La exposición de la cavidad oral a vinos de diferente composición no volátil cambia la composición de la saliva y afecta a la liberación intraoral de aroma en condiciones in vivo

Este libro recoge el amplio y significativo elenco de estudios recientemente realizados por los grupos de investigación de la red GIENOL (Grupos de investigación enológica).La liberación intraoral del aroma puede estar relacionada con la persistencia del aroma de los vinos, una propiedad importante en su definición de calidad. Para comprobar si esta capacidad se ve afectada por los cambios que se producen en la composición de la saliva tras la exposición de la cavidad oral al vino, en este trabajo se han empleado condiciones in vivo para evaluar mediante la técnica de intra oral HS‐SPME la cantidad de aroma liberado en la cavidad oral de tres individuos tras la administración de vinos aromatizados con seis compuestos odorantes y diferente composición no volátil (blanco, tinto joven y tinto crianza). A su vez, se ha comprobado su relación con los cambios que se producen en la composición de la saliva (flujo, pH, proteínas y polifenoles). Los resultados señalan diferencias interindividuales en la cantidad del aroma liberado que podrían estar relacionadas con las diferencias en el contenido de proteínas totales y la disminución en el pH de la saliva que son más importantes en el caso de la exposición a los vinos tinto joven y blanco. Estos resultados indican la importancia de considerar tanto los factores composicionales del vino como los fisiológicos (saliva) para explicar la persistencia y percepción prolongada del aroma tras el consumo.Los autores agradecen al MINECO la financiación del proyecto AGL2012‐40172‐C02‐01.Peer Reviewe

Nitrogen fixation in a nonheterocystous cyanobacterial mat from a mountain river

In situ nitrogen fixation was investigated in a cyanobacterial mat growing on the bed of rocks of the Muga River, Spain. The filamentous non-heterocystous cyanobacterium Schizothrix dominated the mat, showing nitrogenase activity in the light at similar rates to those found in nearby heterocystous Rivularia colonies. N2 fixation in the light was significantly increased by an inhibitor of PSII and oxygen evolution, DCMU (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea), and anaerobic conditions. However, no nitrogenase activity was found in the dark. Addition of fructose as a respiratory substrate induced nitrogenase activity in samples incubated under aerobic conditions in the dark but not in anaerobic conditions. Microelectrode oxygen profiles showed internal microaerobic microzones where nitrogen fixation might concentrate. Analyses of the 16S rRNA gene revealed only the presence of sequences belonging to filamentous non-heterocystous cyanobacteria. nifH gene diversity showed that the major phylotypes also belonged to this group. One of the three strains isolated from the Schizothrix mat was capable of fixing N2 and growing in the absence of combined N. This was consistent with the nifH gene analysis. These results suggest a relevant contribution of non-heterocystous cyanobacteria to nitrogen fixation in these matsThis work was supported by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain (CGL2008-02397/BOS and CGL-2013-44870-R), and from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (S2009/AMB-1511). We also thank Professor B A Whitton for helpful suggestions on the manuscript, and Dr Philip Mason for improvements to the English version of our manuscrip

SDG reporting: an analysis of corporate sustainability leaders

Purpose This study aims to empirically analyze a sound commitment and a consistent integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the corporate reporting and management systems of companies that have a leading position in sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The study applies a content analysis procedure based on a proposed analytical framework to codify the commitment and the SDG integration. In order to analyze the consistency of the integration, this study has provided a “SDG integration” score based on fuzzy inference systems methods. The companies in the sample have been identified as benchmarks in terms of sustainability in a specific region of Spain. Findings The findings show a lack of formality regarding the SDG commitment at the highest decision-making level and a low level of SDG integration in the reporting and management systems. These results are mainly explained because the most companies do not prioritize according to the materiality analysis and those SDGs more reported have not been deployed along targets and KPIs in a consistent way. Research limitations/implications The results provide practical implications that help to overcome the limitations in terms of comparison and consistency of the SDGs-reported information. It also illustrates how the leading sustainable companies are doing the SDG reporting and suggests which elements could be improved to promote a consistent integration of the SDGs in the management systems. Originality/value This study provides new work lines in the promotion of an effective SDG-business reporting based on a robust management structure that allows an alignment among the SDG-business decisions based on a normative, strategic and operational approach

Study of non-covalent interactions on dendriplex formation: Influence of hydrophobic, electrostatic and hydrogen bonds interactions

The interaction of a double stranded small interference RNA (siRNA Nef) with cationic carbosilane dendrimers of generations 1-3 with two different ammonium functions at the periphery ([-NMe2R](+), R=Me, (CH2)(2)OH) has been studied by experimental techniques (zeta potential, electrophoresis, single molecule pulling experiments) and molecular dynamic calculations. These studies state the presence of different forces on dendriplex formation, depending on generation and type of ammonium group. Whilst for higher dendrimers electrostatic forces mainly drive the stability of dendriplexes, first generation compounds can penetrate into siRNA strands due to the establishment of hydrophobic interactions. Finally, in the particular case of first generation dendrimer [G(1)O(3)(NMe2(CH2)(2)OH))(6)](6+); the presence of hydroxyl groups reinforces dendriplex stability by hydrogen bonds formation. However, since these small dendrimers do not cover the RNA, only higher generation derivatives protect RNA from degradation.University of Alcalá; Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN); Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón; Universitat de Barcelon

Fluorescein labelled cationic carbosilane dendritic systems for biological studies

Cationic carbosilane dendrimers and dendrons labelled with one fluorescein unit have been synthesized. For dendrimers (generations 1–3), a random procedure was followed by successive addition of two types of thiol compounds to vinyl terminated derivatives, first one with –NH3Cl and second one with –NMe2HCl functions, subsequent reaction with FITC and finally quaternization with MeI. For dendrons, the use of compounds with a –NH2 group at the focal point and –NMe2 functions at the periphery allowed us to obtain the corresponding fluoresceinated cationic derivatives. The toxicity of these dendritic molecules was studied by MTT and their interaction with siRNA Nef by electrophoresis. Finally, second generation dendrimer and their dendriplexes with siRNA Nef were chosen as a model to analyse their in vivo biodistribution in a BALB/c mouse model. The highest levels for dendriplexes were found in spleen and liver, followed in lymph nodes, while lower levels were found in kidneys. This distribution is in accordance with long circulation times.Ministerio de Economía y EmpresaComunidad de MadridMinisterio de Educación y Cienci

High Plasma sTNF-R1 Level Is Related to Loss of Natural HIV Control in Long-Term Elite Controllers

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) elite controllers are heterogeneous due to different immunovirological features. We aimed to identify plasma biomarkers associated with loss of spontaneous HIV-1 control in long-term elite controllers (HIV-LTECs). We performed a retrospective study in 60 HIV-LTECs [36 true-LTECs and 24 LTECs losing control (LTECs-LC)]. We selected a plasma sample from true-LTECs (towards the middle of the follow-up period) and two samples from LTECs-LC (one far from the loss of control and another close to loss of control). Plasma biomarkers were evaluated using multiplex immunoassays. The partial least squares-discriminant analysis provided the variable importance in projection (VIP), and the adjusted Generalized Linear Model provided the adjusted arithmetic mean ratio (aAMR). At the moment of the first LTECs-LC samples, the only plasma biomarker with a VIP≥1.5 was sTNF-R1, which showed higher values in LTECs-LC than true-LTECs [aAMR=1.62 (95%CI=1.20-2.19); p=0.001]. After a median of 3.9 (IQR=4.5) years of follow-up from the first sample, we also had access to a second plasma sample from 10 LTECs-LC patients. At the moment of this second LTECs-LC sample, the only plasma biomarker with VIP≥1.5 was also sTNF-R1, which showed higher values in LTECs-LC than true-LTECs [aAMR=1.93 (95%CI=1.41-2.65); p<0.001]. The difference between the first and second samples of LTECs-LC was significant (Δx= 6.58 (95%=0.3; 12.88); p=0.040). In conclusion, high plasma values of sTNF-R1 appear to discriminate HIV-LTECs that lose the natural control of HIV-1, helping to define a specific phenotype that may be useful for the clinical management of these patients.The study was also funded by the Spanish AIDS Research Network (RD16/0025/0013, RD16/0025/0019, and RD16CIII/0002/0002) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CB21/13/00044). NR is a ‘Miguel Servet’ researcher from the ISCIII (grant number CPII19/00025). DS-C is a ‘Sara Borrell’ researcher from the ISCIII (grant number CD20CIII/00001).S

Polyphasic evaluation of key cyanobacteria in biocrusts from the most arid region in Europe

Cyanobacteria are key microbes in topsoil communities that have important roles in preventing soil erosion, carbon and nitrogen fixation, and influencing soil hydrology. However, little is known regarding the identity and distribution of the microbial components in the photosynthetic assemblages that form a cohesive biological soil crust (biocrust) in drylands of Europe. In this study, we investigated the cyanobacterial species colonizing biocrusts in three representative dryland ecosystems from the most arid region in Europe (SE Spain) that are characterized by different soil conditions. Isolated cyanobacterial cultures were identified by a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, phylogenetic relationship determination, and morphological and ecological habitat assessments. Three well-differentiated groups were identified: heterocystous-cyanobacteria (Nostoc commune, Nostoc calcicola, Tolypothrix distorta and Scytonema hyalinum), which play an important role in N and C cycling in soil; nonheterocystous bundle-forming cyanobacteria (Microcoleus steenstrupii, Trichocoleus desertorum, and Schizothrix cf. calcicola); and narrow filamentous cyanobacteria (Leptolyngbya frigida and Oculatella kazantipica), all of which are essential genera for initial biocrust formation. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of cyanobacterial species composition in biocrusts from important and understudied European habitats, such as the Mediterranean Basin, a hotspot of biodiversity, where these species are keystone pioneer organisms

Dendronized Anionic Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Antiviral Activity

Anionic carbosilane dendrons decorated with sulfonate functions and with a thiol moiety at the focal point have been used to synthesize water soluble gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by direct reaction of dendrons, gold precursor and reducing agent in water and also by place-exchange reaction. These nanoparticles have been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV, elemental analysis, and Z potential. Also, the interacting ability of the anionic sulfonate functions was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) using copper(II) as a probe. It was found that the different structures and conformations of the AuNPs modulate the availability of sulfonate and thiol groups to be complexed by copper(II). Toxicity assays of AuNPs showed that those produced by direct reaction were less toxic than those obtained by ligand exchange. Inhibition of HIV-1 infection was higher for dendronized AuNPs than for dendrons.Ministerio de Economía y EmpresaComunidad de MadridUniversidad de Alcal

Dendrimers toward translational nanotherapeutics: concise key step analysis

The goal of nanomedicine is to address specific clinical problems optimally, to fight human diseases, and to find clinical relevance to change clinical practice. Nanomedicine is poised to revolutionize medicine via the development of more precise diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The field of nanomedicine encompasses numerous features and therapeutic disciplines. A plethora of nanomolecular structures have been engineered and developed for therapeutic applications based on their multitasking abilities and the wide functionalization of their core scaffolds and surface groups. Within nanoparticles used for nanomedicine, dendrimers as well polymers have demonstrated strong potential as nanocarriers, therapeutic agents, and imaging contrast agents. In this review, we present and discuss the different criteria and parameters to be addressed to prepare and develop druggable nanoparticles in general and dendrimers in particular. We also describe the major requirements, included in the preclinical and clinical roadmap, for NPs/dendrimers for the preclinical stage to commercialization. Ultimately, we raise the clinical translation of new nanomedicine issues.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio