Labile and stable soil organic carbon and physical improvements using groundcovers in vineyards from central Spain

Mediterranean vineyards are usually managed with continuous tillage to maintain bare soils leading to low organic matter stocks and soil degradation. Vineyards are part of the Mediterranean culture, their management can be sustainable. We propose the setup of two types of groundcovers with the aim to assess their potential influence to improve soil properties. A field trial was performed to compare the effects of a seeded (Brachypodium distachyon) and spontaneous groundcovers, on a set of soil parameters, in comparison with the traditional tillage in four vineyards located in the center of Spain. Three years after the groundcovers establishment soil organic carbon stocks increased up to 1.62 and 3.18 Mg ha− 1for the seeded and the spontaneous groundcovers, respectively, compared to conventional tillage. Both labile and stable fractions improved their soil organic carbon content with the use of groundcovers, particularly the labile fraction. Moreover, soil structure and functional soil properties improved through better aggregate stability, pore connectivity and infiltration rates. The higher root biomass input of the spontaneous groundcovers derived in higher soil organic carbon increases and soil quality improvement. Consequently, under low rainfall conditions (< 400 mm per year) spontaneous vegetation, properly managed according to site conditions, is an effective soil management strategy to revert soil degradation and increase soil quality in Mediterranean vineyards

Herpes simplex virus type 1 induces AD-like neurodegeneration markers in human progenitor and differentiated ReNcell VM cells

An increasing body of evidence strongly suggests that infections or reactivations of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) may be closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Promising results have been obtained using cell and animal models of HSV-1 infection, contributing to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking HSV-1 infection and AD neurodegeneration. ReNcell VM is a human neural stem cell line that has been used as a model system to study the impact of various infectious agents on the central nervous system. In this study, we demonstrate the suitability of the ReNcell VM cell line for developing a new in vitro model of HSV-1 infection. By following standard differentiation protocols, we were able to derive various nervous cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, from neural precursors. Additionally, we demonstrated the susceptibility of ReNcell VM cells, including precursor and differentiated cells, to HSV-1 infection and subsequent viral-induced AD-like neurodegeneration. Our findings support the use of this cell line to generate a new research platform for investigating AD neuropathology and its most significant risk factors, which may lead to important discoveries in the context of this highly impactful diseaseThis work was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2020-113921RBI00

Estimating soil organic carbon in agricultural gypsiferous soils by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

Contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), gypsum, CaCO3, and quartz, among others, were analyzed and related to reflectance features in visible and near-infrared (VIS/NIR) range, using partial least square regression (PLSR) in ParLes software. Soil samples come from a sloping olive grove managed by frequent tillage in a gypsiferous area of Central Spain. Samples were collected in three different layers, at 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm depth (IPCC guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme in 2006). Analyses were performed by C Loss-On-Ignition, X-ray diffraction and water content by the Richards plates method. Significant differences for SOC, gypsum, and CaCO3 were found between layers; similarly, soil reflectance for 30 cm depth layers was higher. The resulting PLSR models (60 samples for calibration and 30 independent samples for validation) yielded good predictions for SOC (R2 = 0.74), moderate prediction ability for gypsum and were not accurate for the rest of rest of soil components. Importantly, SOC content was related to water available capacity. Soils with high reflectance features held c.a. 40% less water than soils with less reflectance. Therefore, higher reflectance can be related to degradation in gypsiferous soil. The starting point of soil degradation and further evolution could be established and mapped through remote sensing techniques for policy decision makingThis research was funded by regional and national funding projects AGRISOST-CM (S2013/ABI-2717); FP12-CVO; ACCION Project, GO-LEÑOSOS

Estudio piloto sobre el efecto de la suplementación con ádico fólico en la mejor de los niveles de homocisteína, función cognitiva y estado depresivo en trastornos de la conducta alimentaria

