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Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most lethal urological cancers, highly resistant to chemo and radiotherapy. Obesity and smoking are the best-known risk factors of RCC, both related to oxidative stress presence, suggesting a significant role in RCC development and maintenance. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for localized RCC; however, this neoplasia is hardly diagnosable at its initial stages, occurring commonly in late phases and even when metastasis is already present. Systemic therapies are the option against RCC in these more advanced stages, such as cytokine therapy or a combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors with immunotherapies; nevertheless, these strategies are still insufficient. A field poorly analyzed in this neoplasia is the status of cell signaling pathways sensible to the redox state, which have been associated with the development and maintenance of RCC. This review focuses on alterations reported in the following redox-sensitive molecules and signaling pathways in RCC: mitogen-activated protein kinases, protein kinase B (AKT)/tuberous sclerosis complex 2/mammalian target of rapamycin C1, AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3/β-catenin, nuclear factor κB/inhibitor of κB/epidermal growth factor receptor, and protein kinase Cζ/cut-like homeodomain protein/factor inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)/HIF as potential targets for redox therapy.

The coronavirus family has tropism for the Central Nervous System (CNS), however, there is no solid evidence demonstrating that the neurological effects of COVID-19 result from direct viral infection or systemic inflammation. The goals of this study were to examine the cytokine profile and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from two patients with cerebrovascular disease and COVID-19. Although the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA was not detected in CSF of both patients, we found abnormally high levels of numerous proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, especially IL-8 and MCP-1. Since these chemokines mediate activation and recruitment of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages, it is feasible that cerebrovascular disease related-neuroinflammation found in both patients results from an exacerbated inflammatory response instead of SARS-CoV-2 direct invasion to CNS. These results suggest that neuroinflammation plays a key role in cerebrovascular disease and COVID-19.

BACKGROUND The hemolymph and insect gut together have an essential role in the immune defense against microorganisms, including the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMP). AMPs are mainly induced by two specific signaling pathways, Toll and immune deficiency (IMD). Here, we characterize the expression profile of four genes from both pathways and describe the importance of AgraRelish in the immune defense of Anthonomus grandis against the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae by RNA interference (RNAi). RESULTS To characterize the pathway that is activated early during the A. grandis-M. anisopliae interaction, we assessed the expression profiles of AgraMyD88 and AgraDorsal (Toll pathway), AgraIMD and AgraRelish (IMD pathway), and several AMP genes. Interestingly, we found that IMD pathway genes are upregulated early, and Toll pathway genes are upregulated just 3 days after inoculation (DAI). Furthermore, nine AMPs were upregulated 24 h after fungus inoculation, including attacins, cecropins, coleoptericins, and defensins. AgraRelish knockdown resulted in a reduction in median lethal time (LT50 ) for M. anisopliae-treated insects of around 2 days compared to control treatments. In addition, AgraRelish remained knocked down at 3 DAI. Finally, we identified that AgraRelish knockdown increased fungal loads at 2 DAI compared to control treatments, possibly indicating a faster infection. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate the influence of the IMD pathway on the antifungal response in A. grandis. Combining biocontrol and RNAi could significantly improve cotton boll weevil management. Hence, AgraRelish is a potential target for the development of biotechnological tools aimed at improving the efficacy of M. anisopliae against A. grandis.

The pseudoscorpion Lamprochernes savignyi (Simon, 1881) is reported in Central Europe for the first time. The new record from Switzerland is based on a single female specimen found in a compost heap in the Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Geneva. Until now, the species is distributed mainly in Africa, Americas, and Asia, less in Australia and Oceania, Europe, and the Arabian Peninsula. The new record fills in the gap in species distribution between Northern Europe and the Anatolian Peninsula. A description of the collected female is provided.

Tweedy’s Crab-eating Rat, Ichthyomys tweedii Anthony, 1921, was described based on just a few specimens, and many aspects of its biology remains unclear. The species has only been previously reported to occur in two geographically disjunct areas in Panama and Ecuador. We report a new record of this species for southern Costa Rica. Our new record is the first for this species and the genus for Costa Rica, as well as the northernmost expression of the genus.

Investigations of invertebrates in nine hothouses (tropical gardens) in Switzerland provided some spiders as by-catch. In total, we collected 136 spiders, of which 65 specimens represent 14 species from six families (the rest of the collection consisted of unidentifiable juveniles). Nine species are alien for Europe, one originates from the Mediterranean and four species are native to Central Europe. Four species represent first records for the Swiss fauna: Nesticidae: Nesticella mogera (Yaginuma, 1972), Oonopidae: Diblemma donisthorpei O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1909, Ischnothyreus peltifer (Simon, 1892) and Prida sechellensis (Benoit, 1979). These four species are discussed briefly and documented with photos.

The advance of urbanization in Neotropical countries has drastically changed or eliminated extensive areas of natural habitats. Despite these changes, some species breed in cities and adapt to urban conditions. Several variables, such as the type of nest, substrate, and height, as well as the distance to buildings at which nests are constructed, may affect nesting success of birds in urban habitats. Here we tested how these variables affect nest daily survival rate (DSR) of 6 bird species that constructed 3 different types of nests in a high human-density suburb of San Jose, Costa Rica. The first type includes platform nests built by 3 species of columbids, where at least 1 parent is always present at the nest; the second type includes cup-shaped nests, where both parents can be absent from the nest simultaneously, and is represented by a single species, the Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi); the third type includes closed nests built by 2 species where at least 1 parent is always present. Species with all 3 types of nests display protective behaviors. We quantified nest variables (e.g., type of nest, substrate used to construct the nest, nest height, distance to buildings). The nests differed in their DSR, with a higher nest survival for columbids (3 species; 0.969, SE 0.011), followed by Clay-colored Thrush (0.942, SE 0.009) and closed-nest species (2 species; 0.942, SE 0.028). We found that nesting substrate was the most important variable explaining the DSR in columbids, but none of the variables had a significant effect explaining the DSR in the remaining 2 nest types.

Laboratory parameters display limited accuracy in predicting mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, as with serum albumin. Emerging evidence suggests that cytokine serum values may enhance the predictive capacity of albumin, especially interleukin (IL)-15. We thus investigated whether the use of the IL-15-to-albumin ratio enables improving mortality prediction at hospital admission in a large group of COVID-19 patients. In this prospective cross-sectional study, we enrolled and followed up three hundred and seventy-eight patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis until hospital discharge or death. Two hundred and fifty-five patients survived, whereas one hundred and twenty-three died. Student’s T-test revealed that non-survivors had a significant two-fold increase in the IL-15-to-albumin ratio compared to survivors (167.3 ± 63.8 versus 74.2 ± 28.5), a difference that was more evident than that found for IL-15 or albumin separately. Likewise, mortality prediction considerably improved when using the IL-15-to-albumin ratio with a cut-off point > 105.4, exhibiting an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.841 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.725–0.922, p < 0.001). As we outlined here, this is the first study showing that combining IL-15 serum values with albumin improves mortality prediction in COVID-19 patients.

In the search for new plant-derived products with antifeedant and insecticidal potential against economically important insects, 11 grindelanes (two as natural acids and nine as methylated derivatives) purified from the foliar tissue of Grindelia chiloensis (Cornel.) Cabrera (Asteraceae) were evaluated against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Larvae of this moth are considered to be the main pest of maize that causes severe losses on local agricultural production. Remarkable alterations in feeding behavior, larval weight, larval and pupal stage lengths, and adult fertility, as well as malformations and mortality in specimens during their life cycle were noticed in the feeding preference tests and no-choice diet assays. Antifeedant indexes (AI%) calculated in food preference bioassays reached up to 79% for the lipophilic grindelane 3b, the most potent antifeedant agent. Grindelane 7b showed a better insecticidal activity (median lethal dose, LD50 = 26.49 µg g−1) and 8b was potentially neurotoxic due to acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Ultrastructure of the middle portion of the digestive tract of larvae fed with small amounts of natural grindelane 9a supplemented to the diet revealed cell damage, and thickening of the peritrophic membrane and a striking number of mitochondria, as evident signs of defense against toxic substances ingested by the larvae. Besides, this study demonstrated that these effective insecticides did not have inhibitory effects on beneficial plant and soil bacteria which would allow ecological pest management. Fil: Mesurado, María de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Orgánica; Argentina Fil: Chalup, Adriana Elizabeth. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Zoología. Instituto de Entomología; Argentina Fil: Ortiz, Javier Esteban. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina Fil: Zaragoza Puchol, José Daniel. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina Fil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina Fil: Bardon, Alicia del Valle. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Cartagena, Elena. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria; Argentina

11 pags., 5 figs., α-synuclein aggregation is present in Parkinson’s disease and other neuropathologies. Among the assemblies that populate the amyloid formation process, oligomers and short fibrils are the most cytotoxic. The human Hsc70-based disaggregase system can resolve α-synuclein fibrils, but its ability to target other toxic assemblies has not been studied. Here, we show that this chaperone system preferentially dis-aggregates toxic oligomers and short fibrils, while its activity against large, less toxic amyloids is severely impaired. Biochemical and kinetic characterization of the disassembly process reveals that this behavior is the result of an all-or-none abrupt solubilization of individual aggregates. High-speed atomic force microscopy explicitly shows that disassembly starts with the destabilization of the tips and rapidly progresses to completion through protofilament unzipping and depolymerization without accumulation of harmful oligomeric intermediates. Our data provide molecular insights into the selective processing of toxic amyloids, which is critical to identify potential therapeutic targets against increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative disorders., This work was supported by MCI/AEI/FEDER, UE (Grants PGC2018-101282-B-I00 to J.M.G.V, PGC2018-096335-B-100 to N.C., and PID2019-111068GB-I00 to A.M.), MINECO/FEDER, UE (Grants RYC-2012-12068 and BFU2015-64119-P to N.C.), and by the Basque Government (Grant IT1201-19 to A.M. and A.P.). A.C. also acknowledges funding from MCIU, PID2019-111096GA-I00; MCIU/AEI/FEDER MINECOG19/P66 , RYC2018-024686-I, and Basque Government T1270-19. L.S. acknowledges support from the University of California, Davis. A.F. thanks a predoctoral fellowship from the Basque Government. The technical and human support provided by the microscopy service of SGIker (UPV/EHU/ERDF, EU) is acknowledged. We thank J. M. Valpuesta and J. Cuellar for the visualization of α-syn oligomers by EM

This study addresses for the first time the movement patterns of the globally near‐threatened Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in its most important stronghold, the high‐altitude mountain ranges of Asia. Tracked individuals (n = 8) in the Annapurna Himalayan range (Nepal) foraged over a vast range of 60 715.9 km² and our results indicated age‐class differences in the use of space. Territorial adults showed very small annual home‐ranges (K90 = 150.3 km²), whereas immatures wandered extensively and covered vast ranges of the mountains (K90 = 23 930.8 km²). For adults and immatures, these values are notably larger than the other two studied populations in the world (Pyrenees and South Africa). This suggests that the studied Annapurna population might exhibit lower breeding density than in the Pyrenees or South Africa, possibly due to lower food availability.

Aim: The field of nanotechnology promotes the development of innovative and more effective cancer therapies. This work is aimed to develop a hybrid system that combines the capacity of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) to be internalized by tumor cells and the ability of nickel ferrite nanoparticles to efficiently release heat by induced AC magnetic heating. Materials & methods: The systems studied were characterized by using x-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Results: The ferrite nanoparticles attached to BNNT were able to achieve the required temperatures for magnetohyperthermia therapies. After cellular internalization, AC induced magnetic heating of BNNT@NiFe2O4 can kill almost 80% of Hela cells lineage in a single cycle. Conclusion: This system can be a highly efficient magnetohyperthermia agent in cancer therapy.

Summary Background Cholesterol microbial transformation has been widely studied using in vitro fermentation assays, but less information is available on the biotransformation of plant sterols (PS). The excretion percentage of animal sterols (AS) (67–73%) is considerably greater than that of PS (27–33%) in feces from healthy humans following a Western diet. However, a lower content of AS in feces from subjects following a vegetarian, vegan or low-fat animal diet has been seen when compared to omnivorous subjects. Although only one human study has reported fecal sterol excretion after the consumption of PS-enriched food (8.6 g PS/day), it was found that the target group showed an increase in the excretion of cholesterol and a 57% decrease in its metabolites compared to the control group. Objective Evaluation of the impact of a PS-enriched milk based fruit beverage intake on fecal sterol excretion and the microbial conversion of sterols in postmenopausal women with mild hypercholesterolemia. Methods Forty postmenopausal women participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study with two beverages, with a PS-enriched (2 g PS/day) or without. The women were divided in two groups: 20 women consumed the PS-enriched beverage and the other 20 women consumed a placebo (without PS) beverage for 6 weeks. After a four-week washout period, the type of beverage was exchanged and consumed for another 6 weeks. Feces were collected at the start (0 and 10 weeks) and end of each intervention period (6 and 16 weeks), and fecal sterols were determined by capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Results The intake of the PS-enriched beverage modified the fecal sterol excretion profile. A significant increase mainly in PS and their metabolites versus the placebo intervention period was observed. Although the same effect was not observed in the case of AS, a tendency towards increased cholesterol and decreased coprostanol (the main metabolite of cholesterol) was recorded after PS-enriched beverage intake versus placebo. Furthermore, the PS-enriched beverage also modified the microbial conversion of sterols. In this context, an important decrease in the conversion percentage of cholesterol in 16 women (between 11% and 50%) and of sitosterol in 24 women (between 15% and 61%) was observed. Conclusions The results obtained suggest that the microbiota could preferably use PS as a substrate, when present in a greater proportion compared with cholesterol. Besides, a lower sitosterol and cholesterol conversion trend would mean that intake of the PS-enriched beverage could modulate the metabolic activity of the gut microbiota. Therefore, further studies on the impact of PS-enriched foods upon gut microbiota modulation are needed. Clinical Trial Registry Number: NCT 02065024 listed on the NIH website: ClinicalTrials.gov . Clinical Trial Registry Name: Food Matrix and Genetic Variability as Determinants of Bioavailability and Biological Effects of Beta-cryptoxanthin and Phytosterols (foodmagenpol). The full trial protocol is available upon request to the corresponding author.

This work focuses on the obtention of magnetic nanoparticles functionalised with heparin (MNPH) and their interaction with Aspergillus niger lipase enzyme. The MNPH were obtained by the coprecipitation method, its characterisation was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and alternating gradient magnetometry. Functionalisation with heparin was carried out by ultrasound at various times, later the absorption of the enzyme was carried out with two temperatures 4 and 25°C at different concentrations of lipase. For the recovery of the enzyme, a Plackett–Burman design was used, which indicates that the recovered lipase maintains its enzymatic activity when the ionic strength is lower, it was characterised by sodium dodecyl sulphate-page with which it is demonstrated that it is possible to recover the lipase enzyme through the designed nanostructured system.

In Mexico, mistletoes have several applications in traditional medicine due to the great variety of compounds with biological activities that have not been characterized to date. The goals of the present study are to analyze the composition of minerals and phytochemical compounds in Mexican mistletoes Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum qualitatively and quantitatively, identify the compounds using HPLC-MS, and assess the antimicrobial potential in phytopathogenic microorganism control. Mineral content was evaluated with X-ray fluorescence. Three types of extracts were prepared: ethanol, water, and aqueous 150 mM sodium chloride solution. Characterization was carried out using qualitative tests for phytochemical compound groups, analytical methods for proteins, reducing sugars, total phenol, flavonoids quantification, and HPLC-MS for compound identification. The antimicrobial activity of mistletoe’s liquid extracts was evaluated by microplate assay. K and Ca minerals were observed in both mistletoes. A qualitative test demonstrated alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and quinones. Ethanolic extract showed flavonoids, 3845 ± 69 and 3067 ± 17.2 mg QE/g for Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively, while aqueous extracts showed a total phenol content of 65 ± 6.9 and 90 ± 1.19 mg GAE/g Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively. HPLC-MS identified largely hydroxycinnamic acids and methoxycinnamic acids. Clavibacter michiganenses was successfully inhibited by aqueous extract of both mistletoes.

In most cases, conventional drying produces inferior quality products and requires higher drying times. A continuous pilot Refractance Window® equipment was used to dry Aloe vera gel slabs of 5 and 10 mm thick at 60, 70, 80, and 90 °C, seeking a dry product with high-quality retention. Based on five empirical models, drying kinetics, diffusion coefficient, and activation energy were analyzed. Midilli–Kuck was the best predicting model. Short drying times (55–270 min) were needed to reach 0.10 g water/g solid. In addition, the technique yielded samples with high rehydration capacity (24–29 g water/g solid), high retention of color (∆E, 3.74–4.39), relatively low losses of vitamin C (37–59%) and vitamin E (28–37%). Regardless of the condition of temperature and sample thickness, a high-quality dried Aloe vera gel could be obtained. Compared with other methods, Refractance Window® drying of Aloe vera achieved shorter drying times with higher quality retention in terms of color, vitamins C and E, and rehydration. Finally, the dried Aloe vera gel could be reconstituted to a gel close to its fresh state by rehydration.

The idea of writing this short chapter is to highlight the enormous contributions that Leeuwenhoek made to science with the development of the microscope, an instrument that allowed him to make countless observations of diverse biological materials, the same were microorganisms, plant tissues, animal tissues, observations in body fluids such as blood, semen and others. He first observed crystals of spermine and other polyamines in human semen. Although he did not know it, we now know that these wonderful molecules regulate multiple functions in organisms and contribute to homeostasis. Polyamines have been studied in humans under conditions of health and disease. Reference is made here to its role related to pancreatic function in hyperglycemic conditions.

Background PCV3 is a member of the Circovirus family, associated with disease and mortality in pigs. It is not clear whether PCV3 putatively causes clinical symptoms and disease. In the present case, we reported a gilt infected with PCV3 associated with reproductive failures, vertical transmission, tissue lesions, viral replication by in situ hybridization, and the hypothesis that some strains of PCV3 clade one are associated with reproductive failures at the field level. Case presentation In May 2019, a pig farm in Colombia reported increased reproductive failures, and the presence of PCV3 in gilts and sows was established in a single form or coinfections, mainly with PCV2 and PPV7. Ten sows with a single infection with PCV3 were found, and one gilt with a pre-farrowing serum viral load above 103 was studied. This gilt was followed up during the pre-farrowing, farrowing period and on her litter for 6 weeks. During dystocic farrowing, a mummy and ten piglets were released, including two weak-born piglets. The highest viral loads for PCV3 were found in the mummy and the placenta. In the weak-born piglets, there were viral loads both in serum and in tissues, mainly in the mesenteric ganglia and lung. Replication of PCV3 in these tissues was demonstrated by in situ hybridizations. PCV3 was also found in the precolostrum sera of piglets and colostrum, showing vertical transmission. The viral load in piglets decreased gradually until week six of life. The viral genome’s complete sequencing was made from the mummy, and its analysis classified it as PCV3 clade one. Conclusions This report confirms that PCV3 can cause disease at the field level, and putatively, in this case, we find the generation of reproductive failures. The ability of PCV3 to cause disease as a putative pathogen may be associated with the viral load present in the pig and the strain that is affecting the farm. For this case, we found that viral loads above 103 (4.93 log genomic copies / mL) in the gilt were associated with clinical manifestation and that some PCV3 strains belonging to clade one are more associated with the reproductive presentation.

Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which resulted in the worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020, has particularly affected Latin America. Objective The purpose of the study was to analyze the imaging findings of pulmonary COVID-19 in a large pediatric series. Materials and methods Children with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by either quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swabs or presence of circulating immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies and who underwent chest radiograph or CT or both were included in this retrospective multicenter study. Three pediatric radiologists independently reviewed radiographs and CTs to identify the presence, localization, distribution and extension of pulmonary lesions. Results We included 140 children (71 female; median age 6.3 years, interquartile range 1.6–12.1 years) in the study. Peribronchial thickening (93%), ground-glass opacities (79%) and vascular engorgement (63%) were the most frequent findings on 131 radiographs. Ground-glass opacities (91%), vascular engorgement (84%) and peribronchial thickening (72%) were the most frequent findings on 32 CTs. Peribronchial thickening (100%), ground-glass opacities (83%) and pulmonary vascular engorgement (79%) were common radiograph findings in asymptomatic children (n=25). Ground-glass opacity and consolidation were significantly higher in children who needed intensive care admission or died (92% and 48%), in contrast with children with a favorable outcome (71% and 24%, respectively; P

This paper is primarily a compilation of published data on the staphylinid beetle species reported for El Salvador. It is based on taxonomic and ecological literature, with inclusion of some new records from different entomological collections. Thirty eight genera and 96 species are reported in the list, including a first country record: Eulissus chalybaeus. Country-level distribution outside of El Salvador, locality references and topographic zones are included for each species. In the list, three endemic species are recorded: Seeversiella badia, S. minima and Stenus salvadorensis. It is remarkable that 14 genera (37%) and 52 species (54%) have only been reported at a country level in the literature, without a specific locality of collection, indicating the need for local inventories of this coleopteran family in the salvadoran territory.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of global cancer death. Major etiologies of HCC relate to chronic viral infections as well as metabolic conditions. The survival rate of people with HCC is very low and has been attributed to late diagnosis with limited treatment options. Combining ultrasound and the biomarker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is currently one of the most widely used screening combinations for HCC. However, the clinical utility of AFP is controversial, and the frequency and operator-dependence of ultrasound lead to a variable degree of sensitivity and specificity across the globe. In this review, we summarize recent developments in the search for non-invasive serum biomarkers for early detection of HCC to improve prognosis and outcome for patients. We focus on tumor-associated protein markers, immune mediators (cytokines and chemokines), and micro-RNAs in serum or circulating extracellular vesicles and examine their potential for clinical application.

Currently, agriculture depends on the use of synthetic chemicals to control phytopathogenic microorganisms that cause large losses in crops. A promising alternative to replace the use of these products is the implementation of biological control agents; such is the case of the filamentous fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma. These microorganisms possess diverse mechanisms for their survival and proliferation including the mycoparasitism of phytopathogenic fungi as well as the use of complex and diverse substrates. These attributes are of great economic importance since they lead to the opportunity to be used in the production of metabolites of interest for biological control of phytopathogens under the scheme of inductive 146processes, besides being susceptible characteristics to the genetic improvement to potentiate its control mechanisms as it is the production of enzymes.

The Neotropical freshwater catfish Pseudopimelodus atricaudus and Pseudopimelodus magnus are two recently discovered species endemic to the Colombian Magdalena-Cauca River basin. In this study, a set of 13 microsatellite loci were developed by using next generation sequence technology to assess the genetic diversity and population structure in P. atricaudus and test for cross-species amplification in P. magnus. Both species exhibited high genetic diversity (P. atricaudus: Na: 9.000 - 9.769 alleles/locus, Ho: 0.760 - 0.804, HE: 0.804 - 0.840; P. magnus: Na: 12.8 - 5.4 alleles/locus, Ho: 0.638 - 0.683, HE: 0.747 - 0.755) compared to the mean levels of genetic diversity reported for Neotropical Siluriformes, and lack of genetic differentiation among sampling sites within the Cauca River (P. atricaudus: F’ST=0.013 - 0.017, P > 0.05, D’est= -0.004 - 0.023, P > 0.05; P. magnus: F’ST= 0.031, P= 0.055; D’est= 0.045, P= 0.058). This work is the first insight on the diversity and the population genetics of species of the family Pseudopimelodidae and provides a framework to further population genetic and conservation analyses needed in this poorly studied family at the microevolutionary level. RESUMEN Los bagres neotropicales Pseudopimelodus atricaudus y Pseudopimelodus magnus son dos especies recientemente descubiertas, endémicas de la cuenca Magdalena-Cauca en Colombia. En este estudio, se desarrollaron 13 loci microsatélites usando tecnología de secuenciación de próxima generación para evaluar la diversidad genética y la estructura poblacional de P. atricaudus y evaluar su amplificación cruzada en P. magnus. Ambas especies exhibieron altos valores de diversidad genética (P. atricaudus: Na: 9.000 - 9.769 alelos/locus, HO: 0.760 - 0.804, HE: 0.804 - 0.840; P. magnus: Na: 12.8 - 5.4 alelos/locus, HO: 0.638 - 0.683, HE: 0.747 - 0.755) comparados con los valores promedios de diversidad genética reportados para Siluriformes neotropicales, y ausencia de estructura genética entre los sitios analizados (P. atricaudus: F’ST= 0.013 - 0.017, P > 0.05, D’est= -0.004 - 0.023, P > 0.05; P. magnus: F’ST= 0.031, P= 0.055; D’est= 0.045, P= 0.058). Este trabajo representa la primera aproximación a la diversidad y genética poblacional de especies de la familia Pseudopimelodidae y proporciona un marco de referencia para futuros estudios genético-poblacionales y de conservación, requeridos en esta familia de bagres poco estudiada en el nivel microevolutivo.

Ecotourism involves visiting natural areas without adverselyaffecting biodiversity, an objective that is often not reached.Although ecotourism in El Salvador is currently under-developed,it has been proposed for the conservation of forests that remainwithin the territory. To this respect, National Park El Imposible isthe largest natural protected area in the nation, with 23% of itsextension designated for ecotourism. The objective of this studywas to evaluate the impact of ecological disturbances producedby ecotourism, using dung beetles as biological indicators in thepark. Three zones differing in tourism intensity: conservation,extensive, and intensive, were evaluated. Six samplings usingpitfall traps were carried out from June–November, 2013 in eachzone. We recorded a significantly lower beetle abundance in theintensive-use zone, even though biomass tended to increase withecotourism intensity due to proportional increase in large-sizedspecies. There were differences in composition, diversity, andevenness of the dung beetle assemblage, evidencing ecologicaldisturbances in the intensive-use zone. Ecotourism in the park hascaused a negative impact on the dung beetle assemblagestructure due to the loss of habitat specialists in favor ofwidespread generalists. Consequently, ecotourism should beregulated to minimize its effects in the site., We are in debt to Juan Francisco Pablo and Ana Virginia Cea for financial support to make this investigation possible.

We present a dataset that assembles occurrence records of alien tetrapods (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) in the Iberian Peninsula, a coherent biogeographically unit where introductions of alien species have occurred for millennia. These data have important potential applications for ecological research and management, including the assessment of invasion risks, formulation of preventive and management plans, and research at the biological community level on alien species. This dataset summarizes inventories and data sources on the taxonomy and distribution of alien tetrapods in the Iberia Peninsula, comprising known locations from published literature, expert knowledge and citizen science platforms. An expert-based assessment process allowed the identification of unreliable records (misclassification or natural dispersion from native range), and the classification of species according to their status of reproduction in the wild. Distributional data was harmonized into a common area unit, the 10 × 10 km Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system (n = 6,152 cells). The year of observation and/or year of publication were also assigned to the records. In total, we assembled 35,940 unique distribution records (UTM × species × Year) for 253 species (6 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 218 birds and 13 mammals), spanning between 1912 and 2020. The species with highest number of distribution records were the Mediterranean painted frog Discoglossus pictus (n = 59 UTM), the pond slider Trachemys scripta (n = 471), the common waxbill Estrilda astrild (n = 1,275) and the house mouse Mus musculus (n = 4,043), for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, respectively. Most alien species recorded are native to Africa (33%), followed by South America (21%), Asia (19%), North America (12%) and Oceania (10%). Thirty-six species are classified by IUCN as threatened in their native range, namely 2 Critically Endangered (CR), 6 Endangered (EN), 8 Vulnerable (VU), and 20 species Near Threatened (NT). Species maps are provided in DataSet1, as well R code and GIS layers to update them as new records are obtained.

Species assemblages often have a non-random nested organization, which in vertebrate scavenger (carrion-consuming) assemblages is thought to be driven by facilitation in competitive environments. However, not all scavenger species play the same role in maintaining assemblage structure, as some species are obligate scavengers (i.e., vultures) and others are facultative, scavenging opportunistically. We used a database with 177 vertebrate scavenger species from 53 assemblages in 22 countries across five continents to identify which functional traits of scavenger species are key to maintaining the scavenging network structure. We used network analyses to relate ten traits hypothesized to affect assemblage structure with the “role” of each species in the scavenging assemblage in which it appeared. We characterized the role of a species in terms of both the proportion of monitored carcasses on which that species scavenged, or scavenging breadth (i.e., the species “normalized degree”), and the role of that species in the nested structure of the assemblage (i.e., the species “paired nested degree”), therefore identifying possible facilitative interactions among species. We found that species with high olfactory acuity, social foragers, and obligate scavengers had the widest scavenging breadth. We also found that social foragers had a large paired nested degree in scavenger assemblages, probably because their presence is easier to detect by other species to signal carcass occurrence. Our study highlights differences in the functional roles of scavenger species and can be used to identify key species for targeted conservation to maintain the ecological function of scavenger assemblages., ESG, ZMR, JMB and LNA were supported by Generalitat Valenciana (SEJI/2018/024, APOSTD/2019/016, CIDEGENT/2020/030 and ACIF/2019/056, respectively), JMB, JMPG and CGC by Juan de la Cierva contracts (MEC; IJCI-2017-32149, FJCI-2015-25632 and IJC2018-036642-I, respectively), ACA by the Govern de les Illes Balears (PD/039/2017) and ESG and MM by Ramón y Cajal contracts (MEC; RYC-2019-027216-I, RYC-2015-19231). EA was supported by La Caixa-Severo Ochoa International PhD Program 2015. NS was partly supported by the National Science Centre in Poland (2013/08/M/NZ9/00469 and 2016/22/Z/NZ8/00). MK and KJ were supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (P4-0059). Contributions of HG, KLT, EFA, OER, TLD, and JCB were partially supported through funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy under (DE-EM0004391) to the University of Georgia Research Foundation. HG was also supported by the Institute of Environmental Radioactivity at Fukushima University. ALB and JDA were partially supported by Queens College and the Graduate Center at the City University of New York. JDA is currently supported by a Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC-2017-22783). ERB and EF were supported by the USA National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (1256065). CK completed study with support from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, The Peregrine Fund, and via Pompeo M. Maresi Memorial Fund via Princeton University. JAS and CCW were supported by the USA National Science Foundation #1255913, the American Association for University Women, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. HUW acknowledges funding from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (P0880013). PLP was supported by the Rufford Foundation and University of Wisconsin-Madison. JB and JdT thank the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund and Mr Rodney Fuhr. Several authors were funded by funds from the MEC (CGL2012-40013-C02-01/02, CGL2015-66966-C2-1-R, CGL2015-66966-C2-1-R2, CGL2017-89905-R, RTI2018-099609-B-C21 and RTI2018-099609-B-C22) and from the Junta de Andalucía (RNM-1925). POV was supported by a research contract by the University of Lleida. EES and TMN were funded and supported by Australian Geographic, Bush Heritage Australia, Australian Academy of Sciences, Ecological Society of Australia, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Emirates Wolgan Valley One and Only Resort. EP, YA, MS and UY completed study under research permit by The Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. SAL thanks PICT (BID) 0725/2014, and IAATE. ALB and JDA would like to thank the Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve, Lyme Adirondack Forest Company, and LandVest Timberland.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • 320 Argentinian Fasciola hepatica were genotyped using a panel of microsatellites. • Overall there was high genotypic richness: 263 distinct genotypes were identified. • Population structuring of F. hepatica was evident across Argentina. • Within these sub-populations there is largely random mating. • Transmission of clonemates occurs: clonal parasites accounted for 26.6% of all parasites., Fasciola hepatica, the liver fluke, is a trematode parasite that causes disease of economic importance in livestock. As a zoonosis this parasite also poses a risk to human health in areas where it is endemic. Population genetic studies can reveal the mechanisms responsible for genetic structuring (non-panmixia) within parasite populations and provide valuable insights into population dynamics, which in turn enables theoretical predictions of evolutionary dynamics such as the evolution of drug resistance. Here we genotyped 320 F. hepatica collected from 14 definitive hosts from four provinces in Argentina. STRUCTURE analysis indicated three population clusters, and principal coordinate analysis confirmed this, showing population clustering across provinces. Similarly, pairwise FST values amongst all four provinces were significant, with standardised pairwise FST (F′ST) ranging from 0.0754 to 0.6327. Therefore, population genetic structure was evident across these four provinces in Argentina. However, there was no evidence of deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, so it appears that within these sub-populations there is largely random mating. We identified 263 unique genotypes, which gave a clonal diversity of 82%. Parasites with identical genotypes, clones, accounted for 26.6% of the parasites studied and were found in 12 of the 14 hosts studied, suggesting some clonemate transmission.

