Rapid alteration of cellular redox homeostasis upon exposure to cadmium and mercury in alfalfa seedlings.

Summary • Here, the kinetics of oxidative stress responses of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) seedlings to cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) (0, 3, 10 and 30 µ M ) exposure, expanding from a few minutes to 24 h, were studied. • Intracellular oxidative stress was analysed using 2 ′ ,7 ′ -dichlorofluorescin diacetate and extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production was studied with Amplex Red. Growth inhibition, concentrations of ascorbate, glutathione (GSH), homoglutathione (hGSH), Cd and Hg, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, and expression of genes related to GSH metabolism were also determined. • Both Cd and Hg increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and extracellular H 2 O 2 formation, but in different ways. The increase was mild and slow with Cd, but more rapid and transient with Hg. Hg treatments also caused a higher cell death rate, significant oxidation of hGSH, as well as increased APX activity and transient overexpression of glutathione reductase 2, glutamylcysteinyl synthetase, and homoglutathione synthetase genes. However, Cd caused minor alterations. Hg accumulation was one order of magnitude higher than Cd accumulation. • The different kinetics of early physiological responses in vivo to Cd and Hg might be relevant to the characterization of their mechanisms of toxicity. Thus, high accumulation of Hg might explain the metabolism poisoning observed in Hg-treated seedlings

Financial crisis and pension reform in Spain:the effect of labour market dynamics

We analyse the effect of post-financial crisis unemployment dynamics on the Spanish pension system’s financial health using Aggregate Accounting. We compare the basic scenario where the current labour market dynamics persist with a full employment (best-case) scenario. We find that economic risk is the main driver of unsustainability in the short run. However, in the long run, the main driver of expenditures lies in the ageing demographic structure. Our results suggest that future reforms should increase labour market participation but confirm that recent pension reforms do not attain sustainability in the long run, indicating the need of further pension reforms

In search of an evidence-based strategy for quality assessment of human tissue samples: report of the tissue Biospecimen Research Working Group of the Spanish Biobank Network

The purpose of the present work is to underline the importance of obtaining a standardized procedure to ensure and evaluate both clinical and research usability of human tissue samples. The study, which was carried out by the Biospecimen Science Working Group of the Spanish Biobank Network, is based on a general overview of the current situation about quality assurance in human tissue biospecimens. It was conducted an exhaustive review of the analytical techniques used to evaluate the quality of human tissue samples over the past 30 years, as well as their reference values if they were published, and classified them according to the biomolecules evaluated: (i) DNA, (ii) RNA, and (iii) soluble or/and fixed proteins for immunochemistry. More than 130 publications released between 1989 and 2019 were analysed, most of them reporting results focused on the analysis of tumour and biopsy samples. A quality assessment proposal with an algorithm has been developed for both frozen tissue samples and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, according to the expected quality of sample based on the available pre-analytical information and the experience of the participants in the Working Group. The high heterogeneity of human tissue samples and the wide number of pre-analytic factors associated to quality of samples makes it very difficult to harmonize the quality criteria. However, the proposed method to assess human tissue sample integrity and antigenicity will not only help to evaluate whether stored human tissue samples fit for the purpose of biomarker development, but will also allow to perform further studies, such as assessing the impact of different pre-analytical factors on very well characterized samples or evaluating the readjustment of tissue sample collection, processing and storing procedures. By ensuring the quality of the samples used on research, the reproducibility of scientific results will be guaranteed.This work was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades of Spain and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI16/00528, PI16/00946, PI16/01207 and PI16/01276), co-funded by the Spanish Biobank Network (PT13/0010/0030, PT17/0015/0001, PT17/0015/0021, PT17/0015/0049, PT17/0015/0018, PT17/0015/0002, PT17/0015/0016, PT17/0015/0038, PT17/0015/0027, PT17/0015/0004, PT17/0015/0047, PT17/0015/0014, PT17/0015/0041, and PT17/0015/0006), European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) "A way to make Europe" and granted by Conselleria d'Innovacio, Recerca i Turisme del Govern de les Illes Balears (TEC/002/2017).S

Filariasis mamaria. A propósito de un caso

Introducción: La filariasis con afectación mamaria es una enfermedad endémica de áreas tropicales y subtropicales de África, Asia, el Pacífico y América, que afecta a unos 120 millones de personas. Aunque es una patología rara en España, dado el aumento de pacientes procedentes de dichos países, debemos conocerla para saber diagnosticarla y tratarla adecuadamente. Objetivo de reportar el caso: Dar a conocer la filariasis con afectación mamaria, sus manifestaciones clínicas y radiológicas principales, a través de un caso clínico de nuestras consultas de ginecología. Descripción del caso: Paciente de 43 años, procedente de Guinea Ecuatorial que acude a la consulta de Ginecología por mastalgia bilateral y aumento del volumen de las mamas de semanas de evolución. La exploración es anodina por lo que se solicita mamografía bilateral en la que describen calcificaciones compatibles con filariasis. A pesar de que el resto de pruebas fueron negativas, dada la alta sospecha clínica y radiológica se diagnosticó de filariasis mamaria. Conclusiones: A pesar de la actual campaña mundial para eliminar la filariasis, el aumento de migración global incrementa la probabilidad de padecer casos importados de filariasis mamaria. Por tanto, el conocimiento de las diferentes parasitosis es imprescindible para realizar un buen diagnóstico diferencial con otras entidades clínicamente similares, e instaurar el tratamiento más adecuado. Introduction: Breast filariasis is an endemic disease from tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia, the Pacific and America affecting about 120 million people. Although it is a rare pathology in Spain, given the increase in patients from the referred countries, we must be aware of it in order to know how to diagnose and treat it properly. Objective of reporting the case: To raise awareness of filariasis with breast involvement and its main clinical and radiological manifestations, through a clinical case of our gynecology consultations. Case report: 43-year-old patient from Equatorial Guinea who comes to the Gynecology consultation for bilateral mastalgia and breast enlargement of weeks of evolution. The examination is anodyne, so bilateral mammography is requested in wich calcifications compatible with filariasis are described. Despite the rest of the tests are negative, given the high clinical and radiological suspicion, the diagnosis of breast filariasis is made. Conclusions: Despite the current worldwide campaign to eliminate filariasis, the increase in global migration enhances the probability of suffering from imported cases of breast filariasis Therefore, the knowledge of the different parasitoses is essential to make a correct differential diagnosis with other clinically similar entities, and to establish the most appropriate treatment

Diquat Derivatives: Highly Active, Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Optical Chromophores with Potential Redox Switchability

In this article, we present a detailed study of structure−activity relationships in diquaternized 2,2′-bipyridyl (diquat) derivatives. Sixteen new chromophores have been synthesized, with variations in the amino electron donor substituents, π-conjugated bridge, and alkyl diquaternizing unit. Our aim is to combine very large, two-dimensional (2D) quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses with reversible redox chemistry. The chromophores have been characterized as their PF_6^− salts by using various techniques including electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Their visible absorption spectra are dominated by intense π → π^* intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) bands, and all show two reversible diquat-based reductions. First hyperpolarizabilities β have been measured by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering with an 800 nm laser, and Stark spectroscopy of the ICT bands affords estimated static first hyperpolarizabilities β_0. The directly and indirectly derived β values are large and increase with the extent of π-conjugation and electron donor strength. Extending the quaternizing alkyl linkage always increases the ICT energy and decreases the E_(1/2) values for diquat reduction, but a compensating increase in the ICT intensity prevents significant decreases in Stark-based β_0 responses. Nine single-crystal X-ray structures have also been obtained. Time-dependent density functional theory clarifies the molecular electronic/optical properties, and finite field calculations agree with polarized HRS data in that the NLO responses of the disubstituted species are dominated by ‘off-diagonal’ β_(zyy) components. The most significant findings of these studies are: (i) β_0 values as much as 6 times that of the chromophore in the technologically important material (E)-4′-(dimethylamino)-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium tosylate; (ii) reversible electrochemistry that offers potential for redox-switching of optical properties over multiple states; (iii) strongly 2D NLO responses that may be exploited for novel practical applications; (iv) a new polar material, suitable for bulk NLO behavior

Grip strength predicts cardiac adverse events in patients with cardiac disorders: an individual patient pooled meta-analysis

Objective: Grip strength is a well-characterised measure of weakness and of poor muscle performance, but there is a lack of consensus on its prognostic implications in terms of cardiac adverse events in patients with cardiac disorders. Methods: Articles were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, BioMed Central and EMBASE. The main inclusion criteria were patients with cardiac disorders (ischaemic heart disease, heart failure (HF), cardiomyopathies, valvulopathies, arrhythmias); evaluation of grip strength by handheld dynamometer; and relation between grip strength and outcomes. The endpoints of the study were cardiac death, all-cause mortality, hospital admission for HF, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and myocardial infarction (MI). Data of interest were retrieved from the articles and after contact with authors, and then pooled in an individual patient meta-analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to define predictors of outcomes. Results: Overall, 23 480 patients were included from 7 studies. The mean age was 62.3±6.9 years and 70% were male. The mean follow-up was 2.82±1.7 years. After multivariate analysis grip strength (difference of 5 kg, 5× kg) emerged as an independent predictor of cardiac death (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.89, p<0.0001), all-cause death (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.89, p<0.0001) and hospital admission for HF (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.92, p<0.0001). On the contrary, we did not find any relationship between grip strength and occurrence of MI or CVA. Conclusion: In patients with cardiac disorders, grip strength predicted cardiac death, all-cause death and hospital admission for HF. Trial registration number: CRD42015025280

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a biomarker of acute-on-chronic liver failure and prognosis in cirrhosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome that occurs in cirrhosis characterized by organ failure(s) and high mortality rate. There are no biomarkers of ACLF. The LCN2 gene and its product, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), are upregulated in experimental models of liver injury and cultured hepatocytes as a result of injury by toxins or proinflammatory cytokines, particularly Interleukin-6. The aim of this study was to investigate whether NGAL could be a biomarker of ACLF and whether LCN2 gene may be upregulated in the liver in ACLF. METHODS: We analyzed urine and plasma NGAL levels in 716 patients hospitalized for complications of cirrhosis, 148 with ACLF. LCN2 expression was assessed in liver biopsies from 29 additional patients with decompensated cirrhosis with and without ACLF. RESULTS: Urine NGAL was markedly increased in ACLF vs. no ACLF patients (108(35-400) vs. 29(12-73)μg/g creatinine; p<0.001) and was an independent predictive factor of ACLF; the independent association persisted after adjustment for kidney function or exclusion of variables present in ACLF definition. Urine NGAL was also an independent predictive factor of 28day transplant-free mortality together with MELD score and leukocyte count (AUROC 0.88(0.83-0.92)). Urine NGAL improved significantly the accuracy of MELD in predicting prognosis. The LCN2 gene was markedly upregulated in the liver of patients with ACLF. Gene expression correlated directly with serum bilirubin and INR (r=0.79; p<0.001 and r=0.67; p<0.001), MELD (r=0.68; p<0.001) and Interleukin-6 (r=0.65; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NGAL is a biomarker of ACLF and prognosis and correlates with liver failure and systemic inflammation. There is remarkable overexpression of LCN2 gene in the liver in ACLF syndrome. LAY SUMMARY: Urine NGAL is a biomarker of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). NGAL is a protein that may be expressed in several tissues in response to injury. The protein is filtered by the kidneys due to its small size and can be measured in the urine. Ariza, Graupera and colleagues found in a series of 716 patients with cirrhosis that urine NGAL was markedly increased in patients with ACLF and correlated with prognosis. Moreover, gene coding NGAL was markedly overexpressed in the liver tissue in ACLF

A regulated deficit irrigation strategy for hedgerow olive orchards with high plant density

Background & Aims There is not a consensus on the best irrigation approach for super-high density (SHD) olive orchards. Our aim was to design and test a regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategy for a sustainable balance between water saving, tree vigour and oil production. Methods We tested our RDI strategy for 3 years in an ‘Arbequina’ orchard with 1,667 trees ha−1. Two levels of irrigation reduction were applied, 60RDI and 30RDI, scaled to replacing 60 % and 30 %, respectively, of the of irrigation needs (IN). We also had a full irrigation (FI) treatment as control, with IN totalling 4,701 m3 ha−1 Results The 30RDI treatment showed the best balance between water saving, tree vigour and oil production. With a yearly irrigation amount (IA) of 1,366 m3 ha−1, which meant 72 % water saving as compared to FI, the reduction in oil yield was 26 % only. Conclusions Our results, together with recent knowledge on the effect of water stress on fruit development, allowed us to suggest a potentially improved RDI strategy for which a total IA of ca. 2,100 m3 ha−1 was calculated. Both some management details and the benefits of this suggested RDI strategy are still to be tested

Relationship of weather types on the seasonal and spatial variability of rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield in the western Mediterranean basin

Rainfall is the key factor to understand soil erosion processes, mechanisms, and rates. Most research was conducted to determine rainfall characteristics and their relationship with soil erosion (erosivity) but there is little information about how atmospheric patterns control soil losses, and this is important to enable sustainable environmental planning and risk prevention. We investigated the temporal and spatial variability of the relationships of rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield with atmospheric patterns (weather types, WTs) in the western Mediterranean basin. For this purpose, we analyzed a large database of rainfall events collected between 1985 and 2015 in 46 experimental plots and catchments with the aim to: (i) evaluate seasonal differences in the contribution of rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield produced by the WTs; and (ii) to analyze the seasonal efficiency of the different WTs (relation frequency and magnitude) related to rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield. The results indicate two different temporal patterns: the first weather type exhibits (during the cold period: autumn and winter) westerly flows that produce the highest rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield values throughout the territory; the second weather type exhibits easterly flows that predominate during the warm period (spring and summer) and it is located on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the cyclonic situations present high frequency throughout the whole year with a large influence extended around the western Mediterranean basin. Contrary, the anticyclonic situations, despite of its high frequency, do not contribute significantly to the total rainfall, runoff, and sediment (showing the lowest efficiency) because of atmospheric stability that currently characterize this atmospheric pattern. Our approach helps to better understand the relationship of WTs on the seasonal and spatial variability of rainfall, runoff and sediment yield with a regional scale based on the large dataset and number of soil erosion experimental stations