A window onto the Eocene (Cenozoic): The palaeontological record of the Sobrarbe-Pirineos UNESCO Global Geopark (Huesca, Aragon, Spain)

The Sobrarbe-Pirineos UNESCO Global Geopark, located in the Central Pyrenees, is a region of remarkable geodiversity that includes extensive Eocene fossil-bearing sites and constitutes an important archive of paleobiodiversity. The Sobrarbe-Pirineos Geopark hosts outcrops of Eocene formations bearing an unusual abundance and diversity of fossils from marine and continental sedimentary environments, making the Sobrarbe-Pirineos Geopark a perfect window for learning about tropical ecosystems of the Eocene of southern Europe. These environments were in part tectonically controlled and offer a unique opportunity to understand how faunas changed in an active area. Here, we outline the main groups of fossils from the Sobrarbe-Pirineos Geopark, including popular examples such as the “Crocodile of Ordesa-Vio” and the sirenian Sobrarbesiren. The Geopark has been a major tool in the geoconservation of Eocene fossils

Use of brassinosteroids as a strategy to increase tolerance to saline stress in petunia plants

La salinidad es uno de los factores ambientales más perjudiciales para las plantas, y puede limitar fuertemente la productividad y calidad de los cultivos. Muchas especies ornamentales cultivadas en contenedores son sensibles a la acumulación de sales en la zona radicular. Por lo tanto, es necesario estudiar alternativas de manejo que permitan aumentar la tolerancia a la salinidad para minimizar el daño ocasionado por dicho estrés. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar el efecto del brasinoesteroide BB16, sobre el crecimiento y desarrollo floral de Petunia x hybrida var. Limbo Red bajo condiciones de salinidad. Las plantas fueron tratadas por aspersión hasta punto de goteo con BB16 0,1 mg.l-1, y luego sometidas a estrés salino durante 45 días, mediante riego con soluciones a concentraciones crecientes de NaCl (50, 100, 150 y 200 mM). Las plantas tratadas con BB16, evidenciaron una mayor longitud radicular y un mayor diámetro de flores en todas las concentraciones salinas evaluadas; un mayor número de flores a 50 y 200 mM de NaCl y una reducción en el tiempo de floración en condiciones de riego con NaCl 200 mM, con respecto a las plantas control. También se pudo observar que las plantas tratadas presentaron una menor pérdida de clorofila a las concentraciones de 150 y 200 mM de NaCl. El marcado efecto protector de BB16 en plantas de petunia expuestas a estrés salino, permitiría atenuar los efectos perjudiciales minimizando las pérdidas de productividad y calidad que ocasiona en el cultivo.Salinity is one of the most damaging environmental factors for plants, and can severely limit the productivity and quality of crops. Many container-grown ornamental species are sensitive to salt accumulation in the root zone. Therefore, it is necessary to study other management alternatives that allow increasing tolerance to salinity to minimize the damage caused by said stress. The objective of this work was to study the effect of the brassinosteroid BB16 on the growth and floral development of Petunia x hybrida var. limbus network under conditions of increasing salinity. The plants were treated by aspersion to dripping point with BB16 0.1 mg.l-1, and then subjected to saline stress for 45 days, by irrigation with solutions at increasing concentrations of NaCl (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) . Plants treated with BB16, showed a greater root length and a greater diameter of flowers in all the saline concentrations evaluated; a greater number of flowers at 50 and 200 mM NaCl and a reduction in flowering time under irrigation conditions with 200 mM NaCl, with respect to control plants. It was also possible to observe that the petunia plants treated with BB16 presented a lower loss of chlorophyll with respect to the control plants, at concentrations of 150 and 200 mM of NaCl. The marked protective effect of BB16 in petunia plants exposed to saline stress, would allow attenuating the harmful effects minimizing the losses of productivity and quality that this stress causes in the crop.Fil: Furio, Ramiro Nicolás. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Medrano, Norma Nelly. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; ArgentinaFil: Coll, Yamilet. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Pérez, G. A.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Diaz Ricci, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Salazar, Sergio Miguel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; Argentin

Use of brassinosteroids as a strategy to increase tolerance to saline stress in petunia plants

La salinidad es uno de los factores ambientales más perjudiciales para las plantas, y puede limitar fuertemente la productividad y calidad de los cultivos. Muchas especies ornamentales cultivadas en contenedores son sensibles a la acumulación de sales en la zona radicular. Por lo tanto, es necesario estudiar alternativas de manejo que permitan aumentar la tolerancia a la salinidad para minimizar el daño ocasionado por dicho estrés. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar el efecto del brasinoesteroide BB16, sobre el crecimiento y desarrollo floral de Petunia x hybrida var. Limbo Red bajo condiciones de salinidad. Las plantas fueron tratadas por aspersión hasta punto de goteo con BB16 0,1 mg.l-1, y luego sometidas a estrés salino durante 45 días, mediante riego con soluciones a concentraciones crecientes de NaCl (50, 100, 150 y 200 mM). Las plantas tratadas con BB16, evidenciaron una mayor longitud radicular y un mayor diámetro de flores en todas las concentraciones salinas evaluadas; un mayor número de flores a 50 y 200 mM de NaCl y una reducción en el tiempo de floración en condiciones de riego con NaCl 200 mM, con respecto a las plantas control. También se pudo observar que las plantas tratadas presentaron una menor pérdida de clorofila a las concentraciones de 150 y 200 mM de NaCl. El marcado efecto protector de BB16 en plantas de petunia expuestas a estrés salino, permitiría atenuar los efectos perjudiciales minimizando las pérdidas de productividad y calidad que ocasiona en el cultivo.Salinity is one of the most damaging environmental factors for plants, and can severely limit the productivity and quality of crops. Many container-grown ornamental species are sensitive to salt accumulation in the root zone. Therefore, it is necessary to study other management alternatives that allow increasing tolerance to salinity to minimize the damage caused by said stress. The objective of this work was to study the effect of the brassinosteroid BB16 on the growth and floral development of Petunia x hybrida var. limbus network under conditions of increasing salinity. The plants were treated by aspersion to dripping point with BB16 0.1 mg.l-1, and then subjected to saline stress for 45 days, by irrigation with solutions at increasing concentrations of NaCl (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) . Plants treated with BB16, showed a greater root length and a greater diameter of flowers in all the saline concentrations evaluated; a greater number of flowers at 50 and 200 mM NaCl and a reduction in flowering time under irrigation conditions with 200 mM NaCl, with respect to control plants. It was also possible to observe that the petunia plants treated with BB16 presented a lower loss of chlorophyll with respect to the control plants, at concentrations of 150 and 200 mM of NaCl. The marked protective effect of BB16 in petunia plants exposed to saline stress, would allow attenuating the harmful effects minimizing the losses of productivity and quality that this stress causes in the crop.Fil: Furio, Ramiro Nicolás. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Medrano, Norma Nelly. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; ArgentinaFil: Coll, Yamilet. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Pérez, G. A.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Diaz Ricci, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Salazar, Sergio Miguel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; Argentin

Monocyte populations as markers of response to adalimumab plus MTX in rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) biological drugs has dramatically improved the prognosis of these patients. However, a third of the treated patients do not respond to this therapy. Thus, the search for biomarkers of clinical response to these agents is currently highly active. Our aim is to analyze the number and distribution of circulating monocytes, and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets in methotrexate (MTX) non-responder patients with RA, and to determine their value in predicting the clinical response to adalimumab plus MTX treatment. METHODS: This prospective work investigated the number of circulating monocytes, and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets, in 35 MTX non-responder patients with RA before and after three and six months of anti-TNFα treatment using multiparametric flow cytometry. The number of circulating monocytes in an age- and sex-matched healthy population was monitored as a control. RESULTS: Non-responder patients with RA show an increased number of monocytes and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets after three months of adalimumab plus MTX treatment that remained significantly increased at six months. In contrast, significant normalization of the numbers of circulating monocytes was found in responders at three months of adalimumab plus MTX treatment that lasts up to six months. CX3CR1 expression is increased in monocytes in non-responders. At three months of anti-TNFα treatment the number of circulating monocytes and their subsets was associated with at least 80% sensitivity, 84% specificity and an 86% positive predictive value (PPV) in terms of discriminating between eventual early responders and non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: The absolute number of circulating monocytes and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets at three months of adalimumab plus MTX treatment, have a predictive value (with high specificity and sensitivity) in terms of the clinical response after six months of anti-TNFα treatment in patients with RA

La cerámica de la Edad del Bronce en el yacimiento de El Portalón de Cueva Mayor (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, España)

Este trabajo estudia la amplia colección cerámica de la Edad del Bronce recuperada en El Portalón de Cueva Mayor (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos). La muestra procede de tres intervenciones arqueológicas modernas cuyos resultados se resumen aquí, por primera vez, de manera conjunta, sintetizando los caracteres sedimentarios y culturales ofrecidos por los respectivos responsables de los trabajos de campo. Se caracteriza tecno-tipológicamente la colección, la relación forma-función de los recipientes, el modelo productivo y las manifestaciones simbólicas propias de algunas producciones. El conjunto alfarero de El Portalón muestra una llamativa homogeneidad con independencia de su pertenencia a un nivel sedimentario y fase cultural. Desde el punto de vista alfarero se detecta una continuidad técnica y formal durante el Bronce antiguo y medio en el porcentaje de tipos y variantes, el tratamiento de las superficies, la profusión y estilo de las decoraciones y en la cocción. Es decir, no hay variaron en los patrones de producción a lo largo de los 700 años que representa el paquete sedimentario del Bronce en este Yacimiento. This paper studies the extensive pottery collection of the Bronze Age recovered at the site of El Portalón of Cueva Mayor (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos)

"Acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with COVID-19 : The AKICOV multicenter study in Catalonia"

This study describes the incidence, evolution and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critical COVID-19 during the first pandemic wave. We performed a prospective, observational, multicenter study of confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to 19 intensive care units (ICUs) in Catalonia (Spain). Data regarding demographics, comorbidities, drug and medical treatment, physiological and laboratory results, AKI development, need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and clinical outcomes were collected. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis for AKI development and mortality were used. A total of 1,642 patients were enrolled (mean age 63 (15.95) years, 67.5% male). Mechanical ventilation (MV) was required for 80.8% and 64.4% of these patients, who were in prone position, while 67.7% received vasopressors. AKI at ICU admission was 28.4% and increased to 40.1% during ICU stay. A total of 172 (10.9%) patients required RRT, which represents 27.8% of the patients who developed AKI. AKI was more frequent in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) ARDS patients (68% vs 53.6%, p<0.001) and in MV patients (91.9% vs 77.7%, p<0.001), who required the prone position more frequently (74.8 vs 61%, p<0.001) and developed more infections. ICU and hospital mortality were increased in AKI patients (48.2% vs 17.7% and 51.1% vs 19%, p <0.001) respectively). AKI was an independent factor associated with mortality (IC 1.587-3.190). Mortality was higher in AKI patients who required RRT (55.8% vs 48.2%, p <0.04). Conclusions There is a high incidence of AKI in critically ill patients with COVID-19 disease and it is associated with higher mortality, increased organ failure, nosocomial infections and prolonged ICU stay

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 is a potential biomarker of therapeutic response for TK2 deficient myopathy

GDF-15 is a biomarker for mitochondrial diseases. We investigated the application of GDF-15 as biomarker of disease severity and response to deoxynucleoside treatment in patients with thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) deficiency and compared it to FGF-21. GDF-15 and FGF-21 were measured in serum from 24 patients with TK2 deficiency treated 1–49 months with oral deoxynucleosides. Patients were grouped according to age at treatment and biomarkers were analyzed at baseline and various time points after treatment initiation. GDF-15 was elevated on average 30-fold in children and 6-fold in adults before the start of treatment. There was a significant correlation between basal GDF-15 and severity based on pretreatment distance walked (6MWT) and weight (BMI). During treatment, GDF-15 significantly declined, and the decrease was accompanied by relevant clinical improvements. The decline was greater in the paediatric group, which included the most severe patients and showed the greatest clinical benefit, than in the adult patients. The decline of FGF-21 was less prominent and consistent. GDF-15 is a potential biomarker of severity and of therapeutic response for patients with TK2 deficiency. In addition, we show evidence of clinical benefit of deoxynucleoside treatment, especially when treatment is initiated at an early age

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 is a potential biomarker of therapeutic response for TK2 deficient myopathy

GDF-15 is a biomarker for mitochondrial diseases. We investigated the application of GDF-15 as biomarker of disease severity and response to deoxynucleoside treatment in patients with thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) deficiency and compared it to FGF-21. GDF-15 and FGF-21 were measured in serum from 24 patients with TK2 deficiency treated 1-49 months with oral deoxynucleosides. Patients were grouped according to age at treatment and biomarkers were analyzed at baseline and various time points after treatment initiation. GDF-15 was elevated on average 30-fold in children and 6-fold in adults before the start of treatment. There was a significant correlation between basal GDF-15 and severity based on pretreatment distance walked (6MWT) and weight (BMI). During treatment, GDF-15 significantly declined, and the decrease was accompanied by relevant clinical improvements. The decline was greater in the paediatric group, which included the most severe patients and showed the greatest clinical benefit, than in the adult patients. The decline of FGF-21 was less prominent and consistent. GDF-15 is a potential biomarker of severity and of therapeutic response for patients with TK2 deficiency. In addition, we show evidence of clinical benefit of deoxynucleoside treatment, especially when treatment is initiated at an early age

Reversal of SARS-CoV2-Induced Hypoxia by Nebulized Sodium Ibuprofenate in a Compassionate Use Program

Introduction: Sodium ibuprofenate in hypertonic saline (NaIHS) administered directly to the lungs by nebulization and inhalation has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, with the potential to deliver these benefits to hypoxic patients. We describe a compassionate use program that offered this therapy to hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: NaIHS (50 mg ibuprofen, tid) was provided in addition to standard of care (SOC) to hospitalized COVID-19 patients until oxygen saturation levels of > 94% were achieved on ambient air. Patients wore a containment hood to diminish aerosolization. Outcome data from participating patients treated at multiple hospitals in Argentina between April 4 and October 31, 2020, are summarized. Results were compared with a retrospective contemporaneous control (CC) group of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with SOC alone during the same time frame from a subset of participating hospitals from Córdoba and Buenos Aires. Results: The evolution of 383 patients treated with SOC + NaIHS [56 on mechanical ventilation (MV) at baseline] and 195 CC (21 on MV at baseline) are summarized. At baseline, NaIHS-treated patients had basal oxygen saturation of 90.7 ± 0.2% (74.3% were on supplemental oxygen at baseline) and a basal respiratory rate of 22.7 ± 0.3 breath/min. In the CC group, basal oxygen saturation was 92.6 ± 0.4% (52.1% were on oxygen supplementation at baseline) and respiratory rate was 19.3 ± 0.3 breath/min. Despite greater pulmonary compromise at baseline in the NaIHS-treated group, the length of treatment (LOT) was 9.1 ± 0.2 gs with an average length of stay (ALOS) of 11.5 ± 0.3 days, in comparison with an ALOS of 13.3 ± 0.9 days in the CC group. In patients on MV who received NaIHS, the ALOS was lower than in the CC group. In both NaIHS-treated groups, a rapid reversal of deterioration in oxygenation and NEWS2 scores was observed acutely after initiation of NaIHS therapy. No serious adverse events were considered related to ibuprofen therapy. Mortality was lower in both NaIHS groups compared with CC groups. Conclusions: Treatment of COVID-19 pneumonitis with inhalational nebulized NaIHS was associated with rapid improvement in hypoxia and vital signs, with no serious adverse events attributed to therapy. Nebulized NaIHS s worthy of further study in randomized, placebo-controlled trials (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04382768).Fil: Salva, Oscar. Clínica Independencia; ArgentinaFil: Doreski, Pablo A.. Fundación Respirar; ArgentinaFil: Giler, Celia S.. Clínica Independencia; ArgentinaFil: Quinodoz, Dario C.. Sanatorio de la Cañada; ArgentinaFil: Guzmán, Lucia G.. Sanatorio de la Cañada; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz, Sonia Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Carrillo, Mariana Norma del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Porta, Daniela Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Ambasch, Germán. Sanatorio Privado Mayo; ArgentinaFil: Coscia, Esteban. Sanatorio Privado Mayo; ArgentinaFil: Tambini Diaz, Jorge L.. Sanatorio Privado Mayo; ArgentinaFil: Bueno, Germán D.. Sanatorio Privado Mayo; ArgentinaFil: Fandi, Jorge O.. Clínica Independencia; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado, Miriam A.. Sanatorio San Roque; ArgentinaFil: Peña Chiappero, Leandro E.. Sanatori San Roque; ArgentinaFil: Fournier, Fernando. Clínica Francesa; ArgentinaFil: Pérez, Hernán A.. Sanatorio Alive; Argentina. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Quiroga, Mauro A.. Instituto Modelo de Cardiología; ArgentinaFil: Sala Mercado, Javier Agustin. Instituto Modelo de Cardiología; ArgentinaFil: Martínez Picco, Carlos. Clínica del Sol; ArgentinaFil: Beltrán, Marcelo Alejandro. Hospital Dr. Alberto Duhau; ArgentinaFil: Castillo Argañarás, Luis Fernando. Hospital Dr. Alberto Duhau; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ríos, Nicolás Martínez. Quimica Luar Srl; ArgentinaFil: Kalayan, Galia I.. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Beltramo, Dante Miguel. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Nestor Horacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentin