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Aims: In this work, we propose the implementation of three carbon sponges, generated from the carbonization of melamine-formaldehyde sponges coated with different HKUST-type metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in different thermal conditions. Background: Nowadays, numerous investigations are focused on the development of new technologies for the rapid separation of water/oil mixtures. Several these processes use hydrophobic materials of different nature for efficient oil capture. Despite these efforts, the water/oil separation still remains a great challenge. The main oil absorbers that are commercially available tend to be expensive and have complex synthesis; however, they usually have an acceptable cost/benefit ratio. Despite this, the passage of time has brought us new generations of materials, which seek to solve the problems in a more efficient way, as in the case of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which stand out for the great ease with which their morphological and surface aspects can be controlled. MOFs are extensively investigated in the fields of adsorption and catalysis; the MOF coated sponges do not meet the selectivity and stability standards to be applied in oil spills in water. However, this completely changes when subjected to the pyrolysis process, giving the material an increase in its surface area, hydrophobic and magnetic properties in addition to making the material suitable for this application. Objective: Creation of a low-cost 3D template and the study of morphological properties of MOFs, for the formation of carbon-based materials by a fast, simple and low-cost method, promoting the use of new generations of materials to more effectively solve persistent environments. Methods: The employed MOF precursors are trimesic acid (BTC), nickel and cobalt salts. The monometallic HKUST type MOFs were synthesized using a simple method of controlled precipitation, which starts from two precursor solutions. The first one consisted of a ligand solution, dissolving the BTC in deionized water. In the case of mixed-metal MOFs, they were synthesized using the same procedure described for monometallic MOFs, but in this case a mixture of metal salts with a 1:1 molar ratio was performed. The methodology for the production of the sponges decorated with MOF was carried out in two steps. In the first stage, the sponges were subjected to a wash to remove dust and impurities, being rinsed with acetone in an ultrasonic bath for 30 min. The sponges were subsequently immersed in deionized water and subjected to an ultrasonic bath for 10 min. Finally, the sponges were dried at 60°C for 3 h. The second step is the addition of the HKUST-type MOFs to the sponges was carried out by means of the immersion method, preparing a dispersion of the corresponding MOFs in ethanol. Results: It was revealed that the carbon sponges can selectively absorb the oil in the water/oil mixture, possessing magnetic and enhanced hydrophobic and super hydrophobic properties. All the pyrolyzed carbon sponges, obtained at 500 and 700°C, were not the most optimal since they had absorption capacities of around 25 g/g and only supported up to 4 absorption cycles. On the other hand, the carbon sponges, obtained at 300°C, had absorption capacities greater than 40 g/g, in addition to being able to be reused up to 12 times without showing significant changes in their absorption capacity and having acceptable hydrophobic characteristics for the removal of oil dispersed in water. Among the three sponges obtained at 300°C, we highlight the sponges coated with BTC-Co which have the highest absorption capacity (54 g/g) among all fabricated sponges. Conclusions: The sponges obtained in the present work are a promising alternative to the materials that are traditionally used, since they have great advantages such as their simple production method, low-cost starting materials and good absorption capacities. This work sheds light on the production of carbon materials from 3D templates decorated with MOFs, through a one-step carbonization process and we demonstrate that these materials have characteristics that make them applicable in the removal of oil dispersed in water, giving us a practical, economic and friendly alternative to the environment.

PURPOSE Most patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are older. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a chemotherapy-free combination with ibrutinib and rituximab (IR) in previously untreated older patients with MCL (age ≥ 65 years). METHODS We enrolled 50 patients with MCL in this single-institution, single-arm, phase II clinical trial ( NCT01880567 ). Patients with Ki-67% ≥ 50% and blastoid morphology were excluded. Ibrutinib was administered with rituximab up to 2 years with continuation of ibrutinib alone. The primary objective was to assess the overall response rate and safety of IR. In evaluable samples, whole-exome sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing from baseline tissue samples were performed. RESULTS The median age was 71 years (interquartile range 69-76 years). Sixteen percent of patients had high-risk simplified MCL international prognostic index. The Ki-67% was low (< 30%) in 38 (76%) and moderately high (≥ 30%-50%) in 12 (24%) patients. The best overall response rate was 96% (71% complete response). After a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range 24-56 months), 28 (56%) patients came off study for various reasons (including four progression, 21 toxicities, and three miscellaneous reasons). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached, and 3-year survival was 87% and 94%, respectively. None of the patients died on study therapy. Notably, 11 (22%) patients had grade 3 atrial fibrillation. Grade 3-4 myelosuppression was seen in < 5% of patients. Differential overexpression of CCND1, BIRC3, BANK1, SETBP1, AXIN2, and IL2RA was noted in partial responders compared with patients with complete response. CONCLUSION IR combination is effective in older patients with MCL. Baseline evaluation for cardiovascular risks is highly recommended. Randomized trial is needed for definitive conclusions.

The case is presented on a young Honduran female with no medical history of note, who presented with multiple areas of exudative retinal detachment (RD), and a best-corrected visual acuity of 1.3logMAR in both eyes. She was diagnosed with incomplete Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, and treated early with a combination of intravenous therapy with 1g of prednisolone per day for 3 days, as recommended by published evidence, as well as mycophenolate mofetil (2g per day). During the corticosteroids tapering, there was a recurrence of exudative retinal detachments, and megadoses of 1g of intravenous corticosteroids per day were reintroduced for 6 days until the complete resolution of the fluid of the exudative RD, and cyclosporine (100mg per day), subtenon triamcinolone (40mg/mL), and intravitreal ranibizumab once a month in the both eyes were added to the treatment, with a great control of choroidal inflammation that resulted in the remission of symptoms and signs.

Introducción: La enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) ha causado una de las mayores pandemias conocidas al día de la fecha. La Sociedad Argentina de Cardiología (SAC) y la Federación Argentina de Cardiología (FAC) elaboraron el primer Registro Argentino de Complicaciones Cardiovasculares en pacientes con COVID-19 (RACCOVID-19), con el propósito de relevar, a nivel nacional, su impacto en la evolución hospitalaria de estos pacientes. Objetivos: Documentar la aparición de complicaciones cardiovasculares en pacientes internados por COVID-19 y evaluar predictores de riesgo de dichas complicaciones y su impacto pronóstico. Material y Métodos: Se incluyen datos de 2750 pacientes en 50 centros de 11 provincias del país, desde el 18 de mayo hasta el 31 de octubre de 2020. Resultados: La edad promedio fue de 57±18 años y hubo predominio de sexo masculino (60,2%). La tasa de complicaciones cardiovasculares fue del 15,3%. La insuficiencia cardíaca (43,5%), las arritmias (33,5%) y el daño miocárdico (31,1%) fueron las complicaciones más frecuentes. La mortalidad fue del 19,3%. Un modelo de predicción de sobrevida en la etapa hospitalaria incluyó las siguientes variables: edad, sexo masculino, valores de hematocrito y creatinina al ingreso, existencia de antecedentes patológicos, formas de presentación de COVID-19 graves y presencia de complicaciones cardiovasculares. Conclusiones: El registro RACCOVID-19 mostró una tasa de complicaciones cardiovasculares del 15,3%. La mortalidad total del registro fue del 19,3% y las complicaciones cardiovasculares junto con otras variables de presentación, así como la gravedad del cuadro clínico de COVID-19, forman parte de un perfil de riesgo clínico asociado a mayor mortalidad.

