First record of the Mauremys leprosa (Sauropsida: Testudines) in Sant Mateu del Maestrat

La tortuga de rierol, Mauremys leprosa (Scheigger, 1812), és citada per primer cop a Sant Mateu del Maestrat (el Baix Maestrat). Es fa una primera valoració de l’estat de la població, que es considera bona, amb una estructura d’edat normal i amb abundants exemplars juvenils que asseguren el reemplaçament. No s’han observat altres tortugues d’aigua a la zona.Terrapin, Mauremys leprosa (Scheigger, 1812), is mentioned for the first time in Sant Mateu del Maestrat (el Baix Maestrat, Spain). A first assessment of the state of the population is made. That is considered good, with a natural age structure and abundant young specimens that ensure replacement. No other turtles were observed in the area

Silac mouse for quantitative proteomics uncovers kindlin-3 as an essential factor for red blood cell function

Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) has become a versatile tool for quantitative, mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. Here, we completely label mice with a diet containing either the natural or the 13C6-substituted version of lysine. Mice were labeled over four generations with the heavy diet, and development, growth, and behavior were not affected. MS analysis of incorporation levels allowed for the determination of incorporation rates of proteins from blood cells and organs. The F2 generation was completely labeled in all organs tested. SILAC analysis from various organs lacking expression of β1 integrin, β-Parvin, or the integrin tail-binding protein Kindlin-3 confirmed their absence and disclosed a structural defect of the red blood cell membrane skeleton in Kindlin-3-deficient erythrocytes. The SILAC-mouse approach is a versatile tool by which to quantitatively compare proteomes from knockout mice and thereby determine protein functions under complex in vivo conditions

Does numerosity zero have a special place in the child's mind? A study.

openSebbene la conquista della competenza matematica rappresenti una sfida impegnativa, la predisposizione ai numeri è presente fin dalla nascita (Spelke, 2007). I meccanismi psicologici che stanno alla base delle rappresentazioni numeriche pre-verbali e non simboliche precoci sono stati studiati attraverso approcci comportamentali e neurobiologici (Feigenson, 2004; Xu, 2005; Izard, 2008; Siegler, 2014). Già poco dopo la nascita un neonato associa immagini e suoni sulla base del numero (Izard et al., 2009); dai sei mesi discrimina due insiemi di oggetti di diversa numerosità, secondo un meccanismo di approssimazione che dipende dal rapporto tra le due numerosità e che si perfeziona nel corso del tempo (Xu, 2005); a partire dai cinque mesi di vita attua semplici operazioni aritmetiche tra piccole numerosità di oggetti, come evidenziato da esperimenti di abituazione visiva (Wynn, 1992); l’idea di un ordine naturale dei numeri è più tardiva e sembra inizi a delinearsi dai quindici mesi (Dehaene, 2010). Meno chiaro è il ruolo esercitato dall’assenza di quantità, lo zero, nella formazione della rappresentazione numerica nel bambino. Le ricerche mostrano che la comprensione dei significati dello zero matura gradualmente e per stadi, ed è solo dopo qualche anno di vita che lo zero viene riconosciuto come numero, oltre che come insieme vuoto o come assenza di quantità, e posizionato al limite inferiore della successione dei numeri naturali (Wellman e Miller, 1986). Il nostro lavoro si inserisce all’interno di questo filone di ricerca e si propone di esaminare il riconoscimento dell’insieme vuoto in relazione alle piccole e grandi numerosità. A tale scopo sono stati somministrati compiti di riconoscimento visivo non simbolico, di aritmetica approssimata e di conteggio a bambini di 5-6 anni. I risultati di questo studio preliminare contribuiscono a comprendere come l’insieme vuoto venga rappresentato nella mente del bambino rispetto alle altre numerosità

Mass spectrometry data analysis in the proteomics era

With the advent of whole genome sequencing, large-scale proteomics has rapidly come to dominate the post-genomic age. As such, tandem mass spectrometry has emerged as the most promising and powerful technique in this area but analysis of raw spectra remains one of the principle bottlenecks to making effective use of the technology. Analytical approaches for identifying proteins from MS/MS data fall into two categories: comparing measured fragment spectra to theoretical spectra from sequence databases and de novo peptide sequencing. Available methods still have weaknesses, highlighting the need for new powerful algorithms that are able to exploit the enormous volume of data generated by proteomic experiments. Recent efforts have also been directed towards the identification of post-translational modifications, biomarker discovery and quantitative proteomics. Overall, the intended goal of this review is to give as thorough as possible an overview of state-of-the-art approaches and tools developed to analyze tandem mass spectra in different fields and discuss future directions aimed at overcoming the limits of present methods

Primera cita de Mauremys leprosa (Sauropsida: Testudines) a Sant Mateu del Maestrat

La tortuga de rierol, Mauremys leprosa (Scheigger, 1812), és citada per primer cop a Sant Mateu del Maestrat (el Baix Maestrat). Es fa una primera valoració de l'estat de la població, que es considera bona, amb una estructura d'edat normal i amb abundants exemplars juvenils que asseguren el reemplaçament. No s'han observat altres tortugues d'aigua a la zona.Terrapin, Mauremys leprosa (Scheigger, 1812), is mentioned for the first time in Sant Mateu del Maestrat (el Baix Maestrat, Spain). A first assessment of the state of the population is made. That is considered good, with a natural age structure and abundant young specimens that ensure replacement. No other turtles were observed in the area

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in aquatic environment: what are the risks for fish gametes?

Over the past 25 years, extensive research in vertebrate species has identified several genomic pathways altered by exposures to anthropogenic chemicals with hormone-like activity mediated by their interaction with nuclear receptors. In addition, many pollutants have been shown to interfere with non-genomic (non-classical) pathways, but this mechanism of endocrine disruption is still poorly understood. Recently, the number of publications describing the effects of Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on fish reproduction, focusing on the deregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis as well as on gamete quality, significantly increased. Depending on their ability to mimic endogenous hormones, the may differently affect male or female reproductive physiology. Inhibition of gametogenesis, development of intersex gonads, alteration of the gonadosomatic index, and decreased fertility rate have been largely documented. In males, alterations of sperm density, motility, and fertility have been observed in several wild species. Similar detrimental effects were described in females, including negative outcomes on oocyte growth and maturation plus the occurrence of apoptotic/autophagic processes. These pathways may affect gamete viability considered as one of the major indicators of reproductive endocrine disruption. Pollutants act also at DNA level producing DNA mutations and changes in epigenetic pathways inducing specific mechanisms of toxicity and/or aberrant cellular responses that may affect subsequent generation(s) through the germline. In conclusion, this review summarizes the effects caused by EDC exposure on fish reproduction, focusing on gametogenesis, giving a general overview of the different aspects dealing with this issue, from morphological alteration, deregulation of steroidogenesis, hormonal synthesis, and occurrence of epigenetic process