Candidate markers for enhanced host response to PRRS have scarce adverse effects on pigs' growth and production.

BACKGROUND: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most challenging viral diseases that cause substantial economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. The clinical signs of PRRS depend on, among others, the immunomodulatory properties of the PRRS virus strain, farm health status, herd immunity, and host genetics. The high virulence and mutation rate of PRRS virus limit the efficacy of vaccination programs. In recent years, several candidate genetic markers associated with PRRS resilience have been identified, and selective breeding was suggested as an additional approach to control PRRS under field conditions. Even so, it is essential to investigate the effects of these genetic markers on pigs' productivity. Our study aimed to assess the association between seven previously reported candidate genetic markers for host response to PRRS (rs80800372 in GBP1, rs340943904 in GBP5, rs322187731 in GBP6, rs1107556229 in CD163, rs338508371 in SGK1, rs80928141 in TAP1, and a 275-bp insertion in the promoter of MX1) and production traits in pigs under non-challenging conditions. RESULTS: About 600 high-health Duroc pigs were genotyped for the selected genetic markers and their effects on production traits (live body weight, carcass weight, backfat thickness, intramuscular fat content and composition) were assessed using a linear model. The genetic markers GBP5_rs340943904, GBP6_rs322187731, CD163_rs1107556229, and the 275-bp insertion at the promoter of MX1 showed no relevant associations with growth and carcass traits at slaughter. Regarding GBP1_rs80800372 (WUR1000125), the favourable G allele for PRRS resilience displayed significant additive effects on backfat thickness (+ 1.18 ± 0.42 mm; p = 0.005) and lean content (-1.72 ± 0.56%; p ≤ 0.01) at slaughter. In addition, the genetic markers SGK1_rs338508371 and TAP1_rs8092814 were associated with the palmitoleic content in gluteus medius, without affecting the total of the monounsaturated fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that genetic markers for PRRS resilience have no relevant effects on growth and carcass traits in pigs reared under non-challenging conditions, except for GBP1_rs80800372 where the favourable allele for PRRS response has a negative impact on lean content. Therefore, since the effects of GBP1_rs80800372 were attributed to the causal variant GBP5_rs340943904, it seems beneficial to select pigs for the genetic marker at GBP5 instead of GBP1. Overall, pigs might be selected for enhanced PRRS resilience without compromising their overall productivity.

Sequence variants associated with resilient responses in growing pigs.

The current work aimed to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with resilience in pigs. In previous work, we proposed the body weight deviation from the expected growth curve (ΔBW) and the increase of the positive acute-phase protein haptoglobin (ΔHP) after a vaccine challenge as resilience indicators which may be improved through selective breeding in pigs. Individuals with steady growth rate and minor activation of haptoglobin (high ΔBW and low ΔHP values) were considered resilient. In contrast, pigs with perturbed growth rate and high activation of haptoglobin (low ΔBW and high ΔHP values) were considered susceptible. Both ∆BW and ∆HP were simultaneously considered to select the most resilient (N = 40) and susceptible (N = 40) pigs. A genome-wide association study was carried out for the pigs' response classification to the challenge test using whole-genome sequence data (7,760,720 variants). Eleven associated genomic regions were identified, harbouring relevant candidate genes related to the immune response (such as pro- and anti-inflammatory responses) and growth pathways. These associated genomic regions harboured 41 potential functional mutations (frameshift, splice donor, splice acceptor, start loss and stop loss/gain) in candidate genes. Overall, this study advances our knowledge about the genetic determinism of resilience, highlighting its polygenic nature and strong relationship with immunity and growth.

Evidence of a second-order phase transition in the six-dimensional Ising spin glass in a field.

The very existence of a phase transition for spin glasses in an external magnetic field is controversial, even in high dimensions. We carry out massive simulations of the Ising spin-glass in a field, in six dimensions (which, according to classical-but not generally accepted-field-theoretical studies, is the upper critical dimension). We obtain results compatible with a second-order phase transition and estimate its critical exponents for the simulated lattice sizes. The detailed analysis performed by other authors of the replica symmetric Hamiltonian, under the hypothesis of critical behavior, predicts that the ratio of the renormalized coupling constants remain bounded as the correlation length grows. Our numerical results are in agreement with this expectation.

