Search

[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 introduction of some new rootstocks requires knowledge of the potential ‘translocated’ and ‘localized’ graft incompatibilities before releasing these rootstocks into the market. Trials were established at the Aula Dei Experimental Station (Zaragoza, Spain) to assess graft compatibility between five European plum (Prunus domestica L.) and six Japanese plum (Prunus salicina L.) cultivars with thirty-eight rootstocks belonging to peach × almond hybrids, as well as slow-growing, fast-growing and interspecific hybrid plum groups. Some of these rootstocks are under process of selection and others are commercial rootstocks already introduced into the European market. External visual diagnosis of the scion-rootstock graft combinations was performed by observing symptoms of the ‘translocated’ incompatibility in the nursery. Visual symptoms of ‘translocated’ incompatibility were only found on the Japanese plum cv. ‘Golden Japan’ budded on the plum-apricot hybrid AP-45. The ‘localized’ graft incompatibility was assessed after internal macroscopically examination of graft unions. In the case of the European plum cvs., ‘President’ and ‘Reine Claude Tardive of Chambourcy’ exhibited good graft compatibility with all the tested rootstocks, with the exception of ‘President’ budded on the pentaploid plum hybrid rootstock Damas GF 1869. ‘Reine Claude Verte’ cv. showed ‘localized’ incompatibility with Myrobalan B and Myrobalan GF 3-1 since the second year after budding. ‘Stanley’ cv. showed ‘localized’ incompatibility with the six evaluated peach × almond hybrid rootstocks, although it was compatible with all plum based rootstocks. In the case of Japanese plums, four cultivars (‘Angeleno’, ‘Black Amber’,’ Delbarazur’ and ‘Songold’) did not show any graft incompatibility, but ‘Friar’ showed ‘localized’ incompatibility on Myrobalan B. In the case of peach-almond and P. cerasifera based rootstocks (Adarcias, GF 677, Damas GF 1869, Myrobalan B, Myrobalan 29 C, Myrobalan GF 3-1 and Mari

236U, 239Pu and 240Pu are present in soils mainly as a result of the local- and global-fallout from the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests carried out mainly in the 1950's and 1960's. In this work we provide new data on the presence of 236U and 239,240Pu in surface soils (i.e. up to 5 cm depth) from Chile and Africa. The results were obtained by low-energy Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). In the case of the Chilean samples, 236U/239Pu atom ratios show a high variability and are in general higher than the reported value for the global fallout in the Northern Hemisphere, ranging from 0.2 to 1.5. The 236U atomic concentrations range from 3.5 × 106 to 9.1 × 106 atoms/g, and are at least two orders of magnitude lower than the reported values in the Northern Hemisphere. The measured 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio in soils from South-Africa and Mozambique are of about 0.17, in agreement with the expected one for global-fallout at those coordinates. To best knowledge of the authors the present work is the first publication on 236U concentrations and 236U/239Pu atom ratios in soils from South-America and Africa.

[Objectives] The clinical correlation of fluconazole antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) for Candida isolates and its integration with pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) parameters is unclear. We analysed the impact of fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, 24-hour area under the concentration–time curve (AUC24) and AUC24/MIC ratio on the outcome of candidemic patients., [Methods] We included 257 episodes of candidaemia treated with fluconazole monotherapy for ≥72 hours from a population-based surveillance conducted in 29 hospitals (CANDIPOP Project). AST was centrally performed by European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) microdilution methods. Primary outcome was clinical failure (30-day mortality and/or persistent candidaemia for ≥72 hours from initiation of therapy). Secondary outcomes included early (3–7 days) and late (3–30 days) mortality., [Results] Rates of clinical failure, early and late mortality among evaluable episodes were 32.3% (80/248), 3.1% (8/257) and 23.4% (59/248). There was no relationship between fluconazole MIC values or PK/PD parameters and clinical failure. Although MIC values ≥2 mg/L by EUCAST (positive predictive value 32.1%, negative predictive value 68.7%) and ≥0.5 mg/L by CLSI (positive predictive value 34.8%, negative predictive value 74.4%) appeared to be optimal for predicting clinical failure, no significant associations remained after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio 1.67; 95% confidence interval 0.48–5.79; p 0.423). Lack of association was consistent for alternative thresholds (including proposed clinical breakpoints). The only association found for secondary outcomes was between an AUC24/MIC ratio >400 h by CLSI and early mortality (odds ratio 0.18; 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.98; p 0.026)., [Conclusions] High fluconazole MIC values did not negatively impact outcome of patients with candidaemia treated with fluconazole. No effect of PK/PD targets on the risk of clinical failure was found.

[Objective] Paradoxical growth (PG) and trailing effect (TE) are frequently observed during antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST). These two phenomena interfere with the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical impact of TE and PG., [Methods] We analysed the frequency of TE and PG of 690 Candida isolates collected from a population-based study performed in Spain (CANDIPOP) and correlated the results with clinical outcome of the patients., [Results] Around 70% (484/690) of the isolates exhibited TE to azoles. Candida tropicalis showed the highest presence of TE (39/53 isolates exhibited residual growth >25% of control). No TE was seen in most of the isolates from the psilosis complex. PG was mainly associated with echinocandins. In patients treated with fluconazole within the first 48 hours after blood sampling (n = 221), the presence of TE to azoles tended to be associated with lower 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25–1.00) but not with clinical failure (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.45–1.54). In the subgroup of 117 patients treated with echinocandins, the presence of PG was not associated with patient's response to antifungal treatment (OR for 30-day mortality 1.63, 95% CI 0.76–4.03; OR for clinical failure 1.17, 95% CI 0.53–2.70)., [Conclusions] TE or PG are widely expressed among Candida spp., although they do not seem to influence clinical outcome.

We report evidence for the electrochemical performances of two Li-ion full cells, built up by the combination of LiCoNiMnO cathode material with MnSn intermetallic and LiTiO spinel as the anode materials, respectively. MnSn and LiTiO electrode materials illustrate different working voltage versus the redox couple Li/Li and different reaction mechanisms during lithium insertion/deinsertion cycles. The structure, morphological characteristics and the electrochemical properties of the studied materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical techniques. The two full-cell configurations showed different electrochemical behaviors. The MnSn//LiCoNiMnO configuration exhibits high working voltage (~ 3.5 V) and specific capacity (~ 200 mAh/g) but suffers from high irreversible capacity loss during the first cycles and capacity fading during cycling. The LiTiO//LiCoNiMnO cell demonstrated excellent cycling properties at different C-rates with 100% capacity retention after 150 cycles at 1 C. Although the working voltage (~ 2.2 V) and the specific capacity (~ 140 mAh/g) are lower than those of the MnSn//LiCoNiMnO configuration, the other measured electrochemical properties suggest that the LiTiO//LiCoNiMnO full cell is a potential candidate for battery application due to its excellent cycling performance and improved safety.

