Protein Identification of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

17 Pág. Departamento de Reproducción animalProteins play an important role in many reproductive functions such as sperm maturation, sperm transit in the female genital tract or sperm-oocyte interaction. However, in general, little information concerning reproductive features is available in the case of aquatic animals. The present study aims to characterize the proteome of both spermatozoa and seminal plasma of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a model organism for cetaceans. Ejaculate samples were obtained from two trained dolphins housed in an aquarium. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma were analyzed by means of proteomic analyses using an LC-MS/MS, and a list with the gene symbols corresponding to each protein was submitted to the DAVID database. Of the 419 proteins identified in spermatozoa and 303 in seminal plasma, 111 proteins were shared by both. Furthermore, 70 proteins were identified as involved in reproductive processes, 39 in spermatozoa, and 31 in seminal plasma. The five most abundant proteins were also identified in these samples: AKAP3, ODF2, TUBB, GSTM3, ROPN1 for spermatozoa and CST11, LTF, ALB, HSP90B1, PIGR for seminal plasma. In conclusion, this study provides the first characterization of the proteome in cetacean sperm and seminal plasma, opening the way to future research into new biomarkers, the analysis of conservation capacity or possible additional applications in the field of assisted reproductive technologies.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-106380RB-I00/AEI/10.1303/501100011033) and PGC2018-094781-B-I00 (MCINN/AEI/FEDER, UE), and Oceanográfica Foundation.Peer reviewe

Evaluación del perfil competencial del estudiantado UCM por nivel de iniciativa emprendedora y género. Validación del Modelo Entrecomp de competencias emprendedoras

Examinar la relación entre las competencias emprendedoras propuestas por el Marco Europeo de Competencias Emprendedoras (Entrecomp) y el nivel de intención emprendedora. Se consideran las siguientes variables: sexo, estudios que realiza, si compagina trabajo y estudio, y Universidad en la que estudia

Gaia Early Data Release 3: Structure and properties of the Magellanic Clouds

We compare the Gaia DR2 and Gaia EDR3 performances in the study of the Magellanic Clouds and show the clear improvements in precision and accuracy in the new release. We also show that the systematics still present in the data make the determination of the 3D geometry of the LMC a difficult endeavour; this is at the very limit of the usefulness of the Gaia EDR3 astrometry, but it may become feasible with the use of additional external data. We derive radial and tangential velocity maps and global profiles for the LMC for the several subsamples we defined. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the two planar components of the ordered and random motions are derived for multiple stellar evolutionary phases in a galactic disc outside the Milky Way, showing the differences between younger and older phases. We also analyse the spatial structure and motions in the central region, the bar, and the disc, providing new insights into features and kinematics. Finally, we show that the Gaia EDR3 data allows clearly resolving the Magellanic Bridge, and we trace the density and velocity flow of the stars from the SMC towards the LMC not only globally, but also separately for young and evolved populations. This allows us to confirm an evolved population in the Bridge that is slightly shift from the younger population. Additionally, we were able to study the outskirts of both Magellanic Clouds, in which we detected some well-known features and indications of new ones

The Gaia mission

Gaia is a cornerstone mission in the science programme of the EuropeanSpace Agency (ESA). The spacecraft construction was approved in 2006, following a study in which the original interferometric concept was changed to a direct-imaging approach. Both the spacecraft and the payload were built by European industry. The involvement of the scientific community focusses on data processing for which the international Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) was selected in 2007. Gaia was launched on 19 December 2013 and arrived at its operating point, the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, a few weeks later. The commissioning of the spacecraft and payload was completed on 19 July 2014. The nominal five-year mission started with four weeks of special, ecliptic-pole scanning and subsequently transferred into full-sky scanning mode. We recall the scientific goals of Gaia and give a description of the as-built spacecraft that is currently (mid-2016) being operated to achieve these goals. We pay special attention to the payload module, the performance of which is closely related to the scientific performance of the mission. We provide a summary of the commissioning activities and findings, followed by a description of the routine operational mode. We summarise scientific performance estimates on the basis of in-orbit operations. Several intermediate Gaia data releases are planned and the data can be retrieved from the Gaia Archive, which is available through the Gaia home page. http://www.cosmos.esa.int/gai

Alternative semen collection methods to improve animal welfare and seminal quality in small rumiants

La electroeyaculación (EE) es una de las metodologías de colección de semen más utilizada. Sin embargo, provoca incrementos en la frecuencia cardiaca y respiratoria, temperatura rectal y concentración sérica de cortisol, así como cambios en parámetros bioquímicos y hematológicos, todas respuestas indicadoras de estrés. Aunque se ha demostrado que la EE es un método estresante y doloroso, es necesario verificar la confiabilidad de los indicadores de estrés ya que el propio cortejo y la eyaculación generan respuestas muy similares. Una vez verificadas las respuestas de estrés y dolor provocadas por la EE, sería necesario buscar alternativas que minimicen sus efectos negativos. Por lo tanto, los objetivos de esta tesis fueron, por una parte, comprobar si los cambios en los indicadores de estrés y dolor pueden ser explicados por la EE, y por otra parte buscar otras metodologías que minimicen estas respuestas sin afectar la calidad del semen, como el uso de la sedación o anestesia, o la sustitución de la EE por el masaje de las glándulas sexuales accesorias guiado por ecografía transrectal (TUMASG), con o sin la administración previa de oxitocina. Para responder a estos objetivos se desarrollaron 4 trabajos. En el artículo 1 se comparó la respuesta de estrés en ovejas y moruecos, ya que las hembras no pueden eyacular, separando así la respuesta provocada por la EE de la provocada por la eyaculación. La tendencia general mostró un patrón similar de la respuesta de estrés en ambos géneros. En el artículo 2 se compararon los indicadores fisiológicos y comportamentales de bienestar y la calidad seminal en machos cabríos electroeyaculados sin tratamiento, anestesiados o sedados. La anestesia y la sedación disminuyeron las respuestas de estrés y dolor provocadas por la EE y mejoraron la calidad del semen colectado. Sin embargo, la sedación fue incluso más efectiva que la anestesia general, tanto para mejorar el bienestar animal como la calidad del semen. En el artículo 3 se comparó el efecto de la colección de semen mediante TUMASG o EE sobre la respuesta de estrés y la calidad seminal en machos cabríos conscientes. El TUMASG fue menos estresante y probablemente menos doloroso que la EE, sin afectar la calidad del semen en machos cabríos conscientes. En el artículo 4 se determinó si la administración de oxitocina antes de aplicar el TUMASG mejora el procedimiento, disminuyendo su duración, la cantidad de pulsos necesarios, y si mejora la calidad del semen, realizando dos estudios diferentes: el primero fue realizado con muflones (Ovis musimon) anestesiados, y el segundo con machos cabríos no anestesiados. Aunque no se encontraron diferencias en muflones, la administración de oxitocina antes de la colección de semen mediante TUMASG acortó el procedimiento y tendió a disminuir la cantidad de pulsos eléctricos necesaria para inducir la eyaculación en machos cabríos conscientes, sin afectar la calidad del semen. En general, en esta tesis se determinó que la EE provoca respuestas de estrés independientemente de que el animal eyacule o no. Por otro lado, que el pre-tratamiento con anestésicos o sedantes disminuyó las respuestas de estrés y dolor provocadas por la EE, y a su vez, mejoró la calidad del semen, siendo más efectivo el pre-tratamiento con sedantes que con anestésicos sobre el bienestar animal y la calidad del semen. El TUMASG fue menos estresante que la EE, sin afectar la calidad del semen. Finalmente, la administración de oxitocina antes del TUMASG mejoró aún más los indicadores de bienestar ya que disminuyó el tiempo del procedimiento y tendió a requerir menos pulsos eléctricos en machos cabríos conscientes.The electroejaculation (EE) is one of the most used methodology for semen collection. However, it provokes increase in heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature and serum cortisol concentration, as well as changes in biochemical and hematological parameters, which are indicators of stress. Although EE is stressful and painful, it is necessary to verify the reliability of stress indicators, as courtship and ejaculation themselves trigger stress response similarly to EE. Once the stress and pain responses are verified, could be necessary to search alternatives that minimize their negative effects. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were, on the one hand, to check if the changes in stress and pain indicators may be explained by EE; and on the other hand, to search other methodologies that minimize these responses without affect the semen quality, as the use of sedation or anesthesia, or the use of Transrectal Ultrasound-guided Massage of the Accesory Sex Glands (TUMASG) instead of EE, with or without previous oxytocin administration. To respond to these aims, 4 articles were developed. In the article 1, the stress response in ewes and rams was compared, as females cannot ejaculate. The general trend showed a similar pattern of the stress response in both genders. In the article 2, physiological and behavioral of welfare and seminal quality were compared in non-treated, anesthetized and sedated goat bucks. Anesthesia and sedation decreased the stress and pain responses provoked by EE and improved the semen quality. However, sedation was even more effective than general anesthesia in animal welfare and seminal quality. In the article 3, the effect of semen collection by TUMASG or EE on stress response and seminal quality was compared in conscious goat bucks. The TUMASG was less stressful and probably less painful than EE, without affect the semen quality. In the article 4, it was determined whether the administration of oxytocin before TUMASG improve the procedure, decreasing the duration period, number of electrical pulses, and improving the semen quality. For that purpose, 2 different studies were performed: the first in anesthetized mouflons (Ovis musimon), and the second study was performed with non-anesthetized goat bucks. Although there were not differences in mouflons, the administration of oxytocin before semen collection by TUMASG diminished the procedure and tended to decrease the number of electrical pulses necessary for ejaculation in conscious goat bucks, without affect the semen quality. Overall, in this thesis was determined that EE provokes stress responses regarding animal ejaculation. Moreover, the previous treatment with anesthetic or sedatives decreased the stress and pain responses provoked by EE, and at the same time, improved the semen quality, being more effective on animal welfare and seminal quality the pre-treatment with sedatives than with anesthetic. Finally, the administration of oxytocin before TUMASG improved most indicators of welfare as it decreased the duration of the procedure and tended to require less electrical pulses in conscious goat bucks

