Silico identification, molecular characterization and expression analysis of the Trypanosoma brucei paraflagellar rod protein PFR3

En el presente artículo se describen la identificación y el aislamiento del gen codificante para la proteínaPFR3 del T. brucei. La secuencia deducida de aminoácidos produce una proteína de 592 residuos conun punto isoeléctrico de 5,14 y presenta una identidad de secuencia del 68,9% con la proteína PFR3 delT. cruzi. Sin embargo, el porcentaje de homología entre la proteína PFR3 de T. brucei y otras secuenciasdisponibles de PFRs de T. brucei y T. cruzi es inferior al 22%. En contraste con lo descrito para losmiembros de la familia de proteínas de filamento paraflagelar, la mayor divergencia entre las proteínasPFR3 de T. cruzi y T. brucei se encuentra en la región central de la proteína, con una similitud del 38%en 200 aminoácidos. Estimamos que existen dos copias de la proteína PFR3 de T. brucei por genomahaploide. El gen se transcribe como mARN de aproximadamente 3,6 kb de longitud, presente con lamisma abundancia en formas parasitarias procíclicas y del torrente sanguíneo.In the present paper we describe the identification and isolation of the gene coding for T. brucei PFR3protein. The deduced amino acid sequence produces a protein of 592 residues with an isoelectric pointof 5.14 and shows a 68.9% sequence identity with T. cruzi PFR3 protein. However, the percentage ofhomology among T. brucei PFR3 and other available PFRs sequences from T. brucei and T. cruzi islower than 22%. In contrast to that described for members of paraflagellar rod protein family, thehighest divergence between T. cruzi and T. brucei PFR3 proteins is located at the central region of theprotein with a 38% of similarity over 200 amino acid. We estimate that there exist two copies of theT. brucei PFR3 protein per haploid genome. The gene is transcribed as a mRNA of approximately 3.6kb in length, equally abundant in both procyclic and bloodstream parasite forms

Identificación de epítopes T citotóxicos restringidos a la molécula HLA-A2.1 en la proteína HSP70 de T. cruzi.

El análisis de la capacidad de unión a células T2 realizado con 31 péptidos correspondientes a distintas regiones dela proteína HSP70 de Trypanosoma cruzi, muestra que 14 de estos péptidos tienen una alta o media afinidad por lamolécula presentadora A2.1. Interesantemente, el presente manuscrito pone de manifiesto que la inmunización deratones transgénicos A2/Kb con la proteína recombinante HSP70 de T. cruzi induce CTLs que reconocen células EL4-A2/Kb cargadas de forma independiente con tres de los péptidos con afinidad de unión a moléculas A2. Estospéptidos presentan una homología menor del 65% con sus homólogos de la proteína HSP70 humana. Los resultadosobtenidos permiten sugerir la posibilidad de que la HSP70 de T. cruzi pueda ser usada como diana para induciractividad inmune citotóxica en humanos

Magnesium and calcium content in waters from the Mediterranean coastal area of south-eastern Spain and their relation with industrial activity

Se han determinado los niveles de calcio y magnesio en aguas (potables, de riego, residuales y marinas) de la zonaindustrial y costera del sureste de España. Las muestras de agua acidifi cadas fueron analizadas por espectrometría deabsorción atómica. Previamente las muestras fueron tratadas con 0,2 ml de LaCl3 (10 mg/mL La) como modifi cadorde matriz. Las concentraciones de magnesio oscilaron entre 18,2 μg/L y 2286,7 μg/L y las de calcio desde 48,8 μg/La 627,1 μg/L. Los niveles medios de magnesio y calcio en aguas marinas fueron signifi cativamente superiores (P <0,001). Las concentraciones de magnesio encontradas en los diferentes grupos de aguas estuvieron linear y signifi -cativamente correlacionadas con los niveles de calcio correspondientes (r= 0,942; P < 0,001). La actividad humanae industrial no infl uyó en los niveles de magnesio y calcio en las aguas de riego y marinas de la zona. Sin embargo,los efl uentes de la fábrica de papel existente en la zona y los de origen doméstico aumentaron signifi cativamente lasconcentraciones de calcio en las aguas residuales.Magnesium and calcium levels in waters (potable, irrigation, waste and sea waters) from a coastal and industrial zonein south-eastern Spain, have been determined. Acidifi ed water samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry.The samples were previously treated with a matrix modifi er consisting in 0.2 mL of LaCl3 (10 mg/mL La). Magnesiumconcentrations ranged from 18.2 μg/L to 2286.7 μg/L and those for calcium from 48.8 μg/L to 627.1 μg/L. Meanmagnesium and calcium levels in sea water samples were signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001). Magnesium concentrationsfound in different water groups were signifi cantly and linearly related with corresponding calcium levels (r= 0.942; P< 0.001). Human and industrial activity did not infl uence magnesium and calcium levels in irrigation and sea watersof the zone. Nevertheless, effl uents from the paper factory existing in the zone and from domestic origin increasedsignifi cantly the calcium concentrations in waste waters

Prevalence of parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Europe: the EUROPARKINSON collaborative study

