Pectin from sunflower by-products obtained by ultrasound: Chemical characterization and in vivo evaluation of properties in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a public health challenge and the use of pectin for symptom amelioration is a promising option. In this work, sunflower pectin has been extracted without (CHP) and with assistance of ultrasound (USP) using sodium citrate as a food-grade extracting agent. At optimal conditions (64 ◦C, 23 min) the highest yield was obtained with ultrasound application (15.5 vs. 8.1 %). Both pectins were structurally characterized by 1H NMR, HPSEC-ELSD, FT-IR and GC-FID. Unlike CHP, USP showed a lower molecular weight, higher galacturonic acid, lower degree of methyl-esterification and, overall, higher viscosity. These characteristics could affect the anti-inflammatory activity of pectins, evaluated using DSS-induced IBD model mice. So, USP promoted the defence (ICAM-1) and repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa (TFF3, ZO-1) more effectively than CHP. These results demonstrate the potential amelioration of acute colitis in IBD mice through USP supplementation. Taking into account the biomarkers analysed, these results demonstrate, for the first time, the positive impact of sunflower pectin extracted by ultrasound under very soft conditions on inflammatory bowel disease that might open up new possibilities in the treatment of this serious pathologyMINECO of Spain, Project AGL2014- 53445-RGrant PID2021-123862OB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033ERDF A way of making EuropePFIS (FI20/00159) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMinistry of Economy of Spai

Identificación del alumnado de Educación Primaria con las narrativas históricas locales y nacionales. Estudio de caso en un contexto multicultural

En el presente trabajo se analiza la relación existente entre la enseñanza de la historia y la formación de identidades colectivas en una sociedad como la actual, caracterizada por la pluralidad cultural. Para ello, se ha realizado una investigación de carácter principalmente cualitativo en la que, mediante el empleo de cuatro instrumentos de recogida de información y de la triangulación de datos, se ha podido comprobar la necesidad de reformulación de los contenidos históricos por la falta de representación de la diversidad cultural en la escuela. A pesar de esto, los resultados nos han mostrado que el empleo de metodologías alternativas que fomenten la investigación, el trabajo cooperativo y el pensamiento crítico puede resultar una herramienta muy útil para superar las narrativas históricas presentes en el currículo de Educación Primaria

Endometrial whole metabolome profile at the receptive phase: influence of Mediterranean Diet and infertility

Introduction: Several metabolite classes have been identified in human endometrium, including lipids, nucleotides, amino acids, organic acids, and sugars. The first studies suggest the importance of metabolites in endometrial functions, as imbalance in uterine metabolites has been associated with low implantation rate and endometriosis. Nevertheless, most of studies have put emphasis on specific metabolite classes, and we lack the knowledge of the whole metabolome composition in human uterus. Further, a healthy dietary pattern has been shown to potentially protect against different endometrial dysfunctions and is a potential modulator of metabolomic composition and, consequently, the intrauterine microenvironment. The Mediterranean Diet (MD), characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, cereals, nuts, legumes, fish, and olive oil, and a low consumption of meat, dairy products, and processed foods, has been associated with a wide range of benefits for health. Indeed, the MD pattern has displayed a beneficial role in endometriosis management and fertility; however, the relationship between the MD and the endometrial metabolome is still unknown. In our study, we set out to analyze receptivephase endometrial metabolome profiles among women with infertility and their associations with MD. Methods: The study included women with male factor infertility (n=8), unexplained infertility (n=10), recurrent implantation failure (n=14), and endometriosis (n=13). The endometrial metabolome was analyzed with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC–MS/MS). The MD adherence of the participants was assessed using the 14-point MEDAS questionnaire of adherence to the MD. Results: We provide the whole metabolome profile of the endometrium, where 925 different metabolites were identified. Among these metabolites, lipids comprised the largest part, where polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) prevailed. Women with endometriosis and recurrent implantation failure were found to have lower levels of PUFAs compared to women with male factor and unexplained infertility (i.e., no clear endometrial alterations), identifying a metabolome profile associated with infertility diagnoses where altered endometrial functions are suspected. Moreover, MD adherence seemed to be associated with the endometrial metabolomic profile in a manner dependent on the health status of the uterus. Conclusion: The study findings provide insight into the molecular background of female infertility and lead to identification of potential molecular biomarkers and possibilities for modulating the endometrial microenvironment and, thereby, endometrial functions involved in embryo implantation and infertility.MCIN/AEI Endo-Map PID2021-12728OB-100 ENDORE SAF2017-87526-R PRE2018-085440 RYC-2016-21199 FPU19/03745 FPU19/01638 FPU19/01609ERFD A way of making EuropeESF Investing in your futureFEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Economia y Conocimiento ROBIN A-CTS-614-UGR20 IRENE P20_00158University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion PPJIB2021-02Plan de Recuperacion, Transformacion y resiliencia, Ayudas para la recualificacion del sistema universitario espanol, Ayudas Margarita Sala

Muscle activation in semantic processing: An electromyography approach

[EN]In this study, we focus on the spontaneous activity related to manual verbs to determine the extent to which semantic processing of manual verbs affects spontaneous arm muscle activity. For this purpose, we recorded the arm’s electromyographic activity while participants read manual and non-manual verbs, focusing their attention on the semantic content or a specific letter. In addition, we manipulated the arm position (in front of the body or behind the back) to observe postural priming effects for spontaneous muscle activity. Our results show that when arms were placed forward and the attention was directed to the semantic content, there was an enhanced spontaneous activation. Our results suggest that spontaneous motor responses are related to the involvement of the motor system in action language comprehension as suggested by language embodiment theories

A systematic review identifying seminal plasma biomarkers and their predictive ability on IVF and ICSI outcomes

The diverse nature and high molecule concentration of seminal plasma (SP) makes this fluid a good potential source for a potential biomarker that could predict assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. Currently, semen quality parameters cannot accurately predict ART outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify human SP biomarkers with potential predictive ability for the outcomes of IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Observational cohort and case-control studies describing the association between biomarkers in human SP and the outcome of infertile men attending for ART were included. Forty-three studies were selected, reporting on 89 potential SP biomarkers (grouped as oxidative stress, proteins glycoproteins, metabolites, immune system components, metals and trace elements and nucleic acids). The present review supports 32 molecules in SP as potentially relevant biomarkers for predicting ART outcomes; 23 molecules were reported once and nine molecules were reported in more than one study; IL-18 and TGF-β1–IL-18 ratio were confirmed in distinct studies. This review presents the most comprehensive overview of relevant SP biomarkers to predict ART outcomes to date, which is of clinical interest for infertility investigations and assisted reproduction; nevertheless, its potential is under-exploited. This review could serve as starting point for designing an all-encompassing study for biomarkers in SP and their predictive ability for ART outcomes, and for developing a non-invasive diagnostic tool.MerckMCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033ESF Investing in your future: FPU19/01638Grant Endo- Map PID2021-12728OB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033 and ERFD A way of making EuropeFEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento: ROBIN A-CTS-614-UGR2

Extended-Spectrum β-Lactam Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Wild European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europeus) Living in Populated Areas

Wildlife has been suggested to be a good sentinel of environmental health because of its close interaction with human populations, domestic animals, and natural ecosystems. The alarming emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human and veterinary medicine has activated/triggered the awareness of monitoring the levels of AMR pollution in wildlife. European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are common wild species habiting urban areas in Europe. However, there are few studies conducted in hedgehogs as reservoirs of AMR bacteria or genes. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and distribution of ESBL, AmpC, and carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria and AMR genes in wild European hedgehogs in Catalonia, a densely populated region of NE Spain. A total of 115 hedgehogs admitted at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Torreferrussa were studied. To our knowledge, this is the first description of β-lactam resistant enterobacteria in wild hedgehogs. Interestingly, 36.8% (42/114) of the animals were detected as carriers of β-lactamase/carbapenemase resistance genes. Klebsiella spp. (59.6%), and specifically K. pneumoniae (84.6%), were the bacteria with the highest proportion of resistance genes, followed by E. coli (34.6%) and C. freundii (5.8%). The most frequently detected genetic variants were blaCTX-M-15 (19.3%), blaSHV-28 (10.5%), blaCMY-1 (9.7%), blaCMY-2 (8.8%), and blaOXA-48 (1.7%). In addition, 52% (27/52) of the isolates presented a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype and 31% had an extended drug resistance (XDR) profile. No clustering of animals with AMR genes within the study region was shown in the spatial analysis, nor differences in the proportion of positive animals among Animals 2021, 11, 2837. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102837 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals Animals 2021, 11, 2837 2 of 13 regions, were detected. The results of this study suggest that wild European hedgehogs could be good sentinels of AMR environmental pollution, especially in areas with a high human population density, because they either inhabit and/or feed in an anthropogenic environment. In conclusion, it is crucial to raise awareness of the strong interconnection between habitats and compartments, and therefore this implies that AMR issues must be tackled under the One Health approachinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Focal Mechanisms for Subcrustal Earthquakes Beneath the Gibraltar Arc

Earthquakes below 50‐km depth are usually associated with active subduction, and the direction of faulting is aligned with the orientation of the subduction zone. Faulting in 42 earthquakes beneath the Gibraltar Arc and Alboran Sea shows different characteristics. The most abundant solutions show horizontal slip, in agreement with relative plate motion between Africa and Europe. Further solutions are associated with shortening and suggest compression from the basal drag of the Earth's mantle on the moving plates. In turn, no signature of active subduction was found. Images of the Earth's interior from teleseismic waves suggest a relation between the earthquakes and a stalled remnant of ~150‐Ma‐old oceanic material that once formed the connection between two oceans and later has been buried beneath the Gibraltar Arc.We received financial support through Mineco/Feder Project CGL2015‐67130‐C2‐2‐R and Junta de Andalucía research group RNM 10

La transparencia de los ayuntamientos de Cataluña antes de la entrada en vigor de la legislación estatal y autonómica

El objetivo del proyecto Mapa Infoparticipa es mejorar la transparencia de las administraciones públicas locales. Se ha desarrollado un procedimiento de auditoria cívica que comienza con la evaluación de la información publicada en las webs de las corporaciones. Los resultados se muestran en el Mapa Infoparticipa, se elaboran informes para darlos a conocer a los medios de comunicación, se asesora a los ayuntamientos para que mejoren sus resultados y se concede un sello acreditativo a los que obtienen resultados satisfactorios. En 2012 se hizo una primera evaluación de las webs de los 947 ayuntamientos de Cataluña y se han hecho dos más en los años siguientes. Comparando los resultados obtenidos, mostramos el estado de la transparencia en esos dos momentos y la utilidad del procedimiento. Los ayuntamientos que han aplicado los criterios del proyecto están mejor preparados para adecuarse a la Ley de Transparencia, vigente desde diciembre de 2015.The objective of the project Infoparticipa Map is to improve the transparency of local public administrations. A procedure of civic audit has been developed, which starts with the evaluation of the information published on the websites of corporations. The results are shown in the Infoparticipa Map, reports are elaborated to make them known on media, local governments are advised in order to improve their results and a certification seal is granted to those getting satisfactory results. In 2012, there was a first assessment of the websites of 947 local governments in Catalonia and two more were made in the following years. Comparing obtained results, we show the status of transparency in those two moments and the usefulness of the procedure. Local governments that have applied the criteria of the project are better prepared to meet the Law of Transparency, in effect since Decembe