Probing the heavy Higgs boson production and decay H0H_0 of the Bestest Little Higgs Model at the LHC and the FCC-hh

In the Bestest Little Higgs Model (BLHM) scenario, we analyze the branching ratios and production cross-section of the heavy Higgs boson $H_0$. The analysis is performed at the tree level and the one-loop level. In addition, we present results of the possible production of the heavy Higgs boson $H_0$ via gluon fusion for the center-of-mass energies and the integrated luminosities of the LHC, HE-LHC, HL-LHC, and FCC-hh. Our results show a very optimistic scenario for studying the $H_0$ scalar predicted by the BLHM and for the energies and luminosities of current and future hadron colliders.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2302.11143, arXiv:2208.09090, arXiv:2202.1273

Maximizing saffron apocarotenoid production in varied tomato fruit carotenoid contexts

[EN] Saffron spice owes its commercial appreciation to its specific apocarotenoids: crocins, picrocrocin, and safranal. In Crocus sativus, these compounds are biosynthesized from zeaxanthin through oxidative cleavage by the carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2 (CCD2). Transgenic tomato plants expressing CsCCD2 in the fruit, named Tomaffron, accumulate high levels of saffron apocarotenoids despite the low substrate availability for CsCCD2. In the present study, CsCCD2 has been introduced into Xantomato; this tomato variety accumulates high levels of zeaxanthin and beta-carotene in ripe fruit due to a combination of four mutant alleles. Xantomato and Tomaffron genotypes have been combined to optimize apocarotenoid production. The best transgenic lines accumulated 15 and 14 times more crocins and picrocrocin than Tomaffron, alongside a fourfold increase in beta-carotene compared to Xantomato, albeit at a cost in fruit yield. Segregation of the four mutations has been carried out to find the best combination for obtaining high levels of saffron apocarotenoids without adverse effects on fruit yield. Plants harboring the high-pigmented 3 (hp3) and BETA (BSh) mutations accumulated 6 and 15 times more crocins and picrocrocin than Tomaffron, without observable pleiotropic effects. Additionally, those high levels of saffron apocarotenoids were obtained in fruit accumulating high levels of both lycopene and beta-carotene independently or in combination, suggesting a regulatory role for the apocarotenoids produced and indicating that it is possible to increase the levels of both types of healthy promoting molecules simultaneously.; Our study introduces a method to significantly boost saffron apocarotenoid levels in tomato fruit, while maintaining fruit yield. This innovation not only revolutionizes crocin and picrocrocin production but also highlights the potential for simultaneous accumulation of saffron apocarotenoids and carotenoids, offering promising prospects for agriculture and nutrition. imageThis work was supported by HARNESSTOM (EU H2020 project), contract number 101000716 Innovation Action EC-H2020-SFS-2020-1 and PID2022-141438OB-I00 from the Spanish MCIU. M.L.G. and A.G. are participants of the European COST action CA18210 (ROXY), and this action supported a Short-Term Scientific Mission of M.L.G. at the Royal Holloway, University of London.Lobato-Gómez, M.; Drapal, M.; Fernández-Muñoz, R.; Presa Castro, S.; Espinosa, A.; Fraser, PD.; Gómez-Gómez, L.... (2024). Maximizing saffron apocarotenoid production in varied tomato fruit carotenoid contexts. The Plant Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.1703

Proper cytoskeleton α‐tubulin distribution is concomitant to tyrosine phosphorylation during in vitro capacitation and acrosomal reaction in human spermatozoa

Spermatozoa motility is a key parameter during the fertilization process. In this context, spermatozoa tyrosine protein phosphorylation and an appropriate cytoskeleton α‐tubulin distribution are some of the most important physiological events involved in motility. However, the relationship between these two biomarkers remains poorly defined. Here, we characterized simultaneously by immunocytochemistry the α‐tubulin (TUBA4A) distribution and the tyrosine phosphorylation at flagellum before capacitation, during different capacitation times (1 and 4 hr), and after acrosome reaction induction in human spermatozoa. We found that the absence of spermatozoa phosphorylation in tyrosine residues positively and significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the terminal piece α‐tubulin flagellar distribution in all physiological conditions. Conversely, we observed a positive significant correlation (p < 0.01) between phosphorylated spermatozoa and continuous α‐tubulin distribution in spermatozoa flagellum, independently of the physiological condition. Similarly, the subpopulation of spermatozoa with tyrosine phosphorylated and continuous α‐tubulin increases with longer capacitation times and after the acrosome reaction induction. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the post‐transcriptional physiological events associated to α‐tubulin and the tyrosine phosphorylation during fertilization, which present potential implications for the improvement of spermatozoa selection methods.This research was supported by Human Fertility Cathedra of the University of Alicante, VIOGROB-186, and the project of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness AGL2015-70159-P

Allelic diversity and patterns of selection at the major histocompatibility complex class I and II loci in a threatened shorebird, the Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus)

Background: Understanding the structure and variability of adaptive loci such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes is a primary research goal for evolutionary and conservation genetics. Typically, classical MHC genes show high polymorphism and are under strong balancing selection, as their products trigger the adaptive immune response in vertebrates. Here, we assess the allelic diversity and patterns of selection for MHC class I and class II loci in a threatened shorebird with highly flexible mating and parental care behaviour, the Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus) across its broad geographic range. Results: We determined the allelic and nucleotide diversity for MHC class I and class II genes using samples of 250 individuals from eight breeding population of Snowy Plovers. We found 40 alleles at MHC class I and six alleles at MHC class II, with individuals carrying two to seven different alleles (mean 3.70) at MHC class I and up to two alleles (mean 1.45) at MHC class II. Diversity was higher in the peptide-binding region, which suggests balancing selection. The MHC class I locus showed stronger signatures of both positive and negative selection than the MHC class II locus. Most alleles were present in more than one population. If present, private alleles generally occurred at very low frequencies in each population, except for the private alleles of MHC class I in one island population (Puerto Rico, lineage tenuirostris). Conclusion: Snowy Plovers exhibited an intermediate level of diversity at the MHC, similar to that reported in other Charadriiformes. The differences found in the patterns of selection between the class I and II loci are consistent with the hypothesis that different mechanisms shape the sequence evolution of MHC class I and class II genes. The rarity of private alleles across populations is consistent with high natal and breeding dispersal and the low genetic structure previously observed at neutral genetic markers in this species

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the appendix stump: a case report

Primary lymphomas of the appendix occur in 0.015% of all gastrointestinal lymphomas. The most common manifestation is acute appendicitis secondary to luminal obstruction. The most common is immunophenotype B low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A 53-year-old male, with a previous three-week surgical history due to acute appendicitis, histopathological report of acute appendicitis and lymphoid hyperplasia. Later, he was admitted, with abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa, an abdominal ultrasound and simple abdominal tomography were performed, with suspicion of residual abscess. Surgical intervention is decided, observing paracecal tumor in the emergency site of the appendix, the tumor is removed. Pathological study that reports an appendicular base infiltrated by mucosa-associated lymphoma. The diagnosis of appendicular tumors is mostly, intraoperatively incidental. It is necessary to have the diagnostic possibility when performing an appendectomy, since it changes the prognosis and treatment of the patient

Repeated administration of N-ethyl-pentedrone induces increased aggression and impairs social exploration after withdrawal in mice

N-ethyl-pentedrone (NEPD, 2-(ethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-pentanone) is one of the latest synthetic cathinone derivatives that emerged into the illicit drug market. This drug has psychostimulant properties and has been related with several intoxications and even fatalities. However, information about the consequences of its acute and repeated consumption is lacking. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate the behavioral effects after both acute and repeated NEPD exposure as well as the neurochemical changes. Male OF1 mice were treated with an acute dose (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) or received repeated injections of these doses (twice/day, 5 days) of NEPD. Shortly after drug-exposure or during drug-withdrawal, anxiety-like behavior, aggressiveness, social interaction, depressive-like symptoms, body weight and temperature were assessed. Also, monoamine synthesis enzymes, levels of neurotransmitters and their precursors and main metabolites, as well as ΔFosB, were determined in striatum and prefrontal cortex from post-mortem tissue. Acute administration of NEPD induced anxiolytic effects and reduced social exploration whereas during withdrawal after repeated administration the anxiolytic effect had vanished, and the reduced social exploration was still present and accompanied with increased aggressive behavior. Moreover, NEPD (10 mg/kg) induced slight hyperthermia and reduced weight gain during the repeated administration, whereas increased locomotor activity and lack of depressive symptoms were found during withdrawal. This was accompanied by increased plasma corticosterone and decrease in striatal dopamine. Finally, the long-lasting and robust increase in ΔFosB levels found in striatum after NEPD chronic exposure suggests a high risk of dependence. The increased aggressivity and locomotor activity, together with this potential of inducing dependence justify a warning about the risks of consumption of NEPD if translated to humans. Keywords: Addiction; Aggressive behavior; Monoamine levels; N-ethyl-pentedrone; Synthetic cathinones

Microrreservas marinas artificiales en la línea de costa. Hacia un nuevo modelo de gestión de la biodiversidad en áreas litorales

Recientemente se ha propuesto a la comunidad científica la nueva figura de protección MRMA (Microrreserva Marina Artificial; AMMR en inglés) la cual también ha sido formalmente solicitada a la UNESCO para que esta institución considere reconocerla y consecuentemente, validarla. Se expone la contribución de las MRMAs a la preservación de especies protegidas, particularmente a las consideradas en peligro de extinción que propendan, de forma natural, a establecerse en escolleras y diques de abrigo de instalaciones costeras. Se mencionan las especies protegidas localizadas en las MRMAs, así como sus figuras de protección y disposiciones oficiales que les conciernen. Se exponen criterios generales de designación de MRMAs, posibles vías de solución ante problemas previsibles que puedan surgir (entendimiento entre administraciones, calidad de aguas, medidas de contingencia ante vertidos accidentales, etc.) y se deja entrever las potencialidades de las MRMAs como activo ecológico, medioambiental, urbanístico y educativo, así como el futuro papel que desempeñarán las MRMAs en la gestión del medio litoral y en el campo de la biología de la conservación. Finalmente, se establece una revisión de la legislación actual que más pudiera concernirles, destacándose los aspectos más importantes que en ellas pudieran influir. Al respecto, se destaca que ley 41/2010 de Protección del Medio Marino (Artº 26) establece que podrán formar parte de la red de Áreas Marinas Protegidas “ las áreas protegidas por instrumentos internacionales, sin perjuicio de que su declaración y gestión se ajustará a lo dispuesto en su correspondiente normativa internacional ” por lo que, si la nueva figura de protección “Microrreserva Marina Artificial” consiguiera marchamo UNESCO, aquélla podría incorporarse a la legislación española sin ninguna dificultad especial

Solar energetic electron events measured by MESSENGER and Solar Orbiter. Peak intensity and energy spectrum radial dependences: statistical analysis

Context/Aims: We present a list of 61 solar energetic electron (SEE) events measured by the MESSENGER mission and the radial dependences of the electron peak intensity and the peak-intensity energy spectrum. The analysis comprises the period from 2010 to 2015, when MESSENGER heliocentric distance varied between 0.31 and 0.47 au. We also show the radial dependencies for a shorter list of 12 SEE events measured in February and March 2022 by spacecraft near 1 au and by Solar Orbiter around its first close perihelion at 0.32 au. Results: Due to the elevated background intensity level of the particle instrument on board MESSENGER, the SEE events measured by this mission are necessarily large and intense; most of them accompanied by a CME-driven shock, being widespread in heliolongitude, and displaying relativistic ($\sim$1 MeV) electron intensity enhancements. The two main conclusions derived from the analysis of the large SEE events measured by MESSENGER, which are generally supported by Solar Orbiter's data results, are: (1) There is a wide variability in the radial dependence of the electron peak intensity between $\sim$0.3 au and $\sim$1 au, but the peak intensities of the energetic electrons decrease with radial distance from the Sun in 27 out of 28 events. On average and within the uncertainties, we find a radial dependence consistent with $R^{-3}$. (2) The electron spectral index found in the energy range around 200 keV ($\delta$200) of the backward-scattered population near 0.3 au measured by MESSENGER is harder in 19 out of 20 (15 out of 18) events by a median factor of $\sim$20% ($\sim$10%) when comparing to the anti-sunward propagating beam (backward-scattered population) near 1 au.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figure

Rapid ultrasensitive chemometrics-fluorescence methodology to quantifyfluoroquinolones antibiotics residues in surface water

A sensitive method for the determination of fluoroquinolones in surface waters at trace concentration level is presented. The proposed two-step methodology consists in a solid-phase extraction using C-18 membranes followed measurement of the emission molecular fluorescence spectra over extracted membrane without elution of the analytes. Membrane background signal was removed by the used of chemometrics calculations, in addition chemometrics was as well used for the direct and simultaneous determination of the studied compounds. The method was optimized for the analysis of three fluoroquinolones: enoxacin (ENO), norfloxacin (NOR) and ofloxacin (OFLO). The fluorescence of these compounds increase drastically when they are into the membrane, thus with this method low concentrations are possible to be determined, as the concentration in which these compounds appear in surface water. Limits of detection at the ng • L⁻¹ level were estimated for ENO, NOR and OFLO