Chemical and structural heterogeneity of olive leaves and their trichomes.

Many biological surfaces have hairs, known as trichomes in plants. Here, the wettability and macro- and micro-scale features of olive leaves are analyzed. The upper leaf side has few trichomes, while the lower side has a high trichome density. By combining different techniques including electron and atomic force microscopy, trichome surfaces are found to be chemically (hydrophilic-hydrophobic) heterogeneous at the nano-scale. Both olive leaf surfaces are wettable by water, having a high water contact angle hysteresis and great drop adhesion. The ultra-structural pattern observed for epidermal pavement cells differs from the reticulate cuticle structure of trichomes which shows that leaf surface areas may be substantially different despite being located nearby. Our study provides evidence for the nano-scale chemical heterogeneity of a trichome which may influence the functional properties of biological surfaces, such as water and solute permeability or water capture as discussed here for plants.

Buried and surface oil degradation - Evaluating bioremediation to increase PAHs removal through linear mathematical models.

A bioremediation approach with tide simulation for buried and surface oil degradation was tested for removal of two, three and four rings polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Linear models depicted degradation constants of individual PAH as simple additive function of their initial concentrations (C0) in contaminated sand, hydrophobicity, sampling layer and treatment conditions. For all PAHs and treatment conditions, the degradation of oil in buried layers was faster than at the surface. Naturally-occurring microorganisms proved to be efficient for bioremediation of PAHs and were stimulated by fertilizer addition (biostimulation, BS). Bioaugmentation (BA) by addition of a slurry of a native oil-degraders pre-stimulated consortium did not show faster PAH degradation than BS. Degradation was more rapid for PAH present at low C0 and with intermediate hydrophobicity. Bioremediation of beach sand either with surface or buried crude oil is a cost-effective strategy to clean-up different hydrocarbon families, including persistent ones, such as PAHs.

Harnessing the Potential of Native Microbial Communities for Bioremediation of Oil Spills in the Iberian Peninsula NW Coast.

Oil spills are among the most catastrophic events to marine ecosystems and current remediation techniques are not suitable for ecological restoration. Bioremediation approaches can take advantage of the activity of microorganisms with biodegradation capacity thus helping to accelerate the recovery of contaminated environments. The use of native microorganisms can increase the bioremediation efficiency since they have higher potential to survive in the natural environment while preventing unpredictable ecological impacts associated with the introduction of non-native organisms. In order to know the geographical scale to which a native bioremediation consortium can be applied, we need to understand the spatial heterogeneity of the natural microbial communities with potential for hydrocarbon degradation. In the present study, we aim to describe the genetic diversity and the potential of native microbial communities to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons, at an early stage of bioremediation, along the NW Iberian Peninsula coast, an area particularly susceptible to oil spills. Seawater samples collected in 47 sites were exposed to crude oil for 2 weeks, in enrichment experiments. Seawater samples collected in situ, and samples collected after the enrichment with crude oil, were characterized for prokaryotic communities by using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and predictive functional profiling. Results showed a drastic decrease in richness and diversity of microbial communities after the enrichment with crude oil. Enriched microbial communities were mainly dominated by genera known to degrade hydrocarbons, namely Alcanivorax, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Rhodococcus, Flavobacterium, Oleibacter, Marinobacter, and Thalassospira, without significant differences between geographic areas and locations. Predictive functional profiling of the enriched microbial consortia showed a high potential to degrade the aromatic compounds aminobenzoate, benzoate, chlorocyclohexane, chlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, polycyclic aromatic compounds, styrene, toluene, and xylene. Only a few genera contributed for more than 50% of this genetic potential for aromatic compounds degradation in the enriched communities, namely Alcanivorax, Thalassospira, and Pseudomonas spp. This work is a starting point for the future development of prototype consortia of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to mitigate oil spills in the Iberian NW coast.

Tri-Criterion Model for Constructing Low-Carbon Mutual Fund Portfolios: A Preference-Based Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm Approach.

