Enterobius vermicularis: Ancient DNA from North and South American Coprolites

A molecular paleoparasitological diagnostic approach was developed for Enterobius vermicularis. Ancient DNA was extracted from 27 coprolites from archaeological sites in Chile and USA. Enzymatic amplification of human mtDNA sequences confirmed the human origin. We designed primers specific to the E. vermicularis 5S ribosomal RNA spacer region and they allowed reproducible polymerase chain reaction identification of ancient material. We suggested that the paleoparasitological microscopic identification could accompany molecular diagnosis, which also opens the possibility of sequence analysis to understand parasite-host evolution

Fat-specific FUS-DDIT3-transgenic mice establish PPARgamma inactivation is required to liposarcoma development.

Peer reviewe

HIV Latency-Reversing Agents Have Diverse Effects on Natural Killer Cell Function

In an effort to clear persistent HIV infection and achieve a durable therapy-free remission of HIV disease, extensive pre-clinical studies and early pilot clinical trials are underway to develop and test agents that can reverse latent HIV infection and present viral antigen to the immune system for clearance. It is, therefore, critical to understand the impact of latency-reversing agents (LRAs) on the function of immune effectors needed to clear infected cells. We assessed the impact of LRAs on the function of natural killer (NK) cells, the main effector cells of the innate immune system. We studied the effects of three histone deacetylase inhibitors [SAHA or vorinostat (VOR), romidepsin, and panobinostat (PNB)] and two protein kinase C agonists [prostratin (PROST) and ingenol] on the antiviral activity, cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, phenotype, and viability of primary NK cells. We found that ex vivo exposure to VOR had minimal impact on all parameters assessed, while PNB caused a decrease in NK cell viability, antiviral activity, and cytotoxicity. PROST caused non-specific NK cell activation and, interestingly, improved antiviral activity. Overall, we found that LRAs can alter the function and fate of NK cells, and these effects must be carefully considered as strategies are developed to clear persistent HIV infection

10 kg scaled-up preparation of Al/Fe-pillared clay CWPO catalysts from concentrated precursors

In this work, the significant intensification of a bentonite pillaring process was achieved by using a novel methodological approach, leading to an intercalating Al/Fe mixed oligomeric precursor, around 100 times more concentrated than usually reported. In addition, the intercalating step was achieved directly on the clay with no previous swelling of the mineral being required; this allowed the successful scaled-up preparation of the Al/Fe-PILC, by a factor of one thousand, from the lab (10 g) to the pilot scale (10 kg). Intercalating solutions prepared under either oncentrated (13 cm3) or diluted (widely reported, 2.0 dm3) conditions for lab-scale preparations were both translucent, displaying similar final pH values (close to 4.0) typical of highly oligomerized Al-pillaring solutions. The clay modified from concentrated precursors at the 10 g scale reached a high basal spacing (18.3 Å) and specific surface area (198 m2 g−1 ) with very comparable fractions of Fe forming truly mixed Al/Fe pillars in comparison to a reference material (H2-TPR analyses). This promoted high performance in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of phenol in aqueous solution as a toxic model organic molecule at very mild temperature (25.0 °C ± 1.0 °C) and pressure (76 kPa), exhibiting the highest catalytic efficiency as a function of both parameters (full conversion of phenol together with 45.2% of TOC mineralization) with low iron leaching using a very low catalyst concentration (0.25 g dm−3). Particle size refining of the starting clay, the speed of stirring and conditions for the final washing of the interlayered precursor are the main factors influencing successful pillaring at scales higher than 1.0 kg

Paleoparasitology: Perspectives with New Techniques

Paleoparasitology is the study of parasites found in archaeological material. The development of this field of research began with histological identification of helminth eggs in mummy tissues, analysis of coprolites, and recently through molecular biology. An approach to the history of paleoparasitology is reviewed in this paper, with special reference to the studies of ancient DNA identified in archaeological material. Paleoparasitologia: perspectivas com novas técnicas Paleoparasitologia é o estudo de parasitos encontrados em material arqueológico. O desenvolvimento deste campo da pesquisa teve início com a identificação de ovos de helmintos em tecidos mumificados, análise de coprólitos e, recentemente, através da biologia molecular. Neste artigo faz-se uma breve revisão da história da paleoparasitologia com referência especial aos estudos de ADN antigo (ancient DNA) em material arqueológic

Paleoparasitology: Perspectives with New Techniques

Paleoparasitology is the study of parasites found in archaeological material. The development of this field of research began with histological identification of helminth eggs in mummy tissues, analysis of coprolites, and recently through molecular biology. An approach to the history of paleoparasitology is reviewed in this paper, with special reference to the studies of ancient DNA identified in archaeological material. Paleoparasitologia: perspectivas com novas técnicas Paleoparasitologia é o estudo de parasitos encontrados em material arqueológico. O desenvolvimento deste campo da pesquisa teve início com a identificação de ovos de helmintos em tecidos mumificados, análise de coprólitos e, recentemente, através da biologia molecular. Neste artigo faz-se uma breve revisão da história da paleoparasitologia com referência especial aos estudos de ADN antigo (ancient DNA) em material arqueológic

Seguimiento del balance de energía en superficie a través de la futur misión HyspIRI

Ponencia presentada en: IX Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Almería entre el 28 y el 30 de octubre de 2014.[ES]La estimación operativa y a escala global del balance de energía en superficie requiere de datos de temperatura desde satélite con alta frecuencia y resolución espacial. Sus 8 bandas en el térmico, los 60 m de tamaño de píxel y los 5 días de revisita, convierten a la misión HyspIRI en el futuro de la teledetección térmica multiespectral. En este trabajo se han simulado productos HyspIRI de flujos energéticos a partir de vuelos MASTER, de muy alta resolución espacial, sobre las reservas experimentales de Jornada y Sevilleta, situadas en el suroeste de EEUU. Para ello se ha utilizado un modelo de balance de energía de dos fuentes, combinado con datos meteorológicos registrados en la zona. Los resultados muestran la estabilidad del modelo aplicado a las imágenes simuladas HyspIRI, y permiten hacer un análisis del efecto de la pérdida de resolución espacial sobre la variabilidad de los flujos energéticos en zonas áridas.[EN]Frequent and high resolution remote sensing temperature data are needed for global scale, operational estimation of the surface energy balance. Its 8 thermal bands, 60-m pixel size and 5-day revisit time make the HyspIRI mission the future of the multispectral thermal remote sensing. In this work HyspIRI products of surface energy fluxes were simulated from very high spatial resolution MASTER flights, over the Jornada and Sevilleta experimental ranges, southwest USA. A two-source energy balance model, together with meteorological data, were used in this work. Results show the stability of the model when applied to simulated HyspIRI images, and allow performing an analysis of the effect of the spatial resolution degradation on the surface variability in arid areas in terms of energy fluxes.Los autores desean expresar su agradecimiento por la financiación recibida a NASA (10- HYSPIRI1 0-13), al Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (CGL2010-17577/CLI) y a la Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2009/086)

Preliminary feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy to authenticate grazing in dairy goats through milk and faeces analysis

Nowadays, society demands certification and authentication methodologies that are able to clarify the origin of different livestock products. This is considered of paramount importance in order to not only provide accurate information to consumers, but also to protect producers against fraudulent practices. In this context, the aim of this study is to establish a methodology to authenticate the grazing activity of dairy goats. To achieve this, milk and faeces samples were analysed using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. The good results obtained in discriminant models demonstrated differences in both types of matrices when the two feeding regimes were compared. The development of this methodology could extend its use not only in dairy systems of goats but also in other animal species and systems