Assessing changes in epiphytic lichen community after 45 years, a study case in white poplars from northern Iberian Peninsula (Jaca, Aragon)

Epiphytic lichens are used broadly as bioindicators, as they are sessile organisms with slow growth and different species display a wide range of environmental sensitivity. Most studies on epiphytic lichens focus on their use as indicators of the present environmental conditions, but few studies assess the changes that occur over decades. Comparative temporal approaches in lichens are rare, since there are few old datasets and in most cases substrates have disappeared, especially trees. However, in 1973 one of us (X. Llimona) described the lichen community on urban Populus alba in Jaca, and those trees are still alive. Our aim was to study the epiphytic lichen community in 2018 and compare it with the study of 1973. Species richness decreased during these 45 years. While only 36% of species found in 1973 persisted until 2018, these species remaining were observed at a high frequency in the 2018 sampling. Lichens communities from both years were similar on its tolerance to environmental variables, and the locality and their surroundings had the same land use in both years. Thus, the changes in lichen composition between both samplings might be explained by autogenic succession or limitation on dispersion rather than habitat filtering. Our data suggests that, under stable environments, lichen community assembly over decades depends on other traits such as competition rather than lichen sensitivity

Colloidal mobilization of arsenic from mining-affected soils by surface runoff

Received 2 June 2015, Revised 2 September 2015, Accepted 24 September 2015, Available online 23 October 2015Scorodite-rich wastes left as a legacy of mining and smelting operations pose a threat to environmental health. Colloids formed by the weathering of processing wastes may control the release of arsenic (As) into surface waters. At a former mine site in Madrid (Spain), we investigated the mobilization of colloidal As by surface runoff from weathered processing wastes and from sediments in the bed of a draining creek and a downstream sedimentation-pond. Colloids mobilized by surface runoff during simulated rain events were characterized for their composition, structure and mode of As uptake using asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to inductively plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-ICP-MS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the As and Fe K-edges. Colloidal scorodite mobilized in surface runoff from the waste pile is acting as a mobile As carrier. In surface runoff from the river bed and the sedimentation pond, ferrihydrite was identified as the dominant As-bearing colloidal phase. The results from this study suggest that mobilization of As-bearing colloids by surface runoff may play an important role in the dispersion of As from metallurgical wastes deposited above ground and needs to be considered in risk assessment.The Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (research project CGL 2010-17434) supported this study.A. Gomez-Gonzalez was supported by the Ph.D. Spanish FPI fellow-ship (BES-2011-046461) and by graduate students (EEBB-I-14-08063) programs.Peer reviewe

Evaluación de células madre mesenquimales ovinas como modelos celulares in vitro de scrapie

Las células madre mesenquimales (MSCs) son células madre pluripotentes adultas caracterizadas por su capacidad de autorenovación y de diferenciación en células de origen mesodérmico (osteoblastos, adipocitos, condrocitos y miocitos). Estas células también son capaces de diferenciarse in vitro en células de origen neurogénico (Zeng et al., 2011; Alizadeh et al., 2019). Por otro lado, las MSCs expresan la proteína prión celular (PrPc) y las MSCs murinas procedentes de médula ósea (BM-MSCs) son capaces de infectarse con una cepa de Gerstmann-Sträussler-Schneiker previamente adaptada en ratón ex vivo y mantener la infectividad en pases sucesivos (Akimov et al., 2009). Nuestro grupo de investigación ha descrito la presencia de PrPC en MSCs ovinas derivadas de médula ósea (oBM-MSCs) tanto a nivel de transcripción como de proteína (Mediano et al., 2015). En ese mismo estudio, las oBM-MSCs derivadas de ovejas con scrapie mostraron un potencial de proliferación disminuido en comparación con las células obtenidas de ovejas sanas. Todos estos hallazgos, hacen de las MSCs unas buenas candidatas para el desarrollo de modelos in vitro de enfermedades priónicas. En este trabajo, presentamos el aislamiento de oBM- MSCs procedentes de ovejas con diferentes genotipos para el gen PRNP (ARQ/ARQ, ARQ/VRQ y VRQ/VRQ) y la evaluación de: su habilidad para diferenciarse en células madre neurales (NSCs), su capacidad para replicar el prion y su respuesta a la infección in vitro con priones

Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Microclimatic factors affecting composition and distribution of phototrophic communities in monuments

El resumen corresponde al trabajo publicado en el libro: Heritage, Weathering and Conservation volumen 1, páginas 337-341, ISBN 0-415-41272-2. Consta de 5 páginas, 1 figura, 5 tables, 13 referencias. Derechos de copyright: Taylor & Francis. International Conference, Madrid, 21-24 June, 2006. 8th Thematic Network on Cultural and Historic Heritage Scientific Meeting Stone, Weathering and Atmospheric Pollution Network Scientific Meeting.Buildings, monuments and archaeological sites are usually associated with rapid biological colonization, especially by pioneer microorganisms of bacteria, actinomycetes, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi and lichens, a natural process creating a living mosaic of colours and textures.The authors was developed in the framework of the EC project SSPI-CT-2003-501837 Noah's Ark.Peer reviewe

Lichen colonization of the Roman pavement at Baelo Claudia ( Cadiz, Spain): biodeterioration vs. bioprotection

11 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, 22 references.This paper describes the effect of lichen colonization on the first century A.D. pavement of the forum at Baelo Claudia, a Roman city located in southern Spain. Lichen colonization is scarce, covering only 13% of the total surface. The rest of the flagstones are mostly uncovered but show strong physico-chemical weathering. The flagstones colonized by lichens do not show weathering. The distribution of the species is influenced by environmental factors, confirming the role of lichens as bioindicators of different habitats. The lichen/sandstone interface shows some weathering, but nevertheless, the protective role of lichens in an aggressive environment is noticeable.This was a contribution from the Cooperation Agreement between the Consejeria de Cultura, Junta de Andalucía and the C.S.I.C.: "Estudio diagnosis de los conjuntos y yacimientos arqueológicos en su contexto geomorfológico, biológico y climático".Peer reviewe

Lichens on ancient mortars

The study of three archaeological sites of southern Spain showed that mortar is a building material easily colonized by a diversity of calcicolous and rather nitrophilous lichens. The interface between lichen and mortar showed an intense chemical activity of the hyphae producing extensive alteration on the surface. The nature and amount of the mortar components greatly influenced the colonizing species and the patterns of alteration. | The study of three archaeological sites of southern Spain showed that mortar is a building material easily colonized by a diversity of calcicolous and rather nitrophilous lichens. The interface between lichen and mortar showed an intense chemical activity of the hyphae producing extensive alteration on the surface. The nature and amount of the mortar components greatly influenced the colonizing species and the patterns of alteration.Peer Reviewe

Colloidal mobilization of arsenic from mining-affected soils by surface runoff

Received 2 June 2015, Revised 2 September 2015, Accepted 24 September 2015, Available online 23 October 2015Scorodite-rich wastes left as a legacy of mining and smelting operations pose a threat to environmental health. Colloids formed by the weathering of processing wastes may control the release of arsenic (As) into surface waters. At a former mine site in Madrid (Spain), we investigated the mobilization of colloidal As by surface runoff from weathered processing wastes and from sediments in the bed of a draining creek and a downstream sedimentation-pond. Colloids mobilized by surface runoff during simulated rain events were characterized for their composition, structure and mode of As uptake using asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to inductively plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-ICP-MS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the As and Fe K-edges. Colloidal scorodite mobilized in surface runoff from the waste pile is acting as a mobile As carrier. In surface runoff from the river bed and the sedimentation pond, ferrihydrite was identified as the dominant As-bearing colloidal phase. The results from this study suggest that mobilization of As-bearing colloids by surface runoff may play an important role in the dispersion of As from metallurgical wastes deposited above ground and needs to be considered in risk assessment.The Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (research project CGL 2010-17434) supported this study.A. Gomez-Gonzalez was supported by the Ph.D. Spanish FPI fellow-ship (BES-2011-046461) and by graduate students (EEBB-I-14-08063) programs.Peer reviewe

Distribution of phototrophic biofilms in cavities (Garraf, Spain)

The distribution of biofilms, the diversity of phototrophic organisms, and their relation to environmental conditions were studied in three limestone cavities in the karstic Garraf massif (Barcelona, NE Spain). Sixty-two taxa: 28 Cyanobacteria (42.8% Chroococcales, 21.4% Oscillatoriales, 7.1% Nostocales and 28.6% Stigonematales), 11 Chlorophyta, 16 Bacillariophyta and 7 lichens were identified. The environmental data obtained at three cavities by measuring temperature, relative humidity and light, showed a clear gradient from the entrance to a certain depth beyond which they remained stable. In a broad sense, the existence of three different levels can be assumed: a) Entrance level. The microclimate was strongly influenced by the outdoors. Scarcely attenuated light and abiotic factors fluctuated throughout the year. On the highly illuminated dry rocks the microflora colonies were quite rich, with special abundance of mucilaginous biofilms composed of algae and cyanobacteria typical of terrestrial aerophytic or atmophytic habitats. The community dominated by Scytonema julianum thrived in areas protected from rain. Trentepohlia sp. and many crustose lichens, which had this alga as a photobiont, were abundant. b) Intermediate level, with moderate abiotic oscillations and low light (25-0.5 mV) that was not yet a stress factor.A mixture of species formed biofilms. Cyanobacteria were their most visible constituents, occasionally mixed with green algae and diatoms. Biofilm abundance diminished with decreasing irradiance. c) Deep level (\u3c 1 mV) until light extinction, with stable abiotic factors (10°C and dew point humidity). Only a few species were able to colonize this dim light zone. The presence of remains and empty sheaths increased with decreasing irradiance, and except for Geitleria calcarea and Loriella osteophila, the algae were heavily colonized by bacteria and filamentous fungi