Evaluation of the contribution of D9S1120 to anthropological studies in Native American populations

The D9S1120 locus exhibits a population-specific allele of 9 repeats (9RA) in all Native American and two Siberian populations currently studied, but it is absent in other worldwide populations. Although this feature has been used in anthropological genetic studies, its impact on the evaluation of the structure and genetic relations among Native American populations has been scarcely assessed. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropological impact of D9S1120 when it was added to STR population datasets in Mexican Native American groups. We analyzed D9S1120 by PCR and capillary electrophoresis (CE) in 1117 unrelated individuals from 13 native groups from the north and west of Mexico. Additional worldwide populations previously studied with D9S1120 and/or 15 autosomal STRs (Identifier kit) were included for interpopulation analyses. We report statistical results of forensic importance for D9S1120. On average, the modal alleles were the Native American-specific allele 9RA (0.3254) and 16 (0.3362). Genetic distances between Native American and worldwide populations were estimated. When D9S1120 was included in the 15 STR population dataset, we observed improvements for admixture estimation in Mestizo populations and for representing congruent genetic relationships in dendrograms. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on D9S1120 confirms that most of the genetic variability in the Mexican population is attributable to their Native American backgrounds, and allows the detection of significant intercontinental differentiation attributed to the exclusive presence of 9RA in America. Our findings demonstrate the contribution of D9S1120 to a better understanding of the genetic relationships and structure among Mexican Native groups.CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología) (México)Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEinpres

“They don’t trust us; they don’t care if we’re attacked”: trust and risk perception in Mexican journalism

Drawing from 93 semi-structured, in-person interviews with journalists from 23 states, this article analyzes the relation between trust and risk perception in Mexican journalism. It focuses on how Mexican journalists perceive and experience public trust placed in them as social actors, and how it influences their willingness or reluctance to assume the risks associated with reporting on corruption and drug-trafficking in a country marked by anti-press violence. The findings challenge previous studies as they show that journalists from all regions of the country –even in the so-called safe states– are fearful, even when they have not been victims of threats, beatings or kidnappings. Also, it explains that the connection between institutions and journalism makes news workers feel unprotected and unaccompanied. As a result, they accept self-censorship and even express a willingness to resign. Thus, this article surpasses the social, spatial and temporal delimitations of risk, by arguing that distrust in journalists increases the dangers they face

Submarine deltaic geometries linked to steep, mountainous drainage basins in the northern shelf of the Alboran Sea: Filling the gaps in the spectrum of deltaic deposition

A comprehensive analysis of small deltaic environments linked to short, mountainous, and seasonal fluvial systems in the northern shelf of the Alboran Sea was undertaken in order to define the controlling parameters of the geomorphological variability. The database includes multibeam and backscatter imagery, surficial sediment samples, and high-resolution seismic profiles. Additionally, geomorphological and hydrodynamic modeling and statistical analysis (principal component and cluster analysis) of hydrological and physiographic variables were performed.Most of the studied deltaic systems have high-gradient, coarse-grained deposits with preferential development of the submarine portions to the detriment of the deltaic plains. The geomorphological analysis identified three basic types of plan-viewdistributions according to the length-to-width ratios: elongate, linguoid and lobate. Cross-slope profiles evidence dominant concave-upward geometries, fewer occurrences of planar geometries, and no sigmoid profiles. Sediment depocenters are extremely thick in proximal locations, but thin out rapidly seawards. The geometric distribution patterns of the deltaic systems are characterized by a predictable pattern in plan-view according to the type of fluvial system, ranging from a relatively large river to ephemeral creeks. Prevailing concave and secondary planar profiles support strong sediment progradation in the submarine realmand lowsediment retention in the emerged deltaic environment. Two different types of systems are distinguished: (1) larger rivers,where deltaic deposition is largely controlled by basin dimensions, ultimately dictating themagnitude of water and sediment discharges; and (2) smaller rivers and creeks,where deltaic geometries are related to the basin slopes. The influence of hydrodynamic variables on defining the submarine deltaic geometry has been observed in the case of concave-upward geometries, where geomorphological boundaries are defined by medium- and high-energy wave conditions.Versión del editor2,520

Episodios de construcción de un delta mediterráneo: Cambio climático y modificaciones antropogénicas en el delta del río Adra

The evolutionary stages of the submarine delta off the Adra River are investigated in this study, under the context of climatic fluctuations entangled with increasing human activities and interventions in the drainage basins and adjacent shores during the Middle to Late Holocene. To achieve that goal, we used an extensive database comprising a set of bathymetric data covering different time slices, a dense grid of high-resolution seismic data and several sediment cores collected in the two submarine lobes of the Adra River delta. Two main evolutionary phases can be identified. The first one extended through most of the construction history and was mediated by major climatic events at the Mediterranean scale; this phase included three major progradational events occurring during the Mid Holocene, the Roman time and the Little Ice Age. The most recent phase is strongly determined by human modifications of the fluvial channels, and resulted in a drastic transformation of the submarine sedimentary environment.Versión del edito

Reproductive isolation between two populations of Aglaoctenus lagotis , a funnel-web wolf spider

Aglaoctenus lagotis (Lycosidae: Sosippinae) is a spider that, in contrast to the predominant wandering habit of the family, constructs funnel webs. The species is widely distributed throughout the Neotropics and is credited with high levels of intraspecific variation. Here, we evaluate whether reproductive isolating barriers operate between some populations of A. lagotis. We used heterotypic encounters between individuals from two distant localities: southern Uruguay (SU) and Central Argentina (CA). Additionally, we used spiders from an ntermediate locality, western Uruguay (WU), where both forms of the species overlap (SU.WU was used to describe individuals from WU reminiscent of those from SU; and CA.WU was used to describe individuals from WU reminiscent of those from CA). No copulations occurred between SU and CA individuals, whereas a single and atypical copulation occurred between SU.WU and CA.WU individuals. Attacks (only by females on males) were rare. In tests of choice based on silk cues, SU males did not prefer homotypic cues but almost did not court CA females, whereas CA males preferred homotypic cues but usually courted heterotypic females. These findings, with a previously reported temporal asynchrony between populations, suggest the occurrence of reproductive isolation between both spider forms and a speciation process favoured by the wide distribution and plasticity of the species.Fil: González Pérez, María de la Macarena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Cátedra de Diversidad Animal I; ArgentinaFil: Peretti, Alfredo Vicente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Cátedra de Diversidad Animal I; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Fernando G.. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable"; Urugua

Metronomic Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate Chemotherapy Combined with 1E10 Anti-Idiotype Vaccine in Metastatic Breast Cancer

The use of low doses of cytotoxic agents continuously for prolonged periods is an alternative for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer who have developed resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The combination of metronomic chemotherapy with therapeutic vaccines might increase the efficacy of the treatment. Twenty one patients with metastatic breast cancer in progression and a Karnosky index ≥60%, were treated with metronomic chemotherapy (50 mg of cyclophospamide orally daily and 2.5 mg of methotrexate orally bi-daily), in combination with five bi-weekly subcutaneous injections of 1 mg of aluminum hydroxide-precipitated 1E10 anti-idiotype MAb (1E10-Alum), followed by reimmunizations every 28 days. Five patients achieved objective response, eight showed stable disease and eight had disease progression. Median time to progression was 9,8 months, while median overall survival time was 12,93 months. The median duration of the response (CR+PR+SD) was 18,43 months (12,20–24,10 months), being higher than 12 months in 76,9% of the patients. Overall toxicity was generally mild. Metronomic chemotherapy combined with 1E10-Alum vaccine immunotherapy might be a useful therapeutic option for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer due to its potential impact on survival and patient quality of live, low toxicity and advantages of the administration

ALBACORE (Thunnus alalunga) REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY STUDY FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC STOCK:YEARS 2020 AND 2021

The ICCAT North Atlantic Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) Research Program was established to enhance knowledge on albacore to provide more accurate scientific advice to the Commission. Funds are provided to the Albacore WG to develop research activities to accomplish several objectives. One of the research objectives is to increase knowledge on reproductive biology for the northern Atlantic stock, maturity schedules (L50) and egg production (size/age related fecundity. In March 2021, Terms of Reference were published by ICCAT. A Consortium integrated by Canada, Venezuela, Chinese-Taipei and Spain presented an offer to collect gonad samples and spines throughout the year and carry out the study of reproductive biology for North Atlantic albacore stock. Results of histological analysis: maturity stages, batch fecundity and seasonal area of spawners are presented as well as the age determined of partially collection of albacore spines. Analysis were done with the total albacore gonads samples collected in 2020 and 2021 for the reproductive biology study of northern albacore.

Evaluation of the contribution of D9S1120 to anthropological studies in Native American populations

The D9S1120 locus exhibits a population-specific allele of 9 repeats (9RA) in all Native American and two Siberian populations currently studied, but it is absent in other worldwide populations. Although this feature has been used in anthropological genetic studies, its impact on the evaluation of the structure and genetic relations among Native American populations has been scarcely assessed. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropological impact of D9S1120 when it was added to STR population datasets in Mexican Native American groups. We analyzed D9S1120 by PCR and capillary electrophoresis (CE) in 1117 unrelated individuals from 13 native groups from the north and west of Mexico. Additional worldwide populations previously studied with D9S1120 and/or 15 autosomal STRs (Identifier kit) were included for interpopulation analyses. We report statistical results of forensic importance for D9S1120. On average, the modal alleles were the Native American-specific allele 9RA (0.3254) and 16 (0.3362). Genetic distances between Native American and worldwide populations were estimated. When D9S1120 was included in the 15 STR population dataset, we observed improvements for admixture estimation in Mestizo populations and for representing congruent genetic relationships in dendrograms. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on D9S1120 confirms that most of the genetic variability in the Mexican population is attributable to their Native American backgrounds, and allows the detection of significant intercontinental differentiation attributed to the exclusive presence of 9RA in America. Our findings demonstrate the contribution of D9S1120 to a better understanding of the genetic relationships and structure among Mexican Native groups

The role played by the slope and the fluvial discharge on deltaic built-up processes off mountainous seasonal rivers

The construction and evolution of submarine deltaic deposits are influenced by a combination of allogenic and autogenic factors. Numerical simulation of turbidity currents are used to propose a morphodynamic model that quantifies the effect of the slope and river input variations on delta development/construction for the case of mountainous rivers subjected to a seasonal Mediterranean climate, such as those located in the northern shelf of the Alboran Sea. These simulations were performed by using both constant and variable rates of fluvial flows. Both theoretical and real bathymetric profiles were used in the simulations. The results indicate that both the river flow and the depositional basin slope are key features for the development of morphostratigraphic features of submarine deltas at different spatial scales.Versión del edito