The Spanish Central System is a Cenozoic pop-up with an E W to NE SW orientation that affects an the crust (thick-skinned tectonics). It shows antifonn geometry in the upper crust with thickening in the lower crust. Together -with the Iberian Chain it constitutes the most prominent mmmtainous structure of the Pyrenean foreland.The evolutionary patterns concerning the paleotopography of the interior of the Peninsula can be established by an analysis of the fo11owing data: gravimetric, topographical, macro and micro tectonic, sedimentological (infilling of the sedimentary basins of the relative foreland), P T t path from apatite fission tracks, paleoseismic and instrumental seismicity.Deformation is dearly asymmetric in the Central System as evidenced by the existence of an unique, large (crustal-scale) thrust at its southern border, while in the northern one there is a normal sequence of north verging thrusts, towards the Duero Basin, whose activity ended during the Lower Miocene. This deformation was accomplished lUlder triaxial compression, Oligocene Lower Miocene in age, marked by NW SE to NNW SSE shortening. Loca11y orientations of paleostresses deviate from that of the regional tensor, follo-wing a period of relative tectonic quiescence. During the Upper Miocene Pliocene, a reactivation of constrictive stress occurred and some structures underwent rejuvenation as a consequence of the action of tectonic stresses similar to those of today (lUliaxial extension to strike slip -with NW SE shortening direction). However, the westernmost areas show continuous activity throughout the whole of the Tertiary, with no apparent pulses. At the present time there is a moderate seismic activity in the Central System related to faults that were active during the Cenozoic, with the same kinematic characteristics.
The coastal evolution of the El Abalario area (Huelva, southern Spain) during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene is reinterpreted after a refinement of the available geochronology by means of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. New data come from the analysis of soft sediment deformation, palaeosols, geomorphological mapping, and published seismic surveys on the onshore and offshore Gulf of Cadiz.The present structure of El Abalario dome resulted from the complex interaction of littoral-catchment processes and sealevel changes upon an emergent coastal plain, conditioned by the upwarping of the underlying Pliocene-Pleistocene prograding deltaic sequence. Upwarping is probably related to escape of over-pressurized fluids, accompanied by dewatering, prior to (?) and during OIS (Oxygen Isotopic Stage) 5. Continued upwarping produced the large NW-SE gravitational fault of Torre del Loro (TLF) in the southwestern flank of the dome, roughly parallel to the present coastline during OIS 5-OIS 4. The resulting escarpment favoured the accumulation of aeolian sand dunes (units U1, U2, and U3) from OIS 5 to early OIS 1. Unit U1 (OIS 5) ends upwards in a supersurface with a thick weathering profile that suggests moist and temperate climatic conditions. Unit U2 accumulated mainly during OIS 4 and OIS 3 with prevailing W/E winds. The supersurface between U2 and U3 records a part of OIS 2, with relative low sea level. Sedimentation of unit U3 took place during the Last Deglaciation (radiocarbon and OSL ages) with prevailing W/SW winds, under a temperate moist climate, that became more arid towards the top (Holocene). A major supersurface with an iron crust-like layer (SsFe) developed during the Holocene Climatic Optimum (OIS 1) under wetter and more temperate conditions than before, fossilizing the TLF. The supersurface is covered by younger aeolian dunes (U4, U5, U6, and U7) transported by W-SW winds since the Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic cultural period (~5.0 ky cal BP).
ILC2s were the most abundant ILC subset at the human maternal-fetal interface during preterm and term gestations. Yet, during preterm labor, an increase in ILC2s and ILC3s was observed in the decidua basalis and decidua parietalis, respectively. These findings provide evidence demonstrating a role for ILCs at the maternal-fetal interface during the pathological process of preterm labor.
Problem
The immune cellular composition of amniotic fluid is poorly understood. Herein, we determined the immunophenotype of amniotic fluid: 1) immune cells during the second and third trimester; 2) T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs); and 3) immune cells during intra-amniotic infection/inflammation.
Method of Study
Amniotic fluid samples (n=57) were collected from women from 15-40 weeks of gestation without intra-amniotic infection/inflammation. Samples from women with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation were also included (n=9). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adults were used as controls (n=3). Immunophenotyping was performed using flow cytometry.
Results
In the absence of intra-amniotic infection/inflammation, the amniotic fluid contained several immune cell populations from 15-40 weeks. Among these immune cells: 1) T cells and ILCs were greater than B cells and NK cells between 15 to 30 weeks; 2) T cells were most abundant between 15 to 30 weeks; 3) ILCs were most abundant between 15 to 20 weeks; 4) B cells were scarce between 15 to 20 weeks; yet, they increased and were constant after 20 weeks; 5) NK cells were greater between 15 to 30 weeks than at term; 6) ILCs expressed high levels of RORγt, CD161, and CD103 (i.e. Group 3 ILCs); 7) T cells expressed high levels of RORγt; 8) neutrophils increased as gestation progressed; and 9) monocytes/macrophages emerged after 20 weeks and remained constant until term. All of the amniotic fluid immune cells, except ILCs, were increased in the presence of intra-amniotic infection/inflammation.
Conclusions
The amniotic fluid harbors a diverse immune cellular composition during normal and complicated pregnancies.
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