Photoreceptor progenitor dynamics in the zebrafish embryo retina and its modulation by primary cilia and N-cadherin

Photoreceptor cells of the vertebrate neural retina originate in the neuroepithelium, and like other neurons, must undergo cell body translocation and polarity transitions to acquire their final functional morphology, which includes features of neuronal and epithelial cells. We analyzed this process in detail in zebrafish embryos using in vivo confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. Photoreceptor progenitors were labeled by the transgenic expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein under the regulation of the photoreceptor-specific promoter crx, and structures of interest were disrupted using morpholino oligomers to knock-down specific genes. Photoreceptor progenitors detached from the basal retina at pre-mitotic stages, rapidly retracting a short basal process as the cell body translocated apically. They remained at an apical position indefinitely to form the outer nuclear layer (ONL), initially extending and retracting highly dynamic neurite-like processes, tangential to the apical surface. Many photoreceptor progenitors presented a short apical primary cilium. The number and length of these cilia was gradually reduced until nearly disappearing around 60 hpf. Their disruption by knocking-down ift88 and elipsa caused a notorious defect on basal process retraction. To assess the role of cell adhesion in the organization of photoreceptor progenitors, we knocked-down cdh2/N-cadherin and observed the cell behavior by time-lapse microscopy. The ectopic photoreceptor progenitors initially migrated in an apparent random manner, profusely extending cell processes, until they encountered other cells to establish cell rosettes in which they stayed, acquiring photoreceptor-like polarity. Altogether, our observations indicate a complex regulation of photoreceptor progenitor dynamics to form the retinal ONL, previous to the post-mitotic maturation stages.ANII: FCE_1_2014_1_498

Effects of 24 h compression interventions with different garments on recovery markers during running

Compression and temperature manipulation are discussed as strategies to improve performance markers and recovery in sports. Here, we investigate the effects of compression stockings made with fabric, either combined or not with heating and cooling substances, on variables related to running performance and recovery. Ten trained runners (mean ± standard deviation age 45 ± 9 years old, body mass 69 ± 7 kg, height 166 ± 4 cm) with no experience of using compression garments performed an intense running session of 10 km, then wore a stocking for 24 h (randomized; without compression, compression, compression with camphor, and compression with menthol), and were evaluated on the following day, after running 5 km. The different types of compression stockings used 24 h before exercise did not affect running kinematics (p > 0.14), skin temperature (p > 0.05), heart rate (p > 0.12; mean value of maximal heart rate 156 bpm), comfort perception (p = 0.13; mean value of 7/10 points), or perception of recovery (p = 0.13; mean value of 7/10 points). In general, there were no effects of 24 h pre-exercise lower leg compression, including those treated with menthol and camphor applications on running kinematics, skin temperature, heart rate, or recovery perception in athletes undertaking consecutive running exercises

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

Seasonal and interannual variability of dissolved oxygen around the Balearic Islands from hydrographic data

Oceanographic data obtained between 2001 and 2011 by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO, Spain) have been used to characterise the spatial distribution and the temporal variability of the dissolvedoxygen around the Balearic Islands (Mediterranean Sea). The study area includes most of the Western Mediterranean Sea, from the Alboran Sea to Cape Creus,atthe border between France and Spain. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at thewatersurface is found to be in a state of equilibrium exchange with the atmosphere. In the spring and summer a subsurface oxygen supersaturation is observed due to the biological activity, above the subsurface fluorescence maximum. Minimum observed values of dissolved oxygen are related to theLevantine Intermediate Waters (LIW). An unusual minimum of dissolved oxygen concentrations were also recorded in the Alboran Sea Oxygen Minimum Zone. The Western Mediterranean Deep Waters (WMDW) and the Western Intermediate Waters (WIW) show higher values of dissolved oxygenthanthe Levantine Intermediate Waters due to their more recent formation. Using these dissolved oxygen concentrations it is possible to showthat the Western Intermediate Waters move southwards across the Ibiza Channel and the deep water circulates around the Balearic Islands. It has also been possible to characterise the seasonal evolution of the different watermassesandtheir dissolved oxygen content in a station in the Algerian sub-basin. Keywords: Ocean circulation, dissolved oxygen, water masses, Western Mediterranean Sea, Balearic SeaPost-print

Gravity modeling of the lithosphere in the Calatrava Volcanic Province (Spain): geodynamic implications

The origin of the intraplate volcanism in the Calatrava Volcanic Province (CVP) is controversial. On the basis of its geochemical signature it has been ascribed to an “aborted” rift, implying lithospheric thinning. However, the volcanism occurred during the generalized Cenozoic NW−SE-oriented compressive tectonic regime. On the other hand, on the basis of evidence for its deep-seated origin, it has been linked to the existence of a baby-plume detached from an active megaplume below the Canary-Azores Islands and the western Mediterranean. In order to understand better the aforementioned geodynamic scenarios for the origin of the CVP, we address here the study of the lithosphere in the CVP and its vicinity by means of gravity analysis and 2+1/2D modeling. Gravity modeling results do not support the rifting model adopted for the intraplate volcanism occurred in the CVP because the crust shows a constant thickness. Density models suggest the existence of a sub-crustal, anomalous low-density block that could be underplated magmatic material at the base of the crust, suggesting that only a minor part of it intruded up into the crust and erupted. The localized magmatism of the CVP can be related to the combination of two factors: one active, the gentle folding of the Iberian lithosphere and associated uplifting of the Variscan basement due to the NW-directed transmission of compressive stresses in the upper plate yielded by the subduction/collision in the south Iberian margin. The formation of the lithospheric folding in the Calatrava region results in a decrease of the pressure beneath the swell of the antiform that is likely to bring about basaltic magmatism below the swell; and one passive, the existence of a Variscan right-lateral shear band, which yields a weakened  crust that facilitates the ascent of the magmatic materials. The relatively small volume, but large extension, of the volcanic outcrops could be associated with the preferential ascent of the magmas along the weakened crust of this NW−SE-trending Variscan shear band.El origen del volcanismo intraplaca en la Provincia Volcánica de Calatrava (CVP) es controvertido. En base a su signatura geoquímica se ha atribuido a la formación de un rift “abortado”, implicando un adelgazamiento litosférico. Sin embargo, el volcanismo se desarrolló durante un régimen tectónico compresivo orientado NW-SE que fue generalizado en la región de Calatrava durante el Cenozoico. Por otro lado, en base a las evidencias de su origen profundo, se le ha relacionado con la existencia de una mini-pluma desconectada de una mega-pluma activa debajo de los archipiélagos de Canarias y Azores, y en el Mediterráneo occidental. Con el propósito de contribuir a la discriminación entre los escenarios geodinámicos mencionados para el origen del volcanismo se ha abordado aquí el estudio de la litosfera en la CVP y en las zonas próximas mediante el análisis gravimétrico y la modelación 2+1/2D. Los modelos gravimétricos no apoyan el modelo de rifting adoptado para el volcanismo intraplaca ocurrido en la CVP porque el espesor de la corteza es cuasi-constante. Los modelos siguieren la existencia de un cuerpo anómalo sub-cortical de baja densidad que podría ser material magmático acrecionado y almacenado en la base de la corteza indicando que sólo una parte menor habría intruido en la corteza y producido erupciones. El volcanismo localizado de la CVP se puede relacionar con la combinación de dos factores: a) Un factor activo correspondiente a un amplio plegamiento de la litosfera (corteza) Ibérica y el consiguiente levantamiento asociado del basamento varisco debido a la transmisión hacia el NW de los esfuerzos compresivos en la placa superior de la subducción/colisión miocena en el margen meridional Ibérico. La formación del anticlinal a escala cortical en la región de Calatrava ha producido la disminución de la presión en el intrados del anticlinal y ha originado probablemente el magmatismo basáltico; b) Un factor pasivo correspondiente a la existencia de una banda de cizalla con dirección próxima a NW-SE, heredada de la deformación varisca, que localiza una zona de debilidad cortical favorecedora del ascenso del magmatismo

Rhodamine 6G and 800 intermolecular heteroaggregates embedded in PMMA for near-infrared wavelength shifting

The opto-electronic properties of small-molecules and functional dyes usually differ when incorporated into solid matrices with respect to their isolated form due to an aggregation phenomenon that alters their optical and fluorescent properties. These spectroscopic modifications are studied in the framework of the exciton theory of aggregates, which has been extensively applied in the literature for the study of molecular aggregates of the same type of molecules (homoaggregation). Despite the demonstrated potential of the control of the heteroaggregation process (aggregation of different types of molecules), most of the reported works are devoted to intramolecular aggregates, complex molecules formed by several chromophores attached by organic linkers. The intramolecular aggregates are specifically designed to hold a certain molecular structure that, on the basis of the exciton theory, modifies their optical and fluorescent properties with respect to the isolated chromophores that form the molecule. The present article describes in detail the incorporation of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) and 800 (Rh800) into polymeric matrices of poly-(methyl methacrylate), PMMA. The simultaneous incorporation of both dyes results in an enhanced fluorescent emission in the near-infrared (NIR), originating from the formation of ground-state Rh6G–Rh800 intermolecular heteroaggregates. The systematic control of the concentration of both rhodamines provides a model system for the elucidation of the heteroaggregate formation. The efficient energy transfer between Rh6G and Rh800 molecules can be used as wavelength shifters to convert effectively the light from visible to NIR, a very convenient wavelength range for many practical applications which make use of inexpensive commercial detectors and systems

Synthesis and chromatographic-separation of the stereoisomers of furnidipine

The four stereoisomers of methyl tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-(o-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxilate (furnidipine), have been synthesized and separated by chiral chromatography using D-phenylglycine as chiral stationary phase. Enantiomeric purity of stereoisomers is determined by HPLC-CSP technique and configurations deduced via X-ray crystallography

Larval fish assemblage structure in the surface layer of the northwestern Mediterranean under contrasting oceanographic scenarios

During the summer, the relative influence of resident Atlantic Waters (AW) and new AW largely drives the mesoscale dynamics around the Balearic Islands (NW Mediterranean). Two principal summer hydrographic scenarios were identified in the region, differentiated by the relative position of the density front between new and resident AW within the archipelago and its associated mesoscale activity. In this study, we investigated how those early summer mesoscale scenarios influence larval fish assemblages, by analyzing data from two cruises representative of these two scenarios (2004 and 2005). Redundancy analysis was used to assess the variance in the larval fish assemblage that could be significantly explained by the most parsimonious combination of available environmental variables in both years. While depth was the most important variable in explaining the larval fish assemblage structure variability observed under both scenarios, indicators of mesoscale activity (dynamic height, geostrophic velocity) contributed significantly to understanding the dynamics of the larval fish community. Mesoscale activity was higher in summer 2004, leading to higher larval fish abundances and zooplankton biomass and lower larval fish diversity than in the unusually warm summer 2005, which showed lower mesoscale activity. The larval assemblage dynamics are discussed in terms of extrinsic and species-specific factors.Postprint1,749