Historic Landscapes of the Guadiamar River basin (Seville): Mining and metallurgy in the easternmost area of the Iberian Pyritic Belt

En este artículo se presentan los primeros resultados, incidiendo especialmente en los aspectos arqueometalúrgicos, del proyecto de investigación Los Paisajes del Guadiamar. Este proyecto se desarrolla desde el año 2010, f inanciado por la “Fundación Focus-Abengoa”, en el valle medio del río Guadiamar (centro-oeste de la provincia de Sevilla). Aunque aún no se ha con- cluido la obtención de todos los datos arqueológicos y analíticos, una valoración preliminar permite adelantar algunas conclusiones y, sobre todo, contrastar hipótesis y teorías enunciadas en anteriores trabajos de investigación.The f irst results of the research project Los Paisajes del Guadiamar are presented in this paper, paying special attention to archaeometallurgical aspects. This project has been going on since 2010, located in the mid-valley of the River Guadiamar (central-western area of the province of Seville) and backed by the “Fundación Focus-Abengoa”. Although not all the archaeo- logical and analytical data are yet available, a preliminary approach permits to put forward some conclusions and, above all, to validate or to refute hypotheses and theories proposed in previous research works

Coronavirus disease 2019 in chronic kidney disease

The clinical spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and even death. More severe cases with higher mortality have been reported in older patients and in those with chronic illness such as hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. In this regard, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher rate of all-type infections and cardiovascular disease than the general population. A markedly altered immune system and immunosuppressed state may predispose CKD patients to infectious complications. Likewise, they have a state of chronic systemic inflammation that may increase their morbidity and mortality. In this review we discuss the chronic immunologic changes observed in CKD patients, the risk of COVID-19 infections and the clinical implications for and specific COVID-19 therapy in CKD patients. Indeed, the risk for severe COVID-19 is 3-fold higher in CKD than in non-CKD patients; CKD is 12-fold more frequent in intensive care unit than in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and this ratio is higher than for diabetes or cardiovascular disease; and acute COVID-19 mortality is 15-25% for haemodialysis patients even when not developing pneumonia

Podocyte and tubular involvement in AngioJet-induced kidney injury

Altres ajuts: Sociedad Española de Nefrología, Fundacion Renal Iñigo Álvarez de Toledo and Comunidad de Madrid CIFRA2 B2017/BMD-3686.The AngioJet technique combines localized thrombolysis and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT). However, PMT may cause acute kidney injury (AKI), which has been ascribed to severe mechanical haemolysis, although no renal biopsies have been reported. We now report the first renal biopsy in a patient with AKI following PMT. There is histological evidence of haemoglobin (Hb)-induced tubular injury and podocyte stress characterized by intracellular Hb and staining for ferritin and hemo-oxygenase-1, suggestive of an adaptive response to oxidative stress. This confirms that Hb is involved in kidney cell injury and supports the existence of several different kidney cellular targets

México y la autosuficiencia alimentaria (sexenio 2006 -2012)

Today, Mexico challenges a globalization trend where richer countries export basic products to developing countries, generating a food crisis that negatively affect the medium-small producers. For this reason, it is important to study the behavior of the food market (exports and imports), since the current Mexican development model does not achieve that food security be a national policy guaranteeing the provision of food for the entire population. Specifically, this article analyses the performance of the food situation during the six–year period 2006-2012, studying three basic foods for Mexican population (maize, bean, wheat) and others strategic food like sugar, sorghum and soy. In addition, it analyzes the performance of harvesting and sowing surface, exports and imports. Results indicated that the three main foods showed had high import growth rates decreasing national harvest and sowing surface, with a trade balance deficit during the six-year period studied. The conclusion is that the local producers need a change in the production dynamics and play a strategic role in the food production with new sustainable alternatives.México se enfrenta en la actualidad a tendencias globales en que los países ricos exportan productos básicos hacia los países en desarrollo, las cuales han afectado a los medianos y pequeños productores generando una crisis productiva agrícola. Por ese motivo, es importante estudiar el comportamiento del mercado de alimentos (exportaciones e importaciones), pues el modelo de desarrollo mexicano vigente no consigue que la seguridad alimentaria sea una política nacional que garantice la provisión de alimentos para toda la población. Específicamente, este artículo analiza la situación alimentaria durante el sexenio 2006-2012, tomando tres alimentos básicos para los mexicanos: maíz, fríjol, trigo; y otros, estratégicos como el azúcar, sorgo y soya. Estudia su comportamiento desde el punto de vista de superficie sembrada y cosechada, así como exportaciones e importaciones; los resultados indican que los tres alimentos presentan altas tasas de crecimiento en importaciones con afectación a la superficie sembrada y cosechada nacional provocando que la balanza agropecuaria sea deficitaria. La conclusión es que será necesario un cambio en la dinámica productiva donde los productores locales tomen un papel estratégico en la producción de alimentos, con nuevas alternativas productivas sostenibles

