7-Azido-N,N-diethyl-4,5-O-isopropyl­idene-4-C-methyl-3,6-anhydro-7-de­oxy-d-glycero-d-manno-heptonamide

The reaction of 5-azido-5-de­oxy-2,3-O-isopropyl­idene-2-C-methyl-d-ribose with N,N-diethyl-2-(dimethyl­sulfuranyl­idene)acetamide gave the title compound, C15H26N4O5, as the major product arising from initial formation of an epoxide which was subsequently opened by intra­molecular attack of the free 4-hydroxyl group. X-ray crystallography confirmed the relative stereochemistry of the title compound and the absolute configuration was determined by the use of d-ribose as the starting material. The crystal structure contains chains of mol­ecules running parallel to the a axis, being linked by weak bifurcated O—H⋯(N,N) hydrogen bonds

High-yield halide-assisted synthesis of metal–organic framework UiO-based nanocarriers

The synthesis of nanosized metal–organic frameworks (NMOFs) is requisite for their application as injectable drug delivery systems (DDSs) and other biorelevant purposes. Herein, we have critically examined the role of different synthetic parameters leading to the production of UiO-66 crystals smaller than 100 nm. Of note, we demonstrate the co-modulator role conferred by halide ions, not only to produce NMOFs with precise morphology and size, but also to significantly improve the reaction yield. The resulting NMOFs are highly crystalline and exhibit sustained colloidal stability in different biologically relevant media. As a proof of concept, these NMOFs were loaded with Rhodamine 6G (R6G), which remained trapped in most common biologically relevant media. When incubated with living mammalian cells, the R6G-loaded NMOFs were efficiently internalized and did not impair cell viability even at relatively high doses.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the MCIN/AEI (PID2019-108624RB-I00, RYC-2017-23457, RYC-2019-028238-I), the Xunta de Galicia (ED431F 2017/02, ED431F 2020/11, 2021-CP090, Centro Singular de Investigación de Galicia Accreditation 2019–2022, ED431G 2019/03), the European Union (European RegionalDevelopment Fund – ERDF; H2020-MSCA-ITN grant agreement no. 860942; H2020-FET-Open grant agreement no. 899612; H2020-ICT grant agreement no. 10101694 and INTERREG V-A Spain–Portugal, project 0624_2IQBIONEURO_6_E), and the European Research Council (starting grant no. 950421). M.C.-M. thanks the AEI (FPU19/03155). The authors are grateful for the use of RIAIDT-USC analytical facilities.S

Primera proposta d'índex del valor del patrimoni natural de Catalunya (IVPN), una eina cartogràfica per a l'avaluació ambiental estratègica

Es presenta la primera fase de desenvolupament conceptual i metodològic de l'índex del valor del patrimoni natural (IVPN), un índex d'expressió cartogràfica que pretén avaluar el conjunt del territori català amb criteris homogenis, per tal que sigui utilitzable en l'avaluació ambiental estratègica de plans i programes. La principal informació de base correspon a la cartografia dels hàbitats de Catalunya (escala 1:50.000), triada per la seva resolució espacial i temàtica i perquè cobreix la totalitat de Catalunya, i complementada amb informació bibliogràfica i cartogràfica diversa. S'ha dut a terme una selecció experta de variables florístiques i fitocenològiques, corològiques, ecopaisatgístiques i de servei ecològic, que s'han disposat en un sistema jeràrquic amb divuit indicadors de base, quatre índexs parcials i un -l'IVPN- de total. El treball també presenta, de forma sumària, algunes valoracions relatives al mètode, els resultats obtinguts i les possibilitats d'ús en la planificació i la gestió territorials.Se presenta la primera fase de desarrollo conceptual y metodológico del índice del valor del patrimonio natural (IVPN), un índice de expresión cartográfica que pretende evaluar el territorio catalán con criterios homogéneos, de manera que sea utilizable en la evaluación ambiental estratégica de planes y programas. La principal información de base corresponde a la cartografía de los hábitats de Cataluña (escala 1:50.000), elegida por su resolución espacial y temática y porque cubre la totalidad de Cataluña, y complementada con información bibliográfica y cartográfica diversa. Se ha llevado a cabo una selección experta de variables florísticas y fitocenológicas, corológicas, ecopaisajísticas y de servicio ecológico, que se han dispuesto en un sistema jerárquico con dieciocho indicadores de base, cuatro índices parciales y uno -el IVPN- total. El trabajo también presenta, de forma sumaria, algunas valoraciones relativas al método, los resultados obtenidos y las posibilidades de uso en la planificación y la gestión territoriales.The first phase of development of the Natural Heritage Value Index (NHVI) of Catalonia is presented. This is a cartographical index aimed at evaluating the Catalan territory as a whole using homogeneous criteria, so that it may be used in the strategic environmental assessment of plans and programmes. The basis is the habitats map of Catalonia (1:50.000), which was considered to be the most suitable owing to its spatial and thematic resolution and because it covers the whole of Catalonia. The map was complemented by bibliographical information and ancillary cartography. A set of parameters concerning floristics, phytosociology, chorology, landscape structure, and ecological services of habitats were chosen by expert judgement. They were organised into a hierarchical system of 18 fundamental indicators, 4 partial indices and one global index, the NHVI. The study also discusses briefly the validity of the methods and results, and their possible use in land planning and management

Contrasting habitat and landscape effects on the fitness of a long-lived grassland plant under forest encroachment : do they provide evidence for extinction debt?

1. Habitat loss, fragmentation and transformation threaten the persistence of many species worldwide. Population and individual fitness are often compromised in small, degraded and isolated habitats, but extinction can be a slow process and extinction debts are common. - 2. Long-lived species are prone to persist as remnant populations in low quality habitats for a long time, but the population and individual-level mechanisms of extinction debt remain poorly explored so far. - 3. We here investigate the mechanisms involved in the long-term persistence of the common grassland specialist, long-lived, clonal plant Aphyllanthes monspeliensis L. (Asparagaceae) after forest encroachment into semi-natural Mediterranean calcareous grasslands in Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula). For this purpose we assess vegetative (aboveground and belowground) and reproductive plant performance indicators and their habitat and landscape (current and historical) drivers. - 4. We confirm the existence of an extinction debt for this species, since current plant frequency is related to historical but not current connectivity, and we also find a positive effect of historical connectivity on seed set. In addition, current tree cover negatively affects individual size and aboveground/belowground biomass ratio, and biotic soil acidification leads to a reduction in the flowering probability of individuals and stems. - 5. However, we also find that current connectivity negatively affects flowering and that tree cover enhances seed set. The forestation process, thus, also exerts a positive effect on some fitness traits, probably by providing a moister environment. - 6. Synthesis. Habitat loss and deterioration result in a decreased vegetative performance of Aphyllanthes monspeliensis, a grassland specialist, but show contrasting effects on its reproductive performance. This suggests that the species would perform better in open forests than grasslands in a context of climate change. However, further forest encroachment would increase light competition and soil acidification, threatening its persistence and promoting the payment of the extinction debt if no conservation measures are taken, like opening gaps in forests and enhancing grassland connectivity

Ex vivo identification and characterization of a population of CD13high CD105+ CD45− mesenchymal stem cells in human bone marrow

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.[Introduction]: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. Their multipotential capacity and immunomodulatory properties have led to an increasing interest in their biological properties and therapeutic applications. Currently, the definition of MSCs relies on a combination of phenotypic, morphological and functional characteristics which are typically evaluated upon in vitro expansion, a process that may ultimately lead to modulation of the immunophenotypic, functional and/or genetic features of these cells. Therefore, at present there is great interest in providing markers and phenotypes for direct in vivo and ex vivo identification and isolation of MSCs. [Methods]: Multiparameter flow cytometry immunophenotypic studies were performed on 65 bone marrow (BM) samples for characterization of CD13high CD105+ CD45– cells. Isolation and expansion of these cells was performed in a subset of samples in parallel to the expansion of MSCs from mononuclear cells following currently established procedures. The protein expression profile of these cells was further assessed on (paired) primary and in vitro expanded BM MSCs, and their adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential was also determined. [Results]: Our results show that the CD13high CD105+ CD45− immunophenotype defines a minor subset of cells that are systematically present ex vivo in normal/reactive BM (n = 65) and that display immunophenotypic features, plastic adherence ability, and osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation capacities fully compatible with those of MSCs. In addition, we also show that in vitro expansion of these cells modulates their immunophenotypic characteristics, including changes in the expression of markers currently used for the definition of MSCs, such as CD105, CD146 and HLA-DR. [Conclusions]: BM MSCs can be identified ex vivo in normal/reactive BM, based on a robust CD13high CD105+ and CD45− immunophenotypic profile. Furthermore, in vitro expansion of these cells is associated with significant changes in the immunophenotypic profile of MSCs.This work was supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, FEDER, Ministry of Economy and Competitivity, Madrid, Spain (grant PI11/02399; RETICEF RD12/0043/0021; RTICC RD12/0036/0048); Fundación Ramon Areces, Madrid, Spain (grant CIVP16A1806); Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC); Consejería de Sanidad, Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL) (grant BIO/SA24/13) and Fundación Samuel Solórzano Barruso (University of Salamanca, Spain); CT was supported by a grant co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Junta de Castilla y León (Spain).Peer Reviewe

Smart biofilms produced from fish filleting wastes

The myofibrillar proteins utilization from fish processing wastes to produce films has an importance to decrease the environmental impact due to usual inappropriate disposal of these wastes. The aim of this work was to make and characterize biodegradable films developed from myofibrillar proteins of gó whitefish (Macrodon ancylodon) wastes, with anthocyanin addition as a pH change indicator. The material proteic extracted was chacterized presenting high concentration of total proteins (95.01%), important for the development of filmogenic solution. According to the results, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the control and the added with anthocyanin biofilms. The film with lower concentration of anthocyanin presented better barrier property, with water vapor permeability of 3.8 × 1011 g.m1.s1.Pa1. There is a great potential for fish processing wastes utilization to obtain biodegradable films even as the anthocyanin pigment powder is promising to act as pH indicator.This work was financially supported by Project POCI-01–0145-FEDER-007457, funded by FEDER funds through “COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização” (POCI) and by national funds through “FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”. J.R. Carneiro would also like to thank “FCT” for the research grant SFRH/ BPD/88730/ 2012 (grant supported by POPH/POCH/FSE funding).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Smart biofilms produced from fish filleting wastes

The myofibrillar proteins utilization from fish processing wastes to produce films has an importance to decrease the environmental impact due to usual inappropriate disposal of these wastes. The aim of this work was to make and characterize biodegradable films developed from myofibrillar proteins of gó whitefish (Macrodon ancylodon) wastes, with anthocyanin addition as a pH change indicator. The material proteic extracted was chacterized presenting high concentration of total proteins (95.01%), important for the development of filmogenic solution. According to the results, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the control and the added with anthocyanin biofilms. The film with lower concentration of anthocyanin presented better barrier property, with water vapor permeability of 3.8 × 1011 g.m1.s1.Pa1. There is a great potential for fish processing wastes utilization to obtain biodegradable films even as the anthocyanin pigment powder is promising to act as pH indicator.This work was financially supported by Project POCI-01–0145-FEDER-007457, funded by FEDER funds through “COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização” (POCI) and by national funds through “FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”. J.R. Carneiro would also like to thank “FCT” for the research grant SFRH/ BPD/88730/ 2012 (grant supported by POPH/POCH/FSE funding).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phenotypes in gambling disorder using sociodemographic and clinical clustering analysis: an unidentified new subtype?

Background: gambling disorder (GD) is a heterogeneous disorder which has clinical manifestations that vary according to variables in each individual. Considering the importance of the application of specific therapeutic interventions, it is essential to obtain clinical classifications based on differentiated phenotypes for patients diagnosed with GD. Objectives: to identify gambling profiles in a large clinical sample of n = 2,570 patients seeking treatment for GD. Methods: an agglomerative hierarchical clustering method defining a combination of the Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion and log-likelihood was used, considering a large set of variables including sociodemographic, gambling, psychopathological, and personality measures as indicators. Results: three-mutually-exclusive groups were obtained. Cluster 1 (n = 908 participants, 35.5%), labeled as "high emotional distress," included the oldest patients with the longest illness duration, the highest GD severity, and the most severe levels of psychopathology. Cluster 2 (n = 1,555, 60.5%), labeled as "mild emotional distress," included patients with the lowest levels of GD severity and the lowest levels of psychopathology. Cluster 3 (n = 107, 4.2%), labeled as "moderate emotional distress," included the youngest patients with the shortest illness duration, the highest level of education and moderate levels of psychopathology. Conclusion: in this study, the general psychopathological state obtained the highest importance for clustering