The NtrYX Two-Component System of Paracoccus denitrificans Is Required for the Maintenance of Cellular Iron Homeostasis and for a Complete Denitrification under Iron-Limited Conditions

Denitrification consists of the sequential reduction of nitrate to nitrite, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dinitrogen. Nitrous oxide escapes to the atmosphere, depending on copper availability and other environmental factors. Iron is also a key element because many proteins involved in denitrification contain iron-sulfur or heme centers. The NtrYX two-component regulatory system mediates the responses in a variety of metabolic processes, including denitrification. A quantitative proteomic analysis of a Paracoccus denitrificans NtrY mutant grown under denitrifying conditions revealed the induction of different TonB-dependent siderophore transporters and proteins related to iron homeostasis. This mutant showed lower intracellular iron content than the wild-type strain, and a reduced growth under denitrifying conditions in iron-limited media. Under iron-rich conditions, it releases higher concentrations of siderophores and displayes lower nitrous oxide reductase (NosZ) activity than the wild-type, thus leading to nitrous oxide emission. Bioinformatic and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that NtrYX is a global transcriptional regulatory system that responds to iron starvation and, in turn, controls expression of the iron-responsive regulators fur, rirA, and iscR, the denitrification regulators fnrP and narR, the nitric oxide-responsive regulator nnrS, and a wide set of genes, including the cd1-nitrite reductase NirS, nitrate/nitrite transporters and energy electron transport proteins

Producción de carne en praderas de estrella de áfrica fertilizadas y con suplementación al ganado

Se realizó un estudio para determinar la producción de carne en praderas de zacate Estrella de África (Cynodon plectostachyus) fertilizadas con distintas cantidades de nitrógeno y un nivel fijo de fósforo

Determining the Role of Fe-Doping on Promoting the Thermochemical Energy Storage Performance of (Mn1-xFex)(3)O-4 Spinels

Mn oxides are promising materials for thermochemical heat store, but slow reoxidation of Mn3O4 to Mn2O3 limits efficiency. In contrast, (Mn1-xFex)(3)O-4 oxides show an enhanced transformation rate, but fundamental understanding of the role played by Fe cations is lacking. Here, nanoscale characterization of Fe-doped Mn oxides is performed to elucidate how Fe incorporation influences solid-state transformations. X-ray diffraction reveals the presence of two distinct spinel phases, cubic jacobsite and tetragonal hausmannite for samples with more than 10% of Fe. Chemical mapping exposes wide variation of Fe content between grains, but an even distribution within crystallites. Due to the similarities of spinels structures, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy cannot discriminate unambiguously between them, but Fe-enriched crystallites likely correspond to jacobsite. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms that increasing Fe content up to 20% boosts the reoxidation rate, leading to the transformation of Mn2+ in the spinel phase to Mn3+ in bixbyite. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure shows that Fe-O length is larger than Mn-O, but both electron energy loss spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure indicate that iron is always present as Fe3+ in octahedral sites. These structural modifications may facilitate ionic diffusion during bixbyite formation.The authors thank the financial support from "Ramon Areces" Foundation (project SOLARKITE), Comunidad de Madrid and European Structural Funds (project ACES2030 P2018/EMT-4319), and University of Cadiz and European Structural Funds (project FEDER-UCA18-107139). A.J.C. thanks the financial support by Juan de la Cierva Formacion Program (MICINN), grant FJCI-2017-33967. The authors acknowledge ALBA-CELLS Synchrotron facility for granting beamtime at CLAESS (experiment 2016021666-2) and Electron Microscopy division located in the Servicios Centrales de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (SC-ICYT) of the University of Cadiz. Assistance of Dr. Laura Simonelli during the XAS measurements in ALBA is fully appreciated

Squeezing out nanoparticles from perovskites : controlling exsolution with pressure

Nanoparticle exsolution has emerged as a versatile method to functionalize oxides with robust metallic nanoparticles for catalytic and energy applications. By modifying certain external parameters during thermal reduction (temperature, time, reducing gas), some morphological and/or compositional properties of the exsolved nanoparticles can be tuned. Here, it is shown how the application of high pressure