Fully automated flow protocol for C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond formation from tertiary amides and alkyl halides

Herein, we present a novel C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond-forming protocol via the reductive coupling of abundant tertiary amides with organozinc reagents prepared in situ from their corresponding alkyl halides. Using a multistep fully automated flow protocol, this reaction could be used for both library synthesis and target molecule synthesis on the gram-scale starting from bench-stable reagents. Additionally, excellent chemoselectivity and functional group tolerance make it ideal for late-stage diversification of druglike molecules

Glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva asociada a endocarditis afebril y anca anti-proteinasa 3

Endocarditis associated with antiPR3 ANCA and acute kidney injure generates a challenge in its diagnosis and treatment. In order to make a review about that combination, we presented a patient with necrotizing glomerulonephritis produced by a Enterococcus faecalis´s subacute endocarditis and antiPR3 ANCA positive.Differential diagnosis is made between an acute kidney failure produced by ANCA´s vasculitis vs necrotizing glomerulonephritis by endocarditis. Frequently it is necessary to make a biopsy to get a diagnosis. Negative immunofluorescence will guide to vasculitis associated ANCA, while positive immune complexes will guide to poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.Other challenge that generates the association of acute kidney disease, endocarditis and antiPR3 ANCA is the treatment. ANCA positive can prompt to start immunosuppressant treatments. However, in the context of endocarditis, it could be inadvisable and even dangerous to use it. For this reason, it is controversial the use of immunosuppressant in combination with antibiotics in the acute process, in contrast with the use of only antibiotics. In the current paper we collect the 19 reports in the literature about endocarditis associated with antiPR3 ANCA, the treatment and the renal evolution of each patient. We concluded, generally, a better improvement of kidney function in patients treated with only antibiotics than those patients treated with the combination of  antibiotics and corticoids. However, there are so few reports that we can´t consider significant the different between both treatment groups.La endocarditis asociada a ANCA anti-PR3 e insuficiencia renal plantea un dilema tanto en su diagnóstico como tratamiento. Para abordar una revisión de dicho tema, se presenta el caso de un paciente con glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva secundaria a endocarditis subaguda por Enterococcus faecalis y positividad para ANCA anti-PR3. El diagnóstico diferencial principal se establecería entre una afectación renal de una vasculitis asociada a ANCA no diagnosticada previamente vs una glomerulonefritis postinfecciosa secundaria a la endocarditis. En muchos casos es necesario disponer de una biopsia renal que esclarezca el diagnóstico, ya que una inmunofluorescencia negativa orientará hacia una vasculitis, mientras que una positividad para inmunocomplejos iría a favor de una glomerulonefritis postestreptocócica. El tratamiento a seguir es otro reto que se plantea en la coexistencia de insuficiencia renal aguda, endocarditis y ANCA anti-PR3 positivo. La positividad de ANCAs induce a valorar iniciar tratamiento con inmunosupresores, no obstante, en el lecho de una endocarditis puede resultar desaconsejado e incluso poner en riesgo la vida del paciente someterlo a un estado de inmunosupresión. Es, por tanto, controvertido el uso de inmunosupresión en combinación con antibioterapia en el proceso agudo en contraposición al uso de antibioterapia exclusivamente. En el actual artículo se recogen los 19 casos publicados en la literatura de endocarditis asociados a ANCA anti-PR3, así como el tratamiento que se realizó en cada uno de los casos y la evolución en la función renal de cada paciente, concluyendo, en general, una mejor recuperación de la función renal en los pacientes tratados con antibioterapia en exclusiva que en aquellos tratados con la combinación antibióticocorticoides. Sin embargo, dado el pequeño tamaño muestral, no se puede considerar significativa la diferencia entre ambos tratamientos

Visual Optics and Biophotonics Lab, Institute of Optics (CSIC): recent achievements, lines of research and future directions

