Search

Iron plays a crucial role in the high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll Southern Ocean regions, promoting phytoplankton growth and enhancing atmospheric carbon sequestration. In this area, iron-rich Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and baleen whale species, which are among their main predators, play a large role in the recycling of iron. However, penguins have received limited attention despite their representing the largest seabird biomass in the southern polar region. Here, we use breeding site guano volumes estimated from drone images, deep learning-powered penguin census, and guano chemical composition to assess the iron export to the Antarctic waters from one of the most abundant penguin species, the Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus). Our results show that these seabirds are a relevant contributor to the iron remobilization pool in the Southern Ocean. With an average guano concentration of 3 mg iron g−1, we estimate that the Chinstrap penguin population is recycling 521 tonnes iron yr−1, representing the current iron contribution half of the amount these penguins were able to recycle four decades ago, as they have declined by more than 50% since then. Here the authors show that Chinstrap penguins play a significant role in iron recycling, essential for phytoplankton growth and carbon sequestration, recycling yearly 521 tonnes of iron, half of what they did 40 years ago due to population decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Nejayote is an alkaline agro-industrial residue that is generated from the nixtamalization process of maize, whose chemical composition is made up of carbohydrates, fiber, and lipids that come mainly from the pericarp of the maize from which it comes. Furthermore, the presence of phenolic compounds has been detected when Nejayote comes particularly from pigmented maize. As an agro-industrial residue, Nejayote can be used as substrate for the growth of microorganisms, like fungi. METHODS: Three culture media were formulated using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) combined with filtered Nejayote extracts from 3 types of maize (withe -NWM-, red -NRM-, and purple -NPM-) and the growth capacities of Fusarium solani, Colletotrichum orbiculare, Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, and Phytophthora capsici were measured. Also, the fungi were evaluated by macroscopic parameters like mycelial growth rate and colony morphology for 7 days. RESULTS: Growth increased in all fungi strains, however, A. alternata, B. cinerea, and P. capsici showed changes in the morphology and color of the colonies, which suggests the production of secondary metabolites like pigments due to the utilization of components of Nejayote extracts as growth substrate. CONCLUSION: Filtered Nejayote extracts in combination with traditional synthetic culture media, improved a growth of fungi strains. In addition, the inherent composition of Nejayote wastewater allows it utilization to promote the synthesis of secondary metabolites from fungi cultures with potential biotechnological applications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether the 30-s sit-to-stand (30STS) test can be a valid tool for estimating and stratifying peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and 6-min walking distance (6MWD) in women with breast cancer.Methods: This cross-sectional study uses data from the ONCORE randomized controlled trial, including 120 women aged 18-70 years with early-stage breast cancer under treatment with anthracycline and/or anti-HER2 antibodies. Participant characteristics were collected at baseline and pooled data from functional assessment (30STS test, relative and absolute VO2peak, and 6MWD) were collected at baseline and post-intervention (comprehensive cardio-oncology rehabilitation program vs. usual care). Bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to study the relationship between functional test variables.Results: The number of repetitions in the 30STS test showed (i) a moderate correlation with relative VO2peak (ml/kg/min) (r = 0.419; p < 0.001; n = 126), (ii) a weak correlation with absolute VO2peak (ml/min) (r = 0.241; p = 0.008; n = 120), and (iii) a moderate correlation with the 6MWD (r = 0.440; p < 0.001; n = 85). The ONCORE equations obtained from the multivariate regression models allowed the estimation of VO2peak and 6MWD (r2 = 0.390; r2 = 0.261, respectively) based on the 30STS test, and its stratification into tertiles (low, moderate, and high).Conclusion: The 30STS test was found to be a useful tool to estimate VO2peak and/or 6MWD in women with early-stage breast cancer. Its use may facilitate the assessment and stratification of functional capacity in this population for the implementation of therapeutic exercise programs if cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) or 6MWT are not available.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03964142. Registered on 28 May 2019. Retrospectively registered. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03964142. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoregulating composites were produced by using a thermoregulating slurry (NPCS) containing nanoencapsulated phase change material (NPCM) from poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) as shell and the commercial paraffin Rubitherm®RT27 as core material. These composites were synthesized by using the constitutive water of the slurry as setting water and changing the NPCM/Hemihydrate (NPCM/Hem) mass ratio within 0.0–0.41. It was found that nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed into the gypsum, and the gypsum crystal morphology was tuned by the addition of the slurry. Attending to the thermal properties, these materials can work either as insulating or thermal energy storage materials, decreasing the thermal conductivity up to ~ 50%, whereas the thermal energy storage (TES) capacity is enlarged in a ~ 140%, respect to the pure gypsum, when the maximum NPCM/Hem mass ratio was used. This composite had a latent heat of 30.2 J g−1 and a heat capacity of equivalent 3.5 J g−1 K−1. Composites from a NPCM/Hem mass ratio up to 0.15 satisfied European mechanical standard EN 13,279–1 for gypsum binders and gypsum plasters and all of them, presented a bulk density higher than 0.60 g cm−3. The addition of a 41% in mass of nanocapsules allowed to save 13.5 kWh m−3 and, reducing the CO2 emissions up to 3.4 kg of CO2 per operating cycle. The use of this new material would lead to significant energy and economic savings, as well as a considerable reduction in the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qanats in the aquifer of the Tehuacán Valley (Mexico) represent an ancient way of using groundwater that is still practiced today. They are used mainly for agricultural irrigation. However, anthropogenic activities have jeopardized the use of these aquifers. We analyzed 24 qanats in the Tehuacán Valley to assess water quality. Based on 24 physicochemical variables, a water quality index (WQI) was constructed on a zero-to-100 scale, divided into five water quality classes. A decision-tree analysis was applied to identify the parameters with the highest influence on the WQI, considering the water quality classes as categorical responses and the values of physicochemical variables as drivers of these categories. We produced interpolation maps to identify trends. The relationship between the WQI and the normalized difference indices of vegetation and salinity (NDVI and NDSI, respectively) was analyzed using a ternary diagram. WQI scores showed that 12.5% of the qanats have very good quality; 25%, good quality; and the remaining (62.5%) range from moderate to unacceptable quality. The CHAID classification-tree method correctly explained 83.3% of the categories, with sulfates, alkalinity, conductivity, and nitrates as the main parameters that explain water quality. WQI was inversely related to NDVI and NDSI, showing seasonal differences. Interpolation maps suggest a better water quality in the northern zone of the aquifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) posits that invasive species are released from their natural enemies in their invasive range, which promotes their successful invasion. In this study, we tested the ERH in a population of the convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata, an invasive species in Mexico. The ERH predicts that the convict cichlid: (a) is not infected by specialist helminth parasites in the invasive range; (b) has lower infection parameter values, as measured through richness, prevalence, abundance and diversity of helminths, than a native species—the redside cichlid Cichlasoma istlanum; and (c) is not affected in its condition factor by the abundance of helminths it carries. The convict cichlid was infected by two (33%) specialist helminths relative to the six specialist helminths that infect the cichlid in its native range. The convict cichlid had lower helminth richness and diversity than the redside cichlid. However, the prevalence and abundance of the parasite species varied between the host fish. While the prevalence and abundance of the nematode Rhabdochona kidderi was higher in the redside cichlid, the prevalence and abundance of the trematode Uvulifer sp. was higher in the convict cichlid. The condition factor in both host fish was not correlated with helminth abundance. Our results do not agree with the prediction that the convict cichlid is completely released from specialist parasites, nor with the prediction that this invasive species has lower infection parameter values than the native redside cichlid. However, our results agree with the prediction that the abundance of parasite helminths do not affect the cichlid's condition factor. More studies are necessary to determine the advantages that the convict cichlid could have in the invasive range when it is infected with a low richness and diversity of helminths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergies have become a rising health problem, where plentiful substances can trigger IgE-mediated allergies in humans. While profilins are considered minor allergens, these ubiquitous proteins are primary molecules involved in cross-reactivity and pollen-food allergy syndrome. Here we report the first crystal structures of murine Fab/IgE, with its chains naturally paired, in complex with the allergen profilin from Hevea brasiliensis (Hev b 8). The crystallographic models revealed that the IgE's six complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) interact with the allergen, comprising a rigid paratope-epitope surface of 926 Å2, which includes an extensive network of interactions. Interestingly, we also observed previously unreported flexibility at Fab/IgE's elbow angle, which did not influence the shape of the paratope. The Fab/IgE exhibits a high affinity for Hev b 8, even when using 1 M NaCl in BLI experiments. Finally, based on the encouraging cross-reactivity assays using two mutants of the maize profilin (Zea m 12), this antibody could be a promising tool in IgE engineering for diagnosis and research applications. The crystal structures of the murine IgE antibody in complex with highly cross-reactive profilins are reported, and the data of cross-reactivity among allergen mutants with antibodies may prove helpful for research applications in allergy therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining is one of the major pollution sources worldwide, causing huge disturbances to the environment. Industrial and artisanal mining activities are widespread in Mexico, a major global producer of various metals. This study aimed to assess the ecological impairments resulting from mining activities using aquatic macroinvertebrates assemblages (MA). A multiple co-inertia analysis was applied to determine the relationships between environmental factors, habitat quality, heavy metals, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in 15 study sites in two different seasons (dry and wet) along two rivers running across the Central Plateau of Mexico. The results revealed three contrasting environmental conditions associated with different MAs. High concentrations of heavy metals, nutrients, and salinity limit the presence of several families of seemingly sensitive macroinvertebrates. These factors were found to influence structural changes in MAs, showing that not only mining activities, but also agriculture and presence of villages in the basin, exert adverse effects on macroinvertebrate assemblages. Diversity indices showed that the lowest diversity matched both the most polluted and the most saline rivers. The rivers studied displayed high alkalinity and hardness levels, which can reduce the availability of metals and cause adverse effects on periphyton by inhibiting photosynthesis and damaging MAs. Aquatic biomonitoring in rivers, impacted by mining and other human activities, is critical for detecting the effect of metals and other pollutants to improve management and conservation strategies. This study supports the design of cost-effective and accurate water quality biomonitoring protocols in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Message: The patterns of induced chemical defences in Quercus ilex leaves are specific to the biotic stress factor that causes them. Interactive effects between stressors depend on provenance. Quercus forests are suffering serious decline worldwide, closely linked to the consequences of climate change. The increase of biotic stressors threatens the survival of the holm oak (Quercus ilex), a dominant tree species in the Mediterranean Basin. A better understanding of its resistance mechanisms is urgently required to enable a better control of its decline. In this work, the ability of holm oaks from six Iberian provenances to respond to multiple biotic damage is studied through an analysis of their induced chemical defence patterns. Using 2016 seedlings established in a common garden trial (6 regions × 12 families/region × 7 seedlings/family × 4 treatments), biotic damage was induced at the root level (by infection with the widespread pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi) and at the above-ground level (by mechanical defoliation). The levels of constitutive and induced total phenols, total tannins and condensed tannins were measured. Results showed that (1) the defensive chemical patterns present significant local and geographical variation, (2) survival to stress is more related to constitutive defences than induced ones, (3) the induced response is stressor-specific, and (4) there is an interactive effect amongst stressors whose sign (induction/inhibition) depends on the provenance. These findings on biotic stressor effects on the chemical defences and survival of holm oak can contribute to the development of genetic material selection programs in the integrated control of the widespread decline of Quercus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Limoncocha lagoon, inside a Ramsar site in the Ecuadorian Amazon, increasingly hosts ecotourism and energy development activities. This work estimates the local sediments' baseline of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn using four methods. This makes it possible to apply single and integrated pollution indices to estimate the contamination level and the ecological risk of the sediments. Methods: Seven sites were analysed for metal(oid)s by ICP-MS. The local baseline was estimated using the relative cumulative frequency method, the iterative 2σ- and 4σ-outlier-techniques and the normalisation method to a "conservative" element. Combinations of single Cf and Ef and integrated indices (NPI, mNPI, mCd, MEQ, RI, mPELq, mERMq and TRI) were applied. Results: The relative cumulative frequency method had the best performance for the geochemical baselines. Cf and Ef indices classify sediments from a "low contamination" remote site to the "moderate contamination" and "minor enrichment" of the remaining sites due to As, Cd and Zn concentrations. The overall analysis of the integrated indices results in Ni, Zn and Cu being identified as priority pollutants because they have occasionally been associated with adverse biological effects in the centre of the lagoon and in the most anthropised areas. These are classified as moderately polluted with a medium–low priority risk level. Conclusions: This work provides sediment baseline and contamination indicators for pollutants, which could be incorporated into the sediment quality assessment and monitoring programme of the Limoncocha lagoon. Ni, Cd and Cr due to the high baseline values in comparison with SQGs, and Cu and Zn due to their potential risk, should be of special attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentally friendly natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) have been shown to efficiently extract a wide range of phenolic compounds from virgin olive oil (VOO). The objective of this work was to optimize the yield of olive oil phenols extracted by NADES based on xylitol/choline choride (Xyl/ChCl). Different extraction and recovery conditions were investigated, including the effect of different extraction operating parameters (temperature, time, VOO:NADES ratio) and subsequent recovery conditions (XAD resin height, wash-water and eluent volume and pH). The highest concentration of phenols (555.36 mg/kg VOO) was obtained from extraction at 40 °C for 1 h, with a 1:1 ratio, using an adsorption resin XAD-16 with bed height of 10 cm, 250 mL acidified wash-water and 300 mL EtOH 100% as eluent. No statistically significant loss of the sum of phenolic compounds was observed when compared with the concentration values obtained by direct analysis in HPLC without the elimination of NADES. Additionally, a sequential desorption with different concentration of ethanol was used to determine the effect of the solvent concentration on polyphenol yield. Polar compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, were recovered at 81.7% and 83.6%, respectively with 50 and 80% ethanol; however, 100% ethanol was required for the complete elution of oleacein (3,4-DHPEA-EDA) and oleocanthal (p-HPEA-EDA). In this paper we present an effective process for the extraction of polyphenols from VOO by NADES for direct analysis in HPLC and for the recovery and concentration of polyphenols by removing the solvent (NADES) with no losses of yield and solvent recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rivers are critical ecosystems for protecting and harboring high biodiversity. Tropical rivers particularly are unique for facing extreme climatic events under the current accelerated disruption from human activities. The Bobos-Nautla river basin is exposed to climatic events and disturbances from anthropogenic impacts that stress aquatic organisms. We assessed the health condition of this river system using a non-conventional biomonitor, Corydalus sp., with a set of early-warning biomarkers including lipid peroxidation levels (LPO) and antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase (AChE) considering their spatial and temporal variations. Biomarkers and water quality parameters were analyzed, and the integrated biomarker response (IBR) was assessed as a stress index. Biomarkers showed no significant spatial differences; however, a high-stress period during the rainy season was detected, evidenced by the highest LPO levels; this period is related to the leaching of allochthonous materials from agricultural and urban zones. The peak IBR value during the rainy season confirmed the seasonality of biomarkers. A slight increase in IBR was recorded in lowlands, seemingly associated with agricultural land and human settlements. A principal component analysis showed nutrient enrichment during the rainy season and depletion during the cold-dry season, together with a peak activity of antioxidant enzymes. These results highlight the importance of climatic events such as the rainy season on the health condition of Corydalus sp., which is highly sensitive to the complex mixtures of pollutants that enter the waterbody during extreme climatic events, promoting oxidative stress. Our results also showed the ability of Corydalus sp. to recover and return to a basal level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work studies the removal of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) from a synthetic wastewater simulating a secondary treatment effluent using the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in autotrophic photobioreactors, together with an analysis of the critical points affecting the scaling-up process from laboratory to pilot scale. Laboratory experiments were done in open agitated 1-L photobioreactors under batch operation mode, while pilot-scale experiments were done using a 150-L closed tubular photobioreactor under continuous operation mode. In both scales, nitrate was the limiting substrate and the effect of its concentration on microalgae performance was studied. From laboratory experiments, an average microalgae productivity of 85 mgVSS L−1 day−1 and approximate maximum N-NO3− and P-PO43− removal rates of 8 mg N gVSS−1 day−1, and 2.6 mg P gVSS−1 day−1 were found. Regarding pilot scale, the average microalgae productivity slightly decreased (76 mgVSS L−1 day−1) while the approximate maximum N-NO3− and P-PO43− removal rates slightly were increased (11.7 mg N gVSS−1 day−1 and 3.04 mg P gVSS−1 day−1) with respect to the laboratory-scale results. The pilot-scale operation worked under lower levels of turbulence and higher dissolved oxygen concentration and light intensity than laboratory experiments; those parameters were difficult to control and they can be identified as the critical points in the differences found on both nutrient removal and microalgae production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we characterize a novel positive and single stranded RNA (ssRNA) mycovirus isolated from the rice field isolate of Magnaporthe oryzae Guy11. The ssRNA contains a single open reading frame (ORF) of 2,373 nucleotides in length and encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) closely related to ourmiaviruses (plant viruses) and ourmia-like mycoviruses. Accordingly, we name this virus Magnaporthe oryzae ourmia-like virus 1 (MOLV1). Although phylogenetic analysis suggests that MOLV1 is closely related to ourmia and ourmia-like viruses, it has some features never reported before within the Ourmiavirus genus. 3' RLM-RACE (RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends) and extension poly(A) tests (ePAT) suggest that the MOLV1 genome contains a poly(A) tail whereas the three cytosine and the three guanine residues present in 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of ourmia viruses are not observed in the MOLV1 sequence. The discovery of this novel viral genome supports the hypothesis that plant pathogenic fungi may have acquired this type of viruses from their host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the impact of musculoskeletal pain (in terms of intensity of the pain, location and functional disability due to back pain) and other factors (socio-demographic, lifestyle and co-morbidity) on the health-related quality of life on a group of shellfish gatherers. This observational transversal study included 929 shellfish gatherers (18-69 years, 98.7 % women) who completed a self-administered questionnaire, including socio-demographic and lifestyle questions, co-morbidity, intensity and location of musculoskeletal pain, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-36 were considered as outcome variables. The impact of the different factors on the PCS and MCS scores was evaluated using a stepwise linear regression analysis. Physical health was found to be independently associated to intensity of musculoskeletal pain (regression coefficient, B = −0.96), number of locations with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) ( B = −0.77), presence of pain in the hip-knee ( B = −2.26), self-reported rheumatic disorders ( B = −2.79), lower back pain ( B = −1.62) and age ( B = −0.06). Mental health was associated with the presence of self-reported depressive syndrome ( B = −1043.1) and RMDQ score ( B = −42.2). The sample had significantly lower values than the reference population in all of the dimensions of the SF-36. Intensity of the pain, pain in the hip-knee, lower back pain, functional disability due to back pain and number of locations with musculoskeletal pain were found to have a detrimental impact on the physical health of the workers. Depressive syndrome and greater functional disability due to back pain, in turn, predict worse mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, mammographic, and sonographic findings of phyllodes tumor of the breast and correlate them to the benign or malignant pathological nature of the lesion and its clinical behavior. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of 12 cases of phyllodes tumors diagnosed in our hospital in the past 6 years, 6 of which were malignant. The surgical management and clinical course of the patients were also reviewed. Mammographically, soft tissue masses ranging from 2.5 to 15 cm were present in all patients. One patient had a mixed fat and water density mass and 2 patients had masses associated with coarse calcifications. At sonography, all tumors were well circumscribed; two of them were homogeneously hypoechoic, and the rest had heterogeneous internal echoes. Eight patients showed internal cystic areas. None of these characteristics proved to be useful in ascertaining the benign or malignant nature of the tumor. At surgery, 5 patients underwent mastectomy and 7 patients local excision of the tumor. Three of the later tumors, one benign and two malignant, recurred after several months. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy suggested the diagnosis of phyllodes tumor in only 3 cases. After surgery, six tumors were classified as benign and six as malignant, three of which being of low-grade malignancy. None of the clinical or radiologic characteristics of the tumors were useful in predicting their histological nature or their behavior after surgery. Preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy often misdiagnosed the tumor as benign fibroadenoma. Only the histopathologic features of the excised mass proved to be helpful in assessing malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to describe the image findings of renal hydatid disease, especially on MR. Four cases of echinococcal involvement of the kidney were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had intravenous urography (IVU) and US performed. Computed tomography examination was available in three patients and MR in two cases. Intravenous urography demonstrated communication of the cyst to the collecting system in one case. Ultrasound revealed multicystic appearance in three cases and unilocular in one case. Computed tomography demonstrated unilocular thick-walled or multilocular cysts with well-defined walls, calcified in one case. In multilocular cysts the CT densities of the fluid of daughter cysts was significantly lower than the fluid of mother cysts. This typical appearance was present in three of our cases. The presence of a hypointense rim and a multicystic appearance were distinctive in MR imaging. The combined findings of these different imaging modalities aid greatly in establishing the correct diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is of value in determining the presence of a characteristic rim and enables the evaluation of anatomical relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NprR belongs to the RNPP family of quorum-sensing receptors, a group of intracellular regulators activated directly by signaling oligopeptides in Gram-positive bacteria. In Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), nprR is located in a transcriptional cassette with nprRB that codes for the precursor of the signaling peptide NprRB. NprR is a transcriptional regulator activated by binding of reimported NprRB; however, several reports suggest that NprR also participates in sporulation but the mechanism is unknown. Our in silico results, based on the structural similarity between NprR from Bt and Spo0F-binding Rap proteins from Bacillus subtilis, suggested that NprR could bind Spo0F to modulate the sporulation phosphorelay in Bt. Deletion of nprR-nprRB cassette from Bt caused a delay in sporulation and defective trigger of the Spo0A∼P-activated genes spoIIA and spoIIIG. The DNA-binding domain of NprR was not necessary for this second function, since truncated NprRΔHTH together with nprRB gene was able to restore the sporulation wild type phenotype in the Δ nprR-nprRB mutant. Fluorescence assays showed direct binding between NprR and Spo0F, supporting that NprR is a bifunctional protein. To understand how the NprR activation by NprRB could result in two different functions, we studied the molecular recognition mechanism between the signaling peptide and the receptor. Using synthetic variants of NprRB, we found that SSKPDIVG displayed the highest affinity ( K = 7.19 nM) toward the recombinant NprR and demonstrated that recognition involves conformational selection. We propose that the peptide concentration in the cell controls the oligomerization state of the NprR-NprRB complex for switching between its two functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out in a climate chamber to analyse if Bt-maize may cause particular changes in soils with different levels of microbial biomass and activity due to long-term management history. Among the soils selected, the ones managed organically for 30 years exhibited twice the microbial biomass and 2.6 times the dehydrogenase activity (DHA) of the soil from a field with long-term conventional maize monoculture. Soils were cultivated twice in a row with Bt-maize, its near-isogenic line and a conventional breeding line. We tested the hypotheses that (a) soil microbial biomass and activity are affected by the cultivation of Bt-maize and that (b) the influence of Bt-maize depends on the level of soil microbial biomass and activity. Shoot and root yield and shoot C-content of Bt-maize were higher than the ones of the near-isogenic line. DHA under Bt-maize was 6 % higher, and the metabolic quotient for CO ( qCO) was 9 % lower than under its near-isogenic line, giving some support to hypothesis (a). No significant interactions of the soils and the varieties used were found in this study, thus hypothesis (b) was not confirmed, and soils with different microbial biomass and activity appear to react in a similar way to the cultivation of Bt-maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional disability due to lumbar pain should be considered from the biopsychosocial model. There is inconclusive evidence as to whether the key determining factors in this form of disability are psychosocial or physical. Our aim is to identify variables that cause functional disability due to lumbar pain amongst shellfish gatherers in Galicia by means of a cross-sectional survey. Participants ( N = 929) completed a self-administered, paper-based questionnaire including sociodemographic and lifestyle issues, as well as the nature of the lumbar pain, the presence of musculoskeletal pain in other regions of the body, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and SF-36. Univariate examination, ROC curve and logistic regression analyses were performed. Most of these workers are women (98.7 %), with a mean age of 50.6 years. The point-prevalence of lumbar pain stands at 65.5 %. The RMDQ mean was 4.9 (SD = 4.7). In the logistic regression analysis, the variables associated with disability (RMDQ > median) were age (OR = 1.04), physical exercise (OR = 0.57), pain intensity (OR = 1.16), the number of regions of musculoskeletal pain (OR = 1.24) and mental health (SF-36) (OR = −0.95). Functional disability is determined by the physical nature of the pain and mental health attributes, although the former has a greater impact. In decreasing order of importance, functional disability is attributable to the presence of lower back pain, the number of regions of musculoskeletal pain, the intensity of that pain and age. Regular physical exercise and better mental health have a protective effect on disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Laboratory investigation in rats submitted to experimental spinal cord injury (SCI).Objective:To characterize changes in renal function during acute SCI.Methods:Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to severe spinal cord contusion at T8 level or to laminectomy as control. Twenty-four hours after spine surgery, clearance assessments of a single dose of iohexol (120 mg kg−1) or of p-aminohippuric acid (PAH, 100 mg kg−1) were used to evaluate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and tubular secretion (TS), respectively. Blood sampling was used to determine concentrations of both compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography for pharmacokinetic measurements.Results:Iohexol clearance decreased significantly after injury, which resulted in increased concentrations and half-life of iohexol in blood; PAH clearance remained unchanged.Conclusion:GFR but not TS is altered during spinal shock. These observations should be of interest to professionals caring for early cord-injured patients, in order to prevent toxicity and therapeutic failure when administering drugs eliminated by the kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) to neutral detergent fibre (NDF) dietary ratio (0.29, LR and 0.43, HR) on the caecal ecosystem of lactating does and their offspring was studied. From the 17th day of lactation, each diet was given to four does, allowing for free access to their litters. Does were sampled at 17 and 28 days of lactation, and also two pups per litter at 17 (milk-fed only), 28 (milk and solid fed) and 49 days of age. DGGE was used to study bacterial caecal biodiversity, and total bacterial concentration and relative proportions of Ruminococcus albus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens were quantified by real time PCR. In does, diet did not affect ( P > 0.10) diversity indexes, total bacterial concentration or relative abundance of B. fibrisolvens, but at 28 days of lactation the proportion of R. albus was higher with LR (interaction Diet × Time, P = 0.037). Caecal communities of pups of 17 days were grouped by litter, but the influence of the mother was reduced at 28 days with solid feed intake, and at 49 days rabbits clustered by diet. Caecal biodiversity increased from 17 to 28 days, and was reduced at 49 days (Shannon index of 3.60, 3.71 and 3.57, respectively; P = 0.049). Total bacterial concentration and relative abundance of R. albus and B. fibrisolvens increased with solid feed intake from 17 to 28 days ( P < 0.01), remaining unaffected thereafter. Access of pups to solid feed from 17 days of age modulates the development and composition of the caecal microbiota at weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although San José Island is considered one of the most important islands in the lower Gulf of California due to its commercial fishing activities, few studies have evaluated their fish taxonomic diversity. The aim of this study was to determine the variation in the taxonomic diversity of the conspicuous fish community in eight locations around San José Island from March 2001 to February 2002. We assessed the changes in the diversity of rocky reef fish based on the taxonomic distances between species, using Fisher's alpha diversity index, average taxonomic distinctiveness (AvTD Δ+), and taxonomic distinctiveness (Δ*). Visual censuses were conducted in 48 transects consisting of 100 × 5 m quadrants (500 m sampling area) at an average depth of 5 m, from 09:00 to 16:00. A total of 26,608 fishes belonging to 112 species and 76 genera were found. The index of relative abundance was used to determine the most important species, which were in order of abundance: Abudefduf troschelii, Thalassoma lucasanum, Stegastes rectifraenum, Mulloidichthys dentatus, Chromis atrilobata, Lutjanus argentiventris, and Scarus ghobban. According to Fisher's alpha diversity index, the highest diversity of species was found in July and the lowest in February. The indices of Δ+ and Δ* indicated significant temporal and spatial differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO leakages during carbon capture and storage in sub-seabed geological structures could produce potential impacts on the marine environment. To study lethal effects on marine organisms attributable to CO seawater acidification, a bubbling CO system was designed enabling a battery of different tests to be conducted, under laboratory conditions, employing various pH treatments (8.0, 7.5, 7.0, 6.5, 6.0, and 5.5). Assays were performed of three exposure routes (seawater, whole sediment, and sediment elutriate). Individuals of the clam ( Ruditapes philippinarum) and early-life stages of the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, were exposed for 10 days and 72 h, respectively, to acidified clean seawater. S. aurata larvae were also exposed to acidified elutriate samples, and polychaete organisms of the specie Hediste diversicolor and clams R. philippinarum were also exposed for 10 days to estuarine whole sediment. In the fish larvae elutriate test, 100 % mortality was recorded at pH 6.0, after 48 h of exposure. Similar results were obtained in the clam sediment exposure test. In the other organisms, significant mortality ( p < 0.05) was observed at pH values lower than 6.0. Very high lethal effects (calculating L[H]50, defined as the H concentration that causes lethal effects in 50 % of the population exposed) were detected in association with the lowest pH treatment for all the species. The implication of these results is that a severe decrease of seawater pH would cause high mortality in marine organisms of several different kinds and life stages. The study addresses the potential risks incurred due to CO leakages in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study are to determine prevalence and co-occurrence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among shellfish gatherers and its consequences for the use of medicine, health care, and sickness leave and to investigate predictive factors (sociodemographic, lifestyle, comorbidity) of MSP in five anatomical areas (neck/shoulder/higher back, lower back, elbow/wrist/hand, hip/knee, and leg/ankle/foot). Nine hundred twenty-nine shellfish gatherers (94% women) voluntarily took part in a physiotherapy workshop. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess MSP and its consequences. Regression models were performed to determine the factors predicting the presence of MSP. The two most frequently self-reported forms of MSP were neck pain (70.9%) and lower back pain (65.5%). Sixty-four percent of respondents reported contact with their family doctor during the last 12 months due to MSP, and most subjects (88.1%) reported MSP in two or more locations. Hip/knee pain was associated with leg/ankle/foot pain (crude odds ratio = 3.14). Logistic regression analysis showed that being female and young is associated with lumbar pain, and being older is associated with pain in all areas of the lower limbs. The number of pain sites a person reported significantly predicted the presence of pain in all the anatomical areas studied. Prevalence of MSP and musculoskeletal comorbidity were high. The study shows that the presence of pain reported in one body area is highly dependent on the total number of painful areas. These findings are consistent with those of similar studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe in this work a successful virtual screening and experimental testing aimed to the identification of novel inhibitors of superoxide dismutase of the worm Taenia solium ( TsCu/Zn-SOD), a human parasite. Conformers from LeadQuest database of drug-like compounds were selected and then docked on the surface of TsCu/Zn-SOD. Results were screened looking for ligand contacts with receptor side-chains not conserved in the human homologue, with a subsequent development of a score optimization by a set of energy minimization steps, aimed to identify lead compounds for in vitro experiments. Six out of fifty experimentally tested compounds showed μM inhibitory activity toward TsCu/Zn-SOD. Two of them showed species selectivity since did not inhibit the homologous human enzyme when assayed in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We cloned and sequenced thePhycomyces hspAgene. ThehspAgene product is a 901-amino-acid protein member of the clpB/HSP100 family. HSP100 proteins are ATPases involved in high-temperature tolerance, proteolysis, and protein disaggregation.PhycomycesHSP100 is composed of a domain presumably involved in protein-protein