Do NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutations modify prognosis in patients treated with non-intensive regimens?

FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations are key to defining the genetic risk profile of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed to assess the prognostic features of the FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations in old and/or unfit individuals with AML treated with non-intensive therapies in the era before azacitidine-venetoclax approbation. The results of various non-intensive regimens were also compared. We conducted a retrospective analysis that included patients treated with different non-intensive regimens, between 2007 and 2020 from PETHEMA AML registry. We compiled 707 patients with a median age of 74 years and median follow-up time of 37.7 months. FLT3-ITD patients (N = 98) showed a non-significant difference in overall survival (OS) compared to FLT3-ITD negative-patients (N = 608) (P = 0.17, median OS was 5 vs 7.3 months respectively). NPM1-mutated patients (N = 144) also showed a non-significant difference with NPM1 wild type (N = 519) patients (P = 0.25, median OS 7.2 vs 6.8 respectively). In the Cox regression analysis neither NPM1 nor FLT3-ITD nor age were significant prognostic variables for OS prediction. Abnormal karyotype and a high leukocyte count showed a statistically significant deleterious effect. Azacitidine also showed better survival compared to FLUGA (low dose cytarabine plus fludarabine). NPM1 and FLT3-ITD seem to lack prognostic value in older/unfit AML patients treated with non-intensive regimens other than azacitidine-venetoclax combination.

Charge density waves tuned by biaxial tensile stress.

The precise arrangement and nature of atoms drive electronic phase transitions in condensed matter. To explore this tenuous link, we developed a true biaxial mechanical deformation device working at cryogenic temperatures, compatible with x-ray diffraction and transport measurements, well adapted to layered samples. Here we show that a slight deformation of TbTe3 can have a dramatic influence on its Charge Density Wave (CDW), with an orientational transition from c to a driven by the a/c parameter, a tiny coexistence region near a = c, and without space group change. The CDW transition temperature Tc displays a linear dependence with a / c - 1 while the gap saturates out of the coexistence region. This behaviour is well accounted for within a tight-binding model. Our results question the relationship between gap and Tc in RTe3 systems. This method opens a new route towards the study of coexisting or competing electronic orders in condensed matter.

Erratum: Large-scale kinetic roughening behavior of coffee-ring fronts [Phys. Rev. E 106, 044801 (2022)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.106.044801.

APOBEC2 safeguards skeletal muscle cell fate through binding chromatin and regulating transcription of non-muscle genes during myoblast differentiation.

The apolipoprotein B messenger RNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide (APOBEC) family is composed of nucleic acid editors with roles ranging from antibody diversification to RNA editing. APOBEC2, a member of this family with an evolutionarily conserved nucleic acid-binding cytidine deaminase domain, has neither an established substrate nor function. Using a cellular model of muscle differentiation where APOBEC2 is inducibly expressed, we confirmed that APOBEC2 does not have the attributed molecular functions of the APOBEC family, such as RNA editing, DNA demethylation, and DNA mutation. Instead, we found that during muscle differentiation APOBEC2 occupied a specific motif within promoter regions; its removal from those regions resulted in transcriptional changes. Mechanistically, these changes reflect the direct interaction of APOBEC2 with histone deacetylase (HDAC) transcriptional corepressor complexes. We also found that APOBEC2 could bind DNA directly, in a sequence-specific fashion, suggesting that it functions as a recruiter of HDAC to specific genes whose promoters it occupies. These genes are normally suppressed during muscle cell differentiation, and their suppression may contribute to the safeguarding of muscle cell fate. Altogether, our results reveal a unique role for APOBEC2 within the APOBEC family.

Biosynthesis of Strained Amino Acids by a PLP-Dependent Enzyme through Cryptic Halogenation.

Amino acids (AAs) are modular building blocks which nature uses to synthesize both macromolecules, such as proteins, and small molecule natural products, such as alkaloids and non-ribosomal peptides. While the 20 main proteinogenic AAs display relatively limited side chain diversity, a wide range of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) exist that are not used by the ribosome for protein synthesis, but contain a broad array of structural features and functional groups. In this communication, we report the discovery of the biosynthetic pathway for a new ncAA, pazamine, which contains a cyclopropane ring formed in two steps. In the first step, a chlorine is added onto the C4 position of lysine by a radical halogenase, PazA. The cyclopropane ring is then formed in the next step by a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme, PazB, via an SN2-like attack at C4 to eliminate chloride. Genetic studies of this pathway in the native host, Pseudomonas azotoformans, show that pazamine potentially inhibits ethylene biosynthesis in growing plants based on alterations in the root phenotype of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. We further show that PazB can be utilized to make an alternative cyclobutane-containing AA. These discoveries may lead to advances in biocatalytic production of specialty chemicals and agricultural biotechnology.

Exposure of maize seeds to liquid nitrogen modifies the morphology and hormonal response of young plants.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation currently represents the most suitable strategy for the long-term conservation of plant germplasm. While much effort has focused on the development of protocols to enable successful cryostorage, there are few, if any reports, that consider the effect of cryogenic temperatures on the phytohormone status of the seed and developing seedlings. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cryopreservation on external seed coat features as well as levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in maize. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of seeds at 6% moisture content were compared: one was maintained at 4 degree C (control) while the other was exposed to LN within cryo-vials. RESULTS: Seeds exposed to cryogenic temperatures were characterized by the presence of large cracks in the seed coat compared with control seeds. Cryogenic exposure also resulted in a reduction in biomass and plant height. Results from the phytohormone analysis showed an initial reduction in the levels of IAA, ABA and ACC after 7 days of growth followed by sharp increase in levels relative to the control by 14 days. Whilst the roles of ABA and ethylene (and by extension, its precursor ACC) are well studied as stress response molecules, much less is known about the potentially vital role of auxins in regulating plant growth under conditions of low temperature stress. CONCLUSION: It is postulated that the interaction of all three hormones modulate crosstalk between various stress responses and recovery pathways to ameliorate the damage caused by freezing stress and enable plant survival. Given the dearth of information on phytohormones in cryobiology, more studies are needed to fully elucidate these relationships in the context of freezing stress caused by liquid nitrogen. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23610110612.

Erratum: Numerical test of the replica-symmetric Hamiltonian for correlations of the critical state of spin glasses in a field [Phys. Rev. E 105, 054106 (2022)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.105.054106.

Biosynthesis of Strained Amino Acids Through a PLP-Dependent Enzyme via Cryptic Halogenation.

Amino acids (AAs) are modular and modifiable building blocks which nature uses to synthesize both macromolecules, such as proteins, and small molecule natural products, such as alkaloids and non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs). While the 20 main proteinogenic AAs display relatively limited side-chain diversity, a wide range of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) exist that are not used by the ribosome for protein synthesis but contain a broad array of structural features and functional groups not found in proteinogenic AAs. In this communication, we report the discovery of the biosynthetic pathway for a new ncAA, pazamine, which contains a cyclopropane ring formed in two steps. In the first step, a chlorine is added onto the C4 position of lysine by a radical halogenase PazA. The cyclopropane ring is then formed in the next step by a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme, PazB, via an SN2-like attack onto C4 to eliminate chloride. Genetic studies of this pathway in the native host, Pseudomonas azotoformans, show that pazamine and its succinylated derivative, pazamide, potentially inhibit ethylene biosynthesis in growing plants based on alterations in the root phenotype of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. We further show that PazB can be utilized to make an alternative cyclobutane-containing AA. These discoveries may lead to advances in biocatalytic production of specialty chemicals and agricultural biotechnology.

Effect of process variables in the production of fried green plantain in vacuum / Efecto de las variables de proceso en la obtención de plátano verde frito en condiciones de vacío

