Effects of Irrigation and Cluster Thinning on Tempranillo Grape and Wine Composition

With the aim of understanding the effects of water stress and cluster load on berry composition andwine quality, a four-year field test was conducted in a cv. Tempranillo vineyard in Extremadura (Spain).When the first berries appeared to be changing colour (onset of véraison), grapevines were subjected totwo different irrigation regimes, one supplying 100% of crop evapotranspiration, and the other 25%.In addition, two cluster load levels were tested for each irrigation regime: seven to nine and four to fiveclusters/m2 planting area. Both irrigation and thinning had an impact on most of the parameters analysedin the grapes and the wines, although the thinning effect was in general higher than the irrigation effect.Thus, deficit irrigation reduced malic acid and the titratable acidity of Tempranillo grape juice, whilecluster thinning increased all parameters analysed, except potassium concentrations. Similarly, the winecomposition was also affected differently by irrigation and by cluster thinning. Deficit irrigation reducedpH and increased titratable acidity, total phenol index and colour parameters, while cluster thinningincreased alcohol content, anthocyanin and colour intensity, and reduced pH and colour. The effect ofthe cluster thinning technique was independent of the irrigation regime in most of the wine parametersanalysed, except for total phenol index, where the effect of deficit irrigation (DI) was more pronounced ingrapevines also subjected to the cluster thinning treatment

Frequencies of deletereus character in the spanish water dog affecting the breed conservation

321 puppies of the Spanish Water Dog Breed have been used to study the frequency of presentation of several deleterious characters between the years 1995 and 1998. The enogmatism and the monorquidism shown frequencies relatively low, but we stand out these characters because their control is very important for the relationship with respect the adaptive capacity of these animals. In the same way the prognatism and the absence of premolars were present with a frequency slightly high, it must take into account in the selection criteria of the breed. By another side, we found a signifficative association between the presence of heath anomalies and slightly high populational levels of inbreeding, and then we have to avoid these breeding practices in the racial lines presenting this defect.Sobre un total de 321 cachorros nacidos de la raza Perro de Agua Español entre los años 1995 y 1998 se estudian las frecuencias de aparición de diferentes caracteres deletéreos. Los caracteres enogmatismo y monorquidia muestran unas frecuencias relativamente bajas, si bien destacamos la importancia de su control ya que su expresión afecta a la capacidad adaptativa de los animales. Asimismo, el prognatismo y la ausencia de premolares se presentan con unas frecuencias moderadamente altas que recomendamos incluir en los criterios de selección de la raza. Por otra parte, encontramos asociación significativa entre la aparición de anomalías cardíacas y niveles relativamente altos de endogamia en la población por lo que se desaconseja la endocría en las líneas raciales que presentan este defecto

Experimental Transmission of Kaposi's Sarcoma–Associated Herpesvirus (Kshv/Hhv-8) to Scid-Hu Thy/Liv Mice

Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) is a novel human lymphotropic herpesvirus linked to several human neoplasms. To date, no animal model for infection by this virus has been described. We have examined the susceptibility of C.B-17 scid/scid mice implanted with human fetal thymus and liver grafts (SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice) to KSHV infection. KSHV virions were inoculated directly into the implants, and viral DNA and mRNA production was assayed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This revealed a biphasic infection, with an early phase of lytic replication accompanied and followed by sustained latency. Ultraviolet irradiation of the inoculum abolished all DNA- and mRNA-derived signals, and infection was inhibited by ganciclovir. Viral gene expression was most abundant in CD19+ B lymphocytes, suggesting that this model faithfully mimics the natural tropism of this virus. Short-term coinfection with HIV-1 did not alter the course of KSHV replication, nor did KSHV alter levels of HIV-1 p24 during the acute phase of the infection. Although no disease was evident in infected animals, SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice should allow the detailed study of KSHV tropism, latency, and drug susceptibility

Nivel de proteína C reactiva en pacientes con obesidad mórbida antes y después de cirugía bariátrica

ResumenAntecedentesLa obesidad humana se asocia a un estado proinflamatorio reflejado en elevación de marcadores como la proteína C reactiva (PCR).ObjetivosEstablecer los valores de PCR basales y a 6 meses de la cirugía bariátrica, así como los cambios en peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC), leucocitos y glucemia.Materiales y métodosSe realizó un estudio observacional, analítico, retrospectivo, longitudinal y abierto. Se midieron los valores de PCR sérica y su relación con el peso, IMC, leucocitos y glucemia de manera basal y 6 meses posteriores a cirugía bariátrica en 36 adultos con obesidad mórbida.ResultadosLa media ± desviación estándar de la PCR pre y posoperatorio (mg/l) fue 1.15±0.86 y 0.34±0.28, respectivamente, con p<0.0001; peso (kg) 112.10±22.91 y 84.82±17.11, p=0,0443; IMC (kg/m2) 42.48±5.97 y 32.2±4.79, p=0.0988; glucosa (mg/dl) 100.58±17.82 y 87.11±8.49, p<0.0001, y leucocitos (× 103/mm3) 8.62±1.69 y 6.99±1.56, p=0.3192.La PCR basal solo correlacionó con el peso e IMC (p=0.047 y p=0.027, respectivamente) y no hubo correlación entre la PCR posoperatoria y ninguno de los parámetros evaluados.ConclusionesLa PCR tiene una relación lineal significativa en el preoperatorio con el peso y el IMC. Los pacientes sometidos a cirugía bariátrica presentaron disminución significativa en la PCR, el peso y la glucemia en ayuno a los 6 meses posterior a la cirugía.AbstractBackgroundHuman obesity is associated with a proinflammatory state and an elevated level of mediators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP).ObjectivesTo establish CRP levels as baseline preoperative values and then at 6 months after bariatric surgery, as well as to determine the changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), leukocytes, and glycemia.Materials and methodsAn observational, analytical, retrospective, longitudinal, and open study was conducted. Serum CRP values were measured in 36 adults presenting with morbid obesity, and their baseline relation to weight, BMI, leukocytes, and glycemia was determined; the relation to the same parameters was established again, 6 months after bariatric surgery.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation of preoperative and postoperative CRP (mg/L) was 1.15±0.86 and 0.34±0.28, respectively with p<0.0001; weight (kg) 112.10±22.91 and 84.82±17.11, p=0.0443; BMI (kg/m2) 42.48±5.97 and 32.2±4.79, p=0.0988; glucose (mg/dL) 100.58±17.82 and 87.11±8.49, p<0.0001, and leukocytes (× 103/mm3) 8.62±1.69 and 6.99±1.56, p=0.3192.Baseline CRP only correlated with weight and BMI (p=0.047 and p=0.027 respectively) and there was no correlation between postoperative CRP and the evaluated parameters.ConclusionsPreoperative CRP had a significant lineal relation to weight and body mass index. Patients who underwent bariatric surgery had a significant decrease in CRP, weight, and fasting glucose at 6 months after surgery

Mechanical Identities of RNA and DNA Double Helices Unveiled at the Single-Molecule Level

[EN] Double-stranded (ds) RNA is the genetic material of a variety of viruses and has been recently recognized as a relevant molecule in cells for its regulatory role. Despite that the elastic response of dsDNA has been thoroughly characterized in recent years in single-molecule stretching experiments, an equivalent study with dsRNA is still lacking. Here, we have engineered long dsRNA molecules for their individual characterization contrasting information with dsDNA molecules of the same sequence. It is known that dsRNA is an A-form molecule unlike dsDNA, which exhibits B-form in physiological conditions. These structural types are distinguished at the single-molecule level with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and are the basis to understand their different elastic response. Force¿extension curves of dsRNA with optical and magnetic tweezers manifest two main regimes of elasticity, an entropic regime whose end is marked by the A-form contour- length and an intrinsic regime that ends in a low-cooperative overstretching transition in which the molecule extends to 1.7 times its A-form contour-length. DsRNA does not switch between the A and B conformations in the presence of force. Finally, dsRNA presents both a lower stretch modulus and overstretching transition force than dsDNA, whereas the electrostatic and intrinsic contributions to the persistence length are larger.This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (BFU2011-29038 and BFU2010-15703) and the Comunidad de Madrid (S2009/MAT/1507). IRA.-G. acknowledges a Ramon y Cajal contract from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RYC-2007-01765). Work in the F.M.-H. laboratory was supported by a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (no. 206117) and a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (FIS2011-24638). We thank M. S. Dillingham for kindly providing the pSP73-JY0 plasmid, M. Menendez for access to a spectropolarimeter, A. Monserrate for polylysine-AFM control experiments, and B. Ibarra for fruitful discussions.Herrero-Galán, E.; Fuentes-Perez. M.E.; Carrasco, C.; Valpuesta, J.; Carrascosa, J.; Moreno-Herrero, F.; Arias-Gonzalez, JR. (2013). Mechanical Identities of RNA and DNA Double Helices Unveiled at the Single-Molecule Level. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 135(1):122-131. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja3054755S122131135

Meat quality of lambs fed different saltbush hay (Atriplex nummularia) levels

Climate changes have increased soil and water salinity, compromising animal produc- tion especially in dry areas where scientists have become more interested in halophyte plants, like saltbush. The effects of saltbush hay levels (30, 40, 50 and 60%) were evaluated based on physical-chemical, nutritional and sensory parameters of Santa Ine^s lamb meat. Thirty-two 8-month-old castrated Santa Ine^s lambs, with initial weights of 22±1.97 kg were used; they were slaughtered after 60 days in the feedlot. The pH, colour, moisture, protein and cholesterol contents did not differ among treatments. Panelists observed a greater inten- sity of lamb smell and flavour (P=0.0035) in the meat of animals that received more con- centrate in the diet. An increase in the inclu- sion of saltbush increased ash percentage (P=0.0232), total saturated (P=0.0035) and polyunsaturated (P=0.0287) fatty acids and reduced the lipids (P=0.0055) and the n-6:n-3 ratio (P=0.0058) of the meat. Therefore, salt- bush hay can be used as a feeding resource in regions with problems of water and soil salini- ty because it does not impair the physical- chemical, nutritional and sensory quality of sheep meat

New iron(II) cyclopentadienyl derivative complexes: synthesis and antitumor activity against human leukemia cancer cells

A new family of 'FeII(h5-C5H5)' half sandwich compounds bearing a N-heteroaromatic ligand coordinated to the iron center by a nitrile functional group has been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR and UVeVis spectroscopy. X-ray analysis of single crystal was achieved for complexes 1 and 3, which crystallized in the monoclinic P21/c and monoclinic P21/n space groups, respectively. Studies of interaction of these five new complexes with plasmid pBR322 DNA by atomic force microscopy showed very strong and different types of interaction. Antiproliferative tests were examined on human leukemia cancer cells (HL-60) using the MTT assay, and the IC50 values revealed excellent antiproliferative activity compared to cisplatin

Empatía, conducta prosocial y "bullying". Las acciones de los alumnos espectadores

Se presenta un estudio cuyo objetivo fue indagar la relación de los fenómenos de acoso escolar con la empatía y la prosocialidad en niños y adolescentes. Participantes: 278 estudiantes (162 mujeres y 116 varones), de 10 a 15 años de edad, concurrentes a dos escuelas públicas de la provincia de Mendoza, Argentina. Método: Se evaluó la presencia de bullying, la prosocialidad y la empatía con cuestionarios multidimensionales y se compararon los grupos según participación en bullying. Los resultados mostraron que, quienes agredían a sus compañeros, obtuvieron puntajes bajos en regulación emocional y toma de perspectiva. Al comparar empatía y prosocialidad, se reportan diferencias con los varones agresores, que obtuvieron bajos niveles. Las intervenciones prosociales de los espectadores mostraron correlación con la autorregulación emocional, la respuesta afectiva y la revalorización del otro.This study researches the relationship between bullying in schools and empathy and prosocial behavior among children and adolescents. Participants: 278 students (162 girls and 116 boys), between the ages of 10 and 15, who attend public schools in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. Method: the existence of bullying, prosocial behavior and empathy was assessed through multidimensional questionnaires and the groups were compared in accordance with their participation in bullying. The results showed that those who abuse their schoolmates had low scores in emotional regulation and perspective-taking. When empathy and prosocial behavior were compared, differences were found among male assailants, who showed low levels. The prosocial interventions of the bystanders exhibited emotional self-regulation, affective response and revaluation of the other party

Morfeas hemicorporales

Introducción: Las morfeas hemicorporales son aquellas que tienen un neto predominio hemicorporal y se extienden a más de dos regiones anatómicas al menos. Son enfermedades extremadamente infrecuentes. Sus vínculos con la hemiatrofia facial y la morfea lineal no están completamente explicados. Objetivo: Caracterizar las morfeas hemicorporales para poder reconocerlas inicialmente e intentar frenar su curso evolutivo irreversible. Material y método: Se analizan 7 casos con diagnóstico de morfea hemicorporal (6 mujeres y un hombre) entre 6 y 45 años de edad, que consultaron entre el 2000-2009 en la División Dermatología consignando: 1-presencia de esclerosis y/o atrofia, 2-edad de consulta e inicio,3-sitio de inicio, 4-compromiso contralateral, 5-presencia de contracturas,distonía o mioclonías, 6-alteración de función visual, ojo seco 7-hallazgos de laboratorio, 8-examen neurológico, resultados de RMN y análisis bioquímico del LCR de acuerdo a los síntomas en cada caso. Resultados: Cinco casos comenzaron en los miembros inferiores o superiores (tres concomitantes con otra región). Tres se iniciaron en la extremidad cefálica o el tronco (todos sincrónicos con inicio en miembros). La extensión en días o meses fue una característica. La esclerosis predominó en la mayoría y en uno sólo se observó atrofia. Lesiones contralaterales se observaron en dos casos. Uno se desarrolló en una esclerodermia sistémica, otro (con niveles moderados de anticuerpos anticardiolipina en una de tres determinaciones) presentó una úlcera maleolar. Todos refirieron distonía, contracturas o dolor local. En el laboratorio se hallaron hiperglobulinemia, FR, ACL y FAN positivos en títulos altos, complemento disminuido en dos. Sólo uno fue positivo para Scl70. Los exámenes complementarios demostraron anomalías locales en la RMN de miembros afectados, áreas de demielinización múltiples con bandas oligoclonales en LCR en otro. El ojo seco se asoció en tres pacientes. Conclusión: Esta forma particular de morfea tiene un curso singular por a: su Inicio como morfea lineal, b: rápida extensión, c: posibilidad de compromiso neurológico, d: hallazgos inespecíficos de laboratorio, e: sitio de inicio único o múltiple y curso generalmente ascendente. La atrofia puede ser la única manifestación cutánea, y el tratamiento temprano puede frenar temporariamente la progresión de las lesiones cutáneas y/o los síntomas neurológicos

Validación comparativa de un método para la corrección de distorsión en secuencias de video endoscópicas

El análisis de las secuencias de video del endoscopio cobra gran interés para el desarrollo de aplicaciones de formación y navegación quirúrgica en Cirugía de Mínima Invasión (CMI) Requiere una corrección previa de las distorsiones que introduce la cámara, en especial de la distorsión radial. El objetivo de este trabajo es validar un método de corrección de distorsión en video laparoscópico de forma comparativa con el método de Bouguet, uno de los métodos más valorados y usados por la comunidad científica. Los resultados muestran que el método propuesto es comparable al método de referencia empleado, y que la corrección realizada cubre las necesidades del procesado de vídeo endoscópic