6 y 15.8 kg/día, respectivamente). Los meses con los menores promedios de RLCS correspondieron a febrero y abril (ambos en 3.5) y los mayores a agosto, septiembre y octubre (4.2, 4.2 y 4.3, respectivamente). El promedio de los RCS de muestras de tanque de los hatos acogidos o no al DHIA difirieron poco (461,656 y 473,096, respectivamente; P mayor que 0.05)

Bronquiolite respiratória e pneumonia intersticial desquamativa associada a fungômia por trichosporon asahii em imuno-componente: um relato de caso

Trichosporon asahii is an emerging fungal pathogen reported in the medical literature mainly in immunologically compromised patients. However, this case is unusual because is a young immunocompetent patient who developed fungemia by T. asahii simultaneously with acute respiratory failure, respiratory bronchiolitis and desquamative inter­stitial pneumonia, who responded satisfactorily to ventilatory support and antifungal therapy.Trichosporon asahii es un hongo patógeno emergente reportado en la literatura médica principalmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. No obstante, el presente caso es inusual debido a que se trata de un paciente adulto joven inmunocompetente que presentó fungemia por T. asahii y al mismo tiempo desarrolló insuficiencia respiratoria aguda por bronquiolitis respiratoria y neumonía descamativa, la cual resolvió posterior al tratamiento antimicótico instaurado, soporte ventilatorio y vigilancia en Unidad de Cuidado Intesivo (UCI)Trichosporon asahii é um patógeno fúngico emergente relatado na literatura médica principalmente em pacientes imunologicamente comprometidos. No entanto, este caso é incomum porque é um jovem imunocompetente que desenvolveu fungemia por T. asahii simultaneamente com insuficiência respiratória aguda, bronquiolite respira­tória e pneumonia intersticial descamativa, que responderam satisfatoriamente ao suporte ventilatório e à terapia antifúngic

Nonsusceptibility of Primate Cells to Taura Syndrome Virus

Primate cells commonly used to test for viruses of the Picornaviridae family are not susceptible to infection by Taura syndrome virus of penaeid shrimp

Design, development and validation of a new laryngo-pharyngeal endoscopic esthesiometer and range-finder based on the assessment of air-pulse variability determinants

BACKGROUND: Laryngo-pharyngeal mechano-sensitivity (LPMS) is involved in dysphagia, sleep apnea, stroke, irritable larynx syndrome and cough hypersensitivity syndrome among other disorders. These conditions are associated with a wide range of airway reflex abnormalities. However, the current device for exploring LPMS is limited because it assesses only the laryngeal adductor reflex during fiber-optic endoscopic evaluations of swallowing and requires a high degree of expertise to obtain reliable results, introducing intrinsic expert variability and subjectivity. METHODS: We designed, developed and validated a new air-pulse laryngo-pharyngeal endoscopic esthesiometer with a built-in laser range-finder (LPEER) based on the evaluation and control of air-pulse variability determinants and on intrinsic observer variability and subjectivity determinants of the distance, angle and site of stimulus impact. The LPEER was designed to be capable of delivering precise and accurate stimuli with a wide range of intensities that can explore most laryngo-pharyngeal reflexes. RESULTS: We initially explored the potential factors affecting the reliability of LPMS tests and included these factors in a multiple linear regression model. The following factors significantly affected the precision and accuracy of the test (P < 0.001): the tube conducting the air-pulses, the supply pressure of the system, the duration of the air-pulses, and the distance and angle between the end of the tube conducting the air-pulses and the site of impact. To control all of these factors, an LPEER consisting of an air-pulse generator and an endoscopic laser range-finder was designed and manufactured. We assessed the precision and accuracy of the LPEER's stimulus and range-finder according to the coefficient of variation (CV) and by looking at the differences between the measured properties and the desired values, and we performed a pilot validation on ten human subjects. The air-pulses and range-finder exhibited good precision and accuracy (CV < 0.06), with differences between the desired and measured properties at <3 % and a range-finder measurement error of <1 mm. The tests in patients demonstrated obtainable and reproducible thresholds for the laryngeal adductor, cough and gag reflexes. CONCLUSIONS: The new LPEER was capable of delivering precise and accurate stimuli for exploring laryngo-pharyngeal reflexes

Association of leisure time and occupational physical activity with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in Chile

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity (PA), both occupational (OPA) and during leisure time (LTPA), with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in Chilean adults. 5,157 participants from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009–2010 were included in this study. OPA and LTPA levels were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The association between both PA with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors was determined using logistic regression. Our findings showed a significant trend between higher LTPA and lower odds for obesity (OR 0.64 [95% CI: 0.53; 0.76], central obesity 0.52 [0.44; 0.61]) and other cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes (OR: 0.72 [0.55; 0.94]), hypertension (OR: 0.59 [0.50; 0.71]) and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.62 [0.50; 0.78]). In contrast, OPA was only associated with lower odds of diabetes (OR: 0.79 [0.65; 0.98]) and hypertension (0.85 [0.74; 0.98]). In conclusion, LTPA was associated with a lower risk of all major cardiovascular risk factors, whereas OPA was only associated with a lower risk of diabetes and hypertension

Natural Distribution of Parasitoids of Larvae of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Argentina

To develop a better understanding of the natural distribution of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and to update the knowledge of the incidence of its complex of parasitoids. S. frugiperda, samplings in whorl-stage corn were carried out in provinces of Argentina from 1999 to 2003. S. frugiperda larvae were collected from corn in localities of the provinces of Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja, Córdoba, San Luis, Chaco and Misiones. In each locality 30 corn plants were sampled and only larvae located in those plants were collected. The parasitoids that emerged from S. frugiperda larvae were identified and counted. The abundance of the parasitoids and the parasitism rate were estimated. The S. frugiperda parasitoids collected were Campoletis grioti (Blanchard) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Chelonus insularis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Archytas marmoratus (Townsend) (Diptera Tachinidae) and/or A. incertus (Macquart), Ophion sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Euplectrus platyhypenae Howard (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and Incamyia chilensis (Aldrich) (Diptera Tachinidae). C. grioti was the most abundant and frequent during the five-year survey. Similar diversity of parasitoids was obtained in all the provinces, with the exception of I. chilensis and E. platyhypenae that were recovered only in the province of Salta. In the Northwestern region, in Tucumán, C. grioti and species of Archytas were the most abundant and frequent parasitoids. On the contrary, in Salta and Jujuy Ch. insularis was the parasitoid most abundant and frequently recovered. The parasitism rate obtained in Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy provinces were 21.96%, 17.87% and 6.63% respectively with an average of 18.93%. These results demonstrate that hymenopteran and dipteran parasitoids of S. frugiperda occurred differentially throughout the Argentinian provinces and played an important role on the natural control of the S. frugiperda larval population

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to 300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field