Root knot nematodes (RKNs) penetrate into the root vascular cylinder, triggering morphogenetic changes to induce galls, de novo formed ‘pseudo-organs’ containing several giant cells (GCs). ...Distinctive gene repression events observed in early gall/GCs development are thought to be mediated by post-transcriptional silencing via microRNAs (miRNAs), a process that is far from being fully characterized.
Arabidopsis thaliana backgrounds with altered activities based on target 35S:: MIMICRY172 (MIM172), 35S::TARGET OF EARLY ACTIVATION TAGGED 1 (TOE1)-miR172-resistant (35S::TOE1
R) and mutant (flowering locus T-10 (ft-10)) lines were used for functional analysis of nematode infective and reproductive parameters. The GUS-reporter lines, MIR172A–E::GUS, treated with auxin (IAA) and an auxin-inhibitor (a-(phenyl ethyl-2-one)-indole-3-acetic acid (PEO-IAA)), together with the MIR172C AuxRE::GUS line with two
mutated auxin responsive elements (AuxREs), were assayed for nematode-dependent gene expression.
Arabidopsis thaliana backgrounds with altered expression of miRNA172, TOE1 or FT showed lower susceptibility to the RKNs and smaller galls and GCs. MIR172C–D::GUS showed restricted promoter activity in galls/GCs that was regulated by auxins through auxin-responsive factors. IAA induced their activity in galls while PEO-IAA treatment and mutations in AuxRe motifs abolished it.
The results showed that the regulatory module miRNA172/TOE1/FT plays an important role in correct GCs and gall development, where miRNA172 is modulated by auxins.
Thin-film PV modules grown on flexible, light weight, thermally stable and low cost substrates such as stainless steel foil, are an attractive product for solar market applications. When metal foils ...are used as substrate, it is essential to deposit a dielectric barrier layer to isolate electrically and chemically the thin-film solar cells from the substrate. In this work, SiOx stacks deposited on ‘rough’ stainless steel by a combination of a new sol-gel formulation and a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) deposition step are reported as a suitable dielectric barrier layer candidate. Using these SiOx multilayers, a smooth and homogeneous film was achieved. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that back contact of the solar cell (based on Molybdenum) is not affected by the presence of the barrier layer. Moreover, according to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) measurements, this approach led to excellent barrier layer properties against the diffusion of impurities from the stainless steel. A complete electrical characterization of these dielectric barrier layers was also carried out showing good electrical insulation.
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•Dielectric barrier layer for flexible metallic substrates has been developed.•SiOx based on sol-gel process showed a novel chemical formulation.•The dielectric double barrier layer (PECVD & solgel) exhibits a breakdown voltage about 1000V for a 4μm thick stack.•Dielectric barrier layer was capable to reduce the surface roughness by 40–50%.
Fungal metabolites are promising alternatives for the development of biorational pesticides. In this sense, microfungi from tropical regions are valuable sources of natural compounds for pest ...management. With the aim of broadening the search for new eco-friendly products to manage plant pests, this study was carried out to evaluate the biological activity of 23 tropical fungal extracts on three species of phytophagous insects and a plant parasitic nematode. In addition, the active principles of the most effective extract were identified. The insect deterrent activity of fungal extracts was evaluated on the settling of aphids Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi, and on the feeding of lepidoptera larva Spodoptera littoralis; the nematostatic activity was evaluated on the mobility of Meloidogyne javanica. Active metabolites from Gliomastix masseei were identified by GC–MS techniques and by comparison with commercial standards. Results showed seven extracts with strong effect on the settling of M. persicae and R. padi (settling inhibition >80%). The calculated median of effective concentration (EC50) values ranged from 8 to 38μg/cm2 for the extracts of Clonostachys rosea and G. masseei, respectively. Bioassay-guided separation of the ethyl acetate extract of G. masseei revealed the presence of fatty acids and their derivatives, where methyl 9-octadecenoate was the most active compound with EC50 values of 16μg and 35μg/cm2 for M. persicae and R. padi, respectively. Extracts of C. rosea and G. masseei could be a promising option in the control of pest aphids in agriculture.
Los metabolitos fúngicos son agentes prometedores para el desarrollo de plaguicidas biorracionales. En este sentido, los hongos microscópicos de zonas tropicales representan una valiosa fuente de compuestos naturales para el manejo de plagas. Con la finalidad de ampliar la investigación en productos amigables con el medio ambiente, en este estudio se evaluó la actividad biológica de 23 extractos de hongos sobre 3 especies de insectos fitófagos y un nematodo fitoparásito; además se identificaron los componentes del extracto más activo. El efecto disuasivo de los extractos fúngicos se evaluó en el asentamiento de Myzus persicae y Rhopalosiphum padi, así como en la alimentación de Spodoptera littoralis; la actividad nematostática se evaluó sobre la movilidad de Meloidogyne javanica. Los metabolitos activos de Gliomastix masseei se identificaron por cromatografía de gases-espectrometría de masas y por comparación con muestras comerciales. Los resultados mostraron 7 extractos con fuerte efecto en la inhibición del asentamiento (> 80%) de M. persicae y R. padi. Los valores de la concentración efectiva media (CE50) estuvieron en el rango de 8 a 38μg/cm2 para los extractos de Clonostachys rosea y G. masseei, respectivamente. El extracto de acetato de etilo de G. masseei se fraccionó por un proceso biodirigido y reveló la presencia de ácidos grasos y sus derivados, donde el 9-octadecenoato de metilo fue el más activo, con una CE50 de 16μg/cm2 para M. persicae y 35μg/cm2 para R. padi. Los extractos fúngicos de C. rosea y G. masseei pueden ser una alternativa promisoria en el control de áfidos que son plaga en la agricultura.
Root knot nematodes (RKNs) penetrate into the root vascular cylinder triggering morphogenetic changes to induce galls,
de novo
formed ‘pseudo-organs’ containing several giant cells (GCs). Distinctive ...gene repression events observed in early gall/GCs development is thought to be mediated by post-transcriptional silencing
via
-miRNAs, a process far from being fully characterized.
Arabidopsis
backgrounds with altered activities based on target MIMICRY (
35S::MIM172
), 35S::TOE1-miR172-resistant (
35S::TOE1
R
) and mutant (
ft-10
) lines, were used for functional analysis of nematode infective and reproductive parameters. GUS-reporter lines,
MIR172A-E::GUS
, auxin (IAA) and auxin-inhibitor (PEO-IAA) treatments, as well as a
MIR172C
AuxRE−
::GUS
line with two mutated auxin responsive elements (
AuxREs
) were assayed for nematode-dependent gene expression.
Arabidopsis
backgrounds with altered expression of either MIRNA172,
TARGET OF EAT1
(
TOE1
), and
FLOWERING LOCUS T
(
FT
), showed lower susceptibility to the RKNs and smaller feeding sites, galls/GCs.
MIR172C-D::GUS
showed restricted activity in galls/GCs that is regulated by auxins through auxin responsive factors. IAA induced their activity in galls while PEO-IAA treatment and mutations in
AuxRe
motifs abolished it.
The results show that the activity of the regulatory module
miRNA172/TOE1/FT
plays an important role in correct GCs and gall development where miRNA172 is modulated by auxins.
The aim of this study is to present the evaluation and monitoring of a clinical pathway for thyroidectomy 1 year after its implementation and after 4 years' follow up. We compare the results of an ...evaluation and monitoring indicators series before and after the establishment of the clinical pathway for thyroidectomy in the Surgery Department of Morales Meseguer Hospital, a general university hospital in Murcia, Spain. Implementation of the clinical pathway led to a reduction in length of hospital stay for all the surgery patients (4.8 +/- 2.1 and 3.6 +/- 1.9 days before and after pathway implementation, respectively; P < 0.001). Implementation of the clinical pathway led to a reduction in cost in all the operated patients (3357 +/- 966 and 2695 +/- 970 US$ before and after implementing the clinical pathway, respectively; P < 0.001). Evolution of the mean hospital cost according to year of study shows a reduction from 2000 (3400 +/- 1056 US$) to 2004 (2404 +/- 666 US$) with a slight increase during 2005 (2721 +/- 1335 US$) (P < 0.001). Implementation of the clinical pathway for thyroidectomy has successfully reduced clinical variation and therefore the length of hospital stay and mean cost of the process. In subsequent years, no such major improvements have been made with regard to hospital stay, although they are still clearly better than those before pathway implementation.
Malaria in developing countries López Del Prado, Gema Ruíz; Hernán García, Cristina; Moreno Cea, Lourdes ...
Journal of infection in developing countries,
2014-Jan-15, Letnik:
8, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Malaria still poses a real threat to travellers, particularly in areas with high transmission rates such as sub-Saharan Africa, Papua New Guinea, and the South Pacific islands. Malaria causes an ...estimated 660,000 deaths each year from 219 million cases of illness. It is a preventable and curable disease. Malaria symptoms appear after a period of seven days or longer, and without treatment, the disease can lead to death. Mosquito bite prevention is the main way to reduce malaria transmission. Chemoprophylaxis recommendations depend on travelers' age, destination, type of travelling, or length of stay. Pregnant women, children, and immunosuppressed travelers are the most susceptible. There are currently no licensed vaccines against malaria. Results about a research vaccine candidate known as RTS,S/AS01 are expected in 2015.
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a common entity. Treatment varies widely across different health systems and even among doctors in the same department. In our general surgery department 30 ...to 40 patients with PSP are treated each year and there is significant variability in care delivery. This prompted the development of a clinical pathway (CP) based on analysis of the process, a search for studies with the greatest scientific evidence and professional consensus. The aim of this study was to present the results after 1 year's evaluation of the CP.
A series of 34 patients treated in the year prior to the design of the pathway was analyzed to identify weak points and areas for improvement. To address these weak points the CP included associated protocols and principal documents. Thirty-one patients included in the CP were treated over 1 year and the results were compared with those of the pre-pathway series.
The mean length of stay in the pre-pathway patients was 7.3 days compared with 5.0 days in the pathway patients. The number of radiographs also fell from 4.3 to 3.2. The rate of complications and re-admissions was similar in both groups. The mean cost per process decreased from 1863 Euro to 1168 Euro.
The CP for pneumothorax reduced both variability in professional care patterns and hospital costs, justifying the work involved in its development and implementation.
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