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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., This research was supported by a Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Fellowship within the 7th European Community Framework Program under grant n PIRSES-GA- 2012-31754, the FIS2013-40626-P and FIS2016-76418-P projects of the MINECO, Spain. The authors also acknowledge the COST Actions 1401 and 1405. S.D. acknowledges MAEC-ACID (Spain) for the grant.

36 Pags.- 4 Figs.- 5 Tabls. The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03044238, 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, with large fruit size and acceptable efficiency with significant smaller trees than Garnem., This research was partially supported by the Bi-lateral Cooperation Project between Tunisia and Spain ‘Compatibilité des portes greffes Prunus avec les espèces fruitières à noyau’ (Ref. A/5525/06) and funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECI).

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., This research was partially supported by the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación (MAEC) (MAEC-AECID, Convocatoria 2011-12) and by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECID) (586678 para el Programa II.E) with a scholarship. CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008–2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. The Nanobioengineering group has support from the Commission for Universities and Research of the Department of Innovation, Universities, and Enterprise of the Generalitat de Catalunya (2009 SGR 505).

The kinetics of cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the gills and digestive gland of Crassotrea angulata at three concentrations of cadmium (0.088 μM, 0.44 μM and 2.22 μM) was monitored for 28 days. The relationship between accumulation and toxicity was studied using metallothionein-like protein (MTLP) concentration and reduced glutathione levels (GSH) as biochemical endpoints. The activity of enzymes which form part of the antioxidant defense system, in particular glutathione reductase (GR), total glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as enzymatic endpoints, was also assessed. A first order kinetic model demonstrated that the accumulation process does not take place linearly, as the Cd concentration in gills and digestive gland tended toward a stationary state. Metallothionein-like protein is clearly induced by Cd accumulation; however, at high Cd concentrations the detoxification mechanism of this protein is affected. High Cd concentrations (2.22 μM) lead to a decrease in GSH levels, and also inhibit antioxidant enzyme activities, demonstrating the adverse effect of this metal on the antioxidant balance system., Dayanara Macías Mayorga received a fellowship from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECID) during this work. This study has been funded by the Junta de Andalucia in the framework of the activities of the research group RNM 306 of the Research Plan of Andalusia and the project CSIC-FCT 2007PT0040.

The characteristics and functional properties of gelatine from freshwater fish skin (Barbus callensis) were investigated. The gelatine extraction efficiency was improved by an acid-swelling process in the presence of barbel crude acid protease extract. Barbel skin gelatine (BSG) contained 92.15% protein, 0.31% lipid and 0.72% ash. The amino acid profile of BSG showed a high percentage of imino acids. The electrophoretic profile showed that BSG is mainly composed of α- and β-components. BSG showed an excellent solubility and possessed interfacial properties, which were governed by the protein concentration. Biological activities of the hydrolysates obtained after digestion of BSG with several commercial proteases were evaluated. The results suggested that these hydrolysates are a good source of natural inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and prolyl endopeptidase and could potentially be used as dietary ingredients in the management of type 2-diabetes and/or neuropathological disorders. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., This work was funded by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia, and also by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC-AECID).

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 research was supported by the Spanish Institutions Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (Projects AGL2012-35088 and AGL2011-22669), and Comunidad de Castilla y León (Project VA252A12-2). W. Abebe thanks the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECID) grant and Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture for providing the tef cultivars flours.

27 páginas; 4 tablas; 2 figuras, 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., This research was supported by the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación – Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo MAEC-AECID REF. 550352 (Spain), and by the Banq Islamique de Développement BID (Saudi Arabia REF. 36/11201707).

Al-doped oxyapatite-type lanthanum silicates La9.33Si 6-xAlxO26-x/2□x/2 (x = 0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1) powders have been prepared by the solid state reaction at high temperature in order to determine the influence of anionic vacancies on the electrical properties of the material. The crystal structure and properties of La9.33Si6-xAlxO 26-x/2□x/2 powders have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) technique and complex impedance analysis. All the compounds of La 9.33Si6-xAlxO 26-x/2□x/2 oxyapatites doped with Al3+ consist of a hexagonal structure with a P63/m space group. Lanthanum silicates doped with trivalent Al3+ have a higher conductivity than those without trivalent Al3+ at the Si4+ site. The extra oxygen O(4) atoms in site 2a (0, 0, 0.25) occupy channels running through the structure that are responsible for the high oxygen ion conduction. However, Al substitution seems to produce oxygen vacancies and create another pathway for oxide ions. The expansion of the channels (La(1)-O(4) distance) leads to an increase in the conductivity. For the best sample (x = 1), the conductivity observed was 5 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 750 °C. © 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V., This work was supported by Spanish Agency of International Cooperation (AECI-B/026856/09).

PMCID: PMC4104696, 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., Supported by NIH grant 1R01AG028125-01A1 (to JJR, PN and JMV), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and European FEDERBFU2011-23578 (to JMV), Junta de Andalucía Proyectos de Excelencia grant P09-CVI-4887 (to JMV), Junta de Andalucía Proyectos Internacionales (to JMV), and BIO-276 (Junta de Andalucía and the University of Córdoba, to JMV and EGC). JALD and LFdR were funded by predoctoral fellowships of the Spanish Ministerio de Educación and by BIO-276. HK was funded by a predoctoral fellowship of the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo and by BIO-276.

A preliminary inspection of natural zeolites samples in the north east of Ethiopia showed a large deposit of highly pure stilbite (hereafter called |CaNa|-STI). Rietveld refinement of synchrotron powder diffraction data (C2/m, a = 13.62(1) Å, b = 18.2563(1) Å, c = 11.28(1) Å, β = 127.8(2)°) has shown that both Ca2+ and Na+ ions reside at the intersection of the ten- and eight-ring channels, and are completely surrounded by H2O molecules that make close contacts with the zeolite framework. Therefore, no coordination of the cations with framework oxygen atoms is observed. In an attempt to improve the defluoridation capacity, |CaNa|-STI was subjected to a NH4+ and subsequent Ca2+ ion-exchange treatment. Analysis of the diffraction pattern of the |Ca–NH4|-STI sample revealed the presence of a mixture of crystals with monoclinic and orthorhombic symmetry. This double-exchange treatment notably improved the ability of this material to remove fluoride from water, what is probably related to the formation of connectivity defects that are generated during the exchange treatments., The financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Spanish Agency for Cooperation and Development through the Scientific Cooperation Program project number A1/035517/11 is acknowledged.

et al., 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., This work was supported by a Grant of the European Union (EUROFUNGBASE, LSSG-CT-2005-018964). Pedro Hidalgo received a fellowship from the AECID (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo).

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., The work is supported financially by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation by the project MAT2009-14144-C03-C02. L. Espinosa-Fernández, acknowledges the AECI program for the realization of the Ph.D in the ITM-UPV. A. Borrell, acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for her Juan de la Cierva contract (JCI-2011-10498).

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., This study was funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional via a project within the PCI programme (Code A/3895/05). The Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG) is partly supported by the REMEDINAL-2 research network of the Comunidad de Madrid-European Social Fund (Code S-2009/AMB/1783).

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, This work was supported in part by grants SAF-2008-01327 and SAF2011-23622 to SC, grant CTQ-2010-20960-C02-02 to PLL, grants S-BIO-2006-0170 and S2010/BMD-2349 to SC, PLL andMSM and grant CAM/UAM (CCG10-UAM/TIC-5864) to LFLF. BL and ABSDC held predoctoral fellowships from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (BES 2009-027615) and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development.

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., This work was supported by grants RM2008-00002 (Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria), AGL2008-01052, Consolider INGENIO 2010 CSD2007-00063 FUN-C-FOOD (Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología), S2009/AGR-1469 (ALIBIRD) (Comunidad de Madrid), Tunisian Ministry of High Education and Scientific Research and Programa de Cooperación Interuniversitaria e Investigación Científica (AECI), Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación, Spain (B/019335/08). We are grateful to M. V. Santamaría and J. M. Barcenilla. J. A. Curiel and G. Landeta are recipients of predoctoral fellowships from the I3P-CSIC and CONACyT, respectively.

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 authors would like to acknowledge Comunidad de Madrid (DETOX-H2S S-0505/AMB/0406), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (CTM2008-06876-C02-01) and AECID for financial support and Gloria Simón Naranjo and Francisco Sánchez Moreno for the help with the reactor set-up.

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., Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, España, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, España, Centro oceanográfico de Cádiz, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, España, Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina, España

4 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, 1 scheme.-- Printed version published Sep 2, 2002., A unique diterpene 1, was isolated from the altiplane Andean plant Azorella madreporica Clos (Apiaceae). The structure and stereochemistry were established by spectral methods and molecular mechanics calculations. The compound possesses a novel hydrocarbon skeleton for which we suggest the name madreporane., The structure and stereochemistry for madreporanone are described., This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (MCYT, Spain), FEDER (EU), FONDECYT: 1011068 (Chile), Subdirección General de Cooperación Internacional, Program of Cooperation between the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC, Spain) and CONICYT (Chile), and DI of the Universidad de Antofagasta.

Four month old Cistus albidus and Cistus monspeliensis plants growing in a growth chamber were submitted to two consecutive cycles, during which irrigation water was withheld for 7 days before being reconnected and the plants rewatered to run off (WD treatment). Control treatment plants were irrigated daily. At the end of the second dry period the treated plants were submitted to control plant conditions for 15 days. C. monspeliensis plants withstood the water deficit better than C. albidus, mainly due to its capacity to recover a water deficit situation. C. monspeliensis plants show net assimilation rate (NAR) levels above those of the control plants during the recovery period. In C. albidus the main growth limiting factor was the cellular expansion, whereas in C. monspeliensis photosynthesis was the limiting factor. Both species developed complementary avoidance mechanisms based on stomatal closure, a reduction in leaf area and root hydraulic conductivity, and epinasty. C. monspeliensis plants showed good osmotic adjustment in response to water deficit, which enabled it to avoid decreased leaf turgor potential and partial dehydration. After the water deficit, the mobilisation of accumulated organic solutes may also have contributed to the increased relative growth rate and NAR during the recovery period., The authors are grateful to M.D. Velasco for her assistance. This research was supported by UE (UE-DG VI-PL-94-2472), CICYT (AGF96-1136-C02-02) and FEDER (1FD97-0420-C02-02). P.R. was a recipient of a MUTIS research fellowship from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECI).

A formal total synthesis of (+)-Preussin was achieved by using D-mannose as the starting material. The key step involved diastereoselective addition of allyltrimethylsilane to the bicyclic ketal 5, This work was supported by the Spanih DGICYT (PB94-0028). JRC thanks the ICI for a predoctoral fellowship.

CANDIPOP Project from GEIH-GEMICOMED (SEIMC) and REIPI., 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., BA has received grant support from Gilead Sciences, Pfizer and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, and he has received honoraria for talks on behalf of Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Pfizer, Astellas and Novartis. MCE has received grant support from Astellas Pharma, bioMerieux, Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Pfizer, Schering Plough, Soria Melguizo SA, Ferrer International, the European Union, the ALBAN programme, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Education, the Spanish Health Research Fund, the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the Ramon Areces Foundation and the Mutua Madrileña Foundation. MCE has received grant support from Astellas Pharma, bioMerieux, Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Pfizer, Schering Plough, Soria Melguizo SA, Ferrer International, the European Union, the ALBAN programme, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Education, the Spanish Health Research Fund, the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the Ramon Areces Foundation and the Mutua Madrileña Foundation.

4 pages., The investigation of the aerial part of Cistus symphytifolius afforded, in addition to sitosterol, trimethoxykaempferol, cativic acid, labdenic acid, labdanolic acid and labdan-8α,15-diol, three new bicyclic diterpenes: cistadienic acid, cistenolic acid and labd-13(E)- ene-8α,15-diol. The structures of these were determined by spectral studies and correlations. CD spectral studies showed that cistenolic acid and salvic acid are enantiomeric compounds, so the stereochemistry of salvic acid (7α-hydroxy-labd-8(17)-ene-15-oic acid) should be changed to 7β-hydroxy-eperu-8(17)-ene-15-oic acid (7β-hydroxy-ent-labd-8(17)-ene-15-oic acid)., Part of this work was subsidized by the Comisión Asesora de Investigación Científica y Técnica. M.C. wishes to thank the Centro Iberoamericano de Cooperación of Spain for a fellowship.

Eight diterpenes belonging to the dolostane carbon skeleton have been isolated from the Canary Island brown alga Dictyota sp. The structures including absolute configuration of these diterpenes were secured by X-ray analysis of the triol derivative 7 followed by chemical interconversions., We thank Prof. Masamitsu Ochi, who generously provided small samples of amijiol. Thanks are also given to Prof. S. García-Blanco for his support and to the Centro de Proceso de Datos de JEN, Madrid, for computer facilities. This research was supported in part by Grant Nº 0153/81 awarded by the CAICT. A. P. Rivera thanks the ICI for a fellowship.

A new benzofuran, eupatarpne, together with 2-hydroxy-4, 5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, 12-hydroxy-2, 3-dihydroeuparine, spathulenol, precone II, dammaradienol, dammaradienol acetate, 5. 3'-dihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyflavanone and 5, 7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone, have been isolated from aerial parts of Eupatorium sternbergianum., We wish to thank the Instituto de Cooperación Iberoamericana (Madrid), for financial support and Dr. Ramón Ferreyra (Museo de Historia Natural, Univewrsidad Mayor de San Marcos, Lima) for collecting and classifying the plant material V.P.G. thanks the Island Council of La Palma for a grant.