From Functional Potential of Soil Bacterial Communities Towards Petroleum Hydrocarbons Bioremediation

Molecular ecology researches are rapidly advancing the knowledge of microorganisms associated with petroleum hydrocarbon degradation, one of the major large-scale pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems. The design and monitoring of bioremediation techniques for hydrocarbons rely on a thorough understanding of the diversity of enzymes involved in the processes of hydrocarbon degradation and the microbes that harbor their allocated genes. This review describes the impact of hydrocarbon pollution on soil microbial communities, the state of the art of detecting functional genes, and functional groups. We will focus on i) the structure, function and succession behavior of microbial communities exposed to hydrocarbons, ii) key genes and pathways, iii) future prospect into bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in aerobic environments. The aim is to get a fundamental insight in these issues to ultimately improve petroleum hydrocarbons bioremediation. Keywords: Petroleum hydrocarbons, microbial communities, functional genes, oil degradation, bioremediation. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-10-01 Publication date:May 31st 201

On Hack\u27s Law

Hack\u27s law is reviewed, emphasizing its implications for the elongation of river basins as well as its connections with their fractal characteristics. The relation between Hack\u27s law and the internal structure of river basins is investigated experimentally through digital elevation models. It is found that Hack\u27s exponent, elongation, and some relevant fractal characters are closely related. The self-affine character of basin boundaries is shown to be connected to the power law decay of the probability of total contributing areas at any link and to Hack\u27s law. An explanation for Hack\u27s law is derived from scaling arguments. From the results we suggest that a statistical framework referring to the scaling invariance of the entire basin structure should be used in the interpretation of Hack\u27s law

Single-ion conducting poly(ethylene oxide carbonate) as solid polymer electrolyte for lithium batteries

Unformatted postprintSingle-ion conducting polymer electrolytes (SIPE) have attracted a lot of interest for application in high energy density lithium metal batteries. SIPEs possess lithium transport numbers close to unity, which does not provoke concentration gradients and holds the promise of limiting lithium dendrite formation. In this article, we have optimized a single-ion polymer incorporating the most successful chemical units in polymer electrolytes, such as ethylene oxide, carbonate and a lithium sulfonimide. This single-ion poly(ethylene oxide carbonate) copolymer was synthesized by polycondensation between polyethylene glycol, dimethyl carbonate and a functional diol including the pendant sulfonamide anionic group and the lithium counter-cation. By playing with the monomer stoichiometry, the crystallinity and ionic conductivity were optimized. The best copolymer showed high ionic conductivity values of 1.2·10-4 S.cm-1 at 70 °C. Lithium interactions and mobility were studied by lithium pulsed field gradient, lithium diffusion, NMR relaxation time measurements and FTIR-ATR analysis. High lithium mobility is observed which is due to the weakly coordinating chemical environment in the polymer and also that the sulfonamide in the SIPE adopts to a greater extent the cis conformation, which is known to promote lithium mobility. Finally, the performance of the singe-ion conducting poly(ethylene oxide carbonate) was compared in lithium symmetric cells versus an analogous conventional salt in polymer electrolyte, showing improved performance in lithium plating and stripping.We are grateful to the financial support of the European Research Council by the Starting Grant Innovative Polymers for Energy Storage (iPes) 306250 and IONBIKE (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2018-823989), and by the Basque Government through ETORTEK Energigune 2013 and IT 999-16. Leire Meabe thanks Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for the predoctoral FPU fellowship received to carry out this work. The authors thank for the technical and human support provided by SGIker of UPV/EHU for the NMR facilities of Gipuzkoa campus. The authors thank also Dr. Jose Ignacio Miranda (SGIker) for useful and essential support. Authors would like to thank the human support of Dr. Haijin Zhu and Dr. Luke O’Dell

Virtual digitization of caves with parietal paleolithic art from Bizkaia. Scientific analysis and dissemination through new visualization techniques

