Effect of silver nanoparticles on donkey sperm parameters and ultrastructure.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on donkey sperm parameters and ultrastructure. AgNPs were synthesized, purified and resuspended in the extender. Nine frozen-thawed donkey sperm samples were exposed to different concentrations of AgNPs (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 12.5, 25 and 50 µg/mL). Sperm parameters: total (TMOT, %) and progressive (PMOT, %) sperm motility, plasma (LIVE, %) and acrosomal membrane integrity (AIS, %), and sperm morphology (MORF, %) were evaluated immediately after AgNPs exposure (T0) and after 2 h of incubation (T2). The interaction beween AgNPs and spermatozoa was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At T0, sperm motility and AIS were reduced (p < .05) when using concentrations ≥50 and ≥25 µg/mL, respectively. At T2, sperm motility and LIVE were significantly decreased (p < .05) in concentrations ≥25 and ≥50 µg/mL, respectively. TEM analysis revealed nanoparticle adhesion to the acrosomal region of the plasma membrane. In conclusion, AgNPs at concentrations ≥25 µg/mL impair motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity of donkey sperm, which may be mediated by adhesion to the acrosomal region of the sperm surface membrane.

Guard Cell Activity of PIF4 Represses Disease Resistance in Arabidopsis.

Phytochrome Interacting Factor 4 (PIF4) plays a central role in coordinating plant growth regulation by integrating multiple environmental cues. However, studies on whether and how PIF4 regulates plant immunity have inconsistent findings. In this study, we investigated the role of PIF4 in disease resistance against Pst DC3000 by characterizing its loss-of-function mutants using different inoculation strategies. Our findings reveal that pif4 mutants exhibit enhanced disease resistance with spray inoculation but not with infiltration inoculation compared to wild-type plants, and that mutants displayed more closed stomata apertures, indicating that PIF4 promotes stomatal opening. Importantly, expression of PIF4 by a guard-cell-specific promoter was sufficient to restore disease resistance to the wild-type level in the pif4 mutant. Additionally, PIF4 overexpression enhances disease symptom development independent of disease resistance and chlorophyll degradation, while the loss of PIF4 function leads to higher chlorophyll accumulation. Thus, our findings highlight a crucial function of PIF4 in regulating stomata-mediated disease resistance and chlorophyll accumulation, providing new insights into the connection of growth and defense in plants.

Developmental interplay between transcriptional alterations and a targetable cytokine signaling dependency in pediatric ETO2::GLIS2 leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Several fusion oncogenes showing a higher incidence in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are associated with heterogeneous megakaryoblastic and other myeloid features. Here we addressed how developmental mechanisms influence human leukemogenesis by ETO2::GLIS2, associated with dismal prognosis. METHODS: We created novel ETO2::GLIS2 models of leukemogenesis through lentiviral transduction and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of human fetal and post-natal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), performed in-depth characterization of ETO2::GLIS2 transformed cells through multiple omics and compared them to patient samples. This led to a preclinical assay using patient-derived-xenograft models to test a combination of two clinically-relevant molecules. RESULTS: We showed that ETO2::GLIS2 expression in primary human fetal CD34+ hematopoietic cells led to more efficient in vivo leukemia development than expression in post-natal cells. Moreover, cord blood-derived leukemogenesis has a major dependency on the presence of human cytokines, including IL3 and SCF. Single cell transcriptomes revealed that this cytokine environment controlled two ETO2::GLIS2-transformed states that were also observed in primary patient cells. Importantly, this cytokine sensitivity may be therapeutically-exploited as combined MEK and BCL2 inhibition showed higher efficiency than individual molecules to reduce leukemia progression in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our study uncovers an interplay between the cytokine milieu and transcriptional programs that extends a developmental window of permissiveness to transformation by the ETO2::GLIS2 AML fusion oncogene, controls the intratumoral cellular heterogeneity, and offers a ground-breaking therapeutical opportunity by a targeted combination strategy.

