Toxicity evaluation of novel imidacloprid nanoribbons, using somatic mutation and fitness indexes in Drosophila melanogaster.

Nanoribbons of imidacloprid, a systemic and chloronicotinyl insecticide, were successfully synthesized by laser-induced fragmentation/exfoliation of imidacloprid powders suspended in water, with widths ranging from 160 to 470 nm, lengths in the micron scale, and thickness of a few atoms layers. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of acute and chronic exposure to imidacloprid (IMC) bulk and compare its effects with synthesized imidacloprid nanoribbons (IMCNR) on larval and adult viability, developmental time, olfactory capacity, longevity, productivity, and genotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Larvae or adults were exposed at 0.01, 0.02, or 0.03 ppm to IMC or IMCNR. Results demonstrated that IMCNR produced a significant reduction in viability and olfactory ability. IMC did not significantly alter viability and olfactory ability. Similarly, marked differences on longevity were detected between treatment with IMC and IMCNR where the lifespan of males treated with IMC was significantly higher than control while IMCNR produced a reduction. As for productivity, developmental time, and genotoxicity, no marked differences were found between both forms of IMC.

Genotoxic action of bifenthrin nanoparticles and its effect on the development, productivity, and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster.

Rapid development of nanotechnology, particularly nanoparticles of pesticides, has facilitated the transformation of traditional agriculture. However, testing their effectiveness is essential for avoiding any environmental or adverse human health risk attributed to nanoparticle-based formulations, especially insecticides. Recently, organic nanoparticles of bifenthrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, were successfully synthesized by laser ablation of solids in liquid technique, with the most probable size of 5 nm. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of acute exposure to bifenthrin (BIF) or bifenthrin nanoparticles (BIFNP) on larval-adult viability, developmental time, olfactory capacity, longevity, productivity defined as the number of eggs per couple, and genotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Data demonstrated that BIFNP produced a marked delay in developmental time, significant reduction in viability and olfactory ability compared to BIF. No marked differences were detected between BIF and BIFNP on longevity and productivity. Genotoxicity findings indicated that only BIF, at longer exposure duration increased genetic damage.

A Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the C-Type Lectin Gene Family Reveals Highly Expanded and Diversified Repertoires in Bivalves.

C-type lectins belong to a widely conserved family of lectins characterized in Metazoa. They show important functional diversity and immune implications, mainly as pathogen recognition receptors. In this work, C-type lectin-like proteins (CTLs) of a set of metazoan species were analyzed, revealing an important expansion in bivalve mollusks, which contrasted with the reduced repertoires of other mollusks, such as cephalopods. Orthology relationships demonstrated that these expanded repertoires consisted of CTL subfamilies conserved within Mollusca or Bivalvia and of lineage-specific subfamilies with orthology only between closely related species. Transcriptomic analyses revealed the importance of the bivalve subfamilies in mucosal immunity, as they were mainly expressed in the digestive gland and gills and modulated with specific stimuli. CTL domain-containing proteins that had additional domains (CTLDcps) were also studied, revealing interesting gene families with different conservation degrees of the CTL domain across orthologs from different taxa. Unique bivalve CTLDcps with specific domain architectures were revealed, corresponding to uncharacterized bivalve proteins with putative immune function according to their transcriptomic modulation, which could constitute interesting targets for functional characterization.

A screening platform to monitor RNA processing and protein-RNA interactions in ribonuclease P uncovers a small molecule inhibitor.

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes and RNA-processing enzymes are attractive targets for antibiotic development owing to their central roles in microbial physiology. For many of these complexes, comprehensive strategies to identify inhibitors are either lacking or suffer from substantial technical limitations. Here, we describe an activity-binding-structure platform for bacterial ribonuclease P (RNase P), an essential RNP ribozyme involved in 5' tRNA processing. A novel, real-time fluorescence-based assay was used to monitor RNase P activity and rapidly identify inhibitors using a mini-helix and a pre-tRNA-like bipartite substrate. Using the mini-helix substrate, we screened a library comprising 2560 compounds. Initial hits were then validated using pre-tRNA and the pre-tRNA-like substrate, which ultimately verified four compounds as inhibitors. Biolayer interferometry-based binding assays and molecular dynamics simulations were then used to characterize the interactions between each validated inhibitor and the P protein, P RNA and pre-tRNA. X-ray crystallographic studies subsequently elucidated the structure of the P protein bound to the most promising hit, purpurin, and revealed how this inhibitor adversely affects tRNA 5' leader binding. This integrated platform affords improved structure-function studies of RNA processing enzymes and facilitates the discovery of novel regulators or inhibitors.

Successful recovery of COVID-19 pneumonia in a patient from Colombia after receiving chloroquine and clarithromycin.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemics is a challenge for public health and infectious diseases clinicians, especially for the therapeutical approach that is not yet adequately defined. Amid this situation, investigational agents are being used, including chloroquine. We report here the clinical features and therapeutic course of the first reported patient with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia that recovered in Colombia, after the use of chloroquine and clarithromycin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old male, returning from Spain, presented with complaints of fever, and cough, and class-II obesity, being hospitalized. The respiratory viruses and bacteria tested by FilmArray® PCR were negative. Two days later, clarithromycin was started because the patient was suspected as community-acquired pneumonia. At the third day, the rRT-PCR confirmed the SARS-CoV-2 infection. A day later, chloroquine was started because of that. His chest computed tomography was performed and showed bilateral multifocal ground-glass opacities with consolidation, which suggested viral pneumonia as a differential diagnosis. Progressively his clinical condition improved and at day 9, patient rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 became negative. The patient was discharged and isolated at home per 14 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient improved significantly. This and other COVID-19 cases are urgently demanding results from clinical trials that support evidence-based therapeutical approaches to this pandemic and the clinical management of patients, especially those at critical care.

Mimicking a p53-MDM2 interaction based on a stable immunoglobulin-like domain scaffold.

Antibodies recognize protein targets with great affinity and specificity. However, posttranslational modifications and the presence of intrinsic disulfide-bonds pose difficulties for their industrial use. The immunoglobulin fold is one of the most ubiquitous folds in nature and it is found in many proteins besides antibodies. An example of a protein family with an immunoglobulin-like fold is the Cysteine Protease Inhibitors (ICP) family I42 of the MEROPs database for protease and protease inhibitors. Members of this protein family are thermostable and do not present internal disulfide bonds. Crystal structures of several ICPs indicate that they resemble the Ig-like domain of the human T cell co-receptor CD8α As ICPs present 2 flexible recognition loops that vary accordingly to their targeted protease, we hypothesize that members of this protein family would be ideal to design peptide aptamers that mimic protein-protein interactions. Herein, we use an ICP variant from Entamoeba histolytica (EhICP1) to mimic the interaction between p53 and MDM2. We found that a 13 amino-acid peptide derived from p53 can be introduced in 2 variable loops (DE, FG) but not the third (BC). Chimeric EhICP1-p53 form a stable complex with MDM2 at a micromolar range. Crystal structure of the EhICP1-p53(FG)-loop variant in complex with MDM2 reveals a swapping subdomain between 2 chimeric molecules, however, the p53 peptide interacts with MDM2 as in previous crystal structures. The structural details of the EhICP1-p53(FG) interaction with MDM2 resemble the interaction between an antibody and MDM2.

Structural Insights into the Polyphyletic Origins of Glycyl tRNA Synthetases.

