Modeling the Population Dynamics of the Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in Doñana: Application to the Harvesting Strategies

The aim of this work is to propose an alternative management and control strategy of crayfishing Procambarus clarkii in the Doñana area. A simulation model was developed (Stella 8.0) to evaluate the effects of different fishing effort on crayfish populations during certain times of the year. Then different management options were simulated: Strategy 0: No fishing activity, Strategy 1: Obtaining the maximum yield of crayfish following the current fishing effort regulations, and Strategy 2: Obtaining the maximum yield of crayfish by restricting the fishing effort to the period of the greatest production. The model explained 73.68% of the variance in population biomass. A review and resetting of the crayfishing regulations in this area according to the periods proposed in Strategy 2, was recommended. This management proposal in the developed model was the one that ensures sustainable yields at the same time that preserves biodiversity by restricting the harvesting of crayfish to rice fields and channels from April to Septembe

Efecto de las áreas de protección especial en la comunidad de macroinvertebrados de los ríos de la cuenca alta del Manzanares (Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid)

This contribution focuses on studying the quality and diversity of the three main rivers of the Upper Manzanares basin in Central Spain: the Samburiel-Navacerrada River, the Mediano River, and the Manzanares River. The main objective is the diagnosis of it's alterated state and to evaluate the current deterioration of the biological diversity of macroinvertebrates. To this effect a sampling was carried out during the most critical time of year for the system, summer of 2001. Despite the fact that the physical environment is rather homogeneous in the whole area, there are differences in the characteristics and functional features of the streams. Those differences seem mainly related to land-use and water management, factors themselves dependent on whether the sub-basin is located inside or outside the protected area of 'Cuenca Alta del Manzanares' Regional Park (PRCAM). The Manzanares river is the one presenting the highest state of conservation and water quality, with high values for richness, diversity, and biotic indexes. The Samburiel river, on the other hand, is the one presenting the worst conditions and the greatest degree of deterioration, due to flow regulation as well as pollution. It's macroinvertebrate communities are extremely impoverished and present high spatial heterogeneity. The Mediano stream shows an intermediate condition, partly due to its artificial temporary flow (water withdrawals in its middle reach). This explains and the fact that the macroinvertebrate communities have low-density populations, with diminishing species richness as well as water quality.El presente trabajo se centra en el estudio de la calidad y diversidad de los tres principales ríos de la Cuenca Alta del río Manzanares: el río Samburiel-Navacerrada, el r'ıo Manzanares y el arroyo Mediano. El objetivo primordial es el diagnóstico de su estado de alteración y la valoración de la actual situación de deterioro de la diversidad biológica de macroinvertebrados. Para ello se realizó un muestreo durante la época más crítica del sistema, verano de 2001. A pesar de que el medio físico de las tres subcuencas es relativamente homogéneo, existen divergencias en las características y funcionamiento de sus cauces que se deben básicamente a los distintos usos que el hombre está haciendo de cada una de las cuencas y del agua, muy relacionados con su localización dentro o fuera del área protegida del Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares (PRCAM). El río Manzanares es el que presenta un mejor estado de conservación y calidad de sus aguas, con elevados valores de riqueza, diversidad e índices bióticos. El río Samburiel es, por el contrario, el que presenta peores condiciones y un mayor grado de deterioro, tanto por regulación de caudales como por contaminación. Las comunidades de macroinvertebrados están muy empobrecidas y presentan fuertes variaciones espaciales. El arroyo Mediano muestra una situación intermedia, debido en parte a su artificial temporalidad (por detracción de caudal en su tramo medio). Por ello no es de extrañar que las poblaciones de macroinvertebrados sean poco densas, disminuyendo los valores de riqueza taxonómica y de calidad del agua

Digital versatile discs as platforms for multiplexed genotyping based on selective ligation and universal microarray detection

