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Lignin nanoparticles containing saccharides from fishery wastes were prepared as sustainable biofillers for advanced materials. Organosolv lignin and Kraft lignin were used as polyphenol components in association with chitosan and chitooligosaccharides. The chemophysical and biological activities of lignin/saccharide nanoparticles, such as UV-shielding, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, were found to be dependent on both molecular weight and deacetylation degree of saccharides, with the best performance being obtained in the presence of low-molecular-weight and highly deacetylated chitooligosaccharides. In addition, chitooligosaccharides showed a synergistic antioxidant effect with lignins, associated with antimicrobial activity against

Pyrite, also known as fool's gold is the thermodynamic stable polymorph of FeS2. It is widely considered as a promising d-band semiconductor for various applications due to its intriguing physical properties. Marcasite is the other naturally occurring polymorph of FeS2. Measurements on natural crystals have shown that it has similarly promising electronic, mechanical, and optical properties as pyrite. However, it has been only scarcely investigated so far, because the laboratory-based synthesis of phase-pure samples or high quality marcasite single crystal has been a challenge until now. Here, we report the targeted phase formation via hydrothermal synthesis of marcasite and pyrite. The formation condition and phase purity of the FeS2 polymorphs are systematically studied in the form of a comprehensive synthesis map. We, furthermore, report on a detailed analysis of marcasite single crystal growth by a space-separated hydrothermal synthesis. We observe that single phase product of marcasite forms only on the surface under the involvement of H2S and sulphur vapor. The availability of high-quality crystals of marcasite allows us to measure the fundamental physical properties, including an allowed direct optical bandgap of 0.76 eV, temperature independent diamagnetism, an electronic transport gap of 0.11 eV, and a room-temperature carrier concentration of 4.14 × 1018 cm−3. X-ray absorption/emission spectroscopy are employed to measure the band gap of the two FeS2 phases. We find marcasite has a band gap of 0.73 eV, while pyrite has a band gap of 0.87 eV. Our results indicate that marcasite – that is now synthetically available in a straightforward fashion – is as equally promising as pyrite as candidate for various semiconductor applications based on earth abundant elements., Pyrite, also known as fool's gold is the thermodynamic stable polymorph of FeS2.

We report on the synthesis and the superconductivity in Zr 4 Rh 2 O x (x = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 1.0). These compounds crystallize in the η-carbide structure, which is a filled version of the complex intermetallic Ti 2 Ni structure. We find that in the system Zr 4 Rh 2 O x , already a small amount (x ≥ 0.4) of oxygen addition stabilizes the η-carbide structure over the more common intermetallic CuAl 2 structure-type, in which Zr 2 Rh crystallizes. We show that Zr 4 Rh 2 O 0.7 and Zr 4 Rh 2 O are bulk superconductors with critical temperatures of T c ≈ 2.8 K and 4.7 K in the resistivity, respectively. Our analysis of the superconducting properties reveal both compounds to be strongly type-II superconductors with critical fields up to μ 0 H c 1 (0) ≈ 8.8 mT and μ 0 H c 2 (0) ≈ 6.08 T. Our results support that the η-carbides are a versatile family of compounds for the investigation of the interplay of interstitial doping on physical properties, especially for superconductivity.

Pyrite, also known as fool's gold is the thermodynamic stable polymorph of FeS$_2$. It is widely considered as a promising d-band semiconductor for various applications due to its intriguing physical properties. Marcasite is the other naturally occurring polymorph of FeS$_2$. Measurements on natural crystals have shown that it has similarly promising electronic, mechanical, and optical properties as pyrite. However, it has been only scarcely investigated so far, because the laboratory-based synthesis of phase-pure samples or high-quality marcasite single crystal has been a challenge until now. Here, we report the targeted phase formation via hydrothermal synthesis of marcasite and pyrite. The formation condition and phase purity of the FeS$_2$ polymorphs are systematically studied in the form of a comprehensive synthesis map. We, furthermore, report on a detailed analysis of marcasite single crystal growth by a space-separated hydrothermal synthesis. We observe that single phase product of marcasite forms only on the surface under the involvement of H$_2$S and sulphur vapor. The availability of high-quality crystals of marcasite allows us to measure the fundamental physical properties, including an allowed direct optical bandgap of 0.76 eV, temperature independent diamagnetism, an electronic transport gap of 0.11 eV, and a room-temperature carrier concentration of 4.14 $\times$ 10$^{18}$ cm$^{-3}$. X-ray absorption/emission spectroscopy are employed to measure the band gap of the two FeS$_2$ phases. We find marcasite has a band gap of 0.73 eV, while pyrite has a band gap of 0.87 eV. Our results indicate that marcasite -- that is now synthetically available in a straightforward fashion -- is as equally promising as pyrite as candidate for various semiconductor applications based on earth abundant elements., Comment: Supporting Information available at publisher's page: https://www.rsc.org/suppdata/d1/sc/d1sc03026d/d1sc03026d1.pdf

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) episodes cause important economic impacts due to closure of shellfish production areas in order to protect human health. These closures, if are frequent and persistent, can seriously affect shellfish producers and the seafood industry, among others. In this study, we have developed an alternative processing method for bivalves with PSP content above the legal limit, which allows reducing toxicity to acceptable levels. A modification of the PSP detoxifying procedure stablished by Decision 96/77/EC of the European Union in Acanthocardia tuberculata, was developed and implemented for PSP elimination in other bivalves species. The procedure was applied to 6 batches of mussels, 2 batches of clams and 2 batches of scallops, achieving detoxification rates of around 85%. A viable industrial protocol which allows the transformation of a product at risk into a safe product was developed. Although a significant reduction was obtained, in a sample circa 9000 μg STX diHCl equiv/kg, the final toxin level in these highly toxic mussels did not fall below the European limit. The processing protocol described may be applied efficiently to mussels, clams and scallops and it may be a major solution to counteract the closure of shellfish harvesting areas, especially if persistent.

Objetivo: Revisar a relação entre a suplementação de creatina, especialmente em sua forma monohidratada, e o declínio da função renal, bem como se há uma relação entre essa suplementação e a lesão renal. Revisão bibliográfica: Os achados de lesão renal associada ao uso de creatina não puderam atribuir o quadro clínico de forma isolada ao uso da substância. Deve-se considerar que as características individuais, bem como do consumo alimentar e das demais suplementações, exercem papel importante. O uso de creatina em doses recomendadas tem sua segurança garantida pelos órgãos regulamentadores e não há, até o momento, contraindicação para o seu uso por pessoas saudáveis e que apresentem necessidade de suplementação. Considerações finais: Ao analisar o uso da creatina isoladamente e como único fator desencadeante para a injúria renal, não foram encontradas evidências suficientes que consolidem a associação entre disfunção renal e o uso desta substância. O uso da creatina é seguro por pessoas saudáveis, quando em doses adequadas.

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that is receiving increasing interest in the European Union because it has been found in different fishery products (fish, bivalves and gastropods) captured in European waters. Since available information is scarce, further analytical data regarding the incidence of this toxin in European fishery products is needed in order to perform an appropriate risk assessment devoted to protecting consumers&rsquo, health. Hence, samples of bivalves and gastropods were collected at different points of the Spanish coast and analyzed by high-performance hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) to evaluate the presence of TTX. None of the analyzed samples showed TTX above an internal threshold of 10 &micro, g/kg or even showed a peak under it. Our results on TTX occurrence obtained in bivalve molluscs and gastropods did not show, at least in the studied areas, a risk for public health. However, taking into account previous positive results obtained by other research groups, and since we did not detect TTX in our samples, a more completed study increasing sampling frequency is needed to ensure proper risk evaluation towards the food safety of these products.

Excitations in a spin ice behave as magnetic monopoles, and their population and mobility control the dynamics of a spin ice at low temperature. CdEr_{2}Se_{4} is reported to have the Pauling entropy characteristic of a spin ice, but its dynamics are three orders of magnitude faster than the canonical spin ice Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}. In this Letter we use diffuse neutron scattering to show that both CdEr_{2}Se_{4} and CdEr_{2}S_{4} support a dipolar spin ice state-the host phase for a Coulomb gas of emergent magnetic monopoles. These Coulomb gases have similar parameters to those in Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}, i.e., dilute and uncorrelated, and so cannot provide three orders faster dynamics through a larger monopole population alone. We investigate the monopole dynamics using ac susceptometry and neutron spin echo spectroscopy, and verify the crystal electric field Hamiltonian of the Er^{3+} ions using inelastic neutron scattering. A quantitative calculation of the monopole hopping rate using our Coulomb gas and crystal electric field parameters shows that the fast dynamics in CdEr_{2}X_{4} (X=Se, S) are primarily due to much faster monopole hopping. Our work suggests that CdEr_{2}X_{4} offer the possibility to study alternative spin ice ground states and dynamics, with equilibration possible at much lower temperatures than the rare earth pyrochlore examples.

Lipophilic marine toxins pose a serious threat for consumers and an enormous economic problem for shellfish producers. Synergistic interaction among toxins may play an important role in the toxicity of shellfish and consequently in human intoxications. In order to study the toxic profile of molluscs, sampled during toxic episodes occurring in different locations in Galicia in 2014, shellfish were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), the official method for the detection of lipophilic toxins. The performance of this procedure was demonstrated to be fit for purpose and was validated in house following European guidelines. The vast majority of toxins present in shellfish belonged to the okadaic acid (OA) group and some samples from a particular area contained yessotoxin (YTX). Since these toxins occur very often with other lipophilic toxins, we evaluated the potential interactions among them. A human neuroblastoma cell line was used to study the possible synergies of OA with other lipophilic toxins. Results show that combination of OA with dinophysistoxin 2 (DTX2) or YTX enhances the toxicity triggered by OA, decreasing cell viability and cell proliferation, depending on the toxin concentration and incubation time. The effects of other lipophilic toxins as 13-desmethyl Spirolide C were also evaluated in vitro.

Despite efforts done by industries some well known foodborne pathogens, like Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, continue to be a challenge to public health institutions and a threat for consumers. The aim of this study was to develop a complete, rapid and reliable multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) method for the simultaneous detection of these two bacteria in food and environmental samples, including a novel single enrichment broth (TA10) for both bacteria. TA10 broth was modified (pH and buffer concentration) to enhance simultaneous growth of both pathogens in the presence of high numbers of competitors bacteria. Also two different DNA-extraction protocols were compared. qPCR efficiency above 90% was obtained, covering 5 orders of magnitude. Complete method achieved low limit of detection (5 cfu/25 g), and all quality parameters of the method returned values over 90%. Complete qPCR method was applied to 95 natural samples covering a wide variety of food types proving that the qPCR method described, including the use of one single enrichment broth, modified TA10, was suitable for the simultaneous and reliable screening of Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes in food and environmental samples.

New molecular methods of research have greatly expanded the knowledge about the role of cytokines in several diseases, including psoriasis. The work orchestrated by these peptides is essential for the communication between resident inflammatory cells (keratinocytes and endothelial cells) and infiltrating cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, Langerhans cells). This is a complex network due to redundancy, synergism and, sometimes, the antagonism of cytokines, which prevents full understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Currently, it seems premature to try to establish a main actor, but TNFalpha participates in all stages of psoriatic plaque development, as we shall see.A introdução de novos métodos moleculares de investigação ampliou muito o conhecimento sobre o papel das citocinas em diversas doenças, entre elas a psoríase. O trabalho orquestrado desses polipeptídeos é fundamental na comunicação entre as células inflamatórias residentes (queratinócitos e células endoteliais) e infiltrantes (neutrófilos, linfócitos, células de Langerhans). Trata-se de uma rede complexa devido à redundância, ao sinergismo e, por vezes, ao antagonismo das citocinas, o que dificulta a compreensão da fisiopatogenia da doença a partir de um mecanismo linear. No momento atual, parece precoce tentar estabelecer um regente, mas o TNF-alfa se destaca em todos os passos do desenvolvimento da placa psoriásica, como veremos a seguir.

A multiplex real-time PCR (RT-PCR) method was developed in this work for pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection in water and food samples. This bacterium is found in the environment and it is considered a major foodborne pathogen that poses a considerable public health risk; in fact, last year the World Health Organization (WHO) organized an expert meeting to review and recommend microbiological methods in order to monitor the levels of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in seafood and water. Our method was tested with different pathogenic strains of V. parahaemolyticus containing tdh and/or trh pathogenicity genes and results were compared with the cultured-based method ISO 21872-1:2007. The limit of detection (LOD) for pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus was established at 6 cfu/25 g for tdh, 11 cfu/25 g for trh1 and 8 cfu/25 g for trh2 with both methods studied. However, with ISO 21872-1:2007 only the detection of total V. parahaemolyticus is possible and this takes at least 3 days followed by complementary techniques to identify pathogenic serotypes. With multiplex real-time PCR developed in this work identification of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus takes only 24 .

The present work is focused on the development of a TaqMan multiplex real-time PCR method for the detection of Salmonella, Shigella and L. monocytogenes in seafood, meat and ready-to-eat products. The aim of this study is to detect the three pathogens in one single test including an enrichment medium for the simultaneous growth of the bacteria of interest and an Internal Amplification Control (IAC) to monitor PCR inhibitors. For this purpose, three genes were selected, invA for Salmonella, ipaH for Shigella and hlyA for L. monocytogenes. Also, no. 17 broth without dextrose and further modified by adding Tween 80 was used for the enrichment step. Specificity of the method was checked against a panel of 24 non-target bacterial strains. RT-PCR efficiency obtained for the simultaneous amplification of all three pathogens was 102.5% for Salmonella, 108.9% for Shigella and 106.4% for L. monocytogenes. The limit of detection (LOD) was evaluated in seafood, meat and ready-to-eat products, being established within 3 and 22 cfu in 25 g of sample for the three bacteria analyzed. Seventy-eight samples were analyzed with multiplex RT-PCR including spiked and natural samples collected from different laboratories. Even though several RT-PCR methods have been developed for the detection of Salmonella, Shigella and L. monocytogenes, as far as we know this is the first method developed for the simultaneous detection of these three pathogens, coupling RT-PCR with an enrichment in the same broth and being tested in a wide range of different processed food samples with a low LOD. The application of this method can significantly reduce costs and time of analysis in laboratories, what would be reflected in a faster response in those risk situations when they are detected.

A comparative study was conducted to determine the feasibility of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in nine naturally contaminated species in fresh, frozen, boiled and canned fish and shellfish. PSP and ASP were analyzed in 138 shellfish samples (mussels, clams, barnacles, razor shells, scallops and cockles) and anchovies by mouse bioassay (MBA) and high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV), respectively. Results were compared with toxin concentrations obtained using two commercial competitive ELISAs, saxitoxin and ASP kits. Immunoassays were able to quantify toxins in different matrices showing excellent Pearson's correlation coefficients (r = 0.974 for saxitoxin ELISA and r = 0.973 for ASP ELISA) and to detect PSP and ASP with a lower limit of detection (LOD), namely, 50 microg saxitoxin equivalent/kg shellfish meat for PSP and 60 microg/kg domoic acid in shellfish flesh for ASP, than the reference methods (350 microg saxitoxin equivalent/kg shellfish meat and 1.6 mg/kg domoic acid in shellfish flesh, respectively). These results suggest that the ELISA method could be used as screening systems in a variety of species without matrix interference.

Cation fluxes appear to play a key role in palytoxin-induced signal. There are other cellular targets that have not been described as well as the biochemical signaling cascades that transmit palytoxin-stimulated signals remain to be clarified. Since modifications of cations, mainly calcium, are generally associated to cell death or apoptosis, we wanted to further evaluate the effect of palytoxin on cell death. Then, in vitro cytotoxic effects of palytoxin were characterized on human neuroblastoma cells. By using several techniques, we studied markers of cell death and apoptosis, such as cell detachment, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspases, DNA damage, LDH leakage, propidium iodide uptake, F-actin depolimerization and inhibition of cellular proliferation. Results show that palytoxin triggers a series of toxic responses; it inhibits cell proliferation, induces cell rounding, detachment from the substratum and F-actin disruption. Among the apoptotic markers studied we only detected fall in mitochondrial membrane potential. Neither caspases activation nor chromatin condensation or DNA fragmentation were observed in palytoxin-treated cells.

Palytoxin isolated from the genus Palythoa is the most potent marine toxin known. The aim of the present study was to quantify palytoxin-induced cellular injury in the human intestinal cell line Caco-2. Cellular damage was measured by evaluating cell proliferation, cell membrane permeability, cell morphology and apoptotic markers. Furthermore, changes in F-actin were studied after exposure of cells to increasing amounts of palytoxin. The results show that cell proliferation decreased in a concentration-dependent manner with a mean IC(50) value of about 0.1 nM. A noticeable increase of cell detachment correlated with cell rounding and F-actin depolymerization was observed in palytoxin-treated cells. Moreover LDH was released from the cells in a dose and time dependent manner, although under these conditions there was no propidium iodide uptake. On the other hand, palytoxin impaired mitochondrial activity but other apoptotic markers, such as DNA fragmentation or caspases activation, were not observed. The results obtained in this paper suggest that the effects of palytoxin in Caco-2 cells were very potent and unspecific, since a primary necrosis and a secondary apoptosis seem to occur under these conditions.

Background: Cyclosporine is a potent immunosupressor, which induces cytokeratin expression pattern changes and dermal dendrocytes number increase. Objectives: To evaluate its clinical effect in psoriasis, on keratinocytic proliferation and differentiation, and on dermal dendrocytes proliferation. Methods: Thirty patients with psoriasis were treated and evaluated for 8 weeks. Clinical improvement was evaluated by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Biopsies were performed initially and after 8 weeks. Immunohistochemistry [CK markers 10, 14, and 16, and factor XIIIa+ (FXIIIa+)] was performed. Results: Mean PASI before treatment was 26.32 and 3.71 after. Mean initial and final PASI difference was 22.61 (p

The spin dynamics of the molecular magnetic chain [Dy(hfac)(3){NIT(C6H4OPh)}] were investigated by means of the Muon Spin Relaxation (mu+SR) technique. This system consists of a magnetic lattice of alternating Dy(III) ions and radical spins, and exhibits single-chain-magnet behavior. The magnetic properties of [Dy(hfac)(3){NIT(C6H4OPh)}] have been studied by measuring the magnetization vs. temperature at different applied magnetic fields (H - 5, 3500, and 16500 Oe) and by performing mu+SR experiments vs. temperature in zero field and in a longitudinal applied magnetic field H - 3500 Oe. The muon asymmetry P(t) was fitted by the sum of three components, two stretched-exponential decays with fast and intermediate relaxation times, and a third slow exponential decay. The temperature dependence of the spin dynamics has been determined by analyzing the muon longitudinal relaxation rate lambda(interm)(T), associated with the intermediate relaxing component. The experimental lambda(interm)(T) data were fitted with a corrected phenomenological Bloembergen-Purcell-Pound law by using a distribution of thermally activated correlation times, which average to tau - tau(0) exp(Delta/k(B)T), corresponding to a distribution of energy barriers Delta. The correlation times can be associated with the spin freezing that occurs when the system condenses in the ground state. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) results from the consumption of shellfish contaminated with okadaic acid (OA) or one of the dinophysistoxins (DTX). It has been reported that this toxin induces apoptosis in several cell models, but the molecular events involved in this process have not been clarified. In this report we studied intracellular signals induced by OA in Caco-2 cells: mitochondrial membrane potential, F-actin depolymerization, caspases activation, cell proliferation and cell membrane integrity. Results indicate that caspases-8 and -9 increased their activity after 30 min of OA treatment according to their role as initiator caspases. In contrast, activation of the downstream caspase-3 is a later event in the execution phase of apoptosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential changes are detected at 30 min of OA exposure indicating that this is an early response in the apoptotic cascade. F-actin depolymerization occurs after 24 h of incubation with OA and this effect is significant at low doses of the toxin. LDH is released into the culture medium, although there is not PI uptake, indicative of a significant cell death in addition to apoptosis. Moreover, OA led to a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cellular proliferation.

15 páginas, 2 figuras, 2 tablas, The microbiological quality of 18 commercially available in Spain ready-to-eat fish products containing Engraulidae was evaluated through application of the corresponding ISO procedures for total mesophilic aerobic microbial counts, detection and enumeration of enterobacteria, and detection of Staphylococcus spp. All isolates were identified to the species level using two different biochemical methods: the API® test and the Biolog® identification system. The most commonly occurring contaminants found were Enterobacteriaceae—such as Citrobacter freundii and other Citrobacter species, Enterobacter cloacae, Cronobacter sakazakii, Hafnia alvei, Pantoea, Proteus ssp., and Escherichia coli. The presence of such opportunistic pathogens and contaminant microflora was confirmed in 61% of the foods sampled., This study was supported by Project Grant No. 09TAL002CT from the Xunta de Galicia, Spain.

The digitalic glicoside ouabain induces potentiation of rat mast cell histamine release in response to several stimuli, which is mediated by Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. In this work, we studied the effect of ouabain on cytosolic calcium, intracellular pH and histamine release with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 in conditions designed to maximize ouabain-induced potentiation of rat mast cells response. The effect of protein kinase C (PKC), cAMP and phosphatase inhibition was also tested. Ouabain induced an enhancement in histamine release, cytosolic calcium and intracellular pH. The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin reduced the effect of ouabain on histamine release and intracellular pH, but enhanced the effect on cytosolic calcium. PKC activator PMA enhanced the effect of ouabain on histamine release and cytosolic calcium, without affecting intracellular pH. A PKC inhibitor, GF-109203X, reduced ouabain-induced enhancement of histamine release and intracellular pH, but increased the enhancement on cytosolic calcium. Finally, inhibition of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A with okadaic acid, increased the effect of ouabain on histamine release and intracellular pH, but reduced cytosolic calcium in presence of ouabain. This result suggest that ouabain-induced potentiation of rat mast cell histamine release with A23187 is modulated by kinases, and this modulation may be carried out by changes in intracellular alkalinization. However, the mechanism underlying cellular alkalinization remains to be elucidated.

The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger has not been characterized in rat mast cells, although its exitstence has been previously suggested. In this work, we determine that this exchanger exists

Alberto Otero, Maria Jose Chapela, Jorge Lago, Juan M. Vieites, and Ana G. CabadoCONTENTS17.1 Nonneurotoxic Toxins 346 17.1.1 Lipophilic Toxins 346

We report a case of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the skin in a 44-year-old Brazilian man that was present for 6 years with no metastasis. It is a rare malignant neoplasm of the eccrine gland. Metastases have been found in a few cases, usually to the lungs or lymph nodes. This neoplasm microscopically presents with large nests of cells with adenoid or cribriform features and many epithelial small solid islands. Histopathologic analysis is necessary for diagnosis.

Six species of marine sponges collected at intertidal and sublittoral sites of the coast of Galicia (NW Spain) were screened for potential cytotoxic properties on Neuroblastoma BE(2)-M17 cell line. Exposure to Halichondria panicea, Pachymatisma johnstonia, Ophlitaspongia seriata and Haliclona sp. aqueous extracts strongly affected cell appearance, inducing loss of neuron-like morphology and the formation of clumps. Extracts from these species also caused significant rates of cell detachment and decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. Incubation with P. johnstonia, O. seriata and Suberites massa extracts also decreased the rate of cell proliferation. The increase of incubation time enhanced propidium iodide uptake by neuroblastoma cells. Toxic responses triggered by sponge extracts are compatible with apoptotic phenomena in neuroblastoma cells, even though increasing propidium uptake at long periods of exposure might indicate the induction of secondary necrosis. The cytotoxic properties of the tested extracts suggest the presence of compounds with potential pharmacological or biotechnological applications in the screened sponge species.

New molecular methods of research have greatly expanded the knowledge about the role of cytokines in several diseases, including psoriasis. The work orchestrated by these peptides is essential for the communication between resident inflammatory cells (keratinocytes and endothelial cells) and infiltrating cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, Langerhans cells). This is a complex network due to redundancy, synergism and, sometimes, the antagonism of cytokines, which prevents full understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Currently, it seems premature to try to establish a main actor, but TNFalpha participates in all stages of psoriatic plaque development, as we shall see.

