Locally Produced Foods

A locally-produced diet is more sustainable than other diets

Oligomerization and Cell-Binding Properties of the Avian Reovirus Cell-Attachment Protein ςC

AbstractAvian reovirus protein ςC, the viral cell-attachment protein, is a minor component of the outer-capsid shell of the viral particle that is synthesized in small amounts in infected cells. We cloned the ςC-encoding ORF in vector pIL-2f, expressed it in Escherichia coli, and partially purified the resulting recombinant protein from inclusion bodies. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against the recombinant protein specifically recognized the viral polypeptide in ELISA, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting. To study the oligomerization capacity and cell-binding affinity of protein ςC, the ςC-encoding ORF was also expressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) and in reticulocyte lysates. In all three systems protein ςC is expressed as a multimer with identical electrophoretic mobility to the naturally occurring protein. Cell-binding experiments show that both in vitro and in vivo expressed protein ςC display affinity for CEF receptors, and this property is exclusively associated with the oligomeric form of the protein. The fact that incubation of CEF cells with the recombinant protein expressed in bacterial cells completely blocks the binding of purified reovirions indicates both that binding of this protein to cells is specific and saturable, and that reovirions and protein ςC bind to the same class of cell receptor. Saturation binding experiments, performed with the recombinant protein expressed in E. coli and with purified reovirions, showed that the number of cellular receptor sites (CRSs) for avian reovirus S1133 is 1.8 × 104 per CEF cell, whereas the number of cellular receptor units (CRUs) for ςC is 2.2 × 105 per CEF cell. These results are consistent with previous reports on the binding of mammalian reoviruses

Impuesto predial en tiempos de pandemia y su incidencia en la recaudación tributaria en la Municipalidad Distrital de la Cruz -2020

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo general determinar la incidencia del impuesto predial en tiempos de pandemia en la recaudación tributaria en la Municipalidad Distrital de La Cruz -2020, para la cual se hizo uso de una investigación de tipo aplicada, con un enfoque cuantitativo, diseño no experimental y transversal, siendo su muestra de 357 contribuyentes activos, utilizando para la recolección de datos la técnica la encuesta y como instrumento el cuestionario, con la finalidad de analizar el contexto del problema. Obteniendo como resultado que el 38.66% de los contribuyentes manifestaron que estuvieron de acuerdo con que la determinación del impuesto predial incidió en la recaudación tributaria, el 40.15% estuvieron de acuerdo en que el cumplimiento tributario garantizo una buena recaudación y el 28.20% estuvieron en desacuerdo en que los procedimientos de recaudación que aplicó la municipalidad ayudaron a incrementar la recaudación. Se concluyó que el impuesto predial en tiempos de pandemia incidió significativamente en la recaudación tributaria en la municipalidad distrital de la cruz -2020, con una correlación de Rho de Spearman de un valor 0.473** con un nivel significancia < 0.05 por lo que se tomó la decisión rechazar la hipótesis nula y se aceptó la hipótesis alterna

Convective drying of yellow discarded onion (Angaco INTA): Modelling of moisture loss kinetics and effect on phenolic compounds

The Angaco INTA onion variety is the most cultivated and its production, mostly is destined for export. Due to their high-quality standards of these markets, many onions are discarded. The drying process seems to be a promising solution that not only give added value to this product, but also extend shelf life. In this work, the influence of convective drying process, at 60 and 70 °C, on the kinetic behavior, antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of discarded onion slices were investigated. Considering that, the Angaco INTA onion is a variety genetically developed to have shorter cultivation times in this region; the phenolic compounds content in this onion variety, the drying kinetics and its influence on this content have never been studied. In this study, the phenolic compounds contributions to dehydrated product quality was evaluated, observing that the convective drying increased the total soluble phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties for both temperatures, being highest at 70 °C. The rehydration ratios were similar to the slices dried at 60 and 70 °C. Several models were used for describing the obtained drying curve equation of onion slices, being the Midilli’s model the one that presented the best fit. Ficks’s model of water diffusion fitted all experimental data with acceptable correlation coefficients. Considering the achieved findings, 70 °C is the optimum temperature to produce the dehydrated Angaco INTA onion.Fil: Roman, María Celia. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Fabani, Maria Paula. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Luna, Lorena Celina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mazza, German Delfor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Rosa. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

High-Resolution Indicators of Soil Microbial Responses to N Fertilization and Cover Cropping in Corn Monoculture

Cover cropping (CC) is the most promising in-field practice to improve soil health and mitigate N losses from fertilizer use. Although the soil microbiota play essential roles in soil health, their response to CC has not been well characterized by bioindicators of high taxonomic resolution within typical agricultural systems. Our objective was to fill this knowledge gap with genus-level indicators for corn [Zea mays L.] monocultures with three N fertilizer rates (N0, N202, N269; kg N ha−1), after introducing a CC mixture of cereal rye [Secale cereale L.] and hairy vetch [Vicia villosa Roth.], using winter fallows (BF) as controls. A 3 × 2 split-plot arrangement of N rates and CC treatments was studied in a randomized complete block design with three replicates over two years. Bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA and fungal ITS regions were sequenced with Illumina MiSeq system. Overall, our high-resolution bioindicators were able to represent specific functional or ecological shifts within the microbial community. The abundances of indicators representing acidophiles, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers increased with N fertilization, while those of heterotrophic nitrifiers, nitrite oxidizers, and complete denitrifiers increased with N0. Introducing CC decreased soil nitrate levels by up to 50% across N rates, and CC biomass increased by 73% with N fertilization. CC promoted indicators of diverse functions and niches, including N-fixers, nitrite reducers, and mycorrhizae, while only two N-cycling genera were associated with BF. Thus, CC can enhance the soil biodiversity of simplified cropping systems and reduce nitrate leaching, but might increase the risk of nitrous oxide emission without proper nutrient management. This primary information is the first of its kind in this system and provided valuable insights into the limits and potential of CC as a strategy to improve soil health.Fil: Kim, Nakian. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Riggins, Chance W.. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Zabaloy, Maria Celina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Allegrini, Marco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Zas, Sandra L.. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Villamil, Maria Bonita. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados Unido

Soil Microbial Indicators within Rotations and Tillage Systems

Recent advancements in agricultural metagenomics allow for characterizing microbial indicators of soil health brought on by changes in management decisions, which ultimately affect the soil environment. Field-scale studies investigating the microbial taxa from agricultural experiments are sparse, with none investigating the long-term effect of crop rotation and tillage on microbial indicator species. Therefore, our goal was to determine the effect of rotations (continuous corn, CCC; continuous soybean, SSS; and each phase of a corn-soybean rotation, Cs and Sc) and tillage (no-till, NT; and chisel tillage, T) on the soil microbial community composition following 20 years of management. We found that crop rotation and tillage influence the soil environment by altering key soil properties, such as pH and soil organic matter (SOM). Monoculture corn lowered pH compared to SSS (5.9 vs. 6.9, respectively) but increased SOM (5.4% vs. 4.6%, respectively). Bacterial indicator microbes were categorized into two groups: SOM dependent and acidophile vs. N adverse and neutrophile. Fungi preferred the CCC rotation, characterized by low pH. Archaeal indicators were mainly ammonia oxidizers with species occupying niches at contrasting pHs. Numerous indicator microbes are involved with N cycling due to the fertilizer-rich environment, prone to aquatic or gaseous losses.Fil: Behnke, Gevan D.. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Kim, Nakian. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Zabaloy, Maria Celina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Riggins, Chance W.. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Rodriguez Zas, Sandra. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Villamil, Maria Bonita. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A Longitudinal Study of the Microbial Basis of Nitrous Oxide Emissions Within a Long-Term Agricultural Experiment

Much of the global nitrous oxide emissions are derived from agricultural management driving microbial N transformations. Crop rotation, no-till, and cover cropping are feasible conservation agronomic strategies used to prevent N losses to the environment, though their effect on soil microbial N cycling at the field scale remains relatively unknown. Our goal was to determine the effect of crop rotation (continuous corn [Zea mays L.], CCC; and continuous soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], SSS), tillage (no-till, NT; and chisel tillage, T), and cover crops (cover crop mixture, CC; and no cover crop, NCC) on the quantification of functional genes related to the N cycle from different times throughout the growing season. The study was conducted during the growing season of the cash crops following the first season of cover crops introduced after 23 years of management. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques, we quantified nifH (N2 fixation), amoA (nitrification) and nirK, nirS, and nosZ (denitrification). Our results show that CCC increased nitrous oxide emissions by 44% compared to SSS and reduced soil pH by nearly 1 unit. The reduction in soil pH, coupled with an increase in fertilizer-derived ammonium, caused ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nirK copy numbers to increase. The SSS rotation showed opposite results. Bacterial denitrification via the nirK pathway was likely the N cycle mechanism behind nitrous oxide emissions in CCC. The cover crop mixture of cereal rye [Secale cereale L.] and hairy vetch [Vicia villosa Roth] reduced soil nitrate levels, though they did increase nitrous oxide emissions, likely due to priming and the inclusion of a legume in the cover crop mixture. Nitrous oxide emissions were affected by sampling date, crop rotation, and cover crop use, suggesting management factors that add abundantly available N alter the microbial N cycle directly or indirectly. Chisel tillage increased the abundance of all N cycle genes compared to no-till. Together, our work adds further insight into the microbial N cycle, especially nitrous oxide evolution, from three common conservation agricultural management practices, contributing to our understanding of key soil biogeochemical processes.Fil: Behnke, Gevan D.. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Kim, Nakian. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Riggins, Chance W.. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Zabaloy, Maria Celina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Zas, Sandra L.. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Villamil, Maria Bonita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados Unido

Hyperacute Incidental Late Myocardial Enhancement in Ischemic Stroke Using Chest Spectral CT: Relationship with Etiology

Background: Hyperacute cardiac imaging of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), though desirable, is impractical. Using delayed-enhancement, low-dose, non-gated, chest spectral computed tomography scans (DESCT), we explored the prevalence and patterns of incidental myocardial late iodine enhancement (LIE) and embolic sources, and their relationship with stroke etiology. Methods: Since July 2020, DESCT was performed after cerebrovascular CT angiography (CTA) among patients with suspected AIS undergoing CT using a dual-layer spectral scanner, without additional contrast administration. Images were analyzed using monoenergetic reconstructions and iodine density maps, and the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV, %) was calculated. Results: Eighty patients with AIS were included. DESCT identified a cardiac thrombi in 6 patients (7.5%), and a complex aortic plaque in 4 (5%) cases; reclassifying 5 embolic strokes of uncertain source (28% of ESUS) to cardioembolic (CE, n = 3) and non-CE (n = 2) etiologies. LIE was identified in 38 (48%) patients, most commonly (82%) of ischemic pattern. We did not identify significant relationships between AIS etiology and the presence, pattern, and extent of LIE (p > 0.05); ECV (p = 0.56), severe aortic (p = 0.25) or valvular (p = 0.26) disease, or the extent of coronary calcification (p = 0.39). Patients with evidence of major cardiovascular DESCT findings had higher rates of all-cause death at 90 days (42% vs. 19%, p = 0.037). Conclusions: In this study, hyperacute cardiac imaging of AIS with DESCT identified a high prevalence of incidental cardiac disease predominantly involving LIE of ischemic etiology and mostly not related to the stroke etiology.Fil: Rodriguez Granillo, Gaston Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini". Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional; Argentina. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Cirio, Juan J.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Ciardi, Celina. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Caballero, Maria L.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Fontana, Lucia A.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Buezas, Mariano D.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Diluca, Pablo. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Lylyk, Pedro. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; Argentin

Modulation of Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in overweight type 1 Diabetes patients participating in a lifestyle change program

Resumen: Introducción: La reducción en la expresión de marcadores inflamatorios y de estrés oxidativo asociado con el ejercicio podría proteger contra las complicaciones cardiovasculares de la diabetes mellitus (DM). Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar en pacientes con DM tipo1 (DMT1) y sobrepeso, la capacidad cardiorespiratoria (VO2max), la expresión sérica de marcadores inflamatorios (IL-6 y MCP-1) y la peroxidación lipídica sérica (TBARS), luego de participar por 6 meses de un programa de cambios de estilo de vida. Resultados: Veinte pacientes adultos (43.3 ± 13.8 años), de ambos sexos, con un Índice de Masa Corporal de 29.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2, HbA1c inicial de 7,9% ± 0,91, en tratamiento con inyecciones múltiples de insulina participaron del estudio. Se indicó: 1) caminar 10.000 pasos/día, 2) realizar en domicilio una secuencia de ejercicios de 20 minutos, 3-5 veces/semana, 3) plato saludable (consumo de 1 fruta antes de las 3 comidas principales), 4) Insulina prandial según glucemia y conteo de carbohidratos. Se registraron parámetros antropométricos, presión arterial, se determinó VO2max, y se midieron los niveles séricos de HbA1c, IL6, MCP-1 y TBARs. Luego de seis meses, los participantes alcanzaron un número promedio de pasos de 8242 ± 1834 y mostraron un aumento significativo en VO2max, (33.4 ±1.3 vs 36.2 ±1.5 ml.Kg-1.min-1 p= 0.008). Además, se encontró una disminución significativa de MCP-1 (314 ±42 vs 235 ±43 MFI p= 0.02) y TBARs (3.01 ±0.44 vs 2.12 ±0.22 μmol/mL p= 0.015) en comparación con el día 0. No se observaron modificaciones en los niveles de IL-6 y HbA1c. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados demuestran que el ejercicio, implementado como un plan accesible y acompañado, es adecuado para reducir los riesgos de inflamación y estado pro-oxidativo en pacientes con DM tipo1.Introduction: Reduction in the expression of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress associated with exercise will protect against cardiovascular complications in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Aim: The aim of this study was evaluated cardiovascular fitness (VO2Max), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and serum lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in overweight patients with Type-1 diabetes (T1DM) participating in a lifestyle-change program. Results: 20 T1DM overweight patients (43.3 ± 13.8 years), with BMI= 29.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2, initial HbA1c 7.9 ± 0.91% and treated with multiple insulin injections, were included in this work. The lifestyle-change program consisted of: a) walking 10,000 steps/day, b) sequence of exercises of 24 minutes, 3-5 times/week, c) ¨healthy-plate¨ (and counting carbohydrates, and d) prandial insulin as blood-glucose levels. VO2max, HbA1c, TBARS, IL6, MCP-1 were determined before starting the lifestyle-change program. Six months of adherence later, participants showed an average number of steps of 8242 ± 1834, a significant increase in VO2max, (33.4 ±1.3 vs 36.2 ±1.5 ml.Kg-1.min-1 p= 0.008), a significant decrease in serum MCP-1 (314 ±42 vs 235 ±43 MFI p= 0.02), and less TBARS (3.01 ±0.44 vs 2.12 ±0.22 μmol/mL p= 0.015). IL-6 and HbA1c showed no significant decrease. Conclusion: Our results showed that a 6-month systemized and simple exercise plan improves cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and reduces both circulating oxidative stress and inflammation markers in overweight patients with T1DM.Fil: Cicchitti, A. Hospital Universitario; ArgentinaFil: Quesada, I. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Cejas, Jimena Beatríz. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Bertona, C. Hospital Universitario; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, J. Hospital Universitario; ArgentinaFil: Rosales,W. Hospital Universitario; ArgentinaFil: Esteves,G. Hospital Universitario; ArgentinaFil: Minuchin, G. Hospital Universitario; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, GM. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Claudia Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

Immunohistochemical expression of types I and III collagen antibodies in the temporomandibular joint disc of human foetuses

The objective was to study the morphology of the articular disc and analyse the immunohistochemical expression of types I and III collagen markers in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc of human foetuses of different gestational ages. Twenty TMJ from human foetuses supplied by Universidade Federal de Uberaba with gestational ages from 17 to 24 weeks were studied. the gestational age of the foetuses was determined by measuring the crown-rump (CR) length. Macroscopically, the foetuses were fixed in 10% formalin solution and dissected by removing the skin and subcutaneous tissue and exposing the deep structures. Immunohistochemical markers of type I and III were used to characterize the existence of collagen fibres. Analysis of the immunohistochemical markers of types I and III collagen revealed the presence of heterotypical fibril networks.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morfol & Genet, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Patol, Lab Patol Mol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilSanta Casa São Paulo, Dept Ciencias Patol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Complutense Madrid, Dept Anat & Embryol 2, E-28040 Madrid, SpainUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morfol & Genet, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Patol, Lab Patol Mol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc