Search and characterization of viral antigens able to stimulate a protective immune response against CMV infection for vaccine design

Motivation: Despite improvements in detection and treatment, human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the main cause of morbi-mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Several efforts have been made to develop a vaccine to prevent CMV infection. However, no vaccine had been licenced to date. Efforts are necessary to identify antigens able to stimulate an immune response to protect against CMV infection.Methods: We used serum (from SOT recipients with previous CMV infection and neutralizing antibody titers >480) as primary antibody to identify proteins from CMV-infected cell lysates, not recognized by the serum from the same patient with no neutralizing antibodies or in the mock-infected lysate. The identified bands were sequenced by mass spectrometry. The gene of the identified candidates was amplified by PCR using specific primers and cloned into the expression plasmids PTYB21 (fused to intein tail to purify the recombinant protein) and into pCDNA plasmid (for DNA vaccine). The PTYB21 construct was transformed into the E. coli BL21 Rosetta strain for protein expression. Protein purification was performed using the IMPACT kit (BioLabs) using a chitin affinity column. The pcDNA construct was transformed into the E. coli TOP-10 strain. All constructs were sequenced. Protein antigenicity was analyzed using VAxiJen informatic tool (threshold 0.4).Results: We identified three proteins with 135, 70 and 50 kDa approximately. The 48 kDa candidate predicted to be from the tegument and with an antigenicity score of 0.520 was selected. A 1200pb band corresponding to the predicted size of the gene was amplified. Due to difficulties of blunt ligations we introduced a dephosphorylation step of the insert before ligation. We obtained 3 positive clones with the following pattern: a band of 1280 bp corresponding to the insert and a 7514 bp for the PTYB21 plasmid and 5400 bp for the pCDNA plasmid. Sequencing of positive clones showed a 100% homology. The 48 kDa protein had the highest expression using 0.5 mM IPTG for 6 hours, and was isolated in the insoluble fraction. We are in the process of optimizing the conditions for protein purification.Conclusions:The use of patient sera is an optimal approach to identify proteins that induce an specific immune response against CMV that may be candidates for vaccine design. The process for protein purification must be optimized for each candidate since depends on multiple factors such as size and solubility

Fuzzy inference system for the identification of over-the-counter (otc) drugs.

This document shows the details of the implementation of a fuzzy inference system, for the identification of four over-the-counter drugs (Naproxen, Calcium Carbonate, Muvett and Winadol), by using a Raman Spectroscopy, which output is the characterization of the substance. Data obtained from Raman Spectroscopy are modeled with Matlab®- Fuzzy Logic Toolbox

NH4F Modified Al-SBA-15 Materials for Esterification of Valeric Acid to Alkyl Valerates

Al-SBA-15 materials were functionalized by ball milling with several niobium loadings (0.25–1 wt.%) and/or with several F- loadings, using NH4F as a precursor. The catalysts synthesized in this study were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 porosimetry, and diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT) among others. The prepared materials shown, form moderate to high catalytic activities in the microwave-assisted transformation of valeric acid to ethyl valerate via esterification. The incorporation of fluoride anions either into Al-SBA-15 or on Nb1%/Al-SBA-15 led to a linear increase in valeric acid conversion with the F− content. Thus, F− modified mesoporous aluminosilicates efficiently catalyze the transformation of valeric acid into alkyl valerate esters as renewable fuels

Aplicación de técnicas avanzadas de interferometría diferencial SAR para la detección de deformaciones del terreno en Madrid

El uso de técnicas avanzadas de interferometría diferencial en un conjunto de imágenes SAR permite la detección de movimientos en el terreno con mayor precisión que las técnicas clásicas. En este documento se presentan los resultados de aplicar una de estas técnicas avanzadas en la ciudad de Madrid, donde ha sido detectada una deformación del terreno asociada a la variación del nivel de agua del acuífero detrítico del Terciario.The advanced Differential INterferometry SAR (DInSAR) techniques are able to detect terrain deformations more accurately than classic DInSAR ones. In this paper, the results obtained with one of this advanced techniques in Madrid city are presented, where an up-down movement has been detected and associated to the water level variation in the aquifer located under Madrid city

Cannabidiol Enhances the Passage of Lipid Nanocapsules across the Blood–Brain Barrier Both in Vitro and in Vivo

Diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) should be regarded as a major health challenge due to the current lack of effective treatments given the hindrance to brain drug delivery imposed by the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Since efficient brain drug delivery should not solely rely on passive targeting, active targeting of nanomedicines into the CNS is being explored. The present study is devoted to the development of lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) decorated with nonpsychotropic cannabinoids as pioneering nonimmunogenic brain-targeting molecules and to the evaluation of their brain-targeting ability both in vitro and in vivo. Noticeably, both the permeability experiments across the hCMEC/D3 cell-based in vitro BBB model and the biodistribution experiments in mice consistently demonstrated that the highest brain-targeting ability was achieved with the smallest-sized cannabinoid-decorated LNCs. Importantly, the enhancement in brain targeting achieved with the conjugation of cannabidiol to LNCs outperformed by 6-fold the enhancement observed for the G-Technology (the main brain active strategy that has already entered clinical trials for the treatment of CNS diseases). As the transport efficiency across the BBB certainly determines the efficacy of the treatments for brain disorders, small cannabinoid-decorated LNCs represent auspicious platforms for the design and development of novel therapies for CNS diseases

Natación artística en niñas: antropometría, genotipo y rendimiento deportivo.

En cada deporte es importante optimizar peso y composición corporal y la genética y los datos antropométricos pueden influir en rendimiento deportivo y salud, sobre todo en deportistas menores. Este estudio analiza 60 nadadoras artísticas entre 9 y 17 años, divididas en tres grupos de edad: ≤12, 13-15 y 16-17 años. Se realizó un análisis de medidas antropométricas, edad de menarquia, genotipo relacionado con rendimiento (gen ACTN3) y resultados deportivos, con objetivo de relacionar estos parámetros entre sí en los grupos de edad. Las nadadoras de mayor edad mostraron tendencia a portar el genotipo heterocigoto RX de ACTN3. En este estudio, la práctica de este deporte podría tener impacto en índice de masa corporal, pliegue tricipital, peso y edad de menarquia. La mayor prevalencia del genotipo heterocigoto ACTN3 R577X podría ofrecer una ventaja, pero el rendimiento en competición de las nadadoras artísticas tuvo poca relación con sus medidas antropométricas.post-print680 K

Assessing inter-limb asymmetries in soccer players: magnitude, direction and association with performance

In this study, we aimed to analyze the magnitude and direction of interlimb asymmetries in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), power (using iso-inertial devices), and a neuromuscular skill (change of direction). Secondarily, we aimed to determine the relationship between interlimb asymmetry scores for each test and also between these scores and the scores for the different performance tests. Sixteen semiprofessional male soccer players (age: 25.38 6.08 years; body height: 1.78 0.64 m; body mass: 79.5 14.9 kg) participated in this study. We calculated interlimb asymmetries using five tests: ankle dorsiflexion ROM, change of direction (COD 180º), and iso-inertial resistance tasks in the open (leg extension strength (LE), leg curl strength (LC)) and closed (crossover step (CRO)) kinetic chain. Our results showed that asymmetry magnitudes differed between all tests with highest interlimb asymmetries displayed during iso-inertial overloading. In addition, we observed that the direction of asymmetries varied depending on the test-specificity, and that the CRO asymmetries had a negative association with LE and CRO performance. These findings highlight the independent nature of asymmetries and that CRO could be an appropriate test to detect asymmetries related with the performance of soccer-specific actions (such as changes of direction). Practitioners are encouraged to use multiple tests to detect existing interlimb differences according to the specific characteristics of each sport

Actuaciones dentro del plan de recuperación de una raza autóctona en peligro de extinción: la raza ovina churra lebrijana. Caracteres cualitativos externos y faneróptica

La raza ovina Churra Lebrijana se localiza en la Sierra Norte de Sevilla y Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche. En la actualidad, se encuentra en grave peligro de extinción, contando con no más de 200 efectivos repartidos en dos explotaciones. Ante la necesidad de abordar la llevanza del Libro Genealógico de la raza, previa concesión, por los organismos administrativos pertinentes, se están llevando a cabo una serie de actuaciones, encuadradas en un proyecto INIA, con la finalidad de preservarla. En este sentido, se han obtenido un total de 23 variables cualitativas correspondientes a las regiones de la cabeza, tronco, mamas y extremidades, así como caracteres de índole faneróptica. Se han controlado un total de 22 ejemplares (16 hembras y el total de sementales de la raza), localizados en dos explotaciones de Andalucía. Para sentar las bases que permitan recuperar y conservar la raza, es necesario realizar un análisis previo que determine la variabilidad de los caracteres analizados a fin de poder encuadrar /discriminar aquellos animales que se ajusten o no al patrón racial propuesto.Proyecto de Investigación RZ-03-019, INIA, Ministerio de Educación y Cienci

NGC 6705 a young α\alpha-enhanced Open Cluster from OCCASO data

The stellar [$\alpha$/Fe] abundance is sometimes used as a proxy for stellar age, following standard chemical evolution models for the Galaxy, as seen by different observational results. In this work we show that the Open Cluster NGC6705/M11 has a significant $\alpha$-enhancement [$\alpha$/Fe]$>0.1$ dex, despite its young age ($\sim$300 Myr), challenging the current paradigm. We use high resolution (R$>65,000$) high signal-to-noise ($\sim$70) spectra of 8 Red Clump stars, acquired within the OCCASO survey. We determine very accurate chemical abundances of several $\alpha$ elements, using an equivalent width methodology (Si, Ca and Ti), and spectral synthesis fits (Mg and O). We obtain [Si/Fe]=$0.13\pm0.05$, [Mg/Fe]=$0.14\pm0.07$, [O/Fe]=$0.17\pm0.07$, [Ca/Fe]=$0.06\pm0.05$ and [Ti/Fe]=$0.03\pm0.03$. Our results place these cluster within the group of young [$\alpha$/Fe]-enhanced field stars recently found by several authors in the literature. The ages of our stars have an uncertainty of around 50 Myr, much more precise than for field stars. By integrating the cluster's orbit in several non-axisymmetric Galactic potentials, we establish the M11's most likely birth radius to lie between 6.8-7.5 kpc from the Galactic center, not far from its current position. With the robust Open Cluster age scale, our results prove that a moderate [$\alpha$/Fe]-enhancement is no guarantee for a star to be old, and that not all $\alpha$-enhanced stars can be explained with an evolved blue straggler scenario. Based on our orbit calculations, we further argue against a Galactic bar origin of M11.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted in A&

A combination of both proteomic and genetic approach to indentify de-regulated pathway in progeria, an accelerated aging disorder

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