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1.
Arch Public Health ; 80(1): 257, 2022 Dec 27.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36575474

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The Barcelona Superblock model transforms urban public spaces into active-friendly spaces, a key issue for public health. This study assessed the extent to which a newly developed Superblock in St. Antoni Market Square was used by citizens to perform physical activities and for sedentary behaviour during the first year of implementation. It then compared this citizens' use of the Superblock for physical activities and sedentary behaviour with a comparison site at one-year follow-up, when the Superblock was fully integrated into citizens' daily life. METHODS: This observational comparative study (May 2018-May 2019) used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC). SOPARC assessed citizens' sitting, standing, walking, practice of vigorous activities and use of electric scooter by gender, age group and time of the day. At the Superblock site, two observers completed five weekly observations: the opening week, and at three, five, eight and twelve months. At the comparison site, observers completed one weekly observation at twelve months after the implementation of the Superblock. Observations included 4 days/week (including weekends) and, 4 h/day (morning, midday, afternoon, evening). RESULTS: At baseline, an average of 2,340 citizens/hour were observed using the Superblock but visits reduced by 12% in the next three observation weeks and 17.6% after one-year (mainly elderly and teenagers). At baseline, 92.9% walked in the Superblock, while 3.1% engaged in vigorous physical activity. After one year, citizens' walking decreased by 18.2%, from 2,170 citizens/hour at baseline to 1,930 citizens/hour. Citizens' engagement in vigorous activities also declined by 11%, from 73 citizens/hour at baseline to 65 citizens/hour at one-year follow up. In the comparison site, citizens' usage for walking and vigorous physical activity was similar to the Superblock. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to assess the extent to which citizens made use of the Barcelona Superblock model to perform physical activities, an urban built-environment intervention that is both novel and health-enhancing. The Superblock model would benefit from strategies maximizing effectiveness for promoting superblock-based physical activity, with special focus on seniors and teenagers.

2.
Eur J Public Health ; 32(Suppl 1): i22-i27, 2022 08 26.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36031820

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: There is a need to scale-up effective physical activity (PA) programmes for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where the uptake of PA interventions is low. Identifying real-life workplace practices in PA could contribute to a better understanding of what PA programmes might be most grounded in the 'real world'. However, there is a scarcity of evidence showing what gets done. This study aimed to identify, describe and comprehensively summarize the real-life implementations of workplace PA initiatives, particularly in Europe, as a prior step to disseminating future feasible PA practices for SMEs. METHODS: A scoping review of grey literature included a systematic search in the Google advanced search platform that permuted a combination of key concepts (PA, workplace, interventions/programmes), internet domains, and search operators in six different languages (Catalan, Finnish, French, Dutch, English and Spanish) between 2015 and November 2020. The analysis process was iterative, and multiple methods were used to sort, group and categorize the initiatives. RESULTS: There were a total of 713 real-life workplace PA initiatives from different-sized organizations identified. These were categorized into five themes: active work and living, exercise and fitness programs, management and leadership, communication and dissemination, and facilities. Finally, feature trees showing a menu for real-life workplace PA practices were implemented. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying real-life practice providing a state-of-the-art snapshot of current PA practices in workplaces, which is a starting point to better understand feasible practices in the context of small- and medium-sized workplaces.


Asunto(s)
Literatura Gris , Lugar de Trabajo , Europa (Continente) , Ejercicio Físico , Humanos , Liderazgo
3.
BMC Genomics ; 22(1): 360, 2021 May 18.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34006221

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Rosaceae species are economically highly relevant crops. Their cultivation systems are constrained by phytopathogens causing severe losses. Plants respond to invading pathogens through signaling mechanisms, a component of which are of them being plant elicitor peptides (Peps). Exogenous application of Peps activates defense mechanisms and reduces the symptoms of pathogen infection in various pathosystems. We have previously identified the Rosaceae Peps and showed, in an ex vivo system, that their topical application efficiently enhanced resistance to the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap). RESULTS: Here we demonstrate the effectiveness of Prunus persica peptides PpPep1 and PpPep2 in protecting peach plants in vivo at nanomolar doses, with 40% reduction of the symptoms following Xap massive infection. We used deep sequencing to characterize the transcriptomic response of peach plants to preventive treatment with PpPep1 and PpPep2. The two peptides induced highly similar massive transcriptomic reprogramming in the plant. One hour, 1 day and 2 days after peptide application there were changes in expression in up to 8% of peach genes. We visualized the transcriptomics dynamics in a background knowledge network and detected the minor variations between plant responses to PpPep1 and PpPep2, which might explain their slightly different protective effects. By designing a P. persica Pep background knowledge network, comparison of our data and previously published immune response datasets was possible. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of P. persica Peps mimics the PTI natural response and protects plants against massive Xap infection. This makes them good candidates for deployment of natural, targeted and environmental-friendly strategies to enhance resistance in Prunus species and prevent important biotic diseases.


