DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER MOLECULAR FINGERPRINT OF THE WATER MASSES IN THE CAPE VERT FRONTAL ZONE

Oral communicationOcean water masses have been traditionally characterized by the thermohaline and conservative chemical properties (e.g. preformed nutrients) at their respective source regions. However, water masses also can exhibit characteristic levels of other individual compounds or emerging properties associated to compound classes. In this regard, the objective of this contribution is to characterize the dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecular fingerprint of the water masses present in the Cape Vert Frontal Zone (CVFZ). For this purpose, a set of 133 samples was collected from the surface to 4000 m depth in the CVFZ during the FLUXES I cruise (12 July - 11 August 2017) and isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE), using styrene divinyl benzene polymer cartridges (PPL). The molecular analysis of these SPE-PPL extracts was performed using Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), a method capable of identifying thousands of molecular formulae in DOM. These analyses have been combined with an optimum multiparameter (OMP) water mass analysis to obtain characteristic molecular indices for the eleven water masses present in the CVFZ, stemming from the subtropical and subpolar North and South Atlantic as well as from the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. In particular, emerging properties such as the molecular diversity (D), mean molecular mass (MW), mean C:N ratio, aromaticity index (AI), double bond equivalent (DBE), and main molecular groups, as well as different compounds (e.g. Lignin) and individual heteroatoms were quantified.ASL

Turnover time of fluorescent dissolved organic matter in the dark global ocean

Research articleMarine dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the largest reservoirs of reduced carbon on Earth. In the dark ocean (4200 m), most of this carbon is refractory DOM. This refractory DOM, largely produced during microbial mineralization of organic matter, includes humic-like substances generated in situ and detectable by fluorescence spectroscopy. Here we show two ubiquitous humic-like fluorophores with turnover times of 435±41 and 610±55 years, which persist significantly longer than the B350 years that the dark global ocean takes to renew. In parallel, decay of a tyrosine-like fluorophore with a turnover time of 379±103 years is also detected. We propose the use of DOM fluorescence to study the cycling of resistant DOM that is preserved at centennial timescales and could represent a mechanism of carbon sequestration (humic-like fraction) and the decaying DOM injected into the dark global ocean, where it decreases at centennial timescales (tyrosine-like fraction).Versión del editor10,015

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Insights on the microbial carbon pump in the global ocean with spectroscopic technique

The transformation of biologically labile organic matter into refractory compounds by prokaryotic activity has been termed the ‘microbial carbon pump’ (MCP) and may constitute an effective mechanism to store reduced carbon in the dark ocean. Understanding its generation and its role in carbon sequestration is crucial to assess its relevance in the context of the global carbon cycle. The main aim of this PhD thesis is to test the significance of the chromophoric (CDOM) and fluorescent (FDOM) fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as tracers for the microbial production of recalcitrant DOM in the global ocean. All its content is framed in the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation, which allowed us to produce the first global inventory of the optical properties of DOM in both the surface ocean (<200 m), gathered by Longhurst’s biogeographic provinces, and the dark ocean (>200 m) by the main water masses. In the dark ocean, ideal age and ageing (apparent oxygen utilization) of the main water masses were tracked along the global thermohaline circulation, allowing the estimation of net production/consumption rates of CDOM and FDOM and their respective turnover times. We found that CDOM was generated in situ by microbial metabolism (at a global rate of 3.3 ± 0.5 x 10–5 m–1 yr–1), with a turnover time of ca. 625 years and was accumulated in the dark ocean due to its recalcitrant nature, with an increase in the degree of aromaticity and molecular weight along the thermohaline circulation. We identified two distinct chromophores. One was centred at 302 nm (UV chromophore) and the other one at 415 nm (Visible chromophore). The UV chromophore was attributed partially to nitrate and likely to the antioxidant gadusol and presented a turnover time of ca. 345 years. The Visible chromophore was related to the respiratory enzyme cytochrome c and presented a turnover time of ca. 356 years. The analysis of the fluorescent properties of DOM in both the surface (< 200 m) and dark ocean (> 200 m) allowed us to identify four ubiquitous fluorophores. Two fluorophores were humic-like (C1, C2) components and the other two were amino acid-like (tryptophan-like C3, tyrosine-like C4) components. The robustness in the level of explanation for humic-like and amino acid-like components by biogeochemical variables was much higher for the humic-like components than for the amino acidlike components both in the surface and the dark ocean (~80% vs ~30%). The fluorescent humic-like material was explained by water ageing and showed positive power functions both in the surface and in the dark ocean. In the dark ocean, C1 showed a higher production rate than C2, with a net production rate of 2.3 ± 0.2 x 10–5 and 1.2 ± 0.1 x 10–5 RU yr–1 and turnover times of 530 and 740 years, respectively. However, in the surface ocean both rates were similar. In the dark ocean C1 and C2 showed higher conversion efficiencies per unit of utilized oxygen than in the surface ocean, likely due to photobleaching. In the dark ocean, tyrosine-like C4 presented an inverse power relationship with the apparent oxygen utilization, decreasing at a rate of –1.1 ± 10–5 RU yr–1. On the contrary, the tryptophan-like component C3 did not show a pattern with ageing. In the surface ocean, the amino acid-like components were apparently more affected by physical processes, although the positive relationship of C4 with Chl a also implies a microbial influence on this component. The in situ production of the DOM fractions as by-products of microbial metabolism identified as water masses turned older and the long turnover times of the humic-like components indicated the relevant role of the MCP in the carbon sequestration in the dark ocean. Thus, the initial hypothesis of this PhD thesis that was: “are the chromophoric and fluorescent fractions of DOM key components of the recalcitrant DOM pool?” has been verified. Similarly, the fact that chromophores and fluorophores can be used as tracers of the water mass mixing and biogeochemical processes operating at centennial time scales will bring new insights into the ocean carbon storage.Tesis Univ. Granada. Programa Oficial de Doctorado en: Biología Fundamental y de SistemasThe research was funded by the grants “Expedición de circunnavegación Malaspina 2010: cambio global y exploración, MALASPINA 2010” (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, grant No CSD2008–00077, to C.M. Duarte) and “Zonas de mezcla y frentes en el océano oscuro como “hot–spots” de biodiversidad y flujos biogeoquímicos a través del Mar Mediterráneo y el Atlántico Nordeste–II, HOT–MIX” (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, CTM2011–30010–C02–02, to X.A. Álvarez-Salgado). T.S. Catalá was supported by a FPU grant of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (No AP2009-2138) and a research contract funded by the project “Reactividad fotoquímica y microbiológica de la materia orgánica disuelta en relación con su composición química y estructura molecular, FOMEM” (Spanish Research Council, CSIC–PIE, No 201030E130, to X.A. Álvarez-Salgado). Research stays at the National Institute for Aquatic Resources of the Technical University of Demark, Charllotelund (Denmark), hosted by Dr. C.A. Stedmon and funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (No AP2009-2138), and at the Earth Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara (USA), hosted by Dr. N.B. Nelson, were funded by the University of Granada and CEI BioTic Granada

Insights on the microbial pump in the global ocean with spectroscopic techniques

188 pages[EN] The transformation of biologically labile organic matter into refractory compounds by prokaryotic activity has been termed the 'microbial carbon pump' (MCP) and may constitute an effective mechanism to store reduced carbon in the dark ocean. Understanding its generation and its role in carbon sequestration is crucial to assess its relevante in the context of the global carbon cycle. The main aim of this PhD thesis is to test the significance of the chromophoric (CDOM) and fluorescent (FDOM) fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as tracers for the microbial production of recalcitrant DOM in the global ocean. All its content is framed in Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation, which allowed us to produce the first global inventory of the optical properties of DOM in both the surface ocean (200 m) by the main water masses.[ES] La transformación de materia orgánica lábil en recalcitrante a consecuencia del metabolismo de los procariotas se ha denominado "bomba microbiana de carbono" y puede constituir un mecanismo efectivo de almacenamiento de carbono reducido en el interior del océano. Comprender la generación de materia orgánica disuelta (MOD) recalcitrante el papel que esta juega en el almacenamiento de carbono en los océanos es crucial para cuantificar su relevancia en el contexto del ciclo global del carbono. En este contexto, el principal objetivo de esta Tesis Doctoral es comprobar la validez de las fracciones cromófora (CMOD) y florescente (FMOD) de la MOD como trazadores de la producción microbiana de MOD recalcitrante en el océnao global. El trabajo se enmarca en la expedición de circunnavegación Malaspina 2010, que ha hecho posible producir el primer inventario global de propiedades ópticas de la MOD tanto en la capa superficial (<200 m), organizado por masas de agua.N

El impacto de la globalización económica en el mercado habitacional Español

[EN] Construction industry has a multiplier effect on the economy of each country. Within the construction industry, residential building is the most important: e.g., in Spain, there were 687,000 new residential units built in 2004, which represent 33% of production in construction industry; these figures correspond to 6% of the Gross National Product. The reasons for this boom are: low interest rates, increase of family incomes, demand from immigrants, changes in family structure, perception of housing as an attractive investment alternative, and demand for tourist housing. In Spain, housing prices increased more than in any other country of the European Union during last years. Our work analyzed statistically this evolution and its causes. Thirty three variables were used and a correlation matrix was obtained. It was found that the main explanatory variables were: population growth, income levels, interest rates, and the progressive involvement of the country in the European Union. Spain belongs to the Euro zone, which implies a tendency to standardize the economy of the eleven countries that embrace it; the average income per capita of the Euro zone is higher than that of Spain, thus a smooth leveling is unavoidable, even in the housing market. This economic globalization influences the housing prices evolution through financial markets, migratory and tourist movements, and urban growth.[ES] La industria de la construcción tiene un efecto de multiplicador en la economía de cada país. Dentro de dicha industria, la construcción residencial es la más importante: e.g., en España había 687.000 nuevas unidades residenciales construidas en el 2004, que representan el 33% de producción en la industria de la construcción; estas cifras corresponden al 6% del producto nacional bruto. Las razones de este auge son: bajos intereses, aumento en las rentas de la familia, demanda de inmigrantes, cambios en estructura de la familia, alternativa atractiva de inversión, y demanda turística. De España, los precios de arriendo aumentaron más que en cualquier otro país de la unión europea durante los últimos años. Nuestro trabajo analizaba en forma estadística esta evolución y sus causas. Treinta tres variables fueron utilizadas y la matriz de correlación fue obtenida. Se encontró que las variables explicativas principales son: crecimiento de la población, niveles de ingresos, tipos de interés, y la inserción progresiva del país en la unión europea. España pertenece a la comunidad económica Europea, que implica una tendencia a estandardizar la economía de los once países que la abrazan; los ingresos medios per capita de la comunidad económica Europea son más altos que el de España, así una nivelación es inevitable, incluso en el mercado de arriendo. Esta globalización económica influencia la evolución de los precios de arriendo a través de mercados financieros, los movimientos migratorios y turísticos, y crecimiento urbano.Pellicer, E.; Garzón Serrano, OP.; Catalá Alís, J.; Pellicer, TM. (2006). The impact of economic globalization on the Spanish housing market. Revista Ingeniería de Construcción. 21(1):23-30. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/75985S233021

Definitive diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors using fine-needle aspiration-puncture guided by endoscopic ultrasonography Diagnóstico definitivo de los tumores neuroendocrinos (TNE) mediante PAAF ecodirigida por ultrasonografía endoscópica (USE)

Background: the detection and diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is challenging. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has a significant role in the detection of NETs suspected from clinical manifestations or imaging techniques, as well as in their precise localization and cytological confirmation using EUS-Fine-needle aspiration-puncture (FNA). Objective: to assess the usefulness and precision of EUS-FNAP in the differential diagnosis and confirmation of NETs, in a retrospective review of our experience. Patients and methods: in a total of 55 patients with suspected NETs who underwent radial or sectorial EUS, 42 tumors were detected in 40 cases. EUS-FNA using a 22G needle was performed for 16 cases with suspected functional (hormonal disorders: 6 cases) and non-functional NETs (10 cases). Ki 67 or immunocytochemistry (ICC) testing was performed for all. There was confirmation in 9 cases (5 female and 4 male) with a mean age of 51 years (range: 41-81 years). All tumors were located in the pancreas except for one in the mediastinum and one in the rectum, with a mean size of 19 mm (range: 10-40 mm). Results: there were no complications attributable to FNA. Sensitivity was 100% and both precision and PPV were 89%, as a false positive result suggested a diagnosis with NET during cytology that surgery finally revealed to be a pancreatic pseudopapillary solid tumor. Conclusions: EUS-FNA with a 22G needle for NETs has high sensitivity and PPV at cytological confirmation with few complications.Introducción: la localización y diagnóstico de los tumores neuroendocrinos (TNE) es difícil. La ultrasonografía endoscópica (USE) tiene un papel significativo en la detección de TNE sospechados por la clínica u otras técnicas de imagen, así como en la localización exacta y confirmación citológica mediante USE-PAAF. Objetivo: valorar la utilidad y precisión de la PAAF-USE en el diagnóstico diferencial y de confirmación de los TNE, en una revisión retrospectiva de la experiencia de nuestro grupo. Pacientes y métodos: de un total de 55 enfermos con sospecha de TNE a los que se le practicó USE radial o sectorial, se detectaron 42 tumores en 40 casos. En 16 casos con sospecha de TNE funcionantes (trastornos hormonales: 6 casos) y no funcionantes (10 casos), se les practicó USE-PAAF con 22 G. En todos se efectuó Ki 67 o inmunocitoquímica (ICQ). Hubo confirmación quirúrgica en 9 casos (5 M y 4 V), con una media de edad de 51 años (rango: 41-81 años). Los tumores se localizaban todos en el páncreas, excepto uno en el mediastino y uno en el recto, con un tamaño medio de 19 mm (rango: 10-40 mm). Resultados: no hubo complicaciones atribuibles a la PAAF. La sensibilidad fue del 100% (8/8), y la precisión y el VPP fue del 89% (8/9), ya que hubo un falso positivo que en el estudio citológico sugirió el diagnóstico de TNE pero que su resección quirúrgica confirmó el diagnóstico de tumor sólido seudopapilar del páncreas. Conclusiones: la USE-PAAF con 22 G de los TNE posee una alta sensibilidad y VPP en la confirmación citológica de estos pacientes, con muy escasas complicaciones

Low Physical Activity and Its Association with Diabetes and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors : A Nationwide, Population-Based Study

Funding: This work was supported by the Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM; ISCIII Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación), Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo and the Spanish Diabetes Society (SED).UDMARLow physical activity (PA), or sedentary lifestyle, is associated with the development of several chronic diseases. We aimed to investigate current prevalence of sedentariness and its association with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors. PA was evaluated in a population-based, cross-sectional, randomly sampled study conducted in 2009-2010 in Spain. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (SF-IPAQ) was used to assess PA. 4991 individuals (median age 50 years, 57% women) were studied. Prevalence of sedentariness was 32.3% for men and 39% for women (p < 0.0001). Sex differences were particularly notable (age*sex interaction, p = 0.0024) at early and older ages. Sedentary individuals had higher BMI (28 vs. 27 kg/m 2) and obesity prevalence (37 vs. 26%). Low PA was present in 44, 43, and 38% of individuals with known diabetes (KDM), prediabetes/unknown-diabetes (PREDM/UKDM), and normal glucose regulation (p = 0.0014), respectively. No difference between KDM and PREDM/UKDM (p = 0.72) was found. Variables independently associated (p < 0.05) with sedentariness were age, sex, BMI, central obesity, Mediterranean diet adherence, smoking habit, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and dyslipidemia. Low PA is on the rise in Spain, especially among women. Sedentariness is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and may be responsible for the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in this country

Low Physical Activity and Its Association with Diabetes and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study

Low physical activity (PA), or sedentary lifestyle, is associated with the development of several chronic diseases. We aimed to investigate current prevalence of sedentariness and its association with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors. PA was evaluated in a population-based, cross-sectional, randomly sampled study conducted in 2009-2010 in Spain. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (SF-IPAQ) was used to assess PA. 4991 individuals (median age 50 years, 57% women) were studied. Prevalence of sedentariness was 32.3% for men and 39% for women (p < 0.0001). Sex differences were particularly notable (age*sex interaction, p = 0.0024) at early and older ages. Sedentary individuals had higher BMI (28 vs. 27 kg/m2) and obesity prevalence (37 vs. 26%). Low PA was present in 44, 43, and 38% of individuals with known diabetes (KDM), prediabetes/unknown-diabetes (PREDM/UKDM), and normal glucose regulation (p = 0.0014), respectively. No difference between KDM and PREDM/UKDM (p = 0.72) was found. Variables independently associated (p < 0.05) with sedentariness were age, sex, BMI, central obesity, Mediterranean diet adherence, smoking habit, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and dyslipidemia. Low PA is on the rise in Spain, especially among women. Sedentariness is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and may be responsible for the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in this country