Purple Passion Fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis, Variability for Photosynthetic and Physiological Adaptation in Contrasting Environments

Purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis) is a tropical juice source. The goal of this project was to evaluate photosynthetic and physiological variability for the crop with the hypotheses that landraces contain the diversity to adapt to higher elevation nontraditional growing environments and this is dependent on specific parameters of ecological adaptation. A total of 50 genotypes of this crop were chosen from divergent sources for evaluations of their eco-physiological responses in two equatorial locations at different altitudes in the Andes Mountains, a center of diversity for the species. The germplasm included 34 landraces, 8 commercial cultivars, and 8 genebank accessions. The two locations were contrasting in climates, representing mid and high elevations in Colombia. Mid-elevation valleys are typical regions of production for passion fruit while high elevation sites are not traditional. The location effects and variables that differentiated genotypes were determined. Results showed statistically significant differences between locations and importance of physiological parameters related to photosynthesis and water use efficiency. Some landraces exhibited better water status and gas exchange than commercial types. Parameters like maximum photosynthesis, points of light saturation and compensation, darkness respiratory rate, and apparent quantum yield varied between genotype groups. The landraces, commercial types, and genebank entries also differed in content of carotenoids and chlorophylls a and b. Meanwhile, photosynthesis measurements showed that altitudinal difference had an effect on genotype-specific plant growth and adaptation. An important conclusion was that landraces contained the diversity to adapt to the new growing environment at higher altitudes

Corporate Communications Management on the internet Study and recommendations for the newsrooms in corporate websites from analyzing portals on the internet of business groups in Galicia

La dirección de comunicación de las empresas sigue siendo prioritaria para conseguir el éxito comercial, pero la irrupción de las nuevas tecnologías desde hace unos años, especialmente internet, ha modificado las reglas de la gestión de comunicación. Si antes los medios de comunicación tradicionales, la publicidad y las relaciones públicas, eran los únicos canales y métodos para lograr comunicar, ahora internet se asienta como el nuevo eje comunicativo debido a la actual crisis económica y el auge del social media (web 2.0). En este estudio pretendemos conocer la dirección de comunicación de los principales grupos empresariales presentes en Galicia a través de sus webs corporativas, y sus secciones propias de comunicación como las salas de prensa digitales, por lo que analizaremos de modo cuantitativo y cualitativo sus contenidos y formas para interpretar la gestión de comunicación que hacen para comunicarse con un público internauta cada vez más experto.Instituto de Investigación en Relaciones Pública

Inter‐ and Intra‐Annual Variability of Nitrogen Concentrations in the Headwaters of the Mero River

This study examines the inter‐ and intra‐annual variability of different forms of N [total nitrogen (TN), nitrate‐nitrogen (N‐NO3) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN)] in stream waters of a rural headwater catchment in Galicia (NW Spain) during a 5‐year period, covering 2004–2009 water years (October–September). Daily time series were used to verify the temporal variability and to characterize the nitrogen pollution. The TN concentrations were low, although the values constantly exceeded the critical range (0.5–1.0 mg L−1) over which potential risk of eutrophication of water systems exists. Nitrate was the predominant form of nitrogen in the river throughout the study period, accounting for 82–85% of the TN. Significant differences were found for different forms of N between water years and seasons, indicative of wide inter‐ and intra‐annual variability of nitrogen concentrations, mainly related to rainfall and flow oscillations. The seasonal pattern in the concentrations of TN, N‐NO3 and TKN in stream water was similar to many humid and temperate catchments, with higher concentrations in winter, when variability was also the highest in the period, and lower values in summer

Artificial Intelligence Applied to Conceptual Design. A Review of Its Use in Architecture

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Conceptual architectural design is a complex process that draws on past experience and creativity to generate new designs. The application of artificial intelligence to this process should not be oriented toward finding a solution in a defined search space since the design requirements are not yet well defined in the conceptual stage. Instead, this process should be considered as an exploration of the requirements, as well as of possible solutions to meet those requirements. This work offers a tour of major research projects that apply artificial intelligence solutions to architectural conceptual design. We examine several approaches, but most of the work focuses on the use of evolutionary computing to perform these tasks. We note a marked increase in the number of papers in recent years, especially since 2015. Most employ evolutionary computing techniques, including cellular automata. Most initial approaches were oriented toward finding innovative and creative forms, while the latest research focuses on optimizing architectural form.This project was supported by the General Directorate of Culture, Education and University Management of Xunta de Galicia (Ref. ED431G/01, ED431D 2017/16), and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness via funding of the unique installation BIOCAI (UNLC08-1E-002, UNLC13-13-3503) and the European Regional Development Funds (FEDER)Xunta de Galicia; ED431G/01Xunta de Galicia; ED431D 2017/1

Improving the Understanding of N Transport in a Rural Catchment Under Atlantic Climate Conditions From the Analysis of the Concentration–Discharge Relationship Derived From a High-Frequency Data Set

[Abstract] Understanding processes controlling stream nutrient dynamics over time is crucial for implementing effective management strategies to prevent water quality degradation. In this respect, the study of the nutrient concentration–discharge (C–Q) relationship during individual runoff events can be a valuable tool for extrapolating the hydrochemical processes controlling nutrient fluxes in streams. This study investigated nitrogen concentration dynamics during events by analyzing and interpreting the nitrogen C–Q relationship in a small Atlantic (NW Iberian Peninsula) rural catchment. To this end, nitrate (NO3-N) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) concentrations were monitored at a high temporal resolution during 102 runoff events over a 6-year period. For each of the selected runoff events, C–Q response was examined visually for the presence and direction of hysteresis loops and classified into three types of responses, namely clockwise, counterclockwise, and no hysteresis. Changes in concentration (ΔC) and the hysteresis direction (ΔR) were used to quantify nitrogen ( and TKN) patterns during the runoff events. The transport mechanisms varied between compounds. The most frequent hysteretic response for was counterclockwise with enrichment. On the contrary, the main TKN dynamic was enrichment with clockwise hysteresis. Event characteristics, such as rainfall amount, peak discharge (i.e., maximum discharge of the runoff event), and event magnitude relative to the initial baseflow (i.e., the difference between the maximum discharge of the runoff event and the initial baseflow divided by initial baseflow) provided a better explanation for hysteresis direction and magnitude for TKN than antecedent conditions (antecedent precipitation and baseflow at the beginning of the event). For hysteresis, the role of hydrometeorological conditions was more complex. The hysteresis magnitude was related to the magnitude of the event relative to the initial baseflow and the time elapsed since a preceding runoff event. These findings could be used as a reference for the development of N mitigation strategy in the region.This research has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (grant no. REN2003-08143) and Xunta of Galicia (grant nos. PGIDIT05RAG10303PR and 10MDS103031PR)Xunta of Galicia; PGIDIT05RAG10303PRXunta of Galicia; 10MDS103031P

Las células dendríticas generadas en presencia de vitamina D3 y activadas con lipopolisacáridos incrementan la producción de IL-1β, IL-8 e IL-10 y disminuyen su capacidad de inducir LT CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+

Introduction: Vitamin D3 (VD3) has been described as a modulator of immune system cells, including dendritic cells (DC). Previous studies have shown its importance in in vitro generation of tolerogenic DC, which have a similar function and phenotype to that of CD141 dermal DCs that produce IL-10 and induce (LTreg) CD4+ T regulator cells. Objective: This paper presents a study that compares the phenotype and cytokines produced by DC generated in presence and absence of VD3, which were matured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and their ability to induce LTreg from naïve allogeneic CD4+ T cells. Materials and methods: In order to compare them, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated to select monocytes CD14+ T cells and differentiate them in vitro from DC in the presence and absence of VD3, and to mature them with LPS. Phenotype and cytokine levels were also analyzed in the culture supernatants. Dendritic cells were then co-cultured with naïve allogeneic CD4+ T cells and the frequencies of LTreg were determined (naïve-activated). Results: The results showed that unstimulated DC generated with VD3 kept the CD14. When activated with LPS, they expressed lower levels of C83, CD83 and CD86; HLA-DR; higher amounts of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and tended to lessen IL-6, IL-12p70 and TGF-β1, compared to DCs not treated with VD3. The frequency of naïve LTreg was similar, although immature DC generated with VD3 tended to induce activated LTregs. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that DCs generated with VD3 and treated with LPS presented a ‘semi-mature’ phenotype, and were able to secrete pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Besides, they did not increase their capacity to promote the polarization of naïve allogenic CD4+ T cells towards LTregs.Introducción. La vitamina D3 actúa como modulador de algunas células del sistema inmunitario, incluidas las células dendríticas. Varios estudios han reportado su importancia en la generación in vitro de células dendríticas tolerogénicas, similares en cuanto a fenotipo y función a las células dendríticas dérmicas CD141 productoras de IL-10 e inductoras de linfocitos T reguladores CD4+.Objetivo. Se compararon el fenotipo y las citocinas producidas por las células dendríticas generadas en ausencia o en presencia de la vitamina D3, y maduradas con lipopolisacáridos, así como su habilidad de inducir linfocitos T reguladores a partir de linfocitos T CD4+ vírgenes alogénicos.Materiales y métodos. Se aislaron células mononucleares de sangre periférica para seleccionar monocitos CD14+ y diferenciarlos in vitro de las células dendríticas en presencia o en ausencia de vitamina D3, y madurarlas con lipopolisacáridos. Se analizaron el fenotipo y los niveles de las citocinas en los sobrenadantes de cultivo. Se hizo un cocultivo de las células dendríticas con linfocitos T CD4+ vírgenes alogénicos y se determinaron las frecuencias de LTreg (vírgenes activados).Resultados. Las células dendríticas no estimuladas generadas con la vitamina D3 conservaron el CD14. Al activarlas con lipopolisacáridos, expresaron bajos niveles de C83, CD83 y CD86, HLA-DR, cantidades elevadas de IL-1β, IL-8 e IL-10, y una tendencia a la disminución de IL-6, IL-12p70 y TGF-β1 con respecto a las que no habían sido tratadas con la vitamina. La frecuencia de los LTreg vírgenes fue similar, aunque se observó una tendencia de las células dendríticas inmaduras generadas con la vitamina a inducir LTreg activados.Conclusión. Las células dendríticas generadas con vitamina D3 y tratadas con lipopolisacáridos presentaron un fenotipo ‘semimaduro’, así como la capacidad de secretar citocinas antiinflamatorias y citocinas promotoras de la reacción inflamatoria. Además, no se aumentó su capacidad de promover la polarización de LTCD4+ vírgenes alogénicos hacia LTreg

Obatoclax and Paclitaxel Synergistically Induce Apoptosis and Overcome Paclitaxel Resistance in Urothelial Cancer Cells

Paclitaxel is a treatment option for advanced or metastatic bladder cancer after the failure of first-line cisplatin and gemcitabine, although resistance limits its clinical benefits. Mcl-1 is an anti-apoptotic protein that promotes resistance to paclitaxel in different tumors. Obatoclax, a BH3 mimetic of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, antagonizes Mcl-1 and hence may reverse paclitaxel resistance in Mcl-1-overexpressing tumors. In this study, paclitaxel-sensitive 5637 and -resistant HT1197 bladder cancer cells were treated with paclitaxel, obatoclax, or combinations of both. Apoptosis, cell cycle, and autophagy were measured by Western blot, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, Mcl-1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in bladder carcinoma tissues. Our results confirmed that paclitaxel alone induced Mcl-1 downregulation and apoptosis in 5637, but not in HT1197 cells; however, combinations of obatoclax and paclitaxel sensitized HT1197 cells to the treatment. In obatoclax-treated 5637 and obatoclax + paclitaxel-treated HT1197 cells, the blockade of the autophagic flux correlated with apoptosis and was associated with caspase-dependent cleavage of beclin-1. Obatoclax alone delayed the cell cycle in 5637, but not in HT1197 cells, whereas combinations of both retarded the cell cycle and reduced mitotic slippage. In conclusion, obatoclax sensitizes HT1197 cells to paclitaxel-induced apoptosis through the blockade of the autophagic flux and effects on the cell cycle. Furthermore, Mcl-1 is overexpressed in many invasive bladder carcinomas, and it is related to tumor progression, so Mcl-1 expression may be of predictive value in bladder cancer.España, Sistema Público Andaluz Biobanco y ISCIII-Red de Biobancos PT17/0015/004