Debate e interacción doctrinal en las artes epistolares castellanas de mediados del XVI

Gaspar de Texeda’s Primero Libro de cartas mensageras en estilo cortesano (1547-1553) is usually taken as a “not too serious” manual, and thus, it has a low place in the history of epistolography. This assessment does not come from a rigorous study of the work, but from the consolidation of prejudices defended by secretaries professionally and personally hostile to the author and to his writing style. The invectives exchanged between Texeda, Torquemada and Yciar in their respective manuals, illustrate well the different styles each one defended, as well as the debate taking place around the vernacular episolography.El Primero Libro de cartas mensageras en estilo cortesano (1547-1553) de Gaspar de Texeda es habitualmente considerado un manual ‘poco serio’, por lo que se le reserva un exiguo lugar en la historia de la epistolografía. Esta valoración no procede de un estudio riguroso de la obra sino de la consolidación de prejuicios extemporáneos defendidos por secretarios contrarios estilísticamente al autor y hostiles a éste profesional y personalmente. Las invectivas y réplicas contenidas en los tratados de Texeda, de Toquemada y de Yciar ilustran magníficamente las distintas corrientes epistolográficas de la época, así como el virulento debate que en esos momentos se estaba dirimiendo en torno a la práctica epistolar vernácula

Ammonium, bicarbonate and calcium effects on tomato plants grown under saline conditions

Abstract Tomato plants (70 days old) were grown in hydroponic culture into a greenhouse, where supply of inorganic carbon, ammonium and calcium to saline nutrient solution, was investigated in order to reduce the negative effect of salinity. After 70 days, an ameliorating effect upon the decrease in growth observed under salinity was only observed with the treatments NaCl +Ca 2 + and NaCl +HCO 3 − +NH 4 + +Ca 2 + . A large reduction of hydraulic conductance (L 0 ) and stomatal conductance (G s ) was observed with all treatments, compared with the control. However, the reductions were less when NaCl and Ca 2 + were added together. Organic acids (mainly malic acid) in the xylem were decreased with all treatments except with NaCl +NH 4 + and with all single treatments added together (NaCl+HCO 3 − + NH 4 + + Ca 2 + ). Amino acid concentrations in the xylem (mainly asparagine and glutamine) decreased when plants were treated with NaCl and NaCl + Ca 2 + , but there was a large increase in the plants treated with NaCl+ NH 4 + or with all treatments together. As HCO 3 − is an important source of carbon for NH 4 + assimilation, the increase in the concentration of amino acids and organic acids caused by the treatments that contained NH 4 + , support the idea that fixation of dissolved inorganic carbon was occurring and that the products were transported via the xylem to the shoot. The ameliorating effect of Ca 2 + on root hydraulic conductivity plus the increase of NH 4 + incorporation into the amino acid synthesis pathway possibly due to dissolved inorganic carbon fixation, could reduce the negative effect of salinity on tomato plants

Censo de focos de "Heterobasidion annosum" (Fr.) Bref. en ecosistemas de pinsapo

Se exponen los resultados de un censo de focos de podredumbre radical causada por Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. en ecosistemas de Abies pinsapo Boiss. en las tres áreas de distribución natural de la especie en la Península Ibérica: los pinsapares de Sierra de las Nieves (Málaga), Sierra de Grazalema (Cádiz) y Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja (Málaga). La búsqueda del patógeno se dirigió a la observación de los sistemas radicales de los pies derribados visibles en el monte, para posterior delimitación de las zonas afectadas y cumplimentación de una ficha de campo específica para la descripción y caracterización de la enfermedad. El patógeno fue detectado en la totalidad de las áreas muestreadas, en un total de 81 centros de infección o focos, contabilizándose, adicionalmente, 11 zonas de elevada mortandad de pinsapo (áreas de posible infección), donde no pudo comprobarse la presencia del patógeno, si bien ésta se consideró posible. El Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves fue el más afectado, con un 88.9% de los focos detectados. En Sierra de Grazalema la incidencia fue considerablemente inferior, si bien las características del pinsapar y las particularidades de la enfermedad en la zona hicieron temer de un riesgo generalizado de infección. Finalmente, Los Reales fue la zona menos afectada, con tan sólo un foco con causa atribuible a H. annosum.We expose the results of an inventory of gaps of trees of Abies pinsapo with root decay caused by Heterobasidion annosum. The sampling was developed in ecosystems with Abies pinsapo Boiss., in the species natural areas of the Iberian Peninsula: Sierra de las Nieves (Málaga, Spain), Sierra de Grazalema (Cádiz, Spain) and Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja (Málaga, Spain). The pathogen research was restricted to the observation of the radical systems in windthrown trees, identification in roots and further delimitation of the affected surface. The pathogen was identified in 81 infection centers, aditionally accounting 11 areas of high mortality oí Abies pinsapo trees {areas of possible infection), where the presence of H. annosum was not certain but considered possible. Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park was the most affected area, reaching the 88.9% of the total amount of infections centers. Sierra de Grazalema showed a lower incidence, although the stand features and disease particularities in this Park make us suspect a general and high risk of infection all over the A. pinsapo forest. Finally, Los Reales was the least affected zone, with only one infection center with root decay caused by H. annosum

