Characterization of carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils and oligosaccharides from Kraft pulp fibers and their potential elicitor effect on the gene expression of Capsicum annuum.

Biomass-derived oligo- and polysaccharides may act as elicitors, i.e., bioactive molecules that trigger plant immune responses. This is particularly important to increase the resistance of plants to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) gels were obtained by TEMPO-mediated oxidation of unbleached and bleached kraft pulps. The molecular structures were characterized with ESI and MALDI MS. Analysis of the fine sequences was achieved by MS and MS/MS of the water-soluble oligosaccharides obtained by acid hydrolysis of the CNF gels. The analysis revealed the presence of two families: one corresponding to homoglucuronic acid sequences and the other composed by alternating glucose and glucuronic acid units. The CNF gels, alone or with the addition of the water-soluble oligosaccharides, were tested on Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). Based on the characterization of the gene expression with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the C. annuum's total messenger RNA, the differences in growth of the C. annuum seeds correlated well with the downregulation of the pathways regulating photosynthesis. A downregulation of the response to abiotic factors was detected, suggesting that these gels would improve the resistance of the C. annuum plants to abiotic stress due to, e.g., water deprivation and cold temperatures.

Dendritic cells as orchestrators of anticancer immunity and immunotherapy.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous group of antigen-presenting innate immune cells that regulate adaptive immunity, including against cancer. Therefore, understanding the precise activities of DCs in tumours and patients with cancer is important. The classification of DC subsets has historically been based on ontogeny; however, single-cell analyses are now additionally revealing a diversity of functional states of DCs in cancer. DCs can promote the activation of potent antitumour T cells and immune responses via numerous mechanisms, although they can also be hijacked by tumour-mediated factors to contribute to immune tolerance and cancer progression. Consequently, DC activities are often key determinants of the efficacy of immunotherapies, including immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Potentiating the antitumour functions of DCs or using them as tools to orchestrate short-term and long-term anticancer immunity has immense but as-yet underexploited therapeutic potential. In this Review, we outline the nature and emerging complexity of DC states as well as their functions in regulating adaptive immunity across different cancer types. We also describe how DCs are required for the success of current immunotherapies and explore the inherent potential of targeting DCs for cancer therapy. We focus on novel insights on DCs derived from patients with different cancers, single-cell studies of DCs and their relevance to therapeutic strategies.

EVALUACIÓN DE UN TERMOFOSFATO EN EL CRECIMIENTO Y PRODUCCIÓN DE FRESA (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cv. 'ALBIÓN' / EVALUATION OF THERMOPHOSPHATE IN GROWTH AND PRODUCTION THE STRAWBERRY Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cv. 'ALBIÓN'

RESUMEN La fresa es una de las frutas más importantes en el mundo, por sus múltiples usos industriales, medicinales y culinarios. En Colombia, la producción se concentra en los departamentos de Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Norte de Santander, Cauca y Boyacá. Su crecimiento y productividad están determinados por una adecuada fertilización en elementos, como nitrógeno (N), potasio (K), calcio (Ca) y fósforo (P), siendo el P un elemento de gran importancia, en diversos procesos fisiológicos, pero con baja disponibilidad para las plantas, en suelos con condiciones de acidez. Por esta razón, el objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto de una fuente no convencional de fósforo (termofosfato), en el crecimiento y en la producción de plantas de fresa cv. 'Albión', bajo condiciones del municipio de Viracachá, Boyacá. Se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente al azar, con 4 tratamientos, que correspondieron a dosis crecientes de termofosfato (0, 300, 600 y 900kg ha-1), con 4 repeticiones. Se evaluó el contenido de clorofilas totales, peso seco de parte aérea y raíz, número de estructuras reproductivas, producción de frutos, concentración foliar de P, Ca y silicio (Si). Se presentaron diferencias significativas (P≤0,05) en las variables clorofilas totales, peso seco de raíz, producción por calidad, concentración foliar de P y Si; las demás variables no mostraron diferencias estadísticas. Los mejores resultados, se presentaron con los tratamientos de 300 y 600kg ha-1 de termofosfato, convirtiéndolo en una alternativa de suministro en suelos con problemas de acidez y baja disponibilidad de P.

SUMMARY The strawberry is one of the most important fruits in the world for its multiple industrial, medicinal and culinary uses. In Colombia, the production is concentrated in the departments of Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Norte de Santander, Cauca and Boyacá. Its growth and productivity are determined by an adequate fertilization in elements such as nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), being P an element of great importance in various physiological processes but with low availability for plants in soils with acidic conditions. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an unconventional source of phosphorus (thermophosphate), on the growth and production of strawberry plants cv. 'Albión' under conditions of the municipality of Viracachá, Boyacá. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 4 treatments, which were increasing doses of thermophosphate (0, 300, 600 and 900kg ha-1) with 4 repetitions. The content of total chlorophylls, dry weight of aerial part and root, number of reproductive structures, production and foliar concentration of phosphorus, calcium and silicon were evaluated. There were significant differences (P≤0.05) in the variables total chlorophyll, root dry weight, production by quality, foliar concentration of P, Ca and silicon (Si); the other variables did not show statistical differences. The best results were presented with the treatments of 300 and 600 kg ha-1 of thermophosphate turning it into an alternative supply in soils with acidity problems and low availability of P.