Nitrogen determination in micas of metamorphic rocks

6 pages, 1 table, 1 figure.-- Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Conference on Ion Beam Analysis.-- El pdf del artículo es la versión post-print.-- et al.Micas are minerals that provide large amounts of information regarding geological processes, because of the sensitivity of their chemical composition to temperature, pressure and deformation of rocks in which they form. Rocks under analysis are formed of different minerals with variable grain size. Mica grain size may vary between 5 and 10 μm and approximately correspond to the chemical formula (Si3.2Al0.8)O10(Al1.9Fe0.05Mg0.1)(OH)2(K0.75Na0.05), being distinguishable from other minerals because of their composition and their morphology in secondary electron images and specially backscattered electron (BSE) images. NH4, when present, would partially substitute K in the previous formula. In some cases NH4-rich micas (tobelites) have been described coexisting with the corresponding K-rich micas, but the actual NH4 content of normal K-rich micas is still unknown. Low N content makes necessary to use nuclear reactions such as 14N(d, pγ)15N at 1.4 MeV and its cascade of intense γ-rays. For the quantification and localization of nitrogen on the surface of the samples, PIGE analysis was carried out in the vacuum microprobe line of the CNA, together with simultaneous micro-RBS and micro-PIXE analyses, giving a more comprehensive picture of sample structure and composition.Peer reviewe

Valoración a medio-largo plazo de los cotilos de Mittelmeier

El objetivo del presente trabajo es valorar clínica y radiológicamente la evolución de 125 cotilos de Mittelmeier implantados en nuestro servicio, con un seguimiento medio de 8 años (5,5-14). En toda la serie se ha utilizado un mismo tipo de cotilos, aunque se han utilizado 2 vástagos, los de segunda y los de tercera generación. El comportamiento ha sido satisfactorio en el 91% de los de tercera generación y el 57% en los de segunda. Se comprobó una inclinación y recubrimientos progresivos y una emigración horizontal y vertical significativas de los cotilos. No se encontró relación entre los resultados clínicos y las alteraciones posicionales. La movilización del cotilo aparece en nuestra serie mucho más frecuentemente que en la mayor parte de la literatura. Las emigraciones horizontal y vertical pueden ser debidas a los diferentes coeficientes de elasticidad de la cerámica y el hueso sin implicar necesariamente malos resultados. Como conclusión, el comportamiento de los cotilos de Mittelmeier ha sido en general satisfactorio a pesar de las emigraciones, que han tenido escasa repercusión clínica.This study was aimed at evaluating clinically and radiologically the results of 125 Mittelmeier cups implanted in our institution, with a mean follow-up of 8 years (5.5-14). The same type of cup was used in the whole series, combined with two types of femoral stem from the 2 nd and 3rd generations. The results were satisfactory in 91 % of cases treated with the 3rd generation and 57% in those cases treated with the 2nd generation of implants. Progressive inclination and coverage were detected with both horizontal and vertical migration of the cups. No relationship was found between clinical results and the displacements observed. In this series, migrations of the cup were more frequent than those published by other authors. Horizontal and vertical migratrion may be due to the difference between the coefficients of elasticity of ceramic and bone. Cup migration did not imply poor results. In conclusion, the overall results obtained with the Mittelmeier cups were satisfactory, in spite of migration. The clinical repercussion of cup migrations was minimal

Gold nanoparticles crossing blood-brain barrier prevent HSV-1 infection and reduce herpes associated amyloid-βsecretion

Infections caused by HSV-1 and their typical outbreaks invading the nervous system have been related to neurodegenerative diseases. HSV-1 infection may deregulate the balance between the amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic pathways, raising the accumulation of amyloid-β peptides, one of the hallmarks in the neurodegenerative diseases. An effective treatment against both, HSV-1 infections and neurodegeneration, is a major therapeutic target. Therefore, gold nanoparticles (NPAus) have been previously studied in immunotherapy, cancer and cellular disruptions with very promising results. Our study demonstrates that a new NPAus family inhibits the HSV-1 infection in a neural-derived SK-N-MC cell line model and that this new NPAus reduces the HSV-1-induced β-secretase activity, as well as amyloid-β accumulation in SK-APP-D1 modifies cell line. We demonstrated that NPAuG3-S8 crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and does not generate cerebral damage to in vivo CD1 mice model. The NPAuG3-S8 could be a promising treatment against neuronal HSV-1 infections and neuronal disorders related to the Aβ peptidesThis work has been (partially) funded by the RD16/0025/0019, projects as part of Acción Estratégica en Salud, Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica (2013-2016) and cofinanced by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Subdirección General de Evaluación) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), RETIC PT17/0015/0042, Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria (FIS) (grant numbers: PI16/01863; PI19/01638) and EPIICAL project. CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, the Consolider Program, and CIBER Actions and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. This work has been supported partially by a EUROPARTNER: Strengthening and spreading international partnership activities of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection for interdisciplinary research and innovation of the University of Lodz Programme: NAWA International Academic Partnership Programme. This article/publication is based upon work from COST Action CA 17140 “Cancer Nanomedicine from the Bench to the Bedside” supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology

Role of the human concentrative nucleoside transporter (hCNT1) in the cytotoxic action of 5[Prime]-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, an active intermediate metabolite of capecitabine, a novel oral anticancer drug.

We attempt to identify the plasma membrane transporter involved in the uptake of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR), an intermediate metabolite of capecitabine. This novel oral fluoropyrimidine is used in cancer treatments and is a direct precursor of the cytostatic agent 5'-fluorouracil. We also examine the role of the transporter in 5'-DFUR cytotoxicity. The human concentrative nucleoside transporter (hCNT1) was cloned from human fetal liver and expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The two-electrode voltage-clamp technique was used to demonstrate that 5'-DFUR, but not capecitabine or 5'-FU, is an hCNT1 substrate. Then, hCNT1 was heterologously expressed in the mammalian cell line Chinese hamster ovary-K1. Functional expression was demonstrated by monitoring transport of radiolabeled substrates and by using a monospecific polyclonal antibody generated against the transporter. hCNT1-expressing cells were more sensitive to 5'-DFUR than vector-transfected or wild-type cells. The sensitivity of the three cell types to other agents such as cisplatin or 5'-FU was identical. In conclusion, this study shows that 1) the pharmacological profile of a nucleoside transporter can be determined by an electrophysiological approach; 2) the hCNT1 transporter is involved in 5'-DFUR uptake; and 3) hCNT1 expression may increase cell sensitivity to 5'-DFUR treatment. This study also reports for the first time the generation of an antibody against hCNT1, which may be useful in the elucidation of the relationship between hCNT1 expression and tumor response to capecitabine treatmen

De lo real a lo imaginario. Aproximación a la flora ibérica durante la Edad del Hierro

“From the real to the imagery” is the translation of the project’s title we present in this paper. Our main goal is the study of the Iberian Iron Age flora from several points of view in order to come close to the use and the simbolism of plants among the ancient societies, specially the Iberian Culture. The method we use is a combination of a paleobotanical approach, based on palinology, anthracology and paleocarpology, together with an iconographic one. Then, we record all the representations of plants on pottery, stone sculpture, metallic objects and coins. All these data are catalogued taking in to account the context and chronology of the archaeological remains we are dealing with. The aim of this research project is to create a database of the used and known plants among the Iberians, to reconstruct the possible uses (“the real”) and the images of plants represented on the artefacts (“the imagery”). This paper offers preliminary results of our method by presenting an analytical example based on two species: the poppy (Papaver sp.) and the palm tree (Phoenix datylifera L.).“De lo real a lo imaginario” es el título de un proyecto cuyo objetivo es hacer un estudio de la flora de los iberos desde distintos puntos de vista con el fin de aproximarnos al uso y simbolismo de las plantas por parte de las sociedades antiguas. Para ello se va a combinar una visión estrictamente paleobotánica, basada en estudios palinológicos, antracológicos y paleocarpológicos, con la iconográfica, recogiendo todas las representaciones de plantas que aparecen en cerámica, escultura en piedra, objetos metálicos y monedas. Todos los datos se catalogan teniendo en cuenta su contexto y cronología. Con ello se pretende elaborar un catálogo de plantas conocidas y utilizadas, en diferentes contextos, con todos los usos posibles (lo real) y las imágenes de plantas recogidas en diversos soportes (lo imaginario). Como ejemplo, se presenta el estudio realizado sobre dos plantas: la adormidera (Papaver sp.) y la palmera (Phoenix datylifera L.)

Secondary metabolite profiling, growth profiles and other tools for species recognition and important Aspergillus mycotoxins

Species in the genus Aspergillus have been classified primarily based on morphological features. Sequencing of house-hold genes has also been used in Aspergillus taxonomy and phylogeny, while extrolites and physiological features have been used less frequently. Three independent ways of classifying and identifying aspergilli appear to be applicable: Morphology combined with physiology and nutritional features, secondary metabolite profiling and DNA sequencing. These three ways of identifying Aspergillus species often point to the same species. This consensus approach can be used initially, but if consensus is achieved it is recommended to combine at least two of these independent ways of characterising aspergilli in a polyphasic taxonomy. The chemical combination of secondary metabolites and DNA sequence features has not been explored in taxonomy yet, however. Examples of these different taxonomic approaches will be given for Aspergillus section Nigri

Nuevos datos de actividad tectónica durante el Pleistoceno Superior-Holoceno en el sector oriental de la plataforma continental del Golfo de Cádiz (SO de Iberia)

La realización de dos campañas de adquisición de datos geofísicos del suelo y subsuelo marino en el año 2010, mediante la utilización de técnicas acústicas de muy alta resolución, ha permitido ampliar el conocimiento de dos sectores de la plataforma continental española en el Golfo de Cádiz, comprendidos entre la desembocadura del río Guadalquivir y la Bahía de Cádiz, y entre Cádiz y Chiclana de la Frontera, respectivamente. En el primero se han localizado varias zonas de fracturas que se caracterizan en los perfiles de sísmica de muy alta resolución por fallas normales de alto ángulo y pequeño salto que desplaza claramente las unidades sedimentarias de edad Holoceno, se trata por tanto de fallas que se pueden considerar activas, si bien deben ser el reflejo en superficie de fallas profundas de mayor entidad. Mientras que en el segundo se ha analizado la morfología asociada a la actividad emergente de una estructura diapirica principal.Two oceanographic surveys have been carried out using very high resolution acoustic techniques in 2010. These surveys have allowed us to improve the knowledge of two sectors of the Spanish continental shelf in the Gulf of Cadiz: the first one, from the mouth of the Guadalquivir River to the Bay of Cadiz, and the second one, between Cadiz and Chiclana de la Frontera. In the first sector, we have located several fracture zones which are characterized in the seismic profiles as high angle normal faults of small vertical displacement. These faults displace clearly the Holocene sedimentary units. Therefore, these faults could be considered currently actives, although should be the surface expression of deeper and more significance faults. In the second sector, we have analyzed the associated morphology with the emerging activity of a main diapi

Modifiable risk factors associated with prediabetes in men and women: A cross-sectional analysis of the cohort study in primary health care on the evolution of patients with prediabetes

Background: Prediabetes is a high-risk state for diabetes development, but little is known about the factors associated with this state. The aim of the study was to identify modifiable risk factors associated with the presence of prediabetes in men and women. Methods: Cohort Study in Primary Health Care on the Evolution of Patients with Prediabetes (PREDAPS-Study) is a prospective study on a cohort of 1184 subjects with prediabetes and another cohort of 838 subjects without glucose metabolism disorders. It is being conducted by 125 general practitioners in Spain. Data for this analysis were collected during the baseline stage in 2012. The modifiable risk factors included were: smoking habit, alcohol consumption, low physical activity, inadequate diet, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. To assess independent association between each factor and prediabetes, odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using logistic regression models. Results: Abdominal obesity, low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), and hypertension were independently associated with the presence of prediabetes in both men and women. After adjusting for all factors, the respective ORs (95% Confidence Intervals) were 1.98 (1.41-2.79), 1.88 (1.23-2.88) and 1.86 (1.39-2.51) for men, and 1.89 (1.36-2.62), 1.58 (1.12-2.23) and 1.44 (1.07-1.92) for women. Also, general obesity was a risk factor in both sexes but did not reach statistical significance among men, after adjusting for all factors. Risky alcohol consumption was a risk factor for prediabetes in men, OR 1.49 (1.00-2.24). Conclusions: Obesity, low HDL-cholesterol levels, and hypertension were modifiable risk factors independently related to the presence of prediabetes in both sexes. The magnitudes of the associations were stronger for men than women. Abdominal obesity in both men and women displayed the strongest association with prediabetes. The findings suggest that there are some differences between men and women, which should be taken into account when implementing specific recommendations to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes in adult population

Database of spatial distribution of non indigenous species in Spanish marine waters

Research in marine Spanish waters are focused on several actions to achieve an effectively management on protected areas, with the active participation of the stakeholders and research as basic tools for decision-making. Among these actions, there is one about the knowledge and control on NIS. One of its objectives is the creation of NIS factsheets, which are going to be added to the National Marine Biodiversity Geographical System (GIS) providing complementary information about taxonomic classification, common names, taxonomic synonyms, species illustrations, identification morphological characters, habitat in the native and introduced regions, biological and ecological traits, GenBank DNA sequences, world distribution, first record and evolution in the introduced areas, likely pathways of introduction, effects in the habitats and interaction with native species, and potential management measures to apply. The database will also provide data for (1) the European online platforms, (2) the environmental assessment for the Descriptor 2 (D2-NIS) of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), as well as (3) supporting decisions made by stakeholders. It is the result of extensive collaboration among scientist, manager’s and citizen science in the Spanish North-Atlantic, South-Atlantic, Gibraltar Strait-Alboran, Levantine-Balearic and Canary Islands marine divisions, providing an updated overview of the spatial distribution of relevant extended and invasive NIS of recent and established NIS introduced by maritime transport and aquaculture pathways, as well as on cryptogenic or native species in expansion due to the climatic water warming trend