Phenotypic and molecular characterization of plants regenerated from non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved wild Solanum lycopersicum Mill. seeds

BACKGROUND: Before cryopreservation is routinely used, its effect on the trueness-to-type of the regenerated plant material needs to be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: In this work, we studied the effect of seed cryopreservation on the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of wild Solanum lycopersicum Mill. plants. METHODS: Thirty-five morphological traits of plants regenerated from cryopreserved seeds were compared to those measured on plants regenerated from non-cryopreserved seeds. RESULT: No statistically significant differences were observed between cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved samples, either in the first or in the second generation post-liquid nitrogen exposure. However, at the molecular level, the genetic analyses performed on the second generation plants germinated from control and cryopreserved seeds using 14 nuclear Simple Sequences Repeats (SSR) markers uncovered some changes in microsatellite length between control and cryopreserved samples. These results confirm at the botanical phenotype level the effectiveness of seed cryostorage for conservation and regeneration of true-to-type S. lycopersicum plants. CONCLUSION: Further experiments are required to clarify potential phenotypic effects of the changes observed in the DNA

Endomicroscopic and transcriptomic analysis of impaired barrier function and malabsorption in environmental enteropathy

Introduction: Environmental enteropathy (EE) is associated with growth failure, micronutrient malabsorption and impaired responses to oral vaccines. We set out to define cellular mechanisms of impaired barrier function in EE and explore protective mechanisms. Methods: We studied 49 adults with environmental enteropathy in Lusaka, Zambia using confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE); histology, immunohistochemistry and mRNA sequencing of small intestinal biopsies; and correlated these with plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a zinc uptake test. Results: CLE images (median 134 for each study) showed virtually ubiquitous small intestinal damage. Epithelial defects, imaged by histology and claudin 4 immunostaining, were predominantly seen at the tips of villi and corresponded with leakage imaged in vivo by CLE. In multivariate analysis, circulating log-transformed LPS was correlated with cell shedding events (β = 0.83; P = 0.035) and with serum glucagon-like peptide-2 (β = -0.13; P = 0.007). Zinc uptake from a test dose of 25mg was attenuated in 30/47 (64%) individuals and in multivariate analysis was reduced by HIV, but positively correlated with GLP-2 (β = 2.72; P = 0.03). There was a U-shaped relationship between circulating LPS and villus surface area. Transcriptomic analysis identified 23 differentially expressed genes in severe enteropathy, including protective peptides and proteins. Conclusions: Confocal endomicroscopy, claudin 4 immunostaining and histology identify epithelial defects which are probably sites of bacterial translocation, in the presence of which increased epithelial surface area increases the burden of translocation. GLP 2 and other protective peptides may play an important role in mucosal protection in EE

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: The New Frontier of Gluten Related Disorders

Non Celiac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) was originally described in the 1980s and recently a “re-discovered” disorder characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing food, in subjects that are not affected with either celiac disease (CD) or wheat allergy (WA). Although NCGS frequency is still unclear, epidemiological data have been generated that can help establishing the magnitude of the problem. Clinical studies further defined the identity of NCGS and its implications in human disease. An overlap between the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and NCGS has been detected, requiring even more stringent diagnostic criteria. Several studies suggested a relationship between NCGS and neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly autism and schizophrenia. The first case reports of NCGS in children have been described. Lack of biomarkers is still a major limitation of clinical studies, making it difficult to differentiate NCGS from other gluten related disorders. Recent studies raised the possibility that, beside gluten, wheat amylase-trypsin inhibitors and low-fermentable, poorly-absorbed, short-chain carbohydrates can contribute to symptoms (at least those related to IBS) experienced by NCGS patients. In this paper we report the major advances and current trends on NCG

Mixed Th1 and Th2 Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cell responses in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis from Tanzania.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and helminth infections elicit antagonistic immune effector functions and are co-endemic in several regions of the world. We therefore hypothesized that helminth infection may influence Mtb-specific T-cell immune responses. We evaluated the cytokine profile of Mtb-specific T cells in 72 individuals with pulmonary TB disease recruited from two Sub-Saharan regions with high and moderate helminth burden i.e. 55 from Tanzania (TZ) and 17 from South Africa (SA), respectively. We showed that Mtb-specific CD4 T-cell functional profile of TB patients from Tanzania are primarily composed of polyfunctional Th1 and Th2 cells, associated with increased expression of Gata-3 and reduced expression of T-bet in memory CD4 T cells. In contrast, the cytokine profile of Mtb-specific CD4 T cells of TB patients from SA was dominated by single IFN-γ and dual IFN-γ/TNF-α and associated with TB-induced systemic inflammation and elevated serum levels of type I IFNs. Of note, the proportion of patients with Mtb-specific CD8 T cells was significantly reduced in Mtb/helminth co-infected patients from TZ. It is likely that the underlying helminth infection and possibly genetic and other unknown environmental factors may have caused the induction of mixed Th1/Th2 Mtb-specific CD4 T cell responses in patients from TZ. Taken together, these results indicate that the generation of Mtb-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses may be substantially influenced by environmental factors in vivo. These observations may have major impact in the identification of immune biomarkers of disease status and correlates of protection

Factores asociados a resultados funcionales en pacientes con ictus isquémico tratados con trombolisis endovenosa en un hospital del Perú.

Objective: To describe the treatment of acute ischemic strokes with intravenous rtPA and determine the factors associated with the functional outcomes of patients treated with thrombolysis in a Peruvian hospital. Material and Methods: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients with ischemic stroke who received rtPA over a period of 3 years was performed. The association of demographic and clinical data with functional status was assessed 3 months after the intervention. Simple and multivariate Poisson regression models were performed to evaluate associations with functional prognosis, and Relative Risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as a measure of association. Results: During the study period, 74 patients (1.19% of the total) received IV thrombolysis, and 68.18% of them achieved functional independence (mRS 0-2) at 90 days. We found a mortality of 6%, an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) rate of 3%. Glycemia >140 mg/dl (OR 5.12; 1.31-20.02; p = 0.019), and posterior circulation infarcts (OR 7.47; 1.01-55.15; p = 0,04) were associated with an increased risk of functional dependency. Conclusions: In the studied cohort, most of the patients who underwent thrombolytic therapy achieved a functional independence at 3 months. Hyperglycemia (>140gr/dl) and vertebro-basilar infarcts were associated with an increased risk of functional dependenceObjetivo: Describir el tratamiento del ictus isquémico agudo con reperfusión endovenosa y determinar los factores asociados al rendimiento funcional de pacientes sometidos a trombolisis en un hospital peruano. Material y Métodos: Estudio prospectivo y longitudinal de una cohorte de pacientes con ictus isquémico que recibieron rtPA en un periodo de 3 años. Se evaluó la relación entre datos demográficos y clínicos y el estado funcional a los 3 meses de la intervención. La asociación del pronóstico funcional se valoró mediante el modelo de regresión simple y multivariado de Poisson, y el Riesgo Relativo (RR) con un intervalo de confianza (IC) al 95%, como medida de asociación. Resultados. Durante el periodo del estudio, 74 pacientes (1.19% del total) recibieron el tratamiento. El  68,18% logró independencia funcional (mRS 0-2) a los 90 días. La mortalidad fue de 6 % y un 3% mostró hemorragia intracerebral (HIC). Glicemia >140 mg/dl (OR 5,12; 1,31-20,02; p=0,019) e infarto de tipo posterior (OR 7,47; 1,01-55,15; p =0,04) se asociaron a un mayor riesgo de dependencia funcional. Conclusiones: En la cohorte estudiada, la mayoría de los pacientes alcanzaron independencia funcional a los 3 meses de tratamiento trombolítico. La hiperglicemia (>140gr/dl) y el infarto vertebro-basilar se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de dependencia funcional

Efecto de las prácticas culturales de desflore y desmane sobre el rendimiento y calidad del plátano Hartón en el sur del lago de Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Debido a la importancia del cultivo del plátano en Venezuela y la inquietud de los productores en la realización o no de algunas prácticas en el cultivo, se realizó este estudio, con el objetivo de determinar el efecto de las prácticas culturales desflore y desmane en el rendimiento y calidad visual del plátano (Musa AAB cv. Hartón). En este sentido se condujo un ensayo en la Estación Experimental del Centro Socialista de Investigaciones y Desarrollo del Plátano (CESIDPLATANO) ubicado en el Sur del Lago de Maracaibo, en el municipio Francisco Javier Pulgar del estado Zulia, Venezuela. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar, con seis repeticiones. Se evaluó un total de 6 tratamientos: T1: Testigo, T2: Desflore, T3: Desmane, T4: Desmane +1, T5: Desmane + Desflore, T6: Desflore + Desmane + 1. Los análisis no mostraron diferencias significativas para las variables en estudio, estos resultados sugieren que las prácticas culturales de desflore y desmane no afectan los rendimientos ni calidad visual del racimo de plátano Hartón. Éstas prácticas no mejoran el aspecto general del fruto, el largo de los dedos ni la masa del racimo. Su aplicación en el cultivo se hace innecesaria e improductiva ya que aumenta los costos de producción. Se recomienda seguir realizando ensayos con otras prácticas para detallar aún más la naturaleza y el efecto de cada una de ellas, con el fin de crear las bases con criterios adaptables a cada zona productora de este rubro para garantizar el éxito en la producción

