ABSTRACT
The objective was to evaluate the behavior of melon genotypes (Cucumis melo L.) in the physical, chemical and biochemical quality of melon fruits as a function of electrical conductivity irrigation water levels (ECw). The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks in a 5 x 3 factorial scheme with five replications. The first factor was represented by five salinity levels (0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 dS m-1) and the second factor by accessions A35, and A24, and the hybrid Sancho. The physical, chemical and biochemical variables showed a reduction in production, with smaller fruits, with less weight, smaller cavity, with increased pulp thickness for Sancho. Vitamin C and yellow flavonoids increased indicating antioxidant power against ROS. The genotypes showed similar post-harvest behavior, however, the hybrid Sancho stood out over the others, possibly because it is an improved material. Accession A24 presented physiological and biochemical responses that classify it as intolerant.
Subject(s)
Fruit , Salinity , Fruit/chemistry , Genotype , Cucumis melo/physiology , Cucumis melo/classification , Agricultural Irrigation , Cucurbitaceae/classification , Cucurbitaceae/physiology , Cucurbitaceae/genetics , Antioxidants/analysisABSTRACT
BCF2, a monoclonal antibody raised against scorpion toxin Cn2, is capable of neutralizing both, the toxin and the whole venom of the Mexican scorpion Centruroides noxius Hoffmann. The single chain antibody fragment (scFv) of BCF2 was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. Although its affinity for the Cn2 toxin was shown to be in the nanomolar range, it was non-neutralizing in vivo due to a low stability. In order to recover the neutralizing capacity, the scFv of BCF2 was evolved by error-prone PCR and the variants were panned by phage display. Seven improved mutants were isolated from three different libraries. One of these mutants, called G5 with one mutation at CDR1 and another at CDR2 of the light chain, showed an increased affinity to Cn2, as compared to the parental scFv. A second mutant, called B7 with a single change at framework 2 of heavy chain, also had a higher affinity. Mutants G5 and B7 were also improved in their stability but they were unable to neutralize the toxin. Finally, we constructed a variant containing the changes present in G5 and B7. The purpose of this construction was to combine the increments in affinity and stability borne by these mutants. The result was a triple mutant capable of neutralizing the Cn2 toxin. This variant showed the best affinity constant (KD=7.5x10(-11) M), as determined by surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore). The k(on) and k(off) were improved threefold and fivefold, respectively, leading to 15-fold affinity improvement. Functional stability determinations by ELISA in the presence of different concentrations of guanidinium hydrochloride (Gdn-HCl) revealed that the triple mutant is significantly more stable than the parental scFv. These results suggest that not only improving the affinity but also the stability of our scFv were important for recovering its neutralization capacity. These findings pave the way for the generation of recombinant neutralizing antisera against scorpion stings based on scFvs.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/metabolism , Antivenins/metabolism , Immunoglobulin Fragments/immunology , Mutation/genetics , Scorpion Venoms/immunology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics , Antibody Affinity , Antivenins/genetics , Antivenins/immunology , Biological Evolution , Cloning, Molecular , Epitope Mapping , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Neutralization Tests , Peptide Fragments/genetics , Peptide Fragments/immunology , Peptide Library , Peptides/isolation & purification , Substrate SpecificityABSTRACT
En el tratamiento de las fracturas de la diáfisis de la tibia, pueden surgir dificultades como el retardo en la consolidación, que han dado lugar a controversia respecto al mejor método de tratamiento de las mismas. Se propone la administración oral del Pamidronato Disódico (PD) como terapia adjunta al tratamiento de las fracturas cerradas de tibia para acelerar el proceso de consolidación de este tipo de fractura. Se asignaron 30 pacientes de manera aleatoria con fracturas cerradas de tibia para recibir un placebo (Grupo Control, n=14) o PD 200mg VO por 12 semanas (Grupo Experimental, n=16). Se realizaron controles a las 4,8 y 12 semanas para evaluar la respuesta clínica y radiológica al tratamiento. Para el control radiológico se utilizó una escala empírica (Clasificación en estadíos 0, A1, A2, B1 y B2 en ese orden). Resultado: en el grupo control no fue posible el retiro de ninguna inmovilización durante el estudio. En el grupo PD se logró el retiro del yeso y recuperación de la marcha en 7 pacientes en el segundo control (43,75 por ciento); en el tercer control se recuperaron 4 pacientes más, para un total de 11 (68,75 por ciento), (p=0,07 y p<0,001 respectivamente). Los estudios radiológicos reflejaron diferencias significativas a favor del grupo PD en cada control (4 semanas p=0.005), (8 semanas p<0,001), (12 semanas p<0,001). Se reportó un mayor número de efectos secundarios gastrointestinales no significativos en el grupo PD. Se concluye que el PD constituye una alternativa segura y eficaz como terapia adjunta para las fracturas cerradas de tibia
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Tibial Fractures , TraumatologyABSTRACT
We developed a model of corneal haze following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in Iber Braun hens and studied optical properties. The animals underwent PRK for -9.0 diopters of myopia and were divided into groups based on treatment with different wound-healing modulators. At different time points postoperatively, we evaluated haze by slit-lamp microscopy. An experimental device was developed to measure transmittance spatial maps and forward scattering of He-Ne laser light in the excised corneas. Subjective and objective haze measures were compared for each group at the different times. Keratocyte densities were determined by optical microscopy and keratocyte sizes by electron microscopy. The agreement between experimental results and a simple numerical model of scattering suggests that increases in stromal keratocyte density after PRK might explain the degree of corneal haze.
ABSTRACT
Se presentan 25 pacientes con lesiones subcorticales izquierdas, comprobadas con tomografía computada cerebral. En 9 de ellos se encontró una afasia subcortical, generalmente sensorial transcortical: 3 pacientes tenían afasia global, 2 afasia de Wernicke, 1 caso tenía afasia amnésica, otra de Broca y otro afasia latente. Ocho pacientes no tuvieron afasia, pero 5 de ellos tenían una agrafía linguística. En 16 casos se encontró disartría y en 10 hipofonía. El análisis de esta experiencia y de la literatura permite concluir que las estructuras subcorticales forman parte del sistema funcional del lenguaje del habla y de la escritura
Subject(s)
Aphasia/physiopathology , Speech Disorders/etiology , Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications , Cerebral Infarction/complications , Aphasia/etiology , Aphasia/epidemiology , Basal Ganglia/pathology , Cerebrovascular Disorders/complications , Corpus Striatum/pathology , Agraphia/classification , Agraphia/etiology , Thalamus/pathologyABSTRACT
Se presentan 25 pacientes con lesiones subcorticales izquierdas, comprobadas con tomografía computada cerebral. En 9 de ellos se encontró una afasia subcortical, generalmente sensorial transcortical: 3 pacientes tenían afasia global, 2 afasia de Wernicke, 1 caso tenía afasia amnésica, otra de Broca y otro afasia latente. Ocho pacientes no tuvieron afasia, pero 5 de ellos tenían una agrafía linguística. En 16 casos se encontró disartría y en 10 hipofonía. El análisis de esta experiencia y de la literatura permite concluir que las estructuras subcorticales forman parte del sistema funcional del lenguaje del habla y de la escritura
Subject(s)
Aphasia/physiopathology , Speech Disorders/etiology , Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications , Cerebral Infarction/complications , Aphasia/etiology , Aphasia/epidemiology , Thalamus/pathology , Cerebrovascular Disorders/complications , Corpus Striatum/pathology , Agraphia/etiology , Agraphia/classification , Basal Ganglia/pathologySubject(s)
Cholangitis/etiology , Diverticulum/complications , Duodenal Diseases/complications , Pancreatitis/etiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde , Cholelithiasis/etiology , Chronic Disease , Diverticulum/diagnostic imaging , Duodenal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Female , Gallstones/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A design procedure is described to obtain monochromators for specific applications, which are made from optical devices that can be easily acquired or built. This procedure makes use of a constant angular deviation system consisting of a transmission grating, operating in a symmetrical arrangement, and a flat mirror which makes a fixed angle with it. An analysis of the characteristic parameters of the design and of the constraints which have an effect on them, is presented as well as two examples of applications of the procedure.