This research aims to provide an alternative eco-friendly way to obtain silver species and assess their bactericidal activity. This study reports the synthesis of Ag2O nanoparticles and Ag nanopart...

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential cofactor involved in over 400 cellular reactions. During embryogenesis, mammals synthesize NAD de novo from dietary L-tryptophan via the kynurenine pathway. Biallelic, inactivating variants in three genes encoding enzymes of this biosynthesis pathway (KYNU, HAAO, and NADSYN1) disrupt NAD synthesis and have been identified in patients with multiple malformations of the heart, kidney, vertebrae, and limbs; these patients have Congenital NAD Deficiency Disorder. Here we have identified a further three families with biallelic variants in HAAO and four families with biallelic variants in KYNU. These patients present similarly with multiple malformations of the heart, kidney, vertebrae, and limbs, of variable severity. We show that each variant identified in these patients results in loss-of-function, revealed by significant reduction in NAD levels via yeast genetic complementation assays. For the first time missense mutations are identified as a cause of malformation and shown to disrupt enzyme function. These missense and frameshift variants cause moderate to severe NAD deficiency in yeast, analogous to insufficient synthesized NAD in patients. We hereby expand the genotypic and corresponding phenotypic spectrum of Congenital NAD Deficiency Disorder.

In this study, we carried out an exhaustive characterization of the polyphenol profile of strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry decoctions; as well as the extractable (EPP) and hydrolysable (HPP) polyphenolic and proanthocyanidin profile of the residues obtained during berries decoctions (decoction by-products) by UPLC-ESI-Q-ToF MS. A greater variety of polyphenols was identified in the EPP fraction of the berry decoction by-products as compared to the decoctions, which were rich in several ellagitannins, flavonols, hydroxybenzoic acids, and anthocyanins. Ellagic acid was identified as the major polyphenol after acid hydrolysis in all berry decoction by-products, followed by hydroxybenzoic acid, which was found bound to the matrix by glycosidic, ether and ester bonds. Regarding proanthocyanidins, procyanidin, prodelphinidin, and propelargonidin dimers were identified in the strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry decoction by-products by MALDI-ToF MS. The results obtained from this study demonstrates that berries decoctions are rich in polyphenols; however, berry decoction by-products were richer in polyphenols with a great variety of extractable and non-extractable polyphenols.

Since epoxythymols occur in Nature either as scalemic mixtures or as pure enantiomers, the knowledge of their chiral composition and of the absolute configuration (AC) of the dominant enantiomer tu...

Chitosan is a bio-based polyelectrolyte with high potential for wastewater treatment. Chitosan can remove anionic dyes by adsorption but it has low performance in the removal of cationic dyes. In this work, we report the synthesis of chitosan-based graft-copolymers using gamma radiation. Acrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol) were grafted successfully onto chitosan applying a radiation dose of 12 kGy at a dose rate of 8 kGyh-1. The grafted-copolymers have improved adsorptive properties for the removal of basic dyes reaching a maximum adsorption capacity higher than 300 mgg-1. The Lanmguir’s isotherm model described satisfactorily the interaction between the grafted copolymers and basic dyes. Freundlich’s isotherm model described the adsorption of anionic dye acid orange 52. The grafted copolymers removed successfully textile dyes from wastewater of the dyeing process. The best results were obtained in the removal of direct and basic dyes. Further, poly(ethylene glycol) grafted on the copolymer conferred better swelling behavior making easy the separation of the adsorbent after dye removal. The results showed that the adsorbent materials synthesized by radiochemical graftcopolymerization are more efficient than the beads, composite materials, and blends of chitosan.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds generated mainly by anthropogenic sources. They are considered toxic to mammals, since they have carcinogenic, mutagenic and genotoxic properties, among others. Although mycoremediation is an efficient, economical and eco‐friendly technique for degrading PAHs, the fungal degradation potential of the phylum Ascomycota has not been widely studied. In this work, we evaluated different fungal strains from the polluted soil of ‘La Escondida’ lagoon in Reynosa, Mexico to know their potential to degrade phenanthrene (PHE). Forty‐three soil isolates with the capacity to grow in the presence of PHE (0·1% w/v) were obtained. The fungi Aspergillus oryzae MF13 and Aspergillus flavipes QCS12 had the best potential to degrade PHE. Both fungi germinated and grew at PHE concentrations of up to 5000 mg l⁻¹ and degraded 235 mg l⁻¹ of PHE in 28 days, with and without an additional carbon source. These characteristics indicate that A. oryzae MF13 and A. flavipes QCS12 could be promising organisms for the remediation of sites contaminated with PAHs and detoxification of recalcitrant xenobiotics.

The effects of antiaromaticity and destructive quantum interference (DQI) are investigated on the charge transport through dibenzo-[a,e]pentalene (DBP). 5,10-Connectivity gives high single-molecule conductance whereas 2,7 gives low conductance due to DQI. Comparison of the 5,10-DBP with phenyl and anthracene analogues yields the trend GDBP ≈ GAnth > GPh, despite the aromatic anthracene having a larger HOMO–LUMO gap than 5,10-DBP. This is explained by unfavourable level alignment for 5,10-DBP.

Chemical compounds with antioxidant behavior are recognized as efficient protectors against the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other chemicals overproduced due to oxidative stress (O.S.). Sesamol has been shown to offer significant benefits in the treatment of many OS-induced diseases. The present work focuses on the free radical scavenging activity of some sesamol derivatives, recently proposed as promising antioxidants. This activity was studied, taking into account three reaction mechanisms: formal hydrogen atom transfer (f-HAT), single electron transfer (SET), and radical adduct formation (RAF). The investigation was based on thermochemistry and kinetics, using solvent models to mimic aqueous and lipid environments. The influence of pH on the investigated activity was also considered. The studied sesamol derivatives were found to be potent peroxyl radical scavengers, which suggests that they have potential use to mitigate O.S. and related diseases. SET and f-HAT were identified as the main reaction mechanisms, while RAF was ruled out as a significant chemical route. It is expected that the results from this work will promote further investigations on the possible health benefits of the newly designed sesamol derivatives studied here.