Asunto(s)
Prunus persica , Péptidos , Enfermedades de las Plantas/genética , Prunus persica/genética , Transcriptoma , Xanthomonas
5.
Food Chem ; 292: 359-371, 2019 Sep 15.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31054688

RESUMEN

Genetically modified (GM) maize and their non-modified counterparts were compared using MON810 varieties, the only GMO event cultivated in Europe. The differences in grain samples were analysed by omics profiles, including transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Other cultivated maize varieties were analysed as a reference for the variability that will exist between cultivated varieties. The observed differences between modified and non-modified maize varieties do not exceed typical differences between non-modified varieties. The use of these advanced analytical approaches to analyse novel plant materials as compared to the results from animal feeding trials with whole foods is assessed. No indications were observed for changes in the GM varieties that warrant further investigations. Furthermore, it was shown that such indications will be obtained if maize samples of inferior quality are analysed similarly. Omics data provide detailed analytical information of the plant material, which facilitates a risk assessment procedure of new (GM) plant varieties.


Asunto(s)
Metabolómica , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/metabolismo , Proteómica , Zea mays/metabolismo , Alimentación Animal/análisis , Animales , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Europa (Continente) , Genómica , Metaboloma , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Análisis de Componente Principal , ARN de Planta/química , ARN de Planta/aislamiento & purificación , ARN de Planta/metabolismo , Espectrometría de Masas en Tándem , Zea mays/genética
6.
Clin Nutr ; 38(6): 2592-2598, 2019 12.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30737048

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The prevalence of obesity and overweight among children is increasing, representing a new and pressing societal problem. Excess weight in childhood is an independent risk factor for adult obesity. Although school-based interventions are generally considered effective in the short term, few studies analyze their longterm impact. The aim of study was to assess if the effect of the intervention on body mass Index (BMI) immediately after the intervention remained eight years later (AVall Study). METHODS: In 2006-2008, an intervention for primary school children promoted healthy eating habits and physical activity in the school setting using the Investigation, Vision, Action and Change (IVAC) educational methodology, which involves children as active participants in healthy change. At baseline, parents reported their weight, height and educational level by questionnaire. Children's weight and height were measured in situ in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2016, and levels of physical activity were assessed by questionnaire. Multilevel mixed effects linear regression was used to assess changes in BMI over time. RESULTS: Increases in BMI from 2006 to 2016 were 0.68 kg/m2 (95% CI, 0.02, 1.34; P = 0.045) higher in the control group than in the intervention group. The prevalence of obesity and overweight combined in 2006 and 2016 was 22.2% and 27.9%, respectively, in the control group and 25.6% and 21.2% respectively, in the intervention group. Changes in BMI in the intervention group were maintained from 2006 on: at the end of the intervention in 2008, -0.4 kg/m2 (P = 0.001); in 2010, -0.23 g/m2 (P = 0.012); in 2012, -0.63 kg/m2 (P < 0.001) and in 2016, -0.27 kg/m2 (P = 0.025). The child's BMI increased by 0.52 kg/m2 (P = 0.046) if the father was obese, by 1.26 kg/m2 (p = 0.011) if the mother was obese, and by 2.37 kg/m2 (P < 0.001) if both parents were obese. Parental education levels were not associated with childhood obesity. CONCLUSIONS: A school-based healthy eating habits and physical activity intervention using IVAC methodology contributed to lower increases in BMI among children in primary school. Although parental BMI also influenced children's BMI, the intervention was effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01156805.


Asunto(s)
Índice de Masa Corporal , Dieta/estadística & datos numéricos , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Sobrepeso/epidemiología , Obesidad Infantil/epidemiología
7.
Arch Toxicol ; 93(4): 1095-1139, 2019 04.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30756133

RESUMEN

In 2012, a controversial study on the long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and the glyphosate-tolerant genetically modified (GM) maize NK603 was published. The EC-funded G-TwYST research consortium tested the potential subchronic and chronic toxicity as well as the carcinogenicity of the glyphosate-resistant genetically modified maize NK603 by performing two 90-day feeding trials, one with GM maize inclusion rates of 11 and 33% and one with inclusion rates of up to 50%, as well as a 2-year feeding trial with inclusion rates of 11 and 33% in male and female Wistar Han RCC rats by taking into account OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals and EFSA recommendations on the safety testing of whole-food/feed in laboratory animals. In all three trials, the NK603 maize, untreated and treated once with Roundup during its cultivation, and the conventional counterpart were tested. Differences between each test group and the control group were evaluated. Equivalence was assessed by comparing the observed difference to differences between non-GM reference groups in previous studies. In case of significant differences, whether the effects were dose-related and/or accompanied by changes in related parameters including histopathological findings was evaluated. It is concluded that no adverse effects related to the feeding of the NK603 maize cultivated with or without Roundup for up to 2 years were observed. Based on the outcome of the subchronic and combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity studies, recommendations on the scientific justification and added value of long-term feeding trials in the GM plant risk assessment process are presented.


Asunto(s)
Alimentación Animal/normas , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/etiología , Alimentos Modificados Genéticamente , Glicina/análogos & derivados , Herbicidas/toxicidad , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/efectos de los fármacos , Zea mays , Animales , Pruebas de Carcinogenicidad , Resistencia a Medicamentos/genética , Femenino , Glicina/toxicidad , Masculino , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Ratas Wistar , Pruebas de Toxicidad Crónica , Pruebas de Toxicidad Subcrónica , Zea mays/efectos de los fármacos , Zea mays/genética , Glifosato
8.
BMC Genet ; 19(1): 11, 2018 01 23.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29361905

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Plant elicitor peptides (Peps) are endogenous molecules that induce and amplify the first line of inducible plant defense, known as pattern-triggered immunity, contributing to protect plants against attack by bacteria, fungi and herbivores. Pep topic application and transgenic expression have been found to enhance disease resistance in a small number of model plant-pathogen systems. The action of Peps relies on perception by specific receptors, so displaying a family-specific activity. Recently, the presence and activity of Peps within the Rosaceae has been demonstrated. Here we characterized the population of Pep sequences within the economically important plant family of Rosaceae, with special emphasis on the Amygdaleae and Pyreae tribes, which include the most relevant edible species such as apple, pear and peach, and numerous ornamental and wild species (e.g. photinia, firethorn and hawthorn). RESULTS: The systematic experimental search for Pep and the corresponding precursor PROPEP sequences within 36 Amygdaleae and Pyreae species, and 100 cultivars had a highly homogeneous pattern, with two tribe-specific Pep types per plant, i.e. Pep1 and Pep2 (Amygdaleae) or Pep3 and Pep4 (Pyreae). Pep2 and Pep3 are highly conserved, reaching identity percentages similar to those of genes used in plant phylogenetic analyses, while Pep1 and Pep4 are somewhat more variable, with similar values to the corresponding PROPEPs. In contrast to Pep3 and Pep4, Pep1 and Pep2 sequences of different species paralleled their phylogenetic relationships, and putative ancestor sequences were identified. The large amount of sequences allowed refining of a C-terminal consensus sequence that would support the protective activity of Pep1-4 in a Prunus spp. and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni system. Moreover, tribe-specific consensus sequences were deduced at the center and C-terminal regions of Peps, which might explain the higher protection efficiencies described upon topic treatments with Peps from the same tribe. CONCLUSIONS: The present study substantially enhances the knowledge on Peps within the Amygdaleae and Pyreae species. It can be the basis to design and fine-tune new control tools against important plant pathogens affecting Prunus, Pyrus and Malus species.


Asunto(s)
Péptidos/genética , Péptidos/inmunología , Inmunidad de la Planta , Rosaceae/genética , Rosaceae/inmunología , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/inmunología , Rosaceae/clasificación , Rosaceae/microbiología
9.
Mol Plant Pathol ; 19(2): 418-431, 2018 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28056495

RESUMEN

Fruit crops are regarded as important health promoters and constitute a major part of global agricultural production, and Rosaceae species are of high economic impact. Their culture is threatened by bacterial diseases, whose control is based on preventative treatments using compounds of limited efficacy and negative environmental impact. One of the most economically relevant examples is the pathogen Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) affecting Prunus spp. The plant immune response against pathogens can be triggered and amplified by plant elicitor peptides (Peps), perceived by specific receptors (PEPRs). Although they have been described in various angiosperms, scarce information is available on Rosaceae species. Here, we identified the Pep precursor (PROPEP), Pep and PEPR orthologues of 10 Rosaceae species and confirmed the presence of the Pep/PEPR system in this family. We showed the perception and elicitor activity of Rosaceae Peps using the Prunus-Xap pathosystem as proof-of-concept. Treatment with nanomolar doses of Peps induced the corresponding PROPEP and a set of defence-related genes in Prunus leaves, and enhanced resistance against Xap. Peps from the same species had the highest efficiencies. Rosaceae Peps could potentially be used to develop natural, targeted and environmentally friendly strategies to enhance the resistance of Prunus species against biotic attackers.


Asunto(s)
Péptidos/metabolismo , Prunus/metabolismo , Prunus/microbiología , Rosaceae/metabolismo , Xanthomonas/patogenicidad , Enfermedades de las Plantas/microbiología
10.
Food Chem Toxicol ; 117: 13-35, 2018 Jul.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28847764

RESUMEN

This review explores the possibilities to determine livestock consumption of genetically modified (GM) feeds/ingredients including detection of genetically modified organism (GMO)-related DNA or proteins in animal samples, and the documentary system that is in place for GM feeds under EU legislation. The presence and level of GMO-related DNA and proteins can generally be readily measured in feeds, using established analytical methods such as polymerase chain reaction and immuno-assays, respectively. Various technical challenges remain, such as the simultaneous detection of multiple GMOs and the identification of unauthorized GMOs for which incomplete data on the inserted DNA may exist. Given that transfer of specific GMO-related DNA or protein from consumed feed to the animal had seldom been observed, this cannot serve as an indicator of the individual animal's prior exposure to GM feeds. To explore whether common practices, information exchange and the specific GM feed traceability system in the EU would allow to record GM feed consumption, the dairy chain in Catalonia, where GM maize is widely grown, was taken as an example. It was thus found that this system would neither enable determination of an animal's consumption of specific GM crops, nor would it allow for quantitation of the exposure.


Asunto(s)
Alimentación Animal , ADN de Plantas/análisis , Ganado/fisiología , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente , Animales , Biomarcadores/análisis , ADN de Plantas/genética , ADN de Plantas/farmacocinética , Unión Europea , Secuenciación de Nucleótidos de Alto Rendimiento , Humanos , Ganado/metabolismo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Distribución Tisular
11.
Food Chem Toxicol ; 117: 66-78, 2018 Jul.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28993215

RESUMEN

This review, which has been prepared within the frame of the European Union (EU)-funded project MARLON, surveys the organisation and characteristics of specific livestock and feed production chains (conventional, organic, GM-free) within the EU, with an emphasis on controls, regulations, traceability, and common production practices. Furthermore, an overview of the origin of animal feed used in the EU as well as an examination of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in feed is provided. From the data, it shows that livestock is traceable at the herd or individual level, depending on the species. Husbandry practices can vary widely according to geography and animal species, whilst controls and checks are in place for notifiable diseases and general health symptoms (such as mortality, disease, productive performance). For feeds, it would be possible only to make coarse estimates, at best, for the amount of GM feed ingredients that an animal is exposed to. Labeling requirements are apparently correctly followed. Provided that confounding factors are taken into account, practices such as organic agriculture that explicitly involve the use of non-GM feeds could be used for comparison to those involving the use of GM feed.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Animales/prevención & control , Alimentación Animal/efectos adversos , Crianza de Animales Domésticos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Productos Agrícolas , Ganado , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/efectos adversos , Vigilancia de Productos Comercializados , Enfermedades de los Animales/diagnóstico , Animales , Acuicultura , Unión Europea , Etiquetado de Alimentos , Inocuidad de los Alimentos , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
13.
Plant Mol Biol ; 90(4-5): 329-43, 2016 Mar.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26687131

RESUMEN

Cationic α-helical antimicrobial peptides such as BP100 are of increasing interest for developing novel phytosanitary or therapeutic agents and products with industrial applications. Biotechnological production of these peptides in plants can be severely impaired due to the toxicity exerted on the host by high-level expression. This can be overcome by using inducible promoters with extremely low activity throughout plant development, although the yields are limited. We examined the use of modified atmospheres using the increased levels of [CO2], commonly used in the food industry, as the inductor agent to biotechnologically produce phytotoxic compounds with higher yields. Here we show that 30% [CO2] triggered a profound transcriptional response in rice leaves, including a change in the energy provision from photosynthesis to glycolysis, and the activation of stress defense mechanisms. Five genes with central roles in up-regulated pathways were initially selected and their promoters successfully used to drive the expression of phytotoxic BP100 in genetically modified (GM) rice. GM plants had a normal phenotype on development and seed production in non-induction conditions. Treatment with 30 % [CO2] led to recombinant peptide accumulation of up to 1 % total soluble protein when the Os.hb2 promoter was used. This is within the range of biotechnological production of other peptides in plants. Using BP100 as a proof-of-concept we demonstrate that very high [CO2] can be considered an economically viable strategy to drive production of recombinant phytotoxic antimicrobial peptides in plant biofactories.


Asunto(s)
Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/metabolismo , Dióxido de Carbono/farmacología , Oryza/efectos de los fármacos , Oryza/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/genética , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas/efectos de los fármacos , Análisis de Secuencia por Matrices de Oligonucleótidos , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa
14.
Sci Rep ; 5: 17106, 2015 Nov 24.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26596213

RESUMEN

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been commercially grown for two decades. GM maize is one of 3 species with the highest acreage and specific events. Many countries established a mandatory labeling of products containing GM material, with thresholds for adventitious presence, to support consumers' freedom of choice. In consequence, coexistence systems need to be introduced to facilitate commercial culture of GM and non-GM crops in the same agricultural area. On modeling adventitious GM cross-pollination distribution within maize fields, we deduced a simple equation to estimate overall GM contents (%GM) of conventional fields, irrespective of its shape and size, and with no previous information on possible GM pollen donor fields. A sampling strategy was designed and experimentally validated in 19 agricultural fields. With 9 samples, %GM quantification requires just one analytical GM determination while identification of the pollen source needs 9 additional analyses. A decision support tool is provided.


Asunto(s)
Flujo Génico , Modelos Genéticos , Zea mays/genética , Productos Agrícolas/genética , Productos Agrícolas/fisiología , Genes de Plantas , Mejoramiento Genético , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/fisiología , Polinización , Zea mays/fisiología
15.
PLoS One ; 9(11): e109990, 2014.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25387106

RESUMEN

Synthetic linear antimicrobial peptides with cationic α-helical structures, such as BP100, have potent and specific activities against economically important plant pathogenic bacteria. They are also recognized as valuable therapeutics and preservatives. However, highly active BP100 derivatives are often phytotoxic when expressed at high levels as recombinant peptides in plants. Here we demonstrate that production of recombinant phytotoxic peptides in transgenic plants is possible by strictly limiting transgene expression to certain tissues and conditions, and specifically that minimization of this expression during transformation and regeneration of transgenic plants is essential to obtain viable plant biofactories. On the basis of whole-genome transcriptomic data available online, we identified the Os.hsp82 promoter that fulfilled this requirement and was highly induced in response to heat shock. Using this strategy, we generated transgenic rice lines producing moderate yields of severely phytotoxic BP100 derivatives on exposure to high temperature. In addition, a threshold for gene expression in selected tissues and stages was experimentally established, below which the corresponding promoters should be suitable for driving the expression of recombinant phytotoxic proteins in genetically modified plants. In view of the growing transcriptomics data available, this approach is of interest to assist promoter selection for specific purposes.


Asunto(s)
Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/genética , Oligopéptidos/genética , Oryza/genética , Oryza/metabolismo , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Antiinfecciosos/metabolismo , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/biosíntesis , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/metabolismo , Reactores Biológicos , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas/genética , Respuesta al Choque Térmico/genética , Inmunidad Innata , Oligopéptidos/biosíntesis , Oligopéptidos/metabolismo , Oryza/crecimiento & desarrollo , Células Vegetales/metabolismo , Enfermedades de las Plantas/microbiología , Enfermedades de las Plantas/terapia , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/metabolismo , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Transformación Genética/genética , Transgenes
16.
Plant Biotechnol J ; 12(1): 81-92, 2014 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24102775