Bionanocomposite foams based on alginate, potato starch and the microfibrous clay mineral sepiolite as reinforcing filler were prepared by lyophilization. Spectroscopic techniques were applied in order to assess the interaction mechanism established between the inorganic fibers and the polysaccharide chains, which is established between the hydroxyl groups in the polysaccharide chains and the silanol groups at the external surface of the sepiolite fibers. The textural properties studied by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry, FE-SEM and X-ray microtomography, revealed a decrease in porosity as the sepiolite content increased. Mechanical properties were also determined for the studied foams, showing an increase in compression moduli from 7.3 MPa in the foam without sepiolite to 29 MPa in foams containing 10% starch, 40% sepiolite and 50% alginate. Horizontal burning tests were carried out for a preliminary evaluation of the role of the inorganic fibers on the fire resistance properties of the bionanocomposite foams, revealing that bionanocomposite foams with sepiolite content >25% behave as auto-extinguishable materials. Post-synthesis cross-linking with CaCl was carried out in some of these samples, leading to an increase in the compression modulus up to 40 MPa for the optimal composition.

Live yeast cultures and yeast hydrolyzates can be used as rumen fermentation modifiers, but their effects and mode of action are different. Whereas the effects of live yeast cultures on rumen fermentation are well documented, yeast hydrolyzates have received much less attention. The influence of a yeast hydrolyzate from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, obtained after ethanol production from sugarcane (YHS), on in vitro rumen fermentation was investigated using both batch cultures and Rusitec fermenters inoculated with ruminal fluid from sheep. Batch cultures (300 mg dry matter (DM)) with two mixed diets (AHC, 0.5:0.5 alfalfa hay:concentrate; BSC, 0.15:0.85 barley straw:concentrate) as substrate were supplemented with increasing doses of YHS (0, 3.3, 6.7, 10.0 and 13.3 ml/l) and incubated for 16.5 h at 39 °C. Supplementation of increasing amounts of YHS to AHC-cultures increased (P < 0.05) linearly total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and butyrate molar proportion, and decreased (P < 0.001) acetate proportion and acetate:propionate ratio. In contrast, only subtle effects of YHS on NH-N concentrations and molar proportions of isovalerate and caproate were observed for the BSC diet. Longer-term effects of YHS supplementation on rumen fermentation of AHC diet were investigated using four Rusitec fermenters in a cross-over experimental design with two 14-day incubation periods. Fermenters were given daily 30 g of diet DM, and in each period half of them were supplemented daily with 5 ml of YHS (10.0 ml/l) Supplementing with YHS did not affect (P > 0.05) total VFA production, lactate concentrations, DM and aNDFom disappearance or enzymatic activities (amylase, xylanase and carboxymethylcellulase). Compared with the unsupplemented fermenters, YHS treatment increased (P < 0.001) NH-N concentrations and molar proportions of propionate and butyrate at the expense of acetate, and decreased (P < 0.001) acetate:propionate ratio. In addition, YHS supplementation tended (P < 0.07)

The purpose of this study is to understand and quantify the relationships between current 137Cs inventories and the soil properties and the physiographic characteristics. A total of 36 cores were taken in seven transects with different slopes, lithology and land use. The analysis focused on the 137Cs mass activity as well as inventories and its relationship with soil properties as grain size and organic matter. The mass activity of 137Cs and the inventories varied between 3.6 and 63.7 Bq kg−1 and between 521.7 and 3304.4 Bq m−2, respectively. At uncultivated soils, high concentrations of 137Cs are located in the top 10 cm and decreased exponentially in depth. Cultivated soils record disturbed and heterogeneous 137Cs profiles with values of mass activity and inventories up to 38.7 Bq kg−1 and 2510.8 Bq m−2, respectively. The 137Cs inventories were significantly higher in uncultivated soils (mean: 2086.9 Bq m−2) compared to cultivated soils (mean: 1397.1 Bq m−2). The 137Cs mass activity showed a significant positive correlation with organic matter, silt and clay, but it was negatively correlated with sand and pH respectively. High levels of 137Cs were found at altitudes between 500 m and 640 m a.s.l, and at slopes from 8° to 11°, as well as in dense scrub land and Fersialitic soils. A principal component analysis showed that more than 86.7% of the variance in 137Cs mass activity was explained by the organic matter content and the land use. The results of this study provide insights into the effects of soil properties and physiographic factors on the behaviour of 137Cs in soils of Mediterranean environments of North Africa and strengthen the reliability of this radioisotope as an erosion tracer.

The margin of the continental slope of the Volcanic Province of Canary Islands is characterised by seamounts, submarine hills and large landslides. The seabed morphology including detailed morphology of the seamounts and hills was analysed using multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data, and very high resolution seismic profiles. Some of the elevation data are reported here for the first time. The shape and distribution of characteristics features such as volcanic cones, ridges, slides scars, gullies and channels indicate evolutionary differences. Special attention was paid to recent geological processes that influenced the seamounts. We defined various morphosedimentary units, which are mainly due to massive slope instability that disrupt the pelagic sedimentary cover.We also studied other processes such as the role of deep bottom currents in determining sediment distribution. The sediments are interpreted as the result of a complex mixture ofmaterial derived froma) slope failures on seamounts and submarine hills; and b) slides and slumps on the continental slope.

We compared the clinical efficacy of fluconazole and echinocandins in the treatment of candidemia in real practice. The CANDIPOP study is a prospective, population-based cohort study on candidemia carried out between May 2010 and April 2011 in 29 Spanish hospitals. Using strict inclusion criteria, we separately compared the impact of empirical and targeted therapy with fluconazole or echinocandins on 30-day mortality. Cox regression, including a propensity score (PS) for receiving echinocandins, stratified analysis on the PS quartiles and PS-based matched analyses, were performed. The empirical and targeted therapy cohorts comprised 316 and 421 cases, respectively; 30-day mortality was 18.7% with fluconazole and 33.9% with echinocandins (p 0.02) in the empirical therapy group and 19.8% with fluconazole and 27.7% with echinocandins (p 0.06) in the targeted therapy group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis including PS showed that empirical therapy with fluconazole was associated with better prognosis (adjusted hazard ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.17–0.81; p 0.01); no differences were found within each PS quartile or in cases matched according to PS. Targeted therapy with fluconazole did not show a significant association with mortality in the Cox regression analysis (adjusted hazard ratio 0.77; 95% confidence interval 0.41–1.46; p 0.63), in the PS quartiles or in PS-matched cases. The results were similar among patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Empirical or targeted treatment with fluconazole was not associated with increased 30-day mortality compared to echinocandins among adults with candidemia.

The influence of relative humidity (RH) has been determined in SiO2 colloidal nanoparticles, to study their efficacy as a consolidating product by means of the physical changes in the hydric and mechanical properties produced in a siliceous-carbonate stone from a historic building (XVI century) with signs of degradation. Therefore, diverse analytical techniques have been used for the product characterization (TEM-EDS, ESEM-EDS, XRD, DTA-TG, spectrophotometry) together with micro-destructive (SEM, microdrilling resistance) and non-destructive petrophysical tests (hydric tests, ultrasonic velocity, adhesion and microhardness tests) for the characterization of the stone. The precursor water colloidal nanosilica, when is initially exposed to high RH environments, forms agglomerated spherical nanoparticles of amorphous silica, that holds a higher amount of adsorbed water and lower amount of silanol groups on the surface, compared to samples exposed to lower RH. This final product behaves in a similar way than a silica gel, when is exposed once again to lower and higher RH, as a reversible hydration–dehydration process of adsorbed water. Related to the efficacy as a consolidant, the results show differences both, in surface changes, decreasing the amount of released material from the substrate and increasing its surface hardness, as in the interior of the porous structure, increasing absorption and desorption water capillarity rates, ultrasonic velocities and drilling resistance, showing high efficiency and less adverse aspects at lower RH. However, this effect and the possible decay caused by repeated cycles of hydration–dehydration of the silica gel inside the porous of the stone should be assessed in order to determine its durability.

The NH, SO and CO van der Waals complexes with imidazole are characterized using highly correlated ab initio methods. The aim is to compare the behavior of greenhouse effect gases and pollutants in the presence of imidazole for predicting the ability of new materials, such as Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIF's), for CO capture, storage and gas filters. Imidazole is considered as the simplest model to study the nature of host-guest interactions in ZIF's. Hydrogen bonding plays an important role in these polar gas capture processes, leading to three equilibrium structures of the imidazole + NH, five of the imidazole + SO, and twelve of the imidazole + CO. Real harmonic frequencies confirm the minimum energy character of these geometries. The complexation processes carry out important changes in the charge distribution of the ring. Binding energies calculated with CCSD(T)-F12 theory predict a favored adsorption of ammonia with respect to CO. In this case, the formation of intramolecular bonds involving the unprotonated nitrogen is clearly favored energetically. The binding energy corresponding to the most stable structure I1A of SO is approximately twice of the corresponding value of CO. Carbon monoxide presents the largest number of possible equilibrium structures which assure its capture by solid ZIF's although binding energies are relatively low.

We present a novel lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers using simple voltage measurements. The biosensor functionalization is performed in-situ, immediately before its use, facilitating reagents storage and massive devices fabrication. Sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) are tunable depending on the in-chip flown sample volumes. As a proof-of-concept, the system has been tested and adjusted to quantify two proteins found in blood that are susceptible to be used combined, as a screening tool, to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa): prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and spondin-2 (SPON2). This combination of biomarkers has been reported to be more specific for PCa diagnostics than the currently accepted but rather controversial PSA indicator. The range of detection for PSA and SPON2 could be adjusted to the clinically relevant range of 1 to 10. ng/ml. The system was tested for specificity to the evaluated biomarkers. This multiplex system can be modified and adapted to detect a larger quantity of biomarkers, or different ones, of relevance to other specific diseases.

Electronic structure calculations are applied to the study of the properties of the Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs) for gas capture of the greenhouse effect gases CO, CH and SF. Van-der-Walls complexes of these adsorbates with imidazole are explored considering the imidazolate rings simplest models for the study of the nature of host-guest interactions in ZIFs. The minimum energy paths for complexation are described by determining global interaction potential energy surfaces. The approach of SF to the imidazole can produce its decomposition due to heterogeneous catalysis. The number of the complex stable geometries, depending on the size and polarity of the adsorbate, makes more probable its adsorption. The calculations prove that capture by imidazoles is energetically favored for the three adsorbates, CO displays the largest ability for binding imidazolate rings and methane presents the larger number of structures. CH and SF can be expected to be strong competitors while the molecular size of SF can yield to important steric effects. The stability of three body complexes type CH-imidazole-CO and SF-imidazole-CO confirms the probability of simultaneous attachments. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The landing obligation recently adopted by the European Union's (EU) Common Fisheries Policy aims to eradicate discards in EU fisheries. The objective of this paper is to investigate the potential social and economic impacts of the discard ban in European small-scale fisheries (SSF) and the critical factors for its successful implementation. An exhaustive systematic literature review and a stakeholder consultation were carried out in order to (i) collect detailed information about current knowledge on discards in EU SSF and gauge stakeholder perceptions about potential impacts of the discard ban in European SSF, (ii) examine the capacity of the SSF industry to implement the discard ban, and (iii) explore the limits and feasibility of implementing such a measure. The results of this study show that little attention has been given by the scientific community to discards in EU SSF. Indeed, the systematic literature review shows that this problem is relatively unexplored in the EU. In addition, the effectiveness of a discard ban in industrial fisheries is still unclear, mainly because discard data are not systematically collected by fisheries authorities. Stakeholders mostly perceive that the new landing obligation was developed with industrial fisheries in mind and that compliance with the landing obligation in EU SSF will be difficult to achieve without high economic costs, such as those related to the handling and storage of unwanted fish on board

The agronomic performance and fruit quality traits were evaluated for ten Prunus rootstocks: Garnem, PADAC 150, PADAC 04-03, PADAC 04-01, Rootpac® 70, PM 105 AD, AGAF 0301-04, Krymsk® 1, Krymsk® 86 and PAC 847. These rootstocks were budded with ‘Subirana’ flat peach cultivar in September 2007 and planted in two adjacent plots in northern Tunisia (36°41′N, 10°15′E) on a heavy and calcareous soil typical of the Mediterranean area. Tree mortality, vegetative growth, rate of bud failure and fruit quality were assessed. Significant differences were found among rootstocks for the agronomic and fruit quality traits. Growing conditions generated varying levels of tree mortality, the highest with Krymsk® 1 rootstock. In contrast, all trees on PADAC 04-03 and PADAC 04-01 survived well. The lowest vigor was induced by Krymsk® 1 with a reduction of 90% in trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and canopy volume as compared to Garnem. PADAC 150 also expressed a low vigor. The highest canopy volume was found on Rootpac® 70 as similarly for Garnem. The remaining rootstocks induced a medium vigor level. Trees on vigorous rootstocks as Rootpac® 70 showed the lowest rate of bud failure, while dwarfing rootstocks induced the highest buds abscission. Yield was higher for AGAF 0301-04 in 2011 and 2012 as compared to the rest of rootstocks. The highest yield efficiency was recorded on PM 105 AD and AGAF 0301-04 rootstocks. Rootpac® 70 presented the highest fruit weight and fruit diameter. The highest level of soluble solids content (SSC) was recorded on Krymsk® 1, and the lowest on Garnem, although differences were not significant when compared to the other rootstocks. The less vigorous rootstocks seem to induce a better fruit quality of peach based on fruit sugar content. This study provides information that new Prunus rootstocks for peach can lead to a better agronomic performance than Garnem, mainly in vigor and in productive parameters. The peach-plum hybrid PADAC 04-03 induced good yield

In this work we analyze through a polyphasic approach several Bradyrhizobium strains isolated in Venezuela from root nodules of Centrosema species. The analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the strains belong to three clusters within genus Bradyrhizobium which have 100% similarity with Bradyrhizobium daqingense CCBAU 15774TBradyrhizobium guangxiense CCBAU 53363T and Bradyrhizobium viridifuturi SEMIA 690T. The results of recA and glnII gene analysis confirmed the identification of the strains CMVU02 and CMVU30 as Bradyrhizobium viridifuturi but the nodC gene analysis showed that they belong to a new symbiovar for which we propose the name tropici. Nevertheless, the concatenated recA and glnII gene phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic characterization showed that the strains A9T, CMVU44T and CMVU04 belong to two novel Bradyrhizobium species. The analysis of the nodC gene showed that these strains also represent two new symbiovars. Based on these results we propose the classification of the strain A9T isolated from Centrosema molle into the novel species Bradyrhizobium centrosemae (sv. centrosemae) sp. nov. (type strain A9T = LMG 29515T = CECT 9095T). and the classification of the strains CMVU44T and CMVU04 isolated from C. macrocarpum into the novel species Bradyrhizobium americanum (sv. phaseolarum) sp. nov. (type strain CMVU44T = LMG 29514T = CECT 9096T).

Microplankton organisms are an important link in the transfer of matter and energy between the benthic–pelagic microbial food web and higher trophic levels in estuaries. Although tropical estuaries are among the most productive aquatic systems globally, information on the spatial and seasonal dynamics of microplankton in such systems is scarce. In order to identify which variables control microplankton abundance and community structure a number of environmental variables were measured along the tropical Gulf of Nicoya (Costa Rica) during the rainy and dry seasons (2011–2012). The Tempisque River was a major source of nutrients and turbidity and thus imposing a clear gradient along the estuary. Chlorophyll (chl ) concentration was highest in the middle of the estuary (2.7–20 mg m), where turbidity decreased. The microplankton comprised mainly diatoms (88%) and dinoflagellates (8%). Multivariate analysis revealed five different microplankton assemblages associated with a seasonal and riverine–marine gradient, and supporting an ecotone model at the estuary head that shifts to an ecocline model for the rest of the estuary. Our results suggest that primary producers in the estuary were mainly limited by light rather than nutrients.

We have synthesized and assayed dimethylaminophenyl, pyrrolidin-1-ylphenyl and carbazole containing phenstatins and isocombretastatins as analogues of the highly potent indoleisocombretastatins with extended or reduced ring sizes. This is an attempt to explore beyond the structural constraints of the X-ray crystal structures the zone of the colchicine site where the tropolone ring of colchicine binds to tubulin (zone 1). The isocombretastatins display up to 30 fold increased water solubility when compared with combretastatin A-4, potent inhibition of tubulin polymerization, and nanomolar cytotoxicities against several human cancer cell lines irrespective of the size of the B ring. On the other hand, substitutions ortho to the nitrogen cause an important reduction in potency. We have also shown that representative compounds inhibit autophagy. These results show that zone 1 can adapt to systems of different size as far as they stay in a common plane, but does not tolerate substituents protruding above or below it. These results can help in the understanding of the binding modes of structures with similar systems and in the design of new colchicine site ligands.

Two hydrothermal treatments were assayed on secondary date varieties from the Tunisian coastal oasis in order to obtain valuable solid extracts, rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants. The steam explosion treatment (SET) is based on high temperatures and pressures, with an explosive decompression. The steam treatment (ST), without rapid decompression, has lower pressures and temperatures, but longer treatments than SET. The recovery of the fiber concentrates (FCs) was very similar for the different assayed conditions. Only its granulometry showed differences, increasing the fraction with size lower than 4 mm in more intense treatments. Treatment conditions had higher influence than date variety in the FCs chemical composition. It was approximately 0.1–2% soluble sugar, 0.7–2% uronic acids, 4–8% phenols, 5–11% fat, 5–22% non-cellulosic sugars, 9–14% protein, 12–20% cellulose, and 44–71% lignin, depending on treatment conditions. They had also very high antiradical activity (230–580 mmols Trolox/Kg FC). The use of ST reactor is highly recommended because it could be easily scaled up to the industry. The FC obtained by hydrothermal treatments from date fruits could be considered as a very interesting ingredient for healthier food, especially for bakery or dairy products due to its pleasant chocolate/coffee flavor.

The aim of this paper was to propose a new approach to evaluate the effect of tannins on rumen microbial fermentation in terms of biological effect (proportion of the response if tannins are inactivated, BE) and reactivity (capability of tannins to bind chemically with different amounts of a reagent), by recording gas production in 24 h in vitro incubation of substrates with increasing levels (0.025-1 g/g substrate) of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Three tropical browse legumes with different tannin contents (Acacia cornigera, Albizia lebbekoides and Leucaena leucocephala) were chosen as model substrates. The reactivity index (RI, mg PEG) and absolute reactivity index (aRI, mg PEG/ml gas) were estimated from the rate coefficient of fitting gas production per unit of added PEG to an exponential equation for each incubation time. The RI characterises each specific tannin source, and depends on the potential fermentation of the plant. The average RI values of A. cornigera, L. leucocephala and A. lebbekoides were 70.4, 36.3 and 55.7 mg PEG, respectively. The aRI is a tool for species comparison, because it is referred to the total volume of gas produced. It was higher in A. lebbekoides, intermediate in A. cornigera and lowest in L. leucocephala (1.57, 0.76 and 1.14 mg PEG/ml gas, respectively; P=0.012). This index was higher at 6 h than at 12 and 24 h (1.62, 0.96 and 0.89 mg PEG/ml gas, P<0.001). The estimation of these indexes is a simple and inexpensive tool that gives a more complete view of the biological activity pattern of tannins in practical conditions, complementing that of other biological effect indexes and avoiding the biases that arise from their chemical analysis.

