Assessment of the conservation status of natural and semi-natural patches associated with urban areas through habitat suitability indices

Urban environments rely on the surrounding natural ecosystems remnants as providers of ecosystem functions, therefore these areas not only support a unique biodiversity but also have a social value for maintaining public health and wellbeing. For this reason, urbanization is considered to be one the biggest threats to ecosystems, leading to native biodiversity simplification and, thus, to a detriment of the provided ecosystem services. Moreover, this change in land use results in high levels of landscape fragmentation and modification in areas surrounding the habitat remnants which, in consequence, become inadequate for many native species. In this context, it is important that urban planners have the information to assess the possible consequences of future changes in land use in order to increase the landscape chances of supporting both, native biodiversity and the needs of a growing human population. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the ecological integrity of natural and semi-natural vegetation patches immersed in an urban area in order to generate a conceptual framework for landscape assessment that allows urban planners to envision the best choice for city development at a given place. To do so, we developed a quantitative integral environmental evaluation index that includes ecological characterization, geological characterization, and environmental characterization (presence of anthropic disturbance) of the assessed area. We conclude that the index we have generated in this work is suitable to be used as a management tool to allow an unbiased valuation and to identify managing situations that require a short term response.Fil: Natale, Evangelina Sandra. Fundación Conservación y Desarrollo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, G.. Fundación Conservación y Desarrollo; ArgentinaFil: Junquera, J. E.. Fundación Conservación y Desarrollo; ArgentinaFil: Zalba, Sergio Martín. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Grupo de Estudios en Conservación y Manejo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The role of CaMKII regulation of phospholamban activity in heart disease

Phospholamban (PLN) is a phosphoprotein in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that is a reversible regulator of the Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) activity and cardiac contractility. Dephosphorylated PLN inhibits SERCA2a and PLN phosphorylation, at either Ser16 by PKA or Thr17 by Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII), reverses this inhibition. Through this mechanism, PLN is a key modulator of SR Ca2+ uptake, Ca2+ load, contractility, and relaxation. PLN phosphorylation is also the main determinant of ß1-adrenergic responses in the heart. Although phosphorylation of Thr17 by CaMKII contributes to this effect, its role is subordinate to the PKA-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+, necessary to activate CaMKII. Furthermore, the effects of PLN and its phosphorylation on cardiac function are subject to additional regulation by its interacting partners, the anti-apoptotic HAX-1 protein and Gm or the anchoring unit of protein phosphatase 1. Regulation of PLN activity by this multimeric complex becomes even more important in pathological conditions, characterized by aberrant Ca2+-cycling. In this scenario, CaMKII-dependent PLN phosphorylation has been associated with protective effects in both acidosis and ischemia/reperfusion. However, the beneficial effects of increasing SR Ca2+ uptake through PLN phosphorylation may be lost or even become deleterious, when these occur in association with alterations in SR Ca2+ leak. Moreover, a major characteristic in human and experimental heart failure (HF) is depressed SR Ca2+ uptake, associated with decreased SERCA2a levels and dephosphorylation of PLN, leading to decreased SR Ca2+ load and impaired contractility. Thus, the strategy of altering SERCA2a and/or PLN levels or activity to restore perturbed SR Ca2+ uptake is a potential therapeutic tool for HF treatment. We will review here the role of CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of PLN at Thr17 on cardiac function under physiological and pathological conditions.Facultad de Ciencias MédicasCentro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

The role of CaMKII regulation of phospholamban activity in heart disease

Phospholamban (PLN) is a phosphoprotein in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that is a reversible regulator of the Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) activity and cardiac contractility. Dephosphorylated PLN inhibits SERCA2a and PLN phosphorylation, at either Ser16 by PKA or Thr17 by Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII), reverses this inhibition. Through this mechanism, PLN is a key modulator of SR Ca2+ uptake, Ca2+ load, contractility, and relaxation. PLN phosphorylation is also the main determinant of ß1-adrenergic responses in the heart. Although phosphorylation of Thr17 by CaMKII contributes to this effect, its role is subordinate to the PKA-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+, necessary to activate CaMKII. Furthermore, the effects of PLN and its phosphorylation on cardiac function are subject to additional regulation by its interacting partners, the anti-apoptotic HAX-1 protein and Gm or the anchoring unit of protein phosphatase 1. Regulation of PLN activity by this multimeric complex becomes even more important in pathological conditions, characterized by aberrant Ca2+-cycling. In this scenario, CaMKII-dependent PLN phosphorylation has been associated with protective effects in both acidosis and ischemia/reperfusion. However, the beneficial effects of increasing SR Ca2+ uptake through PLN phosphorylation may be lost or even become deleterious, when these occur in association with alterations in SR Ca2+ leak. Moreover, a major characteristic in human and experimental heart failure (HF) is depressed SR Ca2+ uptake, associated with decreased SERCA2a levels and dephosphorylation of PLN, leading to decreased SR Ca2+ load and impaired contractility. Thus, the strategy of altering SERCA2a and/or PLN levels or activity to restore perturbed SR Ca2+ uptake is a potential therapeutic tool for HF treatment. We will review here the role of CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of PLN at Thr17 on cardiac function under physiological and pathological conditions.Facultad de Ciencias MédicasCentro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

