Hábitat inusual para Bathynellacea (Crustacea, Malacostraca): primer registro de este crustáceo de agua subterránea en el sustrato superficial mesovoide (MSS)

First world record of a crustacean (Malacostraca, Bathynellacea) that lives exclusively in groundwater in an unusual habitat, the mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS). The MSS is a terrestrial subterranean medium with high and constant relative humidity. Specimens of the family Parabathynellidae have been found in sampling devices set to collect terrestrial subterranean fauna in the MSS of Sierra de Guadarrama National Park (Madrid, Spain). Two species belonging to two different genera, Hexabathynella nicoleiana Camacho, 1986 and Hexaiberobathynella mateusi (Galhano, 1967), already known to occur in the province of Madrid, have been identified by morphological study, whereas their 18S gene sequences confirmed their generic ascription.En este trabajo se documenta por primera vez el hallazgo de ejemplares de un crustáceo (Malacostraca, Bathynellacea) que vive exclusivamente en las aguas subterráneas de todo el mundo, en un hábitat inusual: el medio subterráneo superficial (MSS), un medio terrestre sin luz y saturado de humedad. Especímenes de la familia Parabathynellidae han sido encontrados en dispositivos de muestreo dispuestos para la recogida de fauna subterránea terrestre en el MSS del Parque Nacional de la Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid, España). Se han identificado dos especies, de dos géneros diferentes, Hexabathynella nicoleiana Camacho, 1986 y Hexaiberobathynella mateusi (Galhano, 1967), mediante estudio morfológico. Las secuencias del gen 18S de varios ejemplares confirman su adscripción genérica. Estas especies eran ya conocidas en la provincia de Madrid

Description of the larva and female genitalia of Trechus gamae with data on its ecology

The third instar larva and the female genitalia of Trechus gamae Reboleira et Serrano (Coleoptera Carabidae Trechini) are described, illustrated and commented. Larvae and imagos were collected in deep parts of caves from Estremenho karstic massif in the centre Portugal. The work provides the first study on hypogean beetle larvae from Portugal, increasing the knowledge about hypogean microendemic species from the Lusitanic district of the Iberian Peninsula. The morphological diagnostic characters of the female genitalia corroborate the inclusion of T. gamae in the “T. fulvus-group”. Some new data on the ecology of this species are also given.publishe

Tylose Formation and Changes in Phenolic Compounds of Grape Roots Infected with «Phaeomoniella chlamydospora» and «Phaeoacremonium» Species

The role of phenolic compounds in strengthening resistance of grapevine to young grapevine decline was analysed. The formation of tyloses has also been associated with this disease. A microscopic study showed that tyloses originated in parenchyma cells associated with the xylem and from there invaded the xylem lumen. As tyloses formed, there were changes in the cell wall, associated with the accumulation of crystalline structures. The cells surrounding the blocked xylem contained more polyphenolic compounds than the cells of intact xylem. Changes in the level and composition of polyphenolic compounds occurred in relation to the severity of infection. Tannin concentrations also increased with increasing numbers of xylem vessels containing tyloses. Root extracts added to fungal culture media inhibited mycelial growth of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and Pm. inflatipes. Inhibition was greater with extracts from roots with tyloses, and was also correlated with polyphenol content. Extracts of the leaves, stems and berries of vines treated with Brotomax, which increases the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, inhibited mycelial growth of the fungi compared to untreated control plants

Enantiopure double ortho-oligophenylethynylene-based helical structures with circularly polarized luminescence activity

In this paper, we describe the optical and chiroptical properties of an enantiopure multipodal ortho-oligophenylethynylene (S,S,S,S)-1 presenting four chiral sulfoxide groups at the extremes. The presence of these groups together with alkynes allows the coordination with carbophilic Ag(I), and/or oxophilic Zn(II) cations, yielding double helical structures in an enantiopure way. In this sense, different behaviors in absorption, fluorescence, ECD and CPL spectra have been found depending on the stoichiometry and nature of the metal. We have observed that Zn(II) coordination favors an intensity increase of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of compound (S,S,S,S)-1 yielding an M-helicity in the ortho-oligophenylene ethynylene (o-OPE) backbone. On the other hand, ECD spectra of final Ag(I) complex shows two different bands with an opposite sign to the free ligand, thus giving the P-helical isomer. In addition, circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) exhibit an enhanced intensity and negative sign in both complexes. Computational studies were also carried out, supporting the experimental result

2D self-assembly of o-OPE foldamers for chiroptical barcoding

We report on the preparation and characterization of two dimensional (2D) films of (S,S,P)-1 and (R,R,M)-1ortho-oligophenylene ethylene (o-OPE) enantiomers presenting high values of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The amphiphilic character of these two molecules allows a precise 2D self-assembly at the air/water interface and an efficient transfer onto a glass solid support. The morphological and chiroptical characterization of the solid supports after the transfer of 1, 8, 16 and 32 Langmuir films of (S,S,P)-1 and (R,R,M)-1 has been carried out. The strong chiroptical values of these monomers allow reliable ECD measurements to be obtained after a single transfer, with ECD values increasing as the number of transferred films increases. The semi-liquid behavior of the monomers on the solid substrate allows CPL measurements free of photoselection artifacts that show values similar to those obtained in solution and independent of monomer concentration. All these properties have allowed us to develop the first simple organic molecule (SOM)-based chiroptical barcoding presenting positive and negative regions as a proof of concept

Chiral Single-Molecule Potentiometers Based on Stapled ortho- Oligo(phenylene)ethynylenes

We report on the chemical design of chiral molecular junctions with stress-dependent conductance, whose helicity is maintained during the stretching of a single molecule junction due to the stapling of both ends of the inner helix. In the reported compounds, different conductive pathways are observed, with clearly different conductance values and plateau-length distributions, attributed to different conformations of the helical structures. The large chiro-optical responses and the potential use of these molecules as unimolecular spin filters have been theoretically proved using state-of-the-art Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, including a fully ab-initio estimation of the CISS-originating spin polarization which is done, for the first time, for a realistic molecular system

Serotonergic Polymorphisms and Psychotic Disorders in Populations From North Spain

There is strong biological evidence relating alterations in the serotonergic system with mental disorders. These alterations may be originated at the DNA level by sequence mutations that alter the functioning of serotonin receptors and transporter. To test this hypothesis we investigated three genetic variants of the 5-HT2A receptor (-1438G/A, 102T/C and His452Tyr) and two variants of the serotonin transporter (a VNTR in the second intron and a 44 bp insertion/delition in the promoter region of the gene) in a clinical sample recruited in a human isolate and in surrounding areas in Northern Spain (N = 257) and in ethnically matched controls (N = 334). No clear association was found between 5-HT2A variants and psychosis. However, marginal associations were observed between the 5-HTT LPR and VNTR variants and psychosis (P < or = 0.05) indicating a minor contribution to psychosis of genetic alterations in this gene

Influence of Tartrate Ligand Coordination over Luminescence Properties of Chiral Lanthanide-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks

The present work reports on a detailed discussion about the synthesis, characterization, and luminescence properties of three pairs of enantiopure 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with general formula {[Ln2(L/D-tart)3(H2O)2]·3H2O}n (3D_Ln-L/D, where Ln = Sm(III), Eu(III) or Gd(III), and L/D-tart = L- or D-tartrate), and ten pairs of enantiopure 2D coordination polymers (CPs) with general formula [Ln(L/D-Htart)2(OH)(H2O)2]n (2D_Ln-L/D, where Ln = Y(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III) or Yb(III), and L/D-Htart = hydrogen L- or D-tartrate) based on single-crystal X-ray structures. Enantiopure nature of the samples has been further corroborated by Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) as well as by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Solid-state emission spectra of Eu(III), Tb(III), and Dy(III)-based compounds confirm the occurrence of ligand-to-metal charge transfers in view of the characteristic emissions for these lanthanide ions, and emission decay curves were also recorded to estimate the emission lifetimes for the reported compounds. A complete theoretical study was accomplished to better understand the energy transfers occurring in the Eu-based counterparts, which allows for explaining the different performances of 3D-MOFs and 2D-layered compounds. As inferred from the colorimetric diagrams, emission characteristics of Eu-based 2D CPs depend on the temperature, so their luminescent thermometry has been determined on the basis of a ratiometric analysis between the ligand-centered and Eu-centered emission. Finally, a detailed study of the polarized luminescence intensity emitted by the samples is also accomplished to support the occurrence of chiro-optical activity.This work has been funded by the University of the Basque Country (GIU20/028), Gobierno Vasco/Eusko Jaurlaritza (IT1755-22, IT1500-22), Junta de Andalucía (FQM-394, B-FQM-734-UGR20 and ProyExcel_00386), and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) (PGC2018-102052-A-C22, PGC2018-102052-B-C21)

Generation of the first human in vitro model for McArdle disease based on iPSC Technology

McArdle disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the PYGM gene. This gene encodes for the skeletal muscle isoform of glycogen phosphorylase (myophosphorylase), the first enzyme in glycogenolysis. Patients with this disorder are unable to obtain energy from their glycogen stored in skeletal muscle, prompting an exercise intolerance. Currently, there is no treatment for this disease, and the lack of suitable in vitro human models has prevented the search for therapies against it. In this article, we have established the first human iPSC-based model for McArdle disease. For the generation of this model, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a patient with McArdle disease (harbouring the homozygous mutation c.148C>T; p.R50* in the PYGM gene) were differentiated into myogenic cells able to contract spontaneously in the presence of motor neurons and generate calcium transients, a proof of their maturity and functionality. Additionally, an isogenic skeletal muscle model of McArdle disease was created. As a proof-of-concept, we have tested in this model the rescue of PYGM expression by two different read-through compounds (PTC124 and RTC13). The developed model will be very useful as a platform for testing drugs or compounds with potential pharmacological activity.This work has been funded by grants from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII): PI15/00484, CP16/00046 and PI18/00151 to MEG and PI17/02052 to JA (co-funded by European Regional Development Fund “A way to make Europe”); PI21/00162 and CPII21/00011 co-funded by the European Union to MEG. MdCOC receives grant support from the ‘Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte’ (FPU16/03895), ‘Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica Hospital 12 de Octubre’ (2022/0065, i+12-AY20220114-1) and EMBO Grant 8917. CL and MD were recipient of a fellowship from the French Ministry of Education. The work in FM’s laboratory was funded by “Association Française contre les Myopathies” (AFM; TRIM-RD and MoThARD) and from the Excellence Initiative of Aix-Marseille University-A*Midex, a French “investissement d’avenir programme” AMX-19-IET-007 through the Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa) Institute (phD fellowship to CL)