White eye phenotypes and their genetic analysis

An interesting case for undergraduate students of general Genetics is to consider that different genes can produce the same or similar phenotypes. We present here an experiment to discover that the same phenotype could be produced by different genes, and then, to carry out the genetic analysis of these genes. For this laboratory study we have used the following Drosophila melanogaster strains: white (white eyes) and scarlet-brown (white eyes).

White eye phenotypes and their genetic analysis

An interesting case for undergraduate students of general Genetics is to consider that different genes can produce the same or similar phenotypes. We present here an experiment to discover that the same phenotype could be produced by different genes, and then, to carry out the genetic analysis of these genes. For this laboratory study we have used the following Drosophila melanogaster strains: white (white eyes) and scarlet-brown (white eyes).

Controlling the spin of metal atoms adsorbed on oxide surfaces: Ni on regular and defective sites of the MgO(001) surface

We have analyzed the relative energy of nonmagnetic and magnetic low-lying electronic states of Ni atoms adsorbed on regular and defective sites of the MgO(001) surface. To this end cluster and periodic surface models are used within density functional theory. For Ni atoms adsorbed on oxygen vacancies at low coverage, the interaction energy between the metal and the support is much larger than on regular sites. Strong bonding results in a diamagnetic adsorbed species and the energy required to reach the high-spin state increases. Moreover, a correlation appears between the low-spin to high-spin energy difference and the interaction energy hypothesizing that it is possible to prepare the surface to tune the high-spin to low-spin energy difference. Magnetic properties of adsorbed thin films obtained upon increasing coverage are more difficult to interpret. This is because the metallic bond is readily formed and dominates over the effect of the atoms directly bound to the vacancy.

Measurement of a Structured Backflow in an Open Small Channel Induced by Surface-Tension Gradients

We present experiments in which the laterally confined flow of a surfactant film driven by controlled surface tension gradients causes the subtended liquid layer to self-organize into an inner upstream microduct surrounded by the downstream flow. The anomalous interfacial flow profiles and the concomitant backflow are a result of the feedback between two-dimensional and three-dimensional microfluidics realized during flow in open microchannels. Bulk and surface particle image velocimetry data combined with an interfacial hydrodynamics model explain the dependence of the observed phenomena on channel geometry.

Rainfall is a risk factor for sporadic cases of Legionella pneumophila Pneumonia

It is not known whether rainfall increases the risk of sporadic cases of Legionella pneumonia. We sought to test this hypothesis in a prospective observational cohort study of non-immunosuppressed adults hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia (1995-2011). Cases with Legionella pneumonia were compared with those with non-Legionella pneumonia. Using daily rainfall data obtained from the regional meteorological service we examined patterns of rainfall over the days prior to admission in each study group. Of 4168 patients, 231 (5.5%) had Legionella pneumonia. The diagnosis was based on one or more of the following: sputum (41 cases), antigenuria (206) and serology (98). Daily rainfall average was 0.556 liters/m2 in the Legionella pneumonia group vs. 0.328 liters/m2 for non-Legionella pneumonia cases (p = 0.04). A ROC curve was plotted to compare the incidence of Legionella pneumonia and the weighted median rainfall. The cut-off point was 0.42 (AUC 0.54). Patients who were admitted to hospital with a prior weighted median rainfall higher than 0.42 were more likely to have Legionella pneumonia (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.02-1.78; p = .03). Spearman Rho correlations revealed a relationship between Legionella pneumonia and rainfall average during each two-week reporting period (0.14; p = 0.003). No relationship was found between rainfall average and non-Legionella pneumonia cases (−0.06; p = 0.24). As a conclusion, rainfall is a significant risk factor for sporadic Legionella pneumonia. Physicians should carefully consider Legionella pneumonia when selecting diagnostic tests and antimicrobial therapy for patients presenting with CAP after periods of rainfall.

Gene flow and gene flux shape evolutionary patterns of variation in Drosophila subobscura

Gene flow (defined as allele exchange between populations) and gene flux (defined as allele exchange during meiosis in heterokaryotypic females) are important factors decreasing genetic differentiation between populations and inversions. Many chromosomal inversions are under strong selection and their role in recombination reduction enhances the maintenance of their genetic distinctness. Here we analyze levels and patterns of nucleotide diversity, selection and demographic history, using 37 individuals of Drosophila subobscura from Mount Parnes (Greece) and Barcelona (Spain). Our sampling focused on two frequent O-chromosome arrangements that differ by two overlapping inversions (OST and O3+4), which are differentially adapted to the environment as observed by their opposing latitudinal clines in inversion frequencies. The six analyzed genes (Pif1A, Abi, Sqd, Yrt, Atpa and Fmr1) were selected for their location across the O-chromosome and their implication in thermal adaptation. Despite the extensive gene flux detected outside the inverted region, significant genetic differentiation between both arrangements was found inside it. However, high levels of gene flow were detected for all six genes when comparing the same arrangement among populations. These results suggest that the adaptive value of inversions is maintained, regardless of the lack of genetic differentiation within arrangements from different populations, and thus favors the Local Adaptation hypothesis over the Coadapted Genome hypothesis as the basis of the selection acting on inversions in these populations.

Inversion polymorphism in two Serbian natural populations of Drosophila subobscura: Analysis of long-term changes

To study whether inversions (or arrangements) by themselves or karyotypes are the main global warming adaptive target of natural selection, two Drosophila subobscura Serbian populations (Apatin and Petnica) were re analyzed using different statistical approaches. Both populations were sampled in an approximately 15 years period: Apatin in 1994 and 2008 + 2009 and Petnica in 1995 and 2010. For all chromosomes, the four collections studied were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Thus, it seems that inversions (or arrangements) combined at random to constitute populations" karyotypes. However, there were differences in karyotypic fre quencies along the years, although they were significant only for Apatin population. It is possible to conclude that inversions (or arrangements) are likely the target of natural selection, because they presented long term changes, but combine at random to generate the corresponding karyotypic combinations. As a consequence, the frequencies of karyotypes also change along time.

Tradición y modernidad en las políticas educativas en España: una revisión de las últimas décadas

En el presente artículo trazamos un panorama aproximativo de algunas de las cuestiones más relevantes que determinan, al tiempo que reflejan, las políticas educativas en España desde la década de 1980 hasta la actualidad. Esta revisión de los últimos 25 años permitirá apreciar, siquiera de manera epidérmica e inevitablemente parcial, la tensión o dialéctica entre la tradición-caracterizada por la persistencia de formas caducas en la concepción y en la provisión educativa- y la modernidad-portadora de la tendencia al cambio y a la innovación, si bien no exenta de ambigüedad y contradicción en su propio desarrollo-. Nos detenemos en aquellos ejes a partir de los cuales se articula nuestra reflexión, tales como las políticas educativas, la organización del sistema educativo, la convergencia europea, las organizaciones transnacionales reguladoras de las políticas educativas y prospectivas, finalizando con algunas conclusiones que, aun siendo abiertas, plantean la persistencia de las dinámicas reproductoras. Nuestro análisis se ciñe, para esta ocasión, al ámbito de la educación formal, sin dejar de reconocer la importancia creciente de los espacios de educación no formal e informal, y de los sectores emergentes derivados de los mismos. Como se verá, nuestro planteamiento se enmarca dentro de una interpretación singular acerca de las derivaciones y consecuencias de la modernidad tardía en la que se inscribe nuestro período de estudio

Effect of corticosteroids on the clinical course of community-acquired pneumonia: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction The benefit of corticosteroids as adjunctive treatment in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring hospital admission remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of corticosteroid treatment on outcomes in patients with CAP. Methods This was a prospective, double-blind and randomized study. All patients received treatment with ceftriaxone plus levofloxacin and methyl-prednisolone (MPDN) administered randomly and blindly as an initial bolus, followed by a tapering regimen, or placebo. Results Of the 56 patients included in the study, 28 (50%) were treated with concomitant corticosteroids. Patients included in the MPDN group show a more favourable evolution of the pO2/FiO2 ratio and faster decrease of fever, as well as greater radiological improvement at seven days. The time to resolution of morbidity was also significantly shorter in this group. Six patients met the criteria for mechanical ventilation (MV): five in the placebo group (22.7%) and one in the MPDN group (4.3%). The duration of MV was 13 days (interquartile range 7 to 26 days) for the placebo group and three days for the only case in the MPDN group. The differences did not reach statistical significance. Interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) showed a significantly quicker decrease after 24 h of treatment among patients treated with MPDN. No differences in mortality were found among groups. Conclusions MPDN treatment, in combination with antibiotics, improves respiratory failure and accelerates the timing of clinical resolution of severe CAP needing hospital admission.

Caracteristicas diferenciales entre el fragmento de craneo de Homo sp.de Venta Micena (Orce, Granada) y los equidos

Se ha realizado un detallado estudio diferencial entre la morfología del fragmento craneal de Orce y varios équidos jóvenes, puesto que en anteriores trabajos ya se ha separado del resto de los mamiferos. El resultado obtenido ha sido la perfecta diferenciación anatómica entre todos los caracteres analizados, por lo que se concluye que dicho fragmento craneal de Orce no puede incluirse dentro de la variabilidad de los équidos.

Tectonica extensiva d'edat jurassica a l'illa de Cabrera (Balears)

A Cabrera l'extensió juràssica causà la ruptura de la plataforma liàsica i l'aprofundiment de la conca pelàgica durant el Dogger, el Malm i el Cretaci inferior. Conseqüència d'aquesta extensió en són: La discordança de la serie pelàgica sobre els materials de plataforma, la presència d'olistòlits i olistostromes a la part baixa de la sèrie pelàgica i un sistema de falles normals conjugades sincròniques de la sedimentació pelàgica.

Drosophilid collection in the Font Groga site, Barcelona (Spain)

During October 23rd and 24th and November 2012 we collected a sample of drosophilids at Font Groga (Barcelona). This site is located on the foothills of the Tibidabo mountain, which is located on the northwest edge of Barcelona and at approximately 400m above sea level. The vegetation is typical for the area, and it is mainly composed of a sparse pine forest (Pinus pinea) with some oaks (Quercus ilex) and Mediterranean brushwood. Flies were netted over 12 baits containing fermenting bananas. A large proportion of D. simulans males was found. The invasive species D. suzukii (Calabria et al. 2010; Cini et al. 2012) was detected in a non-negligible quantity. Taking into account the number of males and females, the estimated Ne for D. suzukii in the Font Groga sample was 33.70. A similar value was obtained for D. subobscura (34.97). Finally, in the study of species diversity the values obtained for H" (Shannon diversity index) and J (Shannon uniformity index) were 0.678 and 0.421, respectively. These estimates are very similar to those obtained in September 2009 in Montpellier by Calabria (2012), who reported H" = 0.679 and J = 0.422, but differ from those reported by the same author in a Font Groga sample of October 2007 (H" = 0.904 and J = 0.505).

In memoriam Antonio Prevosti (1919-2011), a pioneer of genetics of natural populations

Prof. Dr. Antonio Prevosti was born on the 15th of February, 1919, at Barcelona where he grew up and lived with his wife Maria Monclús and his family until his death. Between the years 1939 and 1942 he registered at the University of Barcelona and finished his studies there with the"University Degree in Natural Science" obtaining the extraordinary award of his promotion. Immediately afterwards he started his research about the growth rate of Barcelona school children from two very different social groups at the Anthropology Laboratory of the University of Barcelona. The obtained results were published in his Doctoral Thesis (1948). Further investigations on quantitative traits in human populations improved his knowledge of statistical analyses and provided the basis for a scholarship from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work at the Institute of Statistical and Demographical Sciences in Rome directed by Prof. C. Gini.

Mesozoic geology of Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.

Al Cap de Shirr e ff (Fig. 1) hi aflora una successió volcànica de com a mínim 450 m de potència, constituïda principalment per laves i, en menor proporció, bretxes vulcanoclàstiques (Fig. 2). Les laves són basalts olivínics subalcalins i andesites basàltiques, que generalment tenen un aspecte massiu. Tot i això, la successió volcànica localment forma una alternança decimètrica de nivells durs i tous, amb potències va r i a bles i presència local de discordances angulars i onlaps, que reflecteixen geometries deposicionals complexes. A la zona nord del Cap de Shirr e ff hi ha aflorament de bretxes vulcanoclàstiques d"aspecte massiu, que localment tenen intercalacions de laves...

A mouse peritonitis model for the study of glycopeptide efficacy in GISA infections

In recent years, the emergence of Staphylococcus aureus strains with reduced susceptibility to glycopeptides has raised considerable concern. We studied the efficacy of vancomycin and teicoplanin, as well as cloxacillin and cefotaxime, against the infection caused by four S. aureus strains with different glycopeptide and β-lactam susceptibilities (strains A, B, C, and D; MICs for vancomycin of 1, 2, 4, and 8 µg/ml respectively), using a modified model of mouse peritonitis. This optimized model appeared to be straightforward and reproducible, and was able to detect low differences in bacterial killing between antibiotics and also between different S. aureus strains. Bactericidal activities in peritoneal fluid for vancomycin, teicoplanin, cloxacillin, and cefotaxime decreased from -2.98, -2.36, -3.22, and -3.57 log10 cfu/ml, respectively, in infection by strain A (MICs for vancomycin and cloxacillin of 1 and 0.38 µg/ml, respectively) to -1.22, -0.65, -1.04, and +0.24 in peritonitis due to strain D (MICs for vancomycin and cloxacillin of 8 and 1,024 µg/ml). Our data confirm the superiority of β-lactams against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and show that bactericidal activity of glycopeptides decreases significantly with slight increases in MICs; this finding suggests a reduced efficacy of glycopeptides in the treatment of serious glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus infections