RESUMEN

Synthetic linear antimicrobial peptides with cationic α-helical structures, such as BP100, are valuable as novel therapeutics and preservatives. However, they tend to be toxic when expressed at high levels as recombinant peptides in plants, and they can be difficult to detect and isolate from complex plant tissues because they are strongly cationic and display low extinction coefficient and extremely limited immunogenicity. We therefore expressed BP100 with a C-terminal tag which preserved its antimicrobial activity and demonstrated significant accumulation in plant cells. We used a fluorescent tag to trace BP100 following transiently expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and showed that it accumulated in large vesicles derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) along with typical ER luminal proteins. Interestingly, the formation of these vesicles was induced by BP100. Similar vesicles formed in stably transformed Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, but the recombinant peptide was toxic to the host during latter developmental stages. This was avoided by selecting active BP100 derivatives based on their low haemolytic activity even though the selected peptides remained toxic to plant cells when applied exogenously at high doses. Using this strategy, we generated transgenic rice lines producing active BP100 derivatives with a yield of up to 0.5% total soluble protein.


Asunto(s)
Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/metabolismo , Retículo Endoplásmico/metabolismo , Células Vegetales/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/genética , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Oryza/genética , Oryza/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/metabolismo , Nicotiana/genética , Nicotiana/metabolismo
17.
BMC Plant Biol ; 12: 159, 2012 Sep 04.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22947243

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The Biopeptide BP100 is a synthetic and strongly cationic α-helical undecapeptide with high, specific antibacterial activity against economically important plant-pathogenic bacteria, and very low toxicity. It was selected from a library of synthetic peptides, along with other peptides with activities against relevant bacterial and fungal species. Expression of the BP100 series of peptides in plants is of major interest to establish disease-resistant plants and facilitate molecular farming. Specific challenges were the small length, peptide degradation by plant proteases and toxicity to the host plant. Here we approached the expression of the BP100 peptide series in plants using BP100 as a proof-of-concept. RESULTS: Our design considered up to three tandemly arranged BP100 units and peptide accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), analyzing five BP100 derivatives. The ER retention sequence did not reduce the antimicrobial activity of chemically synthesized BP100 derivatives, making this strategy possible. Transformation with sequences encoding BP100 derivatives (bp100der) was over ten-fold less efficient than that of the hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) transgene. The BP100 direct tandems did not show higher antimicrobial activity than BP100, and genetically modified (GM) plants constitutively expressing them were not viable. In contrast, inverted repeats of BP100, whether or not elongated with a portion of a natural antimicrobial peptide (AMP), had higher antimicrobial activity, and fertile GM rice lines constitutively expressing bp100der were produced. These GM lines had increased resistance to the pathogens Dickeya chrysanthemi and Fusarium verticillioides, and tolerance to oxidative stress, with agronomic performance comparable to untransformed lines. CONCLUSIONS: Constitutive expression of transgenes encoding short cationic α-helical synthetic peptides can have a strong negative impact on rice fitness. However, GM plants expressing, for example, BP100 based on inverted repeats, have adequate agronomic performance and resistant phenotypes as a result of a complex equilibrium between bp100der toxicity to plant cells, antimicrobial activity and transgene-derived plant stress response. It is likely that these results can be extended to other peptides with similar characteristics.


Asunto(s)
Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/genética , Expresión Génica , Oligopéptidos/genética , Oryza/genética , Oryza/fisiología , Transgenes/genética , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/química , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/toxicidad , Resistencia a la Enfermedad/inmunología , Dosificación de Gen/genética , Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas/efectos de los fármacos , Hemólisis/efectos de los fármacos , Homocigoto , Humanos , Peróxido de Hidrógeno/farmacología , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Oligopéptidos/química , Oligopéptidos/metabolismo , Oligopéptidos/toxicidad , Oryza/microbiología , Oryza/ultraestructura , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Enfermedades de las Plantas/inmunología , Enfermedades de las Plantas/microbiología , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Transformación Genética/efectos de los fármacos
18.
Endocrinol Nutr ; 59(5): 288-95, 2012 May.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22521298

