AgSn[Bi1−xSbx]Se3: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Electrical Behavior

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and electrical properties of lead-free AgSnm[Bi1−xSbx]Se2+m (m = 1, 2) selenides. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns and Rietveld refinement data revealed that these selenides consisted of phases related to NaCl-type crystal structure. The microstructures and morphologies of the selenides were investigated by backscattered scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The studied AgSnm[Bi1−xSbx]Se2+m systems exhibited typical p-type semiconductor behavior with a carrier concentration of approximately ~+1020 cm−3. The electrical conductivity of AgSnm[Bi1−xSbx]Se2+m decreased from ~3.0 to ~10−3 S·cm−1 at room temperature (RT) with an increase in m from 1 to 2, and the Seebeck coefficient increased almost linearly with increasing temperature. Furthermore, the Seebeck coefficient of AgSn[Bi1−xSbx]Se3 increased from ~+36 to +50 μV·K−1 with increasing Sb content (x) at RT, while its average value determined for AgSn2[Bi1−xSbx]Se4 was approximately ~+4.5 μV·K−1.Depto. de Química InorgánicaFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpu

El vídeo y la tele: desde el despacho a la calle

Junta de Andalucía HUM21

Scutoids are a geometrical solution to three-dimensional packing of epithelia

As animals develop, tissue bending contributes to shape the organs into complex three-dimensional structures. However, the architecture and packing of curved epithelia remains largely unknown. Here we show by means of mathematical modelling that cells in bent epithelia can undergo intercalations along the apico-basal axis. This phenomenon forces cells to have different neighbours in their basal and apical surfaces. As a consequence, epithelial cells adopt a novel shape that we term “scutoid”. The detailed analysis of diverse tissues confirms that generation of apico-basal intercalations between cells is a common feature during morphogenesis. Using biophysical arguments, we propose that scutoids make possible the minimization of the tissue energy and stabilize three-dimensional packing. Hence, we conclude that scutoids are one of nature's solutions to achieve epithelial bending. Our findings pave the way to understand the three-dimensional organization of epithelial organs.España Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología BFU2013-48988-C2-1-P and BFU2016-8079

"Geolocalización" de documentos en las bibliotecas UPC

Las bibliotecas UPC, están incorporando de forma progresiva, el acceso a la ubicación del documento dentro de los espacios de las bibliotecas. Desde la interfície del OPAC, los usuarios a partir del topográfico del documento visualizan en que zona de la biblioteca se halla el documento y en algunos casos visualizar la imagen de la ubicación. Esta funcionalidad surge a partir de un concurso de ideas de mejora de la Biblioteca Rector Gabriel Ferraté, cuyo premio era una subvención para desarrollar el proyecto. Se trata de una aplicación desarrollada en PHP, MySQL y basada en expresiones regulares de PHP dada la complejidad de los topográficos de las diferentes bibliotecas. En la pasarela web del OPAC, se ha agregado una función de javascript que valida si la biblioteca ya tiene disponibles sus mapas y en caso afirmativo valida el topográfico del documento contra la base de datos que contiene las equivalencias de estos con su ubicación física. En caso de que los datos sean coincidentes, la función añade un enlace en donde se visualiza en mapa de la biblioteca, la ubicación del documento y según el caso la imagen. Antes de poner en funcionamiento la aplicación para cada biblioteca, estas deben realizar todo un conjunto de tareas previas.Para el filtrado y detección de errores, se ha desarrollado también en PHP una aplicación en donde se carga un archivo de texto o Excel y al que se le indica por donde debe "cortar" los topográficos y agruparlos, principalmente a partir del espacio entre CDU y las tres letras, pero también por otros símbolos como paréntesis, dos puntos, etc ... Respecto al orden de prioridades, se usan expresiones regulares de PHP para priorizar e indicar al código de javascript en donde se debe de "detener" y consultar la base de datos. Una vez finalizados estos pasos se activa la biblioteca en la función de javascript de la pasarela para su puesta en funcionamiento. Actualmente esta funcionalidad, está disponible para 4 de las 13 bibliotecas UPC que representan aproximadamente un 15% del fondo bibliográfico UPC. La previsión es que antes del 2011 esté implementado en todas las bibliotecas. Una vez cerrado esta etapa, aprovechando la infraestructura de la aplicación, se pondrá en funcionamiento una variante de la aplicación en donde se muestren la diferentes áreas de conocimiento y su ubicación en el mapa de la biblioteca Finalmente, de modo casual este desarrollo ha permitido resolver errores en los topográficos que de otro modo era complejo de detectar.Serrano-Muñoz, J.; Rico Millán, O.; Prieto Jiménez, AJ.; Pérez Gálvez, A.; Clavero Campos, J.; Payan Muñoz, I. (2010). "Geolocalización" de documentos en las bibliotecas UPC. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/867

J Clin Virol

BackgroundFormalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples can be DNA-extracted and used for human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping. The xylene-based gold standard for extracting FFPE samples is laborious, suboptimal and involves health hazards for the personnel involved.ObjectivesTo compare extraction with the standard xylene method to a xylene-free method used in an HPV LabNet Global Reference Laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); based on a commercial method with an extra heating step.Study designFifty FFPE samples were randomly selected from a national audit of all cervical cancer cases diagnosed in Sweden during 10 years. For each case-block, a blank-block was sectioned, as a control for contamination. For xylene extraction, the standard WHO Laboratory Manual protocol was used. For the CDC method, the manufacturers\ue2\u20ac\u2122 protocol was followed except for an extra heating step, 120\uc2\ub0C for 20 minutes. Samples were extracted and tested in parallel with \uce\ub2-globin real-time PCR, HPV16 real-time PCR and HPV typing using modified general primers (MGP)-PCR and Luminex assays.ResultsFor a valid result the blank-block had to be betaglobin-negative in all tests and the case-block positive for beta-globin. Overall, detection was improved with the heating method and the amount of HPV-positive samples increased from 70% to 86% (p=0.039). For all samples where HPV type concordance could be evaluated, there was 100% type concordance.ConclusionsA xylene-free and robust extraction method for HPV-DNA typing in FFPE material is currently in great demand. Our proposed standardized protocol appears to be generally useful.CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States2017-07-01T00:00:00Z27148635PMC507596

Evaluación de trampas para Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) en la costa de Oaxaca, México

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the modified CSAT and PET traps in the capture of coconut palm black weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Río Grande, Tututepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Design/methodology/approximation:  To capture R. palmarum in an Enano Malayo Amarillo cv. Acapulco coconut grove, during 2016-2018, were installed modified CSAT and PET traps, both whit Rincoforol as pheromone and Tabasco banana as food bait. With the capture log every seven days, the monthly was built. A paired plot treatment design with six repetitions was used and the results were compared with the Student t test for paired samples. Results: In the three years of the study, the monthly average of captured specimens was 3.1 in the modified CSAT trap and 1.5 in the PET (p<0.01); during the rainy season (June to October) the catch increased. As the time elapsed the attraction of Rincoforol decreased, becoming nullified after 120 days. Limitations on study/Implications: No limitations/implications were found in this study. Findings/Conclusions:  The modified CSAT trap was more efficient in capturing coconut palm black weevil. The PET trap is a safe and cheaper option to reduce populations of the pest.Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de las trampas CSAT modificada y PET en la captura del picudo negro del cocotero Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleóptera: Curculionidae) en Río Grande, Tututepec, Oaxaca, México.Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Para capturar R. palmarum en una huerta de cocotero Enano Malayo Amarillo cv. Acapulco, durante 2016-2018 se instalaron trampas CSAT modificada y PET, ambas con Rincoforol como feromona y plátano Tabasco como cebo alimenticio. Con el registro de captura de cada siete días, se obtuvo el total mensual. Se utilizó un diseño de tratamientos de parcelas apareadas con seisrepeticiones y los resultados se compararon con la prueba de t de Student para muestras pareadas. Resultados: En los tres años del estudio, el promedio mensual de ejemplares capturados fue de 3.1 en la trampa CSAT modificada y de 1.5 en la PET (p<0.01); durante la época de lluvias (junio a octubre)se incrementó la captura. A medida que transcurrió el tiempo disminuyó el poder de atracción del Rincoforol, nulificándose después de 120 días. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: No se tuvo ninguna en este estudio. Hallazgos/conclusiones: La trampa CSAT modificada fue más eficiente para capturar picudos negros del cocotero. La trampa PET es una opción inocua y más económica para disminuir las poblaciones de laplaga

Ghrelin-O-Acyltransferase (GOAT) Enzyme as a Novel Potential Biomarker in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Objectives: The association between the presence and alterations of the components of the ghrelin system and the development and progression of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is still controversial and remains unclear. Methods: Here, we systematically evaluated the expression levels (by quantitative-PCR) of key ghrelin system components of in gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NETs, as compared to non-tumor adjacent (NTA; n = 42) and normal tissues (NT; n = 14). Then, we analyzed their putative associations with clinical-histological characteristics. Results: The results indicate that ghrelin and its receptor GHSR1a are present in a high proportion of normal tissues, while the enzyme ghrelin-O-acyltransferase (GOAT) and the splicing variants In1-ghrelin and GHSR1b were present in a lower proportion of normal tissues. In contrast, all ghrelin system components were present in a high proportion of tumor and NTA tissues. GOAT was significantly overexpressed (by quantitative-PCR (qPCR)) in tumor samples compared to NTA, while a trend was found for ghrelin, In1-ghrelin and GHSR1a. In addition, expression of these components displayed significant correlations with key clinical parameters. The marked overexpression of GOAT in tumor samples compared to NTA regions was confirmed by IHC, revealing that this enzyme is particularly overexpressed in gastrointestinal NETs, where it is directly correlated with tumor diameter. Conclusions: These results provide novel information on the presence and potential pathophysiological implications of the ghrelin system components in GEP-NETs, wherein GOAT might represent a novel diagnostic biomarker

A delphi study to detect deficiencies and propose actions in real life treatment of neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose. Spanish retina specialists were surveyed in order to propose actions to decrease deficiencies in real-life neovascular age macular degeneration treatment (nv-AMD). Methods. One hundred experts, members of the Spanish Vitreoretinal Society (SERV), were invited to complete an online survey of 52 statements about nv-AMD management with a modified Delphi methodology. Four rounds were performed using a 5-point Linkert scale. Recommendations were developed after analyzing the differences between the results and the SERV guidelines recommendations. Results. Eighty-seven specialists completed all the Delphi rounds. Once major potential deficiencies in real-life nv-AMD treatment were identified, 15 recommendations were developed with a high level of agreement. Consensus statements to reduce the burden of the disease included the use of treat and extend regimen and to reduce the amount of diagnostic tests during the loading phase and training technical staff to perform these tests and reduce the time between relapse detection and reinjection, as well as establishing patient referral protocols to outside general ophthalmology clinics. Conclusion. The level of agreement with the final recommendations for nv-AMD treatment among Spanish retinal specialist was high indicating that some actions could be applied in order to reduce the deficiencies in real-life nv-AMD treatment

Type 2 Diabetes-Related Variants Influence the Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer:A Population-Based Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis

In this study, we have evaluated whether 57 genome-wide association studies (GWAS)-identified common variants for type 2 diabetes (T2D) influence the risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa) in a population of 304 Caucasian PCa patients and 686 controls. The association of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of PCa was validated through meta-analysis of our data with those from the UKBiobank and FinnGen cohorts, but also previously published genetic studies. We also evaluated whether T2D SNPs associated with PCa risk could influence host immune responses by analysing their correlation with absolute numbers of 91 blood-derived cell populations and circulating levels of 103 immunological proteins and 7 steroid hormones. We also investigated the correlation of the most interesting SNPs with cytokine levels after in vitro stimulation of whole blood, peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and monocyte-derived macrophages with LPS, PHA, Pam3Cys, and Staphylococcus Aureus. The meta-analysis of our data with those from six large cohorts confirmed that each copy of the FTOrs9939609A, HNF1Brs7501939T, HNF1Brs757210T, HNF1Brs4430796G, and JAZF1rs10486567A alleles significantly decreased risk of developing PCa (p = 3.70 × 10−5, p = 9.39 × 10−54, p = 5.04 × 10−54, p = 1.19 × 10−71, and p = 1.66 × 10−18, respectively). Although it was not statistically significant after correction for multiple testing, we also found that the NOTCH2rs10923931T and RBMS1rs7593730 SNPs associated with the risk of developing PCa (p = 8.49 × 10−4 and 0.004). Interestingly, we found that the protective effect attributed to the HFN1B locus could be mediated by the SULT1A1 protein (p = 0.00030), an arylsulfotransferase that catalyzes the sulfate conjugation of many hormones, neurotransmitters, drugs, and xenobiotic com-pounds. In addition to these results, eQTL analysis revealed that the HNF1Brs7501939, HNF1Brs757210, HNF1Brs4430796, NOTCH2rs10923931, and RBMS1rs7593730 SNPs influence the risk of PCa through the modulation of mRNA levels of their respective genes in whole blood and/or liver. These results confirm that functional TD2-related variants influence the risk of developing PCa, but also highlight the need of additional experiments to validate our functional results in a tumoral tissue context

Seasonal diet composition of Pyrenean chamois is mainly shaped by primary production waves

In alpine habitats, the seasonally marked climatic conditions generate seasonal and spatial differences in forage availability for herbivores. Vegetation availability and quality during the growing season are known to drive life history traits of mountain ungulates. However, little effort has been made to understand the association between plant phenology and changes in the foraging strategies of these mountain dwellers. Furthermore, this link can be affected by the seasonal presence of livestock in the same meadows. The objective of this work was to study the seasonal changes in diet composition of Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra p. pyrenaica) and its relationship to primary production trends in a Mediterranean alpine environment. Moreover, diet composition in two populations with contrasting livestock pressure was compared in order to study the effect of sheep flocks on the feeding behaviour of chamois. From 2009 to 2012, monthly diet composition was estimated by cuticle microhistological analysis of chamois faeces collected in the eastern Pyrenees. The primary production cycle was assessed by remote sensing, using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Additionally, the diet of sheep sharing seasonally the subalpine and alpine meadows with chamois was analysed. Diet selection of chamois and sheep and their overlap was also assessed. Our results show an intra-annual variation in the diet composition of Pyrenean chamois and demonstrate a strong relationship between plant consumption dynamics and phenology in alpine areas. In addition, Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus spp. and Festuca spp., as well as forbs in the summer, are found to be key forage species for Pyrenean chamois. Furthermore, this study couldn't detect differences between both chamois populations despite the presence of sheep flocks in only one area. However, the detection of a shift in the diet of chamois in both areas after the arrival of high densities of multi-specific livestock suggest a general livestock effect. In conclusion, Pyrenean chamois are well adapted to the variations in the seasonal availability of plants in alpine habitats but could be disturbed by the seasonal presence of livestock. Due to the key plants in their diet, we suggest that population management programmes should focus on the preservation of mixed grasslands composed of patches of shrubs and herbs. The effects of climate change and shrub expansion should be studied as they may potentially affect chamois population dynamics through changes in habitat composition and temporal shifts in forage availability