Analyses of Genetic Diversity in the Endangered “Berrenda” Spanish Cattle Breeds Using Pedigree Data

Pedigree analyses of two endangered cattle breeds were performed in order to study the structure and the genetic variability in their populations. Pedigree data were analyzed from 12,057 individuals belonging to the “Berrenda en Negro” cattle breed (BN) and 20,389 individuals belonging to the “Berrenda en Colorado” cattle breed (BC) that were born between 1983 and 2020. BN and BC reference populations (RP) were set up by 2300 and 3988 animals, respectively. The generation interval in BN and BC reference populations was equal to 6.50 and 6.92 years, respectively. The pedigree completeness level was 82.76% in BN and 79.57% in BC. The inbreeding rates were 4.5% in BN and 3.4% in BC, respectively. The relationship among animals when they were born in different herds was 1.8% in BN and 5% in BC; these values increased to 8.5% and 7.7%, respectively when comparing animals that were born in the same herd. The effective number of founding herds was 23.9 in BN and 60.9 in BC. Number of ancestors needed to explain 50% of genes pool in the whole population was 50 and 101, in BN and in BC, respectively. The effective population size based on co-ancestries was 92.28 in BN and 169.92 in BC. The genetic variability has been maintained in both populations over time and the results of this study suggest that measures to promote the conservation of the genetic variability in these two breeds would go through for the exchange of breeding animals among farms and for monitoring the genetic contributions before implementing any selective action

On the monitoring of surface displacement in connection with volcano reactivation in Tenerife, Canary Islands, using space techniques

Geodetic volcano monitoring in Tenerife has mainly focused on the Las Cañadas Caldera, where a geodetic micronetwork and a levelling profile are located. A sensitivity test of this geodetic network showed that it should be extended to cover the whole island for volcano monitoring purposes. Furthermore, InSAR allowed detecting two unexpected movements that were beyond the scope of the traditional geodetic network. These two facts prompted us to design and observe a GPS network covering the whole of Tenerife that was monitored in August 2000. The results obtained were accurate to one centimetre, and confirm one of the deformations, although they were not definitive enough to confirm the second one. Furthermore, new cases of possible subsidence have been detected in areas where InSAR could not be used to measure deformation due to low coherence. A first modelling attempt has been made using a very simple model and its results seem to indicate that the deformation observed and the groundwater level variation in the island may be related. Future observations will be necessary for further validation and to study the time evolution of the displacements, carry out interpretation work using different types of data (gravity, gases, etc) and develop models that represent the island more closely. The results obtained are important because they might affect the geodetic volcano monitoring on the island, which will only be really useful if it is capable of distinguishing between displacements that might be linked to volcanic activity and those produced by other causes. One important result in this work is that a new geodetic monitoring system based on two complementary techniques, InSAR and GPS, has been set up on Tenerife island. This the first time that the whole surface of any of the volcanic Canary Islands has been covered with a single network for this purpose. This research has displayed the need for further similar studies in the Canary Islands, at least on the islands which pose a greater risk of volcanic reactivation, such as Lanzarote and La Palma, where InSAR techniques have been used already

Processing of Agilent microRNA array data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Agilent microRNA microarray platform interrogates each microRNA with several copies of distinct oligonucleotide probes and integrates the results into a total gene signal (TGS), using a proprietary algorithm that makes use of the background subtracted signal. The TGS can be normalized between arrays, and the Agilent recommendation is either not to normalize or to normalize to the 75^thpercentile signal intensity. The <it>robust multiarray average algorithm </it>(RMA) is an alternative method, originally developed to obtain a summary measure of mRNA Affymetrix gene expression arrays by using a linear model that takes into account the probe affinity effect. The RMA method has been shown to improve the accuracy and precision of expression measurements relative to other competing methods. There is also evidence that it might be preferable to use non-corrected signals for the processing of microRNA data, rather than background-corrected signals. In this study we assess the use of the RMA method to obtain a summarized microRNA signal for the Agilent arrays.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We have adapted the RMA method to obtain a processed signal for the Agilent arrays and have compared the RMA summarized signal to the TGS generated with the image analysis software provided by the vendor. We also compared the use of the RMA algorithm with uncorrected and background-corrected signals, and compared quantile normalization with the normalization method recommended by the vendor. The pre-processing methods were compared in terms of their ability to reduce the variability (increase precision) of the signals between biological replicates. Application of the RMA method to non-background corrected signals produced more precise signals than either the RMA-background-corrected signal or the quantile-normalized Agilent TGS. The Agilent TGS normalized to the 75% percentile showed more variation than the other measures.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Used without background correction, a summarized signal that takes into account the probe effect might provide a more precise estimate of microRNA expression. The variability of quantile normalization was lower compared with the normalization method recommended by the vendor.</p

Bio-AIMS collection of chemoinformatics web tools based on molecular graph information and artificial intelligence models

