Macaronesian (except Canaries) vascular plants in the TFC Herbarium

El Herbario TFC es el Herbario Institucional de la Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Islas Canarias y alberga cinco colecciones principales: algas, hongos, líquenes, briófitos y plantas vasculares. La mayor de ellas es la de plantas vasculares con 53 000 pliegos, 890 de ellos recolectados en los archipiélagos macaronésicos de Azores (45 pliegos), Madeira (401), Salvajes (44) y Cabo Verde (400), correspondientes a 91 familias (dominando Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae y Scrophulariaceae), 279 géneros (dominando Teline, Lavandula, Lotus, Micromeria y Genista), 396 especies, 19 subespecies, 26 variedades y 1 forma. Están representadas más del 50% de las familias botánicas presentes en los archipiélagos de Salvajes y Cabo Verde. El Herbario TFC presenta al menos un pliego de más de la mitad de endemismos de Cabo Verde y más del 40% de los endemismos de Salvajes.TFC Herbarium is the Institutional Herbarium of the University of La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Canary Islands. TFC herbarium houses five main collections: algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants. The largest is vascular plants with 53 000 sheets, 890 of them collected in Macaronesian archipelagos of Azores (45 sheets), Madeira (401), Selvagens (44) and Cabo Verde (400), of 91 families (principally Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae and Scrophulariaceae), 279 genera (principally Teline, Lavandula, Lotus, Micromeria and Genista), 396 species, 19 subspecies, 26 varieties and 1 form. More than 50% of the botanic families of Selvagens and Cabo Verde are present. TFC Herbarium house at least one sheet of more than half of Cabo Verde endemisms and more than 40% Selvagens endemisms

Lung Transplant Improves Survival and Quality of Life Regardless of Telomere Dysfunction

Trasplante de pulmón; Fibrosis pulmonar; Trastornos de los telómerosTrasplantament pulmonar; Fibrosi pulmonar; Trastorns dels telòmersLung transplantation; Pulmonary fibrosis; Telomere disordersIntroduction: Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are the first indication for lung transplantation (LT). Telomere dysfunction has been associated with poor post-transplant outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morbi-mortality and quality of life in fibrotic ILDs after lung transplant depending on telomere biology. Methods: Fibrotic ILD patients that underwent lung transplant were allocated to two arms; with or without telomere dysfunction at diagnosis based on the telomere length and telomerase related gene mutations revealed by whole-exome sequencing. Post-transplant evaluation included: (1) short and long-term mortality and complications and (2) quality of life. Results: Fifty-five percent of patients that underwent LT carried rare coding mutations in telomerase-related genes. Patients with telomere shortening more frequently needed extracorporeal circulation and presented a higher rate of early post-transplant hematological complications, longer stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and a higher number of long-term hospital admissions. However, post-transplant 1-year survival was higher than 80% regardless of telomere dysfunction, with improvement in the quality of life and oxygen therapy withdrawal. Conclusions: Post-transplant morbidity is higher in patients with telomere dysfunction and differs according to elapsed time from transplantation. However, lung transplant improves survival and quality of life and the associated complications are manageable.This study was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III through project PI18/00367 (Co-funded by European Regional Development Fund, ERDF, a way to build Europe), Spanish Society of Respiratory (SEPAR), Barcelona Respiratory Network (BRN), and Fundació Ramón Pla Armengol. RP laboratory was funded by grants PI20-00335 (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain supported by FEDER funds). MM-M was funded by grants PI18/00367 (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, ISCIII, Spain, supported by FEDER funds), AC19/00006 (Projects of International Programs, ISCIII, Spain, supported by FEDER funds), Cohorte FPI CIBERES-ISCIII, Barcelona Respiratory Network-Fundation Ramon Pla Armengol, Spanish Society of Respiratory (SEPAR), and Catalan Society of Respiratory (SOCAP-FUCAP). CF was funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (grant RTC-2017-6471-1; AEI/FEDER, UE), and by Cabildo Insular de Tenerife (CGIEU0000219140)

Molecular evidence of species- and subspecies-level distinctions in the rare Orchis patens s.l. and implications for conservation

AbstractCharacterizing genetic diversity and structure of populations is essential for the effective conservation of threatened species.Orchis patenssensu lato is a narrowly distributed tetraploid species with a disjunct distribution (i.e., Northern Italy, North Africa and the Canary Islands), which is facing a severe decline. In this study, we evaluated levels of genetic diversity and population structuring using 12 new nuclear microsatellite markers. Our analyses of genetic differentiation based on multiple approaches (Structure analysis, PCA analysis, andF-statistics using the ploidy-independentRho-index) showed that gene flow is low across the range ofO. patens s.l., particularly in the Canary Islands. Clear differences in allele frequencies between Italy, Algeria and the Canary Islands underlie the genetic differentiation retrieved. Our study provides support for the recognition ofO. canariensisas a sister species toO. patensand the separation of the Italian populations as a new subspecies ofO. patens. Despite the high heterozygosity values found in all populations (ranging from 0.4 to 0.7), compatible with the tetraploid status of the species, small population sizes and reduced gene flow will be likely detrimental for the different populations in the long term, and we recommend immediate conservation actions to counteract further fragmentation and population decline

Lung Transplant Improves Survival and Quality of Life Regardless of Telomere Dysfunction