The main objective of the present work was to evaluate a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect toxigenic Vibrio cholerae in Pangasius hypophthalmus, a freshwater fish cultured mainly in South East Asia. A FDA traditional culture method and a real-time PCR method of the ctx gene were used for detection of V. cholerae in spiked samples of pangasius fish. After an overnight enrichment of samples at 37 degrees C in alkaline peptone water, 2 cfu/25 g of fish was detected with both methods. Although both methods were very sensitive, obtaining results with culture methods may take several days, while real-time PCR takes only a few hours. Furthermore, with traditional methods, complementary techniques such as serotyping, although not available for all serogroups, are needed to identify toxigenic V. cholerae. However, with real-time PCR, toxigenic serogroups are detected in only one step after overnight enrichment.

Here we present a summary of the work carried out in the last few years on the synthesis and characterization of a new type of organically templated inorganic–organic solid based on the (HPO3)2−phosphite oxoanion, with special focus on the magnetostructural properties of those systems containing open d-shell transition metal ions. As a result of the inherent connectivity of the metal-phosphite framework, the magnetic behaviour of the great majority of these materials is characterized by weak antiferromagnetic interactions that become relevant only at low temperature.

Harmful algal blooms cause important economical losses due to the accumulation of toxins in shellfish. Natural detoxification occurs but this mechanism is very slow in most cases. The achievement of a method for the rapid detoxification of commercial bivalves would be very interesting for the shellfish harvesting sector in order to diminish economical losses due to harvesting areas closure. In this work, four different methods easily applicable in the food industry (freezing, evisceration, ozonization and thermal processing) were studied to gain the detoxification of four species of bivalves (mussels, scallops, clams and cockles) contaminated with the three main types of toxins (ASP, DSP, PSP). Results show that for ASP a significant decrease of the toxin levels below the legal limit (20 microg/g) is achieved by using hepatopancreas ablation or combination of simple steps (evisceration and/or thermal processing/and or freezing). In our hands, PSP toxin levels are sharply decreased under the limit of detection (35 microg STX eq/100g) after a thermal processing, inducing percentages of detoxification higher than 50%. The effect of freezing on the levels of PSP is very dependent on the matrix studied. DSP toxins are not significantly reduced with none of these methods.

Okadaic acid (OA), an algal toxin, is known to induce Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning and apoptosis in a variety of cell lines. One of the main targets of OA is the actin cytoskeleton which can be modulated by integrins and other structural proteins. In this paper we studied the role of these proteins and skeletal structures on OA-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. Results show that beta1 integrin and vinculin are down-regulated when cells were exposed to OA. We observed an interaction between talin and beta1 integrin that is impaired in OA treated cells.

Here we present a summary of the work carried out in the last few years on the synthesis and characterization of a new type of organically templated inorganic–organic solid based on the (HPO3)2−phosphite oxoanion, with special focus on the magnetostructural properties of those systems containing open d-shell transition metal ions. As a result of the inherent connectivity of the metal-phosphite framework, the magnetic behaviour of the great majority of these materials is characterized by weak antiferromagnetic interactions that become relevant only at low temperature.

Assistons-nous au commencement d’une nouvelle ere du travail ? Avant d’en decider, il faut prendre garde que la methode consistant a definir des periodes successives au cours de l’histoire conduit a attribuer un dynamisme propre a chacune, et a dissimuler le mouvement d’ensemble qui, eventuellement, les produit et les entraine.Les sociologues qui veulent penser notre present a partir de l’epoque precedente se mettent en situation de n’observer rien d’autre que le maintien, la denaturation ou la desagregation du taylorisme. Mais qu’est-ce que le taylorisme ? Toutes les interpretations qui ont cherche a lui donner une coherence et un moteur specifiques se sont revelees inconsistantes. Pour comprendre cette technique, il faut necessairement outrepasser les domaines, les objets et les durees d’observation que les praticiens ont en fin de compte fixe aux chercheurs.La separation, devenue commune, entre la sociologie du travail et celle de l’emploi, exprime et dissimule le refus de decrire par elles-memes les relations fondamentales de la production. C’est pourtant en les observant que l’on aura une chance d’echapper aux contradictions que produit l’usage des concepts traditionnels, et qu’on analysera les diverses formes de prescriptions et de mesures qui, selon les temps et les conditions, reglent les rencontres entre les travaux et les capacites de travail.