Provenance of quartz grains from soils over Quaternary terraces along the Guadalquivir River, Spain

This work was supported by a grant from the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad de España (“Mediterranean Soil Typologies versus Quartz. At the frontier of pedogenic knowledge”; Ref. CGL2016-80308-P). Alberto Molinero-García acknowledges the PhD funding (BES-2017-080078) provided by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and FSE “El FSE invierte en tu futuro”. This work is part of the Doctoral Dissertation of Alberto Molinero-García. We thank Dr. Mathieu Duval and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive criticism of the script and their valuable suggestions. We also acknowledge Tanya Shew for English proofreading. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada / CBUA.The characterisation of quartz grains’ chemical and mineralogical properties in sediments and sedimentary rocks is widely used in provenance studies. This paper analyses quartz grains from the coarse sand fraction in soils in Quaternary fluvial terraces (Guadalquivir River, southern Spain). The tentative soil ages are 0.3 ka (Haplic Fluvisol), 7 ka (Haplic Calcisol), 70 ka (Cutanic Luvisol), 300 ka (Lixic Calcisol) and 600 ka (Cutanic Luvisol). The quartz grains analyses shed light on the sedimentological history of these terraces. Scanning electron microscope cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL) characteristics, micro inclusion inventory established by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and trace element contents determined with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of quartz grains permitted distinguishing six types of grains in the soils studied: metamorphic quartz (type 1), undeformed granitic quartz (type 2), strongly altered granitic quartz (type 3), recrystallised (deformed) granitic quartz (type 4), sandstone-derived quartz (type 5) and hydrothermal quartz grains (type 6). Metamorphic quartz grains (type 1) come from the Sierra Morena (Iberian Massif) and Sierra Nevada (Internal Betic Zone). Granitic quartz grains (types 2 to 4) come from Los Pedroches batholith and its associated plutons (Santa Elena and Linares). The sandstone-derived quartz type 5 comes from the numerous sandstone outcrops scattered in the central catchment area of the Guadalquivir River. Finally, hydrothermal quartz grains (type 6) originate from hydrothermal veins associated with subvolcanic rocks of the Los Pedroches batholith. Variations were noted in the proportions of quartz types in soils of different ages, attributed to spatial and temporal changes in the catchment area. The most remarkable change occurred between 500 and 240 ka ago when the catchment area extended into Sierra Nevadás metamorphic rocks, well reflected in type 1 content (lower in P2, P4, P5 and PM) and their characteristics (quartz with less healed fractures, less Al content, bigger mica microinclusions, smaller Al/Ti ratio) in the post-500–240 ka soils. Our study shows that the combined study of SEM-CL characteristics, micro inclusions (SEM-EDX), and trace element contents (LA-ICP-MS) of quartz grains is an efficient approach for characterising the provenance of quartz grains in the sand fraction of soils.CBUAMCINMediterranean Soil Typologies versus Quartz BES-2017-080078Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of ManchesterUniversidad de GranadaMinisterio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de EspañaAgencia Estatal de Investigació

Mathematical modelling of neural processes within the oculomotor system

It is presented a mathematical model of the oculomotor plant, based on experimental data in cats. The system that generates, from the neuronal processes at the motoneuron, the control signals to the eye muscles that moves the eye. In contrast with previous models, that base the eye movement related motoneuron behavior on a first order linear differential equation, non-linear effects are described: A dependency on the eye angular position of the model parameters

The db/db Mouse : a Useful Model for the Study of Diabetic Retinal Neurodegeneration

Background: To characterize the sequential events that are taking place in retinal neurodegeneration in a murine model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes (db/db mouse). Methods: C57BLKsJ-db/db mice were used as spontaneous type 2 diabetic animal model, and C57BLKsJ-db/+ mice served as the control group. To assess the chronological sequence of the abnormalities the analysis was performed at different ages (8, 16 and 24 weeks). The retinas were evaluated in terms of morphological and functional abnormalities [electroretinography (ERG)]. Histological markers of neurodegeneration (glial activation and apoptosis) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. In addition glutamate levels and glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) expression were assessed. Furthermore, to define gene expression changes associated with early diabetic retinopathy a transcriptome analyses was performed at 8 week. Furthermore, an additional interventional study to lower blood glucose levels was performed. Results: Glial activation was higher in diabetic than in non diabetic mice in all the stages (p<0.01). In addition, a progressive loss of ganglion cells and a significant reduction of neuroretinal thickness were also observed in diabetic mice. All these histological hallmarks of neurodegeneration were less pronounced at week 8 than at week 16 and 24. Significant ERG abnormalities were present in diabetic mice at weeks 16 and 24 but not at week 8. Moreover, we observed a progressive accumulation of glutamate in diabetic mice associated with an early downregulation of GLAST. Morphological and ERG abnormalities were abrogated by lowering blood glucose levels. Finally, a dysregulation of several genes related to neurotransmission and oxidative stress such as UCP2 were found at week 8. Conclusions: Our results suggest that db/db mouse reproduce the features of the neurodegenerative process that occurs in the human diabetic eye. Therefore, it seems an appropriate model for investigating the underlying mechanisms of diabetes-induced retinal neurodegeneration and for testing neuroprotective drugs

Presence of plastic particles in waterbirds faeces collected in Spanish lakes

Plastic intake by marine vertebrates has been widely reported, but information about its presence in continental waterfowl is scarce. Here we analyzed faeces of waterbirds species (European coot, Fulica atra, mallard, Anas platyrhynchos and shelduck, Tadorna tadorna) for plastic debris in five wetlands in Central Spain. We collected 89 faeces of Shelduck distributed in four lakes, 43.8% of them presented plastic remnants. Sixty percent of 10 faeces of European coot and 45% of 40 faeces of mallard contained plastic debris. Plastic debris found was of two types, threads and fragments, and were identified as remnants of plastic objects used in agricultural fields surrounding the lakes. Differences in prevalence of plastic in faeces, number of plastic pieces per excrement and size of the plastic pieces were not statistically significant between waterfowl species. Thus, our results suggest that plastic may also be frequently ingested by waterfowl in continental waters, at least in our study area. Future studies should address this potential problem for waterbird conservation in other wetlands to evaluate the real impact of this pollutant on waterbirds living in inland water. The faeces of three waterfowl species collected in inland lakes of Spain presented high prevalence of plastics, which have the potential of being a problem for birds. Stricter regulations for eliminating used agricultural plastics should be developed and applied

Goats as Valuable Animal Model to Test the Targeted Glutamate Supplementation upon Antral Follicle Number, Ovulation Rate, and LH-Pulsatility

The potential effect of intravenous administration of glutamate on the ovarian activity and the LH secretion pattern, considering the anestrous yearling goat as an animal model, were assessed. In late April, yearling goats (n = 20) were randomly assigned to either (1) Glutamate supplemented (GLUT; n = 10, Live Weight (LW) = 29.6 ± 1.02 kg, Body Condition (BCS) = 3.4 ± 0.2 units; i.v. supplemented with 7 mg GLUT kg−1 LW) or (2) Non-supplemented (CONT; n = 10; LW = 29.2 ± 1.07 kg, BCS = 3.5 ± 0.2 units; i.v. saline). The oats were estrus-synchronized; blood sampling (6 h × 15 min) was carried out for LH quantification. Response variables included pulsatility (PULSE), time to first pulse (TTFP), amplitude (AMPL), nadir (NAD), and area under the curve (AUC) of LH. Ovaries were ultra-sonographically scanned to assess ovulation rate (OR), number of antral follicles (AF), and total ovarian activity (TOA = OR + AF). LH-PULSE was quantified with the Munro algorithm; significant treatment x time interactions were evaluated across time. The variables LW and BCS did not differ (p > 0.05) between the experimental groups. Nevertheless, OR (1.77 vs. 0.87 ± 0.20 units), TOA (4.11 vs. 1.87 ± 0.47 units) and LH-PULSE (5.0 vs. 2.2 pulses 6 h-1) favored (p < 0.05) to the GLUT group. Our results reveal that targeted glutamate supplementation, the main central nervous system neurotransmitter, arose as an interesting strategy to enhance the hypothalamic–hypophyseal–ovarian response considering the anestrous-yearling goat as an animal model, with thought-provoking while promising translational applications

Fallo renal agudo en el paciente crítico. Acute renal failure in critically-ill patients

Se realiza un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y descriptivo, para definir las características clínico epidemiológicas de la insuficiencia renal aguda en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios del Hospital Universitario "Abel Santamaría" del 1ro de enero de 2002 al 31 de diciembre de 2002. El universo lo constituyeron los 3 025 pacientes ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intermedios en el período analizado. La muestra total quedó constituida por los 363 pacientes que presentaron insuficiencia renal aguda luego de la admisión en la unidad, representando un 12%. Se incluyeron los pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios en estado grave y que en el transcurso de dicho ingreso se le diagnosticó un fallo renal agudo, según los siguientes criterios: disminución del volumen de orina por debajo de 500 ml/24 horas y/o incremento de la creatinemia superior a 0,5 mg/dl (44 micromoles/l) por encima de su valor normal en menos de 24 horas. Existió predominio en el grupo de edades por encima de los 46 años, haciéndose más evidente por encima de los 75. Las causas de falla renal aguda más frecuentes fueron la hipovolemia absoluta y la disminución del volumen circulatorio efectivo. El tipo de insuficiencia renal aguda que más se reportó fue la hiperazoemia prerenal, siendo las infecciones, los trastornos hidroelectrolíticos, la hipertensión arterial y las arritmias cardíacas las complicaciones más frecuentemente encontradas. La modalidad terapéutica que más se aplicó fue el tratamiento conservador. DeCS: EPIDEMIOLOGÍA, INSUFICIENCIA RENAL AGUDA.ABSTRACT A retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study is carried out to determine clinical and epidemiological features of acute renal failure at Abel Santamaría University Hospital Intermediate Health Care Unit, from January 1st 2002 to December 31st 2002. The whole patient group comprised 3015 patients admitted at Intermediate Health Care Unit during the above mentioned period. The overall sample finally consisted of 363 patients with acute renal failure after admission at the Unit, this representing 12 %. Patients admitted at Intermediate Health Care Unit with serious health conditions were included and throughout the admission period they were found to present acute renal failure, according to the following criteria: decrease in urine volume below 500 ml/24 hours and/or increase in creatinemia above 0.5 mg/dl (44 micromols/l) over its normal value in less than 24 hours. The age group over 46 years of age prevailed, more evidently over 75. The most frequent acute renal failure causes were associated with absolute hypovolemia and a decrease in the effective circulatory volume. They type of acute renal failure mostly reported was pre - renal hyperazotemia, where infections, hydroelectric disorders, hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias were most often found. The most applied therapeutic modality was the conservative treatment. DeCS: EPIDEMIOLOGY, KIDNEY FAILURE, ACUTE

Fallo renal agudo en el paciente crítico. Acute renal failure in critically-ill patients

Se realiza un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y descriptivo, para definir las características clínico epidemiológicas de la insuficiencia renal aguda en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios del Hospital Universitario "Abel Santamaría" del 1ro de enero de 2002 al 31 de diciembre de 2002. El universo lo constituyeron los 3 025 pacientes ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intermedios en el período analizado. La muestra total quedó constituida por los 363 pacientes que presentaron insuficiencia renal aguda luego de la admisión en la unidad, representando un 12%. Se incluyeron los pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios en estado grave y que en el transcurso de dicho ingreso se le diagnosticó un fallo renal agudo, según los siguientes criterios: disminución del volumen de orina por debajo de 500 ml/24 horas y/o incremento de la creatinemia superior a 0,5 mg/dl (44 micromoles/l) por encima de su valor normal en menos de 24 horas. Existió predominio en el grupo de edades por encima de los 46 años, haciéndose más evidente por encima de los 75. Las causas de falla renal aguda más frecuentes fueron la hipovolemia absoluta y la disminución del volumen circulatorio efectivo. El tipo de insuficiencia renal aguda que más se reportó fue la hiperazoemia prerenal, siendo las infecciones, los trastornos hidroelectrolíticos, la hipertensión arterial y las arritmias cardíacas las complicaciones más frecuentemente encontradas. La modalidad terapéutica que más se aplicó fue el tratamiento conservador. DeCS: EPIDEMIOLOGÍA, INSUFICIENCIA RENAL AGUDA.ABSTRACT A retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study is carried out to determine clinical and epidemiological features of acute renal failure at Abel Santamaría University Hospital Intermediate Health Care Unit, from January 1st 2002 to December 31st 2002. The whole patient group comprised 3015 patients admitted at Intermediate Health Care Unit during the above mentioned period. The overall sample finally consisted of 363 patients with acute renal failure after admission at the Unit, this representing 12 %. Patients admitted at Intermediate Health Care Unit with serious health conditions were included and throughout the admission period they were found to present acute renal failure, according to the following criteria: decrease in urine volume below 500 ml/24 hours and/or increase in creatinemia above 0.5 mg/dl (44 micromols/l) over its normal value in less than 24 hours. The age group over 46 years of age prevailed, more evidently over 75. The most frequent acute renal failure causes were associated with absolute hypovolemia and a decrease in the effective circulatory volume. They type of acute renal failure mostly reported was pre - renal hyperazotemia, where infections, hydroelectric disorders, hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias were most often found. The most applied therapeutic modality was the conservative treatment. DeCS: EPIDEMIOLOGY, KIDNEY FAILURE, ACUTE