Molybdenum release from high burnup spent nuclear fuel at alkaline and hyperalkaline pH

This work presents experimental data and modelling of the release of Mo from high-burnup spent nuclear fuel (63 MWd/kgU) at two different pH values, 8.4 and 13.2 in air. The release of Mo from SF to the solution is around two orders of magnitude higher at pH = 13.2 than at pH = 8.4. The high Mo release at high pH would indicate that Mo would not be congruently released with uranium and would have an important contribution to the Instant Release Fraction, with a value of 5.3%. Parallel experiments with pure non irradiated Mo(s) and XPS determinations indicated that the faster dissolution at pH = 13.2 could be the consequence of the higher releases from metallic Mo in the fuel through a surface complexation mechanism promoted by the OH− and the oxidation of the metal to Mo(VI) via the formation of intermediate Mo(IV) and Mo(V) species

His452Tyr polymorphism in the human 5-HT2A receptor affects clozapine-induced signaling networks revealed by quantitative phosphoproteomics

Antipsychotic drugs remain the current standard for schizophrenia treatment. Although they directly recognize the orthosteric binding site of numerous monoaminergic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), these drugs, and particularly second-generation antipsychotics such as clozapine, all have in common a very high affinity for the serotonin 5-HT receptor (5-HTR). Using classical pharmacology and targeted signaling pathway assays, previous findings suggest that clozapine and other atypical antipsychotics behave principally as 5-HTR neutral antagonists and/or inverse agonists. However, more recent findings showed that antipsychotics may also behave as pathway-specific agonists. Reversible phosphorylation is a common element in multiple signaling networks. Combining a quantitative phosphoproteomic method with signaling network analysis, we tested the effect of clozapine treatment on the overall level of protein phosphorylation and signal transduction cascades in vitro in mammalian cell lines induced to express either the human 5-HTR or the H452Y variant of the gene encoding the 5-HTR receptor. This naturally occurring variation within the 5-HTR gene was selected because it has been repeatedly associated with schizophrenia patients who do not respond to clozapine treatment. Our data show that short time exposure (5 or 10 min) to clozapine (10 M) led to phosphorylation of numerous signaling components of pathways involved in processes such as endocytosis, ErbB signaling, insulin signaling or estrogen signaling. Cells induced to express the H452Y variant showed a different basal phosphoproteome, with increases in the phosphorylation of mTOR signaling components as a translationally relevant example. However, the effect of clozapine on the functional landscape of the phosphoproteome was significantly reduced in cells expressing the 5-HTR-H452Y construct. Together, these findings suggest that clozapine behaves as an agonist inducing phosphorylation of numerous pathways downstream of the 5-HTR, and that the single nucleotide polymorphism encoding 5-HTR-H452Y affects these clozapine-induced phosphorylation-dependent signaling networks

Valorization of hop leaves for development of eco-friendly bee pesticides

The bacterium Paenibacillus larvae and the mite Varroa destructor are two of the most severe biotic stressors affecting honeybees and are responsible for American foulbrood and varroosis respectively. To control these pathogens, beekeepers regularly apply synthetic acaricides or antibiotics to parasitized hives. However, antibiotic and acaricide overuse over time leads to resistance in bacteria strains and mite populations respectively, not to mention the residual contamination of bee products with these chemicals. The development of alternative and effective control methods of bee diseases is therefore crucial. In recent years, natural substances from plant extracts have emerged as the basis of suitable control methods to treat bee colonies parasitized by both P. larvae and V. destructor. Our aim was to evaluate the bioactivity of ethanolic and methanolic hop leaf extract (species: Humulus lupulus L, varieties: Victoria, Spalt, and Cascade) against P. larvae, V. destructor, and A. mellifera. The bactericidal activity against P. larvae was evaluated by the broth microdilution method. Topical administration protocols were used to determine the bioactivity of hop extracts on V. destructor and A. mellifera. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and antioxidant capacity were determined for each hop leaf extract tested. The Victoria extract had the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, whereas Cascade and Victoria extracts had higher concentrations of the glycoside saponin. All hop extracts presented low toxicity against A. mellifera bees after 48 h of topical administration (except for Cascade ethanolic extract which reached a maximum of 36% of bee mortality). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values ranged from 0.69 to 2.75 mg/kg for the Cascade variety, 1.38 to 5.5 mg/kg for the Spalt variety, and 5.5 to 11 mg/kg for the Victoria variety. After 48 h, the acaricidal activity for the ethanolic extract of the Victoria variety reached a value close to 80%, while the methanolic extract of Cascade showed an acaricidal activity close to 70%. The results reported in this study support the potential use of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of hop leaves from Argentina as promising natural alternatives for varroosis and American foulbrood control.Fil: Iglesias, A.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Giménez Martínez, Pablo Darian. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez, C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Mitton, Giulia Angelica. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Meroi Arcerito, Facundo René. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Fangio, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Churio, Maria Sandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Fuselli, Sandra Rosa. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Fanovich, Maria Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Eguaras, Martin Javier. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Maggi, Matías Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente; Argentin

Diagnostic and prognostic value of QRS duration and QTc interval in patients with suspected myocardial infarction

Background: While prolongation of QRS duration and QTc interval during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been reported in animals, limited data is available for these readily available electrocardiography (ECG) markers in humans. Methods: Diagnostic and prognostic value of QRS duration and QTc interval in patients with suspected AMI in a prospective diagnostic multicentre study were prospectively assessed. Digital 12-lead ECGs were recorded at presentation. QRS duration and QTc interval were automatically calculated in a blinded fashion. Final diagnosis was adjudicated by two independent cardiologists. The prognostic endpoint was all-cause mortality during 24 months of follow-up. Results: Among 4042 patients, AMI was the final diagnosis in 19% of patients. Median QRS duration and median QTc interval were significantly greater in patients with AMI compared to those with other final diagnoses (98 ms [IQR 88–108] vs. 94 ms [IQR 86–102] and 436 ms [IQR 414–462] vs. 425 ms [IQR 407–445], p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The diagnostic value of both ECG signatures however was only modest (AUC 0.56 and 0.60). Cumulative mortality rates after 2 years were 15.9% vs. 5.6% in patients with a QRS > 120 ms compared to a QRS duration ≤ 120 ms (p < 0.001), and 11.4% vs. 4.3% in patients with a QTc > 440 ms compared to a QRS duration ≤ 440 ms (p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and important ECG and clinical parameters, the QTc interval but not QRS duration remained an independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions: Prolongation of QRS duration > 120 ms and QTc interval > 440 ms predict mortality in patients with suspected AMI, but do not add diagnostic value

Tuberculosis in pediatric patients treated with anti-TNFα drugs: a cohort study

Background: Adult patients receiving anti-TNFα drugs are at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB), but studies in pediatric populations are limited, and the best strategy for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening in this population remains controversial. We describe the prevalence of LTBI prior to anti-TNFα therapy and the long-term follow-up after biological treatment initiation in a cohort of children and adolescents. Methods: Cohort observational study in children and adolescents receiving anti-TNFα agents in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. LTBI was ruled out prior to the implementation of anti-TNFα drugs by tuberculin skin test (TST), and, from March 2012 on, QuantiFERON Gold-In Tube® test (QTF-G). During anti-TNFα treatment, patients were evaluated every 6 months for TB with history and physical examination. TST/QTF-G were not repeated unless signs or symptoms consistent with TB arose or there was proven TB contact. Results: The final cohort consisted of 221 patients (56.1 % female; 261 treatments), of whom 51.7 %/30.0 %/17.3 % were treated with etanercept/adalimumab/infliximab, respectively, for a variety of rheumatic diseases (75.6 %), inflammatory bowel disease (20.8 %), and inflammatory eye diseases (3.6 %). The median (IQR) age at diagnosis of the primary condition was 6.8 years (2.7-11.0) and the duration of the disease before implementing the anti-TNFα agent was 1.8 years (0.6-4.2). LTBI was diagnosed in 3 adolescent girls (prevalence rate: 1.4 %; 95 % CI: 0.4-4.2) affected with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: TST tested positive in only 1, while QTF-G was positive in all cases (including 2 patients already on etanercept). They all received antiTB chemoprophylaxis and were later (re)treated with etanercept for 24-29 months, without incidences. No incident cases of TB disease were observed during the follow-up period under anti-TNFα treatment of 641 patients-year, with a median (IQR) time per patient of 2.3 years (1.4-4.3). Conclusions: In our study, the prevalence of LTBI (1.4 %) was similar to that reported in population screening studies in Spain; no incident cases of TB disease were observed. In low-burden TB settings, initial screening for TB in children prior to anti-TNFα treatment should include both TST and an IGRA test, but systematic repetition of LTBI immunodiagnostic tests seems unnecessary in the absence of symptoms or known TB contact

The Variant rs1867277 in FOXE1 Gene Confers Thyroid Cancer Susceptibility through the Recruitment of USF1/USF2 Transcription Factors

In order to identify genetic factors related to thyroid cancer susceptibility, we adopted a candidate gene approach. We studied tag- and putative functional SNPs in genes involved in thyroid cell differentiation and proliferation, and in genes found to be differentially expressed in thyroid carcinoma. A total of 768 SNPs in 97 genes were genotyped in a Spanish series of 615 cases and 525 controls, the former comprising the largest collection of patients with this pathology from a single population studied to date. SNPs in an LD block spanning the entire FOXE1 gene showed the strongest evidence of association with papillary thyroid carcinoma susceptibility. This association was validated in a second stage of the study that included an independent Italian series of 482 patients and 532 controls. The strongest association results were observed for rs1867277 (OR[per-allele] = 1.49; 95%CI = 1.30–1.70; P = 5.9×10−9). Functional assays of rs1867277 (NM_004473.3:c.−283G>A) within the FOXE1 5′ UTR suggested that this variant affects FOXE1 transcription. DNA-binding assays demonstrated that, exclusively, the sequence containing the A allele recruited the USF1/USF2 transcription factors, while both alleles formed a complex in which DREAM/CREB/αCREM participated. Transfection studies showed an allele-dependent transcriptional regulation of FOXE1. We propose a FOXE1 regulation model dependent on the rs1867277 genotype, indicating that this SNP is a causal variant in thyroid cancer susceptibility. Our results constitute the first functional explanation for an association identified by a GWAS and thereby elucidate a mechanism of thyroid cancer susceptibility. They also attest to the efficacy of candidate gene approaches in the GWAS era

Retos y soluciones tecnológicas en logística y transporte refrigerado de frutas y hortalizas

La presente Monografía, integrada en las publicaciones de la Red Temática FRUTURA, de CYTED, recoge las aportaciones de sus miembros en su tercera reunión científico-técnica, dando continuidad a las celebradas en Madrid y Sao Paulo en 2009. Se denominó “Situación actual, retos y soluciones en logística y transporte refrigerado internacional de frutas y hortalizas” y se celebró en la Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, España, en junio de 2010. El evento se desarrolló durante tres jornadas, incluyendo el III Seminario Internacional de Transporte Frigorífico Marítimo, el I Seminario Internacional de Transporte Frigorífico Terrestre y Aéreo y el Foro Empresarial: Desafíos y Oportunidades del Intercambio Comercial Hortofrutícola España-Iberoamérica. La temática se enmarcó dentro del principal objetivo de la Red, el desarrollo de un sistema integral de mejora de la calidad y seguridad de las frutas durante la manipulación, el transporte y la comercialización, mediante nuevas tecnologías de inspección y monitorización. Las frutas y hortalizas frescas se producen frecuentemente en lugares alejados de los centros de consumo. Grandes volúmenes de productos, con frecuencia muy perecederos, se transportan diariamente a pequeñas o grandes distancias, tanto dentro de los propios países productores, como entre las naciones y Continentes. Paralelamente, los consumidores exigen de ellos una calidad cada día más elevada, no solo organoléptica, sino también nutricional, con especial garantía de la seguridad y el respeto del medio ambiente. Esto implica una alta exigencia al planificar el transporte y las operaciones omplementarias, para optimizar la calidad global y minimizar las pérdidas. Los aspectos asociados al transporte hortofrutícola en fresco, tanto en España como en Iberoamérica se abordaron a través de conferencias relacionadas con la situación en cada país participante. Así, se trataron los principales problemas y desafíos del transporte terrestre en Argentina y Uruguay, y de la exportación marítima desde Brasil, desde España (incluyendo tratamientos cuarentenarios) y desde Chile (con la modelización del envasado en atmósfera modificada a escala de pallet, los atributos de calidad en el transporte terrestre y aéreo y el seguimiento de la calidad de la fruta cortada mediante imágenes hiperespectrales). La calidad de las contribuciones recogidas en esta monografía, son un buen indicador del alto nivel científico de los miembros de la Red, cuyas aportaciones se vieron enriquecidas con el debate entre ponentes y participantes. Ello facilitó el intercambio de experiencias, la discusión de las temáticas en los diferentes ámbitos, la ampliación de conocimientos y la posibilidad de colaborar para llevar adelante nuevos avances tecnológicos. Asimismo, permitió identificar las limitaciones, problemas y desafíos que presenta el sector. Son aún muchos los condicionantes que surgen durante el transporte de productos perecederos, en especial de frutas y hortalizas, que requieren una solución técnica y económica. Durante las jornadas se realizaron diversas vistitas técnicas al Puerto de Cartagena, en sus áreas de logística, terminales y sistemas operativos de carga y descarga, contenedores isotermos y frigoríficos y cámaras frigoríficas de almacenamiento, organizadas por la Agencia Marítima Erhardt, S.A., Consignataria de buques de Cartagena (Murcia); la sede de la Autoridad Portuaria de Cartagena, donde se analizaron el desarrollo y previsiones de crecimiento de sus instalaciones portuarias en el futuro inmediato; la plataforma logística de exportación del Grupo Caliche S.A., ubicada en San Javier (Murcia) y la central hortofrutícola exportadora de cítricos y hortalizas de SAT San Cayetano, también en San Javier (Murcia). El interés por la temática de esta reunión quedó demostrado por la elevada participación durante las jornadas de empresarios, técnicos, investigadores y profesionales iberoamericanos. Pensamos que el fin último, que fue conocer en más profundidad la realidad presente del transporte terrestre, marítimo y aéreo en Iberoamérica mediante el acercamiento entre Universidades y Centros de Investigación y las Empresas del sector (exportadoras, importadoras y transportistas), se alcanzó plenamente. Deseamos agradecer al Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (AC2010-00017-00-00), a la Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia, a la Fundación Séneca de la Región de Murcia (14506/OC/10) y al Ayuntamiento de Cartagena su valiosa colaboración para la realización de este evento. Igualmente destacamos la ayuda desinteresada de los miembros del Grupo de Postrecolección y Refrigeración y del Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal de la UPCT, quienes contribuyeron enormemente al éxito de la reunión

Modelización de las condiciones de transporte y conservación prolongada en frutas y hortalizas

Este documento se generó a partir de la VI Reunión de la Red Temática FRUTURA de CYTED realizada en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina del 26 al 30 de Setiembre de 2011. Organizado por el Laboratorio de Calidad y Postcosecha de Frutas y Hortalizas de la E.E.A. Balcarce del INTA, el programa de esta reunión se enmarcó dentro del principal objetivo de la Red, que es el desarrollo de un sistema integral de mejora de la calidad y seguridad de las frutas durante la manipulación, el transporte y la comercialización, mediante nuevas tecnologías de inspección y monitorización

Four Dimensions of Journalistic Convergence: A preliminary approach to current media trends at Spain

Convergence is a very polysemous concept that has been used to describe various trends in journalism that have something in common: the blurring of the limits between different media, professional skills and roles. This paper proposes to analytically structure convergence into four dimensions: integrated production, multiskilled professionals, multiplatform delivery and active audience. This analytical grid can help in exploring convergence avoiding deterministic assumptions and allowing to map its development in different media companies as an open process with diverse outcomes. A sample of 58 Spanish cases is studied using the conceptual framework. Multiplatform delivery is the most popular convergence strategy, and in any given dimension developments tend not to radically change established professional routines and values. Integration and multiskilling dimensions seem to be closely related and mainly developed in local and regional media with small staffs. Delivery and audience strategies are more complex in national media