Structure of fungal communities in sequencing batch reactors operated at different salinities for the selection of triacylglyceride-producers from a fish-canning lipid-rich waste stream

Oleaginous fungi natively accumulate large amounts of triacylglycerides (TAG), widely used as precursors for sustainable biodiesel production. However, little attention has been paid to the diversity and roles of fungal mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) in sequencing batch reactors (SBR). In this study, a lipid-rich stream produced in the fish-canning industry was used as a substrate in two laboratory-scale SBRs operated under the feast/famine (F/F) regime to enrich microorganisms with high TAG-storage ability, under two different concentrations of NaCl (SBR-N: 0.5 g/L; SBR-S: 10 g/L). The size of the fungal community in the enriched activated sludge (EAS) was analyzed using 18S rRNA-based qPCR, and the fungal community structure was determined by Illumina sequencing. The different selective pressures (feeding strategy and control of pH) implemented in the enrichment SBRs throughout operation increased the abundance of total fungi. In general, there was an enrichment of genera previously identified as TAG-accumulating fungi (Apiotrichum, Candida, Cutaneotrichosporon, Geotrichum, Haglerozyma, Metarhizium, Mortierella, Saccharomycopsis, and Yarrowia) in both SBRs. However, the observed increase of their relative abundances throughout operation was not significantly linked to a higher TAG accumulation.Spanish Government CTQ2017 - 83225-C2 - 1- R CTQ2017 - 83225-C2 - 2-R PID-2020 - 112550RB-C2

Dynamics of PHA-Accumulating Bacterial Communities Fed with Lipid-Rich Liquid Effluents from Fish-Canning Industries

This research was supported by the Spanish Government (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) through the TREASURE-MICROSALT (CTQ2017-83225-C2-2-R) and ECOPOLYVER-MACROPOLYVER (PID2020-112550RC22) projects.The biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from industrial wastes by mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) enriched in PHA-accumulating bacteria is a promising technology to replace petroleum-based plastics. However, the populations’ dynamics in the PHA-accumulating MMCs are not well known. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to address the shifts in the size and structure of the bacterial communities in two lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) fed with fish-canning effluents and operated under non-saline (SBR-N, 0.5 g NaCl/L) or saline (SBR-S, 10 g NaCl/L) conditions, by using a combination of quantitative PCR and Illumina sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. A double growth limitation (DGL) strategy, in which nitrogen availability was limited and uncoupled to carbon addition, strongly modulated the relative abundances of the PHA-accumulating bacteria, leading to an increase in the accumulation of PHAs, independently of the saline conditions (average 9.04 wt% and 11.69 wt%, maximum yields 22.03 wt% and 26.33% SBR-N and SBR-S, respectively). On the other hand, no correlations were found among the PHAs accumulation yields and the absolute abundances of total Bacteria, which decreased through time in the SBR-N and did not present statistical differences in the SBR-S. Acinetobacter, Calothrix, Dyella, Flavobacterium, Novosphingobium, Qipengyuania, and Tsukamurella were key PHA-accumulating genera in both SBRs under the DGL strategy, which was revealed as a successful tool to obtain a PHA-enriched MMC using fish-canning effluents.Spanish Government (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) CTQ2017-83225-C2-2-R PID2020-112550RC2

Revealing the dissimilar structure of microbial communities in different WWTPs that treat fish-canning wastewater with different NaCl content

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. This research was supported by the Spanish Government (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) through TREASURE-TECHNOSALT (CTQ2017-83225-C2-1-R) and TREASURE-MICROSALT (CTQ2017-83225-C2-2-R) projects. The authors Alba Roibas-Rozas and Anuska Mosquera-Corral belong to the Galician Competitive Research Group GRC-ED431C 2017-29 and to the CRETUS Strategic Partnership (ED431E 2018/01) . All these programmes are co-funded by FEDER (UE) . Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA.Studies that characterize the microbial communities in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are numerous, yet similar studies in industrial WWTPs treating fish-canning effluents are limited. The microbial communities in samples of 4 fish-canning WWTPs that operated under different NaCl concentrations were investigated by qPCR and partial 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing. The absolute abundances of key microbial populations (Total Bacteria, Archaea and Fungi, ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB), Mycolata, Candidatus Microthrix, Ca. Accumulibacter and Ca. Competibacter) presented statistical differences among the WWTPs. The NaCl concentration negatively affected the absolute abundance of Bacteria and Fungi, filamentous, and phosphate (PAO) and glycogen (GAO) accumulating bacteria, while AOB and Ca. Microthrix populations were statistically higher in the WWTP with higher NaCl contents. On the other hand, the main bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were classified as members of Kouleothrix (Chloroflexia, Chloroflexi) and Tetrasphaera (Actinomycetia, Actinobacteria), family Beijerinckiaceae (Alphaproteobacteria, Proteobacteria), order Betaproteobacteriales (Gammaproteobacteria, Proteobacteria), Sphingobacteriales (Sphingobacteriia, Bacteroidetes) and Frankiales (Actinobacteria, Actinobacteria), class Anaerolineae (Chloroflexi), phylum Chloroflexi and Bacteria_unclassified. The structure of the bacterial community was highly dissimilar among the 4 WWTPs, as the identities of the dominant OTUs differed significantly among them. Therefore, the individual characteristics of the different WWTPs, mainly NaCl concentration, were responsible for the narrow assemblage of the bacterial communities. Different OTUs belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes and Proteobacteria were revealed as salttolerant. Taking into account these results, NaCl content was an important driver of the abundance of microbial populations and the bacterial community structure in the analysed industrial facilities.Spanish Government (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) CTQ2017-83225-C2-1-R CTQ2017-83225-C2-2-REuropean CommissionGalician Competitive Research Group GRC-ED431C 2017-29CRETUS Strategic Partnership ED431E 2018/0

Exercise training modulates the gut microbiota profile and impairs inflammatory signaling pathways in obese children

[EN] Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels and is a serious health concern associated with metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and gut microbiota alterations. Physical exercise is known to counteract obesity progression and modulate the gut microbiota composition. This study aims to determine the effect of a 12-week strength and endurance combined training program on gut microbiota and inflammation in obese pediatric patients. Thirty-nine obese children were assigned randomly to the control or training group. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, muscular strength, and inflammatory signaling pathways in mononuclear cells were evaluated. Bacterial composition and functionality were determined by massive sequencing and metabolomic analysis. Exercise reduced plasma glucose levels and increased dynamic strength in the upper and lower extremities compared with the obese control group. Metagenomic analysis revealed a bacterial composition associated with obesity, showing changes at the phylum, class, and genus levels. Exercise counteracted this profile, significantly reducing the Proteobacteria phylum and Gammaproteobacteria class. Moreover, physical activity tended to increase some genera, such as Blautia, Dialister, and Roseburia, leading to a microbiota profile similar to that of healthy children. Metabolomic analysis revealed changes in short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids, and several sugars in response to exercise, in correlation with a specific microbiota profile. Finally, the training protocol significantly inhibited the activation of the obesity-associated NLRP3 signaling pathway. Our data suggest the existence of an obesity-related deleterious microbiota profile that is positively modified by physical activity intervention. Exercise training could be considered an efficient nonpharmacological therapy, reducing inflammatory signaling pathways induced by obesity in children via microbiota modulation.This work was supported by grants from Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (BFU2017–87960-R), Junta de Castilla y León and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (LE063U16 and GRS1888/A/18). CIBERehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain. B.E and M.J.F were supported by a fellowship from Ministerio de Educación (FPU15/05051 and FPU18/06257). E.N. was supported by Fundación de Investigación Sanitaria of León. D.P. was supported by a fellowship from Junta de Castilla y León, cofinanced by the European Social Fund

Beneficial effects of exercise on gut microbiota functionality and barrier integrity, and gut-liver axis crosstalk in an "in vivo" model of early obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

[EN]Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels, representing one of the most serious public health concerns associated with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There is limited clinical experience concerning pediatric NAFLD patients, and thus the therapeutic options are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of exercise on gut microbiota composition and functionality balance, and consequent effects on early obesity and NAFLD onset in an in vivo model. Juvenile (21-day-old) male Wistar rats fed a control diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) were subjected to a combined aerobic and resistance training protocol. Fecal microbiota was sequenced by an Illumina MiSeq system, and parameters related to metabolic syndrome, fecal metabolome, intestinal barrier integrity, bile acid metabolism and transport, and alteration of the gut-liver axis were measured. Exercise decreased HFD-induced body weight gain, metabolic syndrome and hepatic steatosis, as a result of its lipid metabolism modulatory capacity. Gut microbiota composition and functionality were substantially modified as a consequence of diet, age and exercise intervention. In addition, the training protocol increased Parabacteroides, Bacteroides and Flavobacterium genera, correlating with a beneficial metabolomic profile, whereas Blautia, Dysgonomonas and Porphyromonas showed an opposite pattern. Exercise effectively counteracted HFD-induced microbial imbalance, leading to intestinal barrier preservation, which, in turn, prevented deregulation of the gut-liver axis and improved bile acid homeostasis, determining the clinical outcomes of NAFLD. In conclusion, we provide scientific evidence highlighting the benefits of gut microbiota composition and functionality modulation by physical exercise protocols in the management of early obesity and NAFLD development.SIThis work was supported by grants from Ministerio de Economıa y Competitividad ́ (BFU2017-87960-R), Junta de Castilla y León and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (LE063U16 and GRS1888/A/18). D.P. and S.C.-P. were supported by a fellowship from Junta de Castilla y León, co-financed by the European Social Fund. E.N. was supported by Fundación de Investigación Sanitaria of León. M.V.G.-M. was supported by contracts from the CIBERehd, which is funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Assessment of Sensory Processing and Executive Functions at the School: Development, Reliability, and Validity of EPYFEI-Escolar

