Nuevos desarrollos de la herramienta meteorológica de producción NinJo

Ponencia presentada en: XXXIV Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el XVII Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en Teruel, del 29 de febrero al 2 de marzo de 2016

El ingeniero geógrafo José Galbis, segundo director de la Meteorología española

Aunque no se cumpla en estos días ninguna efeméride concreta, bien está recordar la extraordinaria labor del que fue segundo director y verdadero impulsor de los servicios meteorológicos españoles, José Galbis Rodríguez, tras la heroica pero casi solitaria etapa de su predecesor Augusto Arcimís, el primer director, que lo fue desde la creación del Instituto Central Meteorológico en 1888 hasta su fallecimiento el 18 de abril de 1910

Epidemiología y factores de riesgo asociados a displasia broncopulmonar en prematuros menores de 32 semanas de edad gestacional

[Abstract] Objectives. To describe risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants in the first weeks of life. Material and methods. Retrospective cohort study of preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestational age and birth weight ≤ 1500 g. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the first weeks of life. Results. A total of 202 newborns were included in the study (mean gestational age 29.5 ± 2.1 weeks), 61.4% never received invasive mechanical ventilation. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 28.7%, and 10.4% of the patients were diagnosed with moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was independently associated with gestational age (P < 0.001; OR = 0.44 (95% CI = 0.30–0.65)), the need for mechanical ventilation on the first day of life (P = 0.001; OR = 8.13 ((95% CI = 2.41–27.42)), nosocomial sepsis (P < 0.001; OR = 9.51 ((95% CI = 2.99–30.28)) and FiO2 on day 14 (P < 0.001; OR = 1.39 ((95% CI = 1.16–1.66)). Receiving mechanical ventilation at the first day of life (P = 0.008; OR = 5.39 ((95% CI = 1.54–18.89)) and at the third day of life (P = 0.001; OR = 9.99 ((95% CI = 2.47–40.44)) and nosocomial sepsis (P = 0.001; OR = 9.87 ((95% CI = 2.58–37.80)) were independent risk factors for moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Conclusions. Gestational age, mechanical ventilation in the first days of life and nosocomial sepsis are early risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The analysis of simple and objective clinical data, allows us to select a group of patients at high risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in whom it could be justified to act more aggressively, and shows areas for improvement to prevent its development or reduce its severity.Objetivos. Describir los factores de riesgo de displasia broncopulmonar en las primeras semanas de vida en recién nacidos muy prematuros. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo en recién nacidos ≤32 semanas y ≤ 1500 gramos. Se realizó un análisis multivariante de regresión logística para identificar factores de riesgo independientes en las primeras semanas de vida. Resultados. Se incluyeron 202 recién nacidos con una edad gestacional media de 29,5 ± 2,1 semanas. El 61,4% de los pacientes no recibió ventilación mecánica invasiva. El 28,7% fue diagnosticado de displasia broncopulmonar, y el 10,4% de displasia broncopulmonar moderada-grave. La edad gestacional (p < 0,001; OR = 0,44 (95%IC = 0,30–0,65)), la ventilación mecánica en el día 1 (p = 0,001; OR = 8,13 ((95%IC = 2,41–27,42)), la sepsis nosocomial (p < 0,001; OR = 9,51 ((95%IC = 2,99–30,28)) y la FiO2 en el día 14 (p < 0,001; OR = 1,39 ((95%IC = 1,16–1,66)) fueron los factores de riesgo independientes de displasia broncopulmonar. La ventilación mecánica el día 1 (p = 0,008; OR = 5,39 ((95%IC = 1,54–18,89)) y 3 de vida (p = 0,001; OR = 9,99 ((95%IC = 2,47–40,44)) y la sepsis nosocomial (p = 0,001; OR = 9,87 ((95%IC = 2,58–37,80)) se asociaron al desarrollo de displasia broncopulmonar moderada-grave. Conclusiones. La edad gestacional, la ventilación mecánica en los primeros días de vida y la sepsis nosocomial son factores de riesgo precoces de displasia broncopulmonar. El análisis de datos clínicos sencillos y objetivos nos permite seleccionar a un grupo de pacientes con alto riesgo de desarrollar displasia broncopulmonar en el que podría estar justificado actuar de forma más agresiva, y nos muestra áreas de mejora para prevenir su desarrollo o disminuir su gravedad

Neurofeedback training with a motor imagery-based BCI: neurocognitive improvements and EEG changes in the elderly

Producción CientíficaNeurofeedback training (NFT) has shown to be promising and useful to rehabilitate cognitive functions. Recently, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) were used to restore brain plasticity by inducing brain activity with a NFT. In our study, we hypothesized that a NFT with a motor imagery-based BCI (MI-BCI) could enhance cognitive functions related to aging effects. To assess the effectiveness of our MI-BCI application, 63 subjects (older than 60 years) were recruited. This novel application was used by 31 subjects (NFT group). Their Luria neuropsychological test scores were compared with the remaining 32 subjects, who did not perform NFT (control group). Electroencephalogram (EEG) changes measured by relative power (RP) endorsed cognitive potential findings under study: visuospatial, oral language, memory, intellectual and attention functions. Three frequency bands were selected to assess cognitive changes: 12, 18, and 21 Hz (bandwidth 3 Hz). Significant increases (p<0.01) in the RP of these frequency bands were found. Moreover, results from cognitive tests showed significant improvements (p<0.01) in four cognitive functions after performing five NFT sessions: visuospatial, oral language, memory, and intellectual. This established evidence in the association between NFT performed by a MI-BCI and enhanced cognitive performance. Therefore, it could be a novel approach to help elderly people.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (TEC2014-53196)Junta de Castilla y León (VA059U13

Correlator implementation for orthogonal CSS used in an ultrasonic LPS

This paper presents a new architecture for the correlation of orthogonal complementary sets of sequences (OCSS) and their performance in an ultrasonic local positioning system (U-LPS). OCSS are sets of sequences whose addition of correlation functions has ideal properties, that makes interference-free code-division multiple access (CDMA) possible. They can be used to encode the signals emitted by a CDMA based U-LPS, enhancing the performance of such systems in terms of immunity against noise, multipath propagation, and near-far effect. Also, the orthogonality of the codes offers an operation resistance to multiaccess interference, which endows the U-LPS with the capability of simultaneous emission from different beacons. On the other hand, the detection of OCSS codes can be performed by means of efficient algorithms. This paper presents an optimization of previous proposals allowing the simultaneous correlation of OCSS by using fewer operations and memory elements. Furthermore, the hardware implementation of the proposed optimization is also addressed, and an U-LPS based on this proposal is presented.Fil: Peréz Rubio, M. Carmen. Universidad de Alcalá; EspañaFil: Sanz Serrano, Rebeca. Universidad de Alcalá; EspañaFil: Ureña Ureña, Jesús. Universidad de Alcalá; EspañaFil: Hernández Alonso, Álvaro. Universidad de Alcalá; EspañaFil: de Marziani, Carlos Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Álvarez Franco, Fernando J.. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ingeniería - Sede Comodoro; Argentin

Línea de turbonada en la península ibérica

Ponencia presentada en: XXXV Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el XIX Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en León, del 5 al 7 de marzo de 2018.Este estudio analiza la situación sinóptica y mesoescalar que dio lugar al desarrollo de una estructura de línea de turbonada en España, con notables dimensiones espaciales y temporales, a partir de las salidas de modelos numéricos, datos de observación convencional y teledetección y modelos conceptuales

Molecular Determinants of Kv1.3 Potassium Channels-induced Proliferation

Producción CientíficaChanges in voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv channels) associate to proliferation in many cell types, including transfected HEK293 cells. In this system Kv1.5 overexpression decreases proliferation, whereas Kv1.3 expression increases it independently of K+ fluxes. To identify Kv1.3 domains involved in a proliferation-associated signaling mechanism(s), we constructed chimeric Kv1.3-Kv1.5 channels and point-mutant Kv1.3 channels, which were expressed as GFP- or cherry-fusion proteins. We studied their trafficking and functional expression, combining immunocytochemical and electrophysiological methods, and their impact on cell proliferation. We found that the C terminus is necessary for Kv1.3-induced proliferation. We distinguished two residues (Tyr-447 and Ser-459) whose mutation to alanine abolished proliferation. The insertion into Kv1.5 of a sequence comprising these two residues increased proliferation rate. Moreover, Kv1.3 voltage-dependent transitions from closed to open conformation induced MEK-ERK1/2-dependent Tyr-447 phosphorylation. We conclude that the mechanisms for Kv1.3-induced proliferation involve the accessibility of key docking sites at the C terminus. For one of these sites (Tyr-447) we demonstrated the contribution of MEK/ERK-dependent phosphorylation, which is regulated by voltage-induced conformational changes.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Instituto de Salud Carlos III y Programa Estatal de Investigación , Fundación Ramón Areces y Consejería de Sanidad de la Junta de Castilla y León

Manganese transporter protein MntH is required for virulence of Xylophilus ampelinus, the causal agent of bacterial necrosis in grapevine

This journal is published by Hindawi as part of a publishing collaboration with the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology. It is a fully open access journal produced under the Hindawi and Wiley brands[EN] Background and Aims: The aim of this study is to identify proteins involved in the pathogenicity/virulence of Xylophilus ampelinus. Characterisation of these proteins could provide new insights into putative targets for controlling bacterial necrosis in grapevines. Methods and Results: Transposon insertion mutagenesis was used to isolate X. ampelinus mutants exhibiting an altered virulence. Characterisation of one of the avirulent mutants revealed the insertion of a transposon into the mntH gene encoding the major manganese transporter. Virulence tests on grapevine leaves clearly showed that the virulence of these mutants was significantly reduced. Phenotypic analysis of an mntH mutant indicated that the MntH protein is a Mn++ transporter but that MntH does not play a significant role in the transport of Fe++ or Cu++. The MntH mutants exhibited an increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide, although catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were not significantly affected. Conclusion: The MntH protein plays a significant role in the virulence of X. ampelinus. Significance of the Study: This is the first report showing that transposon mutagenesis is an effective strategy for the isolation of X. ampelinus mutants. It is also the first report characterising a gene encoding a protein involved in virulence in this grapevine pathogenSIThis work was financed by a Research Contract sponsored by Bodegas Vega Sicilia S.A. (Valbuena de Duero, Valladolid, Spain

GLUT1 protects prostate cancer cells from glucose deprivation-induced oxidative stress

Glucose, chief metabolic support for cancer cell survival and growth, is mainly imported into cells by facilitated glucose transporters (GLUTs). The increase in glucose uptake along with tumor progression is due to an increment of facilitative glucose transporters as GLUT1. GLUT1 prevents cell death of cancer cells caused by growth factors deprivation, but there is scarce information about its role on the damage caused by glucose deprivation, which usually occurs within the core of a growing tumor. In prostate cancer (PCa), GLUT1 is found in the most aggressive tumors, and it is regulated by androgens. To study the response of androgen-sensitive and insensitive PCa cells to glucose deprivation and the role of GLUT1 on survival mechanisms, androgen-sensitive LNCaP and castration-resistant LNCaP-R cells were employed. Results demonstrated that glucose deprivation induced a necrotic type of cell death which is prevented by antioxidants. Androgen-sensitive cells show a higher resistance to cell death triggered by glucose deprivation than castration-resistant cells. Glucose removal causes an increment of H2O2, an activation of androgen receptor (AR) and a stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase activity. In addition, glucose removal increases GLUT1 production in androgen sensitive PCa cells. GLUT1 ectopic overexpression makes PCa cells more resistant to glucose deprivation and oxidative stress-induced cell death. Under glucose deprivation, GLUT1 overexpressing PCa cells sustains mitochondrial SOD2 activity, compromised after glucose removal, and significantly increases reduced glutathione (GSH). In conclusion, androgen-sensitive PCa cells are more resistant to glucose deprivation-induced cell death by a GLUT1 upregulation through an enhancement of reduced glutathione levels. Keywords: Glut1, Prostate cancer, Glucose deprivation, Androgen receptor, Glutathione, Oxidative stres

High serum cyclophilin C levels as a risk factor marker for coronary artery disease

Cyclophilins (Cyps) are ubiquitous proteins that belong to the immunophilins family consistently associated with infammatory and cardiovascular diseases. While levels of CypA have been extensively studied, less data are available for other Cyps. The purpose of this case-control study was to determine the relationship of Cyps (A, B, C and D) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and eight infammation markers. Serum levels of Cyps, interleukins and metalloproteinases were measured in serum collected from 84 subjects. Participants were divided into two sub-groups based on CAD diagnosis: 40 CAD patients and 44 control volunteers. Serum levels of CypA, CypB and CypC, IL-1β and IL-6 were signifcantly higher in CAD patients. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed a signifcant positive correlation between Cyps and several blood and biochemical parameters. When the ability of Cyps levels for CAD diagnosis was evaluated, higher sensitivity and selectivity values were obtained with CypC (c-statistic 0.891, p<0.001) indicating that it is a good marker of CAD disease, while less conclusive results were obtained with CypA (c-statistic 0.748, p<0.001) and CypB (c-statistic 0.655, p<0.014). In addition, signifcant correlations of traditional CAD risk factors and CypC were observed. In summary, high levels of CypC are a risk factor for CAD and therefore it can be proposed as a new biomarker for this diseaseThe research leading to these results has received funding from the following FEDER cofunded-grants. From Conselleria de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia, 2017 GRC GI-1682 (ED431C 2017/01). From CDTI and Technological Funds, supported by Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, AGL2016-78728-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), ISCIII/PI16/01830, ISCIII/PI16/01816 and RTC-2016-5507-2, ITC-20161072. From European Union POCTEP 0161-Nanoeaters -1-E-1, Interreg AlertoxNet EAPA-317-2016, Interreg Agritox EAPA-998-2018, and H2020 778069-EMERTOX. Sandra Gegunde was supported by a fellowship from FIDIS, SpainS