The effect of temperature during culture enrichment on methanotrophic polyhydroxyalkanoate production

Producción CientíficaClimate change and plastic pollution are likely the most relevant environmental problems of the 21st Century. Thus, one of the most promising solutions to remedy both environmental problems simultaneously is the bioconversion of greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4), into bioplastics (PHAs). However, the optimization of this bioconversion platform is still required to turn CH4 biotransformation into a cost-effective and cost-competitive process. In this context, the research presented here aimed at elucidating the best temperature culture conditions to enhance both PHA accumulation and methane degradation. Six different enrichments were carried out at 25, 30 and 37 °C using different inocula and methane as the only energy and carbon source. CH4 biodegradation rates, specific growth rates, PHA accumulations and the community structure were characterized. Higher temperatures (30 and 37 °C) increased the PHAs accumulation up to 30% regardless of the inoculum. Moreover, Methylocystis became the dominant genus (∼30% of the total population) regardless of the temperature and inoculum used. This research demonstrated for the first time the fundamental role of temperature in increasing both the accumulation of PHAs and methane abatement during the enrichment of PHA cell-factories from methane, thus enhancing the cost-effectiveness of the process.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, TheEuropean FEDER program and the European Commission (CTM2015-73228-JIN, H2020-MSCA-IF-2016: CH4BioVal-GA:750126 and Red NOVEDAR)

Human impacts on the Northern Iberian Coast: Brominated pollutants.

Plastic and textile products as well as electronical devices are easily flammable products and to reduce fire-related injury and property damage, such materials are commonly covered by the so-called flame retardants (FR). The brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are the largest market group because of their low cost and high-performance efficiency. Nevertheless, as these compounds are additive rather than chemically bound to the products, they can be released into the environment and because they are toxic and persistent organic chemicals and can bioaccumulate, they have become contaminants of concern detectable in the environment, in animals, and in humans. PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) are a group of 209 different congeners used as FR and since 2004 banned in the EU. In spite of banned and restriction such chemicals are still detected in the environment and their monitoring necessary. In 2016 a sampling campaign was carried out covering the North Spanish Atlantic coast from the border with Portugal to the limit with France. The collected sediments were studied to determine sediment characteristics and PBDEs concentrations. Sedimentological characteristics including grain size distribution and total organic content were measured. Gas chromatography coupled to MS detector was used to perform the analytical analysis under QA/QC to guarantee the quality of the results. BDE28, BDE47, BDE66, BDE85, BDE99, BD100, BD153, BDE154 andBD183 have been determined and evaluated against Background assessment criteria (BACs) and Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (FEQGs). Levels found demonstrate that there is still detectable presence of PBDEs in marine sediments albeit they are well below the FEQG and even frequently below BACs

Motivational characteristics of low math achievment preschoolers

El presente trabajo pretende profundizar en la motivación hacia el aprendizaje y el estilo atribucional de preescolares con bajo rendimiento matemático en relación a dos grupos de referencia: rendimiento medio y riesgo de Trastorno Específico de Aprendizaje con Dificultad Matemática (TEAPDM). Participaron en el estudio 209 preescolares categorizados en función de su nivel de rendimiento aritmético mediante una prueba estandarizada. Se evaluaron los constructos de competencia- motivación, atención-persistencia y actitud hacia el aprendizaje, relacionadas con la motivación hacia el aprendizaje, y de internalidad, estabilidad y globalidad del estilo atribucional. Los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las variables de motivación entre el grupo de bajo rendimiento y el grupo control. En el caso de la competencia-motivación y la atención-persistencia, se encontraron también diferencias entre el grupo de bajo riesgo y el grupo de riesgo de TEAP-DM. Además, los análisis revelaron una tendencia a atribuir los eventos negativos a causas más estables en el grupo de bajo rendimiento. Se comentan las implicaciones de estos hallazgos para la investigación y la práctica psicoeducativa.This paper aims to deepen about motivation toward learning and attributional style of preschoolers with low math achievement in relation to two reference groups: average math performance and risk of Specific Learning Disorder with Math Difficulties (SLD-MD). A group of 209 preschoolers participated in the study, who were categorized according to their level of arithmetic performance by a standardized test. Constructs of competence-motivation, attention-persistence and attitude toward learning, related to motivation for learning, and internality, stability, globality of attributional style were evaluated. The results showed statistically significant differences in the variables of motivation toward learning among the low achievement and average performance groups. For competencemotivation and attention-persistence, differences between the low achievement group and risk group were also found. Furthermore, analysis revealed a tendency to attribute negative events to more stable causes in the low achievement group. The implications of these findings for psychoeducational research and practice are discussed.peerReviewe

Modulation of neuroplasticity pathways and antidepressant-like behavioural responses following the short-term (3 and 7 days) administration of the 5-HT₄ receptor agonist RS67333.

It has been recently suggested that activation of 5-HT4 receptors might exert antidepressant-like effects in rats after 3 d treatment, suggesting a new strategy for developing faster-acting antidepressants. We studied the effects of 3 d and 7 d treatment with the 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist RS67333 (1.5 mg/kg.d) in behavioural tests of chronic efficacy and on neuroplastic-associated changes, such as adult hippocampal neurogenesis, expression of CREB, BDNF, b-catenin, AKT and 5-HT4 receptor functionality. RS67333 treatment up-regulated hippocampal cell proliferation, b-catenin expression and pCREB/CREB ratio after 3 d treatment. This short-term treatment also reduced immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), together with a partial reversion of the anhedonic-like state (sucrose consumption after chronic corticosterone). Administration of RS67333 for 7 d resulted in a higher increase in the rate of hippocampal cell proliferation, a significant desensitization of 5-HT4 receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase activity and a more marked increase in the expression of neuroplasticity-related proteins (BDNF, CREB, AKT): these changes reached the same magnitude as those observed after 3 wk administration of classical antidepressants. Consistently, a positive behavioural response in the novelty suppressed feeding (NSF) test and a complete reversion of the anhedonic-like state (sucrose consumption) were also observed after 7 d treatment. These results support the antidepressant-like profile of RS67333 with a shorter onset of action and suggest that this time period of administration (3–7 d) could be a good approximation to experimentally predict the onset of action of this promising strategy

Valoración sobre la asignatura medicina de desastres por estudiantes extranjeros

Introducción: la Medicina de desastres tiene como objetivo la adquisición de conocimientos para ejecutar acciones en eventos de emergencia.Objetivo: determinar las deficiencias en la impartición de la asignatura Medicina de desastres a los estudiantes extranjeros que afectan el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje, en el Hospital Docente Clínico Quirúrgico «Joaquín Albarrán».Método: estudio descriptivo de corte trasversal, con 1034 estudiantes extranjeros durante 3 cursos. Se aplicó una encuesta, una vez finalizado cada rotación de estudiantes por la asignatura de medicina de desastre. Se empleó estadística descriptiva.Resultado: 233 estudiantes (22,1%) estaban desmotivados, 801(77,4 %) la consideró necesaria, 174 (16,8 %) estudiantes respondieron que no guardaban relación con las asignaturas del ciclo clínico. Primero auxilios y atención al paciente politraumatizado fueron los temas más importantes (99 y 98 % respectivamente). El 50 % se autocalificaron con excelente preparación.Conclusión: no se ha logrado aún la interrelación de la asignatura con el resto de las materias, ni la motivación y preparación adecuada de los estudiantes, para el desplegamiento de acciones instructivas, educativas, valorativas y desarrollador en el enfrentamiento de desastres masivos

Valoración sobre la asignatura medicina de desastres por estudiantes extranjeros

Introducción: la Medicina de desastres tiene como objetivo la adquisición de conocimientos para ejecutar acciones en eventos de emergencia.Objetivo: determinar las deficiencias en la impartición de la asignatura Medicina de desastres a los estudiantes extranjeros que afectan el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje, en el Hospital Docente Clínico Quirúrgico «Joaquín Albarrán».Método: estudio descriptivo de corte trasversal, con 1034 estudiantes extranjeros durante 3 cursos. Se aplicó una encuesta, una vez finalizado cada rotación de estudiantes por la asignatura de medicina de desastre. Se empleó estadística descriptiva.Resultado: 233 estudiantes (22,1%) estaban desmotivados, 801(77,4 %) la consideró necesaria, 174 (16,8 %) estudiantes respondieron que no guardaban relación con las asignaturas del ciclo clínico. Primero auxilios y atención al paciente politraumatizado fueron los temas más importantes (99 y 98 % respectivamente). El 50 % se autocalificaron con excelente preparación.Conclusión: no se ha logrado aún la interrelación de la asignatura con el resto de las materias, ni la motivación y preparación adecuada de los estudiantes, para el desplegamiento de acciones instructivas, educativas, valorativas y desarrollador en el enfrentamiento de desastres masivos

Circulatory immune cells in Cushing syndrome: bystanders or active contributors to atherometabolic injury? A study of adhesion and activation of cell surface markers.

Glucocorticoids (GC) induce cardiometabolic risk while atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation involving immunity. GC are immune suppressors, and the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) has immune modulator activities. Both may act in atherothrombotic inflammation involving immune cells (IMNC). Aim. To investigate adhesion and activation surface cell markers (CDs) of peripheral IMNC in endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS) and the immune modulator role of ACTH. Material and Methods. 16 ACTH-dependent CS (ACTH-D), 10 ACTH-independent (ACTH-ID) CS, and 16 healthy controls (C) were included. Leukocytes (Leuc), monocytes (MN), lymphocytes (Lym), and neutrophils (N) were analyzed by flow cytometry for atherosclerosis previously associated with CDs. Results. Leuc, N, and MN correlated with CS (p < 0.05), WC (p < 0.001), WHR (p = 0.003), BMI (p < 0.001), and hs-CRP (p < 0.001). CD14++CD16+ (p = 0.047); CD14+CD16++ (p = 0.053) MN; CD15+ (p = 0.027); CD15+CD16+ (p = 0.008) N; and NK-Lym (p = 0.019) were higher in CS. CD14+CD16++ MN were higher in ACTH-ID (8.9 ± 3.5%) versus ACTH-D CS (4.2 ± 1.9%) versus C (4.9 ± 2.3%). NK-Lym correlated with c-LDL (r = 0.433, p = 0.039) and CD15+ N with hs-CRP (r = 0.446, p = 0.037). In multivariate analysis, Leuc, N, and MN depended on BMI (p = 0.021), WC (p = 0.002), and WHR (p = 0.014), while CD15+ and CD15+CD16+ N on hypercortisolism and CS (p = 0.035). Conclusion. In CS, IMNC present changes in activation and adhesion CDs implicated in atherothrombotic inflammation. ACTH-IDCS presents a particular IMNC phenotype, possibly due to the absence of the immune modulator effect of ACTH

Experiences of Nursing Students Participating in End-Of-Life Education Programs: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Metasynthesis

Objective: The aim of this review was to explore the experiences of nursing students participating in end-of-life education programs. Design: A systematic review. Data sources: Exhaustive literature searches were performed using seven electronic databases: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus, Dialnet Plus, Eric and Cuiden Plus. Review methods: In total, 6572 studies published from 2008 until 2018 were examined. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program was used to assess the quality of the studies included in the review. The findings were synthesized using meta-aggregation. Results: Seventeen studies were included in this systematic review, representing a sample of 606 nursing students. Simulation methods were most common among the educational programs analyzed. The analysis of qualitative data allowed us to identify 260 illustrations which were grouped into 14 categories and three themes: feelings and emotions during the performance of the pedagogical activity, end-of-life education among nursing students and competencies acquired on death and end-of-life. The most highlighted communication skills were learning to listen and building confidence to speak with the patient, family and the general public. Conclusions: End-of-life programs generally helped students acquire communication skills, learn concepts and improve the administration of this type of care. In addition, they perceived the experience as an opportunity to learn more about oneself, gain trust and support critical thinking. Nonetheless, the evidence available in this field is limited due to the small number of studies, plus the limited data reported. Thus, further studies on this subject are necessary

Plan estratégico de recursos humanos para una empresa de restaurantes en proceso de internacionalización

En el presente trabajo de investigación se analizó la estrategia de negocio de MCK Hospitality, principalmente con relación a su proceso de expansión internacional, con la finalidad de diseñar una estrategia de recursos humanos, a fin de potenciar las acciones que permitan el logro de los objetivos estratégicos de la corporación. A través de la revisión y el análisis del perfil competitivo de la empresa, la información obtenida de fuentes secundarias, las entrevistas y los grupos focales se identificaron los impulsores estratégicos de MCK, que son innovación, calidad de servicio, capacidad de adaptación y procesos rigurosos de servicio