Physiological and Enzymatic Antioxidant Responses of Solanum tuberosum Leaves to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation under Water Stress.

Solanum tuberosum is one of the most widely cropped plant species worldwide; unfortunately, drought is one of the major constraints on potato productivity because it affects the physiology, biochemical processes, and yield. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has exhibited beneficial effects on plants during drought. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of AMF inoculation on two genotypes of potato plants exposed to water stress, and the photosynthetic traits, enzymatic antioxidant activity, and exudation of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) of potato plants inoculated with two strains of AMF, Claroideoglomus claroideum (CC) and Claroideoglomus lamellosum (HMC26), were evaluated. Stomatal conductance exhibited a similar trend in the CC and HMC26 treatments for both potato genotypes; moreover, the photosynthetic rate significantly increased by 577.9% between the 100% soil humidity (S0) and 40% soil humidity (S2) stress levels for the VR808 genotype under the CC treatment. The activities of the enzymes catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) showed similar trends. In this study, there were different responses among genotypes and treatments. Inoculation with CC under S2 stress levels is a promising potential approach for improving potato growth under drought conditions.

Stability of Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity and Color Parameters in Colored-Flesh Potato Chips.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) chips are the most consumed snacks worldwide today. Colored potato chips prepared from potato cultivars with red and purple flesh are a novel alternative to traditional potato chips because of their higher phenolic compound content, such as anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (HCADs), which might make these chips healthier compared with traditional chips. There is little information on the stability of these compounds. In this study, the nutritional value of these chips was evaluated by determining phenolic profiles, antioxidant activity and color parameters with liquid chromatography diode array and mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) and spectrophotometric methods during storage for four months. Five anthocyanins and three HCADs were detected, with the latter compounds being the most abundant, with concentrations on average between the first (97.82 mg kg-1) and the last (31.44 mg kg-1) week of storage. Similar trends were observed in antioxidant activity and stability, with the CUPRAC method showing the highest response among all the methods employed. The color indices were stable throughout the storage time. Based on these results, colored-flesh potato chips are an optimal alternative for consumption because of their high retention of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity during storage, providing potential benefits to human health.

Evaluation of the Antifungal Potential of Grape Cane and Flesh-Coloured Potato Extracts against Rhizoctonia sp. in Solanum tuberosum Crops.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important food crops worldwide, and Rhizoctonia solani infection is one of the most common diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Vitis vinifera byproducts (VIDES) and flesh-coloured potato (FCP) extracts against Rhizoctonia sp. in potato crops. Photosynthetic traits, phenolic profiles, and antioxidant and enzymatic activities were determined. The VIDES extract showed a 151.4% improvement in stomatal conductance and a 258.5% improvement in the photosynthetic rate compared to the plants without infection. Regarding the enzymatic antioxidant activity, the best response was found in the FCP treatments with 30 min of application, with increases of 25%, 161%, and 450% in ascorbate peroxidase, catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, respectively, compared to plants without infection. For the VIDES extract, a 15 min application produced an 83% increase in CAT activity, whereas a 181% increase in GR activity compared to plants without infection was produced after a 30 min application. A similar behaviour was observed for antioxidant compounds, where FCP had a higher concentration of compounds and antioxidant activity. This finding suggests that FCP and VIDES promote the synthesis of plant-defence compounds against Rhizoctonia sp. in potato crops, in which the application time is a determining factor.

The genetic characterization of fall armyworm populations in Ecuador and its implications to migration and pest management in the northern regions of South America.

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a moth pest native to the Western Hemisphere that has recently become a global problem, invading Africa, Asia, and Australia. The species has a broad host range, long-distance migration capability, and a propensity for the generation of pesticide resistance traits that make it a formidable invasive threat and a difficult pest to control. While fall armyworm migration has been extensively studied in North America, where annual migrations of thousands of kilometers are the norm, migration patterns in South America are less understood. As a first step to address this issue we have been genetically characterizing fall armyworm populations in Ecuador, a country in the northern portion of South America that has not been extensively surveyed for this pest. These studies confirm and extend past findings indicating similarities in the fall armyworm populations from Ecuador, Trinidad-Tobago, Peru, and Bolivia that suggest substantial migratory interactions. Specifically, we found that populations throughout Ecuador are genetically homogeneous, indicating that the Andes mountain range is not a long-term barrier to fall armyworm migration. Quantification of genetic variation in an intron sequence describe patterns of similarity between fall armyworm from different locations in South America with implications for how migration might be occurring. In addition, we unexpectedly found these observations only apply to one subset of fall armyworm (the C-strain), as the other group (R-strain) was not present in Ecuador. The results suggest differences in migration behavior between fall armyworm groups in South America that appear to be related to differences in host plant preferences.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Selective Extraction of Bisphenol A and Progesterone from Aqueous Media.