interactions and two ATP-binding domains. ThehspApromoter contains three heat-shock elements that are presumably involved in the activation ofhspAafter heat-shock. In addition, four short sequences are present in thehspApromoter and in the promoter of the photoinducible genescarBandcarRA; and these are candidates as binding sites for light-regulated transcription factors. Blue light can increase transcription of thehspAgene 10-fold, with a threshold of 1 J/m2. The threshold forhspAphotoactivation is 104 times higher than the thresholds for blue-light regulation of sporangiophore development and photocarotenogenesis, which suggests that there are differences in the photosensory systems for gene photoactivation and mycelial photoresponses. A heat-shock of 30 min at 34°C or 42°C increasedhspAgene activity 160-fold. The differences in maximumhspAgene transcription by blue light and heat-shock suggest the presence of different regulatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of root-organ culture (ROC) produced arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), i.e. Glomus proliferum, Glomus versiforme and Glomus intraradices, entrapped in Ca-alginate beads on the first stages development of micropropagated bananas (Musa spp. cv. Grande Naine) was investigated. The experimental design consisted of banana plants inoculated with one of the three AMF and two controls, i.e. Control-AL (with empty alginate beads), and Control (no beads). Forty plants were considered per treatment and cultured under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design. Eight plants per treatment were harvested 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 days after inoculation and analysed for root colonization, growth parameters and nutrient concentration. In addition, spores were enumerated in the substrate at the same intervals. Ca-alginate entrapped ROC-produced AMF spores were able (1) to colonize the root system of a micropropagated banana cultivar under nursery conditions, (2) to increase plant P nutrition and biomass, and (3) to proliferate in the commercial nursery substrate, therefore increasing the fungal inoculum biomass. The entrapment of ROC-propagated spores, adaptable to a wide range of Glomeromycetes, represents thus a forthcoming alternative pathogen-free inoculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hevein is an N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) specific lectin that has been hypothesized to participate in the IgE-mediated allergic reactions in patients with latex allergy. In this work we assessed the specificity and biological effect of hevein purified from rubber latex on human leukocytes, using epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Purified human granulocytes were stimulated in vitro with hevein, and production of oxidative radicals was measured by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium formazan. Histochemical staining and flow cytometry showed that hevein recognizes specifically monocytes (CD14+) and neutrophils (CD16+), but not lymphoid cells. Hevein induced oxidative response in purified granulocytes; this effect was 1.3–1.5-fold higher than the effect observed with the lectin WGA (wheat germ agglutinin), or other lectins with different sugar specificity. The induced reactions and cellular recognition by hevein were inhibited with GlcNAc and its oligomers; as well as by glycoproteins containing tri-and tetra-antennary N-glycosydically linked glycans. Our findings suggest that neutrophils are the main target for latex hevein; this lectin induces production of oxidative radicals, which seem to play an important role in tissue damage during latex allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Regulation of sporulation initiation by NprR and its signaling peptide NprRB: Molecular recognition and conformational changes," by Rosina Cabrera and others, that was published in a 2014 issue is presented.

V. Rodriguez-Romero et al. respond to a letter to the editor submitted in response to their article "Changes in Renal Function During Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Implications for Pharmacotherapy".

This research presents a unique approach to partially characterizing microbial cellulose films. The films were produced during the fermentation of moringa stems, a novel substrate, and coated with flaxseed mucilage. The fermentation of kombucha using moringa stem infusion produced microbial cellulose discs (185 g/L) coated with flaxseed mucilage. The fermentation of kombucha using moringa stem infusion resulted in the production of microbial cellulose discs (185 g/L) coated with flaxseed mucilage. The study conducted a comprehensive physical, chemical, and antimicrobial characterization of the discs, both coated (RCD) and not coated (NCD) with flaxseed mucilage. The physical characterization revealed significant changes when coated with flaxseed mucilage, including increased opacity (31.06%), barrier properties (235 nm), thickness (0.85 mm), and color analysis (L = 61.83, a* = 22.13 and b* = 44.21). Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the absorption bands at 3344 and 2894 cm−1, indicating cellulose type I and a crystallinity of the cellulose (94%). Chemical analysis evaluated the antioxidant capacity using DPPH (68.49–71.39%), ABTS (77.24–68.40%), total phenols (68.40–112.30 mg GAE/g), and FRAP (1103–1124 µM TE/g) tests and found no differences in activity between the discs. Antimicrobial activity differed between treatments against pathogens. NCDs inhibited the growth of E. coli (16.4 mm) and S. aureus (11.4 mm), while RCDs inhibited Salmonella sp. (12.5 mm). The results suggest that cellulose formed during the fermentation of kombucha with moringa stems and coated with flaxseed mucilage can have various applications due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]