Fructose metabolism in Chromohalobacter salexigens: interplay between the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas and Entner–Doudoroff pathways

Background The halophilic bacterium Chromohalobacter salexigens metabolizes glucose exclusively through the Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathway, an adaptation which results in inefficient growth, with significant carbon overflow, especially at low salinity. Preliminary analysis of C. salexigens genome suggests that fructose metabolism could proceed through the Entner–Doudoroff and Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP) pathways. In order to thrive at high salinity, this bacterium relies on the biosynthesis and accumulation of ectoines as major compatible solutes. This metabolic pathway imposes a high metabolic burden due to the consumption of a relevant proportion of cellular resources, including both energy molecules (NADPH and ATP) and carbon building blocks. Therefore, the existence of more than one glycolytic pathway with different stoichiometries may be an advantage for C. salexigens. The aim of this work is to experimentally characterize the metabolism of fructose in C. salexigens. Results Fructose metabolism was analyzed using in silico genome analysis, RT-PCR, isotopic labeling, and genetic approaches. During growth on fructose as the sole carbon source, carbon overflow was not observed in a wide range of salt concentrations, and higher biomass yields were reached. We unveiled the initial steps of the two pathways for fructose incorporation and their links to central metabolism. While glucose is metabolized exclusively through the Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathway, fructose is also partially metabolized by the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP) route. Tracking isotopic label from [1-13C] fructose to ectoines revealed that 81% and 19% of the fructose were metabolized through ED and EMP-like routes, respectively. Activities of enzymes from both routes were demonstrated in vitro by 31P-NMR. Genes encoding predicted fructokinase and 1-phosphofructokinase were cloned and the activities of their protein products were confirmed. Importantly, the protein encoded by csal1534 gene functions as fructose bisphosphatase, although it had been annotated previously as pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase. The gluconeogenic rather than glycolytic role of this enzyme in vivo is in agreement with the lack of 6-phosphofructokinase activity previously described. Conclusions Overall, this study shows that C. salexigens possesses a greater metabolic flexibility for fructose catabolism, the ED and EMP pathways contributing to a fine balancing of energy and biosynthetic demands and, subsequently, to a more efficient metabolism.University of Murcia and University of Seville was supported by projects: BIO2015-63949-R, BIO2014-54411-C2-1-REuropa MINECO/FEDER RTI2018-094393-B-C21Fundación Séneca (Grant no. 19236/PI/14

Brief update on the satellite tagging of Atlantic swordfish

This paper provides a brief update of the study on habitat use for swordfish, developed within the working plan of the Swordfish Species Group of ICCAT. A total of 9 miniPAT tags have been deployed by observers on Portuguese and Spanish vessels and the Uruguayan research cruise in the North and South Atlantic. Data from eight tags/specimens are available, four specimens suffered from post-release mortality and one individual tag pop-up date has not occurred yet. These preliminary results showed swordfish moved in several directions, travelling considerable distances. Swordfish spent most of the daytime in deeper waters, being closer to the surface during night-time. The main plan for the next phase of the project is to continue the tag deployment during 2020 in several regions of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

BRIEF UPDATE ON THE SATELLITE TAGGING OF ATLANTIC SWORDFISH

This paper provides a brief update of the study on habitat use for swordfish, developed within the working plan of the Swordfish Species Group of ICCAT. A total of 9 miniPAT tags have been deployed by observers on Portuguese and Spanish vessels and the Uruguayan research cruise in the North and South Atlantic. Data from eight tags/specimens are available, four specimens suffered from post-release mortality and one individual tag pop-up date has not occurred yet. These preliminary results showed swordfish moved in several directions, travelling considerable distances. Swordfish spent most of the daytime in deeper waters, being closer to the surface during night-time. The main plan for the next phase of the project is to continue the tag deployment during 2020 in several regions of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean SeaEn prens

Producción científica institucional y posicionamiento nacional: el caso del Hospital General de México

The purpose of this work was to identify the scientific output, position and visibility of Mexico’s General Hospital (Hospital General de México-HGM). A literature search in the following databases was conducted for the period 1990-2003, in order to obtain the hospital’s scientific production: NCR, MEDLINE, LILACS, ARTEMISA, PERIODICA, and CLASE. The hospital scientific visibility was identified through the analysis of 140 documents retrieved from MEDLINE, for the period 1999-2003. Similarly, in order to obtain the scientific position of HGM at the national level, a bibliographic search was conducted in NCR and MEDLINE. Data were analyzed both manually and through BIBEXCEL 2001 and EXCEL 2000. Results included the retrieval of 1.647 references from the above mentioned databases. The subject content visibility indicated that the scientific production of the hospital was mainly related to comparative studies, treatment, and retrospective studies. As for the scientific position of the hospital, a rank 9 (r = 1-78)in NCR and rank 12 (r = 1-74) in MEDLINE, was obtained. The study obtained the production, scientific position and visibility of the hospital through the databases used. HGM scientific production showed a high trend in the clinical medicine area and a low productivity in the social and humanistic fields. The thematic production of the hospital does not coincide with its main mortality causes; however, the hospital remains within the main 15 health research institutions at a national level. Finally, the document describes the implications of the study and the needed research actions, in order to support the adequate science policy lines of the hospital.El propósito de este trabajo fue el de identificar la producción, visibilidad y posicionamiento científico del Hospital General de México (HGM). Para la identificación de la producción del hospital, se condujo una investigación bibliográfica en las siguientes bases de datos, limitada al periodo 1990-2003: National Citation Report (NCR), MEDLINE, LILACS, ARTEMISA, PERIODICA y CLASE. La visibilidad del hospital se obtuvo a través del análisis de 140 documentos recuperados de MEDLINE, para el periodo 1999-2003. Para obtener el posicionamiento, se realizó un análisis bibliográfico en NCR y MEDLINE, identificando el rango del HGM a nivel nacional. Los registros recuperados de las diferentes bases de datos consultadas se analizaron de manera manual y utilizando BIBEXCEL 2001 y EXCEL 2000. Los resultados en cuanto a la producción del HGM, incluyeron 1.647 referencias bibliográficas distribuidas en las bases de datos antes mencionadas. La visibilidad temática del hospital indicó que la producción está relacionada principalmente con estudios comparativos, tratamientos y estudios retrospectivos. El posicionamiento del hospital se ubicó en el rango 9 (r = 1-78) en NCR; y 12 (r = 1-74) en MEDLINE. El estudio logró obtener la producción, visibilidad y posicionamiento del HGM, visto a través de las bases de datos consultadas. La producción mostró una tendencia a la alta en el área de medicina clínica y una mínima producción en las áreas de ciencias sociales y humanidades. La visibilidad temática de la producción no muestra una relación directa con los temas que se reportaron en las principales causas de mortalidad señaladas por el hospital. En cuanto al posicionamiento, el HGM se ubicó dentro de las 15 instituciones nacionales de mayor producción científica en el área de la salud. Al final, el documento presenta las implicaciones del estudio y las líneas de investigación a seguir, con el fin de favorecer la política científica adecuada del hospital

Construcción de una metodología para identificar investigadores mexicanos en bases de datos del ISI

Indicators of science performance and evaluation are important to support decision making processes in science policy. In this context, output science indicators are analyzed through bibliometric, scientometric and webometric studies, usually conducted in databases produced by the Institute for Scientific Information. (ISI). One of the major problems with the use of these products however, is related to the variations of a given name in the author field. This is particularly relevant in the case of hispanic names, where a search strategy needs to consider significant variations to an author name. Proposals however have been limited to being aware of the situation and to submit recommendations to database producers, journal editors and even authors. Up to date no reports have been published on the method or approach used to analyze and solve this problem. The purpose of this work was to identify the coverage of the members of Mexico’s Researchers National System (Sistema Nacional de Investigadores, SNI) in ISI’s National Citation Report-Mexico (NCR) data base. The final goal was to construct a methodology so as to increase recall and precision rates in the coverage of SNI members in NCR. The study considered two phases. Phase one lead to the identification of the 9,201 SNI members in NCR for the period 1984-2002. In the second phase, a sample of 658 names was selected from SNI members. And an exhaustive search of author names was conducted, including precision criteria such as validation. Results helped to construct a methodology that lead to the grouping of four categories of names, each with a different level of difficulty and precision in the recall of data from NCR. An increase of up to 26.9% in the recall ratio from NCR was obtained through the use of this methodology. This document describes the conceptual model that emerged from the methodology, and discusses the research lines to follow as well as the implications of the study.La evaluación de la ciencia es importante para apoyar los procesos de decisión y de gestión en materia de política científica. Visto como un sistema, los resultados de la actividad científica (indicadores de output), se pueden evaluar a través de estudios bibliométricos, cienciométricos y webométricos. En general estos estudios se realizan utilizando las bases de datos del Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). Uno de los problemas mayores con el uso de estas bases de datos es el manejo de nombres de autores, principalmente hispanos. El propósito de este trabajo fue el identificar la cobertura de los nombres de los miembros del Sistema Nacional de Investigadores (SNI) de México en la base de datos National Citation Report-México (NCR), de ISI. El objetivo final fue el de construir una metodología que ayude a incrementar la recuperación y precisión en la validez de los datos confrontados del SNI, en NCR. El estudio se realizó en dos fases. La primera consistió en identificar la cobertura de los 9,201 miembros del SNI en NCR, para el periodo 1984-2002. Para la segunda fase se seleccionó una muestra de 658 nombres, y se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva de autores en NCR, incluyendo criterios de validación. Los resultados ayudaron a construir una metodología que culminó en el agrupamiento de cuatro categorías de nombres con diferentes niveles de dificultad y certeza en la recuperación de registros en NCR. Con esta metodología se logró incrementar hasta en 26,9% la recuperación de registros. El documento presenta el modelo conceptual de esta metodología emergente; describe las líneas de investigación a seguir y discute sobre las implicaciones de este tipo de estudios

Environmental variablity in three major Mediterranean tuna spawning grounds.

We propose four different environmental indicators, three related to temperature variability in three major spawning grounds of tuna species in the Mediterranean, and one related to the sea surface salinity variability in the Balearic Sea. These oceanographic indicators show the annual variability of environmental parameters affecting growth and survival of tuna eggs and larval. The indicators are intended to provide quick access to assessment working groups and fisheries scientist to identify potentially anomalous year

EFFECTS OF ICCAT Rec [2016-05] SIZE REGULATION ON THE DISCARDS OF THE SPANISH LONGLINE FISHERY TARGETING SWORDFISH (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758) IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEA

The ICCAT Commission, at its meeting on November 2016, approved a multi-annual recovery plan for the Mediterranean swordfish starting in 2017 and continuing through 2031 (ICCAT Rec [2016-05]). Among other provisions, the recovery plan proscribed a minimum landing size (MLS) of 100 cm (lower-jaw fork length- LJFL), which is 10 cm higher than the previously implemented (ICCAT Rec [2013-04]). The aim of this study is to assess the effect of the recently implemented MLS on the swordfish discarding activities by the Spanish surface longline fishery operating in the western Mediterranean for the period 2015-2017. Our results show that: i) as compared to the former MLS (ICCAT Rec [2013-04]), a higher percentage of undersized dead fish is now discarded at sea, with the additional risk that does not be reported and taken into consideration during the assessment of the stock; ii) the amount of fishing effort (number of hooks) for fulfilling the allocated quota has increased; iii) the fishing season must be longer to achieve the allocated quota. Both the increase in fishing effort and the lengthening of the fishing season have an adverse effect on the economic profitability of the surface longline fleet without achieving the intended reduction in the fishing mortality exerted on the juvenile fraction of the Mediterranean swordfish stock

Preliminary 3-D geological models of Los Humeros and Acoculco geothermal fields (Mexico) – H2020 GEMex Project

As part of the GEMex Project, an on-going European-Mexican effort to develop geothermal energy from non-conventional sources, preliminary geological models have been constructed for two sites located in the easternmost region of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The first site, Los Humeros, which has produced geothermal electricity for decades, is investigated for its probable superhot geothermal resources. The second site, Acoculco, is a less known but promising area where application of an Enhanced Geothermal System is being studied. In order to have a coherent geological interpretation of both sites, preliminary 3-D models were constructed in a collaborative manner by European and Mexican partners. These models are based on data available at the start of the project, including geological maps, cross-sections and well logs. The data were mainly provided by the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), and the Mexican Centre for Innovation in Geothermal Energy (CeMIE-Geo consortium). A regional model was developed for each site and an additional local model was constructed for Los Humeros. The preliminary geological models serve as a framework for GEMex work on heat-transport and fluid-flow simulations; they will be updated and refined during the project, using new data and interpretations from ongoing and future field work on geology, geophysics, and geochemistry.</p

Actividades de investigación y desarrollo en hospitales de América Latina y el Caribe, identificadas a través de sus sitios Web

The purpose of this work is to present the results of a study on the content analysis of hospital websites of nine Latin-American and Caribbean countries. The study was limited to the R&D activities reported in the websites of the hospitals. Hospital websites were selected through an internet search in three search engines. The term hospital(s) was used and intersected with each one of the countries selected. Only hospital websites reporting three or more indicators were selected in the study. Out of 454 hospital websites, only 38 (8.37%) reported three or more indicators of R&D activities. Mexico was head in the list with 17 hospitals; followed by Argentina (7); Peru (5); Cuba (3); Brasil (2); Colombia (2); and Chile (2). Venezuela and Costa Rica were excluded from the study since both countries could not meet the criteria of inclusion. The study allowed exploring on the difficulties faced to obtain those hospitals that develop R&D activities, and that reported on their websites information related to the above mentioned activity.El propósito de este estudio es presentar los resultados de una investigación sobre el análisis de los contenidos de los sitios Web de los Hospitales de nueve países de América Latina y el Caribe en relación con las actividades de investigación y desarrollo en salud. La selección de los sitios Web de los hospitales considerados se realizó consultando tres motores de búsqueda, utilizando el descriptor hospital(es) con la intersección de cada uno de los países seleccionados, limitada a aquéllos que contaran con tres o más indicadores de actividad científica. De 454 hospitales con sitio Web, sólo 38 (8.37%) calificaron con tres o más indicadores de actividad científica: México (17 hospitales); Argentina (7); Perú (5); Cuba (3); Brasil (2); Colombia (2); y Chile (2). Venezuela y Costa Rica fueron excluidos del estudio al no contar con los criterios mínimos de inclusión. Finalmente, este estudio permitió explorar y ponderar la dificultad que existe para identificar hospitales que conducen actividades de investigación y desarrollo, y que reportan en su sitio Web información relacionada con dicha actividad

Frequency of cancer in children residing in Mexico City and treated in the hospitals of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (1996–2001)

BACKGROUND: The objective of this article is to present the frequency of cancer in Mexican children who were treated in the hospitals of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Mexico City (IMSS-MC) in the period 1996–2001. METHODS: The Registry of Cancer in Children, started in 1996 in the IMSS-MC, is an on-going, prospective register. The data from 1996 through 2001 were analyzed and the different types of cancer were grouped according to the International Classification for Cancer in Children (ICCC). From this analysis, the general and specific frequencies by age and by sex were obtained for the different groups of neoplasms. Also, the frequency of the stage of the disease that had been diagnosed in cases of children with solid tumors was obtained. RESULTS: A total of 1,702 new cases of children with cancer were registered, with the male/female ratio at 1.1/1. Leukemias had the highest frequency with 784 cases (46.1%) and, of these, acute lymphoblastic leukemias were the most prevalent with 614 cases (78.3%). Thereafter, in descending order of frequency, were tumors of the central nervous system (CNST) with 197 cases (11.6%), lymphomas with 194 cases (11.4%), germinal cell tumors with 110 cases (6.5%), and bone tumors with 97 cases (5.7%). The highest frequency of cancer was found in the group of one to four year-olds that had 627 cases (36.8%). In all the age groups, leukemias were the most frequent. In the present work, the frequency of Hodgkin's disease (~4%) was found to be lower than that (~10%) in previous studies and the frequency of tumors of the sympathetic nervous system was low (2.3%). Of those cases of solid tumors for which the stage of the disease had been determined, 66.9% were diagnosed as being Stage III or IV. CONCLUSIONS: The principal cancers in the children treated in the IMSS-MC were leukemias, CNST, and lymphomas, consistent with those reported by developed countries. A 2.5-fold reduction in the frequency of Hodgkin's disease was found. Of the children, the stage of whose disease had been determined, two thirds were diagnosed as having advanced stages of the disease