Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on the healthy gut microbiota composition at phyla and species level: a preliminary study

AIM: To evaluate the ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 to colonize the intestinal environment of healthy subjects and modify the gut microbiota composition. METHODS: Twenty healthy Italian volunteers, eight males and twelve females, participated in the study. Ten subjects took a sachet containing 4 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU) of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and 109 CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, 30 min before breakfast (pre-prandial administration), while ten subjects took a sachet of probiotic product 30 min after breakfast (post-prandial administration). The ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 to colonize human gut microbiota was assessed by means of quantitative real-time PCR, while changes in gut microbiota composition were detected by using Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine. RESULTS: Immediately after 1-mo of probiotic administration, B. longum BB536 and L. rhamnosus HN001 load was increased in the majority of subjects in both pre-prandial and post-prandial groups. This increase was found also 1 mo after the end of probiotic oral intake in both groups, if compared to samples collected before probiotic consumption. At phyla level a significant decrease in Firmicutes abundance was detected immediately after 1-mo of B. longum BB536 and L. rhamnosus HN001 oral intake. This reduction persisted up to 1 mo after the end of probiotic oral intake together with a significant decrease of Proteobacteria abundance if compared to samples collected before probiotic administration. Whereas, at species level, a higher abundance of Blautia producta, Blautia wexlerae and Haemophilus ducrey was observed, together with a reduction of Holdemania filiformis, Escherichia vulneris, Gemmiger formicilis and Streptococcus sinensis abundance. In addition, during follow-up period we observed a further reduction in Escherichia vulneris and Gemmiger formicilis, together with a decrease in Roseburia faecis and Ruminococcus gnavus abundance. Conversely, the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila was increased if compared to samples collected at the beginning of the experimental time course. CONCLUSION: B. longum BB536 and L. rhamnosus HN001 showed the ability to modulate the gut microbiota composition, leading to a significant reduction of potentially harmful bacteria and an increase of beneficial ones. Further studies are needed to better understand the specific mechanisms involved in gut microbiota modulation

A discrete chemo-dynamical model of the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Sculptor: mass profile, velocity anisotropy and internal rotation

We present a new discrete chemo-dynamical axisymmetric modeling technique, which we apply to the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Sculptor. The major improvement over previous Jeans models is that realistic chemical distributions are included directly in the dynamical modelling of the discrete data. This avoids loss of information due to spatial binning and eliminates the need for hard cuts to remove contaminants and to separate stars based on their chemical properties. Using a combined likelihood in position, metallicity and kinematics, we find that our models naturally separate Sculptor stars into a metal-rich and a metal-poor population. Allowing for non-spherical symmetry, our approach provides a central slope of the dark matter density of $\gamma = 0.5 \pm 0.3$. The metal-rich population is nearly isotropic (with $\beta_r^{red} = 0.0\pm0.1$) while the metal-poor population is tangentially anisotropic (with $\beta_r^{blue} = -0.2\pm0.1$) around the half light radius of $0.26$ kpc. A weak internal rotation of the metal-rich population is revealed with $v_{max}/\sigma_0 = 0.15 \pm 0.15$. We run tests using mock data to show that a discrete dataset with $\sim 6000$ stars is required to distinguish between a core ($\gamma = 0$) and cusp ($\gamma = 1$), and to constrain the possible internal rotation to better than $1\,\sigma$ confidence with our model. We conclude that our discrete chemo-dynamical modelling technique provides a flexible and powerful tool to robustly constrain the internal dynamics of multiple populations, and the total mass distribution in a stellar system.Comment: Accepted by MNRA

Identifying conformational changes with site-directed spin labeling reveals that the GTPase domain of HydF is a molecular switch

[FeFe]-hydrogenases catalyse the reduction of protons to hydrogen at a complex 2Fe[4Fe4S] center called H-cluster. The assembly of this active site is a multistep process involving three proteins, HydE, HydF and HydG. According to the current models, HydF has the key double role of scaffold, upon which the final H-cluster precursor is assembled, and carrier to transfer it to the target hydrogenase. The X-ray structure of HydF indicates that the protein is a homodimer with both monomers carrying two functional domains: a C-terminal FeS cluster-binding domain, where the precursor is assembled, and a N-terminal GTPase domain, whose exact contribution to cluster biogenesis and hydrogenase activation is still elusive. We previously obtained several hints suggesting that the binding of GTP to HydF could be involved in the interactions of this scaffold protein with the other maturases and with the hydrogenase itself. In this work, by means of site directed spin labeling coupled to EPR/PELDOR spectroscopy, we explored the conformational changes induced in a recombinant HydF protein by GTP binding, and provide the first clue that the HydF GTPase domain could be involved in the H-cluster assembly working as a molecular switch similarly to other known small GTPases

Stabilized mixed formulation for phase-field computation of deviatoric fracture in elastic and poroelastic materials

In the numerical approximation of phase-field models of fracture in porous media with the finite element method, the problem of numerical locking may occur. The causes can be traced both to the hydraulic and to the mechanical properties of the material. In this work we present a mixed finite element formulation for phase-field modeling of brittle fracture in elastic solids based on a volumetric-deviatoric energy split and its extension to water saturated porous media. For the latter, two alternative mixed formulations are proposed. To be able to use finite elements with linear interpolation for all the field variables, which violates the Ladyzenskaja-Babuska-Brezzi condition, a stabilization technique based on polynomial pressure projections, proposed and tested by previous authors in fluid mechanics and poromechanics, is introduced. We develop an extension of this stabilization to phase-field mixed models of brittle fracture in porous media. Several numerical examples are illustrated, to show the occurrence of different locking phenomena and to compare the solutions obtained with different unstable, stable and stabilized low order finite elements

Evaluation of the masonry and timber structures of San Francisco Church in Santiago de Cuba through nondestructive diagnostic methods

Recently, due to a renewed interest in the religious architectural heritage of the Caribbean island of Cuba, some important interventions for the restoration and reinforcement of the colonial churches of the island were carried out. The authors, collaborating with the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba in a project concerning the protection of Cuban churches, applied some nondestructive and noninvasive destructive tests for an in-depth study of the main characteristics of those structures. The diagnostic method, developed mainly for the historical buildings or monuments of Europe and North America, was used to study some peculiarities of the building construction traditions of this area. The proposed techniques revealed the existence of several original solutions, for example, defenses for seismic mitigation, developed to resist the earthquakes that frequently affect the area

"I'll be a kindergarten teacher and I don't sing well, but it doesn't matter". Analysis of self-concept and use of the singing voice in early childhood education degree students

Cantar en el aula es importante para el desarrollo de niños y niñas y para que esto suceda el profesorado debe ser competente en dicha actividad. En este estudio transversal, se analiza el uso de la voz cantada, el autoconcepto vocal y emocional con relación al contexto y la salud vocal del futuro profesorado de Educación Infantil (0-6 años) de tres universidades. Para ello, se ha pasado un cuestionario a 240 estudiantes (22-45 años; 200 mujeres; 40 hombres). Los resultados muestran que sólo en torno al 30% del alumnado cree que tiene una voz bonita, les es fácil cantar en el tono escrito y cantan afinado y sin esfuerzo. Aunque en aquellas personas que tienen un contexto familiar donde el cantar está presente no solo el autoconcepto mejora, sino que comprenden que para el profesorado es necesario cantar y hacerlo bien porque, entre otras cosas, serán un modelo vocal para sus estudiantes. El alumnado percibe tener buena salud vocal, no es lo que observan en sus tutoras-mentoras de prácticas, quienes a menudo usan música grabada y presentan alteraciones de la voz. Se concluye que los grados de maestro/a en Educación Infantil no consiguen dar suficientes recursos a sus estudiantes para mejorar su competencia y autoconcepto vocal.Singing in the classroom is important for children's development and for this to happen teachers must be competent in this activity. This transversal study analyses the use of the singing voice, vocal and emotional self-concept in relation to the context and vocal health of future early childhood education teachers (0-6 years) at three universities. For this purpose, a questionnaire was administered to 240 students (22-45 years; 200 females; 40 males). The results show that only about 30% of the students believe they have a beautiful voice, find it easy to sing in the written pitch and sing in tune and effortlessly. However, those who have a family context where singing is present, not only does their self-concept improve, but also understand that for a teacher it is necessary to sing and sing well, because, among other things, they will be a vocal role model for their students. Although the students perceive themselves to be in good vocal health, this is not what they observe in their internship tutors-mentors, who often use recorded music and present voice alterations. It is concluded that the Early Childhood Education degrees fail to provide enough resources to their students to improve their vocal competence and self-concept

Noncanonical Alternative Polyadenylation Contributes to Gene Regulation in Response to Hypoxia

Stresses from various environmental challenges continually confront plants, and their responses are important for growth and survival. One molecular response to such challenges involves the alternative polyadenylation of mRNA. In plants, it is unclear how stress affects the production and fate of alternative mRNA isoforms. Using a genome-scale approach, we show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, hypoxia leads to increases in the number of mRNA isoforms with polyadenylated 3′ ends that map to 5′-untranslated regions (UTRs), introns, and protein-coding regions. RNAs with 3′ ends within protein-coding regions and introns were less stable than mRNAs that end at 3′-UTR poly(A) sites. Additionally, these RNA isoforms were underrepresented in polysomes isolated from control and hypoxic plants. By contrast, mRNA isoforms with 3′ ends that lie within annotated 5′-UTRs were overrepresented in polysomes and were as stable as canonical mRNA isoforms. These results indicate that the generation of noncanonical mRNA isoforms is an important feature of the abiotic stress response. The finding that several noncanonical mRNA isoforms are relatively unstable suggests that the production of non-stop and intronic mRNA isoforms may represent a form of negative regulation in plants, providing a conceptual link with mechanisms that generate these isoforms (such as alternative polyadenylation) and RNA surveillance

A Cross-Sectional Survey on Burnout Prevalence and Profile in the Sicilian Population of Ambulance Driver-Rescuers

Introduction: Burnout is present at a high rate in emergency medicine. The ambulance driver-rescuers, who furnish first aid to the victims, are the non-medical part of the Italian 118-service staff. There is a lack of research on burnout risk in Italian Emergency Medical Services and, particularly, for this category of workers. The two Italian studies, including a little group of ambulance driver-rescuers, reported inconsistent findings. Hypothesis: This survey investigated for the first time the prevalence and exact profile of burnout in a large sample of Italian driver-rescuers. As a secondary aim, the study described how the items of the Italian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) cluster in components in this sample. Methods: This cross-sectional census survey was conducted from June 2015 through May 2016 and involved all the driver-rescuers operating in Sicily, the biggest and most southern region of Italy. The subjects received a classification according to different profiles of burnout by using the Italian version of the MBI-HSS (burnout, engagement, disengagement, over-extension, and work-inefficacy). In order to explore the existence of independent factors, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted on the survey to obtain eigenvalues >one for each component in the data. Results: The final sample comprised 2,361 responders (96.6% of the initial sample). Of them, 29.8% were in burnout (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.8% to 31.8%) and 1.7% presented a severe form (95% CI, 1.1% to 2.3%); 30.0% were engaged in their work (95% CI, 21.0% to 34.8%), 24.7% of responders were disengaged (95% CI, 22.9% to 26.5%), 1.2% presented an over-extension profile (95% CI, 0.8% to 1.7%), and 12.6% felt work-inefficacy (95% CI, 11.3% to 14.1%). The factors loaded into a five-factor solution at PCA, explaining 48.1% of the variance and partially replicating the three-factor structure. The Emotional Exhaustion (EE) component was confirmed. New dimensions from Personal Accomplishment (PA) and Depersonalization (DP) sub-scales described empathy and disengagement with patients, respectively, and were responsible for the increased risk of burnout. Conclusions: These results endorse the importance of screening and psychological interventions for this population of emergency workers, where burnout could manifest itself more insidiously. It is also possible to speculate that sub-optimal empathy skills could be related to the disengagement and work-inefficacy feelings registered

Specification of Scilla in Maude

Trabajo de Fin de Máster en Ingeniería Informática, Facultad de Informática UCM, Departamento de Sistemas Informáticos y Computación, Curso 2020-21Este trabajo busca proporcionar una especificación formal al lenguaje de contratos inteligentes Scilla mediante el lenguaje Maude, para así poder ejecutar contratos reales siempre que estén escritos adecuadamente y realizar un análisis para detectar partes de código muerto, es decir, variables que no van a ser usadas en ningún momento. Para llevar a cabo esta implementación, se ha tenido que realizar una transformación previa del archivo de entrada por ciertas limitaciones que tiene Maude, se han creado dos gramáticas: la primera, muy parecida a la sintaxis de Scilla, se utiliza para analizar sintácticamente el archivo de entrada; por su lado, la segunda gramática es más funcional y se utliza para trabajar internamente. Para la descripción de la semántica se ha creado una memoria para poder almacenar las variables con los valores y el nombre, entradas y cuerpo de los procedimientos, funciones y transiciones de Scilla, y distintas reglas de reescritura que permiten actualizar esos datos en la memoria y ejecutar las operaciones. También, el usuario podrá interactuar con el sistema por medio de la entrada/salida, donde puede introducir un contrato válido, indicar si quiere analizarlo o ejecutarlo y en el caso de que se quiera ejecutar, introducir los valores necesarios para ello. También recibirá respuesta por parte del sistema, en el caso del análisis, indicando si el contrato es correcto o si tiene partes que no se usan, mostrando cuáles son y a qué función, transición o procedimiento corresponde y, en el caso de la ejecución, devolviendo el estado de las variables que son globales y además, la información de la transición ejecutada. Por último, se busca también que el análisis sea escalable para no solo analizar contratos escritos en Scilla, sino en cualquier otro lenguaje. Para ello, se ha parametrizado el código, es decir, en vez de poner la sintaxis concreta de las partes que se quieren analizar de Scilla dentro del código que realiza el análisis, se especifica aparte y se pasa como parámetro.The present project seeks to provide a formal specification to the Scilla smart contract language using the Maude language, in order to be able to execute real contracts, as long as they are properly written, and to perform an analysis in order to detect parts of dead code, specifically variables that are not going to be used at any time. In order to implement it, the input file had to be previously converted due to certain limitations of Maude. Thus, two grammars have been created. On the one hand, the first one, very similar to Scilla syntax, is used to syntactically analyze the input file. On the other hand, the second grammar is more functional and is used to work internally. For the description of the semantics, a memory has been created to save the variables that include the values, the names, the entries and the body of Scilla procedures, functions and transitions, as well as different rewrite-rules that allow updating these data in the memory and implementing the operations. In addition, the users can interact with the system through input/output, where they can enter a valid contract, indicate whether they want to analyze or execute it and, in that case, enter the necessary values for it. The users will also receive a response from the system, in the case of analysis, indicating if the contract is correct or if it has modules that are not used, showing which ones are and to which function, transition or procedure they correspond, and, in the case of execution, returning the status of the variables that are global, as well as the information of the transition executed. Finally, the analysis is also intended to be scalable to not only analyze contracts written in Scilla language, but also in any other language. For this purpose, the code has been parameterized, that is, instead of introducing the specific syntax of the Scilla modules to be analyzed within the code that performs the analysis, it is specified separately and passed as a parameter.Depto. de Sistemas Informáticos y ComputaciónFac. de InformáticaTRUEunpu