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Wolfram Syndrome 1 (WFS1) protein is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) factor whose deficiency results in juvenile-onset diabetes secondary to cellular dysfunction and apoptosis. The mechanisms guiding β-cell outcomes secondary to WFS1 function, however, remain unclear. Here, we show that WFS1 preserves normal β-cell physiology by promoting insulin biosynthesis and negatively regulating ER stress. Depletion of Wfs1 in vivo and in vitro causes functional defects in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin content, triggering Chop-mediated apoptotic pathways. Genetic proof of concept studies coupled with RNA-seq reveal that increasing WFS1 confers a functional and a survival advantage to β-cells under ER stress by increasing insulin gene expression and downregulating the Chop-Trib3 axis, thereby activating Akt pathways. Remarkably, WFS1 and INS levels are reduced in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) islets, suggesting that WFS1 may contribute to T2DM β-cell pathology. Taken together, this work reveals essential pathways regulated by WFS1 to control β-cell survival and function primarily through preservation of ER homeostasis., Summary Urano WFS1 is a causative gene for Wolfram syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus and optic nerve atrophy. Genetic proof of concept studies coupled with RNA-seq reveal that increasing WFS1 confers a survival advantage to cells under ER stress by activating Akt pathways and preserving ER homeostasis. This work reveals essential pathways regulated by WFS1 and therapeutic targets for Wolfram syndrome.

The objective was to describe the frequency, mode of presentation and characteristics of epilepsy in children with congenital hemiparesis (CH). It is a etrospective, descriptive and multicenter study, based on the collection of data from the clinical records of patients from 0 to 19 years with CH secondary to perinatal infarction in different centers of the community of Catalonia. A total of 310 children were included (55% males and 45% females), from a total of 13 centers in Catalonia. Average age of onset of the crises was 2 ± 1 year. Epilepsy was present in 29.5% (n = 76), among which the most frequent vascular subtype was arterial presumed perinatal ischemic stroke (51.3%), followed by neonatal arterial ischemic stroke (18.4%), periventricular venous infarction (15.8%), neonatal hemorrhagic stroke (10.5%) and neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (3.9%). Semiology of the most frequent seizures was motor focal in 82%, followed by focal motor with secondary bilateralization in 23%, focal discognitive in 13.5%, generalized by 2% and spasms in 6.5%. The 67.3% were controlled with monotherapy and the drugs used were valproate, levetiracetam or carbamazepine. The antecedent of electrical status during sleep was identified in 3 patients, all associated with extensive lesions that included the thalamus. Of the total number of children with epilepsy, 35% began with neonatal seizu res in the first 3 days of life. The 30% of children with perinatal stroke and CH present a risk of epilepsy during childhood. Children with ischemic strock have the highest risk, so they will require a follow-up aimed at detecting prematurely the epilepsy and start a treatment.El objetivo fue describir la frecuencia, modo de presentación y características de la epilepsia en niños con hemiparesia congénita (HC). Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y multicéntrico, basado en la recolección de datos de las historias clínicas de pacientes de 0 a 19 años con HC secundaria a infarto perinatal en diferentes centros de la comunidad de Cataluña. Se incluyeron 310 niños (55% varones y 45% mujeres) de un total de 13 centros de Cataluña. Edad media del debut de las crisis fue de 2 ± 1 año. Presentaron epilepsia el 29.5% (n = 76), el subtipo vascular más frecuente fue el infarto presumiblemente perinatal (51.3%), seguido del accidente isquémico arterial neonatal (18.4%), infarto hemorrágico venoso periventricular (15.8%), infarto hemorrágico neonatal (10.5%) y trombosis venosa neonatal (3.9%). La semiología de las crisis más frecuente fue la focal motora en un 82%, seguida de las focales motoras con bilateralización secundaria en el 23%, focales discognitivas en 13.5%, generalizadas 2% y espasmos 6.5%. El 67.3% se controló con monoterapia y los fármacos empleados fueron el valproato, levetiracetam o carbamacepina. Se identificó el antecedente de estatus eléctrico durante el sueño en 3 pacientes, todos asociados a lesiones extensas que incluían al tálamo. Del total con epilepsia, el 35% debutaron con convulsiones neonatales en los primeros 3 días de vida. El 30% con accidente cerebrovascular perinatal y HC presentan riesgo de padecer epilepsia durante la infancia. Aquellos con infartos isquémicos tienen el riesgo más alto, por lo que requerirán un seguimiento dirigido a detectar precozmente la epilepsia e iniciar tratamiento.

Background Fatty masses of the heart are relatively uncommon. This report is about a rare case of extensive fat infiltration along the apical interventricular septum that causes separation of the right ventricular apex from left ventricular apex, simulating a bifid cardiac apex. Case summary The patient was a 58-year-old female who was admitted to the hospital because of palpitations and chest pain. A trasnsthoracic echocardiogram was performed and it showed a thickenned anterior pericardium so a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed. CMR revealed a large amount of epicardial and pericardial fat without adipose tissue inside the right ventricle wall. In the cardiac apex this fat seemed a lipoma however CMR demonstrated the fat was not capsulated and besides, it extended, as if it were an infiltrative disorder, in the cardiac apex between both ventricles. Patient was discharged with an implantable loop recorder (ILR) in order to ruled out ventricular arrhythmia. During a two year follow-up, ILR has shown several symptomatic supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia episodes and no other arrhythmic events have been reported. Also, the CMR has been repeated and it has shown similar results. Discussion Fatty masses of the heart are relatively uncommon. Among those masses are included cardiac lipomas, lipomatous infiltration of the right ventricle, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) and lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum. The findings in the CMR of our patient do not fulfill the criteria of the aforementioned disorders. Our patient shows a pattern of unusual fatty infiltration pattern of unclear etiology. The prognostic value of this type of heart disease is unknown. In our patient, although the follow-up has not been very long, it does not seem to have had any relevant consequences, so far. Conclusion This is a rare case of a patient with a large amount of epicardial and pericardial fat that seems to infiltrate between both ventricular apex, as a bifid cardiac apex. It is apparently asymptomatic. Abstract 108 Figure. CMR-Cardiac-fatty_EECHO-2019

