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Rice genotypes with possible tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses are interested in genomic studies for their use in breeding programs. Colombian Plant Germplasm Bank (CPGB) has preserved local rice genotypes without genomic analysis yet. Considering the need to develop genomic studies with these genotypes and minimize costs in the genotyping process, in this research, five CTAB DNA extraction protocols (P1-P5) were evaluated and compared with a commercial kit. Four local rice accessions from the CPGB were used, and DNA concentration (fluorescence and absorbance), quality (absorbance, integrity, and enzymatic digestion), and cost analysis were determined. A selection index (SI) was established to choose the best DNA protocol. Finally, the selected protocol was validated in 14 local rice genotypes through Illumina sequencing. The six evaluated DNA extraction protocols presented significant differences in quantification and quality variables. From the SI established, the protocol selected was the P4 (SI = 147.7); this protocol allows obtaining DNA with high concentrations and quality levels at a 50% lower cost than the commercial kit. The sequences generated from the DNA obtained with the P4 protocol presented 7 million reads with high levels of quality (Q30) and length (> 50 pb) per evaluated accession; On average, 98.9% of these sequences mapped to the rice genome and identified up to 15,436 SNP markers without missing data. These results confirm that the DNA from rice local genotypes obtained with the P4 CTAB protocol has the requirements for routine use in genomic studies based on genotyping processes that require Illumina sequencing.

The growing degree-days (GDD) provide an estimate of the accumulated thermal energy available for the development of a crop. The use of GDD allows measuring the heat requirements associated with the phenological stages of the crop, which allows in turn, to predict when a certain plant stage will occur knowing the daily temperatures. The aim of this study was to establish relationships among the effect of degree days (DD) to vegetative growth, first flowering and fructification (VG, Fl and Fr), on total yield per plant (TY/P) of eggplant grown under open-field conditions employing a randomized complete block design with 15 genotypes and four replicates. The results showed that: 1) The genotypes that initiated fruit production in less time required fewer GDD (892.14-1,077.71 °C) for this phenological phase, obtaining higher productivity. 2) The genotypes C035 and C040 had an average yield higher than the national average with values of 83.75 and 84.86 t ha-1, being identified as future varieties to be produced in the Caribbean region. 3) The Caribbean region is suitable for the establishment of the crop as there were no events with limiting temperatures for this species (higher than 35 °C and lower than 15 °C). 4) The principal component analysis showed associations among the variable YT/P with the genotypes C011, C042, and C015; meanwhile, C032, C025, and C028 were associated with the variables DD to VG, Fl, and Fr. These results would be useful in developing a model to estimate yield with DD.

Eggplant represents one of the most widely accepted vegetables in the Colombian Caribbean region due to its cultural and socio-economic importance. In this region, 585 ha were cultivated with a production of 4,298 t, in 2018, grouping 900 growers and representing 93% of the national production. However, despite its representativeness, no characterization studies of the species are evidenced. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the socioeconomic, productive, and technologicalaspects linked to eggplant cultivation in productive areas from the Colombian Caribbean region. In that order, structured surveys were designed and applied. The information was analyzed through multivariate statistical methods, such as Gower’s distance and Ward’s hierarchical agglomerative clustering method. In general, the results revealed a low-medium technological level associated with eggplant production in thisregion of Colombia. Of the five groups identified, the highest level of schooling was found in groups GIV and GV, which also obtained the highest yields with 35 t ha-1 and 32 t ha-1, respectively. Sowings predominate in the month of April; this activity is related to the occurrence of precipitation in this period and the general lack of irrigation technologies by growers.

El fenotipo es el efecto acumulativo del genotipo (G), del ambiente (A) y su interacción (G x A). El ambiente es el factor que afecta en mayor medida el fenotipo debido a que varía entre localidades, temporadas y estaciones del año, mientras que los efectos de los genotipos son constantes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar genotipos de berenjena (Solanum melongena L.) altamente productivos y fenotípicamente estables, con frutos aceptables para los mercados de exportación y nacional, calificados, respectivamente, de primera y segunda categoría, a partir del análisis de estabilidad mediante el modelo AMMI y el índice de superioridad (Pi) de Lin y Binns. Para el efecto se utilizaron variables asociadas con rendimientos de 15 genotipos de berenjena evaluados en tres ambientes de la región Caribe de Colombia. Los resultados mostraron que: (1) El rendimiento de frutos de primera y segunda categoría fueron significativos (P < 0.001) para la interacción genotipo x ambiente, (2) los materiales Corpoica (C) C015, C027, C035, C036 y C049 lo fueron para el rendimiento de primera categoría y C014, C025, C032, C040 y C049 para el rendimiento de segunda categoría, ya que se ubicaron cerca al cero del CP1, por tanto contribuyen en menor medida a la interacción genotipo x ambiente y son los materiales con el comportamiento más estable; y (3) los genotipos más estables según el Pi para el rendimiento de primera categoría fueron el C006, C026, C027, C035 y C040; y para el de segunda categoría fueron C014, C035, C040, C042 y C049; los cuales, en su mayoría, coinciden con los genotipos más estables y de mayor rendimiento de acuerdo al análisis AMMI.

Los grados días de desarrollo (GDD) proporcionan una estimación de la energía térmica acumulada disponible para el desarrollo de un cultivo. El uso de los GDD permite medir los requerimientos de calor asociados a las etapas fenológicas del cultivo, lo que a su vez permite predecir cuándo ocurrirá una determinada etapa de la planta conociendo las temperaturas diarias. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar las relaciones entre el efecto de los grados días (GD) hasta el crecimiento vegetativo, la primera floración y fructificación (CV, Fl y Fr) sobre el rendimiento total por planta (RT/P) de berenjena cultivada en campo abierto bajo un diseño de bloques completos al azar con 15 genotipos y cuatro repeticiones. Los resultados mostraron que: 1) Los genotipos que inician producción de frutos en menor tiempo requieren menos grados días (892,14-1.077,71 °C) para está fase fenológica, obteniendo una mayor producción. 2) Los genotipos C035 y C040 tuvieron un rendimiento promedio superior al promedio nacional con valores de 83,75 y 84,86 t ha-1, identificándose como futuras variedades a producir en la región del Caribe. 3) La región Caribe es apta para el establecimiento del cultivo, debido a que no hubo eventos limitantes de temperatura para la especie (temperaturas mayores a 35 °C y menores a 15 °C). 4) El análisis de componentes principales mostro asociación entre los genotipos C011, C042 y C015 con las variables RT/P, y los genotipos C011, C025 y C028 con los GD a CV, Fl y Fr. Estos resultados serían útiles para desarrollar un modelo para estimar el rendimiento con base en los GD. The growing degree-days (GDD) provide an estimate of the accumulated thermal energy available for the development of a crop. The use of GDD allows measuring the heat requirements associated with the phenological stages of the crop, which allows in turn, to predict when a certain plant stage will occur knowing the daily temperatures. The aim of this study was to establish relationships among the effect of degree days (DD) to vegetative growth, first flowering and fructification (VG, Fl and Fr), on total yield per plant (TY/P) of eggplant grown under open-field conditions employing a randomized complete block design with 15 genotypes and four replicates. The results showed that: 1) The genotypes that initiated fruit production in less time required fewer GDD (892.14-1,077.71 °C) for this phenological phase, obtaining higher productivity. 2) The genotypes C035 and C040 had an average yield higher than the national average with values of 83.75 and 84.86 t ha-1, being identified as future varieties to be produced in the Caribbean region. 3) The Caribbean region is suitable for the establishment of the crop as there were no events with limiting temperatures for this species (higher than 35 °C and lower than 15 °C). 4) The principal component analysis showed associations among the variable YT/P with the genotypes C011, C042, and C015; meanwhile, C032, C025, and C028 were associated with the variables DD to VG, Fl, and Fr. These results would be useful in developing a model to estimate yield with DD.

Endothelial cell senescence is a hallmark of vascular aging that predisposes to vascular disease. We aimed to explore the capacity of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) heptapeptide angiotensin (Ang)‐(1‐7) to counteract human endothelial cell senescence and to identify intracellular pathways mediating its potential protective action. In human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures, Ang II promoted cell senescence, as revealed by the enhancement in senescence‐associated galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal+) positive staining, total and telomeric DNA damage, adhesion molecule expression, and human mononuclear adhesion to HUVEC monolayers. By activating the G protein‐coupled receptor Mas, Ang‐(1‐7) inhibited the pro‐senescence action of Ang II, but also of a non‐RAS stressor such as the cytokine IL‐1β. Moreover, Ang‐(1‐7) enhanced endothelial klotho levels, while klotho silencing resulted in the loss of the anti‐senescence action of the heptapeptide. Indeed, both Ang‐(1‐7) and recombinant klotho activated the cytoprotective Nrf2/heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) pathway. The HO‐1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX prevented the anti‐senescence action evoked by Ang‐(1‐7) or recombinant klotho. Overall, the present study identifies Ang‐(1‐7) as an anti‐senescence peptide displaying its protective action beyond the RAS by consecutively activating klotho and Nrf2/HO‐1. Ang‐(1‐7) mimetic drugs may thus prove useful to prevent endothelial cell senescence and its related vascular complications.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19.

The aim was to assess the ability of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load at first patient’s hospital evaluation to predict unfavorable outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study including 321 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs. Quantitative Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA cycle threshold values were used to calculate the viral load in log 10 copies/mL. Disease severity at the end of follow up was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. Primary endpoint was a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death (n = 85, 26.4%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the second quartile (≥ 7.35 log 10 copies/mL, p  = 0.003) and second tertile (≥ 8.27 log 10 copies/mL, p  = 0.01) were associated to unfavorable outcome in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. However, in the final multivariable analysis, viral load was not independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. Five predictors were independently associated with increased odds of ICU admission and/or death: age ≥ 70 years, SpO 2 , neutrophils > 7.5 × 10 3 /µL, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 300 U/L, and C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/L. In summary, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load on admission is generally high in patients with COVID-19, regardless of illness severity, but it cannot be used as an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome.

Background Penicillin G Benzathine (PGB) is the cornerstone of syphilis treatment. However, its intramuscular (IM) administration is associated with pain at the site of injection. The dilution of PGB with local anesthetics is recommended in some guidelines, but the evidence that supports it, particularly in adults and in HIV infection, is scarce. Preliminary clinical experience also suggests that the IM administration of PGB through increased needle gauges might improve its tolerability. The aim of the study to identify less painful ways of administering IM PGB in the treatment of syphilis in adults. Methods Multicenter, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial in patients diagnosed with primary syphilis that required a single IM injection of PGB 2400,00 IU. Patients were randomized to receive PGB diluted with 0.5 mL mepivacaine 1% (MV) or PGB alone, and both groups either with a long 19G or short 21G IM needle. The primary objective was the effect on local pain immediately after the administration through a visual scale questionnaire on pain (0 to 10). Results One hundred eight patients were included, 27 in each group. Ninety-four (94.4%) were male, and 41.7% were also HIV-infected. Mean age 36.6 years (SD 11). Significant differences in immediate pain intensity were observed when comparing the long 19G group with anesthesia (mean pain intensity, [MPI] 2.92 [CI 95% 1.08-4.07]) vs long 19G without anesthesia (MPI 5.56 [CI 95% 4.39-6.73), p  < 0.001; and also between short 21G group with anesthesia (MPI 3.36 [CI 95% 2.22-4.50]) vs short 21G without anesthesia (MPI 5.06 [CI 95% 3.93-6.19]), p  = 0.015). No significant differences in immediate pain were observed between 19G and 21G in the presence or absence of anesthesia ( p  = 1.0 in both cases). No differences were found between study arms after 6 and 24 h. Conclusions The IM administration of 1% mepivacaine-diluted PGB induces significantly less immediate local pain as compared to PGB alone. The needle gauge did not have any effect on the pain. Based on these results, we suggest anesthetic-diluted IM PGB as the standard treatment for primary syphilis. Trial registration EudraCT 2014-003969-24 (Date of registration 18/09/2014).

Background There is limited evidence over the real‐life secukinumab survival in psoriatic patients, especially in the long‐term bio‐naïve subjects, and to date biological treatments have been assessed in patients with a chronic and recalcitrant psoriasis. It has been hypothesised that early intensive treatment with biological therapies could decrease pathogenic tissue resident memory (TRm) cells migration and potentially modify the natural course of psoriasis and related comorbidities. Objectives To analyze long‐term secukinumab efficacy, safety and survival, and its predictive factors for psoriasis treatment determining also whether early intervention may result in better outcomes for patients. Methods Bio‐naïve psoriatic patients under treatment with secukinumab (n = 128 patients) in a daily practice setting were analyzed in a retrospective multicentric study and followed up to 8 years. Drug survival rate, efficacy, posology and safety were reported. Results The overall secukinumab survival was 81.9% for an average treatment exposure of 147.9 weeks. The approved posology was the most commonly prescribed regimen (78.7%), and 17.7% could be optimized. An absolut‐PASI ≤3 was reached by 86.6%, 82.6% and 91.7% at the weeks 48,156 and 264, respectively. The incidence of arthritis or psoriasis related comorbidities was low. The response was not influenced by weight, age (>65), gender or the presence of arthritis. No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusions In our bio‐naïve series, the high efficacy and long‐term survival rates observed and the low prevalence of arthritis and comorbidities might suggest that early intervention could contribute to modify the course of the disease, but further studies are needed.