Oxide nanoparticle exsolution in Lu-doped (Ba,La)CoO3

This study investigated Lu doping of BaLaCoO and its influence on the exsolution of oxide nanoparticles (NPs). As a result of Lu doping, we observed the phase segregation into the main BaLaCoLuO (BLCO-Lu) phase and the secondary BaLaCoLuO (BCO-Lu) phase. We noticed the exsolution of BCO-Lu nanoparticles on the main BLCO-Lu phase. Moreover, the BLCO-Lu phase exsolved in the form of nanoparticles on the adjacent BCO-Lu grains. That shows that the phases are covered with mutually exsolved oxide NPs. In addition, trace amounts of the BaLuCoO phase are detected. We noticed that the exsolved oxides even in the as-prepared sample were fine (average size of 18 nm), and well distributed with a dense population of NPs above 280 per 1 μm. Furthermore, we showed that the size and shape of the exsolved oxide NPs can be controlled by varying the annealing temperature. For example, at 800 °C the exsolved oxides segregate and form two different shapes; spherical and cuboidal, with an average size of 31 nm and NP population of about 23 NPs per μm. Meanwhile, with lowering the temperature to 400 °C the oxides form only spherical and quite evenly distributed NPs with the occurrence of 137 NPs per 1 μm. The obtained results open the possibility of tailoring a novel, more catalytically active material for future applications in electrochemical devices.Project FunKeyCat is supported by the National Science Centre, Poland under the M-ERA.NET 2, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 685451. The Research Council of Norway is also acknowledged for support to the Norwegian Center for Transmission Electron Microscopy (NORTEM) (no. 197405/F50)

Holistic view of biological nitrogen fixation and phosphorus mobilization in Azotobacter chroococcum NCIMB 8003

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiencies are two of the most agronomic problems that cause significant decrease in crop yield and quality. N and P chemical fertilizers are widely used in current agriculture, causing environmental problems and increasing production costs. Therefore, the development of alternative strategies to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers while maintaining N and P inputs are being investigated. Although dinitrogen is an abundant gas in the atmosphere, it requires biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) to be transformed into ammonium, a nitrogen source assimilable by living organisms. This process is bioenergetically expensive and, therefore, highly regulated. Factors like availability of other essential elements, as phosphorus, strongly influence BNF. However, the molecular mechanisms of these interactions are unclear. In this work, a physiological characterization of BNF and phosphorus mobilization (PM) from an insoluble form (Ca3(PO4)2) in Azotobacter chroococcum NCIMB 8003 was carried out. These processes were analyzed by quantitative proteomics in order to detect their molecular requirements and interactions. BNF led to a metabolic change beyond the proteins strictly necessary to carry out the process, including the metabolism related to other elements, like phosphorus. Also, changes in cell mobility, heme group synthesis and oxidative stress responses were observed. This study also revealed two phosphatases that seem to have the main role in PM, an exopolyphosphatase and a non-specific alkaline phosphatase PhoX. When both BNF and PM processes take place simultaneously, the synthesis of nitrogenous bases and L-methionine were also affected. Thus, although the interdependence is still unknown, possible biotechnological applications of these processes should take into account the indicated factors.Datos de investigación disponibles en: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1129721/full#supplementary-materia

Agronomic evaluation of Levante 20®, Levante 40® y Levante 45®, varieties of the peach breeding program (Prunus persica L.): IMIDA-NOVAMED

[SPA] El melocotón amarillo de carne dura o pavía ha disminuido su producción en los últimos años, pero a nivel nacional sigue teniendo un hueco de mercado interior para su consumo en fresco. El programa de mejora IMIDA-NOVAMED ha desarrollado tres variedades de esta tipología: Levante 20®, Levante 40® y Levante 45® con unas características muy similares y buenas calidades organolépticas, diferenciándose en fechas de maduración y porcentaje de sobrecoloración con las variedades de referencia de melocotón amarillo en el mercado. Pudiendo ofrecer así una serie de melocotones amarillos o pavías similares de forma continua en los lineales de venta, y así el consumidor poder disfrutar durante un largo periodo de tiempo el mismo tipo de melocotón. [ENG] The non-melting yellow peach or “pavia” has decreased its production in recent years, but at the national level it still has an internal market gap for fresh consumption. The breeding program IMIDA-NOVAMED has developed three varieties of this typology: Levante 20®, Levante 40® y Levante 45® with very similar characteristics and good organoleptic qualities, differing in ripening dates and percentage of over-coloring with the reference varieties of yellow peach in the market. Being able to offer a series of yellow peaches or similar peaches in a continuous way in the sale lines, and thus the consumer can enjoy the same type of peach for a long period

Peach breeding (Prunus persica L.): Agronomic evaluation of selections IMIDA - NOVAMED

[SPA] En datos de exportación, desde 2005 a día de hoy España es el primer país exportador de melocotón a nivel mundial ofreciendo una amplia gama de variedades y tipologías de fruto que cubren un largo periodo de recolección. La dependencia de variedades extranjeras, el acceso limitado a muchas de ellas, al excesivo pago de royalties y su falta de adaptación a las diferentes zonas de cultivo ha hecho que se desarrollen en España en los últimos 20 años más de 10 programas de mejora genética, privados, públicos y público-privados. El IMIDA está llevando a cabo un programa de mejora público-privado en colaboración con la empresa NOVAMED S.L., siendo los objetivos de mejora la diversificación respecto a: época de recolección y floración, productividad, requerimientos en reposo invernal, adaptación a las distintas condiciones de cultivo de la Región de Murcia, tipología de fruto y características organolépticas. El objetivo general de este estudio es la caracterización agronómica, morfológica y genética de las selecciones del programa de mejora público-privado IMIDA-NOVAMED, y la solicitación del Título de Obtención Vegetal, para ofrecer al sector productor nuevas variedades competitivas al mercado. [ENG] Spain is the leading exporter of peach worldwide offering a wide range of varieties and typologies of fruit that cover a long period of harvest. Dependence on foreign varieties, limited access to many of them, royalty payments and problems of adaptation to different growing areas has made that appear in Spain in the last 20 years more than 10 breeding programs, private, public and public-private. IMIDA is developing a public-private peach breeding program with the company NOVAMED SL to improve the diversification in harvest and flowering time, productivity, chilling requirements, adaptation to different growing conditions Murcia, type of fruit and organoleptic characteristics. The general objective of this study is the agronomic, morphological and genetic characterization of the IMIDA-NOVAMED program selections obtained and protection of Plant Variety, to offer new varieties to market.Fondos Feder 2014-2020: “Una manera diferente de hacer Europa”

Peach breeding (Prunus persica L.): Agronomic evaluation of selections IMIDA – NOVAMED: Siroco 30®, Siroco 40® y Siroco 43®

[SPA] A día de hoy España es el segundo país productor de melocotón y primer país exportador a nivel mundial. El paraguayo o melocotón de forma plana ocupa el 25% del total de la superficie cultivada en España. El programa de mejora IMIDA-NOVAMED ha desarrollado tres selecciones de paraguayo, Siroco 30®, Siroco 40® y Siroco 43® que difieren en fechas de recolección y presentan una tipología muy similar aportando una sobrecoloración del fruto o chapa muy alta, destacando sus características organolépticas de baja acidez, elevados °Brix y alta consistencia, lo que hace a estas selecciones una fruta muy atractiva para el consumidor. Con el objetivo de desarrollar una serie de variedades con la misma tipología para poder ser suministradas en los lineales de venta de forma continua. [ENG] Nowadays, Spain is the second peach producing country and the first exporting country in the world. The flat peach occupies 25% of the total peach area cultivated in Spain. The IMIDA-NOVAMED breeding program has developed three new selections of flat peach, Siroco 30®, Siroco 40® and Siroco 43® that differ in harvest date and they show a very similar typology with a very high over color of skin, highlighting its organoleptic characteristic of low Acidity, high ° Brix and high firmness of the flesh, which make these selections very attractive for the consumer. With the aim of developing a varieties set with the same typology able to be supplied continuously in the sales line.Fondos Feder 1420-05

New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Aortic Valve Replacement Comparison of Transfemoral, Transapical, Transaortic, and Surgical Approaches

ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with different methods of isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR)—transfemoral (TF), transapical (TA), and transaortic (TAo) catheter-based valve replacement and conventional surgical approaches.BackgroundThe relative incidences of AF associated with the various access routes for AVR have not been well characterized.MethodsIn this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we evaluated a total of 231 consecutive patients who underwent AVR for degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) between March 2010 and September 2012. Patients with a history of paroxysmal, persistent, or chronic AF, with bicuspid aortic valves, and patients who died within 48 h after AVR were excluded. A total of 123 patients (53% of total group) qualified for inclusion. Data on documented episodes of new-onset AF, along with all clinical, echocardiographic, procedural, and 30-day follow-up data, were collated.ResultsAF occurred in 52 patients (42.3%). AF incidence varied according to the procedural method. AF occurred in 60% of patients who underwent surgical AVR (SAVR), in 53% after TA-TAVR, in 33% after TAo-TAVR cases, and 14% after TF-TAVR. The episodes occurred at a median time interval of 53 (25th to 75th percentile, 41 to 87) h after completion of the procedure. Procedures without pericardiotomy had an 82% risk reduction of AF compared with those with pericardiotomy (adjusted odds ratio: 0.18; 95% confidence interval: 0.05 to 0.59).ConclusionsAF was a common complication of AVR with a cumulative incidence of >40% in elderly patients with degenerative AS who underwent either SAVR or TAVR. AF was most common with SAVR and least common with TF-TAVR. Procedures without pericardiotomy were associated with a lower incidence of AF