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Culture-dependent techniques only permit the study of a low percentage of the microbiota diversity in the environment. The introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies shed light into this hidden microbial world, providing a better knowledge on the general microbiota and, specifically, on the microbial populations of clams. Tissue-associated microbiota of Ruditapes decussatusand Ruditapes philippinarum(mantle, gills, gonad and hepatopancreas) was analysed in two different locations of Galicia (northwest of Spain) during Spring (April) and Autumn (October), employing a metataxonomic approach. High bacterial diversity and richness were found in all samples where a total of 22,044 OTUs were obtained. In most samples, phylum Proteobacteriawas most frequently retrieved, although other phyla as Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes, Firmicutesor Chlamydiaealso appeared at high relative abundances in the samples. At genus level, great variation was found across tissues and sampling periods. A Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and a hierarchical clustering analysis allowed to further analyse the factors responsible for the differences among groups of samples in the different sites. Results showed sample ordination based on tissue origin and sampling periods, pointing out that the microbiota was influenced by these factors. Indeed, predominance of certain genera was observed, such as Endozoicomonasor Methylobacteriumin gills and gonads, respectively, suggesting that selection of specific bacterial taxa is likely to occur. So far, this study provided a general picture of the tissue associated microbial population structure in R. decussatusand R. philippinarumclams, which, ultimately, allowed the identification of specific tissue-related taxa.

Given a system of functions $${\mathbf {f}}=(f_1,\ldots ,f_d)$$f=(f1,…,fd)analytic on a neighborhood of some compact subset Eof the complex plane with simply connected complement in the extended complex plane, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence with geometric rate of the common denominators of row sequences of multipoint Hermite–Padé approximants under a general extremal condition on the table of interpolation points. The exact rate of convergence of these denominators is provided and the rate of convergence of the simultaneous approximants is estimated. These results allow us to detect the location of the poles of the system of functions which are in some sense closest to E.

Pollinators are declining worldwide and this has raised concerns for a parallel decline in the essential pollination service they provide to both crops and wild plants. Anthropogenic drivers linked to this decline include habitat changes, intensive agriculture, pesticides, invasive alien species, spread of pathogens and climate change. Recently, the rapid global increase in artificial light at night has been proposed to be a new threat to terrestrial ecosystems; the consequences of this increase for ecosystem function are mostly unknown. Here we show that artificial light at night disrupts nocturnal pollination networks and has negative consequences for plant reproductive success. In artificially illuminated plant–pollinator communities, nocturnal visits to plants were reduced by 62% compared to dark areas. Notably, this resulted in an overall 13% reduction in fruit set of a focal plant even though the plant also received numerous visits by diurnal pollinators. Furthermore, by merging diurnal and nocturnal pollination sub-networks, we show that the structure of these combined networks tends to facilitate the spread of the negative consequences of disrupted nocturnal pollination to daytime pollinator communities. Our findings demonstrate that artificial light at night is a threat to pollination and that the negative effects of artificial light at night on nocturnal pollination are predicted to propagate to the diurnal community, thereby aggravating the decline of the diurnal community. We provide perspectives on the functioning of plant–pollinator communities, showing that nocturnal pollinators are not redundant to diurnal communities and increasing our understanding of the human-induced decline in pollinators and their ecosystem service.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of two interventions (i.e., two treatments across two independent experiments, each with its own control) that were thought to reduce fractures and stress related responses (e.g., changes in cloacal and comb temperature, respiration rate and tonic immobility [TI]) during the catching, handling and crating part of the depopulation process. In the cart treatment, hens were immediately crated instead of carrying them to the crating area in order to minimize handling time, stress and risk of injury to hens. The second intervention, the blue light treatment, used custom blue light modules with the aim of improving visibility for the workers in the barn, facilitating the catching and carrying process, leading to improved handling (e.g., fewer collisions with the pen furniture). The analysis revealed that neither the cart nor the blue light treatment effectively reduced fractures or stress related responses compared to the control. Possible explanations for the lack of findings include unfamiliarity with the work routine, unsuitable light intensity or orientation, and insufficient sample size. Despite the fact that the treatments failed to improve hen welfare in regards to the examined parameters, treatments may still improve working conditions as well as efficiency without negative effects on hen welfare. Whether a combination of the cart and blue light treatment and increased familiarity with the cart system would result in increased welfare of hens is unclear and should be the focus of future efforts.

Road accidents and victims provoked by drowsiness are a worldwide relevant social and economic problem. In EU, 25% of road accidents are related with fatigue. The relation between drowsiness and accidents is supported by scientific evidences that relate microsleep and other fatigue episodes with the loss of control of the vehicle. Nowadays there exist different technological approaches for drowsiness mitigating while driving, which try to reduce these accidents by detecting driver's physical condition and acting on the driver response. The techniques for mitigating accidents are based on algorithms of detection of physiological parameters that ensure drivers confidence and an appropriate use of the technology. The most frequently used non-invasive system are the cameras, which have been explored and used, mainly detecting eye movement and eyelid closure (PERCLOS). These systems have limitations due to artifacts and noise related to environmental and emotional conditions, which might lead to false positives. With the purpose of solving these shortcomings, the goal of the research is to develop a system capable of detecting the level of drowsiness based on the involuntary movements of the driver provoked by the respiration captured by means of cameras. In the current research, robustness in front of different types of users and circumstances has been explored. A system of reduced size automotive cameras of high dynamics is proposed to be used as breathing rate sensor. Images captured by these sensors will be processed to obtain the driver's chest/abdomen movement. These data will be analyzed in real time by a validated algorithm that interprets the movement and obtains the level of fatigue and drowsiness of the driver. A twofold “gold standard” is used to compare the robustness of the developed system. An experimental design has been developed in order to take into consideration different anthropometric characteristics, clothing types, user and vehicle movement and light conditions. The result will provide the boundary conditions of any system based on on-board cameras. These data will be used for building the algorithms to detect and interpret breathing patterns. The results show the capabilities of this approach and also permit to define the needs and requirements of the resulting technological developments.

The development of hybrid compounds containing limonene- and recognized anti-T. cruzi-heterocycleframeworks is described. The six new compounds displayed broad antitrypanosomal activities having 5-nitrofuran and 5- nitroindazole derivatives, the best profiles. In addition, a 5-nitroindazole derivative evaluated against a panel of fungi exhibited relevant activities. Knowing that free-radical-production operates as one of the mechanisms of action on these heterocycles, we studied a potential extra-mechanism, membrane-sterols changes. Non-relevant T. cruzi squalene accumulation was observed for any of the tested hybrid-limonene derivatives.

Ageing is thought to be a polygenic and stochastic process in which multiple mechanisms operate at the same time. At the level of the individual organism ageing is associated with a progressive deterioration of health and quality of life, sharing common features such as: alopecia and grey hair, loss of audition, macular degeneration, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, cataract formation, type-2 diabetes, lipodystrophies; a generally increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmune disorders and diseases such as cancer; and an impaired ability to cope with stress. Recent studies of mechanisms involved in the ageing process are contributing to the identification of genes involved in longevity. Monogenic heritable disorders causing premature ageing, and animal models have contributed to the understanding of some of the characteristic organism-level features associated with human ageing. Werner syndrome and Hutchinson- Gilford progeria syndrome are the best characterized human disorders. Werner syndrome patients have a median life expectancy of 47 years with clinical conditions from the second decade of life. Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome patients die at a median age of 11-13 years with clinical conditions appearing soon after birth. In both syndromes, alterations in specific genes have been identified, with mutations in the WRN and LMNA genes respectively being the most closely associated with each syndrome. Results from molecular studies strongly suggest an increase in DNA damage and cell senescence as the underlying mechanism of pathological premature ageing in these two human syndromes. The same general mechanism has also been observed in human cells undergoing the normal ageing process. In the present article the molecular mechanisms currently proposed for explaining these two syndromes, which may also partly explain the normal ageing process, are reviewed.

The chemistry of indazole and its N-oxide derivatives is very well-known. Indazole derivatives were extensively studied as bioactive compounds, such as anti-aggregatory and vasorelaxant activity by NO release and increase of cGMP levels and anticancer effects, antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties, among others. Recently, the research and development in the medicinal chemistry of these systems have produced compounds with contraceptive activities for men, for the treatment of osteoporosis, inflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, indazole N-oxide derivatives were poorly studied as bioactive compounds, but recently compounds with antiparasitic properties were produced. In this presentation, recent developments in the chemistry and medicinal chemistry of indazole and its N-oxide derivatives will be reviewed.

3-Alkyl(aryl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-2-imidazolone derivatives as unexpected product of the reaction between ethyl 3-alkyl(aryl)amino-2-oximinobutanoate and methyl orthoformate is described. These imidazolones are generated by an intramolecular attack and a migration of N3-oxide oxygen from the imidazole N3-oxide intermediates. This proposed mechanism is supported by the results of theoretical studies (DFT).

Abstract:  To evaluate levels of essential (zinc and copper) and non-essential (mercury and cadmium) heavy metals, 34 species of organisms from different areas close to the Antarctic Peninsula were analysed. These included algae, filter-feeders, omnivorous invertebrates and vertebrates. Mercury was not detected, while cadmium was found in the majority of organisms analysed (detection limit was 0.05 ppm for both metals). The highest cadmium concentration was observed in the starfish Odontaster validus. Anthozoans, sipunculids and nudibranchs showed maximum levels of zinc, while the highest copper level was found in the gastropod Trophon brevispira. Mercury and cadmium levels in fishes were below the detection limit. Concentrations of essential and non-essential metals in birds were highest in liver followed by muscle and eggs. Cadmium and mercury levels in muscle of southern elephant seals were above the detection limit, whereas in Antarctic fur seals they were below it. The objective of the study was to gather baseline information for metals in Antarctic Ocean biota that may be needed to detect, measure and monitor future environmental changes.

The present work describes the murine immune tissue evolution with age with special emphasis on the bone marrow. To that effect we monitored the weights of the thymus, spleen and axillary lymph nodes over the first year of life in C57BL/6 male and female mice. In addition, we monitored the relative proportions of erythroid, lymphoid and myeloid cells in the bone marrow, and performed in vitro migration assays of bone marrow cells to thymic supernatants, with the aim of determining whether the migration of such cells or the thymic attractive capacity are affected by age. Before puberty, a remarkable decline in the relative weight of the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes was observed; after that stage, however, only the thymus showed an involution. The proportion of myeloid cells in the bone marrow showed an increase with age. Furthermore, the migration of myeloid cells to thymic supernatants increased with age and paralleled the time-course of the myeloid cell increase found in the bone marrow. More interestingly, the proportion of lymphoid cells to total bone marrow cells showed a clear decline with age. The time-course of this decline closely paralleled that of thymus weight, suggesting that the involution of the thymus may be related to changes in the cell composition of the bone marrow.

Laying hen flocks undergo depopulation at end of lay, a difficult process that has been associated with injuries and is considered stressful to hens and human collectors. To date, most assessments of depopulations have been conducted within cage housing systems, layers, or noncage broilers, thus offering little relevance to noncage laying hen systems including aviaries. Given that the predominant housing systems in Switzerland are multitier aviaries and their growing popularity in general, our study was undertaken to establish a baseline for hen injuries and stress as well as the experience of human workers during depopulation. For the effort, a total of 15 individual farms were visited, and a battery of assessments was made on a total of 603 individual end-of-lay hens. In addition, potentially influential factors such as time of day, handling duration, or time into depopulation were recorded and analyzed. The results suggest that approximately 8.1% of hens sustain severe injuries (i.e., fractures and muscle damage) or exhibit a considerable stress reaction (i.e., increased corticosterone levels), whereas 90% of laying hens are only mildly affected.

Waste grain and vegetative material (stems and leaves) collected from a maize field several months after harvest was analysed by bi-dimensional thin layer chromatography for the presence of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin and zearalenone. Deoxinivalenol (0.7 mg/kg) and T-2 toxin (4.1 mg/kg) were found in the grain and zearalenone (3.0 mg/ kg) was found in the stem and leaf. No other toxins were detected. The stubble was examined for the presence of potentially toxigenic Fusarium species, and F. poae, F. moniliforme var. subglutinans and F. crookwellense were isolated and identified. When these isolates were cultured on cracked corn, only F. crookwellense was found to produce micotoxins and then only zearalenone was detected. As corn stubble is commonly grazed in Argentina and in other countries, these findings identify a further source of mycotoxins that may adversely affect animal health and productivity.

The naftifine analogues are designed as potential T.cruzi membrane sterol biosynthesis inhibitors.

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There exists data on the feasibility and need of reinduction of lactation. This is understood as a physiological process through which lactation is started again in women who have early weaned their children. As part of a program for joint mother and sick infant hospitalization, relactation was induced in 100 infants ages 6 months or less, which were hospitalized due to severe acute diarrhea with dehydratation, acidosis or shock. Weaning had been complete in 71 and partial in 29 infants. Relactation was based on the strong motivation of the mother, the family group and the health team, instalation of self demand breast feeding, progressive reduction of cow milk bottle feeding and caloric supplementation for the mother. Absolute relactation (only breast feeding) was obtained in 29 infants with an average duration of lactation of 55 days (range 7-150). Partial relactation (adding up to two bottles daily) was obtained in 23 infants with an average deration of 21 days (range 7-60).