Germ line Methylation Patterns Determine the Distribution of Recombination Events in the Dog Genome

The positive-regulatory domain containing nine gene, PRDM9, which strongly associates with the location of recombination events in several vertebrates, is inferred to be inactive in the dog genome. Here, we address several questions regarding the control of recombination and its influence on genome evolution in dogs. First, we address whether the association between CpG islands (CGIs) and recombination hotspots is generated by lack of methylation, GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC), or both. Using a genome-wide dog single nucleotide polymorphism data set and comparisons of the dog genome with related species, we show that recombination-associated CGIs have low CpG mutation rates, and that CpG mutation rate is negatively correlated with recombination rate genome wide, indicating that nonmethylation attracts the recombination machinery. We next use a neighbor-dependent model of nucleotide substitution to disentangle the effects of CpG mutability and gBGC and analyze the effects that loss of PRDM9 has on these rates. We infer that methylation patterns have been stable during canid genome evolution, but that dog CGIs have experienced a drastic increase in substitution rate due to gBGC, consistent with increased levels of recombination in these regions. We also show that gBGC is likely to have generated many new CGIs in the dog genome, but these mostly occur away from genes, whereas the number of CGIs in gene promoter regions has not increased greatly in recent evolutionary history. Recombination has a major impact on the distribution of CGIs that are detected in the dog genome due to the interaction between methylation and gBGC. The results indicate that germline methylation patterns are the main determinant of recombination rates in the absence of PRDM9

Counter hegemony, popular education, and resistances: A systematic literature review on the squatters' movement

The squatting movement is a social movement that seeks to use unoccupied land or temporarily or permanently abandoned buildings as farmland, housing, meeting places, or centers for social and cultural purposes. Its main motivation is to denounce and at the same time respond to the economic difficulties that activists believe exist to realize the right to housing. Much of what we know about this movement comes from the informational and journalistic literature generated by actors that are close or even belong to the movement. However, there is also a significant diversity of knowledge and scientific evidence on the squatters' movement that is being produced by academia and that is worth knowing and grouping together. With the aim of defining and understanding how the squatters' movement is constituted and organized, and how it acts, this research analyzes what the scientific literature affirms about it. Through qualitative research based on the systematic literature review (SLR) method, information was sought in the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases. The initial universe of 262 articles was finally reduced to a sample of 32 articles. These have been analyzed by means of a categorized classification content analysis. The results obtained allow us to establish the state of the art on the squatting movement, placing special emphasis on its dynamics of resistance, its process of political subjectivation and its mechanisms of action and self-management. The study suggests that the movement is understood based on collective actions with a political role of resistance to neoliberalism and the inequalities it generates, and of response to the basic and social needs of the communities through self-management

Infecciones mixtas por ectoparásitos y endoparásitos en ratones y ratas de laboratorio

Se ha determinado la presencia de parasitosis mixtas en ratones y ratas del Bioterio Central de la Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado (UCLA), y la correlación entre ellas, seleccionando 10 animales por sexo, edad (3, 5, 7, 9 y 14 semanas), y cepa de ratón (NMRI, C57Bl/6, Balb/c), y rata (Sprague Dawley y SHR/N) para un total de 500 animales según recomendaciones de Thursfield, (1990). Las muestras se han obtenido por duplicado en vivo y en necropsia de: heces (Examen directo y Mc Master), piel (cuello, dorso-lumbar y ano) con la técnica de celofán; sangre, corazón, pulmón, hígado, bazo, riñones, estómago e intestino (duodeno, yeyuno-íleon y ciego), en frotis teñidos con el método de Giemsa. Se ha determinado la frecuencia de infecciones mixtas y la correlación entre las parasitosis mediante análisis de correlación de Spearman. Las especies identificadas han sido: Myocoptes musculinus, Giardia muris, Trichomona muris, Spironucleus muris, Syphacia obvelata y Apicularis tetraptera en los ratones , y Spironucleus muris solo en NMRI de 6 semanas. En las ratas se ha identificado Radfordia affinis, Giardia muris, Trichomona muris y Syphacia muris. Existe correlación positiva de A. tetraptera con G. muris en ciego (r=0, 492; P<0, 01) y T. muris en duodeno (r=0, 362; P<0, 01). En NMRI casi el 100% están parasitados por al menos 4 especies principalmente machos, éste comportamiento es similar en C57Bl/6 pero con prevalencias inferiores y en los Balb/c predominan 2 ( M. musculinus y G. muris) o 3 especies (M. musculinus , G. muris y T. muris). En ratas se producen infecciones mixtas (99, 9%) por 2-5 especies parásitas. Los flagelados son los más comunes, asociados a S. obvelata o A. tetraptera en ratones, o S. muris en ratas, sumando la presencia de M. musculinus y R. affinis respectivamente. The occurrence of mixed parasitic infections was analyzed in laboratory mice and rats. The study was conducted in 500 animals randomly selected in the vivarium at the Universidad Centro-occidental Lisandro Alvarado (Barquisimeto, Venezuela). A total of 10 animals for each sex (male versus female), age group (3, 5, 7, 9 y 14 weeks) and strain of mice (NMRI, C57Bl/6 and Balb/c) and rats (Sprague Dawley and SHR/N) was selected. Duplicate samples were taken from various locations and analyzed by different methods, including the McMaster technique for faecal egg counting, the cellophane tape technique for skin samples (neck, back, lumbar and anus), and Giemsastaining for smears of different tissues (blood, heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecum). Various parasites were identified in mice (Myocoptes musculinus, Giardia muris, Trichomona muris, Spironucleus muris, Syphacia obvelata y Apicularis tetraptera) and rats (Radfordia affinis, Giardia muris, Trichomona muris y Syphacia muris). Spironucleus muris was only identified in NMRI mice aged six weeks. The coefficient of ranks of Spearman revealed a positive correlation between A. tetraptera and G. muris in the caecum (r=0.492; P<0.01), or T. muris in the duodenum (r=0.362; P<0.01). Mixed infections with four species were seen in most NMRI and C57Bl/6 male mice. Mixed infections with two (M. musculinus and G. muris) o three species (M. musculinus, G. muris and T. muris) predominated in Balb/c mice. Mixed infections with two-to-five species were seen in most rats. Flagellate protozoa were the most prevalent parasites in both mice and rats, followed by S. obvelata and A. tetraptera (mice) or S. muris (rats)

Prevalencia y grado de parasitación por Syphacia obvelata y Aspicularis tetraptera en ratones NMRI, C57Bl/6 y Balb/c.

Se ha analizado la prevalencia y grado de parasitación p or Syphacia obvelata y Aspicularis tetraptera en ratones de laboratorio, según cepas (NMRI, C57B1/6 y Balb/c), edad, sexo y técnica diagnóstica, seleccionando 300 ratones del Bioterio Central de la Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado (Barquisimeto - Venezuela), 100/cepa, 50/sexo, 10/edad, de 3, 5, 7, 9 y 14 semanas. De cada animal se recogieron por duplicado muestras de heces (Técnica de Mc Master), examen directo (heces en ciego) y piel en la región anal (Técnica de celofán). Los datos se analizaron con U de Mann - Whitney, Kruskal - Wallis (P<0, 05 y P<0, 01), correlación de Spearman y análisis multivariable factorial. La prevalencia de S. obvelata en los NMRI (54, 5%) y C57Bl/6 (47, 5%) fue mayor que en Balb/c (19%) así como el grado de parasitación (P<0, 01). Las técnicas de celofán y examen directo en ciego permiten identificar mayor número de animales parasitados que la técnica de Mc Master (P<0, 01). La correlación entre la técnica de celofán y el examen directo es moderada (r=0, 52; P<0, 01) y de ambas té cnicas con Mc Master es baja (r=0, 168; P<0, 01 y r=0, 172; P<0, 01). Existe efecto combinado de cepa, sexo y edad sobre la eliminación de huevos de S. obvelata y presencia de adultos en ciego (P<0, 01). Se identificó A. tetraptera en las tres cepas mediante la técnica de Mc Master y examen directo en ciego, con alta correlación (r=0, 72; P<0, 01) entre las técnicas. Tanto la prevalencia como el grado de parasitación son mayores en los ratones NMRI (67, 5%) que en los C57Bl/6 (2, 5%) y Balb/c (1%) (P<0, 01). Existe influencia del sexo y la edad sobre el recuento de huevos en heces (P<0, 01) y de adultos en ciego (P<0, 05).Se recomienda emplear la técnica de celofán para el diagnóstico de huevos de S. obvelata y tener en cuenta la edad, sexo y cepa de los animales al diseñar los programas de control. The prevalence and intensity of infection with Syphacia obvelata and Aspicularis tetraptera in laboratory mice are reported. The influence of mice strain (NMRI, C57Bl/6 and Balb/c), age and sex on infection were analyzed. The study was conducted in 300 mice randomly selected in the vivarium at the Universidad Centro-occidental Lisandro Alvarado (Barquisimeto, Venezuela).For each strain, a total of 100 mice of different sex and age groups (3, 5, 7, 9 and 14 weeks) were used. The sensitivity of three diagnostic methods was compared, including direct detection in the caecum, analysis of the perianal region by means of cellophane tape and Mc Master egg counting. Both the infection intensity and prevalence of S. obvelata were higher in NMRI (54.5%) and C57Bl/6 (47.5%) mice than in Balb/c mice (19%) (P<0.01). The cellophane tape and direct detection techniques were more sensitive than Mc Master egg counting (P<0.01). The coefficient of ranks of Spearman revealed a moderate correlation between the cellophane tape technique and the direct detection (r = 0.52, P<0.01) and a weak correlation between these techniques and the McMaster egg counting (r = 0.168, P<0.01; r = 0.172, P<0.01, respectively). The multiple factor analysis showed that the presence of adults and eggs of S. obvelata was related to the strain, sex and age of mice (P<0.01). Adults and eggs of A. tetraptera were identified in all the three mice strains using direct detection and McMaster egg counting, with results of both techniques being strongly correlated (r = 0.72; P<0.01). Both the infection intensity and prevalence of A. tetraptera were higher in NMRI (67.5%) mice than in C57Bl/6 (2.5%) and Balb/c mice (1%) (P<0.01).The multiple factor analysis revealed that the presence of adults (P<0.05) and eggs (P<0.01) of A. tetraptera was related to the sex and age of mice. The cellophane tape technique provided the best results to detect eggs of S. obvelata. The strain, sex and age of mice should be taken in consideration to design control programs

Incorporating Biotic Information in Species Distribution Models: A Coregionalized Approach

In this work, we discuss the use of a methodological approach for modelling spatial relationships among species by means of a Bayesian spatial coregionalized model. Inference and prediction is performed using the integrated nested Laplace approximation methodology to reduce the computational burden. We illustrate the performance of the coregionalized model in species interaction scenarios using both simulated and real data. The simulation demonstrates the better predictive performance of the coregionalized model with respect to the univariate models. The case study focus on the spatial distribution of a prey species, the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), and one of its predator species, the European hake (Merluccius merluccius), in the Mediterranean sea. The results indicate that European hake and anchovy are positively associated, resulting in improved model predictions using the coregionalized model.Postprin

Psychometric properties and validation of the Spanish versions of the overall anxiety and depression severity and impairment scales

Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most frequent disorders for which patients seek care in public health settings in Spain. This study aimed at validating the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) and the Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS), which are brief screening scales for anxiety and depression consisting of only five items each. Methods: The study was conducted in a Spanish clinical sample receiving outpatient mental health treatment (N = 339). A subsample of participants (n = 219) was assessed before and after receiving a course of cognitive-behavioral treatment. Results: The results revealed excellent internal consistency estimates (Cronbach's alpha for the OASIS and the ODSIS was 0.87 and 0.94, respectively), along with promising convergent and discriminant validity and test-criterion relationships (i.e., moderate correlation with other measures of depression and anxiety, as well as with neuroticism, quality of life, adjustment, and negative affect). A one-dimensional structure was obtained for the OASIS and the ODSIS. The ROC analyses indicated an area under the curve of 0.83 for the OASIS and the ODSIS when predicting moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression, respectively. Good sensitivity to therapeutic change was also evidence and the analysis of the sensitivity as a function of 1-specificity area suggested a cutoff value of 10 for both scales. Limitations: Inter-rater reliability of diagnoses with the ADIS-IV interview could not be investigated and the results obtained may not be generalizable to other samples and health settings. Conclusions: The availability of these two short and psychometrically sound measures should make screening of anxiety and depressive symptoms in routine care more feasible

Multidimensional emotional disorders inventory: Reliability and validity in a Spanish clinical sample

Background. The categorical approach to diagnosing mental disorders has been criticized for a number of reasons (e.g., high rates of comorbidity; larger number of diagnostic categories and combination). Diverse alternatives have been proposed using a hybrid or totally dimensional perspective. Despite the evidence supporting use of the Multidimensional Emotional Disorders Inventory (MEDI) for assessing the transdiagnostic dimensions of Emotional Disorders using a dimensional-categorical hybrid approach, no data exist on Spanish clinical samples. The present study explores the validity and reliability of the 49-item MEDI in a clinical sample and provides data for its use. Methods. A total of 280 outpatients with emotional disorders attended in different Spanish public Mental Health Units in Spain filled out all questionnaires during the assessment phase and the MEDI again one week after. The instruments used evaluate four main constructs: personality, mood, anxiety and avoidance. Results. The nine original factors were confirmed and showed adequate reliability (α: 0.66–0.91) and stability (r = 0.76–0.87). No differences in mean scores by sex were presented in any subscale (p ≥ .07). The MEDI subscales correlated significantly with the scales of each of the selected constructs (0.45 < r < 0.76). Limitations. The main limitations of this study were the limited sample size and not being able to count on MEDI scores post-transdiagnostic intervention. Conclusions. The MEDI demonstrates adequate reliability and validity. It allows to assess diverse symptoms efficiently, thus being of interest for clinical studies and practice

Noninvasive diagnosis of vulnerable coronary plaque

Myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death are frequently the first manifestation of coronary artery disease. For this reason, screening of asymptomatic coronary atherosclerosis has become an attractive field of research in cardiovascular medicine. Necropsy studies have described histopathological changes associated with the development of acute coronary events. In this regard, thin-cap fibroatheroma has been identified as the main vulnerable coronary plaque feature. Hence, many imaging techniques, such as coronary computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance or positron emission tomography, have tried to detect noninvasively these histomorphological characteristics with different approaches. In this article, we review the role of these diagnostic tools in the detection of vulnerable coronary plaque with particular interest in their advantages and limitations as well as the clinical implications of the derived findings.S

Pharmacological effects of mitraphylline from Uncaria tomentosa in primary human monocytes: Skew toward M2 macrophages

© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Ethnopharmacological relevance Uncaria tomentosa (Willdenow ex Roemer & Schultes) DC. (Rubiaceae) is a Peruvian thorny liana, commonly known as >cat's claw>, and traditionally used in folk medicine to deal with several inflammatory diseases. Mitraphylline (MTP) is the most abundant pentacyclic oxindolic alkaloid (POA) from U. Tomentosa and has been reported to modify the inflammatory response. Herein, we have sought to identify the mechanisms underlying this modulatory effect of MTP on primary human monocytes and its ability to regulate differentiation processes on human primary monocyte and monocyte-derived macrophages. Material and methods In vitro studies with human primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages were performed. Monocytes and M0 macrophages were exposed to MTP (25 μM) and LPS (100 ng/mL). M0 macrophages were polarized to M1 and M2 phenotypes in the absence or presence of MTP. The activation state of monocytes/macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry, gene expression and protein analysis of different specific markers. Results In human primary monocytes, the incubation of MTP for 24 h reduced the number of classical (CD14++CD16-) and intermediate (CD14++CD16+) subsets when compared to untreated or LPS-treated cells. MTP also reduced the chemotactic capacity of human primary monocytes. In addition, MTP promoted the polarization of M0 macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, the abrogation of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-6 or IL-1β, as well as the restoration of markers for M2 macrophages in LPS-treated M1 macrophages. Conclusions Our results suggest that MTP may be a key modulator for regulating the plasticity of monocytes/macrophages and the attenuation of the inflammatory response.This work was supported by the University of Seville, “V Own Research Plan” contract to BB and QA. MS has the benefit of a FPI fellowship (BES-2012–056104) of MICINN.Peer Reviewe

Palm Oil on the Edge

Internationally recognized Spanish experts in the food industry, nutrition, toxicology, sustainability, and veterinary science met in Madrid on July 2018 to develop a consensus about palm oil (PO) as a food ingredient. Their aim was to provide a useful, evidence-based point of reference about PO. Scientific evidence about the role of PO in food safety, nutrition and sustainability was analyzed. Main conclusions were: (1) RSPO foundation responded to the environmental impact of palm crops. The Amsterdam Declaration pursues the use of 100% sustainable PO in Europe by 2020. Awareness about choosing sustainable products will help to maintain local economies and environments in the producing countries; (2) evidence shows that a moderate intake of PO within a healthy diet presents no risks for health. No evidence justifies any change fat intake recommendations; (3) food industry is interested in assuring safe, sustainable and high-quality products. The use of certified sustainable PO is increasing; and (4) there is no evidence associating PO consumption and higher cancer risk, incidence or mortality in humans. Tolerable daily intake (TDI) for toxic contaminants (2-and 3-monochloropropanediols (MCPDs), glycidyl esters (GEs)) have been established by JECFA and EFSA. Consequently, the European Commission has modified the Contaminants Regulation for GEs and it is still working on 3-MCPD