COVID-19 as a unique opportunity to unravel the link between prenatal maternal infection, brain development and neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring

Study of the effects of prenatal maternal infection on early offspring brain development has long attracted the interest and endeavors of clinicians and neuroscientists.1 Early reports on large-scale ecological data and further birth cohort studies analyzing biomarkers in pregnancy and early life of offspring have yielded evidence that in-utero exposure to infection increases neuropsychiatric disorder risk, particularly schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.2, 3, 4 The main hypothesis derived from these studies is that activation of immune-inflammatory pathways during maternal infection may result in abnormal fetal brain development.5 However, such a hypothesis requires detailed testing to reveal the pathogenic and pathophysiological mechanisms behind these neurodevelopmental alterations

Plasma Levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Derived Oxylipins Are Associated with Fecal Microbiota Composition in Young Adults

Pre-clinical studies suggest that circulating oxylipins, i.e., the oxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), modulate gut microbiota composition in mice, but there is no information available in humans. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between omega-3 and omega-6 derived oxylipins plasma levels and fecal microbiota composition in a cohort of young adults. 80 young adults (74% women; 21.9 +/- 2.2 years old) were included in this cross-sectional study. Plasma levels of oxylipins were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by V3-V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We observed that plasma levels of omega-3 derived oxylipins were positively associated with the relative abundance of Clostridium cluster IV genus (Firmicutes phylum; rho >= 0.415, p = -0.270, p = -0.263, p = -0.263, p <= 0.024). Lastly, the ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 oxylipins plasma levels was negatively associated with the relative abundance of Clostridium cluster IV genus (Firmicutes phylum; rho = -0.334, p = 0.004) and Butyricimonas genus (Bacteroidetes phylum; rho = -0.292, p = 0.014). In conclusion, our results show that the plasma levels of omega-3 and omega-6 derived oxylipins are associated with the relative abundance of specific fecal bacteria genera.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness via Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI13/01393 PTA 12264-IRetos de la Sociedad DEP2016-79512-REuropean Commission Spanish Government FPU16/05159 FPU16/02828 FPU17/01523 FPU19/01609Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT)University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)AstraZenecaJunta de Andalucia Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades (ERDF) SOMM17/6107/UGRChina Scholarship Council 201707060012Fundacion Alfonso Martin EscuderoMinisterio de Universidades y la Union Europea -NextGenerationEU RR_C_2021_04European Commission through the "European funds for regional development" (EFRE) regional Ministry of Economy, Science and Digitalization of Saxony-Anhalt as part of the Autonomy in old Age "(AiA) research group for "LiLife" Project ZS/2018/11/9532

Fecal microbiota composition is related to brown adipose tissue 18F‑fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in young adults

Objective Human brown adipose tissue (BAT) has gained considerable attention as a potential therapeutic target for obesity and its related cardiometabolic diseases; however, whether the gut microbiota might be an efficient stimulus to activate BAT metabolism remains to be ascertained. We aimed to investigate the association of fecal microbiota composition with BAT volume and activity and mean radiodensity in young adults. Methods 82 young adults (58 women, 21.8 ± 2.2 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. DNA was extracted from fecal samples and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to analyse the fecal microbiota composition. BAT was determined via a static 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan (PET/CT) after a 2 h personalized cooling protocol. 18F-FDG uptake was also quantified in white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscles. Results The relative abundance of Akkermansia, Lachnospiraceae sp. and Ruminococcus genera was negatively correlated with BAT volume, BAT SUVmean and BAT SUVpeak (all rho ≤ − 0.232, P ≤ 0.027), whereas the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium genus was positively correlated with BAT SUVmean and BAT SUVpeak (all rho ≥ 0.262, P ≤ 0.012). On the other hand, the relative abundance of Sutterellaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae families was positively correlated with 18FFDG uptake by WAT and skeletal muscles (all rho ≥ 0.213, P ≤ 0.042). All the analyses were adjusted for the PET/CT scan date as a proxy of seasonality. Conclusion Our results suggest that fecal microbiota composition is involved in the regulation of BAT and glucose uptake by other tissues in young adults. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.Universidad de Granada / CBUASpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness via Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI13/01393 PTA 12264-IRetos de la Sociedad DEP2016-79512-REuropean Commission Spanish Government FPU13/04365 FPU16/05159 FPU17/01523Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT)Redes Tematicas De Investigacion Cooperativa RETIC Red SAMID RD16/0022InFLAMES Flagship Programme of the Academy of Finland 337530NextGenerationEU RR_C_2021_04AstraZenecaUniversity of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)Junta de Andalucia, Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades (ERDF) SOMM17/6107/UGREuropean Commission through the "European funds for regional development" (EFRE)regional Ministry of Economy, Science and Digitalization of Saxony-Anhalt as part of the "Autonomy in old Age"(AiA) research group for "LiLife" Project ZS/2018/11/95324MIRACUMFederal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF) FKZ 01ZZ1801HFundacion Alfonso Martin Escuder