[Abstract] The molecular information encoding into molecular descriptors is the first step into in silico Chemoinformatics methods in Drug Design. The Machine Learning methods are a complex solution to find prediction models for specific biological properties of molecules. These models connect the molecular structure information such as atom connectivity (molecular graphs) or physical-chemical properties of an atom/group of atoms to the molecular activity (Quantitative Structure - Activity Relationship, QSAR). Due to the complexity of the proteins, the prediction of their activity is a complicated task and the interpretation of the models is more difficult. The current review presents a series of 11 prediction models for proteins, implemented as free Web tools on an Artificial Intelligence Model Server in Biosciences, Bio-AIMS (http://bio-aims.udc.es/TargetPred.php). Six tools predict protein activity, two models evaluate drug - protein target interactions and the other three calculate protein - protein interactions. The input information is based on the protein 3D structure for nine models, 1D peptide amino acid sequence for three tools and drug SMILES formulas for two servers. The molecular graph descriptor-based Machine Learning models could be useful tools for in silico screening of new peptides/proteins as future drug targets for specific treatments.Red Gallega de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos; R2014/025Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI13/0028

EPIDEMIOLOGÍA DE LA ESPOROTRICOSIS EN POBLADORES MESTIZOS E INDÍGENAS DEL MUNICIPIO GRAN SABANA, ESTADO BOLÍVAR

Con antígeno celular de Sporothrix schenckii, elaborado en el Departamento de Parasitología y Microbiología de la Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Oriente (Núcleo Bolívar) y habiéndose evaluado su especificidad en conejos hiperinmunes para el agente, mediante intradermorreacción e inmunodifusión (Ouchterlony), se realizó encuesta inmunoalérgica en pobladores mestizos de Santa Elena de Uairén y comunidades indígenas de la etnia Pemón, cercanas a dicha población, con el objetivo de demostrar la endemicidad de la esporotricosis. La prueba intradérmica se aplicó a 463 residentes del Municipio Gran Sabana, de las comunidades de Maurak, Waramasén, Betania y Manak-krü, así como en consultantes en el Hospital de Santa Elena de Uairén, tomados al azar. La lectura se realizó a 440 individuos de los cuales 119 (27%) fueron reactores positivos, distribuidos de la siguiente manera: 18/82 (22,0%) en la comunidad de Manak-krü; 44/98 (45,0%) en Waramasén; 36/105 (34,0%) en Maurak; 13/55 (24,0%) en Betania y 8/100 (8,0%) en la población de Santa Elena de Uairén. La mayor frecuencia estuvo entre los pobladores con edades entre 10 y 29 años, así como los que se dedicaban fundamentalmente a labores agrícolas. En virtud de la existencia de casos autóctonos y de la alta frecuencia de la infección, se concluye que la zona es endémica de esporotricosis.   Palabras clave : Esporotricosis, Sporothrix schenckii, intradermorreacción.   ABSTRACT Using Sporothrix schenckii cellular antigen elaborated by the Department of Parasitology and Microbiology in Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Oriente (Núcleo Bolívar), and having evaluated its specificity in rabbits hyperimmune to the agent by means of intradermoreaction and immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony), an immunoallergic investigation was carried out among intermixed inhabitants of Santa Elena de Uairen as well as in other neighbouring indigenous settlements inhabited by the Pemon ethnic group,with the aim of proving the endemicity of sporotrichosis. 463 residents of the Municipio Gran Sabana belonging to the Maurak, Waramasen, Betania, and Manak-krü settlements were tested, as well as some random outpatients in the Santa Elena de Uairen Hospital. This amounted to 440 readings. Of the above, 119 (27.0%) showed a positive response. Their distribution was as follows: 18/82 (2.2.0%) in the Manak-krü settlement; 44/98 (45.0%) in Waramasen; 36/105 (34.0%) in Maurak; 13/55 (24.0%) in Betania and 8/100 (8.0%) in the town of Santa Elena de Uairen. The highest rate occurred between the ages of 10 and 29, as well as among those mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits. Considering the ipresence of native cases and the high rate of the infection, it can be stated that Sporotrichosis is endemic to the area.   Key words : Sporotrichosis, Sporothrix schenckii, intradermoreaction

Line-Strength Indices in Bright Spheroidals: Evidence for a Stellar Population Dichotomy between Spheroidal and Elliptical Galaxies

We present new measurements of central line-strength indices (namely Mg2, , and Hbeta and gradients for a sample of 6 bright spheroidal galaxies (Sph's) in the Virgo cluster. Comparison with similar measurements for elliptical galaxies (E's), galactic globular clusters (GGC's), and stellar population models yield the following results: (1) In contrast with bright E's, bright Sph's are consistent with solar abundance [Mg/Fe] ratios; (2) Bright Sph's exhibit metallicities ranging from values typical for metal-rich GGC's to those for E's; (3) Although absolute mean ages are quite model dependent, we find evidence that the stellar populations of some (if not all) Sph's look significantly younger than GGC's; and (4) Mg2 gradients of bright Sph's are significantly shallower than those of E galaxies. We conclude that the dichotomy found in the structural properties of Sph and E galaxies is also observed in their stellar populations. A tentative interpretation in terms of differences in star formation histories is suggested.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX file + 2 PostScript figures, aasms4.sty require

Evaluación de un yogur con características simbióticas y su efecto sobre la vida útil del producto.

En el desarrollo de este trabajo, se utilizo para la elaboración del yogurt simbiótico los microorganismos Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus y como carbohidrato la oligofructosa, los cuales cumplen las funciones de probiótico y prebiótico respectivamente. El producto desarrollado se elaboró primero a escala de laboratorio y posteriormente a escala industrial, realizando pruebas microbiológicas y fisicoquímicas según lo definido en el Decreto 616 del 2006 del Ministerio de la protección social y la Resolución 02310 de 1986 del Ministerio de salud. La cuantificación de la oligofructosa se realizó por la técnica de azúcares reductores y el recuento en placa profunda para la cuantificación de las bacterias lácticas utilizando el medio RMS.. La caducidad del producto fue evaluada colocando el producto a temperaturas de 5, 15 y 25ºC utilizando el modelo de Arrhenius, analizando constantemente el porcentaje de ácido láctico producido. Paralelamente se realizó la evaluación sensorial mediante la prueba de aceptabilidad del producto (yogurt). Se logró desarrollar un yogurt simbiótico estable, cuyas características se mantuvieron durante el periodo de almacenamiento al que fue sometido; En conclusión la vida útil del yogurt simbiótico evaluado fue de 31 días tiempo considerado estable para su comercialización, donde conservará sus características simbióticas

Anomalous Hall conductivity control in Mn3_3NiN antiperovskite by epitaxial strain along the kagome plane

Antiferromagnetic manganese-based nitride antiperovskites, such as Mn$_3$NiN, hold a triangular frustrated magnetic ordering over their kagome lattice formed by the Mn atoms along the (111)-plane. As such, frustration imposes a non-trivial interplay between the symmetric and asymmetric magnetic interactions, which can only reach equilibrium in a noncollinear magnetic configuration. Consequently, the associated electronic interactions and their possible tuning by external constraints, such as applied epitaxial strain, play a crucial role in defining the microscopic and macroscopic properties of such topological condensed matter systems. Thus, in the present work, we explored and explained the effect of the epitaxial strain imposed within the (111)-plane, in which the magnetic and crystallographic symmetry operations are kept fixed, and only the magnitude of the ionic and electronic interactions are tuned. We found a linear shifting in the energy of the band structure and a linear increase/decrease of the available states near the Fermi level with the applied strain. Concretely, the compression strain reduces the Mn-Mn distances in the (111) kagome plane but linearly increases the separation between the stacked kagome lattices and the available states near the Fermi level. Despite the linear controlling of the available states across the Fermi energy, the anomalous Hall conductivity shows a non-linear behavior where the $\sigma_{111}$ conductivity nearly vanishes for tensile strain. On the other hand, $\sigma_{111}$ fetches a maximum increase of 26\% about the unstrained structure for a compression value close to $-$1.5\%.This behavior found an explanation in the non-divergent Berry curvature within the kagome plane, which is increased for constraining but significantly reduced for expansion strain values..

Protected areas as a double edge sword: An analysis of factors driving urbanisation in their surroundings

Protected areas (PAs) are the most effective tools to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services. They have proven to be effective in stopping extensive land use conversion in well-conserved terrestrial ecosystems. However, land cover changes around PAs threaten biodiversity and ecosystem services within their limits and reduce ecological connectivity. In this study, we analysed the urban sprawls on the boundaries of 159 PAs (national, regional, and natural parks) in Spain, using 2.5 and 5 km non-protected buffer zones from 1990 to 2018. We clustered PAs based on biophysical and socio-economic characteristics and modelled urban sprawl in different buffers and periods. Hierarchical clustering revealed three groups of PAs: (a) proximate urban parks, (b) mountainous parks, and (c) parks in the Madrid autonomous region. We found that urbanisation in the surroundings of PAs in Spain has nearly doubled since 1990. General linear models explained a significant proportion of the urbanisation trends observed, with the number of municipalities in the boundary of the PA, the distance to a main road, and the distance to a big city acting as the most important drivers of urban sprawl. Our results also show that some PAs exert significant effects on urbanisation trends in their surroundings through the park-view effect. Finally, we highlight three coexisting phenomena that might explain the observed urban sprawl processes: (a) PAs attracting urbanisation in their surroundings due to the park-view effect, (b) PAs as a deterrent for urban sprawl within their limits, and (c) PAs occupying residual areas among previously urbanised landsThis study was supported by the project ECOGRADIENTES, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CGL2014- 53782-P