Smed454 dataset: unravelling the transcriptome of Schmidtea mediterranea

Background: Freshwater planarians are an attractive model for regeneration and stem cell research and have become a promising tool in the field of regenerative medicine. With the availability of a sequenced planarian genome, the recent application of modern genetic and high-throughput tools has resulted in revitalized interest in these animals, long known for their amazing regenerative capabilities, which enable them to regrow even a new head after decapitation. However, a detailed description of the planarian transcriptome is essential for future investigation into regenerative processes using planarians as a model system. Results: In order to complement and improve existing gene annotations, we used a 454 pyrosequencing approach to analyze the transcriptome of the planarian species Schmidtea mediterranea Altogether, 598,435 454-sequencing reads, with an average length of 327 bp, were assembled together with the ~10,000 sequences of the S. mediterranea UniGene set using different similarity cutoffs. The assembly was then mapped onto the current genome data. Remarkably, our Smed454 dataset contains more than 3 million novel transcribed nucleotides sequenced for the first time. A descriptive analysis of planarian splice sites was conducted on those Smed454 contigs that mapped univocally to the current genome assembly. Sequence analysis allowed us to identify genes encoding putative proteins with defined structural properties, such as transmembrane domains. Moreover, we annotated the Smed454 dataset using Gene Ontology, and identified putative homologues of several gene families that may play a key role during regeneration, such as neurotransmitter and hormone receptors, homeobox-containing genes, and genes related to eye function. Conclusions: We report the first planarian transcript dataset, Smed454, as an open resource tool that can be accessed via a web interface. Smed454 contains significant novel sequence information about most expressed genes of S. mediterranea. Analysis of the annotated data promises to contribute to identification of gene families poorly characterized at a functional level. The Smed454 transcriptome data will assist in the molecular characterization of S. mediterranea as a model organism, which will be useful to a broad scientific community

New data concerning 'large blades' in Catalonia: Apt-Forcalquier chert in the Penedès (south of Barcelona) during the Late Neolithic - Chalcolithic

The study of large chert blades documented in funerary contexts from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age in the north-eastern part of Iberia has been addressed in recent works by the authors, in which 49 burial sites have been registered with more than 200 large chert blades. In this paper the recent data obtained from the study of seven archaeological sites located in the region of the Penedès (southwest of Barcelona) is presented. The macroscopic characterization of the knapped stone industries shows their great variety regarding the origin of the siliceous raw material, often coming from outside the analysed region. In some cases their macroscopic features link them to Apt-Forcalquier chert (Haut Provence, France), which was widely distributed in the form of large blades during these phases of Late Catalan prehistory. The absence of evidence of the chaîne opératoire production of this type of foreign chert in the lithic assemblages in Catalonia lead to the supposition that the dispersion of the blades was done as trade items, and only in a few cases were highly complex technological tools of this kind of raw material distributed (e.g., daggers). Use-wear analysis reveals that these blades were not merely luxury items in grave goods. Far from this idea, they have to be considered as functional, even multifunctional, items. All the same, it is thought that they must have had an important value because they moved from the domestic sphere to the graves. In fact, the pieces that usually remain are not small fragments, but whole or almost whole, large blades that normally remain effective

Identifying and preventing burnout in young oncologists, an overwhelming challenge in the COVID-19 era: a study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

COVID-19; Esgotament professional; Oncòlegs jovesCOVID-19; Agotamiento profesional; Oncólogos jóvenesCOVID-19; Professional burnout; Young oncologistsBackground Young oncologists are at particular risk of professional burnout, and this could have a significant impact on their health and care of their patients. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced rapid changes in professionals' jobs and training, with the consequent physical and psychological effects. We aimed to characterize burnout levels and determinants in young oncologists, and the effects of the pandemic on their training and health. Methods Two online surveys were conducted among oncology residents and young oncology specialists in Spain. The first addressed professional burnout and its determinants before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second analyzed the impact of the pandemic on health care organization, training, and physical and psychological health in the same population. Results In total, 243 respondents completed the first survey, and 263 the second; 25.1% reported significant levels of professional burnout. Burnout was more common among medical oncology residents (28.2%), mainly in their second year of training. It was significantly associated with a poor work–life balance, inadequate vacation time, and the burnout score. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) were reassigned to COVID-19 care and 84.3% of residents missed part of their training rotations. Overall, 17.2% of this population reported that they had contracted COVID-19, 37.3% had scores indicating anxiety, and 30.4% moderate to severe depression. Almost a quarter of young oncologists (23.3%) had doubts about their medical vocation. Conclusions Burnout affects a considerable number of young oncologists. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on causes of burnout, making it even more necessary to periodically monitor it to define appropriate detection and prevention strategies.This project received funding from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

Nuevas intervenciones en la Cova Gran y la Cova Freda de Montserrat (Collbató, Barcelona) casi 100 años después

This work presents the first stratigraphic, chronological and artifactual results of the recent archaeological excavations in the Coves de Montserrat (Cova Gran and Cova Freda).These emblematic sites were excavated in 1922 and provided one of the first Cardial Ware assemblages of the Iberian Peninsula.Authorized excavations were resumed in 2018 with test pits in both caves.These showed the preservation of some stratified archaeological deposits. In Cova Freda part of the cavity probably used to stall livestock during the Early Neolithic.In Cova Gran an Early Neolithic layer and pit are preserved, as well as a layer dating to the Epipalaeolithic.En este trabajo se presentan los primeros datos estratigráficos, radiocarbónicos y de cultura material de las recientes excavaciones en las Coves de Montserrat (Cova Gran y Cova Freda). Estos emblemáticos yacimientos fueron excavados el año 1922 y proporcionaron uno de los primeros conjuntos cardiales de la península ibérica. Desde entonces, no volvieron a ser intervenidos de forma oficial y quedaron abandonados. En el año 2018 se han reiniciado los trabajos con sondeos en ambas cuevas, determinando la preservación de depósitos arqueológicos estratificados en algunos de ellos. En la Cova Freda se ha reconocido la existencia de un tramo de la cavidad probablemente usado como redil durante el Neolítico Antiguo Cardial y, en la Cova Gran, se han documentado un nivel y una estructura negativa de esa misma cronología, así como un potente nivel finipaleolítico

Primers resultats sobre la seqüència del neolític final al bronze final c. 3350-900 cal. aC a la Cova de la Guineu (Font-rubí, Alt Penedès, Barcelona)

El Penedès és un territori natural molt prolífic pel que fa a l'existència de jaciments arqueològics. La seva localització geogràfica i el seu context geomorfològic el fan apte per a l'establiment humà ja des de cronologies antigues. No obstant això, és a partir de l'holocè que el nombre de jaciments augmenta exponencialment, tot i que només una petita part dels llocs disposen d'informació arqueoestratigràfica útil a dia d'avui (Mestres i Esteve, 2016). Sense ànim de ser exhaustius en l'aspecte historiogràfic, les primeres dades sobre la prehistòria de l'Alt Penedès procedeixen de la Cova de Can Pasqual (Castellví de la Marca), on es documentaren restes d'un vas ceràmic cardial i d'altres restes, probablement de l'edat del bronze (Bosch Gimpera, 1923). Més tard es publiquen els treballs de l'Esquerda de les Roques del Pany (Torrelles de Foix), un jaciment amb una suposada seqüència que abraça tota la prehistòria recent

Nuevos datos para el Neolítico antiguo en el nordeste de la Península Ibérica procedentes de la Cova del Toll (Moià, Barcelona) y de la Cova de la Font Major (L’Espluga de Francolí, Tarragona)

Since the 1950s, archaeological activity has been especially prolific in Spanish regions such as Catalonia. This process brings the possibility to discover and excavate some of the most important archaeological sites in order to study the main cultural events in the past. This has been the case of Cova del Toll and Cova de la Font Major, whose cardial pottery collections have been a reference for the study of the Early Neolithic. However, methodological procedures employed at that moment do not help to give a strong, contextaulised dataset. In this work we present the results of the interventions carried out in both sites between 2006 and 2011. The combination of new Early Neolithic remains and short-lived C14 AMS dates has allowed us to put back the cardial phase of Cova del Toll, as well as to date for the first time de Early Neolithic of Cova de la Font Major.La reactivación de la actividad arqueológica española a partir de los años 1950, especialmente prolífica en algunas regiones como Cataluña, incorporó algunos yacimientos clave para el conocimiento de los grandes procesos culturales del pasado. Es el caso de las cuevas del Toll y Font Major cuyas colecciones de cerámica cardial, por su cantidad y calidad, han sido de referencia para el Neolítico antiguo en distintos momentos. En cambio cuentan con pocos o nulos datos contextuales debido a los métodos que se emplearon en esas primeras intervenciones. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de las realizadas entre 2006 y 2011 en ambos yacimientos. La combinación de nuevos materiales encuadrables en distintas fases del Neolítico antiguo cardial con fechas radiocarbónicas de muestras de vida corta nos permite retrasar sensiblemente la fase cardial de la Cova del Toll, así como fechar por primera vez de forma absoluta la fase cardial de la Cova de la Font Major

New archaeological excavations at Cova Gran and Cova Freda de Montserrat (Collbató, Barcelona) after almost 100 years

[spa] En este trabajo se presentan los primeros datos estratigráficos, radiocarbónicos y de cultura material de las recientes excavaciones en las Coves de Montserrat (Cova Gran y Cova Freda). Estos emblemáticos yacimientos fueron excavados el año 1922 y proporcionaron uno de los primeros conjuntos cardiales de la península ibérica. Desde entonces, no volvieron a ser intervenidos de forma oficial y quedaron abandonados. En el año 2018 se han reiniciado los trabajos con sondeos en ambas cuevas, determinando la preservación de depósitos arqueológicos estratificados en algunos de ellos. En la Cova Freda se ha reconocido la existencia de un tramo de la cavidad probablemente usado como redil durante el Neolítico Antiguo Cardial y, en la Cova Gran, se han documentado un nivel y una estructura negativa de esa misma cronología, así como un potente nivel finipaleolítico.[eng] This work presents the first stratigraphic, chronologic and cultural results of the archaeological works in the Coves de Montserrat (Cova Gran and Cova Freda). These emblematic sites that were excavated in 1922 and that provided one of the first cardial assemblages of the Iberian Peninsula. They were not intervened again and they were abandoned. These works have been restarted in 2018 by means of different test pits in both caves. These have determined the preservation of stratified archaeological deposits in some of these tests: in the Cova Freda it has been determined the existence of a section of the cavity probably used as a fold during the Early Neolithic; while, in the Cova Gran, a layer and a negative structure of that same chronology have been documented, as well as a finipaleolithic layer. This paper presents the first stratigraphic, radiocarbon and material culture data of these emblematic sites of Iberian historiography

Modeling Planarian Regeneration: A Primer for Reverse-Engineering the Worm

A mechanistic understanding of robust self-assembly and repair capabilities of complex systems would have enormous implications for basic evolutionary developmental biology as well as for transformative applications in regenerative biomedicine and the engineering of highly fault-tolerant cybernetic systems. Molecular biologists are working to identify the pathways underlying the remarkable regenerative abilities of model species that perfectly regenerate limbs, brains, and other complex body parts. However, a profound disconnect remains between the deluge of high-resolution genetic and protein data on pathways required for regeneration, and the desired spatial, algorithmic models that show how self-monitoring and growth control arise from the synthesis of cellular activities. This barrier to progress in the understanding of morphogenetic controls may be breached by powerful techniques from the computational sciences—using non-traditional modeling approaches to reverse-engineer systems such as planaria: flatworms with a complex bodyplan and nervous system that are able to regenerate any body part after traumatic injury. Currently, the involvement of experts from outside of molecular genetics is hampered by the specialist literature of molecular developmental biology: impactful collaborations across such different fields require that review literature be available that presents the key functional capabilities of important biological model systems while abstracting away from the often irrelevant and confusing details of specific genes and proteins. To facilitate modeling efforts by computer scientists, physicists, engineers, and mathematicians, we present a different kind of review of planarian regeneration. Focusing on the main patterning properties of this system, we review what is known about the signal exchanges that occur during regenerative repair in planaria and the cellular mechanisms that are thought to underlie them. By establishing an engineering-like style for reviews of the molecular developmental biology of biomedically important model systems, significant fresh insights and quantitative computational models will be developed by new collaborations between biology and the information sciences

New data concerning “large blades” in Catalonia: Apt-Forcalquier chert in the Penedès (south of Barcelona) during the Late Neolithic - Chalcolithic

The study of large chert blades documented in funerary contexts from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age in the north-eastern part of Iberia has been addressed in recent works by the authors, in which 49 burial sites have been registered with more than 200 large chert blades. In this paper the recent data obtained from the study of seven archaeological sites located in the region of the Penedès (southwest of Barcelona) is presented.The macroscopic characterization of the knapped stone industries shows their great variety regarding the origin of the siliceous raw material, often coming from outside the analysed region. In some cases their macroscopic features link them to Apt-Forcalquier chert (Haut Provence, France), which was widely distributed in the form of large blades during these phases of Late Catalan prehistory.The absence of evidence of the chaîne opératoire production of this type of foreign chert in the lithic assemblages in Catalonia lead to the supposition that the dispersion of the blades was done as trade items, and only in a few cases were highly complex technological tools of this kind of raw material distributed (e.g., daggers). Use-wear analysis reveals that these blades were not merely luxury items in grave goods. Far from this idea, they have to be considered as functional, even multifunctional, items. All the same, it is thought that they must have had an important value because they moved from the domestic sphere to the graves. In fact, the pieces that usually remain are not small fragments, but whole or almost whole, large blades that normally remain effective.

Seminari d'Estudis i Recerques Prehistòriques (SERP). Núcleo de cohesión en formación e investigación en Prehistoria de la Universidad de Barcelona desde 1987

El artículo es un resumen amplio de todas las actividades científicas y académicas llevadas a cabo por el SERP (Seminari d'Estudis i Recerques Prehistòriques) desde su fundación en 1987 por parte del Dr. Fullola. Abarca desde programas de excavaciones a proyectos internacionales pasando por temas de Patrimonio arqueológico o de historiografía, entre muchos otros. Además del resumen de dichas actividades, se añade también una completa lista de publicaciones, la gran mayoría en revistas de impacto nacional e internacional. Se incide especialmente en siete líneas básicas de trabajo dentro del grupo, la arqueopetrología, la arqueozoología, el arte prehistórico, la geoarqueología, la paleobotánica, la tecnología, el patrimonio y los estudios territoriales. También se repasan todos y cada uno de los yacimientos objeto de excavación por parte del SERP en estos últimos tres decenios