Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas syringae RAYR-BL, a Strain Isolated from Natural Accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana Plants.

Here, we report the genome sequence of the P. syringae strain RAYR-BL, isolated from natural accessions of Arabidopsis plants. The draft genome sequence consists of 5.85 Mbp assembled in 110 contigs. The study of P. syringae RAYR-BL is a valuable tool to investigate molecular features of plant-pathogen interaction under environmental conditions.

Classical and Quantum Mechanical Calculations of the Stacking Interaction of NdIII Complexes with Regular and Mismatched DNA Sequences.

The design of organometallic complexes used as selective intercalators to bind and react at DNA mismatch sites has concentrated efforts in the last few years. In this context, lanthanides have received attention to be employed as active optical centers due to their spectroscopic properties. Despite the fact that there are several experimental data about synthesis and DNA binding of these compounds, theoretical analyses describing their interaction with DNA are scarce. To understand the binding to regular and mismatched DNA sequences as well as to determine the effect of the intercalation on the spectroscopic properties of the complexes, a complete theoretical study going from classical to relativistic quantum mechanics calculations has been performed on some lanthanide complexes with phenanthroline derivatives synthesized and characterized herein, viz. [Nd(NO3)3(H2O)(dppz-R)] with R = H, NO2-, CN- and their [Nd(NO3)3(H2O)(dpq)] analogue, which was computationally modeled. The results were in correct agreement with the available experimental data showing that dppz complexes have higher binding affinities to DNA than dpq one and supporting the idea that these complexes are not selective to mismatch sites in the sampled time scale. Finally, the spectroscopic analysis evidence an intercalative binding mode and made possible the elucidation of the emission mechanism of these systems. This approach is proposed as a benchmark study to extend this methodology on similar systems and constitutes the first theoretical insight in the interaction between DNA and lanthanide complexes.

A new species of Proctoeces and reinstatement of Proctoeces humboldti George-Nascimento and Quiroga 1983 (Digenea: Fellodistomidae) based on molecular and morphological evidence.

The most studied digenean of marine organisms in Chile is by far Proctoeces humboldti, a parasite of the intestine of the clingfish Sicyases sanguineus and gonad of the keyhole limpet Fissurella spp. (progenetic metacercariae). The mussel Perumytilus purpuratus has been suggested as the first intermediate host for this digenean. In a study examining the parasites of S. sanguineus from central Chile, we found specimens of Proctoeces showing significant morphological differences with P. humboldti. To assist in the resolution of the taxonomic identification of these specimens, as well sporocysts obtained from the mussel P. purpuratus from central and northern Chile, phylogenetic studies using DNA sequences from the SSU rRNA, as well the LSU rRNA and Cox 1 gene were performed. Results showed that the clingfish S. sanguineus is a host for two species of Proctoeces (P. humboldti and P. syciases n. sp.) along the northern and central Chilean coast, without geographic separation; the mussel P. purpuratus is the first intermediate host for P. syciases n. sp. but not for P. humboldti in central and northern Chile. Fissurellids (Archaeogastropoda) along the Chilean coast harbor only progenetic stages of P. humboldti, but there is no evidence of progenesis for P. syciases. The reinstatement of Proctoeces humboldti is strongly suggested.

Molecular and Morphological Evidence Demonstrating Two Species of Helicometrina Linton 1910 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) in Northern Chile.

The opecoelid Helicometrina nimia Linton, 1910 has been reported from numerous marine fishes along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the Americas. Along the Chilean coast, H. nimia is found in fishes belonging to at least 9 families. This surprisingly low host specificity of H. nimia raises question about the correct identification of specimens assigned to this species. Here we evaluate whether H. nimia specimens isolated from sympatric fish species in northern Chile but with different diets and found in different habitats (water column and demersal) are the same species. Our results demonstrate that specimens from the shallow benthic fish Labrisomus philippii (Steindachner) do not correspond to H. nimia but instead belong to a new species of Helicometrina. This species is described and distinguished from H. nimia using morphological descriptions and 2 molecular markers (the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene and the V4 region of the SSU rRNA gene). The new species Helicometrina labrisomi (Digenea: Opecoelidae), is found in the intestine of L. philippii (Steindachner, 1866) (Pisces: Labrisomidae), a shallow benthic fish that inhabits the northern coast of Chile. We also studied the related Helicometrina nimia Linton, 1910 from the benthopelagic fishes Paralabrax humeralis (Valenciennes, 1828) and Acanthistius pictus (Tschudi, 1846) (Serranidae). The new species differs from H. nimia by a combination of characters that include ovary shape, number of uterine loops, and position of the genital pore. Our results indicate that morphological characteristics, such as body size, extent of the vitellarium, shape of the testes, and cirrus sac size and extent, traditionally used in the taxonomy of Helicometrina are highly variable. In contrast, meristic and morphological characteristics, such as a lobed ovary, the number of uterine loops, dimensions of the pharynx, and the opening of the genital pore, are highly constant.

El Psicólogo en la Educación Infantil / The Educational Psychologist in Pre-Primary Education

El objetivo de este artículo es explicar algunos de los rasgos que definen la intervención del psicólogo educativo en la etapa infantil. Con este fin organizamos la exposición en tres partes. En la primera, hacemos un recorrido histórico y legislativo por la Educación Infantil y por los Equipos de Orientación Educativa y Psicopedagógica, centrándonos en los Equipos de Atención Temprana como nicho más representativo del trabajo del psicólogo en esta etapa. En la segunda, nos preguntamos por las competencias que necesita este profesional y si poseen rasgos diferentes a las que necesitan los colegas de otras etapas educativas. La tercera y última parte desarrolla un modelo de intervención que, a nuestro juicio, confiere unos rasgos específicos al trabajo del psicólogo en la educación infantil. Este modelo está presidido por una visión holística y sistémica, basada en una práctica centrada en la colaboración y el asesoramiento. Para terminar, planteamos algunas preguntas abiertas para el debate(AU)

The purpose of this article is to explain some of the characteristics which define the intervention of the educational psychologist in childhood. With this aim, the presentation is organized into three parts. First, this article conducts a historical and legislative review of the Education System in childhood and through the EOEPs (Educational and Psychopedagogical Orientation Teams) focused on the EATs (Early Attention Teams), which are the most representative role of the psychologist working at this educational level. In the second part, the article presents the question of the skills which the educational psychologist needs, and if they are different to those needed by other colleagues working at other educational levels. In the third part, a model of intervention is developed which, in our opinion, deals with the specific features of the psychologist’s work in early childhood education. This model uses a holistic and systemic approach, focused on collaboration and counselling. Finally, some open questions for debate are highlighted(AU)

Molecular and experimental evidence refuse the life cycle of Proctoeces lintoni (Fellodistomidae) in Chile.

The mussel Perumitylus purpuratus has been described as the first intermediate host for the digenea Proctoeces lintoni (Fellodistomidae) in the Chilean coast. The study of more than 3000 specimens of P. purpuratus, taken off northern Chile revealed the absence of sporocysts. Experimental infection of mussels with eggs obtained from the known host for P. lintoni was unsuccessful. We analyze the V4 region of the SSU rRNA of living sporocysts and cercariae obtained from P. purpuratus from central Chile in order to confirm the proposed life cycle for this digenea. Our results demonstrated that sporocysts and cercariae obtained from P. purpuratus do not belong to P. lintoni but to an undescribed digenea from the Chilean coast.

Local variability in metazoan parasites of the pelagic fish species, Engraulis ringens: implications for fish stock assessment using parasites as biological tags.

Parasites have been used successfully as biological tags in population studies, mainly in marine fishes, but also in marine mammals, crustaceans and molluscs. Almost all published information dealing with parasites as biological tags evaluates differences between localities. However, local variability in the component community has not been assessed. In this work, we examined whether local variation of the metazoan parasite fauna of Engraulis ringens, extracted from five independent samples from two nearby localities in northern Chile, can be a factor causing bias in stock identification. Our results show that local variability, as estimated by a single sample, may suffice to represent component community variability with no need for replicated data.

Effects of tibolone and continuous combined hormone therapy on mammographic breast density and breast histochemical markers in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in mammographic density and the expression of markers of proliferation (Ki67) and apoptosis (Bcl-2) after 1 year of treatment with tibolone and continuous conjugated equine estrogens combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE-MPA). DESIGN: Comparative, randomized, evaluator-blinded study. SETTING: City research hospital. PATIENT(S): Thirty-seven postmenopausal women. INTERVENTION(S): Tibolone (2.5 mg; n = 18) or continuous conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg; n = 19) for 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Mammographic density (BI-RADS density score), expression of immunohistochemical markers Ki67 and Bcl-2. RESULT(S): Mean breast density score decreased significantly from 2.22 to 1.67 in the tibolone group, compared with a significant increase in the CEE-MPA-treated group from 1.84 to 2.63. Ki67 expression decreased in 12 of 15, increased in 2 of 15, and remained unchanged in 1 of 15 subjects in the tibolone group, compared with 1 of 19, 15 of 19, and 3 of 19 subjects, respectively, in the CEE-MPA group. Bcl-2 expression decreased in 12 of 15, increased in 2 of 15, and remained unchanged in 1 of 15 subjects in the tibolone group, compared with 5 of 19, 9 of 19, and 5 of 19 subjects, respectively, in the CEE-MPA group. CONCLUSION(S): One-year treatment with tibolone induced a decrease in breast density, with a reduction in proliferation and a stimulation of apoptosis, whereas 1-year treatment with CEE-MPA induced an increase in breast density, with stimulation of proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis, indicating that tibolone effects on the breast are different from those of CEE-MPA.

Tratamiento con bromocriptina de la mastopatía fibroquística / Treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy with bromocriptine

Se estudia el efecto de bromocriptina administrada en forma continua o rítmica en mujeres con mastopatía fibroquística sintomática. 90 mujeres seleccionadas configuraron tres grupos al azar: Grupo 1 (bromocriptina continua) recibió bromocriptina 5 mg diarios del 1o al 25o día del ciclo, durante tres ciclos. Grupo 2 (bromocriptina rítmica), placebo desde el 1o al 25o día por tres ciclos. Los tratamientos se administraron según doble ciego 1/2 tableta 4 veces al día. El seguimiento fué cada 30 días, hasta completar siete meses de observación. La evolución del cuadro clínico en cada control se objetivó con diferentes medidas para la mastalgia, nodularidad y sensibilidad. Se determinaron niveles plasmáticos de prolactina, estrógenos o progesterona en la fase lútea del ciclo previo al tratamiento y durante el segundo mes de tratamiento. Resultados: 75% a 90% de las mujeres que recibieron bromocriptina continua o rítmica presentaron respuestas favorables. Quedaron asitomáticas 50% del grupo 1 y 35% del grupo 2. La respuesta fue significativamente mejor que con placebo, que presentó 35% de respuestas favorables y sólo 10% queda asintomática. El grupo bromocriptina continua respondió discretamente mejor que el rítmico, pero no fue estadísticamente significativo. Con bromocriptina de observó un notorio descenso de la prolactina plasmática, que coincidió con un significativo ascenso de los niveles de progesterona. Los efectos colaterales más relevantes fueron decaimiento, mareos, náuseas, vómitos y cefalea, que ocurrieron aproximadamente en un 30%. Estas molestias fueron disminuyendo durante el transcurso del tratamiento. Se correlaciona la respuesta clínica favorable con el aumento de progesterona plasmática y el descenso de la prolactina

Tratamiento no hormonal del climaterio: ensayo terapéutico con veraliprida / Non-hormonal treatment of climacteric: clinical trial with veraliprida

VERALIPRIDA, parece representar el prototipo de tratamiento no hormonal de la menopausia. Su eficacia sobre las manifestaciones clínicas, al analizar nuestros resultados, fue significativamente superior al placebo. Los buenos resultados que se consiguen con el placebo deben ser atribuidos y analizados en el contexto que el componente psíquico juega un rol innegable en el síndrome climatérico, y las molestias de tipo subjetivo son muy sensibles e influencias sicológicas. Las molestias que responden mejor son los síntomas vasomotores: bochornos y sudoraciones, muchas veces con sedación completa y permanente; la mejoría progresó durante el curso del tratamiento. La eficacia global del 70% y buena tolerancia lo situán en un lugar importante en el tratamiento no hormonal del síndrome climatério. El efector mamario medido por tomografía y mamografía mostró cambios significativos, reversibles, sin significado patológico. No hubo modificaciones en el efector vaginal demostrado por colpocitología seriada. Al término del presente estudio, el análisis de los resultados demuestra que V.L.P. es un producto activo, bien tolerado, clínica y biológicamente. Si bien aparece aumento de la prolactina durante el tratamiento, desaparece tan pronto como se interrumpe, y se acompaña muy raramente de galactorrea. Planteamos una nueva alternativa terapéutica que no se contrapone a tratamientos hormonales, pudiendo administrarse en conjunto o sola en aquellos casos de contraindicación a estrogenoterapia