Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for specific and rapid detection of Dickeya fangzhongdai targeting a unique genomic region.

Dickeya fangzhongdai, a bacterial pathogen of taro (Colocasia esculenta), onion (Allium sp.), and several species in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) causes soft rot and bleeding canker diseases. No field-deployable diagnostic tool is available for specific detection of this pathogen in different plant tissues.

Selenoprotein I deficiency in T cells promotes differentiation into tolerant phenotypes while decreasing Th17 pathology.

Selenoprotein I (SELENOI) is an ethanolamine phospholipid transferase contributing to cellular metabolism and the synthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. SELENOI knockout (KO) in T cells has been shown to impair metabolic reprogramming during T cell activation and reduce GPI-anchored Thy-1 levels, which are both crucial for Th17 differentiation. This suggests SELENOI may be important for Th17 differentiation, and we found that SELENOI was indeed up-regulated early during the activation of naïve CD4 T cells in Th17 conditions.

T-cell activation decreases miRNA-15a/16 levels to promote MEK1-ERK1/2-Elk1 signaling and proliferative capacity.

While miRs have been extensively studied in the context of malignancy and tumor progression, their functions in regulating T-cell activation are less clear. In initial studies, we found reduced levels of miR-15a/16 at 3 to 18 h post-T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, suggesting a role for decreased levels of this miR pair in shaping T-cell activation. To further explore this, we developed an inducible miR15a/16 transgenic mouse model to determine how elevating miR-15a/16 levels during early stages of activation would affect T-cell proliferation and to identify TCR signaling pathways regulated by this miR pair.

Safety and costs analysis of early hospital discharge after brain tumour surgery: a pilot study.

Background: A daily algorithm for hospital discharge (DAHD) is a key point in the concept of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. We aimed to evaluate the length of stay (LOS), rate of complications, and hospital costs variances after the introduction of the DAHD compared to the traditional postoperative management of brain tumour patients.

Methods: This is a cohort study with partial retrospective data collection.

Anterior communicating artery duplication associated with a triplication of anterior cerebral artery - A rare anatomical variation.

Background: The anterior communicating artery complex may presente several anatomical variations, and many abnormalities have been reported in radiologiacal and cadaveric studies.

Case Description: The authors present a case of a 44-year-old Caucasian female, with a prior history of smoking and arterial systemic hypertension, admitted in the emergency department complaining of a sudden headache, nausea, and vomiting followed by tonic-clonic seizures. Computerized tomography (CT) and angiography (angio- CT) were carried out and showed Fisher Grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage.

La vida normal: living with HIV in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

In this study, we explore how individuals living with HIV in the Dominican Republic strive to live a 'normal' life and the consequences of this pursuit of normalcy. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with men (n = 20) and women (n = 20) living with HIV and receiving care at two urban clinics in Santo Domingo. We analysed the data using a combination of narrative analysis and thematic coding.

Damage evaluation in graphene underlying atomic layer deposition dielectrics.

Based on micro-Raman spectroscopy (μRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we study the structural damage incurred in monolayer (1L) and few-layer (FL) graphene subjected to atomic-layer deposition of HfO2 and Al2O3 upon different oxygen plasma power levels. We evaluate the damage level and the influence of the HfO2 thickness on graphene. The results indicate that in the case of Al2O3/graphene, whether 1L or FL graphene is strongly damaged under our process conditions.

Conformational preference of a chiral terpene: vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), infrared and Raman study of S-(-)-limonene oxide.

S-(-)-Limonene oxide (4-isopropenyl-1-methyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane) is a secondary metabolite and an atmospheric pollutant product of oxidation of other terpenes, such as limonene and alpha-pinene, among others.

Conformations, structures, and vibrational spectra of triethylchloro- and triethylbromosilane using theoretical methods, gas phase electron diffraction, and IR and Raman spectroscopy.

Conformational studies of triethylchlorosilane (TECS) and triethylbromosilane (TEBS) and the elucidation of their gas phase molecular structures have been accomplished by the combined use of theoretical (ab initio and density functional theory) calculations and experimental data from gas phase electron diffraction experiments. Additionally, analysis of the experimental features observed in the IR and Raman spectra recorded for both compounds has allowed us to propose a complete description of the vibrational spectra of both compounds, including an explanation of certain bands, which can only be correctly assigned when more than one conformer is considered to be present.

Validation of the existence of tetrameric species of potassium trimethylsilanolate in the gas phase with a theoretical cluster model: role of the counterion as charge localizer in the structure.

We have investigated, theoretically, the structural properties of potassium trimethylsilanolate in the gas phase at a B3LYP/6-31+G* level. For this purpose, a simplified ionic cluster model based on potassium trimethylsilanolate tetramers, proposed in the literature as the structural units of this compound in the solid state, was developed. Furthermore, we compared the validity of the model with two simpler ones: a monomer of potassium trimethylsilanolate and a trimethylsilanolate anion in the gas phase.

Microbicide applicators: understanding design preferences among women in the dominican republic and South Africa.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to prioritize applicator design attributes among women in the Dominican Republic and South Africa, and to determine how preferences differed based on sociodemographic variables.

Goal: The goal was to identify acceptable microbicide applicator designs in 2 low-resource settings.

Study Design: We surveyed 895 women, randomly sampled from clinics in the Dominican Republic (n = 449) and South Africa (n = 446), with questions on sociodemographics, applicator attribute preferences, and price/design tradeoffs.

An experimental and theoretical study of the molecular structure and vibrational spectra of iodotrimethylsilane (SiIMe3).

The gas-phase molecular structure of iodotrimethylsilane (ITMS) has been determined from electron diffraction data. Infrared and Raman spectra have been completely assigned. The experimental work is supported by ab initio HF and MP2 calculations for the gas-phase structure determination and DFT(B3LYP) calculations, combined with Pulay's SQM method, for the vibrational spectra data.

The vibrational spectra of (CH3)3SiX (S=H, F, Br) molecules, revisited Transferable scale factor sets for methylsilane derivatives.

The joint experimental and theoretical study of the vibrational spectra of the molecular series (CH3)3SiX (with X=H, F and Br) is carried out. Data from newly recorded IR and Raman spectra for the bromo derivative, experimental data obtained previously for the remaining species, DFT theoretical calculations and the use of the SQMFF procedure have allowed us to propose common patterns and to unify criteria in their assignment. In addition, two sets of averaged scale factors for the B3LYP force field obtained with two different basis sets (6-31G* and DZP+diff) have been proposed for the common bulky moiety of that molecular series.

Practical application of DNA fingerprinting to trace beef.

DNA fingerprinting allows the verification of conventional methods used to implement beef traceability. At any point along the supply chain, the identity of an animal or piece of meat can be checked by comparison of its DNA profile with an initial sample. Practical application of DNA fingerprinting to trace beef requires a choice of DNA markers as well as the optimization of sampling methods.

A new insight into the vibrational analysis of pyridine.

A new proposal of vibrational assignment for pyridine is reported. Infrared spectra for the liquid and gas phases as well as Raman spectra for the liquid have been recorded and analyzed for -d(0), -d(5) and, for the first time to our knowledge, for 15N isotopomers as well. The proposal of assignment has been assessed by the calculation of a number of force fields, theoretical (ab initio, density functional theory) approaches as well as by a set of simple valence internal coordinates force constants transferred from benzene using the pure vibrational force field approximation.

[Spermatogonia types in tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca). Ultrastructural study].

Ultrastructural studies of different types of spermatogonia by thin section techniques and transmission electron microscopy showed that Cuniculus paca has two types of Type A spermatogonia (A-O and A-1). Samples were taken at different stages of the cycle in the seminiferous tubule epithelium presented a similar pattern as those of other rodents. Type B spermatogonia are similar to those of the rat, the difference being that the heterochromatic zones are larger and more numerous.

[Ultrastructure of the mitotic nuclei in Leishmania mexicana ssp. Tridimensional reconstruction of the mitotic spindle and dense plaques].

The ultrastructure of mitotic nuclei of the promastigote Leishmania mexicana ssp. was studied by serial thin sections and three-dimensional reconstructions of each divisional stage. At the beginning of nuclear division (equatorial stage), a set of six dense plaques located about the equatorial region of the nucleus and a microtubular spindle develops in the two opposing poles of the nucleus (two sets of polar microtubules).

[Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of rats (Rattus norvegicus). Use of 3 technics in transmission electron microscopy].

Ultrastructures spermatozoa taken from the seminiferous tubules of rat testes (Rattus norvegicus) were observed under transmission electron microscopy, using the techniques of ultrathin sections, microspreading specimens and replicas. The heads of isolated spermatozoa were of homogeneously high electron density, and had a slightly curved end; in longitudinal sections these zones were composed of a compact homogeneous DNA, covered by a nuclear envelop, cell membrane and small amounts of acrosomal material. The middle piece contained the modified centrioles in the junction zone and flagella microtubules.

Three-dimensional reconstructions of the mitotic spindle and dense plaques in three species of Leishmania.

The ultrastructure of the mitotic nucleus in Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis, L. mexicana and L. donovani was studied by serial thin sections and three-dimensional reconstructions of each divisional stage.