Importance of Host Feeding in the Biological Control of Insect Pests: Case Study of Egg Parasitoid Species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae).

Over recent decades, intraguild predation (IGP) has attracted special attention, both from the theoretical and practical standpoints. The present paper addresses the interference competition between two Trichogramma species (egg parasitoids)-on the one hand, the extrinsic interactions (i.e., the indirect competition between female T. achaeae and T. brassicae), and on the other, the intrinsic interactions between the larvae of both species. Furthermore, T. achaeae is a better competitor than T. brassicae due to a dual mechanism-the former acts as a facultative hyperparasitoid of the latter, exclusively considering parasitism relationships as well as presenting predation activity by host feeding, which gives preference to eggs previously parasitized by T. brassicae over non-parasitized eggs. Both mechanisms are dependent on the prey density, which is demonstrated by a change in the functional response (i.e., the relationship between the numbers of prey attacked at different prey densities) of T. achaeae adult female-it changes from type II (i.e., initial phase in which the number of attacked targets increases hyperbolically and then reaches an asymptote, reflecting the handling capacity of the predator), in the absence of competition (an instantaneous search rate of a' = 9.996 ± 4.973 days-1 and a handling time of Th = 0.018 ± 0.001 days), to type I (i.e., linear increase in parasitism rate as host densities rise, until reaching a maximum parasitism rate, and an instantaneous search rate of a' = 0.879 ± 0.072 days-1 and a handling time of Th ≈ 0) when interference competition is present. These results show that there is a greater mortality potential of this species, T. achaeae, in conditions of competition with other species, T. brassicae in this case. Based on this, their implications in relation to the biological control of pests by parasitoid species are discussed.

STAG2 mutations reshape the cohesin-structured spatial chromatin architecture to drive gene regulation in acute myeloid leukemia.

Cohesin shapes the chromatin architecture, including enhancer-promoter interactions. Its components, especially STAG2, but not its paralog STAG1, are frequently mutated in myeloid malignancies. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of leukemogenesis, we comprehensively characterized genetic, transcriptional, and chromatin conformational changes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient samples. Specific loci displayed altered cohesin occupancy, gene expression, and local chromatin activation, which were not compensated by the remaining STAG1-cohesin. These changes could be linked to disrupted spatial chromatin looping in cohesin-mutated AMLs. Complementary depletion of STAG2 or STAG1 in primary human hematopoietic progenitors (HSPCs) revealed effects resembling STAG2-mutant AML-specific changes following STAG2 knockdown, not invoked by the depletion of STAG1. STAG2-deficient HSPCs displayed impaired differentiation capacity and maintained HSPC-like gene expression. This work establishes STAG2 as a key regulator of chromatin contacts, gene expression, and differentiation in the hematopoietic system and identifies candidate target genes that may be implicated in human leukemogenesis.

Knowledge domains and emerging trends in non-invasive brain stimulation: A bibliometric analysis via CiteSpace / Dominios del conocimiento y tendencias emergentes en la estimulación cerebral no invasiva: un análisis bibliométrico a través de CiteSpace

INTRODUCTION: In recent decades, new non-invasive brain stimulation techniques and protocols have been developed, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation. OBJECTIVE: To identify and visualize the intellectual structure of non-invasive brain stimulation through document co-citation analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 30,854 Web of Science-indexed manuscripts and their 1,615,692 references regarding non-invasive brain stimulation, all published from 1988 to 2022. We drew a document co-citation network map using CiteSpace software. RESULTS: The most productive journal was Clinical Neurophysiology. The most published institution was the University College London, and the country with the most reports was the USA. The most productive author was Alvaro Pascual-Leone and the most cited author in the non-invasive brain stimulation field was J. C. Rothwell. In addition, the most cited study was that of Rossi et al. (2009). The safe application of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques and their effects on motor or executive functions is an emerging trend in this research area. CONCLUSIONS: The current investigation displayed a quantitative scientometric approach and delved into the advancement of non-invasive brain stimulation research by examining the references published in this domain. These findings can be valuable for professionals to picture the patterns of recognition and emerging directions in the field.

