Polyhydroxyalkanoate production by the plant beneficial rhizobacterium Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606 influences survival and rhizospheric performance

Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606 (PcPCL1606) is a model rhizobacterium used to study beneficial bacterial interactions with the plant rhizosphere. Many of its beneficial phenotypes depend on the production of the antifungal compound 2-hexyl, 5-propyl resorcinol (HPR). Transcriptomic analysis of PcPCL1606 and the dele-tional mutant in HPR production ΔdarB strain, assigned an additional regulatory role to HPR, and allowed the detection of differentially expressed genes during the bacterial interaction with the avocado rhizosphere. Interestingly, the putative genes phaG (PCL1606_46820) and phaI (PCL1606_56560), with a predicted role in polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis, were detected to be under HPR control. Both putative genes were expressed in the HPR-producing wild-type strain, but strongly repressed in the derivative mutant ΔdarB, impaired in HPR production. Thus, a derivative mutant impaired in the phaG gene was constructed, characterized and compared with the wild-type strain PcPCL1606 and with the derivative mutant ΔdarB. The phaG mutant had strongly reduced PHA production by PcPCL1606, and displayed altered phenotypes involved in bacterial survival on the plant roots, such as tolerance to high temperature and hydrogen peroxide, and decreased root survival, in a similar way that the ΔdarB mutant. On the other hand, the phaG mutant does not have altered resistance to desiccation, motility, biofilm formation or adhesion phenotypes, as displayed by the HPR-defective ΔdarB mutant have. Interestingly, the mutant defective in PHA production also lacked a biocontrol phenotype against the soilborne pathogenic fungus Rosellinia necatrix, even when the derivative mutant still produced the antifungal HPR compound, demonstrating that the final biocontrol phenotype of PcPCL1606 first requires bacterial survival and adaptation traits to the soil and rhizosphere environment.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Social Stress Increases Cortisol and Hampers Attention in Adolescents with Excess Weight

Objective: To experimentally examine if adolescents with excess weight are more sensitive to social stress and hence more sensitive to harmful effects of stress in cognition.Design and Methods: We conducted an experimental study in 84 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old classified in two groups based on age adjusted Body Mass Index percentile: Normal weight (n=42) and Excess weight (n=42). Both groups were exposed to social stress as induced by the virtual reality version of the Trier Social Stress Task --participants were requested to give a public speech about positive and negative aspects of their personalities in front of a virtual audience. The outcome measures were salivary cortisol levels and performance in cognitive tests before and after the social stressor. Cognitive tests included the CANTAB Rapid Visual Processing Test (measuring attention response latency and discriminability) and the Iowa Gambling Task (measuring decision-making).Results: Adolescents with excess weight compared to healthy weight controls displayed increased cortisol response and less improvement of attentional performance after the social stressor. Decision-making performance decreased after the social stressor in both groups.Conclusion: Adolescents who are overweight or obese have increased sensitivity to social stress, which detrimentally impacts attentional skills.This study has been funded by grants PSI2010-17290 (INTEROBE) from the Ministry of Innovation and Science (MICINN), and P-10-HUM-6635 (NEUROECOBE)

Asociación entre el sindrome coronario agudo y el consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos

Objetivos: Evaluar el impacto cardiovascular asociado al consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos en un Área de Salud, estimando la asociación entre la prescripción previa de un antiinflamatorio no esteroideo al episodio de síndrome coronario agudo. Material y Métodos: Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo observacional de casos cruzados de 5 años de duración, del 1 de Enero de 2008 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2012. Los pacientes en primer lugar fueron casos y controles (n=1.317) que tuvieron eventos cardiovasculares y fueron al servicio de Urgencias del Hospital por dicho motivo.Área de Salud de Alcázar de San Juan. Medida principal: Asociación del riesgo de sufrir un síndrome coronario agudo mediante el Odds Ratio con el consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos Resultados: La asociación entre el síndrome coronario agudo y el consumo de Antiinflamatorios fue positiva y significativa, (OR 1,42; IC95% 1,06-1,9). Esta asociación fue de mayor magnitud en pacientes con menor comorbilidad, Charlson ≤ 1 (OR 1,66; IC95% 1,15 – 2,40) frente a los de mayor comorbilidad, Charlson > 1 (OR 1,07; IC95% 0,65 – 1,76). Esta modificación de efecto se debió en parte al consumo concomitante de fármacos que previenen contra patologías cardiovasculares como los antiagregantes, anticoagulantes y estatinas. Conclusiones: El consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos se ha asociado a un mayor riesgo de síndrome coronario agudo, por lo que es necesario realizar un seguimiento a los pacientes que consuman estos fármacos, no debiéndose tomar durante tiempos prolongados ni a dosis altas.Aims: Evaluate cardiovascular impact related to the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a Health Area, by estimating the connection between the previous medical prescription of non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines and acute coronary syndrome. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study of clinical casecrosover during 5 years is done, from 1st of January 2008 to 31st of December 2012. In first place patients were cases and controls (n=1.317) who suffered cardiovascular accidents and went to Emergency Room. Setting: Alcazar de San Juan Health Care Area. Main measurements: Association of the risk of acute coronary syndrome by Odds Ratio with consumption of non anti-inflammatory drug. Results: The connection between acute coronary syndrome and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs was positive and significant (OR 1.42; IC95% 1.06-1.9), which means the probability of suffering a cardiovascular accident increases to 42% in patients taking non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The connection between the prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs and acute coronary syndrome reached a bigger magnitude in patients with less comorbidity, Charlson ≤ 1 (OR 1.66; IC95% 1.15 – 2.40) as opposite to those with more comorbidity, Charlson > 1 (OR 1.07; IC95% 0.65 – 1.76). This change of effect was due, in part, to the concomitant use of medicines which prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as antiaggregant, anticoagulant and statins drugs. Conclusions: The use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been connected to a higher risk of cardiovascular accidents; therefore it is necessary to realize follow-up patients who consume these drugs. These drugs must not be consumed for a long time or at high doses

Red de Coordinación de seguimiento de los tres Primeros Cursos del Grado de Ingeniería Civil de la Escuela Politécnica Superior (3110)

El objetivo de esta red de investigación se encuentra basado en el análisis de los resultados obtenidos en el Curso Académico 2012-13, correspondientes a las asignaturas de primer, segundo y tercer curso del Grado de Ingeniería Civil, de forma que se pueda proceder a la mejora de los procedimientos de trabajo del profesorado implicado en el desarrollo de las asignaturas de los cursos indicados, dentro del marco creado por la implantación del EEES. Para ello se han analizado las metodologías empleadas en las distintas asignaturas analizadas, los calendarios y plazos asignados a cada una de ellas, los procedimientos de evaluación y los resultados de los mismos. Al mismo tiempo, se ha reflexionado sobre la posibilidad crear una comisión que analizara las necesidades de conocimiento de las distintas asignaturas, adecuando el contenido de las ofertadas en los primeros cursos a las exigencias de los posteriores, y ofreciendo de esta forma al alumno una formación homogénea a lo largo Grado de Ingeniería Civil

Individual Tree Diameter and Height Growth Models for 30 Tree Species in Mixed-Species and Uneven-Aged Forests of Mexico

Lack of knowledge of individual tree growth in species-rich, mixed forest ecosystems impedes their sustainable management. In this study, species-specific models for predicting individual diameter at breast height (dbh) and total tree height (h) growth were developed for 30 tree species growing in mixed and uneven-aged forest stands in Durango, Mexico. Growth models were also developed for all pine, all oaks, and all other species of the genus Arbutus (strawberry trees). A database of 55,158 trees with remeasurements of dbh and h of a 5-year growth period was used to develop the models. The data were collected from 217 stem-mapped plots located in the Sierra Madre Occidental (Mexico). Weighted regression was used to remove heteroscedasticity from the species-specific dbh and h growth models using a power function of the tree size independent variables. The final models developed in the present study to predict dbh and total tree height growth included size variables, site factors, and competition variables in their formulation. The developed models fitted the data well and explained between 98 and 99% and of the observed variation of dbh, and between 77 and 98% of the observed variation of total tree height for the studied species and groups of species. The developed models can be used for estimating the individual dbh and h growth for the analyzed species and can be integrated in decision support tools for management planning in these mixed forest ecosystemsThis study was supported by the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) and the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT)S

The OTELO survey. A case study of [O III]4959,5007 emitters at <z> = 0.83

The OTELO survey is a very deep, blind exploration of a selected region of the Extended Groth Strip and is designed for finding emission-line sources (ELSs). The survey design, observations, data reduction, astrometry, and photometry, as well as the correlation with ancillary data used to obtain a final catalogue, including photo-z estimates and a preliminary selection of ELS, were described in a previous contribution. Here, we aim to determine the main properties and luminosity function (LF) of the [O III] ELS sample of OTELO as a scientific demonstration of its capabilities, advantages, and complementarity with respect to other surveys. The selection and analysis procedures of ELS candidates obtained using tunable filter (TF) pseudo-spectra are described. We performed simulations in the parameter space of the survey to obtain emission-line detection probabilities. Relevant characteristics of [O III] emitters and the LF([O III]), including the main selection biases and uncertainties, are presented. A total of 184 sources were confirmed as [O III] emitters at a mean redshift z=0.83. The minimum detectable line flux and equivalent width (EW) in this ELS sample are $\sim$5 $\times$ 10$^{-19}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{2}$ and $\sim$6 \AA, respectively. We are able to constrain the faint-end slope ($\alpha = -1.03\pm0.08$) of the observed LF([O III]) at z=0.83. This LF reaches values that are approximately ten times lower than those from other surveys. The vast majority (84\%) of the morphologically classified [O III] ELSs are disc-like sources, and 87\% of this sample is comprised of galaxies with stellar masses of M$_\star$ $<$ 10$^{10}$ M$_{\odot}$.Comment: v1: 16 pages, 6 figures. Accepted in Astronomy \& Astrophysics. v2: Author added in metadat

The Response to Biologics is Better in Patients with Severe Asthma Than in Patients with Asthma–COPD Overlap Syndrome

Although biologics have demonstrated to be effective in T2-high asthma patients, there is little experience with these drugs in asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of biologics in these two conditions. We included 318 patients (24 ACO and 297 asthma) treated with monoclonal antibodies and followed for at least 12 months Omalizumab was the most frequently employed biologic agent both in patients with ACO and asthma. Asthma control test (ACT) scores after at least 12 months of biologic therapy were not significantly different between groups. The percentage of patients with >= 1 exacerbation and >= 1 corticosteroid burst was significantly higher in ACO patients (70.8 vs 27.3 and 83.3% vs 37.5%, respectively), whereas the percentage of controlled patients (with no exacerbations, no need for corticosteroids and ACT >= 20) was significantly lower (16.7% vs 39.7%). In conclusion, this report suggests that patients with ACO treated with biologics reach worse outcomes than asthma patients

The OTELO survey I. Description, data reduction, and multi-wavelength catalogue

ABSTRACT: Context. The evolution of galaxies through cosmic time is studied observationally by means of extragalactic surveys. The usefulness of these surveys is greatly improved by increasing the cosmological volume, in either depth or area, and by observing the same targets in different wavelength ranges. A multi-wavelength approach using different observational techniques can compensate for observational biases. Aims. The OTELO survey aims to provide the deepest narrow-band survey to date in terms of minimum detectable flux and emission line equivalent width in order to detect the faintest extragalactic emission line systems. In this way, OTELO data will c omplements other broad-band, narrow-band, and spectroscopic surveys. Methods. The red tunable filter of the OSIRIS instrument on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) is used to scan a spectral window centred at 9175 Å, which is free from strong sky emission lines, with a sampling interval of 6 Å and a bandwidth of 12 Å in the most deeply explored EGS region. Careful data reduction using improved techniques for sky ring subtraction, accurate astrometry, photometric calibration, and source extraction enables us to compile the OTELO catalogue. This catalogue is complemented with ancillary data ranging from deep X-ray to far-infrared, including high resolution HST images, which allow us to segregate the different types of targets, derive precise photometric redshifts, and obtain the morphological classification of the extragalactic objects detected. Results. The OTELO multi-wavelength catalogue contains 11 237 entries and is 50% complete at AB magnitude 26.38. Of these sources, 6600 have photometric redshifts with an uncertainty δ z phot better than 0.2 (1+z phot). A total of 4336 of these sources correspond to preliminary emission line candidates, which are complemented by 81 candidate stars and 483 sources that qualify as absorption line systems. The OTELO survey results will be released to the public on the second half of 2019.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under the grants AYA2013-46724-P, AYA2014-58861-C3-1-P, AYA2014-58861-C3-2-P, AYA2014-58861-C3-3-P, AYA2016-75808-R, AYA2016-75931-C2-2-P, AYA2017-88007-C3-1-P and AYA2017-88007-C3-2-P

Regulation of cell death receptor S-nitrosylation and apoptotic signaling by Sorafenib in hepatoblastoma cells

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a relevant role during cell death regulation in tumor cells. The overexpression of nitric oxide synthase type III (NOS-3) induces oxidative and nitrosative stress, p53 and cell death receptor expression and apoptosis in hepatoblastoma cells. S-nitrosylation of cell death receptor modulates apoptosis. Sorafenib is the unique recommended molecular-targeted drug for the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study was addressed to elucidate the potential role of NO during Sorafenib-induced cell death in HepG2 cells. We determined the intra- and extracellular NO concentration, cell death receptor expression and their S-nitrosylation modifications, and apoptotic signaling in Sorafenib-treated HepG2 cells. The effect of NO donors on above parameters has also been determined. Sorafenib induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. However, low concentration of the drug (10nM) increased cell death receptor expression, as well as caspase-8 and -9 activation, but without activation of downstream apoptotic markers. In contrast, Sorafenib (10 µM) reduced upstream apoptotic parameters but increased caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation in HepG2 cells. The shift of cell death signaling pathway was associated with a reduction of S-nitrosylation of cell death receptors in Sorafenib-treated cells. The administration of NO donors increased S-nitrosylation of cell death receptors and overall induction of cell death markers in control and Sorafenib-treated cells. In conclusion, Sorafenib induced alteration of cell death receptor S-nitrosylation status which may have a relevant repercussion on cell death signaling in hepatoblastoma cells.Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI13/00021Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BFU2012-32056Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía BIO-0216Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía CTS-6264Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía PI13/ 0002