zmsbt1 and zmsbt2, two new subtilisin-like serine proteases genes expressed in early maize kernel development.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Two subtilisin-like proteases show highly specific and complementary expression patterns in developing grains. These genes label the complete surface of the filial-maternal interface, suggesting a role in filial epithelial differentiation. The cereal endosperm is the most important source of nutrition and raw materials for mankind, as well as the storage compartment enabling initial growth of the germinating plantlets. The development of the different cell types in this tissue is regulated environmentally, genetically and epigenetically, resulting in the formation of top-bottom, adaxial-abaxial and surface-central axes. However, the mechanisms governing the interactions among the different inputs are mostly unknown. We have screened a kernel cDNA library for tissue-specific transcripts as initial step to identify genes relevant in cell differentiation. We report here on the isolation of two maize subtilisin-related genes that show grain-specific, surficial expression. zmsbt1 (Zea mays Subtilisin1) is expressed at the developing aleurone in a time-regulated manner, while zmsbt2 concentrates at the pedicel in front of the endosperm basal transfer layer. We have shown that their presence, early in the maize caryopsis development, is dependent on proper initial tissue determination, and have isolated their promoters to produce transgenic reporter lines that assist in the study of their regulation.

Reassessing the Significance of Intimal Arteritis in Kidney Transplant Biopsy Specimens.

Intimal arteritis (the presence of v-lesions) in kidney transplant biopsy specimens is believed to have major prognostic and diagnostic significance. We assessed the relationship of v-lesions to prognosis in 703 indication biopsy specimens and used microarray-based molecular tests to re-examine the relationship of v-lesions to rejection. v-Lesions were noted in 49 specimens (7%) and were usually mild (v1). The presence of v-lesions had no effect on graft survival compared with the absence of v-lesions. Pathologists using current conventions almost always interpreted v-lesions as reflecting T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), either pure or mixed with antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). The molecular scores questioned the conventional diagnoses in 29 of 49 specimens (59%), including ten that were conventional TCMR with no molecular rejection and nine that were conventional TCMR mixed with pure ABMR molecularly. The presence of tubulointerstitial inflammation (i-t) meeting TCMR criteria allowed subclassification of v-lesion specimens into 21 i-t-v-lesion specimens and 28 isolated v-lesion specimens. Molecular TCMR scores were positive in 95% of i-t-v-lesion specimens but only 21% of isolated v-lesion specimens. Molecular ABMR scores were often positive in isolated v-lesion biopsies (46%). Time of biopsy after transplantation was critical for understanding isolated v-lesions: most early isolated v-lesion specimens had no molecular rejection and were DSA negative, whereas most isolated >1 year after transplantation had positive DSA and ABMR scores. Therefore, v-lesions in indication biopsy specimens do not affect prognosis and can reflect TCMR, ABMR, or no rejection. Time after transplantation, DSA, and accompanying inflammation provide probabilistic basis for interpreting v-lesions.

Disappearance of T Cell-Mediated Rejection Despite Continued Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Late Kidney Transplant Recipients.

The prevalent renal transplant population presents an opportunity to observe the adaptive changes in the alloimmune response over time, but such studies have been limited by uncertainties in the conventional biopsy diagnosis of T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). To circumvent these limitations, we used microarrays and conventional methods to investigate rejection in 703 unselected biopsies taken 3 days to 35 years post-transplant from North American and European centers. Using conventional methods, we diagnosed rejection in 205 biopsy specimens (28%): 67 pure TCMR, 110 pure ABMR, and 28 mixed (89 designated borderline). Using microarrays, we diagnosed rejection in 228 biopsy specimens (32%): 76 pure TCMR, 124 pure ABMR, and 28 mixed (no borderline). Molecular assessment confirmed most conventional diagnoses (agreement was 90% for TCMR and 83% for ABMR) but revealed some errors, particularly in mixed rejection, and improved prediction of failure. ABMR was strongly associated with increased graft loss, but TCMR was not. ABMR became common in biopsy specimens obtained >1 year post-transplant and continued to appear in all subsequent intervals. TCMR was common early but progressively disappeared over time. In 108 biopsy specimens obtained 10.2-35 years post-transplant, TCMR defined by molecular and conventional features was never observed. We conclude that the main cause of kidney transplant failure is ABMR, which can present even decades after transplantation. In contrast, TCMR disappears by 10 years post-transplant, implying that a state of partial adaptive tolerance emerges over time in the kidney transplant population.

Association between Postmortem Kidney Biopsy Findings and Acute Kidney Injury from Patients with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: AKI in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to identify the kidney histopathologic characteristics of deceased patients with diagnosis of COVID-19 and evaluate the association between biopsy findings and clinical variables, including AKI severity. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Our multicenter, observational study of deceased patients with COVID-19 in three third-level centers in Mexico City evaluated postmortem kidney biopsy by light and electron microscopy analysis in all cases. Descriptive and association statistics were performed between the clinical and histologic variables. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients were included. Median age was 57 (49-66) years, 69% were men, body mass index was 29 (26-35) kg/m2, 51% had history of diabetes, 46% had history of hypertension, 98% received anticoagulation, 66% were on steroids, and 35% received at least one potential nephrotoxic medication. Severe AKI was present in 54% of patients. Biopsy findings included FSGS in 29%, diabetic nephropathy in 27%, and arteriosclerosis in 81%. Acute tubular injury grades 2-3 were observed in 49%. Histopathologic characteristics were not associated with severe AKI; however, pigment casts on the biopsy were associated with significantly lower probability of kidney function recovery (odds ratio, 0.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 0.77). The use of aminoglycosides/colistin, levels of C-reactive protein and serum albumin, previous use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, antivirals, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and anticoagulants were associated with specific histopathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of chronic comorbidities was found on kidney biopsies. Nonrecovery from severe AKI was associated with the presence of pigmented casts. Inflammatory markers and medications were associated with specific histopathologic findings in patients dying from COVID-19.

The synthesis and hydrogen storage properties of a MgH(2) incorporated carbon aerogel scaffold.

A new approach to the incorporation of MgH2 in the nanometer-sized pores of a carbon aerogel scaffold was developed, by infiltrating the aerogel with a solution of dibutylmagnesium (MgBu2) precursor, and then hydrogenating the incorporated MgBu2 to MgH2. The resulting impregnated material showed broad x-ray diffraction peaks of MgH2. The incorporated MgH2 was not visible using a transmission electron microscope, which indicated that the incorporated hydride was nanosized and confined in the nanoporous structure of the aerogel. The loading of MgH2 was determined as 15-17 wt%, of which 75% is reversible over ten cycles. Incorporated MgH2 had >5 times faster dehydrogenation kinetics than ball-milled activated MgH2, which may be attributed to the particle size of the former being smaller than that of the latter. Cycling tests of the incorporated MgH(2) showed that the dehydrogenation kinetics are unchanged over four cycles. Our results demonstrate that confinement of metal hydride materials in a nanoporous scaffold is an efficient way to avoid aggregation and improve cycling kinetics for hydrogen storage materials.

Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its relationship with glomerular filtration rate and other risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Spain. DM2 HOPE study.

AIM: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in working age population in developed countries. Albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) have been considered biomarkers for DR. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of DR and its relationship with eGFR and other risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) in Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive study has been performed in 14,266 patients. Clinical records were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical diagnoses, clinical variables, and results from laboratory tests were recorded. Prevalence rates of DR were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was applied to assess predictors of the DR presence/absence. RESULTS: DR prevalence was 14.9%, being more prevalent in women (p = 0.0087) and in older patients (p < 0.0001). Duration of disease (OR = 5.3, IC95% = 3.8-7.4; p < 0.0001), eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (OR = 2.0, IC95% 1.6-2.4; p < 0.0001), levels of HbA1c ≥ 7% (OR = 1.9, IC95% = 1.5-2.3; p < 0.0001) and high blood pressure (OR = 1.6, IC95% = 1.2-2.1; p = 0.0032) were associated with higher risk of DR. DR was also more frequent in patients taking insulin (32,6% vs. 10,2%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Around one in seven patients with T2DM has DR after nine years since diagnosis. Time since diagnosis, insulin therapy, cardiovascular profile, and renal dysfunction are associated with DR in patients with T2DM in Spain.

Trematodes with a reproductive division of labour: heterophyids also have a soldier caste and early infections reveal how colonies become structured.

Recent findings have extended the documentation of complex sociality to the Platyhelminthes, describing the existence of a reproductive division of labour involving a soldier caste among the parthenitae of trematode parasites. However, all species examined to date occupy high positions in trematode interspecific dominance hierarchies and belong to two closely related families, the Echinostomatidae and the Philophthalmidae (Superfamily Echinostomatoidea). Further, the two species documented as lacking soldiers also belong to the Echinostomatidae. Here, we examine four species of intermediate dominance, all belonging to the family Heterophyidae (Superfamily Opisthorchioidea): Euhaplorchis californiensis, Phocitremoides ovale, Pygidiopsoides spindalis and Stictodora hancocki, all of which infect the California horn snail, Cerithideopsis californica (=Cerithidea californica). We quantify morphology, distribution and behaviour of rediae from fully developed colonies. We also provide information on colony structure for three developing heterophyid colonies to better understand colony development. We discuss the implications of our findings, particularly with respect to how they suggest alternatives to the conclusions of other researchers concerning the nature of trematode sociality. Our analyses of morphological, distributional and behavioural patterns of developed colonies indicate that these heterophyid trematodes have a non-reproductive caste whose function is defence of the colony from invading trematodes. Hence, a soldier caste occurs for species lower in dominance hierarchies than previously known, and is present in at least two superfamilies of digenean trematodes, suggesting that selection for a soldier caste may be much more common among the Trematoda than previously recognised.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer and molecular modeling studies on 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) complexes with tubulin.

The goal of this work was to determine the binding properties and location of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) complexed with tubulin. Using fluorescence anisotropy, a dissociation constant of 5.2+/-0.4 microM for the DAPI-tubulin complex was determined, slightly lower than that for the tubulin S complex. The influence of the C-terminal region on the binding of DAPI to tubulin was also characterized. Using FRET experiments, and assuming a kappa2 value of 2/3, distances between Co2+ bound to its high-affinity binding site and the DAPI-binding site and 2',3'-O-(trinitrophenyl)guanosine 5'-triphosphate bound to the exchangeable nucleotide and the DAPI-binding site were found to be 20+/-2 A and 43+/-2 A, respectively. To locate potential DAPI-binding sites on tubulin, a molecular modeling study was carried out using the tubulin crystal structure and energy minimization calculations. The results from the FRET measurements were used to limit the possible location of DAPI in the tubulin structure. Several candidate binding sites were found and these are discussed in the context of the various properties of bound DAPI.

Redes personales como factores de riesgo y protección en mujeres privadas de libertad / Personal networks as risk factors and protection of women in prison / Redes pessoais como fatores de risco e proteção mulheres privadas de sua liberdade

Resumen El trabajo analiza las redes personales de las mujeres privadas de libertad, identificando factores de riesgo y protección en tres etapas definidas por el ingreso a prisión y orientadas a la reinserción. Se realizó una investigación documental en bases de datos (WOS, Scopus y Google Académico), empleando Mendeley como gestor. Los resultados muestran que, las redes, antes de prisión están permeadas por la violencia y ausencia de apoyo; durante la prisión se dividen en internas externas y presentan modificaciones relacionales importantes (ruptura de pareja, distanciamiento o no de los/as hijos/as y apoyo de nuevas personas) y; en semilibertad se amplían y mejoran estas, favoreciendo la reinserción social, no obstante, la mayoría regresa al entorno familiar y comunitario inicial enfrentándose a los factores de riesgo asociados.

Abstract This paper analyzes the personal networks of women in prison, identifying risk and protection factors in three stages, defined by prison entry, aimed at reintegration. Documentary research was carried out on databases (WOS, Scopus and academic Google), using Mendeley as manager. The results show that, before imprisonment, networks are permeated by violence and lack of support during prison they are divided into internal-external and present important relational modifications (breakup of a couple, distance or not from children and support of new people) and; in day release they expand and improve these, promoting social reinsertion; nevertheless, most return to the initial family and community environment facing the associated risk factors.

Resumo Este artigo analisa as redes pessoais de mulheres privadas de liberdade identificando fatores de risco e proteção em três etapas e definidos pela entrada na prisão, visando a reintegração. Uma pesquisa documental foi realizada em bancos de dados (WOS, Scopus e Google scholar), utilizando Mendeley como gerente. Os resultados mostram que, as redes, antes da prisão são permeadas pela violência e falta de apoio; durante a prisão são divididas em modificações relacionais internas-externas e apresentam importantes (separação do casal, distanciamento ou não dos filhos e apoio de novas pessoas) e; na semi-liberdade são ampliadas e melhoradas, favorecendo a reintegração social, no entanto, a maioria retorna ao ambiente familiar e comunitário inicial diante dos fatores de risco associados.

Importance of telemedicine in diabetes care: Relationships between family physicians and ophthalmologists.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the worldwide leading cause of legal blindness. In 2010, 1.9% of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients were legally blind and 10.2% had visual impairment. The control of DM parameters (glycemia, arterial tension and lipids) is the gold standard for preventing DR complications, although, unfortunately, DR still appeared in a 25% to 35% of patients. The stages of severe vision threading DR, include proliferative DR (6.96%) and diabetic macular edema (6.81%). This review aims to update our knowledge on DR screening using telemedicine, the different techniques, the problems, and the inclusion of different professionals such as family physicians in care programs.

[Iodine deficiency and other potential goitrogens in the persistence of endemic goiter in Mexico]. / Deficiencia de yodo y otros posibles bociógenos en la persistencia del bocio endémico en México.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the frequency of goiter and the presence of potential goitrogens in a sample of school-age children and pregnant women. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a purposive sample in three regions, one with known high prevalence of goiter (Huejutla), one with unknown prevalence (Ixmiquilpan) and one with no expected deficiency (Pachuca). Children were sampled from schools and pregnant women from rural reference hospitals. Goiter was evaluated by manual exam and ultrasound. RESULTS: Goiter prevalence in 673 children between 6 and 14 years old was 8% in Pachuca, 9% in Ixmiquilpan, and 14% in Huejutla. In 300 pregnant women, goiter prevalence was 19% in Pachuca, 20% in Ixmiquilpan, and 52% in Huejutla. In 936 interviews on salt consumption, 98% of families consumed table salt, but only 50% of the samples were adequately iodized. Twenty-four percent of families obtained water from wells contaminated with arsenicum and mercury in Pachuca and Ixmiquilpan, and with colibacilli in Ixmiquilpan. CONCLUSIONS: Even at the end of the millenium, endemic goiter is still a public health problem in this sample of school-age children and pregnant women. Despite consumption of iodized salt, ingestions of goitrogens may be contributing to the persistence of this problem.

A PCR-based forward genetics screening, using expression domain-specific markers, identifies mutants in endosperm transfer cell development.

Mutant collections are an invaluable source of material on which forward genetic approaches allow the identification of genes affecting a wide variety of biological processes. However, some particular developmental stages and morphological structures may resist analysis due to their physical inaccessibility or to deleterious effects associated to their modification. Furthermore, lethal mutations acting early in development may escape detection. We have approached the characterization of 101 maize seed mutants, selected from a collection of 27,500 visually screened Mu-insertion lines, using a molecular marker approach based on a set of genes previously ascribed to different tissue compartments within the early developing kernel. A streamlined combination of qRT-PCR assays has allowed us to preliminary pinpoint the affected compartment, establish developmental comparisons to WT siblings and select mutant lines with alterations in the different compartments. Furthermore, clusters of markers co-affected by the underlying mutation were identified. We have analyzed more extensively a set of lines presenting significant variation in transfer cell-associated expression markers, and have performed morphological observations, and immunolocalization experiments to confirm the results, validating this approach as an efficient mutant description tool.

La formación de tecnólogos en Higiene y Epidemiología en Cuba: antecedentes y perspectivas / The training of technologists in Hygiene and Epidemiology in Cuba: background and perspectives

La política de desarrollo de recursos humanos ha sido factor de máxima relevancia en la estrategia cubana para la creación y consolidación de su sistema de salud. En el presente trabajo los autores reflexionan sobre la evolución histórica y perspectivas en la formación de los tecnólogos de la salud en el área de la Higiene y Epidemiología, teniendo en cuenta los nuevos retos y problemas epidemiológicos a los cuales se enfrenta hoy no solo Cuba, sino el resto del mundo de forma generalizada. Se caracterizan las etapas de la formación de técnicos medios y tecnólogos en el área de la Higiene y Epidemiología en Cuba, atendiendo a las peculiaridades en los currículos. Se aborda el actual modelo del Licenciado en Higiene y Epidemiología y se muestra el impacto social del rediseño de la carrera, que ha dado respuesta a las exigencias de los servicios de salud cubanos.

The human resources development policy has been a major factor in the Cuban strategy for the creation and consolidation of its health system. In the present work the authors reflect on the historical evolution and perspectives in the training of the health technologists in the area of Hygiene and Epidemiology, taking into account the new challenges and epidemiological problems that are facing not only Cuba but also the rest of the world in a generalized way. The stages of the training of technicians and technologists in the area of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Cuba are characterized, taking into account the peculiarities in the curricula. It addresses the current model of the Bachelor in Hygiene and Epidemiology and shows the social impact of the career redesign, which has met the demands of the Cuban health services.

The maize transcription factor myb-related protein-1 is a key regulator of the differentiation of transfer cells.

Transfer cells are highly modified plant cells specialized in the transport of solutes. They differentiate at many plant exchange surfaces, including phloem loading and unloading zones such as those present in the sink organs and seeds. In maize (Zea mays) seeds, transfer cells are located at the base of the endosperm. It is currently unknown how apical-basal polarity is established or why the peripheral cells at the base of the endosperm differentiate into transfer instead of aleurone cells. Here, we show that in epidermal cells committed to develop into aleurone cells, the ectopic expression of the transfer cell-specific transcriptional activator Myb-Related Protein-1 (MRP-1) is sufficient to temporarily transform them into transfer cells. These transformed cells acquire distinct transfer cell features, such as cell wall ingrowths and an elongated shape. In addition, they express a number of MRP-1 target genes presumably involved in defense. We also show that the expression of MRP-1 is needed to maintain the transfer cell phenotype. Later in development, an observed reduction in the ectopic expression of MRP-1 was followed by the reversion of the transformed cells, which then acquire aleurone cell features.

Deficiencia de yodo y otros posibles bociógenos en la persistencia del bocio endémico en México / Iodine deficiency and other potential goitrogens in the persistence of endemic goiter in Mexico

OBJECTIVE: To measure the frequency of goiter and the presence of potential goitrogens in a sample of school-age children and pregnant women. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a purposive sample in three regions, one with known high prevalence of goiter (Huejutla), one with unknown prevalence (Ixmiquilpan) and one with no expected deficiency (Pachuca). Children were sampled from schools and pregnant women from rural reference hospitals. Goiter was evaluated by manual exam and ultrasound. RESULTS: Goiter prevalence in 673 children between 6 and 14 years old was 8 in Pachuca, 9 in Ixmiquilpan, and 14 in Huejutla. In 300 pregnant women, goiter prevalence was 19 in Pachuca, 20 in Ixmiquilpan, and 52 in Huejutla. In 936 interviews on salt consumption, 98 of families consumed table salt, but only 50 of the samples were adequately iodized. Twenty-four percent of families obtained water from wells contaminated with arsenicum and mercury in Pachuca and Ixmiquilpan, and with colibacilli in Ixmiquilpan. CONCLUSIONS: Even at the end of the millenium, endemic goiter is still a public health problem in this sample of school-age children and pregnant women. Despite consumption of iodized salt, ingestions of goitrogens may be contributing to the persistence of this problem.

Prevalencia de depresión en ancianos no institucionalizados / Depression prevalence in non-institutionalized

Fueron estudiados 370 ancianos de 60 años y más, residentes en el área de salud del Policlínico Docente de Guanabacoa, donde se encontró que el 5,9 por ciento padecía demencia. La prevalencia de depresión fue de 48.3 por ciento . Se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas, médicas y psicosociales, así como una lista de sucesos vitales ocurridos durante los 12 meses anteriores. Se obtuvo asociación estadisticamente significativas entre los siguientes factores y la depresión: aumento de la edad, sezo femenino, bajo nivel de escolaridad, no tener pareja, bajos ingresos monetarios y jubilación por enfermedad. Asimismo resultaron factores asociados el padecimiento de enfermedades crónicas, la pérdida del papel de habitante principal, la percepción de incomprensión familiar y la pérdida del atractivo personal, entre otros. Se hicieron conclusiones y recomendaciones