Distribution of melanopsin positive neurons in pigmented and albino mice: evidence for melanopsin interneurons in the mouse retina.

Here we have studied the population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in adult pigmented and albino mice. Our data show that although pigmented (C57Bl/6) and albino (Swiss) mice have a similar total number of ipRGCs, their distribution is slightly different: while in pigmented mice ipRGCs are more abundant in the temporal retina, in albinos the ipRGCs are more abundant in superior retina. In both strains, ipRGCs are located in the retinal periphery, in the areas of lower Brn3a(+)RGC density. Both strains also contain displaced ipRGCs (d-ipRGCs) in the inner nuclear layer (INL) that account for 14% of total ipRGCs in pigmented mice and 5% in albinos. Tracing from both superior colliculli shows that 98% (pigmented) and 97% (albino) of the total ipRGCs, become retrogradely labeled, while double immunodetection of melanopsin and Brn3a confirms that few ipRGCs express this transcription factor in mice. Rather surprisingly, application of a retrograde tracer to the optic nerve (ON) labels all ipRGCs, except for a sub-population of the d-ipRGCs (14% in pigmented and 28% in albino, respectively) and melanopsin positive cells residing in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ) of the retina. In the CMZ, between 20% (pigmented) and 24% (albino) of the melanopsin positive cells are unlabeled by the tracer and we suggest that this may be because they fail to send an axon into the ON. As such, this study provides the first evidence for a population of melanopsin interneurons in the mammalian retina

Actividad antioxidante de los alcaloides de Bocconia arborea. Estudio sobre seis métodos de análisis

Antioxidative activity-guided fractionation together with chemical analysis led to the isolation of three benzophenanthridinealkaloids from methanol extract of the bark of Bocconia arborea. Identification was based on spectroscopic methods.The isolated alkaloids 6-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine, chelerythrine and dihydrochelerythrine were tested for antioxidativeactivity on thiocyanate assays, free radical scavenging activity, b-carotene bleaching method, and deoxyribose assay. Allalkaloids exhibited significant antioxidant activities in linoleic acid and b-carotene. Although afforded protection againstthe damage of deoxyribose, liposome peroxidation and microsomial lipid from peroxidation, also exhibited scavengingeffects on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals.El fraccionamiento de la actividad antioxidante dirigida por actividad, junto con el análisis químico, llevaron alaislamiento de tres alcaloides de benzofenantridina del extracto de metanol de la corteza de Bocconia arborea. Laidentificación se basó en métodos espectroscópicos. Se analizó la actividad antioxidante de los alcaloides aislados 6-acetonildihidroqueleritrina, queleritrina y dihidroqueleritrina en ensayos de tiocianato, la actividad de barrido delos radicales libres, el método de decoloración del b-caroteno y el ensayo de la desoxirribosa. Todos los alcaloidesmostraron actividad antioxidante significativa en ácido linoleico y b-caroteno. Además de conceder protección frentea la desoxirribosa, la peroxidación liposómica y los lípidos microsomiales de la peroxidación, también presentaronefectos de barrido en los radicales de 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazi

Probabilistic Guarded P Systems, A New Formal Modelling Framework

Multienvironment P systems constitute a general, formal framework for modelling the dynamics of population biology, which consists of two main approaches: stochastic and probabilistic. The framework has been successfully used to model biologic systems at both micro (e.g. bacteria colony) and macro (e.g. real ecosystems) levels, respectively. In this paper, we extend the general framework in order to include a new case study related to P. Oleracea species. The extension is made by a new variant within the probabilistic approach, called Probabilistic Guarded P systems (in short, PGP systems). We provide a formal definition, a simulation algorithm to capture the dynamics, and a survey of the associated software.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2012- 37434Junta de Andalucía P08-TIC-0420

A computational modeling for real ecosystems based on P systems

In this paper, a P systems based general framework for modeling ecosystems dynamics is presented. Particularly, ecosystems are specified by means of multienvironment P systems composed of a finite number of environments, each of them having an extended P system with active membranes. The semantics is of a probabilistic type and it is implemented by assigning each rule of the system a probabilistic constant which depends on the environment and the run time. As a case study, two real ecosystems are described: scavenger birds in the Catalan Pyrenees and the zebra mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) in Ribarroja reservoir (Spain).Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TIN2009–13192Junta de Andalucía P08–TIC-0420

What do rates of deposition of dental cementum tell us? Functional and evolutionary hypotheses in red deer.

Cementum is a bone connective tissue that provides a flexible attachment for the tooth to the alveolar bone in many mammalian species. It does not undergo continuous remodelling, unlike non-dental bone, which combined with its growth pattern of seasonal layering makes this tissue uniquely suitable as a proxy for tracking changes in body repair investment throughout an animal´s life. We tested functional and sexual selection hypotheses on the rate of cementum deposition related to the highly polygynous mating strategy of red deer. We used a sample of 156 first lower molars from wild Scottish red deer of known age between 1 and 17 years old, approximately balanced by sex and age class. Cementum deposition on the inter-radicular pad increased with age at a constant average rate of 0.26 mm per year, with no significant differences between sexes. Cementum deposition was independent of (i) tooth wear, other than that associated with age, and (ii) enamel and dentine micro-hardness. The results partially supported the hypothesis that the main function of cementum is the repositioning of the tooth to maintain opposing teeth in occlusion. However, teeth that had more wear or males´ teeth that had faster rates of tooth wear than those of females did not present the expected higher rates of cementum deposition

Ingresos en el Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial de Madrid y sus motivaciones.

El motivo de esta comunicación es demostrar el elevado número de ingresos que se registran en el Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial de Madrid, así como el que el 40% de estos ingresos son de causa no psiquiátrica, lo que redunda en un importante deterioro de la asistencia. Resalta, además, el elevado porcentaje de ingresos agrupados dentro de los teóricamente considerados por enfermedad mental, que en realidad corresponden a problemas sociales

Ingresos en el Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial de Madrid y sus motivaciones.

El motivo de esta comunicación es demostrar el elevado número de ingresos que se registran en el Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial de Madrid, así como el que el 40% de estos ingresos son de causa no psiquiátrica, lo que redunda en un importante deterioro de la asistencia. Resalta, además, el elevado porcentaje de ingresos agrupados dentro de los teóricamente considerados por enfermedad mental, que en realidad corresponden a problemas sociales

Efecto del entrenamiento de fuerza en deportistas femeninas de deportes colectivos mediante tecnología isoinercial

The aim of this research is to analyse the effect of a four-week strength programme using isoinertial technology on performance improvement in women in team sports on an intermittent basis. The sample was composed of six women with an average age of 21 (±1.79 years). The tests of V-cut direction changes, explosive force counter movement jump and repeated sprint ability over 40 m were performed. The main results show that all the variables analysed are improved by training with isoinertial technology. They present significant differences (p<.05) in the variables of explosive strength and repeated sprint ability. Therefore, a strength training program using isoinertial technology during four weeks of training is sufficient for the improvement of direction changes, resistance to repeated sprinting and explosive leg strength.El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar el efecto de un programa de fuerza mediante tecnología isoinercial durante cuatro semanas, en la mejora del rendimiento en mujeres de deportes colectivos con carácter intermitente. La muestra estaba compuesta por seis mujeres con una edad media de 21±1.79 años. Se realizaron los test de cambios de dirección V-cut, fuerza explosiva counter movement jump y repeated sprint ability sobre 40 m. Los principales resultados muestran que se mejoraron todas las variables analizadas mediante el entrenamiento con tecnología isoinercial. Además, presentaron diferencias significativas (p<.05) en las variables de fuerza explosiva y de repeated sprint ability. Por lo tanto, un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza a través de tecnología isoinercial durante cuatro semanas de entrenamiento es suficiente para la mejora de los cambios de dirección, la resistencia a la repetición de esprines y la fuerza explosiva de piernas