Identifying imprints of externally derived dust and halogens in the sedimentary record of an Iberian alpine lake for the past ∼13,500 years - Lake Peixão, Serra da Estrela (Central Portugal)

Iberian lacustrine sediments are a valuable archive to document environmental changes since the last glacial termination, seen as key for anticipating future climate/environmental changes and their far-reaching implications for generations to come. Herein, multi-proxy-based indicators of a mountain lake record from Serra da Estrela were used to reconstruct atmospheric (in)fluxes and associated climatic/environmental changes over the last ∼13.5 ka. Depositions of long-range transported dust (likely from the Sahara) and halogens (primarily derived from seawater) were higher for the pre-Holocene, particularly in the late Bølling-Allerød-Younger Dryas period, compared to the Holocene. This synchronous increase could be related to a recognized dust-laden atmosphere, along with the combined effect of (i) an earlier proposed effective transport of Sahara dust for higher latitudes during cold periods and (ii) the progressive Polar Front expansion southwards, with the amplification of halogen activation reactions in lower latitudes due to greater closeness to snow/sea ice (halide-laden) surfaces. Additionally, the orographic blocking of Serra da Estrela may have played a critical role in increasing precipitation of Atlantic origin at higher altitudes, with the presence of snow prompting physical and chemical processes involving halogen species. In the Late Holocene, the dust proxy records highlighted two periods of enhanced input to Lake Peixão, the first (∼3.5-2.7 ka BP) after the end of the last African Humid Period and the second, from the 19th century onwards, agreeing with the advent of commercial agriculture, and human contribution to land degradation and dust emission in the Sahara/Sahel region. The oceanic imprints throughout the Holocene matched well with North Atlantic rapid climatic changes that, in turn, coincided with ice-rafted debris or Bond events and other records of increased storminess for the European coasts. Positive parallel peaks in halogens were found in recent times, probably connected to fire extinction by halogenated alkanes and roadway de-icing.

Kappa distribution from particle correlations in nonequilibrium, steady-state plasmas

Kappa-distributed velocities in plasmas are common in a wide variety of settings, from low-density to high-density plasmas. To date, they have been found mainly in space plasmas, but are recently being considered also in the modeling of laboratory plasmas. Despite being routinely employed, the origin of the kappa distribution remains, to this day, unclear. For instance, deviations from the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution are sometimes regarded as a signature of the nonadditivity of the thermodynamic entropy, although there are alternative frameworks such as superstatistics where such an assumption is not needed. In this work we recover the kappa distribution for particle velocities from the formalism of nonequilibrium steady-states, assuming only a single requirement on the dependence between the kinetic energy of a test particle and that of its immediate environment. Our results go beyond the standard derivation based on superstatistics, as we do not require any assumption about the existence of temperature or its statistical distribution, instead obtaining them from the requirement on kinetic energies. All of this suggests that this family of distributions may be more common than usually assumed, widening its domain of application in particular to the description of plasmas from fusion experiments. Furthermore, we show that a description of kappa-distributed plasma is simpler in terms of features of the superstatistical inverse temperature distribution rather than the traditional parameters κ and the thermal velocity v_{th}.

Radiomic-based nonlinear supervised learning classifiers on non-contrast CT to predict functional prognosis in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate if nonlinear supervised learning classifiers based on non-contrast CT can predict functional prognosis at discharge in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematoma.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-center, observational analysis of patients with a diagnosis of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma confirmed by non-contrast CT between January 2016 and April 2018. Patients with HIE > 18 years and with TCCSC performed within the first 24 h of symptom onset were included. Patients with secondary spontaneous intracerebral hematoma and in whom radiomic variables were not available were excluded. Clinical, demographic and admission variables were collected. Patients were classified according to the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge into good (mRS 0-2) and poor prognosis (mRS 3-6). After manual segmentation of each spontaneous intracerebral hematoma, the radiomics variables were obtained. The sample was divided into a training and testing cohort and a validation cohort (70-30% respectively). Different methods of variable selection and dimensionality reduction were used, and different algorithms were used for model construction. Stratified 10-fold cross-validation were performed on the training and testing cohort and the mean area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Once the models were trained, the sensitivity of each was calculated to predict functional prognosis at discharge in the validation cohort.

RESULTS

105 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematoma were analyzed. 105 radiomic variables were evaluated for each patient. P-SVM, KNN-E and RF-10 algorithms, in combination with the ANOVA variable selection method, were the best performing classifiers in the training and testing cohort (AUC 0.798, 0.752 and 0.742 respectively). The predictions of these models, in the validation cohort, had a sensitivity of 0.897 (0.778-1;95%CI), with a false-negative rate of 0% for predicting poor functional prognosis at discharge.

CONCLUSION

The use of radiomics-based nonlinear supervised learning classifiers are a promising diagnostic tool for predicting functional outcome at discharge in HIE patients, with a low false negative rate, although larger and balanced samples are still needed to develop and improve their performance.

Benefits in quality of life following an obstructive sleep apnea screening and treatment program in patients with acute ischemic stroke

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been proposed as a factor that worsens stroke prognosis. Our aim was to determine if an OSA intervention could improve quality of life (QOL, first objective) and modified Rankin score (mRS, second objective).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The intervention group of this quasi-experimental study included patients with acute ischemic stroke <72 hours who underwent polygraphy and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and hygienic-dietary measures if required. The control group followed routine clinical practice. The Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and mRS were applied at the sixth month after stroke in both groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-five vs. sixty-two patients were included in the intervention and control group respectively. In the intervention group, 64.71% of patients accepted the proposed CPAP (16 cases with a good adherence). An improvement in SF-36 items was detected in the intervention group: physical functioning (p = 0.008), role physical (p = 0.002), bodily pain (p = 0.008), general health (p <0.001), vitality (p = 0.001) and role emotional (p = 0.015). In a per-protocol analysis, all these improvements were verified in the group of patients treated with good CPAP adherence (p < 0.05 in all the same SF-36 items). The percentage of patients with physical component summatory = 50 was higher in the intervention group (p = 0.003). There were no differences in the median of mRS (p = 0.262).

CONCLUSIONS

Although more evidence is needed, a significant improvement in QOL was suggested after our OSA intervention, particularly in patients with good CPAP adherence.

Subjective identification and ablation of drivers in persistent atrial fibrillation (CHAOS-AF study): results of the first 50 patients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Ablation of drivers in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown controversial results [1-5].

Purpose

To test the efficacy of a tailored approach for persistent AF ablation which includes pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus ‘subjective’ identification and ablation of drivers.

Methods

From May 2017, selected patients with persistent AF and ongoing AF at the beginning of the ablation procedure were included. Conventional high-density mapping catheters were used. Drivers were subjectively identified as: a) fractionated continuous (or quasi-continuous) electrograms on 1-2 adjacent bipoles, without dedicated software (Figure, A, dashed line; PR = PentaRay NAV); and b) sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (i.e. all the cycle length comprised within the mapping catheter) plus non-continuous fractionation on single bipoles (Figure, B, arrows; in panels A and B: paper speed 200 mm/s; ORB = 24-pole ORBITER Woven catheter, blue bipoles around tricuspid annulus and green bipoles into the coronary sinus). Ablation included PVI + focal or linear ablation targeting sites with drivers. Ablation success was defined as conversion to sinus rhythm or atrial flutter during ablation. Follow-up included visits with 24h Holter ECG at 3-6-12 months. The primary endpoint was one-year survival free from atrial arrhythmias lasting &gt;30 seconds. We present the results of the first 50 patients included, comparing them with all consecutive patients with persistent AF treated with a PVI-only strategy.

Results

173 Patients received ablation: 50 with the tailored approach (61,2±9,6 years; 24% females) and 123 with only PVI (62,5±9,6 years; 25% females; 89% cryoablation). Basal characteristics were similar (Table), but more patients with long-standing persistent AF were ablated witth the tailored-approach group. In the tailored-approach group, 21 patients (42%) presented 40 detectable sites with continuous fractionated electrograms, 38 on the left atrium and 2 on the right atrium, which was only mapped if ablation of drivers in the left atrium was not successful; 18 (45%) were located within the pulmonary vein antra. 41 patients (82%) showed 143 sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (4 [3 – 4] per patient). Ablation success was achieved in 21 patients (42%; conversion to sinus rhythm, n=7; conversion to atrial flutter, n=14) in the tailored-approach group and 1 patient (0,8%, sinus rhythm) in the PVI-only group. Excluding a 3-month blanking period, the tailored approach, compared to only PVI, improved one-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias (70% Vs 52%, p=0,032) (Figure, C), at the cost of a longer median procedural time (244 [187–275] Vs 108 [81–143] min, p&lt;0,001) and fluoroscopy time (41 [28–65] Vs 33 [21–45] min, p&lt;0,001).

Conclusion

Subjective identification and ablation of drivers, added to PVI, improved one-year survival free from atrial arrhythmias.

Anomalous location of intracranial vessels in adults

Anomalous intracranial vessels are not uncommon, and this finding is not always associated with arteriovenous malformations. Other conditions such as anomalous connections between arteries or phlebitc patterns can also present as vessels with abnormal intracranial locations. Noninvasive diagnosis is important to determine whether to do more invasive tests such as cerebral digital subtraction angiography or to estimate the risk of bleeding in arteriovenous malformations and therefore to evaluate the need for endovascular/surgical treatment. In this paper, we present an algorithm for the differential diagnosis of anomalous intracranial vessels according to their location (intra/extra-axial) and function (whether the vessels are arterialized). Moreover, we analyze the important points of the angioarchitecture of the principal arteriovenous malformations with risk of intracranial bleeding, such as pial arteriovenous malformations and dural fistulas.

Subjective identification and ablation of drivers in persistent atrial fibrillation

Background

Ablation of drivers in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown controversial results.

Purpose

To test the efficacy of a tailored approach for persistent AF ablation which includes pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus “subjective” identification and ablation of drivers.

Methods

From May 2017 to December 2019, selected patients with persistent AF and ongoing AF at the beginning of the ablation procedure were included. Conventional high-density mapping catheters (PentaRay NAV, IntellaMap Orion or Advisor HD Grid) were used. Drivers were subjectively identified as: a) fractionated continuous (or quasi-continuous) electrograms on 1–2 adjacent bipoles, without dedicated software (Figure 1A, dashed line; PR = PentaRay NAV); and b) sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (i.e. all the cycle length comprised within the mapping catheter) plus non-continuous fractionation on single bipoles (Figure 1B, arrows; in panels A and B: paper speed 200 mm/s; ORB = 24-pole ORBITER Woven catheter, blue bipoles around tricuspid annulus and green bipoles into the coronary sinus). Ablation included PVI + focal or linear ablation targeting sites with drivers. Ablation success was defined as conversion to sinus rhythm or atrial flutter during ablation. Follow-up included visits with 24h Holter ECG at 3–6–12 months. Survival free from atrial arrhythmias lasting &gt;30 seconds was compared between patients ablated with this tailored approach, and all consecutive patients with persistent AF treated with a PVI-only strategy during the same period.

Results

158 Patients received ablation: 35 with the tailored approach (61,7±10,2 years; 29% females) and 123 with only PVI (62,5±9,6 years; 25% females; 89% cryoablation). Basal characteristics were similar (Table 1). In the tailored-approach group, 14 patients (40%) presented 28 detectable sites with continuous fractionated electrograms, 26 on the left atrium and 2 on the right atrium, which was only mapped if ablation of drivers in the left atrium was not successful; 12 (43%) were located within the pulmonary vein antra. 27 patients (77%) showed 103 sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (4 [3–5] per patient). Ablation success was achieved in 17 patients (48%; conversion to sinus rhythm, n=7; conversion to atrial flutter, n=10) in the tailored-approach group and 1 patient (0,8%, sinus rhythm) in the PVI-only group. Excluding a 3-month blanking period, the tailored approach, compared to only PVI, improved one-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias (71% Vs 51%, p=0,05) and mean survival free from atrial arrhythmias (26±3 months; 95% CI 21–32 months Vs 18±2 months; 95% CI 15–22 months) (Figure 1C), at the cost of a longer median procedural time (246 [212–277] vs 108 [81–143] min, p&lt;0,001) and fluoroscopy time (51 [36–76] vs 33 [21–45] min, p&lt;0,001).

Conclusion

Subjective identification and ablation of drivers, added to PVI, improved freedom from atrial arrhythmias.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. Basal characteristicsFigure 1

Revisiting the succession of microbial populations throughout composting: A matter of thermotolerance

Composting has been traditionally considered a process in which a succession of mesophilic and thermophilic microbial populations occurs due to temperature changes. In order to deepen in this model, 1380 bacterial and fungal strains (the entire culturable microbiota isolated from a composting process) were investigated for their ability to grow across a wide range of temperatures (20 to 60 °C). First, qualitative tests were performed to establish a thermal profile for each strain. Then, quantitative tests allowed ascertaining the extent of growth for each strain at each of the tested temperatures. The identity of the isolates enabled to position them taxonomically and permitted tracking the strains throughout the process. Results showed that 90% of the isolates were classified as thermotolerant (they grew at all tested temperatures). Only 9% and 1% of the studied strains showed to be strictly mesophilic or thermophilic, respectively. Firmicutes exhibited the greatest thermal plasticity, followed by Actinobacteria and Ascomycota. Most of the Proteobacteria and all Basidiomycota strains were also able to grow at all the assayed temperatures. Thermotolerance was clearly demonstrated among the composting microbiota, suggesting that the idea of the succession of mesophilic and thermophilic populations throughout the process might need a reassessment.

POS0765 LABORATORY RATIOS: A SUBROGATE BIOMARKER FOR DETECTION OF INFECTION IN SLE PATIENTS

Background:

The most common complication in patients with SLE is infection, and its clinical presentation is often indistinguishable from SLE flares. Therefore, laboratory ratios have been evaluated to differentiate between those events. Among them, ESR/CRP1, neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR)2, and platelet/lymphocyte (PLR)3 ratios have been previously assessed with acceptable performance; however, there is no validation of those ratios in our SLE population.

Objectives:

To examine the predictive capacity of infection of the lymphocyte/C4 (LC4R), lymphocyte/C3 (LC3R), and ferritin/ESR (FER) ratios in SLE patients, and to evaluate the performance of ESR/CRP, NLR, AND PLR ratios in our SLE population.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study of SLE patients admitted to the emergency service at Hospital San Vicente Fundación (HSVF). The HSVF ethics committee approved the execution of the project.

Patients were categorized into four groups according to the main cause of hospitalization: (1) infection, (2) flare, (3) infection and flare and, (4) neither infection nor flare.

We calculated the median values of the ratios and their respective interquartile ranges for each group. Then, we compared those summary measures using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Subsequently, we assessed the predictive capacity of infection of each ratio using ROC curve. Finally, we carried out a logistic regression model.

Results:

A total of 246 patients were included, among them 90.7% were women. The median age was 28 years (IQR: 20-35 years). Regarding the outcomes, 37.0% of the patients had flares, 30.9% had neither infection nor flare, 16.7% had an infection and, 15.5% had simultaneously infection and flare. When compared the four groups, statistical significance (p<0.05) was observed. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) for infection prediction was as follows: 0.752 (sensitivity 60.5%, specificity 80.5%) for LC4R, 0.740 (sensitivity 73.2%, specificity 68.3%) for FER, 0.731 (sensitivity 77.6%, specificity 80.5%) for LC3R.

In the logistic regression modeling, we observed that an increase in the risk of infection was associated with an LC4R below 66.7 (OR: 6.3, CI: 2.7 – 14.3, p <0.0001), a FER greater than 13.6 (OR: 5.9, CI: 2.8 – 12.1, p <0.0001) and an LC3R below 11.2 (OR: 4.9, CI: 2.4 – 9.8, p <0.0001).

The ESR/CRP and PLR performed poorly with an AUC of 0.580 and 0.655, respectively. In contrast, the NLR showed better performance (AUC of 0.709, with a sensitivity of 80.2% and specificity of 55.7%).

Figure 1.

ROC curves of the evaluated ratios

Conclusion:

These laboratory ratios could be easy to assay and inexpensive biomarkers to differentiate between infection and activity in SLE patients. The LC4R, FER, and LC3R have a significant diagnostic performance for detecting infection among SLE patients. Of the ratios previously evaluated, ESR/CRP, LPR, NLR, only the latest has an adequate performance in our population.

References:

[1]Littlejohn E, Marder W, Lewis E, et al. The ratio of erythrocyte sedimentation rate to C-reactive protein is useful in distinguishing infection from flare in systemic lupus erythematosus patients presenting with fever. Lupus. 2018;27(7):1123-1129.

[2]Broca-Garcia BE, Saavedra MA, Martínez-Bencomo MA, et al. Utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio plus C-reactive protein for infection in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2019;28(2):217-222.

[3]Soliman WM, Sherif NM, Ghanima IM, EL-Badawy MA. Neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios in systemic lupus erythematosus: Relation with disease activity and lupus nephritis. Reumatol Clin. 2020;16(4):255-261s.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Stabilization of unstable reentrant atrial tachycardias via fractionated continuous electrical activity ablation (CHAOS study)

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background. Unstable reentrant atrial tachycardias (ATs) (i.e. those with frequent circuit modification or conversion to atrial fibrillation) are challenging to ablate. 

Purpose. We have tested a strategy to convert unstable reentrant ATs into mappable stable ATs based on the detection and ablation of rotors.