A 51-year-old male presented to hospital with hemoptysis. The patient had been diagnosed of coarctation of the aorta and aortic aneurysm distal to the coarctation. In 1998 he underwent surgical correction with a a left subclavian artery bypass to the descending thoracic aorta and the aneurysm was excluded with a dacron graft. He denied hypertension. A thoracic CT performed during this episode, revealed a huge aneurysm in the descending thoracic aorta with a maximal transverse diameter of 13 cm and anteroposterior diameter of 13 cm. The length of the aneurysm was 11.5 cm. Inside the aneurysm there was a big thrombus with several peripheral layers of calcium. The vessel lumen had a diameter of 5.5 cm. The subclavian bypass had no stenosis. The right subclavian artery had an aberrant origen. The aneurysm compressed the left atrium, the left pulmonary artery, left lung tissue and the left main bronchus with a segmentary compressive atelectasis. There was a "ground-glass" pattern in the posterior region of the left superior lobe suggesting pulmonary bleeding. There was no evidence of enlargement of bronchial arteries. Neither were bronchiectasis. Thus, the patient was diagnosed of high suspicion of fistula between aorta and bronchi of the left superior lobe. He was referred to a centre specializing in treatment of coarctation and he was offered a debranching plus TEVAR procedure. Open surgery was not an option due to high risk. The patient refused the intervention. Discussion adults with aortic coarctation should undergo intervention when the gradient across the coarctation is greater than or equal to 20 mmHg and there is hypertension, when there is an altered blood pressure response during exercise or in case of hypertrophic left ventricle. Treatment options are surgery, stent and balloon angioplasty. Complications following intervention include recoarctation, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and hypertension. Therefore, it is mandatory to follow up these patients closely and regularly after an intervention either surgical or percutaneous. Digging up in our patient history we found a previous CT in 2009, at that moment transversal diameter of the aneurysm was 9.4 cm and the anteroposterior 12.4 cm. There were no more data after 2009 till 2019. Aortic aneurysms are a rare cause of hemoptysis with a very bad prognosis if not treated. Though CT and MR may suggest that there is a fistula, the aortography is the gold standard technique. Another mechanisms related to hemoptysis are the rupture of small vessels because of the compression of lung tissue or bronchial collapse with subsequent infection. In this case, maybe the big thrombus helped to avoid the rupture of the aneurysm into the left bronchi which would be fatal. Conclusion Patients with repaired coarctation of aorta should be followed regularly, whatever procedure is performed, because some of the complications following repair can have a bad prognosis. Abstract 1109 Figure. hugeaneurysmEuroEcho2019

We present the case of a 63-year old woman with previous history of high-grade liposarcoma. of the lower extremity. She had been treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy and then she underwent surgical treatment with wide local excision several months ago. She was awaiting a new surgical procedure to remove a right suprarrenal metastasis. The patient presented with lower extremity edema and abdomen and increasing weight in the previuos week. A thoracic and abdominal CT showed the suprarrenal mass had become of greater size. Enlargement of superior vena cava, partial filling defects in several segments of the right lung suggestive of acute pulmonary embolism. Extensive thrombosis from right iliac vein, common iliac vein, intrahepatic cava vein, inferior vena cava, right atrium and right ventricle. Bilateral pleural effusion and ascites. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a big mass (6.1 cm) in the right atrium prolapsing into the right ventricle. There was a mean diastolic gradient of 3 mmHg and maximal gradient of 6 mmHg in the tricuspid valve. Left ventricle systolic function was moderately depressed due to abnormal movement of the interventricular septum suggestive of pulmonary hypertension. The clinical course was characterized by rapid deterioration and the patient died from cardiogenic shock. The source of thrombi in the right side of the heart most of the times is venous thrombi that have embolized. Cancer patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared with the general population. The risk varies depending on the type and the stage of the cancer. Metastatic disease has the highest risk. Most clinically significant pulmonary embolisms originate as venous thromboembolism in the lower extremities or pelvic veins. However in most of the cases it is difficult to image the thrombus "in-transit". In this case the most striking feature is not imaging the thrombus "in-transit" but its massive size. Abstract P1451 Figure. liposarcoma Euro Echo 2019

Background Leftatrial appendageclosure is an alternative to systemic anticoagulation for stroke prevention in appropriate atrial fibrillation patients,however, it is not without complications. Most complications arise during the procedure and in the following days, however they can also be extended over time and therefore, we must be alert. Case summary We present the clinical case of a 68-year-old man admitted to our hospital three weeks after being discharged due to a percutaneous closure of the left appendage complicated with a pericardial tamponade resolved mediated pericadiocentesis with pericarditis clinic with persistent severe pericardial effusion. After a week without being able to remove the drainage tube, he required pericardiotomy due to superinfection with adequate subsequent evolution. In the following weeks he presented a recurrent left pleural effusion that required several evacuating thoracocentesis. After last thoracocentesis, he presented a cardiac perforation showing the catheter lodged in the pulmonary artery in the chest Computed Tomography, so he was again submitted to cardiac surgery for catheter extraction. Finally after stabilization, the patient could be discharged and after 6 months of follow-up he is stable and without new complications. Discussion Post-cardiac injury syndromes is a group of inflammatory pericardial syndromes including post-myocardial infarction pericarditis, post-pericardiotomy syndrome and post-traumatic pericarditis iatrogenic or not, that’s include pericarditis after invasive cardiac interventions. It is presumed that these syndromes have an autoimmune pathogenesis triggered by an initial damage and after a latent period of a few weeks are revealed. Our patient evidence of pericardial effusion with elevated CRP several weeks after a cardiac injury due to perforated during a percutaneous closure of the left appendage complicated with a pericardial tamponade resolved mediated pericadiocentesis. The persistent effusion motivated he imposibility of removed pericadiocentesis tube, and it superinfecction required an urgent pericardiotomy. After pericardial window, the effusion continued into the left pleural. The perforation of cardiac cavities after an evacuatorythoracocentesis is a described but unusual complication that requires surgical removal. Our patient survived a pericardiocentesis, several evacuatorythoracocentesis and two cardiac surgeries, all after a percutaneous closure of the left appendage. Conclusion Any invasive procedure presents a risk of iatrogenic complication, especially in elderly patients with comorbidities. We must be alert and start a treatment as soon as possible to solve the problem. Abstract P1340 Figure. Chest-CT_EECHO2019

Objective To identify factors associated with poor anticoagulation control with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) among outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) attended in Neurology and Internal Medicine in Spain. Methods Cross-sectional and multicenter study, from the ALADIN database, of outpatients with NVAF treated with VKA and attended in Internal Medicine and Neurology in Spain. Rates of anticoagulation control were determined with the direct and Rosendaal methods, considering data from the 6 months before the inclusion. Results Out of 1337 patients included in the ALADIN study, 750 were taking VKA, and complete information about INR values in the last 6 months was available in 383 patients. Mean scores of Charlson Index, CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED were 1.94 ± 1.54; 3.10 ± 1.26; 4.63 ± 1.54, and 2.20 ± 0.90, respectively. 46.2% and 47.0% of patients had an adequate anticoagulation control according to the direct and Rosendaal methods, respectively. Inadequate anticoagulation control according to the direct method was associated with diabetes (OR: 2.511; 95% CI: 1.144–5.659), prior labile INR (OR: 35.371; 95% CI: 15.058–83.083) and the determination of >6 INR controls in the last 6 months (OR: 4.747; 95% CI: 2.094–10.759), and according to the Rosendaal method, with prior labile INR (p Conclusions Despite the high thromboembolic risk, only a little more than a half of patients were well controlled. Factors associated with poor anticoagulation control were diabetes, labile INR, >6 INR controls and HAS-BLED.

Resumen Objetivo Identificar los factores asociados con el mal control de la anticoagulacion con antagonistas de la vitamina K (AVK) en pacientes con fibrilacion auricular no valvular (FANV) atendidos en consultas de Neurologia y Medicina Interna de Espana. Metodos Estudio transversal, multicentrico, anidado en el estudio ALADIN, de sujetos con FANV, tratados con AVK, atendidos en consultas de Medicina Interna o Neurologia de Espana. El grado de control de la anticoagulacion se estudio mediante el metodo directo y el de Rosendaal, considerando los 6 meses previos a la inclusion. Resultados De los 1.337 pacientes incluidos en ALADIN, 750 estaban tratados con AVK, con informacion completa sobre el INR de los ultimos 6 meses en 383 pacientes. Las puntuaciones medias del indice de Charlson, CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc y HAS-BLED fueron 1,94 ± 1,54; 3,10 ± 1,26; 4,63 ± 1,54 y 2,20 ± 0,90, respectivamente. El 46,2% y el 47,0% de los pacientes presentaban un control adecuado de la anticoagulacion por los metodos directo y Rosendaal, respectivamente. El control inadecuado de la anticoagulacion se asocio por el metodo directo con diabetes (OR: 2,511; IC 95%: 1,144-5,659), antecedentes de INR inestable (OR: 35,371; IC 95%: 15,058-83,083) y la realizacion de > 6 controles en los ultimos 6 meses (OR: 4,747; IC 95%: 2,094-10,759), y por el metodo de Rosendaal, con los antecedentes de INR inestable (p Conclusiones Pese al alto riesgo tromboembolico, solo estaban bien controlados algo mas de la mitad. Los factores asociados al mal control de la anticoagulacion fueron la diabetes, INR inestable, > 6 controles de INR y el HAS-BLED.

espanolEl objetivo de este proyecto es poner en contacto los intereses de las empresas con los temas a desarrollar en un trabajo fin de grado (TFG) en la Facultad de Ciencias Economicas y Empresariales de la Universidad de Sevilla. Para ello, se disena una web que facilite la solicitud de los temas que puedan interesar a las empresas. Una vez solicitado el tema, este se puede asignar a los alumnos que en dicho curso van a realizar su TFG. Los resultados obtenidos, ponen de manifiesto un importante interes inicial de las empresas por este proyecto que se manifiesta en el numero de solicitudes que se han formalizado, a pesar del poco tiempo que lleva funcionando la web. Asimismo, los alumnos que estan participando en el proyecto elaborando su TFG para cubrir la demanda de un tema propuesto por una empresa se muestran ilusionados. Gracias a este proyecto se facilita la transferencia de conocimiento entre Universidad-Empresa y se favorece el contacto del alumno con la realidad empresarial. EnglishThe aim of this project is to facilitate the contact between Universidad and Firms, using a web which let to firms select themes in order to be developed in Graduated Finish Work in the Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences of the University of Seville. To do so, are raised the following actions: organizing different training activities; acquiring the necessary equipment and software; and hiring technical assistance. The results obtained show an important initial firm interest by this tool which is manifested with number of asked themes by the firms, instead of few time to try this web. Furthermore, the students who are participating in this project like very interested in developed these asked themes. To the future, It would interesting to include others department of the Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences of University of Seville and the students could choose these Graduated Finish Works depending to their academic record. This project facilitates knowledge transfer between University-Firm and enabling student’s contact with bussines reality.

According to the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, the precedent to any human conduct is the intention to display such conduct. People’s attitudes are one of those precedents. Our work is framed within this line of research, as it seeks to analyze and explain the main determinants of attitudes towards boycotts. Thus, we understand that consumers’ attitudes towards boycott behavior depend on three fundamental beliefs: perceived legitimacy of the behavior, ethical idealism towards such behavior, and finally, ethical relativism towards boycott behavior. We emphasize legitimacy since the relevance of legitimacy processes in the businessclient relationship lies in the validation of actions that allows their subjective recognition and, therefore, differentiates them from the legal nature of the acts. The research is carried out with 371 people and the hypotheses presented are verified through structural equation models. Discussion of the results and their implications contribute to a better understanding of the factors that determine the attitudes towards customer boycotts by business managers and academics.

The monilophytes Blechnum spicant (L.) Sm. and Dryopteris affinis ssp. affinis (Lowe) Fraser-Jenkins show different reproductive strategies under in vitro conditions. While B. spicant exhibits asexual and sexual reproduction, with an antheridiogen system promoting outcrossing, D. affinis ssp. affinis reproduces only asexually through apogamy. Individuals of several populations of these species, collected in Principado de Asturias (Spain), were analyzed to test the influence of their mating system in the genetic variability displayed by each species. This study shows that the genetic diversity assessed in populations of each species collected in situ is in concordance with that expected according to their reproductive system previously observed in vitro. The genetic diversity found in D. affinis ssp. affinis was low and most of genetic variation can be attributed to differences among localities. This result indicates high fixation of the detected alleles within each locality, as expected for a clonal reproductive system. In the sexual species B. spicant the genetic diversity was higher. Our results confirm the importance of reproduction system in the genetic diversity present in populations of these fern species making essential to consider the definition and study of reproductive system and the associated consequences in the design of successful conservation actions.

Aim To assess the calcification process of the carotid plaque by 18 F-sodium fluoride PET/CT imaging. Material and methods A prospectively designed study including 15 patients in whom an atheroma plaque was detected by contrast enhanced CT scan during a neurological work-up was performed. A total of 29 plaques, 19 asymptomatic and 10 symptomatic, were studied. An 18 F-sodium fluoride PET/CT scan was acquired 180 min after the i.v. injection of 370 MBq of 18 F-sodium fluoride in all the patients. The images obtained were analyzed visually according to the intensity of the uptake. Results All the plaques showed 18 F-sodium fluoride uptake, regardless of the intensity. However, the plaques of the symptomatic group showed a level of 2 or greater intensity while the intensity in 6 of the 19 in the asymptomatic group was lower than 2. Conclusions Although the study is limited by the small number of cases, the results show the feasibility of the technique to study the calcification of the atheroma using 18 F-sodium fluoride and suggest an association between symptomatology and higher uptake of 18 F-sodium fluoride. Thus, these results encourage us to continue this study, with the inclusion of a larger number of patients.

Background: The quantification of proteinuria with the protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) is influenced by the excretion of creatinine, which, in turn, varies according to muscle mass and hence, to gender. Aims: To assess the difference between urine PCR and 24-hour urine proteinuria in men and women and to provide a formula to overcome bias caused by gender. Methods: Four hundred and forty four CKD patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: 70% were used to develop the models, while the remaining 30% were reserved to validate the formula. Epidemiological data were analyzed with chi-square and Student's t tests. Association between 24-hour proteinuria and PCR was studied with Spearman coefficient in men and women separately. Multivariate analysis was used to find variables predictive of disagreement between the 24-hour urine protein and the PCR. Equations to predict 24-hour proteinuria from PCR for men and women were plotted and validated. Results: Disagreement between 24-hour proteinuria and PCR was more pronounced in men (2.16 and 1.64 g in mean, respectively) than in women (2.00 and 2.06 g in mean, respectively). Age and gender were independent predictors of disagreement. Gender-specific equations for predicting 24-hour proteinuria were: males: 24-hour proteinuria = 1.3350*exp0.9108*ln(PCR); females: 24-hour proteinuria = 1.0068*exp0.9030*ln(PCR). Conclusions: Estimation of proteinuria with the PCR improves accuracy if gender-specific equations are used. Use of the PCR without correction for gender leads to the underestimation of proteinuria in men and overestimation in women.

Active Cdc42 is essential for the establishment of polarized growth. This GTPase is negatively regulated by the GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), which are important for the spatial specificity of Cdc42 function. Rga4 is the only GAP described as negative regulator of fission yeast Cdc42. We report here that Rga6, another fission yeast Cdc42 GAP, shares some functions with Rga4. Cells lacking Rga6 are viable but slightly shorter and broader than wild type, and cells lacking Rga6 and Rga4 simultaneously are rounded. In these cells, active Cdc42 is observed all around the membrane. These additive effects indicate that both GAPs collaborate in the spatial regulation of active Cdc42. Rga6 localizes to the plasma membrane, forming clusters different from those formed by Rga4. A polybasic region at the Rga6 C-terminus is responsible for its membrane localization. Rga6-GFP fluorescence decreases considerably at the growing tips, and this decrease is dependent on the actin cables. Of note, in the absence of Rga6, the amplitude of active Cdc42 oscillations at the tips decreases, and less GTP-Cdc42 accumulates at the new end of the cells. We propose that Rga6 collaborates with Rga4 to spatially restrict active Cdc42 at the cell tips and maintain cell dimensions., This work was supported by Grants BFU2013-43439-P and BIO2015-69958-P from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain, and Grant CSI037U14 from Junta de Castilla y León, Spain.

In vitro establishment and micropropagation are basic techniques used as initial step in many of the plant tissue protocols such as cryopreservation. Severe physiological alterations such as changes in leaf structure, water relations and photosynthesis systems are usually associated with the in vitro establishment. In this report, the epigenetic alterations in hops caused by in vitro establishment and micropropagation are assessed using MSAP (methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism). A 56.3% of the detected loci were monomorphic when the in vitro plants were compared to their donor field plant. Nearly 28.7% of the total loci presented the same alterations of the band profile in all analyzed in vitro plants when compared to the field donor plant. However, when the comparison was performed only among in the micropropagated plants 80.7% of the loci were monomorphic.

Somaclonal variation can be a major problem during in vitro procedures. Recovering true-to-type plants are the main goal of cryopreservation, cold storage, micropropagation, and, usually, in adventitious regeneration. In the present work the (epi)genetic stability of these techniques is evaluated using several molecular markers as RAPD, REMAP, AFLP, and MSAP. A total of 315 plants, from 53 cultivars and wild accessions were analysed. No genetic variation was detected in any of the analysed plants. Epigenetic changes, most of them corresponding to DNA demethylations, were detected in plants recovered from each technique. The majority of the variation observed corresponded to the in vitro introduction step needed for each of the techniques. Some of the variation in the treated samples was attributed to each in vitro technique while some was caused by singletons. Also, when the time of culture was extended an increase of variation in the micropropagation and adventitious regeneration techniques was detected, measured as higher genetic distance to the control samples.

Little is known about the historical biogeography of alpine plants that are disjunctly distributed across the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR) variation were surveyed in the Spanish alpine endemic, Senecio boissieri, to resolve the causes of its disjunct distribution in the southern Sierra Nevada and Baza, centrally located Sierra Guadarrama, and northern Cordillera Cantabrica. RAPD analysis identified two divergent genetic groups, one containing individuals from the Cordillera Cantabrica and another comprising individuals from the three other mountain ranges. Chloroplast DNA variation was much more limited with only one of forty-two cpSSR loci examined showing polymorphism. At this locus the same allele occurred at high frequency in material from each mountain range. A possible reason for RAPD divergence in the Cantabrian material is its derivation from plants surviving the last glacial maximum in a northern refugium, isolated from the main distribution of the species spanning the area between the southern and central Spanish sierras. Postglacial fragmentation of the species range in southern and central Iberia would have resulted in the current disjunction of genetically similar populations in southern and centrally located mountains.

In this study, we report the role of exogenous and endogenous cytokinins on growth and sexual organ development in the fern Blechnum spicant L. Spore-derived gametophytes (SG) were cultured in full-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) liquid medium supplemented with (a) 4.44 μMN6-benzyladenine (BAP), (b) a crude extract from mature female gametophytes, and (c) 4.44 μM BAP in combination with the crude extract from mature gametophytes, respectively. Both BAP and the crude extract delayed the gametophyte development, and this effect was increased when they were added together. With respect to sexual organ development, BAP inhibited the sexual organ formation, while the crude extract favored antheridia formation; however, when added together, the percentage of antheridia decreased. The endogenous level of the cytokinins cis-zeatin (cZ), cis-zeatin-riboside (cZR), dihydrozeatin (DHZ), dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR), isopentenyl adenine (iP), isopentenyl adenosine (iPR), isopentenyl-9-glucoside (iP9G), trans-zeatin (tZ), and trans-zeatin riboside (tZR) were analyzed in female and male gametophytes of B. spicant L. The endogenous levels of cytokinins tZ, cZ, DHZ, cZR, iP, and iPR were higher in female gametophytes than in male gametophytes, with the endogenous iP and iPR content being increased more than 300 and 400 times, respectively.

Changes in gibberellins (GAs), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and cytokinins associated with the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth in Humulus lupulus L. buds and leaves harvested at fortnight intervals were studied. During vegetative growth, GA1 increased gradually and the lowest content was observed during flower development. Both GA3 and GA4 showed a dramatic increase in the samples taken from the apical part of axillary branches from plants 4–5 m high, which corresponds to the maximum vegetative development prior to macroscopically visible inflorescences. Notable increases in the cytokinins trans-zeatin (t-Z), isopentenyladenine (iP), and the riboside and ribotide forms of iP were also obtained. The auxin, indole-3-acetic acid, was the most abundant plant hormone, and its content was highest during vegetative growth. These results show for the first time a relationship between endogenous hormone profiles and both vegetative and reproductive development in hop plants, which may be relevant for future research on the control of the flowering by exogenous hormone applications.

The role of gibberellins (GAs) in determining sex in the gametophyte of the fern Blechnum spicant L. was studied through (a) the effect of exogenous GA(4+7) and GA3 (b) quantitation of the endogenous levels of GA1, GA3, GA4, GA7, GA9, and GA20 in male and female gametophytes, and (c) the effect of flurprimidol, a GAs biosynthesis inhibitor of the steps of oxidation of ent-kaureno to ent-kaurenoic acid. Our results show that GA(4+7) had a slight effect of inducing either male or female sexual organs, antheridia and archegonia, respectively. The endogenous GAs content was not significantly different between sexes, but the GA4, GA7, and GA20 levels were raised above those of the other GAs in both sexes. Neither antheridiogen biosynthesis nor antheridia formation was inhibited by flurprimidol. Gametophytes regenerated from homogenized mature gametophytes (HG) show a different physiological behavior than spore-derived gametophytes. In the first case, gametophytes are males and synthesize antheridiogen before they attain maturity, in contrast to what occurs in spore-derived gametophytes which are females and synthesize antheridiogen when mature.

The growth and gender in the gametophyte of Blechnum spicant L. were strongly affected by its origin, spore or mature homogenized gametophytes, and also by the addition of plant growth regulators to the culture medium. Spore-derived gametophytes cultured in Murashige and Skoog liquid medium were females and heart-shaped, whereas those derived from mature homogenized gametophytes were shorter and male or asexual (1:3) because of the release of antheridiogen to the culture medium. In the latter, maleness was especially increased by the addition of BA. This cytokinin is a strong inductor of maleness in homogenized cultures; however, even though BA influenced sexual organ formation in spore-derived gametophytes, it does not change the␣female sexual pattern that these gametophytes have. Separate male and female populations of gametophytes were obtained in this work.

This work showed for the first time the relationship between the effect of exogenous auxins and gibberellins on apogamy in Dryopteris affinis (Lowe) Fraser-Jenkins sp. affinis and its endogenous contents during early apogamic events. The addition of NAA (0.53 and 5.37 microM) or GA(3) 2.8 microM to an MS solid medium significantly increased apogamous sporophyte formation. BA induced brown callus that regenerated sporophytes in a hormone-free medium. The endogenous contents of GA(1), GA(3), GA(4), GA(7), GA(9) and IAA were determined by GC-MS in gametophytes cultured on MS solid medium, before and during early stages of apogamous embryo development. The accumulation of both GA(9) and IAA before embryo development was evident as high levels of GA(4) in the earliest analysed stage of embryo development and high levels of GA(3) in elongating shoots were found. The role of gibberellins on apogamy was also supported by data showing a decrease in the percentage of gametophytes developing embryos because of the addition of flurprimidol to the culture medium.

Increasing demand for ferns means that more knowledge of propagation techniques be developed to guarantee the continuous supply of these plants from commercial ornamental companies. In vitro tissue culture techniques show a certain promise with respect to a future increase in production. This review summarises all the research that has been conducted with ornamental ferns using in vitro techniques at different phases in their life cycle, starting from spores, to gametophytes and sporophytes. Nutritional, environmental and other factors affecting growth and development in each phase of the life cycle of the fern are discussed, highlighting some protocols that enhance their morphogenic and reproductive capacity.

Summary Aim The identification of the vulnerable atheroma plaque could allow a more effective treatment of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Active calcification and inflammation of the carotid atheroma were assessed and compared in symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques by 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Methods Nine patients investigated for recent CVA and no preventive treatment with statins were enrolled. In each patient, at least one atheroma plaque was detected by CT angiogram. In total, 18 plaques were available: 9 symptomatic and 9 asymptomatic. 18F-NaF uptake and 18F-FDG uptake by each plaque were assessed visually and semiquantitatively by calculating target/background ratios (TBRs) and TBR indexes (TBR symptomatic/TBR asymptomatic and 18F-NaF TBR/18F-FDG TBR within each of the 2 clinical groups of plaques). Results All plaques showed 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG uptake, and semiquantitation showed higher 18F-NaF uptake by 11 of the 18 plaques, 6 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic. In the symptomatic group, the mean 18F-NaF TBR was 2·12 ± 0·44, and in the asymptomatic group, it was 1·85 ± 0·46. The 18F-NaF/18F-FDG showed that, overall, 18F-NaF uptake is higher than 18F-FDG. In the symptomatic plaques, the 18F-NaF was higher for the low calcium content and the lowest for the high. Conclusion Active calcification and inflammation are simultaneous processes in the symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid atheroma. However, active calcification seems predominant over inflammation in both groups. In the symptomatic plaques, the highest 18F-NaF uptake does not correspond with the largest calcium content. These patterns open new insights on the role of 18F-NaF in the study of calcification and in the identification of the vulnerable carotid atheroma.

Differential scanning calorimetry was used for monitoring the survival conditions of olive in vitro grown shoot-tips under cryopreservation (−196°C), as well as for establishing the storage conditions at temperatures higher than liquid nitrogen. Olive survival is related to the absence of formation and growing of ice crystals during the cooling process. These results are compared with those obtained in hop. The final storage temperature is given as a function of the shoot tip survival to the dehydration step and the absence of ice crystal growth during cooling and warming.

A cryopreservation procedure using encapsulation/dehydration was established for shoot-tips obtained from in vitro-grown shoots of hop. After dissection, shoot-tips were encapsulated in medium with alginate and 0.5 M sucrose. Optimal conditions consisted of preculture for 2 days in solid medium with 0.75 M sucrose, or in increasing sucrose concentrations, desiccation for 4 h with silicagel in a flow cabinet (16% water content) followed by rapid freezing and slow thawing. Shoot recovery after freezing 60 min in liquid nitrogen was around 80%. No phenotypical changes were observed in the recovered plants from cryopreserved shoot-tips growing in the field.

A very efficient protocol for plant regeneration from two commercial Humulus lupulus L. (hop) cultivars, Brewers Gold and Nugget has been established, and the morphogenetic potential of explants cultured on Adams modified medium supplemented with several concentrations of cytokinins and auxins studied. Zeatin at 4.56 μm produced direct caulogenesis and caulogenic calli in both cultivars. Subculture of these calli on Adams modified medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (4.4 μm) and indolebutyric acid (0.49 μm) promoted shoot regeneration which gradually increased up to the third subculture. Regeneration rates of 60 and 29% were achieved for Nugget and Brewers Gold, respectively. By selection of callus lines, it has been possible to maintain caulogenic potential for 14 months. Regenerated plants were successfully transferred to field conditions.

This paper describes the complete design of a wind micro-inverter for a Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) based on a Savonious-Gorlov turbine. Two power electronic stages have been implemented. A Boost converter with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) operation has been used, as the first stage, in order to extract energy from the turbine and deliver it to a 400 V DC bus. A single-phase inverter with PWM operation has been designed, as an output stage, in order to deliver to the grid all the power generated with Unity Power factor (PF). Both stages have been integrated using a Smart Power Module (FNB41560/B2) from Fairchild.

