Foliar transcriptomes reveal candidate genes for late blight resistance in cultivars of diploid potato Solanum tuberosum L. Andigenum Group.

Characterization of major resistance (R) genes to late blight (LB) -caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans- is very important for potato breeding. The objective of this study was to identify novel genes for resistance to LB from diploid Solanum tuberosum L. Andigenum Group (StAG) cultivar accessions. Using comparative analysis with a edgeR bioconductor package for differential expression analysis of transcriptomes, two of these accessions with contrasting levels of resistance to LB were analyzed using digital gene expression data. As a result, various differentially expressed genes (P ≤ 0.0001, Log2FC ≥ 2, FDR < 0.001) were noted. The combination of transcriptomic analysis provided 303 candidate genes that are overexpressed and underexpressed, thereby giving high resistance to LB. The functional analysis showed differential expression of R genes and their corresponding proteins related to disease resistance, NBS-LRR domain proteins, and specific disease resistance proteins. Comparative analysis of specific tissue transcriptomes in resistant and susceptible genotypes can be used for rapidly identifying candidate R genes, thus adding novel genes from diploid StAG cultivar accessions for host plant resistance to P. infestans in potato.

DeepCob: precise and high-throughput analysis of maize cob geometry using deep learning with an application in genebank phenomics.

BACKGROUND: Maize cobs are an important component of crop yield that exhibit a high diversity in size, shape and color in native landraces and modern varieties. Various phenotyping approaches were developed to measure maize cob parameters in a high throughput fashion. More recently, deep learning methods like convolutional neural networks (CNNs) became available and were shown to be highly useful for high-throughput plant phenotyping. We aimed at comparing classical image segmentation with deep learning methods for maize cob image segmentation and phenotyping using a large image dataset of native maize landrace diversity from Peru. RESULTS: Comparison of three image analysis methods showed that a Mask R-CNN trained on a diverse set of maize cob images was highly superior to classical image analysis using the Felzenszwalb-Huttenlocher algorithm and a Window-based CNN due to its robustness to image quality and object segmentation accuracy ([Formula: see text]). We integrated Mask R-CNN into a high-throughput pipeline to segment both maize cobs and rulers in images and perform an automated quantitative analysis of eight phenotypic traits, including diameter, length, ellipticity, asymmetry, aspect ratio and average values of red, green and blue color channels for cob color. Statistical analysis identified key training parameters for efficient iterative model updating. We also show that a small number of 10-20 images is sufficient to update the initial Mask R-CNN model to process new types of cob images. To demonstrate an application of the pipeline we analyzed phenotypic variation in 19,867 maize cobs extracted from 3449 images of 2484 accessions from the maize genebank of Peru to identify phenotypically homogeneous and heterogeneous genebank accessions using multivariate clustering. CONCLUSIONS: Single Mask R-CNN model and associated analysis pipeline are widely applicable tools for maize cob phenotyping in contexts like genebank phenomics or plant breeding.

Potential Short-Term Memory Induction as a Promising Method for Increasing Drought Tolerance in Sweetpotato Crop Wild Relatives [Ipomoea series Batatas (Choisy) D. F. Austin].

Crop wild relatives of sweetpotato [Ipomoea series Batatas (Choisy) D. F. Austin] are a group of species with potential for use in crop improvement programs seeking to breed for drought tolerance. Stress memory in this group could enhance these species' physiological response to drought, though no studies have yet been conducted in this area. In this pot experiment, drought tolerance, determined using secondary traits, was tested in 59 sweetpotato crop wild relative accessions using potential short-term memory induction. For this purpose, accessions were subjected to two treatments, i) non-priming: full irrigation (up to field capacity, 0.32 w/w) from transplanting to harvest and ii) priming: full irrigation from transplanting to flowering onset (FO) followed by a priming process from FO to harvest. The priming process consisted of three water restriction periods of increasing length (8, 11, and 14 days) followed each by a recovery period of 14 days with full irrigation. Potential stress memory induction was calculated for each accession based on ecophysiological indicators such as senescence, foliar area, leaf-minus-air temperature, and leaf 13C discrimination. Based on total biomass production, resilience and production capacity were calculated per accession to evaluate drought tolerance. Increase in foliar area, efficient leaf thermoregulation, improvement of leaf photosynthetic performance, and delayed senescence were identified in 23.7, 28.8, 50.8, and 81.4% of the total number of accessions, respectively. It was observed that under a severe drought scenario, a resilient response included more long-lived green leaf area while a productive response was related to optimized leaf thermoregulation and gas exchange. Our preliminary results suggest that I. triloba and I. trifida have the potential to improve sweetpotato resilience in dry environments and should be included in introgression breeding programs of this crop. Furthermore, I. splendor-sylvae, I. ramosissima, I. tiliacea, and wild I. batatas were the most productive species studied but given the genetic barriers to interspecific hybridization between these species and sweetpotato, we suggest that further genetic and metabolic studies be conducted on them. Finally, this study proposes a promising method for improving drought tolerance based on potential stress-memory induction, which is applicable both for wild species and crops.

Transient Thermomechanical Simulation of 7075 Aluminum Contraction around a SiO2 Microparticle.

One important challenge that faces the metallurgic industry turns around the constant increment in the mechanical resistance of certain finished products. Metallurgic advantages can be obtained from the inclusion of microparticles in metallic materials, but this inclusion involves complex challenges as the internal stress distribution can be modified. In this work, the simulation of a cooling sequence in 7075 aluminum with a SiO2 microparticle is presented. Two models of two-dimensional (2D) type were constructed in ANSYS®2019 with circular and oval shape microparticles located inside the aluminum. Both models were subjected to the same thermomechanical transient analysis to compare the remaining stress distributions around the microparticles after the thermal load and to observe the effect of the geometrical shape. The results show remaining stresses increased in the oval model as a consequence of the geometrical shape modification. After applying a tension load in the analyzed specimens, shear stress concentrations were observed with a higher magnitude around the covertex of the oval shape. The results can be very useful for the creation of materials with controlled remnant stress located in specific or desired locations in the matrix.

Resultado del cierre incompleto de defecto tipo Gerbode con coil Nit-Occlud Lê VSD: hemolisis grave que precisa reintervención / Effect of incomplete closure of a Gerbode defect with the Nit-Occlud Lê VSD Coil: severe hemolysis requiring a second procedure

No disponible

Evaluación del potencial mutagénico de biocidas (vertimec y pentacloro) sobre cebolla / Evaluation of the mutagenic potential of biocides (vertimec and pentachloro) on onion

El uso de biocidas es una constante en el campo agronómico, el daño ocasionado a los cultivos y por consiguiente el gran potencial de daño para los consumidores es conocido, sin embargo su uso sigue en marcha. Por ello se realizaron pruebas citogenéticas para la observación de aberraciones cromosómicas en Allium cepa, usando muestras de raíces de plantas expuestas y no expuestas a biocídas. Los tratamientos se realizaron con el objetivo de comparar el grado de afectación de los biocídas sobre la mitosis y la ocurrencia de mutaciones cromosómicas. El ANOVA para los datos de desarrollo radicular al finalizar la experimentación, mostraron un CV de 9.88, se observo diferencias significativas entre el control y los tratamientos, los porcentajes de inhibición llegaron a tener valores máximos de 84.2% para vertimec X8 y 76.5% para pentacloro X8, y valores mínimos de 38.2% para vertimec X0.5 y 43.8% para pentacloro 0.5 X. El índice mitótico fue mayor para el control (0.193) y menores para el tratamiento con menor desarrollo radicular, vertimec X8 (0.021) y pentacloro X8 (0.028). Las pruebas citogenéticas mostraron la ocurrencia de anomalías en el ciclo celular siendo la más frecuente la C-mitosis. Se puede concluir que el test Allium es un buen indicador de citotoxicidad y genotoxicidad. Los biocidas ocasionan cambios en la estructura genómica de un cultivo, estos cambios podrían acumularse y ocasionar cambios de expresión génica, pudiendo dañar regiones de interés agronómico para una especie y afectar su estabilidad genética.

Use of biocides is a constant in the agronomic field, the damage to crops and therefore the potential for harm to consumers is known, however its use is ongoing. Therefore, tests were performed to observe cytogenetic aberrations in Allium cepa using plant root samples exposed and not exposed to biocides. Treatments were performed in order to compare the degree of impact of biocides on mitosis and the occurrence of chromosomal mutations. The ANOVA for root development data at the end of the experiment showed a CV of 9.88, significant differences was observed between control and treatments; the inhibition percentages have reached maximum values of 84.2% for Vertimec X8 and 76.5% for pentachloro X8, and minimum values of 38.2% for Vertimec X0.5 and 43.8% for pentachloro X0.5. The mitotic index was higher for control (0.193) and lower for treatment with less developed root Vertimec X8 (0.021) and pentachloro X8 (0.028). Tests showed the occurrence of cytogenetic abnormalities in the cell cycle being the most frequent C-mitosis. It can be concluded that the Allium test is a good indicator of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Biocides cause changes in the genomic structure of crops; these changes may accumulate and cause gene expression changes, can damage agronomic interest regions for a species and affect their genetic stability.

Post-treatment platelet reactivity predicts long-term adverse events better than the response to clopidogrel in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Poor response to antiplatelet therapy has been associated with adverse long-term outcomes. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between response to clopidogrel and post-treatment platelet reactivity (PPR) and 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). METHODS: Patients with NSTEACS undergoing early coronary angiography were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. The VerifyNow analyzer was used to measure clopidogrel response and PPR immediately before coronary angiography. RESULTS: Of the 179 patients included (97 percutaneous coronary intervention, 21 coronary artery bypass graft), 161 (90%) completed 1-year follow-up and 18 (11%) incurred MACE: 10 deaths, 6 myocardial infarctions, 2 strokes, 5 revascularizations. Lower response to clopidogrel (31 +/- 21% vs. 43 +/- 21%; P.049) and higher PPR (204 +/- 60 vs. 155 +/- 67 platelet reaction units [PRU]; p= 0.006) were significantly associated with MACE occurrence. Multivariate analysis confirmed PPR (OR per 10-unit increase: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.01-1.24; P.020) as an independent predictor of MACE. A PPR cut-off value of 175 PRU was associated with an adjusted OR for 1-year MACE occurrence of 3.9 (95%CI: 1.2-15.4; P.024). CONCLUSIONS: PPR predicts adverse long-term outcomes better than response to clopidogrel in patients with NSTEACS. Patients with PPR values above 175 PRU were identified as being at higher risk for adverse long-term events.

La reactividad plaquetaria post-tratamiento predice los eventos adversos a largo plazo mejor que la respuesta al clopidogrel en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST / No disponible

Introducción y objetivos. Una peor respuesta al tratamiento antiagregante está relacionada con la recurrencia de eventos clínicos. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar la relación entre la respuesta al clopidogrel y la reactividad plaquetaria post-tratamiento (RPP) con la recurrencia de eventos adversos cardiovasculares a 1 año en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST (SCASEST). Métodos. Estudio observacional, prospectivo de la respuesta al clopidogrel y RPP (analizador VerifyNow®) inmediatamente antes de la coronariografía diagnóstica. Resultados. De 179 pacientes incluidos (97 con intervencionismo coronario y 21 con cirugía coronaria), 161 (90%) completaron seguimiento a 1 año y 18 (11%) sufrieron eventos: 10 muertes, 6 infartos agudos de miocardio no fatales, 2 accidentes cerebrovasculares y 5 nuevas revascularizaciones. Una peor respuesta al clopidogrel (31% ± 21% frente a 43% ± 21%; p = 0,049) y una mayor RPP (204 ± 60 frente a 155 ± 67 unidades de reactividad plaquetaria [URP]; p = 0,006) se asociaron significativamente con la aparición de eventos. El análisis multivariable confirmó la RPP (odds ratio [OR] por incremento de 10 URP = 1,12; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,01-1,24; p = 0,020) como predictor independiente de eventos adversos cardiovasculares mayores. Un punto de corte de RRP de 175 URP se asoció con OR ajustada = 3,9 (IC del 95%, 1,2-15,4; p = 0,024) para la aparición de eventos. Conclusiones. La RPP predice la aparición de eventos adversos a largo plazo mejor que la respuesta al clopidogrel en pacientes con SCASEST. Los pacientes con valores de RPP > 175 URP presentan mayor riesgo de sufrir eventos adversos

Introduction and objectives: Poor response to antiplatelet therapy has been associated with adverse long-term outcomes. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between response to clopidogrel and post-treatment platelet reactivity (PPR) and 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Methods: Patients with NSTEACS undergoing early coronary angiography were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. The VerifyNow® analyzer was used to measure clopidogrel response and PPR immediately before coronary angiography. Results: Of the 179 patients included (97 percutaneous coronary intervention, 21 coronary artery bypass graft), 161 (90%) completed 1-year follow-up and 18 (11%) incurred MACE: 10 deaths, 6 myocardial infarctions, 2 strokes, 5 revascularizations. Lower response to clopidogrel (31 ± 21% vs. 43 ± 21%; P.049) and higher PPR (204 ± 60 vs. 155 ± 67 platelet reaction units [PRU]; p= 0.006) were significantly associated with MACE occurrence. Multivariate analysis confirmed PPR (OR per 10-unit increase: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.01-1.24; P.020) as an independent predictor of MACE. A PPR cut-off value of 175 PRU was associated with an adjusted OR for 1-year MACE occurrence of 3.9 (95%CI: 1.2-15.4; P.024). Conclusions: PPR predicts adverse long-term outcomes better than response to clopidogrel in patients with NSTEACS. Patients with PPR values above 175 PRU were identified as being at higher risk for adverse long-term events

Molecular and physiological adaptation to prolonged drought stress in the leaves of two Andean potato genotypes.

Responses to prolonged drought and recovery from drought of two South American potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ssp. andigena (Juz & Buk) Hawkes) landraces, Sullu and Ccompis were compared under field conditions. Physiological and biomass measurements, yield analysis, the results of hybridisation to a potato microarray platform (44 000 probes) and metabolite profiling were used to characterise responses to water deficit. Drought affected shoot and root biomass negatively in Ccompis but not in Sullu, whereas both genotypes maintained tuber yield under water stress. Ccompis showed stronger reduction in maximum quantum yield under stress than Sullu, and less decrease in stomatal resistance. Genes associated with PSII functions were activated during recovery in Sullu only. Evidence for sucrose accumulation in Sullu only during maximum stress and recovery was observed, in addition to increases in cell wall biosynthesis. A depression in the abundance of plastid superoxide dismutase transcripts was observed under maximum stress in Ccompis. Both sucrose and the regulatory molecule trehalose accumulated in the leaves of Sullu only. In contrast, in Ccompis, the raffinose oligosaccharide family pathway was activated, whereas low levels of sucrose and minor stress-mediated changes in trehalose were observed. Proline, and expression of the associated genes, rose in both genotypes under drought, with a 3-fold higher increase in Sullu than in Ccompis. The results demonstrate the presence of distinct molecular and biochemical drought responses in the two potato landraces leading to yield maintenance but differential biomass accumulation in vegetative tissues.

Estimulación cardiaca temporal. Estimulación tras cirugía cardiaca / Temporary cardiac pacing. Pacing after cardiac surgery

La estimulación cardiaca temporal transvenosa es la modalidad de elección cuando se precisa estimulación cardiaca temporal continua, ya como puente a la resolución de la bradiarritmia o al implante del marcapasos definitivo. Generalmente es suficiente estimular el ventrículo derecho, salvo en situaciones hemodinámicas muy especiales como son el shock en el infarto de ventrículo derecho o la miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva con bloqueo auriculoventricular. La estimulación cardiaca transcutánea es la más adecuada para solventar las situaciones de emergencia que requieren un soporte de estimulación cardiaca y en la mayoría de las profilácticas, con lo que en estas últimas se evita las potenciales complicaciones de la endovenosa. La estimulación epicárdica temporal tras la cirugía cardiaca, además de la contribución al tratamiento de las frecuentes alteraciones posquirúrgicas de la conducción, tiene un importante papel en la contribución al gasto cardiaco dependiente de la frecuencia y en la reducción o prevención de la fibrilación auricular postoperatoria. En los pacientes con disfunción ventricular izquierda y complejo QRS ancho preoperatorio, es deseable dejar implantados unos electrodos temporales en el ventrículo izquierdo, para poder realizar estimulación biventricular si fuese necesario. La decisión del momento más adecuado para la implantación de un marcapasos definitivo tras cirugía cardiaca es materia de controversia y debería ser individualizado para cada paciente (AU)

Temporary transvenous cardiac pacing is the treatment of choice when continuous temporary cardiac pacing is required, for example, as a bridge until a bradyarrhythmia has resolved or until permanent pacemaker implantation. Generally, right ventricular pacing is sufficient except under very special hemodynamic conditions, such as cardiogenic shock due to right ventricular myocardial infarction or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with atrioventricular block. Transcutaneous cardiac pacing is the most appropriate technique for use in emergencies that require the support of cardiac pacing and for the majority of prophylactic applications, thereby avoiding, in these latter cases, the potential complications associated with the intravenous approach. In addition to contributing to the treatment of the conduction abnormalities that frequently occur after cardiac surgery, temporary post-surgery cardiac pacing also plays an important role in helping to increase heart rate-dependent cardiac output and in reducing or preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation. In patients who have left ventricular dysfunction and a wide QRS complex before surgery, it is advantageous to implant temporary leads in the left ventricle so that biventricular pacing can be implemented if necessary. There is some controversy about when is the most appropriate time for deciding to implant a permanent pacemaker, and this decision has to be taken individually for each patient (AU)

Fracaso renal agudo en pacientes pediátricos con sepsis / Acute renal failure in pediatric patients suffering from sepsis

La sepsis constituye la enfermedad más característica de las que se atienden en las unidades de cuidaos intensivos (UCI), es la enfermedad con mayor más prevalencia en las UCI pediátricas. Múltiples son las complicaciones que puede presentar un paciente con sepsis, los riñones pueden se dañados tempranamente. Por lo que se realiza el presnete trabajo que tiene como objetivo determinar la incidencia del fracaso renal agudo (FRA) en el paciente séptico en la Unidad de cuidados Intensivos pediátricos. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de los 133 pacientes que fueron ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos pediátricos del Hospital Pediátrico José L. Miranda de Santa Clara, con el diagnóstico de sepsis, se revisaron las historias clínicas, se estudió la función renal, se determinaron los factores de riesgo de FRA, el tratamiento más utilizado. Se encontró que el FRA predominó en los pacientes con shock séptico y disfunción múltiple de órganos, se utilizó fundamentalmente en ellos tratamiento médico conservador, de los 12 pacientes con FRA, fallecieron 4 (33,3 por ciento). La mortalidad de los pacientes con FRA asociado a la sepsis continúa elevada, a pesar de los esquemas de tratamiento actuales(AU)