New antecedents on the distribution and ecology of Botrychium dusenii (H. Christ.) Alston (Ophioglossaceae) associated with anthropogenic environments in the Coyhaique province, Aysen Region, Chile

Penailillo, P (Penailillo, Patricio). Univ Talca, Inst Biol Vegetal & Biotecnol, Talca, ChileConducting botanical and ecological explorations with the objective of studying the floristic composition of post-fire communities in the Aysen Region, we found new regional records of the fern Botrychium dusenii (H. Christ.) Alston (Ophioglossaceae). These findings, that extend the north limit of the species distribution, occurred in open areas affected by historical human-provoked fires (happening between 1950 and 1960) during the regional process of colonization

Water phytoremediation of cadmium and copper using Azolla filiculoidesLam. in a hydroponic system

Valderrama, A (Valderrama, Aly)[ 1 ]; Tapia, J (Tapia, Jaime)[ 1 ]; Penailillo, P (Penailillo, Patricio)[ 2 ]. [ 1 ] Univ Talca, Inst Quim Recursos Nat, Lab Quim Ambiental, Talca 3465548, Region Del Maul, Chile. [ 2 ] Univ Talca, Inst Biol Vegetal & Biotecnol, Talca 3465548, Region Del Maul, ChileThe aim of this work was to evaluate the utility of Azolla filiculoides growing in a hydroponic system for the phytoremediation of continental water polluted with cadmium and copper during 7 days of exposure. Cadmium and copper chloride were added to the medium at concentrations of 0.5-10mg/L and 0.1-25mg/L, respectively. Cadmium and copper levels were measured in each plant using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The analytical methodology used to measure cadmium and copper levels was validated with standard reference material (SRM) - 1570 (spinach) National Institute of Standards and Technology. The results indicated that cadmium and copper phytoremediation was statistically significant with a maximum increase in plant tissue of 1623.20 and 6013.1g/g, respectively. This photosynthetic efficiency was chronically damaged when Azolla filiculoides were exposed to 10mg/L of Cd and 25mg/L of Cu. The Azolla plants were not affected in the other phytoremediation treatments with copper

Genetic Variation in a Chilean Endangered Endemic: Gomortega keule (molina) Baillon

Herrera, R.; Arias,M.; Maria A. Moya-leon, M.A.; Penailillo, P. and Caligari, Peter D. S. Instituto Biología Vegetal y Biotecnología, Universidad de Talca, 2 Norte 685, Talca, Chile.Gomortega keule (Molina) Baillon is an endangered, rare species, the only representative of its genus, and endemic to Central Chile. Populations of this tree are now fragmented and few individuals can be found in any of them. Genetic diversity was studied in 33 individuals from three populations in Cauquenes, a coastal mountain area (35°58'S-72°41'W). Fifteen InterSimple Sequence Repeat primers were used to determine the degree of similarity between and within populations. This revealed that 30% of the variation exhibited was between populations while 70% was within; nevertheless individuals were clearly clustered in a pattern which reflected a narrow base of diversity. Three other species from the Laurales order were used in order to provide an external reference as to the degree of diversity. In addition, an external wild population from the native species, Peumus boldus, was used to verify the utility of the markers. We show that the primers are effective in quickly giving an estimate of the degree of diversity of a population, thus giving important topical information relevant to preserving endangered species. Aspects of the conservation and management policy for the species in order to maintain the remaining populations and to preserve the genetic resources are discussed

Genetic variation in a chilean endangered endemic: Gomortega keule (Molina) Baillon

Gomortega keule (Molina) Baillon is an endangered, rare species, the only representative of its genus, and endemic to Central Chile. Populations of this tree are now fragmented and few individuals can be found in any of them. Genetic diversity was studied in 33 individuals from three populations in Cauquenes, a coastal mountain area (35°58'S-72°41'W). Fifteen InterSimple Sequence Repeat primers were used to determine the degree of similarity between and within populations. This revealed that 30% of the variation exhibited was between populations while 70% was within; nevertheless individuals were clearly clustered in a pattern which reflected a narrow base of diversity. Three other species from the Laurales order were used in order to provide an external reference as to the degree of diversity. In addition, an external wild population from the native species, Peumus boldus, was used to verify the utility of the markers. We show that the primers are effective in quickly giving an estimate of the degree of diversity of a population, thus giving important topical information relevant to preserving endangered species. Aspects of the conservation and management policy for the species in order to maintain the remaining populations and to preserve the genetic resources are discussed

