Utilización de la herramienta chroma key para el estudio de la morfología y la fisiología espermática en entornos virtuales / Use of the chroma key to study sperm morphology and physiology in virtual environments

RESUMEN: Uno de los retos en el uso de nuevas metodologías y tecnologías durante la crisis sanitaria causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 ha sido mantener la motivación del alumnado en entornos virtuales. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo fue valorar la utilidad de materiales audiovisuales creados con chroma key en la metodología flipped classroom para impartir algunos conceptos teóricos en la asignatura de Biología del Desarrollo en el Grado en Biología de la Universidad de Alicante. Para ello, el profesorado de la asignatura elaboró vídeos utilizando la tecnología chroma key, los cuales fueron visualizados por parte del alumnado antes de las sesiones teóricas online. Durante dichas sesiones, el alumnado puso en práctica los conceptos comentados en los vídeos a través de la realización de actividades. La percepción del estudiantado sobre la metodología empleada se obtuvo mediante un cuestionario de opinión, en el cual el 90 % de los encuestados/as manifestaron que el uso combinado del flipped classroom con chroma key facilitaba el aprendizaje al adaptarse al ritmo y necesidades educativas de cada estudiante. Asimismo, destacaron que el uso de escenografía virtual con chroma key hizo más amena y atrayente la docencia online. En conclusión, el chroma key constituye una herramienta eficaz para realizar materiales educativos en flipped classroom que, además, resulta llamativo y motivador para el alumnado.

SUMMARY: One of the challenges in the use of new methodologies and technologies during the health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been to keep students motivated in virtual environments. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the usefulness of audiovisual materials created with chroma key in the flipped classroom methodology to teach some theoretical concepts in the subject of Developmental Biology in the Degree in Biology at the University of Alicante. For this, the teaching staff of the subject produced videos using chroma key technology, which were viewed by the students before the online theoretical sessions. During these sessions, the students put into practice the concepts discussed in the videos by carrying out activities. The students' perception of the methodology used was obtained through an opinion questionnaire, in which 90 % of the respondents stated that the combined use of the flipped classroom with chroma key facilitated learning by adapting to the rhythm and educational needs of each student. They also highlighted that the use of virtual scenery with chroma key made online teaching more enjoyable and attractive. In conclusion, the chroma key is an effective tool for creating educational materials in the flipped classroom that is also attractive and motivating for students.

Research Progress on Developmental Biology of Sarcosaprophagous Insects / 法医学杂志

Forensic entomology provides a feasible way to estimate postmortem interval (PMI), of which the growth and development of sarcosaprophagous insects is the most widely used indicator in forensic practice. Over the years, forensic entomologists have carried out a large number of studies on the development biology of sarcosaprophagous insects. This paper illustrates the main factors that affect the development of sarcosaprophagous insects, including temperature, humidity, light, food types and poisons. The development indicators of sarcosaprophagous insects were reviewed from the perspectives of morphology, differential gene expression and biochemical characteristics. It is emphasized that future research of development biology on sarcosaprophagous insects should fully absorb and integrate the methods of artificial intelligence and omics, and the research object also needs further expansion in order to establish a more objective and more accurate PMI estimation method.

Latent TGF-beta binding protein-1 plays an important role in craniofacial development

Abstract Objective: This study aims to replicate the phenotype of Ltbp1 knockout mice in zebrafish, and to address the function of LTBP1 in craniofacial development. Methods: Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) of ltbp1 was performed at critical periods of zebrafish craniofacial development to explore the spatial-temporal expression pattern. Furthermore, we generated morpholino based knockdown model of ltbp1 to study the craniofacial phenotype. Results: WISH of ltbp1 was mainly detected in the mandibular jaw region, brain trunk, and internal organs such as pancreas and gallbladder. And ltbp1 colocalized with both sox9a and ckma in mandibular region. Morpholino based knockdown of ltbp1 results in severe jaw malformation. Alcian blue staining revealed severe deformity of Meckel's cartilage along with the absence of ceratobranchial. Three-dimension measurements of ltbp1 morphants jaws showed decrease in both mandible length and width and increase in open mouth distance. Expression of cartilage marker sox9a and muscle marker ckma was decreased in ltbp1 morphants. Conclusions: Our experiments found that ltbp1 was expressed in zebrafish mandibular jaw cartilages and the surrounding muscles. The ltbp1 knockdown zebrafish exhibited phenotypes consistent with Ltbp1 knockout mice. And loss of ltbp1 function lead to significant mandibular jaw defects and affect both jaw cartilages and surrounding muscles.

Construction and practice of teaching model of graduate medical developmental biology / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The teaching contents of graduate medical developmental biology are rich and abstruse, which makes it insufficient to reach the goal of cultivating higher-quality graduate students by traditional teaching methods. In current years, we have constructed and practiced the modular teaching model for the course of graduate medical developmental biology. By dividing the teaching contents into models, including basic development principle, model organisms, hotspot of medicinedevelopmentalbiologyresearch and main technologies and methods, we aim to meet all needs of students, enhance the practicality of our course, improve students' innovation abilities and comprehensive quality, and efficiently increase the quality of our education.

Quantification of the distance of pulmonary valve to pulmonary artery bifurecation of normal fetuses in second and late trimester / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To quantitatively study the correlation of the distance of pulmonary valve to pulmonary artery bifurcation (DPVB) of normal fetuses in second and late trimester with the fetal biometric parameters using fetal echocardiography.Methods The distances of pulmonary valve to pulmonary artery bifurcation in end-systole (DPVBs) and in end-diastole (DPVBd) were measured in a standard short axis view or right ventricular outflow tract view using fetal echocardiography on 419 normal fetuses.The gestation ages ranged from 20 to 35+ weeks.Fetal non-cardiac biometric parameters including biparietal diameter (BPD),femoral length (FL) and gestation age (GA) based on menstrual age,pulmonary valve annulus diameters (PA) at end-systole were measured.The correlation between DPVBs,DPVBd and non-cardiac biometric parameters were analyzed.Results In normal fetuses,the DPVBs was (1.14±0.24)cm with a range of 0.67 to 1.61 cm,the DPVBd was (0.93±0.20)cm with a range of 0.53 to 1.33 cm.The DPVBs and DPVBd were increased with the growth of GA,and were positively correlated with GA,BPD,FL and PA (r=0.827,0.798,0.793,0.769;0.802,0.764,0.773 and 0.771,respectively,all P<0.001).The linear regression equations between DPVBs,DPVBd and GA,BPD,FL,PA were:Y=0.054×GA-0.369,Y=0.184×BPD-0.179,Y=0.217×FL+0.011,Y=1.602×PA+0.156,Y=0.045×GA-0.330,Y=0.152×BPD-0.157,Y=0.182×FL-0.018,Y=1.380×PA+0.080.Conclusions In normal fetuses,the DPVBs and DPVBd increase with the growth of GA,and have good correlation with GA,BPD,FL and PA,respectively.Normal reference ranges of DPVBs and DPVBd have been provided.These normative data may become a new tool for assessment of fetal heart,especially has potential applications in screening of complex congenital heart defects.

Z-scores in evaluation of aortic and pulmonary diameter growth in normal fetuses of second and late trimesters / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To explore the application value of Z-scores in evaluating growth of aorta (AO) and pulmonary artery (PA) diameter.Methods AO and PA diameters in 332 normal fetuses were measured twice using fetal echocardiography.Z-scores of AO and PA were obtained based on a simple linear equation using gestational age (GA),biparietal diameter (BPD) and femur length (FL) as independent variables.The difference of Z-scores calculated by twice examinations was evaluated.Results The gestation ages of the first and the second examinations of fetal echocardiography were (25.82± 2.27) weeks (range 18-35 weeks) and (30.61± 2.28) weeks (range 23-39 weeks).There were statistical significant differences of AO and PA diameters between the first and the second examinations (both P＜0.05).AO and PA diameters increased with the growth of GA in all fetuses obtained using two examinations,whereas there was no obvious change of Zscores of AO and PA with increasing GA,BPD and FL in individual pregnant woman.No statistical significant difference was found for Z-scores of AO and PA between the first and the second examinations (both P＞0.05).Conclusion The growth of AO and PA diameters are positively correlated with the growth of biological parameters in normal fetuses,while Z-scores of AO and PA remain constant in second and late trimesters.

Quantitative study of the distance between the left atrial posterior wall and the descending aorta in four chamber ;view of the fetal heart / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To quantitatively study the distance between the left atrial posterior wall and the descending aorta(DLD)in the normal fetal four-chamber view using fetal echocardiography.Methods The distances between the left atrial posterior wall and the descending aorta in end-systole (DLDs) and in end-diastole(DLDd) were measured in a standard apical four-chamber view using fetal echocardiography in 300 normal fetuses.The gestation ages ranged from 20 to 40 weeks.Fetal non-cardiac biometric parameters included femoral length(FL),biparietal diameter(BPD) and gestation age (GA) based on menstrual age. The correlation between DLDs,DLDd and non-cardiac biometric parameters were analyzed.Results In normal fetuses,the DLDs was (0.32±0.08)cm with a range of 0.19 -0.48 cm,the DLDd was (0.43 ± 0.10)cm with a range of 0.25-0.62 cm.The DLDs and DLDd increased with the growth of GA,and were correlated with GA and BPD and FL significantly (r = 0.545,0.556,0.574,0.530,0.563 and 0.576, respectively,all P <0.001).The linear regression equations between DLDs,DLDd and GA,BPD,FL were:Y =0.009GA+0.041 ,Y =0.038BPD+0.028,Y =0.044 FL+0.073,Y =0.01 1 GA+0.083,Y =0.048 BPD+0.063,Y = 0.054 FL + 0.124,respectively.Conclusions In normal fetuses,the DLDs and DLDd increase with the growth of GA,and have good correlation with GA,BPD,and FL respectively.Normal reference ranges of DLDs and DLDd have been provided.These normative data may be a new tool for assessment of fetal heart,especially has potential applications in screening of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection(TPVAC),absent pulmonary valve syndrome(APVS)or other complex congenital heart defects.

Biological aspects of Tiracola grandirena (Herrich-Schäffer, 1868) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): a polyphagous armyworm / Aspectos biológicos de Tiracola grandirena (Herrich-Schäffer, 1868) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): uma lagarta polífaga

We studied the biology of Tiracola grandirena (Herrich-Schäffer, 1868) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Hadeninae) at 25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours of photo phase. Three experiments, using 150 larvae each, were conducted for the larval stage. In the first, used to assess the duration and survival of all stages, insects were reared individually and fed an artificial diet (Grenee). In the second, individuals were also reared separately, but were fed leaves of 10 plants from different families. In the third, the larvae were not individualised, the food plants were rotated such as to provide three plant species every 48 hours. In the first experiment, the viability of the eggs, larvae, pupae and prepupae was 91.9, 94.7, 32.49 and 43.5%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larvae, prepupae, pupae and adult were 6.0, 25.3, 25.7, 21.4 and 12.7 days, respectively. The prolonged prepupal period indicates that T. grandirena can develop larval (prepupal) diapause. The results of the experiments with different host plants showed that T. grandirena is polyphagous at species, population and individual level.

Estudou-se a biologia de Tiracola grandirena (Herrich-Schäffer, 1868) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Hadeninae) em condições controladas de 25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% UR e fotofase de 14 horas. Na fase larval foram estabelecidos três experimentos empregando 150 larvas cada. No primeiro, os insetos foram criados individualmente, com dieta artificial de Grenee, cujos dados foram utilizados para avaliar a duração e a sobrevivência das larvas, pupas e adultos. No segundo, as larvas foram criadas individualmente, alimentadas com folhas de 10 plantas de famílias diferentes avaliando-se a sobrevivência e duração larval (fase ativa). No terceiro, as larvas foram mantidas em um mesmo recipiente, variando-se a alimentação vegetal, três espécies a cada 48 horas, avaliando-se apenas a sobrevivência larval. No primeiro experimento a viabilidade de ovo, larva, pré-pupa e pupa foi de 91,93; 94,67; 32,39 e 43,48%, respectivamente. A duração média de ovo, larva, pré-pupa, pupa e adulto foi de 6,00; 25,26; 25,76; 21,35 e 12,67 dias, respectivamente. O prolongado período de pré-pupa indicou que, nas condições em que foi criada T. grandirena pode desenvolver diapausa larval (pré-pupal). Os resultados dos experimentos com diferentes plantas hospedeiras demonstraram que T. grandirena é polífaga ao nível específico, populacional e individual.

Stem cells in the light of evolution.

All organisms depend on stem cells for their survival. As a result, stem cells may be a prerequisite for the evolution of specific characteristics in organisms that include regeneration, multicellularity and coloniality. Stem cells have attracted the attention of biologists and medical scientists for a long time. These provide materials for regenerative medicine. We review in this paper, the link between modern stem cell research and early studies in ancient organisms. It also outlines details on stem cells in the light of evolution with an emphasis on their regeneration potential, coloniality and multicellularity. The information provided might be of use to molecular biologists, medical scientists and developmental biologists who are engaged in integrated research involving the stem cells.

Características biológicas e psicológicas do envelhecimento / Aging biological and psychological characteristics

O envelhecimento representa a consequência ou os efeitos da passagem do tempo no organismo (envelhecimento somático) e psiquismo (envelhecimento psíquico). Apresenta-se revisão sobre envelhecimento abordando os aspectos biológicos do desenvolvimento humano até a velhice, considerando as repercussões funcionais do envelhecimento fisiológico e psicológico.

Aging is the result or the effects of the passage of time on the body (somatic aging) and the psyche (mental aging). This is a review on aging addressing the biological aspects of human development to old age, considering the functional consequences of physiological and psychological aging.

La evo-devo com ciencia histórica de causas remotas / Evo-devo as Historical Science of Ultimates Causes

Partiendo de la premisa de que una causa próxima es aquella cuyos efectos pueden ser registrados en los estados de un organismo individual. En este trabajo sostendré que lo que define a una causa remota es el hecho de que sus efectos puedan ser registrados en la evolución de linajes, y no simplemente en estados poblacionales. Esto, por otra parte, no solo nos permitirá entender en qué sentido los constreñimientos ontogenéticos deben ser comprendidos como causas remotas de los fenómenos evolutivos; sino que además nos permitirá poner en evidencia el carácter eminentemente histórico de la Biología evolucionaria del desarrollo que Wallace Arthur subestimó en Biased Embryos and Evolution. Así, y siguiendo esta última línea de razonamiento, también intentaré mostrar que, aunque la acción de dichos constreñimientos ontogenéticos pueda verificarse más allá de los límites de una población o especie particular, eso no implica que estemos asistiendo a un retorno del pensamiento tipológico en Biología evolucionaria.

Having as starting point that a proximal cause is one whose effects can be registered in the states of an individual organism, in this work I will argue that what defines an ultimate cause is the fact that its effects can be registered in the evolution of lineages, and not simply in population states. This, on the other hand, not only will allow us to clarify how the developmental constraints can be understood as causes of the evolutionary phenomena; but also it will allow us to point the eminently historical character of Developmental Evolutionary Biology that Wallace Arthur undermined in Biased Embryos and Evolution. Thus, and following this latter reasoning, I will also try to show that, although the action of developmental constraints could happen beyond the limits of a population or a particular species, does not imply that we are facing the return of typological thought in Evolutionary Biology.

Constreñimiento del desarrollo y la integració evodevo: precisiones y distincciones en torno al tema / Developmental Constraints and the Evodevo Integration: Precitions and Distinctions About this Theme

Los constreñimientos del desarrollo se ubican en la intersección entre evolución y desarrollo, lo que los convierte en uno de los focos cruciales de investigación en la EvoDevo. Desafortunadamente, tanto el concepto mismo de constreñimiento como sus referencias fácticas han estado rodeados de confusión y controversia, lo que ha impedido un mayor avance en su estudio. En este artículo, tras revisar varios de los textos clásicos sobre constreñimientos, identifico algunas de las fuentes de confusión en torno al tema. Llamo la atención sobre la utilidad de recuperar la taxonomía que divide a los constreñimientos en universales y locales, lo cual brinda enorme claridad en la comprensión de la naturaleza misma del fenómeno. Resalto la necesidad de evitar algunas aproximaciones ortodoxas recurrentes en su estudio, al tiempo que defiendo su importancia como factores del desarrollo con implicaciones evolutivas.

Developmental constraints are located on the interface between evolution and development, which make them a crucial focus of research in EvoDevo. Unfortunately, the concept of constraint and its factual references have been surrounded by confusion and controversy, which have limited the advancement of their study. In this paper, after reviewing some traditional literature on the subject, I identify some specific sources of confusion. I propose to recover the classical taxonomical division of constraints that divide them into universal and local, which brings clarity to the understanding of their nature. I highlight the need of avoiding some recurrent orthodox approaches on the topic, as well as defending their importance as developmental factors that have evolutionary implications.

A summary of the study on the homeobox gene Pem / 中国病理生理杂志

Pem gene is one of the homeobox gene. Unlike members of Hox gene family, Pem gene is unique located at the proximal end of the X chromosome and its expression has been detected in several immortalized and transformed cells, placenta, embryos and reproductive tissues. Numeral studies showed that its expression is controlled by hormone such as androgen. This review discussed the possible role of Pem in regulating genes involved in the differentiation and development of extraembryonic tissue, spermatogenesis and sperm maturation.

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY: THE IMPORTANT RESEARCH FIELDS IN WOUND REPAIR AND REGENERATION / 解放军医学杂志

Wound repair is a complex biological process and great progresses have been achieved during the last ten years because of the integration of molecular biology and traumatology. However, some fundamental principles in these fields, which are closely related to developmental biology and comparative biology have not been fully understood. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the incorporation basic knoweldge with technology of developmental biology and comparative biology in the research of wound repair before better understanding and new discoveries are achieved in this field.