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The Xanthomonas transcription activator-like effector (TALE) protein AvrBs3 transcriptionally activates the executor-type resistance (R) gene Bs3 from pepper (Capsicum annuum), thereby triggering a hypersensitive cell death reaction (HR). AvrBs3 also triggers an HR in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) upon recognition by the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) R protein Bs4. Whether the executor-type R protein Bs3 and the NLR-type R protein Bs4 use common or distinct signalling components to trigger an HR remains unclear. CRISPR/Cas9-mutagenesis revealed, that the immune signalling node EDS1 is required for Bs4- but not for Bs3-dependent HR, suggesting that NLR- and executor-type R proteins trigger an HR via distinct signalling pathways. CRISPR/Cas9-mutagenesis also revealed that tomato Bs4 suppresses the virulence function of both TALEs, the HR-inducing AvrBs3 protein and of AvrHah1, a TALE that does not trigger an HR in tomato. Analysis of AvrBs3- and AvrHah1-induced host transcripts and disease phenotypes in CRISPR/Cas9-induced bs4 mutant plants indicates that both TALEs target orthologous transcription factor genes to promote disease in tomato and pepper host plants. Our studies display that tomato mutants lacking the TALE-sensing Bs4 protein provide a novel platform to either uncover TALE-induced disease phenotypes or genetically dissect components of executor-triggered HR.

Changes in bone mineral content of calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), magnesium and potassium for male and female Wistar rats during their development from 3 weeks old to adulthood (27 weeks old) were measured. Bone mineral content was related to areal bone mineral density (BMD) which was measured in vivo at the femoral neck using a calibrated X-ray transmission system to obtain basal curves as a function of the age of the specimen. Diagnostic curves were built to determine low BMD (osteopaenia) and osteoporosis in female rats fed a Ca-depleted diet (50%) based on the obtained data and the criteria established by the World Health Organization. Bone mineral content is directly related to sex and age, but P did not change throughout the experimental period. P content did not exhibit significant changes with growing, while Ca was greatest in male rats, producing significant differences in the Ca:P ratio. Male rats reach the Ca:P ratio peak before female rats. However, areal BMD does not follow the same trend. On the other hand, osteoporosis produced a 45% decrease in this parameter for young and mature adults. These results make Z-score values available to diagnose bone-mass losses and hence the possibility of improving the conditions of non-contact measurement of BMD in vivo. This technique can be used for future experiments with Wistar rats.

Objetivo: Identificar las representaciones sociales de la jubilación de un grupo de docentes prejubilados de Palmira.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo de representaciones sociales, participaron 50 docentes nombrados seleccionados por muestreo intencional propositivo, que estuvieran en proceso de jubilación durante el primer semestre de 2018. Se utilizó como instrumento de recolección el “listado libre”, se realizó análisis estructural de las representaciones sociales bajo la teoría del núcleo central.Resultados: El grupo de docentes es coincidente en la mayoría de las palabras que se evocan con relación a la jubilación. Se evidencia que las expectativas que tienen frente a la posibilidad de retirarse del trabajo están relacionas con el descanso, los viajes y la diversión que son proyectados para realizar en familia. El hecho de pensar en el rol de pensionado genera un sentimiento de miedo de enfrentar una nueva experiencia con cambios significativos en el uso del tiempo, el riesgo de la soledad por alejarse del grupo de compañeros de trabajo. Por otra parte, el miedo también está asociado a las consecuencias de la vejez como son la presencia de enfermedad y la muerte.Conclusión: La jubilación es percibida como la oportunidad de descansar y como una recompensa por el trabajo de una vida laboral, se presenta temor asociado a la enfermedad y la muerte.

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in the environment, and the atmosphere is no exception. However, airborne bacterial communities are some of the least studied. Increasing our knowledge about these communities and how environmental factors shape them is key to understanding disease outbreaks and transmission routes. We describe airborne bacterial communities at two different sites in Tenerife, La Laguna (urban, 600 m.a.s.l.) and Izaña (high mountain, 2,400 m.a.s.l.), and how they change throughout the year. Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to target 16S rRNA genes in 293 samples. Results indicated a predominance of Proteobacteria at both sites (>65%), followed by Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Gammaproteobacteria were the most frequent within the Proteobacteria phylum during spring and winter, while Alphaproteobacteria dominated in the fall and summer. Within the 519 genera identified, Cellvibrio was the most frequent during spring (35.75%) and winter (30.73%); Limnobacter (24.49%) and Blastomonas (19.88%) dominated in the summer; and Sediminibacterium represented 10.26 and 12.41% of fall and winter samples, respectively. Sphingomonas was also identified in 17.15% of the fall samples. These five genera were more abundant at the high mountain site, while other common airborne bacteria were more frequent at the urban site (Kocuria, Delftia, Mesorhizobium, and Methylobacterium). Diversity values showed different patterns for both sites, with higher values during the cooler seasons in Izaña, whereas the opposite was observed in La Laguna. Regarding wind back trajectories, Tropical air masses were significantly different from African ones at both sites, showing the highest diversity and characterized by genera regularly associated with humans (Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, and Cloacibacterium), as well as others related to extreme conditions (Alicyclobacillus) or typically associated with animals (Lachnospiraceae). Marine and African air masses were consistent and very similar in their microbial composition. By contrast, European trajectories were dominated by Cellvibrio, Pseudomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, and Sediminibacterium. These data contribute to our current state of knowledge in the field of atmospheric microbiology. However, future studies are needed to increase our understanding of the influence of different environmental factors on atmospheric microbial dispersion and the potential impact of airborne microorganisms on ecosystems and public health.

Introducción: Las enfermedades secundarias a trastornos mentales y del comportamiento en el trienio 2014-2016 en Jalisco, México, sumaron un total de 63 casos, de los cuales 32 en hombres y 31 en mujeres. Objetivo: Evaluar el comportamiento de las enfermedades de trabajo por trastornos mentales y de la conducta, durante el trienio en el Estado de Jalisco, México. Material y método: La investigación fue de tipo cuantitativa y se caracterizó por ser retrospectiva y comparativa. Resultados: Se reportaron 12 casos de enfermedades de trabajo, según la ocupación, naturaleza de la lesión, trastornos mentales y de comportamiento en el año 2014, en los trabajadores de servicio de apoyo a la producción, de los cuales 5 fueron hombres y 7 mujeres. En el año 2015, en los trabajadores soldadores y oxicortadores, se reportaron 6 casos en hombres, y en barrenderos y trabajadores de limpieza (excepto en hoteles y restaurantes) 6 casos, 2 en hombres y 4 en mujeres. En el año 2016, en los trabajadores soldadores y oxicortadores, fueron 7 casos en hombres, y en barrenderos y trabajadores de limpieza (excepto en hoteles y restaurantes) 7 casos, 1 en hombres y 6 en mujeres. Conclusión: Es necesario establecer estrategias dentro del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social dirigidas a promover programas de prevención de las enfermedades por salud mental de los trabajadores, con el fin de proporcionar una atención integral, a partir de la clasificación de los riesgos de trabajo, con una división que incluya los aspectos de carácter eminentemente de la salud mental respecto de la salud física.

espanolIntroduccion: El paso del rol laboral al rol de jubilado puede ser dificultoso, siendo la depresion uno de los principales trastornos del estado del animo en esta etapa. Cobra importancia el indagar en las experiencias de la depresion desde los propios jubilados para comprender mas la situacion por la que pasan. Objetivo: Analizar las experiencias subjetivas de depresion en un grupo de jubilados mayores de 60 anos. Metodos: Estudio cualitativo con diseno de estudio de casos con interpretacion fenomenologica. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a profundidad, grabadas en audio, a ocho personas jubiladas mayores de 60 anos en igualdad de genero. Resultados: Se hallo que realizan actividades para no tener y combatir la depresion, consideran importante convivir con la familia y amigos, les genera sentimientos positivos y negativos y tienen conocimientos y opiniones sobre la depresion con base en sus experiencias. Conclusiones: Se concluye que mantenerse activo, relacionarse socialmente y seguir preparandose fueron factores importantes para la adaptacion y para no presentar depresion. EnglishIntroduction: The transition from the job role to the retiree role can be difficult, with depression being one of the main mood disorders at this stage. It is important to investigate the experiences of depression from the retirees themselves to understand more about the situation they are going through. Objective: To analyze the subjective bodily experiences of depression in a group of active retirees older than 60 years. Methods: A qualitative study with case study design with phenomenological interpretation was carried out. In-depth semi-structured interviews, recorded on audio, were conducted with eight retired persons over 60 years of age on gender equality. Results: It was found that they carry out activities to avoid and combat depression, consider it important to live with family and friends, generate positive and negative feelings for them, and have knowledge and opinions about depression based on their experiences. Conclusions: It is concluded that staying active, socializing and continuing to prepare were important factors for adaptation and for not having depression.

9 pags., 7 figs., 3 tabs., A variety of natural biofilms were collected from an extremely acidic environment at Rı´o Tinto (Spain). In order to provide insights into the structure–function relationship, the microstructure of the biofilms was explored using low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LTSEM) in combination with rheological analysis. The creep-recovery experiment results have demonstrated the typical behaviour of viscoelastic materials that combine both elastic and viscous characters. The LTSEM visualization and rheological characterization of biofilms revealed that the network density increased in bacterial biofilms and was the lowest in protist Euglena biofilms. This means that, in the latter biofilms, a lower density of interactions exist, suggesting that the whole system experiences enhanced mobility under external mechanical stress. The samples with the highest dynamic moduli (Leptospirillum–Acidiphilium, Zygnemopsis, Chlorella and Cyanidium) have shown the typical strain thinning behaviour, whereas the Pinnularia and Euglena biofilms exhibited a viscous thickening reaction. The Zygnemopsis filamentous floating structure has the highest cohesive energy and has shown distinctive enhanced resilience and connectivity. This suggests that biofilms should be viewed as soft viscoelastic systems the properties of which are determined by the main organisms and their extracellular polymeric substances. The fractional Maxwell model has been found to explain the rheological behaviour of the observed complex quite well, particularly the power-law behaviour and the characteristic broad relaxation response of these systems., The TEM-BIOPHYM Service at the IEM-CSIC is acknowledged for granting the use of the facilities. This work was funded by the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry (grants CGL2017-92086-EXP, RTI2018- 094867-BI00 and PID2019-104205GB-C22).

The atmosphere is an extreme environment where organisms are subject to low temperatures and high radiation. Many of the microorganisms detected there appear in resistant forms or show mechanisms of adaptation designed to withstand these extreme conditions. Airborne microorganisms may play an important role in the global climate system, biogeochemical cycling, and health. Dust storms are the atmospheric phenomenon that move more topsoil through the Earth’s atmosphere, and numerous microorganisms attached to dust particles are thus transported. The Iberian Peninsula is periodically affected by this phenomenon as African dust frequently reaches southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin. There are numerous methods for sampling airborne microbes, but factors such as low biomass and high variability of the atmosphere render them not yet sufficiently efficient. Very few studies have been conducted directly in the atmosphere via sampling using airborne platforms. The National Institute for Aerospace Technology has two CASA C-212-200 aircraft that have been suitably modified to operate as airborne research platforms. These aircraft are a unique tool for the study of atmospheric microbial diversity and the different environments where they can be found. A study of the airborne microbial diversity in a Saharan dust event from four aerobiology sampling flights is provided in advance.

Fibers are found in all environments. However, the impact of their presence on ecosystems and human health is not yet well understood, especially in the case of the atmosphere. In this work, we presented evidence that fibers traveling through the atmosphere act as vectors to spread microorganisms. Here, we investigated the presence of viable microorganisms on fibers collected within and beyond the planetary boundary layer during flights of C-212 aircraft over Central Spain. In total, seven fibers, six of which transported viable microorganisms, were isolated in two flights. The viability of the microorganisms was determined by confocal microscopy by means of the fluorescent probes SYBR-Green to detect microorganisms and CTC redox dye to assess their cellular respiration activity. The fibers that transported viable microorganisms were spectroscopically analyzed by micro-FTIR and identified as wool-silk and cellulose-cotton. Taken together, the results demonstrated that fibers host viable microorganisms when traveling through the lower free troposphere. The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the Spanish Government (CTM2016-74927-C2-1-R/2-R, CGL2017-92086-EXP, PGC2018-094076-B-100, and RTI2018-094867-B-I00). C.E. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for the award of a predoctoral grant (FPI). C-212 airborne access was generously provided by INTA, coordinated by the Aerial Platform for Research team and with the logistic and operational support of Group 47 of the Spanish Air Force; With funding from the Spanish government through the "María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence" accreditation (MDM-2017-0737). Peer review

The physiological plasticity of five cyanobacteria microbial mats from an extreme high temperature intertidal environment (SW Iceland) was analysed both daily and seasonally. Daily cycles under in situ natural conditions were monitored from June to October using pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry and pigment composition in order to study the photosynthetic performance of these microbial mats in relation to environmental fluctuations linked to irradiance and temperature. In vitro temperature and salinity experiments of photosynthetic responses were also conducted. A total of 10 taxa were identified, the most abundant species being Cyanobacterium sp. and Geitlerinema sp. The microbial mats showed a remarkable photosynthetic adaptation to daily and seasonal changes in temperature and solar radiation. For all microbial mats, rETR values decreased from June to October, while F/F remained constant in terms of absolute values. Although high irradiances during June and July affected photosynthesis through photoinhibition, recovery was observed under high temperatures (between 40–50°C), which supports the hypothesis that temperature is a determining factor in the photosynthetic performance of these cyanobacterial mats. Our results showed a significant increase in the Chla-b and phycobiliproteins content from June to October, as well as a significant decrease in total carotenoids content., With funding from the Spanish government through the "María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence" accreditation (MDM-2017-0737)

© The Author(s) 2020., We have analyzed the bacterial community of a large Saharan dust event in the Iberian Peninsula and, for the first time, we offer new insights regarding the bacterial distribution at different altitudes of the lower troposphere and the replacement of the microbial airborne structure as the dust event receeds. Samples from different open-air altitudes (surface, 100 m and 3 km), were obtained onboard the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) C-212 aircrafts. Samples were collected during dust and dust-free air masses as well two weeks after the dust event. Samples related in height or time scale seems to show more similar community composition patterns compared with unrelated samples. The most abundant bacterial species during the dust event, grouped in three different phyla: (a) Proteobacteria: Rhizobiales, Sphingomonadales, Rhodobacterales, (b) Actinobacteria: Geodermatophilaceae; (c) Firmicutes: Bacillaceae. Most of these taxa are well known for being extremely stress-resistant. After the dust intrusion, Rhizobium was the most abundant genus, (40–90% total sequences). Samples taken during the flights carried out 15 days after the dust event were much more similar to the dust event samples compared with the remaining samples. In this case, Brevundimonas, and Methylobacterium as well as Cupriavidus and Mesorizobium were the most abundant genera., This work was funded by the Spanish Economy and Competitiveness Ministry (MINECO) grants CGL2015-69758-P, CGL2017-92086-EXP, ESP2016-79612-C3-1-R, RTI2018-094867-BI00 and i-LINK 1151 grant founded by the Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). FPS was supported by the MINECO grant CTM2016-80095-C2-1-R.

The cytotoxicity of cadmium (Cd), arsenate (As(V)), and arsenite (As(III)) on a strain of Chlamydomonas acidophila, isolated from the Rio Tinto, an acidic environment containing high metal(l)oid concentrations, was analyzed. We used a broad array of methods to produce complementary information: cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation measures, ultrastructural observations, transmission electron microscopy energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (TEM&ndash, XEDS), and gene expression. This acidophilic microorganism was affected differently by the tested metal/metalloid: It showed high resistance to arsenic while Cd was the most toxic heavy metal, showing an LC50 = 1.94 &micro, M. Arsenite was almost four-fold more toxic (LC50= 10.91 mM) than arsenate (LC50 = 41.63 mM). Assessment of ROS generation indicated that both arsenic oxidation states generate superoxide anions. Ultrastructural analysis of exposed cells revealed that stigma, chloroplast, nucleus, and mitochondria were the main toxicity targets. Intense vacuolization and accumulation of energy reserves (starch deposits and lipid droplets) were observed after treatments. Electron-dense intracellular nanoparticle-like formation appeared in two cellular locations: inside cytoplasmic vacuoles and entrapped into the capsule, around each cell. The chemical nature (Cd or As) of these intracellular deposits was confirmed by TEM&ndash, XEDS. Additionally, they also contained an unexpected high content in phosphorous, which might support an essential role of poly-phosphates in metal resistance.