The authors thank the parents and teachers for their participation in this study. Especially to the teachers of the CEIP Ntra. Sra. Del Prado de Talavera de la Reina, Toledo (Spain) and CEIP Parque de las Infantas, Granada (Spain).The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Assessment of Sensory Processing and Executive Functions at the School (EPYFEI-Escolar), a questionnaire designed to assess the sensory processing and executive functions as underlying processes for school participation. The total sample consisted of 536 children aged between 3 and 11 years old who lived in Spain. A total of 103 teachers completed the questionnaire. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted, which showed five main factors: (1) initiation, organization, execution, and supervision of the action; (2) inhibitory control; (3) sensory processing; (4) emotional self-regulation and play; and (5) self-competence. Some of these factors were similar to those found in the EPYFEI for parents in the home context. The reliability of the analysis was high, both for the whole questionnaire and for the factors it is composed of. The results provide evidence of the potential usefulness of the EPYFEI-Escolar in school contexts for determining academic needs and difficulties of children; moreover, this tool can also be used to plan intervention programs in the school environment according to the needs of each child and school.This study was supported by University of Málaga

Isokinetic leg strength and power in elite handball players

Isokinetic strength evaluation of the knee flexion and extension in concentric mode of contraction is an important part of the comprehensive evaluation of athletes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the isokinetic knee peak torque in both the extension and flexion movement in the dominant and non-dominant leg, and the relationship with jumping performance. Twelve elite male handball players from the top Spanish handball division voluntary participated in the study (age 27.68 ± 4.12 years; body mass 92.89 ± 12.34 kg; body height 1.90 ± 0.05 m). The knee extensor and flexor muscle peak torque of each leg were concentrically measured at 60º/s and 180º/s with an isokinetic dynamometer. The Squat Jump and Countermovement Jump were performed on a force platform to determine power and vertical jump height. Non-significant differences were observed between legs in the isokinetic knee extension (dominant= 2.91 ± 0.53 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 2.70 ± 0.47 Nm/kg at 60º/s; dominant = 1.90 ± 0.31 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.83 ± 0.29 Nm/kg at 180º/s) and flexion peak torques (dominant = 1.76 ± 0.29 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.72 ± 0.39 Nm/kg at 60º/s; dominant = 1.30 ± 0.23 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.27 ± 0.35 Nm/kg at 180º/s). Low and non-significant correlation coefficients were found between the isokinetic peak torques and vertical jumping performance (SJ = 31.21 ± 4.32 cm; CMJ = 35.89 ± 4.20 cm). Similar isokinetic strength was observed between the legs; therefore, no relationship was found between the isokinetic knee flexion and extension peak torques as well as vertical jumping performance in elite handball players.Actividad Física y Deport

Relación entre la fuerza máxima en squat y acciones de salto, sprint y golpeo de balón. (Relationship among maximal strength in squat exercise, jump, sprint and kicking ball performance.)

ResumenEl objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las posibles relaciones entre la fuerza máxima en squat y accionesexplosivas de salto, sprint y golpeo de balón. Para ello, se contó con una muestra formada por estudiantes de Ciencias del Deporte (N= 16; 19,6 ± 1,7 años) de sexo masculino (con escasa experiencia en el entrenamiento de fuerza), que llevaron a cabo un test de 1RM en squat (calculándose el peso levantado, la fuerza media total y la fuerza dinámica máxima), tests de salto vertical (SJ, CMJ y CMJa), un test de sprint de 20 m (con mediciones de tiempo cada 5 m), y un test de golpeo con el pie donde se calculaba la velocidad del balón. Se encontraron coeficientes de correlación moderados (entre 0,52 y 0,67) y significativos de las medidas de fuerza máxima y las alturas de salto, mientras que los coeficientes obtenidos entre los tiempos de sprint y dichas medidas de fuerza máxima se situaron entre -0,06 y -0,32, no siendo ninguno de ellos significativo; al igual que tampoco fueron significativos los coeficientes de correlación de las medidas de fuerza máxima y la velocidad de tiro, se situaron entre 0,25 y 0,34. Por tanto, la relación entre la fuerza máxima en squat y la altura de salto en sujetos con escasa experiencia en el entrenamiento de fuerza resultó moderada, mientras que no parece existir relación con el tiempo de sprint y la velocidad de tiro.AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to analyze the possible relationships between maximal strength insquat exercise and jump, sprint and kicking ball actions. Sixteen males sport science students (19,6 ± 1,7years), with little experience in strength training, performed a 1RM in squat exercise (from which liftedweight, the total average- and maximal-dynamic strength was assessed), vertical jump (SJ, CMJ and CMJa), a 20 m sprint test (with time measurement every 5 m), and a kicking ball test where the velocity of the ball was calculated. Moderate (0,52 - 0,67) and significant correlations were observed between maximal strength measures and jump ability. However, the correlations obtained between maximal strength and the sprint times ranged between -0,06 and -0,32, not being statistically significant. Correlations of 0,25 to 0,34 (n. s.) were observed between maximal strength and ball velocity. In conclusion, the relationship between maximalstrength in squat exercise and jump ability in subject with little experience in strength training was moderate, whereas no relationships were observed between maximal strength and the sprint time or ball speed. Therefore, other aspects, such as kicking and/or running technique, should be considered as possibleperformance predictors in this population.</p