Reactivity and fate of secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS) in marine sediments

This research is focused on secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS), anionic surfactants widely used in household applications that access aquatic environments mainly via sewage discharges.We studied their sorption capacity and anaerobic degradation in marine sediments, providing the first data available on this topic. SAS partition coefficients increased towards those homologues having longer alkyl chains(from up to 141 L kg 1 for C14 to up to 1753 L kg 1 for C17), which were those less susceptible to undergo biodegradation. Overall, SAS removal percentages reached up to 98% after 166 days of incubation using anoxic sediments. The degradation pathway consisted on the formation of sulfocarboxylic acids after an initial fumarate attack of the alkyl chain and successive b-oxidations. This is the first study showing that SAS can be degraded in absence of oxygen, so this new information should be taken into account for future environmental risk assessments on these chemicals

Determination and occurrence of secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS) in aquatic environments

A new methodology has been developed for the determination of secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS), an anionic surfactant, in environmental matrices. Sediment and sludge samples were extracted using pressurized liquid extraction and sonication, whereas wastewater and surface water samples were processed using solid-phase extraction. Extraction recoveries were acceptable for both aqueous (78-120%) and solid samples (83-100%). Determination of SAS was carried out by high or ultra performance liquid chromatography e mass spectrometry using ion trap and time-of-flight detectors. The methodology was applied to samples from Guadalete River (SW Spain), where SAS concentrations below 1 mg L 1 were measured in surface water, and from 72 to 9737 mg kg 1 in sediments. Differential partitioning was observed for SAS homologues as those having a longer hydrocarbon chain which preferentially sorbed onto particulate matter. A preliminary environmental risk assessment also showed that SAS measured levels were not harmful to the aquatic community in the sampling area

“Aceite de oliva extra virgen como agente preventivo en la enfermedad de Alzheimer: efectos antioxidantes cerebrales en un modelo de ratón transgénico”

Varias teorías que incluyen factores de riesgo como la calidad de vida, laposición socioeconómica, la dieta, predisposición genética y daños cerebrales han sidopropuestas como causa de la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA), pero el grado decontribución de cada factor es aun controversial. Sin embargo, hay dos factores que sonaceptados como factores de riesgo: la edad y las reacciones neuroinflamatorias crónicas.Estudios epidemiológicos han determinado que compuestos con actividad antioxidante yanti-inflamatoria presentes en ciertos alimentos que incluyen al aceite de oliva extra virgen(EVO) protegerían el deterioro cognitivo de la EA. En este sentido, el EVO contienepolifenoles con actividad antioxidante y oleocanthal con poder anti-inflamatorio,posiblemente neutralizando a especies reactivas y disminuyendo el nivel de interleuquinaspro-inflamatorias

La “quínoa” (Chenopodium quinoa) como alternativa forrajera en la zona de los Valles Calchaquíes (Noroeste Argentino)

González, Juan A., Guillermo O. Martín (h), Marcela A. Bruno, Fernando E. Prado. 2016. “El cultivo de ‘quínoa’ ( Chenopodium quinoa) como complemento forrajero en la zona de los Valles Calchaquíes (Noroeste Argentino)”. Lilloa 53 (1). “ Quínoa ” es una espe- cie multipropósito que puede ser utilizada como granos para alimentación humana o bien para la producción de forrajes, destinados a complementar la alimentación de animales (vacas, cabras, ovejas, llamas, entre otros) en zonas donde las pasturas naturales son escasas. Tradicionalmente la siembra se realiza a chorrillo con lo que se obtiene una alta densidad de plantas en el surco, que posteriormente es necesario ralear para evitar la competencia entre ellas. El raleo lleva implícita la eliminación de las plántulas. El objetivo de este estudio es jus- tamente la evaluación de las plantas eliminadas para ser utilizadas como forraje. Este trabajo aporta datos de producción de materia seca aérea (hojas y tallos) en 9 variedades de quínoa cultivadas en Amaicha del Valle (1.995 m snm, Tucumán, Argentina) y un genotipo (landrace) a los 110 días de siembra. El análisis de la producción de materia seca aérea varió entre 7,7 /ha (var. Sajama) y 2,7 /ha (var. Samaranti). El análisis químico foliar mostró un con- tenido elevado de K en todas las variedades con porcentajes que oscilaron entre 8,54 % (Kancolla) y 9,93 % (Samaranti). Los restantes minerales exhibieron valores menores, que en general, oscilaron entre 3,9-5,4 % para N ; 0,20-0,34 % para P; 2,50-3,04 % para Ca y 0,87-1,57 % para Mg, entre otros. El contenido de materia orgánica osciló entre 37,7 (var. Sajama) y 42 % (var. Kancolla). El contenido promedio de proteína foliar y de tallos fue del 15,7 y 9,9 % respectivamente. El contenido de fibras totales fue mayor en tallos que en hojas mientras que en el caso de cenizas fue a la inversa. En base a la producción de materia seca aérea y contenido de proteínas, fibras y minerales, se concluye que quínoa puede ser un complemento forrajero para los animales que forman parte de la producción pecuaria de los Valles Calchaquíes

Embryonic chirality and the evolution of spiralian left-right asymmetries

This work has been funded by the Sars core budget to A.H

GW150914: First search for the electromagnetic counterpart of a gravitational-wave event by the TOROS collaboration

We present the results of the optical follow-up conducted by the TOROS collaboration of the first gravitational-wave event GW150914. We conducted unfiltered CCD observations (0.35-1 micron) with the 1.5-m telescope at Bosque Alegre starting ~2.5 days after the alarm. Given our limited field of view (~100 square arcmin), we targeted 14 nearby galaxies that were observable from the site and were located within the area of higher localization probability. We analyzed the observations using two independent implementations of difference-imaging algorithms, followed by a Random-Forest-based algorithm to discriminate between real and bogus transients. We did not find any bona fide transient event in the surveyed area down to a 5-sigma limiting magnitude of r=21.7 mag (AB). Our result is consistent with the LIGO detection of a binary black hole merger, for which no electromagnetic counterparts are expected, and with the expected rates of other astrophysical transients.Comment: ApJ Letters, in pres

Candida albicans repetitive elements display epigenetic diversity and plasticity

Transcriptionally silent heterochromatin is associated with repetitive DNA. It is poorly understood whether and how heterochromatin differs between different organisms and whether its structure can be remodelled in response to environmental signals. Here, we address this question by analysing the chromatin state associated with DNA repeats in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Our analyses indicate that, contrary to model systems, each type of repetitive element is assembled into a distinct chromatin state. Classical Sir2-dependent hypoacetylated and hypomethylated chromatin is associated with the rDNA locus while telomeric regions are assembled into a weak heterochromatin that is only mildly hypoacetylated and hypomethylated. Major Repeat Sequences, a class of tandem repeats, are assembled into an intermediate chromatin state bearing features of both euchromatin and heterochromatin. Marker gene silencing assays and genome-wide RNA sequencing reveals that C. albicans heterochromatin represses expression of repeat-associated coding and non-coding RNAs. We find that telomeric heterochromatin is dynamic and remodelled upon an environmental change. Weak heterochromatin is associated with telomeres at 30?°C, while robust heterochromatin is assembled over these regions at 39?°C, a temperature mimicking moderate fever in the host. Thus in C. albicans, differential chromatin states controls gene expression and epigenetic plasticity is linked to adaptation

Biological activity of 6,7-Dehydroxyroyleanone and derivatives obtained from Plectranthus aliciae (Codd) A.J.Paton

The Plectranthus genus (Lamiaceae) is known to be rich in abietane diterpenes. The bioactive 6,7-dehydroxyroyleanone (DHR, 1) was previously isolated from Plectranthus madagascariensis var. madagascariensis and var. aliciae. This study aimed to explore the occurrence of DHR, 1, in P. aliciae and the potential bioactivities of new semisynthetic derivatives from DHR, 1. Several extraction methods were evaluated, and the hydrodistillation, using a Clevenger apparatus, afforded the highest yield (77.8 mg/g of 1 in the essential oil). Three new acyl derivatives (2-4) were successfully prepared from 1 (yields of 86-95%). Compounds 1-4 showed antioxidant activity, antibacterial effects, potent cytotoxic activity against several cell lines, and enhanced anti-inflammatory activity that surpassed dexamethasone (positive control). These findings encourage further exploration of derivatives 2-4 for potential mechanisms of antitumoral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory capabilities, studying both safety and efficacy.This work was supported by the funding received by Fundação paraaCien̂ciaeTecnologia(FCT,Portugal)(projects DOI 10.54499/UIDP/04567/2020 and DOI 10.54499/UIDB/04567/2020 attributed to CBIOS, CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020), CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020, UIDB/50017/2020, LA/P/0094/2020), and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020) and a Ph.D. grant for F.M. (SFRH/BD/ 146614/2019). National funding was provided by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program contracts (L.B.). E.M.D.-M. gratefully acknowledges being the recipient of a FPU-UAH 2019 contract and for the grant “Ayudas a la Movilidad del Personal Investigador en Formación 2022” from the University of Alcalá de Henares (UAH). The authors thank the laboratory CIMO-ESTIG for permission to use the balance ABT-100 ESM Kern (Balingen, Germany) and Escola Superior Agrária laboratory for the use of the mill IKA-WERKE M20.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Wild pigs and their widespread threat to biodiversity conservation in South America

Wild pigs, including wild boar (Sus scrofa) and feral domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica), are associated with negative impacts in their native and introduced ranges. We compiled wild pig occurrence reports and utilized Maximum Entropy modelling to predict their potential distribution in ecoregions overlaying Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. An analysis of their observed and potential distributions was carried out in relation to four biodiversity hotspots and 3766 protected areas to estimate the number of units and percent area currently and potentially invaded. Among biodiversity hotspots, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests included 44.7% of wild pig records. The proportion of suitable area was 85% in Atlantic Forest, 61.3% in Cerrado, 37.5% in Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests, and 5.6% in Tropical Andes. The number of protected areas with known wild pig presence was led by Uruguay (100%), followed by Chile (20.3%), Argentina (15.8%), Paraguay (9.5%), Bolivia (6.5%), and Brazil (4.7%). The proportion of protected areas with predicted wild pig presence was highest in Uruguay (100%), followed by Paraguay (72.6%), Brazil (58.0%), Argentina (57.4%), Chile (42.2%), and Bolivia (35.9%). Our work represents the first assessment of wild pig potential distribution in South America and highlights the potentially devastating impacts of wild pigs on the regional biodiversity and national conservation targets, especially at mega-diverse areas. We present a dynamic web application that can be readily consulted by scientists, managers and decision makers to improve wild pig control and risk mitigation actions in the study region.Fil: la Sala, Luciano Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Burgos, Julian Mariano. Marine and Freshwater Research Institute; IslandiaFil: Caruso, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Bagnato, Camilo Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones En Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural. - Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro. Instituto de Investigaciones En Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural; ArgentinaFil: Ballari, Sebastián A.. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Parque Nacional "Nahuel Huapi"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Guadagnin, Demetrio L.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Kindel, Andreas. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Etges, Matheus. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Merino, Mariano Lisandro. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Marcos, Andrea. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimento. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria; ArgentinaFil: Skewes, Oscar. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Schettino, Daniella. Instituto de Defesa Agropecuária de Mato Grosso; BrasilFil: Perez, Andres Maximiliano. University of Minnesota; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Condorí, Walter Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Tammone Santos, Agostina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Carpinetti, Bruno Nicolás. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Instituto Ciencias Sociales y Administracion; ArgentinaFil: Zalba, Sergio Martín. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Grupo de Estudios en Conservación y Manejo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A combined linkage, microarray and exome analysis suggests MAP3K11 as a candidate gene for left ventricular hypertrophy

Background: Electrocardiographic measures of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are used as predictors of cardiovascular risk. We combined linkage and association analyses to discover novel rare genetic variants involved in three such measures and two principal components derived from them. Methods: The study was conducted among participants from the Erasmus Rucphen Family Study (ERF), a Dutch family-based sample from the southwestern Netherlands. Variance components linkage analyses were performed using Merlin. Regions of interest (LOD > 1.9) were fine-mapped using microarray and exome sequence data. Results: We observed one significant LOD score for the second principal component on chromosome 15 (LOD score = 3.01) and 12 suggestive LOD scores. Several loci contained variants identified in GWAS for these traits; however, these did not explain the linkage peaks, nor did other common variants. Exome sequence data identified two associated variants after multiple testing corrections were applied. Conclusions: We did not find common SNPs explaining these linkage signals. Exome sequencing uncovered a relatively rare variant in MAPK3K11 on chromosome 11 (MAF = 0.01) that helped account for the suggestive linkage peak observed for the first principal component. Conditional analysis revealed a drop in LOD from 2.01 to 0.88 for MAP3K11, suggesting that this variant may partially explain the linkage signal at this chromosomal location. MAP3K11 is related to the JNK pathway and is a pro-apoptotic kinase that plays an important role in the induction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in various pathologies, including LVH. © 2018 The Author(s)