Sustainable finance, which integrates environmental, social and governance criteria on financial decisions rests on the fact that money should be used for good purposes. Thus, the financial sector is also expected to play a more important role to decarbonise the global economy. To align financial flows with a pathway towards a low-carbon economy, investors should be able to integrate into their financial decisions additional criteria beyond return and risk to manage climate risk. We propose a tri-criterion portfolio selection model to extend the classical Markowitz's mean-variance approach to include investor's preferences on the portfolio carbon risk exposure as an additional criterion. To approximate the 3D Pareto front we apply an efficient multi-objective genetic algorithm called ev-MOGA which is based on the concept of ε-dominance. Furthermore, we introduce a-posteriori approach to incorporate the investor's preferences into the solution process regarding their climate-change related preferences measured by the carbon risk exposure and their loss-adverse attitude. We test the performance of the proposed algorithm in a cross-section of European socially responsible investments open-end funds to assess the extent to which climate-related risk could be embedded in the portfolio according to the investor's preferences.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: New Challenges in the Complement Blockage Era.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare cause of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, consumptive thrombocytopenia, and multisystem end organ involvement, most commonly affecting the kidney. Diagnosis is clinical, after exclusion of other TMA causes. Primary aHUS arises from genetic abnormalities, resulting in uncontrolled complement activity, while a variety of clinical scenarios cause secondary aHUS, including infection, pregnancy, malignancy, autoimmune disease, and medications. They can also induce a temporary complement deregulation with an overlap between both scenarios, which can make differential diagnosis difficult. Primary aHUS can be sporadic or familial and is associated with a high rate of progression to ESRD. Many aHUS patients relapse in the native or transplanted kidneys, leading to kidney failure. The introduction of eculizumab has changed the prognosis of aHUS, by inducing hematologic remission, improving or stabilizing kidney functions, and preventing graft failure. The early institution of appropriate therapy can prevent multiorgan damage, so is essential to recognize and differentiate the TMA syndromes. Eculizumab is considered now the first-line treatment, and it is recommended lifelong therapy. However, the high cost of therapy has led to make efforts to develop precise complement functional and genetic studies that help physicians to determine the appropriate duration of eculizumab therapy. Nowadays, more studies are needed to select candidates to adjustment of therapy.

Chemoprevention of Experimental Periodontitis in Diabetic Rats with Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles Loaded with Resveratrol.

OBJECTIVE: the objective of the present work is to study the effectiveness of treatment with silk fibroin nanoparticles loaded with resveratrol in experimental periodontitis in a diabetic rat model. INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is an inflammatory pathology highly related to other diseases, such as type II diabetes. Both diseases have a specific inflammatory condition, with Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß and Transforming Grow Factor (TGF)-1ß being the most relevant proinflammatory factors. Silk fibroin (SF) nanoparticles loaded with resveratrol (Res-SFN) are a new alternative as a treatment. METHODS: 40 diabetic Sprague Dawley male rats were used and periodontitis was induced by ligation. The animals were divided into 5 treatment groups, and 1 mL of treatment was administered once a day for 4 weeks. The groups were: I: Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) 0.8%, II: CMC 0.8% + SF 1%, III: CMC 0.8% + RES-SFN 3 mg/mL, IV: CMC 0.8% + SF 1% + RES-SFN 3 mg/mL, V: Water. A peripheral blood sample was taken every week to quantify the inflammatory profile by ELISA (IL-6, IL-1ß and TGF-1ß). After 4 weeks the sacrifice was carried out and biopsies of the gum were taken. RESULTS: Treatment with SF and RES-SFN reduced the amount of chemical inflammation mediators (with the exception of IL-1ß in comparisons I-IV and II-IV (p > 0.05)), as well as the anatomopathological variables linked to it, in a significant way (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: treatment with RES-SFN has reduced local inflammation in this experimental periodontitis model.

Fabry Nephropathy: An Evidence-Based Narrative Review.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare, X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene encoding the enzyme α-galactosidase A. Complete or partial deficiency in this enzyme leads to intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and other glycosphingolipids in many cell types throughout the body, including the kidney. Progressive accumulation of Gb3 in podocytes, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and tubular cells contribute to the renal symptoms of FD, which manifest as proteinuria and reduced glomerular filtration rate leading to renal insufficiency. A correct diagnosis of FD, although challenging, has considerable implications regarding treatment, management, and counseling. The diagnosis may be confirmed by demonstrating the enzyme deficiency in males and by identifying the specific GLA gene mutation in male and female patients. Treatment with enzyme replacement therapy, as part of the therapeutic strategy to prevent complications of the disease, may be beneficial in stabilizing renal function or slowing its decline, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Emergent treatments for FD include the recently approved chaperone molecule migalastat for patients with amenable mutations. The objective of this report is to provide an updated overview on Fabry nephropathy, with a focus on the most relevant aspects of its epidemiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment options.

