Immunomodulatory effect of Tityus sp. in mononuclear cells extracted from the blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: Pathophysiological mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis arise because of a proinflammatory environment, generated by the interaction of autoreactive lymphocytes and proinflammatory mediators. Current strategies to mitigate the progression of the disease produce adverse effects, so there is a need for new therapeutic strategies and molecular targets to treat this disease. In this context, evidence suggests that scorpion venoms could modulate the immune response and some important cellular mechanisms of pharmacological interest. To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the venom of Tityus sp. (a possible new species close to Tityus metuendus) peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women diagnosed with RA were compared to cells of a control group. Methods: A case-control study was conducted with a sample of 10 women with a confirmed diagnosis of RA and controls matched by sex and age. The cytotoxicity of the venom was evaluated to find sublethal concentrations of the venom, and subsequently, their immunomodulatory capacity in terms of percentage of proliferation, cell activation, and cytokines production. Results: the venom of Tityus sp. produced a decrease in the percentage of proliferation in the CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ cell subpopulations of RA patients and healthy controls, at concentrations of 252 and 126 µg/mL. However, the venom did not induce significant differences in the percentage of cell activation markers. The venom caused a decrease in IL-10 at a concentration of 252 µg/mL compared to untreated cells from patients and controls. The remaining cytokines did not show significant differences. Conclusion: the venom of Tityus sp. is a potential source of molecules with immunomodulatory ability in CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes. This result directs venom characterization studies to identify pharmacological targets with immunomodulatory capacity in T lymphocytes to enhance research in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as RA.

Fungal effectors: past, present, and future.

Fungal effector proteins function at the interfaces of diverse interactions between fungi and their plant and animal hosts, facilitating interactions that are pathogenic or mutualistic. Recent advancements in protein structure prediction have significantly accelerated the identification and functional predictions of these rapidly evolving effector proteins. This development enables scientists to generate testable hypotheses for functional validation using experimental approaches. Research frontiers in effector biology include understanding pathways through which effector proteins are secreted or translocated into host cells, their roles in manipulating host microbiomes, and their contribution to interacting with host immunity. Comparative effector repertoires among different fungal-host interactions can highlight unique adaptations, providing insights for the development of novel antifungal therapies and biocontrol strategies.

Comparative histology of abscission zones reveals the extent of convergence and divergence in seed shattering in weedy and cultivated rice.

The modification of seed shattering has been a recurring theme in rice evolution. The wild ancestor of cultivated rice disperses its seeds, but reduced shattering was selected during multiple domestication events to facilitate harvesting. Conversely, selection for increased shattering occurred during the evolution of weedy rice, a weed invading cultivated rice fields that has originated multiple times from domesticated ancestors. Shattering requires formation of a tissue known as the abscission zone (AZ), but how the AZ has been modified throughout rice evolution is unclear. We quantitatively characterized the AZ characteristics of relative length, discontinuity, and intensity in 86 cultivated and weedy rice accessions. We reconstructed AZ evolutionary trajectories and determined the degree of convergence among different cultivated varieties and among independent weedy rice populations. AZ relative length emerged as the best feature to distinguish high and low shattering rice. Cultivated varieties differed in average AZ morphology, revealing lack of convergence in how shattering reduction was achieved during domestication. In contrast, weedy rice populations typically converged on complete AZs, irrespective of origin. By examining AZ population-level morphology, our study reveals its evolutionary plasticity, and suggests that the genetic potential to modify the ecologically and agronomically important trait of shattering is plentiful in rice lineages.

Current status of community resources and priorities for weed genomics research.

Weeds are attractive models for basic and applied research due to their impacts on agricultural systems and capacity to swiftly adapt in response to anthropogenic selection pressures. Currently, a lack of genomic information precludes research to elucidate the genetic basis of rapid adaptation for important traits like herbicide resistance and stress tolerance and the effect of evolutionary mechanisms on wild populations. The International Weed Genomics Consortium is a collaborative group of scientists focused on developing genomic resources to impact research into sustainable, effective weed control methods and to provide insights about stress tolerance and adaptation to assist crop breeding.

Introgression from local cultivars is a driver of agricultural adaptation in Argentinian weedy rice.

Weedy rice, a pervasive and troublesome weed found across the globe, has often evolved through fertilization of rice cultivars with little importance of crop-weed gene flow. In Argentina, weedy rice has been reported as an important constraint since the early 1970s, and, in the last few years, strains with herbicide-resistance are suspected to evolve. Despite their importance, the origin and genetic composition of Argentinian weedy rice as well its adaptation to agricultural environments has not been explored so far. To study this, we conducted genotyping-by-sequencing on samples of Argentinian weedy and cultivated rice and compared them with published data from weedy, cultivated and wild rice accessions distributed worldwide. In addition, we conducted a phenotypic characterization for weedy-related traits, a herbicide resistance screening and genotyped accessions for known mutations in the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene, which confers herbicide resistance. Our results revealed large phenotypic variability in Argentinian weedy rice. Most strains were resistant to ALS-inhibiting herbicides with a high frequency of the ALS mutation (A122T) present in Argentinian rice cultivars. Argentinian cultivars belonged to the three major genetic groups of rice: japonica, indica and aus while weeds were mostly aus or aus-indica admixed, resembling weedy rice strains from the Southern Cone region. Phylogenetic analysis supports a single origin for aus-like South American weeds, likely as seed contaminants from the United States, and then admixture with local indica cultivars. Our findings demonstrate that crop to weed introgression can facilitate rapid adaptation to agriculture environments.

Immunomodulatory effect of Tityus sp. in mononuclear cells extracted from the blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients

ABSTRACT Background: Pathophysiological mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis arise because of a proinflammatory environment, generated by the interaction of autoreactive lymphocytes and proinflammatory mediators. Current strategies to mitigate the progression of the disease produce adverse effects, so there is a need for new therapeutic strategies and molecular targets to treat this disease. In this context, evidence suggests that scorpion venoms could modulate the immune response and some important cellular mechanisms of pharmacological interest. To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the venom of Tityus sp. (a possible new species close to Tityus metuendus) peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women diagnosed with RA were compared to cells of a control group. Methods: A case-control study was conducted with a sample of 10 women with a confirmed diagnosis of RA and controls matched by sex and age. The cytotoxicity of the venom was evaluated to find sublethal concentrations of the venom, and subsequently, their immunomodulatory capacity in terms of percentage of proliferation, cell activation, and cytokines production. Results: the venom of Tityus sp. produced a decrease in the percentage of proliferation in the CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ cell subpopulations of RA patients and healthy controls, at concentrations of 252 and 126 µg/mL. However, the venom did not induce significant differences in the percentage of cell activation markers. The venom caused a decrease in IL-10 at a concentration of 252 µg/mL compared to untreated cells from patients and controls. The remaining cytokines did not show significant differences. Conclusion: the venom of Tityus sp. is a potential source of molecules with immunomodulatory ability in CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes. This result directs venom characterization studies to identify pharmacological targets with immunomodulatory capacity in T lymphocytes to enhance research in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as RA.

A derived weedy rice × ancestral cultivar cross identifies evolutionarily relevant weediness QTLs.

Weedy rice (Oryza spp.) is a weedy relative of the cultivated rice that competes with the crop and causes significant production loss. The BHA (blackhull awned) US weedy rice group has evolved from aus cultivated rice and differs from its ancestors in several important weediness traits, including flowering time, plant height and seed shattering. Prior attempts to determine the genetic basis of weediness traits in plants using linkage mapping approaches have not often considered weed origins. However, the timing of divergence between crossed parents can affect the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) relevant to the evolution of weediness. Here, we used a QTL-seq approach that combines bulked segregant analysis and high-throughput whole genome resequencing to map the three important weediness traits in an F2 population derived from a cross between BHA weedy rice with an ancestral aus cultivar. We compared these QTLs with those previously detected in a cross of BHA with a more distantly related crop, indica. We identified multiple QTLs that overlapped with regions under selection during the evolution of weedy BHA rice and some candidate genes possibly underlying the evolution weediness traits in BHA. We showed that QTLs detected with ancestor-descendant crosses are more likely to be involved in the evolution of weediness traits than those detected from crosses of more diverged taxa.

Variation in ripe fruit volatiles across the tomato clade: An evolutionary framework for studying fruit scent diversity in a crop wild relative.

PREMISE: The scents of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an important component of ripe fleshy fruit attractiveness, yet their variation across closely related wild species is poorly understood. Phylogenetic patterns in these compounds and their biosynthetic pathways offer insight into the evolutionary drivers of fruit diversity, including whether scent can communicate an honest signal of nutrient content to animal dispersers. We assessed ripe fruit VOC content across the tomato clade (Solanum sect. Lycopersicon), with implications for crop improvement since these compounds are key components of tomato flavor. METHODS: We analyzed ripe fruit volatiles from 13 species of wild tomato grown in a common garden. Interspecific variations in 66 compounds and their biosynthetic pathways were assessed in 32 accessions, and an accession-level phylogeny was constructed to account for relatedness. RESULTS: Wild tomato species can be differentiated by their VOCs, with Solanum pennellii notably distinct. Phylogenetic conservatism exists to a limited extent. Major cladewide patterns corresponded to divergence of the five brightly colored-fruited species from the nine green-fruited species, particularly for nitrogen-containing compounds (higher in colored-fruited) and esters (higher in green-fruited), the latter appearing to signal a sugar reward. CONCLUSIONS: We established a framework for fruit scent evolution studies in a crop wild relative system, showing that each species in the tomato clade has a unique VOC profile. Differences between color groups align with fruit syndromes that could be driven by selection from frugivores. The evolution of colored fruits was accompanied by changes in biosynthetic pathways for esters and nitrogen-containing compounds, volatiles important to tomato flavor.

Cultural adaptation and validation of the COPCORD questionnaire for the detection of rheumatic diseases in the indigenous Misak population

Introduction: The objective was to adapt and valídate in a culturally sensitive way the methodology of the community-oriented programme for the control of rheumatic diseases (COPCORD) in the indigenous Misak community of Colombia. Material and methods: A culturally sensitive validation of the COPCORD questionnaire in Spanish was carried out, translating into the nam trik wam language used by the Misak community of Guambia town. It was adapted to the context of this population and later a back-translation to Spanish was carried out. Finally, it was validated applying the survey with the support of bilingual translators. Participants with pain, stiffness or swelling in any joint in the previous 7 days and/or at any time in life were evaluated by physicians and physiotherapists and were then, upon confirming the diagnosis of a musculoskeletal disorder, subsequently examined by a rheumatologist. Results: In this population (n = 106), 58.5% were women with an average age of 45.5 years. In the last 7 days, 51 subjects (48.1%) reported having musculoskeletal pain and 7 (44.3%) reported pain at some time in their life. Of those who received treatment, 53.1% reported using traditional medicine, 34.4% homeopathic treatment, and 25% allopathic treatment. The COPCORD Misak demonstrated an adequate capacity to detect musculoskeletal disorders, with a sensitivity of 63.3% and a specificity of 80.3%, with a positive likelihood ratio of 3.2, and area under the curve of.71. Conclusion: The COPCORD methodology is a valid screening tool to detect musculoskeletal disorders in the Misak community.

Introducción: El objetivo fue adaptar y validar, de forma culturalmente sensible, la metodología del Programa orientado a la comunidad para el control de enfermedades reumáticas (COPCORD) en la comunidad indígena misak de Colombia. Material y métodos: Se realizó una validación culturalmente sensible del cuestionario Copcord en español, que se tradujo al nam trik wam, lengua usada por el pueblo misak del resguardo de Guambia. El cuestionario se adecuó al contexto de esta población y posteriormente se llevó a cabo una retrotraducción al español. Por último, se validó aplicando la encuesta con el apoyo de traductores bilingües. Los participantes con dolor, rigidez o hinchazón en cualquier articulación en los siete días previos, o en cualquier momento de la vida, fueron evaluados por médicos y fisioterapeutas. Al confirmarse el diagnóstico de una enfermedad musculoesquelética los participantes eran examinados por un reumatólogo. Resultados: De la población estudiada (n = 106) el 58,5% fueron mujeres, con una edad promedio de 45,4 arios. En los últimos siete días, 51 sujetos (48,1%) informaron tener dolor musculoesquelético y siete (44,3%) refirieron dolor en algún momento de su vida. Quienes recibieron tratamiento reportaron el uso de medicamentos tradicionales en un 53,1% de los casos, homeopáticos en el 34,4% y alopáticos en el 25%. El cuestionario COPCORD Misak demostró una adecuada capacidad para detectar los trastornos musculoesqueléticos, con una sensibilidad del 63,3%, una especificidad del 80,3%, una razón de verosimilitud positiva de 3,2 y un área bajo la curva de 0,71. Conclusión: La metodología COPCORD es una herramienta válida de cribado de enfermedades musculoesqueléticas en el pueblo misak.

Prácticas culturales de cuidado en el binomio madre-hijo durante el puerperio: Revisión integrativa / Cultural practices of care in the binomial mother-child during the puerperium: Integrative review / Práticas culturais de cuidado no binômio mãe-filho durante o puerpério: Revisão integrativa

Resumen Objetivo: identificar en la literatura las prácticas culturales de cuidado postnatal que realizan las mujeres y su familia durante el puerperio. Metodología: se realizó una revisión integrativa a través de búsqueda en las bases de datos: Gale Cengage Learning, Scielo, Redalyc, Dialnet, EBSCO, Proquest, Science Direct, PubMed y Medigraphic en idiomas inglés, español y portugués entre 2014 y 2019, utilizando los términos: prácticas de cuidado cultural, cuidado en el puerperio, cuidado al recién nacido y cuidado de enfermería materno perinatal; los datos se analizaron a partir de la construcción de una matriz en Excel. Resultados: se obtuvieron 70 artículos, de los cuales emergieron cuatro categorías temáticas de prácticas de cuidado cultural: cuidado de la mujer consigo misma, cuidado del neonato por la madre/familia, cuidado institucional de la puérpera y del neonato, siendo la lactancia materna el factor común entre las ellas. Conclusiones: la identificación de diversas prácticas de cuidado postnatal en el ámbito hospitalario y ambulatorio varían por aspectos sociales, económicos y culturales, pero la mayoría de ellas favorecen el vínculo con el neonato. Es difícil establecer prácticas culturales generalizadas y estáticas en Colombia, debido a la diversidad cultural dentro de cada país.

Abstract Objective: To identify in the literature the cultural practices of postnatal care carried out by women and their families during the puerperium. Methodology: an integrative review was carried out through a search in the Gale Cengage Learning, Scielo, Redalyc, Dialnet, EBSCO, Proquest, Science Direct, PubMed and Medigraphic databases in English, Spanish and Portuguese between 2014 and 2019, using the terms: cultural care practices, puerperium care, newborn care and maternal and perinatal nursing care. The data were analyzed from the construction of a matrix in Excel. Results: A total of 70 articles were obtained, from which four thematic categories of cultural care practices emerged: self-care of the woman, care of the newborn by the mother/family, institutional care of the puerperal woman and the newborn, with breastfeeding being the common factor among them. Conclusions: the identification of different postnatal care practices in the hospital and outpatient settings varies according to social, economic and cultural aspects, but most of them favor bonding with the newborn. It is difficult to establish generalized and static cultural practices in Colombia due to the cultural diversity within each country.

Resumo Objetivo: identificar na literatura as práticas culturais de cuidado post natal que realizam as mulheres e sua família durante o puerpério. Metodologia: Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa a través de busca nas bases de dados: Gale Cengage Learning, Scielo, Redalyc, Dialnet, EBSCO, Proquest, Science Direct, PubMed e Medigraphic em idiomas inglês, espanhol e português entre 2014 e 2019, utilizando os termos: práticas de cuidado cultural, cuidado no puerpério, cuidado ao recém-nascido e cuidado de enfermaria materna perinatal; os dados se analisaram a partir da construção de uma matriz em Excel. Resultados: obtiveram-se 70 artigos, dos quais emergiram quatro categorias temáticas de práticas de cuidado cultural: cuidado da mulher consigo mesma, cuidado do neonato pela mãe/família, cuidado institucional da puérpera e do neonato, sendo a lactância materna o fator comum entre elas. Conclusões: a identificação de diversas práticas de cuidado pós-natal no âmbito hospitalário e ambulatório variam por aspeitos sociais, econômicos e culturais, mas a maioria de elas favorece o vínculo com o neonato. É difícil estabelecer práticas culturais generalizadas e estáticas na Colômbia, devido à diversidade cultural dentro de cada país.

Culturally sensitive care of Misak Indigenous patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: To describe and understand the attitudes, cultural knowledge, and therapeutic practices of the Misak people concerning rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inscribed in an emergent culturally sensitive healthcare model along with the indigenous community and health professionals, following a respectful and empathic relational contact approach to the inter-ethnic encounter. METHODS: A qualitative study that used ethnographic methods using observation techniques and in-depth interviews was carried out in the Misak community, Colombia, by a multidisciplinary team (rheumatology, physiotherapy, and anthropology). A thematic analysis based around the concept of explanatory models (EMs) was carried out. RESULTS: Researchers interviewed 20 patients with RA, 12 traditional healers, and 5 health professionals. The following themes were identified: (1) the traditional healers are allowed to practice only if the community recognizes their vocation; (2) two types of EM were observed: Misak community EM related to conception of RA and its treatment, shared by patients and the traditional healers; and biomedical EM. The interaction of the two types is still a healthcare challenge that requires articulating to achieve better clinical outcomes for patients. CONCLUSION: The EMs of RA care identified in the Misak community are focused on both the patients and the traditional healers. However, this predominant EM and the biomedical EM of RA care need to be brought closer together to contribute to the construction of a unifying model of a culturally sensitive care.

Unraveling the genetics of tomato fruit weight during crop domestication and diversification.

KEY MESSAGE: Six novel fruit weight QTLs were identified in tomato using multiple bi-parental populations developed from ancestral accessions. Beneficial alleles at these loci arose in semi-domesticated subpopulations and were likely left behind. This study paves the way to introgress these alleles into breeding programs. The size and weight of edible organs have been strongly selected during crop domestication. Concurrently, human have also focused on nutritional and cultural characteristics of fruits and vegetables, at times countering selective pressures on beneficial size and weight alleles. Therefore, it is likely that novel improvement alleles for organ weight still segregate in ancestral germplasm. To date, five domestication and diversification genes affecting tomato fruit weight have been identified, yet the genetic basis for increases in weight has not been fully accounted for. We found that fruit weight increased gradually during domestication and diversification, and semi-domesticated subpopulations featured high phenotypic and nucleotide diversity. Columella and septum fruit tissues were proportionally increased, suggesting targeted selection. We developed twenty-one F2 populations with parents fixed for the known fruit weight genes, corresponding to putative key transitions from wild to fully domesticated tomatoes. These parents also showed differences in fruit weight attributes as well as the developmental timing of size increase. A subset of populations was targeted for QTL-seq, leading to the identification of six uncloned fruit weight QTLs. Three QTLs, located on chromosomes 1, 2 and 3, were subsequently validated by progeny testing. By exploring the segregation of the known fruit weight genes and the identified QTLs, we estimated that most beneficial alleles in the newly identified loci arose in semi-domesticated subpopulations from South America and were not likely transmitted to fully domesticated landraces. Therefore, these alleles could be incorporated into breeding programs using the germplasm and genetic resources identified in this study.

Natural Genetic Diversity in Tomato Flavor Genes.

Fruit flavor is defined as the perception of the food by the olfactory and gustatory systems, and is one of the main determinants of fruit quality. Tomato flavor is largely determined by the balance of sugars, acids and volatile compounds. Several genes controlling the levels of these metabolites in tomato fruit have been cloned, including LIN5, ALMT9, AAT1, CXE1, and LoxC. The aim of this study was to identify any association of these genes with trait variation and to describe the genetic diversity at these loci in the red-fruited tomato clade comprised of the wild ancestor Solanum pimpinellifolium, the semi-domesticated species Solanum lycopersicum cerasiforme and early domesticated Solanum lycopersicum. High genetic diversity was observed at these five loci, including novel haplotypes that could be incorporated into breeding programs to improve fruit quality of modern tomatoes. Using newly available high-quality genome assemblies, we assayed each gene for potential functional causative polymorphisms and resolved a duplication at the LoxC locus found in several wild and semi-domesticated accessions which caused lower accumulation of lipid derived volatiles. In addition, we explored gene expression of the five genes in nine phylogenetically diverse tomato accessions. In general, the expression patterns of these genes increased during fruit ripening but diverged between accessions without clear relationship between expression and metabolite levels.

Non-thermal processing of pineapple (Ananas comosus [L.] Merr.) juice using continuous pressure change technology (PCT): HS-SPME-GC-MS profiling, descriptive sensory analysis, and consumer acceptance.

The effects of single and twofold continuous pressure change technology (PCT) applications on the volatiles and sensory characteristics of pineapple juice were studied. Fresh and thermally pasteurised juices were additionally characterised. 128 volatiles were tentatively assigned in the four juices. Thermal pasteurisation and a single PCT treatment caused substantial losses in total volatiles of 6 and 20%, respectively. A second PCT passage further reduced the volatiles (36%) and is thus not recommended. PCT-treated samples were clearly distinguished from the remaining juices by principal component analysis. The descriptive sensory profiles, assessed by trained panellists, were not substantially affected by thermal pasteurisation and non-thermal PCT. The fresh juice exhibited a significant fishy off-flavour. In the consumer acceptance test, the thermally pasteurised juice was highly rated compared to both PCT-treated and the fresh juice. This study highlights the potential of PCT to avoid the genesis of off-flavours in fresh-like pineapple juice.

Something old, something new: Evolution of Colombian weedy rice (Oryza spp.) through de novo de-domestication, exotic gene flow, and hybridization.

Weedy rice (Oryza spp.) is a worldwide weed of domesticated rice (O. sativa), considered particularly problematic due to its strong competition with the crop, which leads to reduction in yields and harvest quality. Several studies have established multiple independent origins for weedy rice populations in the United States and various parts of Asia; however, the origins of weedy rice in South America have not been examined in a global context. We evaluated the genetic variation of weedy rice populations in Colombia, as well as the contributions of local wild Oryza species, local cultivated varieties, and exotic Oryza groups to the weed, using polymorphism generated by genotyping by sequencing (GBS). We found no evidence for genomic contributions from local wild Oryza species (O. glumaepatula, O. grandiglumis, O. latifolia, and O. alta) to Colombian weedy rice. Instead, Colombian weedy rice has evolved from local indica cultivars and has also likely been inadvertently imported as an exotic pest from the United States. Additionally, weeds comprising de novo admixture between these distinct weedy populations now represent a large proportion of genomic backgrounds in Colombian weedy rice. Our results underscore the impressive ability of weedy rice to evolve through multiple evolutionary pathways, including in situ de-domestication, range expansion, and hybridization.

Major Impacts of Widespread Structural Variation on Gene Expression and Crop Improvement in Tomato.

Structural variants (SVs) underlie important crop improvement and domestication traits. However, resolving the extent, diversity, and quantitative impact of SVs has been challenging. We used long-read nanopore sequencing to capture 238,490 SVs in 100 diverse tomato lines. This panSV genome, along with 14 new reference assemblies, revealed large-scale intermixing of diverse genotypes, as well as thousands of SVs intersecting genes and cis-regulatory regions. Hundreds of SV-gene pairs exhibit subtle and significant expression changes, which could broadly influence quantitative trait variation. By combining quantitative genetics with genome editing, we show how multiple SVs that changed gene dosage and expression levels modified fruit flavor, size, and production. In the last example, higher order epistasis among four SVs affecting three related transcription factors allowed introduction of an important harvesting trait in modern tomato. Our findings highlight the underexplored role of SVs in genotype-to-phenotype relationships and their widespread importance and utility in crop improvement.

