Multiple causes of the evolution of dispersal in metapopulations

Abstract This work investigates the outcome of the interaction of the multiple causes of selection acting on dispersal in metapopulations. Dispersal, defined here as the ability of individuals to move out of their natal population to reproduce in an other one, has three main causes. First, population variability, as caused by random population extinctions, induces high incentives to disperse through the probability to recolonize an empty population and thus to escape competition for space. This adds to the second cause, kin competition avoidance where individuals in a crowded patch will benefit from the release of competition with relatives caused by dispersal. Dispersal may thus be viewed as an altruistic act. Third, dispersal might evolve as a strategy of avoiding inbred matings which are expected to bear fitness costs due to the presence of a mutation load. The interaction of inbreeding avoidance and kin competition is explored in chapter 2. Conditions conducive to the establishment of a high relatedness within population are expected to induce high dispersal through both kin competition avoidance and inbreeding avoidance. However, the dynamics of inbreeding depression is bound to depend on the level of gene flow as well as on the deleterious mutation parameters. Mutations more prone to settle a high level of inbreeding depression will select for increased dispersal. Chapter 3 investigates the effect of the mating system on the joint dynamics of dispersal and inbreeding depression. Higher inbreeding rates as those found in various mating systems lead to a more efficient purge of the deleterious mutations. However, this decrease in the costs of inbreeding are usually accompanied by a higher within deme relatedness which balances the decreased effect of inbreeding avoidance on the evolution of dispersal. Finally, population turnover, as found in most natural populations has a dual effect on dispersal. Indeed, it increases dispersal by the increased probability of winning a breeding slot in extinct demes it creates but, on the other hand, it counter-selects for dispersal through the slow establishment of unsaturated demic conditions which contribute to lower the local competition for space. Résumé Ce travail se propose d'étudier les effets conjoints des multiples causes de l'évolution de la dispersion en métapopulation. La dispersion, définie ici comme étant la capacité de quitter sa population d'origine pour se reproduire dans une antre population, possède trois principales causes. Premièrement, l'extinction aléatoire de populations sélectionne pour plus de dispersion car elle augmente la Probabilité de recoloniser un patch éteint et donc d'échapper à la compétition locale. La seconde cause, l'évitement de la compétition de parentèle, sélectionne pour plus de dispersion par les bénéfices qu'elle apporte par diminution de la compétition entre individus apparentés. Troisièmement, la dispersion évolue "comme stratégie d'évitement de la dépression de consanguinité présente dans des petites populations isolées. L'interaction entre l'évitement de la consanguinité et de la compétition de parentèle est étudiée dans le chapitre 2. Les conditions conduisant à l'établissement d'un fort apparentement à l'intérieur des populations sont celles qui génèrent le plus de sélection pour la dispersion. Cependant, la dynamique de la dépression de consanguinité est dépendante de la dispersion entre populations ainsi que des paramètres des mutations délétères. Les mutations créant le plus de dépression de consanguinité sont celles qui sélectionneront le plus pour de la dispersion. Le chapitre 3 s'intéresse aux effets du système de reproduction sur la dynamique conjointe du fardeau de mutation et de la dispersion. La purge des mutations délétère étant plus sévère dans des conditions de forte consanguinité, elle diminue les coûts de la consanguinité mais est habituellement accompagné par une augmentation de l'apparentement et donc l'effet peut être neutre sur la dispersion. Finalement, le turnover de populations a un effet dual sur la dispersion. La dispersion est sélectionnée par l'augmentation de la probabilité de gagner une place de reproduction dans des patchs éteints mais elle est également contre sélectionnée par la désaturation des patchs causée par l'extinction et la diminution de la compétition pour l'espace qui intervient dans ce cas.

Lack of thermogenic response to glucose/insulin infusion in diabetic obese subjects.

The change in energy expenditure consecutive to the infusion of glucose/insulin was examined in 17 non-obese (ten young, seven middle-aged) and 27 diabetic and non-diabetic obese subjects by employing the euglycemic insulin clamp technique in conjunction with continuous indirect calorimetry. The obese subjects were divided into four groups according to their response to a 100-g oral glucose test: group A, normal glucose tolerance; group B, impaired glucose tolerance; group C, diabetes with increased insulin response; group D, diabetes with reduced insulin response. The glucose/insulin infusion provoked an increase in energy expenditure in both young and middle-aged controls (+8.2 +/- 1.3 percent and +5.9 +/- 0.5 percent over the preinfusion baseline respectively), but a lower increase in the non-diabetic obese groups A and B (+4.0 +/- 0.7 percent and +2.0 +/- 1.0 percent over the preinfusion baseline respectively, P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01 vs young controls). However, in the diabetic obese groups C and D, energy expenditure failed to increase in response to the glucose/insulin infusion (mean change: +0.1 +/- 1.0 percent and -2.0 +/- 1.9 percent (P less than 0.01, vs middle-aged) over the preinfusion baseline respectively). When the glucose-induced thermogenesis (GIT) was related to the glucose uptake--taking into account the hepatic glucose production--the GIT was found to be similarly reduced in the diabetics groups (C and D). The net change in the rate of energy expenditure was found to be significantly correlated with the rate of glucose uptake (r = +0.647, n = 44, P less than 0.001) when all the individuals were pooled. In conclusion, this study shows that the low glucose-induced thermogenesis in obese diabetics during glucose insulin infusion is mainly related to a reduced rate of glucose uptake; in addition, inhibition of gluconeogenesis by the glucose/insulin infusion may also contribute to decrease the thermogenic response.

El implante de condrocitos autólogos en la red sanitaria pública de Andalucía. Resultados tras 6 años de circuito asistencial.

Objective: To asses the results of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) whith periosteal patch and To propagate the care circuits existing about in Andalusia. Material and Methods: From its of ficial licence in 2005, the tissue bank and the Virgen de la Victoria Hospital from Málaga, performed the ACI in the Andalusian public health system. 16 patients has been operated between 2006-2013, whith medium follow-up 47,6 months (6 months-6 years), from public hos- pitals throughout Andalucia, managed by hospital admission source and destination. Physiologically younger patients were selected (<50 años), with singles, > 2cm2 symptomatics chondral lesions, in stables and well aligned knees. ACI was used as res- cue procedure after microfracture ́s failure except osteochondritis dissecans. To assess the results the Concinnati score and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) score were used. A descriptive analysis was performed and non-parametric tests were used to establish correlations and compare results. Results: In 15 patients with more than one year of follow-up: 14 men(87.5%) and 2women (14.5%), medium age 28.2 years old (min 17 max 43), the lesion was located into de femoral condyle, mostly in the internal one (81,2%) with medium size 2,7cm2(2-4,2). We founded significant improvement (p<0,001), both daily activities ( 89,3% preop. limitatión - 9% postop), as in the sports (90,2% preop limitatión - 38% postop) and the exploration of the knee (67,7% hpatological findings preop- 13,3%postop). The SF-36 score improved in all categories, over all in mental health (p> 0,01). The patient satisfaction was high or very high in 12 of the 15 patients ( 80%), and low in 3 patients. Conclusions: ACI improve quality of life and knee function in femoral condyle chondral lesions. The case ́s selection and the collaboration with Tissue Bank, allows us to create care circuits for treatment of patients from other provinces in the Public Sanitary Health System in Andalucia. It is necessary to increase the experience with this type of therapy, consolidating multicenter workgroups that provide strength to the conclusions.