[Analysis of the unicentric registry of the Infarction Code program: retrospective cohort]. / Análisis del registro unicéntrico del programa Código Infarto: cohorte retrospectiva.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the most serious manifestation of coronary heart disease. The Infarction Code (according to its initialism in Spanish, CI: Código Infarto) program aims to improve the care of these patients. Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of CI program in a coronary care unit (CCU). Material and methods: A database of a CCU with 5 years of consecutive records was analyzed. Patients diagnosed with ACS were included. The groups with acute myocardial infarction with and without ST-segment elevation were compared using Student's t, Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests. We calculated the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of cardiovascular risk factors for mortality. Results: A total of 4678 subjects were analyzed, 78.7% men, mean age 63 years (± 10.7). 80.76% presented acute myocardial infarction with positive ST-segment elevation and fibrinolytic was granted in 60.8% of cases. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 81.4% of patients, which was successful in 82.5% of events. Patients classified as CI presented mortality of 6.8% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.001. Invasive mechanical ventilation had an RR of 26.58 (95% CI: 20.61-34.3) and circulatory shock an RR of 20.86 (95% CI: 16.16-26.93). Conclusions: The CI program decreased mortality by 4.9%. Early fibrinolysis and successful coronary angiography are protective factors for mortality within CCU.

Introducción: el síndrome coronario agudo (SICA) es la manifestación más grave de la enfermedad coronaria. El programa Código Infarto (CI) tiene como objetivo mejorar la atención de estos pacientes. Objetivo: describir la presentación clínica y los resultados del programa CI de una unidad de cuidados coronarios (UCC). Material y métodos: se analizó una base de datos de una UCC con 5 años de registros consecutivos. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de SICA. Se compararon los grupos con infarto agudo de miocardio con y sin elevación del segmento ST mediante las pruebas t de Student, U de Mann-Whitney y chi cuadrada. Se calculó el riesgo relativo (RR) y el intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC 95%) de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular para mortalidad. Resultados: se analizaron 4678 sujetos, 78.7% hombres, con media de edad de 63 años (± 10.7). El 80.76% presentó infarto agudo de miocardio con desnivel positivo del segmento ST y se otorgó fibrinolítico en el 60.8% de los casos. Se realizó intervencionismo coronario percutáneo en el 81.4% de los pacientes, el cual fue exitoso en el 82.5% de los eventos. Los pacientes catalogados como CI presentaron mortalidad del 6.8% frente a 11.7%, p = 0.001. La ventilación mecánica invasiva tuvo una RR de 26.58 (IC 95%: 20.61-34.3) y el choque circulatorio una RR de 20.86 (IC 95%: 16.16-26.93). Conclusiones: el programa CI disminuyó 4.9% la mortalidad. La fibrinólisis temprana y la angiografía coronaria exitosa son factores protectores para mortalidad dentro de la UCC.

Harlem Health Advocacy Partners: A Local Health Department's Place-Based Community Health Worker Program.

In January 2015, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene launched Harlem Health Advocacy Partners (HHAP), a place-based initiative to demonstrate the capacity of a CHW workforce to improve the health of residents of public housing. The long-term goal of HHAP is to improve the population health of residents of public housing in East and Central Harlem and to close racial gaps in health and social outcomes. A variety of evaluation approaches have been used to assess the initiative. This paper describes the HHAP model and methods for evaluating the program.

Synthesis and Anti-Diabetic Activity of an 8-Purine Derivative as a Novel DPP-4 Inhibitor in Obese Diabetic Zücker Rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the world's principal metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. The gut incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), which has been proposed as a new treatment for T2DM, are extensively metabolized by Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4). Inhibitors of DPP-4 block the degradation of GLP-1 and GIP and may increase their natural circulating levels, favoring glycemic control in T2DM. A novel and potent selective inhibitor of DPP-4 with an 8-purine derived structure (1) has been developed and tested in vitro and in vivo in Zücker obese diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, an experimental model of the metabolic syndrome and T2DM to assess the inhibitory activity using vildagliptin as reference standard. ZDF rats were subdivided into three groups (n = 7/group), control (C-ZDF), and those treated with compound 1 (Compound1-ZDF) and with vildagliptin (V-ZDF), both at 10 mg/kg/d rat body weight, in their drinking water for 12 weeks, and a group of lean littermates (ZL) was used. ZDF rats developed DM (fasting hyperglycemia, 425 ± 14.8 mg/dL; chronic hyperglycemia, HbA1c 8.5 ± 0.4%), compared to ZL rats. Compound 1 and vildagliptin reduced sustained HbAl1c (14% and 10.6%, P < 0.05, respectively) and fasting hyperglycemia values (24% and 19%, P < 0.05, respectively) compared to C-ZDF group (P < 0.001). Compound 1 and vildagliptin have shown a potent activity with an IC50 value of 4.92 and 3.21 µM, respectively. These data demonstrate that oral compound 1 administration improves diabetes in ZDF rats by the inhibitory effect on DPP-4, and the potential to be a novel, efficient and tolerable approach for treating diabetes of obesity-related T2DM, in ZDF rats.

