Geological factors of the Guadalajara landscapes (Central Spain) and their relevance to landscape studies

The landscapes of a territory are the consequence of its history; overlapped geological, vegetable and cultural histories usually exist on a landscape. At the Mediterranean domain, however, a translucent vegetation exists, and its history is closely related to the geologic and cultural histories, because low-technology agricultural uses on a different hardness rock background control vegetation. Thus, in areas like the Guadalajara province, the geologic composition and the human activities can be considered the primary conditions for landscape configuration. Both condition the typologies, distribution and relative importance of the geotic, biotic and anthropogenic components of landscapes. A complex network of interrelations among all them exists but, in the base of which lie the geology of the territory, included relief, because it has amore independent influence since man cannot modify the geologic factors; such as the colour of the rocks, the size and distribution of rock bodies, the palaeogeographic domains and the tectonic structure all which control landscape development and configuration. Moreover, geology influences conditions and even limit, the presence, typologies and development of the biotic and anthropogenic elements. These factors also have a major relevance for environmental management, educational and economic policy, and, in some cases, for environmental impact assessment.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

Geological factors of the Guadalajara landscapes (Central Spain) and their relevance to landscape studies

The landscapes of a territory are the consequence of its history; overlapped geological, vegetable and cultural histories usually exist on a landscape. At the Mediterranean domain, however, a translucent vegetation exists, and its history is closely related to the geologic and cultural histories, because low-technology agricultural uses on a different hardness rock background control vegetation. Thus, in areas like the Guadalajara province, the geologic composition and the human activities can be considered the primary conditions for landscape configuration. Both condition the typologies, distribution and relative importance of the geotic, biotic and anthropogenic components of landscapes. A complex network of interrelations among all them exists but, in the base of which lie the geology of the territory, included relief, because it has amore independent influence since man cannot modify the geologic factors; such as the colour of the rocks, the size and distribution of rock bodies, the palaeogeographic domains and the tectonic structure all which control landscape development and configuration. Moreover, geology influences conditions and even limit, the presence, typologies and development of the biotic and anthropogenic elements. These factors also have a major relevance for environmental management, educational and economic policy, and, in some cases, for environmental impact assessment

Different states of integrin LFA-1 aggregation are controlled through its association with tetraspanin CD9

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Mollecular Cell Research. A definitive version was subsequently published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Mollecular Cell Research, 1853.10 (2015): 2464-2480 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.05.018The tetraspanin CD9 has been shown to interact with different members of the β1 and β3 subfamilies of integrins, regulating through these interactions cell adhesion, migration and signaling. Based on confocal microscopy co-localization and on coimmunoprecipitation results, we report here that CD9 associates with the β2 integrin LFA-1 in different types of leukocytes including T, B and monocytic cells. This association is resistant to stringent solubilisation conditions which, together with data from chemical crosslinking, in situ Proximity Ligation Assays and pull-down experiments, suggests a primary/direct type of interaction mediated by the Large Extracellular Loop of the tetraspanin. CD9 exerts inhibitory effects on the adhesive function of LFA-1 and on LFA-1-dependent leukocyte cytotoxic activity. The mechanism responsible for this negative regulation exerted by CD9 on LFA-1 adhesion does not involve changes in the affinity state of this integrin but seems to be related to alterations in its state of aggregationThis work was supported by grant SAF2012-34561 from the Spanish «Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad-MINECO», (to C.C.). R.R.M. salary is supported by a «Profesor Ayudante» position from Departamento de Biología, Facutad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madri

The sheddase activity of ADAM17/TACE is regulated by the tetraspanin CD9

ADAM17/TACE is a metalloproteinase responsible for the shedding of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-a and many other cell surface proteins involved in development, cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, and proliferation. Despite the important biological function of ADAM17, the mechanisms of regulation of its metalloproteinase activity remain largely unknown. We report here that the tetraspanin CD9 and ADAM17 partially co-localize on the surface of endothelial and monocytic cells. In situ proximity ligation, co-immunoprecipitation, crosslinking, and pull-down experiments collectively demonstrate a direct association between these molecules. Functional studies reveal that treatment with CD9-specific antibodies or neoexpression of CD9 exert negative regulatory effects on ADAM17 sheddase activity. Conversely, CD9 silencing increased the activity of ADAM17 against its substrates TNF-a and ICAM-1. Taken together, our results show that CD9 associates with ADAM17 and, through this interaction, negatively regulates the sheddase activity of ADAM17s. This work was supported by grants BFU2007-66443/BMC and BFU2010-19144/BMC from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, a grant from Fundación de Investigación Médica Mutua Madrileña and by RETICS Program RD08/0075-RIER (Red de Inflamacio´n y Enfermedades Reumáticas) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (to C.C.), a grant from Fundación de Investigación Médica Mutua Madrileña (to M.D.G.L.), and grants PI080794 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (to M.Y-M) and SAF2007-60578 from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (to E.M.L.). M.D.G.L. was supported by a contract associated to grant SAF2004-01715 from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacio´n. S.O. was supported by an I3P predoctoral Fellowship from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and by a contract associated to grant BFU2007-66443/BMC from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacio´n. A.G. has been supported by a predoctoral Fellowship from Instituto de Salud Carlos III and by grant BFU2007-66443/BMC from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.Peer reviewe

ALCAM/CD166 adhesive function is regulated by the tetraspanin CD9

Item does not contain fulltextALCAM/CD166 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (Ig-CAMs) which mediates intercellular adhesion through either homophilic (ALCAM-ALCAM) or heterophilic (ALCAM-CD6) interactions. ALCAM-mediated adhesion is crucial in different physiological and pathological phenomena, with particular relevance in leukocyte extravasation, stabilization of the immunological synapse, T cell activation and proliferation and tumor growth and metastasis. Although the functional implications of ALCAM in these processes is well established, the mechanisms regulating its adhesive capacity remain obscure. Using confocal microscopy colocalization, and biochemical and functional analyses, we found that ALCAM directly associates with the tetraspanin CD9 on the leukocyte surface in protein complexes that also include the metalloproteinase ADAM17/TACE. The functional relevance of these interactions is evidenced by the CD9-induced upregulation of both homophilic and heterophilic ALCAM interactions, as reflected by increased ALCAM-mediated cell adhesion and T cell migration, activation and proliferation. The enhancement of ALCAM function induced by CD9 is mediated by a dual mechanism involving (1) augmented clustering of ALCAM molecules, and (2) upregulation of ALCAM surface expression due to inhibition of ADAM17 sheddase activity

Determinants of Peak Bone Mass Acquisition

Peak bone mass (PBM) is an important determinant of osteoporotic fracture risk later in life. Bone mineral mass accumulation from infancy to postpuberty is a complex process implicating interactions of genetic, endocrine, mechanical, and nutritional factors. PBM is attained in the axial skeleton and in the proximal femur by the end of the second decade of life. The increase in mass and strength is essentially due to an increment in bone size, with volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) changing very little during growth. In adult women, an increase of PBM by 10%, that is, by approximately 1 standard deviation (SD), could decrease the risk of fragility fracture by 50% or be equivalent to retarding menopause by 14 years. Bone mineral mass during growth follows a trajectory. The main influencing factor is genetics. Increasing calcium intake or mechanical loading can shift upward the age-bone mass trajectory, while chronic diseases and their treatment can shift it downward. Prepuberty appears to be an opportune time for obtaining a substantial benefit of increasing physical activity with appropriate intakes of calcium and proteins

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care