Social determinants of health for moderate and severe periodontal disease in rural and urban populations.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of moderate and severe periodontitis and its association with social determinants of health in rural and urban population from the State of Chiapas, in Southern Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2013 comprising people 20 years and older. The determinants were categorized as proximal (age, sex, indigenous origin, diabetes, smoking, diet), intermediate (level of schooling, occupation, medical and dental care), and structural (type of institution of health care provision, residence area). Periodontal status was assessed using the Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) Index. RESULTS: In total, 467 persons (72.4% women; mean age 43.0 years [s.d 14.7]) participated. Of them, 76.5% lived in rural areas and 56.7% were of indigenous origin. Participants with moderate and severe periodontitis had a significantly lower toothbrushing frequency (44.1% and 44.8%, respectively), and poorer oral hygiene (90% and 90.3%, respectively) compared with people without periodontitis (29.4% for toothbrushing frequency and 74.5% for oral hygiene). Moderate periodontitis was associated with poor oral hygiene (OR=2.63) and no schooling (OR=1.86). Severe periodontitis was associated with age (OR=1.05), poor oral hygiene (OR=3.99), no schooling (OR=2.08), and the interaction term of rural area and indigenous origin (RM=5.23). CONCLUSIONS: Social determinants of health play an important role in the development of periodontitis. Preventive oral health programs should thus focus on the specific social, economic, and geographical context of the population.

Use of Violence as a Strategy of Early Adolescents for Rejecting Drug Offers in Mexican Cities.

Drug use and violence are two interconnected problems in violent urban contexts, leading to coercive drug offers. In this study, relationships between drug use, use of violence as a strategy for rejecting drug offers, and exposure to neighborhood violence were analyzed in Mexican students. Data were obtained through a self-report survey and focus groups with lower secondary students in three Mexican metropolitan areas. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicated that students who had used or would use violence as a strategy for rejecting drug offers presented a more problematic psychosocial profile, with exposure to neighborhood violence as the main predictor. These results suggest that Mexican students in violent cities may resort to violence as a strategy for rejecting drug offers.

El consumo de drogas y la violencia son dos problemas interconectados en contextos urbanos violentos y generan ofrecimientos de drogas coercitivos. En este estudio se analizaron las relaciones entre el consumo de drogas, el uso de violencia como una estrategia para resistir ofrecimientos de drogas y la exposición a violencia en el barrio entre estudiantes mexicanos. Se obtuvieron los datos mediante una encuesta de autoinforme y grupos de discusión centrada con estudiantes de educación secundaria en tres áreas metropolitanas de México. Tanto los resultados cuantitativos como los cualitativos indicaron que aquellos estudiantes que habían usado o usarían violencia como una estrategia para resistir ofrecimientos de drogas presentaban un perfil psicosocial más problemático, con la exposición a violencia en el barrio como el principal predictor. Estos resultados sugieren que los estudiantes mexicanos en ciudades violentas pueden recurrir a la violencia como una estrategia para resistir ofrecimientos de drogas.

Gelatin-Coated Magnetic Nanowires for High-Sensitivity Optical Labels.

The encapsulation of magnetic nickel nanowires (NiNWs) with gelatin is proposed as an alternative for optical label detection. Magnetic nanowires can be detected at very low concentrations using light-scattering methods. This detection capacity could be helpful in applications such as transducers for molecular and biomolecular sensors; however, potential applications require the attachment of specific binding molecules to the nanowire structure. In the present study, a method is presented which is helpful in coating magnetic nanowires with gelatin, a material with the potential to handle specific decoration and functionalization of the nanowires; in the first case, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are efficiently used to decorate the nanowires. Furthermore, it is shown that the synthesized gelatin-coated particles have excellent detectability to the level of 140 pg/mL; this level of detection outperforms more complex techniques such as ICP-OES (~3 ng/mL for Ni) and magnetoresistance sensing (~10 ng/mL for magnetic nanoparticles).

