Postcopulatory sexual selection favors fertilization success of restocking hybrid quails over native Common quails (Coturnix coturnix)

Postcopulatory sexual selection plays an important role in the reproductive success of males in many species. Differences in fertilization success could affect rates of admixture and genetic introgression between divergent lineages. We investigated sperm precedence in matings in captivity involving Common quails (Coturnix coturnix) and farm quails of hybrid origin (C. coturnix × domestic Japanese quail, C. japonica), the last used in restocking practices to increase hunting bags. These inter-specific matings in natural conditions are claimed to represent an important threat to the conservation of native Common quail populations. Results showed that fertilization success of each male depended on (1) the time it spent with the female, (2) the presence of sperm from a previous male in the female oviduct, (3) the time that the previous partner had been copulating with the female, and, most importantly, (4) the genetic origin of the male (wild or farm). Farm hybrid males showed higher fertilization success than wild Common males, and they required less time with the female to fertilize the same proportion of eggs. The presence of sperm from another male in the female oviduct reduced the percentage of fertilized eggs by a male. However, this reduction was higher for wild males when the precedent mate was a farm male. In summary, the sperm of farm hybrid males may outcompete the sperm of native males and this could be favoring the introgression of domestic Japanese alleles into the Common quail population, thus constituting a severe conservation threat to wild Common quail populations.[GER]In vielen Arten spielt die postkopulative sexuelle Selektion für den Fortpflanzungserfolg von Männchen eine große Rolle. Unterschiede im Befruchtungserfolg können Einfluss haben auf die Rate der genetische Introgression und Vermischung zwischen verschiedenen Abstammungslinien. Um Unterschiede in der Spermienwettbewerbsstärke zwischen wilden Wachteln (Coturnix coturnix) und Japanischen Wirtschaftswachtelaus stammenden Hybridwachteln (C. coturnix × C. japonica), die für die Aufstockung von Beständen zur Jagd genutzt wurden, zu untersuchen, haben wir Verpaarungen in der Gefangenschaft durchgeführt. Es wird vermutet, dass solche zwischenartlichen Verpaarungen unter natürlichen Bedingungen ein Risiko für den Erhalt des Artbestandes von Wachteln darstellen. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigten, dass der Fortpflanzungserfolg eines Männchen davon beeinflusst wurde (1) wie viel Zeit es mit dem Weibchen verbrachte, (2) ob bereits Spermien eines anderen Männchen im Ovidukt waren, (3) wie lange ein vorheriger Partner mit dem Weibchen kopuliert hatte, und vor allem (4) welchen genetischen Hintergrund das Männchen (Wildtier oder Wirtschaftswachtel) hatte. Hybride Wirtschaftswachteln hatten den höchsten Fortpflanzungserfolg und befruchteten die gleiche Anzahl Eier eines Weibchens schneller. Wenn bereits Spermien eines anderen Männchens im Ovidukt waren, verringerte dies den prozentualen Anteil erfolgreicher Befruchtungen des nächsten Männchen. Dieser Effekt war am stärksten für wilde Männchen, wenn der vorherige Partner eine Wirtschaftswachtel war. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass Spermien von Hybridmännchen wettbewerbsstärker zu sein scheinen als Spermien frei lebender Wachteln. Dies mag die Introgression der Allele von Japanischen Wirtschaftswachteln in die Wildpopulation unterstützen und eine ernste Bedrohung für den Erhalt wilder Wachtelpopulationen darstellen.Peer reviewe

A detailed analysis of the Gl 486 planetary system

Context. The Gl 486 system consists of a very nearby, relatively bright, weakly active M3.5 V star at just 8 pc with a warm transiting rocky planet of about 1.3 R-circle plus and 3.0 M-circle plus. It is ideal for both transmission and emission spectroscopy and for testing interior models of telluric planets. Aims. To prepare for future studies, we aim to thoroughly characterise the planetary system with new accurate and precise data collected with state-of-the-art photometers from space and spectrometers and interferometers from the ground. Methods. We collected light curves of seven new transits observed with the CHEOPS space mission and new radial velocities obtained with MAROON-X at the 8.1 m Gemini North telescope and CARMENES at the 3.5 m Calar Alto telescope, together with previously published spectroscopic and photometric data from the two spectrographs and TESS. We also performed near-infrared interferometric observations with the CHARA Array and new photometric monitoring with a suite of smaller telescopes (AstroLAB, LCOGT, OSN, TJO). This extraordinary and rich data set was the input for our comprehensive analysis. Results. From interferometry, we measure a limb-darkened disc angular size of the star Gl 486 at theta(LDD) = 0.390 +/- 0.018 mas. Together with a corrected Gaia EDR3 parallax, we obtain a stellar radius R-* = 0.339 +/- 0.015 R-circle plus. We also measure a stellar rotation period at P-rot = 49.9 +/- 5.5 days, an upper limit to its XUV (5-920 A) flux informed by new Hubble/STIS data, and, for the first time, a variety of element abundances (Fe, Mg, Si, V, Sr, Zr, Rb) and C/O ratio. Moreover, we imposed restrictive constraints on the presence of additional components, either stellar or sub-stellar, in the system. With the input stellar parameters and the radial-velocity and transit data, we determine the radius and mass of the planet Gl 486 b at R-p = 1.343(-0.062)(+0.063) R-circle plus and M-p = 3.00(-0.12)(+0.13) M-circle plus, with relative uncertainties of the planet radius and mass of 4.7% and 4.2%, respectively. From the planet parameters and the stellar element abundances, we infer the most probable models of planet internal structure and composition, which are consistent with a relatively small metallic core with respect to the Earth, a deep silicate mantle, and a thin volatile upper layer. With all these ingredients, we outline prospects for Gl 486 b atmospheric studies, especially with forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) observations.The David & Lucile Packard FoundationHeising-Simons FoundationGemini ObservatoryUniversity of ChicagoMax Planck SocietyConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)Spanish GovernmentEuropean Commission FICTS-2011-02 ICTS-2017-07-CAHA-4 CAHA16-CE-3978German Research Foundation (DFG) FOR2544National Science Foundation (NSF) AST-1636624 AST-2034336 2108465 DGE 1746045European Research Council (ERC) 639889National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) XRP NNX16AD43GNational Science Foundation (NSF) AST 1909165Wise Observatory, Tel-Aviv University, Israel TAU2021A-015Agencia Estatal de Investigacion of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades and the ERDF PID2019-109522GB-C5[1:4] PID2019-107061GBC64 PID2019-110689RB-100 PGC2018-095317-B-C21 PGC2018-102108-BI00Centre of Excellence "Severo Ochoa" CEX2019-000920-SCentre of Excellence "Maria de Maeztu" CEX2019-000920-SInstituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia SEV-2017-0709Centro de Astrobiologia MDM2017-0737German Research Foundation (DFG)European Commission FOR2544 (KU 3625/2-1)Germany's Excellence Strategy to the Excellence Cluster ORIGINS EXC-2094 -390783311European Research Council (ERC)European Commission 639889Bulgarian National Science Fund through VIHREN-2021 KP-06-DB/5Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Forderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung/Fonds national suisse de la recherche scientifique PZ00P2_174028United Kingdom Science Technology and Facilities Council 630008203Princeton UniversityUniversidad La Laguna through the Margarita Salas Fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de UniversidadesEU Next Generation funds UNI/551/2021Generalitat de Catalunya (CERCA programme

Differences and similarities of stellar populations in LAEs and LBGs at z~3.4-6.8

Lyman alpha emitters (LAEs) and Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) represent the most common groups of star-forming galaxies at high z, and the differences between their inherent stellar populations (SPs) are a key factor in understanding early galaxy formation and evolution. We have run a set of SP burst-like models for a sample of 1558 sources at 3.4 < z < 6.8 from the Survey for High-z Absorption Red and Dead Sources (SHARDS) over the GOODS-N field. This work focuses on the differences between the three different observational subfamilies of our sample: LAE–LBGs, no-Ly α LBGs, and pure LAEs. Single and double SP synthetic spectra were used to model the spectral energy distributions, adopting a Bayesian information criterion to analyze under which situations a second SP is required. We find that the sources are well modelled using a single SP in ∼79 per cent of the cases. The best models suggest that pure LAEs are typically young low-mass galaxies (⁠t∼26+41−25 Myr; Mstar∼5.6+12.0−5.5×108 M⊙⁠), undergoing one of their first bursts of star formation. On the other hand, no-Ly α LBGs require older SPs (t ∼ 71 ± 12 Myr), and they are substantially more massive (Mstar ∼ 3.5 ± 1.1 × 109 M⊙). LAE–LBGs appear as the subgroup that more frequently needs the addition of a second SP, representing an old and massive galaxy caught in a strong recent star-forming episode. The relative number of sources found from each subfamily at each z supports an evolutionary scenario from pure LAEs and single SP LAE–LBGs to more massive LBGs. Stellar mass functions are also derived, finding an increase of M* with cosmic time and a possible steepening of the low-mass slope from z ∼ 6 to z ∼ 5 with no significant change to z ∼ 4. Additionally, we have derived the SFR–Mstar relation, finding an SFR∝Mβstar behaviour with negligible evolution from z ∼ 4 to z ∼ 6

Alterations of antitumor and metabolic responses in L5178Y-R lymphoma-bearing mice after only 30-minute daily chronic stress exposure

Aim: In stress research, reducing times of stress induction may contribute to improving the well-being of experimental animals, especially in cancer models, already under physiological distress. To support this idea, we evaluated the effects of a short-timed stress protocol on endocrine, metabolic and immune indicators in mice bearing the L5178Y-R lymphoma. Materials and Methods: A 30-minute daily stress protocol was applied for 28 days to healthy and lymphoma-bearing BALB/c mice; body weight, plasma levels of corticosterone, norepinephrine, Th1/Th2 cytokines, insulin, and leptin, were measured. Results: We found a 12% significant decrease in body weight in non-tumor bearing mice under stress (p < 0.007). The disruption of weight evolution was accompanied by a stress induced 85% decrease in plasmatic leptin (p < 0.01) and total reduction of insulin. Tumor burden alone was associated to an increase in more than two-fold of plasmatic levels of norepinephrine (p < 0.008). Neither stress nor tumor or their combination, resulted in an elevation of systemic IL-6. IFN-γ levels were 20 times higher in lymphoma-bearing animals when compared with non-tumor bearing mice (p < 0.01); however, under stress, this response was reduced by half, indicating a suppressing effect of chronic stress on the antitumor immune response. Conclusion: A short-timed stress induction is enough to cause significant alterations in the metabolism and immunity of healthy and tumor-bearing mice, supporting the use of short-timed protocols as an efficient way to induce chronic stress that also considers concerns regarding the well-being of experimental animals in biomedical research

Development of a monitoring system for COVID-19 monitoring in early stages

Covid-19 is considered the most infectious virus today. Likewise, the struggle to mitigate the effects of the variants, the flexibility in some measures such as the use of face masks, the advancement of vaccination and prevention and self-care campaigns continue to be topics of research and of global interest. The world health authorities published that the disease was characterized by presenting the same symptoms as the flu along with a complex picture where in the most serious cases they lead to difficulty breathing due to pneumonia, sepsis and septic shock that can lead to death. Some systems implemented for taking body temperature such as thermographic cameras, digital thermometers, for the description of symptoms in the people they analyze at the time of carrying out the epidemiological fences are not enough, since they handle low precision, are taken in isolation, individually or randomly and is not suitable for characterizing interest groups. Then, establishing risk levels by measuring non-invasive variables can be considered inputs into prevention campaigns and a low-cost way of monitoring the community. This article shows the design of a non-invasive embedded device for the measurement of 5 priority variables for the detection of the risk of covid-19 infection. The proposed device was duly calibrated and synchronized for the acquisition of data from 594 people in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, who authorize the monitoring of the symptoms. The people must be in a state of rest to be able to acquire the data with great accuracy, in this way the data is entered into the system in charge of doing the monitoring analysis. Additionally, the implementation of an interface that allows the visualization of results, laying the foundations for the development of automatic learning techniques or models for the risk classification in future work

The action of obestatin in skeletal muscle repair: stem cell expansion, muscle growth, and microenvironment remodeling

The development of therapeutic strategies for skeletal muscle diseases, such as physical injuries and myopathies, depends on the knowledge of regulatory signals that control the myogenic process. The obestatin/GPR39 system operates as an autocrine signal in the regulation of skeletal myogenesis. Using a mouse model of skeletal muscle regeneration after injury and several cellular strategies, we explored the potential use of obestatin as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of trauma-induced muscle injuries. Our results evidenced that the overexpression of the preproghrelin, and thus obestatin, and GPR39 in skeletal muscle increased regeneration after muscle injury. More importantly, the intramuscular injection of obestatin significantly enhanced muscle regeneration by simulating satellite stem cell expansion as well as myofiber hypertrophy through a kinase hierarchy. Added to the myogenic action, the obestatin administration resulted in an increased expression of VEGF/VEGFR2 and the consequent microvascularization, with no effect on collagen deposition in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the potential inhibition of myostatin during obestatin treatment might contribute to its myogenic action improving muscle growth and regeneration. Taken together, our data demonstrate successful improvement of muscle regeneration, indicating obestatin is a potential therapeutic agent for skeletal muscle injury and would benefit other myopathies related to muscle regeneration

Instituto Internacional de Investigaci ́on e Innovaci ́on del Envejecimiento

El Instituto Internacional de Investigaci on e Innovaci on del Envejecimiento es un proyecto transfronterizo y multidisciplinar centrado en la mejora de la calidad de vida de los ancianos mediante el uso de la tecnolog a. En este proyecto colaboran la Universidad de Evora, el Instituto Polit ecnico de Porto Alegre, el Instituto Polit ecnico de Beja, la Administraci on Regional de Salud de Alentejo y la Universidad de Extremadura. Los objetivos del proyecto se centran en comprender los aspectos biom edicos, funcionales y psicol ogicos del envejecimiento; generar nuevos modelos y procesos de cuidado a ancianos y desarrollar soluciones tecnol ogicas que contribuyan a la salud y calidad de vida de los ancianos y a la sostenibilidad de los servicios

Infrastructure and equipment for radiation oncology in the spanish national health system: analysis of external beam radiotherapy 2015-2020.

PURPOSE Planning for radiation oncology requires reliable estimates of both demand for radiotherapy and availability of technological resources. This study compares radiotherapy resources in the 17 regions of the decentralised Spanish National Health System (SNHS). MATERIAL AND METHODS The Sociedad Española de Oncología Radioterápica (SEOR) performed a cross-sectional survey of all Spanish radiation oncology services (ROS) in 2015. We collected data on SNHS radiotherapy units, recording the year of installation, specific features of linear accelerators (LINACs) and other treatment units, and radiotherapeutic techniques implemented by region. Any machine over 10 years old or lacking a multileaf collimator or portal imaging system was considered obsolete. We performed a k-means clustering analysis using the Hartigan-Wong method to test associations between the gross domestic regional product (GDRP), the number of LINACs per million population and the percentage of LINACs over 10 years old. RESULTS The SNHS controls 72 (61%) of the 118 Spanish ROS and has 180 LINACs, or 72.5% of the total public and private resources. The mean rate of LINACs per million population is 3.9 for public ROS, and 42% (n=75) of the public accelerators were obsolete in 2015: 61 due to age and 14 due to technological capability. There was considerable regional variation in terms of the number and technological capacity of radiotherapy units; correlation between GRDP and resource availability was moderate. CONCLUSION Despite improvements, new investments are still needed to replace obsolete units and increase access to modern radiotherapy. Regular analysis of ROS in each Spanish region is the only strategy for monitoring progress in radiotherapy capacity.pre-print1471 K