Hierarchic species-area relationships and the management of forest habitat islands in intensive farmland

Habitat loss and fragmentation due to land use changes are major threats to biodiversity in forest ecosystems, and they are expected to have important impacts on many taxa and at various spatial scales. Species richness and area relationships (SARs) have been used to assess species diversity patterns and drivers, and thereby in the establishment of conservation and management strategies. Here we propose a hierarchical approach to achieve deeper insights on SARs in small forest islets in intensive farmland and to address the impacts of decreasing naturalness on such relationships. In the intensive dairy landscapes of Northwest Portugal, where small forest stands (dominated by pines, eucalypts or both) represent semi-natural habitat islands, 50 small forest stands were selected and surveyed for vascular plant diversity. A hierarchical analytical framework was devised to determine species richness and inter- and intra-patch SARs for the whole set of forest patches (general patterns) and for each type of forest (specific patterns). Differences in SARs for distinct groups were also tested by considering subsets of species (native, alien, woody, and herbaceous). Overall, values for species richness were confirmed to be different between forest patches exhibiting different levels of naturalness. Whereas higher values of plant diversity were found in pine stands, higher values for alien species were observed in eucalypt stands. Total area of forest (inter-patch SAR) was found not to have a significant impact on species richness for any of the targeted groups of species. However, significant intra-patch SARs were obtained for all groups of species and forest types. A hierarchical approach was successfully applied to scrutinise SARs along a gradient of forest naturalness in intensively managed landscapes. Dominant canopy tree and management intensity were found to reflect differently on distinct species groups as well as to compensate for increasing stand area, buffering SARs among patches, but not within patches. Thus, the maintenance of small semi-natural patches dominated by pines, under extensive practices of forest management, will promote native plant diversity while at the same time contributing to limit the expansion of problematic alien invasive species.

Tratamiento domiciliario de gonartrosis con parches de microcorrientes

Objective: To outline the treatment by patches of microcurrent at home of patients with disabling knee osteoarthritis to perform their activities of daily life and work. Material and methods: We selected 80 patients in the surgical waiting list for total knee arthroplasty. 40 of whom received active patch and 40 inactive. All were given exercise protocol knee. The variables analyzed were: pain (VAS), joint balance, muscular balance and quality of life (SF-12). Patients were reviewed after two months of treatment. Variables were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 statistical program. Results: Statistically significant results were obtained (p <0.05) for decrease in mean pain according to VAS scale. No significant differences for other variables were found. Conclusions: Microcurrent therapy could be an alternative in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis pain, with no differences with the traditional treatment.

Resuscitated sudden cardiac death caused by left main coronary artery compression by an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva.

A 49-year-old woman, without known cardiovascular risk factors. Hoarseness of voice caused by a paralysis of left vocal cord. She was admitted to hospital because of acute coronary syndrome, associated to resuscitated cardiac arrest (asystolia documented) without later neurology sequels. Physical examination was anodyne. Echocardiographic study demonstrated a compatible image with a large left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) (Panel A) and mild aortic regurgitation. Cardiac catheterization confirmed the presence of left SVA (Panel B) that produced extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery (Panels C and D). Repair surgery was made by means of closing the aneurysmal orifice with a patch of dacron. Intra-operatory echocardiographic control study found severe aortic regurgitation, so valvular replacement with 19 mm mechanical prosthesis and extension of the valve annulus with patch of dacron was performed, associated with bypass with safena vein graft to left coronary artery. SVA is a very infrequent cardiac anomaly, generally with silent clinical course until it ruptures. Myocardial ischaemia caused by coronary artery compression is unusual. We described the case of a patient diagnosed of left SVA, whose initial clinical manifestation was the appearance of resuscitated sudden cardiac death in the context of an acute coronary syndrome.

Highly variable social organisation of colonies in the ant Formica cinerea.

Social organisation of colonies was examined in the ant Formica cinerea by estimating the coefficient of genetic relatedness among worker nest mates. The estimates based on microsatellite genotypes at three loci ranged from values close to zero to 0.61 across the populations studied in Finland. These results showed that a fundamental feature of colonies, the number of reproductive queens, varied greatly among the populations. Colonies in some populations had a single queen, whereas the nests could have a high number number of queens in other populations. There was a weak but non-significant correlation between the genetic and metric distance of nests within two populations with intermediate level of relatedness. Differentiation among nearby populations (within the dispersal distance of individuals) in one locality indicated limited dispersal or founder effects. This could occur when females are philopatric and stay in the natal polygynous colony which expands by building a network of nest galleries within a single habitat patch.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the first-line therapies for nicotine dependence.

BACKGROUND: Nicotine dependence is the major obstacle for smokers who want to quit. Guidelines have identified five effective first-line therapies, four nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs)--gum, patch, nasal spray and inhaler--and bupropion. Studying the extent to which these various treatments are cost-effective requires additional research. OBJECTIVES: To determine cost-effectiveness (CE) ratios of pharmacotherapies for nicotine dependence provided by general practitioners (GPs) during routine visits as an adjunct to cessation counselling. METHODS: We used a Markov model to generate two cohorts of one-pack-a-day smokers: (1) the reference cohort received only cessation counselling from a GP during routine office visits; (2) the second cohort received the same counselling plus an offer to use a pharmacological treatment to help them quit smoking. The effectiveness of adjunctive therapy was expressed in terms of the resultant differential in mortality rate between the two cohorts. Data on the effectiveness of therapies came from meta-analyses, and we used odds ratio for quitting as the measure of effectiveness. The costs of pharmacotherapies were based on the cost of the additional time spent by GPs offering, prescribing and following-up treatment, and on the retail prices of the therapies. We used the third-party-payer perspective. Results are expressed as the incremental cost per life-year saved. RESULTS: The cost per life-year saved for only counselling ranged from Euro 385 to Euro 622 for men and from Euro 468 to Euro 796 for women. The CE ratios for the five pharmacological treatments varied from Euro 1768 to Euro 6879 for men, and from Euro 2146 to Euro 8799 for women. Significant variations in CE ratios among the five treatments were primarily due to differences in retail prices. The most cost-effective treatments were bupropion and the patch, and, then, in descending order, the spray, the inhaler and, lastly, gum. Differences in CE between men and women across treatments were due to the shape of their respective mortality curve. The lowest CE ratio in men was for the 45- to 49-year-old group and for women in the 50- to 54-year-old group. Sensitivity analysis showed that changes in treatment efficacy produced effects only for less-well proven treatments (spray, inhaler, and bupropion) and revealed a strong influence of the discount rate and natural quit rate on the CE of pharmacological treatments. CONCLUSION: The CE of first-line treatments for nicotine dependence varied widely with age and sex and was sensitive to the assumption for the natural quit rate. Bupropion and the nicotine patch were the two most cost-effective treatments.

Prévention des adhérences péricardiques avec une membrane biorésorbable [Prevention of pericardial adhesions with a bioresorbable membrane]

A bioresorbable membrane made of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethycellulose, has been reported to prevent peritoneal adhesion. This study was designed to test its efficiency in the prevention of pericardial adhesions. Two groups of six pigs (mean weight 72 +/- 8 kg) were chosen for the experiment. The heart was exposed through a left thoracotomy and a wide patch of pericardium was excised. In the test group (n = 6), the left ventricular area without pericardium was divided into two areas: area A where six stitches of Prolene were performed, and area B which was left intact. The membrane was applied on the both areas as well as on the adjacent area covered with pericardium (area C). In the control group (n = 6), the same protocol was performed except for the membrane application. The animals were sacrificed one month later. The adhesion status as well as the visibility of the coronary anatomy was assessed according to severity scores ranging from 0 to 3 for the adhesions and from 0 to 2 for the visibility. The difference between groups was considered significant when p < 0.05. The adhesion score of the area A was 1.7 +/- 0.5 in the test group versus 2.5 +/- 0.5 in the control group (p = 0.02) and the visibility score was 1.3 +/- 0.8 and 2 +/- 0 respectively (p = 0.07). In the area B, the adhesion score was 1 +/- 0 in the test group versus 2 +/- 0.6 in the control group (p = 0.03) and the visibility score was 0.7 +/- 0.5 and 2 +/- 0 respectively (p = 0.001). Lastly, in the area C, the adhesion score was 1 +/- 0 in both groups (n.s.) and the visibility score was 0.7 +/- 0.4 in the test group versus 0.5 +/- 0.5 in the control group (n.s.). In this animal model, the role of the bioresorbable membrane in the prevention of pericardial adhesions is limited to the areas without pericardial cover and without foreign material. The presence of foreign material neutralizes its effect.

Stimulation of ENaC activity by rosiglitazone is PPARγ-dependent and correlates with SGK1 expression increase.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes. TZD treatment induces side effects such as peripheral fluid retention, often leading to discontinuation of therapy. Previous studies have shown that PPARγ activation by TZD enhances the expression or function of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) through different mechanisms. However, the effect of TZDs on ENaC activity is not clearly understood. Here, we show that treating Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing ENaC and PPARγ with the TZD rosiglitazone (RGZ) produced a twofold increase of amiloride-sensitive sodium current (Iam), as measured by two-electrode voltage clamp. RGZ-induced ENaC activation was PPARγ-dependent since the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 blocked the activation. The RGZ-induced Iam increase was not mediated through direct serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK1)-dependent phosphorylation of serine residue 594 on the human ENaC α-subunit but by the diminution of ENaC ubiquitination through the SGK1/Nedd4-2 pathway. In accordance, RGZ increased the activity of ENaC by enhancing its cell surface expression, most probably indirectly mediated through the increase of SGK1 expression.

Análisis y diseño de antenas dipolo y parche para aplicaciones implantadas en el cuerpo humano

En els darrers anys, els sistemes de telemetria per a aplicacions mèdiques han crescut significativament en el diagnòstic i en la monitorització de, per exemple, la glucosa, la pressió de la sang, la temperatura, el ritme cardíac... Els dispositius implantats amplien les aplicacions en medicina i incorpora una millora de qualitat de vida per a l’usuari. Per aquest motiu, en aquest projecte s’estudien dues de les antenes més comuns, com son l’antena dipol i el patch, aquesta última és especialment utilitzada en aplicacions implantades. En l’anàlisi d’aquestes antenes s’han parametritzat característiques relacionades amb l’entorn de l’aplicació, així com també de la pròpia antena, explicant el comportament que, a diferencia amb l’espai lliure, les antenes presenten a canvis d’aquests paràmetres. Al mateix temps, s’ha implementat una configuració per a la mesura d’antenes implantades basat en el model del cos humà d’una capa. Comparant amb els resultats de les simulacions realitzades mitjançant el software FEKO, s’ha obtingut gran correspondència en la mesura empírica d’adaptació i de guany de les antenes microstrip. Gràcies a l’anàlisi paramètric, aquest projecte també presenta diversos dissenys de les antenes optimitzant el guany realitzable amb l’objectiu d’aconseguir la millor comunicació possible amb el dispositiu extern o estació base.

Hedgehog signaling governs the development of otic sensory epithelium and its associated innervation in zebrafish

The inner ear is responsible for the perception of motion and sound in vertebrates. Its functional unit, the sensory patch, contains mechanosensory hair cells innervated by sensory neurons from the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) that project to the corresponding nuclei in the brainstem. How hair cells develop at specific positions, and how otic neurons are sorted to specifically innervate each endorgan and to convey the extracted information to the hindbrain is not completely understood. In this work, we study the generation of macular sensory patches and investigate the role of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in the production of their neurosensory elements. Using zebrafish transgenic lines to visualize the dynamics of hair cell and neuron production, we show that the development of the anterior and posterior maculae is asynchronic, suggesting they are independently regulated. Tracing experiments demonstrate the SAG is topologically organized in two different neuronal subpopulations, which are spatially segregated and innervate specifically each macula. Functional experiments identify the Hh pathway as crucial in coordinating the production of hair cells in the posterior macula, and the formation of its specific innervation. Finally, gene expression analyses suggest that Hh influences the balance between different SAG neuronal subpopulations. These results lead to a model in which Hh orients functionally the development of inner ear towards an auditory fate in all vertebrate species.

Effective Structural Concrete Repair, Volume 1 of 3, Repair of Impact Damaged Prestressed Concrete Beams with CFRP, March 2004

Structural concrete is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the United States. However, due to changes in design specifications, aging, vehicle impact, etc. – there is a need for new procedures for repairing concrete (reinforced or pretressed) superstructures and substructures. Thus, the overall objective of this investigation was to develop innovative cost effective repair methods for various concrete elements. In consultation with the project advisory committee, it was decided to evaluate the following three repair methods: • Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) for use in repairing damaged prestressed concrete bridges • Fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) for preventing chloride penetration of bridge columns • Various patch materials The initial results of these evaluations are presented in this three volume final report. Each evaluation is briefly described in the following paragraphs. A more detailed abstract of each evaluation accompanies the volume on that particular investigation.

A novel technique using echocardiography to evaluate venous cannula performance perioperatively in CPB cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has been used clinically to disobstruct venous drainage cannula and to optimise placement of venous cannulae in the vena cava but it has never been used to evaluate performance capabilities. Also, little progress has been made in venous cannula design in order to optimise venous return to the heart lung machine. We designed a self-expandable Smartcanula (SC) and analysed its performance capability using echocardiography. METHODS: An epicardial echocardiography probe was placed over the SC or control cannula (CTRL) and a Doppler image was obtained. Mean (V(m)) and maximum (V(max)) velocities, flow and diameter were obtained. Also, pressure drop (DeltaP(CPB)) was obtained between the central venous pressure and inlet to venous reservoir. LDH and Free Hb were also compared in 30 patients. Comparison was made between the two groups using the student's t-test with statistical significance established when p<0.05. RESULTS: Age for the SC and CC groups were 61.6+/-17.6 years and 64.6+/-13.1 years, respectively. Weight was 70.3+/-11.6 kg and 72.8+/-14.4 kg, respectively. BSA was 1.80+/-0.2 m(2) and 1.82+/-0.2 m(2), respectively. CPB times were 114+/-53 min and 108+/-44 min, respectively. Cross-clamp time was 59+/-15 min and 76+/-29 min, respectively (p=NS). Free-Hb was 568+/-142 U/l versus 549+/-271 U/l post-CPB for the SC and CC, respectively (p=NS). LDH was 335+/-73 mg/l versus 354+/-116 mg/l for the SC and CC, respectively (p=NS). V(m) was 89+/-10 cm/s (SC) versus 63+/-3 cm/s (CC), V(max) was 139+/-23 cm/s (SC) versus 93+/-11 cm/s (CC) (both p<0.01). DeltaP(CPB) was 30+/-10 mmHg (SC) versus 43+/-13 mmHg (CC) (p<0.05). A Bland-Altman test showed good agreement between the two devices used concerning flow rate calculations between CPB and TTE (bias 300 ml+/-700 ml standard deviation). CONCLUSIONS: This novel Smartcanula design, due to its self-expanding principle, provides superior flow characteristics compared to classic two stage venous cannula used for adult CPB surgery. No detrimental effects were observed concerning blood damage. Echocardiography was effective in analysing venous cannula performance and velocity patterns.

Effective Structural Concrete Repair, Volume 2 of 3, Use of FRP to Prevent Chloride Penetration in Bridge Columns, March 2004

Structural concrete is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the United States. However, due to changes in design specifications, aging, vehicle impact, etc. – there is a need for new procedures for repairing concrete (reinforced or pretressed) superstructures and substructures. Thus, the overall objective of this investigation was to develop innovative cost effective repair methods for various concrete elements. In consultation with the project advisory committee, it was decided to evaluate the following three repair methods: • Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) for use in repairing damaged prestressed concrete bridges • Fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) for preventing chloride penetration of bridge columns • Various patch materials The initial results of these evaluations are presented in this three volume final report. Each evaluation is briefly described in the following paragraphs. A more detailed abstract of each evaluation accompanies the volume on that particular investigation.