Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) A new forensic indicator to south-western Europe

Protophormia terraenovae larvae are found frequently on corpses in central and northern Europe but are scarce in the Mediterranean area. We present the first case in the Iberian Peninsula where P. terraenovae was captured during autopsies in Madrid (Spain). In the corpse other necrophagous flies were found, Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya albiceps and Sarcophaga argyrostoma. To calculate the posmortem interval, the life cycle of P. terraenovae was studied at constant temperature, room laboratory and natural fluctuating conditions. The total developmental time was 16.61±0.09 days, 16.75±4.99 days in the two first cases. In natural conditions, developmental time varied between 31.22±0.07 days (average temperature: 15.6oC), 15.58±0.08 days (average temperature: 21.5oC) and 14.9±0.10 days (average temperature: 23.5oC). Forensic importance and the implications of other necrophagous Diptera presence is also discussed.Las larvas de Protophormia terraenovae se encuentran con frecuencia asociadas a cadáveres en el centro y norte de Europa pero son raras en el área Mediterránea. Presentamos el primer caso en la Península Ibérica donde se han recolectado larvas de P. terraenovae en autopsias efectuadas en Madrid (Spain). Otras especies necrófagas fueron recolectadas del cadáver, Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya albiceps y Sarcophaga argyrostoma. Para estimar el intervalo postmortem, se estudió el ciclo biológico de P. terraenovae a temperatura constante, en condiciones de laboratorio y bajo condiciones naturales variables. El tiempo total de desarrollo fue 16.61±0.09 días, 16.75±4.99 días para los dos primeros casos. En condiciones naturales, el tiempo total de desarrollo varió entre 31.22±0.07 días (temperatura media: 15.6oC), 15.58±0.08 días (temperatura media: 21.5oC) y 14.9±0.10 días (temperatura media: 23.5oC). Se discuten tanto la importancia forense como las implicaciones de otros dípteros necrófagos presentes en el estudio.Partial financial support was partially provided by the European Commission [LIFE05 ENV/E/000302], University of Alicante [GRE09-27] and the Regional Ministry of the Generalitat Valenciana [GV/2011/039]

Supramolecular Hydrogels Consisting of Nanofibers Increase the Bioavailability of Curcuminoids in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

The low bioavailability of curcuminoids (CCMoids) limits their use in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Our work shows that this constraint can be overcome upon their incorporation into supramolecular hydrogels assembled from a gemini-imidazolium amphiphilic gelator. Three structural CCMoid analogues were used to prepare supramolecular hydrogels, and it was observed that the concentration of both the gelator and CCMoid and the proportion of solvents influence the self-assembly process. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the nanostructured gels were studied to find the optimum gels, which were then further characterized microscopically, and their ability to release the CCMoid was evaluated. The physicochemical properties of the CCMoids play a fundamental role in the interaction with the gelator, influencing not only the gelation but also the morphology at the microscopic level, the mechanical properties, and the biopharmaceutical behavior such as the amount of CCMoid released from the gels. The nanostructured supramolecular hydrogels, which contain the CCMoids at much lower concentrations (μg/mL) in comparison to other products, promote the penetration of the CCMoids within the skin, but not their transdermal permeation, thus preventing any possible systemic effects and representing a safer option for topical administration. As a result, the CCMoid-containing hydrogels can effectively reduce skin inflammation in vivo, proving that these supramolecular systems are excellent alternatives in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases

Preliminary study of the insect fauna associated to carcasses in Maracay, Venezuela

Los insectos pueden ser una herramienta importante en la investigación médico legal, pero su utilidad depende mucho de la información base que se tenga en relación a las especies y su orden de llegada a los cadáveres para determinada zona. En Venezuela muy poco se conoce de la fauna de insectos asociada a cadáveres. En el presente trabajo se reportan las especies de artrópodos de importancia forense de asociadas a cadáveres de Rattus norvegicus y Oryctolagus cuniculus en Maracay –Venezuela, encontrándose que la fauna asociada a estos cadáveres está conformada principalmente por Dípteros (principalmente Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae) y Coleópteros (Dermestidae, Cleridae). Los Dípteros colonizan el cadáver en los primeros días luego de la muerte, siendo Chrysomya albiceps la especie predominante en todos los cadáveres. Para esta localidad las especies que potencialmente pudieran aportar información en el estudio de un cadáver son Chrysomya albiceps, Phaenicia sericata, P. cluvia y P. eximia y Coleópteros de las familias Dermestidae y Cleridae.The insects can be an important tool in the legal medical research, but their utility depends on base information that exists in relation to the species and their order of arrival to corpses at each locality. In Venezuela, very little is known about the fauna of insects associated with corpses. In the present work we report the species of arthropods of forensic importance associated to carcasses of Rattus norvegicus and Oryctolagus cuniculus in Maracay, Venezuela. This fauna is conformed by Diptera (mainly Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae) and Coleoptera (Dermestidae, Cleridae). The flies colonize the carcass in the first days after death, being Chrysomya albiceps the predominant species. For this locality the species that potentially could contribute in the study of a corpse are Chrysomya albiceps, Phaenicia sericata, P. cluvia and P. eximia and beetles of Dermestidae and Cleridae families

Lista comentada con clave para la identificación de termitas (Blattodea: Isoptera) asociadas a las zonas forestales de Tabasco, México

Termites are important insects due to their participation in the decomposition of organic matter and the recycling of nutrients in the soil, however, some species cause damage to buildings, forest plantations and agricultural crops, where they cause significant losses. The objective of this study was to make an annotated list with identification keys for the termite species present in agroforestry and relict forest systems in the State of Tabasco, Mexico. The collection of termites was carried out in 20 sites distributed in the main forest areas of Tabasco, Mexico. The sampling was directed selecting 15 transects of 10x50 m for each type of vegetation. Eight species of termites were identified of which Nasutitermes nigriceps (Haldeman, 1854) and N. corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) were present in all forest areas, followed by Coptotermes testaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Heterotermes convexinotatus (Snyder, 1924). The species Microcerotermes septentrionalis Light, 1933, Tenuirostritermes briciae (Snyder, 1922), Cahuallitermes intermedius (Snyder, 1922), and Incisitermes snyderi Light, 1933 were only collected from one locality. The species T. briciae and M. septentrionalis are reported as new records for Tabasco.Las termitas son insectos importantes por su participación en la descomposición de la materia orgánica y el reciclaje de los nutrientes en el suelo, sin embargo, algunas especies causan daños en edificaciones, plantaciones forestales y cultivos agrícolas, donde ocasionan pérdidas significativas. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar un listado comentado con claves de identificación para las especies de termitas presentes en los sistemas agroforestales y relictos de selva en el Estado de Tabasco, México. La recolecta de las termitas se realizó en 20 sitios distribuidos en las principales zonas forestales de Tabasco, México. El muestreo fue dirigido seleccionando 15 transectos de 10x50 m por cada tipo de vegetación. Se identificaron ocho especies de termitas de las cuales Nasutitermes nigriceps (Haldeman, 1854) y N. corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) estuvieron presente en todas las zonas forestales, seguido de Coptotermes testaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) y Heterotermes convexinotatus (Snyder, 1924). Las especies Microcerotermes septentrionalis Light, 1933, Tenuirostritermes briciae (Snyder, 1922), Cahuallitermes intermedius (Snyder, 1922) e Incisitermes snyderi Light, 1933 solo se recolectaron en una localidad. Se reportan como nuevos registros para Tabasco a las especies T. briciae y M. septentrionalis

Marco activo de recursos de innovación docente: Madrid

Una guía de espacios e instituciones para actividades educativas complementarias en enseñanza secundaria y Formación Profesional

Sperm Competition, Sperm Numbers and Sperm Quality in Muroid Rodents

Sperm competition favors increases in relative testes mass and production efficiency, and changes in sperm phenotype that result in faster swimming speeds. However, little is known about its effects on traits that contribute to determine the quality of a whole ejaculate (i.e., proportion of motile, viable, morphologically normal and acrosome intact sperm) and that are key determinants of fertilization success. Two competing hypotheses lead to alternative predictions: (a) sperm quantity and quality traits co-evolve under sperm competition because they play complementary roles in determining ejaculate's competitive ability, or (b) energetic constraints force trade-offs between traits depending on their relevance in providing a competitive advantage. We examined relationships between sperm competition levels, sperm quantity, and traits that determine ejaculate quality, in a comparative study of 18 rodent species using phylogenetically controlled analyses. Total sperm numbers were positively correlated to proportions of normal sperm, acrosome integrity and motile sperm; the latter three were also significantly related among themselves, suggesting no trade-offs between traits. In addition, testes mass corrected for body mass (i.e., relative testes mass), showed a strong association with sperm numbers, and positive significant associations with all sperm traits that determine ejaculate quality with the exception of live sperm. An “overall sperm quality” parameter obtained by principal component analysis (which explained 85% of the variance) was more strongly associated with relative testes mass than any individual quality trait. Overall sperm quality was as strongly associated with relative testes mass as sperm numbers. Thus, sperm quality traits improve under sperm competition in an integrated manner suggesting that a combination of all traits is what makes ejaculates more competitive. In evolutionary terms this implies that a complex network of genetic and developmental pathways underlying processes of sperm formation, maturation, transport in the female reproductive tract, and preparation for fertilization must all evolve in concert