This paper describes the development of a novel sorbent for selective extraction of endocrine disruptors (EDs) from aqueous media. The main goal was to obtain sufficient molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for selective detection, preconcentration, and extraction of EDs such as bisphenol A (BPA) and progesterone (PG). Series of MIPs and their analogues, non-molecularly imprinted polymers (NIPs), were synthesised following a non-covalent imprinting strategy based on radical polymerisation. Sets of synthesis were performed in order to optimise variables of the polymerisation including solvent, cross-linker, and template ratio. The retention capacity of MIPs was determined using HPLC in the range of 33.3% to 96.6% and 32.5% to 96% for BPA and PG, respectively. The adsorption mechanism was studied by isothermal and kinetic assays. The kinetic analysis showed a high retention capacity within 15 min of contact. The polymer yield was obtained in the range of 30% to 100%. Additionally, there was no significant cross-reactivity observed upon testing MIPs with structural analogues and other endocrine disruptors instead of target molecules. The results also revealed the high importance of different concentrations of cross-linker and solvent during the polymerisation. Firstly, the pre-organisation of complementary functional groups, which were present in the polymerisation mixture, and secondly, selective cavity formation for target molecules.

Clasificación práctica de la enfermedad renal crónica 2016: una propuesta / Practical classification of chronic kidney disease (2016): A proposal

La clasificación de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) realizada en 2002 por el grupo Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative en 5 estadios con base en la tasa de filtración glomerular ha permitido estandarizar los parámetros de diagnóstico y ha sido de gran utilidad para el ejercicio de la práctica clínica, la realización de múltiples estudios de investigación, así como el desarrollo de políticas de salud pública a nivel mundial. Publicaciones posteriores han propuesto diferenciar la presencia de enfermedad renal en rin˜ ón nativo o trasplantado y subdividir el estadio 3 en A y B por ser un rango muy amplio en donde ocurren eventos muy importantes, sobre todo a nivel cardiovascular. Por su parte, las guías de práctica clínica Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes sustentan la proteinuria-albuminuria como factor pronóstico indiscutible de la ERC. A su vez, con respecto a la hipertensión arterial crónica, aunque no alcanza valor estadístico significativo como factor de riesgo independiente para la progresión de la ERC, la mayoría de los análisis evidencian que el control adecuado de la presión arterial es benéfico y retarda la progresión de la ERC en pacientes con proteinuria; tanto es así que es considerada como la segunda causa de ERC después de la diabetes mellitus, por delante de las glomerulonefritis. Con base en lo anterior y teniendo en cuenta que una enfermedad multifactorial como esta no puede ser evaluada con tan solo uno de los 3 principales factores de riesgo que más determinan su evolución, proponemos una nueva, práctica y fácil manera de clasificar la ERC tomando simultáneamente las 3 variables antes mencionadas, logrando un concepto más integral de la enfermedad. Este método diagnóstico, además de identificar la enfermedad, puede ser útil para determinar la severidad y predecir su riesgo de progresión. De igual manera, al tener parámetros cuantificables, puede servir como instrumento de seguimiento prospectivo de las intervenciones terapéuticas que se realicen...(AU)

The classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD), made in 2002 by the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative group, includes 5 stages based upon the glomerular filtration rate. This has led to the standardisation of diagnostic parameters, and has been of great use in clinical practice, carrying out multiple research studies, as well as developing public health policies at aworld level. Later publications have proposed differentiating the presence of kidney disease in a native kidney or in a transplanted one, and subdividing stage 3 of CKD into A and B, since there is a wide range of disease in which very important events occur, especially at a cardiovascular level. Furthermore, the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes clinical practice guidelines support proteinuria-albuminuria as an undebatable prognostic risk factor of CKD. At the same time, and regarding chronic high blood pressure, while it does not have significant statistical value as an independent risk factor for the progression of CKD, the majority of analyses suggest that adequate control of blood pressure is beneficial and delays the progression of CKD in patients with proteinuria, so much so that it is considered the second cause of CKD after diabetes mellitus and above glomerulonephritis. Based upon what has been mentioned, and taking into account that a multifactor disease like CKD cannot be evaluated with only one of 3 principal risk factors that most determine its outcome, a new, practical, and easy method for the classification of CKD is proposed, taking into account all the 3 aforementioned variables, thereby achieving a more integral concept of the disease. This diagnostic method to identify the disease may also be useful for determining the severity as well as predict the risk of progression. At the same way, having quantifiable parameters can be very useful as a prospective follow-up tool for therapeutic interventions...(AU)

Oral vaccination of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) against salmonid rickettsial septicaemia.

Effective oral immunization systems may be very helpful to the salmon industry, particularly during the seawater growth stages in which vaccination through injection is not possible. During the seawater growing stage, fish become more susceptible to several types of disease, due to the natural decay of vaccine-induced immune responses. In this study, we demonstrate the immune response and efficacy of a new salmonid rickettsial septicaemia (SRS) oral vaccine, developed using MicroMatrix™ Technology. The vaccine, which is administered together with daily feed ration, induces a specific immune response at local and systemic levels. Anti-Piscirickettsia salmonis specific antibodies were detected as soon as 300 degree-days after vaccination. Furthermore, oral vaccination was able to protect fish against a lethal pathogen challenge when administered either as a primary vaccination or as a booster for an injected vaccine. Results show that oral vaccination is an efficacious treatment for the prevention of SRS outbreaks throughout the salmon culture period.

[Progressive motility increase caused by L-arginine and polyamines in sperm from patients with idiopathic and diabetic asthenozoospermia]. / Aumento de movilidad progresiva por L-arginina y poliaminas en espermatozoides de pacientes con astenozoospermia idiopática y diabética.

This study was designed to investigate the in vitro effect of L-arginine and polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine on sperm motility of asthenozoospermic idiopathic and diabetic patients. 10 semen samples were obtained from healthy male volunteers. Other 10 samples were from men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia and 13 samples were from men with diabetes mellitus type 1. In vitro effect of L-arginine and polyamines on sperm motility type a was studied. In addition, concentration of L-arginine and polyamine levels was measured in seminal plasma. Addition of L-arginine or polyamines to sperm cells suspensions resulted in significant differences in motility type a. L-arginine concentrations in seminal plasma were similar in the three groups. Putrescine and spermidine levels in seminal plasma of diabetic patients were lower than those of healthy patients (p < or = 0.003 and p < or = 0.004, respectively). In asthenozoospermic patients, only spermidine was lower (p < or = 0.009). We can conclude that under the conditions of this study, the addition of L-arginine and polyamines to human sperm cells obtained from idiopathic or diabetic asthenozoospermic patients showed a beneficial effect on sperm motility.

Disfunción ovárica en esclerosis sistémica progresiva/CREST / Ovarian disfunction in progressive systemic sclerosis/CREST

Objetivo. Estudiar la función ovárica en esclerosis sistémica progresiva (ESP)/CREST. Metodología. Se estudiaron 13 mujeres con ESP/CREST y 18 controles sanas, subdivididas en menstruantes y menopáusicas y analizadas desde los puntos de vista reumatológico, endocrinológico y ginecológico. Resultados. La ESP inició a edad más temprana que el CREST (p=0.02). Ocho enfermas menstruantes (Grupo 1) tuvieron opsomenorrea y amenorrea y 2 infertilidad. En las pacientes ESP/CREST menopáusicas (Grupo 2), 3 tuvieron menopausia temprana. En el Grupo 1, la hormona folículo estimulante (HFE) y la prolactina (PRL) en suero resultaron elevadas (p=NS) y el estradiol (E2) sérico disminuido en la fase preovulatoria respecto de las controles (p<0.05). En el Grupo 2 la HFE y la luteinizante estuvieron elevadas en suero (p<0.04 y p<0.03, respectivamente) y el E2 fue bajo (p=NS) respecto de las controles. El Grupo 1 tuvo inmunoglobulinas séricas (p=0.0001 y 0.004) y velocidad de sedimentación globular (VSG, p=0.016) mayores que las controles. En el grupo de ESP/CREST hubo correlación entre E2 e IgA (p<0.001) y los niveles de PRL e IgM (p<0.001), que fueron diferentes a los de las controles. Conclusión. En pacientes con ESP/CREST existe disfunción ovárica, con problable participación de E2 y PRL como intermediarias de la inflamación y/o de la respuesta inmunológica