Enfermedad de Paget de hueso esporádica. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / Sporadic Paget's disease of the bone. Case series and literature review

RESUMEN La enfermedad de Paget ósea es una enfermedad metabólica del hueso de etiología no esclarecida, que se caracteriza por una fase de resorción aumentada seguida por una fase de osteoformación aberrante. Es frecuente en Europa, Norteamérica, Nueva Zelanda y Australia, pero infrecuente en Asia, Medio Oriente y África. En población colombiana hay reportes de casos. Generalmente cursa asintomática y se diagnostica incidentalmente por hallazgos radiográficos o fosfatasa alcalina elevada. El uso de bifosfonatos favorece el control del recambio óseo y permite prevenir complicaciones como las fracturas. Se presenta una serie de casos en Colombia y una revisión de la literatura.

A B S T R A C T Paget's disease of the bone is a metabolic bone disease of unknown origin, and is characterised by an increased phase of resorption, followed by an aberrant osteoformation phase. It is common in Europe, North America, New Zealand, and Australia, but infrequent in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and in the Colombian population there are case reports. It is usually asymptomatic and is diagnosed incidentally by radiographic findings or an elevated alkaline phosphatase. The use of bisphosphonates favours the control of bone turnover and prevents complications such as fractures. A series of cases in Colombia is presented, along with a review of the literature.

Identification of Novel QTL Conferring Sheath Blight Resistance in Two Weedy Rice Mapping Populations.

BACKGROUND: Rice sheath blight (ShB) disease, caused by the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani, causes significant yield losses globally. US weedy rice populations, which are de-domesticated forms of indica and aus cultivated rice, appear to be more resistant to ShB than local japonica cultivated rice. We mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with ShB resistance using two F8 recombinant inbred line populations generated from crosses of an indica crop variety, Dee-Geo-Woo-Gen (DGWG), with individuals representing the two major US weed biotypes, straw hull (SH) and black hull awned (BHA). RESULTS: We identified nine ShB resistance QTL across both mapping populations. Five were attributable to alleles that affect plant height (PH) and heading date (HD), two growth traits that are known to be highly correlated with ShB resistance. By utilizing an approach that treated growth traits as covariates in the mapping model, we were able to infer that the remaining four QTL are involved in ShB resistance. Two of these, qShB1-2 and qShB4, are different from previously identified ShB QTL and represent new candidates for further study. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that ShB resistance can be improved through favorable plant growth traits and the combined effects of small to moderate-effect resistance QTL. Additionally, we show that including PH and HD as covariates in QTL mapping models is a powerful way to identify new ShB resistance QTL.

Genomic Evidence for Complex Domestication History of the Cultivated Tomato in Latin America.

The process of plant domestication is often protracted, involving underexplored intermediate stages with important implications for the evolutionary trajectories of domestication traits. Previously, tomato domestication history has been thought to involve two major transitions: one from wild Solanum pimpinellifolium L. to a semidomesticated intermediate, S. lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme (SLC) in South America, and a second transition from SLC to fully domesticated S. lycopersicum L. var. lycopersicum in Mesoamerica. In this study, we employ population genomic methods to reconstruct tomato domestication history, focusing on the evolutionary changes occurring in the intermediate stages. Our results suggest that the origin of SLC may predate domestication, and that many traits considered typical of cultivated tomatoes arose in South American SLC, but were lost or diminished once these partially domesticated forms spread northward. These traits were then likely reselected in a convergent fashion in the common cultivated tomato, prior to its expansion around the world. Based on these findings, we reveal complexities in the intermediate stage of tomato domestication and provide insight on trajectories of genes and phenotypes involved in tomato domestication syndrome. Our results also allow us to identify underexplored germplasm that harbors useful alleles for crop improvement.