Cadmium removal by Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047 immobilized in polyurethane foam

The nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047, which generates substantial amounts of exopolysaccharide, was immobilized by entrapment within the reticulate network of polyurethane foam discs. The immobilized Anabaena sp. system has been investigated as a potential biosorbent for the removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions. The results showed that it was a highly fast process, with 80 % of the adsorption taking place in the first 10 min, reaching full equilibrium in about 50 min. Data analysis indicated that the behaviour of the system accurately fits to a monolayer adsorption model (Langmuir isotherm). The maximal biosorption capacity determined for the immobilized Anabaena sp. system was as high as 162 mg Cd (II) per gram dry biomass. The outstanding properties established for immobilized Anabaena sp. in polyurethane foam underline the relevance of such a system as an alternative to current treatments of variety effluents or wastewater contaminated with cadmium.Peer reviewe

Gender Violence: A Review of Measurement Instruments

The evaluation of gender violence requires measurement instruments validated with the study populations. A search of measures is carried out in PsycINFO with the keywords “gender violence” “measur*” “validation”, obtaining twenty-nine instruments. Nineteen others are added to the study that measure gender-based violence both directly and indirectly, and that were known from previous research but were not found in the PsycINFO search. The questionnaires are classified into four areas according to their possibility of use: attitudes towards violence, police/judicial field, social and health field and perception of gender differences or sexism. The results show forty-eight instruments including the reliability and validity indicators available. It is discussed if the search systems allow or not to find all the available instruments directly or we had to add other alternative resources.La evaluación de la violencia de género requiere de instrumentos de medida validados con las poblaciones de estudio. Se realiza una búsqueda de instrumentos de evaluación en PsycINFO con las palabras clave “gender violence” “measur*” “validation”, obteniendo veintinueve instrumentos. En el estudio se añaden otros diecinueve que miden la violencia de género tanto directa como indirectamente, y que se conocían por investigaciones previas, pero que no se obtienen en la búsqueda en PsycINFO. Los cuestionarios se clasifican en cuatro áreas según su posibilidad de uso: actitudes hacia la violencia, ámbito policial/judicial, ámbito sociosanitario y percepción de diferencias de género o sexismo. Los resultados muestran cuarenta y ocho instrumentos incluyendo los indicadores de fiabilidad y validez disponibles. Se discute si los sistemas de búsqueda permiten o no encontrar todos los instrumentos de forma directa o hay que añadir otros recursos alternativos

De plantis legionensibus. Notula XI

In the present paper, some chorologic and ecologic facts about several phanerogams recorded for the first time within the flora of León are given. They are: Atriplex patula L. Lepidium latifolium L., Lotus tenuis Waldst. EKit. ex Willd. var. tenuis, Hypericum androsaemum L., Thymus x sennenii Pau, Verbascum blattaria L., Carduus bourgeanus Bolso. G Reuter, Picnomon acarna (L.) Cass., Onopordum nervosum Bolos., Centaurea aspera L. On the other hand, we indicate new localities.En el presente trabajo se aportan datos corológicos y ecológicos sobre algunas fanerógamas, que se citan por primera vez para la flora leonesa, tales como: Atriplex patula L., Lepidium latifolium L., Lotus tenuis W aldst.EK it. ex W illd. var. tenuis, Hypericum androsaemumL.,Thymus x sennenii Pau, Verbascum blattaria L., Carduus bourgeanus Boiss. E Reuter, Picnomon acarna (L.) Cass., Onopordum nervosum Boiss., Centaurea aspera L. De otras se indican nuevas localidades

Resistin Regulates Pituitary Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation In Vivo and In Vitro

The adipokine resistin is an insulin-antagonizing factor that also plays a regulatory role in inflammation, immunity, food intake, and gonadal function and also regulates growth hormone (GH) secretion in rat adenopituitary cells cultures with the adipokine. Although adipose tissue is the primary source of resistin, it is also expressed in other tissues, including the pituitary. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible action of resistin on the lipid metabolism in the pituitary gland in vivo (rats in two different nutritional status, fed and fast, treated with resistin on acute and a chronic way) and in vitro (adenopituitary cell cultures treated with the adipokine). Here, by a combination of in vivo and in vitro experimental models, we demonstrated that central acute and chronic administration of resistin enhance mRNA levels of the lipid metabolic enzymes which participated on lipolysis and moreover inhibiting mRNA levels of the lipid metabolic enzymes involved in lipogenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that resistin has a regulatory role on lipid metabolism in the pituitary gland providing a novel insight in relation to the mechanism by which this adipokine can participate in the integrated control of lipid metabolism.Sara Borrell Postdoctoral program; BFU 2011 and CIBER Obesidad y Nutricion (Instituto de Salud Carlos Tercero (ISCIII), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion). Juan de la Cierva Program (Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia)S

Nanoparticles in Endodontics Disinfection: State of the Art

Endodontic-related diseases constitute the fourth most expensive pathologies in industrialized countries. Specifically, endodontics is the part of dentistry focused on treating disorders of the dental pulp and its consequences. In order to treat these problems, especially endodontic infections, dental barriers and complex root canal anatomy should be overcome. This constitutes an unmet medical need since the rate of successful disinfection with the currently marketed drugs is around 85%. Therefore, nanoparticles constitute a suitable alternative in order to deliver active compounds effectively to the target site, increasing their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, in the present review, an overview of dental anatomy and the barriers that should be overcome for effective disinfection will be summarized. In addition, the versatility of nanoparticles for drug delivery and their specific uses in dentistry are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the latest findings, potential applications and state of the art nanoparticles with special emphasis on biodegradable nanoparticles used for endodontic disinfection are also reviewed. Keywords: PLGA; dentistry; endodontics; metal nanoparticles; nanoparticles

Ocular penetration of fluorometholone-loaded PEG-PLGA nanoparticles functionalized with cell-penetrating peptides

Aim: Development of fluorometholone-loaded PEG-PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with cellpenetrating peptides for the treatment of ocular inflammatory disorders. Materials & methods: Synthesized polymers and peptides were used for elaboration of functionalized NPs, which were characterized physicochemically. Cytotoxicity and ability to modulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines were evaluated in vitro using human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-2). NP uptake was assayed in both in vitro and in vivo models. Results: NPs showed physicochemical characteristics suitable for ocular administration without evidence of cytotoxicity. TAT-NPs and G2-NPs were internalized and displayed anti-inflammatory activity in both HCE-2 cells and mouse eye. Conclusion: TAT-NPs and G2-NPs could be considered a novel strategy for the treatment of ocular inflammatory diseases of the anterior and posterior segment

Isotopic labelling-based analysis elucidates biosynthesis pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Melatonin, Serotonin and Hydroxytyrosol formation

Yeasts can synthetise bioactive compounds such as Melatonin (MEL), Serotonin (SER) and Hydroxytyrosol (HT). Deciphering the mechanisms involved in their formation can lead to exploit this fact to increase the bioactive potential of fermented beverages. Quantitative analysis using labelled compounds, 15-N2 l-tryptophan and 13-C tyrosine, allowed tracking the formation of the above-mentioned bioactive compounds during the alcoholic fermentation of synthetic must by two different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Labelled and unlabelled MEL, SER and HT were undoubtedly identified and quantified by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS). Our results prove that there are at least two pathways involved in MEL biosynthesis by yeast. One starts with tryptophan as precursor being known for the vertebrates’ pathway. Additionally, MEL is produced from SER which in turn is consistent with the plants’ biosynthesis pathway. Concerning HT, it can be formed both from labelled tyrosine and from intermediates of the Erlich pathway.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2016-77505-C3-2-RMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PID2019-108722RB-C32Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento P18-RT-309

An approach to age and growth of south Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) stock

A first growth function was estimated for the South Atlantic swordfish stock. A total of 406 anal fins were collected from 2006 to 2013. Fins were classified into three types and the most common, type A, was selected. Biometric relationships among several ray section measurements and lower jaw fork length were analysed. A detailed methodological description for swordfish age interpretation has been developed. Inconclusive results have been obtained when indirect validation test, as edge type and marginal increment ratio analysis, were applied. Mean size at age and growth parameters were estimated using the Standard Von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM) (L∞= 358.7, k= 0.092, t0= -1.929), which showed the best fit in comparison with other VBGMs