Using a natural experiment framework, we study the effects of offering full-time public childcare for 3-year-olds in a context of low female labor force participation and insufficient infrastructure of childcare slots. We find that two mothers entered employment for every ten additional children enrolled in public childcare. The effect is driven by mothers 30 years old and older and those with two children or more. While our estimates compare to those found earlier, they cannot be explained by a crowding out of alternative childcare modes. Nonetheless, as the reform was implemented in a period of low labor demand in Spain, our estimates may not be as modest at they appear at first sight. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.

All rights reserved. Tef grain is becoming very attractive in the Western countries since it is a gluten-free grain with appreciated nutritional advantages. However there is little information of its functional properties and starch digestibility and how they are affected by variety type and particle size distribution. This work evaluates the effect of the grain variety and the mill used on tef flour physico-chemical and functional properties, mainly derived from starch behavior. In vitro starch digestibility of the flours by Englyst method was assessed. Two types of mills were used to obtain whole flours of different granulation. Rice and wheat flours were analyzed as references. Protein molecular weight distribution and flour structure by SEM were also analyzed to justify some of the differences found among the cereals studied. Tef cultivar and mill type exhibited important effect on granulation, bulking density and starch damage, affecting the processing performance of the flours and determining the hydration and pasting properties. The color was darker although one of the white varieties had a lightness near the reference flours. Different granulation of tef flour induced different in vitro starch digestibility. The disc attrition mill led to higher starch digestibility rate index and rapidly available glucose, probably as consequence of a higher damaged starch content. The results confirm the adequacy of tef flour as ingredient in the formulation of new cereal based foods and the importance of the variety and the mill on its functional properties.

The PR-toxin is a potent mycotoxin produced by Penicillium roqueforti in moulded grains and grass silages and may contaminate blue-veined cheese. The PR-toxin derives from the 15 carbon atoms sesquiterpene aristolochene formed by the aristolochene synthase (encoded by ari1). We have cloned and sequenced a four gene cluster that includes the ari1 gene from P. roqueforti. Gene silencing of each of the four genes (named prx1 to prx4) resulted in a reduction of 65-75% in the production of PR-toxin indicating that the four genes encode enzymes involved in PR-toxin biosynthesis. Interestingly the four silenced mutants overproduce large amounts of mycophenolic acid, an antitumor compound formed by an unrelated pathway suggesting a cross-talk of PR-toxin and mycophenolic acid production. An eleven gene cluster that includes the above mentioned four prx genes and a 14-TMS drug/H+ antiporter was found in the genome of Penicillium chrysogenum. This eleven gene cluster has been reported to be very poorly expressed in a transcriptomic study of P. chrysogenum genes under conditions of penicillin production (strongly aerated cultures). We found that this apparently silent gene cluster is able to produce PR-toxin in P. chrysogenum under static culture conditions on hydrated rice medium. Noteworthily, the production of PR-toxin was 2.6-fold higher in P. chrysogenum npe10, a strain deleted in the 56.8kb amplifiable region containing the pen gene cluster, than in the parental strain Wisconsin 54-1255 providing another example of cross-talk between secondary metabolite pathways in this fungus. A detailed PR-toxin biosynthesis pathway is proposed based on all available evidence. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Different MoS2 nanostructures have been obtained following an innovative one-step solvothermal method by changing the concentration and type of the electrolyte while avoiding the use of surfactant. It was found that the chemical nature of the studied electrolyte ((NH4)2CO3 or KCl) do not significantly affect the morphology and structure of the obtained MoS2 nanomaterials. Nevertheless, increasing the electrolyte concentration yields to a remarkable modification of the morphology of the resulting MoS2 from nanospheres to worm-shaped then finally to nanotubes. All the obtained nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), Fourier transformation infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

In this paper we analyzed changes in hepatocyte mitochondrial mass and ultrastructure as well as in mitochondrial markers of fission/fusion and biogenesis in mice subjected to 40% calorie restriction (CR) for 18. months versus ad libitum-fed controls. Animals subjected to CR were separated into three groups with different dietary fats: soybean oil (also in controls), fish oil and lard. Therefore, the effect of the dietary fat under CR was studied as well. Our results show that CR induced changes in hepatocyte and mitochondrial size, in the volume fraction occupied by mitochondria, and in the number of mitochondria per hepatocyte. Also, mean number of mitochondrial cristae and lengths were significantly higher in all CR groups compared with controls. Finally, CR had no remarkable effects on the expression levels of fission and fusion protein markers. However, considerable differences in many of these parameters were found when comparing the CR groups, supporting the idea that dietary fat plays a relevant role in the modulation of CR effects in aged mice.

In the present study, Enterococcus faecium MMRA, a safety and technological performing strain, previously isolated from a well-known fermented dairy product of Tunisia, was evaluated for certain properties relevant to probiotic including acid and bile tolerance, gastrointestinal juice resistance and adhesive properties. Acidic pH (2.0-5.0) and bile salt concentrations of 0.3% were used as stress conditions. The adhesive properties were assessed by determination of bacterial hydrophobicity. The strain MMRA showed interesting features such as high tolerance to gastrointestinal tract transit, an extremely high survival rates under stress caused by acidic pHs or bile salts, and a high adhesive potential linked to the elevated percentage of hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the genome of this strain was examined for the occurrence of known enterocin (enterococcal bacteriocins) genes by means of specific PCR assays and this study revealed the genes coding for enterocins A, B, P and X. Although the joint production of these bacteriocins has not been verified, producers of multiple enterocins could have a great technological potential as protective and/or probiotic cultures in the food industry. The results suggested that E.faecium MMRA should be considered as a potential probiotic which meets the criteria to enhance healthy attributes of fermented dairy product besides both of hygienic and sensory aspects. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of the clonal subgroup O16:H5-ST131 and the H30 and H30-Rx subclones among E. coli isolates causing extraintestinal infections and to know their virulence potential. The ST131 clonal group accounted for 490 (16%) of the 2995 isolates obtained from clinical samples in five Spanish hospitals during the study period (2005-2012). Among those 490 ST131 isolates, 456 belonged to serotype O25b:H4, 27 to O16:H5 and seven were O-non-typeable:H4 (ONT:H4). All 27 O16:H5 isolates showed fimH41, whereas fimH30 and fimH22 alleles were the most frequently detected among O25b:H4 isolates. The majority (381/490; 78%) of ST131 isolates belonged to H30 subclone, and 302 of 381 (79%) H30 isolates belonged to the H30-Rx subclone. Of the 27 O16:H5 isolates, 48% produced CTX-M-14; however, none produced CTX-M-15. In contrast, 46% of O25b:H4 isolates produced CTX-M-15 while only 2% produced CTX-M-14. More than a half of the O16:H5 isolates (56%) showed the ExPEC status which was significantly more prevalent within O25b:H4 isolates (81%) (P<. 0.01), especially among H30-Rx (97%) isolates. In the present study, a modified virotype scheme was applied within which approximately half (52%) of the O16:H5 isolates showed the C1 specific virotype. Despite their low virulence-gene score (mean of virulence genes 6.4 versus 8.5 in O25b:H4 isolates), six out of the 10 O16:H5 isolates assayed showed high virulence in the mouse model of sepsis (killed 90-100% of mice challenged). Furthermore, four O16:H5 isolates of virotypes A and C1, carrying K2 variant of group II capsule, showed lethality at 24. h. Thus, certain O16:H5 fimH41 isolates show a similar in vivo virulence to that reported with the highly virulent O25b:H4 H30-Rx isolates (Mora et al., PLOS ONE 2014, e87025), supporting their potential virulence for humans.

