University of Extremadura

About: University of Extremadura is a education organization based out in Badajoz, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Hyperspectral imaging. The organization has 7856 authors who have published 18299 publications receiving 396126 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidad de Extremadura.

Precipitation dynamics in southern Spain: trends and cycles

Abstract: The temporal variability of precipitation in southern Spain was analysed to detect trends and cycles. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine whether there has been a decrease in precipitation in southern Spain and (2) to evaluate if any decrease is related to temporal cycles or is a well-defined trend. The study was based on analysis of data series from nine monitoring stations in the Andalusia area of the Spanish Mediterranean. The Pettit test and temporal variability analyses were carried out using the temporal databases (1960–2006) from the selected stations. The results indicate that (1) there were significant differences in precipitation throughout the study period based on the location of the stations; (2) a negative trend in precipitation was observed for the east coast and inland stations, and an increasing trend in precipitation was observed for stations on the west coast; and (3) a general decreasing trend in seasonal precipitation, especially in winter, autumn, and spring, was observed for all stations except those on the west coast. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society

Protective effect of melatonin against human leukocyte apoptosis induced by intracellular calcium overload: relation with its antioxidant actions

Abstract: Apoptosis or programmed cell death plays a critical role in both inflammatory and immune responses. Recent evidence demonstrates that control of leukocyte apoptosis is one of the most striking immune system-related roles of melatonin. For this reason, this study evaluated the protective effects of melatonin on human leukocyte apoptosis induced by sustained cytosolic calcium increases. Such protective effects are likely mediated by melatonin’s free-radical scavenging actions. Treatments with the specific inhibitor of cytosolic calcium re-uptake, thapsigargin (TG), and/or the calcium-mobilizing agonist, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, caspase activation as well as DNA fragmentation in human leukocytes. Also, TG- and/or FMLP-induced apoptosis was dependent on both cytosolic calcium increases and calcium uptake into mitochondria, because when cells were preincubated with the cytosolic calcium chelator, dimethyl BAPTA, and the inhibitor of mitochondrial calcium uptake, Ru360, TG- and FMLP-induced apoptosis was largely inhibited. Importantly, melatonin treatment substantially prevented intracellular ROS production, reversed caspase activation, and forestalled DNA fragmentation induced by TG and FMLP. Similar results were obtained by preincubating the cells with another well-known antioxidant, i.e., N-acetyl-l-cysteine. To sum up, depletion of intracellular calcium stores induced by TG and/or FMLP triggers different apoptotic events in human leukocytes that are dependent on calcium signaling. The protective effects resulting from melatonin administration on leukocyte apoptosis likely depend on melatonin’s antioxidant action because we proved that this protection is melatonin receptor independent. These findings help to understand how melatonin controls apoptosis in cells of immune/inflammatory relevance.

Attitudes of the cultural tourist: a latent segmentation approach

Abstract: As a result of globalization, the widespread use of ICTs, and advances in transport infrastructure, tourism destinations have to confront an increasingly competitive setting. When to this one adds the saturation of some of the original markets, the consolidation of traditional coastal destinations, and changes in client preferences and habits, it is not surprising that cultural tourism is being seen as having considerable growth potential over the next few years. In this context, policy-makers have been striving to better understand the cultural tourism market by attempting to segment their clients so as to adapt their offer to the client’s needs and leave the client satisfied with the experience. Unfortunately, most studies on cultural tourism segmentation have been purely psychographic. While this can help to explain attitudes, it fails to identify, access, and quantify segments, and is of little use for implementing specific strategies. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of socioeconomic and demographic variables (age, academic level, expenditure on tourism, inter alia) on the predisposition to choose cultural tourism (the “culturophile tourist”). To this end, we have developed a novel methodological approach and applied it to the results of a survey conducted by Andalusia’s Middle Towns Initiative. The approach uses the latent variables resulting from a latent class analysis to estimate log-linear models.

Clinical pharmacogenomic testing of KRAS, BRAF and EGFR mutations by high resolution melting analysis and ultra-deep pyrosequencing

Abstract: Background Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream factors KRAS and BRAF are mutated in several types of cancer, affecting the clinical response to EGFR inhibitors. Mutations in the EGFR kinase domain predict sensitivity to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib in lung adenocarcinoma, while activating point mutations in KRAS and BRAF confer resistance to the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab in colorectal cancer. The development of new generation methods for systematic mutation screening of these genes will allow more appropriate therapeutic choices.