Hongos Fitopatógenos Asociados Al Tomate (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) En La Zona Árida Del Noroeste De México: La Importancia De Su Diagnóstico

Tomato crops are among the most important vegetables cultivated worldwide, Mexico being one of the major producing countries. Large quantity of this crop is found in states belonging to the arid northwest of the country; the adaptation of these regions to vegetable production has been significant with the support of agricultural technology due to the use of protective structures for plants, such as greenhouses and shaded mesh. However, pests and diseases are a major biotic factor that significantly reduces production. There are more than 200 diseases associated with the nightshade of various etiologies. The process of identifying the cause of a disease in plants is called diagnosis. The diagnosis of plant diseases has been described as an art and a science; it requires scientific knowledge of plant pathology and related disciplines. Effective disease control requires making the best possible decisions to reduce the risk of serious production losses. Control strategies based on prevention of disease and methods that slow the spread of such diseases. Therefore, proper management of diseases affecting the tomato crop, knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis and its infectious cycle is vital and to establish effective control measures

Markovian Chemicals “in silico” Design (MARCH-INSIDE), a Promising Approach for Computer-Aided Molecular Design III: 2.5D Indices for the Discovery of Antibacterials

The 9th International Electronic Conference on Synthetic Organic Chemistry session Computational ChemistryThe present work continues our series on the use of MARCH-INSIDE molecular descriptors [parts I and II: J. Mol. Mod. (2002) 8: 237-245 and (2003) 9: 395-407]. These descriptors encode information regarding to the distribution of electrons in the molecule based on a simple stochastic approach to the idea of electronegativity equalization (Sanderson’s principle). Here, 3D-MARCH-INSIDE molecular descriptors for 667 organic compounds are used as input for a Linear Discriminant Analysis. This 2.5D-QSAR model discriminates between antibacterial compounds and non-antibacterial ones with a 92.9 % of accuracy in training sets. On the other hand, the model classifies correctly 94.0 % of the compounds in test set. Additionally, the present QSAR performs similar-to-better than other methods reported elsewhere. Finally, the discovery of a novel compound illustrates the use of the method. This compound, 2-bromo-3-(furan-2-yl)-3-oxo-propionamide have MIC50 of 6.25 and 12.50 µg/mL against Ps. Aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and E. Coli ATCC 27853 respectively while ampicillim, amoxicillim, clindamycin, and metronidazole have, for instance, MIC50 values higher 250 µg/mL against E. Coli. Consequently, the present method may becomes a useful tool for the in silico discovery of antibacterialsWe thank the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (SAF2003-02222), for partial financial support. Molina RR, Castañedo C, and Almeida SM, acknowledges support from the Universität Rostock, German

Climate Variability and Oceanographic Settings Associated with Interannual Variability in the Initiation of Dinophysis acuminata Blooms

In 2012, there were exceptional blooms of D. acuminata in early spring in what appeared to be a mesoscale event affecting Western Iberia and the Bay of Biscay. The objective of this work was to identify common climatic patterns to explain the observed anomalies in two important aquaculture sites, the Galician Rías Baixas (NW Spain) and Arcachon Bay (SW France). Here, we examine climate variability through physical-biological couplings, Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies and time of initiation of the upwelling season and its intensity over several decades. In 2012, the mesoscale features common to the two sites were positive anomalies in SST and unusual wind patterns. These led to an atypical predominance of upwelling in winter in the Galician Rías, and increased haline stratification associated with a southward advection of the Gironde plume in Arcachon Bay. Both scenarios promoted an early phytoplankton growth season and increased stability that enhanced D. acuminata growth. Therefore, a common climate anomaly caused exceptional blooms of D. acuminata in two distant regions through different triggering mechanisms. These results increase our capability to predict intense diarrhetic shellfish poisoning outbreaks in the early spring from observations in the preceding winter

Estado nutricional-hematológico y parasitosis intestinal de niños escolares de 5 a 12 años de cuatro localidades rurales de Paraguay

El mundo, actualmente se enfrenta a una doble carga de malnutrición que incluye la desnutrición y la alimentación excesiva. A ello se suman las parasitosis intestinales que es una enfermedad frecuente con importante morbimortalidad en la población infantil, ligadas a la pobreza y malas condiciones higiénico-sanitarias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el estado nutricional-hematológico y parasitológico de niños escolares de cuatro comunidades rurales de Paraguay. Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transverso en el que participaron 102 niños de ambos sexos de 5 a 12 años de edad. Se realizó medición de peso y talla, utilizando balanza calibrada, y un altímetro fijado a la pared. Toma de muestra sanguínea por punción venosa para determinación de parámetros hematológicos, procesados en contador hematológico por impedancia. Muestras de heces de una sola toma fueron recogidas en frascos apropiados con formol al 10%, utilizándose 4 métodos: directo, flotación de Willis, Graham y de concentración. En relación al estado nutricional-hematológico se encontró que el 3,9% de los niños estaba con desnutrición moderada y el 9,8% presentó riesgo de desnutrición; anemia se observó en el 38,2% de los niños. En relación a la parasitosis, el estudio diagnóstico se realizó a 94 niños y se encontró que el 72,2% estaba parasitado, siendo Blastocystis hominis el más frecuente. Tanto la frecuencia de anemia como de parasitosis es alta en esta población, sin embargo no se pudo establecer una relación entre ellas

The relative abundance of fecal bacterial species belonging to the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla is related to plasma levels of bile acids in young adults

The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-023-02016-8.Funding for open access publishing: Universidad de Granada/CBUA. The study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness via Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/01393) and PTA 12264-I, Retos de la Sociedad (DEP2016-79512-R), and European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), by the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU16/05159, FPU16/02828, FPU17/01523 and FPU19/01609), the Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT), the University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, and by the Junta de Andalucia, Consejeria de Economia, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad (ref. P18-RT-4455), the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC, No. 201707060012 to XD), Fundacion Alfonso Martin Escudero and Maria Zambrano fellowship by the Ministerio de Universidades y la Union Europea -NextGenerationEU (RR_C_2021_04). We would like to thank the team of Data Integration Center of University Medicine Magdeburg for local data-analysis solutions; they are supported by MIRACUM and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the "Medical Informatics Funding Scheme" (FKZ 01ZZ1801H). This study is part of a Ph.D. thesis conducted within the Biomedicine Doctoral Studies Program of the University of Granada, Spain. AL was supported by the funds from European Commission through the "European funds for regional development" (EFRE) Project ID: ZS/2018/11/95324.Background Gut bacteria play a crucial role in the metabolism of bile acids (BA). Whether an association exists between the fecal microbiota composition and circulating BA levels in humans is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the relationship between fecal microbiota diversity and composition with plasma levels of BA in young adults. Methods Fecal microbiota diversity/composition was analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing in 80 young adults (74% women; 21.9 +/- 2.2 years old). Plasma levels of BA were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PERMANOVA and Spearman correlation analyses were used to investigate the association between fecal microbiota parameters and plasma levels of BA. Results Fecal microbiota beta (P = 0.025) and alpha diversity indexes of evenness (rho = 0.237, P = 0.033), Shannon (rho = 0.313, P = 0.004), and inverse Simpson (rho = 0.283, P = 0.010) were positively associated with plasma levels of the secondary BA glycolithocholic acid (GLCA). The relative abundance of genera belonging to the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla was positively correlated with plasma levels of GLCA (all rho = 0.225, P = 0.049). However, the relative abundance of species from Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla were negatively correlated with plasma levels of primary and secondary BA (all rho = - 0.220, P = 0.045), except for the relative abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus, Alistipes onderdonkii, and Bacteroides xylanisolvens species (Bacteroidetes phylum) that were positively correlated with the plasma levels of GLCA. Conclusions The relative abundance of specific fecal bacteria species is associated with plasma levels of BA in young adults. However, further investigations are required to validate whether the composition of the gut microbiota can regulate the plasma concentrations of BA in humans.Universidad de Granada/CBUASpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness via Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI13/01393Retos de la Sociedad DEP2016-79512-REuropean CommissionSpanish Government FPU16/05159, FPU16/02828, FPU17/01523, FPU19/01609Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT)University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)AstraZenecaJunta de Andalucia P18-RT-4455China Scholarship Council 201707060012Ministerio de Universidades y la Union Europea -Next Generation EU RR_C_2021_04MIRACUMFederal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF) FKZ 01ZZ1801HUniversity of Granada, SpainEuropean Commission Joint Research Centre ZS/2018/11/9532

Aplicación de estrategias de aprendizaje para la adquisición de competencias profesionales y su evaluación mediante una rúbrica integradora en diversos títulos de grado de la Universidad de Málaga

El Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior ha supuesto importantes cambios en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje para la adquisición de competencias transversales y específicas. La calidad es un factor estratégico, por lo que es necesario, por una parte, el diseño de estrategias por parte del docente para que el alumnado adquiera competencias profesionales, y por otra, la evaluación de la eficacia e incidencia de las distintas estrategias en el rendimiento académico del alumnado. En este trabajo se han desarrollado rúbricas que permiten evaluar el efecto de nuevas estrategias de aprendizaje para la adquisición de las siguientes competencias: razonamiento crítico y autocrítico, adquisición de conocimientos básicos y capacidad de aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos a casos prácticos, transmisión de información oral/escrita, y capacidad de trabajo en equipo. El estudio se ha desarrollado en ocho asignaturas de la Universidad de Málaga, de grados experimentales (varias ingenierías, biología, bioquímica, fisioterapia y psicología), y una asignatura de una disciplina más abstracta como son las matemáticas. Finalmente, el alumnado ha evaluado el alcance de estas estrategias en la adquisición de las competencias a través de una rúbrica (eRúbrica) común a todas las asignaturas, datos que han sido cotejados con el resultado final del examen.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech