Evolution in Anacyclus L. (Anthemideae, Asteraceae). Analysis of the contact zone between A. clavatus (Desf.) Pers. and A. valentinus L.

Tesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, [Departamento de Biología]. Fecha de lectura: 09-06-2017Esta tesis tiene embargado el acceso al texto completo hasta el 09-06-2019Esta tesis doctoral ha sido posible gracias a la financiación del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación a través de una ayuda a para la formación de personal investigador (FPI, BES-2011- 048197), una subvención para estancias de movilidad postdoctoral (BVA 2010-0375) y un proyecto de Plan Nacional de I+D+I (CGL2010-18039)

Immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor capacity of acidic polysaccharides from Euglena gracilis.

Euglena sp. is a microalga producer of important molecules for the Biotechnology industry, since it is a producer of substances such as vitamins A, C and E, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, β-carotenes and paramilon (β-1,3-glucan). It has a modulating effect on the immune system, moderates blood glucose and the response to insulin, has anti-tumor activity and a cholesterol-lowering effect. In addition, its sulphated derivatives have anti-HIV activity. The present study was carried out with the objective of determining the immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity of the acid polysaccharides extracted from Euglena gracilis. MTT colorimeter tests were carried out for the analysis of cytotoxicity on healthy cell lines murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and for the anticancer activity cell lines were used colon cancer (HCT-116), breast cancer (MCF-7) and human leukemia (U-937) .The polysaccharide concentration at which cell survival was reduced by half (IC50) was estimated with these assays, showing that these polysaccharides have antitumor activity mainly on U-937 cells. (IC50 = 0.027 mg ml-1) against HCT-116 cells (IC50 = 0.036 mg ml-1) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 0.11 mg ml-1) An immunological test was performed to see the immunomodulatory capacity of the polysaccharides with which the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α was determined by macrophages RAW 264.7 It was observed that these polysaccharides have a great stimulating capacity in the synthesis of these interleukins. Antioxidant capacity was (7.19 μmol TE g-1). In agreement with these results, it is suggested that E. gracilis polysaccharides could be considered for future studies as potential nutraceuticals that require their application when the activation of macrophages is needed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

No sólo importa el tamaño: la morfología del aquenio afecta al tiempo de emergencia de la plántula en tres especies heterocárpicas de Anacyclus (Anthemideae, Asteraceae)

The production of two or more distinct fruit types by an individual, i.e. heterocarpy, is considered as a mixed dispersal strategy in which a proportion of the offspring is able to colonize new sites, whilst others remain near the maternal location. Here, we aimed to explore the effects of achene morphology (winged vs. unwinged achenes) and achene size –measured here as achene mass– on post-dispersal life-history traits (probability and time of seedling emergence) in three heterocarpic Anacyclus species (Anthemideae, Asteraceae). Morphology, size and germination performance were studied in achenes from six populations of Anacyclus clavatus (Desf.) Pers., A. homogamos (Maire) Humphries, and A. valentinus L. Our results show that achene morphology and size were related to their position within the capitulum, such that outer, winged achenes were significantly heavier than the inner, unwinged ones. Additionally, winged achenes germinated faster than unwinged ones. This pattern may be related to the sequential achene time of release displayed by these species. Finally, our findings cast doubt on the role of wings as structures that favor dispersal by wind in these three species of Anacyclus.La producción de dos o más tipos de frutos diferentes por un mismo individuo, i.e. heterocarpia, es considerada como una estrategia mixta de dispersión en la que una parte de la descendencia es capaz de colonizar nuevos sitios, mientras que la otra permanece cerca de la planta madre. En este trabajo, nuestro objetivo fue explorar los efectos de la morfología del aquenio (aquenios alados vs. no alados) y de su tamaño –medido aquí como masa del aquenio– en la etapa del ciclo de vida siguiente a la dispersión (probabilidad de germinación y tiempo de emergencia de las plántulas) de tres especies heterocárpicas del género Anacyclus (Anthemideae, Asteraceae). Se estudió la morfología, el tamaño y la germinación en aquenios de seis poblaciones de Anacyclus clavatus (Desf.) Pers., A. homogamos (Maire) Humphries y A. valentinus L. Nuestros resultados indican que tanto la morfología del aquenio como su tamaño estaban relacionados con su posición en el capítulo, de manera que los aquenios más externos –alados– eran significativamente más pesados que los internos –sin alas–. Además, los aquenios alados germinaron más rápidamente que los no alados. Este patrón puede estar relacionado con la liberación secuencial de los aquenios que ocurre en estas especies. Por último, nuestros resultados ponen en duda la función de las alas como estructuras que favorecen la dispersión por viento de los aquenios en estas tres especies de Anacyclus

Modelos de aprovechamiento sostenible del Aliso (Alnus Acuminata Kunth) en zona de ladera de bosque de niebla

Timber extractions non planned affect negatively in the reduction of forest cover, proper management and planned with minor extractions preserve the natural production allow for longer and sustainable forms a stand to benefit local populations and the same ecosystem. In the basin of Acero Marca has two stands Alnus acuminata that they are extracted continuously. With the purpose of planning the extraction of timber resourses were constructed and evaluated matrix models sustainable harvest of this species on the basis of structures of age. For this, two old structures we worked following a dendrochronological analysis and demographic model of the forestall mass, from making local information by transectos Gentry. According to the demographic model, the potential regression evidences significant differences (p< 0.001) that only it explains 45.5 % of the existent variation, the remainder is explained by the environmental variation, it allowed establishing two elderly structures, the first with seven classes and the second one with two classes. The results demonstrate the first age structure suggest than models 1 to 4 are feasible in time. The sensitivity analysis shows that simulate selective harvests straight trees of 10 to 90% (models 1 to 4) of categories 4, 5, 6 and 7 from the sixth year, the stand would not be adversely affected λ> 1 and could be the most appropriate for a planned extraction becoming sustainable over time. The second structure of age proved extremely sensitive to any change. To use the matrix models is not a simple path of going over. In spite of the results, the matrix models joined to ample experience of the observer would be able to present proposals of sustainable handling of the forestal resources.Extracciones maderables no planificadas inciden negativamente en la reducción de cobertura boscosa, un manejo adecuado y planificado con extracciones menores a la producción natural permiten conservar por mayor tiempo y de forma sostenible un rodal, en beneficio de poblaciones locales y del mismo ecosistema. En la cuenca de Acero marca se tiene dos rodales de Alnus acuminata que son extraídas de forma continua. Con el fin de planificar la extracción de recursos maderables se construyeron y evaluaron modelos matriciales de cosecha para el aprovechamiento sostenible de esta especie en base a estructuras de edad. Para ello se trabajó dos estructuras de edad siguiendo un análisis dendrocronológico y modelo demográfico de la masa forestal, a partir de toma de información local mediante transectos Gentry. Según el modelo demográfico, la regresión potencial muestra diferencias significativas (p<0,001) que solo explica el 45,5 % de la variación existente, el restante es explicado por la variación ambiental, ello permitió establecer dos estructuras de edad, la primera con siete clases y la segunda con dos clases. Los resultados de la primera estructura de edad indican que los modelos 1 al 4 son factibles en el tiempo. El análisis de sensibilidad realizado muestra que simulando cosechas selectivas de árboles rectos de 10 hasta un 90 % (modelos 1 al 4) de las categorías 4, 5, 6 y 7 a partir del sexto año, el rodal no sería afectado λ>1 y podrían ser los más apropiados para una extracción planificada llegando a ser sostenibles en el tiempo. La segunda estructura de edad resultaron ser extremadamente sensibles a cualquier cambio. Utilizar los modelos matriciales no es un camino sencillo de recorrer. Pese a los resultados, los modelos matriciales junto a la amplia experiencia del observador podrían plantear propuestas de manejo sostenible de los recursos forestales

The Interpretation and application of the law with a gender perspective in Spain: challenges and outstanding issues

This work, situated within the Spanish legal context, presents a reflection upon the need to apply and interpret the law bearing in mind the mandate of the gender perspective contained in national and international legislation. In spite of the significant advances, in questions of gender equality, evidenced by the Spanish legal system in recent decades, these have not led to real, effective equality. In the spheres of both private and public law, this task should be prioritised and undertaken in transversal fashion by all legal operators, judges in particular. Without this commitment, the guarantee of women’s human rights will continue to be hindered by the shortcomings of an androcentric legal culture that perpetuates structural discrimination against women

Remanence enhancement for stray field-based applications in arrays of crystalline nanomagnets

With the aim of achieving stable, substantial remanences adequate for exploitation in stray field-based applications, we report on the hysteresis behavior occurring in arrays of single-crystal Fe motifs, a-beam lithographed into prisms with triangular bases and different orientations of their magnetocrystalline axes with respect to the morphological symmetry axes. From both experimental and simulational analyses we recognize the fact that the magnetization reversal processes of our samples were mediated by motif-sized vortices. Their nucleation and annihilation fields and sites within the motifs, and their field-induced displacements, are discussed in terms of the magnetocrystalline and configurational anisotropies and inter-motif dipolar interactions. From our data, we conclude that reduced remanences as large as 0.85 (sufficient for the application requirements), protected by nucleation fields of several tens of Oe, can be produced in arrays where magnetocrystalline easy axes reinforce and partly compensate the easiest and hardest configurational ones, respectively. The angular dependence of the reduced remanence associated with interplay of these anisotropies corresponds to a symmetry reduction from the triaxial one linked to the triangular morphology down to an effective uniaxial one. We also identify, for the particular case of inter-nanoprism distances that are short in comparison with the dimensions of the motif base, a contribution to the remanence enhancement originating from the dipolar interactions

Software Lectura y Cognición : Su aplicación para la evaluación del Lector Independiente

El software “Lectura y Cognición”, desarrollado en el marco del proyecto “Habilidades y Competencias del lector independiente”, basándose en el lenguaje de programación Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, es una herramienta que se aplica para la evaluación diagnóstica de la mayoría de los aspectos básicos comprendidos entre los que definen a un lector independiente. Su valor particular se encuentra sobre todo en la posibilidad de obtener una gran cantidad de información acerca del desempeño del / los alumno / s mediante una serie de ejercicios de razonamiento verbal y comprensión lectora de una manera confiable y automatizada para el posterior tratamiento de la misma; así mismo, no es un aporte menor el de la accesibilidad y amigabilidad que representa el software para el usuario – alumnos del 3º y 4º año de la E.G.B.- para encarar este tipo de tareas.Eje: Informática educativaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Software Lectura y Cognición : Su aplicación para la evaluación del Lector Independiente

El software “Lectura y Cognición”, desarrollado en el marco del proyecto “Habilidades y Competencias del lector independiente”, basándose en el lenguaje de programación Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, es una herramienta que se aplica para la evaluación diagnóstica de la mayoría de los aspectos básicos comprendidos entre los que definen a un lector independiente. Su valor particular se encuentra sobre todo en la posibilidad de obtener una gran cantidad de información acerca del desempeño del / los alumno / s mediante una serie de ejercicios de razonamiento verbal y comprensión lectora de una manera confiable y automatizada para el posterior tratamiento de la misma; así mismo, no es un aporte menor el de la accesibilidad y amigabilidad que representa el software para el usuario – alumnos del 3º y 4º año de la E.G.B.- para encarar este tipo de tareas.Eje: Informática educativaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Long-term weight change and risk of breast cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study

Background: The role of obesity and weight change in breast-cancer development is complex and incompletely understood. We investigated long-term weight change and breast-cancer risk by body mass index (BMI) at age 20 years, menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and hormone-receptor status. Methods: Using data on weight collected at three different time points from women who participated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, we investigated the association between weight change from age 20 years until middle adulthood and risk of breast cancer. Results: In total, 150 257 women with a median age of 51 years at cohort entry were followed for an average of 14 years (standard deviation = 3.9) during which 6532 breast-cancer cases occurred. Compared with women with stable weight (+/- 2.5 kg), long-term weight gain >10 kg was positively associated with postmenopausal breast-cancer risk in women who were lean at age 20 [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42; 95% confidence interval 1.22-1.65] in ever HRT users (HR = 1.23; 1.04-1.44), in never HRT users (HR = 1.40; 1.16-1.68) and in oestrogen-and-progesterone-receptor-positive (ERthornPRthorn) breast cancer (HR = 1.46; 1.15-1.85). Conclusion: Long-term weight gain was positively associated with postmenopausal breast cancer in women who were lean at age 20, both in HRT ever users and non-users, and hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer