DIVERSIDAD DE AVES EN BOSQUES DE PINO-ENCINO DEL CENTRO DE GUERRERO, MÉXICO

We assessed bird species richness and their abundances at three sites with pine-oak forest under different development stages (mature forest, regenerating forest and shade coffee plantation) in central Guerrero, Mexico. We recorded a total of 117 species and 1,276 individuals; however, analysis of cumulative species curves indicates that it is possible to find more species in the region for a more complete list. There were significant differences in species diversity among the three sites. Species diversity was higher at the regenerating forest, middle in mature forest and lowest at shade coffee plantation. Higher similarity was between mature forest and regenerating forest. There were no significant differences among the feeding guilds at any site. The mid-stratum had the highest utilization at the three sites. In addition, there were significant differences among strata in regenerating forest in comparison with mature forest and shade coffee plantation.Se estimó la riqueza y abundancia de aves en tres sitios con bosque de pino-encino con diferentes condiciones de desarrollo (bosque maduro, bosque en regeneración y bosque con cafetal) en el centro del estado de Guerrero, México. Entre los tres sitios se registró un total de 117 especies y 1,276 individuos; sin embargo, análisis de curvas de acumulación muestran que es posible registrar más especies para complementar el listado. Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en la diversidad de especies entre los tres sitios, la mayor diversidad se presentó en el bosque en regeneración, seguido del bosque maduro y por último el bosque con cafetal. La mayor similitud de especies se registró entre el bosque maduro y el bosque en regeneración. No existen diferencias significativas entre los gremios alimentarios de los tres sitios. El estrato medio del bosque fue el más utilizado por las aves en los tres sitios, existiendo diferencias significativas en el uso de los estratos de la vegetación por las aves del bosque en regeneración en comparación con el bosque maduro, así como con el bosque con cafetal

The African Swine Fever Virus IAP Homolog Is a Late Structural Polypeptide

AbstractThe analysis of the complete nucleotide sequence of the African swine fever virus genome has revealed the existence of a number of genes potentially capable of modifying the host's response to the virus infection. In this report, we describe the results of the characterization of the A224L gene that encodes a novel member of the family of apoptosis inhibitors known as IAP proteins. A224L is expressed during the late phase of the infectious cycle, and its polypeptide product is assembled into virus particles

On-chip monitoring of toxic gases: capture and label-free SERS detection with plasmonic mesoporous sorbents

AThe detection of the spread of toxic gas molecules in the air at low concentration in the field requires a robust miniaturized system combined with an analytical technique that is portable and able to detect and identify the molecules, as is the case with surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This work aims to address capability gaps faced by first responders in real-time detection, identification and monitoring of neurotoxic gases by developing robust, reliable and reusable SERS microfluidic chips. Thus, the key performance attributes of a portable SERS detection system that must be addressed in detail are its limit of detection, response time and reusability. To this purpose, we integrate a 3D plasmonic architecture based on closely packed mesoporous silica (MCM48) nanospheres decorated with Au nanoparticle arrays, denoted as MCM48@Au, into a Si microfluidic chip designed and used for preconcentration and label-free detection of gases at a trace concentration level. The SERS performance of the plasmonic platform is thoroughly analyzed using DMMP as a model neurotoxic simulant over a 1 cm2 SERS active area and over a range of concentrations from 100 ppbV to 2.5 ppmV. The preconcentration-based SERS signal amplification by the mesoporous silica moieties is evaluated against dense silica counterparts, denoted as Stöber@Au. To assess the potential for applications in the field, the microfluidic SERS chip has been interrogated with a portable Raman spectrometer, evaluated with temporal and spatial resolution and subjected to several gas detection/regeneration cycles. The reusable SERS chip shows exceptional performance for the label-free monitoring of 2.5 ppmV gaseous DMMP

Hacia la creación de una colección de referencia de la fauna española de kinorrincos (Scalidophora: Kinorhyncha) en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (MNCN-CSIC)

The Invertebrate Collection is part of the 17 collections from the National Museum of Natural Science of Madrid (MNCN-CSIC). Up to now, this collection included specimens of 27 animal phyla. The present contribution determines the donation of 44 specimens belonging to 25 species, 13 genera and six families of the phylum Kinorhyncha, increasing the number of represented phyla of the aforementioned collection to 28. For each species, locality, date and project of origin are provided. Furthermore, the species Pycnophyes giganteus is reported for the first time in Balearic waters.La Colección de Invertebrados es una de las 17 colecciones científicas del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (MNCN-CSIC). Hasta la fecha, dicha colección comprendía ejemplares pertenecientes a 27 filos animales. El presente trabajo informa de la donación de 44 ejemplares pertenecientes a 25 especies, 13 géneros y seis familias del filo Kinorhyncha, lo que amplía hasta 28 el número de filos representados en la citada colección. Para cada especie se aportan datos del lugar, fecha y proyecto de procedencia. Además, se reporta por primera vez la especie Pycnophyes giganteus en aguas baleares

Nueva información para la avifauna del estado de Querétaro, México

We present new information about 24 species, including 12 noteworthy records for the avifauna of the Mexican state of Queretaro. These data were gathered during fieldwork performed between 1993 to 2007, mainly in the Eje Neovolcánico province. Five species are considered protected under Mexican law NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001: Buteogallus anthracinus, Buteo albonotatus, Trogon collaris, Turdus infuscatus and Vermivora crissalis. The checklist of birds present in Queretaro is now at least 347 species.Presentamos información nueva de 24 especies, incluyendo 12 nuevos registros de aves para el estado de Querétaro, México. Estos datos fueron obtenidos en diversos estudios de campo de 1993 a 2007, principalmente en la provincia del Eje Neovolcánico. Cinco especies están bajo alguna categoría de riesgo según la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001: Buteogallus anthracinus, Buteo albonotatus, Trogon collaris, Turdus infuscatus y Vermivora crissalis. Con estas adiciones el listado de aves de Querétaro se incrementa al menos a 347 especie

Potent Inhibition of Zika Virus Replication by Aurintricarboxylic Acid

Zika virus (ZIKV) is one of the recently emerging vector-borne viruses in humans and is responsible for severe congenital abnormalities such as microcephaly in the Western Hemisphere. Currently, only a few vaccine candidates and therapeutic drugs are being developed for the treatment of ZIKV infections, and as of yet none are commercially available. The polyanionic aromatic compound aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) has been shown to have a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiviral activity. In this study, we evaluated ATA as a potential antiviral drug against ZIKV replication. The antiviral activity of ATA against ZIKV replication in vitro showed median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 13.87 ± 1.09 μM and 33.33 ± 1.13 μM in Vero and A549 cells, respectively; without showing any cytotoxic effect in both cell lines (median cytotoxic concentration (CC50) > 1,000 μM). Moreover, ATA protected both cell types from ZIKV-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) and apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In addition, pre-treatment of Vero cells with ATA for up to 72 h also resulted in effective suppression of ZIKV replication with similar IC50. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of ATA on ZIKV infection was effective against strains of the African and Asian/American lineages, indicating that this inhibitory effect was not strain dependent. Overall, these results demonstrate that ATA has potent inhibitory activity against ZIKV replication and may be considered as a potential anti-ZIKV therapy for future clinical evaluation

African swinw fever (ASF) virus: A missing link between poxviruses and iridoviruses

Trabajo presentado en el VII International Congress of Virology, celebrado en Edmonton (Canadá) del 09 al 14 de agosto de 1987