Salud general y sobrecarga de trabajo percibida en cuidadores de personas dependientes de la Ciudad de Cuenca. Agosto 2014-enero 2015

Introducción: Se ha demostrado que el cuidado de una persona con discapacidad predispone a problemas en la salud del cuidador, siendo mayor en las mujeres por la cantidad de trabajo. Si la dependencia es total exige cuidados a tiempo completo lo cual en la mayoría de veces lo provee la mujer. Método y Materiales: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra fue de 247 cuidadores. Se trabajó con registros de las personas con discapacidad o dependencia del Ministerio de Salud Pública. También, se identifico a los cuidadores de acuerdo a la asistencia a Centros de Rehabilitación Física que existen en la Ciudad de Cuenca. Para evaluar el grado de dependencia se utilizó la Escala de Barthel; para conocer el estado de salud se empleó el Cuestionario de Salud General de Goldberg GHQ12 y para determinar la sobrecarga del cuidador el cuestionario de Zarit. Resultados: El 78,9% de cuidadores fueron mujeres, el 27,9% tienen entre 29 y 38 años. Según el parentesco 36,4% de los cuidadores es la madre o padre. La mayoría de cuidados son diarios 87,0%. El 39,7% consumen medicamentos. El tiempo de cuidado es menor de 5 años 41,3%. Las horas de sueño de 0 a 4 horas 5,7%. El 49,8% de personas cuidadas tienen dependencia total. El estado de salud general de los cuidadores es ausencia de psicopatología 58,7%, sospecha de psicopatología subumbral 10,5% e indicativo de presencia de psicopatología 30,8%. Según la escala de sobrecarga del cuidador de Zarit, se determinó que el 42,1% tienen sobrecarga intensa, el 21,9% sobrecarga leve y el 36,0% no tienen sobrecarga. Conclusiones: existe alta frecuencia de sobrecarga de cuidados y problemas de la salud general en los cuidadores. Son las madres las que proveen este cuidado.Introduction: It has been shown that the care of a person with disabilities predisposes to problems in the health of the caregiver, being higher in women by the largest amount of work. If the dependence is total requires full-time care which in the majority of times it provides women, being mothers the most. Method and materials: acrossectional study was conducted. The sample was 247 caregivers. Working with the records of people who have disabilities or unit within the Ministry of Public Health. Well, were identified to the caregivers according to the assistance to physical rehabilitation centers that exist in the city of Cuenca. To assess the degree of dependence was used the Barthel Scale; to know the state of health is employment the General Health Questionnaire Goldberg GHQ12; and to determine the overload of the caretaker we applied the Zarit scale questionnaire. Results: 78.9% of caregivers were female; 27,9% are between 29 and 38 years of age. According to the kinship the 36.4% of the caregivers are the mother or the father. The majority of care is carried out on a daily basis 87.0%. If consume drugs 39.7 %. The time of care in the 41.3 % is less than 5 years. The sleep of 0 to 4 hours 5.7%. The 49,8% of the people have maintained a level of dependency. The general state of health of careers is absence of psychopathology in the 58.7%, suspected of subthreshold psychopathology in 10.5% and indicative of the presence of psychopathology in 30.8%. According to the scale of overload of the caretaker of Zarit, we were able to determine that the 42.1% have a greater burden, the 21.9% slight overload and the 36.0 do not have overhead. Conclusions: there is a high frequency of overload of care and problems of general health in the caregivers. Are mothers who provide this care.Licenciado en Terapia FísicaCuenc

IAA : Información y actualidad astronómica (43)

Sumario : CALIFA: una visión panorámica de las galaxias del universo local.-- REMS: la estación medioambiental española en Marte.-- CIENCIA EN HISTORIAS...Paris Pişmiş.-- DECONSTRUCCIÓN Y otros ENSAYOS. ¿Ondas gravitatorias primordiales?.-- EL “MOBY DICK” DE... Mayra Osorio (IAA-CSIC).-- ACTUALIDAD.-- SALA LIMPIA.-- CIENCIA: PILARES E INCERTIDUMBRES. Nebulosas planetarias.N