Impact of the Drying Procedure and Botanical Origin on the Physico-Chemical and Potentially Bioactive Properties of Honey Powders

This study was aimed at researching the impact of the drying procedure (using the most appropriate honey–maltodextrin concentration for each drying technique) and botanical origin of honey on the physicochemical and potentially bioactive properties of honey powders that were made using maltodextrin as a carrier. The research was carried out with thyme, lavender, vetch and multifloral honey dehydrated using vacuum drying and freeze drying. The analysed parameters were moisture, water activity, colour, glass transition temperature, powder recovery, hygroscopic index and rate, tapped density, solubility, and phenolics as well as antiradical (ABTS•+, ROO•, •OH and O2•−), anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial (against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes) activities. Freeze drying provided the highest recoveries. Powders obtained using freeze drying showed higher moisture and solubility as well as lower glass transition temperature, density and hygroscopicity than those obtained using vacuum drying. Hygroscopicity, glass transition temperature and antimicrobial activity against St. aureus depended on the drying procedure–honey concentration. Colour, anti-O2•− activity and antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes depended on the botanical origin of the raw honey. Moisture, solubility, density, total phenolic content, anti-ABTS•+ and anti-ROO• activities as well as anti-inflammatory activity and antimicrobial activity against E. coli depended on the drying procedure–honey concentration and botanical origin.The authors gratefully acknowledge Junta de Castilla y León (Spain) for financial support (BU041G18) and for the research assistant contract given to Leire Cantero (Grant No. UBU09-A)

Effect of climatic factors on the diversity and abundance of Scolytinae and Platypodinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in a pine-oak forest

Objective: The aim of this work  was to evaluate the diversity and abundance of bark beetles and ambrosial beetles and their relationship with temperature and relative humidity. Design/methodology/approach: The study was carried out in a pine-oak forest of the northeastern Sierra of the state of Puebla, where a monitoring system was established using Lindgren traps baited with frontalin, brevicomine, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. Results: The presence of 23 species of bark beetles and ambrosial beetles was recorded. Gnathotrichus sulcatus (LeConte) and Pseudips mexicanus (Hopkins) were the most abundant species and their presence was significantly associated with places having  high relative humidity. Limitations on study/implications: The results obtained are limited to the studied ecosystem.  Findings/conclusions: It was concluded that the abundance of the species observed was closely related with climatic factors.Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the diversity and abundance of bark beetles and ambrosial beetles and their relationship with temperature and relative humidity. Design/methodology/approach: The study was carried out in a pine-oak forest of the northeastern Sierra of the state of Puebla, where a monitoring system was established using Lindgren traps baited with frontalin, brevicomine, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. Results: The presence of 23 species of bark beetles and ambrosial beetles was recorded. Gnathotrichus sulcatus (LeConte) and Pseudips mexicanus (Hopkins) were the most abundant species and their presence was significantly associated with places having high relative humidity. Limitations on study/implications: The results obtained are limited to the studied ecosystem.  Findings/conclusions: It was concluded that the abundance of the species observed was closely related with climatic factors. Resultados: Se registró la presencia de 23 especies de escarabajos descor

Straightforward purification method for the determination of the activity of glucose oxidase and catalase in honey by extracting polyphenols with a film-shaped polymer

Glucose oxidase (GOX) and catalase (CAT) regulate the amount of H2O2 in honey, by generating or consuming it, so they are related to the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of honey. However, their activities are hardly analysed, since the process requires a previous dialysis that is non-selective, very time-consuming (>24 h), eco-unfriendly (>6L of buffer) and expensive. This research shows the design and performance of a material that selectively removes the actual interferents. The film-shaped-polymer is immersed for 90́ within a honey solution (12.5 mL of buffer), where it interacts exclusively with 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes, which we proved to be the real interferents (the material contains motifs derived from phenylboronic acid to interact with 1,2-diols). Polymeric chains favour condensation to occur exclusively with 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes, excluding monosaccharides. The interferents’ removal using our designed polymer is selective, low cost (1.42€ per test), rapid and eco-friendly (saves 6L of buffer and 20.5 h of experimental workout per sample).We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by all funders. Author Jose Miguel García received grant PID2020-113264RB-I00 / AEI / 10.13039/501100011033 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. Ana Arnaiz received funding from Ministerio de Universidades-European Union in the frame of NextGenerationEU RD 289/2021 (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid). We also gratefully acknowledge European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Gianluca Utzeri thanks Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for PhD grant (SFR/BD/146358/2019). The Coimbra Chemistry Centre is supported by the FCT, through Projects UIDB/00313/2020 and UIDP/00313/2020. To all the beekeepers who provided a sample of honey for this study

Establecimiento de las bases biotecnológicas y ecológicas en la mejora genética de Vanilla planifolia Jacqs. (Orchidaceae)

