Comparative Genomics Used to Predict Virulence Factors and Metabolic Genes among Monilinia Species

Brown rot, caused by Monilinia spp., is among the most important diseases in stonefruits, and some pome fruits (mainly apples). This disease is responsible for significant yield losses,particularly in stone fruits, when weather conditions favorable for disease development appear.To achieve future sustainable strategies to control brown rot on fruit, one potential approach will be to characterize genomic variation among Monilinia spp. to define, among others, the capacity to infect fruit in this genus. In the present work, we performed genomic and phylogenomic comparisons of five Monilinia species and inferred differences in numbers of secreted proteins, including CAZy proteins and other proteins important for virulence. Duplications specific to Monilinia were sparse and, overall, more genes have been lost than gained. Among Monilinia spp., low variability in the CAZome was observed. Interestingly, we identified several secondary metabolism clusters based on similarity to known clusters, and among them was a cluster with homology to pyriculol that could be responsible for the synthesis of chloromonilicin. Furthermore, we compared sequences of all strains available from NCBI of these species to assess their MAT loci and heterokaryon Compatibility systems. Our comparative analyses provide the basis for future studies into understanding how these genomic differences underlie common or differential abilities to interact with the host plant.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Miocene deformation in the orogenic front of the Malargüe fold-and-thrust belt (35°30′–36° S): Controls on the migration of magmatic and hydrocarbon fluids

The integration of surface observations and sub-surface data (wellbore and seismic) from the orogenic front of the Malargüe fold-and-thrust belt allows us to study its kinematics and to interpret the local stress field and its control over fluid (magmatic and hydrocarbon) migration. Reverse faults correspond to inverted NNW-striking Mesozoic normal faults and N-S striking Cenozoic low-angle thrusts parallel to the orogen. Oblique structures with strike-slip movement are also present. The magmatic activity in the study area was strongly controlled by this structural framework and the in-situ stress field. Miocene dykes and sills were emplaced in relation to strike-slip and reverse faults, respectively. We propose an evolution of the study region from a foredeep sector, in the early-middle Miocene, to a peak in deformation in the late Miocene, and finally a waning of deformation from the Pliocene to the present. Our structural model suggests that during the evolution of the thrust front, the in-situ stress field changed from a compressional to strike-slip/compressional stress field, favouring the synchronous emplacement of sills and dykes. This alternation of stress regimes favours hydrocarbon migration through both thrusts and subvertical strike-slip faults. This exchange between both stress regimes is likely related to the similar values of the minimum (σ3) and intermediate (σ2) principal stress with an E-W oriented maximum principal stress (σ1) according to the plate convergence vector.Fil: Barrionuevo, Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Giambiagi, Laura Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Mescua, Jose Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Suriano, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: de la Cal, Hernán Gabriel. Roch S.A.; ArgentinaFil: Soto, J. L.. Roch S.A.; ArgentinaFil: Lossada, Ana Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; Argentin

Analysis of qPCR reference genes stability determination methods and a practical approach for efficiency calculation on a turbot (Scphthalmus maximus) gonad dataset

Gene expression analysis by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (qPCR) is the most widely used method for analyzing the expression of a moderate number of genes and also for the validation of microarray results. Several issues are crucial for a successful qPCR study, particularly the selection of internal reference genes for normalization and efficiency determination. There is no agreement on which method is the best to detect the most stable genes neither on how to perform efficiency determination. In this study we offer a comprehensive evaluation of the characteristics of reference gene selection methods and how to decide which one is more reliable when they show discordant outcomes. Also, we analyze the current efficiency calculation controversy. Our dataset is composed by gonad samples of turbot at different development times reared at different temperatures. Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) is a relevant marine aquaculture European species with increasing production in the incoming years. Since females largely outgrow males, identification of genes related to sex determination, gonad development and reproductive behavior, and analysis of their expression profiles are of primary importance for turbot industryVersión del edito

Stress field and active faults in the orogenic front of the Andes in the Malargüe fold-and-thrust belt (35°–36°S)

We integrate field and wellbore data to discuss the stress field in the frontal sector of the Malargüe fold-and-thrust belt (Andes of Argentina). Surface observations indicate N-S thrusts and NW to WNW and ESE strike-slip faults are active in the study area. Inversion of fault kinematic indicators, combined with borehole breakout data and a mini-frac test within the study area, constrain the Quaternary to recent stress state, which is characterized by a subhorizontal, E-W oriented maximum stress, and by intermediate and minimum stresses with similar magnitudes that are locally interchanged, producing a setting in which reverse and strike-slip faults are alternatively active. The implications of the recognized structures for earthquake hazard are examined.Fil: Mescua, Jose Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Barrionuevo, Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Giambiagi, Laura Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Suriano, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Spagnotto, Silvana Liz. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Stahlschmidt, E.. El Trébol S.a.; ArgentinaFil: de la Cal, H.. Roch S.a.; ArgentinaFil: Soto, J. L.. Roch S.a.; ArgentinaFil: Mazzitelli, Manuela Amelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentin

Resultados preliminares de la influencia de la temperatura de cultivo sobre la proporción de sexos en el rodaballo (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

Las larvas de tres familias de rodaballos se cultivaron a temperaturas de 15'C, 18'C y 22'C desde el día dos hasta día 90 de vida y a temperatura ambiente hasta el dia 210. En las familias 1 y 2 las proporciones sexuales, determinadas por el fenotipo, oscilaron en los tres grupos entre el 40%- 60%,y no se observaron diferencias siqníñcaffvas entre los diferentes grupos de temperatura (p>0.05). En la familia 3, el porcentaje de hembras fue mayor que el de machos en los tres grupos de temperatura, y además se observó diferencia significativa (p<0.05) entre el grupo de peces cultivados a temperatura fría con respecto a los cultivados en agua ambiente. En tas familias 1 y 2 el sexo genético coincidió en gran medida con~ sexo fenolípico, siendo la discrepancia menor del 10%. Sin embargo, en la familia 3 se observó que el 36,5% de los machos genéticos eran hembras a 15'C, el 29% a 18ºC y el 18% a 23'C. Los resultados sugieren la interacción temperatura-familia en la determinación sexual del rodaballo, que debe ser confirmada en un mayor número de familias.Larvae from three families of turbot were cultured at 15'C, 18'C and 22'C from 2 to 90 days old, and then at ambient temperature until210 daysold. Regarding families 1 and 2, \he sexual proportions determined by \he phenotype varied between 40%·60%, regardless of \he cunure temperature (p>O.05). Gontrary, in family 3, \he percentage of females was higher than for males in all three cunure temperatures. Furthermore, \here were differences (¡¡<O.05) between families cultured at 15'C and 18'C. For families 1 and 2, sex determined by genotype was similarto \hat detennined by the phenotype, wi\h differences <1 0%. Gontrary, for family 3,\he \he percentage of males determined by \he genotype \hat were phenotipycatt¡ females was 36, 29 and 18% for animals cunured at 15'C, 18'C and 22'C, respectively. Results suggest an interaction temperature-family in \he turbot sex determination which should be checked on a higher numberoffamilies

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types

Increasing frailty is associated with higher prevalence and reduced recognition of delirium in older hospitalised inpatients: results of a multi-centre study

Purpose: Delirium is a neuropsychiatric disorder delineated by an acute change in cognition, attention, and consciousness. It is common, particularly in older adults, but poorly recognised. Frailty is the accumulation of deficits conferring an increased risk of adverse outcomes. We set out to determine how severity of frailty, as measured using the CFS, affected delirium rates, and recognition in hospitalised older people in the United Kingdom. Methods: Adults over 65 years were included in an observational multi-centre audit across UK hospitals, two prospective rounds, and one retrospective note review. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), delirium status, and 30-day outcomes were recorded. Results: The overall prevalence of delirium was 16.3% (483). Patients with delirium were more frail than patients without delirium (median CFS 6 vs 4). The risk of delirium was greater with increasing frailty [OR 2.9 (1.8–4.6) in CFS 4 vs 1–3; OR 12.4 (6.2–24.5) in CFS 8 vs 1–3]. Higher CFS was associated with reduced recognition of delirium (OR of 0.7 (0.3–1.9) in CFS 4 compared to 0.2 (0.1–0.7) in CFS 8). These risks were both independent of age and dementia. Conclusion: We have demonstrated an incremental increase in risk of delirium with increasing frailty. This has important clinical implications, suggesting that frailty may provide a more nuanced measure of vulnerability to delirium and poor outcomes. However, the most frail patients are least likely to have their delirium diagnosed and there is a significant lack of research into the underlying pathophysiology of both of these common geriatric syndromes

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

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