Outcrossing potential between 11 important genetically modified crops and the Chilean vascular flora.

The potential impact of genetically modified (GM) crops on biodiversity is one of the main concerns in an environmental risk assessment (ERA). The likelihood of outcrossing and pollen-mediated gene flow from GM crops and non-GM crops are explained by the same principles and depend primarily on the biology of the species. We conducted a national-scale study of the likelihood of outcrossing between 11 GM crops and vascular plants in Chile by use of a systematized database that included cultivated, introduced and native plant species in Chile. The database included geographical distributions and key biological and agronomical characteristics for 3505 introduced, 4993 native and 257 cultivated (of which 11 were native and 246 were introduced) plant species. Out of the considered GM crops (cotton, soya bean, maize, grape, wheat, rice, sugar beet, alfalfa, canola, tomato and potato), only potato and tomato presented native relatives (66 species total). Introduced relative species showed that three GM groups were formed having: a) up to one introduced relative (cotton and soya bean), b) up to two (rice, grape, maize and wheat) and c) from two to seven (sugar beet, alfalfa, canola, tomato and potato). In particular, GM crops presenting introduced noncultivated relative species were canola (1 relative species), alfalfa (up to 4), rice (1), tomato (up to 2) and potato (up to 2). The outcrossing potential between species [OP; scaled from 'very low' (1) to 'very high' (5)] was developed, showing medium OPs (3) for GM-native relative interactions when they occurred, low (2) for GMs and introduced noncultivated and high (4) for the grape-Vitis vinifera GM-introduced cultivated interaction. This analytical tool might be useful for future ERA for unconfined GM crop release in Chile.

Chemistry of transition-metal complexes containing functionalized phosphines: synthesis and structural analysis of rhodium(I) complexes containing allyl and cyanoalkylphosphines.

A series of related acetylacetonate-carbonyl-rhodium compounds substituted by functionalized phosphines has been prepared in good to excellent yields by the reaction of [Rh(acac)(CO)2] (acac is acetylacetonate) with the corresponding allyl-, cyanomethyl- or cyanoethyl-substituted phosphines. All compounds were fully characterized by 31P, 1H, 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The X-ray structures of (acetylacetonato-κ2O,O')(tert-butylphosphanedicarbonitrile-κP)carbonylrhodium(I), [Rh(C5H7O2)(CO)(C8H13N2)] or [Rh(acac)(CO)(tBuP(CH2CN)2}] (2b), (acetylacetonato-κ2O,O')carbonyl[3-(diphenylphosphanyl)propanenitrile-κP]rhodium(I), [Rh(C5H7O2)(C15H14N)(CO)] or [Rh(acac)(CO){Ph2P(CH2CH2CN)}] (2h), and (acetylacetonato-κ2O,O')carbonyl[3-(di-tert-butylphosphanyl)propanenitrile-κP]rhodium(I), [Rh(C5H7O2)(C11H22N)(CO)] or [Rh(acac)(CO){tBu2P(CH2CH2CN)}] (2i), showed a square-planar geometry around the Rh atom with a significant trans influence over the acetylacetonate moiety, evidenced by long Rh-O bond lengths as expected for poor π-acceptor phosphines. The Rh-P distances displayed an inverse linear dependence with the coupling constants JP-Rh and the IR ν(C[triple-bond]O) bands, which accounts for the Rh-P electronic bonding feature (poor π-acceptors) of these complexes. A combined study from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and an evaluation of the intramolecular H...Rh contacts from X-ray diffraction data allowed a comparison of the conformational preferences of these complexes in the solid state versus the isolated compounds in the gas phase. For 2b, 2h and 2i, an energy-framework study evidenced that the crystal structures are mainly governed by dispersive energy. In fact, strong pairwise molecular dispersive interactions are responsible for the columnar arrangement observed in these complexes. A Hirshfeld surface analysis employing three-dimensional molecular surface contours and two-dimensional fingerprint plots indicated that the structures are stabilized by H...H, C...H, H...O, H...N and H...Rh intermolecular interactions.

Highly modulated supported triazolium-based ionic liquids: direct control of the electronic environment on Cu nanoparticles.

A series of new triazolium-based supported ionic liquids (SILPs), decorated with Cu NPs, were successfully prepared and applied to the N-arylation of aryl halides with anilines. The triazoles moieties were functionalised using copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. SILP surface characterisation showed a strong correlation between the triazolium cation volume and textural properties. STEM images showed well-dispersed Cu NPs on SILPs with a mean diameter varying from 3.6 to 4.6 nm depending on the triazolium cation used. Besides, XPS results suggest that the Cu(0)/Cu(i) ratio can be modulated by the electronic density of triazolium substituents. XPS and computational analysis gave mechanistic insights into the Cu NP stabilisation pathways, where the presence of electron-rich groups attached to a triazolium ring plays a critical role in leading to a cation adsorption pathway (E ads = 72 kcal mol-1). In contrast, less electron-rich groups favour the anion adsorption pathway (E ads = 63 kcal mol-1). The Cu@SILP composite with electron-rich groups showed the highest activity for the C-N Ullmann coupling reaction, which suggests that electron-rich groups might act as an electron-like reservoir to facilitate oxidative addition for N-arylation. This strategy firmly suggests the strong dependence of the nature of triazolium-based SILPs on the Cu NP surface active sites, which may provide a new environment to confine and stabilise MNPs for catalytic applications.

Correction: Highly modulated supported triazolium-based ionic liquids: direct control of the electronic environment on Cu nanoparticles.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D0NA00055H.].

An Internet-based platform for the estimation of outcrossing potential between cultivated and Chilean vascular plants.

A national-scale study of outcrossing potential within Chilean vascular flora was conducted using an upgraded algorithm, which adds parameters such as pollinator agents, climate, and geographic conditions. Datasets were organized and linked in a Web platform (www.flujogenico.cl), in which the development of a total outcrossing potential (TOP) predictor was formulated. The TOP predictor is the engine in the Web platform, which models the effect of a type of agricultural practice on others (coexistence calculation mode) and on the environment (biodiversity calculation mode). The scale for TOP results uses quintiles in order to define outcrossing potential between species as "very low," "low," "medium," "high," or "very high." In a coexistence analysis considering 256 species (207 genera), the 10 highest TOP values were for genera Citrus, Prunus, Trifolium, Brassica, Allium, Eucalyptus, Cucurbita, Solanum, Lollium, and Lotus. The highest TOP for species in this analysis fell at "high" potential, 4.9% of the determined values. In biodiversity mode, seven out of 256 cultivated species (2.7%) were native, and 249 (97.3%) corresponded to introduced species. The highest TOP was obtained in the genera Senecio, Calceolaria, Viola, Solanum, Poa, Alstroemeria, Valeriana, Vicia, Atriplex, and Campanula, showing "high" potential in 4.9% of the values. On the other hand, 137 genetically modified species, including the commercial and pre-commercial developments, were included and represented 100 genera. Among these, 22 genera had relatives (i.e., members of the same genus) in the native/introduced group. The genera with the highest number of native/introduced relatives ranged from one (Ipomea, Limonium, Carica, Potentilla, Lotus, Castanea, and Daucus) to 66 species (Solanum). The highest TOP was obtained when the same species were coincident in both groups, such as for Carica chilensis, Prosopis tamarugo, and Solanum tuberosum. Results are discussed from the perspective of assessing the possible impact of cultivated species on Chilean flora biodiversity. The TOP predictor (http://epc.agroinformatica.cl/) is useful in the context of environmental risk assessment.

Epidemiología de la Leptospirosis en el departamento del Huila, Colombia. 2011- 2017 / Epidemiology of leptospirosis in the department of Huila. 2011 to 2017

Resumen Objetivo: Describir la epidemiología de la Leptospirosis en el departamento del Huila durante el período 2011 -2017. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, retrospectivo. La población analizada fueron pacientes de los diferentes municipios del departamento del Huila que se reportaron como casos probables o confirmados de leptospirosis. Se estructuraron registros por cada año en bases de datos recopiladas por el área de epidemiología de la Secretaría de Salud del Huila, basadas en las fichas de notificación de vigilancia en salud pública para leptospirosis y generadas por cada Unidad Primaria Generadora de Datos (UPGD) ante la presencia del evento. Los datos fueron discriminados de acuerdo a las variables de interés para el estudio en una nueva base de datos en Excel; tabuladas con el programa estadístico R - Studio 3.3.3 y Epidat 4.2, para luego ser procesados con estadísticos descriptivos y finalmente ser expresados en porcentajes y en tasas de incidencia. Resultados: Se reportaron 268 casos, de los cuales 61 (23%) fueron confirmados por laboratorio y 207 (77%) sospechosos o probables. El 69% de los pacientes presentaron fiebre, mialgias y cefalea como síntomas representativos. El grupo etario más afectado tenía entre 27 y 59 años de edad (44%). La población se caracterizó por ser del área urbana (65%), con mayor frecuencia en hombres (72%). En relación a la ocupación laboral, se encontró mayor frecuencia en agricultores (20%) y en el personal de aseo (17%). Los factores de riesgo evidenciados fueron la presencia de animales domésticos en un 67% de los casos, así como la presencia de ratas en el hogar (51%) y el posible mal manejo del agua. Conclusiones: El incremento en el número de casos de Leptospirosis probablemente está asociado a la mala manipulación del agua y a la presencia de animales en el domicilio.

Abstract Objective: Describe the epidemiology of Leptospirosis in the department of Huila during the years 2011 to 2017. Materials and methods: This article is a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study. The population analyzed were patients from the different municipalities of the department of Huila who were reported as probable or confirmed cases for leptospirosis, structuring records for each year in databases compiled by the epidemiology area of ​​the department's health secretary, based on the public health surveillance notification sheets for leptospirosis, and generated by each Primary Data Generating Unit (UPGD) in the presence of the event; The data were discriminated according to the variables of interest for the study in a new database in Excel; tabulated with the statistical program R - Studio 3.3.3 and Epidat 4.2, to later be processed with descriptive statistics and finally expressed in percentages and incidence rates. Results: 268 cases were reported, which 61 (23%) were confirmed by laboratory and 207 (77%) suspicious or probable. 69% of the patients presented fever, myalgia and headache as representative symptoms. The most affected group range in ages from 27 and 59 (44%). The population was characterized for being part of the urban area (65%), and the cases were more frequent in men (72%). Regarding to employment, it was found that farmers (20%) and the cleaning staff (17%) were the most common cases. The risk factors identified were the presence of domestic animals in 67% of the cases, as well as the presence of rats at home (51%) and the possible poor water management. Conclusions: The increase in the number of cases of Leptospirosis is probably associated with the poor water management and the presence of animals at home.

Análisis econométrico de los ingresos por cuotas de los asegurados obligatorios del seguro de salud / Econometric analysis of the income by cost of the obligatory insured of health insurance

El esquema de financiamiento de los regímenes administrados por la institución, está caracterizado por una alta dependencia de los ingresos que por concepto de cuotas aportan trabajadores, patronos y estado. En términos simples, el crecimiento de esta partida, en un año o período específico, guarda una estrecha relación con las condiciones imperantes en el mercado laboral, tanto en la capacidad de este para generar nuevos empleos, como para ampliar las remuneraciones que los trabajadores perciben. De igual forma, la dinámica de este mercado, está en buena parte, determinada por el comportamiento de la actividad social dirigida a la producción de bienes y servicios. En este particular, subsiste la idea de que un crecimiento alto en el PIB del país, a través de sus consecuencias favorables sobre el mercado de empleo, provoca una importante expansión en los ingresos recaudados por la institución. Por supuesto, que esta no es la relación perfecta, pues factores de diversa índole lo impiden (un trabajador adicional en el mercado puede estar exento de afiliarse al seguro o bien puede avadir su responsabilidad), pero sí una interpretación intuitivamente correcta

Isolation of streptomycetes strain inhibitors of toxigenic fungi: partial characterization of their chitinolytic system

En la búsqueda de biocontroladores potenciales de hongos toxicogénicos, se aislaron desde el suelo 27 cepas de streptomycetes spp. y se desarrollaron pruebas de confrontación contra cepas toxicogénicas de: aspergillus parasiticus (productor de aflatoxinas t-2 y ht-2) y fusarium graminearum (productor de deoxinivalenol y nivalenol). El desarrollo de al menos uno de los hongos toxicogénicos fue inhibido por el 63 porciento de los streptomyces aislados, 41 porciento de las cepas de streptomyces inhibieron el crecimiento de al menos dos de los hongos probados, y el 36 porciento de los streptomyces fue efectivo contra los tres hongos. Además, fue analizada la capacidad de los aislamiento de degradar quitina coloidal y posteriormente fueron caracterizados los complejos quitinolíticos de dos de las cepas de streptomyces. El 66 porciento de los streptomyces spp. degradaron quitina coloidal en las pruebas en placa. La secreción de quitinasas de dos aislamientos fue ensayada empleando métodos colorimétricos y geles de actividad, y los productos de degradación a partir de diferentes sustratos fueron analizados por cromatografía en capa delgada. Los resultados indicaron que uno de los streptomyces (c112), posee actividad endoquitinasa pero no n-acetilglucosaminidasa y que en el complejo de enzimas quitinolíticas de la cepa (c103) una actividad de n-acetil-glucosaminidasa