Carbon dioxide emissions from semi-arid soils amended with biochar alone or combined with mineral and organic fertilizers

Semi-arid soils cover a significant area of Earth s land surface and typically contain large amounts of inorganic C. Determining the effects of biochar additions on CO2 emissions fromsemi-arid soils is therefore essential for evaluating the potential of biochar as a climate change mitigation strategy. Here, we measured the CO2 that evolved from semi-arid calcareous soils amended with biochar at rates of 0 and 20 t ha?1 in a full factorial combination with three different fertilizers (mineral fertilizer, municipal solid waste compost, and sewage sludge) applied at four rates (equivalent to 0, 75, 150, and 225 kg potentially available N ha?1) during 182 days of aerobic incubation. A double exponential model, which describes cumulative CO2 emissions from two active soil C compartments with different turnover rates (one relatively stable and the other more labile), was found to fit verywell all the experimental datasets. In general, the organic fertilizers increased the size and decomposition rate of the stable and labile soil C pools. In contrast, biochar addition had no effects on any of the double exponential model parameters and did not interact with the effects ascribed to the type and rate of fertilizer. After 182 days of incubation, soil organic and microbial biomass C contents tended to increase with increasing the application rates of organic fertilizer, especially of compost, whereas increasing the rate of mineral fertilizer tended to suppress microbial biomass. Biochar was found to increase both organic and inorganic C contents in soil and not to interactwith the effects of type and rate of fertilizer on C fractions. As a whole, our results suggest that the use of biochar as enhancer of semi-arid soils, either alone or combined with mineral and organic fertilizers, is unlikely to increase abiotic and biotic soil CO2 emissions

Airborne Cupressaceae Pollen and Its Major Allergen, Cup a 1, in Urban Green Areas of Southern Iberian Peninsula

Cupressaceae pollen is responsible for winter respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean area. Pollen grains of this diverse family share the same characteristics under light microscopy. Consequently, the partial contribution of each Cupressaceae species to the airborne pollen spectrum cannot be determined with conventional aerobiological methods. Studies on major aeroallergens offer better information on the allergic sensitization and appearance of symptoms in patients sensitized to airborne pollen and spores. Our aim was to determine if airborne Cupressaceae pollen concentrations correspond to aerodynamics of the major allergen of Cupressus (Cup a 1), as well as the aeroallergen correlation with different-sized particles. The air was sampled in two cities of Southern Spain (Granada and Córdoba) using the Hirst-type volumetric sampler for airborne pollen detection during 2006 to 2008 and the Andersen Cascade Impactor for aeroallergen detection during the main pollination period of Cupressaceae in the same period. The samples were analyzed by the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA), the minimum requirements of the European Aeroallergen Society (EAS) for pollen, and by ELISA immunoassay to detect airborne Cup a 1. The distribution patterns of airborne Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 were observed throughout the sampling period, although with some irregular oscillations. Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 showed positive and significant correlation during the period of maximum concentrations (January to March). However, the results of this study showed that the period of exposure of aeroallergens depends on the Cupressus species and their abundance in cities. According to the allergy potential obtained, species like C. arizonica could release more allergens than other species like C. sempervirens.Ministry of Science and Technology I + D + I of Spain CGL2006-1648-CO3-02Andalusian Government RNM 011

Biosurfactant from Bacillus subtilis DS03: Properties and Application in Cleaning Out Place System in a Pilot Sausages Processing

Microbial surfactants (MS) or biosurfactants (BS) are amphiphilic molecules composed of a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic segment, which align at the interface between polar and non-polar compounds, reducing the surface tension. BS production is developed as an alternative to synthetic surfactants because they are biodegradable, with low toxicity and high specificity. Several BS applications are published in this research proposing using a biosurfactant crude extract (BCE) as part of cleaning products. This paper reported the BCE production from Bacillus subtilis DS03 using a medium with molasses. The BCE reduced surface tension from 72 mN/m (water) to 34 mN/m and achieved a critical micelle concentration of 24.66 ppm. The highly effective and efficient behavior characterized the product as a powerful surfactant with stability under a wide pH range, high temperatures, and emulsifying properties, suggesting potential applications in food industry cleaning operations. BCE was also applied in a surface pre-treatment to avoid microbial biofilm development, showing inhibition in more than 90% of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes above 2000 ppm of BCE. It was also tested on a surface post-treatment to remove biofilms reporting a significant reduction of Escherichia coli (50.10%), Staphylococcus aureus (55.77%), and Listeria monocytogenes (59.44%) in a concentration higher than 250 ppm of BCE. Finally, we compared the functionality between sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and BCE. The results suggested that BCE is a promising ingredient for cleaning formulations for industrial food applications