Vanilla planifolia Jacks is a genetic resource of socio-economic importance to the State of Veracruz, México. However, in recent years, this culture is facing a serious problem due to the fall of its fruits. To contribute to the conservation, improvement and management of V. planifolia, it has been developed a network project for the strengthening of academic bodies sponsored by the Secretariat of public education. This paper presents some of the progress made in this context

Integrated system for recommending fertilization rates in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) crop

In recent years much attention has focused on the impacts of agriculture on climate change, due to this stage specialists in plant nutrition and soil fertility have achieved the task of generating adequate fertilization doses for pineapple to reduce effects on environment. A methodology for Integrated System for Recommending Fertilizer Dose (ISRFD) was used. As a result, seven Thiessen polygons of the average annual rainfall, where rainfall ranged from 1640 to 2841 mm was correlated. Therefore, three major soil groups were defined and classified as subunit level. Likewise, eight doses of fertilizers were generated as follows: N, P2O5 and K2O, with a fertilizer dose, a map is generated according to the cultivar: 230-138-300 for Creole pineapple in Acrisol Cutanic (Chromic, Ferric); 460-161-480 for Cayenne and MD2 in Acrisol Cutanic (Endoclayic, Ferric); 345-161-450 for Cayenne and MD2, 253-138-450 for Creole in Acrisol Cutanic (Endoclayic, Hyperdystric, Ferric); 391-161-450 for Cayenne and MD2 in Acrisol Umbric Cutanic (Endoclayic, Hyperdystric) and Acrisol Umbric Cutanic (Endoclayic, Hyperdystric, Ferric); 207-138-300 for Creole in Acrisol Umbric Cutanic (Endoclayic, Hyperdystric); 253-138-300 for Creole in Acrisol Umbric Cutanic (Endoclayic,Hyperdystric, Ferric); 253-138-360 for Creole in Acrisol Umbric Gleyic (Hyperdystric, Ferric); and 391-161-360 in Cambisol Endogleyic (Clayic, Eutric). These fertilizer doses were supplemented with micronutrients to obtain the expected results.In recent years much attention has focused on the impacts of agriculture on climate change, due to this stage specialists in plant nutrition and soil fertility have achieved the task of generating adequate fertilization doses for pineapple. A methodology for Integrated System for Recommending Fertilizer Dose, was used. As a result, seven Thiessen polygons, where rainfall ranged from 1640 to 2841 mm was correlated. Therefore, three major soil groups were defined and classified as subunit level. Likewise, eight doses of fertilizers were generated as follows: N, P2O5 and K2O, with a fertilizer dose, a map is generated according to the cultivar: 230-138-300 for Creole pineapple Acrisol Cutánico (Chromic, Ferric); 460-161-480 for Cayenne and MD2 in Acrisol Cutánico (Endoarcíllico, Ferric); 345-161-450 for Cayenne and MD2 and Creole in Acrisol 253-138-450 for Cutánico (Endoarcíllico, Hyperdystric, Ferric); 391-161-450 for Cayenne and MD2 in Acrisol Umbric Cutánico (Endoarcíllico, Hyperdystric) and Acrisol Umbric Cutánico (Endoarcíllico, Hyperdystric, Ferric); 207-138-300 for Creole in Acrisol Umbric Cutánico (Endoarcíllico, Hyperdystric); 253-138-300 for Creole in Acrisol Umbric Cutánico (Endoarcíllico, Hyperdystric, Ferric); 253-138-360 for Creole in Acrisol Umbric Gleyic (Hyperdystric, Ferric); and 391-161-360 in Endogleyic Cambisol (Clayic, Eutric). These fertilizer doses were supplemented with micronutrients to obtain the expected results

Taller de revistes digitals com a eina didàctica: de l’ensenyament no universitari a la universitat

El novembre de 2014 el CEFIRE d’Alacant organitzà el I Taller d’Intercanvi d’Experiències per a l’elaboració i divulgació de revistes digitals, hereu de la I i II Jornadas de Prensa en los IES de Alicante que es celebraren els anys 2007 i 2011. Aquest taller tingué com a objectius, entre d’altres, divulgar i intercanviar experiències didàctiques relacionades amb revistes digitals entre centres de diversos nivells, afavorir la creació de projectes educatius cooperatius mitjançant les revistes digitals o establir les bases que permeteren la creació d’una xarxa col·laborativa de revistes digitals. A banda de palesar les diverses propostes dels centres escolars i la incorporació de la revista escolar tradicional al món digital, d’aquella experiència, i parant sobretot atenció al darrer dels objectius citat, ha sorgit la xarxa en docència universitària “Taller de revistes digitals com a eina didàctica: de l’ensenyament no universitari a la universitat”, amb l’objectiu d’aprofundir en les possibilitats didàctiques de les revistes digitals tant pel que fa a l’alumnat no universitari com en les diverses titulacions que ofereix la Universitat d’Alacant. A més de compartir experiències i fomentar l’aprenentatge col·laboratiu de l’alumnat i del professorat implicats, aquesta xarxa en docència universitària vol articular-hi un espai digital permanent en que es puguen recopilar les revistes digitals dels diversos centres educatius

Polímeros inteligentes para la detección rápida, sencilla y de bajo coste de nitritos en muestras de carne procesada

Los nitritos son aditivos muy utilizados en alimentación, principalmente en productos cárnicos crudos curados y cocidos. Se emplean para prolongar su vida útil, debido a que inhiben el crecimiento de diversos patógenos, destacando su acción sobre la bacteria Clostridium botulinum. La legislación actual establece la cantidad permitida de nitritos en matrices alimentarias de origen cárnico, por lo que su cuantificación es necesaria. Sin embargo, el método de análisis de este grupo de especies resulta tedioso y supone un coste económico y de tiempo muy elevado. Por ello, en este trabajo se describe un nuevo método de análisis basado en un polímero inteligente, concretamente en un sensor colorimétrico para la detección de nitritos en muestras de carne procesada. Este material permite determinar la concentración de estos aditivos a partir del cambio de color del propio material sensor al contacto directo con la matriz alimentaria. Esta variación cromática se puede analizar de manera rápida y sencilla a partir de una simple fotografía tomada con la cámara de un teléfono al polímero sensor. Además, se ha desarrollado una aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes que facilita todo el proceso, obteniendo directamente el resultado de la concentración de nitritos que contiene el producto a partir de la mencionada fotografía. El nuevo método de análisis se ha validado comparando los resultados obtenidos con un método de referencia (ISO 2918: 1975). Esta validación se ha llevado a cabo analizando 26 muestras de productos cárnicos de diferente naturaleza y procedencia (8 de ellas corresponden a jamones cocidos de elaboración propia en las instalaciones de la Universidad de Burgos, con concentraciones conocidas de nitritos, y otras 18 son muestras comerciales de concentraciones de nitritos desconocidas, entre las que se encuentran carnes frescas envasadas, jamones y salchichas cocidos). Como resultado principal, cabe indicar que no se han observado diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los resultados obtenidos con el método de referencia de medida de nitritos y el nuevo método que se propone en este trabajo, por lo que se puede considerar como una alternativa viable que supone un ahorro significadito de costes y de tiempo

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Línea de investigación en Helicobacter pylori para la formación de recurso humano en ciencia, tecnología e innovación en el programa de microbiología

Este libro nace de la unión de un maestro altamente calificado y alumnos dedicados con unas creatividades activas y dispuestas a trabajar por resolver los problemas que trae una bacteria a la humanidad. Las investigaciones aquí consignadas son producto de los trabajos de grado de los estudiantes del programa de Microbiología, quienes además fueron miembros del semillero de investigación, MICROORGANISMOS DE IMPORTANCIA EN SALUD HUMANA Y ANIMAL “OBVIO-MICROBIO”. Apoyados y dirigidos por la doctora Adalucy Alvarez-Aldana, quien gracias a su amplio conocimiento en el microorganismo supo sembrar curiosidad sobre el mismo durante las sesiones del semillero, incentivando a muchos de sus alumnos a dedicar su trabajo de grado a resolver alguna pregunta que les surgiera en torno a este microorganismo. Aunque diferentes son las investigaciones, todas fueron trazadas con un fin común, entregarle a la humanidad un poco más de conocimiento sobre Helicobacter pylori, por esto la unión de estas investigaciones en una sola consigna, son importantes para entender más sobre todo lo que rodea esta bacteria y pretenden resolver muchos misterios que aún aquejan la epidemiología detrás de la misma. Estos trabajos son fruto de muchos esfuerzos, materiales y académicos, de personas grandiosas, de la unión de universidades, doctores y docentes de diferentes disciplinas, razón que demuestra una vez más que la unión hace la fuerza, porque solo llegarás más rápido, pero en compañía llegarás más lejos. Además, contamos con la fortuna de tener un capitulo invitado, cuyo tema no es sobre Helicobacter pylori, pero si un sobre un tópico de gran interes en la actualidad como es la resistencia bacteriana. Capitulo titulado: “Caracterización epidemiológica y microbiológica de las bacteriemias y su perfil de resistencia durante el periodo junio 2011 a junio 2015”

26th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2017): Part 3 - Meeting Abstracts - Antwerp, Belgium. 15–20 July 2017

This work was produced as part of the activities of FAPESP Research,\ud Disseminations and Innovation Center for Neuromathematics (grant\ud 2013/07699-0, S. Paulo Research Foundation). NLK is supported by a\ud FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship (grant 2016/03855-5). ACR is partially\ud supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)