Endogenous levels of two gibberellins, GA3 andGA20, were quantified in unimbibed Onopordumnervosum seeds collected from two different populations, whichshoweddifferences in their germination capacity. After purifying the seed extracts,gibberellin levels were evaluated by gas chromatography mass spectrometry byusing selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM) adding deuterated gibberellins asinternal standards. The intraspecific differences in germination capacity wereassociated with differences in the endogenous levels of both gibberellins. Thecontents of GA3 and GA20 in seeds with high germinationrate were twice and five times higher, respectively, than those from seeds witha low germination rate, indicating a possible role of gibberellins in dormancyrelease in this plant species.

Microsatellite variation at the nuclear and chloroplast genomes was evaluated for wild European and wild American hops, in order to assess the genetic diversity and origin of cultivated hops. Seven nuclear loci and 32 chloroplast loci were used in the analysis of 182 hop accessions including wild European (68), wild American (48), and cultivars (66). A total of 116 alleles were identified using 7 nuclear microsatellites showing different averages of polymorphism and distribution in the wild American and European accessions and cultivars. Two main groups were established as revealed by several statistical analyses; one including European wild accessions and cultivars and a second group consisting of American wild accessions. Three polymorphic chloroplast microsatellite loci were detected, six alleles were scored which defined a total of five haplotypes that were exclusive or presented different distribution between American and European wild accessions. A major influence of the wild European haplotypes was detected among hop cultivars. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work reporting the use of chloroplast microsatellites in hops. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

The endogenous content of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the cytokinins trans-zeatin (tZ), trans-zeatin riboside (tZR), dihydrozeatin (DHZ), dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR), isopentenyladenine (iP) and isopentenyladenosine (iPR), the gibberellins GA 1 , GA 3 , GA 4 , GA 7 , GA 9 and GA 20 in the rhizome and aerial shoots during and after sporogenesis were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in the fern Psilotum nudum . The present study shows, for the first time, the presence of the auxin IAA, the cytokinins tZR, DHZR and iP, and the gibberellins GA 4 , GA 9 and GA 20 in the rhizome and aerial shoots of this species and suggests a possible role of gibberellins in the evolution of ferns.

Sporophytes induction from spore-derived gametophytes and the morphogenic potential of homogenised sporophytes were performed in several ferns: Adiantum capillus-veneris, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Ceterach officinarum, Davallia canariensis, Dicksonia antarctica, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, and Polypodium cambricum. The influence of growth rate, the formation of sexual organs, and the homogenisation of the gametophyte on sporophyte formation were studied. Gametophytic growth and sporophyte development were not antagonistic events and no correlation was found between the proportion of sexual phenotypes and rate of sporophyte formation. A pre-treatment of the rhizome with BAP exhibited swelling and upon transferral to Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium developed numerous fronds. Homogenised sporophytes of A. capillus-veneris, D. canariensis, and P. cambricum cultured on MS basal medium regenerated sporophytes while on MS with 4.4 μM BAP favoured formation of aposporous gametophytes and/or dedifferentiated cellular aggregates. In A. adiantum-nigrum, BAP induced either aposporous gametophytes or sporophytes.

The genetic and epigenetic stability of hop accessions cryopreserved for one year or cold stored for three years was evaluated using several molecular markers (RAPD, AFLP, and MSAP). Clear, repetitive patterns were obtained among accessions and between control and treated samples. Although no genetic changes were detected among the control plants grown in the greenhouse and in vitro plants regenerated from slow-cooling cryopreserved shoot tips or cold stored in vitro shoots, MSAP analysis detected methylation changes in 36% of the loci. Nevertheless, only 2.6 to 9.8% of the detected changes could be ascribed to the conservation procedure and most of them seemed to be generated as a result of the in vitro introduction. Due to the number of accessions analysed (51) we can cautiously deduce that the genetic behaviour described in this work after cryopreservation or cold-storage protocols is common to most hop genotypes and these storage procedures are suitable for standard use. However, it is important to keep in mind the epigenetic changes produced, particularly during any in vitro processes. © Agricultural and Food.

Hyperphosphatemia is a complication that appears in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and that has been shown to have serious consequences in kidney disease patients. New phosphate regulators are currently being studied such as FGF- 23, a counter-regulatory phosphaturic hormone for vitamin D, and klotho, a cofactor necessary for activation of FGF-23. The main consequences of hyperphosphatemia described in CKD patients not on dialysis are ectopic calcification, increased mortality and more rapid progression of CKD. All this indicates the need for strict control of Pi. The two most currently used drugs for this purpose are lanthanum carbonate and sevelamer. Although there are no studies specifically designed for this predialysis population, these drugs appear to be effective and safe. Another complication of CKD is vitamin D deficiency which, according to recently published studies, is more prevalent and appears in earlier stages of the disease than was initially thought. There is wide debate on the need to administer vitamin D supplements systematically due to the pleiotropic effects of this hormone and which are unrelated to development of renal bone disease. Because of these doubts, there is no agreement on routine administration, although there is consensus on the need to measure 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D values and to wait for the result of numerous studies that are being carried out on the impact of vitamin D on progression of cardiovascular risk factors in CKD and the possible consequences of its indiscriminate administration.

Conventional cold storage and cryopreservation methods for hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are available but, to our knowledge, the genetic and epigenetic stability of the recovered plants have not been tested. This study analyzed 51 accessions of hop using the molecular techniques, Random Amplified DNA Polymorphism (RAPD) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP), revealing no genetic variation among greenhouse-grown controls and cold stored or cryopreserved plants. Epigenetic stability was evaluated using Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP). Over 36% of the loci were polymorphic when the cold and cryo-treated plants were compared to greenhouse plants. The main changes were demethylation events and they were common to the cryopreserved and cold stored plants indicating the possible effect of the in vitro establishment process, an essential step in both protocols. Protocol-specific methylation patterns were also detected indicating that both methods produced epigenetic changes in plants following cold storage and cryopreservation. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Organogenic calli induced from internodal segments were subcultured three times. Regenerated plants obtained from each subculture were analysed by molecular methods. No major genetic rearrangements were detected in the callus-derived plants since none of the amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) loci were found to be polymorphic. However, epigenetic changes due to a demethylation process were detected by methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) technique. The results allowed inference of the possible relationship among the plants derived from different calli subcultures and the in vitro control. The plants recovered from the first and second callus subcultures clustered with the in vitro control pools in the phenogram while the regenerants from the third callus subculture showed the highest genetic distance with the controls. This is the first study reporting data about the genetic stability of callus-derived Humulus lupulus L. plants. © 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

The cultivated hop (Humulus lupulus, Cannabinaceae) is a hardy herbaceous climbing plant that is indigenous in the northern hemisphere above 32° latitude. Germany, the USA, China and the Czech Republic are the main producer countries. The Spanish production represents around 5% of the total production of the European Union, having the third place in importance among the producing member countries behind Germany and the United Kingdom.

The olive tree, Olea europaea L., belongs to the family Oleaceae, which comprises plant species distributed through the tropical and temperate regions of the world. From about 29 genera of this family, only Fraxinus, Jasminum, Ligustrum, Phillyrea, Syringa and Olea have economic or horticultural interest (Heywood 1978).

In several human adults, certain solar activity rhythms may influence an about 7-day rhythm in heart rate. When no about-weekly feature was found in the rate of change in sunspot area, a measure of solar activity, the double amplitude of a circadian heart rate rhythm, approximated by the fit of a 7-day cosine curve, was lower, as was heart rate corresponds to about-weekly features in solar activity and/or relates to a sunspot cycle.

The present survey was performed to assess the hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in volunteer blood donors of the National Medical Center, Hospital de Especialidades, Mexico City. Serum samples from 1100 individuals were collected. We selected second generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Abbott HCV EIA) test for the screening. The antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in the volunteer blood donors were positive in 0.7%. The second generation ELISA test is useful as a screening test and may lead to decreasing the incidence of posttransfusional hepatitis C virus infection.

This study was designed to address the following objectives: 1) To record the respiratory rate in a population of newborns and infants. 2) To verify the existence of a rhythm in each population group, as well as the organization and maturing process of these rhythms. 3) To determine the possible influence of environmental factors on these rhythms. The study population consisted of the following groups and ages: A) 1 day (21 cases); B) 7 (15 cases); C) 15 (10 cases); D) 30 (17 cases); E) 60 (17 cases); F) 90 (18 cases). Respiratory rate was continuously monitored and recorded, as well as environmental light, noise and temperature. Rhythmometric analysis of the data was done by simple Cosinor test and analysis of variance. The zero amplitude test showed statistically significant differences in the circadian rhythm of groups E and F (p0.005). An ultradian rhythm of 3 hours was detected in groups D and F. Environmental factors also showed a circadian rhythm. The appearance of an ultradian rhythm suggest the maturation in a rhythm. To evaluate physiological parameters, reference to time series must be considered.

The importance of the Actinidia is such that Young (1985) stated that a second green revolution is taking place under our very noses by infiltrating these edible entystis kiwifruits into salads the world over. These fruits are also eaten fresh, can be canned or frozen, and are used for juice, jam, and wine. From these comments it is evident that Actinidia cultures represent an important economic resource, a fact which, supported by the enthusiastic consumer response, has led to a rapid expansion of the kiwifruit industry in many parts of the world (Alvisi 1987).

In vitro plant regeneration has been obtained from Capsicum annuum cvs. Pico and Piquillo. Shootbuds were induced from hypocotyl and cotyledon segments after 15-20 days of culture on MS basal medium supplemented with IAA and BAP or Zeatin. Shoot-buds grew into rosettes that rooted in MS plus NAA (0.1 mg/l) and IBA (0.05 mg/l) after 15 days. The small plantlets were successfully transferred to pots with a mixture of peat and perlite and maintained under greenhouse conditions. Elongation took place when the plantlets were growing in the greenhouse.

Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to analyze the surface changes taking place in the starch granules of lentil cotyledons during germination. In the initial germination phases, the granules exhibited a smooth surface and their interior was compact. As time progressed, the deposition of membrane-like material onto surface of the granules was seen to increase, and at 10 days their interior could be described as compartmentalized. After this it was possible to observe starch fragments with polyaedral shapes; these are thought to have originated in the interior of the granules and to have dispersed throughout the cell during their endogenous degradation. Raster-elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Starkekornern in Keimblattern von Linsen. Zur Untersuchung der wahrend der Keimung auf der Oberflache der Starkekorner von Linsenkeimblattern stattfindenden Veranderungen wurde die Raster-Elektronenmikroskopie angewendet. In den anfanglichen Keimungsstufen zeigten die Korner eine glatte Oberflache, und ihr Inneres war kompakt. Mit fortschreitender Zeit wurde die Ablagerung von membranartigem Material auf der Oberflache der Korner in zunehmendem Mase sichtbar, und nach 10 Tagen lies sich deren Inneres als in einzelne Abteilungen aufgeteilt bezeichnen. Danach war es moglich, Starkefragmente von polyedrischer Gestalt zu beobachten. Es wird angenommen, das diese im Inneren der Korner entstanden sind und wahrend ihres endogenen Abbaues uber die ganze Zelle verteilt wurden.