Genetics of phenological development and implications for seed yield in lentil.

Understanding phenology, its genetics and agronomic consequences, is critical for crop adaptation. Here we aim at (1) characterising lentil response to photoperiod with a focus on five loci: the lentil ELF3 ortholog Sn, two loci linked to clusters of lentil FT orthologs and two loci without candidates in chromosomes 2 and 5 (exp. 1: 36 lines, short and long day in phytotron); (2) establishing phenology-yield relationship (exp. 2: 25 lines, 11 field environments). A vintage perspective, where we quantify time trends in phenotype over three decades of breeding, links both experiments. Yield increased linearly from older to newer varieties at 29 kg ha-1 yr-1 or 1.5% yr-1, correlated negatively with flowering time in both winter- and summer-rainfall regimes, and decoupled from biomass in favourable environments. Time to flowering shortened from older to newer varieties at -0.56 % yr-1 in the field, and -0.42 % yr-1 (short day) and -0.99 % yr-1 (long day) in the phytotron. Early-flowering lines of diverse origin carried multiple early alleles for the five loci, indicating that at least some of these loci affect phenology additively. Current germplasm primarily features the early flowering haplotype for an FTb cluster region, hence the potential to increase phenological diversity with yield implications.

Modulation of Interfacial Hydration by Carbonyl Groups in Lipid Membranes.

The lack of carbonyl groups and the presence of ether bonds give the lipid interphase a different water organization around the phosphate groups that affects the compressibility and electrical properties of lipid membranes. Generalized polarization of 1,2-di-O-tetradecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (14:0 diether PC) in correlation with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicates a higher level of polarizability of water molecules in the membrane phase around the phosphate groups both below and above Tm. This reorganization of water promotes a different response in compressibility and dipole moment of the interphase, which is related to different H bonding of water molecules with phosphates (PO) and carbonyl (CO) groups.

Sliding of drops on mesoporous thin films.

There is great interest in developing surfaces with enhanced properties for the sliding of liquid droplets. Here we show that both water and oil droplets placed on mesoporous thin film surfaces slide at relatively small tilt angles with respect to non-porous surfaces of the same material. The effect arises from a particular soft pinning at the contact line, which is a consequence of the fact that sessile droplets are partially "floating" onto a locally self-imbibed mesoporous film. Therefore, droplets present a reduced sliding angle and an enhanced sliding velocity in comparison to droplets on non-porous surfaces of the same material. The formed droplet-substrate interface is different to those observed on superhydrophobic or oil-infused surfaces, and involves a particular sliding dynamic. These findings would help to improve technical developments that require the precise handling of droplet mobility, whose interest span from chemical and biological assays in open microfluidic platforms to applications in energy and the environment.

Accuracy of magnetic resonance enterography in the preoperative assessment of patients with Crohn's disease of the small bowel.

AIM: To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance enterography in predicting the extension, location and characteristics of the small bowel segments affected by Crohn's disease. METHOD: This is a prospective study including a consecutive series of 38 patients with Crohn's disease of the small bowel who underwent surgery at a specialized colorectal unit of a tertiary hospital. Preoperative magnetic resonance enterography was performed in all patients, following a homogeneous protocol, within the 3 months prior to surgery. A thorough exploration of the small bowel was performed during the surgical procedure; calibration spheres were used according to the discretion of the surgeon. The accuracy of magnetic resonance enterography in detecting areas affected by Crohn's disease in the small bowel was assessed. The findings of magnetic resonance enterography were compared with surgical and pathological findings. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients with 81 lesions were included in the study. During surgery, 12 lesions (14.8%) that were not described on magnetic resonance enterography were found. Seven of these were detected exclusively by the use of calibration spheres, passing unnoticed at surgical exploration. Magnetic resonance enterography had 90% accuracy in detecting the location of the stenosis (75.0% sensitivity, 95.7% specificity). Magnetic resonance enterography did not precisely diagnose the presence of an inflammatory phlegmon (accuracy 46.2%), but it was more accurate in detecting abscesses or fistulas (accuracy 89.9% and 98.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance enterography is a useful tool in the preoperative assessment of patients with Crohn's disease. However, a thorough intra-operative exploration of the entire small bowel is still necessary.

Use of a linear stapler for the treatment of ileocolic fistula in Crohn's disease.

AIM: The study reports an easy technique for surgical management of some forms of ileocolic fistula in Crohn's disease. METHOD: Five patients with Crohn's disease with ileocolic fistula (2011-2014) have been managed by the application of linear stapler devices. RESULTS: Postoperative course was satisfactory in all patients. At 1 year there was no evidence of stricture or fistula formation and no patient had required reoperation. CONCLUSION: The technique is easy and effective and can be used in open and laparoscopic surgery.

Prevalence of prescription of the Top-10 drug classes to avoid in elderly people living with HIV in a real practice cohort.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) among older (≥ 65 years) people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Additionally, the secondary objective was to analyse the relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and compliance with STOPP-Beers criteria associated with Top-10 drugs classes to avoid (TOP-10-A) of European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational single-centre study. PLWHIV aged 65 years-old or over on ART attending at hospital pharmacy outpatient service from December-2019 to March-2020 were included. Patients were classified by age group: 65-69, 70-75 and more than 75 years. Moreover, was analysed the relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and compliance with STOPP-Beers Criteria associated with Top-10-A drugs. RESULTS: A total of 19 individuals were included. Overall polypharmacy was observed in 16 PLWHIV (84.2%). A PIP included Top-10-A was identified in 9 (47.4%) PLWHIV. Benzodiazepines were the most prevalent group of prescribed drugs in 6 patients (30.0%). Complex patients were observed in 57.9% (MRCI index value greater than 11.25). Similarly, the sum of criteria STOPP-Beers was higher in older patients. Student's t test showed the existence of a statistically significant relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and sum of STOPP-Beers Criteria (p <0.05) in elderly PLWHIV. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription of PIPs is highly prevalent in older PLWHIV. Consistent with data, presence of PIPs were associated a presence of higher pharmacotherapeutic complexity and sum of STOPP-Beers Criteria. The basis for a new revised care plan for PLWHIV focussed on optimising overall patient care pharmacotherapeutic complexity and its possible consequences.

Effect of cholesterol on the hydration properties of ester and ether lipid membrane interphases.

Fluorescence spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics results show that cholesterol reduces water along the chains in ether lipids by changing the water distribution pattern between tightly and loosely bound water molecules. Water distribution was followed by emission spectra and generalized polarization of 6-dodecanoyl-2-dimethyl aminonaphthalene (Laurdan) inserted in 1,2-dimiristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1,2-di-O-tetradecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (14: 0 Diether PC) membranes. Molecular Dynamics simulations indicate that the action of cholesterol could be different in ether PC in comparison to ester PC. In addition, Cholesterol seems to act "per se" as an additional hydration center in ether lipids. Regardless of the phase state, cholesterol both in DMPC and 14:0 Diether PC vesicles, changed the distribution of water molecules decreasing the dipole relaxation of the lipid interphase generating an increase in the non-relaxable population. Above 10% Cholesterol/14:0 Diether PC ratio vesicles' interphase present an environment around Laurdan molecules similar to that corresponding to ester PC.

Beliefs and attitudes about deprescription in older HIV-infected patients: ICARD Project.

OBJECTIVE: HIV population is aging at an earlier age than those uninfected, requiring more non-HIV medications to treat noncommunicable diseases. In the context of chronic HIV infection, the next therapeutic change would be the polymedication control. This paper has the purpose of explore the attitudes of older people living with HIV toward deprescribing. METHODS: This was an observational, prospective and multicenter study conducted from March-April, 2018. People living with HIV (PLWH) on highly active antiretroviral therapy and older than 65 years were included. In addition to demographic and pharmacotherapeutic data, attitudes regarding deprescribing were collected through the "Revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing Questionnaire". RESULTS: A total of 42 patients were included in this study. Regarding their attitudes in relation to deprescription, there were three statements with the most consensuses. The first ("I have a good understanding of the reasons I was prescribed each of my medicines") had 91.9% consensus. The second and third questions showed 89.2% consensus in both cases; "Overall, I am satisfied with my current medicines" and "I like to be involved in making decisions about my medicines with my doctors". CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to explore the beliefs and attitudes of older PLWH in relation to deprescription process. There are positive attitudes regarding medication knowledge but there also is a percentage of patients who had a negative opinion regarding deprescription. We must study and go deeper in our knowledge of techniques that could help us to better understand their preferences, in order to establish effective and successful deprescription strategies.

Assessment of the main factors affecting the dynamics of nutrients in two rainfed cereal watersheds.

Nutrient dynamics and factors that control nutrient exports were observed in two watersheds, namely Latxaga and La Tejería, with similar climatic and management characteristics throughout 10 years (2007-2016). Similar patterns were observed in intra-annual and inter-annual dynamics with higher NO3- concentration and NO3--N yield during the humid seasons (i.e., winters and hydrological year 2013). Regarding concentration, Latxaga showed a higher decrease of nitrate due to a higher development of vegetated areas. High discharge events produced nitrate dilution due to the presence of tile-drainage at La Tejeria. At Latxaga, where tile-drainage was not observed, an increase in concentration occurred as a response to high discharge events. Comparing both watersheds, La Tejería presented ca. 73 ±â€¯25 mg NO3- L-1 while at Latxaga, the concentration observed was almost three times lower, with ca. 21 ±â€¯15 mg NO3- L-1 throughout the study period. Similar patterns were observed for the NO3--N yield, with 32 kg NO3--N ha-1 year-1 and 17 kg NO3--N ha-1 year-1 at La Tejería and Latxaga, respectively. Regarding phosphorous, the observed concentrations were 0.20 ±â€¯0.72 mg PO43- L-1 and 0.06 ±â€¯0.38 mg PO43- L-1 at La Tejería and Latxaga, respectively, with PO43--P yields being 71 kg PO43--P ha-1 year-1 and 33 kg PO43--P ha-1 year-1. Annual phosphate-P yield distribution in both watersheds followed similar patterns to those observed for the nitrate-N yield, with higher yields in the humid season. Regarding concentration, highly erosive rainfall that occurred in summer, mobilizing sediments and probably generating desorption of phosphorous in the stream channel, increased phosphate concentration. This research adds to the knowledge base regarding the dynamics of nutrients and the controlling factors in complex agricultural systems with Mediterranean characteristics.

Reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of a Spanish translation of a measure of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling.

The aim of this study was to measure the reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of a Spanish translation of a measure of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Pathological Gambling (PG). Participants were 263 male and 23 female patients seeking treatment for PG and a matched non-psychiatric control sample of 259 men and 24 women. A Spanish translation of a 19-item measure of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for PG (Stinchfield 2003) was administered along with other validity measures. The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were found to be internally consistent with a coefficient alpha of .95 in the combined sample. Evidence of satisfactory convergent validity included moderate to high correlations with other measures of problem gambling. Using the standard DSM-IV cut-score of five, the ten criteria were found to yield satisfactory classification accuracy results with a high hit rate (.95), high sensitivity (.92), high specificity (.99), low false positive (.01), and low false negative rate (.08). Lowering the cut score to four resulted in modest improvements in classification accuracy and reduced the false negative rate from .08 to .05. The Spanish translation of a measure of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for PG demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and a cut score of four improved diagnostic precision.

Evaluation of the poly-L-lactic acid implant for treatment of the nasolabial fold: 3-year follow-up evaluation.

The search for an ideal filler for soft tissue augmentation still continues. Because aging changes are continuous, temporary fillers should be preferred against permanent ones. Since 1999, the poly-L-lactic acid filler (PLA) has been marketed in Europe as Newfill. As a synthetic biocompatible polymer, PLA originally was used in suture materials and screws. In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved PLA under the name of Sculptra for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-related facial lipoatrophy. This study aimed to evaluate a 3-year follow-up investigation into the effect of PLA implant injection for the treatment of sunken nasolabial folds. Between October 2003 and February 2004, 10 women with a median age of 54 years (range, 43-60 years) were injected with polylactic acid hydrogel (Newfill) in the nasolabial fold area for aesthetic reasons. All the patients underwent three injections: one injection per month for 3 months. Evaluation of the results based on clinical examination and photography was performed at each session, at 6 months, and then 36 months after the third session. Injectable PLA was able to correct nasolabial folds successfully with a more lasting result than absorbable fillers commonly used in clinical practice, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen. Careful and standardized photographic documentation is indispensable.

Effect of brewing time and temperature on antioxidant capacity and phenols of white tea: Relationship with sensory properties.

White tea is highly consumed due to its sensory properties and health benefits, although most scientific reports don't include the analysis of both properties. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to unravel the best brewing conditions for optimal extraction of the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, while realising the best sensory properties. Infusions of eighty commercial teas (sold in bags or leaves) were obtained at different time-temperature ratios, studying bioactive compounds (caffeine and individual catechins), antioxidant capacity and sensory analysis. Brewing at 98 °C for 7 min was the best condition to obtain a high content of antioxidant polyphenols and pleasant sensory properties. Those teas sold in bags give rise to tea brews with almost double antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, it is very important to link sensory and chemical data to obtain optimal sensorial quality and the highest healthy properties in white tea infusions.

Configurable 2D nano-flows in mesoporous films using paper patches.

Designing and controlling spontaneous imbibition is becoming a key requirement for advanced devices, presenting a substantial scientific and engineering challenge. Here we describe an approach that allows directional imbibition into designed geometries. A set of custom domains based on paper microfluidics mold nano-imbibition in user-defined shapes such as curvatures, corners, and vertices into mesoporous thin films; enabling localized chemical reactions with programmable designs. The method also achieves nano-size filtration, allows the generation and delivery of reagent gradients in a nanofluidic fashion, and it can be used as a reactor for the synthesis of patterned metallic nanoparticle arrays. By using this easy-to-build hybrid platform, users can create functional nanofluidic domains in custom geometries and perform spatially shaped chemistry. The ability to integrate mesoporous nanofluidic generation and paper-based microfluidics has made the hybrid system an exciting candidate for versatile nanoflow applications.

Electrical current nanogeneration driven by spontaneous nanofluidic oscillations.

Exploiting natural phenomena is a central route for providing electricity to sustainably drive wearable electronics. Here we report a nano-scale water-driven energy generator that produces tiny electrical currents from spontaneous wetting-drying oscillations in mesoporous thin films. The system was fabricated with a wormlike mesoporous silica film, which was packed in between Cu and silicon contacts. The nanogenerator runs autonomously when a water droplet is laid over the film close to the Cu electrode, as water infiltration into the film under the electrode produces a direct-current. Wetting-drying cycles, which are spontaneously triggered by water evaporation, are perfectly correlated to the generated electrical current. The autonomous water displacement through the film yields a sustained energy conversion until the droplet reservoir vanishes. This novel water-driven nanogenerator opens new alternatives for versatile, mobile and cost-effective self-powering of nanosystems and nanodevices.

Role of secreted glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in the infection mechanism of enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: interaction of the extracellular enzyme with human plasminogen and fibrinogen.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) (EC 1.2.1.12) is an anchorless, multifunctional protein displayed on the surface of several fungi and Gram-positive pathogens, which contributes to their adhesion and virulence. To date a role for extracellular GAPDH in the pathogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria has not been described. The aim of this study was to analyze the extracellular localization of GAPDH in enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) and enteropathogenic (EPEC) Escherichia coli strains and to examine its interaction with host components that could be related to the infection mechanism. Recombinant E. coli GAPDH was purified and polyclonal antibodies were obtained. Western blotting and immunoelectron microscopy showed that GAPDH is located on the bacterial surface and released to the culture medium of EHEC and EPEC strains. GAPDH export in these Gram-negative pathogens depends on the external medium, is not mediated by vesicles and leads to an extracellular active enzyme. Non-pathogenic E. coli strains do not secrete GAPDH. Two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis showed that in E. coli GAPDH is present at least in two major forms with different isoelectric points. Of these forms, the more basic is secreted. Purified GAPDH was found to bind human plasminogen and fibrinogen in Far-Western blot and ELISA-based assays. In addition, GAPDH remained associated with colonic Caco-2 epithelial cells after adhesion of EHEC or EPEC. These observations indicate that exported GAPDH may act as a virulence factor which could contribute to EHEC and EPEC pathogenesis. This is the first description of an extracellular localization for this enzyme, with a function other than its glycolytic role in Gram-negative pathogens.

Emergence of inflammatory bowel disease during treatment with sitagliptin / Debut de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal durante el tratamiento con sitagliptina

We present one clinical case of diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, as a probable adverse reaction to sitagliptin. Sitagliptin is a dipeptidylpeptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor authorised for the type II diabetes mellitus treatment in adult patients who do not achieve good blood glucose control and if other therapeutic alternatives are not correctly tolerated. In addition to the DPP-4 role in the gastric hormones release and glucose homeostasis, the DPP-4 involvement in the inflammatory response is known. However, the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and inhibition of PPD-4 is controversial. On the one hand, the T lymphocytes of patients with this pathology seem to express high levels of the enzyme DPP-4, so their inhibition could be associated with a decrease in the activity of IBD. On the other hand, in a cohort study of patients treated with oral antidiabetics an increased risk of IBD was observed and there are different published cases of IBD occurrence during the use of sitagliptin

Presentamos un caso de debut de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) como probable reacción adversa a la administración de sitagliptina. Sitagliptina es un inhibidor de la dipeptidilpeptidasa 4 (DPP-4) autorizado para el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo II en pacientes adultos que no consiguen buen control de la glucemia, o si el resto de alternativas terapéuticas no son bien toleradas. Además del papel de la DPP-4 en la liberación de hormonas gástricas y en la homeostasis de la glucosa, se sabe que esta enzima también está implicada en la respuesta inflamatoria. Sin embargo, la relación entre la EII y la inhibición de la DPP-4 es controvertida. Por un lado, los linfocitos T de los pacientes con esta patología parecen expresar altos niveles de la enzima DPP-4, por lo que su inhibición se podría asociar a un descenso en la actividad de la EII. Por otro lado, en un estudio de cohortes de pacientes tratados con antidiabéticos orales se observó un aumento del riesgo de EII y existen diferentes casos publicados de aparición de IBD durante el uso de sitagliptina

Effect of fetal undernutrition and postnatal overfeeding on rat adipose tissue and organ growth at early stages of postnatal development.

Intrauterine and perinatal life are critical periods for programming of cardiometabolic diseases. However, their relative role remains controversial. We aimed to assess, at weaning, sex-dependent alterations induced by fetal or postnatal nutritional interventions on key organs for metabolic and cardiovascular control. Fetal undernutrition was induced by dam food restriction (50 % from mid-gestation to delivery) returning to ad libitum throughout lactation (Maternal Undernutrition, MUN, 12 pups/litter). Postnatal overfeeding (POF) was induced by litter size reduction from normally fed dams (4 pups/litter). Compared to control, female and male MUN offspring exhibited: 1) low birth weight and accelerated growth, reaching similar weight and tibial length by weaning, 2) increased glycemia, liver and white fat weights; 3) increased ventricular weight and tendency to reduced kidney weight (males only). Female and male POF offspring showed: 1) accelerated growth; 2) increased glycemia, liver and white fat weights; 3) unchanged heart and kidney weights. In conclusion, postnatal accelerated growth, with or without fetal undernutrition, induces early alterations relevant for metabolic disease programming, while fetal undernutrition is required for heart abnormalities. The progression of cardiac alterations and their role on hypertension development needs to be evaluated. The similarities between sexes in pre-pubertal rats suggest a role of sex-hormones in female protection against programming.

Changes in brain striatum dopamine and acetylcholine receptors induced by chronic CDP-choline treatment of aging mice.

1. Spiroperidol binding (dopamine D2 receptors) and quinuclidinyl benzilate binding (muscarinic receptors) in striata of 19-month old mice was analyzed for animals that had received chronic administration of cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) incorporated into the chow consumed (100 or 500 mg kg-1 added per day) for the 7 months before they were killed. 2. Treated animals displayed an increase in the dopamine receptor densities of 11% for those receiving 100 mg kg-1 and 18% for those receiving 500 mg kg-1 as compared to the control aged animals that had received no CDP-choline. Control animals showed, from 2 months to 19 months of life, a 28% decrease in the receptor density. No change in the affinity of the receptors for spiroperidol was found in the treated or untreated animals. 3. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor densities were also partially recovered by the same treatment in aged animals that showed a 14% decrease of these receptors in this case. The muscarinic receptor density increased 6% for the animals that received 100 mg kg-1 and 17% for the animals that received 500 mg kg-1 without any change in the affinity of the receptor for quinuclidinyl benzilate. 4. Aged animals displayed a slight increase in brain membrane fluidity as indicated by a decrease in the polarization value of the non-polar fluorophore 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Interestingly, in the treated animals a greater increase in membrane fluidity was determined and found to be very similar for the two doses.5. It is concluded that chronic administration of CDP-choline to aged animals promoted a partial recovery of the striatum dopamine and acetylcholine receptor function normally reduced with aging, which might be explicable in terms of mechanisms involving fluidity of the brain neuronal membrane.

Effects of CDP-choline administration on brain striatum platelet-activating factor in aging rats.

Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) is a precursor in platelet-activating factor (PAF) biosynthesis and it is used in the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system. PAF levels in the striatum of aged (19 months) rats were 67% lower than those found in young (2 months) animals. Chronic treatment of aged rats with CDP-choline (500 mg/kg per day) reduced these PAF levels by more than 65% with respect to those of untreated aged rats after 8 days of treatment. PAF subsequently stabilized at these low levels as treatment continued. These results suggest that some effects of CDP-choline could be mediated by changes in brain PAF levels.