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Quinoa is considered as a valuable re-emergent crop due to its nutritional composition. In this study, five quinoa grains from different geographical origin (Real, CHEN 252, Regalona, BO25 and UDc9) were discriminated using a combination of FT-MIR and FT-NIR spectra as input for principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA) and soft independent modelling class analogy (SIMCA). The results obtained from PCA and CA show a great power of discrimination, with an average silhouette width value of 0.96. Moreover, SIMCA showed an error rate and accuracy values of 0 and 1 respectively with only 4% misclassified samples. A relationship between each principal component and the most important variables for the discrimination were mainly due to vibrations of several oleofins groups (C-H, C-H2, C-H3), alkene group (-CH=CH-), hydroxyl group (O-H) and Amides I and II vibrational modes.

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En México, no existe una adecuada regulación legal de la práctica profesional de la neuropsicología, a pesar de que existen pautas a nivel internacional donde se estipula que el profesional debe tener una formación teórica-práctica sobre neurociencias, psicología clínica y psicometría, además de destreza en habilidades clínicas y formulación de programas de intervención sólidamente fundamentados en estudios empíricos. Por lo tanto, es necesario que los profesionistas estén capacitados para desarrollar su labor, pues de lo contrario estaría atentando contra derechos fundamentales del ser humano. Por lo que las autoridades en materia de salud mental, al tener facultades suficientes para actualizar y legalizar en relación con la práctica clínica, deberán implementar medidas más específicas y rígidas en cuanto a los requisitos que deben reunir los profesionales en materia de neuropsicología. Finalmente, se debe impulsar el consenso entre las asociaciones, universidades y profesionales del campo, para establecer vías de comunicación que tenga como objetivo la regulación y reconocimiento de la profesionalización en neuropsicología clínica.

In Mexico, there is a lack of legal regulation of the professional practice of neuropsychology, even though there are international guidelines on the practice of neuropsychology which stipulate to have theoretical-practical training in neuroscience, clinical psychology and psychometrics, as well as skills in clinical and formulation of intervention programs solidly based on empirical studies. Therefore, it is a necessity that the professionals are properly trained, because otherwise it would be attacking the fundamental rights of the human being. Thus, the mental health authorities should update and legalize in relation to clinical practice more specific measures on the requirements to practice clinical neuropsychology. Finally, consensus among associations, universities, and professionals in the field should be encouraged to establish a communication that aims to regulate and recognize the practice in clinical neuropsychology.

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Leaf senescence is a complex mechanism ruled by multiple genetic and environmental variables that affect crop yields. It is the last stage in leaf development, is characterized by an active decline in photosynthetic rate, nutrients recycling and cell death. The aim of this work was to identify contrasting sunflower inbred lines differing in leaf senescence and to deepen the study of this process in sunflower. Ten sunflower genotypes, previously selected by physiological analysis from 150 inbred genotypes, were evaluated under field conditions through physiological, cytological and molecular analysis. The physiological measurement allowed the identification of two contrasting senescence inbred lines, R453 and B481-6, with an increase in yield in the senescence delayed genotype. These findings were confirmed by cytological and molecular analysis using TUNEL, genomic DNA gel electrophoresis, flow sorting and gene expression analysis by qPCR. These results allowed the selection of the two most promising contrasting genotypes, which enables future studies and the identification of new biomarkers associated to early senescence in sunflower. In addition, they allowed the tuning of cytological techniques for a non-model species and its integration with molecular variables.

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We assessed the prevalence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, parasite genotypes (discrete typing units, DTUs), and the host-feeding sources of domestic and peridomestic Triatoma infestans Klug and Triatoma eratyrusiformis Del Ponte in eight rural communities of the subandean Calchaqui valleys in northwestern Argentina. We sought to analyze their epidemiological role in the context of routine vector surveillance and control actions. Infection with T. cruzi was determined by optic microscopy or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the hypervariable region of kinetoplast DNA minicircles. Parasite genotypes were identified through a multi PCR-based strategy. Bloodmeal contents were tested with a direct ELISA assay against nine antisera. Human sleeping quarters (domiciles) and peridomestic dry-shrub fences concentrated most of the T. infestans and T. eratyrusiformis infected with T. cruzi, respectively. The most frequent host-feeding sources of T. infestans were chickens (73.1%) in peridomiciles and humans (73.3%) in domiciles, whereas T. eratyrusiformis fed more often on cavid rodents (92.6%), which thrived in the dry-shrub fences. The main T. cruzi DTU identified in both vectors was T. cruzi I (TcI). Triatoma eratyrusiformis was implicated in the local circulation of TcI among cavies and perhaps mice, but infection with other typically domestic DTUs (TcVI and TcII/TcV/TcVI) indicated overlap between (peri)domestic transmission cycles in both vector species. Because dry-shrub fences were not targeted for routine insecticide spraying, they may act as sources of (peri)domestic reinfestation. Triatoma eratyrusiformis is an emergent secondary vector of T. cruzi and plays a significant role in the local transmission of T. cruzi.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In mature quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seeds, the lasting endosperm forms a micropylar cone covering the radicle. The suspensor cells lie within the centre of the cone. During the final stage of seed development, the cells of the lasting endosperm accumulate protein and lipids while the rest are crushed and disintegrated. Both the suspensor and endosperm die progressively from the innermost layers surrounding the embryo and extending towards the nucellar tissue. Ricinosomes are endoplasmic reticulum-derived organelles that accumulate both the pro-form and the mature form of cysteine endopeptidase (Cys-EP), first identified in castor bean (Ricinus communis) endosperm during germination. This study sought to identify associations between the presence of ricinosomes and programmed cell death (PCD) hallmarks in suspensor and endosperm cells predestined to die during quinoa seed development. METHODS: A structural study using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy was performed. To detect the presence of Cys-EP, both western blot and in situ immunolocalization assays were carried out using anti-R. communis Cys-EP antibody. A TUNEL assay was used to determine DNA fragmentation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Except for the one or two cell layers that constitute the lasting endosperm in the mature seed, ricinosomes were found in suspensor and endosperm cells. These cells were also the site of morphological abnormalities, including misshapen and fragmented nuclei, vesiculation of the cytosol, vacuole collapse and cell wall disorganization. It is proposed that, in suspensor and endosperm cells, the early detection of Cys-EP in ricinosomes predicts the occurrence of PCD during late seed development.

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Low-molecular-weight RNA analysis was performed for the identification and classification of 20 Argentinian strains isolated from the root nodules of Prosopis alba. SDS-PAGE of total cellular proteins, determination of the DNA base composition, DNA-DNA reassociation experiments and physiological and biochemical tests were also carried out for these strains and the whole 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from one of the strains, strain LMG 19008T. Results of the genotypic and phenotypic characterization showed that the strains isolated in this study belong to a group that clustered in the genus Mesorhizobium. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations showed that this group is a novel species of this genus. The name Mesorhizobium chacoense sp. nov. is proposed for this species. The type strain is LMG 19008T (= CECT 5336T).

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A decision to establish early treatment for hemolytic disease in the newborn is usually based upon results of the Coombs test. In order to evaluate a possible advantage of using the Elution test to help in the diagnosis of the hemolytic state, samples of cord blood from 197 consecutive newborns with ABO incompatibility were studied. Hemolysis occurred in 41. Each test (Coombs and Elution) was positive in 26 patients, for a total of 35 positive results and a combined sensitivity of 85%. False positives occurred in 24 of 156 patients with Coombs test and in 30 for the Elution test. Thus, combined results of both test would have suggested a need for phototherapy in 72 of 197 patients when in fact it was needed for only 41. Conversely, 13 patients with hemolytic disease were missed by both tests. The negative predictive value of both tests combined was 95% which is useful for clinical practice.

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Distintos autores han destacado la utilidad del ácido D-glucárico urinario y de la gama-glutamiltransferasa (GGT) sérica en la evaluación de la inducción enzimática hepatocitaria producida por fármacos. En un grupo de pacientes de ambos sexos, tratados con fenobarbital, difenilhidantoína y, ocasionalmente, con carbamazepina y primidona, no se encontró una correlación significativa entre ambas variables bioquímicas (N= 40 , r = 0,238, 0,2> p> 0,1). En 37 pacientes a los que no se había cambinado las pautas posológicas al menos desde hacía un mes, se encontró una correlación significativa entre las dosis totales de los fármacos administrados (expresadas en unidades/día) y los niveles de ácido D-glucárico (r = 0,585, p < 0,001) y de GGT (r= 0,422, p = 0,01). Al hacer una dicotomía por sexos, se encontró una correlación significativa del ácido D-glucárico con la GGT en los hombres (N = 18, r = 0,602, 0,02 > p > 0,01), pero no en las mujeres (N = 19, r = 0,248, 0,4 > p > 0,3). Estos resultados podrían estar relacionados con el efecto depresor de los estrógenos sobre la actividad de la GGT sérica (AU)

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Distintos autores han destacado la utilidad del ácido D-glucárico urinario y de la gama-glutamiltransferasa (GGT) sérica en la evaluación de la inducción enzimática hepatocitaria producida por fármacos. En un grupo de pacientes de ambos sexos, tratados con fenobarbital, difenilhidantoína y, ocasionalmente, con carbamazepina y primidona, no se encontró una correlación significativa entre ambas variables bioquímicas (N= 40 , r = 0,238, 0,2> p> 0,1). En 37 pacientes a los que no se había cambinado las pautas posológicas al menos desde hacía un mes, se encontró una correlación significativa entre las dosis totales de los fármacos administrados (expresadas en unidades/día) y los niveles de ácido D-glucárico (r = 0,585, p < 0,001) y de GGT (r= 0,422, p = 0,01). Al hacer una dicotomía por sexos, se encontró una correlación significativa del ácido D-glucárico con la GGT en los hombres (N = 18, r = 0,602, 0,02 > p > 0,01), pero no en las mujeres (N = 19, r = 0,248, 0,4 > p > 0,3). Estos resultados podrían estar relacionados con el efecto depresor de los estrógenos sobre la actividad de la GGT sérica

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