El relicto glacial Leistus (Pogonophorus) puncticeps Fairmaire & Laboulbène, 1854 (Coleoptera, Carabidae): nuevos datos sobre distribución, autoecología y presencia en el Medio Subterráneo Superficial (MSS)

Over the last three decades, intensive sampling of the MSS in the Iberian Peninsula has revealed new records of Leistus (Pogonophorus) puncticeps Fairmaire & Laboulbène, 1854 in previously unknown areas. These new records extend the species geographic range towards southern Mediterranean localities, showing a discontinu­ous distribution pattern across the eastern third of the Iberian Peninsula. Also, some slight variability in the shape of the apical lamina of the edeago is revealed. Abrupt landscape, especially in stony slopes, arises as a favorable habitat for the species. In general, the new localities for L. (P.) puncticeps have low and torrential precipitation, an average rainfall of around 600-700 mm, and remarkable thermal amplitude. The species is collected for the first time in the Mesovoid Sallow Substratum (MSS) using subterranean sampling devices (SSD). The pres­ence of this species in this hypogean habitat across several iberian areas (Sierra del Moncayo, mountains of the north of Alicante province and Sierra de María) indicates its (sub)troglophile condition. The new records, in addition to previously available data, suggest the same evolutionary history for L. (P.) puncticeps as for Leistus (Pogonophorus) montanus Stephens, 1827 and Leistus (Pogonophorus) parvicollis Chaudoir, 1869, being the three species glacial relicts as a result of vicariant speciation. The environmental changes that occurred during the postglacial time period could explain the discontinuous distribution that L. (P.) puncticeps shows at present and its tendency to occupy the MSS.Numerosos muestreos realizados por el territorio peninsular, a lo largo de estas tres últimas décadas, han deparado el hallazgo de Leistus (Pogonophorus) puncticeps Fairmaire & Laboulbène, 1854 en áreas geográfi­cas en las que se desconocía su presencia hasta la fecha. Las nuevas citas amplían la distribución ibérica de la especie hacia enclaves mediterráneos meridionales, perfilando un patrón de distribución discontinuo por el tercio oriental. Al mismo tiempo, estos hallazgos revelan cierta variabilidad, muy leve, en la forma de la lámina apical del edeago. Por otro lado, se confirman los parajes quebrados y abruptos como enclaves potencialmente favorables para la supervivencia de esta especie, especialmente si disponen de laderas pedregosas. En general, las nuevas localidades en donde se ha hallado L. (P.) puncticeps, cuentan con precipitación escasa y torrencial, una pluvio­sidad media que ronda los 600-700 mm, y una notable amplitud térmica. Como novedad, y utilizando Estaciones de Muestreo Subterráneo (EMS), se ha colectado en el Medio Subterráneo Superficial (MSS). El hallazgo de esta especie en este singular medio hipogeo y en diversos enclaves ibéricos (Sierra del Moncayo, formaciones montañosas del norte de la provincia de Alicante y Sierra de María), pone de manifiesto su tendencia troglófila, y más probablemente de tipo subtroglófila. Los nuevos hallazgos, sumados a los ya conocidos, sugieren que L. (P.) puncticeps ha seguido la misma historia evolutiva que Leistus (Pogonophorus) montanus Stephens, 1827 y Leistus (Pogonophorus) parvicollis Chaudoir, 1869, constituyendo una triada de relictos glaciales, resultado de un proceso de especiación por vicarianza. Los cambios acaecidos en el período postglacial explicarían la distribución discontinua que muestra en la actualidad L. (P.) puncticeps, y su tendencia a explorar, en estos enclaves, el MSS

The “Alluvial Mesovoid Shallow Substratum”, a new subterranean habitat

Received: April 5, 2013; Accepted: August 23, 2013; Published: October 4, 2013In this paper we describe a new type of subterranean habitat associated with dry watercourses in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula, the “Alluvial Mesovoid Shallow Substratum” (alluvial MSS). Historical observations and data from field sampling specially designed to study MSS fauna in the streambeds of temporary watercourses support the description of this new habitat. To conduct the sampling, 16 subterranean sampling devices were placed in a region of Eastern Spain. The traps were operated for 12 months and temperature and relative humidity data were recorded to characterise the habitat. A large number of species was captured, many of which belonged to the arthropod group, with marked hygrophilous, geophilic, lucifugous and mesothermal habits. In addition, there was also a substantial number of species showing markedly ripicolous traits. The results confirm that the network of spaces which forms in alluvial deposits of temporary watercourses merits the category of habitat, and here we propose the name of “alluvial MSS”. The “alluvial MSS” may be covered or not by a layer of soil, is extremely damp, provides a buffer against above ground temperatures and is aphotic. In addition, compared to other types of MSS, it is a very unstable habitat. It is possible that the “alluvial MSS” may be found in other areas of the world with strongly seasonal climatic regimes, and could play an important role as a biogeographic corridor and as a refuge from climatic changes.The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for funded this research project (CGL2010-19924) and the Ministry of Education and Science programme "Juan de la Cierva". This research Project (CGL2010-19924) was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.The Ministry of Education and Science programme "Juan de la Cierva" funded the research activity of one of the authors (A. J-V.).Peer reviewe

Integrative multi-platform meta-analysis of gene expression profiles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients for identifying novel diagnostic biomarkers

Applying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to identify feasible biomarkers in diseases can be a hard task when working with heterogeneous datasets. Expression data are strongly influenced by technology, sample preparation processes, and/or labeling methods. The proliferation of different microarray platforms for measuring gene expression increases the need to develop models able to compare their results, especially when different technologies can lead to signal values that vary greatly. Integrative meta-analysis can significantly improve the reliability and robustness of DEG detection. The objective of this work was to develop an integrative approach for identifying potential cancer biomarkers by integrating gene expression data from two different platforms. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), where there is an urgent need to find new biomarkers due its late diagnosis, is an ideal candidate for testing this technology. Expression data from two different datasets, namely Affymetrix and Illumina (18 and 36 PDAC patients, respectively), as well as from 18 healthy controls, was used for this study. A meta-analysis based on an empirical Bayesian methodology (ComBat) was then proposed to integrate these datasets. DEGs were finally identified from the integrated data by using the statistical programming language R. After our integrative meta-analysis, 5 genes were commonly identified within the individual analyses of the independent datasets. Also, 28 novel genes that were not reported by the individual analyses (`gained' genes) were also discovered. Several of these gained genes have been already related to other gastroenterological tumors. The proposed integrative metaanalysis has revealed novel DEGs that may play an important role in PDAC and could be potential biomarkers for diagnosing the disease.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant number DTS15/00201 to OC), Ministerio de Economía Competitividad (the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness) (grant number TIN2015-71873-R to IR), Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía (PIN-0474-2016 to JP), Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía (P12-TIC-2082 to IR) and the University de Granada (grant number 15/13 to OC). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Compilation of parameterized seismogenic sources in Iberia for the SHARE European-scale seismic source model.

Abstract: SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded project (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are compiling a fully-parameterized active fault database for Iberia and the nearby offshore region. The principal goal of this initiative is for fault sources in the Iberian region to be represented in SHARE and incorporated into the source model that will be used to produce seismic hazard maps at the European scale. The SHARE project relies heavily on input from many regional experts throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region. At the SHARE regional meeting for Iberia, the 2010 Working Group on Iberian Seismogenic Sources (WGISS) was established; these researchers are contributing to this large effort by providing their data to the Iberian regional integrators in a standardized format. The development of the SHARE Iberian active fault database is occurring in parallel with IBERFAULT, another ongoing effort to compile a database of active faults in the Iberian region. The SHARE Iberian active fault database synthesizes a wide range of geological and geophysical observations on active seismogenic sources, and incorporates existing compilations (e.g., Cabral, 1995; Silva et al., 2008), original data contributed directly from researchers, data compiled from the literature, parameters estimated using empirical and analytical relationships, and, where necessary, parameters derived using expert judgment. The Iberian seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first regional-scale source model for Iberia that includes fault data and follows an internationally standardized approach (Basili et al., 2008; 2009). This model can be used in both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be appropriate for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Beneficial effects of essential oils from the mediterranean diet on gut microbiota and their metabolites in ischemic heart disease and type-2 diabetes mellitus

[Abstract] Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain major health problems worldwide and commonly coexist in individuals. Gut microbial metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Previous studies have reported dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of these patients and the prebiotic effects of some components of the Mediterranean diet. Essential oil emulsions of savory (Satureja hortensis), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were assessed as nutraceuticals and prebiotics in IHD and T2DM. Humanized mice harboring gut microbiota derived from that of patients with IHD and T2DM were supplemented with L-carnitine and orally treated with essential oil emulsions for 40 days. We assessed the effects on gut microbiota composition and abundance, microbial metabolites and plasma markers of cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oxidative stress. Our results showed that essential oil emulsions in mice supplemented with L-carnitine have prebiotic effects on beneficial commensal bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus genus. There was a decrease in plasma TMAO and an increase in fecal SCFAs levels in mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils. Thrombomodulin levels were increased in mice treated with savory and parsley essential oils. While mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils showed a decrease in plasma cytokines (INFɣ, TNFα, IL-12p70 and IL-22); savory essential oil was associated with increased levels of chemokines (CXCL1, CCL2 and CCL11). Finally, there was a decrease in protein carbonyls and pentosidine according to the essential oil emulsion. These results suggest that changes in the gut microbiota induced by essential oils of parsley, savory and rosemary as prebiotics could differentially regulate cardiovascular and metabolic factors, which highlights the potential of these nutraceuticals for reducing IHD risk in patients affected by T2DM.Junta de Andalucía; PI-0170-2018Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PT20/00101Junta de Andalucía; RH-0078-2021Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CPII19/00022Instituto de Salud Carlos III; FI20/0022

Prognosis Relevance of Serum Cytokines in Pancreatic Cancer

The overall survival of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is extremely low. Although gemcitabine is the standard used chemotherapy for this disease, clinical outcomes do not reflect significant improvements, not even when combined with adjuvant treatments. There is an urgent need for prognosis markers to be found. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential value of serum cytokines to find a profile that can predict the clinical outcome in patients with pancreatic cancer and to establish a practical prognosis index that significantly predicts patients’ outcomes. We have conducted an extensive analysis of serum prognosis biomarkers using an antibody array comprising 507 human cytokines. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox’s proportional hazard models were used to analyze prognosis factors. To determine the extent that survival could be predicted based on this index, we used the leave-one-out cross-validation model. The multivariate model showed a better performance and it could represent a novel panel of serum cytokines that correlates to poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer. B7-1/CD80, EG-VEGF/PK1, IL-29, NRG1-beta1/HRG1-beta1, and PD-ECGF expressions portend a poor prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer and these cytokines could represent novel therapeutic targets for this disease.The study was fully supported by ROCHE FARMA S.A (ref. H/OH-TAR-10/131 and ref. H/OH-TRR-08/59) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (Clinical trial ref. EC08/00009), and the Government of Andalusia Project P12-TIC-2082

Counteranion-Dependent Reaction Pathways in the Protonation of Cationic Ruthenium−Vinylidene Complexes

The tetraphenylborate salts of the cationic vinylidene complexes [Cp*Ru=C=CHR(iPr2PNHPy)]+ (R = p-C6H4CF3 (1a-BPh4), Ph (1b-BPh4), p-C6H4CH3 (1c- BPh4), p-C6H4Br (1d-BPh4), tBu (1e-BPh4), H (1f-BPh4)) have been protonated using an excess of HBF4·OEt2 in CD2Cl2, furnishing the dicationic carbyne complexes [Cp*Ru≡CCH2R(iPr2PNHPy)]2+ (R = p-C6H4CF3 (2a), Ph (2b), p-C6H4CH3 (2c), p-C6H4Br (2d), tBu (2e), H (2f)), which were characterized in solution at low temperature by NMR spectroscopy. The corresponding reaction of the chloride salts 1a-Cl, 1b-Cl, 1c-Cl, and 1d-Cl followed a different pathway, instead affording the novel alkene complexes [Cp*RuCl(κ1(N),η2(C,C)-C5H4N-NHPiPr2CH=CHR)][BF4] (3a−d). In these species, the entering proton is located at the α- carbon atom of the former vinylidene ligand, which also forms a P−C bond with the phosphorus atom of the iPr2PNHPy ligand. To shed light on the reaction mechanism, DFT calculations have been performed by considering several protonation sites. The computational results suggest metal protonation followed by insertion. The coordination of chloride to ruthenium leads to alkenyl species which can undergo a P−C coupling to yield the corresponding alkene complexes. The noncoordinating nature of [BPh4]− does not allow the stabilization of the unsaturated species coming from the insertion step, thus preventing this alternative pathway

Entorno de aprendizaje clínico

En este informe científico-técnico se presenta sintéticamente la temática y desarrollo de los proyectos desarrollados por la Red Entorno de Aprendizaje Clínico del Proyecto Redes de Investigación en Docencia Universitaria 2015-16, de la Universidad de Alicante. En los apartados del capítulo se recogen los objetivos, características de composición de la red, el modo de funcionamiento para desarrollo del trabajo cooperativo-colaborativo. Finalizamos con la exposición de las conclusiones, de las dificultades halladas y las propuestas de mejora en previsión de continuidad de la red en próximas ediciones