Predator satiation and seed abortion have been reported as effective mechanisms reducing pre-dispersal seed predation, however, whether they may act simultaneously and whether their contribution to seed defense may spatially vary has been barely addressed. Across the altitudinal range of the dry tropical tree Acacia pennatula we investigated the importance of seed production and seed abortion as defense mechanisms against its pre-dispersal seed predators (Mimosestes spp.). Additionally, we measured the potential relationship between the number of seeds that escaped predation and plant recruitment. Predator satiation was effective since greater fruit production was associated with a lower proportion of predated seeds, while high seed abortion rates were related to increases in larval mortality. Although both mechanisms were present simultaneously, their relative contribution varied considerably across the altitudinal range: predator satiation was favored in the middle parts of the range, where seed production is much higher, whereas seed abortion was particularly relevant at the peripheral sites and especially high at the upper margin. The number of seeds that escaped predation was related to seedling density at plot level, indicating the demographic significance of these defense mechanisms against pre-dispersal seed predation. Overall, these results highlight the importance of considering spatial variability when analyzing seed defense traits and they also suggest considering predator satiation and seed abortion as two complementary mechanisms to reduce seed loss.

In this study we analyzed the space–time variation of the risk of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle between 2006 and 2011. The results indicated that at country level, there were no significant temporal changes between years, but, at county level bTB evolution was more heterogeneous. In some counties, between some years, the prevalence and the incidence of the disease was higher as compared to the global rate in the rest of the counties of Spain. The analysis of potential risk factors indicated that both, a large number of movements from counties with high incidence (>1%), and presence of bullfighting cattle herds increased bTB risk. Red deer abundance, number of goats and number of mixed cattle-goat farms were not significantly associated with the prevalence/incidence of bTB.

Zeolites and fluoride-rich groundwaters are both usually associated to volcanic regions, and hence in this work we study natural zeolites as fluoride-adsorbents in order to develop a cheap and locally-available fluorosis mitigation technology. The defluoridation capacities of eleven samples originally from Ethiopia are studied as raw materials, without any treatment. Results show that one of the samples, containing mainly analcime and mordenite zeolites, has a maximum defluoridation capacity of 0.47 mg(F−)/g; interestingly, this adsorbent is able to reduce the fluoride concentration beyond the safe limit established by the World Health Organization of 1.5 mg/L. In addition, desorption of fluoride from the adsorbent is easily and quantitatively achieved by subjecting the fluoride-loaded solid to a mild treatment of NaOH 0.001 M; such regenerated adsorbent retains 56% of the initial defluoridation capacity. Experiments carried out with real groundwaters show that this sample preserves its high defluoridation capacity in an actual case. Therefore, our study reports a promising cost-effective and locally-available new adsorbent for defluoridation of fluoride-rich groundwaters.

A model consisting of a system of five ordinary differential equations to simulate the interactions between normal cells, cancer cells, endothelial cells, chemotherapy agent and anti-angiogenic agent in tumour growth is developed. By a partial analysis of the cancer-free subspace, it is shown how the anti-angiogenic agent may help the chemotherapy agent in controlling the cancer. This is illustrated by numerical examples and bifurcation diagrams. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The present work aims are to study the dry sliding wear behavior of WC-12wt%Co materials, with or without addition of Cr3C2/VC grain growth inhibitors, and to sinter them by two different consolidation techniques: conventional sintering and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The dry sliding wear tests were performed on a tribometer with a ball-on-disc configuration using a WC-Co ball as a counterpart material with a normal contact load of 60N, a sliding distance of 10,000m and a sliding speed of 0.1m/s. The influence of the grain growth inhibitors and the consolidation techniques in sintered samples were related to the friction coefficient, wear rates and wear pattern damage. Samples sintered by non-conventional technique (SPS) show the best wear resistance and lower friction coefficient. The addition of inhibitors reduces the wear rates in materials consolidated by both techniques. The differences in the wear damage are related to microstructural parameters, mechanical properties and wear rates. © 2013.

Niche theory predicts that coexisting species with similar trophic requirements should demonstrate resource partitioning, particularly where resources are scarce. Conversely, this is not expected between species that do not share primary resources. This study analyses the patterns of spatial coexistence and habitat selection, on two spatial scales, of three species of semidesert regions in Morocco: the Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), the Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) and the Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor). Co-occurrence analysis results point to between-species segregation on a macrohabitat scale. Hotelling's T test of the species-presence data showed a pattern of macrohabitat selection that diverged from habitat availability for the three species with differences among them. Both the classification tree and the pattern of microhabitat selection obtained by model averaging showed scant overlap between the Sandgrouse and the Courser, suggesting habitat partitioning between them on a fine scale. Our results confirm spatial segregation of the three species, especially between species with different trophic strategies: the Sandgrouse versus the Stone Curlew and the Courser. The latter two species were best segregated on a microhabitat scale, supporting the conclusions that macro- and microhabitat selection are major factors in bird community configuration in arid ecosystems and contributing to reduce potential competition.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of germination on dietary fiber composition, starch availability and physicochemical properties in four non-conventional legumes (Vigna unguiculata, Canavalia ensiformis, Stizolobium niveum, Lablab purpureus) in order to improve the carbohydrate supply and to optimize native products of developing countries. Germination promoted a significant decrease of resistant starch along with an increase of available starch percentage. Total dietary fiber contents increased during germination and improved insoluble/soluble dietary fiber ratio. This process produced an increase of total sugar content, mainly due to the rise of cellulosic glucose from metabolic reaction undergone during germination. Moreover, physicochemical properties of germinated legume flours were modified, improving oil holding, water holding, water absorption and gelation capacities, whereas decreases of emulsifying and foaming capacities were detected. In conclusion, germination provides non-conventional legume flours with higher nutritional quality and better physicochemical properties than the raw flours. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Hypothalamic appetite regulation is a vital homeostatic process underlying global energy balance in animals and humans, its disturbances resulting in feeding disorders with high morbidity and mortality. The objective evaluation of appetite remains difficult, very often restricted to indirect measurements of food intake and body weight. We report here, the direct, non-invasive visualization of hypothalamic activation by fasting using diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging, in the mouse brain as well as in a preliminary study in the human brain. The brain of fed or fasted mice or humans were imaged at 7 or 1.5Tesla, respectively, by diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging using a complete range of b values (10

The occurrence of in vitro production of biogenic amines in bacteria isolated from ice-preserved sardine and mackerel was studied. Biogenic amine production was investigated by means of amino acid decarboxylation by growth on decarboxylase differential medium, biogenic amine detection by thinlayer chromatography (TLC) and decarboxylase gene detection by PCR. Decarboxylase medium overestimate the number of biogenic amine-producer strains, as the production of amine was confirmed by TLC in only five out the 17 presumptive strains. On the producer strains, PCR was used to confirm the presence of the genes encoding the amino acid decarboxylase responsible for the synthesis of these amines. Moreover, biogenic amine-producer bacteria were molecularly identified by sequencing their 16S rRNA. Form sardine, enterobacteria producing simultaneously several biogenic amines were isolated. A Kluyvera intermedia strain producing histamine, putrescine and cadaverine, and an Enterobacter asburiae strain producing only the diamines cadaverine and putrescine were identified. From mackerel, lactic acid bacteria from the Enterococcus durans species producing tyramine were isolated. This study constitutes the first description of the presence on these putatively harmful species on ice-preserved sardine and mackerel.

One-dimensional (1D) nanowire structures have been shown to be promising candidates for enhancing the thermoelectric properties of semiconductor materials. This paper goes beyond single nanowire characterization and reports on the implementation of multiple electrically connected dense arrays of well-oriented and size-controlled silicon nanowires (Si NWs) grown by the CVD-VLS mechanism into microfabricated structures to develop thermoelectric microgenerators (οTEGs). Low thermal mass suspended silicon structures have been designed and microfabricated to naturally generate thermal gradients in planar microthermoelements. The hot and cold parts of the device are linked with horizontal arrays of Si NWs growth by a single bottom-up process. In order to improve the performance of the device as energy harvester, the successive linkage of multiple Si NW arrays has been developed to generate larger temperature differences while preserving a good electrical contact that allows keeping small internal thermoelement resistances. The fabricated thermoelements have shown Seebeck voltages up to 60mV and generated power densities up to 1.44mW/cm 2 for ΔT=300°C and, working as energy harvesters, a maximum Seebeck voltage of 4.4mV and a generated power density of 9οW/cm 2 for ΔT=27°C (across the nanowires) in a single thermoelement. The fabricated microgenerator, taking advantage of the simple planar geometry and compatibility with silicon technology, provides an alternative to the state-of-the-art οTEGs based on non-integrable and scarce V-VI semiconductor materials and a promising energy harvester for advanced micro/nanosystems. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Surfactants are among the most versatile and widely used excipients in pharmaceuticals. This versatility, together with their pH-responsive membrane-disruptive activity and low toxicity, could also enable their potential application in drug delivery systems. Five anionic lysine-based surfactants which differ in the nature of their counterion were studied. Their capacity to disrupt the cell membrane was examined under a range of pH values, concentrations and incubation times, using a standard hemolysis assay as a model for endosomal membranes. The surfactants showed pH-sensitive hemolytic activity and improved kinetics at the endosomal pH range. Low concentrations resulted in negligible hemolysis at physiological pH and high membrane lytic activity at pH 5.4, which is in the range characteristic of late endosomes. With increasing concentration, the surfactants showed an enhanced capacity to lyse cell membranes, and also caused significant membrane disruption at physiological pH. This observation indicates that, at high concentrations, surfactant behavior is independent of pH. The mechanism of surfactant-mediated membrane destabilization was addressed, and scanning electron microscopy studies were also performed to evaluate the effects of the compounds on erythrocyte morphology as a function of pH. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the surfactants was assessed by MTT and NRU assays with the 3T3 cell line. The influence of different types of counterion on hemolytic activity and the potential applications of these surfactants in drug delivery are discussed. The possibility of using pH-sensitive surfactants for endosome disruption could hold great promise for intracellular drug delivery systems in future therapeutic applications.

Novel analogs of spirostan saponins in which the glycosidic bond has been replaced by a triazole linkage are described. For this, a direct oligosaccharide-steroid conjugation approach based on the CuI- catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition was implemented, leading to diverse combinations of saponin analogs with variations in the trisaccharide moiety, the artificial linkage, and the steroid-skeleton functionalization. This 'click' process proved great efficiency for the ligation of two bulky building blocks (e.g., chacotriose derivatives and spirostanes bearing axial azides), which enabled the rapid creation of a small library of triazole-based analogs for cytotoxicity evaluation. A molecular modeling study was performed to understand the conformational and electronic differences between a natural saponin and its triazole-based analogs.

A novel versatile tubular reactor that may use both types of radiation, solar and/or artificial, and different types of suspended or immobilized photocatalysts is proposed. The photocatalytic reactor was evaluated for air treatment at laboratory scale and semi-pilot-plant scale. UV-A transparent immobilized photocatalysts were employed, which allowed an efficient use of radiation. Two different types of photocatalytic modules were tested: (a) TiO2-coated PET monoliths and (b) TiO2-coated glass slides, arranged in monolith-like units with the help of especially designed star-shaped polygonal structures. Both types of units were easy to handle and assured the adequate distribution of the photocatalyst inside the tubular reactor. The efficiency of the photocatalytic system with both solar and artificial radiation to oxidize the H2S contained in an air stream was demonstrated at the laboratory roof and in the treatment of real air of a wastewater treatment plant located in Madrid (Spain). As a consequence of the chemical nature of the pollutant, the photocatalytic activity decayed over time due to the accumulation of sulfate on the surface, but easy regeneration of the exhausted photocatalyst was achieved by washing with water.

The preparation and characterization of organo/layered double hydroxide nanohybrids with dodecylsulfate and sebacate as interlayer anion were studied in detail. The aim of the modification of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was to change the hydrophilic character of the interlayer to hydrophobic to improve the ability of the nanohybrids to adsorb non-ionic pesticides such as alachlor and metolachlor from water. Adsorption tests were conducted on organo/LDHs using variable pH values, contact times and initial pesticide concentrations (adsorption isotherms) in order to identify the optimum conditions for the intended purpose. Adsorbents and adsorption products were characterized several physicochemical techniques. The adsorption test showed that a noticeable increase of the adsorption of the non-ionic herbicides was produced. Based on the results, the organo/LDHs could be good adsorbents to remove alachlor and metolachlor from water. Different organo/LDHs complexes were prepared by a mechanical mixture and by adsorption. The results show that HTSEB-based complex displays controlled release properties that reduce metolachlor leaching in soil columns compared to a technical product and the other formulations. The release was dependent on the nature of the adsorbent used to prepare the complexes. Thus, it can be concluded that organo/LDHs might act as suitable supports for the design of pesticide slow release formulations with the aim of reducing the adverse effects derived from rapid transport losses of the chemical once applied to soils.

Progressive adaptation to bile might render some lactobacilli able to withstand physiological bile salt concentrations. In this work, the adaptation to bile was evaluated on previously isolated dairy strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 200 and L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis 200+, a strain derived thereof with stable bile-resistant phenotype. The adaptation to bile was obtained by comparing cytosolic proteomes of both strains grown in the presence or absence of bile. Proteomics were complemented with physiological studies on both strains focusing on glycolytic end-products, the ability to adhere to the human intestinal epithelial cell line HT29-MTX and survival to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Protein pattern comparison of strains grown with and without bile allowed us to identify 9 different proteins whose production was regulated by bile in both strains, and 17 proteins that showed differences in their levels between the parental and the bile-resistant derivative. These included general stress response chaperones, proteins involved in transcription and translation, in peptidoglycan/exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, in the lipid and nucleotide metabolism and several glycolytic and pyruvate catabolism enzymes. Differences in the level of metabolic end-products of the sugar catabolism were found between the strains 200 and 200+. A decrease in the adhesion of both strains to the intestinal cell line was detected in the presence of bile. In simulated gastric and intestinal juices, a protective effect was exerted by milk improving the survival of both microorganisms. These results indicate that bile tolerance in L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis involves several mechanisms responding to the deleterious impact of bile salts on bacterial physiology. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Mediterranean forests in northern Morocco have been studied. Tree species composition and abundance were investigated in 84 forest sites, distributed throughout the sandstone formation of the Tangier region. The relative abundance of 15 tree and arborescent shrub species was related, by ordination analysis, to altitude, disturbance by fire, and soil fertility. High-elevation forests were dominated by Cedrus atlantica, Quercus pyrenaica and Pinus pinaster. Sacred forests (protected as holy burial places) had a distinct stand structure, and were considered as refuges, for maintaining biodiversity at landscape scale. The evergreen oak Quercus suber and the semideciduous Quercus canariensis co-dominated the lowland forests. The mean basal area of the studied forests was 34 m2 ha–1. The mean trunk size (dbh) for Q. suber was 24 cm and for Q. canariensis 36.5 cm; in both cases there were indications of declining regeneration at population level. A comparative biogeographical analysis with the equivalent region in southern Spain (separated by the Strait of Gibraltar; 14 km wide), indicated a possible biodiversity loss in the Moroccan forests.

A piled mixture of olive-mill wastes and wheat straw was composted for 1 year and several of its characteristics (total organic carbon and nitrogen, organic matter, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, total fats, water-soluble phenols and the germination index of cress, Lepidium sativum L.) were monitored. In addition, the compost was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed the efficiency of composting in reducing olive-mill toxicity. The C/N ratio and organic matter degradation were 160.50 and 560.50 g kg−1, respectively, after 12 months of composting. Lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose amounts were reduced during the process, their depletion rates reaching final values of 44%, 76% and 58%, respectively. In addition, the fat and water-soluble phenol contents decreased by 97% and 66%, respectively. The germination index reached 99% at the end of the process. This demonstrated the absence of phytotoxicity in the mature compost. The FTIR spectra showed that there was an enrichment in the aromatic groups and a degradation of the aliphatic groups.

Elemental, functional and spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, 13C-NMR) were performed to study fulvic acids of composted olive mill wastes plus cereal straw, in order to follow the maturity of the final product during composting. The extracted fulvic acids were characterized by high nitrogen, acidic functional group and phenolic hydroxyl contents that might have resulted from the high degree of humification and the synthesis of more condensed humic complexes. This was confirmed by a decrease of alcoholic and aliphatic structures and an increase of aromatic structures, as shown by the FTIR and 13C-NMR analyses. The results showed that stability of the final product was reached after 12 months of composting and that fulvic acid levels could constitute an additional tool to assess final product maturity and its agronomic value.

An alternative method for the preparation of mixed Fe-Al-pillared clays (Fe-Al-PILCs) derived from two natural smectites, Wyoming SWy-1 and Tunisia-Gafsa VI (an iron-rich sample) based on the use of a mixture of FeCl3 and chlorhydrol is described. The effect of the pH of the pillaring solution and the Al/Fe ratio are studied in order to assess their influence in the characteristics of the resulting solids: Specific surface area, porosity and thermal stability. The behaviour of these solids as catalysts has been checked in the hydroxylation of phenol, under conventional heating or microwave irradiation, this last one allowing better yields and shorter reaction times. The presence of redox centers in the layers or in galleries of the materials, together with a Brönsted acid environment in the galleries of the PILCs, (mixed Fe-Al-PILCs and Al-PILCs derived from the Tunisian clay) induces the hydroxylation of phenol reaching conversions close to 70% under microwave irradiation, even at low reaction time (5 min). These values are comparable or even greater than conversions obtained from other catalysts used for these reactions (i.e. modified MCM).

Three new halogenated monoterpenes, 1–3, have been isolated from Plocamium cartilagineum. The structure and relative stereochemistry of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic data. Also the relative stereochemistry at C-7 for furoplocamioids A–C has been assigned.

The degradation patterns of Eucalyptus globulus wood by several basidiomycetes isolated from naturally-decayed wood in eucalypt plantations in Uruguay were studied by analytical pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Relative peak areas were calculated for pyrolysis products derived from guaiacylpropanoid (G) and syringylpropanoid (S) lignin units, as well as for products arising from carbohydrates. The fungal strains used were found to be efficient lignin degraders on eucalypt wood as revealed by lignin/carbohydrate ratio from pyrolysis products. Simultaneously, a decrease of lignin S/G ratio was observed during wood delignification. This is due to the preferential biodegradation of S-units, which are predominantly ether-linked, compared with G-units that are more recalcitrant towards fungal attack because of the presence of biphenyl-type structures. Both the lowest lignin/carbohydrate and S/G ratios were found in the wood treated with a Phanerochaete crassa strain. Subtle modifications of residual lignin in wood were evidenced by changes in relative abundance of pyrolysis products after fungal decay.