Genome Sequence of the Acidophilic Bacterium <em>Acidocella</em> sp. Strain MX-AZ02

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Acidocella sp. strain MX-AZ02, an acidophilic and heterotrophic alphaproteobacterium isolated from a geothermal lake in western Mexico

Benzo[a]pyrene degradation by soil filamentous fungi

The fungal ability to biotransform xenobiotics had received attention due to their dominance, ubiquity and different pathways that detoxificate aromatic hydrocarbons. The filamentous fungi Aspergillus flavus and Paecilomyces farinosus showed a significant degradation activity on benzo[a]pyrene with and without C16 as cosubstrate. 14CO2, 14C-volatile organic, 14C-extractable, 14C-nonextractable, 14C-biomass and 14C-aqueous fractions were determined with [7, 10]14C-BaP assays, with A. flavus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Gliocladium viride, P. farinosus and Talaromyces rotundus. However, the activity of A. flavusand P. farinosus were higher. These non-ligninolytic fungi degraded BaP by cometabolism in C16 presence, were adapted to toxicants and dominant in polluted habitats, so they could play an important role in self- bioremediation processes.Fil: Romero, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Urrutia, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Reinoso, E. H.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Moreno Kiernan, Alejandro Ricardo. Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. ; Argentin

Avalanche criticality in the martensitic transition of Cu67.64Zn16.71Al15.65 shape-memory alloy: a calorimetric and acoustic emission study

The first-order diffusionless structural transition in Cu67.64Zn16.71Al15.65 is characterized by jerky propagation of phase fronts related to the appearance of avalanches. In this paper, we describe a full analysis of this avalanche behavior using calorimetric heat-flux measurements and acoustic emission measurements. Two different propagation modes, namely, smooth front propagation and jerky avalanches, were observed in extremely slow measurements with heating and cooling rates as low as a few 10−3 K/h. Avalanches show criticality where each avalanche leads to a spike in the heat flux. Their statistical analysis leads to a power law [P(E)∼E−ε, where P(E)dE is the probability to observe an avalanche with energy E in an interval between E and E+dE] with an energy exponent of ε=2.15±0.15 in excellent agreement with the results of acoustic emission measurements. Avalanches appear to be more common for heating rates faster than 5×10−3 K/h whereas smooth front propagation occurs in all calorimetric measurements and (almost) exclusively for slower heating rates. Repeated cooling runs were taken after a waiting time of 1 month (and an intermediate heating run). Correlations between the avalanche sequences of the two cooling runs were found for the strongest avalanche peaks but not for the full sequence of avalanches. The memory effect is hence limited to strong avalanches

The Canary Deep Poleward Undercurrent

Poleward undercurrents are well known features in Eastern Boundary systems. In the California Current Eastern Boundary upwelling system (CalCEBS) the California poleward undercurrent has been widely reported, and it has been demonstrated that it transports nutrients from the equator waters to the northern limit of the subtropical gyre. However, in the Canary Current Eastern Boundary upwelling system (CanCEBS), the Canary deep poleward undercurrent (CdPU) has not been properly characterized. In this study, we use trajectories of Argo floats and model simulations to properly characterize the CdPU, including its seasonal variability, and the driving mechanism. The Argo observations show that the CdPU flows from 20oN, near cape Blanc, to, approximately, 45oN, near cape Finisterre in the northwest Spanish’s coast. The CdPU flows deeper than the CalUC, and its mean depth varies with latitude, from the surface at 20oN to 900 m at 44oN. The CdPU shows a marked seasonal variability, with it maximum strength in fall, and the minimum in spring

Study of two approaches for the process water management from hydrothermal carbonization of swine manure: Anaerobic treatment and nutrient recovery

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising alternative to transform biomass waste into a solid carbonaceous material (hydrochar) and a process water with potential for material and energy recovery. In this study, two alternatives for process water treatment by conventional and acid-assisted HTC of swine manure are discussed. Process water from conventional HTC at 180 °C showed high biodegradability (55% COD removal) and methane production (∼290 mL STP CH4 g−1 CODadded) and the treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor allowed obtaining a high methane production yield (1.3 L CH4 L−1 d−1) and COD removal (∼70%). The analysis of the microbiota showed a high concentration of Synergistota and Firmicutes phyla, with high degradation of organic nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Acid-assisted HTC proved to be a viable option for nutrient recovery (migration of 83% of the P to the process water), which allowed obtaining a solid salt by chemical precipitation with Mg(OH)2 (NPK of 4/4/0.4) and MgCl2 (NPK 8/17/0.5), with a negligible content of heavy metals. The characteristics of the precipitated solid complied with the requirements of European Regulation (2019)/1009 for fertilizers and amendments in agricultural soils, being a suitable alternative for the recycling of nutrients from wastesTED2021-130287B-I00, PDC 2021-120755-I0

Swine manure management by hydrothermal carbonization: comparative study of batch and continuous operation

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is considered a promising technology for biomass waste management without pre-drying. This study explores the potential for swine manure management by comparing batch and continuous processes, emphasizing the benefits of the continuous mode, particularly for its potential full-scale application. The continuous process at low temperature (180 ◦C) resulted in a hydrochar with a lower degree of carbonization compared to the batch process, but similar characteristics were found in both hydrochars at higher operating temperatures (230–250 ◦C), such as C content (~ 52 wt%), fixed carbon (~ 24 wt%) and higher calorific value (21 MJ kg− 1 ). Thermogravimetric and combustion analyses showed that hydrochars exhibited characteristics suitable as solid biofuels for industrial use. The process water showed a high content of organic matter as soluble chemical oxygen demand (7–22 g L− 1 ) and total organic carbon (4–10 g L− 1 ), although a high amount of refractory species such as N- and O-containing long aromatic compounds were detected in the process water from the batch process, while the process water from the continuous process presented more easily biodegradable compounds such as acids and alcohols, among others. The longer time required to reach operating temperature in the case of the batch system (longer heating time to reach operating temperature) resulted in lower H/C and O/C ratios compared to hydrochar from the continuous process. This indicates that the dehydration and decarboxylation reactions of the feedstock play a more important role in the batch process. This study shows the efficiency of the continuous process to obtain carbonaceous materials suitable for use as biofuel, providing a solution for swine manure managementAuthors greatly appreciate funding from Spanish MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and European Union "NextGenerationEU/ PRTR" (TED2021-130287B-I00, PDC 2021-120755-I00, and PID 2022- 138632OB-I00) and Grupo Kerbest Company. R.P. Ipiales acknowledges the financial support from the Community of Madrid (IND2019/AMB17092) and Arquimea Agrotech Compan

Randomized Controlled Trial of Enteral Vitamin D Supplementation (ViDES) in Infants \u3c28 Weeks Gestational Age or \u3c1000 G Birth Weight: Study Protocol

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is necessary to develop healthy lungs and other organs early in life. Most infants born before 28 weeks\u27 gestation have low vitamin D levels at birth and a limited intake during the first month. Enteral vitamin D supplementation is inexpensive and widely used. The appropriate supplementation regimen for extremely preterm infants is controversial, and the effect of different regimens on their blood levels and outcomes is unclear. METHODS: Randomized, blinded comparative effectiveness trial to compare two vitamin D supplementation regimens for inborn infants(400 IU/day with established feedings) or increased supplementation (800 IU/day with any feedings) during the first 28 days after birth. We hypothesize that the higher and early vitamin D dose (800 IU/day with early feeding) compared to placebo plus routine dose (400 IU/day with established feeding) will substantially increase total 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels measured as state-of-art at 1 month, reduce respiratory support at 36 weeks\u27 postmenstrual age (on an ordinal scale predictive of later adverse outcomes), and improve or at least not worsen other important secondary outcomes. The infants in the study will follow up at 22-26 months\u27 corrected age (~2 years) with blinded certified examiners to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes. The sample size of a minimum of 180 infants provides \u3e90% power to detect a \u3e95% posterior probability of a 33% increase in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and \u3e80% power to detect a \u3e80% posterior probability of a relative risk decrease of 20% of reducing respiratory support by intention-to-treat Bayesian analyses using a neutral prior probability. DISCUSSION: Our study will help clarify the uncertain relationship of vitamin D supplementation and its associated serum metabolites to clinical outcomes of extremely preterm infants. Confirmation of our hypotheses would prompt reconsideration of the supplementation regimens used in extremely preterm infants and justify a large multicenter study to verify the generalizability of the results

Diversidad de ascomicetes termorresistentes de suelo de la provincia de La Rioja, Argentina

Los ascomicetes termorresistentes presentan estructuras tales como ascosporas, clamidosporas y esclerocios, entre otras, que conservan su viabilidad después de haber sido sometidas a choques térmicos (calentamiento mayor a 60 ºC durante minutos a horas). En el presente trabajo se analizó la diversidad de ascomicetes termorresistentes en muestras de suelo de la Provincia de La Rioja, como parte de un estudio sobre la micobiota de suelos áridos del Noroeste argentino. Se recolectaron 39 muestras durante agosto del año 2018. Se transfirieron asépticamente 5 gramos de cada muestra a 100 ml de agar con extracto de malta con cloranfenicol fundido a 75 ºC, temperatura que se mantuvo durante 30 minutos. La suspensión se transfirió a cajas de Petri y, una vez solidificado el medio, éstas fueron incubadas a 30 ºC durante un mes. Para identificar los aislados fúngicos se realizó su caracterización fenotípica. Los caracteres morfológicos se documentaron mediante microscopio de campo claro y electrónico de barrido. Se obtuvieron 111 cepas de 26 muestras (en 13 muestras no hubo desarrollo fúngico). Se identificaron 57 cepas de Aspergillus sección Fumigati, 42 de ellas presentaron holomorfo (ex Neosartorya) y 15 solamente anamorfo. A nivel de especie, se reportan Aspergillus fischeri, A. shendaweii y A. tatenoi. Diferentes especies de los géneros Acremonium, Cladosporium, Hamigera, Leiothecium, Penicillium, Rhizopus y Talaromyces pudieron también ser documentadas. En las condiciones de cultivo estudiadas 37 aislamientos no presentaron esporulación. El presente trabajo es el primero sobre el conocimiento de la diversidad de los ascomicetes termorresistentes de suelo de La Rioja.Fil: Romero, Stella Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Ambrosino, Jorgelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Comerio, Ricardo Mario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Andrade, E.. Universitat Rovira I Virgili; EspañaFil: Stchigel, A. M.. Universitat Rovira I Virgili; EspañaXXXVII Jornadas Argentinas de BotánicaSan Miguel de TucumánArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Botánic

Caracterización del sistema de secreción de tipo VI en Rhizobium etli Mim1

La simbiosis rizobio-leguminosa es altamente específica. La translocación de proteínas denominadas efectores desde el citoplasma bacteriano a la célula vegetal es un elemento relacionado con dicha especificidad. Los efectores pueden ser translocados a través de diferentes sistemas de secreción. El análisis de genomas de rizobios ha permitido identificar en algunos la presencia de sistemas de secreción de tipo VI (T6SS). El T6SS tiene como componente principal una nanoestructura similar a las que utilizan los bacteriófagos1 para inyectar su ADN y que las bacterias usan para secretar proteínas. Los genes implicados en la formación de T6SS están agrupados y los que codifican para componentes estructurales del sistema presentan mayor grado de conservación entre rizobios y frente a otras bacterias en comparación a los genes que codifican para efectores y reguladores del sistema. En nuestro grupo se está estudiando el T6SS de Rhizobium etli bv mimosae Mim12 aislada de nódulos de Mimosa affinis y capaz de nodular además Phaseolus vulgaris y Leucaena leucocephala. La cepa Mim1 contiene una agrupación de 28 genes en el plásmido f no simbiótico, relacionados con la formación de un T6SS, presentando una organización similar a la descrita en Agrobacterium tumefaciens C583 que consiste en dos operones divergentes. Se ha descrito para varios microorganismos que cuando el T6SS está activo, las proteínas Hcp y VgrG que forman parte del aparato de secreción pueden detectarse en el medio extracelular3. Los genes que codifican proteínas estructurales en las dos bacterias presentan una gran similitud, así Hcp muestra un 94% de identidad entre ambas permitiendo que los anticuerpos que detectan Hcp de Agrobacterium3 también reaccionen con Hcp de Mim1. Utilizando anticuerpos contra Hcp de Agrobacterium se ha identificado esta proteína en el medio extracelular de cultivos de Mim1 en fase estacionaria y débilmente en fase exponencial. También se ha demostrado su presencia en nódulos de judía y en cultivos crecidos en presencia de exudados de L. leucocephala, P. vulgaris y Pisum sativum. Además, con el fin de conocer en qué condiciones se activa el T6SS de Mim1, se analizó una región de ADN presumiblemente promotora comprendida entre las dos agrupaciones de genes orientados de forma divergente de Mim1. Esta región se fusionó transcripcionalmente a un gen b-gal delator sin promotor del vector pMP220 en las dos posibles orientaciones, una de las orientaciones (P1) controlaría la expresión de genes como hcp y posibles efectores y la otra (P2) de otros genes estructurales. Los resultados mostraron que ambas orientaciones se expresaban a altas DO600 (0,8-1) aunque los valores de P1 fueron entre dos y tres veces superiores a los de P2. Sin embargo a bajas DO600 (0,1-0,2) la actividad de P1 ser redujo a la mitad y la de P2 a niveles del control sin promotor. Con el objetivo de conocer el papel del T6SS en simbiosis se han realizado 3 mutantes que afectan a genes estructurales del T6SS de Mim1, uno en el gen hcp, otro en tssM y el tercero es una deleción de todos los genes presumiblemente dependientes de P2. Se examinó el fenotipo producido en P. vulgaris y L. leucocephala y se observó que los tres mutantes produjeron nódulos blancos y plantas con un porte similar a plantas no inoculadas, con menor tamaño que las inoculadas con la cepa parental y con un color más amarillento. En este trabajo se ha mostrado por primera vez que la presencia de un T6SS en rizobios tiene un efecto beneficioso en la simbiosis con varios hospedadores. En estos momentos se esta trabajando en la caracterización de posibles efectores. Referencias. 1. Records AR. 2011 The type VI secretion system: a multipurpose delivery sustem with a phage-like machinery. Mol Plant Microbe Interact 24: 751-757. 2. Rogel MA et al. 2014. Genomic basis of symbiovar mimosae in Rhizobium etli. BMC Genomics 15: 575 3. Wu, HY et al. 2012. Acid-induced type VI secretion system is regulated by ExoR-ChvG/Chv

Seasonal and Long-Term Variability of the Mixed Layer Depth and its Influence on Ocean Productivity in the Spanish Gulf of Cádiz and Mediterranean Sea

The warming of the surface ocean is expected to increase the stratification of the upper water column. This would decrease the efficiency of the wind-induced mixing, reducing the nutrient supply to the euphotic layer and the productivity of the oceans. Climatic projections show that the Mediterranean Sea will experience a strong warming and salting along the twenty first century. Nevertheless, very few works have found and quantified changes in the water column stratification of the Western Mediterranean. In this work, we obtain time series of Mixed Layer Depth (MLD) along the Spanish Mediterranean waters and the Gulf of Cádiz, using periodic CTD profiles collected under the umbrella of the Ocean Observing system of the Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC). The length of the time series analyzed is variable, depending on the geographical area, but in some cases these time series extend from the beginning of the 1990s decade. Our results show that at present, no statistically significant changes can be detected. These results are confirmed by the analysis of MLD time series obtained from Argo profilers. Some of the meteorological factors that could affect the water column stratification (wind intensity and precipitation rates) did not experience significant changes for the 1990-2021 period, neither were observed long-term changes in the chlorophyll concentration. The hypothesis proposed to explain this lack of trends, is that the salinity increase of the surface waters has compensated for the warming, and consequently, the density of the upper layer of the Western Mediterranean (WMED) has remained constant. As the wind intensity has not experienced significant trends, the stratification of the Spanish Mediterranean waters and those of the Gulf of Cádiz would have not been affected. Nevertheless, we do not discard that our results are a consequence of the short length of the available time series and the large variance of the variables analyzed, evidencing the importance of the maintenance of the ocean monitoring programs.En prens