Green Revolution dwarfing Rht genes negatively affected wheat floral traits related to cross‐pollination efficiency

Hybrid breeding is a promising strategy to quickly improve wheat yield and stability. Due to the usefulness of the Rht ?Green Revolution? dwarfing alleles, it is important to gain a better understanding of their impact on traits related to hybrid development. Traits associated with cross-pollination efficiency were studied using Near Isogenic Lines carrying the different sets of alleles in Rht genes: Rht1 (semi-dwarf), Rht2 (semi-dwarf), Rht1+2 (dwarf), Rht3 (extreme dwarf), Rht2+3 (extreme dwarf), and rht (tall) during four growing seasons. Results showed that the extreme dwarfing alleles Rht2+3, Rht3, and Rht1+2 presented the greatest effects in all the traits analyzed. Plant height showed reductions up to 64% (Rht2+3) compared to rht. Decreases up to 20.2% in anther length and -33% in filament length (Rht2+3) were observed. Anthers extrusion decreased from 40% (rht) to 20% (Rht1 and Rht2), 11% (Rht3), 8.3% (Rht1+2) and 6.5% (Rht2+3). Positive correlations were detected between plant height and anther extrusion, anther, and anther filament lengths, suggesting the negative effect of dwarfing alleles. Moreover, the magnitude of these negative impacts depends on the combination of the alleles: Rht2+3>Rht3/Rht1+2>Rht2/Rht1>rht (tall). Reductions were consistent across genotypes and environments with interactions due to magnitude effects. Our results indicate that Rht alleles are involved in multiple traits of interest for hybrid wheat production and the need to select alternative sources for reduced height/lodging resistance for hybrid breeding programs.Fil: Schierenbeck, Matías. Leibniz Institute Of Plant Genetics And Crop Plant Research.; Alemania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Alqudah, Ahmad M.. Qatar University; QatarFil: Lantos, Edit. Leibniz Institute Of Plant Genetics And Crop Plant Research.; AlemaniaFil: Avogadro, Evangelina G.. Leibniz Institute Of Plant Genetics And Crop Plant Research.; AlemaniaFil: Simon, Maria Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Börner, Andreas. Leibniz Institute Of Plant Genetics And Crop Plant Research.; Alemani

Systemic restoration of UBA1 ameliorates disease in spinal muscular atrophy

Acknowledgments Blood biochemistry analysis and serum analysis were performed by the Easter Bush Pathology Department, University of Edinburgh. Animal husbandry was performed by Centre for Integrative Physiology bio-research restructure technical staff, University of Edinburgh. Assistance with intravenous injections was provided by Ian Coldicott (University of Sheffield) and Hannah Shorrock (University of Edinburgh). Human blood cDNA was a gift to GH from Kathy Evans, University of Edinburgh. Imaging was performed at the IMPACT imaging facility, University of Edinburgh, with technical assistance from Anisha Kubasik-Thayil. The authors would also like to thank Lyndsay Murray for technical discussions relating to qRT-PCR analysis. This work was supported by funding from the SMA Trust and the Anatomical Society (via grants to THG); the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research (via grants to THG and SHP); the Wellcome Trust (via grants to EJNG and THG); Muscular Dystrophy UK (via grants to THG and CGB); a Elphinstone Scholarship from the University of Aberdeen (to SHP); and The French Muscular Dystrophy Association (via grants to CM and JC).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A biopolymer with antimicrobial properties and plant resistance inducer against phytopathogens: Chitosan

Some synthetic fungicides have been currently prohibited due to their adverse effects; thus, searching for alternatives to decrease their application is a priority worldwide. An alternative to the application of synthetic fungicides is chitosan -a natural biopolymer- because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. Chitosan has been used in different industries, such as cosmetology, pharmaceutics, food, among others. In agriculture, it has been used as a resistance inductor and bio-fungicide because of its antimicrobial activity and for plant development as growth promoter. Although many works have been published on chitosan for its characteristics and mode of action, the direct effects on agriculture -both in plant and fruit phytopathogens- have not been reported. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize recent advances and achievements of chitosan application in agriculture with special attention to its antimicrobial properties and plant defence induction mechanisms

Species within the Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Complex in Soybean and Bean Crops in Argentina

The White fly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a cryptic species complex that contains some of the most damaging pests in tropical and subtropical regions. Recent studies suggested that this complex is composed of at least 24 distinct species. We use the approach from these studies to consider the identity of B. tabaci in Argentina. Previous studies have suggested the presence of a B. tabaci presumably indigenous to the Americas and referred to as the BR biotype in Argentina. We placed the entity referred to as the BR biotype within the B. tabaci cryptic species complex using whiteflies collected in soybean and bean crops in northern and central Argentina. The whiteflies were assigned using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (mtCOI) gene. Four unknown haplotypes plus two Argentina sequences from GenBank formed a cluster that was basal to the rest of theNewWorld sequences. These sequences diverged from the consensus sequence across the range of 3.6 to 4.3%. Applying the species assignment rules of recent studies suggests that the individuals from Argentina form a separate species. A unknown haplotype fell within the New World putative species and formed a distinct cluster with haplotypes from Panama. These results suggest that Argentina has two indigenous species belonging to the B. tabaci cryptic species complex. Rather tan using mtCOI sequencing for all B. tabaci collected, a simple random amplifed polymorphic DNApolymerase chain reaction diagnostic was used and tested along with previously published primers designed to work specially with the BR biotype from Brazil. These primers were either unable to distinguish between the two indigenous members of the complex in Argentina or indicated a difference when none was evident on the basis of mtCOI sequence comparison.Fil: Alemandri, V.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: De Barro, P.. No especifíca;Fil: Bejerman, N.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Argüello Caro, Evangelina Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Dumón, A. D.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Mattio, Maria Fernanda. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, S. M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Truol G.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Fitopatología y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentin

Morpho-physiology and Pht1 gene expressions in native maize plants with AM fungi and phosphorus

Maize is a crop important worldwide, but its production is limited to phosphorus availability in soil. Plants form a symbiotic association to improve their nutrition with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which increase to absorption phosphorus (P) and the expression of transporters of the family Pht1. Few studies have focused on native maize plants and AMF. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the morpho-physiological response and expression of phosphate Pht1 transporters in two native maize plants inoculated with Claroideoglomus etunicatum and P concentrations. The height, leaf area, dry biomass, CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2, water potential, greenness index, total chlorophyll, and ZEAma; Pht1;3 and ZEAma; Pht1;6 transporter expressions in maize plants under P (0.01 and 1 mM) concentrations were evaluated. The results showed that each native maize plant had a differential response in morpho-physiology and transporter expressions when they were inoculated with AMF and P. The response of maize plant was related with its genotype and phenotype plus environmental factor that influenced the AMF-host interaction, mycorrhizal colonization and soil nutrient absorption

Asistencia al cancer de ninos y adolescentes: mapeamiento de los flujos origen-destino en Brasil

OBJETIVO: Analisar os fluxos de viagens de crianças e adolescentes com câncer, entre os locais de residência e serviço de saúde. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os fluxos de viagens de crianças e adolescentes com câncer entre os locais de residência e de serviço de saúde atendidos no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), de 2000 a 2007. A unidade de análise foi a regional de saúde. Utilizou-se o sistema de informações geográficas e metodologia de redes por tipo de tratamento recebido (quimioterapia e radioterapia) e internações hospitalares. RESULTADOS: Foram emitidas 465.289 autorizações de quimioterapia, 29.151 de radioterapia e 383.568 de internações hospitalares de crianças e adolescentes com diagnóstico de câncer para tratamento no SUS. O fluxo dominante formou 48 redes para quimioterapia, 53 para radioterapia e 112 para internações hospitalares. A maior parte do volume de atendimento ocorreu nas regionais de saúde das 12 maiores metrópoles do País com grande relacionamento entre elas e extensa área de influência direta acompanhando a estrutura da rede urbana brasileira. CONCLUSÕES: A identificação das redes estabelecidas no âmbito do SUS para o atendimento de crianças e adolescentes com câncer mostra que a maioria dos pacientes está contemplada pelas redes estruturadas. Cerca de 10% das viagens ocorrem fora do fluxo dominante, indicando a necessidade de regionalização alternativa. Os resultados evidenciam a importância do planejamento da distribuição dos serviços de acordo com as necessidades da população usuária.OBJECTIVE: To analyze fl ows of travel between place of residence and health care services by children and adolescents with cancer. METHODS: The flows of travel between place of residence and the health care service for children and adolescents receiving care in Brazil’s Unifi ed Health System (SUS) were monitored between 2000 and 2007. The unit of analysis was the health care district. The geographical information system data and network methodology, by type of treatment received (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and hospital admissions were used. RESULTS: The SUS made 465,289 authorizations for chemotherapy, 29,151 for radiotherapy and 383,568 for hospital admissions for the treatment of children and adolescents with a diagnosis of cancer. The dominant fl ow formed 48 networks for chemotherapy, 53 for radiotherapy and 112 for hospital admissions. Most of the volume of treatment occurred in the health districts of Brazil’s 12 largest cities (with strong links between them and each having an extensive area of direct infl uence accompanying the structure of the Brazilian urban system. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the networks formed by utilization of SUS facilities providing care for children and adolescents with cancer shows that overall most patients are covered by the existing networks. However, about 10% of travel occurs outside the dominant structure, indicating the need for alternative regionalization. These results show the importance of planning the distribution of services to meet the population’s needs.OBJETIVO: Analizar los flujos de viajes de niños y adolescentes con cáncer, entre locales de residencia y servicio de salud. MÉTODOS: se analizaron los flujos de viajes de niños y adolescentes con cáncer entre los locales de residencia y el servicio de salud del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), de 2000 a 2007. La unidad de análisis fue la regional de salud. Se utilizó el sistema de informaciones geográficas y metodología de redes por tipo de tratamiento recibido (quimioterapia y radioterapia) e internaciones hospitalarias. RESULTADOS: Se emitieron 465.289 autorizaciones de quimioterapia, 29.151 de radioterapia y 383.568 de internaciones hospitalarias de niños y adolescentes con diagnóstico de cáncer para tratamiento en el SUS. El flujo dominante formó 48 redes para quimioterapia, 53 para radioterapia y 112 para internaciones hospitalarias. La mayor parte del volumen de asistencia ocurrió en las regionales de salud de las 12 mayores metrópolis del país con gran relacionamiento entre ellas y extensa área de influencia directa acompañando la estructura de la red urbana brasileña. CONCLUSIONES: La identificación de las redes establecidas en el ámbito del SUS para la atención de niños y adolescentes con cáncer muestra que la mayoría de los pacientes está contemplada por las redes estructuradas. Cerca de 10% de los viajes ocurren fuera del flujo dominante, indicando la necesidad de regionalización alternativa. Los resultados evidencian la importancia de la planificación de la distribución de los servicios de acuerdo con las necesidades de la población usuaria

Acidified milk for feeding dairy calves in tropical raising systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of milk acidification in tropical climate conditions on dairy calves’ growth, health and selected blood metabolites. Thirty-two Holstein calves were blocked according to sex, birth date and weight, and distributed to the following treatments: 1. refrigerated milk kept at 5 °C (RM) or 2. acidified milk (with added lactic acid to a pH of 4.2) kept at ambient temperature (ACM). After birth, calves were fed colostrum and from the second day received 6 l/day of RM or ACM heated to 38 °C until weaning at day 56. Calves were individually housed with free access to water and starter diet. Feed intake and health problems were monitored daily; calves were weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected weekly to evaluate the levels of metabolites. Feed intake, body weight and daily gain did not differ between treatments, but heart girth and wither height was higher for animals fed RM. The faecal score was lower for RM group, however in calves fed ACM it also did not suggest a diarrheal process (1.98). In addition, the first case of diarrhoea in calves fed ACM was later than in calves fed RM (15.4 vs 8.6 days, respectively; P < 0.01). So, the acidification of milk is an adequate method of preserving milk in tropical ambient temperatures. It resulted in health benefits to calves, delaying the first case of diarrhoea.Fil: Coelho, M. G.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Silva, F. L. M.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Silva, M. D.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Silva, A. P.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Cezar, A. M.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Slanzon, G. S.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Miqueo, Evangelina. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Toledo, A. F.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Bittar, C. M. M.. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; Brasi