Association of breast and gut microbiota dysbiosis and the risk of breast cancer: a case-control clinical study

We would like to thank M Luisa Puertas-Martin and Isabel Manzano-Jimenez, nurses at the Unit of Mammary Pathology, General Surgery Service, San Cecilio University Hospital (Granada), without whose enthusiasm the enrolment of participants in Granada would still be stalled. We are indebted to all the women taking part in the study.The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03885648, 03/25/2019. Retrospectively registered.Background Breast cancer ranks first in women, and is the second cause of death in this gender. In addition to genetics, the environment contributes to the development of the disease, although the factors involved are not well known. Among the latter is the influence of microorganisms and, therefore, attention is recently being paid to the mammary microbiota. We hypothesize that the risk of breast cancer could be associated with the composition and functionality of the mammary/gut microbiota, and that exposure to environmental contaminants (endocrine disruptors, EDCs) might contribute to alter these microbiota. Methods We describe a case-control clinical study that will be performed in women between 25 and 70 years of age. Cases will be women diagnosed and surgically intervened of breast cancer (stages I and II). Women with antecedents of cancer or advanced tumor stage (metastasis), or who have received antibiotic treatment within a period of 3 months prior to recruitment, or any neoadjuvant therapy, will be excluded. Controls will be women surgically intervened of breast augmentation or reduction. Women with oncological, gynecological or endocrine history, and those who have received antibiotic treatment within a period of 3 months prior to recruitment will also be excluded. Blood, urine, breast tissue and stool samples will be collected. Data regarding anthropometric, sociodemographic, reproductive history, tumor features and dietary habits will be gathered. Metabolomic studies will be carried out in stool and breast tissue samples. Metagenomic studies will also be performed in stool and breast tissue samples to ascertain the viral, fungal, bacterial and archaea populations of the microbiota. Quantitation of estrogens, estrogen metabolites and EDCs in samples of serum, urine and breast tissue will also be performed. Discussion: This is the first time that the contribution of bacteria, archaea, viruses and fungi together with their alteration by environmental contaminants to the risk of breast cancer will be evaluated in the same study. Results obtained could contribute to elucidate risk factors, improve the prognosis, as well as to propose novel intervention studies in this disease.This work is funded by grants PI-0538-2017 (Junta de Andalucía, Spain, to LF) and Biomedical Research Networking Center-CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP) of the Institute of Health Carlos III -supported by European Regional Development Fund/FEDER (FIS-PI16/01812) (to MFF)

Development of anatomic models through plastination techniques as an alternative to the use of animals in teaching and as an essential resource in the teaching-learning process

La implantación del principio de las 3Rs (Reducción, Refinamiento y Reemplazo), descritas por Russell y Burch en 1959, fue el punto de partida de numerosos cambios en la utilización de los animales, tanto en el ámbito de la investigación como de la docencia. Por tanto, es necesario ir propiciando el empleo de alternativas y que el profesorado disponga de recursos y de una buena información. Este proyecto se propone como objetivo esencial la elaboración de modelos animales mediante técnicas de plastinación como recurso docente alternativo al uso de animales vivos, y proporcionando al profesorado la disposición de medios y recursos esenciales en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje del alumnado. Los alumnos podrán disponer de una variedad de modelos animales en las sesiones prácticas, y/o teórico/prácticas de las distintas disciplinas en las que sea necesario el uso de animales. Podrán trabajar con un modelo fiel al original sin necesidad de utilizar modelos vivos y podrán desarrollar las distintas técnicas y procedimientos que realizarían in vivo sin necesidad de generar un estrés innecesario a los animales por su manejo por personal aún no capacitado para ello, evitando situaciones que hagan peligrar el bienestar animal (RD 53/2003). El desarrollo de estos modelos plastinados supondrá recurso docente esencial para la adquisición de las habilidades específicas en distintas disciplinas Biomédicas que conlleven el uso de animales, tales como los Grados en Veterinaria, Biología, Medicina, Enfermería, etc.The implementation of the 3Rs principles (Reduction, Refinement and Replacement), described by Russell and Burch in 1959, was the starting point of numerous changes in the use of animals in the fields of research and teaching. Therefore, it is necessary to foster the use of alternative methods and provide teachers with resources and good information. This project aims to develop animal models through the application of plastination techniques as an alternative teaching resource to the use of animals. In this way, the project aims to provide teaching staff with tools and resources that are essential in the teaching-learning process. The students will be able to use a variety of animal models in practical and/or theoretical-practical sessions of the different subject areas, in which the use of animals is necessary. They will be able to work with animal models that are similar to the original, while avoiding the use of animals. Moreover, they will be able to learn and practice different techniques and procedures that they would carry out in vivo, without generating unnecessary stress to the animals caused by their management by untrained personnel. This approach is therefore in full conformity with existing animal welfare regulations (i.e. RD 53/2003). Plastinated models will become a an essential teaching resource for the acquisition of the specific skills in different Biomedical and Science disciplines that involve the use of animals, such as Veterinary Science, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, etc

Protocolos RADMED (versión: 1.01 – 2014). Procedimientos a seguir en las campañas del proyecto RADMED

Los protocolos RADMED se pueden considerar como una guía de mar de las operaciones a realizar en el desarrollo de una campaña de ese proyecto, en donde figuran: el montaje del equipamiento científico, las secuencias de las diferentes operaciones y muestreos, la identificación de las estaciones, cómo rellenar los diferentes estadillos, las determinaciones de variables oceanográficas a bordo y el post-procesado de los datos hidrográficos. Detrás de todo ello está la intención de homogeneizar la información, para facilitar el post-procesado y el fiel tratamiento de las muestras y análisis.[Abstract] The RADMED protocols can be considered as a guide to work at the sea in the development of a campaign of this project and to conduct its different operations. They include: installation of scientific equipment, the sequences of the different operations and sampling, identification of stations, the filling of the various work sheets, determinations of oceanographic variables on board and the post processing of hydrographic data. All this pretend to standardize the information to facilitate post processing and accurate treatment of the samples and analysis

Assessment of a New ROS1 Immunohistochemistry Clone (SP384) for the Identification of ROS1 Rearrangements in Patients with Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: the ROSING Study

Introduction: The ROS1 gene rearrangement has become an important biomarker in NSCLC. The College of American Pathologists/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/Association for Molecular Pathology testing guidelines support the use of ROS1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a screening test, followed by confirmation with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or a molecular test in all positive results. We have evaluated a novel anti-ROS1 IHC antibody (SP384) in a large multicenter series to obtain real-world data. Methods: A total of 43 ROS1 FISH-positive and 193 ROS1 FISH-negative NSCLC samples were studied. All specimens were screened by using two antibodies (clone D4D6 from Cell Signaling Technology and clone SP384 from Ventana Medical Systems), and the different interpretation criteria were compared with break-apart FISH (Vysis). FISH-positive samples were also analyzed with next-generation sequencing (Oncomine Dx Target Test Panel, Thermo Fisher Scientific). Results: An H-score of 150 or higher or the presence of at least 70% of tumor cells with an intensity of staining of 2+ or higher by the SP384 clone was the optimal cutoff value (both with 93% sensitivity and 100% specificity). The D4D6 clone showed similar results, with an H-score of at least 100 (91% sensitivity and 100% specificity). ROS1 expression in normal lung was more frequent with use of the SP384 clone (p < 0.0001). The ezrin gene (EZR)-ROS1 variant was associated with membranous staining and an isolated green signal FISH pattern (p = 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively). Conclusions: The new SP384 ROS1 IHC clone showed excellent sensitivity without compromising specificity, so it is another excellent analytical option for the proposed testing algorithm

Glicosil hidrolasas de Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1

Resumen del trabajo presentado a la 15ª Reunión de la Red Española de Bacterias Lácticas: Bacterias Lácticas en Alimentación y Salud. Valencia, 26 y 27 de mayo de 2022.AGL2017-84614-C2-1-R y AGL2017-84614-C2-2-RPeer reviewe

¿Quién se ha sentido así? Fomentando la vulnerabilidad y la esperanza transformadora en el conocimiento activista del Grado de Estudios Ingleses

Memoria ID2022-112. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2022-2023

Desarrollo y aplicación de una metodología innovadora para realizar visitas técnicas virtuales a empresas y centros de investigación

El objetivo del proyecto es desarrollar una metodología innovadora para realizar visitas técnicas virtuales a plantas industriales y/o centros de investigación con alumnos que podrán utilizarse en 8 asignaturas de 4 grados y 2 másteres de la UCM.FALSEVicerrectorado de Calidad Proyectos de Innovación (2021-2022) Innova-Docenciasubmitte