Methods. From May 2017 to December 2019, we included all consecutive patients scheduled for ablation of reentrant AT, excluding CTI-dependent atrial flutter, in which the tachycardia circuit was unstable. Operators subjectively identified rotors as sites with fractionated continuous (or quasi-continuous) electrical signals on 1-2 adjacent bipoles of conventional high-density mapping catheters, without dedicated software (Figure, A). Focal ablation of these sites was performed in order to stabilize the AT or convert it into sinus rhythm. In patients without rotors or failed rotor ablation, sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (i.e. all the cycle length comprised within the mapping catheter) plus non-continuous fractionation on single bipoles were targeted (Figure, B). Procedural success was defined as the successful ablation of all inducible ATs, without need of cardioversion, final sinus rhythm and non-inducibility. Follow-up included visits with ECG and 24h Holter-ECG at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results. From May 2017 to December 2019, 97 patients were scheduled for reentrant AT ablation, excluding CTI-dependent atrial flutter. Of these, 18 patients (18.6%; 72.1 ± 8.9 years of age, 9 females) presented unstable circuits and were included. 9 patients (50%) had structural cardiomyopathy, 11 patients (61%) prior atrial arrhythmias ablations, and 4 patients (22%) previous cardiac surgery. 13 patients (72%) had detectable rotors (26 rotors; median 2 [1–3] rotors per patient); focal ablation achieved conversion into stable AT or sinus rhythm in 12 (92%). In the other patient, and the 5 patients without detectable rotors, 17 sites with spatiotemporal dispersion were detected and focally ablated, with success to achieve arrhythmia stabilization in 5 patients (83%). Globally, and excluding one patient with spontaneous AT stabilization, ablation success to stabilize the AT was achieved in 16/17 patients (94.1%). Procedural success was achieved in 16/18 patients (88.9%). Rate of one-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias was 66.7%. In the 9 patients with stable ATs ablated during the same period, procedural success (92.4%) and one-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias (65.8%) were similar (Figure, C).

Conclusion. Most unstable reentrant ATs show detectable rotors, identified as sites with single-bipole fractionated quasi-continuous signals, or spatiotemporal dispersion plus non-continuous fractionation. Ablation of these sites is highly effective to stabilize the AT or convert it into sinus rhythm. Abstract FIGURE

European early experience with a novel 3D mapping system

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Catheter navigation and 3-dimensional (3D) cardiac mapping are critical for successful electrophysiological ablation procedures. A novel 3D mapping system received CE Mark in July 2020. The system offers two imaging modalities: magnetic-based (VoXel) and impedance-based (NavX). Real-time display of 3D location and catheter movements is achieved via a magnetic field frame and magnetic sensors with supplemental impedance data when operating in VoXel mode or primarily via an impedance field generated from surface electrodes in NavX mode. To address limitations in data collection commonly experienced during 3D mapping, a new respiratory compensation algorithm, patient movement detection module, and metal compensation algorithm have been developed to enable consistent data collection throughout the full respiratory cycle even in challenging cases and lab environments.

Purpose

To examine the clinical utility and procedural characteristics associated with the use of this novel 3D mapping system among participating centers.

Methods

Procedural data was collected in cases utilizing the newly cleared mapping system during the initial evaluation phase in Europe. Procedural characteristics recorded included indication for mapping and ablation, rhythm mapped, chambers mapped, and procedure time.

Results

Procedural data was collected from over 250 cases across 12 European centers. A total of 12 indications for mapping and ablation were represented including de novo and redo atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing persistent), ventricular tachycardia (ischemic, non-ischemic) or premature ventricular contraction, and supraventricular arrhythmias (typical and atypical atrial flutter, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia). Over 70% of the cases were performed in VoXel mode. Impedance mode was mostly used in SVT cases or when the case was intended to be completed with minimal fluoroscopy. The most commonly mapped rhythms were sinus rhythm during voltage mapping and atrial tachycardia. The majority of cases (over 65%) were completed under conscious sedation; general anesthesia was used in 20% of the cases (15% not reported). The respiratory compensation algorithm was utilized in over 90% of the cases. For cases in which pre-procedural computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were available, operators indicated that the model shape was accurate when compared to pre-procedural imaging in 96% of the cases performed in VoXel mode.

Conclusions

Initial European experience with this novel 3D mapping system included a wide variety of arrhythmias in the atria and ventricles. This new mapping system offered operators the flexibility to tailor to specific procedure needs with two imaging modalities which were both widely utilized.

Seed biopriming with cyanobacterial extracts as an eco-friendly strategy to control damping off caused by Pythium ultimum in seedbeds

This work highlights the ability of various cyanobacterial extracts from Anabaena spp., Tolypothrix spp., Nostoc or Trichormus, among others genera, to control the incidence of damping-off caused by Pythium ultimum in cucumber seedlings. Protocols applied aimed at the preliminary characterization of the cyanobacterial collection were very useful for predicting their phytotoxic, phytostimulating and biopesticidal capacity. First, the phytostimulatory or phytotoxic potential of a collection of 31 sonicated cyanobacterial extracts was analyzed by calculating the germination index in watercress seeds and the increase or loss of seedling weight. Likewise, the collection was characterized according to its ability to inhibit the growth of P. ultimum by dual culture bioassays and detached-leaf test. Finally, after selecting the most effective extracts, a preventive damping-off bioassay was performed based on cucumber seed biopriming. The strain SAB-M465 showed to be the most efficient strain against the in vitro growth of P. ultimum, while SAB-B912 was more discreet in this regard, but proved to be the most effective as a germination stimulator. Seed biopriming strategy with sonicated extracts of cyanobacteria revealed a remarkable promoter effect in the early stages of plant development, although only SAB-M465 was positioned as an effective control agent against damping-off caused by P. ultimum in cucumber seedbeds.

Retrieving and Validating Leaf and Canopy Chlorophyll Content at Moderate Resolution: A Multiscale Analysis with the Sentinel-3 OLCI Sensor

ESA’s Eighth Earth Explorer mission “FLuorescence EXplorer” (FLEX) will be dedicated to the global monitoring of the chlorophyll fluorescence emitted by vegetation. In order to properly interpret the measured fluorescence signal, essential vegetation variables need to be retrieved concomitantly. FLEX will fly in tandem formation with Sentinel-3 (S3), which conveys the Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) that is designed to characterize the atmosphere and the terrestrial vegetation at a spatial resolution of 300 m. In support of FLEX’s preparatory activities, this paper presents a first validation exercise of OLCI vegetation products against in situ data coming from the 2018 FLEXSense campaign. During this campaign, leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) and leaf area index (LAI) measurements were collected over croplands, while HyPlant DUAL images of the area were acquired at a 3 m spatial resolution. A multiscale validation strategy was pursued. First, estimates of these two variables, together with the combined canopy chlorophyll content (CCC = LCC × LAI), were obtained at the HyPlant spatial resolution and were compared against the in situ measurements. Second, the fine-scale retrieval maps from HyPlant were coarsened to the S3 spatial scale as a reference to assess the quality of the OLCI vegetation products. As an intermediary step, vegetation products extracted from Sentinel-2 data were used to compare retrievals at the in-between spatial resolution of 20 m. For all spatial scales, CCC delivered the most accurate estimates with the smallest prediction error obtained at the 300 m resolution (R2 of 0.74 and RMSE = 26.8 μg cm−2). Results of a scaling analysis suggest that CCC performs well at the different tested spatial resolutions since it presents a linear behavior across scales. LCC, on the other hand, was poorly retrieved at the 300 m scale, showing overestimated values over heterogeneous pixels. The introduction of a new LCC model integrating mixed reflectance spectra in its training enabled to improve by 16% the retrieval accuracy for this variable (RMSE = 10 μg cm−2 for the new model versus RMSE = 11.9 μg cm−2 for the former model).

Guidelines for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. Consensus document of Spanish Societies of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE) and Perfusionists (AEP)

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.

Prototyping Sentinel-2 green LAI and brown LAI products for cropland monitoring

For agricultural applications, identification of non-photosynthetic above-ground vegetation is of great interest as it contributes to assess harvest practices, detecting crop residues or drought events, as well as to better predict the carbon, water and nutrients uptake. While the mapping of green Leaf Area Index (LAI) is well established, current operational retrieval models are not calibrated for LAI estimation over senescent, brown vegetation. This not only leads to an underestimation of LAI when crops are ripening, but is also a missed monitoring opportunity. The high spatial and temporal resolution of Sentinel-2 (S2) satellites constellation offers the possibility to estimate brown LAI (LAI _G ) next to green LAI (LAI _G ). By using LAI ground measurements from multiple campaigns associated with airborne or satellite spectra, Gaussian processes regression (GPR) models were developed for both LAI _G and LAI _B , providing alongside associated uncertainty estimates, which allows to mask out unreliable LAI retrievals with higher uncertainties. A processing chain was implemented to apply both models to S2 images, generating a multiband LAI product at 20 m spatial resolution. The models were adequately validated with in-situ data from various European study sites (LAI _G : R² = 0.7, RMSE = 0.67 m²/m²; LAI _B : R² = 0.62, RMSE = 0.43 m²/m²). Thanks to the S2 bands in the red edge (B5: 705 nm and B6: 740 nm) and in the shortwave infrared (B12: 2190 nm) a distinction between LAI _G and LAI _B can be achieved. To demonstrate the capability of LAI _B to identify when crops start senescing, S2 time series were processed over multiple European study sites and seasonal maps were produced, which show the onset of crop senescence after the green vegetation peak. Particularly, the LAI _B product permits the detection of harvest (i.e., sudden drop in LAI _B ) and the determination of crop residues (i.e., remaining LAI _B ), although a better spectral sampling in the shortwave infrared would have been desirable to disentangle brown LAI from soil variability and its perturbing effects. Finally, a single total LAI product was created by merging LAI _G and LAI _B estimates, and then compared to the LAI derived from S2 L2B biophysical processor integrated in SNAP. The spatiotemporal analysis results confirmed the improvement of the proposed descriptors with respect to the standard SNAP LAI product accounting only for photosynthetically active green vegetation.

