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The objective of this study is to gain more comprehensive knowledge about social inequality in mortality in pre-industrial periods. With this aim, we have reconstructed the life courses of the inhabitants of the town of Vera in south-east Spain for the period 1797-1812 in order to estimate the influence of socio-economic status on ordinary and extraordinary mortality, given that, during this period, the town suffered from several epidemic outbreaks of yellow fever. As a result of these outbreaks, around a quarter of the town’s population died. The results obtained indicate social inequality in mortality at least from the end of the eighteenth century. Although the differences are higher in mortality caused by non-infectious diseases or ill-defined causes, the coefficients also show a certain social gradient in mortality derived from infectious diseases. However, with respect to this latter type of mortality, the place of residence - seems to have a greater influence on the chances of survival than socio-economic status.

nano-ChIA combines multiple nanoimaging modalities to uncover 4D chromatin organization and its relationship to molecular function., Extending across multiple length scales, dynamic chromatin structure is linked to transcription through the regulation of genome organization. However, no individual technique can fully elucidate this structure and its relation to molecular function at all length and time scales at both a single-cell level and a population level. Here, we present a multitechnique nanoscale chromatin imaging and analysis (nano-ChIA) platform that consolidates electron tomography of the primary chromatin fiber, optical super-resolution imaging of transcription processes, and label-free nano-sensing of chromatin packing and its dynamics in live cells. Using nano-ChIA, we observed that chromatin is localized into spatially separable packing domains, with an average diameter of around 200 nanometers, sub-megabase genomic size, and an internal fractal structure. The chromatin packing behavior of these domains exhibits a complex bidirectional relationship with active gene transcription. Furthermore, we found that properties of PDs are correlated among progenitor and progeny cells across cell division.

In eukaryotic cells, chromatin structure is linked to transcription processes through the regulation of genome organization. Extending across multiple length-scales - from the nucleosome to higher-order three-dimensional structures - chromatin is a dynamic system which evolves throughout the lifetime of a cell. However, no individual technique can fully elucidate the behavior of chromatin organization and its relation to molecular function at all length- and timescales at both a single-cell and a cell population level. Herein, we present a multi-technique nanoscale Chromatin Imaging and Analysis (nano-ChIA) platform that bridges electron tomography and optical superresolution imaging of chromatin conformation and transcriptional processes, with resolution down to the level of individual nucleosomes, with high-throughput, label-free analysis of chromatin packing and its dynamics in live cells. Utilizing nano-ChIA, we observed that chromatin is localized into spatially separable packing domains, with an average diameter of around 200 nm, sub-Mb genomic size, and an internal fractal structure. The chromatin packing behavior of these domains is directly influenced by active gene transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the chromatin packing domain structure is correlated among progenitor cells and all their progeny, indicating that the organization of chromatin into fractal packing domains is heritable across cell division. Further studies employing the nano-ChIA platform have the potential to provide a more coherent picture of chromatin structure and its relation to molecular function.

In 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council forbid marriages among relatives up to the fourth level of consanguinity and second level of affinity. This norm was valid until the early 20 th century. It is striking that, in spite of the strength and persistence of the prohibition, consanguineous and affine marriages were not uncommon, and their frequency even increased during the 19 th century in some countries. This occurred when the demographic transition, industrialisation, and migration from the countryside to the cities favoured exogamous marriages. The demographic factors causing the rise of kinship marriages could be related to the presence of more relatives in the marriage market due to more persons reaching marriageable ages. Migration to the cities and agra­rian capitalism contributed to restructuring land ownership, generating new family alliances in order to obtain more control over the land and to increase the workforce of the households. Together with that, the secularisation of civil regulations about inheritance changed the conception of relationships among brothers and sisters, who were now considered independent persons and not only of the ‘same blood’. Moreover, the blood relatives of the spouse were now considered legal marriage candidates, when developing strategies to follow the ecclesiastical prescriptions. Kinship marriages were also possible because specific exceptions were allowed. The most frequent one was the so-called angustia loci , which permitted a kin marriage when the couple was living in a village with fewer than 1,500 inhabitants or fewer than 300 families. Another common exception was the aetas superadulta , which allowed women aged between 25 and 50 years to marry a relative in case they had not found a husband previously, moreover, the lack of dowry or the risk of incest were also considered reasons for a marriage within the family. This research specifically focuses on affinity in the Barcelona area during the 19 th century, using the information contained in the recently created Barcelona Historical Marriage Database (BHMD). Responding to strategies or to simple adaptations, unions among in-laws could adopt several forms. The authors explore two such forms: 1) simultaneous marriages of two or more couples of siblings; 2) marriages of widowers or widows with the sister or brother of their deceased spouses (levirate and sororate).

Plastic scintillation microspheres (PSm) represent one of the most promising options for monitoring alpha and beta radioactivity in river water. For that reason, a study of the stability of PSm packed into a cell against the continuous flow of river water with different degrees of turbidity was performed over a period of 100 h. The results showed that the volume of the cell became stable after 15 h of pumping and continued to be stable throughout the 100 h of the experiment. During this period of time, the detection efficiency of the PSm, in terms of efficiency*volume, presented mean values of 0.75(3)% for 3H and 272(11)% for 90Sr/90Y. No dependence on flow time or river water type was observed. The background was also constant for 100 h and for the different water types, although 222Rn should be removed from the water beforehand to prevent its accumulation in the PSm. Since PSm did not present any degradation throughout the whole experiment, PSm can undoubtedly be used for monitoring radioactivity with low reagent consumption, low waste generation and low maintenance costs.

The photocatalytic degradation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) employing a wide variety of different materials with titanium dioxide is studied experimentally following diverse approaches; both laboratory tests as ambient air experiments. Then, different approximations are applied to estimate NOx deposition velocities by using the experimental data obtained for the most efficient photocatalytic materials under study. Estimates for NO are of the same order of magnitude but could differ significantly depending on the test or experiment and the numerical method followed for their calculation. Estimates for NO2 could be only inferred from ambient air measurements, giving values of one order the magnitude lower than those for NO.

The Mediterranean diet, in which olive oil is the main source of fat, has been associated with a reduced incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and low blood pressure levels. Virgin olive oil (VOO), besides containing monounsaturated fat, is rich in phenolic compounds (PC) with antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant and anti-hypertensive effect of two similar olive oils, but with differences in their PC (refined: 14.7 mg/kg versus virgin: 161.0 mg/kg), in 40 males with stable CHD. The study was a placebo controlled, crossover, randomized trial. A raw daily dose of 50 mL of VOO and refined olive oil (ROO) were sequentially administered over two periods of 3 weeks, preceded by 2-week washout periods in which ROO was used. Lower plasma oxidized LDL (p < 0.001) and lipid peroxide levels (p = 0.003), together with higher activities of glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.033), were observed after VOO intervention. Systolic blood pressure decreased after intake of VOO (p = 0.001) in hypertensive patients. No changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure, glucose, lipids, and antibodies against oxidized LDL. Consumption of VOO, rich in PC, could provide beneficial effects in CHD patients as an additional and complementary intervention to the pharmacological treatment.

Two-year-old Aleppo pine seedlings were exposed over twenty months in open-top chambers to either above-ambient ozone (O3) concentrations or charcoal-filtered air. Subsequently, water was applied following plant requirements in the well watered treatment (WW), while it was withheld for 11 days in the water-stressed seedlings (WS). Then, the seedlings of both water treatments were irrigated to field capacity. Four seedlings per water treatment were used within each chamber. The daily variation in gas exchange rates of Aleppo pine seedlings from the different treatments were studied during and after water stress. Ozone exposure and a moderate water shortage induced similar reductions in the gas exchange rates. An antagonistic response modulated by the severity of water stress followed the combined exposure to both O3 and water stress; a partial recovery from water stress was observed two days after rewatering to field capacity, while the seedlings that were not exposed to O3 showed a faster recovery.

The main results of an experimental study focusing on the formation and transport of photochemical pollution in the Madrid air basin are presented. This southern European, heavily populated urban area is located on an elevated plateau at a height of 700 m, near a mountain range with maximum heights of around 2,400 m. Daily and seasonal cycles of ozone were documented during a one-year survey at three semi-rural sites located 30 km away from the urban center. Maximum hourly values of up to 140 ppb were measured, and the ozone generated within the urban plume on polluted days (when values exceeded 90 ppb) has been estimated at around 40-50 ppb.A meteorological characterization of these smoggy days pointed out the influence of thermally induced local wind flows on the concentration daily cycles at the measuring sites, denoting a preferred advection of the urban plume. Moreover, during intensive summer field campaigns, the use of meteorological and ozone sondes, as well as an instrumented aircraft, r...