Introduction: Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are the first indication for lung transplantation (LT). Telomere dysfunction has been associated with poor post-transplant outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morbi-mortality and quality of life in fibrotic ILDs after lung transplant depending on telomere biology. Methods: Fibrotic ILD patients that underwent lung transplant were allocated to two arms; with or without telomere dysfunction at diagnosis based on the telomere length and telomerase related gene mutations revealed by whole-exome sequencing. Post-transplant evaluation included: (1) short and long-term mortality and complications and (2) quality of life. Results: Fifty-five percent of patients that underwent LT carried rare coding mutations in telomerase-related genes. Patients with telomere shortening more frequently needed extracorporeal circulation and presented a higher rate of early post-transplant hematological complications, longer stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and a higher number of long-term hospital admissions. However, post-transplant 1-year survival was higher than 80% regardless of telomere dysfunction, with improvement in the quality of life and oxygen therapy withdrawal. Conclusions: Post-transplant morbidity is higher in patients with telomere dysfunction and differs according to elapsed time from transplantation. However, lung transplant improves survival and quality of life and the associated complications are manageable

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Together Apart: Evaluating Lichen-Phorophyte Specificity in the Canarian Laurel Forest

The effects of host tree identity on epiphyte lichen communities are a controversial issue, as the results obtained in different forest environments studied are not consistent. We investigated the host preferences for lichens in the laurel forest of Macaronesia. For this purpose, we analyzed the lichen communities growing on the four most common trees (Erica canariensis Rivas-Mart., M. Osorio and Wildpret, Morella faya (Aiton) Wilbur, Laurus novoca-nariensis Rivas-Mart., Lousa, Fern. Prieto, E. Días, J.C. Costa and C. Aguiar, and Ilex canariensis Poir. in Lamarck) in the laurel forest of the Canary Islands. The diversity, richness, and lichen composition showed a repetitive and common pattern with the functional traits studied. Although the existence of specificity with respect to the phorophyte species was not demonstrated, there was a clear affinity of the epiphytic lichens to the physico-chemical features of the bark (texture and pH), canopy architecture, foliar characteristics, etc. Our results highlight the importance of the natural diversity of tree species in the laurel forest. Due to the diversity and uniqueness of the lichen species that support each of the phorophytes, this fact should be taken into account in landscape protection and restoration actions, especially in those islands where the forest is highly fragmented

PKCα-Mediated Downregulation of RhoA Activity in Depolarized Vascular Smooth Muscle: Synergistic Vasorelaxant Effect of PKCα and ROCK Inhibition

[Background/Aims] Protein kinase C (PKC)- and RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) play important roles in arterial sustained contraction. Although depolarization-elicited RhoA/ROCK activation is accepted, the role of PKC in depolarized vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a subject of controversy. Our aim was to study the role of PKC in arterial contraction and its interaction with RhoA/ROCK.[Methods] Mass spectrometry was used to identify the PKC isoenzymes. PKCα levels and RhoA activity were analyzed by western blot and G-LISA, respectively, and isometric force was measured in arterial rings.[Results] In depolarized VSMCs RhoA and PKCα were translocated to the plasma membrane, where they colocalize and coimmunoprecipitate. Interestingly, depolarization-induced RhoA activation was downregulated by PKCα, effect reverted by PKCα inhibition. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) induced the translocation of PKCα to the plasma membrane, increased the level of RhoA in the cytosol and reduced RhoA/ROCK activity. These effects were reverted when PKC was inhibited. Pharmacological or siRNA inhibition of PKCα synergistically potentiated the vasorelaxant effect of RhoA/ROCK inhibition.[Conclusion] The present study provides the first evidence that RhoA activity is downregulated by PKCα in depolarized and PDBu treated freshly isolated VSMCs and arteries, with an important physiological role on arterial contractility.This work was supported by the "Red de Investigación Cardiovascular, RIC, RD12/0042/0041" of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and FEDER (SAF2013-46806-R and SAF2017-89474-R). WPeer reviewe

Composiciones y preparaciones combinadas para el tratamiento del vasoespasmo arterial

Composición farmacéutica y preparación combinada que comprende un inhibidor de la proteína quinasa C junto a un inhibidor de Rho quinasa, y/o un inhibidor de los canales de Ca2+ tipo L voltaje dependientes, para su uso en la elaboración de un medicament

Webinar GBIF.ES: Proyectos en curso y posibles fuentes de financiación para las colecciones científicas

El webinar forma parte del Programa de Formación de la Unidad de Coordinación de GBIF España.-- Se realizó en modalidad online en junio de 2021.-- El material utilizado durante el webinar se puede descargar desde su página web (https://www.gbif.es/talleres/webinar-proyectos-y-oportunidades-financiacion-para-colecciones-cientificas/).-- Los ponentes participantes en este evento fueron: Cristina Villaverde (GBIF.ES), Cristina González Montelongo (Herbario TFC, Universidad La Laguna), Jose García (Herbario MGC, Universidad de Málaga), Yolanda Pueyo (Herbario JACA, IPE-CSIC) y Francisco Pando (GBIF.ES).-- Este webinar y el material utilizado en el mismo está sujeto a licencia Creative Commons Reconocimiento 4.0 Internacional (CC-BY 4.0).Este webinar se centró en explorar los principales proyectos en curso y posibles fuentes de financiación para apoyar las colecciones científicas. El programa estuvo formado por cuatro presentaciones centradas en colecciones que han conseguido personal de apoyo -la necesidad más mencionada cuando se habla de recursos y colecciones- y en mostrar iniciativas nacionales e internacionales que reconocen las colecciones como infraestructuras científicas del siglo XXI y las apoyan.-- El webinar estuvo abierto para cualquier persona e institución aunque principalmente dirigido a personal que trabaja en colecciones de historia natural de cualquier ámbito geográfico.N