PTS and PTSO, two organosulfur compounds from onion by‑products as a novel solution for plant disease and pest management

This research has been carried out within the project GRUPO OPERATIVO SALUD-OLIVAR from the Spanish Rural Development Program (2014-2020) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and co-financed by 80% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER) (Total investment 384.830,96 EUR). It has also received funding from European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant agreement no. 887281 (BIOVEXO).This study is part of the Industrial Doctorate of the doctoral student Ana Falcon Pineiro, granted by the State Research Agency of the Spanish Government, with the following reference: DIN2019-010792.Background Over the past decade, the great impact of agricultural crop diseases has generated considerable economic losses and has compromised the production of edible crops at a time when the world population is only expected to rise, leading to the search for new pest management strategies. Besides that, the environmental impact resulting from the continued use of chemical pesticides has led to the search for natural and sustainable alternatives. One of the existing solutions that currently stands out for its effectiveness is the use of bioactive plant extracts. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of propyl propane thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), two organosulfur compounds (OSCs) derived from Allium cepa, against a wide range of target bacteria and fungi. To this end, various in vitro procedures were conducted as well as soil sanitization tests using sterile substrate inoculated with soil-borne pathogens. In addition, this study also evaluates the pesticidal activity of both compounds through in vitro mortality and repellence tests. Results PTS and PTSO revealed inhibition activity on all the pathogens tested, belonging to different taxonomic groups. Moreover, both significatively reduced the population of bacteria and fungi in soil. The quantification of active substances in soil carried out in parallel to the microbial quantification showed that their use reduces the risk of residue accumulation since they break down quickly when applied. The set of antimicrobial tests performed demonstrated that the antifungal effect of both compounds is higher than the bactericidal effect. Lastly, PTS and PTSO showed a concentration-dependent significant biocidal and repellent effect against aphids. Conclusions The results presented in this work demonstrate that both PTS and PTSO have a significant antimicrobial and pesticidal activity against the great majority of phytopathogens tested, being a promising tool to improve pest management in crops.Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodEuropean Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER)European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program 887281State Research Agency of the Spanish Government DIN2019‑01079

Genetic Characterization of Non-Lymphogranuloma venereum Chlamydia trachomatis Indicates Distinct Infection Transmission Networks in Spain

Chlamydia trachomatis; OmpA genotyping; Sexual behaviourChlamydia trachomatis; Genotipado ompA; Comportamiento sexualChlamydia trachomatis; Genotipat ompA; Comportament sexualChlamydia trachomatis infection is an important public health problem. Our objective was to assess the dynamics of the transmission of this infection, analysing the distribution of circulating ompA genotypes and multilocus sequence types of C. trachomatis in Spain as a function of clinical and epidemiological variables. During 2018 and 2019, we genetically characterized C. trachomatis in tertiary hospitals in six areas in Spain (Asturias, Barcelona, Gipuzkoa, Mallorca, Seville and Zaragoza), with a catchment population of 3.050 million people. Genotypes and sequence types were obtained using polymerase chain reaction techniques that amplify a fragment of the ompA gene, and five highly variable genes (hctB, CT058, CT144, CT172 and pbpB), respectively. Amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. We obtained genotypes in 636/698 cases (91.1%). Overall and by area, genotype E was the most common (35%). Stratifying by sex, genotypes D and G were more common among men, and genotypes F and I among women (p < 0.05). Genotypes D, G and J were more common in men who have sex with men (MSM) than in men who have sex with women (MSW), in whom the most common genotypes were E and F. The diversity index was higher in sequence typing (0.981) than in genotyping (0.791), and the most common sequence types were ST52 and ST108 in MSM, and ST30, ST148, ST276 and ST327 in MSW. Differences in genotype distribution between geographical areas were attributable to differences in population characteristics. The transmission dynamics varied with sexual behaviour: the predominant genotypes and most frequent sequence types found in MSM were different to those detected in MSW and women.This study was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the project “PI17/01886”, and co-funded by the European Union

Intensification and biorefinery approaches for the valorization of kitchen wastes – A review

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGKitchen wastes (KW) are post-consumption residues from household and food service sector, heterogenous in composition and highly variable depending on the particular origin, which are often treated as municipal. There is a need to improve the management of these continuously produced and worldwidely available resources and their valorization into novel and commercially interesting products will aid in the development of bioeconomy. The successful implementation of such approach requires cooperation between academia, industrial stakeholders, public and private institutions, based on the different dimensions, including social, economic, ecologic and technological involved. This review aims at presenting a survey of technological aspects, regarding current and potential management strategies of KW, following either a single or multiproduct processing according to the biorefineries scheme. Emphasis is given to intensification tools, designed to enhance process efficiency

Innovación con TIC* y cambio sostenible. Un proyecto de investigación colaborativa

Este artículo es parte de un amplio proyecto de investigación centrado en la innovación educativa con TIC, llevado a cabo por el Grupo de Investigación Stellae de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela en cinco centros públicos de Galicia, durante tres cursos escolares (del 2006 al 2009).En él presentamos, en primer lugar, los antecedentes teóricos del estudio y la metodología adoptada, basada en un enfoque de investigación-acción colaborativa para, a continuación, centrarnos en uno de los cinco casos participantes, un Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria. Ofrecemos una breve descripción del contexto en el que está ubicado, la historia del proceso decolaboración mantenido y, como tema central, algunos de los principales hallazgos relativos a la innovación con TIC, una de las cinco dimensiones de análisis surgidas de los datos recogidos a lo largo del proceso de colaboración. Para finalizar, ofrecemos las conclusiones más significativas relativas a esta dimensión, analizando la posible sostenibilidad de la innovación con TIC en este centro

Preliminary evaluation of pressurized hot water extraction for the solubilization of valuable components from hospital kitchen wastes

An alternative to mitigate the environmental impact of food waste is the separation of valuable components. Due to the difficulty and heterogeneity of such wastes, the study of model systems allowing a regular and predictable production and composition was used. A mixture of pre- and post-consumption kitchen wastes from a hospital with an automated organic matter segregation and drying system (HKW) has been collected to obtain representative samples of the different diets prepared daily. The chemical characterization of streams revealed a variation in composition of the wastes depending on the menus. Those from dinner + breakfast (D + B) presented protein content in the range 42–54% of the dry weight and those form lunch + snack (L + S) in the range 19–33%, whereas the carbohydrate content was 52–65% in D + B and 47–53% in L + S waste streams. These values suggested the possibility of proposing a different valorization scheme for each type of stream. In this study, a green extraction process with pressurized hot water under microwave heating has been explored for the solubilization of the most abundant and valuable components, protein, and carbohydrates. The starch fractions recovered from the crude extract were proposed for the formulation of anti-freezing hydrogels suitable for 3D printing, and the possibilities of valorizing other fractions such as proteins as plant biostimulants are also discussed.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431F 2020/01Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431G2019/06Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. RYC2018-024454-IUniversidade de Vigo/CISU

Innovation with ICT and Sustainable Change. A Project of Collaborative Research

Este artículo es parte de un amplio proyecto de investigación centrado en la innovación educativa con TIC, llevado a cabo por el Grupo de Investigación Stellae de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela en cinco centros públicos de Galicia, durante tres cursos escolares (del 2006 al 2009). En él presentamos, en primer lugar, los antecedentes teóricos del estudio y la metodología adoptada, basada en un enfoque de investigación-acción colaborativa para, a continuación, centrarnos en uno de los cinco casos participantes, un Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria. Ofrecemos una breve descripción del contexto en el que está ubicado, la historia del proceso de colaboración mantenido y, como tema central, algunos de los principales hallazgos relativos a la innovación con TIC, una de las cinco dimensiones de análisis surgidas de los datos recogidos a lo largo del proceso de colaboración. Para finalizar, ofrecemos las conclusiones más significativas relativas a esta dimensión, analizando la posible sostenibilidad de la innovación con TIC en este centro.This article is part of a wide project of research focused on the educational innovation on ICT, carried out by the Group Stellae from the University of Santiago de Compostela, in five public schools in Galicia, during three school years (2006-2009). First, we present the theoretical antecedents of the study and the methodology that we adopted, based on an approach of collaborative action research, and next, we focus on one of the five cases involved in the study, a Secondary School. We offer a brief description of the context in which it is located, the history of the process of collaboration and, as a central topic, some of the main discoveries regarding to the innovation on ICT, one of the five dimensions of analysis coming up from the collected data along the process of collaboration. To finish, we offer the most significant conclusions regarding to this dimension, analyzing the possible sustainability of the innovation on ICT in this school.Grupo de Investigación FORCE (Formación Centrada en la Escuela) Universidad de Granad

Innovation with ICT and Sustainable Change. A Project of Collaborative Research

Este artículo es parte de un amplio proyecto de investigación centrado en la innovación educativa con TIC, llevado a cabo por el Grupo de Investigación Stellae de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela en cinco centros públicos de Galicia, durante tres cursos escolares (del 2006 al 2009). En él presentamos, en primer lugar, los antecedentes teóricos del estudio y la metodología adoptada, basada en un enfoque de investigación-acción colaborativa para, a continuación, centrarnos en uno de los cinco casos participantes, un Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria. Ofrecemos una breve descripción del contexto en el que está ubicado, la historia del proceso de colaboración mantenido y, como tema central, algunos de los principales hallazgos relativos a la innovación con TIC, una de las cinco dimensiones de análisis surgidas de los datos recogidos a lo largo del proceso de colaboración. Para finalizar, ofrecemos las conclusiones más significativas relativas a esta dimensión, analizando la posible sostenibilidad de la innovación con TIC en este centroThis article is part of a wide project of research focused on the educational innovation on ICT, carried out by the Group Stellae from the University of Santiago de Compostela, in five public schools in Galicia, during three school years (2006-2009). First, we present the theoretical antecedents of the study and the methodology that we adopted, based on an approach of collaborative action research, and next, we focus on one of the five cases involved in the study, a Secondary School. We offer a brief description of the context in which it is located, the history of the process of collaboration and, as a central topic, some of the main discoveries regarding to the innovation on ICT, one of the five dimensions of analysis coming up from the collected data along the process of collaboration. To finish, we offer the most significant conclusions regarding to this dimension, analyzing the possible sustainability of the innovation on ICT in this schoolS

New spinocerebellar ataxia subtype caused by SAMD9L mutation triggering mitochondrial dysregulation (SCA49)

Spinocerebellar ataxias consist of a highly heterogeneous group of inherited movement disorders clinically characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia variably associated with additional distinctive clinical signs. The genetic heterogeneity is evidenced by the myriad of associated genes and underlying genetic defects identified. In this study, we describe a new spinocerebellar ataxia subtype in nine members of a Spanish five-generation family from Menorca with affected individuals variably presenting with ataxia, nystagmus, dysarthria, polyneuropathy, pyramidal signs, cerebellar atrophy and distinctive cerebral demyelination. Affected individuals presented with horizontal and vertical gaze-evoked nystagmus and hyperreflexia as initial clinical signs, and a variable age of onset ranging from 12 to 60 years. Neurophysiological studies showed moderate axonal sensory polyneuropathy with altered sympathetic skin response predominantly in the lower limbs. We identified the c.1877C > T (p.Ser626Leu) pathogenic variant within the SAMD9L gene as the disease causative genetic defect with a significant log-odds score (Z(max) = 3.43; theta = 0.00; P < 3.53 x 10(-5)). We demonstrate the mitochondrial location of human SAMD9L protein, and its decreased levels in patients' fibroblasts in addition to mitochondrial perturbations. Furthermore, mutant SAMD9L in zebrafish impaired mobility and vestibular/sensory functions. This study describes a novel spinocerebellar ataxia subtype caused by SAMD9L mutation, SCA49, which triggers mitochondrial alterations pointing to a role of SAMD9L in neurological motor and sensory functions. Corral-Juan et al. describe a novel dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxia subtype, SCA49, caused by SAMD9L mutation characterized by polyneuropathy, distinctive cerebral demyelination with gaze-evoked nystagmus and hyperreflexia as initial clinical signs. The study demonstrates the mitochondrial location of human SAMD9L protein triggering mitochondrial and lysosomal alterations

First-in-human phase I clinical trial of a TLR4-binding DNA aptamer, ApTOLL: Safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers.

ApTOLL is an aptamer that antagonizes Toll-like receptor 4 and improves functional outcomes in models of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to characterize the safety and pharmacokinetics of ApTOLL in healthy volunteers. A first-in-human dose-ascending, randomized, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial to assess safety and pharmacokinetics of ApTOLL (30-min infusion intravenously) was performed in 46 healthy adult male volunteers. The study was divided into two parts: part A included seven single ascending dose levels, and part B had one multiple dose cohort. Safety and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated. No serious adverse events or biochemistry alterations were detected at any dose nor at any administration pattern studied. Maximum concentration was detected at the end of the infusion and mean half-life was 9.3 h. Interestingly, exposure increased in the first four levels receiving doses from 0.7 mg to 14 mg (AUC of 2,441.26 h∗ng/mL to 23,371.11 h∗ng/mL) but remained stable thereafter (mean of 23,184.61 h∗ng/mL after 70 mg). Consequently, the multiple dose study did not show any accumulation of ApTOLL. These results show an excellent safety and adequate pharmacokinetic profile that, together with the efficacy demonstrated in nonclinical studies, provide the basis to start clinical trials in patients.This study was sponsored by aptaTargets S.L. (Madrid, Spain) and was conducted at the Clinical Trials Unit (La Princesa Hospital, Madrid, Spain). The study was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (RTC-2017-6651- 1). Authors acknowledge David Segarra and M. Eugenia Zarabozo (aptaTargets S.L.) for their contribution in the management and funding of the trial, and Alba Singla (Anagram; Barcelona, Spain) for her contribution in the monitoring of the trial.S

Siempre UCM! Recorrido de los doctores egresados por la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociología

Se plantea un proyecto aplicado para mantener el contacto con los egresados en los programas de doctorado de la UCM. Se ha realizado un piloto consistente en la aplicación de un cuestionario. Con esta herramienta se obtiene información sobre publicaciones de egresados que es necesaria para reacreditación y autoinformes, además de información sobre satisfacción con el programa e inserción profesional de utilidad para guiar las decisiones de las comisiones académicas