Nymphal feeding habits of two Anacroneuria species (Plecoptera, Perlidae) from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

The knowledge of the diet of aquatic insects is important to assess the use of resources and overlap of trophic niche between species, as well as to understand their role in the food web of the freshwater ecosystems they inhabit. This is particularly necessary in tropical areas where information on this topic is scarce. The aim of the present work is to describe the feeding habits of the species Anacroneuria marta Zúñiga & Stark, 2002 and A. caraca Stark, 1995 in the middle section of the Río Gaira (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia). We sampled nymphs on three dates during the rainy and dry seasons in two major different microhabitats of the reach (leaf accumulations and gravel) in 2014. The nymphal diet of a total of 87 and 90 individuals of A. caraca and A. marta, respectively, was studied. With this information, niche breadth for each species and niche overlap between them in terms of trophic resources were calculated. The major trophic resource for both species in the dry and rainy season was the invertebrate animal matter. In the dry season, fine particulate organic matter was also important in the diet of A. caraca, and A. marta ingested a large quantity of coarse particulate organic matter in the rainy season. Larvae of Trichoptera were the most ingested prey in both species, followed by larvae of Chironomidae, Coleoptera Hydrophilidae, and nymphs of Ephemeroptera. No differences in diet between both species were detected, so this could favor niche overlap in terms of trophic resources and could lead to competition between them. The possible ecological scenarios are discussed

Extended spawning in brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations from the Southern Iberian Peninsula: the role of climate variability

The reproductive periods of brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations in 12 rivers in the Baetic Mountains in southern Spain were studied from 2008 to 2013. This area is an ecological and geographical limit for the distribution of this species in Europe. We found that the spawning period has been markedly extended in these fish. The mean spawning dates in the studied populations are consistent with the European trend at this latitude, but our data suggest that females from most of the populations that we studied are able to produce eggs from early October through late April or early May, yielding a reproductive period of between 150 and 170 days, the longest and most delayed brown trout reproduction periods that have been reported in the literature. We believe that such expanded spawning periods result primarily from the unpredictability of the Mediterranean climate, although it is possible that other factors may have contributed to the development of this reproductive behaviour. This hypothesis is discussed in the context of a comparison of our results with those found for other European S. trutta populations.This study is framed in the projects Recuperación de las poblaciones de trucha común en Andalucía (1589/2007/M/00) and Seguimiento de los efectos del Cambio Global en Sierra Nevada: 2010-2014 (562/2010/M/00)

Library of high and mid-resolution spectra in the CaII H & K, Hα, Hβ, NaI D_1, D_2, and HeI D3 line regions of F, G, K and M field stars

In this work we present spectroscopic observations centered in the spectral lines most widely used as optical indicators of chromospheric activity (Hα, Hβ, CaII H & K, and HeI D_3) in a sample of F, G, K and M chromospherically inactive stars. The spectra have been obtained with the aim of providing a library of high and mid-resolution spectra to be used in the application of the spectral subtraction technique to obtain the active-chromosphere contribution to these lines in chromospherically active single and binary stars. This library can also be used for spectral classification purposes. A digital version with all the spectra is available via ftp and the World Wide Web (WWW) in both ASCII and FITS formats

Realización de convenios con el Sector Privado como alternativa para la ampliación de las colocaciones de préstamo

La investigación se realizó para determinar como el modelo de gestión de préstamos que realiza un banco para el sector público se beneficia económicamente por los convenios con el sector privado y la cantidad de clientes calificados para crédito. La población está conformada por los convenios efectuados con seis empresas privadas, la encuesta se llevó a cabo con la participación de 370 personas de los diferentes centros mineros. Se utilizó tecnologías para el análisis de procesos y explotación del Data Warehouse, para la construcción y análisis de información. Se apreció que en promedio el 80% de los funcionarios, técnicos y administrativos, obreros y operarios encuestados de las empresas privadas están interesados que el banco estatal realice un convenio con sus empresas para que puedan recibir sus remuneraciones en la amplia red que cuenta el banco

Interacciones entre Geomorfología e intervención humana sobre la composición del matorral en la cuenca del río Guadalupejo (Extremadura)

19 páginas, 4 figuras, 2 tablas, 30 referencias.[EN]: The relationships between geomorphology and scrub composition and the effects of management practices on them bave been studied in Guadalupejo River bassin (W. Spain). The mediterranean climate has an annual precipitation of 803 mm and average temperature of 15ºC. Lithology is dominated by slates with surface deposits of conglomerates and clay. The area was subdivided on homogeneous units with geomorphic and management criteria in order to sample vegetation. Pressence/absence and abundance (as cover) of 30 scrub species was recorded on 56 10 x 10m. plots. Cluster analysis was used to classify vegetation types. Main type divisions are related primarily to human management and secondarily to geomorphic and physicochemical characters of substrate. Total plant cover, specific species contribution and pioneer/mature species ratio a1l are influenced by the predominant factors mentioned above. The relative weight of physical, biotic and human factors in determining vegetation composition is discussed. It is proposed that all processes involved may fall into three main categories: limitation, organisation and disruption.[ES]: Se han estudiado las relaciones entre geomorfología y composición del matorral mediterráneo y el efecto de la intervención humana sobre las mismas. Se escogió la parte baja de la cuenca del río Guadalupejo, afluente del Guadiana por su margen derecha. El clima es de tipo mediterráneo (803 mm; y 15°) y el sustrato está formado por pizarras, conglomerados y arcillas. Se sectorizó el área con criterios geomorfológicos y de tipos de intervención humana como base para el muestreo estratificado de la vegetación; se registró la presencia de las especies y se midió su cobertura en 36 parcelas de 10 x 10 m. La Matriz de datos cualitativos se analizó mediante técnicas de análisis de clasificación aglomerativa, para determinar tipos de matorral. Las principales diferencias entre los tipos de matorral se relacionan en primer lugar con la modalidad de intervención humana y en segundo con la geomorfología y composición fisicoquímica del sustrato. La cobertura total del matorral, importancia relativa de las distintas especies y relación entre coberturas especies pioneras/especies maduras también se relacionan con estos factores predominantes. Se discute la importancia de los procesos físicos, bióticos y humanos en la determinación de la composición de la vegetación, considerándolos agrupados en 3 grupos de procesos, limitativos, organizativos y desorganizativos.Peer reviewe

Hakai reduces cell-substratum adhesion and increases epithelial cell invasion

[Abstract] Background. The dynamic regulation of cell-cell adhesions is crucial for developmental processes, including tissue formation, differentiation and motility. Adherens junctions are important components of the junctional complex between cells and are necessary for maintaining cell homeostasis and normal tissue architecture. E-cadherin is the prototype and best-characterized protein member of adherens junctions in mammalian epithelial cells. Regarded as a tumour suppressor, E-cadherin loss is associated with poor prognosis in carcinoma. The E3 ubiquitin-ligase Hakai was the first reported posttranslational regulator of the E-cadherin complex. Hakai specifically targetted E-cadherin for internalization and degradation and thereby lowered epithelial cell-cell contact. Hakai was also implicated in controlling proliferation, and promoted cancer-related gene expression by increasing the binding of RNA-binding protein PSF to RNAs encoding oncogenic proteins. We sought to investigate the possible implication of Hakai in cell-substratum adhesions and invasion in epithelial cells. Methods. Parental MDCK cells and MDCK cells stably overexpressing Hakai were used to analyse cell-substratum adhesion and invasion capabilities. Western blot and immunofluoresecence analyses were performed to assess the roles of Paxillin, FAK and Vinculin in cell-substratum adhesion. The role of the proteasome in controlling cell-substratum adhesion was studied using two proteasome inhibitors, lactacystin and MG132. To study the molecular mechanisms controlling Paxillin expression, MDCK cells expressing E-cadherin shRNA in a tetracycline-inducible manner was employed. Results. Here, we present evidence that implicate Hakai in reducing cell-substratum adhesion and increasing epithelial cell invasion, two hallmark features of cancer progression and metastasis. Paxillin, an important protein component of the cell-matrix adhesion, was completely absent from focal adhesions and focal contacts in Hakai-overexpressing MDCK cells. The expression of Paxillin was found to be regulated by a proteasome-independent mechanism, possibly due to the decreased abundance of E-cadherin. Conclusions. Taken together, these results suggest that Hakai may be involved in two hallmark aspects of tumour progression, the lowering cell-substratum adhesion and the enhancement of cell invasion.Xunta de Galicia; PS09/24Xunta de Galicia; 10CSA916023P

AHR signaling is induced by infection with coronaviruses

Coronavirus infection in humans is usually associated to respiratory tract illnesses, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening respiratory failure. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was recently identified as a host factor for Zika and dengue viruses; AHR antagonists boost antiviral immunity, decrease viral titers and ameliorate Zika-induced pathology in vivo. Here we report that AHR is activated by infection with different coronaviruses, potentially impacting antiviral immunity and lung epithelial cells. Indeed, the analysis of single-cell RNA-seq from lung tissue detected increased expression of AHR and AHR transcriptional targets, suggesting AHR signaling activation in SARS-CoV-2-infected epithelial cells from COVID-19 patients. Moreover, we detected an association between AHR expression and viral load in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Finally, we found that the pharmacological inhibition of AHR suppressed the replication in vitro of one of the causative agents of the common cold, HCoV-229E, and the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2. Taken together, these findings suggest that AHR activation is a common strategy used by coronaviruses to evade antiviral immunity and promote viral replication, which may also contribute to lung pathology. Future studies should further evaluate the potential of AHR as a target for host-directed antiviral therapy.Fil: Giovannoni, Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Li, Zhaorong. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Remes Lenicov, Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Dávola, María E.. McMaster University; CanadáFil: Elizalde, Maria Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Paletta, Ana Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Ashkar, Ali A.. McMaster University; CanadáFil: Mossman, Karen L.. McMaster University; CanadáFil: Dugour, Andrea Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Figueroa, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología "Dr. César Milstein". Fundación Pablo Cassará. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Barquero, Andrea Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Cybele. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, Francisco Javier. Broad Institute; Estados Unidos. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unido

Hypertension in Guatemala’s Public Primary Care System: A Needs Assessment Using the Health System Building Blocks Framework

Background: Uncontrolled hypertension represents a substantial and growing burden in Guatemala and other low and middle-income countries. As a part of the formative phase of an implementation research study, we conducted a needs assessment to define short- and long-term needs and opportunities for hypertension services within the public health system. Methods: We conducted a multi-method, multi-level assessment of needs related to hypertension within Guatemala’s public system using the World Health Organization’s health system building blocks framework. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders at national (n = 17), departmental (n = 7), district (n = 25), and community (n = 30) levels and focus groups with patients (3) and frontline auxiliary nurses (3). We visited and captured data about infrastructure, accessibility, human resources, reporting, medications and supplies at 124 health posts and 53 health centers in five departments of Guatemala. We conducted a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews and focus group discussions supported by matrix analysis. We summarized quantitative data observed during visits to health posts and centers. Results: Major challenges for hypertension service delivery included: gaps in infrastructure, insufficient staffing and high turnover, limited training, inconsistent supply of medications, lack of reporting, low prioritization of hypertension, and a low level of funding in the public health system overall. Key opportunities included: prior experience caring for patients with chronic conditions, eagerness from providers to learn, and interest from patients to be involved in managing their health. The 5 departments differ in population served per health facility, accessibility, and staffing. All but 7 health posts had basic infrastructure in place. Enalapril was available in 74% of health posts whereas hydrochlorothiazide was available in only 1 of the 124 health posts. With the exception of one department, over 90% of health posts had a blood pressure monitor. Conclusions: This multi-level multi-method needs assessment using the building blocks framework highlights contextual factors in Guatemala’s public health system that have been important in informing the implementation of a hypertension control trial. Long-term needs that are not addressed within the scope of this study will be important to address to enable sustained implementation and scale-up of the hypertension control approach.Fil: Fort, Meredith P.. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Mundo, William. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Paniagua Avila, Alejandra. No especifíca;Fil: Cardona, Sayra. No especifíca;Fil: Figueroa, Juan Carlos. No especifíca;Fil: Hernández Galdamez, Diego. No especifíca;Fil: Mansilla, Kristyne. No especifíca;Fil: Peralta García, Ana. No especifíca;Fil: Roche, Dina. No especifíca;Fil: Palacios, Eduardo Alberto. No especifíca;Fil: Glasgow, Russell E.. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Gulayin, Pablo Elías. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Irazola, Vilma. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: He, Jiang. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Ramirez Zea, Manuel. No especifíca