Dietary tryptophan depletion alters the faecal bacterial community structure of compulsive drinker rats in schedule-induced polydipsia

RATIONALE

Compulsive behaviour, present in different psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and drug abuse, is associated with altered levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). The gut microbiota regulates tryptophan (TRP) metabolism and may affect global 5-H synthesis in the enteric and central nervous systems, suggesting a possible involvement of gut microbiota in compulsive spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVES

The present study investigated whether chronic TRP depletion by diet alters the faecal bacterial community profiles of compulsive versus non-compulsive rats in schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP). Peripheral plasma 5-HT and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were evaluated.

METHODS

Wistar rats were selected as High Drinkers (HD) or Low Drinkers (LD) according to their SIP behaviour and were fed for 14 days with either a TRP-free diet (T-) or a TRP-supplemented diet (T+). The faecal bacterial community structure was investigated with 16S rRNA gene-targeted denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting analysis.

RESULTS

Compulsive HD rats showed a lower bacterial diversity than LD rats, irrespectively of the diet. The TRP-depleted HD rats, the only group increasing compulsive licking in SIP, showed a reduction of bacterial evenness and a highly functionally organized community compared with the other groups, indicating that this bacterial community is more fragile to external changes due to the dominance of a low number of species. The chronic TRP depletion by diet effectively reduced peripheral plasma 5-HT levels in both HD and LD rats, while plasma BDNF levels were not altered.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the possible implication of reduced microbial diversity in compulsive behaviour and the involvement of the serotonergic system in modulating the gut brain-axis in compulsive spectrum disorders.

Olive mill wastewater-evaporation ponds long term stored: Integrated assessment of in situ bioremediation strategies based on composting and vermicomposting

During the last two decades, the method most widely used to manage olive mill wastewater (OMW) derived from olive oil production has been its disposal in evaporation ponds. Long-term storage of OMW leads to the accumulation of toxic sediments (OMWS) rich in recalcitrant compounds with phytotoxic and antimicrobial properties, which limit their use for agronomic purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two in situ bioremediation strategies (composting and a combination of composting followed by vermicomposting) to remove the potential toxicity of the sediments derived from long-term stored OMW. The results obtained showed that the composting method assisted with the earthworms enhanced the depletion of phenolic compounds and OMWS ecotoxicity more than composting, especially during the maturation stage. Moreover, vermicomposting was more effective in the reduction of the OMWS salinity. However, a pre-composting process to the OMWS is necessary prior to vermicomposting to provide the suitable conditions for earthworms survival and activity. Furthermore, the final compost showed a phytostimulating effect. Therefore, these in situ bioremediation strategies can be considered potential tools for decontamination and recovery of long-term stored OMWS in evaporation ponds, which currently poses an unsolved environmental problem.

Arterial Wall Stiffening in Caveolin-1 Deficiency-Induced Pulmonary Artery Hypertension in Mice

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is a complex disorder that can lead to right heart failure. The generation of caveolin-1 deficient mice (CAV-1-/-) has provided an alternative genetic model to study the mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension. However, the vascular adaptations in these mice have not been characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the histological and functional changes in the pulmonary and carotid arteries in CAV-1-/- induced PAH.

METHODS

Pulmonary and carotid arteries of young (4-6 months old) and mature (9-12 months old) CAV-1-/- mice were tested and compared to normal wild type mice.

RESULTS

Artery stiffness increases in CAV-1-/- mice, especially the circumferential stiffness of the pulmonary arteries. Increases in stiffness were quantified by a decrease in circumferential stretch and transition strain, increases in elastic moduli, and an increase in total strain energy at physiologic strains. Changes in mechanical properties for the pulmonary artery correlated with increased collagen content while carotid artery mechanical properties correlated with decreased elastin content.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that an increase in artery stiffness is associated with CAV-1 deficiency-induced pulmonary hypertension. These results improve our understanding of artery remodeling in PAH.

Quantifying vegetation biophysical variables from the Sentinel-3/FLEX tandem mission: Evaluation of the synergy of OLCI and FLORIS data sources

The ESA's forthcoming FLuorescence EXplorer (FLEX) mission is dedicated to the global monitoring of the vegetation's chlorophyll fluorescence by means of an imaging spectrometer, FLORIS. In order to properly interpret the fluorescence signal in relation to photosynthetic activity, essential vegetation variables need to be retrieved concomitantly. FLEX will fly in tandem with Sentinel-3 (S3), which conveys the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) that is designed to characterize the atmosphere and the terrestrial vegetation at a spatial resolution of 300 m. In this work we present the retrieval models of four essential biophysical variables: (1) Leaf Area Index (LAI), (2) leaf chlorophyll content (Cab), (3) fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR), and (4) fractional vegetation cover (FCover). These variables can be operationally inferred by hybrid retrieval approaches, which combine the generalization capabilities offered by radiative transfer models (RTMs) with the flexibility and computational efficiency of machine learning methods. The RTM SCOPE (Soil Canopy Observation, Photochemistry and Energy fluxes) was used to generate a database of reflectance spectra corresponding to a large variety of canopy realizations, which served subsequently as input to train a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) algorithm for each targeted variable. Three sets of GPR models were developed, based on different spectral band settings: (1) OLCI (21 bands between 400 and 1040 nm), (2) FLORIS (281 bands between 500 and 780 nm), and (3) their synergy. Their respective performances were assessed based on simulated reflectance scenes. Regarding the retrieval of Cab, the OLCI model gave good model performances (R²: 0.91; RMSE: 7.6 μg. cm ^-2), yet superior accuracies were achieved as a result of FLORIS' higher spectral resolution (R²: 0.96; RMSE: 4.8 μg. cm ^-2). The synergy of both datasets did not further enhance the variable retrieval. Regarding LAI, the improvement of the model performances by using only FLORIS spectra (R²: 0.87; RMSE: 1.05 m².m^-2) rather than only OLCI spectra (R²: 0.86; RMSE: 1.12 m².m^-2) was less evident but merging both data sets was more beneficial (R²: 0.88; RMSE: 1.01 m².m^-2). Finally, the three data sources gave good model performances for the retrieval of fAPAR and Fcover, with the best performing model being the Synergy model (fAPAR: R²: 0.99; RMSE: 0.02 and FCover: R²: 0.98; RMSE: 0.04). The ability of the models to process real data was subsequently demonstrated by applying the OLCI models to S3 surface reflectance products acquired over Western Europe and Argentina. Obtained maps showed consistent patterns and variable ranges, and comparison against corresponding Sentinel-2 products (coarsened to a 300 m spatial resolution) led to reasonable matches (R²: 0.5-0.7). Altogether, given the availability of the multiple data sources, the FLEX tandem mission will foster unique opportunities to quantify essential vegetation properties, and hence facilitate the interpretation of the measured fluorescence levels.

MAPping with fragmentation analysis in patients with atypical atrial FLUtter using the RHYthmia navigation system (MAP-FLURHY study)

Background

Atypical atrial flutter (AAFL) circuits use areas of slow conduction which can be visualized as fragmented electrograms (fEGMs).

Purpose

To test an ablation strategy based on the identification and ablation of spots with fEGMs in AAFL.

Methods

The MAP-FLURHY study prospectively included all AAFL ablations with Rhythmia in our Center from June 2016 to June 2019. Patients with non-mappable AAFL, frequent conversion to atrial fibrillation, or cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutters were excluded from analysis. The IntellaMap ORION catheter was used to detect fragmentation areas, arbitrarily defined as fEGMs &gt;70ms. Entrainment was used to check if these areas belonged to the AAFL circuit. Ablation targeted the longest fEGM within the circuit (return cycle &lt;30ms): focal ablation for microreentries, and lines including the fEGMs for macroreentries. Ablation success was defined as conversion to sinus rhythm or another flutter. Procedural success was defined as successful ablation of all inducible flutters. Follow-up included visits with 24h Holter ECG at 3–6-12 months.

Results

50 Patients received ablation (Figure). 27 Patients (70.6±13.1 years; 10 females; LVEF 57%±13%) with 44 mappable AAFLs were included in the analysis (Table). All AAFLs showed areas with fEGMs (106 areas; 2.4 areas per flutter). 42/44 AAFLs had fEGMs within the circuit, which were target of ablation. Ablation success: 34/36 AAFLs (94%); success could not be assessed in 6 circuits, due to mechanical conversion to sinus rhythm onto the target fEGM. Fragmented areas within the AAFL circuits (n=51) were longer (110±30 vs 90±15 ms, p&lt;0.001) but had similar voltage (0.34±0.25 vs 0.36±0.26 mV) than areas outside the circuits (n=45). A fEGM duration &gt;100ms/&gt;40% of the cycle length predicted to be a successful site for ablation with 72.3%/73.8% specificity. Procedural success was achieved in 24/27 patients (89%). Excluding a 2-month blanking period, mean survival free from atrial arrhythmias was 19 (95% CI: 12.6–25.5) months. 57% of the patients were free from atrial arrhythmias at 1 year.

Conclusions

Most AAFLs had detectable fEGMs which could be target of ablation with high efficacy.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Uncovering new indicators to predict stability, maturity and biodiversity of compost on an industrial scale

Currently, the metagenomic study of the composting process has gained great importance since it has allowed the identification of the existence of microorganisms that, until now, had not been isolated during the process by traditional techniques. However, it is still complex to determine which bioindicators could reveal the degree of maturity and stability of a particular compost. Thereby, the main objective of this work was to demonstrate the possible correlation between traditional parameters of maturity and stability of compost, with other indicators of biodiversity in products highly heterogeneous from composting processes on an industrial scale. The results demonstrated the enormous influence of the raw materials in characterizing the products obtained. Even so, important relationships were established between the Chao1 and Shannon indexes, and certain parameters related to the maturity, stability and toxicity of the samples, such as nitrification index, humification rate, phenolic content, germination index or oxygen consumption.

Gaussian processes retrieval of LAI from Sentinel-2 top-of-atmosphere radiance data

Retrieval of vegetation properties from satellite and airborne optical data usually takes place after atmospheric correction, yet it is also possible to develop retrieval algorithms directly from top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiance data. One of the key vegetation variables that can be retrieved from at-sensor TOA radiance data is leaf area index (LAI) if algorithms account for variability in atmosphere. We demonstrate the feasibility of LAI retrieval from Sentinel-2 (S2) TOA radiance data (L1C product) in a hybrid machine learning framework. To achieve this, the coupled leaf-canopy-atmosphere radiative transfer models PROSAIL-6SV were used to simulate a look-up table (LUT) of TOA radiance data and associated input variables. This LUT was then used to train the Bayesian machine learning algorithms Gaussian processes regression (GPR) and variational heteroscedastic GPR (VHGPR). PROSAIL simulations were also used to train GPR and VHGPR models for LAI retrieval from S2 images at bottom-of-atmosphere (BOA) level (L2A product) for comparison purposes. The BOA and TOA LAI products were consistently validated against a field dataset with GPR (R² of 0.78) and with VHGPR (R ² of 0.80) and for both cases a slightly lower RMSE for the TOA LAI product (about 10% reduction). Because of delivering superior accuracies and lower uncertainties, the VHGPR models were further applied for LAI mapping using S2 acquisitions over the agricultural sites Marchfeld (Austria) and Barrax (Spain). The models led to consistent LAI maps at BOA and TOA scale. The LAI maps were also compared against LAI maps as generated by the SNAP toolbox, which is based on a neural network (NN). Maps were again consistent, however the SNAP NN model tends to overestimate over dense vegetation cover. Overall, this study demonstrated that hybrid LAI retrieval algorithms can be developed from TOA radiance data given a cloud-free sky, thus without the need of atmospheric correction. To the benefit of the community, the development of such hybrid models for the retrieval vegetation properties from BOA or TOA images has been streamlined in the freely downloadable ALG-ARTMO software framework.

Gaussian processes retrieval of LAI from Sentinel-2 top-of-atmosphere radiance data

Retrieval of vegetation properties from satellite and airborne optical data usually takes place after atmospheric correction, yet it is also possible to develop retrieval algorithms directly from top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiance data. One of the key vegetation variables that can be retrieved from at-sensor TOA radiance data is leaf area index (LAI) if algorithms account for variability in atmosphere. We demonstrate the feasibility of LAI retrieval from Sentinel-2 (S2) TOA radiance data (L1C product) in a hybrid machine learning framework. To achieve this, the coupled leaf-canopy-atmosphere radiative transfer models PROSAIL-6SV were used to simulate a look-up table (LUT) of TOA radiance data and associated input variables. This LUT was then used to train the Bayesian machine learning algorithms Gaussian processes regression (GPR) and variational heteroscedastic GPR (VHGPR). PROSAIL simulations were also used to train GPR and VHGPR models for LAI retrieval from S2 images at bottom-of-atmosphere (BOA) level (L2A product) for comparison purposes. The BOA and TOA LAI products were consistently validated against a field dataset with GPR (R² of 0.78) and with VHGPR (R ² of 0.80) and for both cases a slightly lower RMSE for the TOA LAI product (about 10% reduction). Because of delivering superior accuracies and lower uncertainties, the VHGPR models were further applied for LAI mapping using S2 acquisitions over the agricultural sites Marchfeld (Austria) and Barrax (Spain). The models led to consistent LAI maps at BOA and TOA scale. The LAI maps were also compared against LAI maps as generated by the SNAP toolbox, which is based on a neural network (NN). Maps were again consistent, however the SNAP NN model tends to overestimate over dense vegetation cover. Overall, this study demonstrated that hybrid LAI retrieval algorithms can be developed from TOA radiance data given a cloud-free sky, thus without the need of atmospheric correction. To the benefit of the community, the development of such hybrid models for the retrieval vegetation properties from BOA or TOA images has been streamlined in the freely downloadable ALG-ARTMO software framework.

Bromine biogeodynamics in the NE Atlantic: A perspective from natural wetlands of western Portugal

Bromine (Br) cycling in natural wetlands is highly complex, including abiotic/biotic processes and multiphase inorganic/organic Br-species. Wetland ecosystems receive Br primarily from the ocean, functioning as either sinks or sources of Br, with the overall imbalance largely decided by the prevailing climate. Aiming to trace the present-day transport of oceanogenic Br (i.e., derived from salt-water spray-droplets) and its uptake and storage in brackish and freshwater wetlands, we surveyed waters, autochthonous plants, and soils/sediments from coastal marshes and mountain peatlands in the westernmost fringe of northern Portugal. The calculated enrichment factors of bromide (Br^-) relative to chloride in rainfall (EF_sea = 16.8-75.3), rivers (EF_sea = 1.3-13.9) and wetland waters, superficial (EF_sea = 5.8-13.1) and interstitial (EF_sea = 2.1-8.9), increased towards the inland highlands. We hypothesized that these values derived mostly from a known Br autocatalytic (heterogeneous) chemical cycle, starting at the seawater-aqueous interface and progressing in altitude. Br-bearing air masses are carried far from the Atlantic Ocean by moist westerlies, with Br^- rainout from the atmosphere supplying the neighbouring mountain peatlands. Average [Br] in sampled wetland soils/sediments (111-253 mg/kg) agreed with values from other coastal regions, and they were directly correlated with the abundance of organic matter, varying irrespective the [Br^-] of interstitial waters (129 μg/L-79 mg/L). According to the computed bioconcentration factors, the aqueous component was the major source of Br for all plant species investigated (BF_plant/water = 2.1-508.0), as described elsewhere. However, Br contents in plants (14-173 mg/kg) evidenced interspecific differences, also suggesting a divergence from the acknowledged halophytic-glycophytic "model". As plants are recognized producers of Br volatile molecules (e.g., methyl bromide, CH₃Br), we interpreted translocation factors less than one in vascular species as explanatory of phytovolatilization rather than restriction of Br^- upward movement in plants. Further investigation is needed, since considerable intrinsic plant variations in CH₃Br emissions are mentioned in the literature.

In vitro bactericidal activity of a carbohydrate polymer with zinc oxide for the treatment of chronic wounds

Introduction. Biological adhesives and effective topical therapeutic agents that improve wound healing are urgently required for the treatment of chronic ulcers. A biodegradable adhesive based on a carbohydrate polymer with zinc oxide (CPZO) was shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and enhance wound healing, but its bactericidal activity was unknown.Aim. To investigate the bactericidal activity of CPZO against bacteria commonly present as infectious agents in chronic wounds.Methodology. We examined the bactericidal activity of CPZO against three biofilm-producing bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) through three strategies: bacterial suspension, biofilm disruption and in vitro wound biofilm model.Results. In suspension cultures, CPZO had direct, potent bactericidal action against S. aureus within 24 h, whereas E. coli took 7 days to be eliminated. By contrast, P. aeruginosa survived up to 14 days with CPZO. CPZO had biofilm disruption activity against clinical isolates of S. aureus in the anti-biofilm test. Finally, in the in vitro wound biofilm model, CPZO dramatically reduced the bacterial viability of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.Conclusions. Together with its previously shown anti-inflammatory properties, the bactericidal activity of CPZO gives it the potential to be a first-line therapeutic option for chronic various ulcers and, possibly, other chronic ulcers, preventing or controlling microbial infections, and leading to the healing of such complicated chronic ulcers.

Correction to: Serum substance P: an indicator of disease activity and subclinical inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

Following publication, it was brought to the authors' attention by Dr. Julia Toscano-Garibay that she did not participate as a reviewer of the final version of this manuscript prior to its submission and publication in Clinical Rheumatology.

Prospection of cyanobacteria producing bioactive substances and their application as potential phytostimulating agents

• Using cyanobacteria extracts at low doses reduces the toxicity risk in cucumber seeds.

• Optimal doses of cytokinins and salicylic acid benefit the early plant growth stages.

• Cyanobacterial siderophores favor plant growth during the seedling phase.

• Strain Nostoc SAB-M612 stood out for their stimulant ability in cucumber seedlings.

This work clarifies some of the substances involved with the biostimulant effect shown by 28 cyanobacteria isolated from different aquatic environments. The production of salicylic acid, cytokinins, siderophores and phosphate solubilization were analyzed in vitro, as well as the phytostimulant/phytotoxic effect on watercress seeds at two different extract concentrations (0.5 and 0.2 mg mL⁻¹). The most prominent plant growth promoting cyanobacteria were verified in vivo at two different doses (0.5 and 0.1 mg mL⁻¹). 21.4 % and 7.1 % of the tested strains produced siderophores or phosphate solubilization, respectively. The production of salicylic acid was stood out for the strains Calothrix SAB-B797, Nostoc SAB-B1300 and Nostoc SAB-M612, while Nostoc SAB-M251 and Trichormus SAB-M304 were noticeable regard to cytokinin production. The highest values of germination occurred when the extracts were applied in low dose (0.5 mg mL⁻¹). Nostoc SAB-M612 provoked the stimulation of aerial and radicular growth in cucumber seedlings.

Evaluating the influence of raw materials on the behavior of nitrogen fractions in composting processes on an industrial scale

Success of composting as an ecological technology for organic waste management has allowed its implementation in the current circular economy models. However, composting on an industrial scale often shows drawbacks and peculiarities. In this work, a comparative analysis of 15 industrial composting facilities was carried out in which different anthropogenic organic waste were processed. Results showed that composting process on an industrial scale did not always evolve in a standard way. Monitoring parameters as well as enzymatic activity depended largely on the raw materials and were strongly linked to the transformation of nitrogen fractions. Despite the heterogeneity of the processes and raw materials, microbial activity managed to the optimal biotransformation, obtaining products that comply with the agronomic quality standards. This work represents a breakthrough in composting and provides new knowledge for better management of this process on an industrial scale.

Comparative analysis of atmospheric radiative transfer models using the Atmospheric Look-up table Generator (ALG) toolbox (version 2.0)

Atmospheric radiative transfer models (RTMs) are software tools that help researchers in understanding the radiative processes occurring in the Earth's atmosphere. Given their importance in remote sensing applications, the intercomparison of atmospheric RTMs is therefore one of the main tasks used to evaluate model performance and identify the characteristics that differ between models. This can be a tedious tasks that requires good knowledge of the model inputs/outputs and the generation of large databases of consistent simulations. With the evolution of these software tools, their increase in complexity bears implications for their use in practical applications and model intercomparison. Existing RTM-specific graphical user interfaces are not optimized for performing intercomparison studies of a wide variety of atmospheric RTMs. In this paper, we present the Atmospheric Look-up table Generator (ALG) version 2.0, a new software tool that facilitates generating large databases for a variety of atmospheric RTMs. ALG facilitates consistent and intuitive user interaction to enable the running of model executions and storing of RTM data for any spectral configuration in the optical domain. We demonstrate the utility of ALG in performing intercomparison studies of radiance simulations from broadly used atmospheric RTMs (6SV, MODTRAN, and libRadtran) through global sensitivity analysis. We expect that providing ALG to the research community will facilitate the usage of atmospheric RTMs to a wide range of applications in Earth observation.

Association of BLK and BANK1 Polymorphisms and Interactions With Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Latin-American Population

Introduction

BLK has been identified as a risk factor to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) primarily in Asian or European-derived populations. However, this finding has not been evaluated in other populations such as Latin-Americans, except for Colombians. On the other hand, BANK1 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been scarcely studied in RA patients.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether the BLK rs2736340T/C, rs13277113A/G, and BANK1 rs10516487G/A (R61H) and rs3733197G/A (A383T) polymorphisms are risk factors to RA in a sample of patients from Central Mexico.

Materials and Methods

We studied 957 women; 487 controls and 470 patients with RA by means of a TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay with fluorescent probes for the BLK rs13277113A/G, rs2736340T/C and BANK1 10516487G/A (R61H) and rs3733197G/A (A383T) variants.

Result

The BLK rs2736340T/C and rs13277113A/G variants were associated with risk for RA: C vs T; OR 1.39, p = 0.001, and G vs A; OR 1.37, p = 0.004, respectively. In addition, there was also an association between BANK1 R61H and RA: A vs G; OR 1.49, p = 0.003, but no with BANK1 A383T. We also identified an interaction significant between genotypes of BLK rs2736340T/C-BANK1 rs10516487G/A and RA: OR 1.65, p = 0.0001.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that both BLK and BANK1 confer susceptibility to RA in Mexican patients. The individual association of BANK1 rs1054857G/A with RA had not been previously reported in a particular population (except for pooled patients from several countries), therefore, our study presents the first evidence of association between this BANK1 variant and RA.

Two Novel FAM20C Variants in A Family with Raine Syndrome

Two siblings from a Mexican family who carried lethal Raine syndrome are presented. A newborn term male (case 1) and his 21 gestational week brother (case 2), with a similar osteosclerotic pattern: generalized osteosclerosis, which is more evident in facial bones and cranial base. Prenatal findings at 21 weeks and histopathological features for case 2 are described. A novel combination of biallelic FAM20C pathogenic variants were detected, a maternal cytosine duplication at position 456 and a paternal deletion of a cytosine in position 474 in exon 1, which change the reading frame with a premature termination at codon 207 and 185 respectively. These changes are in concordance with a negative detection of the protein in liver and kidney as shown in case 2. Necropsy showed absence of pancreatic Langerhans Islets, which are reported here for the first time. Corpus callosum absence is added to the few reported cases of brain defects in Raine syndrome. This report shows two new FAM20C variants not described previously, and negative protein detection in the liver and the kidney. We highlight that lethal Raine syndrome is well defined as early as 21 weeks, including mineralization defects and craniofacial features. Pancreas and brain defects found here in FAM20C deficiency extend the functional spectrum of this protein to previously unknown organs.

Chaperone Mediated Autophagy Degrades TDP-43 Protein and Is Affected by TDP-43 Aggregation

TAR DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a ribonuclear protein regulating many aspects of RNA metabolism. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD) are fatal neurodegenerative diseases with the presence of TDP-43 aggregates in neuronal cells. Chaperone Mediated Autophagy (CMA) is a lysosomal degradation pathway participating in the proteostasis of several cytosolic proteins including neurodegenerative associated proteins. In addition, protein oligomers or aggregates can affect the status of CMA. In this work, we studied the relationship between CMA and the physiological and pathological forms of TDP-43. First, we found that recombinant TDP-43 was specifically degraded by rat liver’s CMA+ lysosomes and that endogenous TDP-43 is localized in rat brain’s CMA+ lysosomes, indicating that TDP-43 can be a CMA substrate in vivo. Next, by using a previously reported TDP-43 aggregation model, we have shown that wild-type and an aggregate-prone form of TDP-43 are detected in CMA+ lysosomes isolated from cell cultures. In addition, their protein levels increased in cells displaying CMA down-regulation, indicating that these two TDP-43 forms are CMA substrates in vitro. Finally, we observed that the aggregate-prone form of TDP-43 is able to interact with Hsc70, to co-localize with Lamp2A, and to up-regulate the levels of these molecular components of CMA. The latter was followed by an up-regulation of the CMA activity and lysosomal damage. Altogether our data shows that: (i) TDP-43 is a CMA substrate; (ii) CMA can contribute to control the turnover of physiological and pathological forms of TDP-43; and (iii) TDP-43 aggregation can affect CMA performance. Overall, this work contributes to understanding how a dysregulation between CMA and TDP-43 would participate in neuropathological mechanisms associated with TDP-43 aggregation.

104 SOFaaci-HEPES or holding media can be used for embryo loading without changes in pregnancies per embryo transfer nor pregnancy loss in an invitro-produced embryo transfer program

Time elapsed between removal from culture and embryo transfer (ET) can have a profound effect on the success of an invitro-produced (IVP) ET program. The embryo culture medium provides the necessary nutrients for embryo development and the use of media with a different nutrient composition to load embryos into straws could negatively affect embryo viability. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of type of media used for embryo loading on pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Holstein heifers (n=800) were synchronized using a modified 5-day CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) as follows: Day −8: CIDR inserted, Day −3: CIDR removed, prostaglandin F2α treatment (500μg cloprostenol sodium), Day 0: gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH; 100μg of gonadorelin acetate). Five days after GnRH, heifers were evaluated by ultrasonography to determine presence of a corpus luteum (CL). Embryos were removed from culture on Day 7 (Day 0=fertilization), placed into tubes containing SOFaaci, and transported in an incubator (LabMix, WTA) to the transfer facility within 1.5h. Upon arrival embryos were removed from transport tubes and randomly assigned to be loaded into 0.25-mL straws containing either holding media (Vigro Holding Plus) or SOFaaci-HEPES. After loading into straws, embryos were placed in an ET gun and AI gun warmers set at 35°C until transfer by 1 of 5 technicians. Heifers with a CL were randomised for transfer of a fresh IVP embryo loaded into a straw containing either holding media or SOFaaci-Hepes on Day 7±1. Interval from embryo loading to transfer ranged from 1 to 3h. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography on Days 32 and 60. Data were analysed by logistic regression and included the fixed effects of loading media, embryo stage, embryo quality, interval between GnRH and ET, and biologically relevant interactions. Pregnancies per ET (P/ET) on Day 32 were not different between the groups in which embryos were loaded using holding media and those which used SOFaaci-Hepes, nor there were interactions between loading medium and embryo stage, embryo quality, or interval from GnRH to ET (P&gt;0.10; Table 1). Pregnancies per ET (P/ET) on Day 60 were not different between the loading media groups, nor were there interactions between loading medium, embryo stage, and embryo quality, or interval from GnRH to ET (P&gt;0.10). Pregnancy loss between Days 32 and 60 was not different between groups, nor there were interactions between loading media groups and any other factor (P&gt;0.10). In conclusion, the use of either holding medium or SOFaaci-HEPES for fresh IVP embryo loading does not affect fertility; thus, both are suitable alternatives for loading of embryos into transfer straws. Table 1.Pregnancies per embryo transfer (P/ET) and pregnancy loss in recipient heifers transferred with fresh invitro-produced embryos, using either holding medium or SOFaaci-HEPES medium for loading Item P/ET Day 32 (n) P/ET Day 60 (n) Pregnancy loss (n) Loading medium Holding 47.0% (186/396) 41.3% (163/395) 11.9% (22/185) SOFaaci-HEPES 48.8% (197/404) 43.1% (174/404) 11.7% (23/197) P-value 0.77 0.22 0.84

109 Effect of ruminal infusion with propylene glycol on the invitro embryo production of Holstein (Bos taurus) prepubertal heifers and pregnancy rate of the embryo transfer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ruminal infusion with propylene glycol (PG) on the invitro embryo production (IVEP) of Holstein (Bos taurus) prepubertal heifers (7 to 8 months). For this study, 16 prepubertal heifers were distributed into two groups: Propylene Glycol Group (PGG; n=8) and Control Group (CG; n=7). Additionally, 8 pubertal heifers were used for the positive control group (PUB). All animals (n=23) underwent an ovum pickup (OPU) for follicular ablation on Day 0, followed by an FSH protocol treatment (160mg performed in 4 injections twice a day in decreasing doses, designated as D2PM, D3AM, D3PM, and D4AM). Animals from PGG received a ruminal infusion with 250mL of PG twice a day on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, using a drench. Animals from CG and PUB did not receive any additional treatment. On Day 5 all animals underwent another OPU, and oocytes were used for the IVEP (Sexing Technologies commercial laboratory). The produced embryos were transferred fresh to Holstein heifer recipients. Additionally, blood sampling was performed on D4PM (M1) and on the day of OPU (D5AM, M2) for insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1, via radioimmunoassay) and glucose (hexokinase) analysis. Data were analysed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. No difference was observed between groups for number of recovered oocytes (CG: 14.28±1.9; PGG: 14.87±3.9; PUB: 10.50±2.2; P=0.24), number of viable oocytes (CG: 10.71±2.5; PGG: 10.75±2.7; PUB: 9.50±2.0; P=0.80), cleaved oocytes (CG: 7.71±1.5; PGG: 9.50±2.1; PUB: 6.25±1.4; P=0.14), cleavage rate (CG: 54.2% (7.7 out of 14.2); PGG: 64.1% (9.5 of 14.8); PUB: 59.0% (6.2 of 10.5); P=0.35) and number of blastocysts (CG: 1.71±0.5; PGG: 2.00±0.6; PUB: 3.12±1.0; P=0.71). Pubertal heifers had higher blastocyst rates compared with prepubertal heifers, regardless of PG treatment (CG: 11.9% (1.7 of 14.2); PGG: 13.5% (2 of 14.8); PUB: 29.5% (3.1 of 10.5); P=0.01). No difference was observed between groups for 30-day (CG: 41.7% (5 of 12); PGG: 46.7% (7 of 15); PUB: 42.9% (6 of 14); P=0.96) or 60-day pregnancy rates (CG: 41.7% (5 of 12); PGG: 33.3% (5 of 15); PUB: 42.9% (6 of 14); P=0.86). In addition, no difference was observed for pregnancy loss between 30 and 60 days (CG: 0.0% (0 of 12); PGG: 13.3% (2 of 15); PUB: 0.0% (0 of 14); P=0.99). Regarding metabolic blood analysis, no difference was observed for IGF-1 (ngmL−1) between groups (P=0.38), moment of sample collection (P=0.06), and interaction of group×moment (P=0.87; CG/M1: 263.36±15.2; CG/M2: 297.71±18.7; PGG/M1: 304.25±26.9; PGG/M2: 332.61±31.6; PUB/M1: 309.16±19.9; PUB/M2: 311.07±18.8). Glucose (mg dL−1) was higher (P=0.0001) for pubertal heifers (91.63±1.4) compared with the other groups (CG: 102.25±1.1; PGG: 107.71±3.5); however, no difference was observed for moment of sample collection (P=0.35) or interaction of group×moment (P=0.36). These data show that treatment with PG was not efficient to improve the IVEP of prepubertal Holstein heifers, embryos from prepubertal heifers treated with PG did not have increased pregnancy rate, and treatment did not increase IGF-1 or glucose blood levels.

176 Synchronisation of follicle wave emergence prior to superstimulation with purified FSH for ovum pickup affects blastocyst rate in pregnant Holstein heifers

The timing of initiation of superstimulatory treatments relative to follicle wave emergence has been shown to affect ovulatory response and invivo embryo production. The significant increase of invitro embryo production (IVP) and the possibility of using pregnant animals as oocyte donors has created the need to optimise superstimulatory treatments for IVP in pregnant cattle. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of synchronisation of follicle wave emergence before superstimulation for ovum pickup (OPU) and IVP in pregnant heifers. Pregnant (47-62 days of gestation) Holstein heifers (n=28) 19.5±0.3 months of age were assigned in a completely randomised design to one of two groups: synchronisation of follicular wave emergence by dominant follicle removal (DFR; all follicles &gt;6mm) or untreated control (no DFR). Superstimulatory treatments were initiated 36h after DFR or at random stages of the follicular wave in the no-DFR group and consisted of the administration of 160mg of purified FSH (Folltropin-V, Vetoquinol) over four injections 12h apart as follows: 48.0, 42.7, 37.3, and 32.0mg. Ovum pickup was performed in all heifers 40h after the last purified FSH injection. Heifers were subjected to OPU for oocyte recovery, and the number of follicles was determined. Recovered oocytes were processed in groups by treatment, and IVP was performed. Differences between treatment groups were evaluated using generalised linear mixed models. Results are presented in Table 1 and are expressed as means±s.e.m. for data collected at the time of OPU or as proportions for embryo production results. The number of small follicles (&lt;6mm) at the time of OPU was greater in the no-DFR group than in the DFR group (P=0.04). Conversely, there were no differences between treatments in the number of medium follicles (6-10 mm; P=0.17), large follicles (&gt;10 mm; P=0.11), total follicles (P=0.93), total number of recovered oocytes (P=0.4), or number of viable oocytes (P=0.53). The mean oocyte percentage recovery rate was not different between heifers in the DFR (53.6±4.7%) and no-DFR (56.5±4.7%) groups (P=0.52). Both cleavage and blastocyst rate were greater (P&lt;0.008) in the DFR group than in the no-DFR group; as a result, the number of transferable embryos per animal was 5.6 in the DFR group and 2.8 in the no-DFR group. In summary, initiation of superstimulatory treatments at the time of follicle wave emergence improves cleavage and blastocyst rates, thus leading to greater embryo production. Table 1.Ovarian response and embryo production in pregnant heifers superstimulated with or without synchronisation of follicle wave emergence Variable DFR No DFR Small follicles, n 8.1±1.2A 12.1±1.8B Medium follicles, n 18.3±1.3 13.7±2.0 Large follicles, n 2.4±0.6 1.4±0.4 Total follicles, n 28.8±1.4 27.2±2.2 Total oocytes, n 15.4±1.5 16.0±1.9 Viable oocytes, n 13.7±1.5 13.4±1.8 Cleavage rate,% (n) 77.1 (192)A 64.4 (188)B Blastocyst rate,% (n) 40.6 (192)A 20.7 (188)B A,BMeans within a row with different superscripts differ (P&lt;0.05).

Molecular identification of Leishmania tropica and L. infantum isolated from cutaneous human leishmaniasis samples in central Morocco

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Marrakesh-Safi region located in the central-south part of Morocco is a public health problem. This study assessed the efficiency of a microscopic examination method in establishing the diagnosis of CL and PCR for the characterization and identification of the circulating Leishmania strains in different CL foci of the study area.

METHODS

A total of 297 smears obtained from cutaneous lesions of suspected patients with CL were stained with May-Grünwald Giemsa (MGG) for microscopic examination. For each positive smear, genomic DNA was extracted and PCR-analysed, targeting the small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (ssu rRNA) gene to detect Leishmania DNA. Then, the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) was amplified and sequenced in order to identify the Leishmania species. The sensitivity and specificity of the conventional microscopy with ssu rRNA gene were compared by Leishmania nested PCR (LnPCR) and ITS1 gene by ITS-PCR.

RESULTS

A total of 257 smears were positive in the microscopic examination, i.e. the detection rate of amastigotes by optical microscopy was 86.53% (257/297). The LnPCR was found to have a specificity and a sensitivity of 100%, each. Interestingly, the sequencing results showed that 99.61% (256/257) of the isolates had Leishmania tropica and 0.39% (1/257) had L. infantum infection.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

Though, classical microscopic examination is useful and economical, it is not sensitive enough, especially in endemic regions where several Leishmania species coexist. In such situations, PCR constitutes a complementary method for the identification of the causal species. The results indicate that both the L. tropica (dominant) and L. infantum are the causative agents of CL in the Marrakesh-Safi region. The rate of CL infection is high in Imintanout, and Chichaoua provinces. Hence, early diagnosis and prompt treatment of CL patients is necessary to prevent its extension to neighboring localities.

Remote sensing of cyanobacterial blooms in a hypertrophic lagoon (Albufera of València, Eastern Iberian Peninsula) using multitemporal Sentinel-2 images

Eutrophy in Albufera of Valencia (Eastern Iberian Peninsula) is a quite old problem since after the intense eutrophication processes throughout the 1960s. The system shifted to a turbid stable state consolidated by the virtual disappearance of macrophytes by the early 1970s. The lagoon has been studied extensively since the 1980s, but efforts to revert the system to a clear state have not yielded the expected results because cultural eutrophication due to the growth of population in its area of influence and the effects of climate change, decreasing rainfall and increasing evaporation. This has driven to an increase in water retention times in the lagoon in recent years, resulting in a phytoplanktonic shift towards potentially toxic cyanobacteria species, often forming blooms. Cyanobacterial blooms severely affect water quality for human use, ranging from recreation and fishing to drinking water resources, as indicated in the surveillance protocol of World Health Organization (WHO). The current state of the lake requires constant monitoring and remote sensing is an optimal tool for the continuous monitoring of the whole water mass. This work is included in the ESAQS project (Ecological Status of AQuatic systems with Sentinel satellites), to establish a protocol for regular and frequent monitoring of the ecological status of reservoirs, lakes and lagoons. Algorithms are developed using the images provided by the Sentinel-2 (A and B), provided with a spatial resolution of 10 m and a temporal frequency of 5 days. In this work we demonstrate that using this new earth observation satellite is possible to develop a consistent and suitable algorithm to estimate the phycocyanin concentration [PC] and establish a protocol for regular and frequent monitoring. Calibrating (R² = 0.841; n = 21; p < 0.001) and validating (R² = 0.775; n = 55; p < 0.001; RMSE% = 40) the algorithm with field data are also demonstrated.

105 Optimization of a five-day fixed-time embryo transfer program in dairy heifers: Use of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone at initiation of the protocol

Optimized fixed-time embryo transfer (FTET) protocols for synchronization of recipients have the potential to improve the overall efficiency and profitability of embryo transfer (ET) programs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dose of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at initiation of a 5-day synchronization protocol for FTET. Holstein heifers (n=2689) at two locations were synchronized using a 5-day CO-Synch protocol as follows: Day 0: CIDR inserted, Day 5: CIDR removed, prostaglandin (PG)F2α treatment (500μg cloprostenol), Day 6: PGF2α treatment, Day 8: GnRH (100μg of gonadorelin). On Day 0, at the time of CIDR insertion, heifers were assigned in a completely randomised design to the following groups: Single (a single dose of GnRH; 100μg of gonadorelin), Double (200μg of gonadorelin) or No GnRH (control). All heifers received an Estrotect patch placed on Day 5 and evaluated for signs of oestrus on Day 8. At location A, heifers were evaluated by ultrasonography 5 days after GnRH to determine presence and size of corpus luteum (CL), whereas at location B presence and location of CL were determined by transrectal palpation at the time of transfer. Heifers with a CL received an embryo 7±1 days after GnRH administration, and pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography 41 and 63 days after GnRH. Data were analysed by generalized linear mixed models. Oestrus expression was greater in heifers that received Single and Double GnRH than in the No GnRH group (P=0.001). Similarly, utilisation rate (number transferred per number treated) was greater for heifers in the Single and Double GnRH group than for those in the No GnRH group (P=0.02). Pregnancy data were analysed for a subset of recipients using data from Day 41 (n=2267) and Day 63 (n=2042). The analysis of fertility outcomes included as covariates the type of embryo (invitro fresh or frozen and invivo fresh or frozen), embryo stage, embryo quality, interval from GnRH to transfer, and oestrus expression. Pregnancies per embryo transfer (P/ET) at Days 41 and 63 were not different between treatment groups (P=0.86), and there was no interaction between type of embryo and treatment (P&gt;0.15). Pregnancy loss between Days 41 and 63 was not different (P=0.49) between treatments groups. In conclusion, the removal of the initial GnRH from a 5-day FTET protocol resulted in a slight but significant reduction in the utilisation rate and the percentage of heifers showing oestrus. However, there was no detrimental effect on fertility. As a result, the overall cost of the FTET program can be reduced by eliminating the need for the initial GnRH treatment without compromising fertility. Table 1.Reproductive performance in recipients receiving different doses of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at initiation of the synchronization protocol Treatment Oestrus (n) Utilisation rate (n) P/ET1 D41 (n) P/ET D63 (n) Pregnancy loss (n) No GnRH 69.2%B (621/898) 85.0%B (763/898) 41.6% (308/740) 39.9% (268/672) 4.3% (12/280) Single GnRH 76.1%A (685/900) 88.8%A (799/900) 42.7% (329/770) 39.5% (272/689) 6.5% (19/291) Double GnRH 75.3%A (671/891) 88.7%A (790/891) 41.5% (314/757) 38.9% (265/681) 5.4% (15/280) A,BValues with different superscripts within a column differ (P&lt;0.05). 1P/ET=pregnancies per embryo transfer.

In vivo photoprotection mechanisms observed from leaf spectral absorbance changes showing VIS-NIR slow-induced conformational pigment bed changes

Regulated heat dissipation under excessive light comprises a complexity of mechanisms, whereby the supramolecular light-harvesting pigment-protein complex (LHC) shifts state from light harvesting towards heat dissipation, quenching the excess of photo-induced excitation energy in a non-photochemical way. Based on whole-leaf spectroscopy measuring upward and downward spectral radiance fluxes, we studied spectrally contiguous (hyperspectral) transient time series of absorbance A(λ,t) and passively induced chlorophyll fluorescence F(λ,t) dynamics of intact leaves in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths (VIS-NIR, 400-800 nm) after sudden strong natural-like illumination exposure. Besides light avoidance mechanism, we observed on absorbance signatures, calculated from simultaneous reflectance R(λ,t) and transmittance T(λ,t) measurements as A(λ,t) = 1 - R(λ,t) - T(λ,t), major dynamic events with specific onsets and kinetical behaviour. A consistent well-known fast carotenoid absorbance feature (500-570 nm) appears within the first seconds to minutes, seen from both the reflected (backscattered) and transmitted (forward scattered) radiance differences. Simultaneous fast Chl features are observed, either as an increased or decreased scattering behaviour during quick light adjustment consistent with re-organizations of the membrane. The carotenoid absorbance feature shows up simultaneously with a major F decrease and corresponds to the xanthophyll conversion, as quick response to the proton gradient build-up. After xanthophyll conversion (t = 3 min), a kinetically slower but major and smooth absorbance increase was occasionally observed from the transmitted radiance measurements as wide peaks in the green (~ 550 nm) and the near-infrared (~ 750 nm) wavelengths, involving no further F quenching. Surprisingly, in relation to the response to high light, this broad and consistent VIS-NIR feature indicates a slowly induced absorbance increase with a sigmoid kinetical behaviour. In analogy to sub-leaf-level observations, we suggest that this mechanism can be explained by a structure-induced low-energy-shifted energy redistribution involving both Car and Chl. These findings might pave the way towards a further non-invasive spectral investigation of antenna conformations and their relations with energy quenching at the intact leaf level, which is, in combination with F measurements, of a high importance for assessing plant photosynthesis in vivo and in addition from remote observations.

Electroanalytical Determination of Cadmium and Lead in Deciduous Teeth after Microwave Oven Digestion

A method using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry after microwave oven digestion was developed for the simultaneous determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in the deciduous teeth of children. Each tooth was weighed; deposited in a 120 mL capped Teflon vessel with 5 mL 65% nitric acid, