The Potato Cryobank at The International Potato Center (Cip): A Model for Long Term Conservation of Clonal Plant Genetic Resources Collections of the Future

BACKGROUND

Cryobanks are a secure, efficient and low cost method for the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources for theoretically centuries or millennia with minimal maintenance.

OBJECTIVE

The present manuscript describes CIP's modified protocol for potato cryopreservation, its large-scale application, and the establishment of quality and operational standards, which included a viability reassessment of material entering the cryobank.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2013, CIP established stricter quality and operational standards under which 1,028 potato accessions were cryopreserved with an improved PVS2-droplet protocol. In 2014 the viability of 114 accessions cryopreserved in 2013 accessions were reassessed.

RESULTS

The average recovery rate (full plant recovery after LN exposure) of 1028 cryopreserved Solanum species ranged from 34 to 59%, and 70% of the processed accessions showed a minimum recovery rate of ≥20% and were considered as successfully cryopreserved.

CONCLUSION

CIP has established a new high quality management system for cryobanking. Periodic viability reassessment, strict and clear recovery criteria and the monitoring of the percent of successful accessions meeting the criteria as well as contamination rates are metrics that need to be considered in cryobanks.

Breath methane in functional constipation: response to treatment with Ispaghula husk

BACKGROUND

Colonic fermentation produces hydrogen (H2 ), and also produces methane (CH4 ) in subjects with methanogenic flora (M+). Methane production has been associated with chronic constipation (CC) and with changes in gut motility. To determine CH4 production in CC compared to controls, and to assess whether the therapeutic response to Ispaghula husk in CC differs between CH4 -producers and non-producers.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with functional constipation or irritable bowel syndrome-constipation and 19 healthy age-and-sex-matched volunteers (HV) filled in a 1-week symptom diary and a dietary questionnaire. They then underwent a lactulose breath test (LBT) to measure H2 and CH4 production (peak and area under the time-concentration curve, AUC-) and a colonic transit time (CTT) assessment. In patients, measurements were repeated after a 4-week treatment with Ispaghula husk.

KEY RESULTS

Prevalence of M+ in patients was 60.5% vs 52.6% in HV (p = 0.37). Patients had significantly longer CTT and greater production of both H2 and CH4 during LBT. There was a significant correlation between CH4 production and CTT (r = 0.51; p = 0.07). Treatment response rate was similar for M+ and M- patients (58.3% vs 52.9%; p = 0.76) as were the increases in bowel movements and Bristol score, changes in abdominal discomfort and bloating. In M+, treatment reduced CTT (-10 ± 35 h; p = 0.029 vs baseline) and CH4 levels: peak CH4 (-13 ± 24 ppm; p = 0.014) and CH4 -AUC (-817 ± 3100 ppm/min; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Although CH4 production has been associated with CC pathophysiology, we found that CH4 status did not negatively affect the response to Ispaghula husk treatment. The measurement of CH4 levels as a biomarker tool for CC requires further appraisal.

Comparison between different bone treatments on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone microarchitectural texture as assessed by the trabecular bone score (TBS)

PURPOSE

The objective of the study was to assess longitudinal effects of different osteoporosis treatments on TBS and aBMD at lumbar spine.

METHOD

We analyzed 390 patients (men: 72; women: 318; age>40 years; mean follow-up of 20 months and BMI<37 kg/m(2)). We stratified the cohort by treatments: Naive of treatment (Naive, n=67), Calcium and Vitamin D (CaVitD, n=87), Testosterone (Te, n=36), Alendronate (AL, n=88), Risedronate (Ri, n=39), Denosumab (Dmb, n=43) and Teriparatide (PTH, n=30). The follow-up changes from baseline were normalized at 24 months.

RESULTS

After 24 months, Naive group TBS decreased by 3.1% (p<0.05) whereas a non-significant increase was observed for spine aBMD (Δ=+0.5%). Compared to the Naive group, significant improvement (p<0.05) was observed in both TBS and aBMD for Te, AL, Ri, Dmb and PTH groups and in the CaVitD group for TBS. At the end of the follow-up, significant improvement have been observed for aBMD in Te (+4.4%), AL (+4.1%), Ri (+4.8), D (+8.8%) and PTH (+8.8%) groups. Significant improvement was observed only in the AL (+1.4%), Dmb (+2.8%) and PTH (+3.6%) groups for TBS.

CONCLUSION

As expected, TBS of Naive subjects decreased with age. As expected a TBS preservation has been observed under AL and Ri. Te and CaVitD effects on TBS were evaluated for the first time: a similar preservation effect has been observed. A significant TBS increase was observed under Denosumab and PTH. TBS could be a useful tool to monitor treatment effects.

[Obesity and anthropometric indicators in a sample of males with Acute Coronary Syndrome in a health area with inclusion of inmates: case-control study]

OBJECTIVES

Obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor with a high epidemic burden on ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the anthropometric indicators of obesity in a sample of males who have had an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) diagnosed in a prison referral hospital, and a control group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional case-control study in a Health Area with inclusion of a penitentiary center. The participants in this study were 204 males, 102 cases and one control selected for each case (n=102). We measured weight, height waist circumference (WC), umbilical waist (UW) and hip circumference. We calculated body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric indicators: waist to-hip-ratios (WHR and UWHR), waist to-height-ratios (WHtR and UWHtR). We obtained the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), the odds ratio (OR) and the correlations in the infarcted people.

RESULTS

Obesity was more prevalent in ACS (31.4% vs 9.1%; OR: 4.7). Other indicators show a discriminatory association. BMI (AUC: 0.699; OR: 3.9), WC (AUC: 0.750; OR: 6.3), UW (AUC: 0.777; OR: 10), inverse height (AUC: 0.619; OR: 2.1), WHR (AUC: 0.832; OR: 11.6); UWHR (AUC: 0.857; OR: 15.6), UWHtR (AUC: 0.800; OR: 8.9). In ACS the correlations for both WC and UW with waist to-height-ratios (WHtR and UWHtR) were strong (all r ≥0.90; p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

The anthropometric indicators of obesity are clearly associated with ACS. UW is the simple measurement with the best association. BMI is most weakly associated. UWHtR presents high discriminatory power and the best anthropometric correlation of risk that supports its use for the identification of males at risk of myocardial infarction in the general population and prison.

Environmental Assessment of Classical Human Astrovirus in Uruguay

The aim of this study was to determine the molecular epidemiology of classical human astrovirus (HAstV) strains in sewage samples from four Uruguayan cities: Bella Unión, Salto, Paysandú, and Fray Bentos, located in the Northwestern region of the country. Overall, 96 sewage samples were collected biweekly between March 2011 and February 2012 and were subject to ultracentrifugation methodology in order to concentrate the viruses. RT-PCR directed to the ORF2 genome region was performed followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Forty-three (45 %) out of 96 analyzed samples were positive for HAstV (Mamastrovirus 1) and 31 of them were successfully sequenced being 21 (49 %) of them classified as HAstV-1 genotype (1a lineage) and 10 (23 %) as HAstV-2 genotype (eight strains belonging to the 2d lineage and two strains to the 2c lineage). The 1a lineage circulated throughout the year, while the 2d lineage only in the coldest months (June to October). Strikingly, the 2c lineage was detected only in Salto city during March 2011. In this city it was observed the highest frequency of HAstV and the greatest genetic diversity, probably due to its role as high touristic spot with an important influx of visitants from others regions of Uruguay and also from other countries. This study constitutes the first report in Uruguay that describes the phylogenetic diversity and genotype distribution of HAstV strains circulating in the Northwestern region evidencing a high frequency and also the presence of several different lineages.

Design and manufacturing of anthropomorphic thyroid-neck phantom for use in nuclear medicine centres in Chile

Anthropomorphic phantoms are used in nuclear medicine for imaging quality control, calibration of gamma spectrometry system for the study of internal contamination with radionuclides and for internal dosimetric studies. These are constructed of materials that have radiation attenuation coefficients similar to those of the different organs and tissues of the human body. The material usually used for the manufacture of phantoms is polymethyl methacrylate. Other materials used for this purpose are polyethylene, polystyrene and epoxy resin. This project presents the design and manufacture of an anthropomorphic thyroid-neck phantom that includes the cervical spine, trachea and oesophagus, using a polyester resin (ρ = 1.1 g cm(-3)). Its linear and mass attenuation coefficients were experimentally determined and simulated by means of XCOM software, finding that this material reproduces the soft tissue ICRU-44 in a range of energies between 80 keV and 11 MeV, with less than a 5 % difference.

Assessment of gastroenteric viruses from wastewater directly discharged into Uruguay River, Uruguay

The aim of this study was to assess the viral contamination of group A rotavirus (RVA), norovirus (NoV), and human astrovirus (HAstV) in sewage directly discharged into Uruguay River and to characterize RVA genotypes circulating in Uruguay. For this purpose, sewage samples (n = 96) were collected biweekly from March 2011 to February 2012 in four Uruguayan cities: Bella Unión, Salto, Paysandú, and Fray Bentos. Each sample was concentrated by ultracentrifugation method. Qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR for RVA, NoV, and HAstV were performed. A wide dissemination of gastroenteric viruses was observed in the sewage samples analyzed with 80% of positivity, being NoV (51%) the most frequently detected followed by RVA with a frequency of 49% and HAstV with 45%. Genotypes of RVA were typed using multiplex semi-nested RT-PCR as follows: P[8] (n = 15), P[4] (n = 8), P[10] (n = 1), P[11] (n = 1), G2 (n = 29), and G3 (n = 2). The viral load ranged from 10(3) to 10(7) genomic copies/liter, and they were detected roughly with the same frequency in all participant cities. A peak of RVA and HAstV detection was observed in colder months (June to September), whereas no seasonality was observed for NoV. This study demonstrates for the first time, the high degree of gastroenteric viral contamination in the country; highlighting the importance of developing these analyses as a tool to determine the viral contamination in this hydrographic boundary region used by the local populations for recreation and consumption, establishing an elevated risk of gastroenteric diseases for human health.

Super obese behave different from simple and morbid obese patients in the changes of body composition after tailored one anastomosis gastric bypass (BAGUA)

INTRODUCTION

Super obese patients behave different from simple and morbid obese patients when they reach final changes of body composition (BC) after bariatric surgery. This has led us to tailor One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (BAGUA) to achieve better results in this group of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied 83 (37 diabetic and 46 nondiabetic BMI 30 and up) patients who completed all evaluation appointment (preoperative, 10 days, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months) after tailored BAGUA for diabesity. We used the Tanita body composition analyzer BC-420 MA by the method of single frequency impedance to analyze the evolution of BC in patients classified by BMI 30 - 34,9, 35 - 50, and >50.

RESULTS

While preoperative excess weight presented dramatic decreases after tailored BAGUA in all the groups, super obese have different final BC. Diabetics retained more fat mass and visceral fat, where super obese have double (14 kg) that simple obese patients (6 kg), they lost more muscle mass, and have higher basal metabolism. The final BC is altered in all parameters if diabetes is added.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduction of the preoperative excess weight is motivated largely by the tailored effect of BAGUA. Patients BMI 30-50 behaved homogeneous in BC after surgery while patients BMI >50 behave different. Super obese lose less weight, retained more fat mass, visceral fat, bone mass, and total water. This effect should be treated by more aggressive surgery by measuring the entire small intestine to make a proper exclusion (tailored) to achieve homogeneous effects.

Changes in body composition of high competition rugby players during the phases of a regular season; influence of diet and exercise load

BACKGROUND

Top athletes are subjected to intense training to achieve high performance. There are factors such as diet and strenuous exercise that affects body composition and can modify the performance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a personalized plan of diet and training on body composition.

METHODS

We studied the body composition of 18 professional rugby players using Kinanthropometry parameters. The study was conducted from the preseason to the end of the season taking into account the position of the player for measuring exercise intensity, and developing a personalized nutritional and training plan to each player.

RESULTS

At baseline the players were away from the internationally recommended body composition, with high percentages of body fat. Appropriate and personalized diet plans and training custom achieved fat percentages close to those recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

The personalized program of diet and training directed has adequate leverage to improve all parameters studied them bringing them as close to the ideal.