Photocatalytic Ag-loaded (TiO2)0.95-(ZnO)0.05 thin films were synthesized by the sol-gel dip-coating method, with the Ag content varying in the range 1–4 mol%. The films were deposited on glass substrates at room temperature and then annealed at 500 °C. Raman spectroscopy disclosed basically the anatase phase of TiO2. Secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements proved the incorporation of Ag in the films, revealing its diffusion to the film surface as a consequence of thermal treatments. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study in detail the chemical composition and electronic structure of the samples. The O 1s, Ti 2p, and Zn 2p core level spectra indicated Ti4+ and Zn2+ states associated with TiO2 and ZnO regions. The chemical species identification was confirmed by calculating the modified Auger parameter for O, Ti, and Zn. In addition, an XPS depth profile analysis using an Ar+ ion gun showed the formation of Ti+2 and Ti+3 oxidation states as a consequence of the Ar+ bombardment. The photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue aqueous solutions, with the best response corresponding to (TiO2)0.95-(ZnO)0.05 thin films doped with 2 mol% Ag.

A series of bifunctional platinum catalysts were prepared, supported on alumina or different zeolites, some of which were submitted to either desilication or dealumination in order to modify their acidic properties. The catalysts were characterized for their structural and textural properties, their acidic properties, including distribution of acid strength and Bronsted and Lewis acidity, their metallic properties, and used in the hydrocracking of polystyrene under kinetic control, where activity in end-of-chain scission and random scission of the polymer has been quantified as well as the distribution of products. Activation energies and pre-exponential factors have been calculated from the kinetic data, and analyzed in terms of compensation effect, in order to extract conclusions on activity, active centers and reaction pathways. Finally, activation energies, both of end-of-chain and random scissions, yield to gasoline fraction and percentage of aromatics in the gasoline fraction have been correlated with catalytic properties in order to extract conclusions on the major catalytic properties affecting catalytic performance in this process, from the point of view of catalytic design.

Titanium dioxide (TD) and graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized by sol-gel and improved Hummers method, respectively. This study shows the results of the incorporation through four different conditions (sol-gel, sol-gel and ultrasonic, annealed, and UV radiation, C1 to C4, respectively). It was observed that a homogeneous incorporation of TD on sheets of GO was obtained satisfactorily. The composites of TiO2/GO were characterized using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The photocatalytic activity of the composites was determined from the degradation of the dye azo tartrazine using UV and solar radiation. The best incorporation of TD nanoparticles on GO was obtained with condition C3 (thermal incorporation method) at a temperature of 65°C. This shows a uniformity in the size and shape of the TD as well as an excellent adherence to the sheet of GO. This addition is accomplished by ionic bonding in the presence of electrostatic Coulomb forces. The C3 composite degraded the tartrazine dye using UV radiation and sunlight. With the latter, the degradation time was three times faster than using UV light.

The photocatalytic activity of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) thin films was studied. The MoO3 thin films were deposited on Corning glass substrates by radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering using a metallic Mo target. The dependence of the physical properties of the metal oxides on the sputtering power and working pressure was investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films revealed the formation of amorphous structures. From optical absorption spectra, the band-gap energy was obtained in the range 2.8–3.0 eV for most compounds, while this parameter decreased down to 1.64 eV for samples deposited at 4.5 mTorr and 80 W. X-ray photoelectron spectra disclosed signals associated with the Mo6+, Mo5+, and Mo4+ oxidation states, which correspond to MoO3 and other substoichiometric molybdenum oxides. The photodegradation of a methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution was chosen to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the thin films. There was found a dependence of the photocatalytic activity on the working pressure, with the samples deposited at 8.0 mTorr and 40 W displaying the highest MB removal.

Oxidative stress has been recognized to play an important role in several diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, which justifies the beneficial effects of antioxidants in ameliorating the deleterious effects of these health disorders. Sesamol, in particular, has been investigated for the treatment of several conditions because of its antioxidant properties. This article reports a rational computational design of new sesamol derivatives. They were constructed by adding four functional groups (−OH, −NH2, −COOH, and −SH) in three different positions of the sesamol molecular framework. A total of 50 derivatives between mono-, di-, and trisubstituted compounds were obtained. All the derivatives were evaluated and compared with a reference set of commercial neuroprotective drugs. The estimated properties are absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity, and synthetic accessibility. Selection and elimination scores were used to choose a first set of promising candidates. Acid-based properties and reactivity indexes were then estimated using the density functional theory. Four sesamol derivatives were finally selected, which are hypothesized to be potent antioxidants, even better than sesamol and Trolox for that purpose.

Objective To analyse the safety and effectiveness of the oral administration of a commercialised supplement containing R-alpha lipoic acid (ALA), taurine, vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, copper and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and in control subjects. Material and methods A prospective study of cases and controls was carried out, including 30 participants of both genders that were divided into: POAG Group (n = 15) and a control group (CG; n = 15), assigned to the oral intake of NuaDHA preparations Vision® (1 pill/day) + NuaDHA 1000 (2 pills/day) for 6 months. Participants were interviewed, ophthalmologically examined, and peripheral blood was taken for routine analysis and the determination of the pro-oxidant [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and total antioxidant status (TAS). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 22.0 program. Results After 6 months of supplementation, there was a significant increase in the plasma TAS (1.073 ± 0.090 mM vs 1.276 ± 0.107 mM, P = .028), along with a parallel decrease in MDA (7.066 ± 1.070 μM vs 2.771 ± 0.462 μM, P = .005) in the POAG group. The MDA also decreased in the control group (6.17 ± 1.336 vs. 2.51 ± 0.391, P = .028). The Schirmer test improved (20–30%) and the subjective dry eye signs/symptoms noticeably decreased in the POAG group versus the CG. Conclusions Formulations containing antioxidant vitamins, ALA and DHA, administered for 6 consecutive months, counteracted the oxidative stress by further stabilising the morphological/functional parameters of both the ocular surface and the glaucoma, without presenting with adverse effects or intolerances.

Many different techniques may be used to remove industrial pollutants from wastewater. Adsorption using activated carbon has been reported to be an effective method. This work proposes the use of a vegetable residue (black sapote seeds) as a raw material for its synthesis. These carbons were chemically activated using phosphoric acid and carbonized at 673 and 873 K. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for the textile dyes on the carbons, and this data was treated using Langmuir's equation to quantitatively describe the adsorption process. The synthesized carbons were characterized using FTIR, EA, SEM, Nitrogen adsorption (specific surface areas of 879 and 652 m2·g−1), and their points of zero charge (2.1 and 2.3). It was possible to adsorb both heavy metals and textile dyes present in aqueous solutions and wastewaters using these activated carbons. Heavy metals were adsorbed almost completely by both carbons. Cationic dyes where adsorbed (58–59.8 mg·g−1) in greater amounts compared to anionic dyes (10–58.8 mg·g−1). The amount of anionic dyes adsorbed increased almost 30% by changing the pH of the solutions. One of the carbons was thermally regenerated on three occasions without losing its adsorption capacity and it was proved in a flow system.

Este artículo se encuentra disponible en la siguiente URL: https://www.nrronline.org/temp/NeuralRegenRes15122207-4877537_133255.pdf En este artículo también participa: Pilar Soriano. The retina may suffer neurodegenerative damages, as other tissues of the central nervous system do, and serious eye diseases may develop. One of them is age-related macular degeneration, which causes progressive loss of vision due to retina degeneration. Treatment of age-related macular degeneration focuses on antioxidant agents and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor compounds, among others, that prevent/ diminish oxidative stress and reduce neovascularisation respectively. The phytochemicals, medicinal plants and/or plant-diet supplements might be a useful adjunct in prevention or treatment of age-related macular degeneration owing to their antioxidant and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor properties. This review article presents the most investigated plants and natural products in relation to age-related macular degeneration, such as saffron, ginkgo, bilberry and blueberry, curcuma or turmeric, carotenoids, polyphenols, and vitamins C and E. This study provides up-to-date information on the effects, treatments, safety and efficiency of these phytotherapy products.

The quality of 27 Moroccan Spurge (Euphorbia) honey samples was assessed. Eight physicochemical parameters and mineral composition were analysed and the CIELAB colour parameters (L∗, a∗, b∗, Cab∗ and hab) were determined. Results show no significant differences between the two Euphorbia honey types (Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus and Euphorbia regis-jubae honeys) regarding the physicochemical parameters. Sodium and magnesium show average values that can help to differentiate between E. officinarum subsp. echinus and E. regis-jubae honeys. Potassium was quantitatively the most important mineral (66% of the total minerals quantified), while sodium and calcium were present in moderate amounts (20% and 11% of the minerals, respectively). The colour parameters also have shown significant differences between E. officinarum subsp. echinus and E. regis-jubae honeys.Considering the total information from physicochemical, mineral and colour data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Stepwise Discriminant Analysis (SDA) were carried out to distinguish between the two Euphorbia honey types. PCA showed that the cumulative variance was approximately 56%. The results of SDA showed that parameters with a higher discriminant power were Na, Mg, L∗, Cab∗ and hab, and almost 100% of the samples were properly classified in their corresponding group, except for one sample. Keywords: Unifloral honey, Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus, Euphorbia regis-jubae, PCA, SDA

Producción Científica, Although water deficit and iron deficiency chlorosis are common environmental stresses in the Mediterranean area, few data are reported in the literature on their effects on vineyards, when acting simultaneously. The main objective of this research was to study the combined effects of iron deficiency and water status on vigor, yield and fruit composition in rainfed vineyards. Moreover, the investigation aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using foliar chlorophyll content (Chl) and predawn leaf water potential (LWP), measured at veraison, to assess potential quality of grapes in the framework of precision viticulture. For this, 24 non-irrigated ‘Tempranillo’ vineyard subzones were monitored in Ribera del Duero (North-Central Spain) during three consecutive seasons (2011-2013). The analysis of variance and principal component analysis showed that malic acid concentrations of the must were impacted only by Chl, whereas total soluble solids and total acidity were mainly modified by LWP. Both water and iron status reduced yield and berry weight and had additive effects on extractable anthocyanin content in grapes, total polyphenol index and color density of the must. In all seasons, the ratio Chl/LWP had a better predicting value for quality parameters of these grapes than leaf area index, Chl or LWP individually. The present work demonstrates the potential interest of physiological indexes combining water status and foliar chlorosis as indicators of grape phenolic potential in rainfed vineyards affected by iron deficiency., Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Project RTA2014- 00077-C02-02), Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación - Ref. Project VA013P17)

Fetal undernutrition programs cardiometabolic diseases, with higher susceptibility in males. The mechanisms implicated are not fully understood and may be related to sex differences in placental adaptation. To evaluate this hypothesis, we investigated placental oxidative balance, vascularization, glucocorticoid barrier, and fetal growth in rats exposed to 50% global nutrient restriction from gestation day 11 (MUN, n = 8) and controls (n = 8). At gestation day 20 (G20), we analyzed maternal, placental, and fetal weights, oxidative damage, antioxidants, corticosterone, and PlGF (placental growth factor, spectrophotometry), and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), 11&beta, HSD2, p22phox, XO, SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, catalase, and UCP2 expression (Western blot). Compared with controls, MUN dams exhibited lower weight and plasma proteins and higher corticosterone and catalase without oxidative damage. Control male fetuses were larger than female fetuses. MUN males had higher plasma corticosterone and were smaller than control males, but had similar weight than MUN females. MUN male placenta showed higher XO and lower 11&beta, HSD2, VEGF, SOD2, catalase, UCP2, and feto-placental ratio than controls. MUN females had similar feto-placental ratio and plasma corticosterone than controls. Female placenta expressed lower XO, 11&beta, HSD2, and SOD3, similar VEGF, SOD1, SOD2, and UCP2, and higher catalase than controls, being 11&beta, HSD2 and VEGF higher compared to MUN males. Male placenta has worse adaptation to undernutrition with lower efficiency, associated with oxidative disbalance and reduced vascularization and glucocorticoid barrier. Glucocorticoids and low nutrients may both contribute to programming in MUN males.

Brown algae of the Family Dictyotaceae produce an array of structurally diverse terpenoids, whose biomedical potential in the anti-inflammatory area has been scarcely explored. Herein, the chemical study of the alga Rugulopteryx okamurae has led to the isolation of ten new diterpenoids: rugukadiol A (1), rugukamurals A–C (2–4), and ruguloptones A–F (6–10). The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic means. Compound 1 exhibits an unprecedented diterpenoid skeleton featuring a bridged tricyclic undecane system. Compounds 2–10 belong to the secospatane class of diterpenoids and differ by the oxygenated functions that they contain. In anti-inflammatory assays, the new diterpenoid 1 and the secospatanes 5 and 10 significantly inhibited the production of the inflammatory mediator NO in LPS-stimulated microglial cells Bv.2 and macrophage cells RAW 264.7. Moreover, compounds 1 and 5 were found to strongly inhibit the expression of Nos2 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine Il1b in both immune cell lines.

Initiation of intervertebral disc degeneration is thought to be biologically driven. This reflects a process, where biochemical and mechanical stimuli affect cell activity (CA) that compromise the tissue strength over time. Experimental research enhanced our understanding about the effect of such stimuli on different CA, such as protein synthesis or mRNA expression. However, it is still unclear how cells respond to their native environment that consists of a “cocktail” of different stimuli that might locally vary. This work presents an interdisciplinary approach of experimental and in silico research to approximate Nucleus Pulposus CA within multifactorial biochemical environments. Thereby, the biochemical key stimuli glucose, pH, and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL1β were considered that were experimentally shown to critically affect CA. To this end, a Nucleus Pulposus multicellular system was modelled. It integrated experimental findings from in vitro studies of human or bovine Nucleus Pulposus cells, to relate the individual effects of targeted stimuli to alterations in CA. Unknown stimulus-CA relationships were obtained through own experimental 3D cultures of bovine Nucleus Pulposus cells in alginate beads. Translation of experimental findings into suitable parameters for network modelling approaches was achieved thanks to a new numerical approach to estimate the individual sensitivity of a CA to each stimulus type. Hence, the effect of each stimulus type on a specific CA was assessed and integrated to approximate a multifactorial stimulus environment. Tackled CA were the mRNA expressions of Aggrecan, Collagen types I & II, MMP3, and ADAMTS4. CA was assessed for four different proinflammatory cell states; non-inflamed and inflamed for IL1β, TNF-α or both IL1β&TNF-α. Inflamed cell clusters were eventually predicted in a multicellular 3D agent-based model. Experimental results showed that glucose had no significant impact on proinflammatory cytokine or ADAMTS4 mRNA expression, whereas TNF-α caused a significant catabolic shift in most explored CA. In silico results showed that the presented methodology to estimate the sensitivity of a CA to a stimulus type importantly improved qualitative model predictions. However, more stimuli and/or further experimental knowledge need to be integrated, especially regarding predictions about the possible progression of inflammatory environments under adverse nutritional conditions. Tackling the multicellular level is a new and promising approach to estimate manifold responses of intervertebral disc cells. Such a top-down high-level network modelling approach allows to obtain information about relevant stimulus environments for a specific CA and could be shown to be suitable to tackle complex biological systems, including different proinflammatory cell states. The development of this methodology required a close interaction with experimental research. Thereby, specific experimental needs were derived from systematic in silico approaches and obtained results were directly used to enhance model predictions, which reflects a novelty in this research field. Eventually, the presented methodology provides modelling solutions suitable for multiscale approaches to contribute to a better understanding about dynamics over multiple spatial scales. Future work should focus on an amplification of the stimulus environment by integrating more key relevant stimuli, such as mechanical loading parameters, in order to better approximate native physiological environments., Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9, ISSN:2296-4185

The INFOGEST standardized method was applied to assess the potential bioaccessibility and bioaccessibility of the phenolic compounds from a Galician extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The in vitro digestion model involves three steps and generates two fractions after each one: an aqueous fraction (namely, water phase (Wp)) and an oily fraction (namely, oily phase (Op)). The results showed that secoiridoids were the most abundant family in the Galician EVOO polar fraction, representing 98% of the total phenolic compounds. After oral digestion, phenolic acids and simple phenols were mainly detected in Wp, while lignans and flavonoids were mostly found in Op. After gastric digestion, extensive hydrolysis of secoiridoids was observed to generate free tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and hydroxytyrosol acetate. The instability of secoiridoids after intestinal digestion was again responsible for the release of simple phenols, which were mainly recovered in Wp together with flavonoids. In contrast, lignans were stable to duodenal conditions and remained in Op. Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. RTI2018-098633-B-I00

The Mediterranean diet includes virgin olive oil (VOO) as the main fat and olives as snacks. In addition to providing nutritional and organoleptic properties, VOO and the fruits (olives) contain an extensive number of bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, which are considered to be powerful antioxidants. Furthermore, olive byproducts, such as olive leaves, olive pomace, and olive mill wastewater, considered also as rich sources of phenolic compounds, are now valorized due to being mainly applied in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The digestive system must physically and chemically break down these ingested olive-related products to release their phenolic compounds, which will be further metabolized to be used by the human organism. The first purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of in-vitro static digestion models for olive-related products. In this sense, the in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion methods are widely used with the following aims: (i) to study how phenolic compounds are released from their matrices and to identify structural changes of phenolic compounds after the digestion of olive fruits and oils and (ii) to support the functional value of olive leaves and byproducts generated in the olive industry by assessing their health properties before and after the gastrointestinal process. The second purpose of this review is to survey and discuss all the results available to date. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. RTI2018-098633-B-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. IJC2019-038895-I Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481D- 2019/001

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Significance Globally, wheat farming is a major source of nitrogen pollution. Rapid generation of soil nitrates cause nitrogen leakage and damage ecosystems and human health. Here, we show the 3NsbS chromosome arm in wild grass (Leymus racemosus) that controls root nitrification inhibitor production can be transferred into elite wheat cultivars, without disrupting the elite agronomic features. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI)–enabled wheats can improve soil ammonium levels by slowing down its oxidation and generate significant synergistic benefits from assimilating dual nitrogen forms and improving adaptation to low N systems. Deploying BNI-enabled wheat on a significant proportion of current global wheat area (ca. 225 M ha) could be a powerful nature-based solution for reducing N fertilizer use and nitrogen losses while maintaining productivity., Active nitrifiers and rapid nitrification are major contributing factors to nitrogen losses in global wheat production. Suppressing nitrifier activity is an effective strategy to limit N losses from agriculture. Production and release of nitrification inhibitors from plant roots is termed “biological nitrification inhibition” (BNI). Here, we report the discovery of a chromosome region that controls BNI production in “wheat grass” Leymus racemosus (Lam.) Tzvelev, located on the short arm of the “Lr#3Nsb” (Lr#n), which can be transferred to wheat as T3BL.3NsbS (denoted Lr#n-SA), where 3BS arm of chromosome 3B of wheat was replaced by 3NsbS of L. racemosus. We successfully introduced T3BL.3NsbS into the wheat cultivar “Chinese Spring” (CS-Lr#n-SA, referred to as “BNI-CS”), which resulted in the doubling of its BNI capacity. T3BL.3NsbS from BNI-CS was then transferred to several elite high-yielding hexaploid wheat cultivars, leading to near doubling of BNI production in “BNI-MUNAL” and “BNI-ROELFS.” Laboratory incubation studies with root-zone soil from field-grown BNI-MUNAL confirmed BNI trait expression, evident from suppression of soil nitrifier activity, reduced nitrification potential, and N2O emissions. Changes in N metabolism included reductions in both leaf nitrate, nitrate reductase activity, and enhanced glutamine synthetase activity, indicating a shift toward ammonium nutrition. Nitrogen uptake from soil organic matter mineralization improved under low N conditions. Biomass production, grain yields, and N uptake were significantly higher in BNI-MUNAL across N treatments. Grain protein levels and breadmaking attributes were not negatively impacted. Wide use of BNI functions in wheat breeding may combat nitrification in high N input–intensive farming but also can improve adaptation to low N input marginal areas.

