Genomic Prediction of Resistance to Tan Spot, Spot Blotch and Septoria Nodorum Blotch in Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat.

Genomic prediction combines molecular and phenotypic data in a training population to predict the breeding values of individuals that have only been genotyped. The use of genomic information in breeding programs helps to increase the frequency of favorable alleles in the populations of interest. This study evaluated the performance of BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) in predicting resistance to tan spot, spot blotch and Septoria nodorum blotch in synthetic hexaploid wheat. BLUP was implemented in single-trait and multi-trait models with three variations: (1) the pedigree relationship matrix (A-BLUP), (2) the genomic relationship matrix (G-BLUP), and (3) a combination of the two matrices (A+G BLUP). In all three diseases, the A-BLUP model had a lower performance, and the G-BLUP and A+G BLUP were statistically similar (p ≥ 0.05). The prediction accuracy with the single trait was statistically similar (p ≥ 0.05) to the multi-trait accuracy, possibly due to the low correlation of severity between the diseases.

Identification of antimicrobial resistance genes in intestinal content from Coyote (Canis latrans).

Antibiotic resistance has become a global public health concern in the last few years. Given the widespread rate of recurrence, increasing attention is being turned toward environmental pathways that potentially contribute to antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) dissemination outside the clinical realm. In this study, a metagenome analysis of intestinal virus-like particle fraction (VLPs) from a wild coyote ( Canis latrans) revealed for the first time, multiple ARGs, such as B-lactamases and multidrug efflux pumps. Description of ARGs presence in natural environments is critical to understand the emergence of resistant strains.

Biped Gait Analysis based on Forward Kinematics Modeling using Quaternions Algebra

ABSTRACT Gait is the main locomotion way for human beings as an autonomous decision. Due to the increase in people with walking disabilities, the precision in gait analysis for purposes in clinical diagnosis, sports medicine or biomechanical research for the design of assistive technologies is of special relevance. The literature reports notable contributions in technological developments with diverse applications; and in some cases, algorithms for characterization and gait analysis; however, more studies related to gait kinematics are necessary, such as the solution proposed in this work. In this paper, we focus on studying the forward kinematics of the lower limbs in human gait, using in a novel way quaternions algebra as mathematical tool and comparative analysis with classical methods is established. Gait analysis unlike other works is carried out by evaluating the rotational and tilting movements of the pelvis, flexion-extension of the hip and knee; as well as dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle. Finally, an assessment of normal, mild crouch and severe crouch gaits in the three anatomical planes is performed; and a metric based on the Euclidean norm in the cartesian space is used to evaluate these gaits.

Distribution and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum Species Associated With Mango Anthracnose in Mexico.

Mango anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is the most significant disease of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in almost all production areas around the world. In Mexico, mango anthracnose has only been attributed to C. asianum and C. gloeosporioides. The aims of this study were to identify the Colletotrichum species associated with mango anthracnose symptoms in Mexico by phylogenetic inference using the ApMat marker, to determine the distribution of these species, and to test their pathogenicity and virulence on mango fruits. Surveys were carried out from 2010 to 2012 in 59 commercial orchards in the major mango growing states of Mexico, and a total of 118 isolates were obtained from leaves, twigs, and fruits with typical anthracnose symptoms. All isolates were tentatively identified in the C. gloeosporioides species complex based on morphological and cultural characteristics. The Bayesian inference phylogenetic tree generated with Apn2/MAT intergenic spacer sequences of 59 isolates (one per orchard) revealed that C. alienum, C. asianum, C. fructicola, C. siamense, and C. tropicale were associated with symptoms of mango anthracnose. In this study, C. alienum, C. fructicola, C. siamense, and C. tropicale are reported for the first time in association with mango tissues in Mexico. This study represents the first report of C. alienum causing mango anthracnose worldwide. The distribution of Colletotrichum species varied among the mango growing states from Mexico. Chiapas was the only state in which all five species were found. Pathogenicity tests on mango fruit cultivar Manila showed that all Colletotrichum species from this study could induce anthracnose lesions. However, differences in virulence were evident among species. C. siamense and C. asianum were the most virulent, whereas C. alienum and C. fructicola were considered the least virulent species.

Damage costs produced by electric power plants: an externality valuation in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area.

This paper presents an estimate of the externalities produced in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) through the impacts on health caused by secondary pollutants attributed to seven electric power plants located outside this area. An original method was developed to make possible a simplified application of the impact pathway approach to estimate the damage costs in the specified area. Our estimate shows that the annual costs attributed to secondary pollutants total 71 million USD (min/max 20/258 million USD). Finally, this paper discusses basic ideas on the implications for energy policy arising from this exercise in externality valuation.

Effect of population size on the estimation of QTL: a test using resistance to barley stripe rust.

The limited population sizes used in many quantitative trait locus (QTL) detection experiments can lead to underestimation of QTL number, overestimation of QTL effects, and failure to quantify QTL interactions. We used the barley/barley stripe rust pathosystem to evaluate the effect of population size on the estimation of QTL parameters. We generated a large (n = 409) population of doubled haploid lines derived from the cross of two inbred lines, BCD47 and Baronesse. This population was evaluated for barley stripe rust severity in the Toluca Valley, Mexico, and in Washington State, USA, under field conditions. BCD47 was the principal donor of resistance QTL alleles, but the susceptible parent also contributed some resistance alleles. The major QTL, located on the long arm of chromosome 4H, close to the Mlo gene, accounted for up to 34% of the phenotypic variance. Subpopulations of different sizes were generated using three methods-resampling, selective genotyping, and selective phenotyping-to evaluate the effect of population size on the estimation of QTL parameters. In all cases, the number of QTL detected increased with population size. QTL with large effects were detected even in small populations, but QTL with small effects were detected only by increasing population size. Selective genotyping and/or selective phenotyping approaches could be effective strategies for reducing the costs associated with conducting QTL analysis in large populations. The method of choice will depend on the relative costs of genotyping versus phenotyping.

Effect of nutritional status and ozone exposure on rat brain serotonin.

BACKGROUND: Ozone is an environmental pollutant that has widely documented deleterious effects on exposed organisms. In Mexico City, this pollutant frequently reaches concentrations that surpass safe health limits. In addition, it has been reported that the prevalence of malnutrition remains high in our childhood population. This experiment was carried out to determine whether malnutrition is a factor contributing to an increase in the risk of damage associated with ozone exposure. METHODS: Using an experimental animal model, 21-day-old rats fed normally or with induced malnutrition were subchronically exposed to 0.5 ppm of ozone or fresh air, respectively, for 30 days. At the end of this period and using HPLC, serotonin concentrations were measured in four areas of the brain: cortex, hemispheres, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata. RESULTS: Malnourished animals had a significant weight deficit beginning at 28 days with respect to well-fed animals. Among the well-fed animals, this phenomenon is seen at 35 days in exposed and non-exposed animals. In the four regions of the brain, malnourished animals show low serotonin concentrations with respect to well-nourished animals. In the cerebellum, there was an interaction between the nutritional factor and ozone exposure, while in the medulla oblongata both factors acted independently. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a multiplicative effect from the nutritional factor and ozone exposure in the changes observed concerning serotonergic metabolism.

Determinación de triptófano en cerebro de ratas expuestas a ozono / Brain tryptophan levels in rats exposed to ozone

El objetivo del presente trabajo es cuantificar los niveles de triptófano por CLAR líquidos de alta resolución en 4 regiones del cerebro (cerebelo, corteza, hemisferio y tallo) en ratas machos de la cepa Wistar, de 50 días de edad con diferente condición nutricional expuestas a ozono o aire. Un grupo de animales fue alimentado con una dieta normal de bioterio (23 por ciento de proteína), y otro con una dieta deficiente en proteínas (7 por ciento de proteína). Ambos grupos fueron expuestos a 0.5 ppm de ozono o aire fresco, por 6 horas al día durante 30 días consecutivos. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas en los niveles de triptófano en todas las regiones del estudio entre los grupos con diferente condición nutricional (p<0.05). Estos resultados sugieren que la alimentación deficiente en proteínas y la exposición a ozono, son condiciones que favorecen la formación de diversas reacciones que alteran los niveles de triptófano en el cerebro

Efecto de la deficiencia de proteínas sobre la peroxidación de lípidos en cerebro de ratas / efect of protein deficiency on lipid peroxidation in brain of rats

El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar la formación de radicales libres así como la peroxidación de lípidos en cerebro de ratas machos de la cepa Wistar, de 51 días de edad con diferente condición nutricional, en un diseño factorial 1 x 2, alimentadas ad libitum. Un grupo de ratas fue alimentado con una dieta normal (23 por ciento de proteína), y otro grupo con una dieta normo-calórica hipoprotéica (7 por ciento de proteína), durante 30 días. Semanalmente se midió el nivel de glutatión oxidado en sangre, y al final del experimento se determinó la peroxidación de lípidos en cerebro, mediante la cuantificación de las sustancias reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS). Los resultados presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas, en los niveles de glutatión oxidado en sangre y de TBARS en cerebro, entre los grupos con diferente dieta (p<0.05). Por lo que se sugiere, que existe una relación cualitativa en las alteraciones bioquímicas de los animales del estudio.

Management of penetrating colon injuries.

The management of colon injuries remains an area of major controversy. Selecting the patients who can undergo primary repair safely remains undefined. To address this issue, 231 consecutive patients with penetrating colon injuries were reviewed to determine those factors that affected outcome. Overall, there were 54 (25.2%) septic complications, with 36 (16.8%) wound infections and 18 (8.4%) intra-abdominal abscesses. There were seven (3.3%) deaths in the entire series. The surgical management method of the colon injury was not significant in wound infections (P > .39), intra-abdominal abscesses (P > .24), or mortality (P > .39). A more aggressive approach of primary repair should be performed for civilian colon injuries.

Purkinje cell density in cerebella of alcoholized and non-alcoholized male rat offspring.

The effect of alcohol intake by male rats was evaluated on Purkinje cell morphology and number in their offspring. Forty five male Wistar rats, 45 days old, were used and divided into three groups of 15 rats each: control group (CG), fed with conventional Purina rodent feed (CPRF) and water ad libitum; experimental group (EG), fed with CPRF ad libitum and a mixture of water/ethanol, which represented 36% of kilocalories in food; and an equienergetic intake control group (ECG), which was given CPRF (in grams) and sugar in their drinking water, in order to substitute the energetic value provided by alcohol. Five subgroups (n = 3) were created to be used for different treatment periods: 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days; all groups started treatment when they were 70 days old. At the end of each treatment period, male rats were mated with nulliparous females not having undergone treatment. Offspring were obtained and studied at 14 and 21 days of age. The Purkinje cells of the cerebella of 14- and 21-day-old offspring belonging to the CG and ECG showed no morphological changes. On the other hand, in 14-day-old offspring belonging to the experimental group of parents alcoholized during 90, 120, and 180 days, a large number of hyperchromatic Purkinje cells were seen, forming zones of cells undergoing a degenerative process. No significant differences in cellular density were determined between the CG and the ECG. When comparing the CG vs. EG and the ECG vs. EG, significant differences were found in the 14-day-old offspring as well as in the 21-day-old ones with a p < 0.05 of rats belonging to parents alcoholized for 90, 120, and 180 days. The results may indicate that there are changes in the germinal plasma of males due to alcohol consumption; therefore, reflecting this effect on a decrease of Purkinje cells and probably on other cell populations.

Management of extraperitoneal rectal injuries.

Twenty-eight consecutive extraperitoneal rectal injuries for a period of 34 months ending in May 1990 were reviewed retrospectively. All injuries were due to penetrating gunshot wounds. The rectal exam was positive in 75% of patients versus 80.8% with proctosigmoidoscopy. All 28 patients had diversion of the fecal stream. Diverting colostomies were performed in 17 patients, Hartmann's colostomies in 7 patients, and proximal loop colostomies in 4 patients. Presacral drainage was used in 25 patients (89.3%). Distal irrigation was performed in 13 patients (46.4%) and primary repair in 9 patients (32.1%). There was one infectious complication (3.6%) and no deaths (0%). Fecal diversion and presacral drainage are the mainstay of therapy for civilian rectal injuries. The importance of distal irrigation of the rectum has not been established. Primary repair of the rectum has no effect on morbidity and mortality.

Pathogenic and free-living protozoa cultured from the nasopharyngeal and oral regions of dental patients: II.

Protozoa of the nose, mouth, and pharynx of 30 randomly chosen male caries patients at an odontological clinic of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, in Mexico City, were surveyed by culture from swabs. Culture tubes from swabs were observed every other day for 5 weeks. Pathogens found included Entamoeba histolytica, Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba castellanii, A. culbertsoni, A. polyphaga, and Giardia lamblia. Such isolations of pathogens suggest that patients may be healthy carriers of cysts and trophic forms of protozoa responsible for several human diseases. Amoebae responsible for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis were well represented in the samples. Small pathogenic free-living amoebae have not been isolated before from healthy males in Mexico. Many species of free-living cyst-forming protozoa and some commensals without cysts were also cultured from swabs.

Epidural ketamine for control of postoperative pain.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the postoperative pain control ability of ketamine injected into the epidural space. We conclude that it produces potent postoperative analgesia without major respiratory depression or other side effects.

A retrospective study of the incidence and causes of failed spinal anesthetics in a university hospital.

One hundred sequential spinal anesthetic procedures were reviewed retrospectively to study specifically the incidence and causes of spinal anesthesia. Variables examined included the patient population, the technical aspects of performing subarachnoid tap and subsequent blockade, and the level of training of the anesthetists. We found a 17% incidence of spinal failure, defined as the need to use general anesthesia during the surgical procedure. Failure was found to be significantly associated with a lack of free flow of cerebral spinal fluid, the use of tetracaine without epinephrine, and an increased administration of intravenous supplementation. Forty-one% of the failures represented errors in judgement, either in not properly anticipating the duration of surgery or injecting local anesthetic solution in the absence of a free flow of cerebral spinal fluid. An incidental finding was the lack of documentation in many of the variables examined. We attribute the high incidence of failed spinal anesthesia mainly to technical reasons, most of them avoidable. The use of local and regional anesthesia requires considerable technical skills and demands a precise and total understanding of regional anatomic relationships. With the decreasing use of regional anesthesia in our operating rooms, only those regional anesthesia techniques that require minimum dexterity, such as spinal and epidural anesthesia, continue to be utilized widely; and even these techniques, safe as they are, are being poorly taught.

[Program for instruction in comprehensive general medicine: conceptualization and strategies for its evaluation]. / Programa de enseñanza de medicina general integral: conceptualización y estrategias para su evaluación.

This article describes the concepts and strategies underlying the evaluation of the Comprehensive General Medicine Program of the School of Medicine of the Autonomous National University of Mexico. The exact purpose of that evaluation, done in 1982, was to strengthen and redirect the lines of this program's current development, which had been conceived since its inception in 1974 as an experimental study plan based on a system of modular and tutorial instruction. The article describes the identified conceptual, methodological, logistic, operational and attitudinal obstacles to this evaluation process. The methodology involves a sequence consisting in the evaluational experiences of basically innovative programs of undergraduate medical instruction, the selection of an evaluation model, identification of the aspects to be evaluated, the determination of priorities, and the definition of specific evaluation projects. From the aspects identified and given priority the following 12 evaluation projects emerged: curriculum review, follow-up of alumni, instruction materials, tutors, integration of knowledge, student performance, instructional activities, students in social service, student enrollments, dropping out, professional examination, and education administration.

Programa de enseñanza de medicina general integral: conceptualización y estrategias para su evaluación / Program for instruction in comprehensive general medicine: conceptualization and strategies for its evaluation

This article describes the concepts and strategies underlying the evaluation of the Comprehensive General Medicine Program of the School of Medicine of the Autonomous National University of Mexico. The exact purpose of that evaluation, done in 1982, was to strengthen and redirect the lines of this program's current development, which had been conceived since its inception in 1974 as an experimental study plan based on a system of modular and tutorial instruction. The article describes the identified conceptual, methodological, logistic, operational and attitudinal obstacles to this evaluation process. The methodology involves a sequence consisting in the evaluational experiences of basically innovative programs of undergraduate medical instruction, the selection of an evaluation model, identification of the aspects to be evaluated, the determination of priorities, and the definition of specific evaluation projects. From the aspects identified and given priority the following 12 evaluation projects emerged: curriculum review, follow-up of alumni, instruction materials, tutors, integration of knowledge, student performance, instructional activities, students in social service, student enrollments, dropping out, professional examination, and education administration (Au)