Global perspectives on observing ocean boundary current systems

Ocean boundary current systems are key components of the climate system, are home to highly productive ecosystems, and have numerous societal impacts. Establishment of a global network of boundary current observing systems is a critical part of ongoing development of the Global Ocean Observing System. The characteristics of boundary current systems are reviewed, focusing on scientific and societal motivations for sustained observing. Techniques currently used to observe boundary current systems are reviewed, followed by a census of the current state of boundary current observing systems globally. Next steps in the development of boundary current observing systems are considered, leading to several specific recommendations

Utilidad de una prueba cualitativa para la detección de fibronectina fetal en secreción cervicovaginal como predictor de parto prematuro

ResumenLa fibronectina fetal es una glucoproteína de la matriz extracelular que se localiza en la interfase materno-fetal de las membranas amnióticas, entre la decidua y el corion. Los niveles séricos de fibronectina fetal≥50ng/ml a partir de las 22 semanas de gestación más se han asociado con un riesgo de partos prematuros espontáneos.El parto prematuro es el nacimiento que se presenta antes de las 37 semanas de gestación, es multicausal, contribuye con un 70% de la mortalidad perinatal y su prevalencia oscila entre el 7-10%. Las infecciones de transmisión sexual y del tracto urinario son factores de riesgo importantes. En mujeres nulíparas es difícil determinar el riesgo, en multíparas el traumatismo cervical es la principal causa de pérdidas en el segundo trimestre de gestación y de partos prematuros, otros factores son edad materna, bacteriuria asintomática y la vaginosis bacteriana.Existen diversos marcadores para la predicción del parto prematuro, a fin de superar las debilidades del examen obstétrico y permitir así un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno. Entre estos marcadores se encuentra la determinación de fibronectina fetal en secreciones vaginales, por lo que el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la utilidad de la fibronectina fetal como un predictor de parto prematuro en embarazadas, así como establecer la sensibilidad, especificidad y los valores predictivos de la prueba, con el propósito de valorar su uso en embarazadas con factores de riesgo en las unidades de primer nivel de atención.AbstractThe foetal fibronectin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is located in the maternal-foetal interface of the amniotic membranes between the decidua and chorion. The serum levels of foetal fibronectin≥50ng/ml at the end of 22 weeks have been associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth. The foetal fibronectin is one of the best predictors of preterm birth that may help to identify women at risk of preterm delivery.Preterm delivery is the birth that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation. It has multiple causes and is associated with the 70% of perinatal mortality cases. Its prevalence ranges from 7-10%. In nulliparous women the risk is difficult to determine, in multiparous the cervical trauma is the main cause of losses in the second trimester and preterm births, other factors are maternal age, asymptomatic bacteriuria and bacterial vaginosis.There are several markers for the prediction of preterm delivery, to overcome the weaknesses of the obstetric examination and thus allow diagnosis and treatment. One of these markers is the determination of foetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions, so the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of foetal fibronectin as a predictor of preterm delivery in pregnant women, calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and the predictive values of the test, in order to assess its use in pregnant women with risk factors in units of primary care

Ploidia e fertilidade de pólen em progênies de citros Ploidy and pollen fertility in citrus hybrids

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido para estimar a fertilidade do pólen e determinar o nível de ploidia em progênies dos cruzamentos da tangerineira 'Montenegrina' (C. deliciosa Ten.) com a tangerineira 'King' (C. nobilis Lour.) e com a laranjeira 'Caipira' (C. sinensis (L.) Osb.). As plantas, de pés-francos e com idade entre 11 e 12 anos, são mantidas na Estação Experimental Agronômica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, em Eldorado do Sul. Avaliaram-se o nível de ploidia, através da contagem dos cromossomos em células em meiose, e a fertilidade do pólen, por coloração do pólen com carmim propiônico, em 2005 e 2006. Todos os híbridos avaliados são diplóides e a fertilidade de pólen variou de zero a 98%. C27 - híbrido de 'Montenegrina' x 'Caipira' - revelou-se praticamente estéril, e a fertilidade de C21, do mesmo cruzamento, é de 10%. A menor fertilidade observada no cruzamento da 'Montenegrina' x 'King' foi de 42%.<br>This work was performed to estimate pollen fertility and determinate the ploidy level of 11 to 12 years old progenies of crosses of 'Montenegrina' mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Ten.) with 'King' mandarin (C. nobilis Lour.) and with 'Caipira' sweet orange (C. sinensis (L.) Osb.) maintained at Estação Experimental Agronômica of UFRGS, in Eldorado do Sul, Brazil. The ploidy level was determined by chromosome countings in meiosis cells and pollen fertility evaluated by staining pollen grains with propionic carmine. All evaluated hybrids are diploid and pollen fertility varied from zero to 98%. C27, a hybrid 'Montenegrina' x 'Caipira', was found is sterile, and C21, from the same cross, showed 10 % fertility. The lowest observed fertility in the progeny 'Montenegrina' x 'King' was 42 %