Introducción. En las últimas décadas se han desarrollado nuevas técnicas y protocolos de estimulación cerebral no invasiva, como la estimulación magnética transcraneal y la estimulación transcraneal con corriente directa. Objetivo. Identificar y visualizar la estructura intelectual de la estimulación cerebral no invasiva a través del análisis de cocitación de documentos. Materiales y métodos. En este estudio se analizaron 30.854 manuscritos indexados en Web of Science sobre estimulación cerebral no invasiva, todos ellos publicados entre el 1988 y el 2022, y sus 1.615.692 referencias. Se dibujó un mapa de red de cocitación de documentos utilizando el software CiteSpace. Resultados. La revista más productiva fue Clinical Neurophysiology. La institución y el país con más reportes fueron University College London y Estados Unidos. El autor con más publicaciones fue Álvaro Pascual-Leone y el autor más cocitado en el campo de estimulación cerebral no invasiva fue J. C. Rothwell. Además, el estudio más citado fue el de Rossi et al. (2009). La aplicación segura de las técnicas de estimulación cerebral no invasiva y sus efectos sobre las funciones motoras o ejecutivas es una tendencia emergente de la investigación en esta área. Conclusiones. La presente investigación muestra un enfoque cienciométrico cuantitativo y profundiza en el avance de la investigación sobre la estimulación cerebral no invasiva mediante el examen de las referencias publicadas en este ámbito. Estos resultados pueden ser de gran utilidad para los profesionales que deseen hacerse una idea de los patrones de reconocimiento y las nuevas orientaciones en este campo.

Filial cannibalism of Nabis pseudoferus is not evolutionarily optimal foraging strategy.

Using a recursion model with real parameters of Nabis pseudoferus, we show that its filial cannibalism is an optimal foraging strategy for life reproductive success, but it is not an evolutionarily optimal foraging strategy, since it cannot maximize the descendant's number at the end of the reproductive season. Cannibalism is evolutionarily rational, when the number of newborn offspring produced from the cannibalized offspring can compensate the following two effects: (a) The cannibalistic lineage wastes time, since the individuals hatched from eggs produced by cannibalism start to reproduce later. (b) Cannibalism eliminates not only one offspring, but also all potential descendants from the cannibalized offspring during the rest of reproductive season. In our laboratory trials, from conspecific prey Nabis pseudoferus did not produce newborn nymphs enough to compensate the above two effects.

A longitudinal study of protective factors against substance use in early adolescence. An ecological approach.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent substance use has been widely related to different individual, school, family and community factors. Yet, the number of studies with all these variables together in a model from an ecological perspective is still low, and they rarely used a longitudinal design. The aim of this study was to explore, from an ecological perspective, the prospective impact of different individual, school, family and neighbourhood factors on adolescent substance use. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study with a one-year follow up. There were 881 participants (Mage = 12.57; 48.1% females) at wave 1, of which 686 (Mage = 13.51; 51.8% females) were followed-up at wave 2. Validated questionnaires were used for data collection. RESULTS: Regression analyses showed that higher substance use was predicted by high family socio-economic status cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and it was related to low neighbourhood socio-economic status cross-sectionally only. Participants who disliked school and had a poor academic performance were more likely to use substances, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of families in substance use prevention programmes could be a key component in these interventions. Moreover, promotion of a positive school climate could protect adolescents from using substances.

Intratumoral BO-112 in combination with radiotherapy synergizes to achieve CD8 T-cell-mediated local tumor control.

