Use of natural substances (vitamins and chitin) to modulate response to viral or protozoan infections and tumors in farmed gilthead seabream Sparus auratus L., 1758

The immunomodulatory effect of several substances on teleost fishes' immune systems has been widely studied. However, those studies have rarely assessed natural cytotoxic response. Thus, the aim of the present work was to examine the possible immunomodulatory impact on the natural cytotoxic response of the gilthead seabream Sparus auratus L., 1758 of using vitamins C and E and chitin as dietary supplements. Our results show that the correct administration of these naturally occurring substances enhances cytotoxic activity, leading to a better response to viral and protozoan infections and tumors; however, this method is only effective when the supplements are administered at proper dosages and during optimal periods of time.Aunque el efecto inmunomodulador de diversas sustancias sobre algunas respuestas del sistema inmunitario de peces teleósteos ha sido ampliamente estudiado, la respuesta citotóxica natural casi no se ha evaluado. En el presente trabajo el estudio se centró en el posible efecto inmunomodulador del suplemento dietético de vitaminas C y E y de quitina, todas sustancias naturales, sobre la respuesta citotóxica natural de doradas Sparus auratus L., 1758. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la administración de estas sustancias produce una estimulación de dicha respuesta citotóxica, lo que supone la mejora de su capacidad de reacción frente a una posible infección viral o protozoaria y frente a tumores, siempre que su administración sea en dosis apropiadas y durante periodos óptimos.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Programmed cell senescence during mammalian embryonic development

Cellular senescence disables proliferation in damaged cells, and it is relevant for cancer and aging. Here, we show that senescence occurs during mammalian embryonic development at multiple locations, including the mesonephros and the endolymphatic sac of the inner ear, which we have analyzed in detail. Mechanistically, senescence in both structures is strictly dependent on p21, but independent of DNA damage, p53, or other cell-cycle inhibitors, and it is regulated by the TGF-beta/SMAD and PI3K/FOXO pathways. Developmentally programmed senescence is followed by macrophage infiltration, clearance of senescent cells, and tissue remodeling. Loss of senescence due to the absence of p21 is partially compensated by apoptosis but still results in detectable developmental abnormalities. Importantly, the mesonephros and endolymphatic sac of human embryos also show evidence of senescence. We conclude that the role of developmentally programmed senescence is to promote tissue remodeling and propose that this is the evolutionary origin of damage-induced senescence

Preventive dietary supplements of chitin and yeast wall in gilthead seabream

To determine the immunomodulatory effect of the dietary intake of commercial chitin and yeast cell walls in gilthead seabream, Sparus auratus Linnaeus, 1758, specimens were fed diets containing different concentrations of chitin or yeast cell walls for 1, 2, 4 or 6 weeks. Subsequently, their main humoral (lysozyme and complement activities) and cellular (respiratory burst, phagocytic and citotoxic activities) immune responses were analysed. Our results show an increase in most of these immune parameters after 2 weeks of administration, suggesting that specimens fed such supplemented diets would be better prepared to confront an unfavourable situation (infection or stress).Se ha estudiado el efecto de la quitina comercial y de paredes de levadura suministradas en dieta sobre el sistema inmunitario de ejemplares de dorada, Sparus auratus Linnaeus, 1758, sometidos a engorde. Tras 1, 2, 4 y 6 semanas de suministro de dichas dietas, los ejemplares fueron sacrificados y se estudiaron las principales actividades humorales (actividad de la lisozima y del complemento) y celulares (explosión respiratoria, fagocitosis y citotoxicidad) de su sistema inmunitario inespecífico. Los resultados obtenidos indican que, tras dos semanas de suministro de dichas dietas, se observa un incremento de la mayoría de las variables del sistema inmunitario controladas. Esta situación hace prever que los ejemplares están mejor preparados para enfrentarse a una situación desfavorable (infección o estrés).Instituto Español de Oceanografí

The underlying process of early ecological and genetic differentiation in a facultative mutualistic Sinorhizobium meliloti population

The question of how genotypic and ecological units arise and spread in natural microbial populations remains controversial in the field of evolutionary biology. Here, we investigated the early stages of ecological and genetic differentiation in a highly clonal sympatric Sinorhizobium meliloti population. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that a large DNA region of the symbiotic plasmid pSymB was replaced in some isolates with a similar synteny block carrying densely clustered SNPs and displaying gene acquisition and loss. Two different versions of this genomic island of differentiation (GID) generated by multiple genetic exchanges over time appear to have arisen recently, through recombination in a particular clade within this population. In addition, these isolates display resistance to phages from the same geographic region, probably due to the modification of surface components by the acquired genes. Our results suggest that an underlying process of early ecological and genetic differentiation in S. meliloti is primarily triggered by acquisition of genes that confer resistance to soil phages within particular large genomic DNA regions prone to recombination.España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO 2014-51953-

ANAIS status report

We report the status of the ANAIS (Annual modulation with NAI Scintillators) experiment focusing on the developments towards the improvement of the background level of our detectors and the reduction of the energy threshold

MULTICAGE CAD-4 para la detección de adicciones conductuales: validez estructural después de la inclusión de una escala en el abuso de teléfonos inteligentes

Addictive behaviors are not limited to drugs use, but also include certain daily behaviors that can cause gratification. Their progression to more severe pathological patterns entails grave consequences for the individual, including multiple psychopathological manifestations. The early detection of this type of behavior is of concern to primary health care. Therefore, in order to detect risk at early stages, reliable and valid tools for daily practice are essential. The MULTICAGE CAD-4 questionnaire is a screening tool for simultaneously detecting addictive behaviors. This study includes a new scale for the detection of smartphone abuse. The objective is to evaluate the adequacy of its psychometric properties. A sample of 2,074 subjects that were recruited from primary care centers ofMadrid(Spain) completed the MULTICAGE CAD-4 questionnaire. A confirmatory factor analysis, using unweighted least squares method, was performed. The test showed good internal consistency both at item and scale levels. The questionnaire structure was consistent with theoretical expectations. The MULTICAGE CAD-4, including the new smartphone scale, is a robust, reliable tool with a valid structure for assessing the presence of dysfunctional or potentially addictive behaviors, and especially useful in primary health care services.Los comportamientos adictivos no se limitan al uso de drogas, sino que también incluyen ciertos comportamientos diarios que pueden causar gratificación. Su progresión a patrones patológicos más severos conlleva graves consecuencias para el individuo, incluidas múltiples manifestaciones psicopatológicas. La detección temprana de este tipo de comportamiento es de interés para la atención primaria de salud. Por lo tanto, para detectar riesgos en etapas tempranas, las herramientas confiables y válidas para la práctica diaria son esenciales. El cuestionario MULTICAGE CAD-4 es una herramienta de detección para detectar simultáneamente conductas adictivas. Este estudio incluye una nueva escala para la detección del abuso de teléfonos inteligentes. El objetivo es evaluar la adecuación de sus propiedades psicométricas. Una muestra de 2.074 sujetos reclutados en centros de atención primaria de Madrid (España) completó el cuestionario MULTICAGE CAD-4. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio, utilizando el método de mínimos cuadrados no ponderados. La prueba mostró una buena consistencia interna tanto a nivel del ítem como de las escalas. La estructura del cuestionario fue consistente con las expectativas teóricas. El MULTICAGE CAD-4, incluida la nueva escala para teléfonos inteligentes, es una herramienta robusta y confiable con una estructura válida para evaluar la presencia de comportamientos disfuncionales o potencialmente adictivos, y especialmente útil en servicios de atención primaria de salud

Morphology of the megalopa of the mud crab, Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould, 1841) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Panopeidae), identified by DNA barcode.

The morphology of the megalopa stage of the panopeid Rhithropanopeus harrisii is redescribed and illustrated in detail from plankton specimens identified by DNA barcode (16S mtDNA) as previous descriptions do not meet the current standard of brachyuran larval description. Several morphological characters vary widely from those of other panopeid species which could cast some doubt on the species’ placement in the same family. Besides, some anomalous megalopae of R. harrisii were found among specimens reared at the laboratory from zoeae collected in the plankton. These anomalous morphological features are discussed in terms of problems associated with laboratory rearing conditions

Identification of EP300 as a Key Gene Involved in Antipsychotic-Induced Metabolic Dysregulation Based on Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis of Multi-Tissue Gene Expression Data

Antipsychotics (APs) are associated with weight gain and other metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. This translational study aimed to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms and identify the key genes involved in AP-induced metabolic effects. An integrative gene expression analysis was performed in four different mouse tissues (striatum, liver, pancreas and adipose) after risperidone or olanzapine treatment. The analytical approach combined the identification of the gene co-expression modules related to AP treatment, gene set enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network construction. We found several co-expression modules of genes involved in glucose and lipid homeostasis, hormone regulation and other processes related to metabolic impairment. Among these genes, EP300, which encodes an acetyltransferase involved in transcriptional regulation, was identified as the most important hub gene overlapping the networks of both APs. Then, we explored the genetically predicted EP300 expression levels in a cohort of 226 patients with first-episode psychosis who were being treated with APs to further assess the association of this gene with metabolic alterations. The EP300 expression levels were significantly associated with increases in body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and triglyceride concentrations after 6 months of AP treatment. Taken together, our analysis identified EP300 as a key gene in AP-induced metabolic abnormalities, indicating that the dysregulation of EP300 function could be important in the development of these side effects. However, more studies are needed to disentangle the role of this gene in the mechanism of action of APs. Keywords: EP300; antipsychotics; gene; gene expression; metabolic syndrome; microarray; pharmacogenetics; weight gain

Secondary CoQ10 deficiency, bioenergetics unbalance in disease and aging

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency is a rare disease characterized by a decreased accumulation of CoQ10 in cell membranes. Considering that CoQ10 synthesis and most of its functions are carried out in mitochondria, CoQ10 deficiency cases are usually considered a mitochondrial disease. A relevant feature of CoQ10 deficiency is that it is the only mitochondrial disease with a successful therapy available, the CoQ10 supplementation. Defects in components of the synthesis machinery caused by mutations in COQ genes generate the primary deficiency of CoQ10. Mutations in genes that are not directly related to the synthesis machinery cause secondary deficiency. Cases of CoQ10 deficiency without genetic origin are also considered a secondary deficiency. Both types of deficiency can lead to similar clinical manifestations, but the knowledge about primary deficiency is deeper than secondary. However, secondary deficiency cases may be underestimated since many of their clinical manifestations are shared with other pathologies. This review shows the current state of secondary CoQ10 deficiency, which could be even more relevant than primary deficiency for clinical activity. The analysis covers the fundamental features of CoQ10 deficiency, which are necessary to understand the biological and clinical differences between primary and secondary CoQ10 deficiencies. Further, a more in-depth analysis of CoQ10 secondary deficiency was undertaken to consider its origins, introduce a new way of classification, and include aging as a form of secondary deficiency.Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía, Grant/Award Numbers: UPO-1259581, UPO-126247, UPO-1265673; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Grant/Award Number: PI17/01286; Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Grant/Award Numbers: FPU14/04873, FPU16/0326