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the benefits seen in nutrition, physical activity. and body mass index were maintained at 2 years of completion of the educational intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental, longitudinal, 4-year, two-arm, parallel study with cluster randomization to assess an intervention program aimed at children in their first year of primary schooling attending schools in the city of Granollers. Intervention consisted of promoting healthy dietary habits and increasing physical activity through the educational pedagogy Investigation, Vision, Action and Change (IVAC), applied over 2 school years (2006-2008). Weight and height of each child wee measured in situ, and families self-completed a physical activity survey and the Krece Plus quick test in 2006, 2008, and 2010. RESULTS: A greater increase in body mass index was seen in 2010 in children from the control group (2.84 ± 0.22 vs 1.96 ± 0.163 kg/m(2), <.001). Prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by 8% and 0.5% respectively in schoolchildren in the control group, while the intervention group showed a 5.3% increase in prevalence of overweight and a 3.6%decrease in prevalence of obesity. Prevalence of excess weight therefore increased by 8.5% in the control group and by 1.8% in the intervention group. Reduction in body mass indexincrease was maintained 2 years after completion of educational intervention regardless of sex, origin, maternal obesity, and educational level of parents. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that school-based interventions may help contain the current increase in childhood obesity.


Asunto(s)
Dieta , Ejercicio Físico , Promoción de la Salud , Estatura , Peso Corporal , Niño , Escolaridad , Salud de la Familia , Conducta Alimentaria , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Masculino , Obesidad/epidemiología , Obesidad/prevención & control , Sobrepeso/epidemiología , Sobrepeso/prevención & control , Servicios de Salud Escolar/organización & administración , España , Población Urbana , Aumento de Peso
19.
Plant Biotechnol J ; 9(6): 693-702, 2011 Aug.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21040388

RESUMEN

Besides the intended effects that give a genetically modified (GM) plant the desired trait, unintended differences between GM and non-GM comparable plants may also occur. Profiling technologies allow their identification, and a number of examples demonstrating that unintended effects are limited and diverse have recently been reported. Both from the food safety aspect and for research purposes, it is important to discern unintended changes produced by the transgene and its expression from those that may be attributed to other factors. Here, we show differential expression of around 0.40% transcriptome between conventional rice var. Senia and Senia-afp constitutively expressing the AFP antifungal protein. Analysis of one-fifth of the regulated sequences showed that around 35% of the unintended effects could be attributed to the process used to produce GM plants, based on in vitro tissue culture techniques. A further ∼15% were event specific, and their regulation was attributed to host gene disruption and genome rearrangements at the insertion site, and effects on proximal sequences. Thus, only around half the transcriptional unintended effects could be associated to the transgene itself. A significant number of changes in Senia-afp and Senia are part of the plant response to stress conditions, and around half the sequences for which up-regulation was attributed to the transgene were induced in conventional (but not transgenic) plants after wounding. Unintended effects might, as such, putatively result in widening the self-resistance characteristics because of the transgene in GM plants.


Asunto(s)
Perfilación de la Expresión Génica , Oryza/genética , Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Inmunidad Innata , Análisis de Secuencia por Matrices de Oligonucleótidos , Enfermedades de las Plantas , Rhizobium/genética , Estrés Fisiológico , Técnicas de Cultivo de Tejidos , Transformación Genética , Transgenes , Regulación hacia Arriba
20.
Transgenic Res ; 20(4): 939-49, 2011 Aug.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20972621

RESUMEN

Worldwide maize is the second major agricultural commodity and around one-fourth is currently biotech, with significant application of the insect resistant event MON810 particularly in the European Union. Grains are the major commercialized part of the plant, and can be harvested after maturity (for food and feed purposes) or at late milky-starchy stage (for forage uses, with the whole plant). We assessed possible proteomic unintended effects of the MON810 transgene using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry. To keep in a realistic scenario we used plants grown in agricultural fields in a region where ~50% of maize was MON810, and analyzed grains at milky-starchy stage. In maize, differential transcripts and metabolites between GM and comparable non-GM varieties tend to be variety specific. Thus, we analyzed two variety pairs, DKC6575/Tietar and PR33P67/PR33P66 which are considered representative of Food and Agriculture Organization 700 and 600 varieties commercially grown in the region. MON810 and non-GM milky-starchy grains had virtually identical proteomic patterns, with a very small number of spots showing fold-variations in the 1-1.8 range. They were all variety specific and had divergent identities and functions. Although 2DE allows the analysis of a limited dataset our results support substantial equivalence between MON810 and comparable non-GM varieties.


Asunto(s)
Plantas Modificadas Genéticamente/genética , Proteómica/métodos , Zea mays/genética , Agricultura , Electroforesis en Gel Bidimensional/métodos , Unión Europea , Variación Genética , Transgenes
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