Estructura de Capital de las empresas del Sector Energía y Petróleo del IBEX35, en un periodo de recesión económica (2008-2014)

El presente trabajo fin de grado se sitúa en el ámbito de la estructura de capital y plantea como objetivo realizar un análisis descriptivo de las diferentes formas de financiación de las empresas del Sector Energía y Petróleo del IBEX35, utilizando la información financiera publicada anualmente. El estudio se basa en un examen de la evolución de las fuentes de financiación que las empresas han utilizado en los últimos años. Para conseguir dicho objetivo, se realizará un análisis longitudinal, donde se compararán las decisiones de financiación tomadas por cada empresa entre el año 2008 y el 2014. Este periodo toma especial relevancia al estar caracterizado por un contexto de crisis financiera internacional que afecta a todos los sectores de la economía y que, en el caso español, ha tenido como resultado un incremento en la dificultad para el acceso al crédito financiero, entorpecido con ello las posibilidades de inversión.Grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresa

Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Swine Feeding from Spain

A survey including 228 pig feed samples from Spain has been developed, exploring the occurrence of 19 mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, ochratoxin A, fumonisins B1 and B2, citrinin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fusarenon X, sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, enniatins A, A1, B and B2, and beauvericin). The samples were analysed by solid-liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence or mass spectrometry detection. Enniatin B was found in 100% of the samples (up to 1200 ug/kg) and beauvericin in more than 90%. Moreover, 40% of samples were contaminated with more than five mycotoxins. This high occurrence is insurmountable and surpasses all previous studies, probably due to the inclusion of emerging mycotoxins, scarcely explored. The majority of the samples (96.9%) were in accordance with EU regulations, which do not address emerging mycotoxins or co-occurrence. These results show that in order to ensure mycotoxin absence, emerging mycotoxins should always be considered.This research was funded by SPANISH MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND COMPETITIVENESS and EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (MINECO/FEDER, UE), grant number AGL2015-70708-R

Clarithromycin Effect in Microbial Communities

Financiaciado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGA laboratory experiment was carried out to investigate the response of the microbial communities in acid agricultural soils located in the NW Iberian Peninsula to the presence of clarithromycin. Four soils, with different organic C content and similar pH, and seven different concentrations of clarithromycin (0.49, 1.95, 7.81, 31.25, 125, 500 and 2,000 mg kg−1 of soil) were used, and microbial estimates were made after 8 and 42 incubation days. The phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) technique was used to estimate the total microbial biomass and biomass of specific microbial groups as well as the microbial community structure (PLFA pattern). The microbial biomass (total and specific groups) was different in the four studied soils, the lowest values being exhibited by soils with the lowest organic C. The antibiotic addition showed a positive effect on microbial biomass (total and specific groups), especially at the highest dose; the effect being similar or even more accentuated with time passed after the addition (42 days ≥8 days). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the PLFA data carried out with the whole data set showed that the main determining factors of the microbial structure followed the order: soil > time incubation ≥ antibiotic dose. When the PCA was performed individually for each incubation time, the results indicated that microbial communities of the four soils were different. Likewise, for each soil, different microbial communities were observed depending on antibiotic concentration. The microbial biomass and PLFA pattern data were coincidentally showing that the clarithromycin addition favored fungi and G− bacteria more that bacteria and G+ bacteria; the effect being dose-dependent. Our data (microbial biomass, PLFA pattern) also demonstrated that the effect of clarithromycin addition on microbial communities in these four acid agricultural soils persisted even after 42 incubation days.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B-2022-081Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. RTI2018-099574-B-C21Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. RTI2018-099574-B-C22Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. FPU21/0420

Overexpression of ZePrx in Nicotiana Tabacum Affects Lignin Biosynthesis Without Altering Redox Homeostasis

[Abstract] Class III plant peroxidases (Prxs) are involved in the oxidative polymerization of lignins. Zinnia elegans Jacq. Basic peroxidase (ZePrx) has been previously characterized as capable of catalyzing this reaction in vitro and the role in lignin biosynthesis of several of its Arabidopsis thaliana homologous has been previously confirmed. In the present work, ZePrx was overexpressed in Nicotiana tabacum to further characterize its function in planta with particular attention to its involvement in lignin biosynthesis. Since Prxs are known to alter ROS levels by using them as electron acceptor or producing them in their catalytic activity, the impact of this overexpression in redox homeostasis was studied by analyzing the metabolites and enzymes of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. In relation to the modification induced by ZePrx overexpression in lignin composition and cellular metabolism, the carbohydrate composition of the cell wall as well as overall gene expression through RNA-Seq were analyzed. The obtained results indicate that the overexpression of ZePrx caused an increase in syringyl lignin in cell wall stems, suggesting that ZePrx is relevant for the oxidation of sinapyl alcohol during lignin biosynthesis, coherently with its S-peroxidase nature. The increase in the glucose content of the cell wall and the reduction of the expression of several genes involved in secondary cell wall biosynthesis suggests the occurrence of a possible compensatory response to maintain cell wall properties. The perturbation of cellular redox homeostasis occurring as a consequence of ZePrx overexpression was kept under control by an increase in APX activity and a reduction in ascorbate redox state. In conclusion, our results confirm the role of ZePrx in lignin biosynthesis and highlight that its activity alters cellular pathways putatively aimed at maintaining redox homeostasis.Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2018/57AG-U held an FPU grant from MECD (Spain) (FPU13/04835). This research was possible thanks to the funding of Xunta de Galicia (Spain) (ED431C 2018/57

Study protocol of a randomised clinical trial testing whether metacognitive training can improve insight and clinical outcomes in schizophrenia

Background: Although insight in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) has been associated with positive outcomes, the effect size of previous treatments on insight has been relatively small to date. The metacognitive basis of insight suggests that metacognitive training (MCT) may improve insight and clinical outcomes in SSD, although this remains to be established. Methods: This single-center, assessor-blind, parallel-group, randomised clinical trial (RCT) aims to investigate the efficacy of MCT for improving insight (primary outcome), including clinical and cognitive insight, which will be measured by the Schedule for Assessment of Insight (Expanded version) (SAI-E) and the Beck Cognitive Scale (BCIS), respectively, in (at least) n = 126 outpatients with SSD at three points in time: i) at baseline (T0); ii) after treatment (T1) and iii) at 1-year follow-up (T2). SSD patients receiving MCT and controls attending a non-intervention support group will be compared on insight level changes and several clinical and cognitive secondary outcomes at T1 and T2, whilst adjusting for baseline data. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) will be piloted to assess functioning in a subsample of participants. Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first RCT testing the effect of group MCT on multiple insight dimensions (as primary outcome) in a sample of unselected patients with SSD, including several secondary outcomes of clinical relevance, namely symptom severity, functioning, which will also be evaluated with EMA, hospitalizations and suicidal behaviour.This study was supported by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and European Union via the Intertalentum Project Grant-Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (GA 713366) to JDLM who is the Princiapl Investigator. This grant therefore funds both JDLM’s salary and the consumable expenses related to the study. JDLM, VGRR, ASEM, MLBE, LMI, LML, SSA, AAR and EBG’s salaries come from the Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, where this study is currently being carried out, which therefore provides the necessary institutional/departmental support for its development. Additional departmental support concerning the use of Ecological Momentary Assessment (see Methods section, page 11 -last paragraph- and page 12 –first paragraph-, for details) is provided by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Madrid, Spain) (ISCIII PI16/01852) and the Madrid Regional Government (Madrid, Spain) (B2017/BMD-3740 AGES-CM 2CM; Y2018/TCS-4705 PRACTICO-CM). ASD acknowledges funding supports from University College London, which covers his salar

Detection and Quantification of HspX Antigen in Sputum Samples Using Plasmonic Biosensing : Toward a Real Point-of-Care (POC) for Tuberculosis Diagnosis

Advancements that occurred during the last years in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis infection, have prompted increased survival rates of patients. However, limitations related to the inefficiency of an early detection still remain; some techniques and laboratory methods do not have enough specificity and most instruments are expensive and require handling by trained staff. In order to contribute to a prompt and effective diagnosis of tuberculosis, we report the development of a portable, user-friendly, and low-cost biosensor device for its early detection. By using a label-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, we have established a direct immunoassay for the direct detection and quantification of the heat shock protein X (HspX) of Mtb, a well-established biomarker of this pathogen, directly in pretreated sputum samples. The method relies on highly specific monoclonal antibodies that are previously immobilized on the plasmonic sensor surface. This technology allows for the direct detection of the biomarker without amplification steps, showing a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.63 ng mL-1 and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2.12 ng mL-1. The direct analysis in pretreated sputum shows significant differences in the HspX concentration in patients with tuberculosis (with concentration levels in the order of 116-175 ng mL-1) compared with non-tuberculosis infected patients (values below the LOQ of the assay)

A label-free nanostructured plasmonic biosensor based on Blu-ray discs with integrated microfluidics for sensitive biodetection

Altres ajuts: CONACYT, Grant/Award Number: 225362Nanostructure-based plasmonic biosensors have quickly positioned themselves as interesting candidates for the design of portable optical biosensor platforms considering the potential benefits they can offer in integration, miniaturization, multiplexing, and real-time label-free detection. We have developed a simple integrated nanoplasmonic sensor taking advantage of the periodic nanostructured array of commercial Blu-ray discs. Sensors with two gold film thicknesses (50 and 100 nm) were fabricated and optically characterized by varying the oblique-angle of the incident light in optical reflectance measurements. Contrary to the use normal light incidence previously reported with other optical discs, we observed an enhancement in sensitivity and a narrowing of the resonant linewidths as the light incidence angle was increased, which could be related to the generation of Fano resonant modes. The new sensors achieve a figure of merit (FOM) up to 35 RIU and a competitive bulk limit of detection (LOD) of 6.3×10 RIU. These values significantly improve previously reported results obtained with normal light incidence reflectance measurements using similar structures. The sensor has been combined with versatile, simple, ease to-fabricate microfluidics. The integrated chip is only 1 cm (including a PDMS flow cell with a 50 µm height microfluidic channel fabricated with double-sided adhesive tape) and all the optical components are mounted on a 10 cm×10 cm portable prototype, illustrating its facile miniaturization, integration and potential portability. Finally, to assess the label-free biosensing capability of the new sensor, we have evaluated the presence of specific antibodies against the GTF2b protein, a tumor-associate antigen (TAA) related to colorectal cancer. We have achieved a LOD in the pM order and have assessed the feasibility of directly measuring biological samples such as human serum

Anti-Inflammatory (M2) Response Is Induced by a sp(2)-Iminosugar Glycolipid Sulfoxide in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and is directly associated with inflammatory processes. Currently, neuro-inflammation is considered an early event in DR and proceeds via microglia polarization. A hallmark of DR is the presence of retinal reactive gliosis. Here we report the beneficial effect of (S (S),1R)-1-docecylsulfiny-5N,6O-oxomethylidenenojirimycin ((Ss)-DS-ONJ), a member of the sp(2)-iminosugar glycolipid (sp(2)-IGL) family, by decreasing iNOS and inflammasome activation in Bv.2 microglial cells exposed to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Moreover, pretreatment with (Ss)-DS-ONJ increased Heme-oxygenase (HO)-1 as well as interleukin 10 (IL10) expression in LPS-stimulated microglial cells, thereby promoting M2 (anti-inflammatory) response by the induction of Arginase-1. The results strongly suggest that this is the likely molecular mechanism involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of (S (S))-DS-ONJ in microglia. (S (S))-DS-ONJ further reduced gliosis in retinal explants from type 1 diabetic BB rats, which is consistent with the enhanced M2 response. In conclusion, targeting microglia polarization dynamics in M2 status by compounds with anti-inflammatory activities offers promising therapeutic interventions at early stages of DR

Free PCR virus detection via few-layer bismuthene and tetrahedral DNA nanostructured assemblies

In this work we describe a highly sensitive method based on a biocatalyzed electrochemiluminescence approach. The system combines, for the first time, the use of few-layer bismuthene (FLB) as a platform for the oriented immobilization of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) specifically designed and synthetized to detect a specific SARS-CoV-2 gene sequence. In one of its vertices, these TDNs contain a DNA capture probe of the open reading frame 1 ab (ORF1ab) of the virus, available for the biorecognition of the target DNA/RNA. At the other three vertices, there are thiol groups that enable the stable anchoring/binding to the FLB surface. This novel geometry/approach enables not only the binding of the TDNs to surfaces, but also the orientation of the capture probe in a direction normal to the bismuthine surface so that it is readily accessible for binding/recognition of the specific SARS-CoV-2 sequence. The analytical signal is based on the anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity of luminol which, in turn, arises as a result of the reaction with H2O2, generated by the enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidation, catalyzed by the biocatalytic label avidin-glucose oxidase conjugate (Av-GOx), which acts as co-reactant in the electrochemiluminescent reaction. The method exhibits a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.31 aM and a wide linear range from 14.4 aM to 1.00 μM, and its applicability was confirmed by detecting SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples from COVID-19 patients without the need of any amplification processPID2020-116728RB-I00, PID2020-116661RB-I00, PID2020-119352RB-I00, PDC2021-120782-C2, PID2022-138908NB-C31, CTQ2015-71955-REDT, S2018/NMT-434

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Low Bone Mineral Density in the Femoral Neck and Total Hip in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Data from the CASTRO Cohort

Studies on osteoporosis in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have focused on the lumbar segment, and few studies have assessed bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and femoral neck in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of low BMD and osteopenia in the total hip or femoral neck and the factors associated with these conditions in axSpA patients. This was a single-centre, observational, cross-sectional study among consecutive patients with axSpA according to the ASAS criteria from the CASTRO registry. All patients underwent total hip and femoral neck DXA BMD measurements. Low BMD was defined as a Z-score less than −1, and osteopenia was defined as a T-score less than −1. Multivariate logistic and generalised linear regressions were used to evaluate factors independently associated with low BMD and osteopenia in the hip or femoral neck and those associated with variability in BMD, respectively. A total of 117 patients were included, among which 30.8% were female and the mean age was 45 years. A total of 36.0% of patients had low BMD (28.1% in the total hip and 27.4% in the femoral neck), and 56.0% of patients had osteopenia (44.7% in the total hip and 53.8% in the femoral neck). A multivariate logistic regression showed that age, radiographic sacroiliitis and ASAS-HI were independently associated with low BMD in the total hip or femoral neck. Factors that were independently associated with osteopenia were Body Mass Index, disease duration, radiographic sacroiliitis and ASAS-HI. In conclusion, 36% of the patients with axSpA had low BMD in the total hip or femoral neck. A younger age and radiographic sacroiliitis were the most important factors associated with decreased BMD