Growth and yield models in Spain: historical overview, contemporary examples and perspectives

Producción CientíficaIn this paper we present a review of forest models developed in Spain in recent years for both timber and non timber production and forest dynamics (regeneration, mortality,..). Models developed are whole stand, size (diameter) class and individual-tree. The models developed to date have been developed using data from permanent plots, experimental sites and the National Forest Inventory. In this paper we show the different sub-models developed so far and the friendly use software. Main perspectives of forest modelling in Spain are presented

Electrochemical and bioelectrocatalytical properties of novel block-copolymers containing interacting ferrocenyl units

The electrochemical characterization of three different polystyrene-b-polybutadiene block copolymers functionalized with ferrocenyl units electronically communicated, PSm-PBn(HSiMeFc2)p where m=615, n=53, p=39 (1), m=375, n=92, p=76 (2) and m=455, n=204, p=170 (3), has been carried out both in solution and electrochemically deposited onto platinum electrodes. The bioelectrocatalytical properties of electrodes modified with the polymers in the nicotinamide dinucleotide (NADH) and glucose oxidase (GOx) oxidations have been investigated as a function of the constitution and structure of the polymers. The analytical properties of electrodes modified with these polymers as sensors of NADH and GOx are described. In addition, an amperometric biosensor for glucose, prepared by electrostatic immobilization of glucose oxidase onto a platinum electrode modified with one of the ferrocenyl block copolymers as an example, has been developed. The results confirm that electrodes modified with the examined copolymers act as efficient redox mediators for the electrocatalytic oxidation of both reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide cofactor and glucose oxidase. The reaction with NADH proceeds via formation of a charge-transfer intermediate before yielding the reaction products. This is a novel example of electrodes modified with ferrocene derivatives that can be applied to the determination of NADH without the use of diaphorase. The redox copolymers co-immobilized with glucose-oxidase have been successfully used as amperometric biosensors for glucose determinations. As expected these compounds allow using lower working potentials. The sensitivities and detection limits obtained are comparable or even better than those of other ferrocene-modified polymers mediator electrodes

The FXII c.-4T > C Polymorphism as a Disease Modifier in Patients With Hereditary Angioedema Due to the FXII p.Thr328Lys Variant

Background: Hereditary angioedema due to the Thr328Lys variant in the coagulation factor XII (HAE-FXII) affects mainly women in whom the symptomatology is dependent on high estrogen levels. Clinical variability and incomplete penetrance are challenging features that hinder the diagnosis and management of HAE-FXII. The c.-4T>C Kozak polymorphism is the only common variation accounting for FXII plasma levels and was previously shown to modify the course of HAE due to C1-Inhibitor deficiency. Objectives: To assess the influence of the c.-4T>C polymorphism on disease expression in 39 Spanish HAE-FXII index patients. Methods: The c.-4T>C polymorphism was sequenced by the standard Sanger method, and HAE severity was calculated according to the score by Cumming et al. (2003) The activation of the contact system was quantified by the kallikrein-like activity of plasma in chromogenic assays upon activation with high-molecular-weight dextran sulfate. Results: The c.-4CC genotype was overrepresented in the studied cohort: 82% were CC-homozygous (expected frequency = 59%) and 18% were CT-heterozygous (expected frequency = 39%) (p = 0.001). Patients with a c.-4CC genotype exhibited higher kallikrein-like activity (0.9659 +/- 0.1136) than those with a c.-4TC genotype (0.7645 +/- 0.1235) (p = 0.024) or healthy donors. Moreover, the polymorphism influenced HAE-FXII severity score (c.-4CC = 4.43 +/- 2.28 vs c.-4TC = 2.0 +/- 1.15; p = 0.006) but not the degree of estrogen dependence or time until remission. Conclusion: The c.-4T>C polymorphism is overrepresented in a Spanish HAE-FXII cohort and significantly influences the degree of contact system activation and the clinical severity of the disease

Dynamics of excitable cells: spike-adding phenomena in action

We study the dynamics of action potentials of some electrically excitable cells: neurons and cardiac muscle cells. Bursting, following a fast–slow dynamics, is the most characteristic behavior of these dynamical systems, and the number of spikes may change due to spike-adding phenomenon. Using analytical and numerical methods we give, by focusing on the paradigmatic 3D Hindmarsh–Rose neuron model, a review of recent results on the global organization of the parameter space of neuron models with bursting regions occurring between saddle-node and homoclinic bifurcations (fold/hom bursting). We provide a generic overview of the different bursting regimes that appear in the parametric phase space of the model and the bifurcations among them. These techniques are applied in two realistic frameworks: insect movement gait changes and the appearance of Early Afterdepolarizations in cardiac dynamics

Assessment of an oral Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine and an inactivated M. bovis preparation for wild boar in terms of adverse reactions, vaccine strain survival, and uptake by nontarget species

Wildlife vaccination is increasingly being considered as an option for tuberculosis control. We combined data from laboratory trials and an ongoing field trial to assess the risk of an oral Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine and a prototype heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis preparation for Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). We studied adverse reactions, BCG survival, BCG excretion, and bait uptake by nontarget species. No adverse reactions were observed after administration of BCG (n = 27) or inactivated M. bovis (n = 21). BCG was not found at necropsy (175 to 300 days postvaccination [n = 27]). No BCG excretion was detected in fecal samples (n = 162) or in urine or nasal, oral, or fecal swab samples at 258 days postvaccination (n = 29). In the field, we found no evidence of loss of BCG viability in baits collected after 36 h (temperature range, 11°C to 41°C). Camera trapping showed that wild boar (39%) and birds (56%) were the most frequent visitors to bait stations (selective feeders). Wild boar activity patterns were nocturnal, while diurnal activities were recorded for all bird species. We found large proportions of chewed capsules (29%) (likely ingestion of the vaccine) and lost baits (39%) (presumably consumed), and the proportion of chewed capsules showed a positive correlation with the presence of wild boar. Both results suggest proper bait consumption (68%). These results indicate that BCG vaccination in wild boar is safe and that, while bait consumption by other species is possible, this can be minimized by using selective cages and strict timing of bait deployment.This is a contribution to Plan Nacional I+D+i AGL2011-30041 from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Spain, and FEDER and to EU FP7 grant WildTBvac. B.B.-B. and I.D.-D. were supported by MINECO grants BES-2009-017401 and BES-2012-052490, respectively. J.A.B. was supported by MICINN grant FPU12/00980.Peer Reviewe

Exosomes as Hedgehog carriers in cytoneme-mediated transport and secretion

The Hedgehog signalling pathway is crucial for development, adult stem cell maintenance, cell migration and axon guidance in a wide range of organisms. During development, the Hh morphogen directs tissue patterning according to a concentration gradient. Lipid modifications on Hh are needed to achieve graded distribution, leading to debate about how Hh is transported to target cells despite being membrane-tethered. Cytonemes in the region of Hh signalling have been shown to be essential for gradient formation, but the carrier of the morphogen is yet to be defined. Here we show that Hh and its co-receptor Ihog are in exovesicles transported via cytonemes. These exovesicles present protein markers and other features of exosomes. Moreover, the cell machinery for exosome formation is necessary for normal Hh secretion and graded signalling. We propose Hh transport via exosomes along cytonemes as a significant mechanism for the restricted distribution of a lipid-modified morphogen.PostprintPeer reviewe

Crítica de Libros.

José NAVARRO GÓNGORA, Técnicas y Programas en Terapia Familiar, Barcelona, Paidós, 1992. José A. Espina Barrio Stefano CIRILLO y Paloma di BLASIO, Niños maltratados. Diagnóstico y Terapiafamiliar, Barcelona, Paidós, 1991. J. L. Pedreira Massa Daniel SCHOFFER, Elina WECHSLER, La metáfora milenaria. Una lectura psicoanálitica de la Biblia, Barcelona, Paidós, 1993. Manuel Espina Tamargo lean LAPLANcHE, lean-Bertrand PONTALIS, Diccionario de psicoanálisis, Barcelona, Labor, 1993, 4. a ed. Consejo de Redacción. BALLET, CAPGRAS, CLÉRAMBAULT, FALRET, LASEGUE, MAGNAN, SÉRIEUX, El delirio en la clínica francesa. Introducción, traducción y notas de José María Alvarez Martínez. Prólogo de Fernando Colina Pérez. Madrid, DORSA, 1994. Carmen Massa Hortigüela. José Luis PESET, Las heridas de la ciencia, Valladolid, Junta de Castilla y León, 1993. Eduardo Balbo Jacques DERRIDA, Spectres de Marx, París, Galilée, 1993. Mauricio Jalón Jacques DERRIDA, «Circonfesión», en G. BENNINGTON y J. DERRIDA, Jacques Derrida, Madrid, Cátedra, 1994. Fernando Colina ESTADO DE LA CUESTIÓN SOBRE COMORBILIDAD PSIQUIÁTRICA EN PACIENTES CON TRASTORNOS DE ALIMENTACIÓN. M. Graell Bern

Crítica de Libros.

José NAVARRO GÓNGORA, Técnicas y Programas en Terapia Familiar, Barcelona, Paidós, 1992. José A. Espina Barrio Stefano CIRILLO y Paloma di BLASIO, Niños maltratados. Diagnóstico y Terapiafamiliar, Barcelona, Paidós, 1991. J. L. Pedreira Massa Daniel SCHOFFER, Elina WECHSLER, La metáfora milenaria. Una lectura psicoanálitica de la Biblia, Barcelona, Paidós, 1993. Manuel Espina Tamargo lean LAPLANcHE, lean-Bertrand PONTALIS, Diccionario de psicoanálisis, Barcelona, Labor, 1993, 4. a ed. Consejo de Redacción. BALLET, CAPGRAS, CLÉRAMBAULT, FALRET, LASEGUE, MAGNAN, SÉRIEUX, El delirio en la clínica francesa. Introducción, traducción y notas de José María Alvarez Martínez. Prólogo de Fernando Colina Pérez. Madrid, DORSA, 1994. Carmen Massa Hortigüela. José Luis PESET, Las heridas de la ciencia, Valladolid, Junta de Castilla y León, 1993. Eduardo Balbo Jacques DERRIDA, Spectres de Marx, París, Galilée, 1993. Mauricio Jalón Jacques DERRIDA, «Circonfesión», en G. BENNINGTON y J. DERRIDA, Jacques Derrida, Madrid, Cátedra, 1994. Fernando Colina ESTADO DE LA CUESTIÓN SOBRE COMORBILIDAD PSIQUIÁTRICA EN PACIENTES CON TRASTORNOS DE ALIMENTACIÓN. M. Graell Bern