Limpieza de los materiales pétreos de la Catedral de Valladolid (España)

Two types of black crusts showing gypsiferous and calcareous compositions are recognized on the front-walls of the Valladolid Cathedral. On the basis of several petrophysical parameters, in particular compacity, sorption and desorption kinematics of carbonate rocks used building the cathedral, we conclude that the most appropriate cleaning method of the ashlars is washing with water. Highest efficiency of the method is attained with water at 90ºC and at a pressure of 120 bars. This assessment is valid for most of the carbonate rocks of the cathedral except for detrital pelmicrites because of their low compacity which makes that water pressure for cleaning must not exceed 50 bars. The processing of cleaning with water should be preceded by alkaline treatment (NaOH and EDTA) of the rock surface.Atendiendo a los parámetros petrofisicos (compacidad, cinemática de sorción y desorción) de las diferentes facies carbonáticas con las que se construyó la catedral, se determina que el método idóneo para llevar a cabo la limpieza de sus sillares es con agua. La mayor efectividad se alcanza con una temperatura del agua de 90ºC y una presión de 120 bares, a excepción de las pelmicritas detríticas, que dada su baja compacidad la presión no puede ser superior a los 50 bares. Para la eliminación de las costras negras es necesario aplicar previamente un tratamiento alcalino a base de hidróxido sódico y EDTA

SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein topology in eukaryotic membranes

Coronavirus E protein is a small membrane protein found in the virus envelope. Different coronavirus E proteins share striking biochemical and functional similarities, but sequence conservation is limited. In this report, we studied the E protein topology from the new SARS-CoV-2 virus both in microsomal membranes and in mammalian cells. Experimental data reveal that E protein is a single-spanning membrane protein with the N-terminus being translocated across the membrane, while the C-terminus is exposed to the cytoplasmic side (Ntlum/Ctcyt). The defined membrane protein topology of SARS-CoV-2 E protein may provide a useful framework to understand its interaction with other viral and host components and contribute to establish the basis to tackle the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2

Propriétés physiques et petrographiques de quelques varietes de 'Pierre Bateig'

Bateig stone is an allochemical calcareous rock (mainly biosparite - biomicrite) worked in Novelda, named Novelda stone too (Alicante province, Spain) that belongs to a transgressive unit of Middle - Late Miocene age. This stone is a highly workable material that often was used in monumental Spanish architecture. Using criterium publising by the M.I.T., Bateig stone may be classified as a Medium to Low Limestone. Data from Mercury Porosimeter has been used to stimate a DDS (Durability Dimensional Stimation). The DDS equation is supported on the calculus of the pressure of salt crystallization in porous mediums. The DDS values obtained, for different varieties of Bateig stone let us establish that the microporosity, size pores less than 0,1 μm, is the main factor responsible for durability of materials.La "Pierre Bateig" est une roche carbonatee a allochemes (biosparite-biomicrite) extraite en Novelda, elle est appellee aussi "Pierre de Novelda" (Province de Alicante, Espagne); elle appartient a une unite transgresive du Miocene Moyen- Superieur. Cette roche est tres facile a travailler et souvent a ete utilisee dans la architecture monumentale espagnole. En utilisant le criterium publie par le M.I.T. la "Pierre Bateig" peut etre classifiee comme "Moyen a Low Limestone". Les donnees du Porosimetre de Mercure ont ete utilisees a la fin d'etablir une DDS (Durability Dimensional Stimation). L'equation de la DDS est basee dans le calcule de la pression de cristallisation des sels dans un moyen poreux. Les valeurs obtenues pour les differentes varietes de la Pierre Bateig permettent d'etablir que la microporosite, pores plus petits de 0, 1 μm, est le principal facteur responsable de la durabilite des materiaux.Depto. de Mineralogía y PetrologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

RESEAL II: a large-scale in situ demonstration for repository sealing in an argillaceous host rock: phase II

Final ReportPreprin

La Piedra de Novelda: una roca muy utilizada en el patrimonio arquitectónico

Novelda Stone is a calcareous rock, of the biocalcarenite type. It is extracted from the «Vinalopó Medio» area (Alicante, eastern Spain). Novelda stone is known as construction material from the 13th century. From final of the 19th century until the present time, it has been used in Madrid, Valencia and Alicante. In the past, the main quarries from which this type of rock was extracted were located in the municipal districts of Monóvar (Almorquí Stone), Sax (Portazgo Stone) and Elda (Bateig Stone). Nowadays, the main active extraction site is situated in the Bateig Hill quarries. The rock extracted is known commercially as Bateig Stone. The main varieties of this Bateig Stone are: White, Blue, Layer and Fantasy. Each variety of Novelda stone has different durability rate and different pathology depending on their characteristics, particularly on their hydric behaviour patterns. Layer Bateig and Portazgo stone undergo granular disintegration and alveolization and are less durable than the rest. White and Blue Bateig, as well as Almorquí stone, only develop fissures or scaling under extreme conditions.La Piedra de Novelda es una roca carbonática del tipo biocalcarenita. Se extrae del área de Vinalopó Medio (Alicante, España oriental). La piedra de Novelda es conocida como material de construcción desde el siglo XIII. Desde finales del siglo XIX hasta la actualidad, se ha utilizado en edificios y monumentos de Madrid y Valencia, así como Alicante. En el pasado, las canteras principales donde se extrajo este tipo de piedra se localizaban en los distritos municipales de Monóvar (Piedra Almorquí), Sax (Piedra Portazgo) y El da (Piedra Bateig). Hoy en día, la actividad principal se sitúa en las canteras de Bateig. La piedra extraída es conocida comercialmente como Piedra Bateig. Las variedades principales de esta Piedra Bateig son: Blanco, Azul, Llano y Fantasía. Consecuencia de las diferentes propiedades y en especial de los diferentes comportamientos hídricos, la durabilidad de los distintos tipos de Piedra de Novelda y sus patologías son diferentes. La Bateig LLano y la Piedra de Portazgo sufren desagregación granular y alveolización y su durabilidad es menor que la del resto de las variedades. La Bateig Blanco y Bateig Azul, junto con la Piedra Almorquí, sólo en condiciones muy extremas llegan a desarrollar fisuraciones y/o descamaciones

The genome sequencing of an albino Western lowland gorilla reveals inbreeding in the wild

Background The only known albino gorilla, named Snowflake, was a male wild born individual from Equatorial Guinea who lived at the Barcelona Zoo for almost 40 years. He was diagnosed with non-syndromic oculocutaneous albinism, i.e. white hair, light eyes, pink skin, photophobia and reduced visual acuity. Despite previous efforts to explain the genetic cause, this is still unknown. Here, we study the genetic cause of his albinism and making use of whole genome sequencing data we find a higher inbreeding coefficient compared to other gorillas. Results We successfully identified the causal genetic variant for Snowflake¿s albinism, a non-synonymous single nucleotide variant located in a transmembrane region of SLC45A2. This transporter is known to be involved in oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4) in humans. We provide experimental evidence that shows that this amino acid replacement alters the membrane spanning capability of this transmembrane region. Finally, we provide a comprehensive study of genome-wide patterns of autozygogosity revealing that Snowflake¿s parents were related, being this the first report of inbreeding in a wild born Western lowland gorilla. Conclusions In this study we demonstrate how the use of whole genome sequencing can be extended to link genotype and phenotype in non-model organisms and it can be a powerful tool in conservation genetics (e.g., inbreeding and genetic diversity) with the expected decrease in sequencing cost. Keywords: Gorilla; Albinism; Inbreeding; Genome; Conservatio

Structure-based statistical analysis of transmembrane helices

Recent advances in determination of the high-resolution structure of membrane proteins now enable analysis of the main features of amino acids in transmembrane (TM) segments in comparison with amino acids in water-soluble helices. In this work, we conducted a large-scale analysis of the prevalent locations of amino acids by using a data set of 170 structures of integral membrane proteins obtained from the MPtopo database and 930 structures of water-soluble helical proteins obtained from the protein data bank. Large hydrophobic amino acids (Leu, Val, Ile, and Phe) plus Gly were clearly prevalent in TM helices whereas polar amino acids (Glu, Lys, Asp, Arg, and Gln) were less frequent in this type of helix. The distribution of amino acids along TM helices was also examined. As expected, hydrophobic and slightly polar amino acids are commonly found in the hydrophobic core of the membrane whereas aromatic (Trp and Tyr), Pro, and the hydrophilic amino acids (Asn, His, and Gln) occur more frequently in the interface regions. Charged amino acids are also statistically prevalent outside the hydrophobic core of the membrane, and whereas acidic amino acids are frequently found at both cytoplasmic and extra-cytoplasmic interfaces, basic amino acids cluster at the cytoplasmic interface. These results strongly support the experimentally demonstrated biased distribution of positively charged amino acids (that is, the so-called the positive-inside rule) with structural data

Calcium-dependent conformational changes of membrane-bound Ebola fusion peptide drive vesicle fusion

The fusogenic subdomain of the Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein is an internal sequence located ca. 20 residues downstream the N‐terminus of the glycoprotein transmembrane subunit. Partitioning of the Ebola fusion peptide into membranes containing phosphatidylinositol in the absence of Ca2+ stabilizes an α‐helical conformation, and gives rise to vesicle efflux but not vesicle fusion. In the presence of millimolar Ca2+ the membrane‐bound peptide adopts an extended β‐structure, and induces inter‐vesicle mixing of lipids. The peptide conformational polymorphism may be related to the flexibility of the virus-cell intermembrane fusogenic complex

Cloning of somatolactin alpha, beta forms and the somatolactin receptor in Atlantic salmon: Seasonal expression profile in pituitary and ovary of maturing female broodstock

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Somatolactin (Sl) is a fish specific adenohypophyseal peptide hormone related to growth hormone (Gh). Some species, including salmonids, possess two forms: Sl alpha and Sl beta. The somatolactin receptor (slr) is closely related to the growth hormone receptor (ghr). Sl has been ascribed many physiological functions, including a role in sexual maturation. In order to clarify the role of Sl in the sexual maturation of female Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), the full length cDNAs of slr, Sl alpha and Sl beta were cloned and their expression was studied throughout a seasonal reproductive cycle using real-time quantitative PCR (RTqPCR).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Atlantic salmon Sl alpha, Sl beta and slr cDNAs were cloned using a PCR approach. Gene expression of Sl alpha, SL beta and slr was studied using RTqPCR over a 17 month period encompassing pre-vitellogenesis, vitellogenesis, ovulation and post ovulation in salmon females. Histological examination of ovarian samples allowed for the classification according to the degree of follicle maturation into oil drop, primary, secondary or tertiary yolk stage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mature peptide sequences of Sl alpha, Sl beta and slr are highly similar to previously cloned salmonid forms and contained the typical motifs. Phylogenetic analysis of Atlantic salmon Sl alpha and Sl beta shows that these peptides group into the two Sl clades present in some fish species. The Atlantic salmon slr grouped with salmonid slr amongst so-called type I ghr. An increase in pituitary Sl alpha and Sl beta transcripts before and during spawning, with a decrease post-ovulation, and a constant expression level of ovarian slr were observed. There was also a transient increase in Sl alpha and Sl beta in May prior to transfer from seawater to fresh water and ensuing fasting.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The up-regulation of Sl alpha and Sl beta during vitellogenesis and spawning, with a subsequent decrease post-ovulation, supports a role for Sl during gonadal growth and spawning. Sl could also be involved in calcium/phosphate mobilization associated with vitellogenesis or have a role in energy homeostasis associated with lipolysis during fasting. The up-regulation of both Sl alpha and Sl beta prior to fasting and freshwater transfer, suggests a role for Sl linked to reproduction that may be independent of the maturation induced fasting.</p