The presence and extent of genetic variation in saffron crocus are still debated, as testified by several contradictory articles providing contrasting results about the monomorphism or less of the ...species. Remarkably, phenotypic variations have been frequently observed in the field, such variations are usually unstable and can change from one growing season to another. Considering that gene expression can be influenced both by genetic and epigenetic changes, epigenetics could be a plausible cause of the alternative phenotypes. In order to obtain new insights into this issue, we carried out a molecular marker analysis of 112 accessions from the World Saffron and Crocus Collection. The accessions were grown for at least three years in the same open field conditions. The same samples were analysed using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and Methyl Sensitive AFLP in order to search for variation at the genetic (DNA sequence) and epigenetic (cytosine methylation) level. While the genetic variability was low (4.23% polymorphic peaks and twelve (12) effective different genotypes), the methyl sensitive analysis showed the presence of high epigenetic variability (33.57% polymorphic peaks and twenty eight (28) different effective epigenotypes). The pattern obtained by Factorial Correspondence Analysis of AFLP and, in particular, of MS-AFLP data was consistent with the geographical provenance of the accessions. Very interestingly, by focusing on Spanish accessions, it was observed that the distribution of the accessions in the Factorial Correspondence Analysis is not random but tends to reflect the geographical origin. Two clearly defined clusters grouping accessions from the West (Toledo and Ciudad Real) and accessions from the East (Cuenca and Teruel) were clearly recognised.
Food Markets: A Motivation-Based Segmentation of Tourists Castillo-Canalejo, Ana Mᵃ; Sánchez-Cañizares, Sandra Mᵃ; Santos-Roldán, Luna ...
International journal of environmental research and public health,
03/2020, Letnik:
17, Številka:
7
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Food markets are becoming popular as new spaces for recreation, and this research aims to discover the motivations driving the tourists that visit these markets. Factorial analysis, cluster analysis ...and Student's
-test were applied on 456 surveys from two food markets in Córdoba (Spain). Three motivational factors were obtained: Gastronomic experience and novelty; hedonism and leisure; and the relationship of the experience with work. Segmenting and analyzing the profile of the tourist may help economic agents develop new strategies for the tourism management of a destination and more accurate marketing and branding strategies that target specific customers with a niche message. The study could help develop products that align with tourists' motives to increase satisfaction and loyalty.
In recent years, live video streaming platforms for video games have been gaining popularity. These types of services, which enable anyone to broadcast and consume live content, are revolutionising ...the current video game landscape. Users approach the emergence of and participation in these platforms driven by a range of motivations. It is essential to characterise the different forms of participation in services such as Twitch to evaluate the phenomenon and reflect on its advantages and disadvantages. To that end, a survey was carried out of 580 young people and adolescents aged between 14 and 24. The aim of this study is thus to explore the uptake of these platforms, as well as identify user groups, distinguish between different motivations, and address the associated benefits and harms. Applying a methodology based on factor analysis and cluster analysis, user profiles were characterised according to their specific features, gaming/viewing hours, self-perception of their skill level as a player, devices used, and type or genre of video game. Four subgroups of gamers/viewers were thus identified: casual, social, hobby, and problematic. The results showed that older users and female users feature more prominently in the first two groups, as do those spending less time on video games and live streaming platforms. Conversely, in the hobby and problematic groups, we observe just the opposite. The existence of profiles at possible risk of addiction underlines how, at a preventive level, there is a need for more in-depth research on these types of services and greater public awareness of the dangers of uncontrolled use.
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is very expensive and, because of this, often subject to adulteration. Modern genetic fingerprinting techniques are an alternative low cost technology to the existing ...chemical techniques, which are used to control the purity of food products. Buddleja officinalis Maxim, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Curcuma longa L., Carthamus tinctorius L. and Calendula officinalis L. are among the most frequently-used adulterants in saffron spice. Three commercial kits were compared concerning the ability to recover PCR-grade DNA from saffron, truly adulterated samples and possible adulterants, with a clear difference among them, mainly with the processed samples. Only one of the three kits was able to obtain amplifiable DNA from almost all of the samples, with the exception of extracts. On the recovered DNA, new markers were developed based on the sequence of the plastid genes matK and rbcL. These primers, mainly those developed on matK, were able to recognize saffron and the adulterant species and also in mixtures with very low percentages of adulterant. Finally, considering that the addition of different parts of saffron flowers is one of the most widespread adulterations, by analyzing the DNA of the different parts of the flower (styles, stamens and tepals) at the genetic and epigenetic level, we succeeded in finding differences between the three tissues that can be further evaluated for a possible detection of the kind of fraud.
This work studies the inoculation conditions for allowing the survival/predominance of a potential probiotic strain (
TOMC-LAB2) when used as a starter culture in large-scale fermentations of green ...Spanish-style olives. The study was performed in two successive seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013), using about 150 tons of olives. Inoculation immediately after brining (to prevent wild initial microbiota growth) followed by re-inoculation 24 h later (to improve competitiveness) was essential for inoculum predominance. Processing early in the season (September) showed a favorable effect on fermentation and strain predominance on olives (particularly when using acidified brines containing 25 L HCl/vessel) but caused the disappearance of the target strain from both brines and olives during the storage phase. On the contrary, processing in October slightly reduced the target strain predominance on olives (70-90%) but allowed longer survival. The type of inoculum used (laboratory vs. industry pre-adapted) never had significant effects. Thus, this investigation discloses key issues for the survival and predominance of starter cultures in large-scale industrial fermentations of green Spanish-style olives. Results can be of interest for producing probiotic table olives and open new research challenges on the causes of inoculum vanishing during the storage phase.
The goal of this investigation was to determine whether there are alterations in DNA methylation patterns in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Material and Methods:
Controlled prospective ...observational case-control study. Within the ASD group, children were sub-classified based on the presence (AMR subgroup) or absence (ANMR subgroup) of neurodevelopmental regression during the first 2 years of life. We analyzed the global levels of DNA methylation, reflected in
LINE-1
, and the local DNA methylation pattern in two candidate genes, Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM1) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) that, according to our previous studies, might be associated to an increased risk for ASD. For this purpose, we utilized blood samples from pediatric patients with ASD (
n
= 53) and their corresponding controls (
n
= 45).
Results:
We observed a slight decrease in methylation levels of
LINE-1
in the ASD group, compared to the control group. One of the CpG in
LINE-1
(GenBank accession no.
X58075
, nucleotide position 329) was the main responsible for such reduction, highly significant in the ASD subgroup of children with AMR (
p
< 0.05). Furthermore, we detected higher
NCAM1
methylation levels in ASD children, compared to healthy children (
p
< 0.001). The data, moreover, showed higher
NGF
methylation levels in the AMR subgroup, compared to the control group and the ANMR subgroup. These results are consistent with our prior study, in which lower plasma levels of
NCAM1
and higher levels of
NGF
were found in the ANMR subgroup, compared to the subgroup that comprised neurotypically developing children.
Conclusions:
We have provided new clues about the epigenetic changes that occur in ASD, and suggest two potential epigenetic biomarkers that would facilitate the diagnosis of the disorder. We similarly present with evidence of a clear differentiation in DNA methylation between the ASD subgroups, with or without mental regression.
Purpose
Strategies for the treatment of liver metastases from colon cancer (lmCRC) are constantly evolving. Radioembolization with yttrium 90 (Y-90 TARE) has made significant advancements in treating ...liver tumors and is now considered a potential option allowing for future resection. This study reviewed the scientific evidence and developed recommendations for using Y-90 TARE as a treatment strategy for patients with unresectable lmCRC.
Methods
A multidisciplinary scientific committee, consisting of experts in medical oncology, hepatobiliary surgery, radiology, and nuclear medicine, all with extensive experience in treating patients with ImCRC with Y-90 TARE, led this project. The committee established the criteria for conducting a comprehensive literature review on Y-90 TARE in the treatment of lmCRC. The data extraction process involved addressing initial preliminary inquiries, which were consolidated into a final set of questions.
Results
This review offers recommendations for treating patients with lmCRC using Y-90 TARE, addressing four areas covering ten common questions: 1) General issues (multidisciplinary tumor committee, indications for treatment, contraindications); 2) Previous process (predictive biomarkers for patient selection, preintervention tests, published evidence); 3) Procedure (standard procedure); and 4) Post-intervention follow-up (potential toxicity and its management, parameters for evaluation, quality of life).
Conclusions
Based on the insights of the multidisciplinary committee, this document offers a comprehensive overview of the technical aspects involved in the management of Y-90 TARE. It synthesizes recommendations for applying Y-90 TARE across various phases of the treatment process.
Test de descenso del navicular Requelo Rodríguez, Inmaculada; Castro-Méndez, Aurora; Ojeda-Rodríguez, Bárbara ...
Revista andaluza de medicina del deporte,
02/2024, Letnik:
16, Številka:
3-4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Objetivo: revisar críticamente la literatura sobre la validez y fiabilidad del test de descenso del navicular como herramienta clínica de evaluación de la pronación del pie.
Método: Se ha realizado ...una revisión de la literatura existente sobre el tema en las principales bases de datos de ciencias de la salud. Para realizar la búsqueda se emplearon los terminos MeSH (navicular drop, pronation, foot) interconectados con los respectivos conectores booleanos.
Resultados: Se seleccionaron finalmente un total de 38 artículos científicos en castellano e inglés sobre la fiabilidad y validez interna del test.
Conclusiones: El test de descenso del navicular es una herramienta ampliamente utilizada en estudios de investigación. Sin embargo, con la evidencia disponible, podemos afirmar que la fiabilidad y validez interna del test es cuanto menos cuestionable para que este pueda ser usado con fines de investigación
The mechanisms underlying early atherosclerotic plaque formation are not completely understood. Moreover, plasma biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis are lacking.
The purpose of this study was ...to analyze the temporal and topologically resolved protein changes taking place in human aortas with early atherosclerosis to find new potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets.
The protein composition of healthy aortas (media layer) or with early atheroma (fatty streak and fibrolipidic, media and intima layers) was analyzed by deep quantitative multiplexed proteomics. Further analysis was performed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma levels of complement C5 were analyzed in relation to the presence of generalized (>2 plaques) or incipient (0 to 2 plaques) subclinical atherosclerosis in 2 independent clinical cohorts (PESA Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis n = 360 and NEFRONA National Observatory of Atherosclerosis in Nephrology n = 394).
Proteins involved in lipid transport, complement system, immunoglobulin superfamily, and hemostasis are increased in early plaques. Components from the complement activation pathway were predominantly increased in the intima of fibrolipidic plaques. Among them, increased C5 protein levels were further confirmed by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry, and associated with in situ complement activation. Plasma C5 was significantly increased in individuals with generalized subclinical atherosclerosis in both PESA and NEFRONA cohorts, independently of risk factors. Moreover, in the PESA study, C5 plasma levels positively correlated with global plaque volume and coronary calcification.
Activation of the complement system is a major alteration in early atherosclerotic plaques and is reflected by increased C5 plasma levels, which have promising value as a novel circulating biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Display omitted
To report a case of post-surgical encephalocele through craniotomy burr holes following the resection of a meningioma of the posterior fossa. A 49-year-old female presented in the emergency room with ...cephalea. The MRI showed a meningioma of the convexity of the posterior fossa. A resection was performed and the bone flap replaced. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged. After 30 days the patient consulted referring cephalea, vomiting and imbalance. Brain MRI revealed a trans-cranial cerebellar herniation through the craniotomy burr holes. An urgent surgery was performed to repair the encephalocele. Post-surgical brain MRI was performed and did not show complications. Post-surgical encephalocele is an uncommon complication after the resection of a posterior fossa lesion. To avoid this complication, it is recommended thorough dural and bony closure, particularly in the posterior fossa surgeries and in high-risk patients.
PDF