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein that increases vascular permeability and induces the proliferation, migration and survival of endothelial cells. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are antiresorptive drugs that are widely used in the treatment of bone metabolism diseases and bone metastases. Since 2003, cases of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) have been reported. Few papers explain the mechanisms that induce BRONJ; some authors mention alterations in bone remodelling and a certain antiangiogenic effect of BPs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of VEGF in bone marrow cells and the number of blood vessels and area occupied by them in animals treated with the BP sodium olpadronate (OPD). We used 16 Wistar rats, 60 days old, divided into two groups, experimental (OPD) and control. The OPD group received 0.3 mg/kg/week intraperitoneal OPD for 5 weeks. The control group received an equivalent intraperitoneal volume of physiological saline solution. After euthanasia, hemimandibles were processed and mesio-distal histological sections of the first molar were prepared. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), immunohistochemical detection of VEGF was performed (sc-7269) and the following histomorphometric parameters were evaluated: In HE-stained sections--number of blood vessels per sq. mm. and percentage (%) of area occupied by blood vessels in relation to total area evaluated; in sections with immunohistochemical detection of VEGF--number of VEGF+ bone marrow cells per sq. mm. Data underwent statistical analysis. Number of blood vessels/mm2 was significantly lower in the OPD group (OPD: 92 +/- 16;140 +/- 31; p0.05) and % vascular area/total area evaluated showed no significant difference (OPD: 15.6 +/- 6.1;10.2 +/- 4.2). Number of VEGF+ cells/mm2 was lower in the OPD group than in the control group, with statistically significant differences (OPD: 7804.8 +/- 597;13187.6 +/- 894; p.001). The results of this study suggest that monosodium olpadronate has an antiangiogenic effect. Further studies are needed to reveal its potential as an antitumor agent and its connection with the onset of BRONJ.

To assess the effect of two similar olive oils, but with differences in their phenolic compounds (powerful antioxidant compounds), on inflammatory markers in stable coronary heart disease patients.Placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized trial.Cardiology Department of Hospital del Mar and Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (Barcelona).Twenty-eight stable coronary heart disease patients.A raw daily dose of 50 ml of virgin and refined olive oil (ROO) was sequentially administered over two periods of 3-weeks, preceded by 2-week washout periods in which ROO was used.Interleukin-6 (P0.002) and C-reactive protein (P=0.024) decreased after virgin olive oil intervention. No changes were observed in soluble intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules, glucose and lipid profile.Consumption of virgin olive oil, could provide beneficial effects in stable coronary heart disease patients as an additional intervention to the pharmacological treatment.

The population at large is at risk of oral exposure to uranium. Previous studies performed at our laboratory showed delayed tooth eruption 7 d post-administration of a single oral dose of uranyl nitrate in newborn rats. Rat kidney exhibiting severe damage 2 d post-acute uranyl nitrate exposure showed signs of recovery after 7 d; however, tooth eruption and development were significantly lower as compared with their age-matched controls. The aim of the present work was to establish whether tooth eruption and development, delayed by uranium exposure, can catch up to normal values at longer experimental times. In addition, since it is well documented that uranium intoxication by other routes of entry causes alterations in bone growth, we also aimed to evaluate the effect of oral exposure to uranium on mandibular growth. An experimental group of 16 1-d-old Wistar rats received a single 90 mg kg -1 body weight oral dose of uranyl nitrate. Another group of 16 age-matched rats received an equal volume of saline solution and served as the control. Eight animals in each group were killed 7 d post-treatment, and the remaining animals were killed 27 d after the onset of the experiment. Morphometric measurements of mandibular growth were performed on radiographs. Tooth eruption and development were evaluated histomorphometrically on histologic sections obtained at the level of the mesial root of the first molar. Our results showed that the tooth eruption, dental development, and mandibular growth retardation observed 7 d post-acute uranyl nitrate exposure caught up completely after 27 d.

[1] An experimental characterization of biogenic emission from Quercus ilex ssp. rotundifolia in a forest near Madrid, Spain, was carried out in the early autumn of the years 2000–2003. A dynamic branch enclosure technique was implemented to determine the monoterpene emission rates of this evergreen oak species during the 2000 and 2001 campaigns. Major compounds emitted during both measurement periods were limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, and myrcene. In the 2000 field campaign the light- and temperature-dependent model of Guenther et al. [1993] did not fit the data due to drastic reductions of emission rates (and leaf gas exchange related parameters) observed at high air temperature and low air humidity (high water vapor pressure deficit). This plant physiological activity depletion and the subsequent emission reduction were attributed to severe water soil deficit conditions, as precipitation was very scarce during the growing season. In contrast, during the 2001 field campaign, neither emission nor physiological activity showed strong decreases in hot days. A good fit of experimental data to Guenther model was achieved in this field campaign (r2 = 0.90), and linear regression gave a standard emission factor (ES) of 14.0 μg gdw−1 h−1 (gdw is grams dry weight). Soil moisture was presumably higher than during the 2000 campaign due to recent rain events. With the purpose of documenting the drought stress effect at canopy level, monoterpene oak fluxes were measured by the modified Bowen ratio micrometeorological technique throughout the 2001 field campaign and in the late summer of 2002 and 2003. The measured emission by both techniques showed a reasonably good correlation, although micrometeorological fluxes were, in general, lower than upscaled branch emission rates. According to Guenther's parameterization, standard emission fluxes (FS) of 0.30 μg m−2 s−1 (r2 = 0.61) and 0.28 μg m−2 s−1 (r2 = 0.67) were derived for the 2001 and 2002 field campaigns, respectively. However, measured fluxes in September 2003 at high ambient temperature were much lower than those of the previous years. Moreover, from the CLCT range in which emission in this field campaign could be fitted to a linear behavior, the FS value obtained was 50% lower than the 2001 and 2002 values. Water xylem potential measurements indicated the existence of drought conditions during the 2003 campaign and unstressed water conditions during the 2002 campaign.

The risk of oral exposure to uranium potentially involves the population at large. Tooth eruption and development are ongoing processes that begin during fetal development and continue until the age of 18 y. Since one of the mechanisms involved in tooth eruption is bone formation and it is well documented that uranium inhibits bone formation, the aim of the present work was to study the effect of oral administration of uranyl nitrate (UN) on tooth eruption and development. Wistar rats aged 1 and 7 d were orally administered a single dose of 90 mg kg -1 body weight of uranyl nitrate. Two age matched groups received an equal volume of saline and served as controls. The animals were killed at 7 and 14 d of age, respectively. Mandibles were resected and processed to obtain bucco-lingual sections oriented at the level of the mesial root of the first mandibular molar, and histomor-phometric studies were performed. Results showed that an acute high dose of uranyl nitrate delays both tooth eruption and development, probably due to its effect on target cells.

Introduction: Osteogenesis distraction (DO) is a surgical technique that allows distraction of the fracture callus. It has been used extensively in endochondral long bones but not in the craniofacial skeleton of endomembranous origin. Mandibular alveolar bone of endomembranous origin contains teeth sockets; it is a functional bone that undergoes bone turnover at a higher rate than other bone tissues. The aim of our work was to present the development of an experimental model of DO in rat mandibular alveolar bone including all stages, i.e. animal procedures, laboratory determinations, histological procedures and histomorphometric measurements. Methods: 8 Wistar rats, 80 g bw, underwent extraction of all mandibular molars. At 400 g bw, right hemimandibular osteotomy was performed and the device was placed. After 6 days (latency) it was activated (0.175 mm/d once a day/ 6 days) and then left in place 28 days (consolidation phase). Rats were sacrificed and hemimandibles were resected. The technique was standardized to perform radiographs and hemimandible orientation was adjusted to allow obtaining comparable histologic sections. A method to record and compare these measurements was designed. H&E stained mesiodistally oriented hemimandible sections were obtained. Screw loosening and loss of the device during the consolidation phase were initial problems (SAIO, 2008). The original design was perfected to avoid mobility. Results: The new, improved device remained in place throughout the experiment. Comparable mesiodistally oriented sections were obtained. Conclusion: This experimental model of mandibular DO will allow studying the cellular and molecular events that take place during DO under different experimental conditions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled AAOMM 2010 Abstracts.

The cathodic decomposition of CdS, both poly crystalline and single crystal, has been studied by electrolyte electroreflectance, cyclic voltammetry and impedance measurements. With a defect-free single crystal, CdS electroreduction (surface deposition of Cd 0 from lattice Cd 2+ ions) has a very high overpotential (1.5–2.0 V). However, after photocorrosion or with polycrystalline electrodes the overpotential is reduced to 100–200 mV due to the accumulation of lattice defects at the electrode surface; reaction is thus possible even at potentials positive of the flatband. Simultaneous with Cd° deposition, the energy levels of the semiconductor are shifted with respect to the electrolyte by 400 mV, conduction band electrons gaining energy to reduce water. Implications for hydrogen evolution at CdS particles are discussed.

It is well known that stable and efficient liquid-junction photovoltaic solar cells based on n-CuInSe/sub 2/ photoanodes can be obtained by coating the semiconductor surface with an indium-oxide layer and by employing an aqueous polyiodide solution containing Cu/sup +/, In/sup 3+/, and H/sup +/ ions. In this work, the authors further investigated the polycrystalline n-CuInSe/sub 2/-indium oxide/polyiodide junction using electrolyte electroreflectance and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of the indium-oxide overcoat on the semiconductor flatband potential in solutions having different pH values was studied by monitoring the whole specimen surface and small surface areas. Indium is found to be preferentally electrodeposited at surface defects and at zones of high electrical conductivity, while insulating areas (low doped crystallites) remain uncovered. This explains the lack of homogeneity of the In-oxide layer generated by thermal oxidation of the electrodeposited In. The flatband potential of the surface areas covered with indium oxide is reasonably more affected by electrolyte rhoH changes than that of uncovered zones. Finally, the influence of rhoH on the electroreduction efficiency of dissolved anions was investigated on both etched and In-oxide covered CuInSe/sub 2/ electrodes by cyclic voltammetry. The experimental fact that at acidic media, the electroreduction kinetics of anions I/sub 3//supmore » -/ is enhanced, is consistent with the observed rhoH dependence of the flatband potential and explains the photostabilizing effect of indium-oxide overcoating in H/sup +/ containing electrolytes.« less

The electrolyte electroreflectance technique has been applied to the determination of the flat-band potential (${V}_{\mathrm{FB}}$) of the n-type ${\mathrm{WSe}}_{2}$ van der Waals surface, both smooth and stepped, in the presence of different electrolytes (${\mathrm{I}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, ${\mathrm{I}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$-${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$). Direct experimental evidence that ${\mathrm{I}}_{3}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ions are specifically adsorbed from the ${\mathrm{I}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$-${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$ solution is shown and implications for the high stability of the electrode are discussed. In the stabilizing electrolyte (${\mathrm{I}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$-${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$) the smooth surface does not show any photocurrent transient behavior at positive potentials of ${V}_{\mathrm{FB}}$. The specific adsorption of ${\mathrm{I}}_{3}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ species favors hole transfer to the electrolyte, restraining surface recombination. By contrast, in a nonstabilizing electrolyte (${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$), an important decay of the photocurrent with time is observed. This is attributed to recombination at surface steps generated during photocorrosion and to the unpinning of the bands due to the formation of a porous insulating ${\mathrm{WO}}_{3}$ deposit on the electrode surface. The observed dependence of the photocurrent-time decay on the electrolyte pH is consistent with this assumption. A comprehensive model for surface photoreactions is proposed on the basis of recent calculations of the ${\mathrm{WSe}}_{2}$ electronic structure.

In order to go further into the mechanisms of water splitting at platinized powder suspensions, the photoelectrochemical behavior of both bare and electroplatinized single crystal in and saturated electrolytes has been studied by electrolyte electroreflectance (EER) and photocurrent transient techniques. EER is shown to be an interesting tool to follow the potential distribution changes occurring at the interface during photo‐ and electrochemical reactions. In particular, reversible shifts of the flatband potential, due to local pH changes associated with evolution, could be detected for the first time by EER. Direct experimental evidence has shown that equilibrium of OH− and H+ ions between the electrolyte and the surface is reached in times no longer than a few seconds. The combined information obtained from EER and photocurrent transient experiments with the platinized single crystal, strongly suggests that the ~1 V Schottky barrier existing at the microjunctions drastically collapses when the electrolyte in the interface with the semiconductor becomes saturated. Evidence is also shown that either dissolved or evolved can be photo‐oxidized with holes trapped at Pt islands. This constitutes an important source of surface recombination, responsible to a great extent for the low water splitting efficiency at platinized suspensions. Finally, it can be inferred from our experimental results that, in colloidal systems, band asymmetry between bare and platinized zones is not a sine qua non condition for water splitting to be a feasible process. Nevertheless, the barrier height diminution at the contact upon interaction of Pt with seems to be decisive for to evolve with an acceptable rate at Pt islands. On the other hand, Pt plays an important role as a catalyst by reducing the overpotential for evolution, which can occur in spite of the small energy difference between the redox level and the conduction bandedge.

On montre que les mesures de l'electroabsorption de l'electrolyte sur une electrode en semi-conducteur peuvent donner des informations sur la bande interdite, sur la tension de bande plate, etc. Cas d'une electrode en verre recouvert de SnO 2 , lui-meme recouvert d'un film semitransparent de CdSe

Electrolyte electroreflectance (EER) is shown to be an interesting tool for the rapid and reliable measurement of the semiconductor flat-band potential (Vfb). The method proposed consists of sweeping the applied dc potential while measuring the EER signal (ΔR/R) with the help of a phase sensitive amplifier, for constant amplitude and frequency of the applied ac perturbation, and for photons of energy around that of the most probable direct transition of the semiconductor. The applicability of the method is illustrated with Vfb measurements of polycrystalline and single crystal electrodes. The results are compared with those obtained from impedance measurements.

Systematic electrolyte electroreflectance measurements of the flatband potential (VFB) are performed on etched and In-oxide coated polycrystalline n-CuInSe2 electrodes in contact with a polyiodide electrolyte at different pH values.