On the Presence and Ubiquity of the Exotic Batophora (J. Agardh) in the Mar Menor Lagoon (SE Spain)

We first report the presence of a species of the genus Batophora in the Iberian Peninsula, in the Mar Menor lagoon (Murcia, SE Spain). We detected this macroalga in November 2021. However, according to some observations, it could have been present in the lagoon at least since 2016, being described as a “rare” form of Dasycladus vermicularis. A further survey made during May 2022 confirmed the presence of this species in much of the perimeter of the Mar Menor. Morphologic analyses are not conclusive regarding the species description, but most traits point to Batophora occidentalis or Batophora occidentalis var. largoensis. A consensus sequence from the rbcL barcode gene was compared by the Blastn tool showing its closeness to other Batophora specimens, yet the specific level was unresolved. The recent confirmation of a Batophora species in a littoral lagoon from Formentera (Balearic Islands) with similar morphologic characteristics could indicate that both putative introductions are connected. Further morphologic and genetic analyses are required in order to know the origin and expansion of this genus along the Mediterranean coasts

Long-term population dynamics in a healthy Posidonia oceanica meadow

Wide losses of Posidonia oceanica led some authors to suggest this species showed evidence of decline in a global scale. Our aim was to survey the long-term evolution of a healthy and mature meadow of Posidonia oceanica at Tabarca Island (SE, Spanish coast). We surveyed cover and density at three depths (-4, -12 and -20m) and the dynamics at border meadows (erosion fronts vs adjacent edges) by one transect laid from -0,5m to -12m depth. Sexual reproduction as a repair mechanism was tested by monitoring the survival of seedling in five random sites. At each sampling site, sea-bottom roughness was estimated. Density and cover at sampling depths of -12 and -20 m were steady for 22 years (1988-2010), but both descriptors significantly decreased at upper limit (-4m) in 2010. Erosion fronts measured on transect went back -0.87±0.75 m y-1, though this fact was compensated by the progress of its adjacent edges in 0.6±0.69 m y-1. Density of survival seedlings has maintained a steady state for two years after settlement and it was strongly correlated with sea-bottom roughness. Our results suggest P. oceanica meadows of Tabarca Island could have remained stable long-term. But we detected “hot areas”, such as those placed in upper limit or in erosion fronts, where likely a quick decline by natural causes (e.g. waves) was offset by natural repair mechanisms (e.g. settlement of seedlings and vegetative growth).Amplias perdidas de praderas de Posidonia oceanica condujeron a algunos autores a sugerir que esta especie mostraba evidencias de un declive a escala global. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la evolución a largo plazo de una pradera madura y sana de Posidonia oceanica de la Isla de Tabarca (costa SE de España). Medimos la cobertura y densidad en tres profundidades (-4, -12 y -20 m) y la dinámica en el borde de la pradera (frentes de erosión frente a los bordes adyacentes) mediante un transepto establecido desde -0,5 a -12 m de profundidad. Se comprobó además, si la reproducción sexual funcionaba como un mecanismo de reparación de las praderas, mediante la monitorización de la supervivencia de plántulas en cinco sitios aleatorios. La rugosidad del fondo marino se estimó en cada sitio de muestreo. Las densidades y coberturas en las profundidades de -12 y -20 m fueron estables durante 22 años (1988-2010); aunque ambos descriptores disminuyeron significativamente en el limite superior (- 4 m), en 2010. Los frentes de erosión retrocedieron en el transepto fijo -0.87±0.75 m a-1, aunque este hecho fue compensado por el progreso de su borde adyacente con 0.6±0.69 m a-1 de nueva pradera. La densidad de las plántulas supervivientes se mantuvo estable durante dos años después de su enraizamiento y se encontró fuertemente correlacionada con la rugosidad del fondo marino. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las praderas de P. oceanica de la isla de Tabarca permanecieron estable durante un largo periodo. Aunque, hemos detectado “áreas calientes”, como aquellas situadas en el límite superior o en los frentes de erosión, donde probablemente un rápido declive causado por causas naturales (por ejemplo olas) fue seguido por mecanismos de reparación natural (por ejemplo asentamiento de plántulas y crecimiento vegetativo)

Order Restricted Inference for Oscillatory Systems for Detecting Rhythmic Signals

Many biological processes, such as cell cycle, circadian clock, menstrual cycles, are governed by oscillatory systems consisting of numerous components that exhibit rhythmic patterns over time. It is not always easy to identify such rhythmic components. For example, it is a challenging problem to identify circadian genes in a given tissue using time-course gene expression data. There is a great potential for misclassifying non-rhythmic as rhythmic genes and vice versa. This has been a problem of considerable interest in recent years. In this article we develop a constrained inference based methodology called Order Restricted Inference for Oscillatory Systems (ORIOS) to detect rhythmic signals. Instead of using mathematical functions (e.g. sinusoidal) to describe shape of rhythmic signals, ORIOS uses mathematical inequalities. Consequently, it is robust and not limited by the biologist’s choice of the mathematical model. We studied the performance of ORIOS using simulated as well as real data obtained from mouse liver, pituitary gland and data from NIH3T3, U2OS cell lines. Our results suggest that, for a broad collection of patterns of gene expression, ORIOS has substantially higher power to detect true rhythmic genes in comparison to some popular methods, while also declaring substantially fewer non-rhythmic genes as rhythmic.Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación [MTM2015-71217-R]Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte [FPU14/04534]Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) [Z01 ES101744-04

II Encuentro Galaico-Portugués de Biometría

The study of biological rhythms is receiving a lot of attention in the literature in recent years. At the core of this research lies the methodological problem of how to detect rhythmic signals in measured data. Night and day, or dark and light patterns impact on human health in many different ways. For this reason, researchers are studying the effect of sleep on the circadian clock in human body during various stages of life. Important components of this clock are the circadian genes which have rhythmic expression overtime with phases suitably matching the night and day. Consequently, the identification of rhythmic signals is a problem of considerable interest for biologists. In this work, we develop a novel statistical procedure to detect rhythmic signals in oscillatory systems based on Order Restricted Inference (ORI). This methodology is tested both on simulations and on real data bases. Moreover the obtained results are compared with the most widely extended rhythmicity detection algorithms in literature

El campus virtual de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Hoy en día el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación se encuentra plenamente integrado en muchos procesos docentes. Uno de estos usos se concreta en la utilización de sistemas de gestión de cursos en las universidades, donde sirven de soporte a lo que podríamos denominar campus virtuales. Este artículo describe el Campus Virtual de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, incidiendo en los factores claves que han impulsado su desarrollo.Today, the use of information technology and communication is fully integrated into many processes teachers. One of these uses are specific in the use of systems management courses at universities, where they serve to support what might be called virtual campuses. This article describes the campus of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, focusing on the key factors that have boosted its development

HIV-Infected Subjects With Poor CD4 T-Cell Recovery Despite Effective Therapy Express High Levels of OX40 and α4β7 on CD4 T-Cells Prior Therapy Initiation

Background HIV-infected subjects with suboptimal CD4 restoration despite suppressive combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) (immunodiscordant subjects) have been classically characterized after a variable period of time under cART. Recently, we have reported that an increased frequency of proliferating CD4 T-cells in these subjects is already present before the cART onset. The potential contribution of peripheral compensatory homeostatic proliferation (HP) is yet unknown. We aimed to analyze the expression of HP-related cellular markers on CD4 T-cells of immunodiscordant subjects before cART. Go to: Methods We analyzed the expression of OX40 and α4β7 on peripheral CD4 T-cells from immunodiscordant and control subjects (n = 21 each group) before cART initiation, and also on available follow-up samples (after 24 month of suppressive cART). Additionally, we tested the expression of these markers in an in vitro system for the study of human HP processes. Go to: Results Immunodiscordant subjects showed increased levels of OX40 and α4β7 on CD4 T-cells before cART initiation. While the cART tended to reduce these levels, immunodiscordant subjects still maintained comparatively higher levels of OX40 and α4β7 after 24 months under suppressive cART. These HP-related markers were upregulated in vitro during the human HP, especially during the fast HP. Go to: Conclusion Our results are compatible with exacerbated HP processes in immunodiscordant subjects, already before the cART onset.Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria FIS PI14/01693 PI13/0796 PI16/0503Fondos Europeos para el Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) CTS2593Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo CTS2593AGAUR 2017SGR948GILEAD GLD14/293The Spanish AIDS Research Network of Excellence RD12/0017/0029 RD16/0025/0019 RD16/0025/0006Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Salud y Bienestar Social C-0013-201

