QTL analysis of cooking time and quality traits in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

KEY MESSAGE: Three robust QTL for dry bean cooking time shortened cooking time 11-26 min and co-localized with QTL for increased cooked seed protein concentration. Cooking time is a major factor associated with consumer preference of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The genetic control of cooking time was investigated with a quantitative trait loci (QTL) study on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from TZ-27 (slow cooking) and TZ-37 (fast cooking). The RIL population of 146 lines was grown on research farms over 2 years in Arusha and Morogoro, Tanzania. Arusha is an important mid-altitude bean-growing region, with moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall, whereas the low altitude and high temperatures in Morogoro make it unfavorable for bean production. The population exhibited large variation for cooking time with a range of 22-98 min. On average, beans grown in Arusha cooked 15 min faster than those grown in Morogoro. A linkage map developed with 1951 SNP markers was used for QTL analysis. Ten QTL were identified for cooking time, three of which were found in multiple environments. RILs with all three QTL (CT3.1, CT6.1, and CT11.2) cooked on average 11 min faster in Arusha and 26 min faster in Morogoro than RILs with none. Seed attributes were related to cooking time such that seeds with greater seed mass and less seed coat percentage cooked faster. Cooked seed protein concentration ranged from 17.8 to 30.8% across the years and locations. All three of the most robust cooking time QTL co-localized with QTL for protein concentration, and TZ-37 always contributed faster cooking time and increased protein concentration.

First Report of Cylindrocladiella parva and C. peruviana Associated with Black-foot Disease of Grapevine in Spain.

From 2007 to 2009, Cylindrocladiella-like isolates were recovered from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) roots with symptoms of black-foot disease in Spain, where the causal agents of this disease have been previously reported as Campylocarpon and Cylindrocarpon species (1,2). Three representative isolates were selected to confirm their identity: CPa1 and CPa2 from Asturias (northern Spain), and CPe523 from Cuenca (central Spain). Isolates were incubated on malt extract agar (MEA) and Spezieller Nährstoffarmer Agar (SNA) with carnation leaves (4) at 25°C for 10 days in darkness. On MEA, colonies developed light brown, cottony mycelium. On SNA, all three isolates produced chlamydospores in chains, and conidia were zero-to one-septate, but CPa1 and CPa2 produced longer conidia (10.4 to 18.9 [15.3] × 1.7 to 3.1 [2.4] µm) than CPe523 (6.4 to 12.3 [9.7] × 1.6 to 3.3 [2.4] µm). A fragment of the beta-tubulin gene from all isolates was sequenced with primers T1 and Bt2b (1) and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JQ693133, JQ693134, and JQ693135). CPa1 and CPa2 showed high similarity (99%) to Cylindrocladiella parva (AY793486) and CPe523 showed high similarity (99%) to C. peruviana (AY793500), which is in agreement with the corresponding morphological features of these species (4). Pathogenicity tests were conducted with inoculum produced on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed soaked for 12 h in 300 ml of distilled water and autoclaved three times. Inoculum was prepared by inoculating two fungal disks (8 mm in diameter) of a 2-week-old culture of each isolate grown on potato dextrose agar to wheat seed and incubation at 25°C for 4 weeks. One-month-old grapevine seedlings were planted individually in 220-cc pots filled with a potting medium of sterilized peat moss and 10 g of inoculum, and grown in the greenhouse at 25°C in a completely randomized design. Controls were inoculated with sterile, noninoculated wheat seed. There were six replicate plants per isolate, with an equal number of controls, and the experiment was repeated once. Symptoms developed in all plants by 20 days post-inoculation and consisted of reduced vigor, necrotic root lesions, and occasionally mortality, all of which resembled the symptoms from grapevines in the field from which the isolates were originally recovered. Mean shoot dry weights of inoculated plants (0.25, 0.16, and 0.28 g for CPa1, Cpa2, and CPa523, respectively) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the controls (0.74 g). Mean root dry weights of inoculated plants (0.28, 0.16, and 0.29 g for CPa1, Cpa2, and CPa523, respectively) were also significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the controls (0.68 g). Isolates recovered from the roots of inoculated plants were identical morphologically and molecularly to C. parva and C. peruviana, thereby satisfying Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. These Cylindrocladiella spp. have been reported from nurseries or vineyards in South Africa and New Zealand (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. parva and C. peruviana associated with black-foot disease of grapevine in Spain, and in Europe. References: (1) S. Alaniz et al. Plant Dis. 91:1187, 2007. (2) S. Alaniz et al. Plant Dis. 95:1028, 2011. (3) E. E. Jones et al. Plant Dis. 96:144, 2012. (4) L. Lombard et al. Mycol. Progress DOI 10.1007/s11557-011-0799-1, 2012.

[Supernumerary clavicle: a case report]. / Clavicula supernumeraria: reporte de un caso.

We report a case of left sided supernumerary clavicle in a male child, 3 years old with impossibility to the flexion and extension of the neck and lateralization since birth, in the 3D CAT SCAN we could appreciate the presence of bone tissue with italic S shape that was articulated with the jaw and the left sternun clavicle region. Previous evaluation from the rehabilitation service the patient underwent the removal of the lesion. The pathology study confirmed that this piece was osseous tissue with distal joints surfaces and central bone marrow.

[25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels in infants. Relation with breast-feeding]. / Niveles de 25-hidroxivitamina D en lactantes. Relación con la lactancia materna.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of subclinical vitamin D deficiency among infants in Valencia, Spain (latitude 39.5 degrees N) and its relation with breast- feeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum levels of calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in 60 term infants aged between 1 and 6 months (mean age: 3.9 months), with no known bone, gastrointestinal or renal disease (33 exclusively breast-fed, 27 bottle-fed). Data on vitamin D supplementation and weekly direct sunlight exposure were also gathered. RESULTS: All infants had normal serum calcium, phosphate and PTH levels. Five infants (8.3 %) had 25-OHD levels < 10 ng/ml (lower limit of normality) and all of these infants were breast-fed (15.1 % of the group). None of these five infants received vitamin D supplementation. Infants with vitamin D deficiency had slightly elevated serum alkaline phosphatase. Only 48 % of breast-fed infants received regular vitamin D supplementation. The mean serum 25-OHD concentration of breast-fed infants in winter (16.8 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in bottle-fed infants in summer (23.6 ng/ml, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In breast-fed infants, the association of limited sunshine exposure and poor dietary vitamin D supplementation confers a high risk of subclinical vitamin D deficiency, even in regions with a temperate climate.

[Underlying causes of recurrent pneumonia]. / Causas subyacentes de neumonía recurrente.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative frequency and describe the predisposing causes of recurrent pneumonia in infants and children aged between 1 month and 14 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a tertiary care pediatric hospital covering a 10-year period, from January 1994 through December 2003. Children with cystic fibrosis were not included in the analysis. Recurrent pneumonia was defined as at least two pneumonia episodes in a 1 year period or at least three episodes over a lifetime. RESULTS: Of 1644 children hospitalized with pneumonia, 106 (6.4 %) met the criteria for recurrent pneumonia. An underlying cause was identified in 92 patients (86.7 %). Of these, the underlying cause was diagnosed prior to pneumonia in 67 (72.8 %), during the first episode in 12 (13 %) and during recurrence in 13 (14.1 %). Underlying causes included asthma in 28 patients (30.4 %), congenital cardiac defects in 27 patients (29.3 %), aspiration syndrome in 25 patients (27.1 %), immune disorder in nine patients (9.7 %), pulmonary anomalies in two patients (2.1 %), and anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in one patient (1 %). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent pneumonia occurred in 6.4 % of all children hospitalized for pneumonia. The underlying cause was identified in 86.7 % of the children. The most common causes were asthma, congenital cardiac defects, and aspiration syndrome.

Formation and stability of nano-emulsions.

This review describes the principles of formation and stability of nano-emulsions. It starts with an introduction highlighting the main advantages of nano-emulsions over macroemulsions for personal care and cosmetic formulations. It also describes the main problems with lack of progress on nano-emulsions. The second section deals with the mechanism of emulsification and the dynamic light scattering technique for measurement of the droplet size of nano-emulsions. This is followed by a section on methods of emulsification and the role of surfactants. Three methods are described for nano-emulsion preparation, namely high energy emulsification (using homogenisers), low energy emulsification whereby water is added to an oil solution of the surfactant and the principle of the phase inversion temperature (PIT). A section is devoted to steric stabilisation and the role of the adsorbed layer thickness. The problem of Ostwald ripening (which is the main instability process of nano-emulsions) is described in some detail. The methods that can be applied to reduce Ostwald ripening are briefly described. This involves the addition of a second less soluble oil phase such as squalene and/or addition of a strongly adsorbed and water insoluble polymeric surfactant. The last part of the review gives some examples of nano-emulsions that are prepared by the PIT method as well as using high pressure homogeniser. A comparison of the two methods is given and the rate of Ostwald ripening is measured in both cases. The effect of changing the alkyl chain length and branching of the oil was investigated using decane, dodecane, tertadecane, hexadecane and isohexadecane. The branched oil isohexadcecane showed higher Ostwald ripening rate when compared with a linear chain oil with the same carbon number.

The Biomed caged-ball cardiac valve prosthesis. A study of 120 implants.

The purpose of this study was to report our experience with 120 prosthetic valves implanted in 105 patients over an 8-year period. Their preoperative status was compared at an average follow-up period of 4 years (range 1 to 6 years) with the postoperative results. We conclude that the Mexican-made valves (Biomed) meet the highest international quality standards: they are well tolerated by the patients; their performance is excellent and no postoperative dysfunction of the valves was ever detected. The few complications observed were no different from those reported for foreign ball-caged valves. Finally, most of our patients showed a marked improvement postoperatively.

Stopped-flow photometric determination of clavulanic acid in pharmaceutical and serum samples.

The stopped-flow mixing technique was used to develop a simple, fast kinetic method for the determination of clavulanic acid by reaction with imidazole. Whereas the conventional method requires about 12-15 min for equilibrium to be reached, kinetic measurements can be made within a few seconds. The calibration graph was linear over the range 1-40 microgram ml-1 of clavulanic acid and the detection limit achieved was 0.3 microgram ml-1. The precision and selectivity of the method are reported. The results obtained by applying the proposed method to the analysis of pharmaceutical and serum samples show how easily it can be adapted for routine analyses.

Abnormal venous valves: a cause of early obstruction of saphenous vein bypass grafts.

Factors other than technical error and poor run-off may account for occlusion or obstruction of aortocoronary vein bypass grafts in the early postoperative period. Four cases are presented in which graft obstruction was caused by venous valves. Discussion of the etiology of this problem and recommendations for its prevention are included.

[Natural and unnatural history of the univentricular heart]. / Historia natural y modificada del corazón univentricular.

We examined the cases of 90 patients found to have univentricular heart at catheterization from January 1971 to January 1988. These patients are the 3.8% of the 2,322 children diagnosed of congenital heart disease by catheterization and angiography in this 17-year period of time. The mean follow-up was 9.5 years. The prognosis is poor: of the 90 patients, 50 died (55.5%) 43 of them in the first year of life. The actuarial survival rate is only the 38.5% at 5 years. Between the 56 children unoperated the mortality rate was the 62.5% and only the 16% (9 patients) survived with good functional results, class I and II of the New York Heart Association. The earlier palliative surgery changes the prognostic and the adverse natural history. The mortality rate in the operated group was the 44.1%. Another 44.1% (15 patients) of the operated group survived, 14 patients in class II and one in class III. The systemic-pulmonary artery shunts are the elective surgical procedure for important pulmonary stenosis, and the Fontan-type procedure is the elective for posterior, definitive repair.

[Mortality and survival in total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage]. / Mortalidad y supervivencia en el drenaje venoso pulmonar anómalo total.

The results in the management of 36 cases of isolated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection are presented. This patients are the 1.55% of the 2,322 children diagnosed of congenital heart disease by catheterization and angiography in our hospital at the 1971-1988 period. Nineteen had a type I, five a type II, eight a type III and four a mixed type lesion. The total mortality rate was 63.8%. Twenty six infants underwent surgical correction at a mean age of 2.5 months with an operative mortality rate of the 57.7%. Eleven infants survived operation. There have been no late deaths but one children developed stenosis at the anastomosis. The final actuarial survival rate was the 34.4% in the total group and the 42.3% in the operated group. The strongest determinants of survival were the type of lesion and pulmonary venous obstruction. No improving in the total and the surgical results has been observed in the last 10 years.

[Impact of zidovudine treatment and the pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis in natural history of patients with HIV infection]. / Influencia del tratamiento con zidovudina y de la profilaxis contra Pneumocystis carinii en la historia natural de los enfermos con infección por VIH.

INTRODUCTION: Early use of prophylactic regimens against Pneumocystis carinii and zidovudine therapy, may have modified the natural history of patients with HIV-1 infection. We describe the incidence of opportunistic infections and analize the mortality rate in those patients to check the occurrence of any change in the above mentioned natural history. PATIENTS: Clinical charts of patients with HIV-1 infection attending our hospital are reviewed, from november 1987 to june 1994. RESULTS: We found 200 patients with AIDS, documenting 64 (32%) deaths and 69 (34.5%) patients lost to follow-up. Seven HIV-1 infected patients (3.5%) received primary prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii and 17 (8.5%) zidovudine therapy before developing AIDS. Patients with AIDS receiving zidovudine therapy had a higher survival (median 50 months) than those not receiving such therapy (median 17 months; p < 0.001). Ninety one patients with tuberculosis receiving zidovudine therapy had also a higher survival than those not receiving antirretroviral therapy (p < 0.01). Eighty six patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia receiving zidovudine had also a higher survival (p < 0.001). Likewise, patients on zidovudine treatment had a lower reduction on CD4 lymphocyte count. CONCLUSIONS: The spectrum of AIDS-defining illnesses is similar to the whole country. We have not found any difference in the incidence of opportunistic infections, but we observed a trend to reduction in the incidence rate of PCP. The introduction of zidovudine therapy seems to have a positive influence on the survival of AIDS patients. This advantage is highlighted in those patients more immunodeficients at first.

[Nutritional characteristics of a cookie formulated with bovine blood plasma as a main source of protein]. / Características nutricionales de una galleta formulada con plasma sanguíneo de bovino como principal fuente proteica.

The nutritional characteristics of a cookie formulated with bovine plasma as main protein source was evaluated. Bovine plasma was mixed with wheat flour, sugar or salt, condiments and vegetable oil. The mix was placed in trays and baking at 120 degrees C during 1 hour. Moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate, metabolizable energy, ash, iron, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, apparent digestibility, protein efficiency ratio, acceptability and tolerance of the final product were determined. Results indicated that 100 g of the cookie have 5 g of moisture, 16 g of fat, 16 g of protein, 61.4 g of carbohydrate, 408.2 Kcal of metabolizable energy, 1.59 g of ash, 1.9 mg of iron and 6.59 g of essential amino acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are in higher amount than saturated fatty acids. Results also indicated that 100 g of cookie provide at least 20% of the daily energy requirements, 24% of the iron and between 30 to 50% of the daily protein requirements for children at school age. Its digestibility and PER, tested in rats, were of 88.4% and 2.32 respectively. Acceptability and tolerance, both tested in children, were 97% and 100% respectively. The protein cookie could be included as a protein and energy supply in school meals.

Thermoluminescent dosimetry in veterinary diagnostic radiology.

This paper presents the results of Environmental and Personnel Dosimetry made in a radiology area of a veterinary hospital. Dosimetry was realized using thermoluminescent (TL) materials. Environmental Dosimetry results show that areas closer to the X-ray equipment are safe. Personnel Dosimetry shows important measurements of daily workday in some persons near to the limit established by ICRP. TL results of radiation measurement suggest TLDs are good candidates as a dosimeter to radiation dosimetry in veterinary radiology.