Dietary and Gut Microbiota Polyamines in Obesity- and Age-Related Diseases

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are widely distributed polycationic compounds essential for cellular functions. Intracellular polyamine pools are tightly regulated by a complex regulatory mechanism involving de novo biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport across the plasma membrane. In mammals, both the production of polyamines and their uptake from the extracellular space are controlled by a set of proteins named antizymes and antizyme inhibitors. Dysregulation of polyamine levels has been implicated in a variety of human pathologies, especially cancer. Additionally, decreases in the intracellular and circulating polyamine levels during aging have been reported. The differences in the polyamine content existing among tissues are mainly due to the endogenous polyamine metabolism. In addition, a part of the tissue polyamines has its origin in the diet or their production by the intestinal microbiome. Emerging evidence has suggested that exogenous polyamines (either orally administrated or synthetized by the gut microbiota) are able to induce longevity in mice, and that spermidine supplementation exerts cardioprotective effects in animal models. Furthermore, the administration of either spermidine or spermine has been shown to be effective for improving glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity and reducing adiposity and hepatic fat accumulation in diet-induced obesity mouse models. The exogenous addition of agmatine, a cationic molecule produced through arginine decarboxylation by bacteria and plants, also exerts significant effects on glucose metabolism in obese models, as well as cardioprotective effects. In this review, we will discuss some aspects of polyamine metabolism and transport, how diet can affect circulating and local polyamine levels, and how the modulation of either polyamine intake or polyamine production by gut microbiota can be used for potential therapeutic purposes

GIS-based MCDM dual optimization approach for territorial-scale offshore wind power plants

Despite the relevant potential of offshore resource to substantially mitigate the effects of climate change through the generation of renewable electricity, the full exploitation of such wind resource currently remains incomplete. To promote offshore wind energy projects, it is crucial to engage in comprehensive planning processes that encompass technical, social, environmental, stakeholder, and political considerations. Within this framework, this paper presents a combined approach based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methodology to optimize the selection of offshore wind farm locations. The proposed methodology includes annual net electricity production as a critical factor in the decisionmaking process, which has been previously optimized with regard to the wake effect. Subsequently, the determination of potential locations involves key criteria such as technical feasibility, environmental impact, economic viability, and power generation potential. This MCDM-GIS approach was applied and evaluated in a case study along the Spanish coastline, considering 92 initial alternatives. The results indicate that the offshore wind energy targets established for Spain in 2030 and 2050 should be reevaluated, as the optimal utilization of the available area represents only 16% of the total potential area. Based on the aforementioned criteria, a suitability map was generated by integrating all relevant map layers, including their respective buffer zones.2023-2

Energy Communities: Decarbonization And Decentralization Of Theenergy System

The European Commission's Clean Energy for All Europeans package confirms the leading role that citizens and communities will play in the future energy system. Energy communities are legal entities voluntarily integrated by individuals or companies, aligned with the objectives of sustainable development, allow partners to achieve energy, economic, environmental and social benefits that promote the expansion of renewable energies, improve energy efficiency, contribute to the decarbonization and decentralization of the energy system. The dual role of each member, shareholder and end user guarantees the advantages of energy communities: they create a sustainable environment, increase social development, control energy by its members, reduce costs, promote the use of clean energy, and help in the fight against climate change. In this field, this work presents a review of the state of the art of energy communities in Europe: the legal framework of the main countries, the activities and organizational forms, the types of renewable energy, a comparison of European success stories and Guide to project an energy community.2021-2

Renewable hybrid systems for space heating and cooling bibliographic review

Environmental sustainability has become one of the biggest problems facing the energy sector today. In developed countries, the building sector represents 40% of the total primary energy demand which in most cases is still supplied mainly with conventional energy sources. Therefore, implementing energy efficiency measures combined with energy systems renewable is a major priority to decarbonize the economy. Interest in air conditioning systems has increased globally, as such systems have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use fossil fuels, and improve energy security. Hybrid systems composed of renewable sources plus conventional systems focused on air conditioning, do not provide sufficient benefits. However, 100% renewable hybrid systems that replace traditional air conditioning systems have great environmental, social, and economic advantages and also overcome the barrier of intermittence of renewable energy sources. In this area, this work presents a review of the state of the art of specific renewable hybrid systems for air conditioning. It analyses the sources of renewable origin that are most used, the optimization models, storage methods, and type of systems: isolated or connected to the network.2021-2

ColoLipidGene: Signature of lipid metabolism-related genes to predict prognosis in stage-II colon cancer patients

Lipid metabolism plays an essential role in carcinogenesis due to the requirements of tumoral cells to sustain increased structural, energetic and biosynthetic precursor demands for cell proliferation. We investigated the association between expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and clinical outcome in intermediate-stage colon cancer patients with the aim of identifying a metabolic profile associated with greater malignancy and increased risk of relapse. Expression profile of 70 lipid metabolismrelated genes was determined in 77 patients with stage II colon cancer. Cox regression analyses using c-index methodology was applied to identify a metabolic-related signature associated to prognosis. The metabolic signature was further confirmed in two independent validation sets of 120 patients and additionally, in a group of 264 patients from a public database. The combined analysis of these 4 genes, ABCA1, ACSL1, AGPAT1 and SCD, constitutes a metabolic-signature (ColoLipidGene) able to accurately stratify stage II colon cancer patients with 5-fold higher risk of relapse with strong statistical power in the four independent groups of patients. The identification of a group of 4 genes that predict survival in intermediate-stage colon cancer patients allows delineation of a high-risk group that may benefit from adjuvant therapy, and avoids the toxic and unnecessary chemotherapy in patients classified as low-risk groupThis work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación del Gobierno de España (Plan Nacional I + D + i AGL2013–48943-C2–2-R and IPT-2011–1248-060000), Comunidad de Madrid (P2013/ABI-2728. ALIBIRDCM) and European Union Structural Funds. CIBEREHD is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. This is a collaborative study between the Molecular Oncology Unit of The Institute of Advanced Studies of Madrid IMDEA Food and the Grupo Español Multidisciplinar en Cáncer Digestivo (GEMCAD

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other related dysautonomic disorders after SARS-CoV-2 infection and after COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccination

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a challenge for our society due to the post-acute sequelae of the disease. Persistent symptoms and long-term multiorgan complications, known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, can occur beyond 4 weeks from the onset of the COVID-19 infection. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is considered a variety of dysautonomia, which is characterized by chronic symptoms that occur with standing and a sustained increase in heart rate, without orthostatic hypotension. POTS can lead to debilitating symptoms, significant disability, and impaired quality of life. In this narrative review, the etiopathogenic basis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and socioeconomic impact of POTS, as well as other related dysautonomic disorders, after COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV-2 postvaccination, were discussed. After a search conducted in March 2023, a total of 89 relevant articles were selected from the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The review highlights the importance of recognizing and managing POTS after COVID-19 infection and vaccination, and the approach to autonomic disorders should be known by all specialists in different medical areas. The diagnosis of POTS requires a comprehensive clinical assessment, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, orthostatic vital signs, and autonomic function tests. The treatment of POTS after COVID-19 infection or vaccination is mainly focused on lifestyle modifications, such as increased fluid and salt intake, exercise, and graduated compression stockings. Pharmacotherapy, such as beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, midodrine, and ivabradine, may also be used in selected cases. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and optimal treatment strategies for this complication

Captación de alumnos

Memoria ID-0176. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2015-2016

Marco activo de recursos de innovación docente: Madrid

Una guía de espacios e instituciones para actividades educativas complementarias en enseñanza secundaria y Formación Profesional

Las plantas del Mariana 2.0: un proyecto educativo para despertar la curiosidad y la vocación científica en estudiantes de la ESO y Bachillerato

Comunicación oral presentada en: III congreso CAOS, Granada EEZ, España. 4 mayo 202