American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus: Reptilia: Crocodilidae) visiting the facilities of a freshwater aquaculture of the Northern Pacific region, Costa Rica, carry tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli.

Apex predators are exposed to antimicrobial compounds and resistant microbes, which accumulate at different trophic levels of the related ecosystems. The study aimed to characterize the presence and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of fecal Escherichia coli isolated from cloacal swab samples obtained from wild-living American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) (n = 53). Sampling was conducted within the distinctive context of a freshwater-intensive aquaculture farm in Costa Rica, where incoming crocodiles are temporarily held in captivity before release. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined in all isolates, while resistant isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. In total, 24 samples contained tetracycline-resistant E. coli (45.3%). Isolates carried either tet(A), tet(B), or tet(C) genes. Furthermore, genes conferring resistance to ß-lactams, aminoglycosides, fosfomycin, sulfonamides, phenicol, quinolones, trimethoprim, and colistin were detected in single isolates, with seven of them carrying these genes on plasmids. Genome sequencing further revealed that sequence types, prevalence of antibiotic resistance carriage, and antibiotic resistance profiles differed between the individuals liberated within the next 24 h after their capture in the ponds and those liberated from enclosures after longer abodes. The overall presence of tetracycline-resistant E. coli, coupled with potential interactions with various anthropogenic factors before arriving at the facilities, hinders clear conclusions on the sources of antimicrobial resistance for the studied individuals. These aspects hold significant implications for both the aquaculture farm's biosecurity and the planning of environmental monitoring programs using such specimens. Considering human-crocodile conflicts from the One Health perspective, the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance underscores the importance of systematical surveillance of antibiotic resistance development in American crocodiles.

Suppression of metastatic organ colonization and antiangiogenic activity of the orally bioavailable lipid raft-targeted alkylphospholipid edelfosine.

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Metastatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat, and it accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths. The ether lipid edelfosine is the prototype of a family of synthetic antitumor compounds collectively known as alkylphospholipid analogs, and its antitumor activity involves lipid raft reorganization. In this study, we examined the effect of edelfosine on metastatic colonization and angiogenesis. Using non-invasive bioluminescence imaging and histological examination, we found that oral administration of edelfosine in nude mice significantly inhibited the lung and brain colonization of luciferase-expressing 435-Lung-eGFP-CMV/Luc metastatic cells, resulting in prolonged survival. In metastatic 435-Lung and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, we found that edelfosine also inhibited cell adhesion to collagen-I and laminin-I substrates, cell migration in chemotaxis and wound-healing assays, as well as cancer cell invasion. In 435-Lung and other MDA-MB-435-derived sublines with different organotropism, edelfosine induced G2/M cell cycle accumulation and apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Edelfosine also inhibited in vitro angiogenesis in human and mouse endothelial cell tube formation assays. The antimetastatic properties were specific to cancer cells, as edelfosine had no effects on viability in non-cancerous cells. Edelfosine accumulated in membrane rafts and endoplasmic reticulum of cancer cells, and membrane raft-located CD44 was downregulated upon drug treatment. Taken together, this study highlights the potential of edelfosine as an attractive drug to prevent metastatic growth and organ colonization in cancer therapy. The raft-targeted drug edelfosine displays a potent activity against metastatic organ colonization and angiogenesis, two major hallmarks of tumor malignancy.

Defining the commonalities between post-transcriptional and post-translational modification communities.

