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The progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) primary progressive MS (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) are clinically distinguished by the rate at which symptoms worsen. Little is however known about the pathological mechanisms underlying the differential rate of accumulation of pathological changes. In this study, H NMR spectroscopy was used to measure low-molecular-weight metabolites in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of PPMS, SPMS, and control patients, as well as to determine lipoproteins and glycoproteins in serum samples. Additionally, neurodegenerative and inflammatory markers, neurofilament light (NFL) and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), and the concentration of seven metal elements, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, and Ca, were also determined in both CSF and serum. The results indicate that the pathological changes associated with progressive MS are mainly localized in the central nervous system (CNS). More so, PPMS and SPMS patients with comparable disability status are pathologically similar in relation to neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and some metabolites that distinguish them from controls. However, the rapid progression of PPMS from the onset may be driven by a combination of neurotoxicity induced by heavy metals coupled with diminished CNS antioxidative capacity associated with differential intrathecal ascorbate retention and imbalance of Mg and Cu.

The influence of genetic diversity and exposure to xenobiotics on the prevalence of pathogens was studied within the context of a voluntary epidemiological study in Spanish apiaries of Apis mellifera iberiensis, carried out during the spring season of years 2014 and 2015. As such, the evolutionary lineages of the honey bee colonies were identified, a multiresidue analysis of xenobiotics was carried out in beebread and worker bee samples, and the Toxic Unit (TUm) was estimated for each sampled apiary. The relationship between lineages and the most prevalent pathogens (Nosema ceranae, Varroa destructor, trypanosomatids, Black Queen Cell Virus; and Deformed Wing Virus) was analysed with contingency tables, and the possible relationships between TUm and the prevalence of these pathogens were studied by using a factor analysis. The statistical analysis supported the associations between V. destructor and Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), and between N. ceranae and Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV), but the association between these pathogens and trypanosomatids was not observed. TUm values varied between 5.5 × 10-6 and 3.65 × 10-1. When TUm < 3.35 × 10-4, it was mainly determined by coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate and/or chlorfenvinphos. At higher values, other insecticides also contributed to TUm, although a clear predominance was not seen up to TUm ≥ 1.83 × 10-2, when it was mainly defined by acrinathrin, spinosad and/or imidacloprid. The possible cumulative effect from the joint action of xenobiotics was >10% in the 63% of the cases. The prevalence of pathogens did not appear to be influenced by the distribution of evolutionary lineages and, while the prevalence of V. destructor was not found to be determined by TUm, there was a trend towards an increasing prevalence of N. ceranae when TUm ≥ 23 10-4. This study is an example of using TUm approach beyond the field of the ecotoxicology.

El artículo expositivo busca explicar a los pacientes que son diagnosticados con VIH-SIDA el mecanismo de la acción de tutela como componente jurídico para solicitar el amparo de los derechos fundamentales a la salud, igualdad y vida digna, siendo este el trámite más ágil para pretender la protección de sus derechos. En Colombia, se observa que subsisten problemas para la entrega y recepción de medicamentos retrovirales importantes para el tratamiento contra el VIH el cual no garantiza la continuidad del mismo. (Tomado de la fuente).

El artículo expositivo busca explicar a los pacientes que son diagnosticados con VIH-SIDA el mecanismo de la acción de tutela como componente jurídico para solicitar el amparo de los derechos fundamentales a la salud, igualdad y vida digna, siendo este el trámite más ágil para pretender la protección de sus derechos. En Colombia, se observa que subsisten problemas para la entrega y recepción de medicamentos retrovirales importantes para el tratamiento contra el VIH el cual no garantiza la continuidad del mismo. (Tomado de la fuente).

El artículo expositivo busca explicar a los pacientes que son diagnosticados con VIH-SIDA el mecanismo de la acción de tutela como componente jurídico para solicitar el amparo de los derechos fundamentales a la salud, igualdad y vida digna, siendo este el trámite más ágil para pretender la protección de sus derechos. En Colombia, se observa que subsisten problemas para la entrega y recepción de medicamentos retrovirales importantes para el tratamiento contra el VIH el cual no garantiza la continuidad del mismo. (Tomado de la fuente).

The grey wolf (Canis lupus) was extirpated from the Central System (Iberian Peninsula) in 1976, but the species recolonized the area by 2006. We monitored this new population from 2010 to 2018 using non-invasive sampling techniques; we determined its biological parameters and we described the necessary field work to obtain the required information for evidence-based decisionmaking regarding the management of wolf populations. Data collection was primarily based on the detection of wolf marking signs along sampling routes (e.g. dirt roads, trails, paths) and the scats, in particular, were used to delineate pack territories. Camera trapping was generally used to confirm pack size and reproduction. We detected a maximum of 13 wolf packs distributed in the study area during the eight years of monitoring; the mean pack size was 3.5 wolves. Reproduction always occurred when the mean pack size was at least 4 individuals by the end of winter (52.7%). We also determined that the scat-marked territory of breeding packs (i.e., those with >4 individuals) was >60 km2 during the reproductive period. Overall, our results suggest that the low-cost monitoring methods commonly used to assess the status of wolf populations in Spain tend to overestimate both population size and reproductive success, suggesting the need for alternative methods.

[EN] The recent emergence of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe is a major threat to agriculture, including olive, almond and grape. Philaenus spumarius is the predominant vector of X. fastidiosa in Europe. Understanding vector movement is critical for developing effective control measures against bacterial spread. In this study, our goal was to set up a flight-mill protocol to assess P. spumarius flight potential and to analyse how different variables may affect its flight behaviour. We found that P. spumarius was able to fly approximate to 500 m in 30 min with a maximum single flight of 5.5 km in 5.4 h. Based on the observations, the flight potential of the females was higher in spring and autumn than in summer, and that of the males was highest in autumn. Moreover, we found that P. spumarius had a higher flight potential during the morning and the night than during the afternoon. Our results revealed that P. spumarius is likely to disperse much further than the established sizes of the infected and buffer zones designated by the EU. This knowledge on the flight potential of P. spumarius will be critical for improving management actions against P. spumarius and the spread of X. fastidiosa in Europe.

[EN] The recent emergence of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe is a major threat to agriculture, including olive, almond and grape. Philaenus spumarius is the predominant vector of X. fastidiosa in Europe. Understanding vector movement is critical for developing effective control measures against bacterial spread. In this study, our goal was to set up a flight-mill protocol to assess P. spumarius flight potential and to analyse how different variables may affect its flight behaviour. We found that P. spumarius was able to fly approximate to 500 m in 30 min with a maximum single flight of 5.5 km in 5.4 h. Based on the observations, the flight potential of the females was higher in spring and autumn than in summer, and that of the males was highest in autumn. Moreover, we found that P. spumarius had a higher flight potential during the morning and the night than during the afternoon. Our results revealed that P. spumarius is likely to disperse much further than the established sizes of the infected and buffer zones designated by the EU. This knowledge on the flight potential of P. spumarius will be critical for improving management actions against P. spumarius and the spread of X. fastidiosa in Europe.

[Background]: Obesity proceeds with important physiological and microstructural alterations in the brain, but the precise relationships between the diet and feeding status, its physiological responses, and the observed neuroimaging repercussions, remain elusive. Here, we implemented a mouse model of high fat diet (HFD) feeding to explore specific associations between diet, feeding status, phenotypic and endocrine repercussions, and the resulting microstructural and metabolic alterations in the brain, as detected by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurochemical metabolic profiling. [Methods]: Brain DTI images were acquired from adult male C57BL6/J mice after 6 weeks of HFD, or standard diet (SD) administrations, both under the fed, and overnight fasted conditions. Metabolomic profiles of the cortex (Ctx), hippocampus (Hipc), and hypothalamus (Hyp) were determined by 1H high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) spectroscopy, in cerebral biopsies dissected after microwave fixation. Mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA) maps, and HRMAS profiles were complemented with determinations of phenotypic alterations and plasma levels of appetite-related hormones, measured by indirect calorimetry and multiplex assays, respectively. We used Z-score and alternating least squares scaling (ALSCAL) analysis to investigate specific associations between diet and feeding status, physiological, and imaging parameters. [Results]: HFD induced significant increases in body weight and the plasma levels of glucose and fatty acids in the fed and fasted conditions, as well as higher cerebral MD (Ctx, Hipc, Hyp), FA (Hipc), and mobile saturated fatty acids resonances (Ctx, Hipc, Hyp). Z-score and ASLCAL analysis identified the precise associations between physiological and imaging variables. [Conclusions]: The present study reveals that diet and feeding conditions elicit prominent effects on specific imaging and spectroscopic parameters of the mouse brain that can be associated

Background COVID-19 has overloaded health care systems, testing the capacity and response in every European region. Concerns were raised regarding the impact of resources’ reorganization on certain emergency pathology management. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the outbreak (in terms of reduction of neurosurgical emergencies) during lockdown in different regions of Spain. Methods We analyzed the impact of the outbreak in four different affected regions by descriptive statistics and univariate comparison with same period of two previous years. These regions differed in their incidence level (high/low) and in the time of excess mortality with respect to lockdown declaration. That allowed us to analyze their influence on the characteristics of neurosurgical emergencies registered for every region. Results 1185 patients from 18 neurosurgical centers were included. Neurosurgical emergencies that underwent surgery dropped 24.41% and 28.15% in 2020 when compared with 2019 and 2018, respectively. A higher reduction was reported for the most affected regions by COVID-19. Non-traumatic spine experienced the most significant decrease in number of cases. Life-threatening conditions did not suffer a reduction in any health care region. Conclusions COVID-19 affected dramatically the neurosurgical emergency management. The most significant reduction in neurosurgical emergencies occurred on those regions that were hit unexpectedly by the pandemic, as resources were focused on fighting the virus. As a consequence, life-threating and non-life-threatening conditions’ mortality raised. Results in regions who had time to prepare for the hit were congruent with an organized and sensible neurosurgical decision-making.

Una conversación sobre Arquitectura

Una conversación sobre Arquitectura

[Background]: Preclinical studies suggest that stem cells may be a valuable therapeutic tool in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As it has been demonstrated that there are molecular changes at the end-plate during the early stages of motorneuron degeneration in animal models, we hypothesize that the local effect of this stem cell delivery method could slow the progressive loss of motor units (MUs) in ALS patients., [Methods]: We designed a Phase I/II clinical trial to study the safety of intramuscularly implanting autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs), including stem cells, in ALS patients and their possible effects on the MU of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Twenty-two patients participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that consisted of a baseline visit followed by one intramuscular injection of BMNCs, follow-up visits at 30, 90, 180, and 360 days, and an additional year of clinical follow-up. In each patient, one TA muscle was injected with a single dose of BMMCs while the contralateral muscle was given a placebo; the sides were selected randomly. All visits included a complete EMG study of both TA muscles., [Results]: Our results show that (1) the intramuscular injection of BMMCs is a safe procedure; (2) ALS patients show heterogeneities in the degree of TA injury; (3) a comparison of placebo-injected muscles with BMMC-injected muscles showed significant differences in only one parameter, the D50 index used to quantify the Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) scan curve. This parameter was higher in the BMMC-injected TA muscle at both 90 days (placebo side: 29.55 ± 2.89, n = 20; experimental side: 39.25 ± 3.21, n = 20; p < 0.01) and 180 days (placebo side: 29.35 ± 3.29, n = 17; experimental side: 41.24 ± 3.34, n = 17; p < 0.01)., [Conclusion]: This procedure had no effect on the TA muscle MU properties, with the exception of the D50 index. Finding differences in just this index supports the fact that it may be much more sensitive than other electrophysiological parameters when studying treatment effects. Given the low number of patients and their heterogeneity, these results justify exploring the efficacy of this procedure in further patients and other muscles, through Phase II trials., [Clinical Trial Registration]: www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT02286011); EudraCT number 2011-004801-25.