Evidence of the effect of strong stripping channels on the dynamics of the 8 Li + 58Ni reaction

The 8 Li + 58Ni collision is investigated at 23.9, 26.1, 28.7, and 30 MeV bombarding energies. Quasielastic angular distributions and the singles 7 Li angular and energy distributions are presented. Coupled-reaction channels (CRC) calculations, which include the coupling of the elastic channel to 59Ni = 58Ni + n states above and below the neutron threshold, provide a simultaneous description of the quasielastic and transfer distributions and evidence the strong effect of the one-neutron transfer/breakup channels on the quasielastic scattering. The 7 Li angular and energy distributions have been also successfully analyzed combining the continuum discretized coupled channels (CDCC) method, for the elastic breakup, and the IAV model of Ichimura, Austern, and Vincent [Phys. Rev. C 32, 431 (1985)], for the nonelastic breakup. These calculations indicate that most of the 7 Li yields are due to nonelastic breakup contributions (transfer), whereas elastic breakup plays a minor role.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, FAPESP (Brazil), Contratos No. 2019/02759-0, No. 2019/07767-1, No. 2016/17612-7 y No. 2013/22100-7Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nével Superior, Brasil (CAPES), código de financiación: 88887.355019/2019Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España. proyecto No. FIS2017-88410-PFondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)Programa Horizon 2020 de la Unión Europea No. 65400

Safety and efficacy of balloon-mounted stent in the treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease: a multicenter experience

Background Randomized clinical trials have failed to prove that the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is better than that of medical management. A recent study using a self-expandable stent showed acceptable lower rates of periprocedural complications. Objective To study the safety and efficacy of a balloon-mounted stent (BMS) in the treatment of symptomatic ICAD. Methods Prospectively maintained databases from 15 neuroendovascular centers between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed. Patients were included if they had severe symptomatic intracranial stenosis in the target artery, medical management had failed, and they underwent intracranial stenting with BMS after 24 hours of the qualifying event. The primary outcome was the occurrence of stroke and mortality within 72 hours after the procedure. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and mortality on long-term follow-up. Results A total of 232 patients were eligible for the analysis (mean age 62.8 years, 34.1% female). The intracranial stenotic lesions were located in the anterior circulation in 135 (58.2%) cases. Recurrent stroke was the qualifying event in 165 (71.1%) while recurrent TIA was identified in 67 (28.9%) cases. The median (IQR) time from the qualifying event to stenting was 5 (2–20.75) days. Strokes were reported in 13 (5.6%) patients within 72 hours of the procedure; 9 (3.9%) ischemic and 4 (1.7%) hemorrhagic, and mortality in 2 (0.9%) cases. Among 189 patients with median follow-up time 6 (3–14.5) months, 12 (6.3%) had TIA and 7 (3.7%) had strokes. Three patients (1.6%) died from causes not related to stroke. Conclusion Our study has shown that BMS may be a safe and effective treatment for medically refractory symptomatic ICAD. Additional prospective randomized clinical trials are warranted

Absence of ferromagnetic order in high quality bulk Co-doped ZnO samples

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Bulk Zn(1-x)Co(x)O samples were synthesized via standard solid-state reaction route with different Co molar concentrations up to 21%. A detailed microstructural analysis was carried out to investigate alternative sources of ferromagnetism, such as secondary phases and nanocrystals embedded in the bulk material. Conjugating different techniques we confirmed the Zn replacement by Co ions in the wurtzite ZnO structure, which retains, however, a high crystalline quality. No segregated secondary phases neither Co-rich nanocrystals were detected. Superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry demonstrates a paramagnetic Curie-Weiss behavior with antiferromagnetic interactions. We discuss the observed room temperature paramagnetism of our samples considering the current models for the magnetic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3459885]1083FAPEMIGConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPEMIG_BrasilCNPq_BrasilFAPESP_Brasi

Spin-orbit effects in the 8Li+58Ni elastic scattering

In this work we present an elastic scattering angular distribution for the 8Li+58Ni system measured at Elab = 26.1 MeV. The 8Li beam was produced in the Radioactive Ion Beams in Brasil (RIBRAS) facility using the 7Li primary beam delivered by the 8-UD Pelletron accelerator. The angular distribution covers the angular range from 20 to 85 degrees in the center of mass frame. The data have been analysed by optical model and coupled channels calculations, including couplings to low-lying states in 8Li and the spin-orbit interaction. Our results indicate that the inclusion of the spin-orbit interaction in the calculations is important to describe the data at backward angles.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) y Funda¸c˜ao de Amparo `a Pesquisa do Estado de S˜ao Paulo (FAPESP)013/22100-7 y 2016/17612-7Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior de Brasil (CAPES) y Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)-013/22100-7 y 2016/17612-