Contribuciones a la flora de musgos de Uruguay I: el género Trachyxiphium (Bryophyta, Pilotrichaceae)

Trachyxiphium, including the species T. guadalupense (Pilotrichaceae), is re-ported for the first time for the moss flora of Uruguay. This study providesa description of its morphological characteristics and highlights its novelhabitat within the region. Additionally, comments and illustrations areprovided.Trachyxiphium, incluyendo la especie T. guadalupense (Pilotrichaceae), se reporta por primera vez para la flora de musgos de Uruguay. Este estudio proporciona una descripción de sus características morfológicas y destaca su hábitat novedoso dentro de la región. Además, se incluyen comentarios e ilustraciones.Fil: Suarez, Guillermo Martin. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Mailhos, Ary. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Endothelial Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibits glioma angiogenesis and normalizes tumor blood vessels by inducing PDGF-B expression

Endothelial Wnt/β-catenin signaling is necessary for angiogenesis of the central nervous system and blood–brain barrier (BBB) differentiation, but its relevance for glioma vascularization is unknown. In this study, we show that doxycycline-dependent Wnt1 expression in subcutaneous and intracranial mouse glioma models induced endothelial Wnt/β-catenin signaling and led to diminished tumor growth, reduced vascular density, and normalized vessels with increased mural cell attachment. These findings were corroborated in GL261 glioma cells intracranially transplanted in mice expressing dominant-active β-catenin specifically in the endothelium. Enforced endothelial β-catenin signaling restored BBB characteristics, whereas inhibition by Dkk1 (Dickkopf-1) had opposing effects. By overactivating the Wnt pathway, we induced the Wnt/β-catenin–Dll4/Notch signaling cascade in tumor endothelia, blocking an angiogenic and favoring a quiescent vascular phenotype, indicated by induction of stalk cell genes. We show that β-catenin transcriptional activity directly regulated endothelial expression of platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B), leading to mural cell recruitment thereby contributing to vascular quiescence and barrier function. We propose that reinforced Wnt/β-catenin signaling leads to inhibition of angiogenesis with normalized and less permeable vessels, which might prove to be a valuable therapeutic target for antiangiogenic and edema glioma therapy

High intrasexual competition is related to inflated height reports in male junior soccer players

Intrasexual competition refers to the rivalry between same-sex individuals over access to potential mates. Because in many animal species larger males are more likely to defeat smaller opponents over access to potential mates and additional resources, it has been suggested that intrasexual competition was a major driver in the emergence of male-biased sexual size dimorphism. In the same vein, human male height has been related to aggressive behavior, status and dominance. Given the value of body size in agonistic interactions, body inflation strategies are likely to have evolved in many animal species. In this study, we explored the relationship of the bias in reporting one's own height-a phenomenon reminiscent of animal self-inflation mechanisms-with intrasexual competition, and sociable and aggressive dominance, in the highly competitive context of Uruguayan pre-professional soccer. We also considered the bias in reporting additional operationalizations of body size, i.e., weight, and body mass index (BMI). We showed that intrasexual competition is positively correlated with height over-report. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to relate intrasexual competition and the bias in reporting one's own height, a putative indicator or power and status. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Developing civic competences: a treasure hunt throughout the curriculum

In this article, we will show how the development of the civic competences called forth by European Citizenship, can be achieved at school through all the various subject-matters of the curriculum and does not belong exclusively to ‘civic education’. Because subject-matters are not identified in the same way across the Member States, we have chosen to regroup them under generic headings: ‘scientific’, ‘linguistic and cultural’, ‘artistic’ and ‘conceptual’. This paper is not an attempt at showing that some sections of the curriculum are better adapted than others to the development of an autonomous critical mind; it is a rambling quest across the curriculum to bring to light the wonderful opportunities for opening the minds of our students and for honing their judgement, whatever subject we may teach.Dans cet article, nous allons montrer comment le développement, à l’école, des compétences civiques nécessaires à l’épanouissement d’une citoyenneté européenne n’est pas le domaine exclusif d’une discipline, comme par exemple l’éducation civique, mais peut être réalisé dans n’importe quel champ disciplinaire. Dans les pays européens, les disciplines scolaires sont souvent définies différemment. C’est pourquoi, par souci de lisibilité transeuropéenne, nous avons choisi de regrouper nos réflexions autour de 4 grands domaines disciplinaires : approches scientifique, linguistique et culturelle, artistique et conceptuelle. Nous n’avons nullement l’intention de montrer que certains domaines disciplinaires sont plus efficaces que d’autres quand il s’agit de développer une pensée autonome et critique ; nous voulons tout simplement effectuer un parcours parmi les savoirs scolaires pour mettre en lumière les magnifiques opportunités pour ouvrir les esprits de nos élèves et affiner leur jugement, quelle que soit la discipline enseignée

