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Fungal diversity in daycare centers and private homes - yeast play in daycares while the molds stay at home
No full textComunicación oral presentada en el 12th International Congress of Mycology (IMC12), Maastricht, The Netherlands, 11-15 August 2024Fungi are all around us, and the fungal diversity found indoors can cause asthma and allergies for the occupants. The indoor mycobiome, which refers to the diversity of fungi present indoors, is influenced by various factors including outdoor climate, seasonality, building damage, and specific building features such as ventilation systems. However, it has been observed that the mycobiome can still vary significantly among buildings that share similar climates, and the extent of variation between buildings with different usage remains poorly understood. In this study, we compare the indoor mycobiomes in daycare centers and private homes by DNA metabarcoding of dust samples. By crowdsourcing, dust swab samples were obtained from 123 daycares and 214 private homes across Norway during the spring months of April and May in 2018. While the overall fungal richness was similar in dust samples from daycares and private homes, the fungal community composition differed. Yeast fungi, primarily from the orders Saccharomycetales, Filobasidiales and Tremellales, were proportionally more abundant in the daycares, whereas filamentous fungi, including spore-producing molds such as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium, were relatively more abundant in private homes. The number of occupants, which is considerably higher in daycares, was found to be significantly correlated with the shift in fungal communities. We propose that the density of occupants and their age distribution may be driving the systematic difference of yeasts and filamentous fungi in the two types of buildings
Clustering and 4D reconstruction from image streams
No full textTrabajo fin de grado presentado en la Universitat Pompeu Fabr
Immuno-μSARS2 Chip: A Peptide-Based Microarray to Assess COVID-19 Prognosis Based on Immunological Fingerprints
Get PDFA multiplexed microarray chip (Immuno-μSARS2) aiming at providing information on the prognosis of the COVID-19 has been developed. The diagnostic technology records information related to the profile of the immunological response of patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The diagnostic technology delivers information on the avidity of the sera against 28 different peptide epitopes and 7 proteins printed on a 25 mm2 area of a glass slide. The peptide epitopes (12–15 mer) derived from structural proteins (Spike and Nucleocapsid) have been rationally designed, synthesized, and used to develop Immuno-μSARS2 as a multiplexed and high-throughput fluorescent microarray platform. The analysis of 755 human serum samples (321 from PCR+ patients; 288 from PCR– patients; 115 from prepandemic individuals and classified as hospitalized, admitted to intensive-care unit (ICU), and exitus) from three independent cohorts has shown that the chips perform with a 98% specificity and 91% sensitivity identifying RT-PCR+ patients. Computational analysis utilized to correlate the immunological signatures of the samples analyzed indicate significant prediction rates against exitus conditions with 82% accuracy, ICU admissions with 80% accuracy, and 73% accuracy over hospitalization requirement compared to asymptomatic patients’ fingerprints. The miniaturized microarray chip allows simultaneous determination of 96 samples (24 samples/slide) in 90 min and requires only 10 μL of sera. The diagnostic approach presented for the first time here could have a great value in assisting clinicians in decision-making based on the information provided by the Immuno-μSARS2 regarding progression of the disease and could be easily implemented in diagnostics of other infectious diseases.This work was supported by the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) (Project POC4CoV, CSIC-COV19-041) and by the European Commision-NextGenerationEU (Regulation EU 2020/2094) through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global). The Nb4D group is a consolidated research group (Grup de Recerca) of the Generalitat de Catalunya and has support from the Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació de la Generalitat de Catalunya (expedients: 2021 SGR 00408 and 2021 SGR00230). CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2013-2016, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program; CIBER Actions are financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. The ICTS “NANOBIOSIS”, and particularly the Custom Antibody Service (CAbS, IQAC-CSIC, CIBER-BBN) and the Synthesis of Peptides Unit (U3, IQAC-CSIC, CIBER BBN), are acknowledged for the assistance and support related to the immunoreagents and peptides used in this work. The equipment has been cofunded with European Union ERDF funds (European Regional Development Fund). We would also like to thank Scienion (BICO group, Germany) for their support with the SciFLEXARRAYER. We thank the personnel from the Servei de Microbiologia, Northern Metropolitan Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol for their support in sample selection and patient classification (V. González, G. Fernández).Peer reviewe
Detection of thioacetaldehyde (CH3CHS) in TMC-1: Sulfur-oxygen differentiation along the hydrogenation sequence
