Search for partial resistance to leaf rust in a collection of ancient Spanish wheats

A collection of 917 accessions of Spanish durum and bread wheat was screened for resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) under field conditions at three locations. Resistance levels ranged from very low to very high, high susceptibility being most frequent. Relative disease severity (referred to the most susceptible accession = 100 %) was lower than 20 % in about 6 % of the accessions in each location. In the collection most of the lines (84 %)displayed a susceptible infection type. A final selection of seven accessions (one of them durum) displaying low severity level in the field and high infection type in a growth chamber was chosen for further studies. High levels of partial resistant with longer latency period and high percentage of early aborted colonies without necrosis were found. They might be used in breeding programmes

Photosystem II Repair Cycle in Faba Bean May Play a Role in Its Resistance to Botrytis fabae Infection

Chocolate spot, which is caused by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis fabae, is a major foliar disease occurring worldwide and dramatically reducing crop yields in faba bean (Vicia faba). Although chemical control of this disease is an option, it has serious economic and environmental drawbacks that make resistant cultivars a more sensible choice. The molecular mechanisms behind the defense against B. fabae are poorly understood. In this work, we studied the leave proteome in two faba bean genotypes that respond differently to B. fabae in order to expand the available knowledge on such mechanisms. For this purpose, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) in combination with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI-TOF/TOF). Univariate statistical analysis of the gels revealed 194 differential protein spots, 102 of which were identified by mass spectrometry. Most of the spots belonged to proteins in the energy and primary metabolism, degradation, redox or response to stress functional groups. The MS results were validated with assays of protease activity in gels. Overall, they suggest that the two genotypes may respond to B. fabae with a different PSII protein repair cycle mechanism in the chloroplast. The differences in resistance to B. fabae may be the result of a metabolic imbalance in the susceptible genotype and of a more efficient chloroplast detoxification system in the resistant genotype at the early stages of infection

Impact of a new palliative care consultation team on opioid prescription in a University Hospital

There are no validated measuring tools to gauge the effectiveness of a Hospital Palliative Care Consultation Team (PCCT). One way would be to consider its effect on the consumption of opioids expressed in total amounts and different formulations administered. We perform this study to evaluate the impact of a hospital PCCT on the trends of opioid prescription in a University Hospital. Methods: A seven year retrospective study on opioid prescription was carried out in the Clínica Universidad de Navarra. The period includes three years before and three years after the PCCT was implemented. Prescription was analysed calculating yearly the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) adjusted to 1000 hospital stays (DDD/1000HS). Indicators considered were the proportion of patients treated using opioids compared to the total estimated in need of treatment (rate of effectiveness) and the proportion of patients potentially requiring opioids but not treated who were incorporated into the treatment group (rate of improvement). Results: From 2001 to 2007, total opioid prescription was low in non-oncology Departments (range: 69–110 DDD/1000HS) while parenteral morphine and fentanyl did not register any changes. In the same period of time, total opioid prescription increased in the Oncology Department from 240 to 558 DDD/1000HS. The rate of effectiveness in the three years prior to the implantation of the consultation team was 64% and in the three following years rose to 87%. The rate of improvement prior to the palliative care consultation team was 43% and in the three following years was 64%. A change in opioid prescription was registered after the implementation of the PCCT resulting in an increase in the prescription of parenteral morphine and methadone and a decrease in transdermal fentanyl. Conclusion: Implementation of a PCCT in a University Hospital is associated with a higher and more adequate use of opioids

Compromised Photosynthetic Electron Flow and H2O2 Generation Correlate with Genotype-Specific Stomatal Dysfunctions during Resistance against Powdery Mildew in Oats

Stomatal dysfunction known as "locking" has been linked to the elicitation of a hypersensitive response (HR) following attack of fungal pathogens in cereals. We here assess how spatial and temporal patterns of different resistance mechanisms, such as HR and penetration resistance influence stomatal and photosynthetic parameters in oat (Avena sativa) and the possible involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the dysfunctions observed. Four oat cultivars with differential resistance responses (i.e., penetration resistance, early and late HR) to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae, Bga) were used. Results demonstrated that stomatal dysfunctions were genotype but not response-type dependent since genotypes with similar resistance responses when assessed histologically showed very different locking patterns. Maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) of photosystem II were compromised in most Bga-oat interactions and photoinhibition increased. However, the extent of the photosynthetic alterations was not directly related to the extent of HR. H2O2 generation is triggered during the execution of resistance responses and can influence stomatal function. Artificially increasing H2O2 by exposing plants to increased light intensity further reduced Fv/Fm ratios and augmented the patterns of stomatal dysfunctions previously observed. The latter results suggest that the observed dysfunctions and hence a cost of resistance may be linked with oxidative stress occurring during defense induced photosynthetic disruption

Prototipo de simulador de tráfico vehicular

Durante las últimas décadas se ha visto un notable crecimiento en las investigaciones dedicadas a solucionar distintos problemas de transporte. Dentro de estos problemas, el desarrollo de sistemas de control vehicular se ha convertido en uno de los más estudiados. Este aumento de interés en los problemas de tránsito se debe al creciente aumento de vehículos, lo cual produce serios problemas de congestión en centros urbanos, además de efectos nocivos cada vez más notorios. En la siguiente sección se describen los distintos modelos existentes para la representación del flujo vehicular. En la sección 3 se mencionan las modificaciones que se realizaron a dichos métodos sobre la base del modelo car-following para representar la dinámica de los vehículos. En la sección 4 se describe la manera de modelar la red de transporte. En la sección 5 se describe la representación gráfica implementada para visualizar el comportamiento del modelo de simulación. Finalmente, en la sección 6 se presentan las conclusiones y posibles trabajos futuros.Eje: Computación Gráfica, Visualización e ImágenesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Oceanic Island forests buried by Holocene (Meghalayan) explosive eruptions: palaeobiodiversity in pre-anthropic volcanic charcoal from Faial Island (Azores, Portugal) and its palaeoecological implications

In Faial Island (Azores Archipelago, North Atlantic Ocean), charcoalified and mummified wood fossils have been reported within late Holocene (Meghalayan) pyroclastic deposits from the Caldeira Formation. Due to their re cent age, a detailed study conveys a snapshot into Azorean palaeophytodiversity and palaeovegetation, ca. 7–5 centuries before the arrival of Portuguese settlers to the Azores Islands. Here we provide the first detailed ana tomical and taxonomical study of these wood fossils. In total, 41 samples were collected from seven localities, mainly from a ~1200 yr BP ignimbrite. Field work revealed autochthonous and paraautochthonous assemblages, with tree trunks in upright position. The anatomical study of the fossil woods resulted in the identification of Juniperus brevifolia, Laurus azorica, Myrsine retusa, Morella faya, Picconia azorica, Prunus lusitanica subsp. azorica, and Vaccinium cylindraceum. Two fossil assemblages are comparable to the proposed potential natural vegetation (PNV) for the Azores. Surprisingly, P. lusitanica subsp. azorica was the second most abundant fossil wood suggest ing that this tree was more abundant in a recent past in Faial Island and probably in the archipelago. This is cor roborated by historical accounts, and its modern scarcity was certainly anthropically driven. Identifying Holocene plant macrofossils is essential to properly reconstruct oceanic islands terrestrial palaeoecosystems, especially where forests with high percentage of entomophilous taxa are underrepresented in palaeopalynological limnic record. Further work is necessary to reconstruct Faial Island and Azores archipelago palaeovegetation which is essential to provide an ecosystem base-line for restoration and management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prototipo de simulador de tráfico vehicular

Durante las últimas décadas se ha visto un notable crecimiento en las investigaciones dedicadas a solucionar distintos problemas de transporte. Dentro de estos problemas, el desarrollo de sistemas de control vehicular se ha convertido en uno de los más estudiados. Este aumento de interés en los problemas de tránsito se debe al creciente aumento de vehículos, lo cual produce serios problemas de congestión en centros urbanos, además de efectos nocivos cada vez más notorios. En la siguiente sección se describen los distintos modelos existentes para la representación del flujo vehicular. En la sección 3 se mencionan las modificaciones que se realizaron a dichos métodos sobre la base del modelo car-following para representar la dinámica de los vehículos. En la sección 4 se describe la manera de modelar la red de transporte. En la sección 5 se describe la representación gráfica implementada para visualizar el comportamiento del modelo de simulación. Finalmente, en la sección 6 se presentan las conclusiones y posibles trabajos futuros.Eje: Computación Gráfica, Visualización e ImágenesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI