Caracterización de materiales antiguos de construcción (tapial y adobe) en las iglesias de Cisneros, Villada y Boada de Campos (Palencia)

The aim of this work is to characterize the ancient building materials (mud wall and adobe) of three churches in the province of Palencia. This is the first part of a study which seeks to evaluate how the mud walls of the tower of the church of Cisneros reacted to restoration treatment which consisted of a structural reinforcement made by injecting a highly fluid grout of cement/lime/sand mortar. This treatment implies the introduction of large quantities of water into the fabric. The mud walls of the tower of Cisneros are compositionally and texturally very similar to each other, which indicates that despite their large dimensions, care was taken in the homogeneity of the materials. These mud walls are also very similar to those of the church of Villada. The original raw material is mud with some additives (rubble, ashes, bones, etc.) and some remains of lime used as a stabiliser. Although there is a very high proportion of clay, no effervescing clay has been detected. Hence it is deduced that once the mud wall was built, there were no important changes in volume due to variation in the humidity of the fabric. The characteristics of the adobe of the tower of Boada are logically different form those of the mud walls, being made of less sandy, more clayey mud with a high proportion of straw that the mud walls do not have, and without the addition of bricks, bones, etc.El objetivo de este trabajo es caracterizar los materiales antiguos de construcción (tapial y adobe) de tres iglesias en la provincia de Falencia. El trabajo es la primera parte de un estudio en el que se pretende evaluar el comportamiento de los tapiales de la torre de la iglesia de Cisneros frente al tratamiento de restauración, consistente en un cosido estructural mediante la realización de perforaciones en las que se introduce una barra de acero y donde, posteriormente, se inyecta una lechada muy fluidificada de mortero de cemento/cal/arena. Este tratamiento implica la introducción en las fábricas de grandes cantidades de agua. Los tapiales de la torre de Cisneros son, composicional y texturalmente, muy similares entre sí, lo que indica que, a pesar de sus grandes dimensiones, se cuidó la homogeneidad de los materiales. Estos tapiales guardan una notable similitud con los de la iglesia de Villada. La materia prima original es barro con algunos aditivos (escombro, cenizas, huesos, etc.) y algunos restos de cal empleada como estabilizante. Aunque la proporción de arcilla es muy elevada no se han detectado arcillas hinchables, de lo que se deduce que una vez construido el tapial no se habrían producido importantes cambios de volumen por variaciones de humedad de las fábricas. Las características del adobe de la torre de Boada son lógicamente diferentes de las de los tapiales estando constituido por un barro menos arenoso, más arcilloso, con una elevada proporción de paja que no tienen los tapiales y sin adiciones de ladrillos, huesos, etc

Differentiation of Trichuris species using a morphometric approach

Trichuris trichiura is a nematode considered as the whipworm present in humans and primates. The systematics of the genus Trichuris is complex. Morphological studies of Trichuris isolated from primates and humans conclude that the species infecting these hosts is the same. Furthermore, numerous molecular studies have been carried out so far to discriminate parasite species from humans and Non-Human Primates using molecular techniques, but these studies were not performed in combination with a parallel morphological study. The hypothesised existence of more species of Trichuris in primates opens the possibility to revise the zoonotic potential and host specificity of T. trichiura and other putative new species of whipworms. In the present work, a study of Trichuris Roederer, 1761 (Nematoda:Trichuridae) parasitizing C. g. kikuyensis, P. ursinus, Macaca sylvanus, Pan troglodytes, and Sus scrofa domestica has been carried out using modern morphometric techniques in order to differentiate populations of Trichuris isolated from four species of captive NHP from different geographical regions, and swine, respectively. The results obtained revealed strong support for geometrical morphometrics as a useful tool to differentiate male Trichuris populations. Therefore, morphometrics in combination with other techniques, such as molecular biology analyses, ought to be applied to further the differentiation of male populations. On the other hand, morphometrics applied to female Trichuris species does not seem to contribute new information as all the measurements combinations of obtained from females always showed similar resultsMinistry of Economy,Industry and Competitiveness(CGL2017-83057)FEDER funds, the Junta de Andalucía (BIO-338)V Plan Propio de Investigación of the University of Sevill

Role of lysosomal enzymes released by alveolar macrophages in the pathogenesis of the acute phase of hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Hydrolytic enzymes are the major constituents of alveolar macrophages (AM) and have been shown to be involved in many aspects of the inflammatory pulmonary response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of lysosomal enzymes in the acute phase of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HPs). An experimental study on AM lysosomal enzymes of an HP-guinea-pig model was performed. The results obtained both in vivo and in vitro suggest that intracellular enzymatic activity decrease is, at least partly, due to release of lysosomal enzymes into the medium. A positive but slight correlation was found between extracellular lysosomal activity and four parameters of lung lesion (lung index, bronchoalveolar fluid total (BALF) protein concentration, BALF LDH and BALF alkaline phosphatase activities). All the above findings suggest that the AM release of lysosomal enzymes during HP is a factor involved, although possibly not the only one, in the pulmonary lesions appearing in this disease

Identification of RFLP in growth-related genes in the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L., 1758

The main objective of the present study was to analyse polymorphism of the growth hormone (GH) gene and of the prolactin (PRL) gene in the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L., 1758, and to examine its possible association with quantitative characters, such as weight and size. In order to carry out this study, we used a total of 279 individuals (131 breeders and 148 offspring). Once the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms of PCR products (PCR-RFLP) at the introns of both genes were analysed, we found a possible association between intron I of the GH and the quantitative characters studied.El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar el polimorfismo de los genes de la hormona de crecimiento (GH) y de la prolactina (PRL) en dorada Sparus aurata L., 1758 y buscar su posible asociación con los caracteres cuantitativos peso y talla. Para llevar a cabo este estudio se utilizaron en total 279 individuos (131 reproductores y 148 descendientes). Una vez analizados los polimorfismos en la longitud de fragmentos de restricción de productos de PCR (PCR-RFLP) de los intrones en ambos genes, se ha encontrado una posible asociación entre el intrón I de la GH y los citados caracteres cuantitativos estudiados.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Influencia de la hipertensión originada por el embarazo en el parto y el recién nacido

Introduction: preeclampsia is a major risk to the mother and her offspring. Objective: to evaluate the impact of hypertension caused by pregnancy in gestation, delivery and by the newborn. Material and methods: it was performed a prospective, longitudinal and analytical research at Hnos Cruz University Outpatient Clinic in the period between May 2011 and May 2012, the universe consisted of all pregnant women belonging to that clinic, while the sample was made up of 130 pregnant women, and were divided into two groups: the study group of patients who were diagnosed with preeclampsia (n=31) and the control group of pregnant women without the disease (n=93). Different variables of childbirth and the newborn were analyzed. The results were calculated by the chi-square test with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: prematurity was presented in 22.58%, delivery induction was used in 19 pregnant women, cesarean section was performed in 70.97 %, low-weight neonates presented in 54.84 % of the study group and 38.71 % of newborns had low Apgar score at five minutes of birth. All variables were highly significant. Conclusions: preeclampsia is affecting the delivery and the newborn. It is also considered as a risk factor for adverse events that occur in the mother and the newborn.Introducción: la preeclampsia representa un gran riesgo para la madre y el producto de la concepción.Objetivo: evaluar la repercusión que tiene la hipertensión originada por el embarazo en la gestación, el parto y el recién nacido.Material y Método: se realizó una investigación prospectiva, longitudinal y analítica en el Policlínico Universitario “Hermanos Cruz”, en el período comprendido entre mayo de 2011 y mayo de 2012; el universo de estudio estuvo conformado por todas las gestantes pertenecientes a dicho policlínico, mientras la muestra se formó con 130 gestantes que se dividieron en dos grupos, el grupo estudio las pacientes a las que se les diagnosticó un preeclampsia (n = 31) y el grupo control gestante sin la enfermedad (n = 93). Se analizaron diferentes variables del parto y el neonato. Los resultados se calcularon a través del test de ji cuadrado con nivel de significación de p < 0,05.Resultados: la prematuridad se presentó en el 22.58 %, la inducción del parto fue utilizada en 19 gestantes, la cesárea se realizó en el 70.97 %, los neonatos con bajo peso se presentaron en el 54.84 % del grupo estudio y el 38.71 % de los recién nacidos tuvieron puntaje de Apgar bajo a los cinco minutos. Todas las variables fueron altamente significativas.Conclusiones: la preeclampsia influye negativamente en el parto y el recién nacido. Además de considerarse como factor de riesgo para que se produzcan eventos nocivos en la madre y el neonato

Influencia de la fertilización nitrogenada sobre las concentraciones de K+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ y sus bioindicadores en raíces y hojas de plantas de judía

The pyruvate kinase (PK) and ATPase activities taking part in nitrogen (N) assimilation is essential for the growth and development of plants. Studies on the kinetics of these enzymes reveal that its activities are dependent of the cofactors K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to determine the effect of different doses of N on enzymatic activities of ATPase and PK as potentials biochemical indicators of the levels of K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ in the roots and leaves of green bean plants. The N was applied to the nutrient solution as NH4NO3 at the following rates: 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 18.0, and 24.0 mM of N. These results indicate that deficient conditions of N (N1 and N2) were characterized by the lowest accumulation of K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in both total and soluble forms, and also minimum activities of PK and ATPase induced by K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+, with respect to the activity of basal PK and ATPase; this could mean near optimum conditions for these cations. On the contrary, high-N treatments (N4, N5 and N6) were characterized by presenting decreasing concentrations of total and soluble K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in roots and leaves of green bean plants; however, the activities of PK and ATPase induced with K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were increased reaching their maximum activity with respect to basal PK and ATPase, both enzymes reflecting the level of cations in roots and leaves, hence being considered as good physiological bioindicators of these cations.Las actividades piruvato kinasa (PK) y ATPasa participan en la asimilación de nitrógeno (N), la cual es esencial para el crecimiento y desarrollo de las plantas. Estudios sobre cinéticas de estas enzimas revelan que sus actividades son dependientes de los cofactores K+, Ca2+ y Mg2+. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el efecto de diferentes dosis de N sobre las actividades de la ATPasa y PK como posibles bioindicadores de los niveles de K+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ en raíces y hojas de plantas de judía (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Strike). Se aplicó N a la solución nutritiva como NH4NO3 en las siguientes dosis: N1=1,5 mM, N2=3,0 mM, N3=6,0 mM, N4=12,0 mM, N5=18,0 mM y N6=24,0 mM. Los resultados indican que bajo condiciones deficientes de N (N1 y N2), las plantas presentaron menor acumulación de K+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ en su forma total y soluble, así como mínimas actividades PK y ATPasa inducidas por K+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ respecto a la actividad PK y ATPasa basal; lo cual indica condiciones cercanas a las óptimas de estos cationes. Por el contrario, en los tratamientos elevados de N (N4, N5 y N6) las plantas presentaron concentraciones decrecientes de K+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ total y soluble tanto en raíces como en hojas; sin embargo, las actividades PK y ATPasa inducidas con K+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ se incrementaron alcanzando sus máximas actividades con respecto a la PK y ATPasa basal, lo que indica una mayor necesidad fisiológica de estos cationes en los tratamientos elevados de N. Finalmente, la actividad ATPasa basal y la inducida con K+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ se comportaron de forma similar a la actividad PK, lo que refleja el nivel de cationes en raíces y en hojas, por lo que se consideran buenos bioindicadores fisiológicos de estos cationes

Alteration of cell wall xylan acetylation triggers defense responses that counterbalance the immune deficiencies of plants impaired in the β‐subunit of the heterotrimeric G‐protein

[EN] Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G-protein complex modulates pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggeredimmunity (PTI) and disease resistance responses to different types of pathogens. It also plays a role in plantcell wall integrity as mutants impaired in the Gb-(agb1-2)orGc-subunits have an altered wall compositioncompared with wild-type plants. Here we performed a mutant screen to identify suppressors ofagb1-2(sgb) that restore susceptibility to pathogens to wild-type levels. Out of the foursgbmutants (sgb10–sgb13)identified,sgb11is a new mutant allele ofESKIMO1(ESK1), which encodes a plant-specific polysaccharideO-acetyltransferase involved in xylan acetylation. Null alleles (sgb11/esk1-7)ofESK1restore to wild-typelevels the enhanced susceptibility ofagb1-2to the necrotrophic fungusPlectosphaerella cucumerina BMM(PcBMM), but not to the bacteriumPseudomonas syringaepv.tomatoDC3000 or to the oomyceteHyaloper-onospora arabidopsidis. The enhanced resistance toPcBMMof theagb1-2 esk1-7double mutant was notthe result of the re-activation of deficient PTI responses inagb1-2. Alteration of cell wall xylan acetylationcaused byESK1impairment was accompanied by an enhanced accumulation of abscisic acid, the constitu-tive expression of genes encoding antibiotic peptides and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of trypto-phan-derived metabolites, and the accumulation of disease resistance-related secondary metabolites anddifferent osmolites. Theseesk1-mediated responses counterbalance the defective PTI andPcBMMsuscepti-bility ofagb1-2plants, and explain the enhanced drought resistance ofesk1plants. These results suggestthat a deficient PTI-mediated resistance is partially compensated by the activation of specific cell-wall-trig-gered immune responses.SISpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) grants BIO2012-32910 to A.M.The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls and matching funding from KTH (grants to V.B) and NIGMS (R01GM065989) and NSF (MCB-1713880) to A.M.J. The Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the US Department of Energy through the grant DE-FG02-05er15671 to A.M.J. funded technical support in this study. H.M. was supported by an IEF grant (SignWALLINg-624721) from the European Union, E.M. by a Juan de la Cierva Postdoctoral Fellow from MINECO, S.S. by the BRAVE Erasmus Mundi Program (European Union), and A.M.-B. was the recipient of a PIF fellow from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Estudio mineralógico de los sedimentos de la Laguna de El Hito (Cuenca)

Trabajo presentado en la XXXVII Reunión de la Sociedad Española de Mineralogía (SEM)celebrada en Madrid (España) el día 12 de Julio de 2018, en la Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas de la Universidad Complutense de MadridPeer reviewe

Use of sonic tomography to detect and quantify wood decay in living trees.

Premise of the studyField methodology and image analysis protocols using acoustic tomography were developed and evaluated as a tool to estimate the amount of internal decay and damage of living trees, with special attention to tropical rainforest trees with irregular trunk shapes.Methods and resultsLiving trunks of a diversity of tree species in tropical rainforests in the Republic of Panama were scanned using an Argus Electronic PiCUS 3 Sonic Tomograph and evaluated for the amount and patterns of internal decay. A protocol using ImageJ analysis software was used to quantify the proportions of intact and compromised wood. The protocols provide replicable estimates of internal decay and cavities for trees of varying shapes, wood density, and bark thickness.ConclusionsSonic tomography, coupled with image analysis, provides an efficient, noninvasive approach to evaluate decay patterns and structural integrity of even irregularly shaped living trees