A theoretical model to estimate the oil burial depth on sandy beaches: A new oil spill management tool.

In oiled sandy beaches, unrecovered fuel can be buried up to several metres. This study proposes a theoretical approach to oil burial estimation along the intertidal area. First, our results revealed the existence of two main patterns in seasonal beach profile behaviour. Type A is characterized by intertidal slopes of time-constant steepness which advance/recede parallel to themselves in response to changing wave conditions. Type B is characterized by slopes of time-varying steepness which intersect at a given point in the intertidal area. This finding has a direct influence on the definition of oil depth. Type A pattern exhibits oil burial along the entire intertidal area following decreasing wave energy, while the type B pattern combines burial in high intertidal and exhumation in mid and/or low intertidal zones, depending on the position of the intersection point. These outcomes should be incorporated as key tools in future oil spill management programs.

Efluente peritoneal turbio debido a un síndrome de intolerancia al injerto renal / Cloudy peritoneal dialysate effluent due to graft intolerance syndrome

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Prognostic Significance of Creeping Proteinuria in the First Year After Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria changes have a prognostic significance in proteinuric nephropathies. Proteinuria has been related to kidney transplant outcomes, but there are no information about the impact of increasing proteinuria during the first year on long-term graft and patient survival. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 591 kidney transplants to analyze the effect on long-term prognosis of: proteinuria at 3 (n = 591) and 12 (n = 583) months (no proteinuria: 150-299 mg/24 hours, 300-999 mg/24 hours, and ≥1 g/24 hours), and changes in proteinuria during the first year in such patients with proteinuria at 3 months (reduction ≥50% of proteinuria from 3 to 12 months, variation <50%, and increase ≥50% or "creeping proteinuria") (n = 283). RESULTS: Higher levels of proteinuria, at both 3 and 12 months, were progressively related to lower graft survival (P < 0.0001). Proteinuria at 12 months was related to mortality (P = 0.026). Creeping proteinuria, which was present in 35 patients (12.4%), was related to graft failure (P < 0.0001) and mortality (P = 0.030), even at lower levels of proteinuria at 3 months. De novo HLA antibody development was the only factor related to creeping proteinuria (hazard ratio, 2.946; 95% confidence interval, 1.158-7.491; P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Creeping proteinuria during the first year was associated with long-term graft failure and mortality and could be considered as a surrogate of kidney disease progression in the renal transplant population, as it is in proteinuric nephropathies. It could also be viewed as an expression of immunological damage.

The effect of sand composition on the degradation of buried oil.

The potential effects of the mineralogical composition of sediment on the degradation of oil buried on sandy beaches were investigated. Toward that purpose, a laboratory experiment was carried out with sandy sediment collected along NW Iberian Peninsula beaches, tar-balls from the Prestige oil spill (NW Spain) and seawater. The results indicate that the mineralogical composition is important for the physical appearance of the oil (tar-balls or oil coatings). This finding prompted a reassessment of the current sequence of degradation for buried oil based on compositional factors. Moreover, the halo development of the oil coatings might be enhanced by the carbonate concentration of the sand. These findings open new prospects for future monitoring and management programs for oiled sandy beaches.

Potential of bioremediation for buried oil removal in beaches after an oil spill.

Bioremediation potential for buried oil removal, an application still lacking thorough research, was assessed in a specifically designed system in which an artificially contaminated oil layer of sand was buried in a sand column subjected to tidal simulation. The efficiency of biostimulation (BS, fertilizer addition) and bioaugmentation (BA, inoculation of pre-stimulated indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms plus fertilizer) compared to natural attenuation was tested during a 180-day experimental period. The effect of BA was evident after 60 days (degradation of hydrocarbons reached 80%). BS efficacy was revealed only after 120 days. Microorganisms and nutrients added at the top of the sand column were able to reach the buried oil layer and contributed to faster oil elimination, an important feature for effective bioremediation treatments. Therefore, autochthonous BA with suitable nutritive conditions results in faster oil-biodegradation, appears to be a cost-effective methodology for buried oil remediation and contributes to the recovery of oil-impacted areas.

Assessment of the health quality of Ria de Aveiro (Portugal): heavy metals and benthic foraminifera.

This work analyses the distribution of heavy metals in the sediments of Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) assessed by total digestion and sequential chemical extraction of the sediments. The influence of environmental parameters on the living benthic foraminiferal assemblages was studied. The most polluted parts in the Ria de Aveiro are areas where the residence time is high and cohesive sediments are deposited. Organic matter, which is an excellent scavenger for a number of metals, is in general more abundant in the finer deposits of this lagoon, which act as sinks of anthropogenic pollutants. This condition is observed in Aveiro canals and Murtosa channel where sediments with the highest concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cr are found. The sediments of Murtosa channel are also enriched in As, Co and Hg. In Aveiro canals the enrichment of heavy metals is mostly related to the past industrial production at their margins (ceramic and metallurgy), whereas in Murtosa channel with effluent discharges of the Chemical Complex of Estarreja. Foraminiferal density and diversity reach higher values near the lagoon mouth under higher marine influence and decline in general under very low-oxygen conditions. Some species seems to be indifferent to the increasing of TOC (e.g. Haynesina germanica and Ammonia tepida) and some have an opportunistic behaviour in areas with very depressed levels of oxygen (e.g. A. tepida and Quinqueloculina seminulum) whereas other species can better tolerate sulphide/reducing conditions (e.g. H. germanica, Bolivina ordinaria, Buliminella elegantissima, Bulimina elongata/gibba and Nonionella stella) a widespread condition in this lagoon. Foraminiferal density and some species are negatively correlated with concentrations of heavy metals. A most sensitive group of species to higher concentrations of heavy metals is identified (such as B. ordinaria, B. pseudoplicata and B. elongata/gibba) and another one of more tolerant species (such as H. germanica A. tepida and Q. seminulum). Foraminifera are more tolerate higher available concentrations (AC) of Zn in any phase than higher AC of Cu adsorbed do clay minerals (F1) and associated with Fe and Mn oxides (F2) and of Pb in F2; the phase F2, probably the most mobile phase, and even phase F1 seems to be more toxic than the increasing of metals in organic matter (F3).

Estudiar con pasión: relación con la iniciativa personal y el engagement / Studying with passion: personal initiative and engagement relationship

Los objetivos de este trabajo son, la adaptación al castellano de las escalas de pasión armoniosa y pasión obsesiva de Vallerand y otros y la propuesta de un modelo exploratorio que analice la relación ente ambos tipos de pasión y la iniciativa personal, el engagement y el aprendizaje percibido. En el estudio han participado una muestra de 266 estudiantes de titulaciones superiores de tres universidades (UNED, UMH y UA). Los resultados muestran relaciones estadísticamente significativas entre todas las variables del estudio, reproducen la estructura factorial del cuestionario original y confirman el modelo propuesto. Los resultados están en la línea de trabajos previos que identifican que experimentar pasión armoniosa en una actividad se relaciona con comportamientos positivos tales como persistencia, vigor y dedicación y un mejor rendimiento. Asimismo, se contrasta la independencia entre el engagement y el concepto de pasión. Las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas así como las limitaciones son discutidas en el trabajo.

This article studies the Spanish adaptation of the harmonious passion and obsessive passion scale (Vallerand et al. 2003) and the proposal of an exploratory model capable of analize the harmonious passion and obsessive passion; the personal initiative; the engagement; and perceibed learning. A sample of 266 students of higher degrees from three colleges (UNED, UMH and UA) participated in this study. The outcomes show significant statistic relationships among all the variables of this study, the factorial structure of the original questionaire is reproduced and the proposed model is confirmed. The outcomes match previous studies that show that experiencing harmonious passion in an activity is related with positive behaviours such as persistence, vigor, dedication, and better performance. From this perspective, the independence between engagement and the passion concept is compared. The theorical implications and practices along with limitations are discussed in this study.

Assessment of cleanup needs of oiled sandy beaches: lessons from the Prestige oil spill.

Surveys of the oiled sandy beaches along the northern Atlantic coast of Spain, 2-5 years after the Prestige oil spill of November 2002, have provided new evidence regarding buried fuel and its behavior. The persistence and depth of burial of oil, and the capacity of the beach for natural regeneration, depend on beach morphodynamics, which drive a sequence of physicochemical processes that reduce subsurface tar balls to highly divided oil forms while also allowing appreciable weathering despite burial. These findings prompted reassessment of current spill evaluation strategies. A protocol is proposed that combines the modeling of beach morphodynamics, an environmentally friendly coring survey, and well-calibrated hydrocarbon analysis.

Escala de clima para la iniciativa y para la seguridad psicológica: adaptación al castellano y su relación con el desempeño organizacional / Spanish adaptation of the scale of organizational climate focused on the support of initiative and psychological safety: its relation with organizational performance

El clima para la iniciativa es un constructo a nivel organizacional que se refiere a las prácticas y procedimientos informales y formales de la organización que guían y apoyan una aproximación hacia el trabajo proactiva, autoiniciada y persistente. El clima para la seguridad psicológica se refiere a que el empleado se sienta capaz de mostrarse tal como es en el trabajo sin tener miedo a consecuencias negativas para su imagen, estatus o carrera. Ambos conceptos son considerados antecedentes de la iniciativa personal en el modelo de antecedentes y consecuencias de la iniciativa (Frese y Fay, 2001). En este trabajo se realiza una adaptación al castellano de la medida de clima para la iniciativa y para la seguridad psicológica desarrollada por Baer y Frese (2003). Se ha contado con dos muestras transversales de 414 y 396 participantes para el estudio de la fiabilidad y análisis factoriales. Ambas medidas se relacionan con el desempeño organizacional, evaluado tanto con un criterio objetivo (rendimiento sobre activos totales) como por la percepción subjetiva en 7 organizaciones analizadas con un total de 286 participantes(AU)

Climate for Initiative is an organizational level construct that refers to the formal and infOn one hand, initiative-supporting climate is an organisational-level construct that refers to both formal and informal organization practices and procedures aimed at supporting a proactive, self-starting and persistent approach to work. On the other hand, psychological safety-supporting climate refers to employee capability to behave the way he/she is, with no fear of negative consequences for his/her image, status or career. Both concepts are considered antecedents in the model of antecedents and consequences of personal initiative (Frese y Fay, 2001). This paper presents a Spanish adaptation of the Scale of Work Climate focused on initiative and psychological safety, developed by Baer and Frese (2003). Reliability and factoranalysis were performed on data from two cross-sectional samples – with 414 and 396 participants respectively. Both measures are related to organizational performance, as it was assessed from an objective criterion (return on total assets) and the subjective perception of 286 participants from 7 organisations(AU)

El constructo «Orientación a la calidad total» y su medida: el Cuestionario OCT / The «Total Quality Orientation» construct and its measurement: The OCT questionnaire

Se presentan las propiedades psicométricas de un cuestionario para evaluar la "Orientación a la Calidad Total" de PYMEs, definido este constructo como el grado en que una empresa es gestionada mediante la filosofía de la Calidad Total. El instrumento incluye los principios de esta forma de gestión -orientación al cliente, mejora continua, trabajo en equipo, uso de datos-, así como aspectos de la gestión de Recursos Humanos enfatizados por la Calidad Total. Los análisis se han realizado a partir de dos tomas de datos y la muestra está formada por aproximadamente 300 personas en cada uno de los tiempos, pertenecientes a 17 empresas. Los resultados indican que el instrumento mide de una forma válida y precisa las dimensiones evaluadas. El cuestionario pretende ser útil para profesionales e investigadores, proporcionando una fácil medida del grado en que una empresa está más o menos orientada a la Calidad Total (AU)

The psychometric properties of a questionnaire for the evaluation of «Total Quality Orientation» of SMEs are presented in this study. We define the construct «Total Quality Orientation» as the degree with which one company approaches the Total Quality Management. The instrument includes the principles of Total Quality Management –customer focus, continuous improvement, teamwork and use of data– as well as other aspects of the Human Resources Management emphasised by this management system. The analyses have been carried out from two data measures, and the sample, in both cases, consisted in around 300 people belonging to 17 different enterprises. Results indicate that the instrument measures in a valid and reliable way the dimensions evaluated. The questionnaire tries to be useful for practitioners and researchers providing an easy measure of the level a company has reached in putting into practice the Total Quality Management principles and Human Resources Management related with it (AU)

Establishing politically feasible water markets: a multi-criteria approach.

A multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) model to simulate the establishment of water markets is developed. The environment is an irrigated area governed by a non-profit agency, which is responsible for water production, allocation, and pricing. There is a traditional situation of historical rights, average-cost pricing for water allocation, large quantities of water used, and inefficiency. A market-oriented policy could be implemented by accounting for ecological and political objectives such as saving groundwater and safeguarding historical rights while promoting economic efficiency. In this paper, a problem is solved by compromise programming, a multi-criteria technique based on the principles of Simonian logic. The model is theoretically developed and applied to the Lorca region in Spain near the Mediterranean Sea.