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IntroductionTraditional approaches to collecting large-scale biodiversity data pose huge logistical and technical challenges. We aimed to assess how a comparatively simple method based on sequencing environmental DNA (eDNA) characterises global variation in plant diversity and community composition compared with data derived from traditional plant inventory methods. MethodsWe sequenced a short fragment (P6 loop) of the chloroplast trnL intron from from 325 globally distributed soil samples and compared estimates of diversity and composition with those derived from traditional sources based on empirical (GBIF) or extrapolated plant distribution and diversity data. ResultsLarge-scale plant diversity and community composition patterns revealed by sequencing eDNA were broadly in accordance with those derived from traditional sources. The success of the eDNA taxonomy assignment, and the overlap of taxon lists between eDNA and GBIF, was greatest at moderate to high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. On average, around half (mean: 51.5% SD 17.6) of local GBIF records were represented in eDNA databases at the species level, depending on the geographic region. DiscussioneDNA trnL gene sequencing data accurately represent global patterns in plant diversity and composition and thus can provide a basis for large-scale vegetation studies. Important experimental considerations for plant eDNA studies include using a sampling volume and design to maximise the number of taxa detected and optimising the sequencing depth. However, increasing the coverage of reference sequence databases would yield the most significant improvements in the accuracy of taxonomic assignments made using the P6 loop of the trnL region.

Our knowledge of microbial biogeography has advanced in recent years, yet we lack knowledge of the global diversity of some important functional groups. Here, we used environmental DNA from 327 globally collected soil samples to investigate the biodiversity patterns of nitrogen-fixing bacteria by focusing on the nifH gene but also amplifying the general prokaryotic 16S SSU region. Globally, N-fixing prokaryotic communities are driven mainly by climatic conditions, with most groups being positively correlated with stable hot or seasonally humid climates. Among soil parameters, pH, but also soil N content were most often shown to correlate with the diversity of N-fixer groups. However, specific groups of N-fixing prokaryotes show contrasting responses to the same variables, notably in Cyanobacteria that were negatively correlated with stable hot climates, and showed a U-shaped correlation with soil pH, contrary to other N-fixers. Also, the non-N-fixing prokaryotic community composition was differentially correlated with the diversity and abundance of N-fixer groups, showing the often-neglected impact of biotic interactions among bacteria.

Spatial variation in plant chemical defence towards herbivores can help us understand variation in herbivore top–down control of shrubs in the Arctic and possibly also shrub responses to global warming. Less defended, non-resinous shrubs could be more influenced by herbivores than more defended, resinous shrubs. However, sparse field measurements limit our current understanding of how much of the circum-Arctic variation in defence compounds is explained by taxa or defence functional groups (resinous/non-resinous). We measured circum-Arctic chemical defence and leaf digestibility in resinous (Betula glandulosa, B. nana ssp. exilis) and non-resinous (B. nana ssp. nana, B. pumila) shrub birches to see how they vary among and within taxa and functional groups. Using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) metabolomic analyses and in vitro leaf digestibility via incubation in cattle rumen fluid, we analysed defence composition and leaf digestibility in 128 samples from 44 tundra locations. We found biogeographical patterns in anti-herbivore defence where mean leaf triterpene concentrations and twig resin gland density were greater in resinous taxa and mean concentrations of condensing tannins were greater in non-resinous taxa. This indicates a biome-wide trade-off between triterpene- or tannin-dominated defences. However, we also found variations in chemical defence composition and resin gland density both within and among functional groups (resinous/non-resinous) and taxa, suggesting these categorisations only partly predict chemical herbivore defence. Complex tannins were the only defence compounds negatively related to in vitro digestibility, identifying this previously neglected tannin group as having a potential key role in birch anti-herbivore defence. We conclude that circum-Arctic variation in birch anti-herbivore defence can be partly derived from biogeographical distributions of birch taxa, although our detailed mapping of plant defence provides more information on this variation and can be used for better predictions of herbivore effects on Arctic vegetation.rotected area networks help species respond to climate warming. However, the contribution of a site’s environmental and conservation-relevant characteristics to these responsesis not well understood. We investigated how composition of nonbreeding waterbird communities (97 species) in the European Union Natura 2000 (N2K) network (3018 sites)changed in response to increases in temperature over 25 years in 26 European countries.We measured community reshuffling based on abundance time series collected under theInternational Waterbird Census relative to N2K sites’ conservation targets, funding, designation period, and management plan status. Waterbird community composition in sitesexplicitly designated to protect them and with management plans changed more quickly inresponse to climate warming than in other N2K sites. Temporal community changes werenot affected by the designation period despite greater exposure to temperature increaseinside late-designated N2K sites. Sites funded under the LIFE program had lower climate-driven community changes than sites that did not received LIFE funding. Our findingsimply that efficient conservation policy that helps waterbird communities respond to cli-mate warming is associated with sites specifically managed for waterbirds. climate adaptation, colonization, conservation policy, distribution change, EU Birds Directive, LIFE program,wetland. Arctic, Betula, birch, herbivory, metabolomics, plant chemical defence, shrubs, tundra publishedVersion

Accessibility in games remain largely inaccessible to visually and hearing impaired people. In this work, we introduce 2222, an accessible maze game that promotes a real inclusion, through resources such as auditory orientation and equity in the game mechanics, reducing the disparity in the game-play experience between players. Furthermore, we also brought environmental awareness within our narrative to inspire players to transform our reality.

Endocrine Mucin-Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare, low-grade, malignant tumor derived from sweat glands, arising preferentially in skin from the periorbital region. EMPSGC tumors are more frequently found in elderly female patients. To date, only around 70 cases have been reported in the literature [1-3]. Therefore, thorough immunohistochemical characterization of EMPSGC tumors is of pivotal importance to confirm its diagnosis [4-6].

El presente artículo desarrolla una reflexión sobre el proceso de automatización de la moderación de contenidos en redes sociales. Para ello, el artículo se divide en dos partes. La primera se concentra en las consecuencias políticas de delegar en un algoritmo el juicio que distingue entre lo que es y no es “publicable”. Se trata de comprender las consecuencias políticas generadas por el proceso de automatización de lo que cierta tradición filosófica ha llamado “el sentido común”. La segunda se concentra en la dimensión económico-política detrás de este proceso de automatización. A partir de una metodología crítica (posmarxista), se examinó la relación entre trabajo y valor que subyace a esta “automatización del sentido común”. Desde la perspectiva de una crítica de la economía política, se sugiere que la automatización de la moderación de contenidos depende de una apropiación y una explotación de lo “común”. En este sentido, la moderación de contenidos y su automatización funcionan como caso ejemplar para analizar los conceptos de trabajo y de valor en lo que se ha llamado “extractivismo de datos” y “capitalismo de plataformas”.

Spatial variation in plant chemical defence towards herbivores can help us understand variation in herbivore top-down control of shrubs in the Arctic and possibly also shrub responses to global warming. Less defended, non-resinous shrubs could be more influenced by herbivores than more defended, resinous shrubs. However, sparse field measurements limit our current understanding of how much of the circum-Arctic variation in defence compounds is explained by taxa or defence functional groups (resinous/non-resinous). We measured circum-Arctic chemical defence and leaf digestibility in resinous (Betula glandulosa, B. nana ssp. exilis) and non-resinous (B. nana ssp. nana, B. pumila) shrub birches to see how they vary among and within taxa and functional groups. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomic analyses and in vitro leaf digestibility via incubation in cattle rumen fluid, we analysed defence composition and leaf digestibility in 128 samples from 44 tundra locations. We found biogeographical patterns in anti-herbivore defence where mean leaf triterpene concentrations and twig resin gland density were greater in resinous taxa and mean concentrations of condensing tannins were greater in non-resinous taxa. This indicates a biome-wide trade-off between triterpene- or tannin-dominated defences. However, we also found variations in chemical defence composition and resin gland density both within and among functional groups (resinous/non-resinous) and taxa, suggesting these categorisations only partly predict chemical herbivore defence. Complex tannins were the only defence compounds negatively related to in vitro digestibility, identifying this previously neglected tannin group as having a potential key role in birch anti-herbivore defence. We conclude that circum-Arctic variation in birch anti-herbivore defence can be partly derived from biogeographical distributions of birch taxa, although our detailed mapping of plant defence provides more information on this variation and can be used for better predictions of herbivore effects on Arctic vegetation.

CD19-directed immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of advanced B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Despite initial impressive rates of complete remission (CR) many patients ultimately relapse. Patients with B-ALL successfully treated with CD19-directed T cells eventually relapse, which, coupled with the early onset of CD22 expression during B-cell development, suggests that preexisting CD34+CD22+CD19− (pre)-leukemic cells represent an “early progenitor origin-related” mechanism underlying phenotypic escape to CD19-directed immunotherapies. We demonstrate that CD22 expression precedes CD19 expression during B-cell development. CD34+CD19−CD22+ cells are found in diagnostic and relapsed bone marrow samples of ∼70% of patients with B-ALL, and their frequency increases twofold in patients with B-ALL in CR after CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. The median of CD34+CD19−CD22+ cells before treatment was threefold higher in patients in whom B-ALL relapsed after CD19-directed immunotherapy (median follow-up, 24 months). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis in flow-sorted cell populations and xenograft modeling revealed that CD34+CD19−CD22+ cells harbor the genetic abnormalities present at diagnosis and initiate leukemogenesis in vivo. Our data suggest that preleukemic CD34+CD19−CD22+ progenitors underlie phenotypic escape after CD19-directed immunotherapies and reinforce ongoing clinical studies aimed at CD19/CD22 dual targeting as a strategy for reducing CD19− relapses. The implementation of CD34/CD19/CD22 immunophenotyping in clinical laboratories for initial diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of patients with B-ALL during CD19-targeted therapy is encouraged., The work in P.M. and C.B.’s Laboratory was supported by the European Research Council (CoG-2014-646903, PoC-2018-811220) and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SAF2016-80481R, PID2019-108160RB-I00) (P.M.); the ISCIII (ISCIII/FEDER, PI17/01028 and PI20/00822), the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC), and the FERO Foundation (C.B.). P.M. and J.M.R. acknowledge the support of ISCIII-RICORS within the Next Generation EU program (Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia). N.E. is supported by Cancer Research UK and a Children and Young People’s Cancer Innovation Award (DRCPGM\100058). A.R. is supported by a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship (216632/Z/19/Z). A.O. was supported by ISCIII (PI19/011183). F.S. was supported by AGAUR/Generalitat de Catalunya (SGR288). The single-cell transcriptomic analysis was supported by MRC Discovery award MRCDA 0816-11 and the MRC WIMM Single Cell Facility and MRC-funded Oxford Consortium for Single-Cell Biology (MR/M00919X/1) provided assistance.

Psicosom��tica y Psiquiatr��a, N��m. 1 (2017): abril-mayo-junio

Celia Álvarez-Bueno,1 Iván Cavero-Redondo,1 Ana Díez-Fernández,1 Maria Jesús Pardo-Guijarro,1,2 Mairena Sánchez-López,1,3 Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno1,41Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain; 2School of Education, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain; 3School of Education, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain; 4Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, ChileObjectives: To examine differences in cognition parameters by birth weight categories and to analyze whether the relationships between birth weight and cognitive functions are mediated by cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in schoolchildren.Methods: A cross-sectional study using a sample of 664 school children from the MOVI-Kids study. Variables: i) cognitive function measured by the Battery of General and Differential Aptitudes (BADyG); ii) birth weight, reported by parents; and iii) CRF (20-m shuttle run test). ANCOVA models were estimated to assess differences in cognitive function categories across birth weight and CRF categories. Mediation analysis was conducted with Hayes’ PROCESS macro.Results: CRF is a full mediator of the association between birth weight with the verbal and numerical factors, and general intelligence; and is a partial mediator when logical reasoning and the spatial factor were the dependent variables. The available data suggest that, in schoolchildren, the influence of birth weight on cognitive function is mediated by CRF.Conclusions: These findings highlight that children with lower birth weight values and lower fitness levels should be target subgroups to improve children’s cognition, in which long-life physical activity interventions at early ages are a priority.Keywords: birth weight, fitness, academic performance, cognition, children

