Seasonal changes of nuclear DNA fragmentation in boar spermatozoa in Spain

There are numerous cases when conventional spermiogram parameters are all within an acceptable range but boar subfertility persists. The total sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation index (tDFI) is a trait related to fertility and prolificacy problems that is not routinely evaluated in commercial AI boars. The aim of this research was to study the effect of the photoperiod, season and reproductive age of the boar on tDFI (measured by SCSA) of 1279 ejaculates from 372 different boars belonging to 6 different breeds located in 6 AI studs in Spain. tDFI data ranged from 0.018% to 20.1%. Although there was a significant single boar effect in the tDFI occurrence, a negative correlation between the tDFI and the age of the boar was found (p < 0.001). tDFI would decrease due to aging of the boar 0.66% each year old within the observed age range. After including age as a covariate in the ANCOVA, no differences were found in tDFI between photoperiods when the sperm collection date was evaluated. However, when the date of the production of semen in the testis was evaluated, the total percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented nuclear DNA was 1.46% higher in the increasing photoperiod in comparison to the decreasing photoperiod (p < 0.0001). On the other hand, for both dates, the lowest tDFI values corresponded to minimum day length for decreasing photoperiod phase (autumn), while the highest tDFI values were found in summer (maximum day length for decreasing photoperiod phase)

Secondary loss of miR-3607 reduced cortical progenitor amplification during rodent evolution

The evolutionary expansion and folding of the mammalian cerebral cortex resulted from amplification of progenitor cells during embryonic development. This process was reversed in the rodent lineage after splitting from primates, leading to smaller and smooth brains. Genetic mechanisms underlying this secondary loss in rodent evolution remain unknown. We show that microRNA miR-3607 is expressed embryonically in the large cortex of primates and ferret, distant from the primate-rodent lineage, but not in mouse. Experimental expression of miR-3607 in embryonic mouse cortex led to increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling, amplification of radial glia cells (RGCs), and expansion of the ventricular zone (VZ), via blocking the β-catenin inhibitor APC (adenomatous polyposis coli). Accordingly, loss of endogenous miR-3607 in ferret reduced RGC proliferation, while overexpression in human cerebral organoids promoted VZ expansion. Our results identify a gene selected for secondary loss during mammalian evolution to limit RGC amplification and, potentially, cortex size in rodents.This work was supported by Santiago Grisolía predoctoral fellowship (K.C.), Generalitat Valenciana I+D+i programs grant APOSTD/2019/059 (A.C.), Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno predoctoral fellowship (A.P.-C.), Agencia Estatal de Investigación SVP-2014-068671 (A.V.), Spanish State Research Agency FPI contract (R.S.), Spanish State Research Agency grant RYC-2015-18056 (J.P.L.-A.), Spanish State Research Agency grant RTI2018-102260-B-100 (J.P.L.-A.), Spanish State Research Agency grant SAF2015-69168-R (V.B.), Spanish State Research Agency grant PGC2018-102172-B-I00 (V.B.), Spanish State Research Agency “Severo Ochoa” Programme for Centers of Excellence in R&D grant SEV-2017-0723 (V.B.), and European Research Council grant 309633 (V.B.).Peer reviewe

Spatial and temporal variability of the hydrological response in a small Mediterranean research catchment (Vallcebre, Eastern Pyrenees)

este artículo contiene 13 páginas, 7 figuras y 3 tablasThis paper analyses the spatial and temporal variability of the hydrological response in a small Mediterranean catchment (Cal Rod´o). The first part of the analysis focuses on the rainfall–runoff relationship at seasonal and monthly scale, using an 8-year data set. Then, using storm-flow volume and coefficient, the temporal variability of the rainfall–runoff relationship and its relationship with several hydrological variables are analysed at the event scale from hydrographs observed over a 3-year period. Finally, the spatial non-linearity of the hydrological response is examined by comparing the Cal Rod´o hydrological response with the Can Vila sub-catchment response at the event scale. Results show that, on a seasonal and monthly scale, there is no simple relationship between rainfall and runoff depths, and that evapotranspiration is a factor that introduced some non-linearity in the rainfall–runoff relationship. The analysis of monthly values also reveals the existence of a threshold in the relationship between rainfall and runoff depths, denoting a more contrasted hydrological response than the one usually observed in humid catchments. At the event scale, the storm-flow coefficient has a clear seasonal pattern with an alternance between a wet period, when the catchment is hydrologically responsive, and a dry summer period, when the catchment is much less reactive to any rainfall. The relationship between the storm-flow coefficient and rainfall depth, rainfall maximum intensity and base-flow shows that observed correlations are the same as those observed for humid conditions, even if correlation coefficients are notably lower. Comparison with the Can Vila sub-catchment highlights the spatial heterogeneity of the rainfall-runoff relationship at the small catchment scale. Although interpretation in terms of runoff processes remains delicate, heterogeneities between the two catchments seem to be related to changes in the ratio between infiltration excess and saturation processes in runoff formation.PIRIHEROS (REN2003-08678/HID) and CANOA (CGL2004-04919-C02-01) projects funded by the Spanish Government, and the TEMPQSIM (EVK1-CT-2002- 00112) project funded by the European Commission.Peer reviewe

Relaciones agua-suelo-vegetación.-Hidrología de un ambiente Mediterráneo de montaña. Las cuencas de Vallcebre (Pirineo Oriental) II. Relaciones precipitación-escorrentía y procesos hidrológicos

ABSTRACT Hydrological response and runoff processes have been studied in the Vallcebre research basins (North Eastern Spain) for almost 20 years. Results obtained allowed to build a more complete perceptual model of the hydrological functioning of Mediterranean mountains basins. On a seasonal and monthly scale, there was no simple relationship between rainfall and runoff depths. Monthly rainfall and runoff values revealed the existence of a threshold in the relationship between rainfall and runoff depths. At the event scale, the storm-flow coefficient had a clear seasonal pattern. The effect of the water table position on how rainfall and runoff volumes relate was observed. Examination of soil water potential and water table dynamics during representative floods helped to identify 3 types of characteristic hydrological behaviour during the year. Under dry conditions, runoff was generated essentially as infiltration excess runoff in low permeable areas, whereas saturation excess runoff dominated during wetting-up and wet conditions. During wetting-up transition, saturated areas resulted from the development of scattered perched water tables, whereas in wet conditions they were linked to the rise of the shallow water table

Morfología Fluvial.-Hidrología de un ambiente Mediterráneo de montaña. Las cuencas de Vallcebre (Pirineo Oriental) II. Relaciones precipitación-escorrentía y procesos hidrológicos

ABSTRACT The Vallcebre research catchments are located in a Mediterranean mountain area (Pyrenean range, NE Spain). These catchments were originally covered by Quercus pubescens Willd. and deforested for agricultural use in the past. Nowadays they are covered by mesophyle grasses with spontaneous afforestation by Pinus sylvestris L. In this context, different investigations studying water fluxes in the soil-vegetation-atmosphere continuum have been performed. The main objective of these studies is the analysis and modelling of the role of vegetation cover on the catchment water balance in a framework of climate and land use changes. The dynamics of rainfall interception and transpiration by Scots pines and pubescens oaks, are investigated in terms of their dependence on meteorological conditions, on soil moisture and water table depth. Furthermore, the role of vegetation on catchment water balance is analysed. The results underline: (i) the importance of rainfall interception losses by both tree species and the high temporal variability of this flux, (ii) the effect of forest covers on soil moisture and (iii) the differences in transpiration between species, showing Scots pines a strong reduction of transpiration during droughts. Modelling results indicate that TOPBAL model (a developed version of TOPMODEL for an improved simulation of the response of catchments with diverse vegetation covers and high climatic seasonality) improved the simulation of the catchment water balance

Desarrollo de nuevas vacunas frente a brucella ovis: estudio de genes implicados en la síntesis del núclo del lipopolisacárido

Brucella ovis produces a disease that affects sheep causing great economic losses. The only existing vaccine consists of live strain B. melitensis Rev 1. However, due to its ability to cause abortions in cattle, its infectivity in humans and its interference in the diagnosis of B. melitensis, Rev1 employment is prohibited in many areas where B. melitensis has been eradicated. In many of these areas, however, there is a high prevalence of B. ovis. Therefore, the development of new vaccines against infection by B. ovis is a must. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a virulence factor in Brucella. Recently it has been shown that the core of the LPS of B. abortus and B. melitensis is a branched structure, and at least three glycosyltransferases, wadA, wadB and wadC have been described to be involved in its synthesis. The present work found that these three genes are highly conserved in the species B. ovis. While mutation in the gene wadA in B. ovis did not generate alterations in the properties of the cell envelope and did not affect its survival in the murine model, wadB and wadC were involved in the synthesis of the core LPS of B. ovis. Furthermore, mutants wadB and wadC were attenuated and protected from an experimental B. ovis infection in the mouse model. The mutant wadB was the most effective, surpassing even the vaccine strain Rev 1. In silico analysis of genes related to the synthesis of LPS sequences allowed to observe a very high homology between them, greater than initially predicted. The sequence analysis showed that the mutation in the pseudogene manBcore, which generates a loss of two functional domains essential for the enzymatic activity is specific to B. ovis. In addition, B. ovis manBO-Ag gene deficiencies generated in the core of LPS caused alterations in the properties of the outer membrane. The sequence of manBO-Ag gene was identical in all strains of B. ovis studied except B. ovis REO. It is likely that the B. ovis manBO-Ag gene may be supplying manBcore gene activity. The strain B. ovis REO is recommended to obtain the antigen for the diagnosis of B. ovis. When compared with the strain B. ovis PA, differences in the cell envelope properties were found, compatible with the deletion of the gene manBO-Ag

Desarrollo de nuevas vacunas frente a brucella ovis: estudio de genes implicados en la síntesis del núclo del lipopolisacárido

Brucella ovis produces a disease that affects sheep causing great economic losses. The only existing vaccine consists of live strain B. melitensis Rev 1. However, due to its ability to cause abortions in cattle, its infectivity in humans and its interference in the diagnosis of B. melitensis, Rev1 employment is prohibited in many areas where B. melitensis has been eradicated. In many of these areas, however, there is a high prevalence of B. ovis. Therefore, the development of new vaccines against infection by B. ovis is a must. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a virulence factor in Brucella. Recently it has been shown that the core of the LPS of B. abortus and B. melitensis is a branched structure, and at least three glycosyltransferases, wadA, wadB and wadC have been described to be involved in its synthesis. The present work found that these three genes are highly conserved in the species B. ovis. While mutation in the gene wadA in B. ovis did not generate alterations in the properties of the cell envelope and did not affect its survival in the murine model, wadB and wadC were involved in the synthesis of the core LPS of B. ovis. Furthermore, mutants wadB and wadC were attenuated and protected from an experimental B. ovis infection in the mouse model. The mutant wadB was the most effective, surpassing even the vaccine strain Rev 1. In silico analysis of genes related to the synthesis of LPS sequences allowed to observe a very high homology between them, greater than initially predicted. The sequence analysis showed that the mutation in the pseudogene manBcore, which generates a loss of two functional domains essential for the enzymatic activity is specific to B. ovis. In addition, B. ovis manBO-Ag gene deficiencies generated in the core of LPS caused alterations in the properties of the outer membrane. The sequence of manBO-Ag gene was identical in all strains of B. ovis studied except B. ovis REO. It is likely that the B. ovis manBO-Ag gene may be supplying manBcore gene activity. The strain B. ovis REO is recommended to obtain the antigen for the diagnosis of B. ovis. When compared with the strain B. ovis PA, differences in the cell envelope properties were found, compatible with the deletion of the gene manBO-Ag

A Brucella spp. Isolate from a Pac-Man Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) Reveals Characteristics Departing from Classical Brucellae

Brucella are highly infectious bacterial pathogens responsible for brucellosis, a frequent worldwide zoonosis. The Brucella genus has recently expanded from 6 to 11 species, all of which were associated with mammals; The natural host range recently expanded to amphibians after some reports of atypical strains from frogs. Here we describe the first in depth phenotypic and genetic characterization of a Brucella strains isolated from a frog. Strain B13-0095 was isolated from a Pac-Man frog (Ceratophyrus ornate) at a veterinary hospital in Texas and was initially misidentified as Ochrobactrum anthropi. We found that B13-0095 belongs to a group of early-diverging brucellae that includes Brucella inopinata strain BO1 and the B. inopinata-like strain BO2, with traits that depart significantly from those of the ‘classical’ Brucella spp. Analysis of B13-0095 genome sequence revealed several specific features that suggest that this isolate represents an intermediate between a soil associated ancestor and the host adapted ‘classical’ species. Like strain BO2, B13-0095 does not possess the genes required to produce the perosamine based LPS found in classical Brucella, but has a set of genes that could encode a rhamnose based O-antigen. Despite this, B13-0095 has a very fast intracellular replication rate in both epithelial cells and macrophages. Finally, another major finding in this study is the bacterial motility observed for strains B13-0095, BO1 and BO2, which is remarkable for this bacterial genus.This study thus highlights several novel characteristics in strains belonging to an emerging group within the Brucella genus. Accurate identification tools for such atypical Brucella isolates and careful evaluation of their zoonotic potential, are urgently required