Spermcast mating with release of zygotes in the small dioecious bivalve Digitaria digitaria.

Digitaria digitaria, a small astartid usually less than 10 mm in length, has a non-brooding behaviour in spite of its limited space for gonad development. This species lives in highly unstable environments with strong currents, which represent a challenge for fertilization and larval settlement. The studied population of D. digitaria from the Strait of Gibraltar area was dioecious, with significant predominance of females and sexual dimorphism, where females are larger than males. The reproductive cycle is asynchronous throughout the year, without a resting period, but with successive partial spawning events. The presence of stored sperm in the suprabranchial chamber and inside the gonad of some females, together with the release of eggs along the dorsal axis of both gills, points to internal oocyte fertilization. Bacteriocytes were found in the female and male follicle walls, but no bacteria were observed inside any of the gametes. Digitaria digitaria could represent a "missing link" between spermcast mating bivalves with brooded offspring and bivalves with broadcast release of eggs and sperm. The small size, limiting the oocyte production, together with the unstable environment could represent evolutionary pressures towards sperm uptake in D. digitaria.

In vivo blockade of acetylcholinesterase increases intraovarian acetylcholine and enhances follicular development and fertility in the rat.

Growth and differentiation of ovarian follicles are regulated by systemic and local factors, which may include acetylcholine (ACh). Granulosa cells (GCs) of growing follicles and luteal cells produce ACh and in cultured GCs it exerts trophic actions via muscarinic receptors. However, such actions were not studied in vivo. After having established that rat ovarian GCs and luteal cells express the ACh-metabolizing enzyme ACh esterase (AChE), we examined the consequences of local application of an AChE inhibitor, huperzine A (HupA), by osmotic minipump delivery into the ovarian bursa of hemiovariectomized rats. Saline was used in the control group. Local delivery of HupA for 4 weeks increased ovarian ACh content. Estrus cyclicity was not changed indicating a locally restricted range of HupA action. The number of primordial and primary follicles was unaffected, but small secondary follicles significantly increased in the HupA group. Furthermore, a significant increase in the number of corpora lutea suggested increased ovulatory events. In support, as shown upon mating, HupA-treated females had significantly increased implantation sites and more pups. Thus the data are in support of a trophic role of ACh in follicular development and ovulation and point to an important role of ACh in female fertility.

Presence and function of dopamine transporter (DAT) in stallion sperm: dopamine modulates sperm motility and acrosomal integrity.

Dopamine is a catecholamine with multiple physiological functions, playing a key role in nervous system; however its participation in reproductive processes and sperm physiology is controversial. High dopamine concentrations have been reported in different portions of the feminine and masculine reproductive tract, although the role fulfilled by this catecholamine in reproductive physiology is as yet unknown. We have previously shown that dopamine type 2 receptor is functional in boar sperm, suggesting that dopamine acts as a physiological modulator of sperm viability, capacitation and motility. In the present study, using immunodetection methods, we revealed the presence of several proteins important for the dopamine uptake and signalling in mammalian sperm, specifically monoamine transporters as dopamine (DAT), serotonin (SERT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters in equine sperm. We also demonstrated for the first time in equine sperm a functional dopamine transporter using 4-[4-(Dimethylamino)styryl]-N-methylpyridinium iodide (ASP(+)), as substrate. In addition, we also showed that dopamine (1 mM) treatment in vitro, does not affect sperm viability but decreases total and progressive sperm motility. This effect is reversed by blocking the dopamine transporter with the selective inhibitor vanoxerine (GBR12909) and non-selective inhibitors of dopamine reuptake such as nomifensine and bupropion. The effect of dopamine in sperm physiology was evaluated and we demonstrated that acrosome integrity and thyrosine phosphorylation in equine sperm is significantly reduced at high concentrations of this catecholamine. In summary, our results revealed the presence of monoamine transporter DAT, NET and SERT in equine sperm, and that the dopamine uptake by DAT can regulate sperm function, specifically acrosomal integrity and sperm motility.

A genetically encoded ratiometric sensor to measure extracellular pH in microdomains bounded by basolateral membranes of epithelial cells.

Extracellular pH, especially in relatively inaccessible microdomains between cells, affects transport membrane protein activity and might have an intercellular signaling role. We have developed a genetically encoded extracellular pH sensor capable of detecting pH changes in basolateral spaces of epithelial cells. It consists of a chimerical membrane protein displaying concatenated enhanced variants of cyan fluorescence protein (ECFP) and yellow fluorescence protein (EYFP) at the external aspect of the cell surface. The construct, termed pHCECSensor01, was targeted to basolateral membranes of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells by means of a sequence derived from the aquaporin AQP4. The fusion of pH-sensitive EYFP with pH-insensitive ECFP allows ratiometric pH measurements. The titration curve of pHCECSensor01 in vivo had a pK (a) value of 6.5 +/- 0.04. Only minor effects of extracellular chloride on pHCECSensor01 were observed around the physiological concentrations of this anion. In MDCK cells, the sensor was able to detect changes in pH secondary to H(+) efflux into the basolateral spaces elicited by an ammonium prepulse or lactate load. This genetically encoded sensor has the potential to serve as a noninvasive tool for monitoring changes in extracellular pH microdomains in epithelial and other tissues in vivo.

Comportamiento de variables psicológicas en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo II / Behavior of psychological variables in patients with diabetes mellitus type II

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva, de corte transversal en pacientes diabéticos tipo II, con el objetivo de evaluar las variables psicológicas presentes. Se incluyeron 200 sujetos que tenían el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad, de ambos sexos, en edades comprendidas entre 15 y 87 años pertenecientes al Consejo Popular de Jaruco que acudieron a la Consulta Municipal de Atención al Diabético, en el período comprendido entre septiembre del 2008 y abril 2009. Se aplicaron como instrumentos de evaluación los cuestionarios de estilos de afrontamiento, autoestima y estilos de vida. Los resultados obtenidos fueron analizados por el método porcentual y la prueba de Asociación de Hipótesis Chi-Cuadrado Pearson. En la muestra estudiada predominó el sexo femenino, las edades entre 20 y 49 años, el estado civil casado, el nivel escolar preuniversitario y el tiempo de evolución menor de 5 años. La autoestima se manifestó de forma favorable. La casi totalidad de la muestra presentó un estilo de vida inadecuado. Predominó el afrontamiento centrado en el problema en ambos sexos. Dentro de las estrategias de afrontamiento primó la reevaluación positiva, la búsqueda de apoyo social y la huída - evitación. Existe una fuerte relación de dependencia entre las variables tiempo de evolución y estilos de afrontamiento. Se sugiere implementar programas educativos que incluyan el aspecto psicológico para elevar la calidad de vida de los pacientes diabéticos (AU)

It was conducted a descriptive, transversal investigation in diabetic patients type II, in order to assess the present psychological variables. It was included 200 subjects who had the diagnosis of this disease in both sexes, aged between 15 and 87 years belonging to Jaruco Popular Council attending the Municipal Consultation of Diabetic Care in the period between September 2008 and April 2009. The questionnaires of coping styles, self-esteem and lifestyle were applied as instruments of assesment . The obtained results were analyzed by the percentage method and the test of hypotheses association Pearson's chi-square. In the study sample predominated the feminine sex, ages between 20 and 49, civil status: married, the pre-university educational level and the evolution time of less than 5 years. Self-esteem was expressed in a favorable way. Almost the entirety of the sample had a poor lifestyle. Problem-focused coping predominated in both genders. Among the coping strategies prevailed positive reappraisal, seeking social support and the escape - avoidance. There is a strong interdependence between the variables: progress time and coping styles. It was recommend implementing educational programs that include the psychological aspect to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients (AU)

Abuso de los menores en el ambiente intrafamiliar / Abuse of children in the domestic environment

El artículo presente es una visión del autor de la problemática del abuso sexual a la infancia, las características de los agresores y secuelas para quienes sufren el impacto emocional contra su inocencia. Se detiene en el incesto y en el estrés postraumático que se deriva ocasionalmente. Analiza los distintos estadios y circunstancias personales y exógenas que influyen en la elaboración y afrontamiento del daño psicólogico emocional y, específicamente, en la preocupante connivencia. Contradice el tópico existente de que toda víctima será un abusador. El texto está redactado en una forma personal y natural, trata de transmitir una visión del problema desde un ángulo diferente pero con la misma preocupación y firmeza. Se basa en la experiencia del autor durante treinta años en la Fiscalía del Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid (Sección Menores) (AU)

The article is about the childhood sexual abuse, the characteristics of aggressors and the aftermath of the innocent victims. It also deals with incest and post-traumatic stress stems occasionally. Analyzes the different stages and personal circumstances and exogenous influencing the development and coping with emotional psychological damage. Rejects the idea that the victim always becomes a bully. The text is written in a personal and natural, try to provide an overview of the problem from a different angle but with equal concern and determination. Is based on the author’s experience over thirty years at Prosecutor of the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid (Minors Section)

Pensamientos de un violador en serie / Thoughts of a rapist in series

El presente artículo corresponde a un estudio de caso,en el que el autor describe material obtenido de trabajardirectamente con V.S.R., con el fin de ilustrar lospensamientos de un violador en serie y, a la vez, esclareceralgunos elementos teóricos del psicópata. El documentodescribe a V.S.R. como un condenado a penade prisión de 20 años por tres violaciones consumadas,al cumplir 23 años y estando en un centro de reforma,puede reingresar a prisión o bien quedar en la calle conuna medida de libertad vigilada. Se solicita informe delPsicólogo Forense adscrito a la Fiscalía para su evaluacióny orientación de la medida. A través de las entrevistasy análisis del expediente llegaremos a conocerlos verdaderos pensamientos y patología de un agresorsexual reiterativo...