Activin/TGFβ and BMP crosstalk determines digit chondrogenesis

AbstractThe progress zone (PZ) is a specialized area at the distal margin of the developing limb where mesodermal cells are kept in proliferation and undifferentiated, allowing limb outgrowth. At stages of digit morphogenesis the PZ cells can undergo two possible fates, either aggregate initiating chondrogenic differentiation to configure the digit blastemas, or to die by apoptosis if they are incorporated in the interdigital mesenchyme. While both processes are controlled by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) the molecular basis for such contrasting differential behavior of the autopodial mesoderm remains unknown. Here we show that a well-defined crescent domain of high BMP activity located at the tip of the forming digits, which we termed the digit crescent (DC), directs incorporation and differentiation of the PZ mesenchymal cells into the digit aggregates. The presence of this domain does not correlate with an exclusive expression domain of BMP receptors and its abrogation by surgical approaches or by local application of BMP antagonists is followed by digit truncation and cell death. We further show that establishment of the DC is directed by Activin/TGFβ signaling, which inhibits Smad 6 and Bambi, two specific BMP antagonists expressed in the interdigits and progress zone mesoderm. The interaction between Activin/TGFβ and BMP pathways at the level of DC promotes the expression of the chondrogenic factor SOX9 accompanied by a local decrease in cell proliferation. Characteristically, the DC domain is asymmetric, it being extended towards the posterior interdigit. The presence of the DC is transitorily dependent of the adjacent posterior interdigit and its maintenance requires also the integrity of the AER

Activin/TGFβ and BMP crosstalk determines digit chondrogenesis

AbstractThe progress zone (PZ) is a specialized area at the distal margin of the developing limb where mesodermal cells are kept in proliferation and undifferentiated, allowing limb outgrowth. At stages of digit morphogenesis the PZ cells can undergo two possible fates, either aggregate initiating chondrogenic differentiation to configure the digit blastemas, or to die by apoptosis if they are incorporated in the interdigital mesenchyme. While both processes are controlled by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) the molecular basis for such contrasting differential behavior of the autopodial mesoderm remains unknown. Here we show that a well-defined crescent domain of high BMP activity located at the tip of the forming digits, which we termed the digit crescent (DC), directs incorporation and differentiation of the PZ mesenchymal cells into the digit aggregates. The presence of this domain does not correlate with an exclusive expression domain of BMP receptors and its abrogation by surgical approaches or by local application of BMP antagonists is followed by digit truncation and cell death. We further show that establishment of the DC is directed by Activin/TGFβ signaling, which inhibits Smad 6 and Bambi, two specific BMP antagonists expressed in the interdigits and progress zone mesoderm. The interaction between Activin/TGFβ and BMP pathways at the level of DC promotes the expression of the chondrogenic factor SOX9 accompanied by a local decrease in cell proliferation. Characteristically, the DC domain is asymmetric, it being extended towards the posterior interdigit. The presence of the DC is transitorily dependent of the adjacent posterior interdigit and its maintenance requires also the integrity of the AER

Updates on post-release mortality of shortfin mako in the Atlantic using satellite telemetry

This paper provides an update of the study on post-release mortality of the shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus developed within the ICCAT Shark Research and Data Collection Program (SRDCP). Up to date, 43 tags (14 sPATs and 29 miniPATs) have been deployed by observers on Brazilian, Portuguese, Spanish, Uruguayan, and US vessels in the temperate NE and NW, Equatorial and SW Atlantic. Data from 35 out of 43 tagged specimens could be used to obtain preliminary information regarding post-release mortality, resulting in a total of 8 mortality and 27 survival events.This study was carried out as part of a cooperative work conducted by the ICCAT Shark species group integrated in the ICCAT Shark Research and Data Collection Program (SRDCP). The authors are grateful to all fishery observers and longline skippers from the Nations involved in this study. Tags from additional sources have been contributed and deployed with several national Projects, specifically: Project "LL-Sharks: Mitigação das capturas de tubarões na pescaria de palangre de superfície (Ref: 31-03-05-FEP-44, funded by PROMAR)", Project "MAKO-WIDE - "A wide scale inter-hemispheric and inter-disciplinary study aiming the conservation of the shortfin mako shark in the Atlantic Ocean (Ref: FAPESP/19740/2014)", funded by FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) and FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation, Brazil), and Project SAFEWATERS SC7 (The provision of advice on the conservation of pelagic sharks associated to fishing activity under EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements in the Atlantic Ocean) under the Framework Contract MARE/2012/21, funded by the European Commission. Additional satellite tags were acquired by NOAA in US-Uruguay and US-Portugal-Uruguay collaboration initiatives. Rui Coelho is supported by an Investigador-FCT contract from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) supported by the EU European Social Fund and the Programa Operacional Potencial Humano (Ref: IF/00253/2014). Catarina C. Santos is supported by an FCT Doctoral grant (Ref: SFRH/BD/139187/2018).info:eu-repo/semantics/draf

Beyond metrics. Point clouds as semantic graphic expression

[EN] Point clouds are objects with an unquestionable geometric value. However, the development of certain working methodologies allows the extraction of information that goes beyond the metric, allowing a semantic analysis of the documented object. In this work, we present one of these methodologies that allows, with the sole modification of the visualization of the point clouds, to highlighting the elements of semantic value in the scanned architectural object.[ES] Las nubes de puntos son objetos con un incuestionable valor geométrico. Pero el desarrollo de determinadas metodologías de trabajo permiten extraer de ellas información que va más allá de la métrica, permitiendo análisis semánticos del objeto documentado. En este trabajo exponemos una de estas metodologías que consiente, únicamente modificando la visualización de las nubes de puntos, poner en evidencia elementos de valor semántico del objeto arquitectónico escaneado.Este documento es fruto de la actividad del Research Group on Architectural Heritage and Archaeology – ARCHCRA (ICAC –ETSA/URV) y de los proyectos de investigación HAR2012-36963 -C05-02, HAR2015-64392-C4-2-P (MINECO/FEDER) y ARREL2015ACUP 00089. Agradecemos también la colaboración de Leica GeosystemsPuche Fontanilles, JM.; Macias Solé, JM.; Toldrà Domingo, JM.; De Solà-Morales, P. (2017). Más allá de la métrica. Las nubes de puntos como expresión gráfica semántica. EGA. Revista de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica. 22(31):228-237. https://doi.org/10.4995/ega.2017.6781SWORD228237223

Leguminous Flour from the Native Argentinian Forest, Their Contribution to Antioxidant Defense

The oxygen-reactive species may generate oxidative stress, which could result in degenerative diseases. Antioxidant mechanisms usually act in a coordinated way, and they are grouped in two defense systems: enzymatic and nonenzymatic system. The metallo-dependent enzymes of the organism and the natural substances present in legumes have the capacity to delay, decrease or inhibit the oxidative processes.This work aimed to evaluate the bioaccessibility of zinc and bioactive compounds of flour obtained from Argentinian native forest fruits corresponding to the family of leguminous plants: white carob (Prosopis alba) and Chañar(Geoffroea decorticans), in order to use them in human food.The study was done on carob flour (CF) and chañar flour (CHF). The minerals were quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. Bioaccessibility (D%) was estimated by dialysate percentage after in vitro digestion. The potentialcontribution (PC) was calculated. Their phenolic concentrations were obtained using the Folin Ciocalteu method and their antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using the radical DPPH (1,1-diphenil-2-pichrihydracil) and expressed as the percentage of the trapping capacity against DPPH.CF and CHF presented contents of Zn of 1.20 and 1.48 mg / 100g; D% 24 and 28; PC 0.29 and 0.41 respectively. CHF contains 112 ± 18.3mg EAG/100g of total phenols and AF 156 ± 16.9 mg EAG/100g. The results showed that the antioxidant potential was higher in CHF 39.78% than CF: 16.4%, in preparations with 100 mg/l. The values for the discoloring percentage of DPPH radical were corrected considering the standard quercetine with a value of 100% antioxidant capacity. The samples under study are good sources of Zn, cofactor of the enzyme superoxide dismutase and of antioxidants, mainly of phenolic compounds. Therefore, these flours couldbe suitable for functional foods formulation.Fil: Generoso, Silvina Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; ArgentinaFil: Costa Macías, Karina Eliana. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; ArgentinaFil: Rosas, Domingo. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; ArgentinaFil: Lescano, Natalia Emilce. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Macias Numa, Sara Magdalena del Valle. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias; Argentin

Effects of Colored Light on Growth and Nutritional Composition of Tilapia, and Biofloc as a Food Source

Light stimulation and biofloc technology can be combined to improve the efficiency and sustainability of tilapia production. A 73-day pilot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of colored light on growth rates and nutritional composition of the Nile tilapia fingerlings (Oreochromis niloticus) in biofloc systems. The effect of colored light on the nutritional composition of bioflocs as a food source for fish was measured. Three groups were illuminated in addition to natural sunlight with colored light using RGB light emitting diodes (LEDs) with peak wavelengths ( ) of 627.27 nm for red (R), 513.33 nm for green (G), and 451.67 nm for blue (B) light. LED light intensity was constant (0.832 mW/cm2), and had an 18-h photoperiod of light per day throughout the study. The control group was illuminated only with natural sunlight (natural). Tilapia had an average initial weight of 0.242 g. There was a significant effect of colored light on tilapia growth and composition. The R group showed the best growth rate, highest survival, and highest lipid content. The B group showed homogeneous growth with the lowest growth rate and lipid content, but the highest protein level. On the other hand, the biofloc composition was influenced by the green light in the highest content of lipids, protein, and nitrogen-free extract

RETOS Y OPORTUNIDADES EN LA INTEGRACIÓN DE SOCIEDADES COOPERATIVAS

La presente publicación contiene las actas del Curso de Verano titulado “Retos y oportunidades en la integración de cooperativas” que se celebró en la sede de la Cartuja de Sevilla de la Universidad Internacional de Andalucía (UNIA) entre los días 11 a 15 de septiembre de 2017 y que se organizó en el marco del Proyecto Investigación de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía "Retos y oportunidades en la concentración e integración de empresas agroalimentaria" (P12-SEJ-2555) del que el profesor Vargas Vasserot es el Investigador Principal. Una de las peculiaridades que tuvo el curso es que gran parte de los asistentes eran a su vez especialistas en las materias impartidas y miembros del proyecto de investigación de la Junta de Andalucía que organizaba el curso, por lo que con objeto de darle mayor participación se habilitó la posibilidad de presentar comunicaciones científicas, como si fuera un congreso. Una vez terminado el curso, se vio que los materiales facilitados a los alumnos por los distintos profesores del curso junto a las comunicaciones científicas presentadas por parte de los asistentes era un material que debía ser puesto a disposición de todas las personas e instituciones interesadas en los procesos de integración de cooperativas y, además, sin mucha demora por la importancia que actualmente tienen todas estas cuestiones. Además de las ponencias y comunicaciones que se presentarons, hemos includio en la publicación un anexo con legislación y normativa de interés y los resultados de una encuesta sobre los procesos de integración realizada en el sector hortofrutícola almeriense que realizamos a lo largo de 2016 en el marco del citado proyecto de investigación de la Junta de Andalucía

Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in food

Acknowledgements: The Panel wishes to thank the following for their support provided to this scientific output as Hearing experts: Klaus Abraham, Esben Budtz-Jørgensen, Tony Fletcher, Philippe Grandjean, Hans Mielke and Hans Rumke and EFSA staff members: Davide Arcella, Marco Binaglia, Petra Gergelova, Elena Rovesti and Marijke Schutte. The Panel wishes to acknowledge all European competent institutions, Member State bodies and other organisations that provided data for this scientific output. The Panel would also like to thank the following authors and co-authors for providing additional information in relation to their respective studies: Berit Granum, Margie M Peden-Adams, Thomas Webster.Peer reviewedPublisher PD