Evaluación de la eficiencia y el cambio de productividad en el sistema universitario público español tras la implantación de la LOU

pp. 71-98La mejora de la eficiencia del Sistema Universitario Público español es una creciente necesidad tras la implantación de la LOU y ante la actual restricción presupuestaria. En este contexto, este estudio tiene dos objetivos. Primero, evaluar la eficiencia técnica relativa de nuestras universidades, así como la evolución de la productividad y sus causas, aplicando la metodología DEA a partir de una muestra de 39 instituciones públicas españolas entre los cursos 2002/03 y 2008/09. Segundo, descubrir si existen diferencias significativas entre ellas en eficiencia y cambio productivo en función de ciertas características institucionales. Nuestros hallazgos revelan un nivel aceptable de eficiencia media en el sector durante el periodo analizado, así como un incremento de la productividad. Además, la especialización docente de las universidades parece conllevar niveles significativamente superiores tanto de eficiencia como de mejora productiva.S

Spontaneous malignant glaucoma: Case report and review of the literature.

Malignant glaucoma usually occurs after anterior segment surgery (typically after glaucoma surgery). The aim of this article is to report a case of spontaneous malignant glaucoma (SpMG), which required phacovitrectomy for resolution and to review the cases of SpMG reported in modern literature. Only nine cases were identified. SpMG has no gender predilection and age at onset seems to be lower (mean age 47 years) than in secondary malignant glaucoma (SeMG). Nearly in half of the reported patients (4 out of 9) the condition had a bilateral presentation. The risk factors that have been identified for SeMG (nanophthalmos, shallow anterior chamber, iris plateau, zonular laxity) are underrepresented in SpMG.post-print418 K

General Information About the Design of Smart Grids in Universities

Until recently, the dominant paradigm in the electrification consisted of universal service and its centralization, and for loor modern times think of the power grid of the future where a qualitative and radical leap is required because of the need to manage better energy resources, promote environmental protection and meet the increasingly demanding requirements of quality of service. A power distribution network becomes intelligent acquiring data, communicating, processing information and exercising control through a feedback that allows you to adjust to changes that may arise in actual operation. Ecuador aimed at energy efficiency through smart grids, which allow the dealer to maintain absolute monitoring of energy flow and the elements of the power grid. Thus, it is possible that service companies can efficiently manage their assets and the end user to manage consumption rationally, requiring to enhance the energy efficiency of power grids, one management timely and efficient energy

Inhibition of the Maillard reaction by phytochemicals composing an aqueous coffee silverskin extract via a mixed mechanism of action

This work aimed to evaluate the contribution of isoflavones and melatonin to the aqueous extract obtained from the coffee silverskin (CSE) antiglycative properties, which has not been previously studied. To achieve this goal, two model systems constituted by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and reactive carbonyls (glucose or methylglyoxal) in the presence or absence of pure phytochemicals (chlorogenic acid (CGA), genistein, and melatonin) and CSE were employed. Glucose was used to evaluate the effect on the formation of glycation products formed mainly in the early stage of the reaction, while methylglyoxal was employed for looking at the formation of advanced products of the reaction, also called methylglyoxal-derivative advanced glycation end products (AGE) or glycoxidation products. CGA inhibited the formation of fructosamine, while genistein and melatonin inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products and protein glycoxidation. It was also observed that phenolic compounds from CSE inhibited protein glycation and glycoxidation by forming BSA-phytochemical complexes. CSE showed a significant antiglycative effect (p < 0.05). Variations in the UV-Vis spectrum and the antioxidant capacity of protein fractions suggested the formation of protein-phytochemical complexes. Fluorescence quenching and in silico analysis supported the formation of antioxidant-protein complexes. For the first time, we illustrate that isoflavones and melatonin may contribute to the antiglycative/antiglycoxidative properties associated with CSE. CGA, isoflavones, and melatonin composing CSE seem to act simultaneously by different mechanisms of actionM.R.H thanks the JAE Intro fellowship (JAEINT_15_00086) and the FPU predoctoral program of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (FPU15/04238