Estudio de los riesgos sanitarios para las aves acuáticas asociados con el abastecimiento de las Tablas de Daimiel y otros humedales manchegos con aguas residuales tratadas

Programa de investigación en la Red de Parques Nacionales: convocatoria 2009-2012.-- et al.La escasez de agua en la cuenca alta del río Guadiana ha hecho que se valore el uso de de las aguas residuales depuradas para la conservación de la biodiversidad de humedales como Las Tablas de Daimiel. En este trabajo hemos abordado el estudio de: (1) el riesgo que suponen las aguas residuales para aumentar la presencia de enteropatógenos en el medio y en las aves; (2) las condiciones ambientales que favorecen la presencia de Clostridium botulinum en el medio y la aparición de brotes de botulismo, incluyendo estudios experimentales y de campo; y (3) el papel de los invertebrados acuáticos, los dípteros necrófagos y las propias aves en la expansión los brotes de botulismo. La presencia de Escherichia coli patogénica aviar (APEC), Clostridium perfringens tipo A y C. botulinum tipo C/D ha sido generalmente mayor en muestras de agua, sedimento y heces de aves de las lagunas que reciben directamente aguas residuales (Navaseca y Veguilla) respecto a las Tablas de Daimiel. La aparición de un brote de botulismo en Navaseca en verano de 2010 estuvo asociado con una bajada del potencial redox, clorofila y sulfatos en el agua, de la DBO5 en sedimento y con un aumento del carbono inorgánico en el medio. Las condiciones de anoxia generadas, posiblemente asociadas con una proliferación de Lemna en la laguna, favorecieron la proliferación de C. botulinum. En muestreos previos a brotes de botulismo la mayor presencia de C. botulinum fue detectada en heces de aves, para después ser detectada en muestras de sedimento, agua, gasterópodos acuáticos, invertebrados acuáticos, moscas necrófagas y sus larvas. La muerte por cualquier motivo (p.e. infecciones por enterobacterias) de aves acuáticas con C. botulinum en su tracto digestivo actuaría como detonante de los brotes al servir el cadáver como medio de crecimiento de la bacteria y proliferación de larvas de mosca acumuladoras de toxina que pueden ser ingeridas por otras aves. Además se ha comprobado experimentalmente que las moscas son capaces de transportar C. botulinum a cadáveres exentos previamente de la bacteria, dando lugar así a larvas tóxicas que pueden iniciar el ciclo cadáver-larva-ave que magnifica los brotes de botulismo. Las aves afectadas por botulismo pueden excretar C. botulinum más de 2 semanas después del ingreso en los centros de recuperación para su tratamiento, por lo que el papel de las aves en la dispersión de la bacteria durante los brotes puede ser importante. En conclusión, los humedales abastecidos con aguas residuales podrían actuar como trampas ecológicas para las aves acuáticas por el riesgo de exposición a enteropatógenos y brotes de botulismo.I. Anza es becaria predoctoral con una beca I3P del CSIC, D. Vidal ha tenido un contrato post-doctoral I3P del CSIC, S. Díaz ha tenido una beca predoctoral de la JCCM y S. Sánchez ha tenido una beca post-doctoral de la JCCM. Este proyecto ha sido financiado por el OAPN (ref 35/2009).Peer Reviewe

Ditopic Aza-Scorpiand Ligands Interact Selectively with ds-RNA and Modulate the Interaction upon Formation of Zn2+ Complexes

Nucleic acids are essential biomolecules in living systems and represent one of the main targets of chemists, biophysics, biologists, and nanotechnologists. New small molecules are continuously developed to target the duplex (ds) structure of DNA and, most recently, RNA to be used as therapeutics and/or biological tools. Stimuli-triggered systems can promote and hamper the interaction to biomolecules through external stimuli such as light and metal coordination. In this work, we report on the interaction with ds-DNA and ds-RNA of two aza-macrocycles able to coordinate Zn2+ metal ions and form binuclear complexes. The interaction of the aza-macrocycles and the Zn2+ metal complexes with duplex DNA and RNA was studied using UV thermal and fluorescence indicator displacement assays in combination with theoretical studies. Both ligands show a high affinity for ds-DNA/RNA and selectivity for ds-RNA. The ability to interact with these duplexes is blocked upon Zn2+ coordination, which was confirmed by the low variation in the melting temperature and poor displacement of the fluorescent dye from the ds-DNA/RNA. Cell viability assays show a decrease in the cytotoxicity of the metal complexes in comparison with the free ligands, which can be associated with the observed binding to the nucleic acids

Biochemical diversity of carboxyl esterases and lipases from Lake Arreo (Spain): a metagenomic approach

The esterases and lipases from the α/β hydrolase superfamily exhibit an enormous sequence diversity, fold plasticity, and activities. Here, we present the comprehensive sequence and biochemical analyses of seven distinct esterases and lipases from the metagenome of Lake Arreo, an evaporite karstic lake in Spain (42°46=N, 2°59=W; altitude, 655 m). Together with oligonucleotide usage patterns and BLASTP analysis, our study of esterases/lipases mined from Lake Arreo suggests that its sediment contains moderately halophilic and cold-adapted proteobacteria containing DNA fragments of distantly related plasmids or chromosomal genomic islands of plasmid and phage origins. This metagenome encodes esterases/lipases with broad substrate profiles (tested over a set of 101 structurally diverse esters) and habitat-specific characteristics, as they exhibit maximal activity at alkaline pH (8.0 to 8.5) and temperature of 16 to 40°C, and they are stimulated (1.5 to 2.2 times) by chloride ions (0.1 to 1.2 M), reflecting an adaptation to environmental conditions. Our work provides further insights into the potential significance of the Lake Arreo esterases/lipases for biotechnology processes (i.e., production of enantiomers and sugar esters), because these enzymes are salt tolerant and are active at low temperatures and against a broad range of substrates. As an example, the ability of a single protein to hydrolyze triacylglycerols, (non)halogenated alkyl and aryl esters, cinnamoyl and carbohydrate esters, lactones, and chiral epoxides to a similar extent was demonstrated.We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project CSD2007-00005), the European Community project MAGICPAH (FP7-KBBE-2009-245226), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the Government of Canada through Genome Canada, Ontario Genomics Institute, and Ontario Research Fund (2009-OGI-ABC-1405 and ORF-GL2-01-004). M.-E.G. thanks the CSIC for a JAE fellowship.Peer Reviewe

Evaluación de la enseñanza a través de la guía docente en la UPCT

[SPA]Este trabajo presenta una propuesta de metodología para la evaluación de guías docentes basada en un conjunto de tres criterios principales (utilidad, coherencia e idoneidad), once subcriterios y una serie de indicadores cuyos valores se obtienen a través de cuestionarios dirigidos a centros, departamentos, estudiantes y profesorado. Los cuestionarios parten del modelo de Guía Docente adoptado por la UPCT y contemplan todos los apartados de la misma. El método propuesto puede aplicarse también para mejorar los programas de evaluación del profesorado, pues aporta las evidencias que se necesitan para valorar la labor de planificación desarrollada por el mismo, la cual se plasma en la guía docente. [ENG]This paper presents a methodological proposal for the evaluation of teaching guides based on three main criteria, i.e. usefulness, consistency, and suitability, and eleven subcriteria. It is also based on different indicators obtained through questionnaires aimed at Educational Centres, Departments, Students and Professors. These questionnnaires have been prepared from the teaching guide model adopted by the Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), and considering all the sections included in that guide. The proposed methodology can be also used to improve the teaching staff evaluation program, because of the inclusion of planning task carried out by the professor, an aspect considered in the teaching guide.Campus Mare Nostrum, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Universidad de Murcia, Región de Murcia

Referencias para la actividad docente en la UPCT y glosario de términos EEES

Continuando con el trabajo de los equipos docentes se ha realizado este libro en el curso 2011/2012 como resultado de la maduración de los dos años anteriores, en los que este equipo ha realizado el libro “Manual de elaboración de guías docentes adaptadas al EEES” en 2010, la participación en el I Congreso Internacional de Innovación Docente, en julio de 2011 y la realización de un capítulo del libro “Equipos docentes: una nueva apuesta en el EEES” en 2011. El reconocimiento de la calidad de las guías docentes realizadas por el profesorado de nuestra universidad, y enviadas a ANECA dentro del programa piloto MONITOR viene expresamente en el informe global de seguimiento recibido en noviembre de 2011 en el que textualmente comenta “Las guías docentes sólo se pueden calificar de excelentes”

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

A close link between bacterial community composition and environmental heterogeneity in maritime Antarctic lakes

Seven maritime Antarctic lakes located on Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands) were surveyed to determine the relationship between planktonic bacterial community composition and environmental features. Specifically, the extent to which factors other than low temperature determine the composition of bacterioplankton assemblages of maritime Antarctic lakes was evaluated. Both deep and shallow lakes in the central plateau of the Peninsula, as well as a coastal lake, were studied in order to fully account for the environmental heterogeneity of the Peninsula’s lakes. The results showed that shallow coastal lakes display eutrophic conditions, mainly due to the influence of marine animals, whereas plateau lakes are generally deeper and most are oligotrophic, with very limited inputs of nutrients and organic matter. Meso-eutrophic shallow lakes are also present on the Peninsula; they contain microbial mats and a higher trophic status because of the biologically mediated active nutrient release from the sediments. Diversity studies of the lakes’ planktonic bacterial communities using molecular techniques showed that bacterial diversity is lower in eutrophic than in oligotrophic lakes. The former also differed in community composition with respect to dominant taxa. Multivariate statistical analyses of environmental data yielded the same clustering of lakes as obtained based on the DGGE band pattern after DNA extraction and amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Thus, even in extremely cold lakes, the bacterial community composition parallels other environmental factors, such as those related to trophic status. This correspondence is not only mediated by the influence of marine fauna but also by processes including sediment and ice melting dynamics. The bacterial community can therefore be considered to be equally representative as environmental abiotic variables in demonstrating the environmental heterogeneity among maritime Antarctic lakes. [Int Microbiol 2010; 13(2):67-77

Eutrophication and bacterial pathogens as risk factors for avian botulism outbreaks in wetlands receiving effluents from urban wastewater treatment plants

Due to the scarcity of water resources in the >Mancha Húmeda> Biosphere Reserve, the use of treated wastewater has been proposed as a solution for the conservation of natural threatened floodplain wetlands. In addition, wastewater treatment plants of many villages pour their effluent into nearby natural lakes. We hypothesized that certain avian pathogens present in wastewater may cause avian mortalities which would trigger avian botulism outbreaks. With the aim of testing our hypothesis, 24 locations distributed in three wetlands, two that receive wastewater effluents and one serving as a control, were monitored during a year. Sediment, water, water bird feces, and invertebrates were collected for the detection of putative avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens type A, and Clostridium botulinum type C/D. Also, water and sediment physicochemical properties were determined. Overall, APEC, C. perfringens, and C. botulinum were significantly more prevalent in samples belonging to the wetlands which receive wastewater. The occurrence of a botulism outbreak in one of the studied wetlands coincided with high water temperatures and sediment 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), a decrease in water redox potential, chlorophyll a, and sulfate levels, and an increase in water inorganic carbon levels. The presence of C. botulinum in bird feces before the onset of the outbreak indicates that carrier birds exist and highlights the risk of botulinum toxin production in their carcasses if they die by other causes such as bacterial diseases, which are more probable in wastewater wetlands.This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Environment (grants OAPN 035/2009). I. Anza was supported by a JAE PRE grant from Spanish Council of Research (CSIC); D. Vidal was supported with a JAE DOC contract from the CSIC; and S. Díaz-Sánchez held a Ph.D. research grant funded by the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla—La Mancha (JCCM) (AG07). S. Sánchez acknowledges the Consejería de Educación y Ciencia de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla—La Mancha and Fondo Social Europeo for his research fellowship (09/02-C).Peer Reviewe

Environmental controls, composition, structure, and typology of microbial mats in temporary salt lakes of the mancha húmeda biosphere reserve (central Spain)

Temporary shallow lakes (lagunas) of the Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve are unbeatable natural labs for the study of microbial mats. Different types of these communities have been observed in them; besides, microbial mats are the dominant communities in some lagunas. The aim of this study is to quantify the factors involved in the formation of microbial mats in inland salt lakes under variable environmental conditions (i.e. substrate, hydroperiod, water ionic concentration and composition, and available nutrients). Special focus is made on the analyisis of correspondences between microorganisms? assemblages and specific combination of environmental conditions. Studied communities are located in 10 fluctuating lagunas of the Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve. Twelve sampling campaigns were done along a hydrological year; environmental factors studied were temperature, water level, turbidity, conductivity, pH, major ions, soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrate, ammonium, and sediment granulometry. Microbial mat thickness, structure, and within-site spatial distribution were recorded in situ. Dominant components of the mat and the relative frequency of the different morphological patterns were determined after observation with an Olympus BH-2 optical microscope of samples previously collected. Multivariate techniques were used to identify the most informative variables in terms of the type, function, and development of microbial mats, and relationships between hydrochemistry and sediment descriptors which are most relevant for microbial mat communities. Nitrate concentration in water discriminated best between different types of microbial mats. Nitrate concentration was highest in lagunas with thin and weak mats, ranging from 0.37-18.49 mg L-1, which correspond to hypereutrophic lagunas. Undetectable to 0.54 mg NO3- L-1 was found in lagunas with compact mats and in lagunas without mats. No significant differences in salinity were found between lagunas with different types of microbial mats, but magnesium-sulphate ionic composition predominates in compact-mats lagunas, whereas sodium-chloride waters are associated to weak and thin mats

Effects of biotic/abiotic factors on submerged macrophytes and its consequence in waterfowl communities in a Mediterranean floodplain

Resumen del trabajo presentado a las V Jornadas Doctorales de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, celebradas en Ciudad Real (España) el 6 de octubre de 2015.Floodplains are the most degraded ecosystems over the world because of drainage, aquifer overexploitation, pollution and invasive species. In Mediterranean floodplains these impacts are higher because of the fluctuating characteristics of Mediterranean climate, as occur in Tablas de Daimiel National Park (TDNP), a representative Mediterranean floodplain in Central Spain. After a long drought period, TDNP recovered its hydrological regime, however barely one year later, it lost almost every macrophyte cover, and consequently its herbivorous waterbird population declined. To determine the main drivers of this degradation, ten experimental sets were set up around TDNP in April 2013, consisting of three enclosure plots each addressed for birds (B), fish+birds (F+B) and control. Waterfowl populations were surveyed monthly between June 2010 and April 2014. Stonewort standing crop was harvested in July 2013 and May 2014. Twenty-three physicochemical indicators of water and sediment were measured on May 2013 and July 2013.Herbivorous species (Netta rufina) reached historical records between September 2010 and June 2011, but decreased afterwards. Piscivorous waterbirds (Phalacrocorax carbo) increased their population after 2011. Values of Chara spp. standing crop were significantly higher in fish+bird exclosure plots than in those for birds or controls. Maximum Chara spp. biomass was found in sampling stations with lower values of conductivity and Ca2+ and higher values of dissolved inorganic carbon and organic nitrogen in water and lower values of inorganic and organic phosphorous in sediment. These results evidence that invasive fishes (i.e. common carp Cyprinus carpio), were the main drivers of submerged meadows decline and, thereby, of the changes in the waterbird communities. However, hydrochemical and sediment characteristics were drivers of spatial heterogeneity at larger scale. In light of these results, National Park managers started the control of invasive fish populations as an urgent measure to assure the ecological conservation of this fluctuating Mediterranean wetland.Peer Reviewe