The Surprising Dynamics of Electrochemical Coupling at Membrane Sandwiches in Plants.

Transport processes across membranes play central roles in any biological system. They are essential for homeostasis, cell nutrition, and signaling. Fluxes across membranes are governed by fundamental thermodynamic rules and are influenced by electrical potentials and concentration gradients. Transmembrane transport processes have been largely studied on single membranes. However, several important cellular or subcellular structures consist of two closely spaced membranes that form a membrane sandwich. Such a dual membrane structure results in remarkable properties for the transport processes that are not present in isolated membranes. At the core of membrane sandwich properties, a small intermembrane volume is responsible for efficient coupling between the transport systems at the two otherwise independent membranes. Here, we present the physicochemical principles of transport coupling at two adjacent membranes and illustrate this concept with three examples. In the supplementary material, we provide animated PowerPoint presentations that visualize the relationships. They could be used for teaching purposes, as has already been completed successfully at the University of Talca.

Playing at altitude. Performance of a Mexican professional football team at different level of altitude

Background: Football is the most popular sport in the world, and matches are commonly played at different levels of altitude. As the altitude increases, the availability of oxygen decreases. The dynamics of the ball will be altered due to the decrease in air resistance. These conditions can affect the physical and/or sports performance of football players.The objective of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between altitude and performance of a professional football team.MethodsA total of 130 matches of a Mexican professional football team were analyzed. Physical performance was measured by Match Analysis®, a video and statistical analysis; sports performance was measured according to the score. Altitude was measured with Geo Elevation.ResultsNo relationship was found between altitude and total distance covered (p=0.165), Distance in first half (p=0.441) sprints number(p=0.115) and time between sprints (p=0.237)There was a significant increase between total distance covered during the second half (p=0.009) and mean speed on "Low altitude' (p=0.000)We found no relation between the altitude level and the obtained result (p=0.28) number of goals in favour (p=0.209) and against (p=0.629).ConclusionWe found no relationship between the altitude level and physical and sports performance of a professional football team. (AU)

Comprehensive Genome-Wide Exploration of C2H2 Zinc Finger Family in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.): Insights into the Roles in the Pollen Development Regulation.

Some C2H2 zinc-finger proteins (ZFP) transcription factors are involved in the development of pollen in plants. In grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), it has been suggested that abnormalities in pollen development lead to the phenomenon called parthenocarpy that occurs in some varieties of this cultivar. At present, a network involving several transcription factors types has been revealed and key roles have been assigned to members of the C2H2 zinc-finger proteins (ZFP) family in model plants. However, particularities of the regulatory mechanisms controlling pollen formation in grapevine remain unknown. In order to gain insight into the participation of ZFPs in grapevine gametophyte development, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of genes encoding ZFP (VviZFP family). A total of 98 genes were identified and renamed based on the gene distribution into grapevine genome. The analysis performed indicate significant changes throughout VviZFP genes evolution explained by high heterogeneity in sequence, length, number of ZF and presence of another conserved domains. Moreover, segmental duplication participated in the gene family expansion in grapevine. The VviZFPs were classified based on domain and phylogenetic analysis into three sets and different groups. Heat-map demonstrated differential and tissue-specific expression patterns of these genes and k-means clustering allowed to identify a group of putative orthologs to some ZFPs related to pollen development. In transgenic plants carrying the promVviZFP13::GUS and promVviZFP68::GUS constructs, GUS signals were detectable in the anther and mature pollen grains. Expression profiling of selected VviZFP genes showed differential expression pattern during flower development and provides a basis for deepening in the understanding of VviZFPs role on grapevine reproductive development.

Methyl Jasmonate Applications From Flowering to Ripe Fruit Stages of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Camarosa') Reinforce the Fruit Antioxidant Response at Post-harvest.