[EN] The development of a high-performance assay readout using integrated detectors is a current challenge in the implementation of DNA tests in diagnostic laboratories, particularly for supporting pharmacogenetic tests. A method for allelic discrimination, associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), is presented. Genomic DNA is extracted from blood and buccal swab samples. The procedure comprises fast multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, PCR amplification using universal primers and subsequent barcode hybridization. In this last step, each product is recognized by the specific probes immobilized on the surface of an optical disc. Assay results can be obtained with a disc reader. The optical sensing method in a DNA microarray format was optimized and evaluated for the simultaneous identification of 28 polymorphisms associated with psychiatric pharmacogenomics. The target biomarkers were located in the genes related to drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. The multiplexing capability and assay selectivity strongly depended on correct design (ligation probes, tails and barcodes). The discriminant analysis of reader outputs (spot intensities) led to patients being classified into different allelic populations. The obtained assignations correlated properly with the results provided by the reference technique (bead arrays), and the assay ended in an 8-fold shorter time using affordable equipment. The combination of a highly selective genotyping reaction as array-MLPA and the compact disc technology provides a reliable point-of-care approach. This genotyping tool is useful for the selection of personalized drug therapies in decentralized clinical laboratories.The authors acknowledge the financial support received from the Generalitat Valenciana (GVA-PROMETEOII/2014/040 Project) through the FEDER funds and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (the MINECO CTQ2016-75749- R Project)Tortajada-Genaro, LA.; Niñoles Rodenes, R.; Mena-Mollá, S.; Maquieira Catala, A. (2019). Digital versatile discs as platforms for multiplexed genotyping based on selective ligation and universal microarray detection. The Analyst. 144:707-715. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8AN01830HS70771514

Polymer-modified sulfonated PEEK ionomer membranes and the use of Ru3Pd6Pt as cathode catalyst for H2/O2 fuel cells

[EN] Nanocomposite membranes incorporating electrospun nanofibers of SPEEK, blended with 30 wt% PVB within a water-based matrix of SPEEK with 35 wt% PVA using water as solvent, were prepared and characterized for their application as Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) in H-2/O-2 operating at low temperatures. Compared with a dense bulk phase, an improvement of proton conductivity in the SPEEK-30PVB nanofiber framework was observed. The incorporation of the SPEEK-30PVB nanofibers provides mechanical improvement while the matrix phase of SPEEK-35PVA emphasizes the proton conductivity at crosslinking temperatures up to 140 degrees C. PEMFC performance tests showed promising results for the use of these novel low cost membranes. The nanocomposite membrane reached a power density which is 25% higher than that of Nafion117 membranes with MEAs constructed with Pt loading in anode and in cathode. However, when the Pt of the cathode is substituted by Ru3Pd6Pt, the power density is lower in Nafion117 MEAs than in the nanocomposite. When used commercial Pt-carbon cloth (Pt-ETEK) for the electrodes, the power density achieved is 1.4 times higher for the Nafion117 MEAs than SPEEK nano-composites. The differences observed in performance is attributed to the large polarization losses found in the composite membranes because of the interfacial phenomena associated with the use of commercial Nafion-based electrodes.This research is in the frame of Support Programme for Research and Development of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and the Ministry of Science and for funding provided through the projects: ENE2015-69203-R. OSF thanks to CONACYT-Mexico for supporting this research with the grant 475920.Martínez-Casillas, D.; Solorza, O.; Mollá Romano, S.; Montero Reguera, ÁE.; Garcia Bernabe, A.; Compañ Moreno, V. (2019). Polymer-modified sulfonated PEEK ionomer membranes and the use of Ru3Pd6Pt as cathode catalyst for H2/O2 fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 44(1):295-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.09.217S29530344

Stress hormones promote growth of B16-F10 melanoma metastases: an interleukin 6-and glutathione-dependent mechanism

[EN] Background: Interleukin (IL)-6 (mainly of tumor origin) activates glutathione (GSH) release from hepatocytes and its interorgan transport to B16-F10 melanoma metastatic foci. We studied if this capacity to overproduce IL-6 is regulated by cancer cell-independent mechanisms. Methods: Murine B16-F10 melanoma cells were cultured, transfected with red fluorescent protein, injected i.v. into syngenic C57BL/6J mice to generate lung and liver metastases, and isolated from metastatic foci using high-performance cell sorting. Stress hormones and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA, and CRH expression in the brain by in situ hybridization. DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B, CREB, AP-1, and NF-IL-6 was measured using specific transcription factor assay kits. IL-6 expression was measured by RT-PCR, and silencing was achieved by transfection of anti-IL-6 small interfering RNA. GSH was determined by HPLC. Cell death analysis was distinguished using fluorescence microscopy, TUNEL labeling, and flow cytometry techniques. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t test. Results: Plasma levels of stress-related hormones (adrenocorticotropin hormone, corticosterone, and noradrenaline) increased, following a circadian pattern and as compared to non-tumor controls, in mice bearing B16-F10 lung or liver metastases. Corticosterone and noradrenaline, at pathophysiological levels, increased expression and secretion of IL-6 in B16-F10 cells in vitro. Corticosterone- and noradrenaline-induced transcriptional up-regulation of IL-6 gene involves changes in the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kappa B, cAMP response element-binding protein, activator protein-1, and nuclear factor for IL-6. In vivo inoculation of B16-F10 cells transfected with anti-IL-6-siRNA, treatment with a glucocorticoid receptor blocker (RU-486) or with a beta-adrenoceptor blocker (propranolol), increased hepatic GSH whereas decreased plasma IL-6 levels and metastatic growth. Corticosterone, but not NORA, also induced apoptotic cell death in metastatic cells with low GSH content. Conclusions: Our results describe an interorgan system where stress-related hormones, IL-6, and GSH coordinately regulate metastases growthThis research was supported by grant (SAF2009-07729 and IPT-010000-2010-21) from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (http://www.idi.mineco.gob.es), Spain.Valles, SL.; Benlloch, M.; Rodriguez, ML.; Mena-Mollá, S.; Pellicer, JA.; Asensi-Miralles, MÁ.; Obrador, E.... (2013). Stress hormones promote growth of B16-F10 melanoma metastases: an interleukin 6-and glutathione-dependent mechanism. 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J., Martin, J. J., Vidal-Vanaclocha, F., & Estrela, J. M. (1999). Clinical and Experimental Metastasis, 17(7), 567-574. doi:10.1023/a:1006725226078Lachize, S., Apostolakis, E. M., van der Laan, S., Tijssen, A. M. I., Xu, J., de Kloet, E. R., & Meijer, O. C. (2009). Steroid receptor coactivator-1 is necessary for regulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone by chronic stress and glucocorticoids. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(19), 8038-8042. doi:10.1073/pnas.0812062106Veenema, A. H., Reber, S. O., Selch, S., Obermeier, F., & Neumann, I. D. (2008). Early Life Stress Enhances the Vulnerability to Chronic Psychosocial Stress and Experimental Colitis in Adult Mice. Endocrinology, 149(6), 2727-2736. doi:10.1210/en.2007-1469Asensi, M., Sastre, J., Pallardo, F. V., Delaasuncion, J. G., Estrela, J. M., & Vina, J. (1994). A High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Measurement of Oxidized Glutathione in Biological Samples. 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Transcription factors NF-IL6 and NF-kappa B synergistically activate transcription of the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 6 and interleukin 8. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 90(21), 10193-10197. doi:10.1073/pnas.90.21.10193McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and Neurobiology of Stress and Adaptation: Central Role of the Brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873-904. doi:10.1152/physrev.00041.2006Lee, J.-H., Yoo, S. B., Kim, N. Y., Cha, M. J., & Jahng, J. W. (2008). Interleukin-6 and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Activation in a Tumor Bearing Mouse. International Journal of Neuroscience, 118(3), 355-364. doi:10.1080/00207450701592915Li, Y.-F., He, R.-R., Tsoi, B., Li, X.-D., Li, W.-X., Abe, K., & Kurihara, H. (2012). Anti-Stress Effects of Carnosine on Restraint-Evoked Immunocompromise in Mice through Spleen Lymphocyte Number Maintenance. PLoS ONE, 7(4), e33190. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033190Sarabdjitsingh, R. A., Kofink, D., Karst, H., de Kloet, E. 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S., Green, A. R., Ellis, I. O., & Entschladen, F. (2011). Alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor (AR) protein expression is associated with poor clinical outcome in breast cancer: an immunohistochemical study. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 130(2), 457-463. doi:10.1007/s10549-011-1371-zPowe, D. G., & Entschladen, F. (2011). Using β-blockers to inhibit breast cancer progression. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 8(9), 511-512. doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2011.12