Background. Mexico is a country that is rich in ethnicity and cultural diversity, divided into three well-defined socioeconomic, ecological, and epidemiological areas. However, we do not know the influence that these factors may have on body composition. Therefore, this study was designed to assess body composition and compare appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) in older people from two areas of the country. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that included 430 subjects ≥60 years of age from northwestern and central Mexico. Body composition, including ASM, was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while anthropometry, handgrip strength, demographic variables, health status/chronic conditions, and energy expenditure data were all included. Results. Men and women from the northwestern region had 5.9 kg and 3.8 kg more body fat, respectively, and 3.9 kg more as a group than their counterparts from central Mexico (p ≤ 0.0001). While there were no significant differences across gender or region in terms of ASM, the older subjects from central Mexico had a significantly higher ASM index (ASMI) than the sample from the northwest. When ASM was adjusted for age, body weight, height, health status/chronic conditions, estimated energy expenditure, and demographic variables, the subjects from central Mexico had significantly higher adjusted mean values of ASM and ASMI than their counterparts from the northwest. Conclusion. Older people from two regions of Mexico had significantly different estimates of body composition. Our findings highlight the importance of regionalizing estimates of ASM and ASMI if they are to be used for diagnostic purposes. It is also important to emphasize that appendicular skeletal muscle mass, or the ASM index, should be adjusted for other associated biological variables.

Although at first the extremophile organisms were only considered as scientific curiosities, their potential in the field of biotechnology is nowadays one of the main reasons for research studies. Acidophilic extremophiles have made it possible to carry out numerous advances in different fields within biotechnology and acidic extreme habitats are large sources of biodiversity and new adaptation mechanisms. In these habitats, evolution works with a special intensity. These environments are extreme, greatly selective, and confined habitats, which constitute a favorable environment for the creation of a unique type of biodiversity and specific adaptation mechanisms in which fungi play an important but poorly understood role. This chapter will review the general trends concerning the diversity and ecophysiology of extremophilic fungi, paying a special attention to acidophilic ones.

A major issue in microbial ecology is to identify the limits of life for growth and survival and to understand the molecular mechanisms that define these limits. Thus, interest in the biodiversity and ecology of extreme environments has grown in recent years for several reasons. Some are basic and revolve around the idea that extreme environments are believed to reflect early Earth conditions. Other issues are related to the biotechnological potential of extremophiles, such as the use of the metabolic properties of some microorganisms for metal extraction. In this regard, the study of extremely acidic environments (pH

Nowadays, there is no direct evidence about the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere above ground level. Here, we investigated the occurrence, chemical composition, shape, and size of MPs in aircraft sampling campaigns flying within and above the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The results showed that MPs were present with concentrations ranging from 1.5 MPs m−3 above rural areas to 13.9 MPs m−3 above urban areas. MPs represented up to almost one third of the total amount of microparticles collected. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy allowed identifying seven types of MPs with the highest diversity corresponding to urban areas. Atmospheric transport and deposition simulations were performed using the HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model. Air mass trajectory analyses showed that MPs could be transported more than 1000 km before being deposited. This pioneer study is the first evidence of the microplastic presence above PBL and their potential long-range transport from their point of release even crossing distant borders.

In Mexico, osteoporosis is a public health problem. In this document, the Mexican Association for Bone and Mineral Metabolism defines its position on calcium, vitamin D supplement use, and physical activity as an effective, safe, and cost-effective initiatives to prevent low bone mass. In Mexico, osteoporosis is a public health problem that is expected to increase in the decades ahead. Generally, modifiable risk factors for bone health are related with lifestyles, especially nutrition and physical activity. In this position paper, the Mexican Association for Bone and Mineral Metabolism (AMMOM, by its acronym in Spanish), which is a multidisciplinary group of researchers, dietitians, epidemiologists, nurses, and physicians who study bone and related tissues and communicate the best strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bone problems, aims to analyze the association between nutrition and bone health, risk behaviors for low bone mass, and the economic impact that prevention of low bone mass represents for the health care system. Addressing therapeutic management with pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, we emphasize the important role the patient plays in the doctor–patient relationship, both in the consulting room and in daily life. Furthermore, the AMMOM defines its position on calcium and vitamin D supplement use as an effective, safe, and cost-effective initiative to prevent low bone mass. In summary, most research and clinical practice related to osteoporosis have focused on diagnosis and treatment, but general measures for primary prevention based on addressing modifiable risk factors as a public health priority to delay the onset of loss of bone mass have not been considered by Mexican authorities. Consequently, the AMMOM task force also seeks to provide information on concrete actions to prevent low bone mass.

The ability to establish biofilms is a key trait for microorganisms growing in extreme environments. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) present in biofilms provide not only surface attachment, but also protection against all kinds of environmental stressors, including desiccation, salinity, temperature or heavy metal pollution. The acquisition of suitable biofilm characteristics might thus be an important process mediating the adaptation of microorganisms to novel environmental conditions. In this work we have characterized the EPS of 20 phylogenetically diverse biofilms collected in situ from five contrasting extreme environments, including two geothermal areas (Copahue, Argentina; Seltun, Iceland), two cold areas (Pastoruri glacier, Peru; Byers Peninsula, Antarctica) and one extremely acidic river (Río Tinto, Spain). Biofilms were subjected to biochemical characterization, glycan profiling and immunoprofiling with an antibody microarray. Our results showed that environmental conditions strongly influence biofilm characteristics, with microorganisms from the same environment achieving similar EPS compositions regardless of the phylogeny of their main species. The concentration of some monosaccharides in the EPS could be related to environmental conditions such as temperature or heavy metal toxicity, suggesting that in some cases stress resistance can be mediated by specific sugars. Overall, our results highlight the existence of conserved EPS compositional patterns for each extreme environment, which could in turn be exploited to engineer ecological adaptations in genetically modified microorganisms., This work was funded by the Spanish “Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación” from the Economy and Competitiveness Ministry (MINECO) grants N° AYA2011-24803, EPS2014-58494-R, ESP2015-69540-R, ESP2014-55811-C2-2, and ESP2014-51989-P. FPS was supported by the MINECO grant CTM2016-80095-C2-1-R.

To better understand heavy metal tolerance in Chlamydomonas acidophila, an extremophilic green alga, we assembled its transcriptome and measured transcriptomic expression before and after Cd exposure in this and the neutrophilic model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Genes possibly related to heavy metal tolerance and detoxification were identified and analyzed as potential key innovations that enable this species to live in an extremely acid habitat with high levels of heavy metals. In addition we provide a data set of single orthologous genes from eight green algal species as a valuable resource for comparative studies including eukaryotic extremophiles. Our results based on differential gene expression, detection of unique genes and analyses of codon usage all indicate that there are important genetic differences in C. acidophila compared to C. reinhardtii. Several efflux family proteins were identified as candidate key genes for adaptation to acid environments. This study suggests for the first time that exposure to cadmium strongly increases transposon expression in green algae, and that oil biosynthesis genes are induced in Chlamydomonas under heavy metal stress. Finally, the comparison of the transcriptomes of several acidophilic and non-acidophilic algae showed that the Chlamydomonas genus is polyphyletic and that acidophilic algae have distinctive aminoacid usage patterns.

Svalbard, situated in the high Arctic, is an important past and present coal mining area. Dozens of abandoned waste rock piles can be found in the proximity of Longyearbyen. This environment offers a unique opportunity for studying the biological control over the weathering of sulphide rocks at low temperatures. Although the extension and impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) in this area is known, the native microbial communities involved in this process are still scarcely studied and uncharacterized. Several abandoned mining areas were explored in the search for active AMD and a culture-independent approach was applied with samples from two different runoffs for the identification and quantification of the native microbial communities. The results obtained revealed two distinct microbial communities. One of the runoffs was more extreme with regards to pH and higher concentration of soluble iron and heavy metals. These conditions favored the development of algal-dominated microbial mats. Typical AMD microorganisms related to known iron-oxidizing bacteria (Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria) dominated the bacterial community although some unexpected populations related to Chloroflexi were also significant. No microbial mats were found in the second area. The geochemistry here showed less extreme drainage, most likely in direct contact with the ore under the waste pile. Large deposits of secondary minerals were found and the presence of iron stalks was revealed by microscopy analysis. Although typical AMD microorganisms were also detected here, the microbial community was dominated by other populations, some of them new to this type of system (Saccharibacteria, Gallionellaceae). These were absent or lowered in numbers the farther from the spring source and they could represent native populations involved in the oxidation of sulphide rocks within the waste rock pile. This environment appears thus as a highly interesting field of potential novelty in terms of both phylogenetic/taxonomic and functional diversity., We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).

High concentrations of heavy metals are typical of acidic environments. Therefore, studies on acidophilic organisms in their natural environments improve our understanding on the evolution of heavy metal tolerance and detoxification in plants. Here we sequenced the transcriptome of the extremophilic microalga Chlamydomonas acidophila cultivated in control conditions and with 500 μM of copper for 24 h. High-throughput 454 sequencing was followed by de novo transcriptome assembly. The reference transcriptome was annotated and genes related to heavy metal tolerance and abiotic stress were identified. Analyses of differentially expressed transcripts were used to detect genes involved in metabolic pathways related to abiotic stress tolerance, focusing on effects caused by increased levels of copper. Both transcriptomic data and observations from PAM fluorometry analysis suggested that the photosynthetic activity of C. acidophila is not adversely affected by addition of high amounts of copper. Up-regulated transcripts include several transcripts related to photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, transcripts coding for general stress response, and a transcript annotated as homologous to the oil-body-associated protein HOGP coding gene. The first de novo assembly of C. acidophila significantly increases transcriptomic data available on extremophiles and green algae and thus provides an important reference for further molecular genetic studies. The differences between differentially expressed transcripts detected in our study suggest that the response to heavy metal exposure in C. acidophila is different from other studied green algae. © 2015, Springer Japan.

