The potential of UAV and very high-resolution satellite imagery for yellow and stem rust detection and phenotyping in Ethiopia

Gerald Blasch David Hodson Francelino Rodrigues (2023, [Artículo])

Very high (spatial and temporal) resolution satellite (VHRS) and high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery provides the opportunity to develop new crop disease detection methods at early growth stages with utility for early warning systems. The capability of multispectral UAV, SkySat and Pleiades imagery as a high throughput phenotyping (HTP) and rapid disease detection tool for wheat rusts is assessed. In a randomized trial with and without fungicide control, six bread wheat varieties with differing rust resistance were monitored using UAV and VHRS. In total, 18 spectral features served as predictors for stem and yellow rust disease progression and associated yield loss. Several spectral features demonstrated strong predictive power for the detection of combined wheat rust diseases and the estimation of varieties’ response to disease stress and grain yield. Visible spectral (VIS) bands (Green, Red) were more useful at booting, shifting to VIS–NIR (near-infrared) vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, RVI) at heading. The top-performing spectral features for disease progression and grain yield were the Red band and UAV-derived RVI and NDVI. Our findings provide valuable insight into the upscaling capability of multispectral sensors for disease detection, demonstrating the possibility of upscaling disease detection from plot to regional scales at early growth stages.

Very High Resolution Imagery Disease Detection Methods Early Growth Stages CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES STEM RUST PHENOTYPING HIGH-THROUGHPUT PHENOTYPING WHEAT

Debaryomyces hansenii: una nueva levadura probiótica

Debaryomyces hansenii: A new probiotic yeast

MIRIAM GORETTY ANGULO VILLAVICENCIO MARTHA CANDELARIA REYES BECERRIL Carlos Eliud Angulo Valadez (2022, [Artículo])

"Los probióticos son bichos diminutos cuyo consumo genera efectos benéficos en la salud. De hecho, la palabra probiótico significa 'pro-vida'. Algunas levaduras, como la utilizada para hacer pan o cerveza, pueden ser probióticos para animales y humanos. Desde hace algunos años, los estudios con la levadura Debaryomyces hansenii han demostrado que ésta es un probiótico. Se ha demostrado que, administrada por vía oral, esta levadura tiene efectos estimulantes del sistema de defensa y beneficios para la función digestiva de animales terrestres y acuáticos. Por lo anterior, se describen los hallazgos que revelan que D. hansenii es un probiótico para animales y posiblemente para humanos."

"Probiotics are tiny bugs that when consumed have beneficial effects on health. In fact, the word probiotic means pro-life. Some yeasts, such as that used to make bread or beer, can be probiotics for animals and humans. For some years, studies with the yeast Debaryomyces hansenii indicate that it is a probiotic.

This yeast administered orally has been shown to have stimulating effects on the defense system and beneficial effects on the digestive function of terrestrial and aquatic animals. Therefore, we will try to describe the findings of D. hansenii that indicate that it is a probiotic for animals and possibly also for humans."

probióticos, bienestar, microbios, enfermedad, supervivencia probiotics, wellbeing, microbes, disease, survival BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA MICROBIOLOGÍA MICOLOGÍA (LEVADURAS) MICOLOGÍA (LEVADURAS)

Nanopartículas híbridas cargadas con un compuesto bioactivo y su efecto en biomarcadores neuroinflamatorios como potencial tratamiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer

Hybrid nanoparticles loaded with a bioactive compound and their effect on neuroinflammatory biomarkers as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

Alondra Vargas Barona (2024, [Tesis de maestría])

La enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa progresiva caracterizada por el deterioro cognitivo asociado a la acumulación de la proteína beta amiloide (Aβ). La Aβ activa a las células gliales del cerebro, generando un aumento en la secreción de citocinas pro-inflamatorias que conducen a la neuroinflamación y muerte neuronal. Actualmente no existen tratamientos efectivos que curen o detengan su progresión, por ello, la EA se considera como una prioridad de salud mundial. Las principales limitaciones son la baja biodisponibilidad del fármaco y la impermeabilidad de la barrera hematoencefálica (BHE). Afortunadamente, la nanomedicina ha surgido como un campo prometedor para el desarrollo de nuevos sistemas para la entrega controlada y dirigida de fármacos hacia el cerebro. Por ello, en este trabajo se sintetizaron nanopartículas híbridas de polímeros y lípidos (NPsHPL) conjugadas con transferrina (Tf) para facilitar el cruce de la BHE, y cargadas con N-acetilcisteína (NAC) por su efecto anti-inflamatorio, y se llevó a cabo su caracterización fisicoquímica. Posteriormente se implementó un modelo in vitro con astrocitos humanos derivados de células pluripotentes inducidas (iPSC) provenientes de un paciente diagnosticado con la EA, las cuales se llevaron a un estado reactivo por la estimulación con lipopolisacárido (LPS). El cultivo de células fue tratado con las NPsHPL conjugadas con Tf y cargadas con NAC (NPsHPL-Tf-NAC) a 0.25 mg/mL y NAC libre a 5 mM. Los resultados mostraron que las NPsHPL-Tf-NAC modularon favorablemente la expresión de genes pro-inflamatorios, como la interleucina-1β (IL-1β), la proteína precursora de amiloide (APP) y la proteína ácida fibrilar glial (GFAP). Además, redujo la secreción de las citocinas pro-inflamatorias interleucina 6 (IL-6), IL-1β e interferóngamma (INF-γ), ambos casos respecto al grupo de células que no recibieron algún tratamiento. Por otra parte, la NAC libre sólo tuvo este efecto en la expresión de IL-1β y la secreción de las citocinas IL-6 e INF-γ. Estos resultados posicionan a las NPsHPL-Tf-NAC como un potencial tratamiento para la EA.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (Aβ). Aβ activates glial cells in the brain, increasing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines that lead to neuroinflammation and neuronal death. Currently, there are no effective treatments that cure or stop its progression, therefore AD is considered a global health priority. The main limitations are the low drug bioavailability and impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Fortunately, nanomedicine has emerged as a promising field for the development of new nanosystems for the controlled and targeted delivery of drugs to the brain. Therefore, in this work, lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) conjugated with transferrin (Tf) to facilitate crossing the BBB, and loaded with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for its anti-inflammatory effect were synthesized, and their physicochemical characterization was carried out. Subsequently, an in vitro model with human astrocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from an AD diagnosed patient was implemented, which were brought to a reactive state by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cell culture was treated with Tf-conjugated LPHNPs loaded with NAC (LPHNPs-Tf-NAC) at 0.25 mg/mL and free NAC at 5 mM. The results showed that LPHNPs-Tf-NAC favorably modulated the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), amyloid precursor protein (APP) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In addition, they reduced the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β and interferon-gamma (INF-γ), both cases compared to the group of cells that did not receive any treatment. On the other hand, free NAC only had this effect on the expression of IL-1β and the secretion of the cytokines IL-6 and INF-γ. These results position LPHNPs-Tf-NAC as a potential treatment for AD.

nanopartículas híbridas; enfermedad de Alzheimer; neuroinflamación; astrocitos; iPSC; nanomedicina hybrid nanoparticles, Alzheimer’s disease, neuroinflammation; astrocytes; iPSC; nanomedicine BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA OTRAS ESPECIALIDADES DE LA BIOLOGÍA OTRAS OTRAS