Taxonomic revision of Hypochaeris (Compositae: cichorieae) in Uruguay

The taxonomic revision of Hypochaeris L. (Compositae: Cichorieae) for Uruguay is presented. Specimens from the main herbaria of the country were reviewed, field trips were carried out to study the species “in situ” throughout the country, and all reference publications and original material for each species were reviewed. A list of all species present in Uruguay is included together with their respective synonyms, expanded descriptions, distribution maps, habitat and phenological data, taxonomic and nomenclatural observations, as well plates with images and illustrations highlighting the most relevant morphological characters of each. Additionally, dichotomous and virtual keys are provided for the identification of the sections, series and species of the genus in Uruguay. The genus Hypochaeris in Uruguay comprises 11 species, two exotic (Hypochaeris sect. Hypochaeris), and nine native to the territory (Hypochaeris sect. Phanoderis), two of which are considered priorities for conservation in Uruguay. The name H. rosengurttii is reinstated as a species and the species H. pampasica is recorded for the first time in the country, while H. lutea and H. neopinnatifida are excluded. The taxonomic complexities surrounding the name H. microcephala are discussed, as well as the presence of hybrid taxa within the genus and their taxonomic implications.ANII: POS_NAC_2019_1_15758

Efecto de diferentes métodos de siembra en la implantación, producción y sobrevivencia estival de pasturas sembradas

Se evaluó el efecto de la distribución espacial determinada por el método de siembra en combinación con el tipo de mezcla para mejorar el bajo establecimiento de las pasturas sembradas en Uruguay. El período experimental fue abril 2019-mayo 2020. Se evaluaron seis tratamientos según el arreglo factorial de dos mezclas forrajeras de diferente vigor inicial y longevidad (corto plazo: Lolium multiflorum y Trifolium pratense; largo plazo: Festuca arundinacea y Lotus corniculatus), y tres métodos de siembra (líneas cruzadas; gramínea en la línea y leguminosa al voleo; misma línea). Se estudió la dinámica de implantación de cada especie contando el número de plantas que se encontraban dentro de los cuadros fijados, el número de tallos de cada planta contada, el número de hojas/tallo y la altura de la pastura. Se determinó el número de plantas/m² y el número de tallos/m². En la última fecha del período de establecimiento, se midió la relación parte aérea:raíz de los componentes de las mezclas. Se realizaron 5 pastoreos donde se midió la producción de materia seca, el forraje disponible, el remanente, la tasa de crecimiento y la composición botánica de las pasturas. En la última fecha se cuantificó la sobrevivencia estival. Ningún tratamiento logró superar los datos nacionales relacionados con el porcentaje de implantación, alcanzando 37 ± 1,4 % a los 99 DDS. Los métodos de siembra no difirieron en la producción de biomasa de las mezclas forrajeras ni en la sobrevivencia estival, estando la producción de forraje relacionada con la mezcla corta (mayor vigor inicial) y la sobrevivencia estival con la mezcla larga (mayor persistencia), indicando diferentes estrategias de utilización del ambiente a largo plazo

Height, hands & handwriting:Cues to competition and dominance

Individual differences, contextual- and biological factors play a major role in human behavior. Gathering evidence from different studies, I provide further evidence for the role of well conserved physiological and behavioral mechanisms in human social interactions. I analyzed two different human mechanisms reminiscent of animal body-inflation strategies—height over-report and expanded handwritten signatures—in relation to intrasexual competition, dominance, and narcissism—which can be related to a tendency to impose one’s own interest or aims. Consistent with my hypotheses, I observed a positive correlation between intrasexual competition and inflated-height reports in a sample of male junior soccer players, but not with sociable or aggressive dominance. Similarly, signature size appeared to be positively correlated with sociable dominance and narcissism in a sample of university students, even after controlling for a number of potential confounders, i.e., sex, age, number of characters in printed name, average character size, and signature type. I found a significant association between signature size and sociable dominance, both among males and females, while narcissism was only among females significantly associated with signature size. In addition, I examined the association of prenatal testosterone levels—measured as the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D)—with actual aggressive behavior and personality traits in adult life. I observed a negative association of 2D:4D ratios—indicative of higher prenatal testosterone levels—and both the severity and frequency of aggressive behavior, as indicated by the type—i.e., none, yellow, or red cards—and number of cards per match awarded to junior soccer players. However, contrary to previous findings, a lower, i.e., more masculine, 2D:4D ratio was associated with less aggressive dominance in the same sample of junior soccer players. With these findings, I hope to have shed light on behavioral cues to competition and dominance, and on the role of prenatal testosterone in competition and aggressive behavior