Methodological approach for mapping the flood physical vulnerability index with geographical open-source data: an example in a small-middle city (Ponferrada, Spain)

[EN] To increase the resilience of communities against floods, it is necessary to develop method- ologies to estimate the vulnerability. The concept of vulnerability is multidimensional, but most flood vulnerability studies have focused only on the social approach. Nevertheless, in recent years, following seismic analysis, the physical point of view has increased its rele- vance. Therefore, the present study proposes a methodology to map the flood physical vul- nerability and applies it using an index at urban parcel scale for a medium-sized town (Pon- ferrada, Spain). This index is based on multiple indicators fed by geographical open-source data, once they have been normalized and combined with different weights extracted from an Analytic Hierarchic Process. The results show a raster map of the physical vulnerability index that facilitates future emergency and flood risk management to diminish potential damages. A total of 22.7% of the urban parcels in the studied town present an index value higher than 0.4, which is considered highly vulnerable. The location of these urban par- cels would have passed unnoticed without the use of open governmental datasets, when an average value would have been calculated for the overall municipality. Moreover, the build- ing percentage covered by water was the most influential indicator in the study area, where the simulated flood was generated by an alleged dam break. The study exceeds the spatial constraints of collecting this type of data by direct interviews with inhabitants and allows for working with larger areas, identifying the physical buildings and infrastructure differ- ences among the urban parcelsS

Uranium-bearing minerals characterization with laboratory reflectance spectroscopy: study of Córcoles fossil site, Guadalajara

En la naturaleza, el ion uranilo se asocia comúnmente a arseniatos, fosfatos y vanadatos; uno de los orígenes secundarios más frecuentes del uranio está asociado a fosfatos cálcicos biogénicos. En este estudio se han caracterizado minerales de uranio con espectroscopia de reflectancia VNIR-SWIR de laboratorio (400-2500 nm). Entre las muestras estudiadas se han incluido los minerales secundarios de uranio: metatorbernita, metautunita y metauranocircita, así como fosfatos cálcicos (biogénicos e inorgánicos) y fósiles coexistentes con mineralizaciones de metatyuyamunita encontrados en el yacimiento de vertebrados del Mioceno inferior de Córcoles (Cuenca del Tajo, Guadalajara, España). Este yacimiento representa un ejemplo de la formación de minerales secundarios de uranio de tipo fosfatos. Su origen es el resultado de la interacción de los fósiles con aguas subterráneas u otros fluidos mineralizadores portadores de uranilo (UO2 2+) durante la diagénesis. Los minerales con uranilo muestran rasgos de absorción a 1100, 1330 y 1672 nm atribuidos a los aniones uranilo. Dada la escasa información preexistente, la caracterización de los minerales que contienen uranio aporta valiosa información con gran potencial para ser aplicada en teledetección. Los datos obtenidos pueden ser de utilidad en la exploración, caracterización y/o protección de los yacimientos de uranio.Uranyl ion is commonly associated with arsenates, phosphates and vanadates; one of the most frequent secondary origins of uranium is associated with biogenic calcium phosphates (bones and teeth) in nature. In this study different uranium minerals have been characterized with laboratory VNIR-SWIR reflectance spectroscopy (400-2500 nm). The samples studied included the secondary uranium minerals: metatorbernite, metautunite and metauranocyrcite. Calcium phosphates (biogenic and inorganic) and fossil remains coexisting with metatyuyamunite mineralization found in the Lower Miocene fossil vertebrate deposit of Córcoles (Tajo Basin, Guadalajara, Spain) have also been studied. This deposit represents a remarkable example of the formation of secondary uranium minerals of the phosphate type. Its origin is the result of the interaction of fossils with groundwater or other uranyl (UO2 2+) bearing mineralizing fluids during diagenesis. The uranyl-bearing minerals show absorption features at 1100, 1330 and 1672 nm attributed to uranyl anions. The characterization of uranium-bearing minerals provides valuable information with great potential for application in remote sensing, given the scarcity of pre-existing information. The obtained data can be useful in the exploration, characterization and/or protection of uranium deposits.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaDepto. de Mineralogía y PetrologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónAgencia Estatal de Investigación/Proyectosa Unión Europeapu

Sphingolipid desaturase DEGS1 is essential for mitochondria-associated membrane integrity

Sphingolipids function as membrane constituents and signaling molecules, with crucial roles in human diseases, from neurodevelopmental disorders to cancer, best exemplified in the inborn errors of sphingolipid metabolism in lysosomes. The dihydroceramide desaturase Delta 4-dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (DEGS1) acts in the last step of a sector of the sphingolipid pathway, de novo ceramide biosynthesis. Defects in DEGS1 cause the recently described hypomyelinating leukodystrophy-18 (HLD18) (OMIM #618404). Here, we reveal that DEGS1 is a mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane-resident (MAM-resident) enzyme, refining previous reports locating DEGS1 at the endoplasmic reticulum only. Using patient fibroblasts, multiomics, and enzymatic assays, we show that DEGS1 deficiency disrupts the main core functions of the MAM: (a) mitochondrial dynamics, with a hyperfused mitochondrial network associated with decreased activation of dynamin-related protein 1; (b) cholesterol metabolism, with impaired sterol O-acyltransferase activity and decreased cholesteryl esters; (c) phospholipid metabolism, with increased phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine and decreased phosphatidylethanolamine; and (d) biogenesis of lipid droplets, with increased size and numbers. Moreover, we detected increased mitochondrial superoxide species production in fibroblasts and mitochondrial respiration impairment in patient muscle biopsy tissues. Our findings shed light on the pathophysiology of HLD18 and broaden our understanding of the role of sphingolipid metabolism in MAM function

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

ASTER spectral bands ratios for lithological differentiation in low relief landforms (NW Duero Basin, León, Spain)

En este estudio se utilizan imágenes ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) para proporcionar información sobre la composición mineral en zonas de cultivo sin vegetación en un sector del noroeste de la cuenca del Duero. Se han aplicado distintos cocientes de bandas al conjunto de imágenes multiespectrales correspondientes a longitudes de onda del visible e infrarrojo cercano (VNIR, visible and near-infrared) y del infrarrojo de onda corta (SWIR, short-wave infrared), para realzar la presencia de óxidos de hierro y de filosilicatos principalmente. Los resultados obtenidos permiten reconocer que en las zonas caracterizadas por rocas del sustrato paleozoico, sedimentos neógenos y pliocuaternarios, los minerales con contenido en hierro están más representados. Por otra parte, en las zonas caracterizadas por sistemas de terrazas fluviales es más patente la presencia de filosilicatos alumínicos. Estos resultados añaden información a la cartografía geológica y, fundamentalmente, litológica y de prospección mineral de extensas áreas con formas del relieve suaves en donde los afloramientos son muy escasos.In this study ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) images are used for mapping purposes associated with mineral compositions in flat and gently sloping free crop cultivated areas in the northwestern Duero Basin. Several ima-ge band ratios have been applied to the ASTER multispectral data-set corresponding to the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and to the short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths. These band ratios enhance the absorption features related to both electronic and vibrational processes corresponding to iron oxides minerals and phyllosilicates minerals respectively. The results obtained show that in the northern and westernmost areas with Paleozoic basement, Neogene and Plio-Quaternary sediments, iron oxides minerals are more frequent. On the other hand, in the easternmost area, characterized by the Quaternary Tuerto and Órbigo river terraces, extensive areas show the existence of Al-bearing phyllosilicates. These results add infor-mation for geological, lithological and mineral prospection mapping in almost flat areas, where outcrops are scarce.Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónUnión EuropeaDepto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

Sphingolipid desaturase DEGS1 is essential for mitochondria-associated membrane integrity

Altres ajuts: "Severo Ochoa" program for Centres of Excellence in R&D (CEX2019-000910-S [MCIN/AEI])Sphingolipids function as membrane constituents and signaling molecules, with crucial roles in human diseases, from neurodevelopmental disorders to cancer, best exemplified in the inborn errors of sphingolipid metabolism in lysosomes. The dihydroceramide desaturase Δ4-dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (DEGS1) acts in the last step of a sector of the sphingolipid pathway, de novo ceramide biosynthesis. Defects in DEGS1 cause the recently described hypomyelinating leukodystrophy-18 (HLD18) (OMIM #618404). Here, we reveal that DEGS1 is a mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane-resident (MAM-resident) enzyme, refining previous reports locating DEGS1 at the endoplasmic reticulum only. Using patient fibroblasts, multiomics, and enzymatic assays, we show that DEGS1 deficiency disrupts the main core functions of the MAM: (a) mitochondrial dynamics, with a hyperfused mitochondrial network associated with decreased activation of dynamin-related protein 1; (b) cholesterol metabolism, with impaired sterol O-acyltransferase activity and decreased cholesteryl esters; (c) phospholipid metabolism, with increased phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine and decreased phosphatidylethanolamine; and (d) biogenesis of lipid droplets, with increased size and numbers. Moreover, we detected increased mitochondrial superoxide species production in fibroblasts and mitochondrial respiration impairment in patient muscle biopsy tissues. Our findings shed light on the pathophysiology of HLD18 and broaden our understanding of the role of sphingolipid metabolism in MAM function

How do women living with HIV experience menopause? Menopausal symptoms, anxiety and depression according to reproductive age in a multicenter cohort

CatedresBackground: To estimate the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and anxiety/depression and to assess the differences according to menopausal status among women living with HIV aged 45-60 years from the cohort of Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS). Methods: Women were interviewed by phone between September 2017 and December 2018 to determine whether they had experienced menopausal symptoms and anxiety/depression. The Menopause Rating Scale was used to evaluate the prevalence and severity of symptoms related to menopause in three subscales: somatic, psychologic and urogenital; and the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire was used for anxiety/depression. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of association between menopausal status, and other potential risk factors, the presence and severity of somatic, psychological and urogenital symptoms and of anxiety/depression. Results: Of 251 women included, 137 (54.6%) were post-, 70 (27.9%) peri- and 44 (17.5%) pre-menopausal, respectively. Median age of onset menopause was 48 years (IQR 45-50). The proportions of pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women who had experienced any menopausal symptoms were 45.5%, 60.0% and 66.4%, respectively. Both peri- and post-menopause were associated with a higher likelihood of having somatic symptoms (aOR 3.01; 95% CI 1.38-6.55 and 2.63; 1.44-4.81, respectively), while post-menopause increased the likelihood of having psychological (2.16; 1.13-4.14) and urogenital symptoms (2.54; 1.42-4.85). By other hand, post-menopausal women had a statistically significant five-fold increase in the likelihood of presenting severe urogenital symptoms than pre-menopausal women (4.90; 1.74-13.84). No significant differences by menopausal status were found for anxiety/depression. Joint/muscle problems, exhaustion and sleeping disorders were the most commonly reported symptoms among all women. Differences in the prevalences of vaginal dryness (p = 0.002), joint/muscle complaints (p = 0.032), and sweating/flush (p = 0.032) were found among the three groups. Conclusions: Women living with HIV experienced a wide variety of menopausal symptoms, some of them initiated before women had any menstrual irregularity. We found a higher likelihood of somatic symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women, while a higher likelihood of psychological and urogenital symptoms was found in post-menopausal women. Most somatic symptoms were of low or moderate severity, probably due to the good clinical and immunological situation of these women