The Visual Optics and Biophotonics Lab (Institute of Optics, CSIC) develops non-invasive optical techniques for the evaluation of the normal and pathological eye. We present experimental developments and recent results of applications in the fields of myopia and presbyopia and their correction techniques, as well as work in progress and future directions.El Laboratorio de Óptica Visual y Biofotónica del Instituto de Óptica del CSIC desarrolla técnicas ópticas no invasivas para la evaluación del ojo normal y patológico. Presentamos desarrollos experimentales y resultados recientes de aplicaciones en los campos de la miopía, presbicia y sus técnicas de corrección, así como trabajo en curso y direcciones futuras.La financiación reciente del grupo viene dada por dos proyectos del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (BFM2002-02638, FIS2005-04382), tres proyectos de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (CAM08.7/0010.1/2000, CAM08.7/004.1/2003, GR/SAL/0387/2004), un Proyecto de Cooperación España-EEUU, una Acción Integrada, siete contratos de investigación con la industria, y un European Young Investigator Award. Además se han concedido a los distintos miembros del grupo becas y contratos postdoctorales I3P-CSIC, becas FPI, FPU, CSIC-Unidades Asociadas y de la Comunidad de Madrid.Peer reviewe

Calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine A and tacrolimus induce vascular inflammation and endothelial activation through TLR4 signaling

The introduction of the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine and tacrolimus greatly reduced the rate of allograft rejection, although their chronic use is marred by a range of side effects, among them vascular toxicity. In transplant patients, it is proved that innate immunity promotes vascular injury triggered by ischemia-reperfusion damage, atherosclerosis and hypertension. We hypothesized that activation of the innate immunity and inflammation may contribute to CNI toxicity, therefore we investigated whether TLR4 mediates toxic responses of CNIs in the vasculature. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus increased the production of proinflammatory cytokines and endothelial activation markers in cultured murine endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells as well as in ex vivo cultures of murine aortas. CNI-induced proinflammatory events were prevented by pharmacological inhibition of TLR4. Moreover, CNIs were unable to induce inflammation and endothelial activation in aortas from TLR4−/− mice. CNI-induced cytokine and adhesion molecules synthesis in endothelial cells occurred even in the absence of calcineurin, although its expression was required for maximal effect through upregulation of TLR4 signaling. CNI-induced TLR4 activity increased O2 −/ROS production and NF-κB-regulated synthesis of proinflammatory factors in cultured as well as aortic endothelial and VSMCs. These data provide new insight into the mechanisms associated with CNI vascular inflammationThis work was supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Economía Competitividad, Gobierno de España): FEDER funds ISCIII RETIC REDINREN RD12/0021, PI11/02242, PI13/00047, PI14/0041, PI14/00386, PI15/01460; Comunidad de Madrid (CIFRA S2010/BMD-2378); Sociedad Española de Nefrología. Salary support: RR-D: CIFRA; CO-S: Fundación Conchita Rábago de Jiménez Díaz; CG-G and RRR-D: REDINREN; AO: Programa Intensificación Actividad Investigadora (ISCIII/Agencia Laín-Entralgo/CM); JE and MRO: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; AMR: Contrato Miguel Serve (ISCIII

Gremlin activates the smad pathway linked to epithelial mesenchymal transdifferentiation in cultured tubular epithelial cells

Gremlin is a developmental gene upregulated in human chronic kidney disease and in renal cells in response to transforming growth factor-(TGF-β). Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one process involved in renal fibrosis. In tubular epithelial cells we have recently described that Gremlin induces EMT and acts as a downstream TGF-β mediator. Our aim was to investigate whether Gremlin participates in EMT by the regulation of the Smad pathway. Stimulation of human tubular epithelial cells (HK2) with Gremlin caused an early activation of the Smad signaling pathway (Smad 2/3 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and Smad-dependent gene transcription). The blockade of TGF-β, by a neutralizing antibody against active TGF-β, did not modify Gremlin-induced early Smad activation.These data showthatGremlin directly, by a TGF-β independent process, activates the Smad pathway. In tubular epithelial cells long-term incubation with Gremlin increased TGF-β production and caused a sustained Smad activation and a phenotype conversion into myofibroblasts-like cells. Smad 7 overexpression, which blocks Smad 2/3 activation, diminished EMT changes observed in Gremlin-transfected tubuloepithelial cells. TGF-β neutralization also diminished Gremlininduced EMT changes. In conclusion, we propose that Gremlin could participate in renal fibrosis by inducing EMT in tubular epithelial cells through activation of Smad pathway and induction of TGF-βThis work was supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI11/01854 and REDINREN ISCIIIRETIC RD12/0021/0002 and 0001), Sociedad Española de Nefrología, PCI Iberoamerica (A/9571/07), CYTED IBERERC, FONDECYT Chile 1080083 and 1120480, Comunidad de Madrid (Fibroteam S2010/BMD-2321, S2010/BMD- 2378), Programa Intensificación Actividad Investigadora (ISCIII/Agencia Laín Entralgo/CM) to A.O. Fundación para el fomento en Asturias de la investigaciónn cientíica aplicada y la tecnología (FICYT)