Reconstructing the historical shoreline evolution of the Northern Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain) from geomorphological and geoarchaeological data

During the last 3 ka, different human communities occupied the Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain), including Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Medieval and Modern settlements. Traces of such historical occupations have been recognized along the bay from a geoarchaeological point of view. Some of them bear a palaeogeographical interest related to the historical location of the shoreline. At the same time, Holocene sedimentary units and geomorphological elements identified along the bay can be interpreted as evidences of its morphological evolution. The objective of the present paper is to represent all the available data about archaeological sites and geomorphology in the northern Bay of Cádiz, with the aim of combining both sources of data for elaborating a simple proposal of landscape evolution during the last 3 millennia. The base for mapping was multiple, from historical aerial photographs to satellite imagery and a digital terrain model with a maximum resolution of 0.35 m.12 página

[Ca2+]_i oscillations in human sperm are triggered in the flagellum by membrane potential- sensitive activity of CatSper

Study question: How are progesterone (P4)-induced repetitive intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) signals (oscillations) in human sperm generated?Summary answer: P4-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations are generated in the flagellum by membrane-potential (Vm)-dependent Ca2+-influx through CatSper channels, which then induce secondary Ca2+ mobilisation at the sperm head/neck region.What is known already: A subset of human sperm display [Ca2+]i oscillations that regulate flagellar beating and acrosome reaction. Though pharmacological manipulations indicate involvement of stored Ca2+ in these oscillations, influx of extracellular Ca2+ is also required.Study design, size, duration: This was a laboratory study, that used >20 sperm donors and involved more than 100 separate experiments and analysis of more than 1,000 individual cells over a period of 2 years.Participants/materials, setting, methods: Semen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval from Birmingham University and Tayside ethics committees. [Ca2+]i responses and Vm of individual cells were examined by fluorescence imaging and whole-cell current clamp.Main results and the role of chance: P4-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations originated in the flagellum, spreading to the neck and head (latency of 1-2 s). K+-ionophore valinomycin (1 μM) was used to investigate the role of membrane potential (Vm). Direct assessment by whole-cell current-clamp confirmed that Vm in valinomycin-exposed cells was determined primarily by K+ equilibrium potential (EK) and was rapidly ‘reset’ upon manipulation of [K+]o. Pretreatment of sperm with valinomycin ([K+]o=5.4 mM) had no effect on the P4-induced [Ca2+] transient (P=0.95; 8 experiments), but application of valinomycin to P4-pretreated sperm suppressed activity in 82% of oscillating cells (n=257; P=5*10-55 compared to control) and significantly reduced both amplitude and frequency of persisting oscillations (p=0.0001). Upon valinomycin washout oscillations re-started in most cells. When valinomycin was applied in saline with elevated [K+] the inhibitory effect of valinomycin was reduced and was dependent on EK (P=10-25). Amplitude and frequency of [Ca2+]i oscillations that persisted in the presence of valinomycin showed similar sensitivity to EK (P<0.01). The CatSper inhibitor RU1968 (4.8 and 11 μM) caused immediate and reversible arrest of activity in36% and 96% of oscillating cells respectively (P<10-10). 300 μM quinidine which blocks the sperm K+ current (Ksper) completely inhibited [Ca2+]i oscillations.Large scale data: n/aLimitations, reasons for caution: This was an in-vitro study and caution must be taken when extrapolating these results to in vivo regulation of sperm.Wider implications of the findings: [Ca2+]i oscillations in human sperm are functionally important and their absence is associated with failed fertilisation at IVF. The data reported here provide new understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the generation (or failure) and regulation of these oscillations.Study funding/competing interest(s): ET was in receipt of a postgraduate scholarship from the CAPES Foundation (Ministry of Education, Brazil). The authors have no conflicts of interest

Effects of semen processing on sperm function: Differences between swim-up and density gradient centrifugation

Purpose: Andrology research has evolved notoriously in the latest years, particularly since male factor contribution to couple infertility has been undoubtedly demonstrated. However, sperm function investigations results are sometimes contradictory, probably as a result of the use of different sperm processing techniques. In this work, we underwent a systematic functional comparison of human sperm samples simultaneously processed by swim-up and density gradient centrifugation, which are the preferred sperm processing methods used in basic and clinical laboratories. Materials and Methods: To compare functional characteristics of sperm isolated by swim-up and density gradient centrifugation followed by incubation at different times under capacitating conditions. Results: Semen samples processed in parallel by these two procedures resulted in sperm preparations with significant differences in redox state, spontaneous intracellular calcium oscillations, hyperactivation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and acrosome reaction responsivity to calcium ionophore. Such differences showed time-dependent specific patterns for spontaneous intracellular calcium oscillations, hyperactivation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Sperm retrieved by density gradient centrifugation showed more hyperactivation and tyrosine phosphorylation than swim-up sperm, suggesting a higher degree of capacitation. Conclusions: Our results account for functional differences observed in spermatozoa processed with these two methods and therefore may contribute to a better interpretation of outcomes obtained in different laboratories as well as to improve experimental designs aimed to study sperm physiology and fertility potential.Fil: Hernández Silva, Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; MéxicoFil: López Torres, Aideé S.. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; MéxicoFil: Maldonado Rosas, Israel. Centro de Innovación Tecnológica y Medicina Reproductiva; MéxicoFil: Mata Martínez, Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Larrea, Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; MéxicoFil: Torres Flores, Víctor. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Treviño, Claudia L.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Chirinos, Mayel. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; Méxic

Musical Learning

Music plays a vital role in culture of human societies. The harmonic flow of sounds directly influences different areas involved in cognitive process and emotions. Our enthusiastic group organized and offered a dinamic workshop for children between 9 and 10 in order to introduce them to the fascinating world of Neurosciences. Our talk began explaining the basic anatomy of nervous system and sensory systems, such as the ear. We exposed the links between sound stimuli and how our brain is able to interpret and respond to them. We visited 5th grade students in different schools in the city of Mendoza, Argentina. Children got acquainted with basic concepts of the nervous system, neurons and hearing system. They learned how music helps to evoke memories and affects our mood. Finally, they were able to manipulate different animal brains and to observed neurons with a microscope. Our approach was based on teaching through games, thus improving the communication between speakers and students and, facilitating the consolidation of novel knowledge. This experience with children has been really enriching for our professional careers.Fil: Asensio, Joana Antonela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Barauna, Andrea Anabella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Chrabalowsky, Martín. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Croce, Cristina Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Farías Altamirano, Luz Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Freites, Carlos Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: López, María Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Mata Martínez, Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Páez, Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Vásquez, Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaXXXIV Anual Meeting of Argentine Society for Research in NeurosciencesCórdobaArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Investigacion en Neurociencia

Validation of UVEDAI: An Index for Evaluating the Level of Inflammatory Activity in Uveitis

Introduction Uveitis is the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, the uvea, and is a major cause of blindness. None of the instruments used in clinical practice are, in themselves, sufficient to evaluate the course of uveitis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop instruments enabling standardized measurement of inflammatory activity. We developed a composite disease activity index for patients with uveitis known as UVEDAI, which considers the overall activity of the eye. The objective of this study was to validate the composite index of ocular inflammation, UVEDAI. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study involving eight Spanish tertiary hospitals. Sixty-two patients aged ≥ 18 years with acute uveitis were recruited. Participants gave informed consent before participating in the study. A full ophthalmological examination was performed by two ophthalmologists to determine inflammatory activity: one used the UVEDAI score and the other used clinical judgment. The ophthalmologists did not share their findings with each other to avoid introducing bias into the analysis. Construct validity was established by means of factor analysis. The criterion validity of the index was determined using an ordinal multivariate regression model, in which the dependent variable was the degree of uveal inflammation (mild, moderate, or high/severe). Cut-off points were determined for the UVEDAI and for the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Sixty-two patients were included. Total variance with the three components accounted for 80.32% of the construct validity. Each of the three components identified one type of eye involvement. The discriminatory capacity of UVEDAI was 0.867 (95% CI 0.778; 0.955 p < 0.001) for mild versus moderate–high and 0.946 (95% CI 0.879; 1.000 p < 0.001) for high versus mild–moderate. Conclusions The variables included in UVEDAI enable ocular inflammatory activity to be described with a high degree of accuracy. The index may be used to evaluate and classify this activity with considerable discriminatory power.We would like to acknowledge the support of Abbvie: this study was conducted with an unrestricted grant from Abbvie. The Spanish Society of Rheumatology is the sponser and funder of this study and the journal's Rapid Service Fee, and has participated in the study design; in the analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The corresponding author had full access to all study data and had final responsibility for the decision to submit the manuscript for publication

Compartir ideas, la universidad va al instituto. Análisis de la primera edición de un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal a la Universidad de Barcelona

Esta comunicación presenta las principales claves de análisis y evaluación de la 1a edición del proyecto Compartir Ideas. La Universidad va al instituto. Este es un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal que consiste en un ciclo de conferencias-taller impartidas por estudiantes de la UB sobre temes de interés general relacionados con sus estudios. El objetivo es compartir conocimientos y conversar sobre un tema que la universidad trabaja y que será relevante para la formación del alumnado de secundaria.El proyecto cuenta con el apoyo del Vicerectorado de Política Docente y Lingüística de la Universitat de Barcelona