Since the introduction of magnetic extraction sorbents in 1996 by Towler et al., magnetic nanoparticles (m-NPs) have gained importance as sorbents in sample preparation procedures, especially in the so-called magnetic-dispersive solid-phase extraction (m-dSPE), as a result of the simplification of the extraction procedure, which saves time and efforts. Despite the fact that m-NPs have been used in some cases as synthesized, without any further modifications, they do not generally have enough extraction capacity for organic analytes and have a high tendency to aggregate as well as a high chemical reactivity, which results in a loss of dispensability and magnetism. As a result, they are generally coated with different materials (i.e., silica, surfactants, ionic liquids, antibodies or aptamers, polymers, carbon nanotubes, molecular organic frameworks, etc. or their mixtures) which enable them to selectively and quantitatively extract a good number of organic analytes from different matrices. The aim of this chapter is to review the current state-of-the-art of the application of coated/functionalized m-NPs in sample pretreatment, especially in m-dSPE, providing a critical and updated overview of the different m-NP coatings and their effectiveness for organic analyte extraction.

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is a high-resolution fiber-forming technology for the digital fabrication of complex micro-structured scaffolds for tissue engineering, which has convincingly shown its potential in in vitro and in vivo animal studies. The clinical translation of such constructs to the patient requires the capability to visualize them upon implantation with clinically accepted methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To this end, this work presents the modification of polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles to render them visualizable by MRI. Composite scaffolds containing up to 0.3 weight % USPIOs were 3D printed by MEW and could be sensitively detected in vitro using T2- and T2*-weighted MRI. At the same time, USPIO incorporation did not affect the usability of PCL for tissue engineering applications as demonstrated by the mechanical and cytocompatibility evaluation. Concentrations up to 0.2% caused small to no decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus. Cytocompatibility tests resulted in excellent cell viability, with proliferating cells adhering to all the scaffolds. This work contributes to the materials library for MEW and opens the possibility of using MRI for longitudinal monitoring of MEW grafts.

Environmental concern related to Ag+ release from conventional AgNPs is expected to be prevented once contained into a magnetic core like magnetite or CoFe2O4. Accordingly, we obtained CoFe2O4 NPs by microwave-assisted synthesis, which AgNO3 addition rendered Ag@CoFe2O4 NPs. NPs were characterized, and before exploring potential applications, we carried out 7-day wheat toxicity assays. Seed germination and seedling growth were used as toxicity endpoints and photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzymes as oxidative stress biomarkers. Total Fe, Co, and Ag determination was initial indicative of Ag@CoFe2O4 NPs uptake by plants. Then NPs localization in seedling tissues was sought by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and darkfield hyperspectral imaging (DF-HSI). Not any silver ion (Ag+) was detected into the ferrite structure, but results only confirmed the presence of metallic silver (Ag0) adsorbed on the CoFe2O4 NPs surface. Agglomerates of Ag@CoFe2O4 NPs (~10 nm) were fivefold smaller than CoFe2O4 NPs, and ferrimagnetic properties of the CoFe2O4 NPs were conserved after the formation of the Ag@CoFe2O4 composite NPs. Seed germination was not affected by NPs, but root and shoot lengths of seedlings diminished 50% at 54.89 mg/kg and 168.18 mg/kg NPs, respectively. Nonetheless, hormesis was observed in roots of plants exposed to lower Ag@CoFe2O4 NPs treatments. Photosynthetic pigments and the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) indicated oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. SEM suggested NPs presence in shoots and roots, whereas DF-HSI confirmed some Ag@CoFe2O4 NPs contained in shoots of wheat plants.

The exceptional case of a natural compound that shows drastic absolute configuration variations within the same species was examined. Sequential samples of areolal (1) isolated from Piptothrix areolare showed dextrorotatory (ee 32%), almost racemic (ee 4%), levorotatory (ee 82%), and again dextrorotatory (ee 10%) values. Enantiomeric compositions of this epoxythymol derivative were determined from individual plant specimens collected from the same geographical location over a 46-day period, which were processed using the same extraction and isolation methods. Detection of this unusual phenomenon was possible by analysis of NMR data recorded in the presence of BINOL as a chiral solvating agent. The absolute configuration of (-)-(8S)-areolal followed from vibrational circular dichroism data of an enantiomerically enriched sample, while single-crystal X-ray diffraction and supramolecular analyses revealed interactions that diminish the crystal entropy in rac-1. These results might be related with environmental factors and biochemical processes, suggesting the need of strict evaluations of enantiomeric composition of natural products that could be considered for human applications.

espanolEl colico renoureteral (CRU) es el sindrome mas frecuente de dolor lumbar agudo de causa renal, en el 90% de los casos secundario a una litiasis ureteral. El correcto manejo y el conocimiento de los criterios de complicacion son imprescindibles en el Servicio de Urgencias. El dolor en el CRU y el resto de patologias renales agudas se produce por la distension o irritacion de la capsula renal. En el caso del colico, esta originado por la liberacion de vasodilatadores para compensar la caida en el filtrado glomerular por la hiperpresion en los tubulos renales. Los criterios de complicacion son: fiebre, fracaso renal agudo, dolor incoercible a pesar de una analgesia escalonada y urinoma. El diagnostico es clinico y las pruebas de imagen se reservan para la sospecha de complicacion. Los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos son los analgesicos de eleccion. Si existe complicacion, la derivacion urinaria urgente con cateter ureteral o nefrostomia percutanea es prioritaria EnglishThe most frequent low back pain syndrome of renal origin is the renal-ureteral colic (RUC), secondary to ureteral lithiasis in 90% of cases. In emergency unit, proper management and the knowledge of complication criteria are mandatory. The pain in RUC and remaining acute renal pathologies is originated by the distention or irritation of the renal capsule. Regarding colic pain, it is caused by the release of vasodilators in response to offset the fall in glomerular filtration rate due to renal hypertension. Complication criteria are: fever, acute renal failure, incoercible pain (despite stepped analgesia) and urinoma. Diagnosis is clinical. If complication is suspected imaging tests are required. Analgesics of choice are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Urgent urinary diversion with ureteral catheter or percutaneous nephrostomy is a priority in complicated cases

A selective, sensitive and precise reversed phase HPLC-DAD method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of six phenolic acids in the aqueous extract and their hydrolyzed forms prepared from Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., Solanaceae, Ampelocissus acapulcensis (Kunth) Planch., Vitaceae, or Brosimum alicastrum Sw., Moraceae. The new method showed good linearity (r > 0.999) in a relatively wide concentration range (0.5–100 mg/l). The limits of detection and quantification for the compounds were in the range of 0.097–0.467 mg/l and 0.097–0.496 mg/l, respectively. The recoveries of compounds were calculated in three different concentrations in the range of 88.07–109.17% and matrix effect was less than 5% for all phenolic acids. Finally, our developed HPLC method is simple, reliable and successfully applied to identify and quantify the phenolic acids in complex aqueous extracts from medicinal species, that can be useful for the analysis of infusions that people consume in folk medicine. Keywords: Phenolics, Aqueous extracts, Analysis, Medicinal plants

Background: Secondary metabolites are important chemomarkers. However, as a system to confront biotic and abiotic stress, chemical composition can vary, improving the phenotypic plasticity of plants. We determined the potential of the foliar and floral phenolic composition, floral carotenoid contents to discriminate between two subspecies of Fouquieria splendens and assessed the effect of atypical environmental conditions on the chemical composition of a relict population of the subspecies splendens . Hypothesis: We hypothesized that chemical differences have arisen between the analyzed subspecies and in the relict population allowing the differentiation between them. Species studied: Fouquieria splendens subsp. splendens and Fouquieria splendens subsp. campanulata (Fouquieriaceae). Study site and years of study: Mezquital, Peñón Blanco, and San Juan del Río, Durango, México. March to August 2016. Methods: Foliar and floral extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and FTIR-ATR. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the sample distinctiveness and to establish the relation between the chemical composition and environmental variables. Results: The chemical composition was highly conserved between the analyzed samples. Contrarily, an evident distinctiveness between phytochemical contents was observed. Soil parameters were the factors determining the particular quantitative phenolic profiles. Conclusions: The analyzed subspecies and populations showed similar chemical patterns; however, quantitative variations, determined by soil texture, electrical conductivity, organic matter, organic carbon, and contents of K, Ca, and Na, allowed to differentiate them. The important phenolic quantitative variation of the atypical population of F. splendens subsp. splendens suggests a relevant contribution of phenolic compounds to the adaptation to its relict condition.

Sacha inchi oil is a high-quality product with market potential and a wealth of bioactive compounds beneficial for food and health. The main objective of this work was to evaluate three quality parameters, stability, chromatic parameters and total carotenoids of commercial oils obtained from Sacha inchi seeds. The free acidity and peroxide value of all samples studied were in ranges of 0.16–1.86 (% α-linolenic acid) and 1.87–17.47 (meq O2/kg), respectively. While K232 value for the samples ranged from 1.96 to 2.29, the K270 value was between 0.08 to 0.20 and ∆K in the range of − 0.005 to 0.005. Regarding color, Sacha inchi oils showed high hab and low $$ C^{*}_{\text{ab}} $$ values, and the L* values were from 91 to near 100 units. Samples were located in the second quadrant of the CIELAB a*b*-color diagram. These characteristics corresponds to low-vivid light-yellow colors. Carotenoid content of Sacha inchi oils was 0.31–9.10 mg/kg. The oxidative stability using Rancimat (100 °C, 20 L/h air flow rate) of these oils presented an average value of 5.6 h. Pearson’s coefficients indicate a very high correlation coefficient between the values of Car (carotenoid) versus b* (yellow area) (r = 0.991). The results of this study provide better understanding of the quality, stability, chromatic intensities and carotenoid contents of Sacha inchi oil that is marketed in Peru.

The influence of a cadmium selenide (CdSe) layer on the thermochromic and photochromic properties of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) thin films was studied. The films were deposited on glass substrates ...

An experiment for the calculation of the degree of double bond conversion, after a polymerization reaction, of photopolymerizable liquid monomers using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy is reported. The experi...

In Mexico, fixed kilns made of red brick are often used today. However, after several burn cycles at temperatures of up to 1000 °C, these kilns may expand, crack and open. In light of that, we worked to obtain a refractory geopolymer that attaches to red brick to use as an internal kiln coating to increase the useful life of the kiln. We studied the consolidation from refractory clays and a solution of commercial sodium silicate ( =1.38, SiO2/Na2O ratio =3.09). This process originates the synthesis of a geopolymer. The clays were previously selected for their refractory characteristics from different clay banks in the municipality of Comonfort, Guanajuato, Mexico; they have been identified as Caolin, Tepozan, and Bauwer. The clays were subjected to a process of grinding and sieving to a particle size of 60 Tyler mesh . Next, they were characterized using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), which determined that they contained high percentages of SiO2 and Al2O3. The mineralogy of the raw clays was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), yielding high percentages of kaolinite, alunite, quartz and smectite. This composition validates the refractory potential of clays. A simplex-centroid design was used to formulate the geopolymer. The response surface methodology was used for optimization, keeping the commercial sodium silicate concentration constant. The adherence of the formulated geopolymer on red clay brick was taken as a response variable, yielding 50% for the consolidating material (commercial sodium silicate), 21% for Caolin, 23% for Tepozan, and 6% for Bauwer, where the curing time was 7 days and the burning cycle was 8 hours at 1000 °C. This property was measured in a universal testing machine. The best fit was a quadratic model with synergistic interactions between all factors, and the mean adherence of 28.11 kgf/cm2 (2.8 MPa) was obtained. Common potential applications of geopolymer coatings include protection against salt corrosion of marine concrete, reinforced concrete manufacturing, concrete infrastructure rehabilitation, fire inhibition, resistance to temperature and corrosion and as heat insulators. Geopolymers may also have promising use in construction due to their similar strength and durability properties as conventional concrete. The red brick joined to the obtained geopolymer can be used as an internal coating in fixed brick kilns to increase its useful life. In addition, it has potential use for bonding materials that may be exposed to temperatures below 1000 °C or for replacing concrete in ovens exposed to high temperatures.

