Export of bathyal benthos to the Atlantic through the Mediterranean outflow: Sponges from the mud volcanoes of the Gulf of Cadiz as a case study

Este artículo contiene 20 páginas, 14 figuras, 5 tablas.The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed sea, with a narrow natural connection —the Strait of Gibraltar— through its western basin to the North Atlantic. Many studies have investigated how the inflow of North Atlantic Surface water into the Mediterranean shapes the faunal composition and abundance of the shallow-water benthic communities of the Western Mediterranean. However, the reverse effect remains little explored, that is, at what level the relatively deep (>200 m deep) outflow of Mediterranean water (MOW) exports bathyal Mediterranean benthos into the North Atlantic and what is the fate of the exported fauna. In this study, we have investigated that process, using the bathyal sponge fauna known from a total of 9 biogeographical areas in the Northeastern Atlantic and 9 in the Western and Central Mediterranean, which accounted for a total of 456 spp. Prior to this general analysis, an exhaustive description of the bathyal sponge fauna (82 spp.) associated to 8 mud volcanoes located in the Gulf of Cadiz (Eastern North Atlantic) was conducted. This was necessary because the bathyal sponge fauna in the North Atlantic zone adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar remained relatively poorly studied and that situation hindered relevant comparisons with the much better known bathyal fauna of the Western Mediterranean. The results of the clustering, ordination and regression analyses first revealed that the bathyal sponge fauna described from the mud volcanoes field in the Gulf of Cadiz was not essentially different from that previously described in pre-existing studies of other bathyal environments in the Gulf of Cadiz. The large scale subsequent assessment across the Atlantic-Mediterranean biogeographical gradient revealed that the sponge faunas of all Western Mediterranean areas form a relative cohesive group, except for the idiosyncratic nature of the Tyrrhenian Sea. More importantly, the deep-sea sponge fauna of the Gulf of Cadiz (in the easternmost Atlantic side of the Atlantic-Mediterranean gradient) showed more affinity with the fauna of the Western Mediterranean than with the fauna of the remaining Northeastern Atlantic areas considered in the study (i.e., Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Madeira, the Moroccan slope, Lusitanian Banks, Southern Azores Banks and Azores). The Mediterranean area with the highest faunal similarity to the Gulf of Cadiz was the Alboran Sea, followed by the Gulf of Lion, the Strait of Sicily and, the Gulf of Taranto, sharing collectively about 17% of their species. These patterns of faunal affinities clearly illustrate the importance of the MOW in transporting components of the Mediterranean deep-sea sponge communities towards the bathyal communities of the Gulf of Cadiz. The contrasting low faunal affinity between the deep-water sponge fauna of the Gulf of Cadiz and the remaining North Atlantic areas considered in the analyses also revealed that the Mediterranean faunal export is largely circumscribed to the Gulf of Cadiz. It is likely that the North-Atlantic trajectory of the MOW, turning north after the Strait of Gibraltar and staying attached to the slope of the Iberian margin, hinders subsequent colonization of the slopes of the Macaronesia region by the deep-water Mediterranean sponges exported to the Gulf of Cadiz. The results of this study, combined with previous literature on biogeographical sponge transport by marine currents, suggest that the sponge fauna provides a useful tool to reveal the future shifts in the biogeographic patterns predicted in our man-impacted and changing ocean.This research has benefited from funds of two grants of the European Community (LIFE + INDEMARES 07/NAT/E/000732 and INTEMARES LIFE15 IPE/ES/ 000012) awarded to co-authors at the IEO. Likewise, this research has benefited from funds of a Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness grant (MINECO– CTM2015-6722-1R) and a European Union Horizon 2020 SponGES (no. 679849) grant awarded to the CEAB-CSIC.Peer reviewe

Evaluación técnica – geográfico, para la creación del distrito El Milagro, en la provincia Trujillo, Departamento la Libertad - 2018

El objetivo general de la presente tesis es determinar la evaluación técnico - geográfico, sobre los procesos y requisitos, en materia de demarcación y organización territorial, para la creación del distrito El Milagro, en la provincia Trujillo, departamento La Libertad, los objetivos específicos que se plantean son realizar el diagnóstico situacional de la demarcación territorial; analizar los procesos, establecidas en las normas legales; evaluar técnico y geográficamente, de acuerdo a los requisitos de territorio, población y la capital y elaborar el mapa cartográfico del ámbito distrital. La elaboración de la presente tesis utiliza una metodología descriptiva, de campo y aplicada; emprendió con la recopilación de material bibliográfico y marco normativo vigente, relacionado a la creación de distritos, así como la identificación de las instituciones que intervienen en el tema. Posteriormente se realizó el estudio de la base conceptual y marco legal, pues esta exige el cumplimiento de requisitos como volumen de población, ámbito geográfico, capital y principales servicios básicos. Se ejecutó la contrastación y levantamiento de información en campo, el cual dio acceso a la percepción expectativa, aceptación y respaldo de los pobladores de la localidad sobre la nueva creación del distrito. Por ello se concluye que con la creación de El Milagro, se plantea una organización más racional, dentro del proceso de saneamiento de la provincia Trujillo, la evaluación es viable, pues cumple con los requisitos que establecen los artículos 12° y 13° del D.S.N°019.-2003-PCM; por último se elaboró el mapa cartográfico con los límites territoriales propuestos

Trabajadores mayores con discapacidad: Diferencias de satisfacción laboral en el sector público y el sector privado en Europa

Análisis de las diferencias en satisfacción laboral de las personas mayores con y sin discapacidad europeas (entre 50 y 64 años) que se encuentran empleadas en el sector público o privado. Usando los datos suministrados por la Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) para los años 2004 y 2007, se estiman ecuaciones de satisfacción laboral con técnicas de panel para los trabajadores del sector público y sector privado, las cuales incluyen variables relacionadas con el grado de discapacidad del trabajador (es decir, no discapacitado, discapacitado no limitado y discapacitado limitado). Los resultados muestran que aunque los trabajadores discapacitados limitados en sus actividades diarias están menos satisfechos que los no discapacitados y no limitados en ambos sectores, éstos poseen unos mayores niveles de satisfacción laboral cuando trabajan en el sector público que cuando lo hacen en el sector privado. Desde un punto de vista de políticas públicas es necesario diseñar y acometer medidas y acciones que contribuyan a mejorar los niveles de satisfacción laboral de los trabajadores mayores con discapacidad, en especial entre aquellos que están limitados en sus actividades diarias.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Endothelial Senescence and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a COVID-19 Based Hypothesis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a serious illness of unknown etiology, characterized by debilitating exhaustion, memory impairment, pain and sleep abnormalities. Viral infections are believed to initiate the pathogenesis of this syndrome although the definite proof remains elusive. With the unfolding of COVID-19 pandemic, the interest in this condition has resurfaced as excessive tiredness, a major complaint of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, often lingers for a long time, resulting in disability, and poor life quality. In a previous article, we hypothesized that COVID-19-upregulated angiotensin II triggered premature endothelial cell senescence, disrupting the intestinal and blood brain barriers. Here, we hypothesize further that post-viral sequelae, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, are promoted by the gut microbes or toxin translocation from the gastrointestinal tract into other tissues, including the brain. This model is supported by the SARS-CoV-2 interaction with host proteins and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Conversely, targeting microbial translocation and cellular senescence may ameliorate the symptoms of this disabling illness

Impact of contact lens wear on epithelial alterations in keratoconus

Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize the central epithelial thickness (CET) of penetrating keratoplasty corneal specimens obtained from patients with keratoconus (KC) and correlate the histological patterns with their clinical history.Methods Ex vivo histological imaging was performed to measure CET and total corneal thickness (TCT) in 56 patients with KC. Microscopic slides from penetrating keratoplasty corneal specimens, stained with hematoxylin and eosin were evaluated using bright field microscopy. CET and TCT were measured, and morphological features were studied. Clinical history regarding duration of KC prior to surgery and length of and tolerance to contact lens wear were compared and analyzed. Results The microscopic slides of all patients available for follow up (n = 48) were analyzed and CET and TCT were measured. The histological evaluation revealed 3 distinctive epithelial patterns. Pattern 1 with central hypertrophic and hydropic changes (n = 19) measured 70.89 ± 25.88 μm in CET and 308.63 ± 100.74 μm in TCT; Pattern 2 (n = 14) had not changed, similar to normal epithelium CET and TCT measuring 36.5 ± 7.02 μm and 260.14 ± 87.93 μm respectively. Pattern 3 (n = 15) demonstrated thinner central epithelium characterized by atrophy and focal hydropic changes measuring 19.93 ± 4.60 μm and 268.00 ± 79.39 μm in CET and TCT respectively (all p < 0.0001). The presence of Pattern 2 characterized by similar to normal CET was correlated with the duration of the condition (R = 0.600, p = 0.030). There was a significant difference in the length of CL wear comparing those with patterns 1 and 2 versus 3 (least no. of CL years) (p = 0.05 and p = 0.33 respectivelly). Conclusions Patients with advanced disease have various central corneal epithelial changes detected with histology. Although each central epithelial pattern type was distinctive comparing the 3 patterns, there was no correlation with years of CL wear but only with the duration of the condition.Office of Research of the University of Waterlo

Estratégias de inovação em medicamentos e vacinas no âmbito do Ceis – modelos, mecanismos e expectativas

RESUMO O artigo objetivou apresentar informações relevantes e originais sobre as estratégias de inovação utilizadas por Laboratórios Farmacêuticos Oficiais (LFO) para redução das vulnerabilidades do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e capacitação produtiva e tecnológica do Complexo Econômico-Industrial da Saúde. Como métodos, foram utilizadas a revisão da literatura e a análise de dados primários oriundos de entrevistas realizadas em dois dos maiores LFO do País. Foram identificados e analisados os seus esforços e resultados em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (P&D) assim como a incorporação de tecnologias de medicamentos e vacinas, com destaque para as Parcerias para Desenvolvimento Produtivo (PDP). Conclui-se que, apesar de as atividades de P&D ainda precisarem avançar, benefícios foram trazidos pelos acordos de transferência de tecnologia, especialmente pelas PDP. No entanto, a capacidade industrial e tecnológica dos Institutos ainda é limitada e carente de investimentos, dificultando a acumulação e a difusão tecnológica. Dessa forma, melhorias são necessárias para que as estratégias de inovação para o SUS apresentem resultados mais efetivos e possam ser revertidos para o bem-estar da sociedade

Bromodomains in Human-Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders: A Model of Ferroptosis-Induced Neurodegeneration

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) comprise a group of illnesses marked by memory and behavioral dysfunction that can occur in up to 50% of HIV patients despite adequate treatment with combination antiretroviral drugs. Iron dyshomeostasis exacerbates HIV-1 infection and plays a major role in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. In addition, persons living with HIV demonstrate a high prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, indicating that HAND provides a unique opportunity to study ferroptosis in these conditions. Both HIV and combination antiretroviral drugs increase the risk of ferroptosis by augmenting ferritin autophagy at the lysosomal level. As many viruses and their proteins exit host cells through lysosomal exocytosis, ferroptosis-driving molecules, iron, cathepsin B and calcium may be released from these organelles. Neurons and glial cells are highly susceptible to ferroptosis and neurodegeneration that engenders white and gray matter damage. Moreover, iron-activated microglia can engage in the aberrant elimination of viable neurons and synapses, further contributing to ferroptosis-induced neurodegeneration. In this mini review, we take a closer look at the role of iron in the pathogenesis of HAND and neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, we describe an epigenetic compensatory system, comprised of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and microRNA-29, that may counteract ferroptosis by activating cystine/glutamate antiporter, while lowering ferritin autophagy and iron regulatory protein-2. We also discuss potential interventions for lysosomal fitness, including ferroptosis blockers, lysosomal acidification, and cathepsin B inhibitors to achieve desirable therapeutic effects of ferroptosis-induced neurodegeneration

PTSD as an Endothelial Disease: Insights From COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 virus, the etiologic agent of COVID-19, has affected almost every aspect of human life, precipitating stress-related pathology in vulnerable individuals. As the prevalence rate of posttraumatic stress disorder in pandemic survivors exceeds that of the general and special populations, the virus may predispose to this disorder by directly interfering with the stress-processing pathways. The SARS-CoV-2 interactome has identified several antigens that may disrupt the blood-brain-barrier by inducing premature senescence in many cell types, including the cerebral endothelial cells. This enables the stress molecules, including angiotensin II, endothelin-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, to aberrantly activate the amygdala, hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex, increasing the vulnerability to stress related disorders. This is supported by observing the beneficial effects of angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in both posttraumatic stress disorder and SARS-CoV-2 critical illness. In this narrative review, we take a closer look at the virus-host dialog and its impact on the renin-angiotensin system, mitochondrial fitness, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. We discuss the role of furin cleaving site, the fibrinolytic system, and Sigma-1 receptor in the pathogenesis of psychological trauma. In other words, learning from the virus, clarify the molecular underpinnings of stress related disorders, and design better therapies for these conditions. In this context, we emphasize new potential treatments, including furin and bromodomains inhibitors

Análisis de actitud emprendedora en estudiantes universitarios: una perspectiva de género

El emprendimiento en la actualidad es una de las temáticas más tratadas en investigaciones debido al impacto que esta tiene en la generación de empleos, y a su vez en el desarrollo social y económico de los países. Por esta situación la presente investigación tiene como objetivo realizar una comparación de la actitud emprendedora, entre hombres y mujeres, en este caso estudiantes de carreras administrativas de la Universidad Técnica de Machala, usando estadística descriptiva y aplicando prueba de varianza ANOVA para encontrar la existencia de diferencias significativas en los valores obtenido de las actitudes&nbsp;emprendedoras entre estudiantes hombres y mujeres. Teniendo como resultados de la&nbsp;investigación que en este caso de estudio no se encontraron diferencias significativas.&nbsp

Indicadores financieros de gestión: análisis e interpretación desde una visión retrospectiva y prospectiva

Las organizaciones requieren un monitoreo permanente de sus actividades económicas y financieras, las que se pueden realizar mediante la revisión constante de la información plasmada en los&nbsp;estados financieros, aunque resultan insuficientes para brindar al administrador los elementos necesarios&nbsp;para realizar una buena gestión. Para ampliar la visión de la información financiera existe el análisis&nbsp;financiero con su variedad de herramientas como los indicadores financieros, entre los que se encuentran&nbsp;los indicadores de Gestión, Utilidad, Eficiencia, Rotación o Actividad. El objetivo planteado consistió en&nbsp;la propuesta de una visión ampliada de los indicadores de gestión proponiendo dos perspectivas de&nbsp;aplicación, una retrospectiva y otra prospectiva. Para la visión retrospectiva se propuso un diseño de matriz de interpretación de resultados que sirva como elemento de apoyo al momento de tomar&nbsp;decisiones; mientras que para la visión prospectiva se propuso indicadores que permitieron brindar una&nbsp;aproximación a los requerimientos futuros de inversión en activos de una organización en proceso de&nbsp;iniciar operaciones. Se aplicó la matriz de interpretación a un caso ilustrativo útil y resultó adecuada,&nbsp;comprobando su fácil manejo a la hora de integrar la información e interpretar los resultados. Se logró&nbsp;probar la aplicación de las dos visiones y resultó favorable y muy útil recomendando su utilización.&nbsp; Palabras claves: Indicadores de gestión, gestión de activos, indicadores, razones financieras, análisisfinanciero