Population Genetic Structure of the Grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans in the South and East of the Iberian Peninsula

The grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans subsp. plorans harbors a very widespread polymorphism for supernumerary (B) chromosomes which appear to have arisen recently. These chromosomes behave as genomic parasites because they are harmful for the individuals carrying them and show meiotic drive in the initial stages of population invasion. The rapid increase in B chromosome frequency at intrapopulation level is thus granted by meiotic drive, but its spread among populations most likely depends on interpopulation gene flow. We analyze here the population genetic structure in 10 natural populations from two regions (in the south and east) of the Iberian Peninsula. The southern populations were coastal whereas the eastern ones were inland populations located at 260–655 m altitude. The analysis of 97 ISSR markers revealed significant genetic differentiation among populations (average GST = 0.129), and the Structure software and AMOVA indicated a significant genetic differentiation between southern and eastern populations. There was also significant isolation by distance (IBD) between populations. Remarkably, these results were roughly similar to those found when only the markers showing low or no dropout were included, suggesting that allelic dropout had negligible effects on population genetic analysis. We conclude that high gene flow helped this parasitic B chromosome to spread through most of the geographical range of the subspecies E. plorans plorans.This study was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (CGL2009-11917), and was partially performed by FEDER funds. MIMP was supported by a fellowship (FPU) from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Evaluation of W/P Ratio, Setting Time and Compressive Strength of Dental Stone Type III and IV Marketed in Jakarta

Dental gypsum products in Indonesia are mainly imported from countries with non-tropical weather. Mostly, these gypsum products marketed in Jakarta are without adequate packaging, data or manipulative and maintenance instructions, which can cause misuse & abuse in the materials manipulation and handling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the W/P ratio, setting time and compressive strength of dental stone type III and IV in relation with room temperature condition and relative humidity in Jakarta, Indonesia. One hundred and eighty dental stone Type III (unlabelled Blue Hard Stone; Giludur, Germany: Moldaroc, Germany) and Type IV (New Fujirock, Japan; Glastone, USA; unlabelled Quickstone) specimens were made as recommended by ISO 6873-1983 for setting time (with Vicat needle) and compressive strength determination (Shimadzu mechanical testing machine) with W/P ratio variables of 0.28; 0.29; 0.30 for Type III and 0.20; 0.21; 0.22 for type IV. The tests were conducted in 2 rooms with different temperature and humidity and with and without air-conditioned. Statistical analysis using T-test. The results shows that the increasing of W/P ratio will decrease the dental stone type III and IV setting time. Jakarta condition of high room temperature and relative humidity significantly shorten the setting time of Moldaroc and New Fujirock. The rest of the stones were reduced statistically insignificant. It can be concluded that the temperature and humidity in Jakarta can influence the setting time and compressive strength of dental stone type III and IV. However, since the setting time and strength values are still within the ISO standard, these stones can be accepted and used in Indonesia

Evaluation of W/P Ratio, Setting Time and Compressive Strength of Dental Stone Type III and IV Marketed in Jakarta

Dental gypsum products in Indonesia are mainly imported from countries with non-tropical weather. Mostly, these gypsum products marketed in Jakarta are without adequate packaging, data or manipulative and maintenance instructions, which can cause misuse & abuse in the materials manipulation and handling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the W/P ratio, setting time and compressive strength of dental stone type III and IV in relation with room temperature condition and relative humidity in Jakarta, Indonesia. One hundred and eighty dental stone Type III (unlabelled Blue Hard Stone; Giludur, Germany: Moldaroc, Germany) and Type IV (New Fujirock, Japan; Glastone, USA; unlabelled Quickstone) specimens were made as recommended by ISO 6873-1983 for setting time (with Vicat needle) and compressive strength determination (Shimadzu mechanical testing machine) with W/P ratio variables of 0.28; 0.29; 0.30 for Type III and 0.20; 0.21; 0.22 for type IV. The tests were conducted in 2 rooms with different temperature and humidity and with and without air-conditioned. Statistical analysis using T-test. The results shows that the increasing of W/P ratio will decrease the dental stone type III and IV setting time. Jakarta condition of high room temperature and relative humidity significantly shorten the setting time of Moldaroc and New Fujirock. The rest of the stones were reduced statistically insignificant. It can be concluded that the temperature and humidity in Jakarta can influence the setting time and compressive strength of dental stone type III and IV. However, since the setting time and strength values are still within the ISO standard, these stones can be accepted and used in Indonesia

Relationship between absolute and relative ratios of glutamate, glutamine and GABA and severity of autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental pathology characterized by an impairment in social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors. Glutamate signaling abnormalities are thought to be considered as major etiological mechanisms leading to ASD. The search for amino-acidic catabolytes related to glutamate in patients with different levels of ASD might help current research to clarify the mechanisms underlying glutamate signaling and its disorders, particularly in relation to ASD. In the present study, plasma levels of the amino acids and their derivatives glutamate, glutamine, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), associated with their relative ratios, were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique in 40 male children with ASD and in 38 age- and gender-matched neurotypical health controls. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) was used to evaluate social cognition, and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was used to assess subjects' behaviors. Children with ASD exhibited a significant elevation of plasma GABA and glutamate/glutamine ratio, as well as significantly lower levels of plasma glutamine and glutamate/GABA ratios compared to controls. No significant correlation was found between glutamate levels and the severity of autism, measured by CARS and SRS. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the curve for GABA compared to other parameters was close to one, indicating its potential use as a biomarker. Glutamine appeared as the best predictive prognostic markers in the present study. The results of the present study indicate a disturbed balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in ASD. The study also indicates that an increased plasma level of GABA can be potentially used as an early diagnostic biomarker for ASD

Microsatellite DNA analysis of population structure in Cornops aquaticum (Orthoptera: Acrididae), over a cline for three Robertsonian translocations

The grasshopper Cornops aquaticum occurs between Mexico (23°N) and Uruguay and Central Argentina (35°S). It was recently introduced as a pest control agent of the neotropical water-hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes in South Africa. The information about the amount and distribution of genetic variability of the native populations may optimise the results of biological control programmes. Here we analyse microsatellite variability at the south of C. aquaticum’s distribution, coinciding with a cline for three polymorphic Robertsonian translocations along the Paraná River in order to: (1) estimate the amount of intrapopulation variation and its correlation with geographic/climatic variables, (2) infer interpopulation genetic variation and assess connectivity between local populations and (3) compare chromosome, morphometric and molecular variation patterns to analyse the probable causes involved in the maintenance of intraspecific variation. Our sample of 170 individuals of C. aquaticum from seven Argentine populations between latitudes 27°S to 34°S showed 211 alleles across seven microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity was estimated through average number of alleles, allelic richness, expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity. The analysis of molecular variance showed significant genetic differentiation among populations. Pairwise comparisons of FST/RST and Bayesian population assignment method and the discriminant analysis of principal components revealed that the two southernmost populations are more differentiated. Genetic diversity is negatively correlated with Southern latitude and with Robertsonian translocation frequencies. Our results showed that the Paraná River’s middle course populations are genetically undifferentiated and more genetically diverse than the highly chromosomally polymorphic downstream ones. The chromosomal polymorphisms are associated with increased body size in the direction in which larger size is adaptive. This may be relevant for C. aquaticum’s role as a pest control agent, since chromosome variability would enhance the ability of the species for a successful settlement in its new habitats, especially in temperate regions of the world.Fil: Romero, Maria Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Colombo, Pablo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Remis, Maria Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentin