El papel de la microbiota en el tratamiento contra el cáncer

Motivation: Cisplatin (CP) or cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum(II) (CDDP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for various solid tumors. DNA is the critical target for cisplatin by inhibiting DNA synthesis and inducing celular apoptosis (Crone, 2015). However, its effectiveness in each individual is greatly different. Understanding the causes of this disparity may contribute to the development of personalize treatments. Therefore, patients will get more effective results. One of those causes may be the intestinal microbiota composition. The relationship between the host and the commensal microbiota regulates physiological functions which could have a link with tumor progression (Perez-Chanona, 2016). In this study we expect to find a direct relationship between a particular specie of bacteria given as supply and the effectiveness of cisplatin in the nematode C. elegans. This information will allow to anticipate therapy efficacy based on microbiota composition of every patient. Moreover, microbiota may be modified to achieve the expected results. To find out how this drug affects C. elegans, brood size of each individual was analyzed after being treated with it. Offspring is measured in order to quantify DNA damage during gametic production. A decrease in offspring after cisplatin treatment indicates positive drug function (Crone, 2015).Methods: For each experiment, wild type (N2) strain of C. elegans eggs were incubated in NGM plates seeded with a mixture of E. coli (OP50) (90%) and the chosen intestinal bacteria (10%). After 72 hours maintained at 16ºC, L4 nematodes (last larval stage previous to fertile adult stage) were exposed to cisplatin (150 µg/ml, dissolved in M9 buffer including 0.01% Tween20) for 2 hours. Afterwards, worms were washed three times in M9 buffer. Ten worms from each treatment were selected to be placed again in the previous mixture of bacteria for 24 hours. The day after, each one was moved to a new and individual NGM plate containing only OP50 as supply. The three following days brood size was scored for every worm. Results: So far, a decrease in offspring of 26% has been achieved when the worm is seeded with OP50 and exposed to cisplatin (150 µg/ml). This decrease in brood-size allows the detection of reduction and also improvement of the cisplatin effect.Conclusions: Based on the previous data, the effect of different bacteria species will be evaluated

Characterization of wind-blown sediment transport with height in a highly mobile dune (SW Spain)

The Valdevaqueros dune is located at one of the windiest points of Europe, where the frequent occurrence of strong easterly winds has generated a highly mobile dune. Several rotating cup anemometers in vertical array and a self-designed vertical sand trap, were placed to retain the drift sands at different heights over the surface in order to determine theoretical and actual sand transport rates in the Valdevaqueros dune system. General results show that 90% of the wind-blown sand is transported within the first 20cm above the dune crest surface. Theoretical transport rates based on different empirical formulae were 0.33 to 0.78 times the in-situ sand transport rate detected, which was 2.08·10-2kgm-1s-1 under moderate wind power (mean speed ranging from 8.4 to 17.9ms-1). Analysis of different statistical grain-size parameters helped to understand sand transport distribution at different heights

Bacteriophages as an Up-and-Coming Alternative to the Use of Sulfur Dioxide in Winemaking

Certain acetic and lactic acid bacteria are major causes of quality defects in musts and wines, giving rise to defects such as a "vinegary," "sharp, like nail polish-remover" taste or preventing alcoholic and/or malolactic fermentation. Sulfur dioxide is the major tool currently used in the control of these bacteria in wine. The aim of this work was to isolate bacteriophages from musts and wine of different grape varieties that were able to eliminate lactic and acetic acid bacteria spoilages at the laboratory scale. Musts obtained from grape-berries of Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay and Moscatel and a red wine made with V. vinifera cv. Tintilla de Rota were used to isolate bacteriophages. Bacteriophages were obtained from each of the musts and the wine and belonged to the order Caudovirals and the family Tectivirals. They were isolated by classical virology methods and identified by electron microscopy. The host bacteria used in the study were lactic acid bacteria of the species Lactobacillus hilgardii, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Oenococcus oeni and the acetic bacteria Acetobacter aceti. A comparative study was performed by adding phage titrations and SO2 to musts and wines, which had been previously inoculated with bacteria, to study the effectiveness of bacteriophages against bacteria. The comparative study showed that some bacteriophages were as effective as sulfur dioxide at low concentration

Recomendaciones de actividad física y reposo en un programa de control prenatal colombiano

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of the registry of physical activity and rest recommendations made to pregnant women and to explore their associated factors in a prenatal care program of primary care public institutions in Bucaramanga, Colombia. METHODS: An observational study was conducted. The sampling frame consisted of the medical records of the pregnant women who attended at least one prenatal care program between January 1 and December 31, 2012 (n = 2.932), in 21 primary care health centers. We analyzed sociodemographic variables, prenatal and clinical antecedents, and information related to health personnel and the organization of health centers as possible factors associated with the recommendations of physical activity and rest recorded in the clinical history. Logistic regression models were applied to explore associations with α = 0.10. RESULTS: There was a frequency of 26.1% of PA recommendations and 3.6% of rest recommendation on record, issued by nutrition (97.3%) and medical (86.7%) professionals, respectively. The factors associated with the registration of physical activity recommendations were: being nulliparous pregnant (OR = 1.7), attending more than four Prenatal Care Attention Programs (OR = 2.2), having high or medium obstetric risk in the first prenatal care program (OR = 0.6), and being attended in the western (OR = 0.5) and eastern (OR = 0.2) administrative areas health centers. CONCLUSIONS: The low frequency of physical activity recommendations found in the records makes it necessary to reinforce the management strategies of health centers and strengthen the monitoring and accompaniment to comply with the care protocols. In addition, it is necessary to train health teams on the benefits of physical activity and their proper prescription, considering the multiple benefits derived from their practice on the maternal-fetal health.OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia del registro de recomendaciones de actividad física y reposo realizadas a las gestantes y explorar sus factores asociados, en un programa de atención de control prenatal de instituciones públicas de primer nivel de atención en Bucaramanga, Colombia. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional. El marco muestral estuvo conformado por los registros médicos de las gestantes que asistieron al menos a un programa de atención de control prenatal entre el 1º de enero y 31 de diciembre de 2012 (n = 2,932), en 21 centros de salud de primer nivel de atención. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas, antecedentes prenatales, antecedentes clínicos, e información relacionada con el personal de salud y la organización de los centros de salud como posibles factores asociados con las recomendaciones de actividad física y reposo registrados en la historia clínica. Se aplicaron modelos de regresión logística para explorar las asociaciones con un α = 0.10. RESULTADOS: Se observó una frecuencia de 26.1% de registro de recomendaciones de AF y 3.6% de reposo, emitidas por parte de profesionales de nutrición (97.3%) y medicina (86.7%), respectivamente. Los factores asociados al registro de las recomendaciones de actividad física fueron: ser gestante nulípara (OR = 1.7), asistir a más de cuatro Programas de Atención de Control Prenatal (OR = 2.2), tener riesgo obstétrico alto o medio en el primer programa de atención de control prenatal (OR = 0.6) y ser atendidas en los centros de salud de las zonas administrativas de occidente (OR = 0.5) y oriente (OR = 0.2). CONCLUSIONES: La baja frecuencia del registro de recomendaciones de actividad física encontrada, genera la necesidad de reforzar las estrategias de gestión de los centros de salud y fortalecer el monitoreo y acompañamiento en el cumplimiento de los protocolos de atención. Adicionalmente, es necesario capacitar a los equipos de salud sobre los beneficios de la actividad física y su prescripción adecuada, atendiendo a los múltiples beneficios derivados de su práctica sobre la salud materno-fetal

Culturable Yeasts as Biofertilizers and Biopesticides for a Sustainable Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review

The extensive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has negative consequences in terms of soil microbial biodiversity and environmental contamination. Faced with this growing concern, a proposed alternative agricultural method is the use of microorganisms as biofertilizers. Many works have been focused on bacteria, but the limited literature on yeasts and their potential ability to safely promote plant growth is gaining particular attention in recent years. Thus, the objective of this review is to highlight the application of yeasts as biological agents in different sectors of sustainable agricultural practices through direct or indirect mechanisms of action. Direct mechanisms include the ability of yeasts to provide soluble nutrients to plants, produce organic acids and phytohormones (indole-3-acetic acid). Indirect mechanisms involve the ability for yeasts to act as biocontrol agents through their high antifungal activity and lower insecticidal and herbicidal activity, and as soil bioremediating agents. They also act as protective agents against extreme environmental factors by activating defense mechanisms. It is evident that all the aspects that yeasts offer could be useful in the creation of quality biofertilizers and biopesticides. Hence, extensive research on yeasts could be promising and potentially provide an environmentally friendly solution to the increased crop production that will be required with a growing populatio

Isolation of bacteriophages from must and wine for the elimination of contaminating bacteria as an alternative to the use of sulfurous

Acetic and some lactic acid bacteria are the main reason for the loss of quality of musts and wines, giving rise to defects such as "vinegary", "chopped" or preventing alcoholic and / or malolactic fermentation. The solution to this problem consists in the application of authorized bactericidal agents, such as sulfurous. The aim of this work is to isolate bacteriophages from musts and wines of different grape varieties, able to eliminate lactic and acetic acid bacteria spoilages. Musts obtained from grape-berries of Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay and Moscatel and a red wine made with the Tintilla de Rota variety were used to isolate bacteriophages. It were isolated by classical virology methods and identified by electron microscopy. Host bacteria used in the study were the lactic acid bacteria of the species Lactobacillus hilgardii, L. plantarum and Oenococcus oeni and the acetic bacteria Acetobacter aceti. A comparative study was performed on musts and wines, previously inoculated with bacteria, by phage titration and SO2 addition to study the effectiveness of bacteriophages against bacteria. Bacteriophages were obtained from all musts and wine, belonging to the order of Caudovirals and Tectivirals. The comparative study showed that a cocktail of bacteriophages at low concentration is as effective as sulfur

Improving an Industrial Sherry Base Wine by Yeast Enhancement Strategies

There is growing interest in yeast selection for industrial fermentation applications since it is a factor that protects a wine's identity. Although it is strenuous evaluating the oenological characteristics of yeasts in selection processes, in many cases the most riveting yeasts produce some undesirable organoleptic characteristics in wine. The aim of the present work is to improve an industrial yeast strain by reducing its hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production. To accomplish this, two different improvement approaches were used on said yeast: hybridization by mass mating and adaptive laboratory evolution, both performed through spore generation and conjugation, thus increasing genetic variability. Three evolved variants with lower H2S production were obtained and used as starters to carry out fermentation at an industrial level. Wine quality was analyzed by its principal oenological parameters and volatile aroma compounds, which were both corroborated by sensory evaluations. Significant differences between the produced wines have been obtained and a substantial improvement in aromatic quality has been achieved. Both hybrids were the most different to the control due to terpenes and esters production, while the evolved strain was very similar to the parental strain. Not only have organoleptic defects been reduced at an industrial level, more floral and fruitier wines have been produced.This research was funded by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) (grant number IDI-20141202) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (grant number FEDER-UCA18-106947)

Non-Saccharomyces Are Also Forming the Veil of Flor in Sherry Wines

Biological ageing is an essential process for obtaining some distinctive Sherry wines, such as Fino and Manzanilla. It occurs after the fermentation of the grape must due to the appearance of a biofilm on the surface of the wine called "veil of flor". Yeasts belonging to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae species mainly comprise such biofilm. Although other species have also been found, these have been traditionally considered spoilage. Indeed, it has even been hypothesised that they may not be able to form biofilm on their own under such conditions. In the present work, four different non-Saccharomyces yeasts isolated from barrels in the Jerez area under biological ageing have been characterised through their physiological abilities, including extracellular enzymatic and biofilm-forming capabilities. Results showed not only a surprising ethanol tolerance, above 15.5% in all cases, but also a significant degree of extracellular enzyme production, highlighting the urease and proteolytic activities found in Pichia manshurica, as well as lipolytic activity in Pichia kudriavzevii, Pichia membranifaciens and Wicherhamomyces anomalus. As a conclusion, these non-Saccharomyces could be very interesting in the oenological field, beyond improving the organoleptic characteristics as well as technological features in these wines

Dietary Intake of Individual (Intrinsic and Added) Sugars and Food Sources from Spanish Children Aged One to <10 Years—Results from the EsNuPI Study

This research was funded by Instituto Puleva de Nutricion (IPN), which is a non-profit entity that promotes scientific research, mainly in the field of nutrition and health: child nutrition, cardiovascular, bone and digestive health, etc., as well as the dissemination of quality scientific content. While the IPN is funded by the dairy company Lactalis, its actions are based on the decisions of an independent scientific board formed by renowned international scientists. a. G. is co-financed by the Research Plan of the Vice-Rectorate of Research and Transfer of the University of Granada, Spain.Currently, in Spain there are no studies assessing the intakes and sources of intrinsic and added sugars by both children consuming standard milks and children regularly consuming adapted milk formulas. Our goal was to evaluate current sugar intake levels (intrinsic and added) and their major dietary sources within the EsNuPI study participants by applying two 24-h dietary recalls that were completed by 1448 children (1 to <10 years) divided into two subsamples: One “Spanish Reference Sample” (SRS) of the general population (n = 707) and another sample which included children consuming adapted milks including follow-on milk, toddler’s or growing up milk and fortified and enriched milks, here called “Adapted Milk Consumers Sample” (AMS) (n = 741). Estimates of intrinsic and added sugar intakes from the Spanish EsNuPI population as well as the adherence to recommendations varied notably according to age segment, but no major differences between subsamples were found. Younger children (1 to <3 years) showed the highest added sugar contribution to total energy intake (TEI) (SRS: 12.5% for boys and 11.7% for girls; AMS: 12.2% for boys and 11.3% for girls) and the lowest adherence to recommendations set at <10% TEI (SRS: 27.4% for boys and 37.2% for girls; AMS: 31.3% for boys and 34.7% for girls). Adherence increased with age but remains inadequate, with approximately one in two children from the older age segment (6 to <10 years) exceeding the recommendations. Main food sources of intrinsic sugars for both subsamples were milk and dairy products, fruits, vegetables and cereals, while for added sugars, these were milk and dairy products (mainly yogurts), sugars and sweets (mainly sugary cocoa and nougat), bakery products (mainly cookies) and cereals (mainly bread and wheat flour). However, for the AMS, the groups milk and dairy products and cereals showed a significantly lower contribution to intrinsic sugar intake but a significantly higher contribution to that of added sugars. These results demonstrate that sugar intake and the adherence to recommendations in the studied population varied notably according to age but not to the type of milk consumed. In addition, our results highlight the need to monitor the consumption of added sugars by the infant population, as well as the need to make efforts to facilitate this task, such as harmonizing the recommendations regarding free/added sugars and the inclusion of information on their content on the nutritional labeling of products in order to incorporate them into food composition databases.Instituto Puleva de Nutrición (IPN)dairy company LactalisResearch Plan of the Vice-Rectorate of Research and Transfer of the University of Granada, Spai

Culturable Yeast Diversity of Grape Berries from Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi

Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi is recognized as the dioecious parental generation of today's cultivars. Climatic change and the arrival of pathogens and pests in Europe led it to be included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in 1997. The present work focused on the study of culturable yeast occurrence and diversity of grape berries collected from wild vines. Sampling was performed in 29 locations of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Italy, Romania, and Spain. In total, 3431 yeast colonies were isolated and identified as belonging to 49 species, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, by 26S rDNA D1/D2 domains and ITS region sequencing. Isolates of S. cerevisiae were also analyzed by SSR-PCR obtaining 185 different genotypes. Classical ecology indices were used to obtain the richness (S), the biodiversity (H'), and the dominance (D) of the species studied. This study highlights the biodiversity potential of natural environments that still represent a fascinating source of solutions to common problems in winemaking