Background & aims: Several authors have reported low folate intake in patients with eating disorders (ED). This vitamin plays an essential role in synthesis reactions for neurotransmitters and structural elements of neurons, and therefore its deficiency has been associated with the presence of different disorders linked to mental function. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine levels and the cognitive and depressive status of a group of patients with eating disorders with low folate intake. Subjects/methods: The study was designed as a randomised, prospective clinical trial, which included 24 participants assigned to two treatment groups for six months: supplemented group (SG) (10 mg/day of folic acid [ACFOL®]) and a placebo group (PG). Both groups maintained their medical, dietary and psychological treatment. At baseline and end of the intervention, anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters (plasma homocysteine [Hcy], serum and red blood cell folate) were recorded. Cognitive and depressive status questionnaires were administered (Stroop Test, Trail Making Test and Beck Depression Inventory). Results: Twenty-two patients completed the study (SG: 12, PG: 10, mean age: 24.2 ± 8.8 years, BMI 18.9 ± 3.5 kg/m2). The SG significantly increased their serum and red blood cell folate levels and lowered Hcy levels (9.4 ± 2.4 μmol/l vs. 7.5 ± 1.7 μmol/l, P < 0.01). The SG also significantly improved most of their test scores for cognitive and depressive status. The PG showed no significant changes in any of the evaluated variables. Conclusions: The results show that folic acid supplementation may be used as another tool within the comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment applied to patients with EDIntroducción y objetivo: Diferentes autores han reportado una baja ingesta de ácido fólico en pacientes con Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria (TCA). Esta vitamina desempeña un papel esencial en las reacciones de síntesis de neurotransmisores y elementos estructurales de las neuronas y, por lo tanto, su deficiencia se ha asociado con la presencia de diferentes trastornos relacionados con la función mental. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de la suplementación con ácido fólico sobre los niveles de homocisteína y sobre marcadores de función cognitiva y depresión en un grupo de pacientes con TCA con baja ingesta de ácido fólico. Sujetos y métodos: Estudio clínico randomizado y prospectivo en el que se incluyeron 24 pacientes asignados a dos grupos de tratamiento durante un período de 6 meses: grupo suplementado (SG) (10 mg/día de ácido fólico [ACFOL®]) y grupo placebo (PG). Ambos grupos mantuvieron su tratamiento médico, dietético y psicológico. Al inicio del estudio y tras la intervención se evaluaron parámetros antropométricos, dietéticos y bioquímicos (homocisteína plasmática [Hcy], folato sérico y eritrocitario). Como marcadores de función cognitiva y depresión se administraron diferentes cuestionarios (Test de Stroop, Trail Making Test, BDI: Cuestionario de percepción de función cognitiva). Resultados: Completaron el estudio 22 pacientes (SG: 12, PG: 10, edad media: 24,2 ± 8,8 años, IMC 18,9 ± 3,5 kg/m2). El grupo SG incrementó de forma significativa sus niveles de folato sérico y eritrocitario y redujo el de homocisteína (9,4 ± 2,4 μmol/l vs. 7,5 ± 1,7 μmol/l, P < 0,01). Además, el grupo SG también mejoró significativamente las puntuaciones de los test de función cognitiva y depresión. En el grupo PG, en cambio, no se observaron cambios significativos en ninguna de las variables evaluadas. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la suplementación con ácido fólico podría emplearse como una herramienta más dentro del complejo y multidisciplinario tratamiento que requieren estos paciente

The use of remote sensing to detect the consequences of erosion in gypsiferous soils

Tillage practices on sloping ground often result in unsustainable soil losses impairing soil functions such as crop productivity, water and nutrients storage, and soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. A sloping olive grove (10%) was planted in shallow gypsiferous soils in 2004. It was managed by minimum tillage; the most frequent management practice in central Spain. The consequences of erosion were studied in soil samples (at 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) by analyzing SOC, available water and gypsum content, and by detecting spectral signatures using an ASD FieldSpecPro® VIS/NIR-spectroradiometer. The Brightness index (BI), Shape index (FI), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were derived from the ASD spectral signatures and from remote sensing (Sentinel-2 image) data. The development of these young olive trees was estimated from the measured diameter of the trunks (17 ± 18 cm diameter). In 20–30 cm of the soil, the carbon stock (38 ± 18 Mg ha−1) as well as the available water content (12 ± 6%) was scarce, affecting the productivity of the olive grove. The above-mentioned indices obtained from the laboratory samples and the pixels of the Sentinel-2 image were significantly (p < 0.01) correlated, with a correlation coefficient of around 0.4. The BI was related to the gypsum content and the slope of the plot. The FI was related to the carbon and water contents. The NDVI derived from the satellite image identified the influence of soil degradation on the trees and the carbon content. The spatial-temporal changes of the indices might help in tracking soil changes over timeThis research was funded by the Project ACCION, and is part of the Operative Group Lenosot, supported by the Rural Development Programme 2014 e 2020 of the Comunidad de Madrid Government (Spain). We thank the cooperation of the Finca La Chimenea staff and the work of undergraduate students from the Autonomous University of Madri

Nonallergic asthma and its severity: Biomarkers for its discrimination in peripheral samples

Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous respiratory disorder characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It has generally been associated with allergic mechanisms related to type 2 airway inflammation. Nevertheless, between 10 and 33% of asthmatic individuals have nonallergic asthma (NA). Several targeted treatments are in clinical development for patients with Th2 immune response, but few biomarkers are been defined for low or non-Th2-mediated inflammation asthma. We have recently defined by gene expression a set of genes as potential biomarkers of NA, mainly associated with disease severity: IL10, MSR1, PHLDA1, SERPINB2, CHI3L1, IL8, and PI3. Here, we analyzed their protein expression and specificity using sera and isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). First, protein quantification was carried out using ELISA (in sera) or Western blot (proteins extracted from PBMCs by Trizol procedure), depending on the biomarker in 30 healthy controls (C) subjects and 30 NA patients. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed by using the R program to study the specificity and sensitivity of the candidate biomarkers at a gene- and protein expression level. Four kinds of comparisons were performed: total NA group vs C group, severe NA patients vs C, moderate-mild NA patients vs C, and severe NA patients vs moderate-mild NA patients. We found that all the single genes showed good sensitivity vs specificity for some phenotypic discrimination, with CHI3L1 and PI3 exhibiting the best results for C vs NA: CHI3L1 area under the curve (AUC) (CI 95%): 0.95 (0.84-1.00) and PI3 AUC: 0.99 (0.98-1.00); C vs severe NA: PI3 AUC: 1 (0.99-1.00); and C vs moderate-mild NA: CHI3L1 AUC: 1 (0.99-1.00) and PI3 AUC: 0.99 (0.96-1.00). However, the results for discriminating asthma disease and severity with protein expression were better when two or three biomarkers were combined. In conclusion, individual genes and combinations of proteins have been evaluated as reliable biomarkers for classifying NA subjects and their severity. These new panels could be good diagnostic tests.This work was supported in part by research grants supported in part by research grants PI13/01730 and PI17/01682, cofinanced by FEDER, CIBERES (ISCIII, 0013), and RETIC (RD09/0076/00101) from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Spain). SB was supported by Fundación Conchita Rábago. DC was supported by a contract from Comunidad de Madrid (PEJD-2016/BMD-2682, Sistema de Garantía Juvenil), and LC-J was supported by a contract from MINECO (PEJ-2014-A-31609, Sistema de Garantía Juvenil), both cofinanced by Fondo Social Europeo (FSE) and Iniciativa de Empleo Juvenil (IEJ)

Groundcovers in olive groves in semiarid climates: Are they always beneficial?

Olive groves on the Mediterranean Basin are usually managed by continuous tillage and low organic matter inputs, leading to several soil degradation processes. Groundcovers (GCs) have come out as an alternative soil management strategy to improve soil's fertility, soil's organic matter quantity, and the sustainability of agro-ecosystems. Nevertheless, farmers are still unwilling to implement GCs or reduce tilling frequency while there are still some uncertainties and lack of global analyses. The purpose of this study was to perform an assessment of the effects of using GC on the soil parameters microbiological biomass, crop yield, and olive oil quality. A field trial was performed on a gypsiferous soil in central Spain with three different GCs: permanent GC of Brachypodium distachyon (BRA); permanent GC of spontaneous vegetation (SVE), and annual GC of Vicia ervilia (BIT) to be compared with conventional tillage (TIL). After three years, numbers of nematodes, fungi, and bacteria were higher on plant roots regardless of GC composition. BRA was the treatment with the biggest impact on soil and yield parameters. BRA increased soil organic carbon 1.03 Mg ha-1 yr-1 at 0-10 cm depth but reduced significantly olive yield because of nitrogen competition. The BIT treatment improved soil organic carbon stocks and soil structure, and did not reduce olive yield significantly regarding TIL. The BIT treatment was considered the best soil management strategy in semiarid conditionsThis research was funded by regional and national funding projects AGRISOST-CM (S2013/ABI-2717); FP12-CVO; ACCION Project, GO-LEÑOSOST

Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Therapeutic Approaches for Telomere Biology Disorders

Telomeres are nucleo-protein structures located at the end of chromosomes that protect them from degradation. Telomeres length is maintained by the activity of the telomerase complex. These structures are protected by a specialized protein complex named shelterin. In the absence of telomerase activity and/or protection telomeres are shortened after each round of DNA replication. When a critical size is reached, telomeres are recognized as damaged DNA by the cell p53-dependent DNA-repair system. Persistent activation of this pathway finally results in cell apoptosis or senescence

Narrativas, Mindfulness y diálogo colaborativo

En las últimas décadas asistimos a un interés creciente por la integración de Mindfulness en psicoterapia. En este texto se revisan brevemente los resultados de los programas más difundidos, que, desde diferentes escuelas, han incluido Mindfulness como un factor clave para el cambio. En base a las pocas diferencias de resultado que los diferentes programas psicoterapéuticos tienen entre sí, se ofrece una reflexión sobre las áreas de convergencia entre Mindfulness y las corrientes narrativas como marco potencial para los factores comunes y la integración en psicoterapia.In recent decades we have witnessed a growing interest in the integration of Mindfulness in psychotherapy. This text briefly reviews the results of the most widespread programs, which, from different schools, have included Mindfulness as a key factor for change. Based on the few differences in the results of the different psychotherapeutic programs, a reflection is offered on the areas of convergence between Mindfulness and narrative currents as a potential framework for common factors and integration in psychotherap