A New Approach to Non-Abelian Hydrodynamics

We present a new approach to describe hydrodynamics carrying non-Abelian macroscopic degrees of freedom. Based on the Kaluza-Klein compactification of a higher-dimensional neutral dissipative fluid on a group manifold, we obtain a d=4 colored dissipative fluid coupled to Yang-Mills gauge field. We calculate the transport coefficients of the new fluid, which show the non-Abelian character of the gauge group. In particular, we obtain group-valued terms in the gradient expansions and response quantities such as the conductivity matrix and the chemical potentials. While using SU(2) for simplicity, this approach is applicable to any gauge group. Resulting a robust description of non-Abelian hydrodynamics, we discuss some links between this system and quark-gluon plasma and fluid/gravity duality.Comment: 41 pages (31 + appendices), 1 figure. V2: Minor modifications, some typos fixed and references adde

Innovation in aquaculture teaching and learning

This report has been prepared by the Workpackage 5 working group on innovation in learning. It aims to summarise the main findings of the group, and serve as an introduction to the topic for teachers and learners in aquaculture and aquatic resources management. The main focus of the group is the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in teaching and learning. The increasing power of computers and particularly their interconnections through the Internet, is changing the social and economic landscape and presenting new opportunities and challenges for learners, educators and academic institutions. This document has been developed from presentations and discussions between the group members. It aims to identify the key technologies and trends affecting higher education in Europe and potential responses by the aquaculture and aquatic resource community. The aim is to briefly introduce key themes, technologies and state of the art. Most of the topics can be explored in much greater detail through the Internet links that are provided at the end of each section

The Dioxin receptor modulates Caveolin-1 mobilization during directional migration: role of cholesterol

Background: Adhesion and migration are relevant physiological functions that must be regulated by the cell under both normal and pathological conditions. The dioxin receptor (AhR) has emerged as a transcription factor regulating both processes in mesenchymal, epithelial and endothelial cells. Indirect results suggest that AhR could cooperate not only with additional transcription factors but also with membrane-associated proteins to drive such processes. Results: In this study, we have used immortalized and primary dermal fibroblasts from wild type (AhR+/+) and AhR-null (AhR-/-) mice to show that AhR modulates membrane distribution and mobilization of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) during directional cell migration. AhR co-immunoprecipitated with Cav-1 and a fraction of both proteins co-localized to detergent-resistant membrane microdomains (DRM). Consistent with a role of AhR in the process, AhR-/-cells had a significant reduction in Cav-1 in DRMs. Moreover, high cell density reduced AhR nuclear levels and moved Cav-1 from DRMs to the soluble membrane in AhR+/+ but not in AhR-/-cells. Tyrosine-14 phosphorylation had a complex role in the mechanism since its upregulation reduced Cav-1 in DRMs in both AhR+/+ and AhR-/-cells, despite the lower basal levels of Y-14-Cav-1 in the null cells. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching revealed that AhR knock-down blocked Cav-1 transport to the plasma membrane, a deficit possibly influencing its depleted levels in DRMs. Membrane distribution of Cav-1 in AhR-null fibroblasts correlated with higher levels of cholesterol and with disrupted membrane microdomains, whereas addition of exogenous cholesterol changed the Cav-1 distribution of AhR+/+ cells to the null phenotype. Consistently, higher cholesterol levels enhanced caveolae-dependent endocytosis in AhR-null cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that AhR modulates Cav-1 distribution in migrating cells through the control of cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains. Our study also supports the likely possibility of membrane-related, transcription factor independent, functions of AhR.This work was supported by grants to P. M. F-S. from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF2008-00462 and BFU2011-22678) and from the Junta de Extremadura (GR10008). Research at P. M. F-S laboratory is also funded by the Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperativa en Cancer (RTICC), Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Health (RD12/0036/0032). J.R.B. was a F.P.U. program fellow from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Sciences. All Spanish funding is co-sponsored by the European Union FEDER program. The support and help of the Servicio de Tecnicas Aplicadas a las Biociencia (STAB) of the Universidad de Extremadura is greatly acknowledged. We are very grateful to Dr. Lisardo Bosca (Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Madrid, Spain) for providing the Cav-1-GFP and the Cav-1Y14F-GFP expression vectors and to Dr. Miguel A. Alonso Lebrero (Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Madrid, Spain) for assistance with the sucrose density gradient method. The technical support of Eva Barrasa is greatly appreciated.S

Proteomic Analysis in Seminal Plasma of Fertile Donors and Infertile Patients with Sperm DNA Fragmentation

Seminal plasma proteomics studies could represent a new approach for the determination of molecular elements driving male infertility, resulting in a better male infertility characterization. The aim of this study is to investigate proteomic differences in seminal plasma samples from fertile and infertile individuals. For that, semen samples were selected according to semen analysis, clinical pathology, and values of sperm DNA fragmentation (alkaline and neutral Comet assay and Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test). A total of 24 seminal plasma samples classified in four groups were processed: fertile donors (FD), recurrent miscarriage patients (RM), asthenoteratozoospermic patients (ATZ), and asthenoteratozoospermic patients with varicocele (ATZ-VAR). Results obtained by 2D-differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) revealed 26 spots significantly increased in fertile donors when compared to patient groups. Also, eight spots in the ATZ group and two in the ATZ-VAR group were decreased compared to the other groups. Twenty-eight proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS), most of them involved in metabolic and cellular processes and with a catalytic or binding function. Protein-protein interactions through Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) tool suggest that a large part of them were associated with each other. Furthermore, most of them were associated with ubiquitin C, indicating that it could play an important regulation role, resulting in a potential male infertility biomarker

Osteoarticular Expression of Musashi-1 in an Experimental Model of Arthritis

Background. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a murine experimental disease model induced by immunization with type II collagen (CII), is used to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis. Adult stem cell marker Musashi-1 (Msi1) plays an important role in regulating the maintenance and differentiation of stem/precursor cells. The objectives of this investigation were to perform a morphological study of the experimental CIA model, evaluate the effect of TNFα-blocker (etanercept) treatment, and determine the immunohistochemical expression of Msi1 protein. Methods. CIA was induced in 50 male DBA1/J mice for analyses of tissue and serum cytokine; clinical and morphological lesions in limbs; and immunohistochemical expression of Msi1. Results. Clinically, TNFα-blocker treatment attenuated CIA on day 32 after immunization (). Msi1 protein expression was significantly higher in joints damaged by CIA than in those with no lesions () and was related to the severity of the lesions (Spearman’s rho = 0.775, ). Conclusions. Treatment with etanercept attenuates osteoarticular lesions in the murine CIA model. Osteoarticular expression of Msi1 protein is increased in joints with CIA-induced lesion and absent in nonlesioned joints, suggesting that this protein is expressed when the lesion is produced in order to favor tissue repair.This investigation was partially supported by Research Group #CTS-138 (Junta de Andalucía, Spain)

Socio-geographical disparities of obesity and excess weight in adults in Spain: insights from the ENE-COVID study

Background: In Spain, differences in the prevalence of obesity and excess weight according to sex and sociodemographic factors have been described at the national level, although current data do not allow to delve into geographical differences for these conditions. The aim was to estimate national and regional prevalences of adult obesity and excess weight in Spain by sex and sociodemographic characteristics, and to explore difference sources of inequalities in its distribution, as well as its geographical pattern. Method: ENE-COVID study was a nationwide representative seroepidemiological survey with 57,131 participants. Residents in 35,893 households were selected from municipal rolls using a two-stage random sampling stratified by province and municipality size (April-June 2020). Participants (77.0% of contacted individuals) answered a questionnaire which collected self-reported weight and height, as well as different socioeconomic variables, that allowed estimating crude and standardized prevalences of adult obesity and excess weight. Results: Crude prevalences of obesity and excess weight were higher in men (obesity: 19.3% vs. 18.0%; excess weight: 63.7% vs. 48.4%), while severe obesity was more prevalent in women (4.5% vs. 5.3%). These prevalences increased with age and disability, and decreased with education, census tract income and municipality size. Differences by educational level, relative census income, nationality or disability were clearly higher among women. Obesity by province ranged 13.3-27.4% in men and 11.4-28.1% in women; excess weight ranged 57.2-76.0% in men and 38.9-59.5% in women. The highest prevalences were located in the southern half of the country and some north-western provinces. Sociodemographic characteristics only explained a small part of the observed geographical variability (25.2% obesity). Conclusion: Obesity and overweight have a high prevalence in Spain, with notable geographical and sex differences. Socioeconomic inequalities are stronger among women. The observed geographical variability suggests the need to implement regional and local interventions to effectively address this public health problem.This study was supported by Spanish Ministry of Health, Institute of Health Carlos III, and Spanish National Health System.S

Evaluación de la calidad global de la colección de guías prácticas de heridas del servicio gallego de salud

Objetivo: Evaluar el nivel de calidad global de la colección de guías prácticas de heridas del Servicio Gallego de Salud (Sergas) para la toma de decisiones clínicas. Método: Evaluación de guías basadas en la evidencia (GBP). Selección de todas las GBP que componen la colección sobre heridas publicadas por el Sergas. Valoración a través del instrumento AGREE II-GRS (Global Rating Scale). Revisión por tres experto/as. Resultados: Fueron evaluadas siete GBP: úlceras por presión, úlceras de la extremidad inferior, pie diabético, lesiones cutáneas neoplásicas, lesiones por quemadura, herida quirúrgica aguda y lesiones cutáneas asociadas a la humedad. Se evaluaron cuatro apartados: el proceso de desarrollo, el estilo de presentación, la integridad de la información y la validez clínica. Todas las GBP obtuvieron una puntuación entre 5 y 7. A nivel global se obtuvo una nota media de 6 (“calidad alta”). Conclusiones: Las GBP publicadas por el Sergas son guías de muy buena calidad, recomendables para el uso clínico y aconsejable su implementación en los procesos de toma de decisiones en el área de las úlceras y heridas.Objective: To appraise the quality global level of the collection of practical guides for wounds of the Galician Health Service (Sergas) for professional decision-making. Method: Evaluation of Best Practice Guidelines (BPG). Selection of all BPG of the collection on injuries/wounds published by Sergas. Valuation through the AGREE II-GRS instrument (Global Rating Scale). Review by three experts. Results: Seven BPG were evaluated: pressure ulcers, ulcers of the lower limb, diabetic foot, skin tumor lesions, burn injuries, acute surgical wound and skin lesions associated with humidity. Four sections were evaluated: the development process, the presentation style, the integrity of the information and the clinical validity. All the GBP obtained a score between 5 and 7. On a global level, an average score of 6 was obtained (High quality). Conclusions: The BPG published by Sergas are guides of very good quality, recommended for clinical use and advisable to implement them in decision-making processes in the area of ulcers and wounds

Tecnologías de materiales con aplicaciones en fusión y su desarrollo en la instalación TechnoFusión

El futuro Centro Nacional de Tecnologías para la Fusión, TechnoFusión, tiene como objetivo desarrollar aquellas tecnologías, relacionadas con materiales, metales líquidos, manipulación remota y simulación, que permitan avanzar en los actuales retos que supone el uso de la fusión nuclear. Sus instalaciones, abiertas al servicio de la comunidad científica externa, garantizarán una destacada participación de empresas y grupos de investigación españoles. En esta contribución se describirán y analizarán las instalaciones que TechnoFusión construirá con capacidad para abordar: la fabricación y procesado de nuevas aleaciones a escala semiindustrial; el comportamiento de materiales, simulando las condiciones durante operación mediante una instalación de triple irradiación (iones pesados, hidrógeno y helio), generadores de plasma lineal (continuo y pulsado) y un circuito de litio líquido; y la caracterización del efecto que las severas condiciones de experimentación producen en las propiedades, en la composición y en la microestructura de materiales estructurales y funcionales (técnicas convencionales e in-situ)

A colorectal cancer susceptibility new variant at 4q26 in the Spanish population identified by genome-wide association analysis

BACKGROUND: Non-hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disorder resulting from the combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful for identifying such genetic susceptibility factors. However, the single loci so far associated with CRC only represent a fraction of the genetic risk for CRC development in the general population. Therefore, many other genetic risk variants alone and in combination must still remain to be discovered. The aim of this work was to search for genetic risk factors for CRC, by performing single-locus and two-locus GWAS in the Spanish population. RESULTS: A total of 801 controls and 500 CRC cases were included in the discovery GWAS dataset. 77 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s from single-locus and 243 SNPs from two-locus association analyses were selected for replication in 423 additional CRC cases and 1382 controls. In the meta-analysis, one SNP, rs3987 at 4q26, reached GWAS significant p-value (p = 4.02×10(-8)), and one SNP pair, rs1100508 CG and rs8111948 AA, showed a trend for two-locus association (p = 4.35×10(-11)). Additionally, our GWAS confirmed the previously reported association with CRC of five SNPs located at 3q36.2 (rs10936599), 8q24 (rs10505477), 8q24.21(rs6983267), 11q13.4 (rs3824999) and 14q22.2 (rs4444235). CONCLUSIONS: Our GWAS for CRC patients from Spain confirmed some previously reported associations for CRC and yielded a novel candidate risk SNP, located at 4q26. Epistasis analyses also yielded several novel candidate susceptibility pairs that need to be validated in independent analyses