Radiation of the Hypochaeris apargioides complex (Asteraceae: Cichorieae) of southern South America

Penailillo, P (Penailillo, Patricio). Univ Talca, Inst Biol Vegetal & Biotecnol, Talca, Chile.Radiation into different environments is a common evolutionary phenomenon in plants. This process has been extensively documented in oceanic islands and to a lesser extent in continental areas. The genus Hypochaeris (Asteraceae: Cichorieae) contains 41 species in South America that have evolved during the past one million years. Dispersal of propagules to new regions followed by speciation at the diploid level into different ecological zones has resulted in radiated groups. One such group, the H. apargioides complex, consists of four closely related species, H. apargioides, H. gayana, H. spathulata, and H. thrincioides, all of which are distributed in central-south Chile and adjacent Argentina. Morphometric and molecular (AFLP) data were used to help reveal processes involved in the evolution of the complex. A total of 54 populations were sampled: 34 were analyzed morphometrically and 45 were examined for genetic variation and divergence using AFLP methodology. Morphometric analysis shows that two species, H. gayana and H. spathulata, are clearly separated phenotypically from the others, but that H. apargioides and H. thrincioides are more similar to each other. The principal environmental conditions influencing morphology and distribution of species in the H. apargioides complex appear to be salinity and elevation in H. spathulata and H. gayana, respectively, and climate in H. apargioides and H. thrincioides. The overall pattern in the evolution of the complex is one of subtle morphological divergence in response to environmental selection, perhaps reflecting initial stages of adaptive radiation. The low level of molecular divergence among species also suggests rapid speciation

High maternal folic acid intake around conception alters mouse blastocyst lineage allocation and expression of key developmental regulatory genes

Folate, a cofactor for the supply of one-carbon groups, is required by epigenetic processes to regulate cell lineage determination during development. The intake of folic acid (FA), the synthetic form of folate, has increased significantly over the past decade, but the effects of high periconceptional FA intake on cell lineage determination in the early embryo remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of maternal high FA (HFA) intake on blastocyst development and expression of key regulatory genes. C57BL/6 adult female mice were fed either Control diet (1 mg FA) for 4 weeks before conception and during the preimplantation period (Con-Con); Control diet for 4 weeks preconception, followed by HFA (5 mg FA) diet during preimplantation (Con-HFA); or HFA diet for 4 weeks preconception and during preimplantation (HFA-HFA). At E3.5, blastocyst cell number, protein, and mRNA expression were measured. In HFA-HFA blastocysts, trophectoderm cell numbers and expression of CDX2, Oct-4, and Nanog were reduced compared with Con-Con blastocysts; Con-HFA blastocysts showed lower CDX2 and Oct-4 expression than Con-Con blastocysts. These findings suggest periconceptional HFA intake induces changes in key regulators of embryo morphogenesis with potential implications for subsequent development.</p

First annual register of allergenic pollen in Talca, Chile

Artículo de publicación SCOPUSBackground: There are no data on atmospheric pollen in Talca. In the present work, our aim isto describe the amount of pollen grain in the atmosphere of the city of Talca likely to causepollinosis of its inhabitants.Methods: A volumetric Hirst sampler (Burkard seven-day recording device) was used to studypollen levels. It was placed in the centre of Talca from May 2007 to April 2008.Results: The highest airborne presence of pollen, as measured in weekly averages, was Platanusacerifolia with a maximum weekly daily average of 203 grains/m3registered during Septemberand October. The second highest was Acer pseudoplatanus with a maximum weekly daily aver-age of 116 grains/m3. Populus spp. had a maximum weekly daily average 103 grains/m3. Oleaeuropaea reached 19 grains/m3in November. Grasses presented high levels of pollen countswith a maximum weekly daily average of 27 grains/m3from the end of August until the endof January. Pollens of Plantago spp. Rumex acetosella and Chenopodium spp. had a similardistribution and were present from October to April with maximum weekly daily average of7 grains/m3, 7 grains/m3and 3 grains/m3respectively. Significant concentrations of Ambrosiaartemisiifolia were detected from February until April.Conclusion: The population of Talca was exposed to high concentrations of allergenic pollen,such as P. acerifolia, A. pseudoplatanus, and grasses in the months of August through November.The detection of O. europaea and A. artemisiifolia is important as these are emergent pollens inthe city of Talca. Aerobiological monitoring will provide the community with reliable informationabout the level of allergenic pollens, improving treatment and quality of life of patients withrespiratory allergy.Fundación deAerobiología, Medio Ambiente y Salud, Laboratorio MerckSharp Dome and Dirección de Investigación, Universidad deTalca, Chile

Genetic variation (AFLPS and nuclear microsatellites) in two anagenetically derived endemic species of Myrceugenia (MYRTACEAE) on the Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile

Penailillo, P (Penailillo, Patricio). Univ Talca, Inst Biol Vegetal & Biotecnol, Talca, ChilePremise of the study: Anagenesis (or phyletic evolution) is one mode of speciation that occurs in the evolution of plants on oceanic islands. Of two endemic species on the Juan Fernandez Islands (Chile), Myrceugenia fernandeziana and M. schulzei (Myrtaceae), believed to have originated anagenetically from different continental progenitors, the first is endemic to Robinson Crusoe Island and has no clear tie to continental relatives; the last is endemic to the younger island, Alejandro Selkirk Island, and has close affinity to M. colchaguensis in mainland Chile. Methods: Using AFLPs and six nuclear microsatellites from 381 individuals representing 33 populations, we determined patterns of genetic variation within and among populations on both islands and between those of the islands and mainland. Key results: Considerable genetic variation was found within populations on both islands. The level of gene diversity within M. schulzei was equivalent to that of its close continental relative M. colchaguensis. Genetic diversity was not partitioned geographically in M. fernandeziana and was weakly so and nonsignificantly in M. schulzei. Conclusions: The high genetic variation in both taxa is most likely due to anagenetic speciation. Subsidence of the older island Robinson Crusoe, landscape erosion, and restructuring of communities have severely reduced the overall island population to a single panmictic system. On the younger and less modified Alejandro Selkirk Island, slightly stronger patterns of genetic divergence are seen in M. schulzei. Because both species are genetically diverse and number in the thousands of individuals, neither is presently endangered in the archipelago

Effects of multidisciplinary therapy on physical function in Huntington's disease

The primary objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of outpatient multidisciplinary therapy, compared to usual care, on measures of physical function and muscle strength in patients with manifest Huntington's disease (HD).Twenty-two patients with clinically verified HD were randomized to receive 36\ua0weeks of outpatient multidisciplinary therapy or usual care. Outpatient multidisciplinary therapy comprised 9\ua0months of supervised exercise, cognitive therapy and self-directed home-based exercise. Usual care consisted of standard medical care. Patients were assessed at 0 and 36\ua0weeks by blinded assessors. The primary outcome was changed in mobility as measured by the 10-m Timed Walk Test. Secondary outcome measures included changes in manual dexterity (Timed Nut and Bolt Test), balance (Berg Balance Scale), cardiorespiratory endurance (6-Minute Walk Test) and upper and lower extremity muscle strength (isokinetic and isometric muscle strength and 10 Repetition Sit-to-Stand Tests).Patients receiving outpatient multidisciplinary therapy demonstrated significantly enhanced manual dexterity (P\ua

Socio-economic and ecological evaluation and modelling methodologies

This report from Task 10 of the FLOODsite project focuses on developing innovative methods to understand, model and evaluate socio-economic and ecological flood damages. The four main activities within the Task are: building a model to estimate risk to life; modelling the damage-reducing effects of flood warnings; toxic stress and use of the OMEGA modelling framework to predict environmental pollution; GIS-based multicriteria analysis as decidion support in flood risk management