Background: This article technology deep frying green plantain was evaluated. Objectives: To optimize the process of deep frying in the production of green banana slices and set the association in terms of the quality parameter: texture; from the point of sensory and instrumental view. Methods: Was used as a raw material banana green maturity, variety (Dominico Harton) and a mixture of refined vegetable oils from soybeans and palm olein with antioxidant (TBHQ). For the evaluation of the process we worked with various pressure ranges, driving force (∆T) and time; selecting maximum and minimum for these process variables (10-79kPa) values (13-113°C) and (57-663s) respectively. For the analysis of the response variables (moisture content, fat content and texture "hardness") officially sanctioned AOAC methods and protocols in the case of the texture were used. Looking for the best frying conditions, an analysis of response surface optimization process was performed. Results: saddle points were obtained on optimization analysis of the three response variables. A higher time of 550s and between 40 and 80°C, and times 200 to 500s and ∆T 80 to 100°C, zones of influence of moisture content with a value of 0.25% occurred. For the fat content was observed that values below about 20°C and 200s of time and pressures greater than 55kPa, begin to generate relatively low values. Regarding the hardness, treatments 7 and 11 were the most accepted sensorially. Conclusions: The moisture content did not depend on the pressure variable in the process, only the driving force and time altered the outcome of this variable. Considering the sensory evaluation, it was concluded that the desired value for the moisture content was 0.25%, to the fat content values were between 31 and 36%, and hardness between 6.4 and 9.2N.

Antecedentes: En este artículo se evalúo la tecnología de fritura por inmersión en plátano verde. Objetivos: Optimizar el proceso de la fritura por inmersión en la producción de rodajas de plátano verde y establecer la asociación existente en cuanto al parámetro de calidad: textura; desde el punto de vista sensorial e instrumental. Métodos: Se empleó como materia prima plátano en estado de madurez verde, variedad (Dominico Hartón) y una mezcla de aceites vegetales refinados de soya y oleína de palma con antioxidante (TBHQ). Para la evaluación del proceso se trabajó con varios rangos de presión, fuerza im pulsora (∆T) y tiempo; seleccionando unos valores máximos y mínimos para estas variables de proceso (10-79kPa), (13-113ºC) y (57-663s) respectivamente. Para el análisis de las variables de respuesta (contenido de humedad, contenido de grasa y textura "dureza") se utilizaron métodos oficiales de la AOAC y protocolos en el caso de la textura. En busca de las mejores condiciones de fritura, se realizó un análisis de superficie de respuesta para la optimización del proceso. Resultados: Se obtuvieron puntos de silla en el análisis de optimización de las tres variables de respuesta. A tiempos superiores de 550s y ∆T entre 40 y 80°C, y a tiempos entre 200 y 500s y ∆T entre 80 y 100°C, se presentaron zonas de incidencia del contenido de humedad con un valor del 0.25%. Para el contenido de grasa se observó que a valores por debajo de aproximadamente 20°C de ∆T y 200s de tiempo y presiones mayores a 55kPa, se empiezan a generar valores relativamente bajos. En cuanto a la dureza, los tratamientos 7 y 11 fueron los más aceptados sensorialmente. Conclusiones: El contenido de humedad no dependió de la variable presión en el proceso, sólo la fuerza impulsora y el tiempo alteraron el resultado de esta variable. Teniendo en cuenta la evaluación sensorial, se concluyó que el valor deseable para el contenido de humedad fue de 0.25%, para el contenido de grasa los valores estuvieron entre 31 y 36%, y para la dureza entre 6.4 y 9.2 N.

Comparison of gastropod mollusc (Apogastropoda: Hydrobiidae) habitats in two crater lakes in Nicaragua

The aquatic gastropod mollusc, Pyrgophorus coronatus, may perform an important role in the transmission of an emergent ocular pathology among fishes in Lake Apoyo, Nicaragua. This disease emerged after an introduction of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and the subsequent loss of Chara sp. beds in the lake. We compared the mollusc population densities in three habitats (sandy/muddy substrates, rocks, and Chara vegetation) at varying depths (1.5, 10, 20, and 30 m) in two volcanic crater lakes in Nicaragua: Lake Apoyo and Lake Xiloa. where lower numbers of affected fishes were found and tilapia has not been introduced. Duplicate samples at 1.5 m depth were taken in each habitat monthly for a year, and triplicate samples for bathymetric analysis of snail populations were performed during August, 2005. Samples of fixed surface area were filtered in a 0.4 cm size screen and live snails were counted from each sample. The preferred snail habitat in both lakes, Chara beds, was vastly reduced in Lake Apoyo via consumption by introduced Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Structureless sandy substrates (mean +/- standard error 3.1+/-1.3 ind/m2) had lower population densities than other habitats in Lake Xiloa (rocks 590.9+/-185.3 ind/m2; vegetation 3 686.5+/-698.2 ind/m2; ANOVA 1, p<0.01 in both cases) but this difference was attenuated in Lake Apoyo (sand 384.4+/-111.1 ind/m2; rocks 1 480.4+/-384.8 ind/m2: 0.0 1

El gasterópodo acuático, Pyrgophorus coronatus, podría jugar un papel importante en la transmisión de una patología ocular emergente entre los peces de la laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua. Esta enfermedad surgió después de una introducción de tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) y la subsecuente pérdida de lechos de Chara sp. en la laguna. Comparamos las densidades poblacionales del caracol en tres hábitats (substratos arenosos/lodosos, rocas y vegetación de Chara) en dos lagunas cratéricas volcánicas en Nicaragua: La laguna de Apoyo y la laguna de Xiloá, donde no se encuentraron grandes cantidades de peces afectados y donde no se han introducido tilapias. Mensualmente, por un año tomamos muestras duplicadas a 1.5 m profundidad mensualmente por un año, y durante agosto de 2005, muestreos triplicados de las poblaciones del molusco, para análisis batimétrico (1.5, 10, 20 y 30 m). Para determinar el número de individuos por unidad de área superficial, las muestras fueron filtradas en un colador de 0.4 cm de apertura de malla y contamos los moluscos vivos en cada muestra. El hábitat preferido de los caracoles en ambas lagunas fue la vegetación de Chara, que en la laguna de Apoyo fue vastamente reducida al ser consumida por las tilapias nilóticas introducidas (Oreochromis niloticus). Los substratos arenosos, menos estructurados que los otros sustratos estudiados, tuvieron densidades poblacionales más bajas (media ± error estándar 3.1±1.3 ind/m2) que en los otros hábitats en la laguna de Xiloá (vegetation 590.9±185.3 ind/m2; rocas 3 686.5±698.2 ind/m2; ANOVA I, p<0.01 en ambos casos) pero esta diferencia fue atenuada en la laguna de Apoyo (arena 384.4±111.1 ind/m2; rocas 1 480.4±384.8 ind/ m2; 0.01

Trastornos psicosomáticos pacientes que acuden a consulta externa de un hospital de niños / Psicosomatic upsets dune in the pediatric consult of the Robert Reid Cabral Hospital, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Estudio prospectivo y analítico de los trastornos psicosomáticos en la consulta pediátrica del Hospital Robert Read Cabral, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, de noviembre a diciembre, 1990. De 102 casos en total tratados en este lapso de tiempo se encontró que el sexo masculino fue el más afectado (55.0//), la mayoría estaba entre los 4-9 años de edad (60.0//). Fueron los trastornos psicosomáticos más frecuentes: enuresis (29.41//), cefalea (17.65//) y los dolores abdominales (9.8//). Los niveles socioeconómicos (de medio bajo a bajo en la casi totalidad de los casos) se han considerado de importancia causal entre los trastornos estudiados

Relacion alfafetoproteina delta D.O.a 450 microm en el liquido amniotico de embarazos normales. / Alpha fetoprotein relationship in amniotic fluid in normal pregnancies

A partir de un grupo de 46 gestantes, se dosifica radioinmunologicamente la concentracion de AFP en el liquido amniotico.Paralelamente se valora espectrofotometricamente el Delta D.O. a 450 micrometro; ademas de otros (L/E, test de Clements, etc.) Se obtiene un grupo de gravidas, derivadas del grupo primitivo, que cursaron embarazos normales y que obtuvieron recien nacidos normales; comprobandose a traves del coeficiente de correlacion lineal la certeza de que las concentraciones de AFP en el liquido amniotico estan en relacion directa a los valores espectrofotometricas del Incremento coeficientes de correlacion lineal (AFP/delta D.O.) en embarazos patologicos y con incompatibilidad Rh; por ultimo tambien se correlaciono linealmente la AFP y delta D.O. a 450 micrometro con los valores de bilirrubinemia 24 horas postparto en recien nacidos con ictericia neonatal

Actividad de la beta glucoronidasa hepatica en la litiasis pigmentaria. / Activity of hepatic B-glucoronidasa in pigmented lithiasis

Se determino la actividad de la obra glucoronidasa hepatica en 15 pacientes con litiasis pigmentaria y en 8 personas normales. No se encontro ninguna diferencia estadisticamente significantiva entre ambos grupos