Seven years of marine environmental changes monitoring at coastal OOCS stations (Catalan Sea, NW Mediterranean)

Since March 2009 up to the present (more than 7 years now), the Operational Observatory of the Catalan Sea (OOCS; http://www2.ceab.csic.es/ oceans/) remains a witness of persistent marine environmental changes. The OOCS has two fixed observation stations at the head of the Blanes Canyon (200 m depth, 41.66°N; 2.91°E) and at the Blanes bay (20 m depth, 41.67°N; 2.80°E) in the Catalan Sea, NW Mediterranean. At the canyon station, a multi-parametric buoy presently installed delivers high frequency (by 30 min) and multi-parametric oceanographic (i.e. salinity, temperature, chlorophyll, turbidity, as well as light intensity in the PAR range for the upper 50 m depth) and atmospheric (air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction and PAR) data. Subsurface photos and videos by an IP high resolution fisheye camera attached to the buoy are also delivered at 4-hour basis. Data and multimedia are transmitted in near real time for public access, via combined GSM/GPRS and 3G connections. At both stations, CTD profiles and water samples (collected for nutrients and picoplankton analyses) are carried out on board a research vessel at fortnightly basis. Numerical simulations along with the time series of in-situ observations show inter-annual seasonality anomalies possibly linked to global environmental changes. The lower-atmosphere and upper-sea environmental time series data collected prove the occurrence of shifting patterns of heat and matter fluxes impacting pelagic and benthic organisms.Peer Reviewe

The search for dietary supplements to elevate or activate circulating paraoxonases

Low levels of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) have been associated with the development of several pathological conditions, whereas high levels have been shown to be anti-atherosclerotic in mouse models. These findings suggest that PON1 could be a good surrogate biomarker. The other members of the family, namely PON2 and PON3, the role of which has been much less studied, deserve more attention. This paper provides a systematic review of current evidence concerning dietary supplements in that regard. Preliminary studies indicate that the response to dietary supplements may have a nutrigenetic aspect that will need to be considered in large population studies or in clinical trials. A wide range of plant preparations have been found to have a positive action, with pomegranate and some of its components being the best characterized and Aronia melanocarpa one of the most active. Flavonoids are found in the composition of all active extracts, with catechins and genistein being the most promising agents for increasing PON1 activity. However, some caveats regarding the dose, length of treatment, bioavailability, and stability of these compounds in formulations still need to be addressed. Once these issues have been resolved, these compounds could be included as nutraceuticals and functional foods capable of increasing PON1 activity, thereby helping with the long-term prevention of atherosclerosis and other chronic ailments

PON1 and mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet has been proven to be highly effective in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) has been implicated in the development of those conditions, especially atherosclerosis. The present work describes a systematic review of current evidence supporting the influence of Mediterranean diet and its constituents on this enzyme. Despite the differential response of some genetic polymorphisms, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to exert a protective action on this enzyme. Extra virgin olive oil, the main source of fat, has been particularly effective in increasing PON1 activity, an action that could be due to low saturated fatty acid intake, oleic acid enrichment of phospholipids present in high-density lipoproteins that favor the activity, and increasing hepatic PON1 mRNA and protein expressions induced by minor components present in this oil. Other Mediterranean diet constituents, such as nuts, fruits and vegetables, have been effective in modulating the activity of the enzyme, pomegranate and its compounds being the best characterized items. Ongoing research on compounds isolated from all these natural products, mainly phenolic compounds and carotenoids, indicates that some of them are particularly effective, and this may enhance the use of nutraceuticals and functional foods capable of potentiating PON1 activity

Baseline pathological data of the wedge clam Donax trunculus from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Basin)

In recent years, a collapse in Donax trunculus fishing yields has occurred in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Basin). There is little information available on the impact disease may have had on D. trunculus populations. For the first time, a pathological survey was performed on the natural beds of the bivalve on the Campania and Lazio coasts, western Italy. Detected pathogens and related diseases were analysed, and their prevalence and mean intensity values were calculated. Viral particles, Chlamydia-like organisms, ciliates, coccidians, microcells and trematodes were observed. An unknown ciliate was linked to severe inflammatory and necrotic lesions in the digestive gland. Metacercariae of the trematode Postmonorchis sp. were also strongly represented in almost all samples, reaching high levels of infection; however, none of the pathogens described required the World Organisation for Animal Health to be notified. Initial results indicated that further surveys related to environmental data are necessary in order to assess the relevance of these early observations in managing the declining D. trunculus population in the Tyrrhenian Sea.postprin

Nanosieves Fabricated By Interference Lithography And Electroforming

Self-sustaining Nickel membranes with periodic and regular distribution of pores, in the scale of hundred of nanometers, were produced by interference lithography and electroplating. The process consists in the recording of submicrometric 2D periodic photoresist columns, on a metal-coated glass substrate, using the double exposure of an interference fringe pattern. As the photoresist is a good electrical isolator, when the sample is immersed in a Ni electroplating bath, the array of photoresist columns impedes the Nickel deposition in the patterned areas. A nickel film is then growth among the photoresist columns with a thickness up to 80 % of the height of the columns. In order to release the submicrometric membrane from the substrate, a thick hexagonal Nickel sustaining structure is electroformed, using conventional photolithography. The dimensions of the sustaining structure can be adapted in order to fulfill the pressure requirements of the filtration system. The good uniformity of the pore sizes as well as the smooth of the surface make such devices very interesting for separation of particles by size in filtration systems.6037Sard Ghayeni, S.B., Beatson, P.J., Fane, A.J., Schneider, R.P., Bacterial passage through microfiltration membranes in wastewater applications (1999) J. Membr. Sci., 153, pp. 71-82(2002) Life Science CatalogueCalvo, J.I., Hernandez, A., Pradanos, P., Martinez, L., Bowen, W.R., Pore size distribution in microporous membranes, II bulk characterization of track-etched filters by air porometry and mercury prosimetry (1995) Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 176, pp. 467-478Han, K., Xu, W., Ruiz, A., Ruchhoeft, P., Chellam, S., Fabrication and characterization of polymeric microfiltration membranes using aperture array lithography (2005) J. Membr. Sci., 249, pp. 193-206Kuiper, S., Van Wolferen, H., Van Rijn, C., Nijdam, W., Krijnem, G., Elwenspoek, M., Fabrication of microsieves with sub-micron pore size by laser interference lithography (2001) Journal, of Micromehcanics and Microengineering, 11, pp. 33-37Van Rijn, C.J.M., Veldhuis, G.J., Kuiper, S., Nanosieves with microsystem tecnology for microfiltration applications (1998) Nanotechnology, 9, pp. 343-345Kuiper, S., Boer, M.D., Van Rijn, C., Nijdarh, W., Krijnen, G., Elwenspoek, M., Wet and dry etching techniques for the release of sub-micrometre perforated membranes (2000) Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 10, pp. 171-174Gutierrez-Rivera, L.E., De Carvalho, E.J., Suva, M.A., Cescato, L., Metallic submicrometric sieves fabricated by interferometric litography and electroforming (2005) Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 15, pp. 1932-1937Griffiths, S.K., Nilson, R.H., Hruby, J.M., (1996) Modeling Electrodeposition for LIGA Microdevice Fabrication, , http://www.ca.sandia.gov/liga/process_archives.html, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CaliforniaFrejlich, J., Cescato, L., Mendes, G.F., Analysis of an active stabilization system for an holographic setup (1998) Appl. Opt., 27, pp. 1967-1976Zaidi, H.S., Brueck, S.R.J., Multiple-exposure interferometric lithography (1993) J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B, 11, pp. 658-666Mello, B.A., Costa, I.F., Lima, C.R.A., Cescato, L., Developed profile of holographically exposed photoresist gratings (1995) Applied Optics, 34, pp. 597-603Mack, C.A., Development of positive photoresists (1987) J. Electrochem. Soc., 134, pp. 148-152Spiro, P., (1971) Electroforming: A Comprehensive Survey of Theory, Practice and Commercial Applications2th Edition, , Robert Draper LTDKuiper, S., Van Rijn, C.J., Nijdam, W., Elwenspoek, M.C., Development and applications of very high flux microfiltration membranes (1998) Journal of Membrane Science, 150, pp. 1-8www.mediacy.co

Operational Observatory of the catalan sea (OOCS)

The Operational Observatory of the Catalan Sea (OOCS) recently created by the Operational Oceanography Group at CEAB-CSIC is presented. The OOCS aims at performing observations of the marine environment in the Catalan Sea and beyond, assessing, modelling and forecasting the hydrodynamic and biogeochemical processes of the region. Some of the biogeochemical variables available in the models and forecast are phytoplankton, zooplankton and nutrients. Although OOCS is expected to be fully operational in 2011, some of its services are already available to the public through a dedicated webpage http://www.ceab.csic.es/~simob/.Peer Reviewe

Regulation and Ethics of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: A General View

Transcranial application of low-intensity electrical stimuli is a non-invasive brain stimulation procedure, which allows one to alter the excitability of cortical cells in both humans and animals. There is a broad consensus regarding the safety of this approach in humans, and different versions and protocols of this technique have been used in basic research and clinical studies for years. In this review, we aim to provide updated information on regulatory and ethical issues concerning the use of different versions of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). This information may be critical due to its implications on the welfare and health of patients. Although tES is a safe and effective method with potential clinical and research utilities, the legal regulation criteria concerning the use different versions of tES are of critical relevance due to implications of brain stimulation for human health and well-being. Recent publications that review and describe all regulatory and safety aspects regarding the use of tES offer a practical vision about the most up-to-date information in this field and more relevant ethical implications.Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educació

Dietary squalene increases high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and paraoxonase 1 and decreases oxidative stress in mice

Background and Purpose: Squalene, the main hydrocarbon in the unsaponifiable fraction of virgin olive oil, is involved in cholesterol synthesis and it has been reported to own antiatherosclerotic and antiesteatosic effects. However, the squalene’s role on lipid plasma parameters and the influence of genotype on this effect need to be addressed. Experimental Approaches: Three male mouse models (wild-type, Apoa1- and Apoe- deficient) were fed chow semisynthetic diets enriched in squalene to provide a dose of 1 g/kg during 11 weeks. After this period, their plasma parameters and lipoprotein profiles were analyzed. Key Results: Squalene administration at a dose of 1 g/kg showed decreased reactive oxygen species in lipoprotein fractions independently of the animal background and caused an specific increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels, accompanied by an increase in phosphatidylcholine and paraoxonase 1 and no changes in apolipoproteins A1 and A4 in wild-type mice. In these mice, the cholesterol increase was due to its esterified form and associated with an increased hepatic expression of Lcat. These effects were not observed in absence of apolipoprotein A1. The increases in HDL- paraoxonase 1 were translated into decreased plasma malondialdehyde levels depending on the presence of Apolipoprotein A1. Conclusions and Implications: Dietary squalene promotes changes in HDL- cholesterol and paraoxonase 1 and decreases reactive oxygen species in lipoproteins and plasma malondialdehyde levels, providing new benefits of its intake that might contribute to explain the properties of virgin olive oil, although the phenotype related to apolipoproteins A1 and E may be particularly relevant