SMRT-AgRenSeq-d in potato (Solanum tuberosum) as a method to identify candidates for the nematode resistance Gpa5.

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world. Diverse pathogens threaten sustainable crop production but can be controlled, in many cases, through the deployment of disease resistance genes belonging to the family of nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) genes. To identify effective disease resistance genes in established varieties, we have successfully established SMRT-AgRenSeq in tetraploid potatoes and have further enhanced the methodology by including dRenSeq in an approach that we term SMR-AgRenSeq-d. The inclusion of dRenSeq enables the filtering of candidates after the association analysis by establishing a presence/absence matrix across resistant and susceptible varieties that is translated into an F1 score. Using a SMRT-RenSeq-based sequence representation of the NLRome from the cultivar Innovator, SMRT-AgRenSeq-d analyses reliably identified the late blight resistance benchmark genes Rpi-R1, Rpi-R2-like, Rpi-R3a, and Rpi-R3b in a panel of 117 varieties with variable phenotype penetrations. All benchmark genes were identified with an F1 score of 1, which indicates absolute linkage in the panel. This method also identified nine strong candidates for Gpa5 that controls the potato cyst nematode (PCN) species Globodera pallida (pathotypes Pa2/3). Assuming that NLRs are involved in controlling many types of resistances, SMRT-AgRenSeq-d can readily be applied to diverse crops and pathogen systems.

Accesos vasculares centrales. Complicaciones en pacientes pediátricos

La necesidad de un rápido y eficaz tratamiento por vía intravenosa a pacientes críticamente enfermos y con imposibilidad de tratamiento por otras vías ha hecho imperioso el acceso a través de las vías venosas centrales (CVC), se ha asociado con eventos adversos que prolongan la estancia hospitalaria, aumentan los costos hospitalarios, pueden agregar morbilidad e incluso mortalidad al paciente. Objetivo: analizar complicaciones de los pacientes con acceso vascular central hospitalizados en los servicios de Urgencias, Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica, Cirugía General y Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales del Hospital de Niños "J.M. de los Ríos", en el período marzo-agosto 2016. Método: Estudio retrospectivo, longitudinal y descriptivo con seguimiento de la evolución según registros de la historia clínica de cada paciente. Se registraron características demográficas, diagnóstico, criterios de indicación, características de los catéteres y su localización, complicaciones infecciosas y no infecciosas, duración y tipo de manipulación del CVC. Resultados: Se estudiaron 54 pacientes en total con CVC determinando que no existe diferencia importante en cuanto al sexo, 52 % masculino frente a 48,1 % femenino. La localización más frecuente fue a nivel de la vena yugular interna derecha en 56 % de casos. En un 41 % no se cumplieron con los criterios de colocación. Se identificó un 37 % de complicaciones de las cuales 22 % fueron de causa no infecciosa destacando la obstrucción como causa más frecuente y un 15 % de etiología infecciosa siendo la bacteriemia la principal causa en un 56 %. Conclusiones: se obtuvo con mayor frecuencia aislamiento de K. pneumoniae y P. aeruginosa. La permanencia de la mayoría de CVC fue mayor de 7 días. No se cumplen con los bundles de inserción ni de mantenimiento. Al analizar los diferentes factores de riesgo para complicación infecciosa, se obtuvo que la duración del catéter incrementa el riesgo de infección.

The need for rapid and effective intravenous treatment of critically ill patients who are unable to treat by other means has made access through the central venous pathways (CVC) imperative, has been associated with adverse events that prolong hospital stay, increase hospital costs, can add morbidity and even mortality to the patient. Objective: To analyze complications of patients with central vascular access hospitalized in the Emergency Services, Pediatric Intensive Care, General Surgery and Neonatal Intensive Care of Children's Hospital "J.M. de Los Rios, in the period March-August 2016. Method: Retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study with follow-up of the evolution according to records of the clinical history of each patient. Patient demographics, diagnosis, indication criteria, catheter characteristics and location, infectious and noninfectious complications, duration and type of CVC manipulation were recorded. Results: A total of 54 patients with CVC were studied, determining that there is no significant difference in sex, 52 % male versus 48.1 % female. The most frequent localization was at the level of the right internal jugular vein in 56 % of cases. In 41 %, the placement criteria were not met. 37 % of complications were identified, of which 22 % were of non-infectious cause, the most frequent cause being obstruction and 15 % of infectious etiology, with bacteremia being the main cause in 56 %. Conclusions: Among the isolated microorganisms K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa were most frequently found. The permanence of the majority of CVC was greater than 7 days. Insertion and maintenance bundles are not met. When analyzing the different risk factors for infectious complication, it was obtained that the duration of the catheter increases the risk of infection.

Electron transfer rates in DNA films as a function of tether length.

A homologous series of DNA-modified electrodes has been investigated in which the molecular tether length varies. Using intercalated, covalently bound daunomycin as a redox probe, an exponential dependence of electron transfer rates on the number of intervening methylene groups in the sigma-bonded tether is observed. In contrast, variation in DM position within DNA yields no detectable change in rate. These data confirm that overall electron transfer rates in DNA films are limited by the tether, not the DNA.

Electrochemical DNA sensors.

Electrochemistry-based sensors offer sensitivity, selectivity and low cost for the detection of selected DNA sequences or mutated genes associated with human disease. DNA-based electrochemical sensors exploit a range of different chemistries, but all take advantage of nanoscale interactions between the target in solution, the recognition layer and a solid electrode surface. Numerous approaches to electrochemical detection have been developed, including direct electrochemistry of DNA, electrochemistry at polymer-modified electrodes, electrochemistry of DNA-specific redox reporters, electrochemical amplifications with nanoparticles, and electrochemical devices based on DNA-mediated charge transport chemistry.

Effects of genotype, environment, and postharvest storage on the total ascorbate content of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers.

The total ascorbate content of potato tubers from 33 Solanum tuberosum genotypes grown at three geographically diverse sites in Europe in each of two years was determined immediately postharvest and after approximately 4 months of storage at 4 degrees C. Statistically significant differences in total ascorbate concentration were observed between genotypes both at harvest and after storage. In all genotypes, the levels of ascorbate decreased during storage. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for diet and health as well as in terms of breeding for improved vitamin C content in potatoes.

Mutation detection by electrocatalysis at DNA-modified electrodes.

Detection of mutations and damaged DNA bases is important for the early diagnosis of genetic disease. Here we describe an electrocatalytic method for the detection of single-base mismatches as well as DNA base lesions in fully hybridized duplexes, based on charge transport through DNA films. Gold electrodes modified with preassembled DNA duplexes are used to monitor the electrocatalytic signal of methylene blue, a redox-active DNA intercalator, coupled to [Fe(CN)6]3-. The presence of mismatched or damaged DNA bases substantially diminishes the electrocatalytic signal. Because this assay is not a measure of differential hybridization, all single-base mismatches, including thermodynamically stable GT and GA mismatches, can be detected without stringent hybridization conditions. Furthermore, many common DNA lesions and "hot spot" mutations in the human p53 genome can be distinguished from perfect duplexes. Finally, we have demonstrated the application of this technology in a chip-based format. This system provides a sensitive method for probing the integrity of DNA sequences and a completely new approach to single-base mismatch detection.

Comparison of Periotest values of integrated implants with and without healing abutments: a pilot study.

The role of the Periotest in the clinical evaluation of osseointegration has been well documented. Some clinicians have used the initial Periotest values at second-stage surgery as a baseline to measure changes in integration at the bone-implant interface over time. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare Periotest values made with and without healing abutments in place. A statistically significant difference was found between the Periotest values that were recorded with and without healing abutments, with the values without the healing abutments being more negative and suggestive of greater osseointegration.

Misplacement in long stay geriatric care, psychogeriatric care and Part IV accommodation.

The dependency and behavioural characteristics of 1,461 elderly people in long stay geriatric and psychogeriatric wards and Part IV accommodation were surveyed. Misplacement, defined as having dependency and behaviour characteristics normally associated with admission to another form of care, was widespread, ranging from 5-51% in the different facilities visited. It was greatest in psychogeriatric wards and least in geriatric wards. In Part IV accommodation there was a significant inverse relationship between length of stay and appropriateness of placement.

Gerbil adrenal 11 beta- and 19-hydroxylating activities respond similarly to inhibitory or stimulatory agents: two activities of a single enzyme.

A high level of steroid 19-hydroxylation is exhibited by adrenal mitochondria of the gerbil, Meriones, unguiculatus, that accounts for the ability of that species to produce nearly equal amounts of corticosterone and 19-hydroxycorticosterone (Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med. 165 (1980) 69-74). Inhibitors of steroidogenesis and a polyclonal antibody against bovine cytochrome P-450(11 beta) were used to determine if the agents would effect differential or parallel suppression of 19- vs 11 beta-hydroxylation by gerbil adrenal mitochondria in vitro. The inhibitors (0.1-60 microM) tested (listed in order of decreasing effectiveness) were imazalil, metyrapone, miconazole and 4-hydroxyandrostenedione. With each inhibitor the degree of suppression of 11 beta-hydroxylation was accompanied by a parallel decline in 19-hydroxylation. The addition of the polyclonal antibody preparation also produced equivalent declines in the rates of the two hydroxylation reactions. The addition of ACTH 1 microM to primary cultures of gerbil adrenal cells brought about nearly equal increases in the secretion of 11 beta- and 19-hydroxylated steroids into the culture media. These results support the hypothesis that the 11 beta-hydroxylase of gerbil adrenal mitochondria has the capacity to carry out 11 beta- and 19-hydroxylations with nearly equal facility.

Effects of methylphenidate alone and in combination with behavior modification procedures on the behavior and academic performance of hyperactive children.

Twenty hyperactive 6- to 9-year-old children of normal intelligence were studied in a half-day laboratory classroom in a 2-week period baseline-treatment-reversal design for behavior modification. Under double-blind conditions half the children were placed on .3 mg/kg of Ritalin and half on placebo for the entire program. The classroom program consisted of a group period with immediate reinforcement possible, and an individual time period without immediate reinforcement possible. Behavior modification caused a significant decrease in nonattending, out-of-seat, inappropriate vocalizing and inappropriate peer interaction behavior in the group period. Fidgeting, a nontargeted behavior, was not significantly decreased during this period but did significantly decrease as a result of medication. No other drug effects occurred during this period. During the individual period, the results were essentially reversed. There were no significant behavior modification effects observed. Significant reductions resulted from medication in all behaviors except out-of-seat and fidgeting. Behavior modification alone significantly affected the two academic measures. No signigicant effects were seen on the Conners Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale. No significant interactions were noted between medication and behavior modification.

Immunohistochemical detection of changes in growth hormone cells in rat pituitaries in protein deficiency.

1. An immunohistochemical method was used to study the effect of a low-protein diet on growth hormone (GH) cells in the pituitaries of developing rats. The deficient diet (80 g protein/kg) was administered during gestation and lactation, or during the time after weaning until 90 d of age, or during both periods. 2. GH-cell changes were much more striking in males than in females. 3. In males, GH-producing cells were usually reduced in size and number in all treatments. The effect was most intense when protein deprivation occurred throughout gestation and sucking, and continued until 90 d of age, but it was also evident in animals given the low-protein diet only after weaning. Recuperation appeared to be almost complete when offspring of deprived dams were fed on a normal diet after weaning. 4. It is concluded that a low-protein diet reduces the amount of GH in the rat pituitary in a way similar to that with a protein-free diet.