Funding: This work was conducted under the “CHIC” project (H2020-NMBP-BIO-2017) with financial support received from the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N. 760891. Cichorium intybus L. or chicory plants are a natural source of health-promoting compounds in the form of supplements such as inulin, as well as other bioactive compounds such as sesquiterpene lactones (SLs). After inulin extraction, chicory roots are considered waste, with most SLs not being harnessed. We developed and optimized a new strategy for SL extraction that can contribute to the conversion of chicory root waste into valuable products to be used in human health-promoting applications. In our work, rich fractions of SLs were recovered from chicory roots using supercritical CO2. A response surface methodology was used to optimize the process parameters (pressure, temperature, flow rate, and co-solvent percentage) for the extraction performance. The best operating conditions were achieved at 350 bar, 40 °C, and 10% EtOH as a co-solvent in a 15 g/min flow rate for 120 min. The extraction with supercritical CO2 revealed to be more selective for the SLs than the conventional solid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. In our work, 1.68% mass and a 0.09% sesquiterpenes yield extraction were obtained, including the recovery of two sesquiterpene lactones (8-deoxylactucin and 11β,13-dihydro-8-deoxylactucin), which, to the best of our knowledge, are not commercially available. A mixture of the abovementioned compounds were tested at different concentrations for their toxic profile and anti-inflammatory potential towards a human calcineurin/NFAT orthologue pathway in a yeast model, the calcineurin/Crz1 pathway. The SFE extract obtained, rich in SLs, yielded results of inhibition of 61.74 ± 6.87% with 50 µg/mL, and the purified fraction containing 8-deoxylactucin and 11β,13-dihydro-8-deoxylactucin inhibited the activation of the reporter gene up to 53.38 ± 3.9% at 10 µg/mL. The potential activity of the purified fraction was also validated by the ability to inhibit Crz1 nuclear translocation and accumulation. These results reveal a possible exploitable green technology to recover potential anti-inflammatory compounds from chicory roots waste after inulin extraction. publishersversion published

The troglobiont millipede, Cantabrodesmus lorioli Mauriès, 1971, inhabits a few caves in a small region of Northern Spain. It is considered a relict species because of its geographical isolation compared to others in its family, and its to some extent uncertain systematic position. Cantabrodesmus lorioli has been placed in three different families, and now is considered a member of the Chelodesmidae, a family with only one other known native European representative. There are few records of this species, and almost nothing is known about its biology. The only available information on this species is the description of the male and a list of caves where it has been captured. In the present work, we provide the first description of the female morphology, illustrated by scanning electron microscopy, and a series of new records from caves in a region where it had never been captured before, including the deepest known pit in Spain, Torca del Porrón. The female morphology does not show many differences from that of the male, but several characters are discussed. All of the known information on the morphology of the species is used to discuss the implications for its biology and systematic position.

27 pags., 4 figs., α-Synuclein amyloid aggregation is a defining molecular feature of Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy, but can also be found in other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The process of α-synuclein aggregation can be initiated through alternative nucleation mechanisms and dominated by different secondary processes giving rise to multiple amyloid polymorphs and intermediate species. Some aggregated species have more inherent abilities to induce cellular stress and toxicity, while others seem to be more potent in propagating neurodegeneration. The preference for particular types of polymorphs depends on the solution conditions and the cellular microenvironment that the protein encounters, which is likely related to the distinct cellular locations of α-synuclein inclusions in different synucleinopathies, and the existence of disease-specific amyloid polymorphs. In this review, we discuss our current understanding on the nature and structure of the various types of α-synuclein aggregated species and their possible roles in pathology. Precisely defining these distinct α-synuclein species will contribute to understanding the molecular origins of these disorders, developing accurate diagnoses, and designing effective therapeutic interventions for these highly debilitating neurodegenerative diseases., This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO), grant number BFU2015-64119-P (N.C.), the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and the European Commission (FEDER), grant number PGC2018-096335-B-100 (N.C.), and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of the National Health Institute (NIH), grant number R01NS102257) (L.V.-D.).

Diplopoda are poorly studied in many regions. The last comprehensive work on the millipede fauna of Switzerland was published in 1993 and listed 124 outdoor-living species. Recent sampling efforts have resulted in the discovery' of six millipede species of European origin that were not previously known to occur in Switzerland: Cylindroiulus britannicus (Verhoeff, 1891). C. salicivorus Verhoeff. 1908. C. vulnerarius (Berlese, 1888), Heteroiulus intermedius (Brolemann, 1892), Anamastigona pulchella (Silvestri, 1894) and Macrosternodesmus palicola Brolemann, 1908. None of them is currently invasive in Switzerland, but some are rapidly expanding across Europe and other regions of the world. A species which was previously only known from northern Italy. H. intermedius, was found in a forest close to Bellinzona. It is likely a native Swiss species which has previously been overlooked. The other five species were collected in human-made habitats in the city of Basel and its surroundings, suggesting human-caused introduction. Two species, C. britannicus and M. palicola, likely have an Atlantic origin, while the three remaining species, C. salicivorus, C. vulnerarius and A. pulchella, are originally from Italy. The biogeography of these six species is discussed, and photographs of specimens of each species and their gonopods are presented.

Recent samplings in cavities of the Iberian Peninsula led to the discovery of a new millipede species of the order Callipodida in one cave in the region of El Bierzo (León, Spain): Lusitanipus xanin sp. nov. In additional samplings (near that cave), more specimens of this new species were discovered in surface habitats. The species has various distinctive characteristics, such as its green colour, but the morphology of the gonopod has several similarities with that of Lusitanipus alternans (Verhoeff, 1893), indicating a close relationship between them. The diagnosis of the genus Lusitanipus Mauriès, 1978 has to be changed to accommodate the new species. The presence of crests in two different sizes is no longer a diagnostic character of the genus Lusitanipus, but of the species L. alternans. Lusitanipus xanin sp. nov. is the fourth species of the order Callipodida for the Iberian Peninsula, and the second species for the genus. Lusitanipus xanin sp. nov. seems to be an epigean but troglophile species.

Understanding the distribution of biodiversity across the Earth is one of the most challenging questions in biology. Much research has been directed at explaining the species latitudinal pattern showing that communities are richer in tropical areas; however, despite decades of research, a general consensus has not yet emerged. In addition, global biodiversity patterns are being rapidly altered by human activities. Here, we aim to describe large-scale patterns of species richness and diversity in terrestrial vertebrate scavenger (carrion-consuming) assemblages, which provide key ecosystem functions and services. We used a worldwide dataset comprising 43 sites, where vertebrate scavenger assemblages were identified using 2,485 carcasses monitored between 1991 and 2018. First, we evaluated how scavenger richness (number of species) and diversity (Shannon diversity index) varied among seasons (cold vs. warm, wet vs. dry). Then, we studied the potential effects of human impact and a set of macroecological variables related to climatic conditions on the scavenger assemblages. Vertebrate scavenger richness ranged from species-poor to species rich assemblages (4–30 species). Both scavenger richness and diversity also showed some seasonal variation. However, in general, climatic variables did not drive latitudinal patterns, as scavenger richness and diversity were not affected by temperature or rainfall. Rainfall seasonality slightly increased the number of species in the community, but its effect was weak. Instead, the human impact index included in our study was the main predictor of scavenger richness. Scavenger assemblages in highly human-impacted areas sustained the smallest number of scavenger species, suggesting human activity may be overriding other macroecological processes in shaping scavenger communities. Our results highlight the effect of human impact at a global scale. As species-rich assemblages tend to be more functional, we warn about possible reductions in ecosystem functions and the services provided by scavengers in human-dominated landscapes in the Anthropocene., SG, JMPG, and ACA were supported by Juan de la Cierva contracts (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, MEC; IJCI‐2015‐24947, FJCI‐2015‐25632, and IJCI‐2014‐20744, respectively). ESG was also supported by Generalitat Valenciana (SEJI/2018/024), ACA by the Govern de les Illes Balears (PD/039/2017), and MM by a Ramón y Cajal contract (MEC; RYC‐2015‐19231). EA was supported by La Caixa‐Severo Ochoa International PhD Program 2015. NS was partly supported by the National Science Centre in Poland (2013/08/M/NZ9/00469). SAL thanks PICT (BID) 0725/2014. MK and KJ were supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (P4‐0059). Contributions of KT and JCB were partially supported through funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy under (DE‐EM0004391) to the University of Georgia Research Foundation. EB and EF were supported by the USA National Science Foundation. CK completed study under research permit NCST/5/002/R/448 with support from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, The Peregrine Fund, and via Pompeo M. Maresi Memorial Fund via Princeton University. JAS and CCW were supported by the USA National Science Foundation #1255913 and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Several authors were funded by funds from the MEC (CGL2012‐40013‐C02‐01/02, CGL2015‐66966‐C2‐1‐R and CGL2017‐89905‐R) and from the Junta de Andalucía (RNM‐1925).

Resumen Introducción: El tintal es un tipo de selva baja inundable característico del sureste de México, donde la especie dominante es el palo de tinte (Haematoxylum campechianum L.). Por sus características estructurales y las condiciones de las áreas donde se desarrollan, los tintales pueden funcionar como un hábitat crítico para muchas especies animales. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir la diversidad local y regional de la quiropterofauna presente en tintales de diferentes áreas del sureste mexicano. Métodos: Se trabajó en ocho localidades con presencia de tintal en los estados de Campeche y Tabasco. En cada una se colocaron seis redes de nylon durante tres noches. Se calculó la riqueza observada y la estimada para cada localidad, así como la abundancia total. Se elaboraron curvas de rango de abundancia y de acumulación de especies. Se realizaron análisis de similitud entre localidades y se correlacionaron estas similitudes con la distancia geográfica entre ellas. Resultados: Se registraron 25 especies de murciélagos pertenecientes a cinco familias, de las cuales Phyllostomidae fue la mejor representada. La mayoría de las especies fueron insectívoras (44 % del total), mientras los frugívoros fueron los más abundantes. Entre estas destacan Artibeus lituratus y A. jamaicensis, las cuales se registraron en un mayor número de localidades. Mientras tanto, Glossophaga soricina fue la más abundante. En Oxpemul, se registró la mayor riqueza de especies (N= 12) y en Las Bodegas la menor (N= 4), aunque esta fue la tercera localidad con mayor cantidad de individuos. La riqueza estimada de especies para toda el área, según nuestros datos, osciló entre 29 y 34. Los ensamblajes menos equitativos fueron Las Bodegas y Tres Brazos. Las localidades más semejantes entre sí en cuanto a la estructura de la comunidad fueron La Toza y Las Bodegas y, en cuanto a la composición de especies Oxpemul y Atasta. Las similitudes entre las localidades no estuvieron correlacionadas con la cercanía geográfica. Conclusiones: La mayoría de las localidades de estudio están altamente antropizadas, pero la tolerancia de varias especies de murciélagos a estas modificaciones del paisaje les ha permitido hacer uso de estas. La elevada abundancia de las especies consumidoras de frutos encontrada apoya la idea de la importancia de los murciélagos en la recuperación de la vegetación arbórea en zonas alteradas del sureste de México y el valor de los tintales dentro de estas áreas para la conservación de la biodiversidad. Abstract Introduction: The “tintal” is a type of seasonally inundated forest where the dominant species is Haematoxylum campechianum L. Due to its structural characteristics and the conditions of the areas where it develops, it could work as a critical habitat for many animal species. Objective: This work aimed at describing the regional and local diversity of the chiropterofauna inhabiting tintal along different areas in the Southeastern Mexico. Methods: The research was carried out in eight localities with presence of tintal in the states of Campeche and Tabasco, Mexico. In each site, six mist nets were placed during three nights. The observed and expected richness were calculated for each site, as well as the total abundance. Rank-abundance and species accumulation curves were generated. Similarity analyses between localities were performed and correlated with the geographical distance between them. Results: We recorded 25 bat species belonging to five families, where Phyllostomidae was the most represented. Most registered species were insectivorous (44 % of the total), while frugivorous were the most abundant. Frugivorous Artibeus lituratus and A. jamaicensis were the species recorded in a greater number of localities, and Glossophaga soricina was the most abundant. The highest richness of species was registered in Oxpemul (N= 12), while in Las Bodegas we found the lowest (N= 4), although the latter was the third locality with the highest number of individuals. The estimated richness of species for the whole area varied between 29 and 34. The least even assemblages were Las Bodegas and Tres Brazos. The most similar localities in terms of the structure of the assemblages were La Toza and Las Bodegas and, in terms of the species composition, Oxpemul and Atasta. The similarities between the localities were not correlated with geographical proximity. Conclusions: Most of the researched localities were highly anthropized, but the tolerance of several bat species to these landscape modifications has allowed them to make use of such areas. The high abundance of the frugivorous species registered supports that bats may play a key role in the recovery of tree vegetation in altered areas in Southeastern Mexico, and emphasizes the value of the tintal along this area for the conservation of biodiversity.

Fermentative systems have allowed the production and the recovery of a great variety of enzymes. The design of bioprocesses to produce enzymes of importance in diverse industrial areas has been possible by means the use of the existing microbial richness and the abilities of these to grow in different substrates such is the case of the enzyme invertase and lipase. This chapter describes fermentation systems to produce these enzymes, as well as a detailed analysis of their reaction mechanisms, characterization, and their current and potential uses.

Pseudopimelodus is a Neotropical genus of bumblebee catfish, composed of four valid species occurring in both trans- and cis-Andean rivers of South America. The orogeny of the Andes has led to diversification in the genus Pseudopimelodus in Colombia. This study analyzed partial sequences of mitochondrial cox1 and nuclear rag2 genes to test the hypothesis that the species, nominally recognized as P. schultzi and P. bufonius in Colombia, correspond to more than two different evolutionary lineages. Results indicate high levels of genetic divergence among individuals of nominal P. schultzi and P. bufonius, from trans- and cis-Andean basins in Colombia. In addition, five divergent lineages of Pseudopimelodus were confidently delimited by using a single-locus species-discovery approach and confirmed by species tree analyses. Additionally, molecular-clock dating showed that most diversification processes in Pseudopimelodus took place during the Miocene, when Andean tectonic evolution was occurring in northwestern South America. The present study provides, for the first time, phylogeographic insight into this Neotropical genus.

Summary Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., cause great losses to coffee crops in Brazil and worldwide. However, little is known about the physiological changes that these pathogens induce in coffee plants. The present work aimed to compare the physiological variables of coffee seedlings (Coffea arabica ‘Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144’) infected with Meloidogyne paranaensis or M. exigua with healthy coffee plants. Nematode-infected plants showed reductions in height and starch content in roots compared to healthy plants. In addition, the infected plants had a reduction in transpiration, stomatal conductance and CO2 concentration. However, only the coffee seedlings infected with M. paranaensis showed reduction in the rate of photosynthesis. Nematode-infected plants had lower leaf contents of P, K, Mn and Fe when compared to healthy plants. However, only coffee seedlings parasitised by M. paranaensis exhibited lower levels of Ca in the leaves. Therefore, M. paranaensis and M. exigua, with emphasis on M. paranaensis, alter the normal coffee seedling physiology.

The toxicity of the poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAM) caused by the peripheral amino groups has been a limitation for their use as drug carriers in clinical applications. In this work, we completely modified the periphery of PAMAM dendrimer generation 1 (PAMAM G1) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) units through the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) to obtain the PAMAM G1-β-CD dendrimer with high yield. The PAMAM G1-β-CD was characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR and mass spectrometry studies. Moreover, the PAMAM G1-β-CD dendrimer showed remarkably higher water solubility than native β-CD. Finally, we studied the toxicity of PAMAM G1-β-CD dendrimer in four different cell lines, human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), human cervical adenocarcinoma cancer cells (HeLa) and pig kidney epithelial cells (LLC-PK1). The PAMAM G1-β-CD dendrimer did not present any cytotoxicity in cell lines tested which shows the potentiality of this new class of dendrimers.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of cancer of the adult kidney. It is generally asymptomatic even at advanced stages, so opportune diagnosis is rare, making it almost impossible to study this cancer at its early stages. RCC tumors induced by ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) in rats histologically correspond to the human clear cell RCC subtype (ccRCC) and the exposure to this carcinogen during either one or two months leads to different early stages of neoplastic development. High levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as well as low levels of NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα) are frequent in human RCC, but their status in FeNTA-induced tumors and their evolution along renal carcinogenesis is unclear. On this basis, in the present study NF-κB, IκBα and EGFR behavior was analyzed at different stages of the experimental renal carcinogenesis model. Similar to patients with RCC, neoplastic tissue showed high levels of p65, one of the predominant subunits of NF-κB in ccRCC and of EGFR (protein and mRNA), as well as a decrease in the levels of NF-κB's main inhibitor, IκBα, resulting in a classic oncogenic combination. Conversely, different responses were observed at early stages of carcinogenesis. After one month of FeNTA-exposure, NF-κB activity and EGFR levels augmented; but unexpectedly, IκBα also did. While after two months, NF-κB activity diminished, but EGFR and IκBα levels remained elevated. In conclusion, FeNTA-induced tumors and RCC human neoplasms are analogues regarding to the classic NF-κB, IκBα and EGFR behavior, and distinctive non-conventional combination of changes is developed at each early stage studied. The results obtained suggest that the dysregulation of the analyzed molecules could be related to different signaling pathways and therefore, to particular effects depending on the phase of the carcinogenic process.

Quantitative studies on nesting habitat selection are important to understand and predict the resource requirements for breeding habitat. In this study, we analysed nest‐site (cliff) and territory selection patterns of the Bearded Vulture in the Annapurna Range of the Himalayas (Nepal). Our study area represents high‐elevation mountain range systems, where information on nest selection is lacking, despite having the largest remaining populations of Bearded Vultures in the world. Our models indicated selection patterns at both nest and territory spatial scales that are consistent with previous studies at lower altitudes (Pyrenees, the Caucasus), such as a preference for landscape patches with greater food availability. However, our models also indicated selection patterns that are probably a response to the higher altitudes and sheer reliefs of the Annapurna massif, such as avoidance of the steepest slopes and selection of cliffs facing south and west for nest‐sites. We did not detect an impact of human activities on the distribution of nests or territories. However, the Annapurna massif is experiencing development of infrastructures (e.g. road construction). Further research efforts will be needed to monitor human impacts on Bearded Vulture populations in the Annapurna Range, as this is a global stronghold for this species.

El proceso de urbanización se ha acelerado en el último siglo y se estima que crece en 1.1% cada año, causando que los centros urbanos sean cada vez más comunes. Las áreas verde urbanas son importantes, ya que brindan un lugar donde las especies pueden resguardarse y alimentarse, permitiéndoles adaptarse a los paisajes urbanizados. En la ciudad de San Salvador, un espacio con presencia de árboles y arbustos es el campus de la Universidad de El Salvador. El objetivo de esta investigación fue actualizar el conocimiento de la avifauna que utiliza el área verde como sitio de descanso, alimentación o nidificación. Durante un año (febrero 2017 a enero 2018) realizamos un muestreo mensual, revisamos literatura y colecciones disponibles para elaborar un listado histórico y actualizado de la riqueza de aves del lugar. Registramos 64 especies, de las cuales 14 constituyen nuevos registros para el sitio. Las especies con mayor número de observaciones fueron Brotogeris jugularis, Zenaida asiatica y Quiscalus mexicanus. Con los registros actuales y los datos históricos, la riqueza de aves asciende a 100 especies en la Universidad de El Salvador. Destacamos la presencia de Eupsittula canicularis, Psittacara strenuus y B. jugularis, amenazadas localmente y Amazona auropalliata, en peligro de extinción local e internacional.

Despite its biogeographic importance, the mammals of Maracaibo lake basin have been poorly studied. The objectives of this study were to: 1) provide a list of the mammal species detected by combining information from camera traps and other sources, and 2) describe diurnal and annual activity patterns for some of the species detected. Camera-trapping was carried out for one year in five localities within the Burro Negro Protection Zone (Spanish acronym ZPBN). Records of terrestrial mammals (excluding Chiroptera) were compiled from: 1) direct and indirect opportunistic records during field visits, 2) informal interviews with local inhabitants, 3) three national natural history collections, and 4) scientific literature. The complementarity between sources, similarity with other localities within the region, and temporal changes in composition were evaluated with the Sorensen Similarity Index (RS), and annual differences in the number of detections per sampling effort were evaluated using a X 2 test. Sampling effort was 1,799 camera days, resulting in 569 events of mammal detection recorded and 20 species from 17 families in 9 orders identified. Four species ( Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasyprocta leporina, Cerdocyon thous and Leopardus pardalis ) were captured all year round. Camera traps detected half of the non-flying mammal species in the area , including five that had not been previously reported by other sources ( Cuniculus paca, Coendou prehensilis, Sylvilagus floridanus, Procyon cancrivorus and Puma yagouaroundi ). At least three species ( Panthera onca , Odocoileus virginianus , and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ) had been reported as historically abundant, but were not detected during the year of camera trapping, which could be due to recent declines in their populations. Camera trapping provides reliable records on the presence of four species with data gaps in their distribution ranges ( Myrmecophaga tetradactyla, Coendou prehensilis, Cerdocyon thous and Procyon cancrivorus ), as well as baseline data for evaluating the distribution overlap between pairs of species, such as Tamandua mexicana and T. tetradactyla , and Dasyprocta leporina and D. punctata . A higher species richness was observed between June and August, in the rainy season.

En las regiones semicálidas del estado de Guerrero (alrededor de 1 500 m de altitud), prevalece la siembra de semillas nativas (criollos), pero también se tienen áreas en las que se pueden establecer maíces mejorados. En el presente trabajo se proponen dos cruzas intervarietales como alternativa, para que los agricultores incrementen la producción de grano; estas se seleccionaron después de evaluar el comportamiento agronómico de cinco variedades progenitoras y sus cruzas posibles en arreglo factorial; dos de ellas, de origen tropical, seleccionadas al menos por 10 generaciones para adaptarse a los Valles Altos y las otras tres de germoplasma nativo subtropical, obtenidas en el estado de Guerrero; además, de las seis cruzas intervarietales y sus progenitores, se agregaron la variedad local del agricultor y seis variedades testigo para evaluarlos en un diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones, en el ciclo primavera-verano de 2009, en dos localidades de altitud intermedia. El análisis combinado a través de ambientes mostró diferencias significativas en rendimiento de grano, entre cruzas, progenitores y testigos. Las cruzas intervarietales VS-529∗VE-1 y VS- 529∗VE-3 fueron superiores en rendimiento de grano a sus progenitores, la variedad local del agricultor y los testigos comerciales tuvieron otros atributos, como mejor sanidad de mazorca y planta, expresión intermedia para altura de planta, días a floración masculina y femenina, y menor acame. Las variedades progenitoras subtropicales per se fueron ligeramente superiores en rendimiento de grano, peso de mazorca y diámetro de mazorca comparadas con las variedades tropicales, pero éstas presentaron ligeramente mejor sanidad de planta y mazorca. Los progenitores VE-1, VE-3 y VS-529 presentaron efectos de ACG positiva, sus cruzamientos fueron los que mostraron mayor rendimiento de grano, heterosis, precocidad, mejor aspecto de planta y mazorca, mientras que CIST y SINT-3-HE exhibieron efectos de ACG negativos. Estos resultados permitieron seleccionar las cruzas intervarietales con características agronómicas favorables y con potencial productivo aceptable, como opción para apoyar a la agricultura tradicional de maíz de áreas intermedias del estado de Guerrero.

Wagner's mustached bat (Pteronotus personatus) is an insectivorous bat distributed throughout America from Mexico to Brazil, which inhabits a range of habitats from rain forests to dry deciduous forests. There are two currently recognized species within the P. personatus complex, for which we examined 235 cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences and 138 cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences in order to explore its genetic variation in Mexico as well as in Central and South America. Our results reveal considerable differences in the genetic structure inside this species complex, indicating five genetic lineages: 1) Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Pacific coastal plain to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, 2) Southeastern Mexico, 3) Guatemala, 4) Guyana and Suriname-COI/Guyana and Venezuela-Cytb, and 5) Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil. In addition, we used the isolation-with-migration coalescent method to estimate divergence times. The results indicate that vicariant events occurred roughly 1,624,000-2,450,000 years ago during the Early Pleistocene, wherein Central America was the center of two separate diversification processes, one toward Mexico and the other South America. The intraspecific lineages obtained for P. personatus demonstrate the need to reevaluate the species complex limits of this taxon.

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of genomic selection (GS) on predicting the general combining ability (GCA) of maize lines and the performance of their single crosses. Eight maize lines developed from the different self‐pollination generations of Chalqueno race, along with their 24 single crosses, were evaluated in the field during the years of 2011, 2012 and 2013. Genomic prediction results using genotyping‐by‐sequencing‐based single nucleotide polymorphisms showed that the GCA classification of the parental lines estimated from the SNP information was consistent with the phenotypic classification of the lines evaluated from the field trial data. The prediction accuracy values estimated from the cross‐validation method ranged from 0.49 to 0.61 in the different prediction models. Yield performance of the unevaluated single crosses was predicted based on their SNP information. The total genetic variance of the yield of the single crosses was most explained by the GCA effects. Compared with phenotyping method, GS is a more effective and efficient approach to predict the GCA of maize lines and their hybrid performance.

Wild medium-sized ungulate populations are recovering in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere due to abandonment of rural areas but also due to the translocation of native and exotic ungulates for game hunting. To assess the role of landscape connectivity, habitat suitability and interspecific interactions driving the simultaneous range expansion of two wild ungulates, one native (Iberian ibex, Capra pyrenaica) and one exotic species (Barbary sheep, Ammotragus lervia), in southeastern Spain. We reconstructed the expansion process of the Iberian ibex and the Barbary sheep in southeastern Spain for the period 1975–2009 by means of Local Ecological Knowledge and tested the role of habitat suitability, landscape connectivity and interspecific competition during the expansion process by means of GLMM. Habitat suitability was assessed by means of ecological niche modeling and landscape connectivity was represented by competing resistance surface dispersal models. Our results show that at the landscape scale both species are ecologically very similar, although the Iberian ibex is more specialized in less transformed landscapes. Landscape connectivity was the main driver of the colonization process, followed by habitat suitability. From a connectivity point of view, both species showed a coarse perception of the landscape, recognizing three main use types: natural, agricultural and human. Major linear infrastructures do not affect the colonization process. Our colonization models also suggest a negative interaction of the Iberian ibex on the Barbary sheep. The exotic Barbary sheep and the native Iberian ibex are two ungulate species very similar ecologically whose simultaneous expansion process in southeastern Spain are driven by landscape connectivity followed by habitat suitability. In addition, the Iberian ibex affects negatively the colonization ability of the Barbary sheep. Overall, our work deepens our understanding on two pressing issues simultaneously: (i) controls of the range expansion of ungulates at the landscape scale and (ii) how a native and an introduced species interact during their expansion process.

Rows of ATP synthase dimers define the cristae morphology of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Anselmi et al. use molecular simulations to show that the formation of these rows is spontaneous and driven by an attractive force induced by the membrane, not direct protein–protein interactions., Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthases populate the inner membranes of mitochondria, where they produce the majority of the ATP required by the cell. From yeast to vertebrates, cryoelectron tomograms of these membranes have consistently revealed a very precise organization of these enzymes. Rather than being scattered throughout the membrane, the ATP synthases form dimers, and these dimers are organized into rows that extend for hundreds of nanometers. The rows are only observed in the membrane invaginations known as cristae, specifically along their sharply curved edges. Although the presence of these macromolecular structures has been irrefutably linked to the proper development of cristae morphology, it has been unclear what drives the formation of the rows and why they are specifically localized in the cristae. In this study, we present a quantitative molecular-simulation analysis that strongly suggests that the dimers of ATP synthases organize into rows spontaneously, driven by a long-range attractive force that arises from the relief of the overall elastic strain of the membrane. The strain is caused by the V-like shape of the dimers, unique among membrane protein complexes, which induces a strong deformation in the surrounding membrane. The process of row formation is therefore not a result of direct protein–protein interactions or a specific lipid composition of the membrane. We further hypothesize that, once assembled, the ATP synthase dimer rows prime the inner mitochondrial membrane to develop folds and invaginations by causing macroscopic membrane ridges that ultimately become the edges of cristae. In this way, mitochondrial ATP synthases would contribute to the generation of a morphology that maximizes the surface area of the inner membrane, and thus ATP production. Finally, we outline key experiments that would be required to verify or refute this hypothesis.