[EN] We present three case studies illustrating the virtual reproduction of caves that belong to the most important artistic ensemble of the Paleolithic from Bizkaia (Spain): Benta Laperra, Askondo and Lumentxa. The complex morphology of the cavities, the fineness of their engravings and the poor definition of their paintings imply technical difficulties to achieve faithful reproduction of their geometry and appearance. The methodology applied in these caves, based on a combination of photogrammetric and surveying techniques, allows the creation of a complete virtual replica, without shadow zones and a detailed reproduction of their engravings and paintings. At the same time, this replica has given rise to a type of technical documentation that very faithfully and objectively facilitates the analysis and interpretation of the cave. On the one hand, series of longitudinal and transverse sections have been generated, extracting information of the cut profile and the projection of the surfaces through orthoimages of elevation-section with a level of resolution of 2 mm per pixel, equivalent to a scale of representation 1/10. In addition, the georeferencing of the caves has allowed the research team to generate cartography of elevations of floor and ceiling by means of contour lines and to overlap the cartography of the National Geographic Institute (IGN) to measure the distance that separates the ceiling of the cave from the external surface. It can be used to detect critical points that must be taken into account in case of possible actions in forestry or infrastructure projects. Finally, these virtual replicas allow the dissemination of a wealth in detail, through new interactive methods of visualization and virtual reality. In conclusion, the presented methodology means an advance with respect to the existing techniques thus providing solutions for both technical and informative applications.[ES] Presentamos tres casos de estudio que ilustran la reproducción virtual de las cuevas pertenecientes al conjunto artístico más importante del paleolítico en Bizkaia (España): Benta Laperra, Askondo y Lumentxa. La compleja morfología de las cavidades, la finura de sus grabados y la poca nitidez de sus pinturas suponen dificultades técnicas para lograr la reproducción fiel de su geometría y apariencia. La metodología aplicada en estas cuevas, basada en una combinación de técnicas fotogramétricas y topográficas, permite la creación de una réplica virtual completa, con inexistencia de zonas de sombra y con una reproducción detallada de sus grabados y pinturas. A su vez esta réplica ha dado lugar a un tipo de documentación técnica totalmente fiel y objetiva que facilita enormemente el análisis y la interpretación de la cueva. Por un lado, se han generado una serie de cortes longitudinales y transversales, extrayendo la información del perfil de corte y la proyección de las superficies a través de ortofotografías de alzado-sección con un nivel de resolución de 2 mm por pixel, equivalente a una escala de representación 1/10. Además la georreferenciación de las cuevas ha permitido al equipo de trabajo generar cartografía de alturas de suelos y techos mediante curvas de nivel y superponer la cartografía del Instituto Geográfico Nacional(IGN)para medir la distancia que separa el techo de las cuevas de la superficie exterior, permitiendo detectar puntos críticos a tener en cuenta en las posibles actuaciones de proyectos forestales o de infraestructuras. Finalmente, estas réplicas virtuales permiten dar a conocer al gran público la riqueza en detalle, a través de nuevos métodos interactivos de visualización y realidad virtual. En conclusión, la metodología presentada supone un avance respecto a las técnicas existentes ofreciendo soluciones tanto para aplicaciones técnicas como divulgativas.Iturbe, A.; Cachero, R.; Cañal, D.; Martos, A. (2018). Digitalización de cuevas con arte paleolítico parietal de Bizkaia. Análisis científico y divulgación mediante nuevas técnicas de visualización. Virtual Archaeology Review. 9(18):57-65. doi:10.4995/var.2018.7579SWORD576591

Role of VEGF Polymorphisms in the Susceptibility and Severity of Interstitial Lung Disease

Biomarker; Interstitial lung disease; Vascular endothelial growth factorBiomarcador; Malaltia pulmonar intersticial; Factor de creixement endotelial vascularBiomarcador; Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial; Factor de crecimiento vascular endotelialThe search for biomarkers that can help to establish an early diagnosis and prognosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is of potential interest. VEGF polymorphisms have been implicated in the development of several lung disorders. Consequently, we assessed, for the first time, the role of VEGF polymorphisms in the susceptibility and severity of ILD. A total of 436 Caucasian ILD patients (244 with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) and 192 with non-IIP) and 536 ethnically-matched healthy controls were genotyped for VEGF rs833061, rs1570360, rs2010963, rs3025020, and rs3025039 polymorphisms by TaqMan assays. Pulmonary function tests were collected from all the patients. VEGF serum levels were determined by ELISA in a subgroup of patients. No VEGF genotype, allele, carrier, or haplotype differences were found between ILD patients and controls as well as between IIP and non-IIP patients. However, an association of rs1570360 with IIP in women and also with lung function in IIP patients was found. None of the VEGF polymorphisms were associated with VEGF levels. In conclusion, our results suggest that VEGF does not seem to play a relevant role in ILD, although rs1570360 may influence the severity of ILD in women and a worse outcome in IIP patients.This research was partially supported by a grant from Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR 474-2017). S.R.-M. was supported by funds of the RETICS Program (RD16/0012/0009) from the “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” (ISCIII), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. V.P.-C. was supported by a pre-doctoral grant from IDIVAL (PREVAL 18/01). B.A.-M. was recipient of a “López Albo” post-residency program funded by Servicio Cántabro de Salud. L.L.-G. was supported by funds from IDIVAL (INNVAL 20/06). O.G. was beneficiary of a grant funded by Xunta de Galicia, Consellería de Educación, Universidade e Formación Profesional and Consellería de Economía, Emprego e Industria (GAIN), GPC IN607B2019/10. R.L.-M. was a recipient of a Miguel Servet type I program fellowship from the ISCIII, co-funded by the ESF, “Investing in your future” (grant CP16/00033)

Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is a strong risk factor for chronic kidney disease in later life

Although unusual in western countries and in Australia in general, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) is still common in Australian Aboriginal children living in remote communities. Here, we evaluated whether episodes of acute PSGN increased the risk for chronic kidney disease in later life in 1519 residents of a remote Aboriginal community (85% of those age eligible), with high rates of renal and cardiovascular disease, who participated in a health screen over a 3-year period. Of these, 200 had had at least one episode of PSGN, with 27 having had multiple episodes, usually in childhood. High levels of albuminuria (albumin/creatinine ratio) with increasing age were confirmed. All PSGN episodes were associated with group A streptococcal skin infections, often related to scabies. In both genders, aged 10-39 years at screening, about one in five had such a history. Among them, PSGN (5 years or more earlier) was significantly associated with higher levels of albuminuria than those without. In women, aged 30-39 years, a history of PSGN was associated with a significantly higher frequency of estimated glomerular filtration rates < 60 ml/min. The adjusted odds ratios for an albumin/creatinine ratio over 34 g/mol (overt albuminuria) in males and females with a history of PSGN were 4.6 and 3.1, respectively, compared with those without a history. Thus, PSGN contributes to the very serious burden of chronic kidney disease in this community. Rigorous strategies to prevent scabies and Group A streptococcal infections will reduce this burden

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are increased in lung transplant recipients and regulated by immunosuppressive therapy

Lung transplantation remains as a primary treatment for end-stage lung diseases. Although remarkable improvement has been achieved due to the immunosuppressive protocols, long-term survival for lung transplant recipients (LTR) is still limited. In the last few decades, an increasing interest has grown in the study of dysregulation of immune mechanisms underlying allograft failure. In this regard, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) could play an important role in the promotion of graft tolerance due to their immune regulatory function. Here, we describe for the first time circulating subsets MDSCs from LTR at several time points and we evaluate the relationship of MDSCs with sort-term lung transplant outcomes. Although no effect of MDSCs subsets on short-term clinical events was observed, our results determine that Mo-MDSCs frequencies are increased after acute cellular rejection (ACR), suggesting a possible role for Mo-MDSCs in the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Therefore, whether MDSCs subsets play a role as biomarkers of chronic rejection remains unknown and requires further investigations. Also, the effects of the different immunosuppressive treatments on these subpopulations remain under research and further studies are needed to establish to what extend MDSCs immune modulation could be responsible for allograft acceptance.FUNDING: This work was supported by grants from the FIS-ISCII (PI16/ 01585) to ML-H and NVAL16/22 to DS. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We are grateful to María José Ortı́z González (IDIVAL, Santander, Spain) for her excellent technical support. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: We are grateful to María José Ortı́z González (IDIVAL, Santander, Spain) for her excellent technical support

INCIDENCES OF STIFFNESS ON SQUAT JUMP VARIABLES

The purpose of this study was to relation level the stiffness of the patellar tendon and three portions of the Achilles tendon; inferior, middle, and superior location with performance variables in the squat jump. The sample was composed of 25 belonging to Chilean elite male handball players. It assesses stiffness tendinous patellar and Achilles tendon using to MyotonPro® device. During the squat jump assessment, two force platforms Pasco and ForceDecks® software for analysis. The main results were RFD 0-50 ms (r=0.611), RFDN 0-50 ms (r=0.550), RFD 0-100 ms (r=0.615), and RFDN 0-100 ms (r=0.624) presented a relationship with patellar stiffness, while that Achilles tendon was down relation with peak power in squat jump (r=472). This information can be useful for training judo athletes. From the results, it can be concluded that the stiffness of the patellar tendon and the Achilles tendon determine some mechanical variables of the SJ, mainly in relation to the RFD