Alfabetización en Ciencias de la Tierra

p. 117-129Este trabajo describe qué se entiende por una persona alfabetizada en ciencias de la Tierra y selecciona los conocimientos básicos que debería poseer todo estudiante al finalizar la educación obligatoria, de forma que pueda disponer de una idea global sobre cómo funciona el planeta en que vive. Formula las diez ideas clave que sintetizan esos conocimientos básicos y los conceptos, principios y teorías que las sustentan, así como los procedimientos utilizados para construir estos conocimientos, para refutarlos o validarlos. La propuesta está pensada desde una perspectiva holística, que entiende la Tierra como un sistema en el que se producen interacciones entre sus componentes. Entre ellas se destacan las que tienen lugar entre la humanidad y el planeta.S

Epac activation induces an extracellular Ca2+-independent Ca2+ wave that triggers acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa

Background: The signaling pathways of the intracellular second messengers cAMP and Ca2+ play a crucial role in numerous physiological processes in human spermatozoa. One such process is the acrosome reaction (AR), which is necessary for spermatozoa to traverse the egg envelope and to expose a fusogenic membrane allowing the egg–sperm fusion. Progesterone and zona pellucida elicit an intracellular Ca2+ increase that is needed for the AR in the mammalian spermatozoa. This increase is mediated by an initial Ca2+ influx but also by a release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. It is known that intracellular Ca2+ stores play a central role in the regulation of [Ca2+]i and in the generation of complex Ca2+ signals such as oscillations and waves. In the human spermatozoa, it has been proposed that the cAMP analog and specific agonist of Epac 8-(p-chlorophenylthio)-2'-O-methyladenosine-3’,5'-cyclic monophosphate (2'-O-Me-cAMP) elicits an intracellular Ca2+ release involved in the AR. Objective: To identify the molecular entities involved in the Ca2+ mobilization triggered by 2'-O-Me-cAMP in human spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: In capacitated human spermatozoa, we monitored Ca2+ dynamics and the occurrence of the AR in real time using Fluo 3-AM and FM4-64 in a Ca2+-free medium. Results: Epac activation by 2'-O-Me-cAMP induced a Ca2+ wave that started in the midpiece and propagated to the acrosome region. This Ca2+ response was sensitive to rotenone, CGP, xestospongin, NED-19, and thapsigargin, suggesting the participation of different ion transporters (mitochondrial complex I and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, inositol 3-phosphate receptors, two-pore channels and internal store Ca2+-ATPases). Discussion: Our results suggest that Epac activation promotes a dynamic crosstalk between three different intracellular Ca2+ stores: the mitochondria, the redundant nuclear envelope, and the acrosome. Conclusion: The Ca2+ wave triggered by Epac activation is necessary to induce the AR and to enhance the flagellar beat.Fil: Mata Martínez, Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez Tusie, Ana Alicia. Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro.; MéxicoFil: Darszon, Alberto. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Mayorga, Luis Segundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Treviño, Claudia L.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: de Blas, Gerardo Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentin

Fatty acids and minor functional compounds of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds and other Cannabaceae species

Nowadays, hemp (Cannabis sativa) seeds are receiving increased attention because of their high nutritional value. Among other nutrients, they contain a PUFA- and bioactive compounds-rich oil. Accordingly, this work was focused to establish the fatty acids (FA) content, the regiospecificity of triacylglycerols, and to quantify several bioactive compounds of relevant hemp seeds varieties and related taxa. Eight varieties of unhusked hemp seeds and eight samples of commercial husked hemp seeds were studied, and other Cannabaceae seeds: those from hop (Humulus lupulus) and European hackberry (Celtis australis). We found that all hemp seeds varieties constitute a rich source of essential PUFA as linoleic and α-linolenic acids, as well as oleic acid. PUFA were mostly distributed at the sn-2 position of triacylglycerols, thus, being highly bioaccessible, while SFA were mostly located at the sn1,3 positions. The n–6/n–3 PUFA ratio was found to be nutritionally advantageous. Vitamin E compounds were noticeable, and γ-tocopherol was the major tocol found. Regarding phytosterols, campesterol and β-sitosterol were the most prominent compounds, while squalene content was also noticeable. Overall, the lipid fraction of hemp seeds can be considered as a source of essential and bioactive FA as well as an antioxidant- and cholesterollowering bioactive compounds-containing functional food.Junta de AndalucíaUniversidad de AlmeríaDepto. de Nutrición y Ciencia de los AlimentosFac. de FarmaciaTRUEpu