BACKGROUND: Radioimmunotherapy combines irradiation of tumor lesions with immunotherapy to achieve local and abscopal control of cancer. Most immunotherapy agents are given systemically, but strategies for delivering immunotherapy locally are under clinical scrutiny to maximize efficacy and avoid toxicity. Local immunotherapy, by injecting various pathogen-associated molecular patterns, has shown efficacy both preclinically and clinically. BO-112 is a viral mimetic based on nanoplexed double-stranded RNA (poly I:C) which exerts immune-mediated antitumor effects in mice and humans on intratumoral delivery. BO-112 and focal irradiation were used to make the proof-of-concept for local immunotherapy plus radiation therapy combinations. METHODS: Murine transplantable tumor cell lines (TS/A, MC38 and B16-OVA) were used to show increased immunogenic features under irradiation, as well as in bilateral tumor models in which only one of the lesions was irradiated or/and injected with BO-112. Flow cytometry and multiplex tissue immunofluorescence were used to determine the effects on antitumor immunity. Depletions of immune cell populations and knockout mice for the IFNAR and BATF-3 genes were used to delineate the immune system requirements for efficacy. RESULTS: In cultures of TS/A breast cancer cells, the combination of irradiation and BO-112 showed more prominent features of immunogenic tumor cell death in terms of calreticulin exposure. Injection of BO-112 into the tumor lesion receiving radiation achieved excellent control of the treated tumor and modest delays in contralateral tumor progression. Local effects were associated with more prominent infiltrates of antitumor cytotoxic tumor lymphocytes (CTLs). Importantly, local irradiation plus BO-112 in one of the tumor lesions that enhanced the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy on distant irradiated lesions that were not injected with BO-112. Hence, this beneficial effect of local irradiation plus BO-112 on a tumor lesion enhanced the therapeutic response to radiotherapy on distant non-injected lesions. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that local BO-112 immunotherapy and focal irradiation may act in synergy to achieve local tumor control. Irradiation plus BO-112 in one of the tumor lesions enhanced the therapeutic effects on distant irradiated lesions that were not injected with BO-112, suggesting strategies to treat oligometastatic patients with lesions susceptible to radiotherapy and with at least one tumor accessible for repeated BO-112 intratumoral injections.

Effect of Relative Humidity on the Population Dynamics of the Predator Amblyseius swirskii and Its Prey Carpoglyphus lactis in the Context of Slow-Release Sachets for Use in Biological Control in Greenhouses.

Amblyseius swirskii is a predatory mite that is widely used for biological control in greenhouses. One way this predator is released is in a formulation in slow-release sachets. These sachets are prepared with the predatory mite, the factitious prey mite Carpoglyphus lactis, and a food substrate for the latter. The objective of the present study was to study the effects of microclimatic conditions in this type of formulation on the population dynamics of mites inside the sachets and on the release of predatory mites. These experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions in two trials. The ambient relative humidity affected the water content of the food substrate of the prey mite inside the sachets, with an initial value of 21.49 ± 0.42%, which was reduced to values of 4.7 ± 0.25%, 10.87 ± 1.03% and 17.27 ± 0.82% after 21 days of trials when they were exposed to low, medium and high ambient relative humidity levels, respectively. Relative humidity significantly altered the dynamics of the populations of both species inside the sachets and the exits of the predator from the sachets to the external environment.

A longitudinal study of preadolescent and adolescent substance use: Within-individual patterns and protective factors.

Substance use is one of the main risks for adolescent health. Many research projects have studied longitudinal patterns of use and risk/protective factors, but the number of studies focused on within-individual stability and change is low. The objective of this study was to discover specific longitudinal profiles of drug use and explore the role of social and emotional competencies, and empathy as possible protective factors against substance use. Method: This was a longitudinal study with 879 students (9-17 years at wave 1, 10-18 at wave 2). Substance use, social and emotional competencies, and empathy were measured with a survey. Results: Nine longitudinal profiles of substance use were found in this sample. Multinomial regression analysis found that low responsible decision making, self-management and affective empathy predicted the profiles of ascending user, chronic user and experiencer, respectively. Experiencer was also predicted by a low level of social awareness. Conclusions: The trend to a higher use over time can increase the odds of addiction in future. Some personal variables were found as protective factors against drug use. Thus, school interventions addressed to promote social and emotional competencies, and empathy seem necessary in order to decrease the adolescent drug use.

El consumo de sustancias es uno de los mayores riesgos para la salud de los adolescentes. Numerosas investigaciones han estudiado el patrón longitudinal de consumo y factores de riesgo/protección, pero pocas han estudiado la estabilidad y el cambio a nivel intraindividual. El objetivo de este estudio fue descubrir patrones longitudinales específicos de consumo de drogas y explorar el papel de las competencias sociales y emocionales, y la empatía como posibles factores protectores. Método: Un estudio longitudinal con 879 participantes (9-17 años en tiempo 1; 10-18 en tiempo 2). El consumo de sustancias, las competencias socioemocionales y la empatía se midieron con una encuesta. Resultados: Se encontraron nueve perfiles longitudinales de consumo. Los análisis de regresión encontraron que baja toma de decisiones responsables, autocontrol y empatía afectiva predijeron los perfiles de consumidor ascendente, consumidor crónico y experimentador, respectivamente. Experimentador también fue predicho por bajos niveles de conciencia social. Conclusiones: La tendencia a aumentar el consumo a través del tiempo puede incrementar el riesgo de adicción en el futuro. Algunas variables personales actúan como factores de protección. Por ello, parecen necesarias intervenciones escolares dirigidas a promocionar las competencias sociales y emocionales, y la empatía para disminuir el consumo de sustancias.