Iván Cavero-Redondo,1 Xuemei Sui,2 Steven N Blair,2 Carl J Lavie,3 Celia Álvarez-Bueno,1 Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno1,4 1Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Health and Social Research Center, Cuenca, Spain; 2Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA; 3Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; 4Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Talca, Chile Background and purpose: Although several studies have assessed the importance of traditional risk factors in predicting stroke, none have concurrently addressed the stroke-predicting ability of these risk factors across the lifespan of subjects without a hypertension (HTN) diagnosis. Thus, this study aimed to assess the importance of blood-pressure-related risk indicators, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), weight status, diabetes mellitus (DM), and lifestyle factors as predictors of stroke in different stages of life among non-hypertensive subjects.Materials and methods: This study was a long-term follow-up study including 33,254 men and 10,598women from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) who were 18–100years old and did not have a HTN diagnosis at baseline. Logistic regression models were constructed using forward selection procedures for each age category, with stroke occurrence as the dependent variable, and pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), smoking status, CRF, drinking behavior, DM status, and weight status as potential predictors.Results: In total, 507 subjects had a stroke during an average follow-up period of 17years (range=1–34years). Logistic regression models showed that MAP values (P=0.043) in those aged 19–39years; SBP (P

The competitive adsorption of aromatics and nitrogen heterocycles on the active sites of solid catalytic sulfides (Ni(Co)-MoS2 dispersed over oxidic carriers) typically causes inhibitory effects during the hydropurification of sulfur heterocycles. Contrary to this typical behavior, we report herein that it is possible to promote the scission of the C-S bond of refractory dibenzothiophene by co?feeding the above compounds during hydropurification over a conventional Ni-MoS2/Al2O3 catalyst. Particularly, we prove that at temperatures between 240 and 300°C and concentrations of dibenzothiophene between 1.0 and 3.7 wt.%, the desulfurization of dibenzothiophene is promoted by increasing its conversion up to 370% when either naphthalene, indole, or quinoline are co-fed to the reaction system. The work highlights the following: (i) lower temperatures and higher concentrations of the sulfur heterocycle enhanced the cleavage of the C-S bond from dibenzothiophene; (ii) it is possible to promote hydropurification reactions regardless of the nature of the of co-reactants; namely: a fused aromatic ring -naphthalene-, or a fused nitrogen heterocycle with a lone pair belonging to the pi-system -quinoline- or not -indole-.

In Asia, direct sowing and water savings are major trends in previously transplanted and flooded irrigated rice systems because of the higher cost of wages and increasing water shortage. Previous experiments showed that the leaf appearance rate varies between aerobic and flooded cropping systems. This study aimed to further understand how the planting method affects the development rate, flowering time, and yield of lowland irrigated rice crops. A two-year experiment was undertaken at the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines, using three contrasting rice varieties and three planting methods (transplanted, wet direct-seeded, and dry direct-seeded; at a density of 25 plants m-2) in a field submerged in 3–5 cm water from two weeks after the transplanting date. The effect of the planting method was similar in the three varieties, mostly without interaction between the two factors. In 2013, the leaf number of seedlings grown in seedling trays was two leaves behind that of direct-seeded plants at the time of transplanting. However, the young transplanted plants recovered quickly; produced new leaves at a faster rate (with a shorter phyllochron); reached panicle initiation, flag-leaf emergence and flowering time 1 week later; and developed more leaves compared to the direct-seeded plants. In 2014, growing in the nursery induced no delay in leaf appearance due to temperatures lower than those in 2013; therefore, the planting method did not affect the leaf appearance rate. Thus, plant development was primarily delayed by the density stress in the seedling trays under warm temperatures; however, the transplanted rice plants had lower plastochron duration than the direct-seeded plants, which made up for the initial delay in leaf appearance. In both years and at similar plant density, the transplanted plants produced more tillers bearing larger upper leaves that led to a higher leaf area index; however, grain yields were similar for the transplanted and direct-seeded crops.Highlights- In seedling trays, leaf appearance stopped at the appearance of the fourth leaf.- After transplanting, leaf appearance resumed at a faster rate than in direct-seeded plants.- Transplanted plants had delayed panicle initiation and flowering time, more tillers, and more and larger leaves per tiller, but similar grain yield compared to direct-seeded plants at similar planting density.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect.

1. Ungulate trampling modifies soils and interlinked ecosystem functions across biomes. Until today, most research has focused on temperate ecosystems and mineral soils while trampling effects on cold and organic matter‐rich tundra soils remain largely unknown. 2. We aimed to develop a general model of trampling effects on soil structure, biota, microclimate and biogeochemical processes, with a particular focus on polar tundra soils. To reach this goal, we reviewed literature about the effects of trampling and physical disturbances on soils across biomes and used this to discuss the knowns and unknowns of trampling effects on tundra soils. 3. We identified the following four pathways through which trampling affects soils: (a) soil compaction; (b) reductions in soil fauna and fungi; (c) rapid losses in vegetation biomass and cover; and (d) longer term shifts in vegetation community composition. 4. We found that, in polar tundra, soil responses to trampling pathways 1 and 3 could be characterized by nonlinear dynamics and tundra‐specific context dependencies that we formulated into testable hypotheses. 5. In conclusion, trampling may affect tundra soil significantly but many direct, interacting and cascading responses remain unknown. We call for research to advance the understanding of trampling effects on soils to support informed efforts to manage and predict the functioning of tundra systems under global changes.

Although it has been reported that mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adult tissues can be induced to overcome their mesenchymal fate and transdifferentiate into neural cells, the findings and their interpretation have been challenged. The main argument against this process is that the cells rapidly adopt neuron-like morphologies through retraction of the cytoplasm rather than active neurite extension. In this study, we examined the sequence of biological events during neural differentiation of human periodontal ligament-derived stem cells (hPDLSCs), human bone marrow-derived stem cells (hBMSCs) and human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDPSCs) by time-lapse microscopy. We have demonstrated that hPDLSCs, hBMSCs and hDPSCs can directly differentiate into neuron-like cells without passing through a mitotic stage and that they shrink dramatically and change their morphology to that of neuron-like cells through active neurite extension. Furthermore, we observed micronuclei movement and transient cell nuclei lobulation concurrent to in vitro neurogenesis from hBMSCs and hDPSCs. Our results demonstrate that the differentiation of hPDLSCs, hBMSCs and hDPSCs towards a neural lineage occurs through a dedifferentiation step followed by differentiation to neural phenotypes, and therefore we definitively confirm that the rapid acquisition of the neural phenotype is via a differentiation trait.

Additional file 7. Additional Figures showing the spatial and temporal extent of studies across ecological context variables.

New Phytologist Meeting Report for the 10th International Conference on Mycorrhiza (ICOM10), Mérida, Mexico, June 30 – July 5 2019

Inherited metabolism disorders are serious childhood diseases that lead to significant cognitive impairment and regression of psychomotor development. The pathophysiology of the neural progressive deterioration is usually associated with severe neuroinflammation and demyelination, and as a consequence, neurodegeneration. At the moment they have no adequate treatment and require early and aggressive therapeutic approaches, which entail high mortality rates and, very frequently, low degrees of functional improvement and survival. Bone marrow transplantation and bone marrow mesenchymal cells grafts are therapeutic and experimental therapies that improve the course of these diseases through different mechanisms of action: enzyme replacement, membrane exchange and regulation of the inflammatory process.

BACKGROUND: There are few therapeutic options available for patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) relapsing as CD19(-) either after chemotherapy or CD19-targeted immunotherapies. CD22-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells represent an attractive addition to CD19-CAR T cell therapy because they will target both CD22(+)CD19(-) B-ALL relapses and CD19(-) preleukemic cells. However, the immune escape mechanisms from CD22-CAR T cells, and the potential contribution of the epitope binding of the anti-CD22 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) remain understudied. METHODS: Here, we have developed and comprehensively characterized a novel CD22-CAR (clone hCD22.7) targeting a membrane-distal CD22 epitope and tested its cytotoxic effects against B-ALL cells both in in vitro and in vivo assays. RESULTS: Conformational epitope mapping, cross-blocking, and molecular docking assays revealed that the hCD22.7 scFv is a high-affinity binding antibody which specifically binds to the ESTKDGKVP sequence, located in the Ig-like V-type domain, the most distal domain of CD22. We observed efficient killing of B-ALL cells in vitro, although the kinetics were dependent on the level of CD22 expression. Importantly, we show an efficient in vivo control of patients with B-ALL derived xenografts with diverse aggressiveness, coupled to long-term hCD22.7-CAR T cell persistence. Remaining leukemic cells at sacrifice maintained full expression of CD22, ruling out CAR pressure-mediated antigen loss. Finally, the immunogenicity capacity of this hCD22.7-scFv was very similar to that of other CD22 scFv previously used in adoptive T cell therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We report a novel, high-affinity hCD22.7 scFv which targets a membrane-distal epitope of CD22. 4-1BB-based hCD22.7-CAR T cells efficiently eliminate clinically relevant B- CD22(high) and CD22(low) ALL primary samples in vitro and in vivo. Our study supports the clinical translation of this hCD22.7-CAR as either single or tandem CD22-CD19-CAR for both naive and anti-CD19-resistant patients with B-ALL.

Aim: Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in cellular development and differentiation. A detailed map of the DNA methylation dynamics that occur during cell differentiation would contribute to decipher the molecular networks governing cell fate commitment. Methods: Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip platform was used to describe the genome-wide DNA methylation changes observed throughout hematopoietic maturation by analyzing multiple myeloid and lymphoid hematopoietic cell types. Results: We identified a plethora of DNA methylation changes that occur during human hematopoietic differentiation. We observed that T lymphocytes display substantial enhancement of de novo CpG hypermethylation as compared with other hematopoietic cell populations. T-cell-specific hypermethylated regions were strongly associated with open chromatin marks and enhancer elements, as well as binding sites of specific key transcription factors involved in hematopoietic differentiation, such as PU. 1 and TAL1. Conclusion: These results provide novel insights into the role of DNA methylation at enhancer elements in T-cell development.

Chronic, low intensity herbivory by invertebrates, termed background herbivory, has been understudied in tundra, yet its impacts are likely to increase in a warmer Arctic. The magnitude of these changes is however hard to predict as we know little about the drivers of current levels of invertebrate herbivory in tundra. We assessed the intensity of invertebrate herbivory on a common tundra plant, the dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa-nana complex), and investigated its relationship to latitude and climate across the tundra biome. Leaf damage by defoliating, mining and gall-forming invertebrates was measured in samples collected from 192 sites at 56 locations. Our results indicate that invertebrate herbivory is nearly ubiquitous across the tundra biome but occurs at low intensity. On average, invertebrates damaged 11.2% of the leaves and removed 1.4% of total leaf area. The damage was mainly caused by external leaf feeders, and most damaged leaves were only slightly affected (12% leaf area lost). Foliar damage was consistently positively correlated with mid-summer (July) temperature and, to a lesser extent, precipitation in the year of data collection, irrespective of latitude. Our models predict that, on average, foliar losses to invertebrates on dwarf birch are likely to increase by 6–7% over the current levels with a 1 °C increase in summer temperatures. Our results show that invertebrate herbivory on dwarf birch is small in magnitude but given its prevalence and dependence on climatic variables, background invertebrate herbivory should be included in predictions of climate change impacts on tundra ecosystems. © 2017 Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany

Chronic, low intensity herbivory by invertebrates, termed background herbivory, has been understudied in tundra, yet its impacts are likely to increase in a warmer Arctic. The magnitude of these changes is however hard to predict as we know little about the drivers of current levels of invertebrate herbivory in tundra. We assessed the intensity of invertebrate herbivory on a common tundra plant, the dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa-nana complex), and investigated its relationship to latitude and climate across the tundra biome. Leaf damage by defoliating, mining and gall-forming invertebrates was measured in samples collected from 192 sites at 56 locations. Our results indicate that invertebrate herbivory is nearly ubiquitous across the tundra biome but occurs at low intensity. On average, invertebrates damaged 11.2% of the leaves and removed 1.4% of total leaf area. The damage was mainly caused by external leaf feeders, and most damaged leaves were only slightly affected (12% leaf area lost). Foliar damage was consistently positively correlated with mid-summer (July) temperature and, to a lesser extent, precipitation in the year of data collection, irrespective of latitude. Our models predict that, on average, foliar losses to invertebrates on dwarf birch are likely to increase by 6–7% over the current levels with a 1 °C increase in summer temperatures. Our results show that invertebrate herbivory on dwarf birch is small in magnitude but given its prevalence and dependence on climatic variables, background invertebrate herbivory should be included in predictions of climate change impacts on tundra ecosystems.

Ribosomal protein (RP) expression in higher eukaryotes is regulated translationally through the 5'TOP sequence. This mechanism evolved to more rapidly produce RPs on demand in different tissues. Here we show that 40S ribosomes, in a complex with the mRNA binding protein LARP1, selectively stabilize 5'TOP mRNAs, with disruption of this complex leading to induction of the impaired ribosome biogenesis checkpoint (IRBC) and p53 stabilization. The importance of this mechanism is underscored in 5q(-) syndrome, a macrocytic anemia caused by a large monoallelic deletion, which we found to also encompass the LARP1 gene. Critically, depletion of LARP1 alone in human adult CD34+ bone marrow precursor cells leads to a reduction in 5'TOP mRNAs and the induction of p53. These studies identify a 40S ribosome function independent of those in translation that, with LARP1, mediates the autogenous control of 5'TOP mRNA stability, whose disruption is implicated in the pathophysiology of 5q(-) syndrome.

Efficient methodologies for recreating cancer-associated chromosome translocations are in high demand as tools for investigating how such events initiate cancer. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used to reconstruct the genetics of these complex rearrangements at native loci while maintaining the architecture and regulatory elements. However, the CRISPR system remains inefficient in human stem cells. Here, we compared three strategies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the CRISPR-mediated t(11;22) translocation in human stem cells, including mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells: (1) using end-joining DNA processing factors involved in repair mechanisms, or (2) ssODNs to guide the ligation of the double-strand break ends generated by CRISPR/Cas9; and (3) all-in-one plasmid or ribonucleoprotein complex-based approaches. We report that the generation of targeted t(11;22) is significantly increased by using a combination of ribonucleoprotein complexes and ssODNs. The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of targeted t(11;22) in human stem cells opens up new avenues in modeling Ewing sarcoma.

Introduction Increasing prevalence of both thinness and excess weight during childhood and adolescence is a significant public health issue because of short-term health consequences and long-term tracking of weight status. Monitoring weight status in Europe may serve to identify countries and regions where rates of these disorders are either slowing down or increasing to evaluate recent policies aimed at appropriate body weight, and to direct future interventions. This study protocol provides a standardised and transparent methodology to improve estimating trends of thinness, overweight and obesity in children aged 3-18 years and adolescents across the European region between 2000 and 2017. Methods and analysis This protocol is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) and the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. To identify relevant studies, a search will be conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science databases. From the selected studies, relevant references will be screened as supplemental sources. Finally, open search in websites from health institutions will be conducted to identify weight status data not published in scientific journals. Cross-sectional, follow-up studies and panel surveys reporting weight status (objectively measured height and weight) according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria, and written in English or Spanish will be included. Subgroup analyses will be carried out by gender, age, study year and country or European region. Discussion This study will provide a comprehensive description of weight status of children and adolescents across Europe from 2000 to 2017. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. This study will use data exclusively from published research or institutional literature, so institutional ethical approval is not required.

Aim: Understanding the forces shaping biodiversity patterns, particularly for groups of organisms with key functional roles, will help predict the responses of ecosystems to environmental changes. Our aim was to evaluate the relative role of different drivers in shaping the diversity patterns of vertebrate herbivores, a group of organisms exerting a strong trophic influence in terrestrial Arctic ecosystems. This biome, traditionally perceived as homogeneous and low in biodiversity, includes wide variation in biotic and physical conditions and is currently undergoing major environmental change. Location: The Arctic (including the High Arctic, Low Arctic and Subarctic). Methods: We compiled available data on vertebrate (birds and mammals) herbivore distribution at a pan-Arctic scale, and used eight variables that represent the most relevant hypotheses for explaining patterns of species richness. We used range maps rasterized on a 100 km × 100 km equal-area grid to analyse richness patterns of all vertebrate herbivore species combined, and birds and mammalian herbivores separately. Results: Overall, patterns of herbivore species richness in the Arctic were positively related to plant productivity (measured using the normalized difference vegetation index) and to the species richness of predators. Greater species richness of herbivores was also linked to areas with a higher mean annual temperature. Species richness of avian and mammalian herbivores were related to the distance from the coast, with the highest avian richness in coastal areas and mammalian richness peaking further inland. Main conclusions: Herbivore richness in the Arctic is most strongly linked to primary productivity and the species richness of predators. Our results suggest that biotic interactions, with either higher or lower trophic levels or both, can drive patterns of species richness at a biome-wide scale. Rapid ongoing environmental changes in the Arctic are likely to affect herbivore diversity through impacts on both primary productivity and changes in predator communities via range expansion of predators from lower latitudes.

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment has been achieved using single-cell transplantation of prospectively highly purified adult HSC populations. However, bulk transplants are still performed when assessing the HSC potential of early embryonic hematopoietic tissues such as the aorta-gonad mesonephros (AGM) due to very low HSC activity content early in development. Intra-bone marrow transplantation (IBMT) has emerged as a superior administration route over intravenous (IV) transplantation for assessing the reconstituting ability of human HSCs in the xenotransplant setting since it bypasses the requirement for homing to the BM. In this study, we compared the ability of IBMT and IV administration of embryonic day 11.5 AGM-derived cells to reconstitute the hematopoietic system of myeloablated recipients. IBMT resulted in higher levels of AGM HSC long-term multilineage engraftment in the peripheral blood, BM, spleen, and thymus of primary and secondary recipients, and in limiting dilution experiments. The administration route did not skew the multilineage contribution pattern, but IBMT conferred higher Lineage(-)Sca-1(+)c-kit(+) long-term engraftment, in line with the superior IBMT reconstitution. Therefore, IBMT represents a superior administration route to detect HSC activity from developmentally early sources with limited HSC activity content, such as the AGM.

Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia with thinning of corpus callosum (ARHSP-TCC) is a complex form of HSP initially described in Japan but subsequently reported to have a worldwide distribution with a particular high frequency in multiple families from the Mediterranean basin. We recently showed that ARHSP-TCC is commonly associated with mutations in SPG11/KIAA1840 on chromosome 15q. We have now screened a collection of new patients mainly originating from Italy and Brazil, in order to further ascertain the spectrum of mutations in SPG11, enlarge the ethnic origin of SPG11 patients, determine the relative frequency at the level of single Countries (i.e., Italy), and establish whether there is one or more common mutation. In 25 index cases we identified 32 mutations; 22 are novel, including 9 nonsense, 3 small deletions, 4 insertions, 1 in/del, 1 small duplication, 1 missense, 2 splice-site, and for the first time a large genomic rearrangement. This brings the total number of SPG11 mutated patients in the SPATAX collection to 111 cases in 44 families and in 17 isolated cases, from 16 Countries, all assessed using homogeneous clinical criteria. While expanding the spectrum of mutations in SPG11, this larger series also corroborated the notion that even within apparently homogeneous population a molecular diagnosis cannot be achieved without full gene sequencing.

Revista Biociencias Julio 2010 Vol. 1 Núm. 1 Año 1 Páginas 4 a 18 4ResumenEl maíz es uno de los cultivos económicosen los que se ha investigado y avanzadoen la mejora genética, pero es necesario estudiarla diversidad local presente en las áreas rurales,la que es conservada y manejada in situ,en los huertos caseros y/o fincas de los agricultores,dada la importancia de este grano básicoen la subsistencia familiar. Los objetivos de estetrabajo fueron identificar y caracterizar las razasde maíz en pequeños predios rurales de dos zonasde Cuba aisladas geográficamente: Pinar delRío y Guantánamo. Se estudiaron 55 poblacionestradicionales y se evaluaron 14 caracteres (nuevecontinuos y cinco categóricos) en la mazorca y elgrano. Estos se procesaron empleando la estrategiaen dos pasos WARD-Método Local Modificado(MLM) para el agrupamiento de observaciones,utilizando variables continuas y categóricassimultáneamente. Como medida de similaridad seempleó la distancia de Gower, utilizando para sucálculo el paquete estadístico SAS 9.0. De esteanálisis se derivó la formación de seis grupos yse identificaron cuatro de las razas de maíz másimportantes para Cuba: Criollo, Canilla, Tusóny Argentino, lo que sugiere que los campesinosconservan in situ una parte importante de la diversidad de las razas presentes en el germoplasmacubano de maíz. Se sugiere el estudio enotras áreas del país, específicamente en la regiónOriental, provincia de Guantánamo, con el objetivode corroborar la presencia de otras razas descritaspara Cuba, ya que éstas sólo han sido ubicadas enmuy baja frecuencia en localidades específicas delValle de Caujerí, en Guantánamo.

A probabilistic criterion proposed by Cornell et al (2002) and extended by Tolentino et al (2012) is used here to study the effect of long-term material degradation due to corrosion of reinforced concrete buildings located in the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The criterion considers, by means of closed form mathematical expressions, the simultaneous variation of the structural capacity and of the structural demand, over time. The structural reliability is represented in terms of two alternative indicators: a) the expected number of failures over a time interval, and b) the confidence factors as functions of time, within a Demand and Capacity Factor Design format. The reliability indicators are extended here in order to take into account the structural deterioration due to corrosion over a time interval. Both, aleatory and epistemic uncertainties are taken into account. The structural reliability is evaluated for a 4-story building subjected to a set of real seismic ground motions recorded in Acapulco Bay, Mexico.

Infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) accounts for 10% of childhood ALL. The genetic hallmark of most infant B-ALL is chromosomal rearrangements of the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) gene. Despite improvement in the clinical management and survival (similar to 85-90%) of childhood B-ALL, the outcome of infants with MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) B-ALL remains dismal, with overall survival

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The time-course for aging-associated effects on vascular reactivity to U46619, a stable analogue of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), was studied in aorta from female senescence-accelerated mice-prone (SAMP8), a murine model of accelerated senescence. SAMP8 and senescence-accelerated mice-resistant (SAMR1) were divided into three groups: 3-, 6- and 10-month-old. Contractile curves to U46619 (10−9 to 10−6 M) were performed in aortic rings in the absence or in the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10−4 M) and/or cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin (10−5 M). Protein and gene expression for COX-1 and COX-2 were determined by immunofluorescence and real-time PCR, respectively. Maximal contraction to U46619 was markedly higher in SAMP8 at all ages. In SAMR1, increases were seen at 10 months, while SAMP8 displays augmented contraction at 6 months, which was further increased at 10 months. L-NAME enhanced U46619 contractions in both 6-month-old groups, although the increase was higher on vessels from SAMR1 at this age. Indomethacin equally increased U46619 contractions in both 3-month-old groups, suggesting the production of vasodilator prostaglandin in young animals. In contrast, at 6 and 10 months indomethacin decreased U46619 contractions in both groups, indicating an aging-associated swap to a release of contractile prostanoids in aorta. In conclusion, aging enhances contractile responses to TXA2 in aorta from female mice by a mechanism involving a decrease of NO production and increased action of contractile prostanoids. This process occurs earlier in SAMP8 mice, establishing these mice as good model to study cardiovascular aging in a convenient and standard time-course.

12 páginas, 7 figuras, 2 tablas., [EN] In recent decades, mountainous areas that contain some of the best-preserved habitats worldwide are experiencing significant, rapid changes. Efficient monitoring of these areas is crucial for impact assessments, understanding the key processes underlying the changes, and development of measures that mitigate degradation. Remote sensing is an efficient, cost-effective means of monitoring landscapes. One of the main challenges in the development of remote sensing techniques is improving classification accuracy, which is complicated in mountainous areas because of the rugged topography. This study evaluated the 3 main steps in the supervised vegetation classification of a mountainous area in the Spanish Pyrenees using Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper imagery. The steps were (1) choosing the training data sampling type (expert supervised or random selection), (2) deciding whether to include ancillary data, and (3) selecting a classification algorithm. The combination (in order of importance) of randomly selected training data, ancillary data (topographic and vegetation index), and a random forest classifier improved classification accuracy significantly (4–11%) in the study area in the Spanish Pyrenees. The classification procedure includes important steps that improve classification accuracies; these are often ignored in standard vegetation classification protocols. Improved accuracy is vital to the study of landscape changes in highly sensitive mountain ecosystems., The Spanish government (Configuración Espacial de la Biodiversidad y Conservación del Ecosistemas project, I+D+I. CGL2008-00655/BOS, Ministry of Science and Innovation) and the European Community (Land and Ecosystem Degradation and Desertification: Assessing the Fit of Responses project, FW7 ENV.2009.2.1.3.2) funded this study. In addition, we thank the managers of Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park for providing information and assistance. For assistance with the bibliographic search, we thank Cristina Pérez de Larraya. The suggestions of IC Barrio considerably improved earlier versions of the paper. We thank Bruce MacWhirter for his critical reading of the manuscript and for providing helpful suggestions. Finally, we thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.

This article presents the most important findings concerning the socialeducational needs as expressed by adolescents in kinship foster care (KFC) in the study carried out I+D SEJ-026575 in Spain between 2005 and 2008. The data for the study was collected from discussion groups with adolescents in kinship foster care AFE (n=57) from different autonomous communities in Spain. In the needs assessment the data was collected in the following categories: characteristics of Foster care in kinship family; family history; foster family and foster child; biological family and foster child; self-awareness; healthy family life; free time; the future after fostering. In the results found the following needs stand out: emotional family stability; overcoming problems related to the generation gap with the Foster family, greater openness and clarity dealing with family history, establishing norms and limits, increasing the frequency and quality of parents visits, finding ways of aiding relationships between the foster family and the biological parents, providing support and resources to the foster family, affronting in an educational way subjects such as sexuality, drug addiction, pro-social activities and lastly preparation to face the future after foster care. Incorporating these elements in the support programme for adolescents in KFC can contribute in a positive way to the cognitive, emotional and behavioral development of these adolescents.

One of the main causes of food spoilage is the development of microorganisms. In order to inhibit or retard the growth of microorganisms and consequently, improve food security and extend the shelf life of food products, in the past years, active packaging and particularly films with antimicrobial properties have attracted the attention of the scientists. One of the approaches used is to add chitosan to the film. Due to their excellent properties, non-toxic, biodegradable, biofunctional and biocompatible with others antimicrobials, chitosan is one of the antimicrobial agents most appropriate for the development of active materials [1]. Chitosan (CAS nº 9012-76-4) is a polysaccharide, with the structure of a linear polymer of (1-4)-linked 2-amino-deoxy-β-D-glucan, obtained by the partial deacetylation of chitin, one of the most abundant polysaccharides in nature, found in shells of crustaceans [2]. Shrimp waste (heads and cephalothorax) samples were collected from local shrimp processing factories in South Sonora, Mexico. The waste was minced, fermented and centrifuged. After the treatment, three fractions were obtained: chitin rich fraction, protein rich liquor and lipid fraction. In this work, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were used to characterize three different samples of chitosan. Moreover, 100% chitosan-based films and films of polyamide with chitosan incorporated were also evaluated. The degree of acetylation (DA) values obtained may change, depending on the nature and level of impurities, source and polymer morphologies [3]. To evaluate the DA, FTIR and NMR were used. The samples were prepared as a thin pellet made from a mixture of KBr and the chitosan powder. To evaluate the DA in films, Fourier Transform Total Reflection infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) was used. All spectra were recorded in the range of 400-4000 cm-1. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was also employed to evaluate the DA. Two experiments were tentatively carried out: 1H NMR and 13C NMR. In both cases approximately 5 mg of each sample were diluted in 1 % (v/v) CD3COOD in D2O. All data were compared with three commercially available standards submitted to the same experiments as samples. The sample 1 corresponding to chitosan obtained from shrimp waste and with high viscosity presented the lowest DA, therefore had higher antimicrobial activity. Both techniques; FTIR and NMR, led to the same conclusion. FONCICYT (Fund for International Cooperation of Science and Technology EU-Mexico)

21 páginas, 1. The introduction of non-native species can pose environmental and economic risks, but under some conditions, introductions can serve conservation or recreational objectives. To minimize risks, introductions should be conducted following the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s guidelines and should include an initial assessment and a follow-up. 2. In 1948, to reduce the predation pressure on Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica by golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos, the alpine marmot Marmota marmota was introduced to the Pyrenees in Western Europe. In successive introductions, about 500 marmots were released, but the fate of the released animals and their impacts on the environment remain largely unstudied. 3. The aim of this study was to assess the success of the introduction of the alpine marmot into the Pyrenees, 60 years after the initial release, and the potential impacts of this species on Pyrenean ecosystems. 4. We reviewed what is known about the marmot populations introduced to the Pyrenees and other populations within their native range in the Alps, particularly in terms of population structure and dynamics, habitat use and potential environmental impacts. 5. The alpine marmot is widely distributed and, apparently, well established in the Pyrenees. Population structure and demographic parameters are similar within and outside the historical distribution range of the species, and habitat suitability is one of the main reasons for the species’ success in the Pyrenees. Few researchers have investigated the impacts of alpine marmots in the Pyrenees; thus, those impacts have to be inferred from those observed in the species’ native range or in other species of marmot. Introduced alpine marmots are likely to impact on Pyrenean grasslands through grazing and burrowing, have the potential to alter Pyrenean food webs and could act as vectors of parasites and disease. 6. Although the introduction of the alpine marmot in the Pyrenees appears to have been successful, more needs to be known about the effects of the established populations on the environment before informed management actions can be taken in the Pyrenees., We thank M. Gartzia for assistance with the map, C. Gortázar for useful advice on the parasites of alpine marmots, K. Foulché for providing information on the French populations and B. MacWhirter for improving the English version. Special thanks are due to S. Couto, A. García-Serrano and I. Garin for their support. A Félix de Azara Research Grant awarded by the Diputación de Huesca funded this project.

This paper presents the preliminary estimate for the agricultural and forestry production value for the State of Sao Paulo, as well as its share among the 40 Rural Development Offices and 15 Administrative Regions in 2011. A total of 54 products are analyzed and grouped into the following six categories: industrial products, animal products, fresh fruits, grains and fibers, forestry products and vegetables. The production value was estimated in US$37,9 billion, with an 17.1% increase over the previous year, in current currency rate. Three forestry product value in 2011 (eucalyptus timber, pinus timber and pinus resin) are estimated in US$3.0 billion, with an 2.2% increase, in current currency rate.

Chitosan is a hydrophilic polysaccharide which derives from chitin by deacetylation. It has several applications, namely as a film that can be applied to preserve the quality and increase the shelf-life of food. Chitosan is insoluble in most solvents but it is soluble in dilute organic acids such as formic acid and acetic acid[1]. The properties of chitosan depend on the degree of deacetylation (DA) and molecular weight (MW). A broad antimicrobial activity has been attributed to chitosan, either for gram-negative, gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a chitosan film prepared by casting. The chitosan was obtained from shrimp waste collected from shrimp processing factories of South Sonora (Mexico). Four bacteria (Bacillus cereus; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) and one fungus (Botrytis cinerea) were evaluated. Although L. monocytogenes and B. cinerea growth was not inhibited by the chitosan film, results showed a clear growth-inhibitory effect, at the two bacteria concentration levels tested, for B. Cereus, E. coli and S. aureus. Different antibacterial mechanisms have been proposed to explain chitosan antimicrobial activity[2-3]: i) chitosan may form an external barrier which inhibits essential nutrients adsorption; ii) chitosan can also penetrate the microbial cell, disturbing the metabolism of the cell by inhibiting the mRNA and protein synthesis; iii) chitosan may have an ionic surface interaction with the bacteria originating wall cell leakage. Although these mechanisms may take place simultaneously, the antimicrobial activity may also depend on the properties of chitosan (DA and MW). This work was carried out under the Project no. 95935 from FONCICYT C002-2008-1/ ALA – 127 249, with the financial support of the European Union and CONACYT. The authors are grateful to the postdoctoral contract of Ana Sanches Silva in the frame of the Program ‘‘Science 2007’’ funded by “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia’’, Portugal.

Este trabalho apresenta a estimativa final do valor da produção agropecuária e florestal do Estado de São Paulo, bem como dos 40 Escritórios de Desenvolvimento Rural e das 15 Regiões Administrativas, em 2010. São contabilizados 54 produtos agropecuários e florestais, reunidos em seis grupos: produtos vegetais para indústria, produtos animais, frutas frescas, grãos e fibras, produtos florestais e olerícolas. O valor da produção em 2010 foi estimado em R$ 52,5 bilhões, com aumento de 20,8% em relação ao ano anterior, em termos de moeda corrente. O valor da produção florestal em 2010, com três produtos (madeira de eucalipto, madeira de pinus e resina de pinus) é estimado em R$ 4,8 bilhões, com crescimento de 27,8%, em moeda corrente.

Este trabalho apresenta a estimativa final do valor da produ����o agropecu��ria e florestal do Estado de S��o Paulo, bem como dos 40 Escrit��rios de Desenvolvimento Rural e das 15 Regi��es Administrativas, em 2010. S��o contabilizados 54 produtos agropecu��rios e florestais, reunidos em seis grupos: produtos vegetais para ind��stria, produtos animais, frutas frescas, gr��os e fibras, produtos florestais e oler��colas. O valor da produ����o em 2010 foi estimado em R$ 52,5 bilh��es, com aumento de 20,8% em rela����o ao ano anterior, em termos de moeda corrente. O valor da produ����o florestal em 2010, com tr��s produtos (madeira de eucalipto, madeira de pinus e resina de pinus) �� estimado em R$ 4,8 bilh��es, com crescimento de 27,8%, em moeda corrente.

4 Pags., 2 Figs., El pastoreo modifica las condiciones edáficas de los ecosistemas pastorales, siendo la compactación del suelo uno de los principales efectos. Este trabajo estudia el efecto del pastoreo sobre las propiedades hidro-físicas de un suelo localizado en la zona semiárida del centro del valle del Ebro. Para tal fin se seleccionó, sobre un mismo tipo de suelo, dos tratamientos diferentes con pastoreo (P) y sin pastoreo (NP) de ganado ovino. Se efectuaron las siguientes medidas sobre el horizonte superficial del suelo (0-10 cm): contenido en yeso, CaCO3 y materia orgánica (MO), textura del suelo, densidad aparente (b), resistencia del suelo a la penetración (RP), sorptividad (S) y conductividad hidráulica (K) del suelo a saturación y curva de retención de agua (CRA) en muestras inalteradas de suelo. Los resultados muestran un contenido de MO similar en ambos tratamientos. Los valores de b y RP observados en P fueron mayores a los medidos en NP. Como consecuencia, los resultados muestran como el pastoreo tiene un efecto negativo sobre la infiltración de agua en el suelo, que se manifiesta por una menor K y S, y sobre la curva de retención de agua en muestras inalteradas de suelo, cuyos tratamientos pastados muestras una menor capacidad de almacenamiento de agua., El presente trabajo ha sido financiado los proyecto DGA-Obra social La Caixa, Ref: GA-LC020/2010; GA-LC-010/2008.

El generalizado incremento de las poblaciones de jabalí durante las últimas décadas, ha propiciado un notable aumento de sus perturbaciones en casi todos los hábitats donde reside. Las consecuencias de sus perturbaciones, fundamentalmente hozaduras, no son bien conocidas en muchos de esos hábitats, incluyendo los hábitats alpinos que son además muy sensibles a ese tipo de perturbaciones. Por otra parte el delicado momento de la ganadería extensiva, en cambio y declive, hace que las mencionadas perturbaciones puedan ser a su vez un potencial problema para el pastoreo extensivo remanente. Entender la distribución, afección y alcance de estas perturbaciones es por tanto esencial para valorar su importancia en la dinámica de los pastos alpinos, su uso pastoral y su conservación. El objetivo de este trabajo doctoral fue describir, conocer y evaluar en términos eco-pastorales, la afección de las hozaduras del jabalí a los pastos alpinos pirenaicos a tres niveles de organización diferenciados: paisaje, comunidad y especie. Las hozaduras de jabalí afectaron notablemente a la extensión, composición y estructura de los pastos alpinos pirenaicos, produciendo un aumento de fertilidad temporal, estimulando los bancos de semillas existentes, y alterando los patrones de distribución de su diversidad vegetal, de forma variable según la escala. Desde el punto de vista de la gestión y conservación de los pastos alpinos, las hozaduras tuvieron un impacto moderado en sus valores ecológicos, siendo grave en los valores pastorales, pudiendo incluso, de seguir las tendencias actuales, llegar a comprometerlos en un futuro cercano.