Preparation of Porous Carbons from Petroleum Pitch and Polyaniline by Thermal Treatment for Methane Storage

The methane storage capacity of two series of activated carbons, obtained from a graphitizable (petroleum pitch) and a nongraphitizable precursor (polyaniline), has been evaluated after different thermal treatments. Both samples have been pyrolyzed and subsequently activated with KOH to obtain a highly developed microporous structure. After the synthesis, samples have been heat-treated at different temperatures, between 1000 and 1500 °C, to introduce structural changes that could have an effect on two parameters defining the methane adsorption capacity: the porosity and the density. The physicochemical characterization of the samples has shown that the activation process destroys the pregraphitic structure, with a development of microporosity. However, during the subsequent thermal treatment, the graphitic order can be partially recovered, especially with the graphitizable material, together with a decrease in the micropore volume and an enhancement of the density. The electrical conductivity of the activated carbon obtained from a graphitizable precursor improves much more with an increase in the temperature of the thermal treatment than that of the activated carbon obtained from a nongraphitizable precursor. It is worth highlighting that the high methane adsorption capacities achieved with some of these samples, reaching values as high as 180 V/V. These values are among the highest reported in the literature so far.The authors would like to acknowledge financial support from MINECO (MAT2016-80285-p)

Differential pathogenic response in strawberry tissues and organs by colletotrichum acutatum

The susceptibility of different tissues and organs from strawberry plants, cv “Camarosa”, to Colletotrichum acutatum was tested using a severity index based on infection response. Symptoms developed on inoculated tissues were characterized along 30 days. Flowers, except sepals, petioles and fruits were the most susceptible organs to the pathogen and they became necrotic tissues at 30 days post inoculation (dpi). Also, well-developed acervuli, which produced masses of orange-pink spores, were observed on these infected organs. An asymptomatic stage or latency phase was observed in green and white strawberry fruits. In spite of they were inoculated anthracnose symptoms were observed only when they became red fruits. On the other hand, strawberry leaves and sepals were resistant to infection by C. acutatum and only small flecks or light brown spots were observed reaching a size of 1 to 5 mm at 30 dpi. Likewise, the susceptibility of stolons and crowns to C. acutatum was evaluated as intermediate at 30 dpi. Finally, the infection process of the fungus on strawberry leaves and petioles was studied using light and electron microscopy. Pre-penetration events were similar on both, leaves and petioles: However, differences between colonization of strawberry leaves and petioles by C. acutatum were observed

Ultrasonographic features of the intrinsic foot muscles in patients with and without plantar fasciitis: a novel case-control research study

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare by ultrasound imaging (USI) the thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the flexor hallucis brevis (FHB), flexor digitorum brevis (FDB), abductor hallucis brevis (AHB) and quadratus plantae (QP) muscles between individuals with and without plantar fasciitis (PF). Material and methods: A case-control study was performed with 64 participants divided into two groups: A, PF group (n = 32) and B, healthy group (n = 32). Results: USI measurements for FHB CSA (p = 0.035) decreased, showing statistically significant differences for the PF group, while the QP CSA (p = 0.40) increased, showing statistically significant differences for the PF group with respect to the healthy group. The rest of the intrinsic foot muscles (IFM) did not show statistically significant differences; however in FHB, FDB, QP and AHB thicknesses and FDB CSA showed a slightly decrease for the PF group. Conclusions: USI measurements showed that the CSA of the FHB muscle is reduced in patients with PF while the CSA of the QP muscle is increased in patients with PF

Breast cancer cell line MCF7 escapes from G1/S arrest induced by proteasome inhibition through a GSK-3β dependent mechanism

Targeting the ubiquitin proteasome pathway has emerged as a rational approach in the treatment of human cancers. Autophagy has been described as a cytoprotective mechanism to increase tumor cell survival under stress conditions. Here, we have focused on the role of proteasome inhibition in cell cycle progression and the role of autophagy in the proliferation recovery. The study was performed in the breast cancer cell line MCF7 compared to the normal mammary cell line MCF10A. We found that the proteasome inhibitor MG132 induced G1/S arrest in MCF10A, but G2/M arrest in MCF7 cells. The effect of MG132 on MCF7 was reproduced on MCF10A cells in the presence of the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor VII. Similarly, MCF7 cells overexpressing constitutively active GSK-3β behaved like MCF10A cells. On the other hand, MCF10A cells remained arrested after MG132 removal while MCF7 recovered the proliferative capacity. Importantly, this recovery was abolished in the presence of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Thus, our results support the relevance of GSK-3β and autophagy as two targets for controlling cell cycle progression and proliferative capacity in MCF7, highlighting the co-treatment of breast cancer cells with 3-MA to synergize the effect of the proteasome inhibition

Ultrasound imaging assessment of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles in people with a recent history of moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy participants:A cross-sectional pilot study

[Abstract] Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is associated with a decrease of respiratory, physical, and sychological function, subsequently affecting quality of life. The aim of the present pilot study was to use ultrasound imaging (USI) to evaluate and compare the thickness of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles between individuals recently diagnosed with moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional observational pilot study was performed. A total sample of 24 participants were recruited from a private medical center (Madrid, Spain): Covid-19 (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 12). The external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrA), rectus abdominis (RA), interrecti distance (IRD) and diaphragm thickness were assessed using USI during inspiration, expiration and during contraction. Results: USI measurements of the thickness of EO, IO, TrA, RA, IRD and the diaphragm did not differ significantly between groups during inspiration, expiration or during contraction (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the morphology of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm is not altered in people with a recent history of moderate Covid-19 infection

Development of Colletotrichum acutatum in the Foliar Tissue of Strawberry Plants

Strawberry anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, is one of the most destructive disease of this crop throughout the world. Assymptomatic stages in the plant have been the aim of this work. Inoculated leaves samples were taken at different times and they were processed for scanner electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Conidial development on both surfaces leaves was determined. The ultrastructural study of fungus penetration into plant cell was characterized by the formation of vesicles over the fungus periphery and is a morphological parameter of the intense membranes traffic, also could be a evidence of a transcriptional activity and enzymatic cell secretion. Differences of symptoms on both surfaces of leaves were observed

Characterization of infection and colonization of strawberry crowns by colletotrichum acutatum

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284250872_Characterization_of_infection_and_colonization_of_strawberry_crowns_by_Colletotrichum_acutatumStrawberry anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum J.H. Simmonds, is one of the most important diseases of this crop in Huelva (southwestern Spain). Lesions can occur on all parts of the plant but anthracnose crown rot is specially severe leading to wilt and death of plants. In this work, the infection and colonization process of C. acutatum on strawberry plants was studied. 'Camarosa' strawberry plants (highly susceptible to C. acutatum) were inoculated by applying 100 μl droplets of a conidia suspension of the fungus on crowns, on buds and between second and third stipules. Plants were evaluated for response over a 30 days period. The severity of disease, estimated as percentage of plants showing symptoms on aerial parts, and the amount of infected crown tissues were determined at 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days after inoculation. Depending on the inoculation site the severity of anthracnose crown rot varied between plants. Moreover, an ultrastructural study of infected plants exhibiting anthracnose crown rot was carried out by transmission electron microscopy. The colonization of the crown tissues by intracellular and intercellular hyphae in the cortex, medulla and vascular system was observed resulting in cell colapse and necrosis

Comparison of Lateral Abdominal Musculature Activation During Expiration With an Expiratory Flow Control Device Versus the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver in Healthy Women : A Cross-Sectional Observational Pilot Study

The purpose of the present study was to quantify and compare lateral abdominal musculature thickness, including the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles, via rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) during the use of the expiratory flow control device (EFCD) versus the classic abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational pilot study. Twenty-one women were recruited and assessed the thickness of each muscle (TrA, IO, and EO) by ultrasound imaging at rest, during the ADIM, and during expiration with the EFCD. Waist circumference was also measured under the same circumstances. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between ADIM, EFCD, and at rest condition for the thickness of the TrA (p = 0.001) and IO (p = 0.039). Moreover, statistically significant differences for TrAb at rest compared with the ADIM (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.183) and at rest and with the EFCD (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.843). In addition, between ADIM and EFCD were not statistically significant, although a moderate effect size was found (p = 0.055, Cohen's d = 0.694). For the IO muscle thickness, significant differences were reported between the EFCD and at rest (p = 0.038), Cohen's d = 0.081). Conclusions: Significant differences in the increase of the thickness of the TrA and IO muscles during the use of the EFCD and the ADIM with respect to rest. In addition, for the TrA, statistically significant differences were found during expiration with the EFCD with respect to the ADIM. Expiration with EFCD can be a useful method for the activation of the TrA

The nodD1 Gene of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 Restores Nodulation Capacity on Bean in a Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 nodD1/nodD2 Mutant, but the Secondary Symbiotic Regulators nolR, nodD2 or syrM Prevent HH103 to Nodulate with This Legume

Rhizobial NodD proteins and appropriate flavonoids induce rhizobial nodulation gene expression. In this study, we show that the nodD1 gene of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103, but not the nodD2 gene, can restore the nodulation capacity of a double nodD1/nodD2 mutant of Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 in bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris). S. fredii HH103 only induces pseudonodules in beans. We have also studied whether the mutation of different symbiotic regulatory genes may affect the symbiotic interaction of HH103 with beans: ttsI (the positive regulator of the symbiotic type 3 protein secretion system), and nodD2, nolR and syrM (all of them controlling the level of Nod factor production). Inactivation of either nodD2, nolR or syrM, but not that of ttsI, affected positively the symbiotic behavior of HH103 with beans, leading to the formation of colonized nodules. Acetylene reduction assays showed certain levels of nitrogenase activity that were higher in the case of the nodD2 and nolR mutants. Similar results have been previously obtained by our group with the model legume Lotus japonicus. Hence, the results obtained in the present work confirm that repression of Nod factor production, provided by either NodD2, NolR or SyrM, prevents HH103 to effectively nodulate several putative host plants.España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Universidades projects AGL2016-77163-R and PID2019-107634RB-I00España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Universidades FPU18/06248

Cannabinoid signaling modulation through JZL184 restores key phenotypes of a mouse model for Williams-Beuren syndrome

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare genetic multisystemic disorder characterized by mild-to-moderate intellectual disability and hypersocial phenotype, while the most life-threatening features are cardiovascular abnormalities. Nowadays, there are no pharmacological treatments to directly ameliorate the main traits of WBS. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), given its relevance for both cognitive and cardiovascular function, could be a potential druggable target in this syndrome. We analyzed the components of the ECS in the complete deletion (CD) mouse model of WBS and assessed the impact of its pharmacological modulation in key phenotypes relevant for WBS. CD mice showed the characteristic hypersociable phenotype with no preference for social novelty and poor short-term object-recognition performance. Brain cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) in CD male mice showed alterations in density and coupling with no detectable change in main endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoid signaling modulation with subchronic (10 days) JZL184, a selective inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase, specifically normalized the social and cognitive phenotype of CD mice. Notably, JZL184 treatment improved cardiovascular function and restored gene expression patterns in cardiac tissue. These results reveal the modulation of the ECS as a promising novel therapeutic approach to improve key phenotypic alterations in WBS