Preharvest applications of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) have been shown to improve post-harvest fruit quality in strawberry fruit. However, the effectiveness of consecutive field applications at different phenological stages on the reinforcement of the antioxidant capacity remains to be analyzed. To determine the best antioxidant response of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Camarosa') fruit to different numbers and timing of MeJA applications, we performed three differential preharvest treatments (M1, M2, and M3) consisted of successive field applications of 250 µmol L-1 MeJA at flowering (M3), large green (M2 and M3), and ripe fruit stages (M1, M2, and M3). Then, we analyzed their effects on fruit quality parameters [firmness, skin color, soluble solids content/titratable acidity (SSC/TA) ratio, fruit weight at harvest, and weight loss] along with anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin (PA) accumulation; the antioxidant-related enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX); the total flavonoid and phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity, and ascorbic acid content (AAC) during post-harvest storage (0, 24, 48, and 72 h). We also evaluated the effect on lignin, total carbon and nitrogen (%C and N), lipid peroxidation, and C and N isotopes signatures on fruits. Remarkably, the results indicated that MeJA treatment increases anthocyanin and PA contents as well as CAT activity in post-harvest storage, depending on the number of preharvest MeJA applications. Also, M3 fruit showed a higher AAC compared to control at 48 and 72 h. Noticeably, the anthocyanin content and CAT activity were more elevated in M3 treatment comparing with control at all post-harvest times. In turn, APX activity was found higher on all MeJA-treated fruit independent of the number of applications. Unlike, MeJA applications did not generate variations on fruit firmness and weight, lignin contents,% C and N, and in lipid peroxidation and water/nitrogen use efficiency according to C and N isotope discrimination. Finally, we concluded that an increasing number of MeJA applications (M3 treatment) improve anthocyanin, PA, AAC, and CAT activity that could play an essential role against reactive oxygen species, which cause stress that affects fruits during post-harvest storage.

Uxoricidio por folie a deux: a propósito de un caso / Uxoricide related to folie a deux: a propos of a case

Introducción: Etimológicamente, uxoricidio provine del latín Uxor, esposa y cida del latín caedere, matar y consiste en la muerte de la esposa a manos del marido. Caso clínico: se presenta el caso de un examen pericial de una paciente, quien sufría probablemente de una psicosis esquizofrénica, que fue victimada por su esposo. Se pone en evidencia la importancia de los rasgos de personalidad en el contagio de una enfermedad mental, también que el grado de afección esta en relación con el grado de cercanía de las personas implicadas.

Introduction: From the etymological point of view, uxoricide comes from two Latin words: uxor, meaning spouse, and caedere (cide), meaning the housewife is killed by her husband. Clinical case:This is a case of an expert assessment of a patient who probably had schizophrenic psychosis, who was killed by her husband. We emphasize the importance of personality traits in the passage of this mental condition to another person, and the degree of involvement is related with being so close to the primarily affected person.

Persistencia de lesión cervical premaligna posterior a conización por LEEP en el Hospital San Juan de Dios en el año 2005 / Persistence of premalignant cervical lesions after conization by LEEP at the Hospital San Juan de Dios in 2005

El estudio "Persistencia de lesión cervical premaligna posterior a LEEP en el Hospital San Juan de Dios", investigó la persistencia de lesión cervical en pacientes sometidas a LEEP basándose en el compromiso de márgenes, así como la relación de algunos factores de riesgo como lo es el HPV. Se determinó la persistencia en pacientes sometidas a LEEP en el Servicio de Ginecología del Hospital San Juan de Dios en el período del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre del 2005. El estudio se realizó basado en la información recaudada de los expedientes clínicos de las pacientes con patología cervical, controladas en el Servicio de Colposcopía en consulta externa de dicho hospital.

Reactivation of a commercial diesel oxidation catalyst by acid washing.

The catalytic activity of samples taken from an oxidation catalyst mounted on diesel-driven automobiles and aged under road conditions was recovered to a significant extent by washing with a dilute solution of citric acid. The characterization of samples arising from a fresh, a vehicle-aged, and a regenerated catalyst was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Relatively high levels of S and P, in the form of aluminum sulfate and phosphate, respectively, together with contaminant Si were detected in the used catalyst. Washing of the vehicle-aged catalytic oxidation converter revealed high efficiency in the extraction of the main contaminants detected (S and P) by this nondestructive methodology. The results of the experiments reported here should encourage the development of a technology based on this reactivation procedure for the rejuvenation of the catalytic device mounted on diesel exhaust pipes.

Respuesta de los parámetros productivos de pollos de engorda a diferentes niveles de energía metabolizable / Effect of levels of metabolizable energy on the performance of broiler chickens

Se distribuyeron al azar 1,440 pollitos Hybro en 8 tratamientos, arreglo factorial de 4 niveles crecientes de energía metabolizable (EM) x ajuste o no de nutrimentos. Los alimentos de iniciación, crecimiento y finalización contenían 2990, 3020, 3080, 3110; 3030, 3060, 3120, 3150, y 3150, 3180, 3240 y 3270 Kcal de EM/kg de alimento respectivamente. En cada etapa se utilizaron los siguientes porcentajes de proteína cruda: 22, 19.4 y 18.3; de metionina más cistina: .88,.88 y .80; de lisina: 1.22, 1.09 y 1.0; de calcio: 1.0,.96 y .86 y de fósforo disponible: .45,.42 y .40 por ciento. Los resultados obtenido a los 52 días de experimentación no mostraron diferencias en el peso final, consumo de alimento y conversión alimenticia; tampoco se encontraron diferencias significativas sobre el porcentaje de grasa abdominal, ni pigmentación. Esta información indica que niveles crecientes de energía metabolizable en las dietas de iniciación, crecimiento y finalización que fluctúan de 2990 - 3110, 3030 - 3150 y de 3150 - 3270 Kcal/kg, no afectan el comportamiento productivo de pollos de engorda

Denuncias por violación / Rapt denunces

Durante el período de enero a diciembre de 1991 se presentaron 528 denuncias por agresión sexual en la Sección de Clínica forense del Departamento de Medicina Legal de Costa Rica. En 200 de esos casos se alegó algún tipo de violación en mujeres en etapa reproductiva. Se determinó que el grupo etario principal lo constituyen las adolescentes (76), especialmente las que se encuentran en la adolescencia temprana...

Efecto de un agonista B-adrenérgico en la alimentación de pollos de engorda / Effect of clenbuterol on productive parameters of broiler chickens

Se evaluó como aditivo a un agonista B-adrenérgico (clenbuterol) en la producción de pollos de engorda. Un total de 200 aves de una línea comercial (sexadas, de 28 días de edad), se distribuyeron en 20 grupos en jaulas de batería. Se empleó un diseño factorial 2 x 5 completamente al azar; el primer factor due el sexo y el otro consistió en la suplementación a la dieta con cinco niveles de clenbuteol (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, y 2.0 ppm). Cada tratamiento constó de 2 repeticiones con 10 animales cada una. El clenbuterol se suplementó a dietas de finalización tipo práctico sorgo + soya con 3030 kcal de EM/kg, 20 por ciento de proteína, 1 por ciento de lisina, 0.77 por ciento de metionina + cistina, 0.95 por ciento de calcio y 0.47 por ciento de fósforo disponible. Se registraron la ganancia de peso, consumo de alimento, conversión alimenticia y grasa depositada en abdomen. Los resultados obtenidos a los 48 días de edad, indicaron diferencias significativas (P < 0.05) entre sexos para peso corporal; los pesos resultaron más favorables para los machos. En esta variable no hubo efecto del B-adrenérgico. No hubo diferencias entre tratamientos para consumo de alimento y conversión. Sin embargo, se encontraron diferencias significativas (P < 0.05) entre tratamientos en la grasa abdominal; resultó mejor el tratamiento que se suplementó con 1 ppm de clenbuterol tanto en machos como en hembras. De los resultados obtenidos, se concluye que el clenbuterol a 1 ppm en la alimentación de pollos. reduce la deposición de grasa abdominal.