Machine Learning to Predict Enzyme-Substrate Interactions in Elucidation of Synthesis Pathways: A Review.

Enzyme-substrate interactions play a fundamental role in elucidating synthesis pathways and synthetic biology, as they allow for the understanding of important aspects of a reaction. Establishing the interaction experimentally is a slow and costly process, which is why this problem has been addressed using computational methods such as molecular dynamics, molecular docking, and Monte Carlo simulations. Nevertheless, this type of method tends to be computationally slow when dealing with a large search space. Therefore, in recent years, methods based on artificial intelligence, such as support vector machines, neural networks, or decision trees, have been implemented, significantly reducing the computing time and covering vast search spaces. These methods significantly reduce the computation time and cover broad search spaces, rapidly reducing the number of interacting candidates, as they allow repetitive processes to be automated and patterns to be extracted, are adaptable, and have the capacity to handle large amounts of data. This article analyzes these artificial intelligence-based approaches, presenting their common structure, advantages, disadvantages, limitations, challenges, and future perspectives.

Detached Maize Sheaths for Live-Cell Imaging of Infection by Fungal Foliar Maize Pathogens.

We have optimized a protocol to inoculate maize leaf sheaths with hemibiotrophic and necrotrophic foliar pathogenic fungi. The method is modified from one originally applied to rice leaf sheaths and allows direct microscopic observation of fungal growth and development in living plant cells. Leaf sheaths collected from maize seedlings with two fully emerged leaf collars are inoculated with 20 µL drops of 5 x 105 spores/mL fungal spore suspensions and incubated in humidity chambers at 23 °C under continuous fluorescent light. After 24-72 h, excess tissue is removed with a razor blade to leave a single layer of epidermal cells, an optically clear sample that can be imaged directly without the necessity for chemical fixation or clearing. Plant and fungal cells remain alive for the duration of the experiment and interactions can be visualized in real-time. Sheaths can be stained or subjected to plasmolysis to study the developmental cytology and viability of host and pathogen cells during infection and colonization. Fungal strains transformed to express fluorescent proteins can be inoculated or co-inoculated on the sheaths for increased resolution and to facilitate the evaluation of competitive or synergistic interactions. Fungal strains expressing fluorescent fusion proteins can be used to track and quantify the production and targeting of these individual proteins in planta. Inoculated sheath tissues can be extracted to characterize nucleic acids, proteins, or metabolites. The use of these sheath assays has greatly advanced the detailed studies of the mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity in maize and also of fungal protein effectors and secondary metabolites contributing to pathogenicity.

Detecting SARS-CoV-2 Virus by Reverse Transcription-Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has dramatically impacted human health. It continues to be a threat to modern society because many people die as a result of infection. The disease is diagnosed using serologic and molecular tests, such as the gold standard real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The last has several disadvantages because it requires specialized infrastructure, costly equipment, and trained personnel. Here, we present a protocol outlining the steps required to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus using reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) in human samples. The protocol includes instructions for designing primers in silico, preparing reagents, amplification, and visualization. Once standardized, this method can be easily implemented and adapted to any laboratory or point-of-care within 60 min at a low cost and using inexpensive equipment. It is adaptable to detecting different pathogens. Thus, it can potentially be used in the field and in health centers to carry out timely epidemiological surveillance.

Persistent and fatal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in a patient with severe hypogammaglobulinemia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Viruses are constantly changing as a result of mutations, and new viral variants are expected to appear over time. The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is not excluded from this condition. Patients with some types of immunodeficiency have been reported to experience symptoms that vary from mild to severe, or even death, after being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We report a case of a woman with severe hypogammaglobulinemia who developed a prolonged and fatal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old mestizo female with a previous history of severe hypogammaglobulinemia manifested by recurrent pulmonary infections and follicular bronchiolitis. She received a monthly treatment of intravenous immunoglobulins and was admitted after report of a neurological manifestation related to a left thalamic inflammatory lesion, for a duration of 2 weeks of hospitalization, indicated for the study of her neurological condition, including brain biopsy. Both on admission and 1 week later, nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were performed and reported negative. In the third week of hospitalization, she developed pulmonary symptoms, and a positive test result for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was evidenced. On Day 3, the patients' condition worsened as the infection progressed to respiratory failure and required mechanical ventilation. On Day 8 after the coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis, the polymerase chain reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 showed persistent detection of the virus. Various bacterial coinfections, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae, were diagnosed and treated. On Day 35, her pulmonary symptoms worsened, and the results of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 polymerase chain reaction test remained positive. On Day 36, despite all the respiratory support, the patient died. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus was sequenced at the beginning and 8 days after the onset of the disease, and the strain, without obvious mutations in the gene that encodes spike protein, was identified. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical case showed persistent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 detection after 35 days of infection in a patient with severe hypogammaglobulinemia. The sequencing of the virus showed no mutations on the spike protein at 8 days, indicating that, in this case, the persistence of the viral detection was associated with immunodeficiency instead of changes in the viral components.

Percentiles de peso, talla e índice de masa corporal de escolares de Mendoza. Comparación con la referencia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud / Body mass index, weight, and height percentiles in school-aged children from Mendoza. A comparison with the WHO reference

Introducción. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda el uso de tablas de referencia para monitorear el crecimiento y estado nutricional de niños, niñas y adolescentes. El peso corporal, la talla y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) son las variables más utilizadas. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivos estimar los percentiles de peso, talla e IMC de escolares (2009-2011) residentes en el departamento San Rafael (Mendoza) y compararlos con la referencia internacional de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, a fin de establecer su pertinencia para la evaluación del crecimiento y estado nutricional de dicha población. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio antropométrico transversal en 3448 escolares de entre 4,00 y 13,49 años de edad. Se utilizó el programa LMS ChartMarker Pro para calcular los valores percentilares de peso/edad, talla/edad e IMC/edad, por sexo y edad, y se compararon con las curvas de la OMS. Además, se calcularon diferencias porcentuales (D%) para estimar las diferencias y su significación estadística mediante prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados. La población de San Rafael mostró, en varones y mujeres, valores percentilares superiores de peso e IMC (D% ≈7 % y 9 %, respectivamente), y menores de talla (D% ≈0,8 %) que los de la OMS (p <0,05). Conclusión. Las diferencias encontradas alertan sobre el empleo de la referencia OMS en la población escolar de San Rafael, ya que sobreestimaría las prevalencias de sobrepeso, obesidad y desnutrición crónica, y subestimaría la de desnutrición aguda y global. Esta situación resalta la importancia de contar con una referencia local.

Introduction. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of reference tables to monitor the growth pattern and nutritional status of children and adolescents. Body mass index (BMI), weight, and height are the most commonly used variables. The objective of this study was to estimate the BMI, weight, and height percentiles for school-aged children (2009-2011) living in the department of San Rafael (Mendoza) and compare them to the international World Health Organization reference to establish their relevance for the evaluation of the growth pattern and nutritional status of this population. Population and methods. A cross-sectional anthropometric study was conducted in 3448 school-aged children aged 4.00 to 13.49 years. The LMS ChartMarker Pro software was used to estimate the BMI- for-age, weight-for-age, and height-for-age percentiles, by sex and age, and they were compared with the WHO curves. Besides, percentage differences (%D) were calculated to estimate the differences and their statistical significance using the Wilcoxon test. Results. The population of boys and girls in San Rafael showed higher weight and BMI (%D ≈ 7% and 9%, respectively) percentiles, and lower height (%D ≈ 0.8%) values than WHO reference (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The differences found warn about the use of the WHO reference in the school-aged population of San Rafael since it would overestimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic malnutrition and underestimate the prevalence of acute and global malnutrition. This situation highlights the importance of having a local reference resource

Body mass index, weight, and height percentiles in school-aged children from Mendoza. A comparison with the WHO reference. / Percentiles de peso, talla e índice de masa corporal de escolares de Mendoza. Comparación con la referencia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

Introduction. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of reference tables to monitor the growth pattern and nutritional status of children and adolescents. Body mass index (BMI), weight, and height are the most commonly used variables. The objective of this study was to estimate the BMI, weight, and height percentiles for school-aged children (2009-2011) living in the department of San Rafael (Mendoza) and compare them to the international World Health Organization reference to establish their relevance for the evaluation of the growth pattern and nutritional status of this population. Population and methods. A cross-sectional anthropometric study was conducted in 3448 school-aged children aged 4.00 to 13.49 years. The LMS ChartMarker Pro software was used to estimate the BMIfor-age, weight-for-age, and height-for-age percentiles, by sex and age, and they were compared with the WHO curves. Besides, percentage differences (%D) were calculated to estimate the differences and their statistical significance using the Wilcoxon test. Results. The population of boys and girls in San Rafael showed higher weight and BMI (%D ≈ 7% and 9%, respectively) percentiles, and lower height (%D ≈ 0.8%) values than WHO reference (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The differences found warn about the use of the WHO reference in the school-aged population of San Rafael since it would overestimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic malnutrition and underestimate the prevalence of acute and global malnutrition. This situation highlights the importance of having a local reference resource.

Introducción. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda el uso de tablas de referencia para monitorear el crecimiento y estado nutricional de niños, niñas y adolescentes. El peso corporal, la talla y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) son las variables más utilizadas. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivos estimar los percentiles de peso, talla e IMC de escolares (2009-2011) residentes en el departamento San Rafael (Mendoza) y compararlos con la referencia internacional de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, a fin de establecer su pertinencia para la evaluación del crecimiento y estado nutricional de dicha población. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio antropométrico transversal en 3448 escolares de entre 4,00 y 13,49 años de edad. Se utilizó el programa LMS ChartMarker Pro para calcular los valores percentilares de peso/edad, talla/edad e IMC/edad, por sexo y edad, y se compararon con las curvas de la OMS. Además, se calcularon diferencias porcentuales (D%) para estimar las diferencias y su significación estadística mediante prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados. La población de San Rafael mostró, en varones y mujeres, valores percentilares superiores de peso e IMC (D% ≈7 % y 9 %, respectivamente), y menores de talla (D% ≈0,8 %) que los de la OMS (p <0,05). Conclusión. Las diferencias encontradas alertan sobre el empleo de la referencia OMS en la población escolar de San Rafael, ya que sobreestimaría las prevalencias de sobrepeso, obesidad y desnutrición crónica, y subestimaría la de desnutrición aguda y global. Esta situación resalta la importancia de contar con una referencia local.

Model for regional collaboration: Successful strategy to implement a pediatric early warning system in 36 pediatric oncology centers in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) aid in the early identification of deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer; however, they are under-used in resource-limited settings. The authors use the knowledge-to-action framework to describe the implementation strategy for Proyecto Escala de Valoracion de Alerta Temprana (EVAT), a multicenter quality-improvement collaborative, to scale-up PEWS in pediatric oncology centers in Latin America. METHODS: Proyecto EVAT mentored participating centers through an adaptable implementation strategy to: (1) monitor clinical deterioration in children with cancer, (2) contextually adapt PEWS, (3) assess barriers to using PEWS, (4) pilot and implement PEWS, (5) monitor the use of PEWS, (6) evaluate outcomes, and (7) sustain PEWS. The implementation outcomes assessed included the quality of PEWS use, the time required for implementation, and global program impact. RESULTS: From April 2017 to October 2021, 36 diverse Proyecto EVAT hospitals from 13 countries in Latin America collectively managing more than 4100 annual new pediatric cancer diagnoses successfully implemented PEWS. The time to complete all program phases varied among centers, averaging 7 months (range, 3-13 months) from PEWS pilot to implementation completion. All centers ultimately implemented PEWS and maintained high-quality PEWS use for up to 18 months after implementation. Across the 36 centers, more than 11,100 clinicians were trained in PEWS, and more than 41,000 pediatric hospital admissions had PEWS used in their care. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based interventions like PEWS can be successfully scaled-up regionally basis using a systematic approach that includes a collaborative network, an adaptable implementation strategy, and regional mentorship. Lessons learned can guide future programs to promote the widespread adoption of effective interventions and reduce global disparities in childhood cancer outcomes. LAY SUMMARY: Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) are clinical tools used to identify deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer; however, implementation challenges limit their use in resource-limited settings. Proyecto EVAT is a multicenter quality-improvement collaborative to implement PEWS in 36 pediatric oncology centers in Latin America. This is the first multicenter, multinational study reporting a successful implementation strategy (Proyecto EVAT) to regionally scale-up PEWS. The lessons learned from Proyecto EVAT can inform future programs to promote the adoption of clinical interventions to globally improve childhood cancer outcomes.

Changes in the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Misiones provinces (Argentina) over the last two decades.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine changes in the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity in Argentine children and adolescents over the last two decades, and analyze their relationship with family socioeconomic conditions. METHODS: We compared data in two cross-sectional studies (C) of schoolchildren (n: 4971) aged 4 to 13 years from three provinces: Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Misiones. C1 was carried out between 2005 and 2009 and C2 between 2010 and 2019. Anthropometric (body weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfolds) and socioeconomic data of both studies were obtained in the same schools by the same investigators, using a similar methodology. The prevalence of nutritional status and the frequency of family socioeconomic conditions were calculated by province and C. Data were analyzed by chi square test, categorical principal component analysis and generalized linear model. RESULTS: The prevalence of undernutrition decreased in C2 in Buenos Aires and Misiones and remained constant in Mendoza. At the same time, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased in the three provinces, around 13% in Buenos Aires and 9% in Mendoza and Misiones. Similarly, fat mass increased in C2. Undernutrition was associated with inadequate family socioeconomic conditions only in C1. CONCLUSIONS: This 14-year follow-up study shows a decreasing trend in the prevalence of undernutrition and an increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and fat mass in the child and adolescent population of Argentina. Also, a marked deterioration in family socioeconomic conditions was found, but its relationship with the changes in nutritional status remains to be elucidated.

The Gut Microbiome May Help Address Mental Health Disparities in Hispanics: A Narrative Review.

The gut-brain axis is the biological connection between the enteric and the central nervous systems. Given the expansion of the microbial sciences with the new human microbiome field facilitated by the decrease in sequencing costs, we now know more about the role of gut microbiota in human health. In this short review, particular focus is given to the gut-brain axis and its role in psychiatric diseases such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, factors that contribute to changes in the gut-brain axis, including the gut microbiome, nutrition, the host's genome, and ethnic difference, are highlighted. Emphasis is given to the lack of studies on Hispanic populations, despite the fact this ethnic group has a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression in the US.

Remote heart failure management using the HeartLogic algorithm. RE-HEART registry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: HeartLogic is a multiparametric algorithm incorporated into implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). The associated alerts predict impending heart failure (HF) decompensations. Our objective was to analyze the association between alerts and clinical events and to describe the implementation of a protocol for remote management in a multicenter registry. METHODS: We evaluated study phase 1 (the investigators were blinded to the alert state) and phases 2 and 3 (after HeartLogic activation, managed as per local practice and with a standardized protocol, respectively). RESULTS: We included 288 patients from 15 centers. In phase 1, the median observation period was 10 months and there were 73 alerts (0.72 alerts/patient-y), with 8 hospitalizations and 2 emergency room admissions for HF (0.10 events/patient-y). There were no HF hospitalizations outside the alert period. In the active phases, the median follow-up was 16 (95%CI, 15-22) months and there were 277 alerts (0.89 alerts/patient-y); 33 were associated with HF hospitalizations or HF death (n=6), 46 with minor decompensations, and 78 with other events. The unexplained alert rate was 0.39 alerts/patient-y. Outside the alert state, there was only 1 HF hospitalization and 1 minor HF decompensation. Most alerts (82% in phase 2 and 81% in phase 3; P=.861) were remotely managed. The median NT-proBNP value was higher within than outside the alert state (7378 vs 1210 pg/mL; P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: The HeartLogic index was frequently associated with HF-related events and other clinically relevant situations, with a low rate of unexplained events. A standardized protocol allowed alerts to be safely and remotely detected and appropriate action to be taken on them.

Evidence of Recombination Suppression Blocks on the Y Chromosome of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera).

The genus Phoenix includes the fruit producing date palm tree among 14 species that are all dioecious. Females produce the fruit that are high in sugar content and used in multiple countries ranging from North Africa to South Asia, especially from the Phoenix dactylifera, Phoenix sylvestris, and Phoenix canariensis species. While females produce the fruit, understanding of the genetic basis of sex control only began recently. Through genus-wide sequencing of males and females we recently identified three genes that are conserved in all males and absent in all females of the genus and confirmed an XY sex chromosome system. While our previous study focused on conservation of male-specific sequences at the genus-level, it would be of interest to better understand the spread of male-specific sequences away from the core conserved male genes on the Y chromosome during speciation. To this end, we enumerated male-specific 16 bp sequences using three male/female pairs from the western subpopulation of date palm and documented the density of these sequences in contigs of a phased date palm genome assembly. Here we show that male specific sequences in the date palm Y chromosome have likely spread in defined events that appear as blocks of varying density with significant changes in density between them. Collinearity of genes in these blocks with oil palm shows high synteny with chromosome 10 between megabase 15 and 23 and reveals that large sections of the date palm Y chromosome have maintained the ancestral structure even as recombination has stopped between X and Y.

Percentilos de referencia de la circunferencia y de las áreas muscular y grasa del brazo para la población infantojuvenil argentina (4-14 años) / Reference percentiles for mid-upper arm circumference, upper arm muscle and fat areas in the Argentine child and adolescent population (4-14 years old)

Introducción: La circunferencia del brazo (CB) se reconoce como buen indicador del estado nutricional. Objetivo: Estimar los percentilos de referencia para la CB y las áreas muscular (AM) y grasa (AG) del brazo en la población infantojuvenil argentina mediante el empleo del método LMS (lambda, mu, sigma, en inglés). Materiales y métodos: La muestra estuvo constituida por escolares de 4,0 a 13,9 años residentes en Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza y Chubut. Las mediciones antropométricas de la CB y del pliegue tricipital se realizaron entre 2003 y 2008 siguiendo protocolos estandarizados. Se estimaron las AM, AG, se calcularon los percentilos por edad y sexo, y se compararon mediante el análisis de la varianza. Resultados: Se incluyeron 22 736 escolares (11 397 varones y 11 339 mujeres). Los valores correspondientes al percentilo 50 fueron superiores, en las mujeres, para CB y AG, y, en los varones, para AM. Las curvas de CB presentaron incrementos más marcados a partir de los 7 años en todos los percentilos, para ambos sexos. Un patrón similar se observó para AM, con valores superiores en los varones. Por último, el AG mostró aumento constante en las mujeres y estabilización en los varones a partir de los 11 años. Se observaron diferencias para la edad. Conclusiones: Los valores de percentilos, tabulados y graficados, de la CB y de las AM y AG del brazo pueden constituir una referencia local para estudios epidemiológicos y antropológicos.

Introduction: Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is widely recognized as an adequate indicator of nutritional status. Objective: To estimate the reference percentiles for MUAC, upper arm muscle area (UAMA), and upper arm fat area (UAFA) in the Argentine child and adolescent population using the LMS method (lambda, mu, sigma) Materials and methods: The sample was made up of schoolchildren aged 4.0-13.9 years living in Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Chubut. MUAC and tricipital skinfold anthropometric measurements were obtained between 2003 and 2008 as per standardized protocols. UAMA and UAFA were calculated, and percentiles by age and sex were estimated and compared using an analysis of variance. Results: A total of 22 736 schoolchildren (11 397 boys and 11 339 girls) were included. The 50th percentile was higher for the MUAC and UAFA among girls and for the UAMA among boys. The MUAC curves showed sharper increases as of 7 years old in all percentiles among both boys and girls. A similar pattern was observed for the UAMA, with higher values among boys. Lastly, the UAFA showed a constant increase among girls and a stabilization among boys as of 11 years old. Differences for age were observed. Conclusions: The tabulated and plotted percentiles and the MUAC, UAMA, and UAFA may be used as local references for epidemiological and anthropological studies.

Reference percentiles for mid-upper arm circumference, upper arm muscle and fat areas in the Argentine child and adolescent population (4-14 years old). / Percentilos de referencia de la circunferencia y de las áreas muscular y grasa del brazo para la población infantojuvenil argentina (4-14 años).

INTRODUCTION: Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is widely recognized as an adequate indicator of nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the reference percentiles for MUAC, upper arm muscle area (UAMA), and upper arm fat area (UAFA) in the Argentine child and adolescent population using the LMS method (lambda, mu, sigma). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was made up of schoolchildren aged 4.0-13.9 years living in Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Chubut. MUAC and tricipital skinfold anthropometric measurements were obtained between 2003 and 2008 as per standardized protocols. UAMA and UAFA were calculated, and percentiles by age and sex were estimated and compared using an analysis of variance. RESULTS: A total of 22 736 schoolchildren (11 397 boys and 11 339 girls) were included. The 50th percentile was higher for the MUAC and UAFA among girls and for the UAMA among boys. The MUAC curves showed sharper increases as of 7 years old in all percentiles among both boys and girls. A similar pattern was observed for the UAMA, with higher values among boys. Lastly, the UAFA showed a constant increase among girls and a stabilization among boys as of 11 years old. Differences for age were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The tabulated and plotted percentiles and the MUAC, UAMA, and UAFA may be used as local references for epidemiological and anthropological studies.

Introducción: La circunferencia del brazo (CB) se reconoce como buen indicador del estado nutricional. Objetivo: Estimar los percentilos de referencia para la CB y las áreas muscular (AM) y grasa (AG) del brazo en la población infantojuvenil argentina mediante el empleo del método LMS (lambda, mu, sigma, en inglés). Materiales y métodos: La muestra estuvo constituida por escolares de 4,0 a 13,9 años residentes en Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza y Chubut. Las mediciones antropométricas de la CB y del pliegue tricipital se realizaron entre 2003 y 2008 siguiendo protocolos estandarizados. Se estimaron las AM, AG, se calcularon los percentilos por edad y sexo, y se compararon mediante el análisis de la varianza. Resultados: Se incluyeron 22 736 escolares (11 397 varones y 11 339 mujeres). Los valores correspondientes al percentilo 50 fueron superiores, en las mujeres, para CB y AG, y, en los varones, para AM. Las curvas de CB presentaron incrementos más marcados a partir de los 7 años en todos los percentilos, para ambos sexos. Un patrón similar se observó para AM, con valores superiores en los varones. Por último, el AG mostró aumento constante en las mujeres y estabilización en los varones a partir de los 11 años. Se observaron diferencias para la edad. Conclusiones: Los valores de percentilos, tabulados y graficados, de la CB y de las AM y AG del brazo pueden constituir una referencia local para estudios epidemiológicos y antropológicos.

Novel subpopulations in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) identified by population-wide organellar genome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: The date palm is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees. The tree can withstand high temperatures and low water and the fruit can be stored dry offering nutrition across the year. The first region of cultivation is believed to be near modern day Iraq, however, where and if the date palm was domesticated is still a topic of debate. Recent studies of chloroplast and genomic DNA revealed two major subpopulations of cultivars centered in both the Eastern range of date palm cultivation including Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and parts of South Asia, and the Western range, including North Africa. RESULTS: To better understand the origins of date palm cultivation we sequenced and analyzed over 200 mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes from a geographically diverse set of date palms. Here we show that, based on mitochondrial and chloroplast genome-wide genotyping data, the most common cultivated date palms contain 4 haplotypes that appear associated with geographical region of cultivar origin. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest at least 3 and possibly 4 original maternal contributions to the current date palm population and doubles the original number. One new haplotype was found mainly in Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt and the second in Iraq, Iran and Oman. We propose that earliest date palm cultivation occurred independently in at least 3 distinct locations. This discovery will further inform understanding of the history and origins of cultivated date palm.

Comparative study of mid-upper arm circumference, arm muscle area and arm fat area percentiles in Argentinean and US children aged 4-14 years / Estudio comparativo de los percentiles de circunferencia, área muscular y área grasa del brazo en niños argentinos y estadounidenses de 4-14 años

Background: mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), subcutaneous fat and muscle measurements are an alternative method to diagnose overweight and evaluate growth as well as protein and energy reserves. Aim: to compare MUAC, arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) measurements of Argentinean boys and girls (Sa) with reference curves for US boys and girls (R). Subjects and methods: data from 22,736 school-children aged 4-14 years from six Argentinean provinces were collected. MUAC and triceps skinfold thickness were measured and the derived AMA and AFA measures were calculated. Analyses were performed with GAMLß using the R software. Differences in mean values of Sa and R were compared in percentiles 3, 50 and 97. Results: mean values of MUAC and AMA in boys and girls were higher in R than in Sa at all ages; conversely, AFA values were lower. Conclusions: our results confirm differences in upper arm anthropometry of Argentinean school-children with respect to the US reference. The higher adipose tissue and lower skeletal muscle mass observed in Argentinean children could be partly associated with the different ethnic origin of both populations. However, differences should be interpreted in the context of an obesogenic environment, which has favored a calorie-protein imbalance

Antecedentes: la medición de la circunferencia del brazo (MUAC), así como la estimación de la grasa subcutánea y muscular constituyen un método alternativo para diagnosticar el sobrepeso y evaluar el crecimiento y las reservas proteicas y energéticas. Objetivo: comparar las mediciones de MUAC, área muscular (AMA) y área grasa (AFA) del brazo de niños y niñas argentinos (Sa) con curvas de referencia para niños y niñas de Estados Unidos (R). Sujetos y métodos: se recopilaron datos de 22,736 escolares de 4 a 14 años de edad de seis provincias argentinas. Se obtuvieron medidas de MUAC y pliegue subcutáneo tricipital y se calcularon AMA y AFA. Los análisis se realizaron con GAMLß utilizando el software R. Las diferencias en los valores medios de Sa y R se compararon para los percentiles 3, 50 y 97. Resultados: a todas las edades los valores medios de MUAC y AMA en niños y niñas fueron más altos en R que en Sa; por el contrario, los valores de AFA fueron más bajos. Conclusiones: nuestros resultados confirman la existencia de diferencias en la antropometría mesobraquial de los niños argentinos con respecto a los de la referencia. La mayor cantidad de tejido adiposo y menor de tejido muscular observada en los niños argentinos de ambos sexos puede ser parcialmente asociada con el diferente origen étnico de ambas poblaciones. Sin embargo, las diferencias podrían interpretarse en el contexto de un ambiente obesogénico, el cual habría favorecido el desbalance proteico-calórico

Author Correction: Genus-wide sequencing support a two-locus model for sex-determination in Phoenix.

In the original version of this Article, the affiliation of the first author, Maria F. Torres, 'Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 45221, OH, USA' was incorrectly assigned as a present address and should have been listed as a full affiliation. This error has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Genus-wide sequencing supports a two-locus model for sex-determination in Phoenix.

The date palm tree is a commercially important member of the genus Phoenix whose 14 species are dioecious with separate male and female individuals. To identify sex determining genes we sequenced the genomes of 15 female and 13 male Phoenix trees representing all 14 species. We identified male-specific sequences and extended them using phased single-molecule sequencing or BAC clones. We observed that only four genes contained sequences conserved in all analyzed Phoenix males. Most of these sequences showed similarity to a single genomic locus in the closely related monoecious oil palm. CYP703 and GPAT3, two single copy genes present in males and critical for male flower development in other monocots, were absent in females. A LOG-like gene appears translocated into the Y-linked region and is suggested to play a role in suppressing female flowers. Our data are consistent with a two-mutation model for the evolution of dioecy in Phoenix.

Optimisation of enzyme cascades for chiral amino alcohol synthesis in aid of host cell integration using a statistical experimental design approach.

Chiral amino alcohols are compounds of pharmaceutical interest as they are building blocks of sphingolipids, antibiotics, and antiviral glycosidase inhibitors. Due to the challenges of chemical synthesis we recently developed two TK-TAm reaction cascades using natural and low cost feedstocks as substrates: a recycling cascade comprising of 2 enzymes and a sequential 3-step enzyme cascade yielding 30% and 1% conversion, respectively. In order to improve the conversion yield and aid the future host strain engineering for whole cell biocatalysis, we used a combination of microscale experiments and statistical experimental design. For this we implemented a full factorial design to optimise pH, temperature and buffer type, followed by the application of Response Surface Methodology for the optimisation of substrates and enzymes concentrations. Using purified enzymes we achieved 60% conversion for the recycling cascade and 3-fold improvement using the sequential pathway. Based on the results, limiting steps and individual requirements for host cell metabolic integration were identified expanding the understanding of the cascades without implementing extensive optimisation modelling. Therefore, the approach described here is well suited for optimising reaction conditions as well as defining the relative enzyme expression levels required for construction of microbial cell factories.

Vector Transmission Alone Fails to Explain the Potato Yellow Vein Virus Epidemic among Potato Crops in Colombia.

The potato yellow vein disease, caused by the potato yellow vein virus (PYVV), is a limiting potato disease in northern South America. The virus can be transmitted either by the greenhouse whitefly (GWF), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), or through vegetative propagules, such as infected tubers. Recently, GWF populations have been spotlighted as one of the main drivers of PYVV re-emergence, and consequently, PYVV management has been predominantly directed toward vector control, which is heavily based on insecticide use. However, the drivers of the PYVV outbreaks as well as the contribution of GWF populations on the spread of PYVV among potato crops are still not completely understood. This study aims to assess the role of the GWF as a driver of the PYVV epidemic in the potato-producing areas in Colombia, one of the countries more severely affected by the PYVV epidemic, and whose geography allows the study of the spatial association between the vector and the disease epidemic across a wide altitude range. The geographical clusters where the PYVV epidemic is concentrated, as well as those of farms affected by the GWF were identified using a novel spatial epidemiology approach. The influence of altitude range on the association between PYVV and T. vaporarioum was also assessed. We found a relatively poor spatial association between PYVV epidemic and the presence of the GWF, especially at altitudes above 3,000 m above mean sea level. Furthermore, GWF populations could only explain a small fraction of the extent of the PYVV epidemic in Colombia. Movement of infected seed tubers might be the main mechanism of dispersion, and could be a key driver for the PYVV infection among potato crops. Agricultural policies focused on improving quality of seed tubers and their appropriate distribution could be the most efficient control intervention against PYVV dispersion.

Caracterización de pacientes con síndrome de apnea e hipopnea obstructiva del sueño llevados a Holter electrocardiográfico de 24 horas / Characterisation of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome with 24-hour ECG Holter monitoring

Introducción: El síndrome de apnea/hipopnea del sueño se ha asociado a alteraciones en el ritmo cardíaco, sin embargo, en nuestro medio hay pocos datos acerca de las características clínicas y los trastornos del ritmo en sujetos con el síndrome llevados a Holter electrocardiográfico. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio descriptivo de serie de casos, con toma de datos de historia clínica, en cuanto a edad, género, antecedentes médicos, ecocardiograma, resultados de polisomnografía y diagnóstico de Holter electrocardiográfico en pacientes con síndrome de apnea/hipopnea obstructiva del sueño en un centro de tercer nivel de atención. Resultados: Se analizaron 149 registros, con edad promedio de 63,01 años (DE: 11,76); 101 pacientes (67,8%) presentaron algún tipo de trastorno del ritmo cardíaco y 86 (57,7%) algún tipo de arritmia. El sexo femenino y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica se relacionaron con la presencia de arritmia cardíaca (p < 0,05). Conclusión: En este estudio la presencia de arritmias cardiacas en pacientes con síndrome de apnea/hipopnea obstructiva del sueño llevados a Holter electrocardiográfico, fue de 57,7%; en este sentido, el trastorno más frecuente fueron las extrasístoles ventriculares y contribuyeron con un 28,9%. El sexo femenino y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica pueden guardar relación con el incremento de trastornos del ritmo cardíaco en los pacientes con síndrome de apnea/hipopnea obstructiva del sueño. Se requieren estudios analíticos para corroborar estos hallazgos.

Introduction: Sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome has been associated to heart rate alterations; however, in our fields there is few data of the clinical characteristics and heart rate disorders in individuals with this syndrome who have been subject to 24-hours ECG Holter monitoring. Methods: This is a case series descriptive study, with data collection of clinical records including age, gender, medical history, echocardiogram, polysomnography results and ECG Holter monitoring diagnosis in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome at a third level centre. Results: 149 registers were analysed, with an average age of 63.01 (SD: 11.76); 101 patients (67.8%) showed some kind of heart rate disorder and 86 (57.7%) some type of arrhythmia. Being female and suffering from obstructive pulmonary disease were related to the presence of heart arrhythmia (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study the presence of heart arrhythmias in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome subject to 24-hour ECG Holter monitoring was of 57.7%; the most common disorder were ventricular extrasystoles, which accounted for 28.9%. Being female and suffering from obstructive pulmonary disease could be linked with an increase of heart rate disorders in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome. Analytical studies are required to corroborate the findings.