The lies, the hoaxes, the sensationalist press and the false news have existeda always. In the context of Roman times, Virgil was already writing in the first century about the power of rumor.In the Second World War, the Nazis used propaganda to manipulate the citizen or in 1938, when the journalist Orson Wells broadcast the first radio fake news story. The phenomenon of fake news has burst with greater relevance in the current century. The loss of quality journalism of past times and the arrival of a journalism with immediate effect, makes that the lack of time in journalistic work harms the general foundations that regulate the behavior of journalists. The scarce verification of sources, the competence to be the first to publish information or the immediacy and instantaneity of messages that circulate in social networks, increases the possibilities of bad choice of information. Two clear examples of the proliferation of fake news today are the US elections of 2016 and the Brexit in the United Kingdom. In this context, the media and institutions have already launched initiatives to combat this phenomenon., Las mentiras, los bulos, la prensa sensacionalista y las noticias falsas han existido siempre. En el contexto de la época romana, Virgilio ya escribía en el Siglo I sobre el poder del rumor. En la Segunda Guerra Mundial, los nazis utilizaban la propaganda para manipular al ciudadano o en el año 1938, cuando el periodista Orson Wells trasmitió la primera fake news radiofónica de la historia. El fenómeno de las fake news ha irrumpido con mayor relevancia en el siglo actual. La pérdida de un periodismo de calidad de tiempos pasados y la llegada de un periodismo de efecto inmediato, hace que la falta de tiempo en el trabajo periodístico perjudique los fundamentos generales que regulan el comportamiento de los periodistas. La escasa constatación de fuentes, la competencia por ser el primero en publicar una información o la inmediatez e instantaneidad de mensajes que circulan en redes sociales, aumenta las posibilidades de una mala elección de información. Dos claros ejemplos de la proliferación de las fake news en la actualidad son las elecciones estadounidenses de 2016 y el Brexit en Reino Unido. En este contexto, los medios de comunicación e instituciones ya han puesto en marcha iniciativas para luchar contra este fenómeno., Grado en Periodismo

The lies, the hoaxes, the sensationalist press and the false news have existeda always. In the context of Roman times, Virgil was already writing in the first century about the power of rumor.In the Second World War, the Nazis used propaganda to manipulate the citizen or in 1938, when the journalist Orson Wells broadcast the first radio fake news story. The phenomenon of fake news has burst with greater relevance in the current century. The loss of quality journalism of past times and the arrival of a journalism with immediate effect, makes that the lack of time in journalistic work harms the general foundations that regulate the behavior of journalists. The scarce verification of sources, the competence to be the first to publish information or the immediacy and instantaneity of messages that circulate in social networks, increases the possibilities of bad choice of information. Two clear examples of the proliferation of fake news today are the US elections of 2016 and the Brexit in the United Kingdom. In this context, the media and institutions have already launched initiatives to combat this phenomenon., Las mentiras, los bulos, la prensa sensacionalista y las noticias falsas han existido siempre. En el contexto de la época romana, Virgilio ya escribía en el Siglo I sobre el poder del rumor. En la Segunda Guerra Mundial, los nazis utilizaban la propaganda para manipular al ciudadano o en el año 1938, cuando el periodista Orson Wells trasmitió la primera fake news radiofónica de la historia. El fenómeno de las fake news ha irrumpido con mayor relevancia en el siglo actual. La pérdida de un periodismo de calidad de tiempos pasados y la llegada de un periodismo de efecto inmediato, hace que la falta de tiempo en el trabajo periodístico perjudique los fundamentos generales que regulan el comportamiento de los periodistas. La escasa constatación de fuentes, la competencia por ser el primero en publicar una información o la inmediatez e instantaneidad de mensajes que circulan en redes sociales, aumenta las posibilidades de una mala elección de información. Dos claros ejemplos de la proliferación de las fake news en la actualidad son las elecciones estadounidenses de 2016 y el Brexit en Reino Unido. En este contexto, los medios de comunicación e instituciones ya han puesto en marcha iniciativas para luchar contra este fenómeno., Grado en Periodismo

The lies, the hoaxes, the sensationalist press and the false news have existeda always. In the context of Roman times, Virgil was already writing in the first century about the power of rumor.In the Second World War, the Nazis used propaganda to manipulate the citizen or in 1938, when the journalist Orson Wells broadcast the first radio fake news story. The phenomenon of fake news has burst with greater relevance in the current century. The loss of quality journalism of past times and the arrival of a journalism with immediate effect, makes that the lack of time in journalistic work harms the general foundations that regulate the behavior of journalists. The scarce verification of sources, the competence to be the first to publish information or the immediacy and instantaneity of messages that circulate in social networks, increases the possibilities of bad choice of information. Two clear examples of the proliferation of fake news today are the US elections of 2016 and the Brexit in the United Kingdom. In this context, the media and institutions have already launched initiatives to combat this phenomenon., Las mentiras, los bulos, la prensa sensacionalista y las noticias falsas han existido siempre. En el contexto de la época romana, Virgilio ya escribía en el Siglo I sobre el poder del rumor. En la Segunda Guerra Mundial, los nazis utilizaban la propaganda para manipular al ciudadano o en el año 1938, cuando el periodista Orson Wells trasmitió la primera fake news radiofónica de la historia. El fenómeno de las fake news ha irrumpido con mayor relevancia en el siglo actual. La pérdida de un periodismo de calidad de tiempos pasados y la llegada de un periodismo de efecto inmediato, hace que la falta de tiempo en el trabajo periodístico perjudique los fundamentos generales que regulan el comportamiento de los periodistas. La escasa constatación de fuentes, la competencia por ser el primero en publicar una información o la inmediatez e instantaneidad de mensajes que circulan en redes sociales, aumenta las posibilidades de una mala elección de información. Dos claros ejemplos de la proliferación de las fake news en la actualidad son las elecciones estadounidenses de 2016 y el Brexit en Reino Unido. En este contexto, los medios de comunicación e instituciones ya han puesto en marcha iniciativas para luchar contra este fenómeno., Grado en Periodismo

[Objective]: We assess the efficacy of the metabolomic profile from glioma biopsies in providing estimates of postsurgical Overall Survival in glioma patients., [Methods]: Tumor biopsies from 46 patients bearing gliomas, obtained neurosurgically in the period 1992–1998, were analyzed by high resolution 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR- 1H MRS), following retrospectively individual postsurgical Overall Survival up to 720 weeks., [Results]: The Overall Survival profile could be resolved in three groups; Short (shorter than 52 weeks, n = 19), Intermediate (between 53 and 364 weeks, n = 19) or Long (longer than 365 weeks, n = 8), respectively. Classical histopathological analysis assigned WHO grades II–IV to every biopsy but notably, some patients with low grade glioma depicted unexpectedly Short Overall Survival, while some patients with high grade glioma, presented unpredictably Long Overall Survival. To explore the reasons underlying these different responses, we analyzed HR-1H MRS spectra from acid extracts of the same biopsies, to characterize the metabolite patterns associated to OS predictions. Poor prognosis was found in biopsies with higher contents of alanine, acetate, glutamate, total choline, phosphorylcholine, and glycine, while more favorable prognosis was achieved in biopsies with larger contents of total creatine, glycerol-phosphorylcholine, and myo-inositol. We then implemented a multivariate analysis to identify hierarchically the influence of metabolomic biomarkers on OS predictions, using a Classification Regression Tree (CRT) approach. The CRT based in metabolomic biomarkers grew up to three branches and split into eight nodes, predicting correctly the outcome of 94.7% of the patients in the Short Overall Survival group, 78.9% of the patients in the Intermediate Overall Survival group, and 75% of the patients in the Long Overall Survival group, respectively., [Conclusion]: Present results indicate that metabolic profiling by HR-1H MRS improves the Overall Survival predictions derived exclusively from classical histopathological gradings, thus favoring more precise therapeutic decisions.

Studies on the nutritional status of vegetarians in Spain are lacking. Prevention of vitamin B12 deficiency is the main concern, as dietary sources are of animal origin. The present study aimed to evaluate vitamin B12 and folate status of Spanish vegetarians using classical markers and functional markers. Participants were adult and healthy lacto-ovo vegetarians (forty-nine subjects) and vegans (fifty-four subjects) who underwent blood analyses and completed a FFQ. Serum vitamin B12, homocysteine (Hcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA), erythrocyte folate and haematological parameters were determined. The effects of the type of plant-based diet, and the intake of supplements and foods were studied by a FFQ. Mean erythrocyte folate was 1704 (sd 609) nmol/l. Clinical or subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency was detected in 11 % of the subjects (MMA>271 nmol/l) and 33 % of the participants showed hyperhomocysteinaemia (Hcy>15 µmol/l). Regarding plant-based diet type, significantly higher Hcy was observed in lacto-ovo vegetarians compared with vegans (P = 0·019). Moreover, use of vitamin B12 supplements involved an improvement of vitamin B12 status but further increase in erythrocyte folate (P = 0·024). Consumption of yoghurts was weakly associated with serum vitamin B12 adequacy (P = 0·049) and that of eggs with lower Hcy (P = 0·030). In conclusion, Spanish vegetarians present high folate status but vitamin B12 subclinical deficiency was demonstrated using functional markers. The lack of influence of dietary sources on functional markers and the strong effect of vitamin B12 supplement intake emphasise the need of cobalamin supplementation in both lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans.

Red sweet peppers held in cold storage were periodically sampled at 1‐week intervals over a 3‐weeks period using three‐point bending, puncture, cutting, and Volodkevich (coupled with acoustic emission) tests, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and other physicochemical measurements. At each sampling, tissue specimens were soaked in mannitol solutions (0.0–0.9M) and puncture test, dimension changes and CLSM were used to identify degrees of turgidity present in osmotically manipulated pepper tissue. Pepper texture became crumbly with increased storage time due to softening and wilting processes. The Young's modulus, derived from the bending test using the single‐edge notched bend geometry without notches decreased progressively during cold storage and resulted as the best mechanical parameter for measuring the loss of whole‐tissue stiffness by both decreased cell wall stiffness and turgor pressure. Osmotic adjustment indicated that the pepper structure is extremely anisotropic, with the specimen's “average” relative thickness (RT) being the dimension change more affected. Incipient plasmolysis was evident in the highest mannitol concentration (0.9M), therefore, the turgor pressure of nonsoaked tissue could not be inferred. However, significant correlations were found between RT and puncture parameters such as initial slope, initial and final distances, and the number of flesh and skin force peaks, which depended on the dilation or shrinkage caused by the osmotic adjustment. During storage, soaked tissues had lower crunchy texture than nonsoaked, reflecting that cell wall stiffness plays a more significant role in determining pepper crunchiness than cell turgor pressure.

[Background & aim]: A diet quality index (DQI) is a tool that provides an overall score of an individual's dietary intake when assessing compliance with food-based dietary guidelines. A number of DQIs have emerged, albeit their associations with health-related outcomes are debated. The aim of the present study was to assess whether adherence to dietary intervention, and the overall quality of the diet, can predict body composition changes., [Methods]: To this purpose, overweight/obese adolescents (n = 117, aged: 13–16 years; 51 males, 66 females) were recruited into a multi-component (diet, physical activity and psychological support) family-based group treatment programme. We measured the adolescents' compliance and body composition at baseline and after 2 months (intensive phase) and 13 months (extensive phase) of follow-up. Also, at baseline, after 6 months, and at the end of follow-up we calculated the DQI., [Results]: Global compliance with the dietary intervention was 37.4% during the intensive phase, and 14.3% during the extensive phase. Physical activity compliance was 94.1% at 2-months and 34.7% at 13months and psychological support compliance were growing over the intervention period (10.3% intensive phase and 45.3% during extensive phase). Adolescents complying with the meal frequency criteria at the end of the extensive phase had greater reductions in FMI z-scores than those did not complying (Cohen's d = 0.53). A statistically significant association was observed with the diet quality index. DQI-A variation explained 98.1% of BMI z-score changes and 95.1% of FMI changes., [Conclusions]: We conclude that assessment of changes in diet quality could be a useful tool in predicting body composition changes in obese adolescents involved in a diet and physical activity intervention programme backed-up by psychological and family support.

The microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae is a highly prevalent, global honey bee pathogen. Apis mellifera is considered to be a relatively recent host for this microsporidia, which raises questions as to how it affects its host’s physiology, behavior and longevity, both at the individual and colony level. As such, honey bees were inoculated with fresh purified spores of this pathogen, both individually (Group A) or collectively (Group B) and they were studied from 0 to 15 days post-emergence (p.e.) to evaluate the effect of bee age and the method of inoculation at 7 days post-infection. The level of infection was analyzed individually by qPCR by measuring the relative amount of the N. ceranae polar tubule protein 3 (PTP3) gene. The results show that the bee’s age and the method of infection directly influence parasite load, and thus, early disease development. Significant differences were found regarding bee age at the time of infection, whereby the youngest bees (new-born and 1 day p.e.) developed the highest parasite load, with this load decreasing dramatically in bees infected at 2 days p.e. before increasing again in bees infected at 3–4 days p.e. The parasite load in bees infected when older than 4 days p.e. diminished as they aged. When the age cohort data was pooled and grouped according to the method of infection, a significantly higher mean concentration and lower variation in N. ceranae infection was evident in Group A, indicating greater variation in experimental infection when spores were administered collectively to bees through their food. In summary, these data indicate that both biological and experimental factors should be taken into consideration when comparing data published in the literature.

As a part of a Pilot Monitoring Program of honey bee health coordinated by the EURL (European Union Reference Laboratory) and according to the criteria established for Spain, 14 apiaries in Castilla-La Mancha were selected at random and sampled during the autumns of 2012-2014 to identify the most prevalent nosogenic agents, potentially those related to the honey bee colony collapse phenomenon. In all the apiaries studied, Nosema ceranae was the most prevalent pathogen detected over the three years, confirming the worldwide spread of this microsporidian, a pathogen that negatively affects honey bee health at an individual and colony level. Trypanosomatids were also very prevalent in honey bee colonies, although the majority of Trypanosomatids detected were not Crithidia mellificae but rather the genetically distinct Lotmaria passim lineage. We also detected Varroa destructor mites, and the particularly high prevalence in 2014 suggests a possible problem regarding mite control in field conditions that requires attention. In agreement with data from other regions, the BQCV and DWV were the most prevalent viruses in honey bee colonies and thus, the Varroa-DVW interaction may be an important cause of bee colony mortality. While there was little evidence of a relationship between the BQCV virus and N. ceranae under field conditions during 2012, this was not the case in 2013 and 2014. Finally, the AKI-complex or LSV-complex was not detected. The information obtained in this study should help orientate future plans for honey bee disease control.

As a part of a Pilot Monitoring Program of honey bee health coordinated by the EURL (European Union Reference Laboratory) and according to the criteria established for Spain, 14 apiaries in Castilla-La Mancha were selected at random and sampled during the autumns of 2012-2014 to identify the most prevalent nosogenic agents, potentially those related to the honey bee colony collapse phenomenon. In all the apiaries studied, Nosema ceranae was the most prevalent pathogen detected over the three years, confirming the worldwide spread of this microsporidian, a pathogen that negatively affects honey bee health at an individual and colony level. Trypanosomatids were also very prevalent in honey bee colonies, although the majority of Trypanosomatids detected were not Crithidia mellificae but rather the genetically distinct Lotmaria passim lineage. We also detected Varroa destructor mites, and the particularly high prevalence in 2014 suggests a possible problem regarding mite control in field conditions that requires attention. In agreement with data from other regions, the BQCV and DWV were the most prevalent viruses in honey bee colonies and thus, the Varroa-DVW interaction may be an important cause of bee colony mortality. While there was little evidence of a relationship between the BQCV virus and N. ceranae under field conditions during 2012, this was not the case in 2013 and 2014. Finally, the AKI-complex or LSV-complex was not detected. The information obtained in this study should help orientate future plans for honey bee disease control.

A current challenge in cell motility studies is to understand the molecular and physical mechanisms that govern chemokine receptor nanoscale organization at the cell membrane, and their influence on cell response. Using single-particle tracking and super-resolution microscopy, we found that the chemokine receptor CXCR4 forms basal nanoclusters in resting T cells, whose extent, dynamics, and signaling strength are modulated by the orchestrated action of the actin cytoskeleton, the co-receptor CD4, and its ligand CXCL12. We identified three CXCR4 structural residues that are crucial for nanoclustering and generated an oligomerization-defective mutant that dimerized but did not form nanoclusters in response to CXCL12, which severely impaired signaling. Overall, our data provide new insights to the field of chemokine biology by showing that receptor dimerization in the absence of nanoclustering is unable to fully support CXCL12-mediated responses, including signaling and cell function in vivo

The Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) calls for the Parties’ effectiveness evaluation of those measures taken to meet the reduction and eventual elimination of POPs from the environment. With that goal, air concentrations of different POP families have been measured uninterruptedly since 2008 under the Spanish Monitoring Program (SMP) by means of passive air sampling. This work focuses on data for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) determined in a total of 321 samples collected seasonally each year in 5 urban and 7 background sites. Neither significant temporal trends nor significant seasonal variations for total PBDE air burdens were detected. In contrast, significant variations were found among PBDE congeners. Those related to the octa-PBDE formulation significantly decreased in the study period. However, PBDEs related to the penta-formulation showed steady concentrations while PBDE-209, the congener found at the greatest levels, showed increasing or steady levels in most sampling sites. Seasonal variations were also markedly different among congeners. Concentrations of the lightest PBDEs (tri- to penta-substituted) were highly influenced by ambient temperature (T), showing maximum values in summer probably due to higher volatilization rates compared to those of heavier PBDEs. Contrarily, no clear seasonal trends were found for hexa- to deca-PBDEs, which were negatively related to precipitation; thereby, indicating an efficient atmospheric wash out by wet deposition episodes. Regarding spatial patterns, overall significant greater PBDE levels were found in cities compared to background areas, pointing out the role of highly populated areas as sources for these pollutants in Spain. Yet and especially in the case of PBDE-209, our results suggested the presence of significant unknown sources of PBDEs in some background sites. Further monitoring efforts are needed to assess potential unknown sources in the sampling network as well a

Time series (2008–2015) of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in ambient air from the Spanish Monitoring Program were analyzed. A total of 321 samples were collected seasonally each year in 5 urban and 7 background sites by means of passive air sampling. Air concentrations were higher at urban than background sites (urban vs. background concentration ranges): PCDD/Fs (26.9–1010 vs. 20.0–357 fg/m), non-ortho PCBs (0.113–3.14 vs. 0.042–2.00 pg/m) and mono-ortho PCBs (0.644–41.3 vs. 0.500–32.8 pg/m). Results showed significant decreases from 2009 for non-ortho PCBs and PCDD/Fs as well as for WHO-TEQs. These declines were sharper, and sometimes only significant, in urban places resulting in converging levels at urban and background sites for these pollutants at the end of the study period. In contrast, mono-ortho PCBs did not show any significant variation but a steady flat temporal behavior in their concentrations, suggesting the existence of different sources between mono-ortho and non-ortho PCBs. Seasonality was observed for air burdens of all these POPs. PCDD/Fs were mostly measured at higher concentrations in colder than in hot seasons, and the opposite was true for dl-PCBs. Seasonal variations for PCDD/Fs appeared to be related to changes in their sources (e.g. domestic heating, open burning) rather than to temperature per se. In contrast, environmental temperature dependent factors (e.g. increased partitioning into the gas phase) drove seasonal variations in dl-PCBs instead of seasonal changes in their sources. Regarding spatial patterns, significant greater levels of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were generally found in cities compared to background areas, pointing out the role of densely populated areas as sources for these pollutants in Spain. As proven by our results, long-term monitoring activities are essential to assess and understand temporal behaviors for these POPs, as well as to evalu

The many demographic, economic, social and legislative changes that have occurred in Spain in recent decades have impacted the structure of households. This chapter focuses on households of elderly people against a background of intense and rapid ageing of the Spanish population. How much has this phenomenon contributed to change in the structure and geographical distribution of this category of population? To what extent should the observed increase in residential solitude among these elderly people, which is sometimes confused with relational solitude, be attributed to the ‘Great Recession’ of 2008? These are the main questions addressed in this chapter.

Crithidia mellificae, a trypanosomatid parasite of Apis mellifera, has been proposed to be one of the pathogens responsible for the serious honey bee colony losses produced worldwide in the last decade, either alone or in association with Nosema ceranae. Since this pathogenic effect contradicts the results of the experimental infections originally performed by Langridge and McGhee nearly 40 years ago, we investigated the potential linkage of this protozoan with colony decline under laboratory conditions. Nosema-free and trypanosomatid-free honey bees from three different colonies were experimentally infected with fresh C. mellificae spheroid forms (reference strain ATCC30254), with N. ceranae fresh spores and with both parasites at the same time. Replicate cages were kept at 27 °C and used to analyse survival. C. mellificae spheroid forms did not reduce significantly the survival of the worker bees (64.5% at 30 days post-infection vs. 77.8% for the uninfected bees used as controls; differences were non statistically significant) under these experimental conditions. In contrast, the cages infected with N. ceranae exhibited higher rates of mortality from the 20th day post-infection onwards, irrespective of the presence of C. mellificae, suggesting that the spheroid forms of the latter have no pathological effect on A. mellifera.

Crithidia mellificae, a trypanosomatid parasite of Apis mellifera, has been proposed to be one of the pathogens responsible for the serious honey bee colony losses produced worldwide in the last decade, either alone or in association with Nosema ceranae. Since this pathogenic effect contradicts the results of the experimental infections originally performed by Langridge and McGhee nearly 40 years ago, we investigated the potential linkage of this protozoan with colony decline under laboratory conditions. Nosema-free and trypanosomatid-free honey bees from three different colonies were experimentally infected with fresh C. mellificae spheroid forms (reference strain ATCC30254), with N. ceranae fresh spores and with both parasites at the same time. Replicate cages were kept at 27 °C and used to analyse survival. C. mellificae spheroid forms did not reduce significantly the survival of the worker bees (64.5% at 30 days post-infection vs. 77.8% for the uninfected bees used as controls; differences were non statistically significant) under these experimental conditions. In contrast, the cages infected with N. ceranae exhibited higher rates of mortality from the 20th day post-infection onwards, irrespective of the presence of C. mellificae, suggesting that the spheroid forms of the latter have no pathological effect on A. mellifera

Esta vinculación se realizó con los siguientes objetivos: - Entrenamiento en Técnicas de Biología Molecular - Entrenamiento en Bioinformática - Procesamiento de Muestras biológicas pertenecientes a diversas regiones del país (Paraguay) para determinación de ADN de Leishmania.

Esta vinculación se realizó con los siguientes objetivos: - Entrenamiento en Técnicas de Biología Molecular - Entrenamiento en Bioinformática - Procesamiento de Muestras biológicas pertenecientes a diversas regiones del país (Paraguay) para determinación de ADN de Leishmania.

Crithidia mellificae, a trypanosomatid parasite of Apis mellifera, has been proposed to be one of the pathogens responsible for the serious honey bee colony losses produced worldwide in the last decade, either alone or in association with Nosema ceranae. Since this pathogenic effect contradicts the results of the experimental infections originally performed by Langridge and McGhee nearly 40 years ago, we investigated the potential linkage of this protozoan with colony decline under laboratory conditions. Nosema-free and trypanosomatid-free honey bees from three different colonies were experimentally infected with fresh C. mellificae spheroid forms (reference strain ATCC30254), with N. ceranae fresh spores and with both parasites at the same time. Replicate cages were kept at 27 °C and used to analyse survival. C. mellificae spheroid forms did not reduce significantly the survival of the worker bees (64.5% at 30 days post-infection vs. 77.8% for the uninfected bees used as controls; differences were non statistically significant) under these experimental conditions. In contrast, the cages infected with N. ceranae exhibited higher rates of mortality from the 20th day post-infection onwards, irrespective of the presence of C. mellificae, suggesting that the spheroid forms of the latter have no pathological effect on A. mellifera.

[EN]: The sharp decline in fertility recorded in Spain in the last few decades is the outcome of a number of factors, one of the most relevant being the average age at first maternity, which has climbed by four years since the mid-1970s. This leads to increasingly unfavourable ratios between higher order and overall fertility. In the present paper, a regression model in which 99% of the variance could be accounted for was used to establish the relationship between variables and simulate several scenarios. The chief conclusion is that with the age at first birth patterns prevailing today, replacement level fertility cannot be achieved. Indeed, age at first child would have drop even to reach values of over 1.5: naturally, the higher the desired fertility rate, the lower the age required, since the age at which mothers have their first child determines the combination of birth orders, which in turn has an impact on the resulting fertility., [ES]: El agudo descenso experimentado por la fecundidad en España en las recientes décadas es consecuen- cia de factores de diversa índole, pero uno de los más relevantes es la edad media a la primera mater- nidad, la cual ha aumentado cuatro años desde me- diados de los setenta. Esto conlleva ratios cada vez más desfavorables entre la fecundidad de rango su- perior a uno y ésta. Por medio de un modelo de re- gresión mediante el que se ha conseguido explicar el 99% de la varianza, se ha establecido la relación entre variables y se han simulado diversos escena- rios. La principal conclusión es que con los patrones actuales de edad a la primera maternidad no podría lograrse en ningún caso una recuperación de la fecundidad hasta el nivel de reemplazo y que, incluso para situarse en valores superiores a 1,5, sería ne- cesario un descenso de la edad a la primera mater- nidad; más importante cuanto mayor índice de fe- cundidad se pretenda alcanzar, ya que la edad a la que se tiene el primer hijo determina la combinación de rangos y ésta, a su vez, la fecundidad resultante.

Para la realización de este objetivo, primero describimos brevemente el fenómeno de transformaciones físicas que se manifiestan en el Centro Cultura APR y un diagnóstico de la situación cultural en el municipio de Honda, en el diagnostico se evidencia el fenómeno de trasformaciones físicas. A su vez este proyecto contribuirá al fortalecimiento de espacios culturales para la población, donde se puedan aprovechar a partir de la gestión de talleres y actividades lúdicas y culturales para niños, jóvenes y adultos, mientras se mantiene vivo el patrimonio cultural del Municipio, con el aumento de espacios culturales y la renovación del centro histórico, también se busca aumentar el atractivo turístico del Municipio, con todo el impacto que esto representa a nivel económico y social. Es necesario intervenir un edificio declarado patrimonio cultural en cuanto a la reconstrucción ya que este cuenta con la importante identidad cultural, relación con el pasado, herencia y valor arquitectónico. En el sector 1 del barrio San Juan de Dios donde se encuentra ubicado el Centro Cultural Alfonso Palacio Rudas (APR) es patrimonio cultural, según la clasificación del Ministerio de Cultura sobre el nivel de intervención de Rehabilitación, es la intervención que tiene por objeto volver a “habilitar” poner en uso activo un edificio o estructura urbana, de manera que pueda cumplir con las funciones que tenía asignada en un principio. El 13 de Noviembre de 1985, el rio Guali provoco la primera avalancha la cual hizo que se deteriorara a gran nivel el edificio de oficinas municipales, debido a esto se programó su demolición. En el año de 1989 se abrió al público el centro cultural A.P.R el cual en el año del 2006 otra de las crecientes del rio afecto 15 Mt del centro cultural, destruyo la biblioteca y el lugar donde se encontraba el archivo Administrativo Histórico de Honda. Otro de los proyectos que se van a trabajar es el Teatro La Unión, el cual se encuentra frente al Centro Cultural APR

Para la realización de este objetivo, primero describimos brevemente el fenómeno de transformaciones físicas que se manifiestan en el Centro Cultura APR y un diagnóstico de la situación cultural en el municipio de Honda, en el diagnostico se evidencia el fenómeno de trasformaciones físicas. A su vez este proyecto contribuirá al fortalecimiento de espacios culturales para la población, donde se puedan aprovechar a partir de la gestión de talleres y actividades lúdicas y culturales para niños, jóvenes y adultos, mientras se mantiene vivo el patrimonio cultural del Municipio, con el aumento de espacios culturales y la renovación del centro histórico, también se busca aumentar el atractivo turístico del Municipio, con todo el impacto que esto representa a nivel económico y social. Es necesario intervenir un edificio declarado patrimonio cultural en cuanto a la reconstrucción ya que este cuenta con la importante identidad cultural, relación con el pasado, herencia y valor arquitectónico. En el sector 1 del barrio San Juan de Dios donde se encuentra ubicado el Centro Cultural Alfonso Palacio Rudas (APR) es patrimonio cultural, según la clasificación del Ministerio de Cultura sobre el nivel de intervención de Rehabilitación, es la intervención que tiene por objeto volver a “habilitar” poner en uso activo un edificio o estructura urbana, de manera que pueda cumplir con las funciones que tenía asignada en un principio. El 13 de Noviembre de 1985, el rio Guali provoco la primera avalancha la cual hizo que se deteriorara a gran nivel el edificio de oficinas municipales, debido a esto se programó su demolición. En el año de 1989 se abrió al público el centro cultural A.P.R el cual en el año del 2006 otra de las crecientes del rio afecto 15 Mt del centro cultural, destruyo la biblioteca y el lugar donde se encontraba el archivo Administrativo Histórico de Honda. Otro de los proyectos que se van a trabajar es el Teatro La Unión, el cual se encuentra frente al Centro Cultural APR

Background and aims This paper aims to estimate if the education level modifies the association of income with disability prevalence in the elderly. Education can have a confounding effect on income or interact with it as a health determinant. It is important to analyze the relationship between socio-economic status and disability in older people, because it helps to better understand health inequalities and organize appropriate social policies.Methods. The study is based on the Survey on Disability, Personal Autonomy and Dependency Situations (Spanish National Statistics Institute). Binary logistic regression models are adjusted (bivariate, adjusted for gender and age, with all variables and with the interaction between income and education levels). A bad adjustment of the model is detected and a scobit link is added, which helps to differentiate disabled and non-disabled individuals better. Results. People with difficulty in carrying out activities of daily living are much older, frequently women and with low education and income levels. The significant interaction between education level and income means that the odds of being disabled is 43 % less in people of high income compared with people of low income if they are well educated, while it is only 21 %, among those with low education.Conclusion A higher education level amplifies significantly the inverse association between income and disability in the Spanish elderly, what suggests that those with higher education will profit more than those with lower education from universal economic benefits policies aimed at the disabled, increasing health inequalities between groups.

Un nivel más alto de educación amplifica significativamente la asociación inversa existente entre renta y discapacidad en los mayores: las personas con más ingresos tienen menos discapacidad, pero si además tienen un nivel educativo alto esa asociación inversa se amplifica. Las políticas sociales con beneficios económicos universales podrían tener resultados inesperados pues las personas con más estudios obtendrían más beneficio que los que cuentan con menos estudios.

The aim of the project is to study the environmental noise effects on the neonates and a proposal to attenuate them. This Final Project pretends to identify where the noise comes from in the Neonatal Unit and its value in decibels and to compare the decibels measured with those established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Environmental Health Committee. Both advise not to exceed 45 decibels during the day and 35 decibels at night. Also, I want to propose a maximum value of decibels for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit according to the results obtained. Too, this work will analyse if the premature’s physiological changes are related with the noise they are exposed to during the long period of time that they must habituate. Finally, some attenuating measures with the purpose of reduce the noise levels and create an appropriate welfare for the preterm infants are proposed.

This study evaluated the effect of adding soy protein isolate (SPI) and long-chain inulin (INL) blendswith 10 different SPI : INL ratios on the textural, rheological and microstructural properties of freshly made and frozen/thawed potato puree. All the potato puree samples were subjected to a sensory texture profile analysis and a trained panel rated the intensity of six descriptors, while an untrained panel did the same on six selected frozen/thawed products. The main SPI : INL ratio effect remained significant for all the descriptors evaluated, when the analysis of variance was applied considering the untrained assessors as random effects. However, only trained panel scores for creaminess corresponded well with untrained assessor ratings. Rheological flow index values were linked with variations in perceived consistency, and geometric and surface textural attributes were explained by structural features such as the presence of INL crystallites and SPI coarse strands.

Background and aims Coeliac disease (CD) is triggered by an abnormal reaction to gluten. Peptides resulting from partially digested gluten of wheat, barley or rye cause inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa. Previous contradictory studies suggest that oats may trigger the abnormal immunological response in patients with CD. Monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) against the main immunotoxic 33-mer peptide (A1 and G12) react strongly against wheat, barley and rye but have less reactivity against oats. The stated aim of this study is to test whether this observed reactivity could be related to the potential toxicity of oats for patients with CD. Methods In the present study, different oat varieties, controlled for their purity and by their distinct protein pattern, were used to examine differences in moAb G12 recognition by ELISA and western blot. Immunogenicity of oat varieties was determined by 33-mer concentration, T cell proliferation and interferon γ production. Results Three groups of oat cultivars reacting differently against moAb G12 could be distinguished: a group with considerable affinity, a group showing slight reactivity and a third with no detectable reactivity. The immunogenicity of the three types of oats as well as that of a positive and negative control was determined with isolated peripheral blood mononuclear T cells from patients with CD by measurement of cell proliferation and interferon γ release. A direct correlation of the reactivity with G12 and the immunogenicity of the different prolamins was observed. Conclusions The results showed that the reactivity of the moAb G12 is proportional to the potential immunotoxicity of the cereal cultivar. These differences may explain the different clinical responses observed in patients suffering from CD and open up a means to identify immunologically safe oat cultivars, which could be used to enrich a gluten-free diet.

BACKGROUND: Predatory fish tend to accumulate high levels of mercury (Hg). Food safety assessment of these fish has been carried out on the raw product. However, the evaluation of the risk from Hg concentrations in raw fish might be modified if cooking and bioaccessibility (the contaminant fraction that solubilises from its matrix during gastrointestinal digestion and becomes available for intestinal absorption) were taken into account. Data on Hg bioaccessibility in raw predatory fish sold in Spain are scarce and no research on Hg bioaccessibility in cooked fish is available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Hg bioaccessibility in various kinds of cooked predatory fish sold in Spain to estimate their health risk. RESULTS: Both Hg and bioaccessible Hg concentrations were analysed in raw and cooked fish (swordfish, tope shark, bonito and tuna). There were no changes in Hg concentrations during cooking. However, Hg bioaccessibility decreased significantly after cooking (42 plusmn; 26% in raw fish and 26 ± 16% in cooked fish), thus reducing in swordfish and tope shark the Hg concentration to which the human organism would be exposed. CONCLUSION: In future, cooking and bioaccessibility should be considered in risk assessment of Hg concentrations in predatory fish.

Honey bees play an important role in food production (honey, pollen etc.), and their pollinating activity is not only essential to maintain world agriculture production but also to ensure biodiversity in different ecosystems. Nosema ceranae is a highly prevalent worldwide pathogen for honey bees that has been related to colony losses. A commercial formulation that contains fumagillin dicyclohexylamine, Fumidil B®, can control N. ceranae infection. However, the effectiveness of Fumidil B® is affected by several factors, such as storage, treatment preparation, the quantity consumed by bees etc. Indeed, UV exposure (e.g. sunlight) drastically reduces the initial concentration of fumagillin within a few hours, while temperature affects its degradation. Although laboratory tests suggest that a semisolid mixture of honey and powdered sugar is the best option to apply fumagillin, its application in syrup (250 mL per dosage) is more effective for the treatment of infected colonies. The total amount of syrup containing fumagillin ingested by honey bees is a key factor in its efficacy, and it has been found that medicated patties were not fully consumed in field trials. In honey bee colonies, the dose of 120 mg/honey bee colony at the recommended posology is effective against depopulation and colony death due to N. ceranae after 1 year, without residues being detected in honey, although reinfection could be detected 4 months after treatment ended. © INRA, DIB-AGIB and Springer Science+Business Media B.V., 2011.

Los genomas de vertebrados están organizados funcional y estructuralmente en dominios, que incluyen todos los elementos reguladores necesarios para la correcta expresión de los genes que contienen. Estos dominios están delimitados por aisladores genómicos, elementos reguladores con propiedades de bloqueo de enhancers y de barrera, y que contribuyen a la organización estructural del locus mediante la interacción con la arquitectura nuclear. Se han descrito multitud de secuencias de unión a CTCF, un factor nuclear asociado a aisladores genómicos en vertebrados, utilizando métodos de análisis masivo. Sin embargo, nuestras publicaciones recientes demuestran que existen secuencias aisladoras que no requieren CTCF (por ejemplo, SINE). Por ello hemos desarrollado nuevos algoritmos bioinformáticos, para el análisis sistemático del genoma humano y de ratón, utilizando herramientas como aGEM, que permiten inspeccionar el patrón de expresión de genes en diversos tejidos y compararlos frente al de sus vecinos inmediatos, centrándonos en aquellos que presenten diferencias y explorando las secuencias intergénicas correspondientes, en particular aquellas que hayan sido conservadas evolutivamente. Para validar funcionalmente estos aisladores genómicos aplicamos el método diseñado en el laboratorio. Primero, realizamos un test in vitro de bloqueo de enhancer en células de mamífero en cultivo. En segundo lugar, evaluamos estos mismos elementos in vivo, usando construcciones similares en pez cebra. Los aisladores descritos con este método pueden funcionar en construcciones heterólogas, como transgenes y vectores de terapia génica, combatiendo eficazmente los efectos de posición cromosomales.

Bioaccessibility, the fraction of an element solubilized during gastrointestinal digestion and available for absorption, is a factor that should be considered when evaluating the health risk of contaminants from food. Static and dynamic models that mimic human physiological conditions have been used to evaluate bioaccessibility. This preliminary study compares the bioaccessibility of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in two food certified reference materials (CRMs) (seaweed: Fucus sp., IAEA-140/TM; Lobster hepatopancreas: TORT-2), using two in vitro gastrointestinal digestion methods: a static method (SM) and a dynamic multicompartment method (TIM-1). There are significant differences (p < 0.05) between the bioaccessible values of As, Cd, Pb and Hg obtained by SM and TIM-1 in the two CRMs. The specific form in which the elements studied are present in the CRM may help to explain the bioaccessibility values obtained. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Método de detección de la Telangiectasia Hemorrágica Hereditaria. Método para la detección de la Telangiectasia Hemorrágica Hereditaria (HHT) que comprende el análisis in vitro de los productos de la expresión de los genes ENG o FLT1 Y ENG o ANGPT2 en muestras biológicas de pacientes y que, además, permite sub-clasificar las variantes HHT1 y HHT2 de la enfermedad. En particular, la presente invención se refiere a un kit para la detección molecular de HHT capaz de llevar a cabo la detección mencionada anteriormente.