Restitución de poblaciones como herramienta de conservación en España

Según las directrices de la UICN, las medidas de restitución sensu lato consisten en el movimiento de individuos de un sitio a otro para mejorar, desde una perspectiva conservacionista, el estado de una población amenazada o incluso extinta. Conviene destacar que estas pueden llevarse a cabo dentro del rango de distribución de la especie (refuerzo o reintroducción) o fuera de él (colonización asistida y reemplazo ecológico

Immunogenicity of a recombinant hemagglutinin neuraminidase-Porcine rubulavirus produced by Escherichia coli of Porcine rubulavirus gives protective immunity of litter after challenge

Porcine rubulavirus (PRV) is a contagious virus that affects the Mexican swine industry. This work aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of an recombinant hemagglutinin neuraminidase-Porcine rubulavirus (rHN-PorPV) candidate vaccine on pregnant sows, and the protective efficacy afforded to their 7-day- old suckling piglets against PRV lethal challenge. Three sows were immunized with rHN-PorPV formulated with immune-stimulating complex (ISCOMs) and two sows with rHN- PorPV protein alone as well as a mock-immunized pregnant sow (negative control). Quantitative ELISA detected a high concentration of anti-rHN-PorPV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in sow sera after the second dose of vaccine administered on day 14 until farrowing, showing viral-neutralizing and cross-neutralization activity against different variants of PRV. Sera samples from piglets of immunized sows (with or without adjuvant), showed high concentrations of IgG antibodies. As expected, piglets from the negative control sow (n=5), exhibited severe signs of disease and 100% of mortality after PRV challenge study. Conversely, 75% and 87.5% of the piglets born from the rHN-PorPV and the rHN-PorPV-ISCOMs-immunized sows (n= 8), survived, respectively, showing milder PRV clinical signs. Our data indicate that rHN-PorPV candidate vaccine produced in Escherichia coli induces efficient humoral response in pregnant sows and that the maternally derived immunity provides high protection to suckling piglets against PRV lethal challenge

IAA : Información y actualidad astronómica (8)

Sumario : Investigación: Supercomputacion en Astrofísica.-- Evolución y ciclos de actividad en radiogalaxias..-- Ventana Abierta: Algunos apuntes sobre el programa «Ramón y Cajal».-- Charlas con… Francisco Anguita.-- Actualidad Científica: ¿Es el Universo en realidad más viejo o evolucionado de lo que pensamos?.-- Descubrimientos de nuevos satélites de Júpiter.-- Actividades IAA.-- Agenda.Esta revista se publica con la ayuda de la Acción Especial DIF 2001-4284-E del Programa Nacional de Difusión de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, del Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología.N

AUTHIC: herramienta computacional para niños con espectro autista

[ES]El proyecto AUTHIC se enmarca en las denominadas Tecnologías de Ayuda y tiene como objetivo, desarrollar herramientas que auxilien a los niños con trastorno de espectro autista (TEA) a comprender y a interpretar las expresiones faciales asociadas a una emoción, mediante juegos interactivos supervisados por un terapeuta o sombra. Al tratarse de una investigación de carácter traslacional partimos de los hallazgos de las ciencias de la salud en la comprensión de la emoción y en la universalidad de las expresiones faciales de la emoción para fundamentar el desarrollo de aplicaciones multimedia que hacen uso de las metodologías del diseño centrado en el usuario y de la gamificación. Las rutinas de aprendizaje, hasta ahora realizadas, posibilitan el entrenamiento de los niños con TEA en la identificación de emociones de forma interactiva y amena

Core-rod myopathy due to a novel mutation in BTB/POZ domain of KBTBD13 manifesting as late onset LGMD

Few genes (RYR1, NEB, ACTA1, CFL2, KBTBD13) have been associated with core-rod congenital myopathies [7]. KBTBD13 belongs to the Kelch-repeat super-family of proteins and is implicated in the ubiquitination pathway. Dominant mutations in KBTBD13 have been associated with a peculiar form of core-rod myopathy (NEM6) so far [10]. Childhood onset, slowly progressive proximal muscle weakness with characteristic slowness of movements and combination of nemaline rods, irregular shaped cores and unusual type2 fibres hypotrophy at muscle biopsy, were the main characteristics shared in all the affected members of the four KBTBD13 families reported in the literature [12]. We report on a 65 years old patient, of Sardinian origin, with atypical clinical and morphological presentation of NEM6 due to a novel mutation in KBTBD13 gene

Core-rod myopathy due to a novel mutation in BTB/POZ domain of KBTBD13 manifesting as late onset LGMD

Few genes (RYR1, NEB, ACTA1, CFL2, KBTBD13) have been associated with core-rod congenital myopathies [7]. KBTBD13 belongs to the Kelch-repeat super-family of proteins and is implicated in the ubiquitination pathway. Dominant mutations in KBTBD13 have been associated with a peculiar form of core-rod myopathy (NEM6) so far [10]. Childhood onset, slowly progressive proximal muscle weakness with characteristic slowness of movements and combination of nemaline rods, irregular shaped cores and unusual type2 fibres hypotrophy at muscle biopsy, were the main characteristics shared in all the affected members of the four KBTBD13 families reported in the literature [12]. We report on a 65 years old patient, of Sardinian origin, with atypical clinical and morphological presentation of NEM6 due to a novel mutation in KBTBD13 gene

Linking ecological niche models and common garden experiments to predict phenotypic differentiation in stressful environments: Assessing the adaptive value of marginal populations in an alpine plant

Environmental variation within a species’ range can create contrasting selective pressures, leading to divergent selection and novel adaptations. The conservation value of populations inhabiting environmentally marginal areas remains in debate and is closely related to the adaptive potential in changing environments. Strong selection caused by stressful conditions may generate novel adaptations, conferring these populations distinct evolutionary potential and high conservation value under climate change. On the other hand, environmentally marginal populations may be genetically depauperate, with little potential for new adaptations to emerge. Here, we explored the use of ecological niche models (ENMs) linked with common garden experiments to predict and test for genetically determined phenotypic differentiation related to contrasting environmental conditions. To do so, we built an ENM for the alpine plant Silene ciliata in central Spain and conducted common garden experiments, assessing flowering phenology changes and differences in leaf cell resistance to extreme temperatures. The suitability patterns and response curves of the ENM led to the predictions that: (1) the environmentally marginal populations experiencing less snowpack and higher minimum temperatures would have delayed flowering to avoid risks of late-spring frosts and (2) those with higher minimum temperatures and greater potential evapotranspiration would show enhanced cell resistance to high temperatures to deal with physiological stress related to desiccation and heat. The common garden experiments revealed the expected genetically based phenotypic differentiation in flowering phenology. In contrast, they did not show the expected differentiation for cell resistance, but these latter experiments had high variance and hence lower statistical power. The results highlight ENMs as useful tools to identify contrasting putative selective pressures across species ranges. Linking ENMs with common garden experiments provides a theoretically justified and practical way to study adaptive processes, including insights regarding the conservation value of populations inhabiting environmentally marginal areas under ongoing climate change

Hypoxia compromises the mitochondrial metabolism of Alzheimer’s disease microglia via HIF1

Genetic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk factors associate with reduced defensive amyloid β plaque-associated microglia (AβAM), but the contribution of modifiable AD risk factors to microglial dysfunction is unknown. In AD mouse models, we observe concomitant activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) pathway and transcription of mitochondrial-related genes in AβAM, and elongation of mitochondria, a cellular response to maintain aerobic respiration under low nutrient and oxygen conditions. Overactivation of HIF1 induces microglial quiescence in cellulo, with lower mitochondrial respiration and proliferation. In vivo, overstabilization of HIF1, either genetically or by exposure to systemic hypoxia, reduces AβAM clustering and proliferation and increases Aβ neuropathology. In the human AD hippocampus, upregulation of HIF1α and HIF1 target genes correlates with reduced Aβ plaque microglial coverage and an increase of Aβ plaque-associated neuropathology. Thus, hypoxia (a modifiable AD risk factor) hijacks microglial mitochondrial metabolism and converges with genetic susceptibility to cause AD microglial dysfunction.Instituto de Salud Carlos III CD09/0007, PI18/01556, PI18/01557Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte FPU14/02115, AP2010‐1598, FPU16/02050, FPU15/02898, BES-2010-033886Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad SAF2012‐33816, SAF2015‐64111‐R, SAF2017-90794-REDT, PIE13/0004, BFU2016-76872-R, BES-2011-047721Junta de Andalucía P12‐CTS‐2138, P12‐CTS‐2232, UMA18-FEDERJA-211, US‐126273

Crecimiento de plantas de Cedrela odorata L., Tabebuia chrysantha (Jacq.) G. Nicholson yTabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC. con fertilización sintética y biológica

Objective: The objective was to assess the growth and accumulation of biomass in seedlings of three forest species Cedrela odorata, Tabebuia chrysantha (Threatened species) and T. rosea, under bio-based and synthetic fertilization, as well as their rhizosphere effect. Design/methodology/approach: A completely randomized design with four replications was established and three treatments were evaluated for each forest species: T1, mycorrhizae based biofertilizer; T2, biofertilizer based on Azospirillum sp.; T3, synthetic slow release fertilizer, using from week one to four the commercial starter formula 10-15-5, applying 50ppm / plant; while from week 10 to 12, 100 ppm / plant of Nitro 30-0-0 were used, with their corresponding control. The growth variable was measured by height in a ten-day interval and the biomass accumulated at 12 weeks was estimated. Finally, rhizospheric soil samples were taken from each treatment, by species and free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria (FLNB) in Congo red agar. Results: The biofertilizer based on Azospirillum sp. improved plant growth and microbiological quality of the rhizospheric soil of Cedrela odorata and Tabebuia rosea; while with T. chrysantha, no statistical differences were found between the different types of fertilization. FLNB growth was favored by biofertilizers. Limitations on study/implications: The study lasted only three months, so it is suggested to analyze long-term variables, as well as their response in the field. Findings/conclusions: Biofertilization can be an alternative for the growth of forest species such as Cedrela odorata and Tabebuia rosea.Objetivo: El objetivo fue evaluar el crecimiento y la acumulación de biomasa en plántulas de Cedrela odorata, Tabebuia chrysantha (especie amenazada) y T. rosea, utilizando fertilizantes sintéticos y basados en microorganismos, así como su efecto rizosférico. Diseño/metodología/enfoque: Se estableció un diseño completamente al azar con cuatro réplicas, evaluando tres tratamientos y un control a plántulas de tres especies forestales: T1, biofertilizante con micorrizas; T2, biofertilizante a base de Azospirillum sp.; T3, fertilizante de liberación lenta, usando de la semana uno a la cuatro la fórmula comercial de arranque 10-15-5, aplicando 50ppm/planta; mientras que la semana 10 a la 12, se utilizaron 100ppm/planta de Nitro® 30-0-0, con sus correspondientes controles. La variable de respuesta (crecimiento), se midió la altura cada diez días y se estimó la biomasa acumulada a las 12 semanas. Para finalizar se tomaron muestras de suelo rizosférico de cada tratamiento, por especie y se cultivaron Bacterias Fijadoras de Nitrógeno de Vida Libre (BFNVL) en agar rojo Congo. Resultados: El biofertilizante con Azospirillum sp. fue el tratamiento que mejoró el crecimiento de las plántulas y la calidad microbiológica del suelo rizosférico de Cedrela odorata y Tabebuia rosea; mientras que con T. chrysantha, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los diferentes tipos de fertilización. El crecimiento de BFNVL fue favorecido por los biofertizantes. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: El estudio duró tres meses, por ello se sugiere analizar estas variables a largo plazo y su respuesta en campo. Hallazgos/conclusiones: La biofertilización puede ser una alternativa para el crecimiento de especies forestales como Cedrela odorata y Tabebuia rosea

Effect of Influenza Vaccination Inducing Antibody Mediated Rejection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Introduction: Our goal was to study whether influenza vaccination induced antibody mediated rejection in a large cohort of solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR). Methods: Serum anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antibodies were determined using class I and class II antibody-coated latex beads (FlowPRATM Screening Test) by flow cytometry. Anti-HLA antibody specificity was determined using the single-antigen bead flow cytometry (SAFC) assay and assignation of donor specific antibodies (DSA) was performed by virtual-crossmatch. Results: We studied a cohort of 490 SOTR that received an influenza vaccination from 2009 to 2013: 110 (22.4%) received the pandemic adjuvanted vaccine, 59 (12%) within the first 6 months post-transplantation, 185 (37.7%) more than 6 months after transplantation and 136 (27.7%) received two vaccination doses. Overall, no differences of anti-HLA antibodies were found after immunization in patients that received the adjuvanted vaccine, within the first 6 months post-transplantation, or based on the type of organ transplanted. However, the second immunization dose increased the percentage of patients positive for anti-HLA class I significantly compared with patients with one dose (14.6% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.003). Patients with pre-existing antibodies before vaccination (15.7% for anti-HLA class I and 15.9% for class II) did not increase reactivity after immunization. A group of 75 (14.4%) patients developed de novo anti-HLA antibodies, however, only 5 (1.02%) of them were DSA, and none experienced allograft rejection. Only two (0.4%) patients were diagnosed with graft rejection with favorable outcomes and neither of them developed DSA. Conclusion: Our results suggest that influenza vaccination is not associated with graft rejection in this cohort of SOTR.This study was funded by the Consejería de Salud (Grant Number: PI-0119-2012), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grant Numbers: GR09/0041, PI14-00165, and MPY110/18) and co-financed by European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe” ERDF, Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015/0001)