Glycyl tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) provides a unique case among class II aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, with two clearly widespread types of enzymes: a dimeric (α2) species present in some bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes; and a heterotetrameric form (α2ß2) present in most bacteria. Although the differences between both types of GlyRS at the anticodon binding domain level are evident, the extent and implications of the variations in the catalytic domain have not been described, and it is unclear whether the mechanism of amino acid recognition is also dissimilar. Here, we show that the α-subunit of the α2ß2 GlyRS from the bacterium Aquifex aeolicus is able to perform the first step of the aminoacylation reaction, which involves the activation of the amino acid with ATP. The crystal structure of the α-subunit in the complex with an analog of glycyl adenylate at 2.8 Å resolution presents a conformational arrangement that properly positions the cognate amino acid. This work shows that glycine is recognized by a subset of different residues in the two types of GlyRS. A structural and sequence analysis of class II catalytic domains shows that bacterial GlyRS is closely related to alanyl tRNA synthetase, which led us to define a new subclassification of these ancient enzymes and to propose an evolutionary path of α2ß2 GlyRS, convergent with α2 GlyRS and divergent from AlaRS, thus providing a possible explanation for the puzzling existence of two proteins sharing the same fold and function but not a common ancestor.

A Nanoarchitecture Based on Silver and Copper Oxide with an Exceptional Response in the Chlorine-Promoted Epoxidation of Ethylene.

The selective oxidation of ethylene to ethylene epoxide is highly challenging as a result of competing reaction pathways leading to the deep oxidation of both ethylene and ethylene oxide. Herein we present a novel catalyst based on silver and copper oxide with an excellent response in the selective oxidation pathway towards ethylene epoxide. The catalyst is composed of different silver nanostructures dispersed on a tubular copper oxide matrix. This type of hybrid nanoarchitecture seems to facilitate the accommodation of chlorine promoters, leading to high yields at low reaction temperatures. The stability after the addition of chlorine promoters implies a substantial improvement over the industrial practice: a single pretreatment step at ambient pressure suffices in contrast with the common practice of continuously feeding organochlorinated precursors during the reaction.

Reexamining the Mycovirome of Botrytis spp.

Botrytis species cause gray mold disease in more than 200 crops worldwide. To control this disease, chemical fungicides are usually applied. However, more sustainable control alternatives should be explored, such as the use of hypovirulent mycovirus-infected fungal strains. To determine the mycovirome of two Botrytis species, B. cinerea and B. prunorum, we reanalyzed RNA-Seq and small RNA-Seq data using different assembly programs and an updated viral database, aiming to identify new mycoviruses that were previously not described in the same dataset. New mycoviruses were identified, including those previously reported to infect or be associated with B. cinerea and Plasmopara viticola, such as Botrytis cinerea alpha-like virus 1 and Plasmopara viticola lesion-associated ourmia-like virus 80. Additionally, two novel narnaviruses, not previously identified infecting Botrytis species, have been characterized, tentatively named Botrytis cinerea narnavirus 1 and Botrytis narnavirus 1. The analysis of small RNAs suggested that all identified mycoviruses were targeted by the antiviral fungal mechanism, regardless of the viral genome type. In conclusion, the enlarged list of newly found viruses and the application of different bioinformatics approaches have enabled the identification of novel mycoviruses not previously described in Botrytis species, expanding the already extensive list.

A general path for large-scale solubilization of cellular proteins: from membrane receptors to multiprotein complexes.

Expression of recombinant proteins in bacterial or eukaryotic systems often results in aggregation rendering them unavailable for biochemical or structural studies. Protein aggregation is a costly problem for biomedical research. It forces research laboratories and the biomedical industry to search for alternative, more soluble, non-human proteins and limits the number of potential "druggable" targets. In this study we present a highly reproducible protocol that introduces the systematic use of an extensive number of detergents to solubilize aggregated proteins expressed in bacterial and eukaryotic systems. We validate the usefulness of this protocol by solubilizing traditionally difficult human protein targets to milligram quantities and confirm their biological activity. We use this method to solubilize monomeric or multimeric components of multi-protein complexes and demonstrate its efficacy to reconstitute large cellular machines. This protocol works equally well on cytosolic, nuclear and membrane proteins and can be easily adapted to a high throughput format.

Translation into Spanish Language (México), Transcultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Quality of Life Questionnaire in Female Pattern Hair Loss (WAA-QoL-Sp).

Background: The Women's Androgenetic Alopecia Quality of Life (WAA-QoL) questionnaire is the only available specific instrument to evaluate QoL in female pattern hair loss (FPHL) patients. It is made of 16 questions with 6 alternatives, is self-administered, and has not yet been adapted or validated to Spanish. Objectives: The objective of the study was to translate into Spanish, culturally adapt, and validate the WAA-QoL questionnaire. Methods: The translated version (WAA-QoL-sp) was submitted to 453 general population women by e-mail after authorization by the author, translation, and adaptation to Spanish of the WAA-QoL questionnaire. Results: A total of 453 women were evaluated; the median age was 39 years, and there was high internal consistency: Cronbach's alpha was 0.969 for the WAA-QoL-sp. Study Limitations: Sampling of subjects was from diverse Spanish-speaking countries (such as Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Cuba, and Spain) but not from all Spanish-speaking countries. Conclusions: A Spanish version of the WAA-QoL questionnaire was translated and adapted, which proved to be consistent and a valid tool for assessment of FPHL.

On degree-based topological indices of random polyomino chains.

In this article, we study the degree-based topological indices in a random polyomino chain. The key purpose of this manuscript is to obtain the asymptotic distribution, expected value and variance for the degree-based topological indices in a random polyomino chain by using a martingale approach. Consequently, we compute the degree-based topological indices in a polyomino chain, hence some known results from the existing literature about polyomino chains are obtained as corollaries. Also, in order to apply the results, we obtain the expected value of several degree-based topological indices such as Sombor, Forgotten, Zagreb, atom-bond-connectivity, Randic and geometric-arithmetic index of a random polyomino chain.

Optimal strategies for a fishery model applied to utility functions.

This work examines aquaculture-related activities in the commercial exploitation of fish reproduction. Fisheries' problem of maximizing utility is modeled for the state of Puebla, Mexico, to determine optimal fish production. The problem of maximizing utility subject to the fish production function is solved using an approach based on Euler's equation. The theoretical results are then applied, using data on aquaculture production and tilapia sales prices in the state of Puebla, Mexico. A logarithmic regression is used to approximate the utility function. The optimal fishing production and utility functions are thus explicitly obtained. Furthermore, this work shows how to obtain greater profits from the amount of fish that can be extracted without reducing the fish population.

Silver-Copper Oxide Heteronanostructures for the Plasmonic-Enhanced Photocatalytic Oxidation of N-Hexane in the Visible-NIR Range.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are recognized as hazardous contributors to air pollution, precursors of multiple secondary byproducts, troposphere aerosols, and recognized contributors to respiratory and cancer-related issues in highly populated areas. Moreover, VOCs present in indoor environments represent a challenging issue that need to be addressed due to its increasing presence in nowadays society. Catalytic oxidation by noble metals represents the most effective but costly solution. The use of photocatalytic oxidation has become one of the most explored alternatives given the green and sustainable advantages of using solar light or low-consumption light emitting devices. Herein, we have tried to address the shortcomings of the most studied photocatalytic systems based on titania (TiO2) with limited response in the UV-range or alternatively the high recombination rates detected in other transition metal-based oxide systems. We have developed a silver-copper oxide heteronanostructure able to combine the plasmonic-enhanced properties of Ag nanostructures with the visible-light driven photoresponse of CuO nanoarchitectures. The entangled Ag-CuO heteronanostructure exhibits a broad absorption towards the visible-near infrared (NIR) range and achieves total photo-oxidation of n-hexane under irradiation with different light-emitting diodes (LEDs) specific wavelengths at temperatures below 180 °C and outperforming its thermal catalytic response or its silver-free CuO illuminated counterpart.

Luxación abierta, intrauterina, rodila derecha: presentación de un caso / Open, intra-uterine luxación, right rodila: presentation of a case

La luxación traumática de rodilla es una de las lesiones más severas del miembro inferior y además una de las urgencias de manejo prioritario en Cirugía Ortopédica. Presentamos un caso clínico de un prematuro de 31 semanas de gestación por FUR, embarazo gemelar, tratado por comunicación arteriovenosa placentaria mediante cirugía endoscópica intrauterina a las 21 semanas, quien presentó una luxación posterior abierta de rodilla, traumática e intrauterina.