No full text7 pages, 5 figures, 4 tablesIn recent years, the chemistry of sulfur in the interstellar medium has experienced renewed interest due to the detection of a large variety of molecules containing sulfur. We report the first identification in space of a new S-bearing molecule, thioacetaldehyde (CH3CHS), which is the sulfur counterpart of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO). The astronomical observations are part of QUIJOTE, a Yebes 40 m Q-band line survey of the cold dense cloud TMC-1. We detected seven individual lines corresponding to A and E components of the four most favorable rotational transitions of CH3CHS covered in the Q band (31.0–50.3 GHz). Assuming a rotational temperature of 9 K, we derive a column density of 9.8 × 1010 cm−2 for CH3CHS, which implies that it is 36 times less abundant than its oxygen counterpart CH3CHO. By comparing the column densities of the O- and S-bearing molecules detected in TMC-1, we find that as molecules increase their degree of hydrogenation, sulfur-bearing molecules become less abundant than their oxygen analog. That is, hydrogenation seems to be less favored for S-bearing molecules than for O-bearing ones in cold sources such as TMC-1. We explored potential formation pathways to CH3CHS and implemented them into a chemical model, which underestimates the observed abundance of thioacetaldehyde by several orders of magnitude, however. Quantum chemical calculations carried out for one of the potential formation pathways, the S + C2H5 reaction, indicate that formation of CH3CHS is only a minor channel in this reaction.We acknowledge funding support from Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, y Universidades through grants PID2023-147545NBI00 and RyC-2022-035442-I and from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) through projects i-LINK23017 SENTINEL and Proyecto Intramural 20245AT016. We acknowledge the computational resources provided by the DRAGO computer cluster managed by SGAI-CSIC, and the Galician Supercomputing Center (CESGA). The supercomputer FinisTerrae III and its permanent data storage system have been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Galician Government and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)Peer reviewe
Un año en la vida de las encinas y los animales de su entorno
No full textVeremos cómo interaccionan con vertebrados e invertebrados, que encuentran refugio en ellas, se alimentan de sus hojas y frutos y, en algunos casos, contribuyen a su regeneración natural. Seremos también testigos de cómo estos animales se relacionan entre sí, mediante interacciones cuyos resultados en ocasiones no dejarán de sorprendernosLa encina es la especie arbórea más común del Bosque Mediterráneo ibérico, donde su función ecológica es esencial. Su importancia para el sustento del ser humano se remonta a tiempos ancestrales, lo que la ha convertido en elemento de la cultura popular. Hoy las encontramos en montes cerrados, dehesas ganaderas o recolonizando zonas agrícolas abandonadas. En esta conferencia acompañaremos a las encinas a lo largo de un año, desde su floración al establecimiento de nuevas plántulas a partir de las bellotas.N
A Novel Back‐Calculation Approach to Estimate Ocean Anthropogenic Carbon Using Carbon‐Based Data and a Total Matrix Intercomparison Method
No full text19 pages, 5 figuresOver the last decades, back-calculation (BC) techniques for ocean anthropogenic carbon (Cant) estimation have improved and evolved into different methodologies that are not exempt from various assumptions and limitations. No single optimal BC method exists to date for computing Cant; therefore, it is necessary to continue advancing the broad range of approaches. Here, we present a novel method based on the BC fundamentals that combines marine-carbonate-system (MCS) data and the Total Matrix Intercomparison (TMI) framework. This MCS-TMI approach differs from other BC methods by using the TMI to reconstruct deep-ocean biogeochemical properties and their preformed conditions. It also incorporates a global sea-air oxygen disequilibrium term, and a dynamic stoichiometric carbon-to-oxygen ratio that depends on the water-mass ideal time. The MCS-TMI yields a total Cant inventory of 124 ± 7 Pg C (referred to 1995), in good agreement with previous global Cant climatologies. The MCS-TMI method uncertainty (±5.6 μmol kg−1) is controlled by input-data errors that, nonetheless, have a minimal impact on the total Cant inventory. In contrast, our total Cant inventory uncertainty is governed by methodological errors, specifically those related to the TMI's boundary conditions. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of MCS data-based climatologies in reconstructing a 3D gridded Cant climatology, and the validity of ocean circulation transport operators for obtaining BC preformed conditionsM. López-Mozos was supported by the grant PRE2020-093138 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”. F. F Pérez was supported by the FICARAM+ project (PID2023-148924OB-l00). A. Velo was supported by the BOCATS2 (PID2019-104279GB-C21) project funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and by EuroGO-SHIP project (Horizon Europe #101094690). L.I. Carracedo was supported by IfremerPeer reviewe
The vulnerability of mussel aquaculture: Understanding environmental threats and future directions
No full text9 pages, 2 figures, 3 tablesThe mussel aquaculture, particularly in Galicia—the leading European producer—faces growing uncertainty in light of environmental changes. While production remained relatively stable over the last 15 years, 2023 saw a dramatic decline to levels not observed since the late 20th century. The causes behind this downturn remain unclear, but rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, changes in upwelling patterns, and other climate related phenomena are believed to play a role. This study addresses these challenges by applying the Q method to analyze the perspectives of 59 stakeholders, primarily academics, within the mussel aquaculture sector. Five distinct stakeholder discourses were identified, each reflecting specific concerns and priorities. Three of the discourses underscore significant worries about the future of mussel aquaculture, with a particular focus on environmental stressors such as disruptions in upwelling patterns and seed availability issues. Other discourses highlight diverse viewpoints, including the potential impact of invasive species and socio-economic challenges like generational shifts within the sector. The study also explores strategies for navigating these challenges, including a stronger focus on international markets, regional product differentiation, and promoting the health benefits of mussels. These findings provide practical insights into the risks, opportunities, and strategies that could help ensure the sector's resilience and sustainability in an era of environmental and market uncertainties.Peer reviewe
Discovery of a potential open ocean nursery for the endangered shortfin mako shark in a global fishing hotspot
No full text13 pages, 5 figures, 3 tablesPopulations of large pelagic sharks are declining worldwide due to overfishing. Determining the overlap between shark populations and fishing activities is important to inform conservation measures. However, for many threatened sharks the whereabouts of particularly vulnerable life-history stages - such as pregnant females and juveniles - are poorly known. Here, we investigated the spatial distribution of size classes, energy transfer and reproductive states of pregnant females of the endangered shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, using spatially resolved catch data from a Spanish surface longline vessel (1996 - 2009) in the South-east Pacific Ocean. Our results suggest a general eastward gradient of occurrence of pregnant females of thousands of kilometers from western oceanic feeding grounds towards the eastern Pacific, where we observed an aggregation area of small juveniles. Moreover, the potential nursery likely overlapped a longline fishing hotspot, increasing the vulnerability of juveniles from fisheries. Our results suggest that limiting fishing pressure in this area could reduce mortality of early life stages and contribute to the conservation of this endangered shark speciesThis work was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through PTDC/BMA/3536/2021 (to G. Mucientes and N. Queiroz) and CEECIND/02857/2018 (to N. Queiroz), and PTDC/ASP-PES/2503/2020 and CEECIND/CP1668/CT0007 (to M. Vedor). D.W. Sims received funding support from a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant (883583 OCEAN DEOXYFISH) and a Marine Biological Association Senior Research FellowshipPeer reviewe
Non-invasive textural assessment of puffed corn cakes using air-coupled ultrasound
No full text10 páginas, 7 figuras, 2 tablasThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using air-coupled ultrasound for the textural characterization of puffed corn cakes (PCC). For this purpose, air-coupled ultrasound measurements (0.15–0.4 MHz) were taken and instrumental texture, microstructural (Cryo-FESEM), moisture content and water activity analyses were performed on two different sets of PCC: 1) Seven commercial batches and 2) Four commercial batches stored at different relative humidities (10–40 %) in order to provoke slight changes in moisture content. The variation in the transmission coefficient modulus with the frequency (ΔCT, dB/MHz) was the ultrasonic parameter chosen due to fact that the jagged surface of the PCC hindered an accurate estimation of the ultrasound velocity. Thus, ΔCT was able to explain the PCC viscoelastic behaviour and correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with the PCC apparent hardness (R = 0.89) for every batch analyzed. ΔCT also permitted the computation of the increase in attenuation due to microstructural changes brought about by moisture adsorption.The authors acknowledge the financial support through the projects
ULTRADIGITAL (AGROALNEXT/2022/045), which is part of the
AGROALNEXT programme, supported by MCIN with funding from the
European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat
Valenciana and the Projects RTC-2017-6314-2,3 funded by “Ministerio
de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades” and “Agencia Estatal de
Investigación” in Spain. The authors deeply acknowledge the support in
this investigation from Cerealto Group
Counter-diffusion studies of human transthyretin: the growth of high-quality crystals for X-ray and neutron crystallography
No full textA crystallogenesis study of human transthyretin using the counter-diffusion method is described as an alternative to conventional convective vapour diffusion and batch approaches for protein crystallization. The X-ray diffraction results show systematic trends that exhibit unique patterns of crystallization and high crystal quality as well as a remarkable degree of coherence within extended crystal rods that wholly fill the capillaries used. Preliminary neutron diffraction data have been recorded from a number of these samples, validating the feasibility of this methodology for neutron crystallography.C. De'Ath was funded during the period of this work by the award of trainee placements from both the ILL and the ESRF as well as co-funding from the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. M. F. Oliva was funded by a grant from the Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) to H. Chapman, V. T. Forsyth, R. P. Millane and N. Seeman (grant reference RGP0010/2017). J. A. Gavira is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation/FEDER funds (grant PID2020-116261GB-I00). V. T. Forsyth acknowledges support from the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) under grant 2022-01104. V. T. Forsyth also acknowledges support from the LMK Foundation (reference 147418). This work used the platforms of the Grenoble Instruct-ERIC center (ISBG; UAR 3518 CNRS-CEA-UGA-EMBL) within the Grenoble Partnership for Structural Biology (PSB), supported by FRISBI (ANR-10-INBS-0005-02) and GRAL, financed within the Université Grenoble Alpes graduate school (Ecoles Universitaires de Recherche) CBH-EUR-GS (ANR-17-EURE-0003).Peer reviewe