Unraveling the complex phylogeographic history of freshwater fishes in Lower Central America: A study of the electric fish Brachyhypopomus occidentalis.

Lower Central America (LCA) has a complex biogeographic history shaped by the rise of the Isthmus of Panama and the global climatic oscillations of the Pleistocene. These events have been crucial in structuring biodiversity in LCA, but their consequences for the distribution and partitions of genetic diversity across the region remain to be elucidated. We combined complete mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to study the phylogeographic history and population genetic structure of the electric fish Brachyhypopomus occidentalis in LCA. Our results are consistent with the known phylogeographic history of B. occidentalis in LCA, but we update this history in several important ways that help illuminate the phylogeographic history of freshwater fishes in the region. We provide: i) support for three waves of colonization, two of which occurred prior to the final closure of the Panama Isthmus; ii) a more precise understanding of each colonization event, with evidence for a larger footprint of the first event, as well as genetic exchange across the continental divide in subsequent events; and iii) evidence for high levels of previously unrecognized population genetic structure across LCA. This updated model of colonization and diversification of B. occidentalis consists of three waves of dispersal and colonization, which triggered the evolution of geographic breaks in both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes across LCA. These processes are tightly linked to the dynamic uplift of the Isthmus, recent volcanic activity in the region, and the sea-level oscillations of the Pleistocene. These results improve previous phylogeographic inferences regarding the distribution and diversification of freshwater fishes in LCA, and generate testable hypotheses to guide future research exploring the factors shaping biodiversity in the region.

MIBiG 3.0: a community-driven effort to annotate experimentally validated biosynthetic gene clusters.

With an ever-increasing amount of (meta)genomic data being deposited in sequence databases, (meta)genome mining for natural product biosynthetic pathways occupies a critical role in the discovery of novel pharmaceutical drugs, crop protection agents and biomaterials. The genes that encode these pathways are often organised into biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). In 2015, we defined the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG): a standardised data format that describes the minimally required information to uniquely characterise a BGC. We simultaneously constructed an accompanying online database of BGCs, which has since been widely used by the community as a reference dataset for BGCs and was expanded to 2021 entries in 2019 (MIBiG 2.0). Here, we describe MIBiG 3.0, a database update comprising large-scale validation and re-annotation of existing entries and 661 new entries. Particular attention was paid to the annotation of compound structures and biological activities, as well as protein domain selectivities. Together, these new features keep the database up-to-date, and will provide new opportunities for the scientific community to use its freely available data, e.g. for the training of new machine learning models to predict sequence-structure-function relationships for diverse natural products. MIBiG 3.0 is accessible online at https://mibig.secondarymetabolites.org/.

Protocol Development for Point Clouds, Triangulated Meshes and Parametric Model Acquisition and Integration in an HBIM Workflow for Change Control and Management in a UNESCO's World Heritage Site.

This article illustrates a data acquisition methodological process based on Structure from Motion (SfM) processing confronted with terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and integrated into a Historic Building Information Model (HBIM) for architectural Heritage's management. This process was developed for the documentation of Cáceres' Almohad wall bordering areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The case study's aim was the analysis, management and control of a large urban area where the urban growth had absorbed the wall, making it physically inaccessible. The methodology applied was the combination of: clouds and meshes obtained by SfM; with images acquired from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Single Lens Reflex (SLR) and terrestrial photogrammetry; and finally, with clouds obtained by TLS. The outcome was a smart-high-quality three-dimensional study model of the inaccessible urban area. The final result was two-fold. On one side, there was a methodological result, a low cost and accurate smart work procedure to obtain a three-dimensional parametric HBIM model that integrates models obtained by remote sensing. On the other side, a patrimonial result involved the discovery of a XII century wall's section, that had supposedly been lost, that was hidden among the residential buildings. The article covers the survey campaign carried out by the research team and the techniques applied.

Effect of sonic versus ultrasonic activation on aqueous solution penetration in root canal dentin

The aim of this study was to observe the penetration of an aqueous solution into the root canal dentin under sonic activation and ultrasonic activation. Materials and Method: this study consisted of experimental in vitro research. In order to achieve a closed system, the apex of 45 single-rooted teeth was sealed with wax. The step-back technique was manually performed using a K50 apical master file and 3 groups were organized according to the protocol of the final irrigant activation: group I: non-activated chinese ink for 30 seconds, group II: chinese ink sonically activated with EndoActivator for 30 seconds, and group III: chinese ink ultrasonically activated with Varios 350 equipment for 30 seconds. Teeth were sectioned longitudinally, and the samples obtained were observed under a stereomicroscope at 1X magnification in order to be photographed and scanned to calculate the penetration area using the Image J software. The tinted radicular area was evaluated in relation to the total area of the root dentin. The tukey's post-hoc test and ANOVA were used for the statistical analysis (p<0.05). Results: group I and II obtained 9.13 percent and 9.42 percent penetration respectively, while in group III the highest degree of dye infiltration was achieved (13.9 percent), being statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: ultrasonic activation produced a significantly higher penetration of the dye when compared to conventional activation and sonic activation.

Electrofóresis de las lipoproteínas séricas en habitantes andinos normales: Coporaque - Arequipa

El presente estudio realizado en 61 voluntarios sanos (27 hombres y 34 mujeres), que viven en zonas consideradas como grandes, en el pueblo de COPORAQUE ubicado en el valle del Colca a 3600 msnm. Se realizó el estudio con la finalidad de determinar un patrón electroforético de lipoproteinas sáricas, además de Lípidos y Colesterol total que está acorde con nuestra realidad. Se encontró que el promedio de la fracción alfa lipoproteina (HDL) es de 240.59 +/- 64.45 mg/dl, Pre beta Lipoproteina (VLDL) 143.13 +/- 35.12 mg/dl, fracción Beta Lipoproteina (LDL) 306.16 +/- 72.77 mg/dl, Lípidos totales 688.74 +/- 133.18 mg/dl además de Colesterol total 158.47 +/- 21.81 mg/dl. No habiendo diferencia significativa entre ambos sexos. Los diferentes factores interactuantes responsables de el presente patrón electroforético general de lipoproteinas además del Colesterol y Lípidos totales en este grupo de estudio, es discutido.