The influence of mepanipyrim (Mep) and tetraconazole (Tetra) and their formulations (Mep-Form and Tetra-Form) on the chromatic characteristics of Mencia wines was evaluated. Fungicides were applied at concentrations corresponding to their Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) on grapes and at 2MRL. The decay rate of both fungicides during winemaking process confirmed the high dissipation percentage (>85%). To evaluate possible modifications in phenolic composition and colour, control wines were also analysed. No effects on anthocyanins for Mep, Mep-Form and Tetra (MRL) treatments were observed. Only a decrease of these pigments was registered when Tetra (2MRL: 43%) and Tetra-Form (MRL: 75% and 2MRL: 64%) were applied. Besides, the addition of Mep, Mep-Form and Tetra to the must did not decrease the content of flavonols, flavan-3-ols and non-flavonoids; meanwhile the addition of Tetra-Form reduced these phenolic compounds (around 35%, 52% and 17%, respectively).

Aims The purpose of this study was to apply cDNA approach for the characterization of active prokaryotic community to understand microbial scenarios and performance of an AnSBR digester fed with acid hydrolysates of Agave tequilana var. azul bagasse (ATAB). Methods and results The digester was implemented for methane production under organic loading rate (OLR) disturbances to correlate physicochemical variables with changes in abundance, diversity and population dynamics of active Bacteria and Archaea by principal components analysis (PCA). Results indicated that methane yield increased as well as active syntrophic relationships for interspecies hydrogen/formate (Anaerolinaceae-Methanobacterium beijingense) and acetate (Anaerolinaceae-Methanosaeta concilii) transfers at 8 g-COD l-1 day-1 . However, methane yield was negatively affected at 16 g-COD l-1 day-1 due to the competition for acetate by active Desulfovibrio marrakechensis and volatile fatty acids inhibition. Conclusions Microbial scenarios obtained by PCA correlations indicated that methane production from acid hydrolysates of ATAB was feasible at 8 g-COD l-1 day-1 . The digester operation at higher OLR only favoured methanogenesis by the hydrogenotrophic pathway. Significance and impact of the study Only cDNA analysis showed Archaea population dynamics, exhibiting high correlation with physicochemical variables towards the understanding of the methanogenic digester performance during OLR disturbances.

A biomimetic transformation of p-menthene glucosides into aromatic monoterpenoids that alluded to mechanisms for essential oil metabolism, which lines up with the precepts of molecular economy, is described. Acid treatment of (-)-(3 S,4 S,6 R)-3,6-dihydroxy-1-menthene 3- O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and (-)-(3 S,4 R,5 R,6 S)-3,5,6-trihydroxy-1-menthene 3- O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), from Ageratina glabrata, yielded p-cymene (7) and carvacrol (9). The stable oxidized intermediates (+)-(3 S,4 S,6 R)-3,6-dihydroxy-1-menthene (3), (+)-(1 S,4 S,6 R)-1,6-dihydroxy-2-menthene (4), (+)-(1 R,4 S,6 R)-1,6-dihydroxy-2-menthene (5), (+)-(4 S,6 R)-yabunikkeol (6), (+)-(4 S)-carvotanacetone (8), (+)-(1 S,4 S,5 R,6 R)-1,5,6-trihydroxy-2-menthene (15), (+)-(1 R,4 S,5 R,6 R)-1,5,6-trihydroxy-2-menthene (16), and the new (+)-(4 S,5 R,6 S)-1(7),2-menthadiene (17) permitted establishment of the reaction mechanisms. The reactivity of the hydroxy groups of 4 and 5, as well as those of 15 and 16, was compared by acetylation reactions and supported by DFT calculations, revealing diminished reactivity in 4 and 15 due to the cis configuration of their hydroxy groups at C-1 and C-6. In addition, p-cymene (7) was detected as one of the major constituents of the essential oil of A. glabrata, which matches well with the biomimetic study.

Dental implantology allows replacement of failing teeth providing the patient with a general improvement of health. Unfortunately not all reconstructions succeed, as a consequence of the development of infections of bacterial origin on the implant surface. Surface topography is known to modulate a differential response to bacterial and mammalian cells but topographical measurements are often limited to vertical parameters. In this work we have extended the topographical measurements also to lateral and hybrid parameters of the five most representative implant and prosthetic component surfaces and correlated the results with bacterial and mammalian cell adhesion and proliferation outcomes. Primary human oral gingival fibroblast (gum cells) and the bacterial strains: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, implicated in infectious processes in the oral/implant environment were employed in the presence or absence of human saliva. The results confirm that even though not all the measured surface is available for bacteria to adhere, the overall race for the surface between cells and bacteria is more favourable to the smoother surfaces (nitrided, as machined or lightly acid etched) than to the rougher ones (strong acid etched or sandblasted/acid etched).

‘Brava’ and ‘Mansa de Figueiredo’ extra-virgin olive oils (EVOOs) are two varieties identified from north-western Spain. A systematic phenolic characterization of the studied oils was undertaken by LC-ESI-IT-MS. In addition, the role of dietary polyphenols from these EVOOs has been evaluated against the inhibition of key enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). Oleuropein and ligstroside derivatives comprised 83% and 67% of the total phenolic compounds in ‘Brava’ and ‘Mansa de Figueiredo’ EVOOs, respectively. The main secoiridoids from oleuropein were DOA (3,4-DHPEA-EDA, 59 and 22 mg kg−1, respectively) and the main isomer of OlAgl (3,4-DHPEA-EA, 74 and 23 mg kg−1). The main secoiridoids from ligstroside were D-LigAgl (p-HPEA-EDA or oleocanthal, 23 and 167 mg kg−1) and the main isomer of LigAgl (p-HPEA-EA, 214 and 114 mg kg−1). For α-glucosidase, both EVOO extracts displayed stronger inhibitory activity (IC50 values of 60 ± 8 and 118 ± 9 μg mL−1, respectively) than the commercial inhibitor acarbose (IC50 = 356 ± 21 μg mL−1). Nevertheless, for α-amylase, only ‘Brava’ extracts showed anti-α-amylase capacity. A daily VOO intake lower than the requirements of EFSA seem to be enough to reach both 50% for α-glucosidase and 25% for α-amylase inhibition. These findings support the potential health benefits derived from Galician EVOOs that might be probably linked to the outstanding high concentration levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids.