Years to weeks of seismic unrest and magmatic intrusions precede monogenetic eruptions

Seismic, deformation, and gas activity (unrest) typically precedes volcanic eruptions. Tracking the changes of this activity with monitoring data makes it increasingly possible to successfully forecast eruptions from stratovolcanoes. However, this is not the case for monogenetic volcanoes. Eruptions from these volcanoes tend to be small but are particularly difficult to anticipate since they occur at unexpected locations and there is very limited instrumental monitoring data. Many monogenetic volcanic fields occur in high-density, populated areas and/or tourist destinations, and thus even a small eruption can have a major economic and societal impact. We have gathered the available instrumental data for unrest and combined it with new historical accounts of seismicity. Our occurrences are mainly from high magmatic flux oceanic islands (Canary Islands, Iceland, Papua New Guinea, Mexico, and Japan). We find that seismic activity may start one or two years before eruption, but it intensifies at approximately two or three months, and one or two weeks. The petrological and geochemical characteristics of the deposits show that multiple magma batches interacted in a subvolcanic reservoir, and multiple intrusions occurred on a similar time scales to the seismicity. We propose a general model for these eruptions where early dike intrusions in the crust do not erupt (e.g., stalled intrusions) and make small plumbing systems, but they probably are key in creating a thermal and rheological pathway for later dikes to be able to reach the surface. These observations provide a conceptual framework for better anticipating monogenetic eruptions in similar settings and magmatic fluxes and should lead to improved strategies for mitigation of their associated hazards and risks.This research was partly supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore, the Singapore Ministry of Education (grant MoE2014-T2-2-041), and the Research Centres of Excellence initiativePeer Reviewe

Aprovechamiento de barros procedentes de central de áridos para la elaboración de piezas cerámicas porosas

Aggregates (gravel and sand) are, after water, the Earth’s second most used natural resource, representing about 50% of all consumed mineral resources. Aggregate production generates a large quantity of waste from the aggregate washing process. This waste is made up of suspended solids – sludge – which has a great environmental impact. It is deposited in huge troughs because of the impossibility of discharging it directly into rivers. Many plants have incorporated decanters and filter presses to separate the solid from the liquid fraction. This paper evaluates the possibility of exploiting the solid fraction (i.e. sludge) in the manufacture of fired clay bricks. The added value of these bricks is, on the one hand, the exploitation of sludge as a currently useless waste product, and on the other, the use of this sludge to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of conventional fired clay bricks.Los áridos son la segunda materia prima más consumida en la Tierra después del agua, representando alrededor del 50% de todos los recursos minerales consumidos. El proceso de elaboración de estos áridos genera una gran cantidad de residuos procedentes de su lavado. Se trata de partículas sólidas en suspensión – lodos – de gran impacto ambiental, que se depositan en grandes charcas ante la imposibilidad de verterlos directamente al rio. Muchas empresas han incorporado decantadores y filtros de prensa para separar la fracción solida de la líquida. El presente trabajo evalúa la posibilidad de utilizar la fracción sólida, es decir el barro, para la fabricación de piezas cerámicas. El valor añadido de estas piezas es por un lado el aprovechamiento del barro como producto residual, que en estos momentos es desechable, y por otro, conseguir que este barro mejore las propiedades físico-mecánicas de la cerámica convencional

Gonadal atresia during the gametogenic cycle of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 cultured in the ria of Vigo (northwest Iberian Peninsula)

During the gametogenic cycle of Mytilus, we observed atresic phenomena in gametes at different cycle stages. Gametes are degraded both within the follicle and throughout the gonoduct. This degradation shows two consecutive phases: lysis of cytoplasmatic structures and membranes, more evident in oocytes; and haemocytic digestion of lisated material. Environmental factors clearly influence this phenomenon. Atresia is intense in winter, decreases during spring, and rises again at the end of the gonadal cycle. In winter, it is related to overmaturation of gametes due to unfavourable conditions for stimulating spawning (low temperatures and lack of food availability). In summer, the high temperatures trigger the end of gametogenic cycle, and total degeneration and resorption of gonadal tissue.Durante el desarrollo gametogénico de Mytilus se han observado fenómenos de atresia de gametos en distintos momentos del ciclo. La degradación se produce en los folículos gonadales y a lo largo del gonoducto, e incluye dos etapas consecutivas: lisis de las estructuras y membranas citoplasmáticas, más evidente en ovocitos, y digestión hemocitaria del material lisado. La influencia de factores ambientales en este fenómeno es clara. La atresia es intensa en invierno, disminuye durante la primavera y vuelve a aumentar al final del ciclo gametogénico. En invierno se relaciona con la sobremaduración de gametos debida a condiciones desfavorables para el desove (bajas temperaturas y escasez de alimento). En verano, las altas temperaturas determinan la finalización del ciclo gametogénico y la degeneración y resorción total del tejido gonadal.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Hedgehog Pathway Inhibition Hampers Sphere and Holoclone Formation in Rhabdomyosarcoma

Altres ajuts: This work was supported by grants from Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RTICC-RD12/0036/0016 and RD12/0036/0027; PI11/00740 and PI14/00647), Fundació A. BOSCH, and ajuts predoctorals VHIR.Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children and can be divided into two main subtypes: embryonal (eRMS) and alveolar (aRMS). Among the cellular heterogeneity of tumors, the existence of a small fraction of cells called cancer stem cells (CSC), thought to be responsible for the onset and propagation of cancer, has been demonstrated in some neoplasia. Although the existence of CSC has been reported for eRMS, their existence in aRMS, the most malignant subtype, has not been demonstrated to date. Given the lack of suitable markers to identify this subpopulation in aRMS, we used cancer stem cell-enriched supracellular structures (spheres and holoclones) to study this subpopulation. This strategy allowed us to demonstrate the capacity of both aRMS and eRMS cells to form these structures and retain self-renewal capacity. Furthermore, cells contained in spheres and holoclones showed significant Hedgehog pathway induction, the inhibition of which (pharmacologic or genetic) impairs the formation of both holoclones and spheres. Our findings point to a crucial role of this pathway in the maintenance of these structures and suggest that Hedgehog pathway targeting in CSC may have great potential in preventing local relapses and metastases

Characteristics and outcomes by ceiling of care of subjects hospitalized with COVID-19 during four waves of the pandemic in a metropolitan area: a multicenter cohort study

Introduction The profiles of patients with COVID-19 have been widely studied, but little is known about differences in baseline characteristics and in outcomes between subjects with a ceiling of care assigned at hospital admission and subjects without a ceiling of care. The aim of this study is to compare, by ceiling of care, clinical features and outcomes of hospitalized subjects during four waves of COVID-19 in a metropolitan area in Catalonia. Methods Observational study conducted during the first (March–April 2020), second (October–November 2020), third (January–February 2021), and fourth wave (July–August 2021) of COVID-19 in five centers of Catalonia. All subjects were adults (>¿18 years old) hospitalized with a proven SARS-CoV-2 infection and with therapeutic ceiling of care assessed by the attending physician at hospital admission. Results A total of 5813 subjects were analyzed. Subjects with a ceiling of care were mainly older (difference in median age of 20 years), with more comorbidities (Charlson index 3 points higher) and with fewer clinical signs at baseline than patients without a ceiling of care. Some features of their clinical profiles changed among waves. There were differences in treatments received during hospital admission across waves, but not between subjects with and without a ceiling of care. Subjects with a ceiling of care had a death incidence more than four times the death incidence of subjects a without a ceiling of care (risk ratio (RR) ranging from 3.5 in the first wave to almost 6 in the third and fourth). Incidence of severe pneumonia and complications for subjects with a ceiling of care was around 1.5 times the incidence in subjects without a ceiling of care. Discussion Analysis of hospitalized subjects with SARS-CoV-2 infection should be stratified according to therapeutic ceiling of care to avoid bias and outcome misestimation.This study was partially funded by Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya (2020PANDE00148).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

MicroRNA-497 impairs the growth of chemoresistant neuroblastoma cells by targeting cell cycle, survival and vascular permeability genes

Despite multimodal therapies, a high percentage of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) become refractory to current treatments, most of which interfere with cell cycle and DNA synthesis or function, activating the DNA damage response (DDR). In cancer, this process is frequently altered by deregulated expression or function of several genes which contribute to multidrug resistance (MDR). MicroRNAs are outstanding candidates for therapy since a single microRNA can modulate the expression of multiple genes of the same or different pathways, thus hindering the development of resistance mechanisms by the tumor. We found several genes implicated in the MDR to be overexpressed in high-risk NB which could be targeted by microRNAs simultaneously. Our functional screening identified several of those microRNAs that reduced proliferation of chemoresistant NB cell lines, the best of which was miR-497. Low expression of miR-497 correlated with poor patient outcome. The overexpression of miR-497 reduced the proliferation of multiple chemoresistant NB cell lines and induced apoptosis in MYCN-amplified cell lines. Moreover, the conditional expression of miR-497 in NB xenografts reduced tumor growth and inhibited vascular permeabilization. MiR-497 targets multiple genes related to the DDR, cell cycle, survival and angiogenesis, which renders this molecule a promising candidate for NB therapy

Basement and cover architecture in the Central Pyrenees constrained by gravity data

A new gravity survey (1164 gravity stations and 180 samples for density analysis) combined with two new geological cross sections has been carried out in a sector of the Central Pyrenees in order to improve the characterization of basement and cover architecture. From North to South, the study area comprises the southern half of the Axial Zone and the northernmost part of the South-Pyrenean Zone. New gravity data were combined with previous existing databases to obtain the Bouguer and residual anomaly maps of the study area. The two cross sections, oriented NNE–SSW, were built from field data and previous surficial and subsurface data and cross the La Maladeta plutonic complex. The residual anomaly map shows values ranging from −18 to 16 mGal and anomalies mainly oriented N120E. The two 2.5D modelled cross sections show similar observed gravity curves coinciding with similar interpreted structural architecture. Data show a gravity high oriented N120E coinciding with the Orri basement thrust sheet and an important gravity depression, with the same orientation, coinciding with the leading edge at depth of the Rialp basement thrust sheet and interpreted as linked to a large subsurface accumulation of Triassic evaporites. The volume at depth of the La Maladeta and Arties granites has been constrained through gravity modelling. This work highlights that the combination of structural geology and gravity modelling can help to determine the structural architecture of an orogen and localize accumulations of evaporites at depth.This work is part of the project CGL2017-84901-C2-2-P funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe” and project PID2020-114273GB-C22 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 from Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Seequent has provided us the GM-SYS module of the Oasis Montaj. The authors acknowledge the contribution of José María Llorente and Agustin González for the acquisition of the gravity data. We thank to Aigüestortes National park and Alt Pirineu Natural park their logistic support. We thank anonymous reviewer for improving the content in the manuscript. This study represents a contribution to GeoAp Research Group (E01-20R) (Aragón Government).Peer reviewe

The anticancer activity of lytic peptides is inhibited by heparan sulfate on the surface of the tumor cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) with antitumor activity constitute a promising group of novel anticancer agents. These peptides induce lysis of cancer cells through interactions with the plasma membrane. It is not known which cancer cell membrane components influence their susceptibility to CAPs. We have previously shown that CAPs interact with the two glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), which are present on the surface of most cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the two GAGs in the cytotoxic activity of CAPs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Various cell lines, expressing different levels of cell surface GAGs, were exposed to bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) and the designer peptide, KW5. The cytotoxic effect of the peptides was investigated by use of the colorimetric MTT viability assay. The cytotoxic effect on wild type CHO cells, expressing normal amounts of GAGs on the cell surface, and the mutant pgsA-745, that has no expression of GAGs on the cell surface, was also investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show that cells not expressing HS were more susceptible to CAPs than cells expressing HS at the cell surface. Further, exogenously added heparin inhibited the cytotoxic effect of the peptides. Chondroitin sulfate had no effect on the cytotoxic activity of KW5 and only minor effects on LfcinB cytotoxicity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show for the first time that negatively charged molecules at the surface of cancer cells inhibit the cytotoxic activity of CAPs. Our results indicate that HS at the surface of cancer cells sequesters CAPs away from the phospholipid bilayer and thereby impede their ability to induce cytolysis.</p

Dietary supplementation with hydrolyzed yeast and its effect on the performance, intestinal microbiota, and immune response of weaned piglets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of autolyzed yeast on performance, cecal microbiota, and leukogram of weaned piglets. A total of 96 piglets of commercial line weaned at 21-day-old were used. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four treatments (diets containing 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9% autolyzed yeast), eight replicates, and three animals per pen in order to evaluate daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion in periods of 0 to 15, 0 to 26, and 0 to 36 days. Quadratic effects of autolyzed yeast inclusion were observed on the feed conversion from 0 to 15 days, on daily weight gain from 0 to 15 days, 0 to 26 days and, 0 to 36 days, indicating an autolyzed yeast optimal inclusion level between 0.4% and 0.5%. No effect from autolyzed yeast addition was observed on piglet daily feed intake, cecal microbiota, and leukogram; however, i.m. application of E. coli lipopolysaccharide reduced the values of total leukocytes and their fractions (neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and rods). Therefore, autolyzed yeast when provided at levels between 0.4% and 0.5% improved weaned piglets’ performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio