Correlation between pr1 and pr2 Gene Content and Virulence in Metarhizium anisopliae Strains

( Ninfa M Rosas Garcia ),( Osvaldo Avalos De Leon ),( Jesus M Villegas Mendoza ),( Maribel Mireles Martinez ),( J E Barboza Corona ),( J C Castaneda Ramirez ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.11

Metarhizium anisopliae is a widely studied model to understand the virulence factors that participate in pathogenicity. Proteases such as subtilisin-like enzymes (Pr1) and trypsin-like enzymes (Pr2) are considered important factors for insect cuticle degradation. In four M. anisopliae strains (798, 6342, 6345, and 6347), the presence of pr1 and pr2 genes, as well as the enzymatic activity of these genes, was correlated with their virulence against two different insect pests. The 11 pr1 genes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K) and pr2 gene were found in all strains. The activity of individual Pr1 and Pr2 proteases exhibited variation in time (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) and in the presence or absence of chitin as the inductor. The highest Pr1 enzymatic activity was shown by strain 798 at 48 h with chitin. The highest Pr2 enzymatic activity was exhibited by the 6342 and 6347 strains, both grown with chitin at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Highest mortality on S. exigua was caused by strain 6342 at 48 h, and strains 6342, 6345, and 6347 caused the highest mortality 7 days later. Mortality on Prosapia reached 30% without variation. The presence of subtilisin and trypsin genes and the activity of these proteases in M. anisopliae strains cannot be associated with the virulence against the two insect pests. Probably, subtilisin and trypsin enzyme production is not a vital factor for pathogenicity, but its contribution is important to the pathogenicity process.

Fluctuation and synchronization of adults catches of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in urban backyards and commercial citrus plantations

Lizbeth Hernández-Landa,Jose Lopez-Collado,Héctor González-Hernández,Mónica Vargas-Mendoza,Francisco Osorio-Acosta,Martha E. Nava-Tablada 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.3

Studies to determine the population fluctuation of Diaphorina citri, vector of Candidatus Liberibacter sp., have been carried out mainly in commercial plantations, whereas less have focused in urban areas and their synchrony. The objectives of this work were to monitor D. citri adult populations in Murraya paniculata (OJ) in urban areas and in Persian lime (LM) orchards, to estimate the effect of some environmental factors and to evaluate the synchronization between these populations. Sampling was performed from September 2012 to August 2014 in Veracruz, México. Five urban areas and five commercial Persian lime plots close to each other were selected. Adult D. citri catches were made monthly with yellow traps. Vegetative shoots, temperature and relative humidity were measured throughout the sampling period. Adults of Diaphorina citri were captured in all the sampling sites throughout the two-years sampling period and the populations were more abundant in summer. Significant factors affecting trap catches were the presence of new shoots and temperature. Temperature and relative humidity enclosed a comfort zone between 26 and 28 °C and 75 to 85% respectively. Cross-correlation values were positive across hosts within the same locations and between locations, regardless of the distance, thus suggesting a spatial synchronization in trap catches. This spatial relationship represents a risk of infestation between host species because of the potential movement and dispersal

Improved Neutron Capture Cross Section Measurements with the n_TOF Total Absorption Calorimeter

E. Mendoza,V. Becares,A. Casado,D. Cano-Ott,M. Fernandez-Ordonez,E. Gonzalez-Romero,C. Guerrero,T. Martinez,J. J. Vidriales,J. Andrzejewski,J. Marganiec,J. Perkowski,L. Audouin,B. Berthier,L. Tassan-G 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

The n_TOF collaboration operates a Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC) [1] for measuring neutron capture cross-sections of low-mass and/or radioactive samples. The results obtained with the TAC have led to a substantial improvement of the capture cross sections of ^(237)Np and ^(240)Pu [2].The experience acquired during the first measurements has allowed us to optimize the performance of the TAC and to improve the capture signal to background ratio, thus opening the way to more complex and demanding measurements on rare radioactive materials. The new design has been reached by a series of detailed Monte Carlo simulations of complete experiments and dedicated test measurements. The new capture setup will be presented and the main achievements highlighted. KEYWORDS: ND2010, nuclear data, n\textunderscore TOF, background, Monte Carlo, neutron, time of flight, cross section, calorimeter, shielding, simulation, total absorption, gamma ray, neutron capture.

Characterization of the New n_TOF Neutron Beam: Fluence, Profile and Resolution

C. Guerrero,V. Becares,D. Cano-Ott,M. Fernandez-Ordonez,E. Gonzalez-Romero,F. Martin-Fuertes,T. Martinez,E. Mendoza,G. Pina,J. Quinones,V. Vlachoudis,M. Calviani,S. Andriamonje,M. Brugger,F. Cerutti,E 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

After a halt of four years, the n_TOF spallation neutron facility at CERN has resumed operation in November 2008 with a new spallation target characterized by an improved safety and engineering design, resulting in a more robust overall performance and efficient cooling. The first measurement during the 2009 run has aimed at the full characterization of the neutron beam. Several detectors, such as calibrated fission chambers, the n\textunderscore TOF Silicon Monitor, a MicroMegas detector with ^(10)B and ^(235)U samples, as well as liquid and solid scintillators have been used in order to characterize the properties of the neutron fluence. The spatial profile of the beam has been studied with a specially designed "X-Y" MicroMegas which provided a 2D image of the beam as a function of neutron energy. Both properties have been compared with simulations performed with the FLUKA code. The characterization of the resolution function is based on results from simulations which have been verified by the study of narrow capture resonances of ^(56)Fe, which were measured as part of a new campaign of (n, γ) measurements on Fe and Ni isotopes.

Integrating History of Mathematics in Teaching Cartesian Coordinate Plane: A Lesson Study

( Mendoza Jay-r M ),( Alegario Joan Marie T ),( Blanco Miguel G ),( De Torres Reynold ),( Igay Roselyn B ),( Elipane Levi E ) 한국수학교육학회 2016 수학교육연구 Vol.20 No.1

The History of Mathematics (HOM) was integrated in teaching the Cartesian Coordinate Plane (CCP) to Grade Seven learners of Moonwalk National High School using Lesson Study. After the lesson was taught, there were three valuable issues emerged: (1) HOM is a Springboard and/or a Medium of Motivation in Teaching CCP; (2) The History of CCP Opened a Wider Perspective about Its Real-life Application in the Modern World (3) In-tegration of History Developed a Sense of Purpose and an Appreciation of Mathematics Among Learners. Feedbacks solicited from the learners showed that they have under-standing of the importance of studying Mathematics after they learned the life and con-tributions of Rene Descartes to Mathematics. Hence, integration of history plays a vital role in developing positive attitudes among learners towards Math.

Monte Carlo Simulations for the Study of a Moderated Neutron Detector

M. B. Gomez Hornillos,V. Gorlychev,R. Caballero,G. Cortes,A. Poch,C. Pretel,F. Calvino,J. L. Tain,A. Algora,J. Agramunt,D. Cano-Ott,T. Martinez,E. Mendoza,J. Rissanen,J. Aysto,A. Jokinen,T. Eronen,I. 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

This work presents the Monte Carlo simulations performed with the MCNPX and GEANT4 codes for the design of a BEta deLayEd Neutron detector, BELEN-20. This detector will be used for the study of beta delayed neutron emission and consists of a block of polyethylene with dimensions 90 × 90 × 80 cm ^3 and 20 cylindrical ^3He gas counters. The results of these simulations have been validated experimentally with a ^(252)Cf source in the laboratory at UPC, Barcelona. Also the first experiment with this detector has been carried out in November 2009 in JYFL, Finland. In this experiment the neutron emission probability after beta decay of the fission products ^(88)Br, ^(94,95)Rb and ^(138)I has been measured; this data is still under analysis. Simulations with MCNPX and GEANT4 have been performed in order to obtain the efficiency of the BELEN-20 detector for each of the above nuclei using the neutron energy distribution corresponding to each nucleus.

In Vitro and In Vivo Nematicide Effect of Extract Fractions of Pleurotus djamor Against Haemonchus contortus

Manases González-Cortázar,José E Sánchez,Magaly Huicochea-Medina,Victor M Hernández-Velázquez,Pedro Mendoza-de-Gives,Alejandro Zamilpa,Ma Eugenia López-Arellano,Jesús Antonio Pineda-Alegría,Liliana Ag 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.3

Sheep haemonchosis is a disease that causes anemia, diarrhea, weight loss, low production, and even death of young animals. This represents a negative economic impact on the livestock sector. For decades, chemicals have been used to control this parasitic disease; however, cases of anthelmintic resistance have increased around the world. For this reason, the search for control alternatives is necessary. Several studies have shown that edible mushrooms of Pleurotus genus have different medicinal properties, including nematicidal activity. In this study, the chromatographic fractionation of the hydroalcoholic extract of fruiting bodies Pleurotus djamor was carried out to identify and isolate the metabolites responsible for nematicidal activity. From the fractionation of the extract, the fraction PdR2 and the subfraction PdB were obtained, which were evaluated against Haemonchus contortus under in vitro conditions. The nematicidal effect of the fraction PdB in gerbils infected artificially with H. contortus was evaluated. Finally, the analysis of the PdB fraction by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance was carried out. The results showed that the PdB had 100% of egg hatching inhibition from 5 mg/mL. Regarding larvicidal activity, it presented >97.2% from 24 h to 20 mg/mL. The in vivo evaluation of the PdB fraction showed a reduction of H. contortus larvae of 92.56%. The compounds present in this fraction were the mixture of allitol and an unidentified terpene in a ratio of 9:1. The PdB fraction is a potential alternative for the control of H. contortus, where allitol and a terpene could be responsible for nematicidal activity.

First-principles study on structural, electronic and ferroelectric properties of Bi2VO5.5 compound

Hmok HLinh,Martínez-Aguilar E.,Alanis Javier,Mendoza M.E. 한국물리학회 2022 Current Applied Physics Vol.44 No.-

A first-principles investigation of the origin of ferroelectricity in the Aurivillius compound Bi2VO5.5 is presented. Calculations with the density functional theory, in conjunction with the modern theory of polarization, allowed us to study the structural, electronic, and polar properties of two configurations built with oxygen vacancies, causing a charge imbalance and a subsequent displacement of the ions, generating two maximum polarizations, one of 14.75 μC/cm2 and one of 4.31 μC/cm2 along [011] direction. Electron localization function schemes were used to identify the asymmetry of charges in (001), (010) and (100) planes. The results obtained in this study establish that the origin of ferroelectricity is due to the displacement of the ions caused by oxygen vacancies and the asymmetric distribution of the isolated pair of Bi ions. On the other hand, the bandgap calculations and the results of Ps establish that Bi2VO5.5 is a candidate ferro-photovoltaic material.

Potential Control of Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria by Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus graminis Isolated from Fresh Vegetables

C.J. González-Pérez1,I. Vargas-Arispuro,E. Aispuro-Hernández,C.L. Aguilar-Gil,Y.E. Aguirre-Guzmán,A. Castillo,A. Hernández-Mendoza,J.F. Ayala-Zavala,M.A. Martínez-Téllez1 한국미생물·생명공학회 2019 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.47 No.2

The consumption of fresh vegetables has been related to recurrent outbreaks of foodborne diseases (FBD) worldwide. Therefore, the development of effective alternative technologies is necessary to improve the safety of these products. This study aimed to isolate and identify epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fresh fruits and leafy vegetables and characterize their antagonistic capacity due to their ability to produce bacteriocins or antibacterial compounds. For this, 92 LAB isolates from fruits and leafy vegetables were screened for antagonistic activity. Two strains with the highest and broadest antagonistic activities were selected for further characterization; one from cantaloupe melon (strain CM175) and one from cilantro leaves (strain C15). The cell-free supernatants (CFS) of CM175 and C15 were found to exhibit antagonistic activity against FBD-causing pathogens. The CM175 and C15 strains were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus graminis, respectively. Notably, the P. pentosaceus CM175 CFS stopped the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Saintpaul, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, and delayed Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth. Moreover, L. graminis C15 CFS delayed the growth of all indicator pathogens, but did not completely stop it. Organic acids and bacteriocin-like molecules were determined to be possibly exerting the observed antagonistic activity of the identified LAB strains. Thus, application of the antagonistic compounds produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus graminis could be a novel and ecological strategy in developing antimicrobial biopreservatives for the food industry and mitigating FBD by reducing the biological contamination in fruit and vegetable orchards, mainly via their potential in controlling both gram-negative and gram-positive pathogenic bacteria.

Seaweed ethnobotany of eastern Sorsogon, Philippines

Dumilag, Richard V.,Belgica, Teresa Haide R.,Mendoza, Lynn C.,Hibay, Janet M.,Arevalo, Abel E. Jr.,Malto, Mark Ariel D.,Orgela, Elden G.,Longavela, Mabille R.,Corral, Laurence Elmer H.,Olipany, Ruby D The Korean Society of Phycology 2022 ALGAE Vol.37 No.3

Knowledge on the seaweeds of eastern Sorsogon in the Philippines is uneven. Not only is eastern Sorsogon among the areas of high seaweed diversity but locals there have interacted with seaweeds for ages. Despite seaweeds' assumed importance to Sorsoganon, ethnobotanical records are missing. In this study, we documented the traditional knowledge on seaweed use and determined the rate of knowledge transmission among the locals of eastern Sorsogon. Vernacular names and modes of preparation were given of the 12 identified species bearing culinary and medicinal importance. Ten species were eaten while three were used therapeutically. Based on ethnobotanical indices, Caulerpa chemnitzia ecad turbinata and Gelidiella acerosa were the most important seaweeds. The least cited was Caulerpa racemosa. Our study demonstrated that most of the seaweed resources in eastern Sorsogon remain largely untapped, as the identified ethnotaxa were only about 5% of the total seaweed species diversity reported for the area. The seaweed knowledge in eastern Sorsogon appeared to be homogenous across age groups with primary sources of knowledge biased towards female relatives (mothers and grandmothers) and to children as inheritors. Cessation of seaweed knowledge may come at a potential cost, as a significant fraction of the population did not transmit their knowledge to others. Our study furthered the interest in providing sophisticated resource management recommendations that consider the relationships of traditional and scientific knowledge of seaweed selection and use in eastern Sorsogon and beyond.