The generation of acid rock drainage (ARD) was observed in an area of Nevado Pastoruri as a result of the oxidative dissolution of pyrite-rich lutites and sandstones. These ARDs are generated as abundant pyrite becomes exposed to atmospheric conditions as a result of glacier retreat. The proglacial zone contains lagoons, springs, streams and wetlands, scant vegetation, and intense fluvioglacial erosion. This work reports a comprehensive identification and the results of sampling of the lagoons and springs belonging to the microbasin, which is the headwaters of the Pachacoto River, as well as mapping results based on the hydrochemical data obtained in our study. The physical properties and water chemistry of 12 springs and 22 lagoons from the proglacial zone are also presented. Water springs are far from being chemically uniform, with pH and EC values ranging between 2.55–6.42 and 23–1110 μS/cm respectively, which suggests a strong geologic control on water chemistry. Fe-SO4 −2 concentrations confirm the intense process of pyrite oxidative dissolution. Many of the lagoons are affected by ARD, with low pH (~ 3), and high EC (256–1092 μS/cm) values when compared with unaffected lagoons (EC between 7 and 59 μS/cm), indicating a high degree of mineralization. The affected lagoons show higher concentrations of SO4 2− and SiO2, and elements as Fe, Al, Mg, Mn, Zn, Co, and Ni, which are related to the alteration of pyrite and the dissolution of aluminosilicate minerals. Schwertmannite-goethite appears to be the most important mineral phases controlling the Fe solubility at a pH of 2–3.5. Moreover, they act as a sorbent of trace elements (As, Sb, V, Pb, Zn, Cr), which is an efficient mechanism of natural attenuation. Despite of this, the water flowing out from the basin is acid (pH 3.1) and contains significant concentrations of Fe (0.98 mg/L) and Al (3.76 mg/L) that confer mineral acidity to water. The Pachacoto River located 5.5 km downstream from this point showed a strong natural attenuation, with a pH of 6.9 and low concentration of metals. This mitigating process is possible due to (i) the formation of precipitates that retain toxic elements and (ii) the mixing with natural waters that promote dilution, which favor the increase of pH until circumneutral conditions., Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, España, Departamento Académico de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva, Perú, Centro de Astrobiología, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, España, Centro de Astrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, España

Transcriptomic sequencing together with bioinformatic analyses and an automated annotation process led us to identify novel phytochelatin synthase (PCS) genes from two extremophilic green algae (Chlamydomonas acidophila and Dunaliella acidophila). These genes are of intermediate length compared to known PCS genes from eukaryotes and PCS-like genes from prokaryotes. A detailed phylogenetic analysis gives new insight into the complicated evolutionary history of PCS genes and provides evidence for multiple horizontal gene transfer events from bacteria to eukaryotes within the gene family. A separate subgroup containing PCS-like genes within the PCS gene family is not supported since the PCS genes are monophyletic only when the PCS-like genes are included. The presence and functionality of the novel genes in the organisms were verified by genomic sequencing and qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the novel PCS gene in Chlamydomonas acidophila showed very strong induction by cadmium. Cloning and expression of the gene in Escherichia coli clearly improves its cadmium resistance. The gene in Dunaliella was not induced, most likely due to gene duplication.

The characterization of the airborne microorganisms at different altitudes of the atmosphere is usually conducted by means of aerial platforms. It is very interesting to know the biological processes in the atmosphere. However, there are problems associated to the fact that sampling systems are embarked on an aircraft and the low presence of microorganisms at high altitude. A prototype of a new electrostatic filter for bioaersol flowmetering dedicated to biology investigations has been developed. This prototype was designed to be installed on board in aerial platforms of INTA. The experimental characterization of the aerodynamic flow was performed in order to investigate the behaviour of the filter when different air intake widths and different mechanical deflectors are employed. A combination of these impactor with the filters based on industrial electrostatic precipitator technology have been studied. Non-intrusive Particle Image Velocimetry technique has been used to measure the flow field inside the filter when it was running under controlled conditions in laboratory. This study is a first investigation on the flow field of filter for bioaerosol flowmetering to be embarked on an aircraft. The results show the influence of each parameter in the flow field that could be used for further investigations and designs.

In mining areas in which sulfur-containing ores are exposed, the oxidation of sulfides leads to the formation of acidic mine drainage (AMD) waters. Both traditional and molecular microbial studies have shown that chemolithotrophic sulfur- and iron-oxidizing bacteria are responsible for this activity. The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), located in southwestern Spain represents one of the world’s largest accumulations of mine wastes and AMD waters. Mineralogical and textural characteristics of the IPB ores favor the oxidation and dissolution of pyrite and the subsequent formation of AMD waters. Acidic pit lakes in the IPB are a hotspot for this activity. These pit lakes are former open pit mines where ores have been exposed leading the formation of AMD waters. At present, there are more than 25 of these pit lakes between the provinces of Huelva and Seville (SW Spain). This work reports the physical properties, hydrogeochemical characteristics, and microbial diversity of two pit lakes located in the IPB Nuestra Señora del Carmen (NSC), and Concepción (CN). Both pit lakes are acid (pH 2-4) and showed chemical and thermal stratification with well defined chemoclines. One particular characteristic of NSC is that it has developed a chemocline very close to the surface (2 m depth). Microbial community composition of the water column was analyzed by 16S and 18S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing. The microorganisms detected in NSC are characteristic of acid mine drainage (AMD), including iron oxidizing bacteria (Leptospirillum) and facultative iron reducing bacteria and archaea (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Actinobacteria, Acidimicrobiales, Ferroplasma) detected in the bottom layer. Diversity in CN was higher than in NSC. Microorganisms known from AMD systems (Acidiphilium, Acidobacteria and Ferrovum) and microorganisms never reported from AMD systems were both identified.

Heavy metals are toxic compounds known to cause multiple and severe cellular damage. However, acidophilic extremophiles are able to cope with very high concentrations of heavy metals. This study investigated the stress response under natural environmental heavy metal concentrations in an acidophilic Dunaliella acidophila. We employed Illumina sequencing for a de novo transcriptome assembly and to identify changes in response to high cadmium concentrations and natural metal-rich water. The photosynthetic performance was also estimated by pulse amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorescence. Transcriptomic analysis highlights a number of processes mainly related to a high constitutive expression of genes involved in oxidative stress and response to reactive oxygen species (ROS), even in the absence of heavy metals. Photosynthetic activity seems to be unaltered under short-term exposition to Cd and chronic exposure to natural metal-rich water, probably due to an increase in the synthesis of structural photosynthetic components preserving their functional integrity. An overrepresentation of Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to metabolic activities, transcription, and proteosomal catabolic process was observed when D. acidophila grew under chronic exposure to natural metal-rich water. GO terms involved in carbohydrate metabolic process, reticulum endoplasmic and Golgi bodies, were also specifically overrepresented in natural metal-rich water library suggesting an endoplasmic reticulum stress response. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Due to its highly metalliferous waters and low pH, the Rio Tinto has shown its potential for modelling both acid mine drainage systems and biohydrometallurgical operations. Most geomicrobiological studies of these systems have focused on the oxic water column. A sequence-based approach in combination with in situ detection techniques enabled us to examine the composition and structure of the microbial communities associated with the suboxic and anoxic sediments along the river course and to compare them with the planktonic communities inhabiting the water column. The results obtained with the different approaches were consistent and revealed some major patterns: higher cell density and higher richness (75 vs. 48 operational taxonomic units) in the sediments than in the water column. The microbial communities were related but the river sediments appear to be enriched in certain populations, some of which have not previously been reported in the Rio Tinto basin. The differences detected between sampling stations along the river correlate with certain environmental parameters (e.g. iron concentration gradient). The biological and geochemical data show the importance of the sediments as representing a phase of particular high diversity, probably related to key metabolic processes within both the iron and the sulfur cycles., Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CGL2008-02298/BOS, CGL2011-22540)

breastfeeding is considered protective of osteoporosis, by endocrine changes, such as the rise of intestinal absorption of calcium and the renal conservation of the same, however, other studies demonstrate that with more one child they present a loss of bone mineral density (BMD) (2-9%).to determine if breastfeeding is a protective factor or a risk in osteoporosis in Queretaro's women.retrospective study of cases y controls. 114 women from 35 to 60 years divided in control group (without breastfeeding) and women those that breastfeed. Diagnostic of BMD by bone densitometry of two regions: Hip (femur) and lumbar. Clinical history applies. Criteria of inclusion: age 35-60 years. Criteria of exclusion: consumption: calcium, hormonal replacement therapy, treatment for osteoporosis: breastfeeding or pregnant. It will provide evidence of a central trend, T couplet, correlations, Chi2 y profitable reasons.breastfeeding was found to have a protection factor con 0.903 OR (0.768-1.006). Inverse correlation of BMI/BMD in hip and lumbar regions, in women that did not breast contrary to those that did breastfeed. In both groups in was determined a greater age of pregnancy with greater BMD in the hips and greater size of the child, only in women that breastfeed. Being the obesity factor of the women that breastfeed. However, a inverse correlation was found among Age/BMD in three regions from women that breasted, contrary to those that did not breastfeed specifically in the BMD lumbar.breastfeeding is beneficial for the mother as it is a protective factor against osteoporosis, as long as it holds the first 6 months and for newborn optimal linear growth.Introducción: la lactancia materna es considerada protectora de osteoporosis, por cambios endocrinos, como el aumento de absorción intestinal de calcio y la conservación renal del mismo; sin embargo, otros estudios demuestran que con más de un hijo presentan pérdida de densidad mineral ósea (DMO) (2-9%). Objetivo: determinar si la lactancia materna es un factor protector o de riesgo en osteoporosis en mujeres queretanas. Sujetos y métodos: estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. 114 mujeres de 35-60 años divididas en grupo control (sin lactar) y grupo mujeres que lactaron. Diagnóstico de DMO por densitometría ósea de dos regiones: cadera (fémur) y lumbar. Se aplicó historia clínica. Criterios de inclusión: edad 35-60 años. Criterios de exclusión: consumo: calcio, terapia hormonal de reemplazo; tratamiento para osteoporosis: lactando o embarazadas. Se realizaron pruebas de tendencia central, T pareada, correlaciones, Chi2 y razón de momios. Resultados: se encontró como factor de protección la lactancia con 0,903 OR (0,768-1,000). Correlación inversamente proporcional del IMC/DMO cadera y lumbar en mujeres que no lactaron frente a las que si lactaron; en ambos grupos se determinó una mayor edad de embarazo con mayor DMO en cadera y mayor talla del hijo, solo en las mujeres que lactaron. Siendo la obesidad factor protector de las mujeres que lactaron. Sin embargo, se encontró una correlación inversamente proporcional entre edad/DMO en las tres regiones de mujeres que lactaron, frente a las que no lactaron específicamente en DMOlumbar. Conclusión: la lactancia materna es beneficiosa para la madre, ya que es un factor protector contra la osteoporosis, siempre y cuando lleve a cabo los primeros seis meses, así como para el recién nacido, ya que proporciona un crecimiento lineal óptimo.

Photosynthesis versus irradiance curves and their associated photosynthetic parameters from different phototrophic biofilms isolated from an extreme acidic environment (Rio Tinto, SW, Spain) were studied in order to relate them to their species composition and the physicochemical characteristics of their respective sampling locations. The results indicated that the biofilms are low light acclimated showing a photoinhibition model; only floating communities of filamentous algae showed a light saturation model. Thus, all the biofilms analysed showed photoinhibition over 60 µmol photon m(-2) s(-1) except in the case of Zygnemopsis sp. sample, which showed a light-saturated photosynthesis model under irradiations higher that 200 µmol photon m(-2) s(-1). The highest values of compensation light intensity (I(c)) were showed also by Zygnemosis sp. biofilm (c. 40 µmol photon m(-2) s(-1)), followed by Euglena mutabilis and Chlorella sp. samples (c. 20 µmol photon m(-2) s(-1)). The diatom sample showed the lowest I(c) values (c. 5 µmol photon m(-2) s(-1)). As far as we know this is the first attempt to determine the photosynthetic activity of low pH and heavy metal tolerant phototrophic biofilms, which may give light in the understanding of the ecological importance of these biofilms for the maintenance of the primary production of these extreme and unique ecosystems.

Dissolution of a natural troilite by thermophilic consortia collected from two hot springs placed in Copahue geothermal region (Neuquen — Argentina) and later enriched in specific media for sulphur-oxidisers is reported in this paper. The enrichment was carried out at a temperature (65 °C) far away from those measured in the original hot springs (40.5 °C and 87 °C) in order to analyse the flexibility of the consortia to keep viability under other temperature conditions. Different microscopic techniques (SEM, TEM, fluorescence microscopy) allowed the partial characterisation of the cultures used as inocula in the bioleaching experiments. Results show that, as other metal sulphides, troilite dissolution can be strongly catalysed by sulphur (and iron) wild oxidising microorganisms present in the consortia from Copahue hot springs. According to our results, the addition of sulphur increased the bioleaching rate although the troilite dissolution is not limited by such addition because sulphur is in situ generated by chemical oxidation. Iron solubilised from troilite was partially precipitated mainly as jarosite. An additional and interesting result of our studies indicates that natural consortia can have a wide thermal flexibility and there are some strains among them – especially archaeas from Sulfolobales genus – that are able to survive at temperatures far away from the ones registered in the place where they were collected.

This study examines fossil microorganisms found in iron-rich deposits in an extreme acidic environment, the Tinto River in SW Spain. Both electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and non-destructive in situ microanalytical techniques (EDS, EMP and XPS) were used to determine the role of permineralization and encrustation in preserving microorganisms forming biofilms in the sediments. Unicellular algae were preserved by silica permineralization of their cell walls. Bacterial biofilms were preserved as molds by epicellular deposition of schwertmannite around them. In the case of fungi and filamentous algae, we observed permineralization of cell structures by schwertmannite in the sediments. The extracellular polymeric matrix around the cells was also preserved through permineralization of the fibrillar component. The process of permineralization and deposition of iron-rich precipitates present in the acidic waters of Rio Tinto served to preserve many microfossils in an oxidizing environment, in which organic compo...

Rio Tinto (Iberian Pyritic Belt, SW Spain) is a natural extreme acidic environment with a rather constant acidic pH and a high concentration of heavy metals. The Tinto ecosystem is under the control of iron. The geomicrobiological characterization of Rio Tinto has been performed to unravel some basic questions of biohydrometallurgical interest. The methodologies developed for this study have been applied successfully to monitor different bioleaching processes.

Introducción: La jubilación es una etapa de cambios que influye en el bienestar de las personas. Por este motivo, es importante entender las vivencias en la etapa de jubilación de las personas desde su propia experiencia Objetivo: Comprender las experiencias subjetivas del bienestar en personas jubiladas Métodos: Estudio cualitativo, con diseño de estudio de casos e con interpretación fenomenológica. Se realizaron entrevistas a profundidad a ocho personas jubiladas, mayores de 60 años y en igualdad de género. Los datos se analizaron con fundamento en el método fenomenológico buscando vivencias del cuerpo, el espacio, el tiempo y las relaciones humanas Resultados: Las personas jubiladas consideraron importante, para tener bienestar, el tener sentimientos positivos y de autorrealización, realizar actividades ya sea en grupo o individuales, relacionarse con familiares, amigos, valorar sus conocimientos, la salud y sus opiniones Conclusiones: Realizar actividades y relacionarse con los demás son factores importantes para tener un bienestar en la época de jubilación

A 1.2 km long effluent from La Zarza-Perrunal mine (Iberian Pyritic Belt, IPB) was characterized and compared with Río Tinto. In La Zarza effluent microbial oxidation of ferrous iron is responsible for the drastic increase in ferric iron, from a ratio of Fe(III)/Fetotal of 0.11 at the origin, up to 0.99 downstream. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity throughout the effluent were determined. Bacteria related to the sulfur cycle as well as iron-reducing bacteria were mainly detected near the anoxic origin. Iron-oxidizing microorganisms increased along the course of the effluent following an increase in the oxygen content in the water column. Eukaryotic diversity varied drastically along the effluent. Rio Tinto (92 km length) is a natural extreme acidic environment with a rather constant acidic pH (mean pH value 2.3) and a high concentration of heavy metals. The Tinto ecosystem is under the control of iron [1]. The geomicrobiological comparisons of both habitats were performed to unravel some basic questions of biohydrometallurgical interest.

Rio Tinto (Iberian Pyritic Belt, SW Spain) is a natural extreme acidic environment with a rather constant acidic pH (mean pH value 2.3) and a high concentration of heavy metals. The Tinto ecosystem is under the control of iron. The geomicrobiological characterization of Río Tinto has unravelled some basic questions of biohydrometallurgical interest. The methodologies developed for this study were applied successfully to monitor different bioleaching processes of the BioMinE project.

To evaluate the importance of the extracellular matrix in relation to heavy metal binding capacity in extreme acidic environments, the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) composition of 12 biofilms isolated from Rio Tinto (SW, Spain) was analyzed. Each biofilm was composed mainly by one or two species of eukaryotes, although other microorganisms were present. EPS ranged from 130 to 439 mg g(-1) biofilm dry weight, representing between 15% and the 40% of the total biofilm dry weight (DW). Statistically significant differences (p