Genome Characterization of natural Saccharomyces hybrids of biotechnological interest

At present, the genus Saccharomyces comprises seven species according to their patterns of breeding. The species boundaries are not clear due to the description of several reticulate events due to introgression and hybridization. In the last decade, new natural hybrids have been described in wine and brewing, such as S. cerevisiae x S. kudriavzevii. Due to new practices in wine and beer production, together with consequences in grape properties due to climatic change, led biotechnological companies to search for new yeast strains. In this context, hybrids have become of importance to biotechnological industries because they show good fermentative performance at low temperatures and produce new organoleptic compounds of industrial interest. This doctoral thesis explores the evolution of the natural S. cerevisiae x S. kudriavzevii hybrids and the importance of hybridization in the evolution of the Saccharomyces species. This study was performed by using different molecular approaches combined with bioinformatic tools for phylogenetic tree/networks reconstruction and data analysis. Understanding the origin and genome characteristics of natural S. cerevisiae x S. kudriavzevii hybrids are our priority for obtaining, in the future, personalized yeasts with new properties of biotechnological interest

Experimental study of an ORC (organic Rankine cycle) for low grade waste heat recovery in a ceramic industry

This paper deals about an experimental application of an ORC (organic Rankine cycle) in a ceramic industry for low grade waste heat recovery. The ORC module used in this application was initially designed and constructed to satisfy the main specifications for an efficient power system, highlighting a volumetric expander with large built-in volume ratio. Furthermore, the performance of the ORC was experimentally characterized in a test bench in a previous work, achieving a maximum gross electrical efficiency of 12.32%. Taking this as a starting point, the aim of this work is to verify the performance of this ORC operating in actual industrial conditions, besides to profiting the information extracted from the application to assess its profitability. For this, the system performance is experimentally characterized in the industry, discussing and comparing the results obtained to laboratory data. From these experimental results a model of the system is developed, which allows predicting the net electrical production of the system along a typical year of operation and quantifying the energy and environmental benefits of the project. Moreover, from the electrical generation, investment costs required and industrial electricity price, a feasibility study is conducted to address the profitability of the application.The authors are indebted to the Minister of industry of 'Generalitat Valenciana' (Spain) for its financial assistance under project INIDIV2010022 and Rank (R), the ORC manufacturer, for its support in this project. Also to thank greatly the Jaume I University for its financial support under the PhD grant PREDOC/2013/28 of 'Convocatoria d'ajudes predoctorals per a la formacio de personal investigador del Pla de promocio de la investigacio de la Universitat Jaume I de Castello (Spain)'.Peris, B.; Navarro-Esbri, J.; Moles, F.; Mota Babiloni, A. (2015). Experimental study of an ORC (organic Rankine cycle) for low grade waste heat recovery in a ceramic industry. Energy. 85:534-542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.03.065S5345428

Enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of Hunter disease: A systematic review with narrative synthesis and meta-analysis

Background: In the last 10 years enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has become an alternative for the treatment of patients with Hunter disease (HD). Nevertheless, the information regarding efficacy and safety is scarce and mainly based on the pivotal trials. This scarcity is especially evident for adults and severe forms of HD. Methods: A systematic review of publications in the electronic databases PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Central was undertaken. Clinical trials and observational studies were included. The data about efficacy and security were retrieved and analysed with Review Manager version 5.3. Results: 677 records were found, 559 remaining after the removal of duplicates. By title and abstract review, 427 were excluded. Full reading of the rest was made (122 publications) and 42 were finally included. It was not possible to perform meta-analysis of all the endpoints due to high heterogeneity in the reporting and measuring of variables in each publication. Eight clinical trials were included, 6 with high risk of bias. The quality of the other studies was low in 12%, average in 68% and good in 21%. Main findings were: a reduction in the elimination of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in urine in all the studies (26/26), decrease in liver and spleen size (18/18), increase of 52.59 m (95% CI, 36, 42-68.76, p < .001) in the 6-min walk test (TM6M), increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) of 9.59% (95% CI 4.77-14.51, p < .001), reduction of the left ventricular mass index of 3.57% (95% CI 1.2-5.93) and reduction in mortality (OR) of 0.44 (0.27-0.71). Discussion: The data suggests a clear and consistent effect of ERT in HD reducing the accumulation of GAGs in the body, demonstrated by the reduction of its urinary excretion, as well as by the reduction of its deposits (spleen, liver and heart). Likewise, there is an improvement in physical and respiratory function. In addition, a reduction in mortality has been observed. Lack of studies, small size of the samples, and methodological deficiencies are the main limitations to establish definite conclusions. Conclusions: The data suggests that ERT is effective and safe in the treatment of HD. There is a need to evaluate patient-centred outcomes and the impact on quality of life

Cancer stem cells from human glioblastoma resemble but do not mimic original tumors after in vitro passaging in serum-free media

Human gliomas harbour cancer stem cells (CSCs) that evolve along the course of the disease, forming highly heterogeneous subpopulations within the tumour mass. These cells possess self-renewal properties and appear to contribute to tumour initiation, metastasis and resistance to therapy. CSC cultures isolated from surgical samples are considered the best preclinical in vitro model for primary human gliomas. However, it is not yet well characterized to which extent their biological and functional properties change during in vitro passaging in the serum-free culture conditions. Here, we demonstrate that our CSC-enriched cultures harboured from one to several CSC clones from the human glioma sample. When xenotransplanted into mouse brain, these cells generated tumours that reproduced at least three different dissemination patterns found in original tumours. Along the passages in culture, CSCs displayed increased expression of stem cell markers, different ratios of chromosomal instability events, and a varied response to drug treatment. Our findings highlight the need for better characterization of CSC-enriched cultures in the context of their evolution in vitro, in order to uncover their full potential as preclinical models in the studies aimed at identifying molecular biomarkers and developing new therapeutic approaches of human gliomas.Peer reviewe

Challenge 5: Impact of global change on managed ecosystems

Topic Coordinators: María Begoña García ( IPE, CSIC ); Pedro Jordano ( EBD, CSIC )Peer reviewe

Constraints on the χ_(c1) versus χ_(c2) polarizations in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

The polarizations of promptly produced χ_(c1) and χ_(c2) mesons are studied using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at √s=8  TeV. The χ_c states are reconstructed via their radiative decays χ_c → J/ψγ, with the photons being measured through conversions to e⁺e⁻, which allows the two states to be well resolved. The polarizations are measured in the helicity frame, through the analysis of the χ_(c2) to χ_(c1) yield ratio as a function of the polar or azimuthal angle of the positive muon emitted in the J/ψ → μ⁺μ⁻ decay, in three bins of J/ψ transverse momentum. While no differences are seen between the two states in terms of azimuthal decay angle distributions, they are observed to have significantly different polar anisotropies. The measurement favors a scenario where at least one of the two states is strongly polarized along the helicity quantization axis, in agreement with nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics predictions. This is the first measurement of significantly polarized quarkonia produced at high transverse momentum