Religiosidad y Democracia en Bolivia a principios del siglo: hacia un Estado Laico

Contiene: El artículo de la Constitución: breve repaso de la controversia sobre la relación Iglesia-Estado; La globalización y la reconfiguración del Estado; De la nación "multiétnica y pluricultural" a la nación "pluri-religiosa": el aporte de los movimientos indígenas; La gran transformación religiosa

¿Ser cristiano es ser de izquierda? La experiencia politico-religiosa del cristianismo de la liberacion en Bolivia en los años 60

La religion fue el lugar de la accion politica durante varios años en America Latina. El pedazo de la historia que aqui nos ocupa narra la experiencia de un grupo de cristianos en Bolivia que, entre los años 1950 y 1970, vivio una intensa y acelerada transformacion de sus referentes religiosos. Este grupo partio de una posicion conservadora-tradicional y llego a elaborar un discurso profundamente progresista, con argumentos que apelan a lo politico como una exigencia de la vida religiosa. En este periodo haya personajes que marcan un hito en este proceso. Nestor Paz Zamora es uno de ellos. Un joven seminarista de familia distinguida con un proyecto de vida dentro de la Iglesia vive un proceso de transformacion en menos de 10 años que lo lleva a la guerrilla de Teoponte en 1970, apelando siempre a sus convicciones religiosas. Mauricio Lefebvre, sacerdote oblato que llega a Bolivia en 1953 para evangelizar a los obreros que podrian ser presa facil de la ideologia comunista, y termina su vida asesinado por la dictadura banzerista en 1971, siendo director de la carrera de Sociologia de la Universidad Mayor de San Andres, luchando por el socialismo y defendiendo la utopia cristiana-comunitaria. El grupo de sacerdotes de la Iglesia y la sociedad en America Latina (ISAL) compuesto por religiosos extranjeros que llegan al pais para colaborar con la evangelizacion, termina siendo uno de los bastiones del cristianismo revolucionario, un punto de encuentro entre marxistas y cristianos y una bandera de las luchas populares. Nos preguntamos ¿por que se dio este proceso de transicion simbolica? ¿Por que la gente radicaliza sus dispositivos simbolicos hasta dar la vida por sus nuevos ideales? ¿Cuales son los mecanismos de transformacion? ¿por que esa evolucion es posible? ¿cuales son los elementos que se mantienen y cuales cambian en la construccion de un nuevo sistema de sentido? En este texto intentamos dar algunas respuestas a este cumulo de interrogantes sobre nuestro pasado politico-religioso

transformacion del sentido. Sociologia de las estructuras simbolicas

La transformacion del sentido, sociologia de estructuras simbolicas plantea un doble reto: por un lado, el mejor entendiemiento, en el plano teorico, de los parametros y de las modalidades que generan y transforman los sistemas de sentido que mueven afectivamente a los actores y orientan sus acciones, comprendiendo como esos sistemas surgen de la articulacion de los psiquico y de los social asi como tienden a regularla; he aqui una cuestion fundamental de la sociologia, que esta probablemente de tratar; por otro lado, en el plano metodologico, el reto esta en combinar la reelaboracion retorica con herramientas y procesos de analisis susceptibles de encontrar adecuadamente la densidad de los hechos concretos, no solo restituyendo con precision el estado de los sistemas de sentido en diferentes coyunturas determinadas sino tambien ofreciendo vias de identificacion de sus modalidades y condiciones de transformaciones. Obra sintetica, de integracion y de desarrollo tanto teorico como metodologico, la presente publicacion saca buen probecho de la linea ya larga iniciada por el equipo que genero al su alrededor, en la Universidad Catolica de Lovaina, el profesor Jean Remy. Hugo Jose Suarez se enmarca en esa linea, no solo por el mayor orden que brinda sino tambien por los aportes añadidos