Post-transcriptional modifications of RNA (PRMs) and post-translational modifications of proteins (PTMs) are important regulatory mechanisms in biological processes and have many commonalities. However, the integration of these research areas is lacking. A recent discussion identified the priorities, areas of emphasis, and necessary technologies to advance and integrate these areas of study.

Presence of the Eucalyptus snout beetle in Ecuador and potential invasion risk in South America.

Eucalyptus snout beetles are a complex of at least eight cryptic species (Curculionidae: Gonipterus scutellatus complex), native to mainland Australia and Tasmania, that defoliate Eucalyptus trees and are considered important pests. Since the 19th century, three species of the complex have been introduced to other continents. Here, we document the presence of Eucalyptus snout beetles in Ecuador. We used DNA data for species identification and unambiguously demonstrated that the Ecuadorian specimens belong to the species Gonipterus platensis, which has low genetic diversity compared with other species in the complex. We analyzed G. platensis' potential distribution in South America with ecological niche models and found several areas of high to intermediate climatic suitability, even in countries where the pest has not been registered, like Peru and Bolivia. Accurate identification of species in the G. scutellatus complex and understanding of their potential distribution are essential tools for improved management and prevention tactics.

Los gorgojos del eucalipto son un complejo de al menos ocho especies crípticas (Curculionidae: complejo Gonipterus scutellatus), nativos de Australia continental y Tasmania, que defolian árboles de eucalipto y son considerados como plagas de importancia. Desde el siglo 19, tres especies de este complejo se han introducido a otros continentes. En este trabajo reportamos la presencia de gorgojos del eucalipto en Ecuador. Usamos datos genéticos para la identificación específica y demostramos claramente que los especímenes ecuatorianos pertenecen a la especie Gonipterus platensis, la cual tiene baja diversidad genética comparada con otras especies en el complejo. Analizamos la distribución potencial de G. platensis en América del Sur con modelos de nicho ecológico y encontramos varias áreas con idoneidad ambiental alta a intermedia, incluso en países donde esta especie no ha sido registrada, como Perú y Bolivia. La correcta identificación de las especies del complejo Gonipterus scutellatus y una mejor comprensión de su distribución potencial constituyen herramientas fundamentales para optimizar medidas de manejo y prevención.

Depression symptoms and suicide risk of internal medicine residents before and after first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by the presence of sadness or loss of the ability to feel pleasure, with a high incidence in patients with COVID 19. The investigations have focused on patient care and little on the care of health personnel, these being the ones with the highest mortality rate, so the objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of depression symptoms and suicide risk and understand the association of depressive disorder and suicide risk with levels of serum cholesterol and low levels of serum cortisol among internal medicine fellows in a specialist medical hospital in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, before and after COVID-19. Methods: In this longitudinal study, internal medicine residents were initially monitored for 2months before starting to care for patients with COVID-19. Participants were asked to fill out depression symptoms and suicide risk surveys. We measured the serum cholesterol and cortisol of each participant, and again after 11months of treating COVID-19 patients. Results: Depression symptoms and suicide risk were assessed; significant differences were found between the two time periods for depression (p < 0.01), and no difference was found for suicide risk (p = 0.182). We found a significant correlation between serum cholesterol levels and suicide risk (r = 0.366, p < 0.01); we also found differences in serum cortisol levels (p < 0.01) and cholesterol (p < 0.0001) before and after the pandemic. Conclusion: Caring for patients with COVID-19 in the hospital contributed to an increase in levels of depression symptoms and suicidal ideation, as well as differences in levels of cortisol and cholesterol in resident physicians of internal medicine; among the possible reasons for this change could be the conditions of personal protection while treating patients, the uncertainty in the first months of not knowing how the virus was transmitted and not having or knowing when vaccinations would be available, as well as the lack of a strategy of adequate mental health support from the institutions dedicated to their academic training.

Altered methionine metabolism impacts phenylpropanoid production and plant development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Phenylpropanoids are specialized metabolites derived from phenylalanine. Glucosinolates are defense compounds derived mainly from methionine and tryptophan in Arabidopsis. It was previously shown that the phenylpropanoid pathway and glucosinolate production are metabolically linked. The accumulation of indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx), the precursor of tryptophan-derived glucosinolates, represses phenylpropanoid biosynthesis through accelerated degradation of phenylalanine-ammonia lyase (PAL). As PAL functions at the entry point of the phenylpropanoid pathway which produces indispensable specialized metabolites such as lignin, aldoxime-mediated phenylpropanoid repression is detrimental to plant survival. Although methionine-derived glucosinolates in Arabidopsis are abundant, any impact of aliphatic aldoximes (AAOx) derived from aliphatic amino acids such as methionine on phenylpropanoid production remains unclear. Here, we investigate the impact of AAOx accumulation on phenylpropanoid production using Arabidopsis aldoxime mutants, ref2 and ref5 . REF2 and REF5 metabolize aldoximes to respective nitrile oxides redundantly, but with different substrate specificities. ref2 and ref5 mutants have decreased phenylpropanoid contents due to the accumulation of aldoximes. As REF2 and REF5 have high substrate specificity toward AAOx and IAOx respectively, it was assumed that ref2 accumulates AAOx, not IAOx. Our study indicates that ref2 accumulates both AAOx and IAOx. Removing IAOx partially restored phenylpropanoid production in ref2 , but not to the wild-type level. However, when AAOx biosynthesis was silenced, phenylpropanoid production and PAL activity in ref2 were completely restored, suggesting an inhibitory effect of AAOx on phenylpropanoid production. Further feeding studies revealed that the abnormal growth phenotype commonly observed in Arabidopsis mutants lacking AAOx production is a consequence of methionine accumulation. Significance Statement: Aliphatic aldoximes are precursors of various specialized metabolites including defense compounds. This study reveals that aliphatic aldoximes repress phenylpropanoid production and that altered methionine metabolism affects plant growth and development. As phenylpropanoids include vital metabolites such as lignin, a major sink of fixed carbon, this metabolic link may contribute to available resource allocation during defense.

Altered methionine metabolism impacts phenylpropanoid production and plant development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Phenylpropanoids are specialized metabolites derived from phenylalanine. Glucosinolates are defense compounds derived mainly from methionine and tryptophan in Arabidopsis. It was previously shown that the phenylpropanoid pathway and glucosinolate production are metabolically linked. The accumulation of indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx), the precursor of tryptophan-derived glucosinolates, represses phenylpropanoid biosynthesis through accelerated degradation of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). As PAL functions at the entry point of the phenylpropanoid pathway, which produces indispensable specialized metabolites such as lignin, aldoxime-mediated phenylpropanoid repression is detrimental to plant survival. Although methionine-derived glucosinolates in Arabidopsis are abundant, any impact of aliphatic aldoximes (AAOx) derived from aliphatic amino acids such as methionine on phenylpropanoid production remains unclear. Here, we investigate the impact of AAOx accumulation on phenylpropanoid production using Arabidopsis aldoxime mutants, ref2 and ref5. REF2 and REF5 metabolize aldoximes to respective nitrile oxides redundantly, but with different substrate specificities. ref2 and ref5 mutants have decreased phenylpropanoid contents due to the accumulation of aldoximes. As REF2 and REF5 have high substrate specificity toward AAOx and IAOx, respectively, it was assumed that ref2 accumulates AAOx, not IAOx. Our study indicates that ref2 accumulates both AAOx and IAOx. Removing IAOx partially restored phenylpropanoid content in ref2, but not to the wild-type level. However, when AAOx biosynthesis was silenced, phenylpropanoid production and PAL activity in ref2 were completely restored, suggesting an inhibitory effect of AAOx on phenylpropanoid production. Further feeding studies revealed that the abnormal growth phenotype commonly observed in Arabidopsis mutants lacking AAOx production is a consequence of methionine accumulation.

How we approach conservative treatment of retinoblastoma in South America in the era of local ocular treatments: A consensus of the Grupo America Latina de Oncologia Pediatrica (GALOP).

Local therapies are increasingly used for ocular preservation in retinoblastoma. In middle-income countries, these techniques pose specific challenges mostly related to more advanced disease at diagnosis. The Grupo de America Latina de Oncología Pediátrica (GALOP) developed a consensus document for the management of conservative therapy for retinoblastoma. Intra-arterial chemotherapy (OAC) is the preferred therapy, except for those with less advanced disease or age younger than 6 months. OAC allowed for a reduction in the use of external beam radiotherapy in our setting. Intravitreal chemotherapy is the preferred treatment for vitreous seeding. Enucleation is the treatment of choice for eyes with advanced disease.

Environmental Toxocara spp. presence in crowded squares and public parks from San Juan Province, Argentina: A call for a "One Health" approach.

Introduction: Canine soil-transmitted helminth (cSTH) parasites need specific environmental conditions to complete their life cycle. Toxocara canis and T. cati are the most important zoonotic cSTH, since they are the causal agents of human toxocariasis. Canine STHs are dispersed in feces from infected domestic and wildlife canines. In this study, the presence of STH in canine feces was evaluated in 34 crowded public parks and squares from San Juan Province (Argentina). Methods: Fecal samples were collected during different seasons in 2021-2022 and analyzed by standard coprological methods, including Sheather and Willis flotation and Telemann sedimentation. InfoStat 2020, OpenEpi V. 3.01 and R and RStudio® were used for statistical analysis and QGIS 3.16.10 for mapping. Results: From a total of 1,121 samples collected, 100 (8.9%) were positive for at least one intestinal parasite (IP) and three cSTH species were detected: Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina and Trichuris vulpis. The most prevalent cSTH species was T. vulpis (64/1121; 0.057%), while the least prevalent was Toxocara spp. (19/1121; 0.017%). The detection of Toxocara spp. eggs was significantly different depending on the season. The geo-spatial variation of each cSTH per season is described. Discussion: This is the first study in San Juan Province to identify environmental contamination of cSTHs in public areas. The specific localization of areas with the presence of cSTH eggs could provide information to guide strategies to reduce the cSTH infection burden in dogs and promote serological screening of the human population for Toxocara spp. Given the zoonotic nature of Toxocara spp. We hope this information will help to reinforce activities of control programs, focusing on the "One Health" approach.

Occurrence, Function, and Biosynthesis of the Natural Auxin Phenylacetic Acid (PAA) in Plants.

Auxins are a class of plant hormones playing crucial roles in a plant's growth, development, and stress responses. Phenylacetic acid (PAA) is a phenylalanine-derived natural auxin found widely in plants. Although the auxin activity of PAA in plants was identified several decades ago, PAA homeostasis and its function remain poorly understood, whereas indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the most potent auxin, has been used for most auxin studies. Recent studies have revealed unique features of PAA distinctive from IAA, and the enzymes and intermediates of the PAA biosynthesis pathway have been identified. Here, we summarize the occurrence and function of PAA in plants and highlight the recent progress made in PAA homeostasis, emphasizing PAA biosynthesis and crosstalk between IAA and PAA homeostasis.

Metabolic link between auxin production and specialized metabolites in Sorghum bicolor.

Aldoximes are amino acid derivatives that serve as intermediates for numerous specialized metabolites including cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, and auxins. Aldoxime formation is mainly catalyzed by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases of the 79 family (CYP79s) that can have broad or narrow substrate specificity. Except for SbCYP79A1, aldoxime biosynthetic enzymes in the cereal sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) have not been characterized. This study identified nine CYP79-encoding genes in the genome of sorghum. A phylogenetic analysis of CYP79 showed that SbCYP79A61 formed a subclade with maize ZmCYP79A61, previously characterized to be involved in aldoxime biosynthesis. Functional characterization of this sorghum enzyme using transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana and stable overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that SbCYP79A61 catalyzes the production of phenylacetaldoxime (PAOx) from phenylalanine but, unlike the maize enzyme, displays no detectable activity against tryptophan. Additionally, targeted metabolite analysis after stable isotope feeding assays revealed that PAOx can serve as a precursor of phenylacetic acid (PAA) in sorghum and identified benzyl cyanide as an intermediate of PAOx-derived PAA biosynthesis in both sorghum and maize. Taken together, our results demonstrate that SbCYP79A61 produces PAOx in sorghum and may serve in the biosynthesis of other nitrogen-containing phenylalanine-derived metabolites involved in mediating biotic and abiotic stresses.

Importancia del microbioma en la salud humana y aplicaciones médicas / Importance of the microbiome in human health and medical implications

Recientes investigaciones han relacionado la microbiota intestinal con la salud humana en múltiples aspectos. La evolución de los estilos de vida ha determinado un cambio en la composición de las bacterias intestinales, así como la implicación que la comunidad de estas ejerce sobre la salud. Actualmente, se conoce que la mayoría de las bacterias presentes en el sistema gastrointestinal pertenecen principalmente a los fila Firmicutes y Bacterioidetes, aunque también se encuentran otros grupos tales como proteobacterias y actinobacterias. A medida que se avanza en el tracto gastrointestinal predominan algunos géneros de bacterias. Los efectos de la microbiota pueden ser directos e indirectos, además, dependen de muchos factores tales como la edad de la persona, el grupo etario, la genética del individuo, la dieta y el estilo de vida. Durante los últimos años, la accesibilidad a tecnologías de secuenciación ha permitido tener un acercamiento más estrecho a la microbiota intestinal. Esto, sumado a herramientas bioinformáticas, ha permitido establecer relaciones microbiales entre la cantidad y estructura poblacional y las manifestaciones clínicas en el ser humano. Algunas de las afecciones estudiadas y que tienen relación con la microbiota intestinal son: la obesidad, la diabetes, el cáncer, las enfermedades relacionadas con el cerebro, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las enfermedades gastrointestinales. De acuerdo con lo mencionado, se hizo una recopilación de información de carácter científico en cuanto a estudios relevantes que describen la relación microbiota-salud humana y casos donde se observa compromiso del organismo, al mismo tiempo que se describen opciones terapéuticas propuestas y un abordaje de perspectivas futuras.

Recent research has linked gut microbiota to human health in multiple ways. The evolution of lifestyles has determined a change in the composition of intestinal bacteria, as well as the implications that they exert on health. Currently, it is known that most of the bacteria present in the gastrointestinal sector belong mainly to the phylum Firmicutes and Bacterioidetes, although there are also other groups such as proteobacteria and actinobacteria. As it progresses through the gastrointestinal tract, some genera of bacteria and species predominate. The effects of the microbiota can be direct and indirect, and also depend on many factors such as the age of the person, the age group, the individual's genetics, diet, and lifestyle. In recent years, accessibility to sequencing technologies has allowed for a closer approach to the intestinal microbiota. This, added to bioinformatic tools has allowed establishing microbial relationships in terms of quantity and population structure with clinical manifestations in humans. Some of the pathologies studied that are related to intestinal microbiota are obesity, diabetes, cancer, brain-related diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases. A compilation of scientific information is made regarding relevant studies that describe the microbiota-human health relationship, cases where the organism is affected, as well as proposed therapeutic options and an approach to future perspectives

The source, level, and balance of nitrogen during the somatic embryogenesis process drive cellular differentiation.

Since the discovery of somatic embryogenesis (SE), it has been evident that nitrogen (N) metabolism is essential during morphogenesis and cell differentiation. Usually, N is supplied to cultures in vitro in three forms, ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3-), and amino N from amino acids (AAs). Although most plants prefer NO3- to NH4+, NH4+ is the primary form route to be assimilated. The balance of NO3- and NH4+ determines if the morphological differentiation process will produce embryos. That the N reduction of NO3- is needed for both embryo initiation and maturation is well-established in several models, such as carrot, tobacco, and rose. It is clear that N is indispensable for SE, but the mechanism that triggers the signal for embryo formation remains unknown. Here, we discuss recent studies that suggest an optimal endogenous concentration of auxin and cytokinin is closely related to N supply to plant tissue. From a molecular and biochemical perspective, we explain N's role in embryo formation, hypothesizing possible mechanisms that allow cellular differentiation by changing the nitrogen source.

Draft Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus odorifer V, Isolated from the Fecal Material of a Rabbit.

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Paenibacillus odorifer strain V, which was isolated from the fecal material of a rabbit living in the wild. The genome size is 6,863,583 bp, with 44.35 mol% G+C content.