Contrasting intrainterstadial climatic evolution between high and middle North Atlantic latitudes: A close-up of Greenland Interstadials 8 and 12

Three highly resolved pollen and sea surface temperature records from the Iberian margin (36â "42°N) reveal the local evolution of vegetation and climate associated with the rapid climatic variability of marine isotope stage 3. The comparison of the climate at these midlatitudes with δD and d excess from Greenland ice cores shows that the northâ south climatic gradient underwent strong variations during the long Greenland Interstadials (GIs) 8 and 12. After the Northern Hemispheric rapid warming at the Greenland Stadial (GS)â GI transition, the trend during the first part of the GI is a Greenland cooling and an Iberian warming. This increase of the North Atlantic climatic gradient led to moisture transportation to Greenland from midlatitudes (lightest d excess) and to a drying episode in Iberia. The subsequent temperature decrease in Greenland and Iberia associated with the precipitation increase in the latter region occurred when the major source of Greenland precipitation shifted to lower latitudes (d excess increase)

Structural and functional interaction between polyamine related molecules and biological membranes

La comunicación describe el conocimiento actual sobre las interacciones de biomoléculas relacionadas con el metabolismo de poliaminas con las estructuras y funciones de las membranas biológicasChanges induced by PA on nucleic acid (NA) conformation and synthesis is proven to be a major reason for PA essentiality (1-3). However, PA interactions with other polyanions, for instance polyanionic membrane lipid bilayers and glyosaminoglycans have received less attention (3-4). The functional importance of these interactions still is an obscure but interesting area of cell and molecular biology, especially in mammalian cells for which specific PA transport systems are not fully characterized (5). In mammals, activity and turnover of the polyamine (PA) synthesis key enzyme is controlled by a set of proteins: Antizymes (OAZ1-3) and antizyme inhibitors (AZIN1 and 2). It is demonstrated that AOZ modulate polyamine uptake (6), and that PA transport to mitochondria is linked to the respiratory chain state and modulates mitochondrial permeability transition (7). Antizyme expression variants have been located in mitochondria, being proposed as a proapoptotic factor (7-8). AZIN 2 is only expressed in a reduced set of tissues that includes mast cells, where it is associated to mast cell granules membrane (9). This fact, together to the abnormalities observed in bone marrow derived mast cell granules when they are differentiated under restricted PA synthesis conditions (10 and unpublished results), point out to important roles of PA and their related proteins in structure and function of mast cell granules. We will also present novel biophysical results on tripartite interactions of PA that remark the interest of the characterization of PA interactions with lipid bilayers for biomedicine and biotechnology. Thus, the information reported in this paper integrates previously reported information with our still unpublished results, all indicating that PA and their related proteins also are important factors for structure and dynamics of biological membranes and their associated functions essential in human physiology; for instance, solute interchange with the environment (uptake and secretion), oxidative metabolism and apoptosis. The importance of these involved processes for human homeostasis claim for further research efforts. 1. Ruiz-Chica J, Medina MA, Sánchez-Jiménez F and Ramírez FJ (2001) Fourier Transform Raman study of the structural specificities on the interaction between DNA and biogenic polyamines. Biophysical J. 80:443-454. 2. Lightfoot HL, Hall J (2014) Endogenous polyamine function--the RNA perspective. Nucleic Acids Res. 42:11275-11290. 3. Igarashi K, Kashiwagi K (2010) Modulation of cellular function by polyamines. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 42:39-51. 4. Finger S, Schwieger C, Arouri A, Kerth A, Blume A (2014) Interaction of linear polyamines with negatively charged phospholipids: the effect of polyamine charge distance. Biol Chem. 395:769-778. 5. Poulin R, Casero RA, Soulet D. (2012) Recent advances in the molecular biology of metazoan polyamine transport. Amino Acids. 42:711-723. 6. Kahana C (2009) Regulation of cellular polyamine levels and cellular proliferation by antizyme and antizyme inhibitor. Essays Biochem. 4:47-61. 7. Agostinelli E, Marques MP, Calheiros R, Gil FP, Tempera G, Viceconte N, Battaglia V, Grancara S, Toninello A (2010) Polyamines: fundamental characters in chemistry and biology. Amino Acids 38:393-403. 8. Liu GY, Liao YF, Hsu PC, Chang WH, Hsieh MC, Lin CY, Hour TC, Kao MC, Tsay GJ, Hung HC (2006) Antizyme, a natural ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, induces apoptosis of haematopoietic cells through mitochondrial membrane depolarization and caspases' cascade. Apoptosis 11:1773-1788. 9. Kanerva K, Lappalainen J, Mäkitie LT, Virolainen S, Kovanen PT, Andersson LC (2009). Expression of antizyme inhibitor 2 in mast cells and role of polyamines as selective regulators of serotonin secretion. PLoS One 31:e6858. 10. García-Faroldi G, Rodríguez CE, Urdiales JL, Pérez-Pomares JM, Dávila JC, Pejler G, Sánchez-Jiménez F, Fajardo I (2010) Polyamines are present in mast cell secretory granules and are important for granule homeostasis. PLoS One 30:e15071.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Association between Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Breakfast Quality with Physical Fitness in School Children: The HIIT Project

Dietary habits have been linked with health in childhood. However, few studies have examined the association between healthy dietary patterns and physical fitness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the associations of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) and breakfast quality with physical fitness in children. Further to this, we examined the role of physical activity in these associations. A total of 175 children (86 girls, 9.7 ± 0.3 years) participated. Adherence to MDP and breakfast quality were assessed by the KIDMED questionnaire and 24 h recall, respectively. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and speed–agility were assessed. Physical activity was evaluated by wrist-worn accelerometers. Greater adherence to the MDP was related with higher cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-limbs muscular strength, and speed–agility (all β ≥ 0.189, all p ≤ 0.02). No significant associations were observed between breakfast quality and physical fitness (all p > 0.05). However, all the significant associations disappeared after adjusting for physical activity (all p > 0.05). Our study sheds light on the relevance of adhering to the MDP over physical fitness in school children. However, there is no association between breakfast quality and physical fitness. Furthermore, physical activity seems to explain, at least partially, these findings.The HIIT project was supported by the Plan de Promoción de Grupos de Investigación of the Public University of Navarra. C.C.-S. is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (FJC2018-037925-I). L.A. is supported by the Education Department of the Government of the Basque Country (PRE_2016_1_0057, PRE_2017_2_0224, PRE_2018_2_0057, PRE_2019_2_0004). M.A. is supported by a grant from the University of the Basque Country (PIF17/186). M.O. is supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, grant number; BES-2017-080770

Enhanced suppresion of localization in a continuous Random-Dimer Model

We consider a one-dimensional continuous (Kronig-Penney) extension of the (tight-binding) Random Dimer model of Dunlap et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 88 (1990)]. We predict that the continuous model has infinitely many resonances (zeroes of the reflection coefficient) giving rise to extended states instead of the one resonance arising in the discrete version. We present exact, transfer-matrix numerical calculations supporting, both realizationwise and on the average, the conclusion that the model has a very large number of extended states.Comment: 10 pages, 3 Figures available on request, REVTeX 3.0, MA/UC3M/1/9

Impact of Liver Inflammation on Bile Acid Side Chain Shortening and Amidation

Bile acid; Inflammation; Oncostatin MÀcid biliar; Inflamació; Oncostatina MÁcido biliar; Inflamación; Oncostatina MBile acid (BA) synthesis from cholesterol by hepatocytes is inhibited by inflammatory cytokines. Whether liver inflammation also affects BA side chain shortening and conjugation was investigated. In human liver cell lines (IHH, HepG2, and HepaRG), agonists of nuclear receptors including the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), liver X receptor (LXR), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) did not affect the expression of BA-related peroxisomal enzymes. In contrast, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) inhibition down-regulated acyl-CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2). ACOX2 was repressed by fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), which was prevented by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibition. These changes were paralleled by altered BA synthesis (HPLC-MS/MS). Cytokines able to down-regulate cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) had little effect on peroxisomal enzymes involved in BA synthesis except for ACOX2 and bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAAT), which were down-regulated, mainly by oncostatin M (OSM). This effect was prevented by Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition, which restored BA side chain shortening and conjugation. The binding of OSM to the extracellular matrix accounted for a persistent effect after culture medium replacement. In silico analysis of four databases (n = 201) and a validation cohort (n = 90) revealed an inverse relationship between liver inflammation and ACOX2/BAAT expression which was associated with changes in HNF4α levels. In conclusion, BA side chain shortening and conjugation are inhibited by inflammatory effectors. However, other mechanisms involved in BA homeostasis counterbalance any significant impact on the serum BA profile.This study was supported by the CIBERehd (EHD15PI05/2016) and Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (PI19/00819, PI20/00189, and PI20/01663 co-funded by European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund, “Investing in your future”); Junta de Castilla y Leon (SA074P20); Fundació Marato TV3 (Ref. 201916/31), Spain; AECC Scientific Foundation (2017/2020), Spain; Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) at the University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Germany (Project A-E-384 to H.M.H.); grants PID2019-111669-RB-I00, PID2020-115055RB-I00 from Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), Spain; the AGAUR of the Generalidad de Cataluña SGR-2017-1112, Spain; and European Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST) Action CA17112. R.E.E was recipient of a predoctoral fellowship from “Junta de Castilla y León” and “Fondo Social Europeo” (EDU/574/2018). J.A. was recipient of a grant from Fundación Echebano (2020–2022)

Density dependence in marine protected populations: a review

The cessation or reduction of fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs) should promote an increase in abundance and mean size and age of previously exploited populations. Thus density-dependent changes in life-history characteristics should occur when populations are allowed to recover in MPAs. In this review, we synthesize the existing information on resource limitation in marine ecosystems, density-dependent changes in life-history traits of exploited populations and evidence for biomass export from MPAs. Most evidence for compensatory changes in biological variables has been derived from observations on populations depleted by high fishing mortality or on strong year classes, but these changes are more evident in juveniles than in adults and in freshwater rather than in marine systems. It is unclear if adults of exploited marine populations are resource limited. This may suggest that exploited populations are controlled mainly by density-independent processes, which could be a consequence of the depleted state of most exploited populations. MPAs could be a useful tool for testing these hypotheses. If we assume that resources become limiting inside MPAs, it is plausible that, if suitable habitats exist, mobile species will search for resources outside of the MPAs, leading to export of biomass to areas which are fished. However, it is not possible to establish from the available data whether this export will be a response to resource limitation inside the MPAs, the result of random movements across MPA boundaries or both. We discuss the implications of this process for the use of MPAs as fisheries management tools.Financial support was provided by the EU CEC DGXII – MAST III contract number: MAS3-ct97-0155

Revisión de los efectos de la protección en las áreas marinas protegidas: conocimiento y deficiencias actuales

This work was carried out with financial support from the Commission of the European Community, specific RTD program 'Specific Support to Policies', SSP–2003–006539 'European Marine Protected Areas as Tools for Fisheries Management and Conservation (EMPAFISH)'.The effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the conservation of marine environments must be based on reliable information on the quality of the marine environment that can be obtained in a reasonable timeframe. We reviewed studies that evaluated all aspects related to the effectiveness of MPAs in order to describe how the studies were conducted and to detect fields in which research is lacking. Existing parameters used to evaluate the effectiveness of MPAs are summarised. Two–hundred and twenty–two publications were reviewed. We identified the most commonly used study subjects and methodological approaches. Most of the studies concentrated on biological parameters. Peer reviewed studies were based on control vs. impact design. BACI and mBACI designs were used in very few studies. Through this review, we have identified gaps in the objectives assigned to MPAs and the way in which they have been evaluated. We suggest some guidelines aimed at improving the assessment of the effects of protection in MPAs.La efectividad de las áreas marinas protegidas (AMPs) y la conservación del medio ambiente marino debe basarse en información fiable sobre la calidad del medio marino que pueda obtenerse en un plazo de tiempo razonable. Se revisaron estudios que evalúan aspectos relacionados con la efectividad de las AMPs con el fin de describir cómo se realizaron los estudios y detectar donde existen vacíos en la investigación. En este estudio se enumeran los parámetros existentes para evaluar la efectividad de las AMPs. Se revisaron 224 publicaciones. Identificamos los objetos de estudio más utilizados y los enfoques metodológicos. La mayoría de los estudios se centran en el estudio de parámetros biológicos. Los estudios publicados se basaron en el diseño control frente a impacto. En muy pocos estudios se utilizaron diseños de muestreo BACI y mBACI. A través de esta revisión, se han identificado deficiencias en los objetivos de las AMPs y en la manera como han sido evaluados. Como conclusión sugerimos algunas pautas para mejorar la evaluación de los efectos de la protección en estas zonas

Colorectal video-assisted surgery in Uruguay, after 106 cases

Marcelo Viola Malet: Clínica Quirúrgica “B”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Marcelo Laurini: Clínica Quirúrgica “3”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Justino Zeballos: Clínica Quirúrgica “B”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Nicolás Muniz: Clínica Quirúrgica “B”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Pablo Rodríguez Goñi: Clínica Quirúrgica “F”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Fernando Castelli: . Clínica Quirúrgica “A”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Gustavo Sánchez: Clínica Quirúrgica “2”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- César Canessa: Clínica Quirúrgica “B”. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Humberto Viola: Departamento de Cirugía, MUCAM, Montevideo, Uruguay. Contacto: Marcelo Viola Malet. E-mail: [email protected] advenimiento de la cirugía laparoscópica ha tenido un gran impacto en la cirugía gastrointestinal en los últimos 20 años. En particular la cirugía laparoscópica colorrectal es sin dudas el desarrollo técnico más importante en la cirugía de colon y recto de los últimos 15 años, y probablemente tendrá un impacto significativo en la formación quirúrgica y en los resultados de esta cirugía. En este trabajo intentamos reflejar nuestra experiencia en la cirugía laparoscópica colorrectal refiriéndonos a los aspectos fundamentalmente técnicos, el instrumental y nuestros resultados a corto y mediano plazo con este tipo de abordaje para la patología colorrectal. Contamos con experiencia en 106 casos de cirugía colorrectal laparoscópica, 63 hombres y 43 mujeres, desde noviembre de 2007 hasta marzo de 2014. En los últimos 4 años se operaron un promedio de 22 pacientes por año. Nuestra serie presentó un índice de falla de sutura del 4.72% y una mortalidad operatoria del 3.7%. El seguimiento promedio de los pacientes fue de 22 meses, con un mínimo de 1 y un máximo de 59 meses. La sobrevida global de la serie fue de 96.9%, con una media de sobrevida de 56.8 meses (IC: 54.3 – 59.2 meses); y una sobrevida libre de enfermedad de 90.7%, con una media de tiempo libre de la enfermedad de 52.2 meses (IC: 48.2 -56.3 meses). La cirugía laparoscópica colorrectal es factible y segura, con cifras de morbimortalidad similares a las presentadas en series a nivel mundial, tanto en cirugía laparoscópica como laparotómica, así como en la radicalidad oncológica de las resecciones.The advent of laparoscopic surgery has had a huge impact on gastrointestinal surgery in the past 20 years. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is undoubtedly the most important technical development of the past 15 years, and will very likely have a significant impact on surgical training and on the results of this surgery. In recent years, significant events have happened in the history of surgery that have led us to develop new concepts, new terms, and different ways of performing the same techniques. In this paper we try to show our experience in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, mainly referring to the technical aspects, tools and our results in the short and medium term with this type of approach for colorectal disease. We have done 106 laparoscopic colorectal surgeries, 63 men and 43 women were operated since November 2007 to March 2014. In the last 4 years an average of 22 patients were operated per year. Our series presents a suture failure rate of 4.72% and an operative mortality of 3.7%. The average patient follow-up was 22 months, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 59 months. Overall survival in the series was 96.9%, with a median survival of 56.7 months (CI: 54.3 to 59.2 months) and disease free survival of 90.7% with a half off due to illness 52.2 months (CI: 48.2 to 56.3 months). Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is feasible and safe, with figures similar to those presented in series worldwide, both in laparotomic and laparoscopic surgery, as well as in cancer morbidity radical resections

Landscape-scale drivers of glacial ecosystem change in the montane forests of the eastern Andean flank, Ecuador

Understanding the impact of landscape-scale disturbance events during the last glacial period is vital in accu- rately reconstructing the ecosystem dynamics of montane environments. Here, a sedimentary succession from the tropical montane cloud forest of the eastern Andean flank of Ecuador provides evidence of the role of non- climate drivers of vegetation change (volcanic events, fire regime and herbivory) during the late-Pleistocene. Multiproxy analysis (pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, charcoal, geochemistry and carbon content) of the se- diments, radiocarbon dated to ca. 45–42 ka, provide a snap shot of the depositional environment, vegetation community and non-climate drivers of ecosystem dynamics. The geomorphology of the Vinillos study area, along with the organic‐carbon content, and aquatic remains suggest deposition took place near a valley floor in a swamp or shallow water environment. The pollen assemblage initially composed primarily of herbaceous types (Poaceae-Asteraceae-Solanaceae) is replaced by assemblages characterised by Andean forest taxa, (first Melastomataceae-Weinmannia-Ilex, and later, Alnus-Hedyosmum-Myrica). The pollen assemblages have no modern analogues in the tropical montane cloud forest of Ecuador. High micro-charcoal and rare macro-charcoal abundances co-occur with volcanic tephra deposits suggesting transportation from extra-local regions and that volcanic eruptions were an important source of ignition in the wider glacial landscape. The presence of the coprophilous fungi Sporormiella reveals the occurrence of herbivores in the glacial montane forest landscape. Pollen analysis indicates a stable regional vegetation community, with changes in vegetation population co- varying with large volcanic tephra deposits suggesting that the structure of glacial vegetation at Vinillos was driven by volcanic activity