Characterization of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp. isolated from extreme sulphureous water from Los Baños de la Hedionda (S Spain)

Los Baños de la Hedionda (Málaga, S Spain) is a natural sulphureous spa (150-200 µM sulphide). Although this high sulphide levels can affect the photosynthetic process, there are numerous photosynthetic microorganisms inhabiting the spa. Among them, we isolated a strain of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp., a genus well known by its tolerance to sulphide. Objectives Firstly, to analyze the photosynthetic characteristics and growth rate of the isolated strain, as well as the effect of the presence of sulphide in both processes. Secondly, to determine the limit of genetic adaptation of this strain to sulphide. Methods The resistance of the isolated strain to sulphide was studied by analyzing the effect of increasing sulphide levels (up to 1600 µM) on photosynthetic performance and growth. The limit of genetic adaptation was explored using an evolutionary experimental design named as ratchet protocol. This design allows discerning the maximum capacity of genetic adaptation of Oscillatoria sp. to the exposure of increasing doses of sulphide Conclusions The strain showed maximum growth rates at 200 µM sulphide although reduced rates can be found up to 800 µM sulphide. A significant increase in resistance was achieved in all derived populations during the ratchet experiment (surviving at sulphide concentrations higher than 2 mM). Moreover, they showed different evolutionary potential to adapt to sulphide, depending on historical contingency.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through CGL2014-53682-P project. Predoctoral State Grant from Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation Plan, Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness I+D+i ECC/1402/2013, 201

Disentangling mechanisms involved in the adaptation of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to the extreme sulphureous water from Los Baños de la Hedionda (S Spain)

Backgrounds Los Baños de la Hedionda (Málaga, S Spain) is a natural sulphureous spa where sulphide can reach a concentration of 150-200 µM. Although this ion has biocide properties, including inhibition of the photosynthetic process, a rich flora can be found in this extreme environment. Objectives To study the adaptation mechanisms allowing resistance of photosynthetic microorganisms to these sulphureous waters Methods For this purpose, a modified Luria–Delbrück fluctuation analysis was carried out. The adaptation to La Hedionda waters of three different strains of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing (isolated from a non-sulphureous freshwater reservoir) was analyzed in order to find out if it was achieved by a physiological adaptation process (acclimation) or by the selection of rare spontaneous mutations (genetic adaptation). Conclusions Several resistant strains were obtained after 6 weeks of cultivation with La Hedionda waters. The fluctuation analysis showed that genetic adaptation was the phenomenon that allowed resistant M. aeruginosa cells from the three strains to survive, with similar mutation rates in the order of magnitude of 1 mutant resistant cell per 106-107 cell division-1. It could be hypothesized that this cyanobacterium could adapt to sulphureous environment by the selection of favoured mutants.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through CGL2014-53682-P project. Predoctoral State Grant from Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation Plan, Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness I+D+i ECC/1402/2013, 201

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica

Prevalence of Breastfeeding in Huelva, duration and related factors

Objetivos: Conocer la prevalencia y duración de la Lactancia Materna (LM), así como la relación con las variables sociodemográficas, obstétricas y de educación materno infantil. Diseño: Estudio observacional descriptivo. Emplazamiento: siete centros de salud de Huelva capital. Participantes: 268 mujeres con niños de 1 a 2 años. La selección se hizo consecutiva, por orden de llegada. Mediciones principales: prevalencia y duración de LM, características sociodemográficas, características perinatales y alimentación complementaria. Resultados: Iniciaron la LM exclusiva un 52,9 % (IC:46,99-58,91). A los seis meses permanecen un 19,7% (IC:15,33-24,87). Un 63,4% (IC:57,54-69,04) comienzan lactancia materna total (exclusiva o mixta), un 47,7% (IC:41,82-53,75) continúa con ella a los 3 meses y un 26,1% (IC:21,12-31,63) a los 6 meses. La LM está relacionada con: la formación académica de la madre, el número de hijos, asistir a los talleres de preparación al parto, número de sesiones, nivel de satisfacción con respecto a la educación materno infantil, haber solicitado ayuda sobre LM, conocer el grupo de apoyo a la lactancia y haber asistido al mismo. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de LM es baja con respecto a lo esperado por los datos nacionales, lafavorece la prevalencia y duración de la LM. Los profesionales de la salud debemos continuar con su promoción y apoyo. duración de la misma se aparta de las recomendaciones de la OMS y el nivel educativo de la madreABSTRACT Objective: To know the prevalence and duration of the breastfeeding, as well as the relation with the sociodemographic, obstetric and child and maternal education factors. Design: descriptive observational study. Site: seven health centers of Huelva city. Participants: 268 mothers of 1-2 y.o. children. The selection was made straight, in order of arrival. Main measurements: prevalence and duration of the breastfeeding, sociodemographic characteristics, perinatal characteristics and complementary feeding. Results: The 52,9 % (CI:46,99-58,91) of the sample initiated the exclusive breastfeeding. Six months later remained the 19,7 % (CI:15,33-24,87). The 63,4% (CI:57,54-69,04) initiated the total breastfeeding, 47,7% (CI:41,82-53,75) continue with it 3 months later and the 26,1% (CI:21,12-31,63) 6 months later. The breastfeeding is related with: the academic education of the mother, the number of children, to attend the workshops childbirth preparation, number of sessions, level of satisfaction with maternal and child education, to have requested assistance on breastfeeding, to know the breastfeeding support group and to have atended to it. Conclusions: The prevalence of the breastfeeding is less concerning than expected by the national data, the length of it is far from the recommendations of the WHO and the educational level of the mother, favors the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding. Health professionals must continue with their promotion and support

Creation of Photographic Atlas of Botany, Flora, Vegetation and Landscapes for the improvement of the teaching-learning process in subjects of the degrees of Biology and Environmental Sciences

Se muestran los resultados obtenidos en dos Proyectos de Innovación Educativa de la Universidad de Málaga (PIE10-013 y PIE13-047), cuyos  principales objetivos fueron la creación de Atlas Virtuales de Prácticas de Botánica, Flora y Vegetación, y su aplicación práctica mediante cuestionarios de autoevaluación a través del Campus Virtual. Estos atlas están publicados en la web del Departamento de Biología Vegetal de esta universidad. El Atlas de Prácticas de Botánica consta de 10 carpetas, cada una de ellas correspondientes a diferentes grupos vegetales, y un total de 482 páginas de composición de imágenes fotográficas. Actualmente, el Atlas de Flora cuenta con más de 1000 fotografías, y en él se incluyen índices alfabéticos de taxones (775) y familias (111), cada uno de ellos con su correspondiente enlace a la página de imágenes. Constituye, por tanto, un rápido y práctico buscador de imágenes de plantas, avalado además por profesores universitarios con experiencia, por lo que presenta garantía y calidad científica. El Atlas de Vegetación cuenta con cerca de 500 páginas de imágenes fotográficas, repartidas en cuatro bloques: Bosques (137), Arbustedas y Matorrales (86), Comunidades riparias (67) y Otras comunidades (103). En cada uno de ellos se incluye un índice ordenado y numerado, con objeto de facilitar la búsqueda de determinadas formaciones vegetales, así como de conocer su identidad y clasificación. Se ha creado también Atlas de Paisajes Vegetales y Atlas de Angiospermas-Flores. Todos contribuyen de manera sustancial a mejorar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en varias asignaturas de los grados de Biología y Ciencias Ambientales. Su uso y aplicación en pruebas de evaluación evita la sobrecarga de trabajo del profesorado.The results obtained in two Educational Innovation Projects of the University of Malaga (PIE10-013 and PIE13-047) are shown. They have been developed in two official degrees (Biology Degree and Environmental Science Degree) and in a total of six subjects belonging to the same area of knowledge (Botany). The main objectives were the creation of Virtual Atlas of Botany, Flora and Vegetation, and their practical application by questionnaires in the Virtual Campus. These atlas are published on the website of the Department of Botany and Plat Physiology of this university. The Atlas of Botanical Practices consists of 10 folders, each of them corresponding to different plant groups, and a total of 482 pages of composition of photographic images. Currently, the Atlas of Flora has more than 1000 photographs, and it includes alphabetical indexes of taxa (775) and families (111), each with its corresponding link to the image page. It constitutes, therefore, a fast and practical image search engine for plants, also supported by experienced university professors, for which it presents scientific quality. The Atlas of Vegetation has about 500 pages of photographic images, divided into four blocks: Forests (137), Scrub (86), Riparian Communities (67) and Other Communities (103). An ordered and numbered index is included for each, in order to facilitate the search of certain plant communities, as well as to know their identity and classification. Atlas of Landscapes and Angiosperms-Flowers have also created. All contribute substantially to improve the teaching-learning process in several subjects of the degrees of Biology and Environmental Sciences. Its use and application in evaluation tests avoids the overload of work for teachers