Perceived quality of automotive interior components

[EN] Biomechanics Institute of Valencia (IBV) and Faurecia Interior Systems, have worked together to develop a ¿virtual¿ protocol to assess the perceived quality of automotive interior components. For this purpose, the differences between the real product evaluation and the image have been analyzed, identifying what kind of adaptations are required by the perceived quality protocols.[ES] El Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) y FAURECIA Interior Systems, han trabajado de la mano para desarrollar un protocolo de evaluación "virtual" de la calidad percibida de componentes de interior de automóvil. Para ello, se han analizado las diferencias entre la evaluación del producto real y una imagen, identificando qué tipo de adaptaciones requieren los protocolos de evaluación de calidad percibida.Soler Valero, A.; Mateo Martínez, B.; Diaz Pineda, JA.; Sancho Mollá, M.; Solaz Sanahuja, JS.; Signes Pérez, E.; Martín Pérez, J.... (2013). Calidad percibida en el interior de vehículos. Revista de biomecánica. 59:9-12. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/38697S9125

The dependence of oxygen and nitrogen abundances on stellar mass from the CALIFA survey

Context. The study of the integrated properties of star-forming galaxies is central to understand their formation and evolution. Some of these properties are extensive and therefore their analysis require totally covering and spatially resolved observations. Among these properties, metallicity can be defined in spiral discs by means of integral field spectroscopy (IFS) of individual H ii regions. The simultaneous analysis of the abundances of primary elements, as oxygen, and secondary, as nitrogen, also provides clues about the star formation history and the processes that shape the build-up of spiral discs. Aims. Our main aim is to analyse simultaneously O/H and N/O abundance ratios in H ii regions in different radial positions of the discs in a large sample of spiral galaxies to obtain the slopes and the characteristic abundance ratios that can be related to their integrated properties. Methods. We analysed the optical spectra of individual selected H ii regions extracted from a sample of 350 spiral galaxies of the CALIFA survey. We calculated total O/H abundances and, for the first time, N/O ratios using the semi-empirical routine Hii-Chi-mistry, which, according to Pérez-Montero (2014, MNRAS, 441, 2663), is consistent with the direct method and reduces the uncertainty in the O/H derivation using [N ii] lines owing to the dispersion in the O/H-N/O relation. Then we performed linear fittings to the abundances as a function of the de-projected galactocentric distances. Results. The analysis of the radial distribution both for O/H and N/O in the non-interacting galaxies reveals that both average slopes are negative, but a non-negligible fraction of objects have a flat or even a positive gradient (at least 10% for O/H and 4% for N/O). The slopes normalised to the effective radius appear to have a slight dependence on the total stellar mass and the morphological type, as late low-mass objects tend to have flatter slopes. No clear relation is found, however, to explain the presence of inverted gradients in this sample, and there is no dependence between the average slopes and the presence of a bar. The relation between the resulting O/H and N/O linear fittings at the effective radius is much tighter (correlation coefficient ρ = 0.80) than between O/H and N/O slopes (ρ = 0.39) or for O/H and N/O in the individual H ii regions (ρ = 0.37). These O/H and N/O values at the effective radius also correlate very tightly (less than 0.03 dex of dispersion) with total luminosity and stellar mass. The relation with other integrated properties, such as star formation rate, colour, or morphology, can be understood only in light of the found relation with mass.E.P.M., J.M.V., C.K., S.P., and J.I.P. acknowledge support from the Spanish MICINN through grants AYA2010-21887-C04-01 and AYA2013-47742-C4-1-P and the Junta de Andalucia for grant EXC/2011 FQM-7058. R.G.B., R.G.D., and E.P. acknowledge support from grants AYA2014-57490-P and JA-FQM-2828. Support for L.G. is provided by the Ministry of Economy, Development, and Tourism's Millennium Science Initiative through grant IC120009, awarded to The Millennium Institute of Astrophysics, MAS. L.G. acknowledges support by CONICYT through FONDECYT grant 3140566Peer Reviewe

Leaf litter decomposition of native and introduced tree species of contrasting quality in headwater streams: How does the regional setting matter?

Terrestrial plant litter is important in sustaining stream food webs in forested headwaters. Leaf litter quality often decreases when native species are replaced by introduced species, and a lower quality of leaf litter inputs may alter litter decomposition at sites afforested with non-native species. However, since detritivore composition and resource use plasticity may depend on the prevalent litter inputs, the extent of the alteration in decomposition can vary between streams. We tested 2 hypotheses using 2 native and 3 introduced species of tree differing in quality in 4 Iberian regions with contrasting vegetational traits: 1) decomposition rates of all plant species would be higher in regions where streams normally receive litter inputs of lower rather than higher quality; 2) a higher resource-use plasticity of detritivores in regions vegetated with plants of lower litter quality will cause a greater evenness in decomposition rates among plant species compared to regions where streams normally receive higher-quality plant litter inputs. Results showed a highly consistent interspecific ranking of decomposition rates across regions driven by litter quality, and a significant regional effect. Hypothesis 1 was supported: decomposition rates of the five litter types were generally higher in streams from regions vegetated with species producing leaf litter of low quality, possibly due to the profusion of caddisfly shredders in their communities. Hypothesis 2 was not supported: the relative differences in decomposition rates among leaf litter species remained essentially unaltered across regions. Our results suggest that, even in regions where detritivores can be comparatively efficient using resources of low quality, caution is needed particularly when afforestation programs introduce plant species of lower litter quality than the native species

Leaf-litter decomposition in headwater stream: a comparation on the process among four climatic regions

The main purpose of our work was to elucidate factors responsible for the geographical differences in leaf-litter decomposition rates in Spanish oligotrophic headwater streams. Decomposition experiments with alder (Alnus glutinosa) leaf litter were carried out in 22 headwater streams in 4 different climatic regions across the Iberian Peninsula (Cornisa Canta´brica, Cordillera Litoral Catalana, Sierra de Guadarrama, and Sierra Nevada). Streams that were similar in size, flowed mainly over siliceous substrate in catchments with scarce human settlements and activities, and fell within a range of low nutrient concentrations were chosen in each region. Breakdown rates were regionally variable and were low (0.109–0.198% ash-free dry mass [AFDM]/degree day [dd]) in the Cornisa Canta´brica, the most mesic and Atlantic region, and high (0.302–0.639% AFDM/dd) in Sierra de Guadarrama, one of the coldest and most inland areas. Temperature was not the determining factor affecting differences in breakdown rates among regions, and breakdown rates were not related to concentrations of dissolved nutrients. However, microbial reproductive activity (sporulation rates) was significantly correlated with dissolved P concentration. Breakdown rates were explained better by presence and feeding activities of detritivores than by decomposer activity. Incorporation of breakdown rates in assessment schemes of stream ecological status will be difficult because leaf processing does not respond unequivocally to environmental factors when climatic regions are considered. Thus, regional adjustments of baseline standards in reference conditions will be required