Optimization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-galactosidase production and application in the degradation of raffinose family oligosaccharides

[Abstract] Background: α-Galactosidases are enzymes that act on galactosides present in many vegetables, mainly legumes and cereals, have growing importance with respect to our diet. For this reason, the use of their catalytic activity is of great interest in numerous biotechnological applications, especially those in the food industry directed to the degradation of oligosaccharides derived from raffinose. The aim of this work has been to optimize the recombinant production and further characterization of α-galactosidase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results: The MEL1 gene coding for the α-galactosidase of S. cerevisiae (ScAGal) was cloned and expressed in the S. cerevisiae strain BJ3505. Different constructions were designed to obtain the degree of purification necessary for enzymatic characterization and to improve the productive process of the enzyme. ScAGal has greater specificity for the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactopyranoside than for natural substrates, followed by the natural glycosides, melibiose, raffinose and stachyose; it only acts on locust bean gum after prior treatment with β-mannosidase. Furthermore, this enzyme strongly resists proteases, and shows remarkable activation in their presence. Hydrolysis of galactose bonds linked to terminal non-reducing mannose residues of synthetic galactomannan-oligosaccharides confirms that ScAGal belongs to the first group of α-galactosidases, according to substrate specificity. Optimization of culture conditions by the statistical model of Response Surface helped to improve the productivity by up to tenfold when the concentration of the carbon source and the aeration of the culture medium was increased, and up to 20 times to extend the cultivation time to 216 h. Conclusions: ScAGal characteristics and improvement in productivity that have been achieved contribute in making ScAGal a good candidate for application in the elimination of raffinose family oligosaccharides found in many products of the food industry.Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2016–01

Logarithmical hopping encoding: a low computational complexity algorithm for image compression

LHE (logarithmical hopping encoding) is a computationally efficient image compression algorithm that exploits the Weber–Fechner law to encode the error between colour component predictions and the actual value of such components. More concretely, for each pixel, luminance and chrominance predictions are calculated as a function of the surrounding pixels and then the error between the predictions and the actual values are logarithmically quantised. The main advantage of LHE is that although it is capable of achieving a low-bit rate encoding with high quality results in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and image quality metrics with full-reference (FSIM) and non-reference (blind/referenceless image spatial quality evaluator), its time complexity is O( n) and its memory complexity is O(1). Furthermore, an enhanced version of the algorithm is proposed, where the output codes provided by the logarithmical quantiser are used in a pre-processing stage to estimate the perceptual relevance of the image blocks. This allows the algorithm to downsample the blocks with low perceptual relevance, thus improving the compression rate. The performance of LHE is especially remarkable when the bit per pixel rate is low, showing much better quality, in terms of PSNR and FSIM, than JPEG and slightly lower quality than JPEG-2000 but being more computationally efficient

Analysis of burnout syndrome and resilience in nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Producción CientíficaBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the occurrence of work-related stress on nursing staff. Being resilience an essential element to countering adversity. The aim of the study was to assess burnout syndrome as well as resilience in hospital-care nurses during the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of burnout syndrome and resilience of 101 nurses during the first COVID-19 outbreak. The Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Scale of Resilience of Connor-Davidson were used. Results: The burnout average score was 74.35 ± 12.78 points, and resilience was 27.94 ± 5.84. Temporary nurses reached a lower average score for the emotional fatigue dimension (23.80 ± 10.39 points) p < 0.05. The emotional fatigue dimension correlated adversely with the average score of resilience (r = −0.271; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The level of burnout in nurses was high, being higher on those who took care of COVID-19 patients. Resilient nurses were able to better cope with stressful situations

Functional two-way analysis of variance and bootstrap methods for neural synchrony analysis

[Abstract] Background: Pairwise association between neurons is a key feature in understanding neural coding. Statistical neuroscience provides tools to estimate and assess these associations. In the mammalian brain, activating ascending pathways arise from neuronal nuclei located at the brainstem and at the basal forebrain that regulate the transition between sleep and awake neuronal firing modes in extensive regions of the cerebral cortex, including the primary visual cortex, where neurons are known to be selective for the orientation of a given stimulus. In this paper, the estimation of neural synchrony as a function of time is studied in data obtained from anesthetized cats. A functional data analysis of variance model is proposed. Bootstrap statistical tests are introduced in this context; they are useful tools for the study of differences in synchrony strength regarding 1) transition between different states (anesthesia and awake), and 2) affinity given by orientation selectivity. Results: An analysis of variance model for functional data is proposed for neural synchrony curves, estimated with a cross-correlation based method. Dependence arising from the experimental setting needs to be accounted for. Bootstrap tests allow the identification of differences between experimental conditions (modes of activity) and between pairs of neurons formed by cells with different affinities given by their preferred orientations. In our test case, interactions between experimental conditions and preferred orientations are not statistically significant. Conclusions: The results reflect the effect of different experimental conditions, as well as the affinity regarding orientation selectivity in neural synchrony and, therefore, in neural coding. A cross-correlation based method is proposed that works well under low firing activity. Functional data statistical tools produce results that are useful in this context. Dependence is shown to be necessary to account for, and bootstrap tests are an appropriate method with which to do so

Increased p53 gene dosage reduces neointimal thickening induced by mechanical injury but has no effect on native atherosclerosis

This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Cardiovascular Research following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Cardiovasc Res. 75 (4):803-12. is available online at: http://cardiovascres.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/75/4/803OBJECTIVE: The tumor suppressor p53 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis, two key processes in the pathogenesis of occlusive vascular disease. Here, we examined the consequences of heightening p53 function on neointimal lesion formation in the setting of atherosclerosis and mechanical injury. METHODS: (1) Immunohistopathological characterization of neointimal lesions in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-null mice with normal p53 gene dosage (apoEKO) and carrying a p53 transgene (Super-p53/apoE-KO); (2) molecular studies in macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) obtained from these mice. RESULTS: The p53 transgene conferred p53 gain-of-function in cultured cells and mice. In vitro, survival of irradiated Super-p53 macrophages and femoral SMCs was reduced, but only Super-p53 SMCs exhibited attenuated proliferation. In vivo, whereas the size of spontaneously formed and diet-induced aortic atheromas was undistinguishable in apoE-KO and Super-p53/apoE-KO mice, the latter exhibited attenuated neointimal thickening in mechanically-injured femoral artery. In both models, neither apoptosis nor cell proliferation were affected by additional p53 gene dosage when examined in established neointimal lesions. However, at 2 days after mechanical injury when neointimal lesions were not formed yet, cell proliferation was significantly attenuated within medial SMCs of Super-p53/apoEKO mice. CONCLUSION: Heightening p53 function has differential effects on in vitro proliferation of macrophages (unaffected) versus SMCs (reduced), and on native atherosclerosis (unaffected) versus mechanically-induced neointimal thickening (reduced) in apoE-KO mice. The protective effect of p53 in mechanically-injured femoral artery coincided with limited medial SMC proliferation at early time points preceding neointima formation, but neither medial nor neointimal cell proliferation was affected in vessels with established occlusive lesions. These findings corroborate p53 gain-of-function as a promising therapeutic strategy to limit post-angioplasty restenosis but not native atherosclerosis.Work financed by grants from Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo/Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, RECAVA), from the Regional Government of Valencia (GV04B-288) and from Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia and the European Regional Development Fund (SAF2004-03057). S.M.S.-G. and J.M.G received salary support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, and J.J.F. from CSIC-I3P predoctoral fellowship program cosponsored by the European Social Fund.Peer reviewe

Bioconversion of Beet Molasses to Alpha-Galactosidase and Ethanol

Molasses are sub-products of the sugar industry, rich in sucrose and containing other sugars like raffinose, glucose, and fructose. Alpha-galactosidases (EC. 3.2.1.22) catalyze the hydrolysis of alpha-(1,6) bonds of galactose residues in galacto-oligosaccharides (melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose) and complex galactomannans. Alpha-galactosidases have important applications, mainly in the food industry but also in the pharmaceutical and bioenergy sectors. However, the cost of the enzyme limits the profitability of most of these applications. The use of cheap sub-products, such as molasses, as substrates for production of alpha-galactosidases, reduces the cost of the enzymes and contributes to the circular economy. Alpha-galactosidase is a specially indicated bioproduct since, at the same time, it allows to use the raffinose present in molasses. This work describes the development of a two-step system for the valuation of beet molasses, based on their use as substrate for alpha-galactosidase and bioethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Since this yeast secretes high amounts of invertase, to avoid congest the secretory route and to facilitate alpha-galactosidase purification from the culture medium, a mutant in the SUC2 gene (encoding invertase) was constructed. After a statistical optimization of culture conditions, this mutant yielded a very high rate of molasses bioconversion to alpha-galactosidase. In the second step, the SUC2 wild type yeast strain fermented the remaining sucrose to ethanol. A procedure to recycle the yeast biomass, by using it as nitrogen source to supplement molasses, was also developed

Cross nearest-spike interval based method to measure synchrony dynamics

[Abstract] A new synchrony index for neural activity is de ned in this paper. The method is able to measure synchrony dynamics in low ring rate scenarios. It is based on the computation of the time intervals between nearest spikes of two given spike trains. Generalized additive models are proposed for the synchrony pro les obtained by this method. Two hypothesis tests are proposed to assess for di erences in the level of synchronization in a real data example. Bootstrap methods are used to calibrate the distribution of the tests. Also, the expected synchrony due to chance is computed analytically and by simulation to assess for actual synchronization.Ministerio de Economía e Innovación; MTM2008-00166Ministerio de Economía e Innovación; MTM2011-22392Ministerio de Economía e Innovación; BES-2009-017772Galicia. Consellería de Economía e Industria; INCITE09 137 272 P

Addition of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Chemotherapy vs Chemotherapy Alone as First-Line Treatment in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to conventional chemotherapy (CT) as first-line treatment improves survival in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the relative efficacy of first-line ICIs compared with CT in patients with ES-SCLC. Methods Two independent reviewers extracted relevant data according to PRISMA guidelines and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk-of-bias tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models to calculate an average effect size for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety outcomes in the overall populations and clinically relevant subgroups. Results A literature search of PubMed and Embase was performed. Six randomized controlled clinical trials (IMpower133, CHECKMATE-451, CASPIAN, KEYNOTE-604, and phase II and III ipilimumab plus CT trials) with a total of 3757 patients were included. Compared with CT alone, ICIs plus CT showed a favourable effect on OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.85; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.79–0.96) and PFS (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.72–0.83) but a non-significant increase in the risk of experiencing any adverse event (relative risk, 1.05; 95% CI 0.99–1.11). The estimated HR for OS favoured ICI combinations in all planned subgroups according to age (< 65 years/≥ 65 years), sex (men/women), and ECOG performance status (0/1). Analysis by specific ICI revealed significant improvements in OS only for atezolizumab + CT (HR 1.36; 95% CI 1.09–1.69) and durvalumab + CT (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.12–1.62) compared with CT alone. Conclusion Combining anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 antibodies with platinum/etoposide is a superior therapeutic approach compared to CT alone for the first-line treatment of patients with ES-SCLC

LA CULTURA CORPORAL EN FUNCIÓN DEL GÉNERO: ANÁLISIS DE LOS LIBROS DE TEXTO DE EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA DE SECUNDARIA PUBLICADOS DURANTE LA LEY ORGÁNICA DE EDUCACIÓN

The objective of this study is to describe the body culture representationthat is transmited throught spanish textbooks according to gender. The study is empiric, descriptive and comparative among analyzed books. The sample was formed by an amount of 5972 photographs. Those images regards to 39 Physical Education textbooks, published by 12 Spanish publishers that had edited those texts for the four grades of Obligatory Secundary Education between 2006 and 2011. A content analysis was carried out through the elaboration of an ad hoc coding scheme. The trial test, experts consultation and intercoder reliability test are the demarcation criteria used to support the observation tool. The software SPSS 20.0 was used for statistic analysis. Univariate and bivariate analysis was performed and the Pearson Chi-square test with a significance level of 5% was applied. Los results show imbalance focusing representations of men compared to women. The Physical Education textbooks images reproduce different body culture according to gender. The feminine body culture is characterized by individual sport practice, artistic activities, internalization practices, fitness and physical conditioning activities, in informal and daily environments, using indoor places and presenting practice levels far away from high performance practices.On the other hand, the masculine body culture is characterized bycollective and individual sports, outdoor environments and practice levelslinked to high performance.El objetivo del estudio es describir la representación de la cultura corporal que se transmite en los libros de texto españoles en función del género. El estudio es de tipo empírico, descriptivo y comparativo entre las editoriales analizadas. La muestra estuvo formada por un total de 5972 fotografías. Estas imágenes pertenecen a 39 libros de texto de Educación Física publicados por 12 editoriales españolas que editan estos manuales para los cuatro cursos de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria entre 2006 y 2011. La técnica de investigación fue el análisis de contenido mediante un instrumento de observación elaborado ad hoc. La prueba piloto, la consulta a expertos/as y la prueba intercodificadores son los criterios de cientificidad que avalan el instrumento.Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el software SPSS 20.0. Se realizó un análisis univariante y bivariante y se aplicó el test Ji-cuadrado de Pearson con un nivel de significación en el 5%. Los resultados muestran desequilibrio entre la representación de hombres y mujeres, centrándose en el modelo masculino. Las imágenes presentes en los libros de Educación Física reproducen una cultura corporal diferenciada en función del género. La cultura corporal femenina se caracteriza por la práctica de deportes individuales, actividades artísticas, prácticas de interiorización y actividades de fitness y condición física, en ámbitos informales y utilitarios, espacios interiores y en niveles de práctica alejados del alto rendimiento. Por el contrario, la cultura corporal masculina se caracteriza por la práctica de deportes —tanto colectivos como individuales—, en ámbitos competitivos, espacios exteriores y en niveles de práctica vinculados con la élite deportiva

Critères d’évaluation pour la sélection d’images de l’activité physique et sportive libres d’stéréotypes dans les livres de texte

This article presents a series of evaluation criteria for the selection of physical activity images for school textbooks that are free of stereotypes. School textbooks are purveyors of information that does not always maintain an unequivocal relationship with regards to the knowledge that is supposed to be imparted. The selection of textbook content should be consistent with the goals of the education system but research has shown that the visual content of textbooks does not generally achieve this aim. Images used in textbooks mask prejudices behind a facade of neutrality and they reproduce stereotypes of inequality that affect the most vulnerable societal collectives. Textbook evaluation criteria are based on the results of research that analysed stereotypes in Spanish secondary school textbooks and the perceptions of the secondary school students when shown a significant sample of the images. The evaluation criteria can be applied to the selection of textbook images for the different subject areas, taking into account the variables of sex, age, multiculturality, disability and the corporal typology of the people that are represented. The application of the system is exemplified with the selection of images for a hypothetical physical education textbook.El artículo presenta criterios de evaluación para seleccionar las imágenes vinculadas con la práctica de actividad físico-deportiva en la edición de libros de texto de tal forma que estén libres de estereotipos. Los manuales escolares son portadores de un conocimiento que no siempre guarda una relación unívoca con lo que debe ser enseñado. La selección de sus contenidos debería ser coherente con las finalidades del sistema educativo, pero la investigación revela que la edición de los contenidos visuales no se corresponde con la aplicación de criterios que respondan a esa intencionalidad. Tras una aparente neutralidad, las imágenes de los libros de texto enmascaran prejuicios y reproducen desigualdades que afectan a determinados colectivos frágiles. Los criterios de evaluación para la selección de imágenes que se presentan en este trabajo fueron elaborados de acuerdo con los resultados de una investigación que analizó los estereotipos de género, edad, raza, discapacidad y tipología corporal en las imágenes de manuales escolares de educación física para la ESO en España, así como la percepción del alumnado de secundaria sobre una selección significativa de las mismas imágenes. Los criterios elaborados pueden aplicarse para la selección de fotografías destinadas a manuales de diferentes áreas de conocimiento en las que aparezcan representadas personas vinculadas a la práctica de actividad físico-deportiva. La aplicación de los criterios de evaluación se ejemplifica en la selección de contenidos visuales para un hipotético libro de educación física.L’article présente une série de critères d’évaluation pour la sélection d’images de l’activité physique et sportive librement d’stéréotypes dans les manuels scolaires. Les manuels d’enseignement sont des porteurs d’une connaissance que ne garde pas toujours une relation univoque avec ce que doit être enseigné. La sélection de ses contenus devrait être cohérent avec les finalités du système éducatif, mais la recherche révèle que l’édition des contenus visuels ne se correspond pas avec l’application de critères qu’ils répondent à cette intentionnalité. Après une apparente neutralité, les images des manuels scolaires ils masquent des préjugés et ils reproduisent les inégalités qui affectent les collectifs sociaux les plus vulnérables. Les critères d’évaluation pour la sélection d’images des manuels d’enseignement que se présentent dans ce travail ils ont été élaborés d’accord avec les résultats d’une recherche qu’il a analysé les stéréotypes de genre, âge, race, handicap et typologie corporels dans les images de manuels pour la Éducation Secondaire Obligatoire –ESO– en Espagne, ainsi que les aperçus de l’étudiants de secondaire à ce sujet d’une sélection significative des mêmes images. Les critères d’évaluation élaborés peuvent s’appliquer pour la sélection de photographies destinées à des manuels de différentes zones de connaissance dans lesquelles ils apparaissent des personnes représentées, quant à le variable genre, âge, multiculturalité, handicap et typologie corporels des personnes représentées. L’application des critères d’évaluation s’illustre dans la sélection de contenus visuels pour un hypothétique manuel d’enseignement d’éducation physique