Mitochondrial movement in Aralar/Slc25a12/AGC1 deficient cortical neurons

The elevated energy demands in the brain are fulfilled mainly by glucose catabolism. In highly polarized neurons, about 10–50% of mitochondria are transported along microtubules using mitochondrial-born ATP to locations with high energy requirements. In this report, we have investigated the impact of Aralar deficiency on mitochondrial transport in cultured cortical neurons. Aralar/slc25a12/AGC1 is the neuronal isoform of the aspartate-glutamate mitochondrial carrier, a component of the malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS) which plays an important role in redox balance, which is essential to maintain glycolytic pyruvate supply to neuronal mitochondria. Using live imaging microscopy we observed that the lack of Aralar does not affect the number of moving mitochondria nor the Ca2+-induced stop, the only difference being a 10% increase in mitochondrial velocity in Aralar deficient neurons. Therefore, we evaluated the possible fuels used in each case by studying the relative contribution of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis to mitochondrial movement using specific inhibitors. We found that the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin caused a smaller inhibition of mitochondrial movement in Aralar-KO than control neurons, whereas the glycolysis inhibitor iodoacetate had similar effects in neurons from both genotypes. In line with these findings, the decrease in cytosolic ATP/ADP ratio caused by oligomycin was more pronounced in control than in Aralar-KO neurons, but no differences were observed with iodoacetate. Oligomycin effect was reverted by aralar re-expression in knock out cultures. As mitochondrial movement is not reduced in Aralar-KO neurons, these results suggest that these neurons may use an additional pathway for mitochondria movement and ATP/ADP ratio maintenanceThis work was supported by grants S2010/BMD-2402, and a grant from Fundación Ramón Areces to JS; SAF2014-56929-R to JS and BP; SAF2017-82560-R to BP and AdA and an institutional grant from Fundación Ramón Areces to the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa. LC has been the recipient of a Junta de Ampliación de Estudios Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and CIBERER postdoctoral contracts. The authors declare no competing financial interest

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of ling-heather honey powder obtained by different methods with several carriers

Honey powder is being increasingly used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, because it avoids inconveniences of raw honey, such as high viscosity, stickiness and formation of sugar crystals. It is of paramount importance to know if honey powders keep the features of raw honeys. This is the first study, in which total phenolics, total flavonoids, and biological properties of ling-heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) honey powders obtained by different drying methods (spray drying, vacuum drying and freeze drying), using different carriers (Arabic gum, whey protein isolate and maltodextrin) were assessed. Results showed that all the drying procedures and carriers retained the honey phenolics in the honey powders. Honey powders' antioxidant activities against different free radicals (ABTS•+, ROO•, •OH and O2•-) were higher than those of the raw honeys, while honey powders’ anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities against several microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli) were lower. Concentration of honey in the powder and type of carrier used for dehydration were the key factors for the quality of honey powders. However, the drying procedure did not strongly influence the parameters and properties studied.Junta de Castilla y León (Spain) for financial support (BU041G18), and for the research assistant contract given to Ms. Leire Cantero (Grant No. UBU-09-A)

El Fuerte de Lanteira (Granada). Análisis de una fortificación de alquería de época nazarí

The archaeological excavations carried out supporting the restoration of the medieval tower known as «El Fuerte» («The Fortress»), in the town of Lanteira (Granada, northern side of Sierra Nevada), has allowed to analyze in detail its structure and the different building techniques used, and also to date the construction of the building to the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries. Although the main aim was to describe the characteristics of this structure of the Nasrid period, we have also integrated this study within the context of the evolution of the medieval settlements of the area. Besides, we have tried to address the social and political dimensions of this tower in the context of the historical debate on the last Islamic state in the peninsula under Castilian military pressure.La intervención arqueológica de apoyo a la restauración llevada a cabo en el torreón de época medieval conocido como «El Fuerte», situado en el pueblo de Lanteira (Granada), en la cara norte de Sierra Nevada, nos ha permitido analizar con detalle su estructura y las distintas técnicas constructivas utilizadas, así como datar la construcción en los siglos XIV o XV. Aunque el objetivo fundamental ha sido describir las características de esta estructura de época nazarí, también hemos integrado su estudio en el contexto de la evolución del poblamiento medieval de su entorno, pero además hemos intentado aproximarnos a su dimensión social y política, en el contexto del debate histórico sobre el último Estado islámico peninsular, sometido a la presión militar castellana. Palabras clave: Fortificaciones rurales, Torres de alquerí

Explorando los Determinantes de la Producción de Investigación: Tipología de los Docentes Investigadores en una Universidad en Ecuador

The purpose of this research is to describe the research profile of university professors in Ecuador, considering their research output, individual factors (academic qualification level and period of time at the institution) and institutional factors (time invested in research). The cluster analysis was applied to a sample of 538 Ecuadorian academics. Five researcher profiles with different levels of scientific production were identified: (1) lecturers, (2) stars, (3) high potential, (4) low potential and, (5) underused. Our findings indicate that the number of hours allocated by the university for research activities per se is not a determinant of the university research output. Research results suggest that the university authorities in Ecuador should establish specific strategies, based on the five profiles, to increase individual research output. The study delivers specific guidelines for enhancing decisions about the allocation of resources to improve individual research output in the universities.El propósito de esta investigación es describir el perfil investigador de los profesores universitarios en Ecuador, en función de los niveles de producción de investigación, de factores individuales (nivel de calificación académica y período de permanencia en la institución) y factores institucionales (tiempo invertido en investigación). Se aplicó el análisis de clusters a una muestra de diferentes niveles de producción científica: (1) profesores, (2) estrellas, (3) alto potencial, (4) bajo potencial y, (5) infrautilizado. Los hallazgos indican que el número de horas asignadas por la universidad para actividades de investigación, per se, no constituye un determinante de la producción de investigación de los docentes. Los resultados de la investigación sugieren que las autoridades universitarias en Ecuador deben establecer estrategias específicas, basadas en estos cinco perfiles, para incrementar la producción de investigación individual. El estudio ofrece pautas específicas para mejorar las decisiones sobre la asignación de recursos para mejorar la producción de investigación individual en las universidades

Impact of the Drying Procedure and Botanical Origin on the Physico-Chemical and Potentially Bioactive Properties of Honey Powders

This study was aimed at researching the impact of the drying procedure (using the most appropriate honey–maltodextrin concentration for each drying technique) and botanical origin of honey on the physicochemical and potentially bioactive properties of honey powders that were made using maltodextrin as a carrier. The research was carried out with thyme, lavender, vetch and multifloral honey dehydrated using vacuum drying and freeze drying. The analysed parameters were moisture, water activity, colour, glass transition temperature, powder recovery, hygroscopic index and rate, tapped density, solubility, and phenolics as well as antiradical (ABTS•+, ROO•, •OH and O2•−), anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial (against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes) activities. Freeze drying provided the highest recoveries. Powders obtained using freeze drying showed higher moisture and solubility as well as lower glass transition temperature, density and hygroscopicity than those obtained using vacuum drying. Hygroscopicity, glass transition temperature and antimicrobial activity against St. aureus depended on the drying procedure–honey concentration. Colour, anti-O2•− activity and antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes depended on the botanical origin of the raw honey. Moisture, solubility, density, total phenolic content, anti-ABTS•+ and anti-ROO• activities as well as anti-inflammatory activity and antimicrobial activity against E. coli depended on the drying procedure–honey concentration and botanical origin.The authors gratefully acknowledge Junta de Castilla y León (Spain) for financial support (BU041G18) and for the research assistant contract given to Leire Cantero (Grant No. UBU09-A)

MERLIN: A new tool for flood hazard forecasting at the Galicia-Costa Hydrographic Demarcation

[EN] This article presents MERLIN, a tool for flood hazard evaluation, which forecasts discharges and water depths in flood prone areas of the Galicia Costa district. The warning system operates in two stages. During the hindcast stage, hydrological models of the basins included in the system assimilate hydro-meteorological data in order to characterize soil infiltration capacity. During the forecast stage, hydrological models are fed with meteorological predictions and discharge forecasts along the basins. Forecasted discharges define boundary conditions of hydraulic models, which compute the flood extent and the water depths over the upcoming days. The performance of MERLIN was evaluated in 4 areas using discharge data from the winter months of 2019-2020. Results proved MERLIN’s ability of predicting the discharges observed afterwards.[ES] Este artículo presenta MERLIN, una nueva herramienta para estimar el riesgo de inundaciones a partir de predicciones de caudales y calados en Áreas de Riesgo Potencial Significativo de Inundaciones (ARPSIS) de la demarcación hidrográfica Galicia-Costa. El sistema MERLIN opera en dos fases. Durante una primera fase de inicialización, modelos hidrológicos de las cuencas incluidas en el sistema asimilan datos hidro-meteorológicos para caracterizar la capacidad de infiltración del terreno. Durante la fase de predicción, los modelos hidrológicos previamente inicializados se alimentan con predicciones meteorológicas para determinar los caudales esperados durante los próximos días. Las predicciones de caudal alimentan a modelos hidráulicos de las ARPSIS que determinan los calados y la extensión de zonas inundadas. El funcionamiento de MERLIN se evaluó en 4 cuencas piloto a partir de los caudales registrados durante los temporales del invierno del 2019-2020, mostrando una buena capacidad de predecir los valores posteriormente observados.El desarrollo del sistema MERLIN y el resto de trabajos presentados en este artículo fue posible gracias a la financiación aportada por Augas de Galicia dentro del Convenio de colaboración entre Augas de Galicia e a Fundación de Enxeñería Civil de Galicia para a mellora do sistema de alerta temperá de risco de inundación na demarcación hidrográfica Galicia-costa.Fraga, I.; Cea, L.; Puertas, J.; Mosqueira, G.; Quinteiro, B.; Botana, S.; Fernández, L.... (2021). MERLIN: Una nueva herramienta para la predicción del riesgo de inundaciones en la demarcación hidrográfica Galicia-Costa. Ingeniería del agua. 25(3):215-227. https://doi.org/10.4995/ia.2021.15565OJS215227253Alvarez-Garreton, C., Ryu, D., Western, A.W., Su, C.H., Crow, W.T., Robertson, E., Leahy, C. 2015. 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Revista Internacional de Metodos Numericos en Ingeniería, 30(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rimni.2012.07.004Carracedo, P. 2003. Acoplamiento de un modelo hidrodinámico de escala global con uno de escala regional para Galicia. Revista Real Academia Galega de Ciencias, 22, 85.Cea, L., Fraga, I. 2018. Incorporating antecedent moisture conditions and intraevent variability of rainfall on flood frequency analysis in poorly gauged basins. Water Resources Research, 54, 8774-8791. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR023194Cronshey, R. 1986. Urban hydrology for small watersheds. US Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Engineering Division.García-Feal, O., González-Cao, J., Gómez-Gesteira, M., Cea, L., Domínguez, J., Formella, A. 2018. An accelerated tool for flood modelling based on Iber. Water, 10(10) 1459. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10101459Hossain, F., Siddique-E-Akbor, A.H.M., Yigzaw, W., Shah-Newaz, S., Hossain, M., Mazumder, L.C., Turk, F.J. 2014. Crossing the "valley of death": lessons learned from implementing an operational satellite-based flood forecasting system. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 95(8), 1201-1207. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00176.1IPCC (2018). Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. In Press.Jewell, S.A., Gaussiat, N. 2015. An assessment of kriging-based rain-gauge-radar merging techniques. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 141(691), 2300-2313. https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.2522Kasiviswanathan, K.S., He, J., Sudheer, K.P., Tay, J.H. 2016. Potential application of wavelet neural network ensemble to forecast streamflow for flood management. Journal of hydrology, 536, 161-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.02.044Kellens, W., Vanneuville, W., Verfaillie, E., Meire, E., Deckers, P., De Maeyer, P. 2013. Flood risk management in Flanders: past developments and future challenges. Water Resources Management, 27(10), 3585-3606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-013-0366-4Krajewski, W.F., Ceynar, D., Demir, I., Goska, R., Kruger, A., Langel, C., Small, S.J. 2017. Real-time flood forecasting and information system for the state of Iowa. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 98(3), 539-554. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-15-00243.1Kumar, M., Sahay, R.R. 2018. Wavelet-genetic programming conjunction model for flood forecasting in rivers. Hydrology Research, 49(6), 1880-1889. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2018.183Massari, C., Brocca, L., Tarpanelli, A., Moramarco, T. 2015. Data assimilation of satellite soil moisture into rainfall-runoff modelling: A complex recipe?. Remote Sensing, 7(9), 11403-11433. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70911403McKay, M.D., Beckman, R.J., Conover, W.J. 1979 A Comparison of three methods for selecting values of input variables in the analysis of output from a computer code. Technometrics, 21(2), 239-245.Mure-Ravaud, M., Binet, G., Bracq, M., Perarnaud, J.J., Fradin, A., Litrico, X. 2016. A web based tool for operational realtime flood forecasting using data assimilation to update hydraulic states. Environmental Modelling and Software, 84, 35-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2016.06.002Naranjo, L., Taboada, J.J., Lage, A., Salsón, S., Montero, P., Souto, J.A., Pérez-Muñuzuri, V. 2001. Estudio de las anómalas condiciones meteorológicas sobre Galicia durante el otoño de los años 2000 y 2001. Revista Real Academia Galega de Ciencias, 20, 113-133Nguyen, P., Thorstensen, A., Sorooshian, S., Hsu, K., AghaKouchak, A., Sanders, B., Koren, V., Cui, Z., Smith, M. 2016. A high resolution coupled hydrologic-hydraulic model (HiResFlood-UCI) for flash flood modeling. Journal of Hydrology, 541, 401-420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.10.047Razmkhah, H. 2016. Comparing performance of different loss methods in rainfall-runoff modeling. Water resources, 43(1), 207-224. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807816120058Rosburg, T.T., Nelson, P.A., Bledsoe, B.P. 2017. Effects of urbanization on flow duration and stream flashiness: a case study of Puget Sound streams, western Washington, USA. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 53(2), 493-507. https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.12511Sanz-Ramos, M., Amengual, A., Bladé i Castellet, E., Romero, R., Roux, H. 2018. Flood forecasting using a coupled hydrological and hydraulic model (based on FVM) and highresolution meteorological model. Proceedings of River Flow 2018-Ninth International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics (pp. 1-8) Lyon France. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20184006028Scharffenberg, W.A, Fleming, M.J. 2006. Hydrologic modeling system HEC-HMS: User's manual. US Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center.Shchepetkin, A.F., McWilliams, J.C. 2005. The regional oceanic modeling system (ROMS): a split-explicit free-surface topographyfollowing-coordinate oceanic model. Ocean Modelling, 9(4), 347-404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2004.08.002Skamarock, W.C., Klemp, J.B., Dudhia, J., Gill, D.O., Barker, D.M., Wang, W., Powers, J.G. 2008. A description of the Advanced Research WRF version 3. NCAR Technical note-475+ STR.Sopelana, J., Cea, L., Ruano, S. 2018. A continuous simulation approach for the estimation of extreme flood inundation in coastal river reaches affected by meso and macro tides. Natural Hazards, 93(3) 1337-1358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-018-3360-6Thielen, J., Bartholmes, J., Ramos, M. H., & Roo, A. D. 2009. The European flood alert system-part 1: concept and development. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 13(2), 125-140. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-13-125-2009Thiemig, V., Bisselink, B., Pappenberger, F., Thielen, J. 2015. A pan-African medium-range ensemble flood forecast system. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 19(8), 3365-3385. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3365-2015U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2010. National Engineering Handbook, Washington, DCVenâncio, A., Montero, P., Costa, P., Regueiro, S., Brands, S., Taboada, J. 2019. An Integrated Perspective of the Operational Forecasting System in Rías Baixas (Galicia, Spain) with Observational Data and End-Users. In International Conference on Computational Science (pp. 229-239). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22747-0_18Wallemarq, P., Below, R., McLean, D. 2018. UNISDR and CRED report: Economic Losses, Poverty & Disasters (1998-2017).Wanders, N., Karssenberg, D., Roo, A.D., De Jong, S.M., Bierkens, M.F.P. 2014. The suitability of remotely sensed soil moisture for improving operational flood forecasting. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 18(6), 2343-2357. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-2343-2014Weerts, A.H., Winsemius, H.C., Verkade, J.S. 2011. Estimation of predictive hydrological uncertainty using quantile regression: examples from the National Flood Forecasting System (England and Wales). Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 15(1), 255-265. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-255-2011Xia, X., Liang, Q., Ming, X. 2019. A full-scale fluvial flood modelling framework based on a high-performance integrated hydrodynamic modelling system (HiPIMS). Advances in Water Resources, 132, 103392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2019.10339

International Consensus Document on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

El objetivo principal de este documento internacional de consenso sobre apnea obstructiva del sueno es proporcionar unas directrices que permitan a los profesionales sanitarios tomar las mejores decisiones en la asistencia de los pacientes adultos con esta enfermedad según un resumen crítico de la literatura más actualizada. El grupo de trabajo de expertos se ha constituido principalmente por 17 sociedades científicas y 56 especialistas con amplia representación geográfica (con la participación de 4 sociedades internacionales), además de un metodólogo experto y un documentalista del Centro Cochrane Iberoamer icano. El documento consta de un manuscrito principal, con las novedades más relevantes del DIC, y una serie de manuscritos online que recogen las búsquedas bibliográficas sistemáticas de cada uno de los apartados del DIC. Este documento no cubre la edad pediátrica ni el manejo del paciente en ventilación mecánica crónica no invasiva (que se publicarán en sendos documentos de consenso aparte)

Obstetric outcomes of sars-cov-2 infection in asymptomatic pregnant women

Altres ajuts: Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)Around two percent of asymptomatic women in labor test positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Spain. Families and care providers face childbirth with uncertainty. We determined if SARS-CoV-2 infection at delivery among asymptomatic mothers had different obstetric outcomes compared to negative patients. This was a multicenter prospective study based on universal antenatal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 42 hospitals tested women admitted for delivery using polymerase chain reaction, from March to May 2020. We included positive mothers and a sample of negative mothers asymptomatic throughout the antenatal period, with 6-week postpartum follow-up. Association between SARS-CoV-2 and obstetric outcomes was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In total, 174 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies were compared with 430 asymptomatic negative pregnancies. No differences were observed between both groups in key maternal and neonatal outcomes at delivery and follow-up, with the exception of prelabor rupture of membranes at term (adjusted odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.11; p = 0.015). Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers have higher odds of prelabor rupture of membranes at term, without an increase in perinatal complications, compared to negative mothers. Pregnant women testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at admission for delivery should be reassured by their healthcare workers in the absence of symptoms

CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative

Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research

Perspectivas de innovación en gestión, educación ambiental para la adaptación y la mitigación

Esta publicación del libro-foro sobre ciudad y cambio climático responde al aporte de los diferentes profesionales de las entidades públicas y privadas que participaron en calidad de conferencistas, ponentes, panelistas y expositores y compartieron sus experiencias en la ciudad como una contribución al conocimiento de las comunidades acerca de la creciente importancia y consideración de la adaptación y mitigación. Se consideraron acciones de políticas públicas por parte de las administraciones públicas, los sectores económicos y la sociedad, grupos ecológicos y fundaciones ecológicas y de igual forma las acciones y grandes esfuerzos realizados por el Ministerio del Ambiente, el IDEAM, la CAR, la Secretaría de Ambiente, el Jardín Botánico, la Red RAUS y de los grupos de investigación de las universidades