A longitudinal study of preadolescent and adolescent substance use: Within-individual patterns and protective factors / Estudio longitudinal del consumo de sustancias en preadolescentes y adolescentes: patrones intraindividuales y factores protectores

Substance use is one of the main risks for adolescent health. Many research projects have studied longitudinal patterns of use and risk/protective factors, but the number of studies focused on within-individual stability and change is low. The objective of this study was to discover specific longitudinal profiles of drug use and explore the role of social and emotional competencies, and empathy as possible protective factors against substance use. Method: This was a longitudinal study with 879 students (9-17 years at wave 1, 10-18 at wave 2). Substance use, social and emotional competencies, and empathy were measured with a survey. Results: Nine longitudinal profiles of substance use were found in this sample. Multinomial regression analysis found that low responsible decision making, self-management and affective empathy predicted the profiles of ascending user, chronic user and experiencer, respectively. Experiencer was also predicted by a low level of social awareness. Conclusions: The trend to a higher use over time can increase the odds of addiction in future. Some personal variables were found as protective factors against drug use. Thus, school interventions addressed to promote social and emotional competencies, and empathy seem necessary in order to decrease the adolescent drug use. (AU)

El consumo de sustancias es uno de los mayores riesgos para la salud de los adolescentes. Numerosas investigaciones han estudiado el patrón longitudinal de consumo y factores de riesgo/protección, pero pocas han estudiado la estabilidad y el cambio a nivel intraindividual. El objetivo de este estudio fue descubrir patrones longitudinales específicos de consumo de drogas y explorar el papel de las competencias sociales y emocionales, y la empatía como posibles factores protectores. Método: Un estudio longitudinal con 879 participantes (9-17 años en tiempo 1; 10-18 en tiempo 2). El consumo de sustancias, las competencias socioemocionales y la empatía se midieron con una encuesta. Resultados: Se encontraron nueve perfiles longitudinales de consumo. Los análisis de regresión encontraron que baja toma de decisiones responsables, autocontrol y empatía afectiva predijeron los perfiles de consumidor ascendente, consumidor crónico y experimentador, respectivamente. Experimentador también fue predicho por bajos niveles de conciencia social. Conclusiones: La tendencia a aumentar el consumo a través del tiempo puede incrementar el riesgo de adicción en el futuro. Algunas variables personales actúan como factores de protección. Por ello, parecen necesarias intervenciones escolares dirigidas a promocionar las competencias sociales y emocionales, y la empatía para disminuir el consumo de sustancias. (AU)

A Social-Ecological Approach to Understanding Adolescent Sexting Behavior.

This study examined the extent to which active and passive sexting behaviors are associated with family-, school-, peer-, and romantic-level variables. Young people (N = 3,322; 49.1% female, 48.3% male, 2.6% other) aged 11 to 15 years old (M = 12.84, SD = 0.89) took part, and all attended mainstream secondary schools in Scotland. Participants completed self-report measures of school connectedness, parental love and support, perceived susceptibility to peer- and romantic-pressure (e.g., to display behaviors just to impress others), and their involvement in active and passive sexting. The importance of both school- and family-level factors was evident, though perceived romantic-pressure had the largest effect. However, neither school- nor family-level variables were moderated by either perceived romantic-pressure or perceived peer-pressure. Efforts to reduce sexting or increase its safety should primarily seek to tackle young people's ability to respond effectively to romantic-pressure. It may also be helpful to develop school connectedness and to help families provide support that is constructive and not intrusive.

Do specific antimicrobial stewardship interventions have an impact on carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacilli? A multicentre quasi-experimental ecological study: time-trend analysis and characterization of carbapenemases.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) are among the most threatening microorganisms worldwide and carbapenem use facilitates their spread. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) can help to optimize the use of antibiotics. This study evaluates the impact of a multifaceted educational ASP on carbapenem use and on the epidemiology of CR-GNB. METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental, time-series study in seven hospitals, from January 2014 to September 2018. The key intervention was composed of educational interviews promoting the appropriate use of carbapenems. The primary endpoints were carbapenem consumption and incidence density (ID) of CR-GNB. All non-duplicated CR-GNB clinical isolates were tested using phenotypic assays and PCR for the presence of carbapenemases. Joinpoint regression and interrupted time-series analyses were used to determine trends. RESULTS: A decrease in carbapenem consumption throughout the study period [average quarterly percentage change (AQPC) -1.5%, P < 0.001] and a -8.170 (-16.064 to -0.277) level change following the intervention were observed. The ID of CR-Acinetobacter baumannii decreased (AQPC -3.5%, P = 0.02) and the overall ID of CR-GNB remained stable (AQPC -0.4%, P = 0.52). CR-GNB, CR-Pseudomonas aeruginosa and CR-A. baumannii IDs per hospital correlated with the local consumption of carbapenems. The most prevalent carbapenem resistance mechanisms were OXA-23 for CR-A. baumannii (76.1%), OXA-48 for CR-Klebsiella pneumoniae (66%) and no carbapenemases for CR-P. aeruginosa (91.7%). The epidemiology of carbapenemases was heterogeneous throughout the study, especially for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a multifaceted, educational interview-based ASP targeting carbapenem prescribing reduced carbapenem use and the ID of CR-A. baumannii.

Validation of a Histologic Scoring Index for C3 Glomerulopathy.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: A previous study that evaluated associations of kidney biopsy findings with disease progression in patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) proposed a prognostic histologic index (C3G-HI) that has not yet been validated. Our objective was to validate the performance of the C3G-HI in a new patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 111 patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria of C3G between January 1995 and December 2019, from 33 nephrology departments belonging to the Spanish Group for the Study of Glomerular Diseases (GLOSEN). PREDICTORS: Demographic, clinical parameters, C3G-HI total activity score, and the C3G-HI total chronicity score. OUTCOME: Time to kidney failure. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Intraclass correlation coefficients and κ statistic were used to summarize inter-rater reproducibility for assessment of histopathology in kidney biopsies. The nonlinear relationships of risk of kidney failure with the total activity score and total chronicity score were modeled using Cox proportional hazards analysis that incorporated cubic splines. RESULTS: The study group included 93 patients with C3 glomerulonephritis and 18 with dense-deposit disease. Participants had an overall meanage of 35±22 (SD) years. Forty-eight patients (43%) developed kidney failure after a mean follow-up of 65±27 months. The overall inter-rater reproducibility was very good for the total activity score (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.63) and excellent for total chronicity score (ICC=0.89). Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24-hour proteinuria, and treatment with immunosuppression were the main determinants of kidney failure in a model with only clinical variables. Only tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis were identified as predictors in a model with histological variables. When the total activity score and total chronicity score were added to the model, only the latter was identified as an independent predictor of kidney failure. LIMITATIONS: Only a subset of the kidney biopsies was centrally reviewed. Residual confounding. CONCLUSIONS: We validated the performance of C3G-HI as a predictor of kidney failure in patients with C3G. The total chronicity score was the principal histologic correlate of kidney failure.

The relevance of transversal competences in vocational education and training: a bibliometric analysis.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) programmes have included the acquisition of transversal competences in their curricula as a tool to increase employability. The number of researches has exponentially grown in the last years, emphasizing its relevance and the multiple approaches and factors involved in the learning process. The present bibliometric study aims to provide an overview of the scientific research carried out during the last 10 years and to shed some light on several relevant topics in this field. The results indicate the need to improve students' transversal competences in order to meet the demands of the labour market, the importance of the collaboration of all the actors involved in the process (policy makers, industry and educators) and from a pedagogical point of view, the necessity of introducing new teaching approaches to implement and assess the acquisition of transversal competences. However, and despite the surge of interest in the study of transversal competences in the last decade, further empirical research is needed, especially at Vocational Education and Training level, to understand how transversal competences develop and what kind of initiatives have an impact of their acquisition.

Chromatin regulation by Histone H4 acetylation at Lysine 16 during cell death and differentiation in the myeloid compartment.

Histone H4 acetylation at Lysine 16 (H4K16ac) is a key epigenetic mark involved in gene regulation, DNA repair and chromatin remodeling, and though it is known to be essential for embryonic development, its role during adult life is still poorly understood. Here we show that this lysine is massively hyperacetylated in peripheral neutrophils. Genome-wide mapping of H4K16ac in terminally differentiated blood cells, along with functional experiments, supported a role for this histone post-translational modification in the regulation of cell differentiation and apoptosis in the hematopoietic system. Furthermore, in neutrophils, H4K16ac was enriched at specific DNA repeats. These DNA regions presented an accessible chromatin conformation and were associated with the cleavage sites that generate the 50 kb DNA fragments during the first stages of programmed cell death. Our results thus suggest that H4K16ac plays a dual role in myeloid cells as it not only regulates differentiation and apoptosis, but it also exhibits a non-canonical structural role in poising chromatin for cleavage at an early stage of neutrophil cell death.

Opportunistic random searcher versus intentional search image user.

We consider two types of optimal foragers: a random searcher and a search image user. A search image user can find its desired prey with higher and undesired prey with lower probability than a random searcher. Our model considers the density-dependent travelling time and the time duration of reproduction (oviposition). In the framework of optimal foraging theory for one predator-two prey systems, we find that there are ranges of prey densities in which the search image user has a higher net energy intake, and there are other ranges of prey densities in which the random searcher has higher net energy intake. The damsel bug Nabis pseudoferus Remane (Hemiptera: Nabidae) is a generalist predator rather than an omnivore. This species has a wide range of arthropod prey (predominantly insects and mites). Several aspects of the biology of this species have been studied, especially its cannibalistic behaviour, which is a quite important feature because N. pseudoferus is often used as a biological control agent against lepidopteran pests in greenhouse crops. Experimentally, we found that Nabis is a search image user in the above sense.

Emotional content in cyberspace: Development and validation of E-motions Questionnaire in adolescents and young people / Contenido emocional en el ciberespacio: desarrollo y validación del Cuestionario E-mociones en adolescentes y jóvenes (AU)

Background: Studies on emotional intelligence show that some of its dimensions are related to psychological adjustment and the quality of interpersonal relationships. Besides face-to-face interaction, nowadays, relationships are also initiated and maintained in cyberspace. Some studies suggest that emotional content is present in cyber-behavior. The objective of this study was to reveal whether emotions are expressed, perceived and managed online - a concept called E-motions, and to validate an instrument to measure this concept. Method: The E-motions Questionnaire was designed and together with other instruments, completed by 612 university students. Then, the questionnaire was completed by a representative sample of 2139 students in compulsory secondary education in 22 schools in all Andalusian provinces. The first sample was used for exploratory factor analysis and the second sample for confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The E-motions Questionnaire was validated with good psychometric properties. Four factors were found showing that emotions are perceived, expressed, used, understood and managed online. This behavior is related to some aspects of emotional intelligence and also to difficulties in identifying feelings. Conclusions: This new promising research field could be useful for further advancement of research into cyber-behavior (AU)

Antecedentes: estudios sobre la inteligencia emocional muestran que algunas de sus dimensiones están relacionadas con el ajuste psicológico y la calidad de relaciones interpersonales. Además de las interacciones cara a cara, las relaciones se inician y mantienen también en el ciberespacio. Algunos estudios sugieren que el contenido emocional está presente en la ciberconducta. El objetivo del estudio fue descubrir si las emociones se expresan, perciben y gestionan online- concepto denominado E-mociones y validar un instrumento para medirlo. Método: se diseñó un Cuestionario de E-mociones que, con otros instrumentos, fue completado por 612 estudiantes universitarios. Posteriormente, dicho cuestionario fue respondido por una muestra representativa de 2.139 alumnos de la educación secundaria matriculados en 22 escuelas de todas las provincias andaluzas. Se realizaron análisis factoriales - exploratorio con la primera muestra y confirmatorio con la segunda. Resultados: el Cuestionario E-mociones fue validado mostrando muy buenas propiedades psicométricas con cuatro factores. Las emociones se perciben, expresan, utilizan, comprenden y gestionan en el ciberespacio. Esta conducta se relaciona con algunos aspectos de la inteligencia emocional y también con dificultades emocionales. Conclusiones: esta nueva línea podría ser útil para avanzar en la investigación sobre la ciberconducta (AU)

Emotional content in cyberspace: Development and validation of E-motions Questionnaire in adolescents and young people.

BACKGROUND: Studies on emotional intelligence show that some of its dimensions are related to psychological adjustment and the quality of interpersonal relationships. Besides face-to-face interaction, nowadays, relationships are also initiated and maintained in cyberspace. Some studies suggest that emotional content is present in cyber-behavior. The objective of this study was to reveal whether emotions are expressed, perceived and managed online – a concept called E-motions, and to validate an instrument to measure this concept. METHOD: The E-motions Questionnaire was designed and together with other instruments, completed by 612 university students. Then, the questionnaire was completed by a representative sample of 2139 students in compulsory secondary education in 22 schools in all Andalusian provinces. The first sample was used for exploratory factor analysis and the second sample for confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The E-motions Questionnaire was validated with good psychometric properties. Four factors were found showing that emotions are perceived, expressed, used, understood and managed online. This behavior is related to some aspects of emotional intelligence and also to difficulties in identifying feelings. CONCLUSIONS: This new promising research field could be useful for further advancement of research into cyber-behavior.

Self-(in)compatibility in apricot germplasm is controlled by two major loci, S and M.

BACKGROUND: Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) exhibits a gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system and it is mostly considered as a self-incompatible species though numerous self-compatible exceptions occur. These are mainly linked to the mutated S C-haplotype carrying an insertion in the S-locus F-box gene that leads to a truncated protein. However, two S-locus unlinked pollen-part mutations (PPMs) termed m and m' have also been reported to confer self-compatibility (SC) in the apricot cultivars 'Canino' and 'Katy', respectively. This work was aimed to explore whether other additional mutations might explain SC in apricot as well. RESULTS: A set of 67 cultivars/accessions with different geographic origins were analyzed by PCR-screening of the S- and M-loci genotypes, contrasting results with the available phenotype data. Up to 20 S-alleles, including 3 new ones, were detected and sequence analysis revealed interesting synonymies and homonymies in particular with S-alleles found in Chinese cultivars. Haplotype analysis performed by genotyping and determining linkage-phases of 7 SSR markers, showed that the m and m' PPMs are linked to the same m 0-haplotype. Results indicate that m 0-haplotype is tightly associated with SC in apricot germplasm being quite frequent in Europe and North-America. However, its prevalence is lower than that for S C in terms of frequency and geographic distribution. Structures of 34 additional M-haplotypes were inferred and analyzed to depict phylogenetic relationships and M 1-2 was found to be the closest haplotype to m 0. Genotyping results showed that four cultivars classified as self-compatible do not have neither the S C- nor the m 0-haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: According to apricot germplasm S-genotyping, a loss of genetic diversity affecting the S-locus has been produced probably due to crop dissemination. Genotyping and phenotyping data support that self-(in)compatibility in apricot relies mainly on the S- but also on the M-locus. Regarding this latter, we have shown that the m 0-haplotype associated with SC is shared by 'Canino', 'Katy' and many other cultivars. Its origin is still unknown but phylogenetic analysis supports that m 0 arose later in time than S C from a widely distributed M-haplotype. Lastly, other mutants putatively carrying new mutations conferring SC have also been identified deserving future research.

Transcriptomic changes in CHO cells after adaptation to suspension growth in protein-free medium analysed by a species-specific microarray.

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are the preferred cell line for production of biopharmaceuticals. These cells are capable to grow without serum supplementation, but drastic changes in their phenotype occur during adaptation to protein-free growth, which typically include the change to a suspension phenotype with reduced growth rate. A possible approach to understand this transformation, with the intention to counteract the reduction in growth by targeted supplementation of protein-free media, is gene expression profiling. The increasing availability of genome-scale data for CHO now facilitates quests for a better understanding of metabolic pathways and gene networks. So far, systematic large-scale expression profiling in CHO cells by microarray was limited due to lack of publicly available array designs and limitations of alternative approaches. Based on the recent release of CHO and Chinese Hamster genome sequences, including an annotated RefSeq genome, we have constructed a publicly available microarray design for effective genome-scale expression profiling. The design employed microarray probes optimized for uniformity, sensitivity, and specificity, with probe properties computed using the latest thermodynamic models. We validated the platform in an analysis of gene expression changes in response to serum-free adaptation. The observed effects on the lipid metabolism as well as on nucleotide synthesis were used to successfully select media supplements that were able to increase growth rate.