Towards defining the role of glycans as hardware in information storage and transfer: Basic principles, experimental approaches and recent progress

The term `code' in biological information transfer appears to be tightly and hitherto exclusively connected with the genetic code based on nucleotides and translated into functional activities via proteins. However, the recent appreciation of the enormous coding capacity of oligosaccharide chains of natural glycoconjugates has spurred to give heed to a new concept: versatile glycan assembly by the genetically encoded glycosyltransferases endows cells with a probably not yet fully catalogued array of meaningful messages. Enciphered by sugar receptors such as endogenous lectins the information of code words established by a series of covalently linked monosaccharides as fetters for example guides correct intra- and intercellular routing of glycoproteins, modulates cell proliferation or migration and mediates cell adhesion. Evidently, the elucidation of the structural frameworks and the recognition strategies within the operation of the sugar code poses a fascinating conundrum. The far-reaching impact of this recognition mode on the level of cells, tissues and organs has fueled vigorous investigations to probe the subtleties of protein-carbohydrate interactions. This review presents information on the necessarily concerted approach using X-ray crystallography, molecular modeling, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermodynamic analysis and engineered ligands and receptors. This part of the treatise is flanked by exemplarily chosen insights made possible by these techniques. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

Effects of the inclusion of oat hulls or sugar beet pulp in the diet on gizzard characteristics, apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients, and microbial count in the ceca in 36 day old broilers reared on floor

The effects of the inclusion of oat hulls (OH) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) in the diet on gizzard characteristics, apparent ileal nutrient digestibility (AID), and Clostridium perfringens, Enterobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus proliferation in the ceca were studied in 36 d?old broilers. There were a control diet with a low CF content (1.61%) and 2 additional diets that resulted from the dilution of this feed with 5% of either OH or SBP

Catalytic oxidation of emissions in combustion systems for forest biomass, using catalysts with TiO2 support

A study was made of the catalytic oxidation of a model mixture of effluents from forest biomass combustion equipment, consisting principally of methane (CH4), naphthalene (C10H8), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen-poor air (10% O2, balance N2), in a laboratory reactor, using MeOx/TiO2 catalysts (Me = Fe, Cu or Mn), prepared using incipient wetness impregnation. It was observed that the addition of metal oxides to the TiO2 increases catalytic activity in the combustion of all the contaminants present in the model effluent (CH 4, C10H8 and CO). The catalysts were characterised using the following techniques: SBET, XRD, DTG/DTA and TPD-NH 3; and from these it was observed that the support presented only the anatase phase in all the catalysts, despite having been subjected to temperatures in excess of 1.000 K during combustion. The highest acidity among all the solids tested, measured by TPD-NH3, was obtained for the FeOx/TiO2 catalysts, which were also those which showed the greatest catalytic activity. This high level of activity may be related to the formation of isolated metallic phases; i.e. hematite (Fe2O3), which would be the active phase in the combustion of C10H8 and CH4. On the other hand, with to respect to the 5 % wt. values of Me/TiO2 (Me: Fe, Cu y Mn) catalysts, the CuO/TiO2 catalyst shows greater activity than Fe2O3/TiO2 and MnOx/TiO2 for the oxidation of CO, which would be related to the formation of CuO on the TiO2 surface. The formation of mixed phases between the metals and the TiO2 was not observed. The SBET of the most active catalyst, Fe2O3/TiO2 (where Fe is 5% w/w in value), was not subject to any changes during the reaction

Decision P Systems and the P =NP Conjecture

We introduce decision P systems, which are a class of P systems with symbol-objects and external output. The main result of the paper is the following: if there exists an NP–complete problem that cannot be solved in polynomial time, with respect to the input length, by a deterministic decision P system constructed in polynomial time, then P = NP. From Zandron-Ferreti-Mauri’s theorem it follows that if P = NP, then no NP–complete problem can be solved in polynomial time, with respect to the input length, by a deterministic P system with active membranes but without membrane division, constructed in polynomial time from the input. Together, these results give a characterization of P = NP in terms of deterministic P systems

Sistema de consulta de notas a través de Páginas Web y de Telefonía Móvil

In this paper we are going to present a system which lets any student at Cordoba University knows what the final qualifications he has obtained in the different subjects he is registered are. The sytem lets him consult the qualifications using Internet and mobile telephony. Teachers who are reagistered in the system can upload tha qualifications without addtional software, they only need the certificate file generated by the UcoActas application. Then, all the registered students in this subject and in this service, will receive an e-mail to notify them that they can consult the qualifications. Then, they can use a Web browser or they can use a specific mobile application to consult them. Currently we are doing functionality tests with voluntary students from different courses.En este artículo se presenta un sistema que permite a cualquier alumno de la Universidad de Córdoba informarse sobre las calificaciones finales obtenidas en las asignaturas en las que está matriculado. El sistema permite consultar las notas de las actas utilizando Internet y Telefonía Móvil. Los profesores que estén dados de alta en el sistema podrán subir las notas sin necesidad de utilizar un tercer "software", directamente con el fichero de las actas generado por el programa UcoActas. Una vez subidas las notas, todos los alumnos matriculados que estén suscritos a este servicio, recibirán un e-mail con el aviso de que la consulta en la Web está disponible. Si el alumno lo desea, también podrá consultar sus notas publicadas utilizando un programa para dispositivos móviles que hará una petición segura al sistema. Actualmente se están realizando pruebas de actualización con estudiantes voluntarios de varias asignaturas

Distribution of melanopsin positive neurons in pigmented and albino mice: evidence for melanopsin interneurons in the mouse retina.

Here we have studied the population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in adult pigmented and albino mice. Our data show that although pigmented (C57Bl/6) and albino (Swiss) mice have a similar total number of ipRGCs, their distribution is slightly different: while in pigmented mice ipRGCs are more abundant in the temporal retina, in albinos the ipRGCs are more abundant in superior retina. In both strains, ipRGCs are located in the retinal periphery, in the areas of lower Brn3a(+)RGC density. Both strains also contain displaced ipRGCs (d-ipRGCs) in the inner nuclear layer (INL) that account for 14% of total ipRGCs in pigmented mice and 5% in albinos. Tracing from both superior colliculli shows that 98% (pigmented) and 97% (albino) of the total ipRGCs, become retrogradely labeled, while double immunodetection of melanopsin and Brn3a confirms that few ipRGCs express this transcription factor in mice. Rather surprisingly, application of a retrograde tracer to the optic nerve (ON) labels all ipRGCs, except for a sub-population of the d-ipRGCs (14% in pigmented and 28% in albino, respectively) and melanopsin positive cells residing in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ) of the retina. In the CMZ, between 20% (pigmented) and 24% (albino) of the melanopsin positive cells are unlabeled by the tracer and we suggest that this may be because they fail to send an axon into the ON. As such, this study provides the first evidence for a population of melanopsin interneurons in the mammalian retina

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de úlceras por presión

ObjetivoConocer la prevalencia de úlceras por presión (UPP) en pacientes incapacitados de una Zona Básica de Salud (ZBS) y caracterizar los factores de riesgo asociados a su aparición.DiseñoEstudio transversal observacional.EmplazamientoZBS Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga).ParticipantesPacientes incluidos en el Programa de Incapacitados (n = 178), de la ZBS, residentes en su domicilio o en una residencia geriátrica.MedicionesCuestionario específico con variables sociodemográficas y de salud. Para la valoración de factores de riesgo asociados con la formación de UPP, se utilizó la Escala de Norton Modificada (ENM). La variable resultado de interés fue la presencia o ausencia de UPP, localización y grado. El denominador para el cálculo de la prevalencia ha sido el total de pacientes valorados.ResultadosLa prevalencia fue del 12,9%. La característica sociodemográfica más significativa asociada con la presencia de úlceras en estos pacientes fue el nivel de instrucción del cuidador. Se constata asociación de determinadas variables del estado de salud del paciente con aparición de UPP.ConclusionesLos resultados alertan a la necesidad de la realización de protocolos diagnósticos y de intervención comunitaria para reducir la presentación de UPP en pacientes incapacitados que viven en la comunidad.ObjectivesTo study prevalence of pressure ulcers among functionally impaired patients in the community and evaluate risk factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers in these patients.DesignCross-sectional, observational study.SettingCommunity dwellers served by the Primary Health Care Area of Rincón de la Victoria in Málaga.ParticipantsAll patients included in the «Impaired Patient Programme» (n=178).MethodsA questionnaire was developed to ascertain demographic and health characteristics. Risk factors were evaluated with the Modified Norton Scale. The outcome variable of interest was presence or absence of pressure ulcers, their location and grade. The denominator used for the calculation of the prevalence was the total of evaluated patients.ResultsPrevalence of pressure ulcers in our Basic Health Area was 12.9%. The most important sociodemographic characteristic associated with the presence of pressure ulcers in these patients was the educational attainment of the caregiver. Health varaibles of the patient were also associated with the risk of developing ulcers.ConclusionsResults indicate the need of diagnostic protocols with standardised instruments and prevention plans to reduce pressure ulcers in the community. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate interventions in this area

Análisis del espesor coroideo en pacientes con queratocono

Objective. To determine and compare choroidal thickness (CT) in keratoconus (KC) patients using Enhanced Depth Imaging (EDI) OCT. Methods. A comparative cross-sectional study including 26 patients with KC and 26 healthy controls assessed with Pentacam and EDI-OCT. CT was measured manually with the Caliper function at thirteen locations at 500 µm regular intervals. Results. The average CT in T6 was 253.96 ± 88.95 μm in the KC group, and of 309.39 ± 94.11 μm in the control group (p <0.041). No significant differences in mean CT were observed in the rest of the points, including the subfoveal CT (M), 351.48 ± 106.3 vs 365.35 ± 114.6 μm, (p = 0.66). No correlation was observed between the mean subfoveal CT (M), the mean CT in the KC group, and the values of K1 (p = 0.977 and p = 0.498 respectively), K2 (p = 0.450 and p = 0.656), corneal asphericity (Q ) (p = 0.986 and p = 0.902), minimal pachymetry (Pachy) (p = 0.408 and p = 0.688), keratoconus index (KI) (p = 0.601 and p = 0.217), vertical asymmetry index (VAT) (p = 0.296 and p = 0.523), staging of KC (TKC) (p = 0.549 and p = 0.08) and corneal apex morphology. Conclusion. Significant lower CT was found in the KC group in T6 (3000 μm temporal to the fovea). No significant difference of CT values in KC patients and healthy subjects was found in the other twelve measurement locations.We found no association between the refractive and keratometric indexes obtained by corneal topography and subfoveal CT.Objetivo. Determinar y comparar el grosor de la coroides (CT) en pacientes con queratocono (KC) usando OCT con Enhanced Depth Imaging (EDI). Métodos. Estudio comparativo transversal que incluye 26 pacientes con KC y 26 controles sanos evaluados con Pentacam y EDI-OCT. El KC fue medido manualmente con la función Caliper en trece puntos a intervalos regulares de 500 µm. Resultados. El promedio de CT en T6 fue de 253,96 ± 88,95 μm en el grupo KC, y de 309,39 ± 94,11 μm en el grupo de control (p <0,041). No se observaron diferencias significativas en la media de CT en el resto de los puntos, incluyendo el CT subfoveal (M), 351.48 ± 106.3 vs 365.35 ± 114.6 μm, (p = 0.66). No se observó ninguna correlación entre la media de CT (M) subfoveal, la media de CT en el grupo KC, y los valores de K1 (p = 0,977 y p = 0,498 respectivamente), K2 (p = 0,450 y p = 0,656), la asfericidad corneal (Q) (p = 0,986 y p = 0. 902), paquimetría mínima (Pachy) (p = 0,408 y p = 0,688), índice de queratocono (KI) (p = 0,601 y p = 0,217), índice de asimetría vertical (VIA) (p = 0,296 y p = 0,523), estadificación del KC (TKC) (p = 0,549 y p = 0,08) y morfología del ápice corneal. Conclusión. Se observó un CT significativamente menor en el grupo KC en T6 (3000 μm temporal a la fóvea). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los valores del CT en los pacientes con KC y en los sujetos sanos en los 12 puntos de medida restantes. No se encontró ninguna asociación entre los índices refractivos y queratométricos obtenidos por la topografía corneal y el CT subfoveal

Formation of high-order acoustic Bessel beams by spiral diffraction gratings

The formation of high-order Bessel beams by a passive acoustic device consisting of an Archimedes' spiral diffraction grating is theoretically, numerically, and experimentally reported in this paper. These beams are propagation-invariant solutions of the Helmholtz equation and are characterized by an azimuthal variation of the phase along its annular spectrum producing an acoustic vortex in the near field. In our system, the scattering of plane acoustic waves by the spiral grating leads to the formation of the acoustic vortex with zero pressure on axis and the angular phase dislocations characterized by the spiral geometry. The order of the generated Bessel beam and, as a consequence, the size of the generated vortex can be fixed by the number of arms in the spiral diffraction grating. The obtained results allow for obtaining Bessel beams with controllable vorticity by a passive device, which has potential applications in low-cost acoustic tweezers and acoustic radiation force devices.We acknowledge financial support from MINECO of the Spanish Government under Grants No. MTM2012-36740-C02-02, No. FIS2015-65998-C2-1-P, and No. FIS2015-65998-C2-2-P. N.J. acknowledges financial support from PAID-2011 Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Jimenez, N.; Picó Vila, R.; Sánchez Morcillo, VJ.; Romero García, V.; García-Raffi, LM.; Staliünas, K. (2016). Formation of high-order acoustic Bessel beams by spiral diffraction gratings. Physical Review E. 94(5). doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.94.053004S05300494

The relationship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence as a protective factor for healthcare professionals: systematic review

Emotional intelligence is an essential trait and skill for healthcare professionals. Mind fulness meditation has proved to be effective in increasing the wellbeing of those who practice it, leading to better mental health, self-care and job satisfaction. This paper aims to identify the recent evidence on the relationship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence among healthcare professionals and students. A systematic review was conducted including the databases PubMed, Cinhal, PsycINFO and Web of Science. The main variables were emotional intelligence skills and mindfulness practice. Data were extracted according to the following outcomes: authors, year of publication, country, study design, participants, mindfulness training intervention, tools used in data collection and main results. The following inclusion criteria were applied: peer-reviewed articles; published in English or Spanish; published between 2010 and 2020; quantitative methodology; a study population of healthcare professionals or students; the relationship with the aim of the study. The Joanna Briggs Institute criteria were followed for assessing the methodological quality of the selected studies. Three researchers were involved in the review. After the selection process, 10 studies were selected out of the 197 references initially identified. These studies revealed a positive relation ship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence, particularly the capacity to regulate emotions. Furthermore, mindfulness is negatively related to emotional exhaustion. Training interventions based on mindfulness have proved to be useful in promoting emotional balance, emotional awareness, emotional acceptance, emotion recognition, expressive suppression and a reduction in emotional exhaustion. This study could serve as a basis for further research on the benefits of emotional intelligence and practicing mindfulness for the bio-psycho-social welfare of healthcare professionals