Empresas del IBEX-35: Consejeras y directivas de alta dirección

La presencia de mujeres en la empresa es cada vez más común y necesaria para lograr una mayor equidad de género en el ámbito laboral. A lo largo de la historia, las mujeres se han enfrentado a barreras y discriminación en el mundo laboral, pero hoy en día, la situación está cambiando gracias a las luchas feministas, a una mayor conciencia social sobre la importancia de la igualdad de oportunidades y al apoyo legislativo. Las mujeres aportan una visión y perspectiva diferente en la organización, lo que puede repercutir en una mayor creatividad, innovación y, por ende, rentabilidad. Sin embargo, todavía existen obstáculos y desafíos que enfrentan las mujeres en el ámbito laboral, como la brecha salarial de género, la falta de representación en cargos directivos y de liderazgo, y la discriminación basada en estereotipos de género. Además, su presencia en cargos directivos y de liderazgo puede fomentar la diversidad y la inclusión en la empresa, por ello es importante conocer la incidencia de la mujer en las empresas que cotizan en el Índice bursátil IBEX-35. Para ello, se utiliza el análisis de datos secundarios de la Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) y se aplica el algoritmo de Pichat a partir de la distancia de Hamming para conocer esas actuaciones. De esta forma, se pretende determinar si se cumple con las recomendaciones de la normativa actual en este campo. Es importante seguir trabajando en la eliminación de estas barreras para lograr una mayor igualdad de oportunidades en el mundo laboral y promover el desarrollo profesional y personal de todas las personas, independientemente de su género

Tandem Repeat DNA provides many cytological markers for hybrid zone analysis in two subspecies of the grasshopper chorthippus parallelus

Recent advances in next generation sequencing (NGS) have greatly increased our understanding of non-coding tandem repeat (TR) DNA. Here we show how TR DNA can be useful for the study of hybrid zones (HZ), as it serves as a marker to identify introgression in areas where two biological entities come in contact. We used Illumina libraries to analyse two subspecies of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus, which currently form a HZ in the Pyrenees. We retrieved a total of 152 TR sequences, and used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to map 77 families in purebred individuals from both subspecies. Our analysis revealed 50 TR families that could serve as markers for analysis of this HZ, using FISH. Differential TR bands were unevenly distributed between chromosomes and subspecies. Some of these TR families yielded FISH bands in only one of the subspecies, suggesting the amplification of these TR families after the geographic separation of the subspecies in the Pleistocene. Our cytological analysis of two TR markers along a transect of the Pyrenean hybrid zone showed asymmetrical introgression of one subspecies into the other, consistent with previous findings using other markers. These results demonstrate the reliability of TR-band markers for hybrid zone studie

Short-term response of young mandarin trees to desalinated seawater irrigation

Water deficit and increasing pressure on water resources in semi-arid regions has led to the spread of irrigation with non-conventional water resources, such as desalinated seawater (DSW). The few existent studies to date, mainly carried out in Israel and Spain, have shown that suitable management of irrigation with DSW must be performed to avoid agronomic problems and reductions in crop productivity and fruit quality in the mid-long term. To the best of our knowledge, in the case of citrus, fruit production, and quality, information on the effects of DSW irrigation is not available. In this study, we evaluated the short-term agronomic and economic effects of irrigating a mandarin orchard during two crop cycles (2017–2019) with (i) fresh water (FW), (ii) desalinated seawater (DSW), and (iii) a mix of water composed of 50% FW and 50% DSW. Stem water potential (Ψs 6.5 µmol/m2/s and stomatal conductance; gs > 65 mmol/m2/s) indicated that trees were well irrigated throughout the experiment. The concentration of Na+ and B3+ in the DSW always exceeded the maximum thresholds for irrigation water proposed in the literature for citrus, and the concentration of Na+ in the leaves exceeded the maximum threshold in summer 2018. Nonetheless, symptoms of toxicity were not observed. Significant differences among treatments were not observed for Ψstem, A, gs, Na+, Cl−, and B3+ in leaves (except in the summer months), yield components, fruit quality, or the economic assessment. The lack of such differences was explained by the large standard deviations caused by the youth of the trees, with figures that on occasion could represent more than 100% of the mean value. These results may justify the agronomic and economic viability of the irrigation of young trees with DSW in the short-term, but further research, considering the effects on adult trees in the long term is still needed.This study was supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades—Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Grant numbers AGL2017-85857-C2-2-R and RTC-2017-6192-2). The collaboration of Catedra Trasvase y sostenibilidad—Jose Manuel Claver is acknowledged. Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (RYC-2015-17726) from Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain

CYLD regulates keratinocyte differentiation and skin cancer progression in humans

CYLD is a gene mutated in familial cylindromatosis and related diseases, leading to the development of skin appendages tumors. Although the deubiquitinase CYLD is a skin tumor suppressor, its role in skin physiology is unknown. Using skin organotypic cultures as experimental model to mimic human skin, we have found that CYLD acts as a regulator of epidermal differentiation in humans through the JNK signaling pathway. We have determined the requirement of CYLD for the maintenance of epidermal polarity, keratinocyte differentiation and apoptosis. We show that CYLD overexpression increases keratinocyte differentiation while CYLD loss of function impairs epidermal differentiation. In addition, we describe the important role of CYLD in the control of human non-melanoma skin cancer progression. Our results show the reversion of the malignancy of human squamous cell carcinomas that express increased levels of CYLD, while its functional inhibition enhances the aggressiveness of these tumors which progress toward spindle cell carcinomas. We have found that the mechanisms through which CYLD regulates skin cancer progression include the control of tumor differentiation, angiogenesis and cell survival. These findings of the role of CYLD in human skin cancer prognosis make our results relevant from a therapeutic point of view, and open new avenues for exploring novel cancer therapiesThis work was funded by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PI06/1233 and PI10/01480 to MLC, and SAF2010-22156 to ARS

Quaternary structure of a G-protein coupled receptor heterotetramer in complex with Gi and Gs

Background: G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in the form of monomers or homodimers that bind heterotrimeric G proteins, are fundamental in the transfer of extracellular stimuli to intracellular signaling pathways. Different GPCRs may also interact to form heteromers that are novel signaling units. Despite the exponential growth in the number of solved GPCR crystal structures, the structural properties of heteromers remain unknown. Results: We used single-particle tracking experiments in cells expressing functional adenosine A1-A2A receptors fused to fluorescent proteins to show the loss of Brownian movement of the A1 receptor in the presence of the A2A receptor, and a preponderance of cell surface 2:2 receptor heteromers (dimer of dimers). Using computer modeling, aided by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays to monitor receptor homomerization and heteromerization and G-protein coupling, we predict the interacting interfaces and propose a quaternary structure of the GPCR tetramer in complex with two G proteins. Conclusions: The combination of results points to a molecular architecture formed by a rhombus-shaped heterotetramer, which is bound to two different interacting heterotrimeric G proteins (Gi and Gs). These novel results constitute an important advance in understanding the molecular intricacies involved in GPCR function

Heteroreceptor complexes formed by dopamine D1, histamine H3 and N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors as targets to prevent neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder causing progressive memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. Anti-AD strategies targeting cell receptors consider them as isolated units. However, many cell surface receptors cooperate and physically contact each other forming complexes having different biochemical properties than individual receptors. We here report the discovery of dopamine D , histamine H , and N-methylD-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor heteromers in heterologous systems and in rodent brain cortex. Heteromers were detected by coimmunoprecipitation and in situ proximity ligation assays (PLA) in the rat cortex where H receptor agonists, via negative cross-talk, and H receptor antagonists, via cross-antagonism, decreased D receptor agonist signaling determined by ERK1/2 or Akt phosphorylation and counteracted D receptormediated excitotoxic cell death. Both D and H receptor antagonists also counteracted NMDA toxicity suggesting a complex interaction between NMDA receptors and D -H receptor heteromer function. Likely due to heteromerization, H receptors act as allosteric regulator for D and NMDA receptors. By bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), we demonstrated that D or H receptors form heteromers with NR1A/NR2B NMDA receptor subunits. D -H -NMDA receptor complexes were confirmed by BRET combined with fluorescence complementation. The endogenous expression of complexes in mouse cortex was determined by PLA and similar expression was observed in wild-type and APP/PS1 mice. Consistent with allosteric receptor-receptor interactions within the complex, H receptor antagonists reduced NMDA or D receptor-mediated excitotoxic cell death in cortical organotypic cultures. Moreover, H receptor antagonists reverted the toxicity induced by ß -amyloid peptide. Thus, histamine H receptors in D -H -NMDA heteroreceptor complexes arise as promising targets to prevent neurodegeneration

DNA sequences within glioma-derived extracellular vesicles can cross the intact blood-brain barrier and be detected in peripheral blood of patients

Tumor-cell-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) can cross the disrupted bloodbrain barrier (BBB) into the bloodstream. However, in certain gliomas, the BBB remains intact, which might limit EVs release. To evaluate the ability of tumor-derived EVs to cross the BBB, we used an orthotopic xenotransplant mouse model of human glioma-cancer stem cells featuring an intact BBB. We demonstrated that all types of tumor cells-derived EVs−apoptotic bodies, shedding microvesicles and exosomes− cross the intact BBB and can be detected in the peripheral blood, which provides a minimally invasive method for their detection compared to liquid biopsies obtained from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Furthermore, these EVs can be readily distinguished from total murine EVs, since they carry human-specific DNA sequences relevant for GBM biology. In a small cohort of glioma patients, we finally demonstrated that peripheral blood EVs cargo can be successfully used to detect the presence of IDH1G395A, an essential biomarker in the current management of human gliomaWe are grateful for the financial support from the ‘Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias’ (FIS) (PI10/01069 and PI14/00077) and the ‘Miguel Servet Program’ (CP11/00147) from the ‘Instituto de Salud Carlos III’ (AAS), RTC-2015-3846-1 from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and FEDER fund