Malaltia de Parkinson; Prevalència; Distribució per edatsEnfermedad de Parkinson; Prevalencia; Distribución de edadParkinson Disease; Prevalence; Age DistributionObjectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in five European populations that were surveyed with similar methodology and diagnostic criteria.Methods: Joint analysis of five community surveys--Gironde (France), eight centres in Italy, Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Girona (Spain), and Pamplona (Spain)--in which subjects were screened in person for parkinsonism. Overall, these surveys comprised 14,636 participants aged 65 years or older.Results: The overall prevalence (per 100 population), age adjusted to the 1991 European standard population, was 2.3 for parkinsonism and 1.6 for Parkinson's disease. The overall prevalence of parkinsonism for the age groups 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80 to 84, and 85 to 89 years was respectively, 0.9, 1.5, 3.7, 5.0, and 5.1. The corresponding age specific figures for Parkinson's disease were 0.6, 1.0, 2.7, 3.6, and 3.5. After adjusting for age and sex, the prevalence figures did not differ significantly across studies, except for the French study in which prevalence was lower. Prevalence was similar in men and women. Overall, 24% of the subjects with Parkinson's disease were newly detected through the surveys.Conclusions: Prevalence of both parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease increased with age, without significant differences between men and women. There was no convincing evidence for differences in prevalence across European countries. A substantial proportion of patients with Parkinson's disease went undetected in the general population

Microplastics increase susceptibility of amphibian larvae to the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Microplastics (MPs), a new class of pollutants that pose a threat to aquatic biodiversity, are of increasing global concern. In tandem, the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causing the disease chytridiomycosis is emerging worldwide as a major stressor to amphibians. We here assess whether synergies exist between this infectious disease and MP pollution by mimicking natural contact of a highly susceptible species (midwife toads, Alytes obstetricans) with a Bd-infected reservoir species (fire salamanders, Salamandra salamandra) in the presence and absence of MPs. We found that MP ingestion increases the burden of infection by Bd in a dose-dependent manner. However, MPs accumulated to a greater extent in amphibians that were not exposed to Bd, likely due to Bd-damaged tadpole mouthparts interfering with MP ingestion. Our experimental approach showed compelling interactions between two emergent processes, chytridiomycosis and MP pollution, necessitating further research into potential synergies between these biotic and abiotic threats to amphibians

Updating known distribution models for forecasting climate change impact on endangered species

To plan endangered species conservation and to design adequate management programmes, it is necessary to predict their distributional response to climate change, especially under the current situation of rapid change. However, these predictions are customarily done by relating de novo the distribution of the species with climatic conditions with no regard of previously available knowledge about the factors affecting the species distribution. We propose to take advantage of known species distribution models, but proceeding to update them with the variables yielded by climatic models before projecting them to the future. To exemplify our proposal, the availability of suitable habitat across Spain for the endangered Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) was modelled by updating a pre-existing model based on current climate and topography to a combination of different general circulation models and Special Report on Emissions Scenarios. Our results suggested that the main threat for this endangered species would not be climate change, since all forecasting models show that its distribution will be maintained and increased in mainland Spain for all the XXI century. We remark on the importance of linking conservation biology with distribution modelling by updating existing models, frequently available for endangered species, considering all the known factors conditioning the species’ distribution, instead of building new models that are based on climate change variables only.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and FEDER (project CGL2009-11316/BOS

Recomendaciones nutricionales para los ancianos

En los últimos años, el rápido envejecimiento de la población está originando un gran número de estudios encaminadosa conocer en mayor profundidad este proceso, así como a identificar los factores de riesgo que puedenmodificarlo de forma negativa. Dentro de estos factores de riesgo hay que considerar la importancia que tiene unaalimentación adecuada en esta etapa de la vida. Sin embargo es difícil establecer unas recomendaciones nutricionalespara un grupo de población tan heterogéneo. En esta revisión, se recogen las recomendaciones nutricionales dadaspor distintos organismos para población mayor

Elementos móviles: ¿Ventaja evolutiva o parasitismo molecular?

Las secuencias de ADN repetidas–dispersas constituyen una elevada proporción del genoma de organismos eucariotasy procariotas. La primera descripción de movilidad de estas secuencias fue realizada por Barbara McClintock enlos años 50, la cual, estudiando la herencia del color y distribución de la pigmentación del maíz, demostró laexistencia de elementos genéticos con capacidad de transponerse. En el presente trabajo se realiza una revisiónde las características moleculares, filogenéticas y funcionales de los elementos móviles, centrada especialmente enlos elementos LINE. El análisis de la presencia de elementos móviles en los organismos hospedadores, muestra queestos evolucionan coincidentemente con el hospedador para evitar o mitigar el efecto deletéreo de su inserción eincluso para proporcionarle beneficio. Actualmente, se está empezando a considerar que estos elementos jueganun importante papel en la evolución de los organismos, probablemente como resultado del desarrollo de unarelación simbiótica con su hospedador

Interstitial Cells of Cajal and Enteric Nervous System in Gastrointestinal and Neurological Pathology, Relation to Oxidative Stress

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is organized into two plexuses-submucosal and myenteric-which regulate smooth muscle contraction, secretion, and blood flow along the gastrointestinal tract under the influence of the rest of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are mainly located in the submucosa between the two muscle layers and at the intramuscular level. They communicate with neurons of the enteric nerve plexuses and smooth muscle fibers and generate slow waves that contribute to the control of gastrointestinal motility. They are also involved in enteric neurotransmission and exhibit mechanoreceptor activity. A close relationship appears to exist between oxidative stress and gastrointestinal diseases, in which ICCs can play a prominent role. Thus, gastrointestinal motility disorders in patients with neurological diseases may have a common ENS and central nervous system (CNS) nexus. In fact, the deleterious effects of free radicals could affect the fine interactions between ICCs and the ENS, as well as between the ENS and the CNS. In this review, we discuss possible disturbances in enteric neurotransmission and ICC function that may cause anomalous motility in the gut.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio