In Vitro and In Situ Characterization of Fish Thymic Nurse Cells

We present an enzyme- and immuno-cytochemical, and ultrastructural characterization of trout thymic nurse cells (TNCs). Our data suggest that isolated trout thymic multicellular complexes are epithelial cells with acidic compartments that may be involved in the processing of antigens and in the generation of the MHC-II proteins that these cell express, and also that isolated TNCs are the In Vitro equivalent of the pale and intermediate electronlucent epithelial cells located in the inner zone of the trout thymus, constituting indirect evidence of the phylogenetical relationships of the inner zone of the teleost thymus with the thymic cortex of higher vertebrates

MiR-9-5p suppresses pro-fibrogenic transformation of fibroblasts and prevents organ fibrosis by targeting NOX4 and TGFBR2

© 2015 The Authors. Uncontrolled extracellular matrix (ECM) production by fibroblasts in response to injury contributes to fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulates the production of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-dependent ROS, promoting lung fibrosis (LF). Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been shown to contribute to LF. To identify miRNAs involved in redox regulation relevant for IPF, we performed arrays in human lung fibroblasts exposed to ROS. miR-9-5p was selected as the best candidate and we demonstrate its inhibitory effect on TGF-β receptor type II (TGFBR2) and NOX4 expression. Increased expression of miR-9-5p abrogates TGF-β1-dependent myofibroblast phenotypic transformation. In the mouse model of bleomycin-induced LF, miR-9-5p dramatically reduces fibrogenesis and inhibition of miR-9-5p and prevents its anti-fibrotic effect both in vitro and in vivo. In lung specimens from patients with IPF, high levels of miR-9-5p are found. In omentum-derived mesothelial cells (MCs) from patients subjected to peritoneal dialysis (PD), miR-9-5p also inhibits mesothelial to myofibroblast transformation. We propose that TGF-β1 induces miR-9-5p expression as a self-limiting homeostatic response.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) SAF 2012-31338 (SL), SAF 2013-47611 (MLC) and CSD 2007-00020 (SL), Instituto de Salud Carlos III REDinREN RD12/0021/0009 (SL and LGB) and FIS PS12/00094 (LGB), Comunidad de Madrid “Fibroteam” S2010/BMD-2321 (SL and MLC) and Fundación Renal “Iñigo Alvarez de Toledo” (SL), all from Spain. Supported by European Cooperation in Science and Research COST actions BM-1203 (EU-ROS) and BM-1005 (ENOGAS) (SL). The CBMSO receives institutional support from Fundación “Ramón Areces”.Peer Reviewe

Modulation of the exfoliated graphene work function through cycloaddition of nitrile imines

After the feasibility of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between nitrile imines and exfoliated graphene by density functional theory calculations was proved, very few-layer graphene was effectively functionalized using this procedure. Hydrazones with different electronic properties were used as precursors for the 1,3-dipoles, and microwave irradiation as an energy source enabled the reaction to be performed in a few minutes. The anchoring of organic addends on the graphene surface was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) was used to measure the work function and band gap of these new hybrids. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to modulate these important electronic valence band parameters by tailoring the electron richness of the organic addends and/or the degree of functionalization

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

Anales del III Congreso Internacional de Vivienda y Ciudad "Debate en torno a la nueva agenda urbana"

Acta de congresoEl III Congreso Internacional de Vivienda y Ciudad “Debates en torno a la NUEVa Agenda Urbana”, ha sido una apuesta de alto compromiso por acercar los debates centrales y urgentes que tensionan el pleno ejercicio del derecho a la ciudad. Para ello las instituciones organizadoras (INVIHAB –Instituto de Investigación de Vivienda y Hábitat y MGyDH-Maestría en Gestión y Desarrollo Habitacional-1), hemos convidado un espacio que se concretó con potencia en un debate transdisciplinario. Convocó a intelectuales de prestigio internacional, investigadores, académicos y gestores estatales, y en una metodología de innovación articuló las voces académicas con las de las organizaciones sociales y/o barriales en el Foro de las Organizaciones Sociales que tuvo su espacio propio para dar voz a quienes están trabajando en los desafíos para garantizar los derechos a la vivienda y los bienes urbanos en nuestras ciudades del Siglo XXI

CO2 hydrogenation over Pd-modified methanol synthesis catalysts

The effect of palladium incorporation on the performance of Cu–ZnO(Al2O3) during the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide has been assessed. Temperature-programmed reduction profiles and X-ray photoelectron spectra of copper revealed that Pd enhances copper oxide reduction. Carbon dioxide conversion and methanol yield were found to increase on Pd-loaded catalysts. The importance of the palladium incorporated to the base Cu–ZnO(Al2O3) catalyst in determining the catalytic activity is discussed in terms of the relative ease with which hydrogen is dissociated on the Pd particles and then spilt over the Cu–ZnO phase of the base catalyst.Financial support from CICYT, Spain, under project MAT95-0894 is acknowledged. I. Melián-Cabrera is grateful to the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura for the award of a studentship

Influence of residual chloride ions in the CO hydrogenation over Rh/SiO2 catalysts

Silica-supported rhodium catalysts prepared from nitrate and chloride precursors were tested in the CO hydrogenation reaction. Similar reaction rate and selectivities to the different product families were found for both catalysts, however the ex-chloride catalyst showed a lower 1-olefin/n-paraffin ratio. Characterisation by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), H2 chemisorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of CO chemisorbed did not evidence disparate features between ex-nitrate and ex-chloride samples. However, a much higher H2 desorption was found in the ex-chloride catalyst according to the hydrogen temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) studies. Residual chloride species seems to be involved in the H2 adsorption on silica enhancing the spillover of hydrogen from metal particles to the silica support. It is suggested that spilt-H atoms can create active sites on the silica surface where olefins can be hydrogenated to the corresponding paraffins. Silica-supported rhodium catalysts prepared from nitrate and chloride precursors were tested in the CO+H2 reaction. The ex-chloride catalyst showed a lower 1-olefin/n-paraffin ratio. From the H2 TPD results, it is suggested that residual chloride ions favour H2 spillover from the Rh metal to the SiO2 surface, thus leading to new active sites where olefins are hydrogenated to the corresponding paraffins.One of us (M. Ojeda) acknowledges a fellowship from the Consejerı́a de Educación y Cultura (CAM). This work was partly supported by the Dirección General de Investigación, MCYT (Spain), under grant MAT2001-2215-C03-01. TEM micrographs were taken at the Centre of Electron Microscopy, University Complutense of Madrid, Spain

Behavior of an Aeromonas hydrophila aroA Live Vaccine in Water Microcosms

Genetically modified auxotrophic mutants of different fish pathogens have been used as live vaccines in laboratory experiments, but the behavior of the strains after release into aquatic ecosystems has not been characterized. We previously constructed and characterized an aroA mutant of Aeromonas hydrophila and studied the protection afforded by this mutant as a live vaccine in rainbow trout. In this work, we describe the survival of this strain in aquatic microcosms prepared from fish water tanks. The aroA mutant disappeared rapidly in nonfiltered, nonautoclaved fish tank water, declining below detection levels after 15 days, suggesting an inhibitory effect of the autochthonous microflora of the water. When the aroA strain was used to inoculate sterilized water, its culturability was lower than that of wild-type strain A. hydrophila AG2; after long periods of incubation, aroA cells were able to enter a viable but nonculturable state. Entry into this nonculturable state was accompanied by changes in the cell morphology from rods to spheres, but the cells appeared to remain potentially viable, as assessed by the preservation of cell membrane integrity. Supplementation of the culture medium with sodium pyruvate favored the culturability and resuscitation of the two A. hydrophila strains at low temperatures (6 and 16°C). These results contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of the aroA strain in natural environments and suggest that the inactivation of the aroA gene may be beneficial for the safety of this live vaccine for aquacultures

Inhibition of oxygenated compounds formation during CO hydrogenation over Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalysts calcined at high temperature

The temperature of calcination in air of a Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalyst affects its structure in, at least, two different ways. First, upon increasing calcination temperature from 400 to 700 °C, the amount of non-reducible Rh2O3 increases. But the most important effect is the sintering of metal particles, especially when the calcination temperature is around 700 °C or above. Catalytic activity in CO hydrogenation is strongly influenced as a consequence of this phenomenon. CO conversion decreases on larger rhodium particles, although turnover frequency (TOF) follows the opposite trend. In addition, oxygenates formation is strongly suppressed on the sintered catalysts.One of us (M. Ojeda) acknowledges a fellowship from the Conserjería de Educación y Cultura (CAM). This work was partly supported by the Dirección General de Investigación, MCYT (Spain), under grant MAT2001-2215-C03-01. F.J. García-García thank the Swedish Research Council for economical support

Manganese-promoted Rh/Al2O3 for C2- oxygenates synthesis from syngas: Effect of manganese loading

The effect of manganese promoter loading on the catalytic properties of Rh/Al2O3 catalysts (Mn/Rh=0, 0.5, 1 and 2, atomic ratio) for the synthesis of oxygenated compounds from synthesis gas was investigated. Catalysts were characterized by means of TPR, XPS, H2 chemisorption, FT-IR, and TPSR of chemisorbed CO. It is suggested that manganese oxide promotes CO conversion as a result of the change in the relative surface coverage of H* and C* (θH/θC). The manganese oxide promoter also affected the selectivity to oxygenated compounds, mainly to ethanol. The manganese promoter behaved as an electron-withdrawing, partially oxidizing the rhodium atoms at the Rh–MnO interface and thus creating new sites for CO insertion. The amount of promoter seemed to be an important parameter to achieve the highest yield of the desired reaction products. For oxygenates formation, the optimum Mn/Rh atomic ratio was found to be around 1.One of us (M. Ojeda) acknowledges a fellowship from the Consejerı́a de Educación y Cultura (CAM). This work was partly supported by the Dirección General de Investigación, MCYT (Spain), under grant MAT2001-2215-C03-01. F.J.G.G. would like to thank the Swedish Research Council for economical support