Calidad de vida del adulto mayor del Valle del Mezquital post apoyo educativo mediante las Tic´s / Quality of life od the elderly in the Valley of the Mezquital post educational support by Ict´s

Introducción: según estudios previos en México señalan que la esperanza de vida era de 75.5 años y de acuerdo con nuevos datos, se estima que esta aumentara a 77.8 años para 2030¹, por lo cual es necesario fortalecer y fomentar el autocuidado en el adulto mayor, mediante el apoyo educativo, debido a la pandemia a través del uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TICs) con la finalidad de aumentar su nivel de calidad de vida. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de calidad de vida de los adultos mayores del Valle del Mezquital antes y después del apoyo educativo para fomentar el autocuidado mediante el uso de las TICs. Material y métodos: investigación cuantitativa, nivel de alcance exploratorio, con un diseño metodológico experimental, prolectivo longitudinal prospectivo. Se ocupó la prueba estadística paramétrica t de student. Resultados: de acuerdo al instrumento WHOQOL-BREF preintervención se obtuvo que el 80% de la población reflejo una calidad de vida media, posterior a un mes de intervención 67 % de la población reflejo calidad de vida alta, de acuerdo con la prueba estadística t se obtuvo una significan la bilateral de .041 posterior a la intervención. Conclusiones: la calidad de vida de los adultos mayores mejoró gracias a las intervenciones educativas ofrecidas médiate las TICs logrando así una nueva estrategia de acercamiento en tiempos de pandemia demostrando que estas herramientas ayudan a mejorar el autocuidado.

Introduction: according to previous studies in Mexico indicate that life expectancy was 75.5 years and according to new data, it is estimated that this will increase to 77.8 years by 2030, so it is necessary to strengthen and encourage self-care in the elderly, through educational support, due to the pandemic through the use of Information and communication technologies (ICTs) to increase their quality of life. Objective: to assess the quality of life of older adults in the Mezquital Valley before and after educational support to promote self-care through the use of ICTs. Material and methods: basic research with a quantitative approach, exploratory scope level, with an experimental methodological design, prospective longitudinal prolective. The parametric statistical test of the student was taken. Results: according to the instrument WHOQOL-BREF pre intervention was obtained that 80 % of the population reflected an average quality of life, and after a month of intervention was obtained 67 % of the population reflected high quality of life, according to the statistical test was obtained a bilateral mean of .041 after the intervention. Conclusions: the quality of life of older adults improved thanks to the educational interventions offered by ICTs, thus achieving a new approach strategy in times of pandemic, demonstrating that these tools help to improve self-care

Consumo de riesgo de alcohol y sentido de vida en adolescentes de 18 a 20 años en Tezontepec de Aldama / Risk consumption of alcohol and its impact on the meaning of life in adolescents aged 18 to 20 in Tezontepec de Aldama

Introducción: el consumo de alcohol aumento en los últimos años en adolescentes, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) indica que América Latina se posiciona en primer lugar de consumo y México ocupa el décimo lugar, en la población adolescente 38.8 % ha consumido alcohol alguna vez en su vida. Objetivo: conocer el nivel de consumo de riesgo de alcohol y el sentido de vida en los adolescentes de 18 a 20 años de edad de la comunidad de Presas, Tezontepec de Aldama, Hidalgo. Material y métodos: de aplicabilidad básica, cuantitativo, con un nivel de alcance descriptivo; diseño metodológico no experimental (observacional), prolectivo, transversal, prospectivo. Resultados: por medio de la escala dimensional del sentido de vida, 34 participantes refieren tener una búsqueda de sentido de vida expresan, experimentar una vida sin propósito y sin sentido, aunque en ocasiones poseen momentos en los que se sienten orientados. En cuanto, al instrumento de medición AUDIT, 10 participantes refieren tener un alto consumo de alcohol. Conclusión: hoy el alcohol sigue siendo un problema en la comunidad adolescente al mismo tiempo impacta de manera negativa en su sentido de vida.

Introduction: adolescent alcohol consumption has increased in recent years. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that Latin America is ranked first in this consumption and Mexico's adolescent population occupies tenth place. 38.8% of them have consumed alcohol at some point in their life as much as you have consumed in the last year. Objective: to know the level of risky alcohol consumption and the meaning of life in adolescents between 18 and 20 years of age in the community of Presas, Tezontepec de Aldama. Material and methods: of basic applicability with a quantitative approach and with a descriptive scope level, with a methodological design; non-experimental (observational), prolective, transversal, prospective. Results: 34 participants report having a search for a sense of life, expressing that they are people who experience a life without purpose and meaning, although sometimes they have moments when they feel oriented. Regarding the results of the AUDIT Measurement Instrument, 10 participants report having a high consumption of alcohol, stating that they are personnel who consume alcohol more frequently. Conclusion: alcohol is still a problem in the community today. Adolescent at the same time negatively impacts their sense of life; since young people who are at risk of alcohol have a low meaning of life

Simulated nitrogen deposition influences soil greenhouse gas fluxes in a Mediterranean dryland.

Soil nitrogen (N) availability is a key driver of soil-atmosphere greenhouse gas (GHG) exchange, yet we are far from understanding how increases in N deposition due to human activities will influence the net soil-atmosphere fluxes of the three most important GHGs: nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). We simulated four levels of N deposition (10, 20 and 50 kg N ha-1 yr-1, plus unfertilised control) to evaluate their effects on N2O, CH4 and CO2 soil fluxes in a semiarid shrubland in central Spain. After 8 years of experimental fertilisation, increasing N availability led to a consistent increase in N2O emissions, likely due to simultaneous increases in soil microbial nitrification and/or denitrification processes. However, only intermediate levels of N fertilisation reduced CH4 uptake, while increasing N fertilisation had no effects on CO2 fluxes, suggesting complex interactions between N deposition loads and GHG fluxes. Our study provides novel insight into the responses of GHGs to N deposition in drylands, forecasting increases in N2O emissions, and decreases in CH4 uptake rates, with likely consequences to the on-going climate change.

Evolving concepts and management of endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair: where do we stand in 2019?

In recent years, there has been tremendous progress in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) techniques and devices. This process has seen a change in incidence, risk factors, and treatment of endoleaks as well as in follow-up protocols after EVAR. In particular, recent literature has highlighted new concepts in the evaluation and prevention/treatment of type I and II endoleak after standard EVAR. There is also recent evidence regarding new imaging protocols for follow-up after EVAR, which include magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. This comprehensive review aims to outline the most recent concepts on imaging follow-up, pathophysiology/risk factors, and management of endoleaks.

Impact of nutritional stress on the honeybee colony health.

Honeybees Apis mellifera are important pollinators of wild plants and commercial crops. For more than a decade, high percentages of honeybee colony losses have been reported worldwide. Nutritional stress due to habitat depletion, infection by different pests and pathogens and pesticide exposure has been proposed as the major causes. In this study we analyzed how nutritional stress affects colony strength and health. Two groups of colonies were set in a Eucalyptus grandis plantation at the beginning of the flowering period (autumn), replicating a natural scenario with a nutritionally poor food source. While both groups of colonies had access to the pollen available in this plantation, one was supplemented with a polyfloral pollen patty during the entire flowering period. In the short-term, colonies under nutritional stress (which consumed mainly E. grandis pollen) showed higher infection level with Nosema spp. and lower brood and adult bee population, compared to supplemented colonies. On the other hand, these supplemented colonies showed higher infection level with RNA viruses although infection levels were low compared to countries were viral infections have negative impacts. Nutritional stress also had long-term colony effects, because bee population did not recover in spring, as in supplemented colonies did. In conclusion, nutritional stress and Nosema spp. infection had a severe impact on colony strength with consequences in both short and long-term.

Physicochemical and nutraceutical properties of moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves and their effects in an in vivo AOM/DSS-induced colorectal carcinogenesis model.

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a plant that has generated great interest in recent years because of its attributed medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to characterize the bioactive compounds of moringa leaves (MO) and evaluate their effect on a colorectal carcinogenesis model. Twenty-four male CD-1 mice were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 fed with basal diet (negative control/NC); Group 2 received AOM/DSS (positive control); Groups 3 and 4 were fed with basal diet supplemented with moringa leaves (2.5% w/w and 5% w/w, respectively) for 12weeks. Moringa leaves exhibited a high content of dietary fiber (~18.75%) and insoluble dietary fiber (2.29%). There were identified 9 phenolic compounds whereas the chlorogenic and ρ-coumaric acid showed the higher contents (44.23-63.34µg/g and 180.45-707.42µg/g, respectively). Moringa leaves decreased the activity of harmful fecal enzymes (ß-glucosidase, ß-glucuronidase, tryptophanase and urease up to 40%, 43%, 103% and 266%, respectively) as well tumors incidence in male CD1-mice (~50% with 5% w/v of moringa dose). These findings suggest that the bioactive compounds of moringa such as total dietary fiber and phenolic compounds may have chemopreventive capacity. This is the first study of the suppressive effect of moringa leaves in an in vivo model of AOM/DSS-induced colorectal carcinogenesis.

Diversity of management strategies in Mesoamerican turkeys: archaeological, isotopic and genetic evidence.

The turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) represents one of the few domestic animals of the New World. While current research points to distinct domestication centres in the Southwest USA and Mesoamerica, several questions regarding the number of progenitor populations, and the timing and intensity of turkey husbandry remain unanswered. This study applied ancient mitochondrial DNA and stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N) analysis to 55 archaeological turkey remains from Mexico to investigate pre-contact turkey exploitation in Mesoamerica. Three different (sub)species of turkeys were identified in the archaeological record (M. g. mexicana, M. g. gallopavo and M. ocellata), indicating the exploitation of diverse local populations, as well as the trade of captively reared birds into the Maya area. No evidence of shared maternal haplotypes was observed between Mesoamerica and the Southwest USA, in contrast with archaeological evidence for trade of other domestic products. Isotopic analysis indicates a range of feeding behaviours in ancient Mesoamerican turkeys, including wild foraging, human provisioning and mixed feeding ecologies. This variability in turkey diet decreases through time, with archaeological, genetic and isotopic evidence all pointing to the intensification of domestic turkey management and husbandry, culminating in the Postclassic period.

Diabetes or hypertension as risk indicators for missing teeth experience: An exploratory study in a sample of Mexican adults.

BACKGROUND: To determine an exploratory estimation of the strength of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension diagnoses as risk indicators for missing teeth in a sample of Mexican adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study of sixty adult patients in a health center in Mexico included as dependent variable, the number of missing teeth (and having a functional dentition) and as independent variables, diagnoses for diabetes or hypertension, age, sex, maximum level of schooling, and tobacco use. Of the 60 participants, 20 were diagnosed with T2DM, 13 with hypertension, and 27 were otherwise diagnosed as healthy in their most recent medical checkup. A negative binomial regression (NBR) model was generated. RESULTS: Mean age was 50.7 ± 16.2 and 50.0% were women. Mean number of missing teeth was 4.98 ± 4.17. In the multivariate NBR model, we observed that individuals with T2DM had higher risk of more missing teeth (incidence rate ratios [IRRs] = 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.09-4.69), followed by those with hypertension (IRRs = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.77-3.90). In addition, participants with current tobacco use were significantly more likely to have suffered tooth loss (P < 0.05) than those who were never smokers or former smokers, just like older participants (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: T2DM and hypertension are independently associated with higher experience of missing teeth in an open adult population in Mexico. Future studies with a more sophisticated epidemiological design and encompassing a more detailed landscape of chronic diseases, type and length of use of long-term medications, and patterns of dental care use are needed to better delineate these associations.

Availability of zinc from infant formula by in vitro methods (solubility and dialyzability) and size-exclusion chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Zinc bioaccessibility from infant formula was estimated by in vitro methods (solubility and dialyzability) and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Infant formula samples were first characterized in terms of Zn bound to lipids and proteins and Zn distribution in the aqueous soluble protein fraction. We found that Zn is not incorporated into the lipid fraction of the samples, being mainly associated with the protein fraction (around 100%). Fractionation of Zn-containing proteins in the soluble protein fraction was achieved by SEC-ICP-MS after performing protein extraction with a solution of 100mM (pH 6.8) Tris-HCl. The percentages of zinc in the soluble protein fraction in the soy-based and lactose-free infant formula were very low, around 7 and 24%, respectively, whereas the content of Zn in the soluble protein fraction of milk-based formula was around 90%. By SEC-ICP-MS, we found that Zn is associated with low-molecular weight compounds (around 10kDa) in all the infant formulas tested. The percentages of Zn estimated in the in vitro gastrointestinal digests of the infant formula ranged from 30 to 70% and from 1 to 10% for solubility and dialyzability assays, respectively. The dialyzability test resulted in lower than expected scores, as SEC-ICP-MS analysis of the gastrointestinal extracts revealed that Zn is bound to biomolecules with a molecular weight ranging from 1 to 7kDa, which suggests that dialysis data should be interpreted with caution. Speciation studies are a valuable tool for establishing availability of nutrients and for validating data from dialyzable in vitro methods.

Successful breastfeeding: a global intervention for a physiological process.

In our perinatal unit we applied the ten steps of WHO/UNICEF for Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and evaluated the percentage of exclusive (EBF) or complementary breastfeeding (CBF), and of formula fed (FF) healthy full-term infants (HFI) at hospital discharge (HD). HFI performing EBF at HD were 85.3%, a quite high value. At the age of 3 mths EBF percentage ranged between 59-62.4%, and at 6 mths it decreased to 51.7-37.7%. Customer satisfaction questionnaire at HD ranked "good" to "very good" in 92.8%. Causes of breastfeeding reduction with time and comparison with previous and actual situation in Italy and civilized countries are discussed.

Effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on sleep pattern and quality of life in patients with focal epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we analyzed the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on sleep and on the self-perceived quality of life in epileptic patients. METHODS: A total of 24 male patients diagnosed with focal epilepsy were included in the study. Pharmacological treatment with levetiracetam was standardized at 2 g daily. Before TMS onset, all-night polysomnographic recording (PSG) was performed, and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) was administered. Thereafter, patients underwent low-frequency repetitive TMS (1000 pulses/1 Hz) daily for 10 days. After the end of the treatment, a second polysomnographic study was performed, and the QOLIE-31 questionnaire was administered again. RESULTS: TMS induced a significant increase in sleep efficiency and in total sleep time, along with a decrease in sleep latency and the number of awakenings. In addition, the number of interictal discharges during sleep decreased significantly. Concerning the QOLIE-31 scale values, the patients showed great improvement in the self-perceived quality of life. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that TMS may mediate therapeutic effects in the treatment of patients with focal epilepsy, and that TMS treatment is accompanied by improvement of sleep patterns as well as improvement in self-perceived quality of life. However, a study that includes a control group undergoing sham stimulation is needed to confirm these findings.

Silymarin and dimercaptosuccinic acid ameliorate lead-induced nephrotoxicity and genotoxicity in rats.

We studied the effect of silymarin and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a chelating agent that was administered individually or in combination against lead (Pb) toxicity in rats. Wistar rats (200 ± 20) were randomly divided into five groups. Group A served as a control. Groups B-E were exposed to 2000 ppm of lead acetate in drinking water for 8 weeks. Group B served as a positive control. Group C received silymarin (100 mg kg(-1) orally) for 8 weeks. Group D received DMSA (75 mg kg(-1) orally) once daily for the last 5 days of treatment. Group E received DMSA and silymarin as groups C and D, respectively. The effect of Pb was evaluated and accordingly the treatments on blood lead levels (BLLs), renal system, and genotoxic effects were calculated using comet assay. The BLLs were significantly increased following the exposition of lead acetate. The administration of silymarin and DMSA provided reduction in BLLs. Silymarin and DMSA provided significant protection on the genotoxic effect of Pb. The toxic effect of Pb on kidneys was also studied. Our data suggest that silymarin and DMSA improve the renal histopathological lesions.

Gastroprotective potential of Buddleja scordioides Kunth Scrophulariaceae infusions; effects into the modulation of antioxidant enzymes and inflammation markers in an in vivo model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A common plant used to treat several gastric disorders is Buddleja scordioides Kunth, commonly known as salvilla. AIM OF THE STUDY: To detect inflammatory markers, in order to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of salvilla infusions, as this could have beneficial impact on the population exposed to gastric ulcers and colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present work attempted infusions were prepared with B. scordioides (1% w/w) lyophilized and stored. Total phenolic content and GC-MS analysis were performed. Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=8), a negative vehicle control, an indomethacin group, and three experimental groups, named preventive, curative, and suppressive. All rats were sacrificed under deep ether anesthesia (6h) after the last oral administration of indomethacin/infusion. The rat stomachs were promptly excised, weighed, and chilled in ice-cold and 0.9% NaCl. Histological analysis, nitrites quantification and immunodetection assays were done. RESULTS: B. scordioides infusions markedly reduced the visible hemorrhagic lesions induced by indomethacin in rat stomachs, also showed down-regulation of COX2, IL-8 and TNFα and up-regulation of COX-1 with a moderate down-regulation of NFkB and lower amount of nitrites. However, this behavior was dependent on the treatment, showing most down-regulation of COX-2, TNFα and IL-8 in the curative treatment; more down-regulation of NF-kB in the preventive treatment; and more up-regulation of COX-1 for the suppressor and preventive treatments. CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory potential of B. scordioides infusions could be related with the presence of polyphenols as quercetin in the infusion and how this one is consumed.

Immunomodulatory effect of diethylcarbamazine in mice infected with Nocardia brasiliensis.

We tested whether diethylcarbamazine (DEC) or ivermectin (IVM), both antiparasitic drugs with reported immunomodulatory properties, were able to affect the immune system to potentiate host defense mechanisms and protect against actinomycetoma in a mouse model. Male BALB/c mice of 10-12 weeks of age were injected with either Nocardia brasiliensis or saline solution. Recorded were the effects of a treatment by DEC (6 mg/kg per os daily for one week) or IVM (200 µg/kg subcutaneously on days 1 and 3) on (i) the development of mycetoma lesion, (ii) the expression of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) by phagocytes, (iii) the proliferation index of lymphocytes and (iv) antibody production of IgG and IgM. After an initial lesion in all mice, DEC inhibited a full development and progression of actinomycetoma resulting in a reduced lesion size (p < 0.001). IVM had no inhibitory effect on the development of mycetoma. Furthermore, DEC treatment was associated with a significant enhancement of ROI expression (p < 0.05) by polymorphonuclear neutrophils at day 3 after infection. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to N. brasiliensis antigens and concanavalin A in DEC-treated group was higher than in non-treated group at day 21 and 28 postinfection (p < 0.01). Significant changes in antibody response were not observed. By all parameters tested, DEC was superior to IVM regarding immunostimulatory potency. In conclusion, DEC expressed an in vivo influence on the immune status during the infection by N. brasiliensis leading to retrogression of the mycetoma and increasing cellular immune responses. Our findings may indicate a potential use of DEC as a putative adjuvant in infectious disease or vaccination.

Transcriptome comparison between inactivated and activated ovaries of the honey bee Apis mellifera L.

Ovarian activity not only influences fertility, but is also involved with the regulation of division of labour between reproductive and behavioural castes of female honey bees. In order to identify candidate genes associated with ovarian activity, we compared the gene expression patterns between inactivated and activated ovaries of queens and workers by means of high-throughput RNA-sequencing technology. A total of 1615 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was detected between ovaries of virgin and mated queens, and more than 5300 DEGs were detected between inactivated and activated worker ovaries. Intersection analysis of DEGs amongst five libraries revealed that a similar set of genes (824) participated in the ovary activation of both queens and workers. A large number of these DEGs were predominantly related to cellular, cell and cell part, binding, biological regulation and metabolic processes. In addition, over 1000 DEGs were linked to more than 230 components of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, including 25 signalling pathways. The reliability of the RNA-sequencing results was confirmed by means of quantitative real-time PCR. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in ovary activation and reproductive division of labour.

Biogeochemical indicators of elevated nitrogen deposition in semiarid Mediterranean ecosystems.

Nitrogen (N) deposition has doubled the natural N inputs received by ecosystems through biological N fixation and is currently a global problem that is affecting the Mediterranean regions. We evaluated the existing relationships between increased atmospheric N deposition and biogeochemical indicators related to soil chemical factors and cryptogam species across semiarid central, southern, and eastern Spain. The cryptogam species studied were the biocrust-forming species Pleurochaete squarrosa (moss) and Cladonia foliacea (lichen). Sampling sites were chosen in Quercus coccifera (kermes oak) shrublands and Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) forests to cover a range of inorganic N deposition representative of the levels found in the Iberian Peninsula (between 4.4 and 8.1 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)). We extended the ambient N deposition gradient by including experimental plots to which N had been added for 3 years at rates of 10, 20, and 50 kg N ha(-1) year(-1). Overall, N deposition (extant plus simulated) increased soil inorganic N availability and caused soil acidification. Nitrogen deposition increased phosphomonoesterase (PME) enzyme activity and PME/nitrate reductase (NR) ratio in both species, whereas the NR activity was reduced only in the moss. Responses of PME and NR activities were attributed to an induced N to phosphorus imbalance and to N saturation, respectively. When only considering the ambient N deposition, soil organic C and N contents were positively related to N deposition, a response driven by pine forests. The PME/NR ratios of the moss were better predictors of N deposition rates than PME or NR activities alone in shrublands, whereas no correlation between N deposition and the lichen physiology was observed. We conclude that integrative physiological measurements, such as PME/NR ratios, measured on sensitive species such as P. squarrosa, can provide useful data for national-scale biomonitoring programs, whereas soil acidification and soil C and N storage could be useful as additional corroborating ecosystem indicators of chronic N pollution.