Balance facilitación-competencia entre plantas a lo largo de gradientes de estrés biótico y abiótico

El balance de interacciones entre plantas determina en gran parte la estructura y composición de una comunidad. La hipótesis de gradiente-estrés propone que las interacciones positivas, de facilitación, son más frecuentes en ambientes con alto estrés físico (ej. temperaturas extremas, sequía) o biótico (fuerte presión de pastoreo), en tanto que las interacciones negativas, de competencia, son preponderantes en condiciones ambientales favorables. Existen numerosos factores no incorporados en estudios previos que podrían modificar esas predicciones. En particular, el balance de interacciones se ha estudiado mayormente entre plantas sometidas a un solo factor de estrés cuando en la naturaleza en muchos casos co-ocurren varios factores. En esta tesis se evaluó el resultado neto del balance de interacciones entre plantas en gradientes de herbivoría y de disponibilidad de agua. Se utilizó como sistema de estudio una planta no palatable común en la región, Baccharis ulicina (Baccharis, Asteraceaea), y varias especies de plantas vecinas a ella. Se hicieron muestreos descriptivos a nivel especifico y comunitario. Además, se implementaron un experimento de remoción de Baccharis en zonas con distinta presión de herbivoría y un experimento de trasplante de una gramínea dentro vs fuera de Baccharis en un gradiente de presión de herbívoros y con un tratamiento de riego. Los resultados de esta tesis muestran un efecto positivo importante por parte de Baccharis sobre la fecundidad de las especies dominantes de la comunidad en condiciones de herbivoría intensa, sugiriendo que es un efecto dado por protección anti-herbívoro. No hay evidencia de efectos de amortiguación de condiciones ambientales en las especies facilitadas por parte de Baccharis. La disponibilidad de agua no modificó el resultado del balance de interacciones positivas y negativas en este sistema. Estos resultados apoyan a la hipótesis de gradiente de estrés en el gradiente de herbivoría por lo que sugieren que el efecto de protección anti-herbívoro es preponderante en el resultado del balance de interacciones en este sistema, y es por tanto un factor clave en la conformación de la comunidad

The fluctuating resource hypothesis explains invasibility, but not exotic advantage following disturbance

Invasibility is a key indicator of community susceptibility to changes in structure and function. The fluctuating resource hypothesis (FRH) postulates that invasibility is an emergent community property, a manifestation of multiple processes that cannot be reliably predicted by individual community attributes like diversity or productivity. Yet, research has emphasized the role of these individual attributes, with the expectation that diversity should deter invasibility and productivity enhance it. In an effort to explore how these and other factors may influence invasibility, we evaluated the relationship between invasibility and species richness, productivity, resource availability, and resilience in experiments crossing disturbance with exotic seed addition in 1-m2 plots replicated over large expanses of grasslands in Montana, USA and La Pampa, Argentina. Disturbance increased invasibility as predicted by FRH, but grasslands were more invasible in Montana than La Pampa whether disturbed or not, despite Montana´s higher species richness and lower productivity. Moreover, invasibility correlated positively with nitrogen availability and negatively with native plant cover. These patterns suggested that resource availability and the ability of the community to recover from disturbance (resilience) better predicted invasibility than either species richness or productivity, consistent with predictions from FRH. However, in ambient, unseeded plots in Montana, disturbance reduced native cover by >50% while increasing exotic cover >200%. This provenance bias could not be explained by FRH, which predicts that colonization processes act on species? traits independent of origins. The high invasibility of Montana grasslands following disturbance was associated with a strong shift from perennial to annual species, as predicted by succession theory. However, this shift was driven primarily by exotic annuals, which were more strongly represented than perennials in local exotic vs. native species pools. We attribute this provenance bias to extrinsic biogeographic factors such as disparate evolutionary histories and/or introduction filters selecting for traits that favor exotics following disturbance. Our results suggest that (1) invasibility is an emergent property best explained by a community´s efficiency in utilizing resources, as predicted by FRH but (2) understanding provenance biases in biological invasions requires moving beyond FRH to incorporate extrinsic biogeographic factors that may favor exotics in community assembly.Fil: Pearson, Dean. United State Forest Service; Estados Unidos. University of Montana; Estados UnidosFil: Ortega, Yvette K.. United State Forest Service; Estados UnidosFil: Villarreal, Diego. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Lekberg, Ylva. University of Montana; Estados UnidosFil: Cock, Marina Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; ArgentinaFil: Eren, Ozkan. Adnan Menderes Universitesi; TurquíaFil: Hierro, Jose Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; Argentin

Mendelian Inheritance Pattern and High Mutation Rates of Microsatellite Alleles in the Diatom Pseudo-nitzchia multistriata

The diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata exhibits a diplontic life cycle composed of an extensive phase of vegetative cell division and a brief phase of sexual reproduction. To explore genotypic stability, we genotyped seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in 26 monoclonal strains over 3–16 months in a culture maintenance regime. Moreover, to assess inheritance patterns of the microsatellite alleles, we genotyped 246 F1 strains resulting from four mating experiments between parental strains of know genotype. Results generally conformed expectations according to Mendelian inheritance patterns, but deviations were detected indicating mutations during sexual reproduction. A total of forty-two mutations were detected in the clonal cultures over time. Microsatellites with more core-repeats accumulated mutations faster. The mutation rate varied significantly across loci and strains. A binomial mass function and a computer simulation showed that the mutation rate was significantly higher during the first months of culture (μ≈3×10-3 per locus per cell division) and decreased to μ≈1×10-3 in the strains kept for 16 months. Our results suggest that genetic mutations acquired in both the vegetative phase and sexual reproduction add to the allelic diversity of microsatellites, and hence to the genotypic variation present in a natural population

Plan estratégico de Pillsens

Pillsens es una compañía farmacéutica que produce y comercializa analgésicos y antioxidantes en tres países (Finlandia, Francia y Estados Unidos), siendo Estados Unidos el país en el que ha logrado vender la mayor cantidad de sus productos, entre el 45% y 55% en los últimos 8 años. En la sede de Estados Unidos (Pillsens – Estados Unidos), la cuota de mercado se encuentra por debajo de la media respecto de sus competidores, aplica la estrategia competitiva de liderazgo en costos y en los últimos 5 años su EBITDA ha disminuido de manera significativa (del 22% a 12%). Por otro lado, la tendencia del sector farmacéutico de medicamentos de venta libre sin receta médica (OTC - Over The Counter) en Estados Unidos se mantiene creciente (3% anual aproximadamente). El presente plan estratégico para Pillsens – Estados Unidos plantea crecer en ventas a través de una alianza comercial de 5 años con CVS Health dado su importante posicionamiento en Estados Unidos, lo cual se logrará con una renovación e innovación tecnológica del proceso de producción, que permitirá duplicar la cantidad de unidades producidas, sin incrementar de manera sustancial sus costos de producción

Review Article Socio-economic determinants of micronutrient intake and status in Europe: a systematic review

Objective To provide the evidence base for targeted nutrition policies to reduce the risk of micronutrient/diet-related diseases among disadvantaged populations in Europe, by focusing on: folate, vitamin B-12, Fe, Zn and iodine for intake and status; and vitamin C, vitamin D, Ca, Se and Cu for intake. Design MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched to collect original studies that: (i) were published from 1990 to 2011; (ii) involved gt 100 subjects; (iii) had assessed dietary intake at the individual level; and/or (iv) included best practice biomarkers reflecting micronutrient status. We estimated relative differences in mean micronutrient intake and/or status between the lowest and highest socio-economic groups to: (i) evaluate variation in intake and status between socio-economic groups; and (ii) report on data availability. Setting Europe. Subjects Children, adults and elderly. Results Data from eighteen publications originating primarily from Western Europe showed that there is a positive association between indicators of socio-economic status and micronutrient intake and/or status. The largest differences were observed for intake of vitamin C in eleven out of twelve studies (5-47 %) and for vitamin D in total of four studies (4-31 %). Conclusions The positive association observed between micronutrient intake and socio-economic status should complement existing evidence on socio-economic inequalities in diet-related diseases among disadvantaged populations in Europe. These findings could provide clues for further research and have implications for public health policy aimed at improving the intake of micronutrients and diet-related diseases

Matrices nanocompuestas de alcohol de polivinilo (PVA)/celulosa bacteriana (CB) para el crecimiento celular y la regeneración de tejidos

RESUMEN: En esta investigación se desarrollaron biomateriales de PVA, CB y nanocompuestos PVA/CB mediante fermentación in situ utilizando una bacteria productora de celulosa Gluconacetobacter medellinensis. Los biomateriales fueron caracterizados mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM), pruebas de hinchamiento y proliferación celular in-vitro utilizando células de piel humana (Fibroblastos). No se observaron cambios en la morfología celular por el uso de los biomateriales y su microestructura estuvo estrechamente ligada a la proliferación celular. Las células mostraron una mayor afinidad por la CB, resultado relacionado con su similitud en morfología y estructura química con el colágeno. La respuesta obtenida sumada a la capacidad de la CB de imitar la forma de la interfaz gas-líquido durante su síntesis, permitió la construcción de una prenda apósito de CB en forma de guante que podría tener aplicaciones en el tratamiento de quemaduras y úlceras cutáneas.ABSTRACT: In this research, biomaterials of PVA, CB and in situ fermented PVA/CB nanocomposites were developed, using a cellulose producer bacterium, Gluconacetobacter medellinensis. The biomaterials were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling and in vitro cell proliferation assay with skin cells (Fibroblast). Changes in the cell morphology were not found by the use of the biomaterials and the cell proliferation is associated with the microstructure of them. Cells showed a higher affinity to CB, outcome related to the morphological and chemical similitudes with collagen. Joining this response with the CB capacity of mimic the gas-liquid interface, was developed a glove shaped wound dressing that will have applications in burn and skin ulcer treatment

Finding a partner in the ocean: molecular and evolutionary bases of the response to sexual cues in a planktonic diatom

Microalgae play a major role as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Cell signalling regulates their interactions with the environment and other organisms, yet this process in phytoplankton is poorly defined. Using the marine planktonic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata, we investigated the cell response to cues released during sexual reproduction, an event that demands strong regulatory mechanisms and impacts on population dynamics. We sequenced the genome of P. multistriata and performed phylogenomic and transcriptomic analyses, which allowed the definition of gene gains and losses, horizontal gene transfers, conservation and evolutionary rate of sex-related genes. We also identified a small number of conserved noncoding elements. Sexual reproduction impacted on cell cycle progression and induced an asymmetric response of the opposite mating types. G protein-coupled receptors and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are implicated in the response to sexual cues, which overall entails a modulation of cell cycle, meiosis-related and nutrient transporter genes, suggesting a fine control of nutrient uptake even under nutrient-replete conditions. The controllable life cycle and the genome sequence of P. multistriata allow the reconstruction of changes occurring in diatoms in a key phase of their life cycle, providing hints on the evolution and putative function of their genes and empowering studies on sexual reproduction

Finding a partner in the ocean: molecular and evolutionary bases of the response to sexual cues in a planktonic diatom

Microalgae play a major role as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Cell signalling regulates their interactions with the environment and other organisms, yet this process in phytoplankton is poorly defined. Using the marine planktonic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata, we investigated the cell response to cues released during sexual reproduction, an event that demands strong regulatory mechanisms and impacts on population dynamics. We sequenced the genome of P. multistriata and performed phylogenomic and transcriptomic analyses, which allowed the definition of gene gains and losses, horizontal gene transfers, conservation and evolutionary rate of sex-related genes. We also identified a small number of conserved noncoding elements. Sexual reproduction impacted on cell cycle progression and induced an asymmetric response of the opposite mating types. G protein-coupled receptors and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are implicated in the response to sexual cues, which overall entails a modulation of cell cycle, meiosis-related and nutrient transporter genes, suggesting a fine control of nutrient uptake even under nutrient-replete conditions. The controllable life cycle and the genome sequence of P. multistriata allow the reconstruction of changes occurring in diatoms in a key phase of their life cycle, providing hints on the evolution and putative function of their genes and empowering studies on sexual reproduction

Gateways to the FANTOM5 promoter level mammalian expression atlas

The FANTOM5 project investigates transcription initiation activities in more than 1,000 human and mouse primary cells, cell lines and tissues using CAGE. Based on manual curation of sample information and development of an ontology for sample classification, we assemble the resulting data into a centralized data resource (http://fantom.gsc.riken.jp/5/). This resource contains web-based tools and data-access points for the research community to search and extract data related to samples, genes, promoter activities, transcription factors and enhancers across the FANTOM5 atlas. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-014-0560-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users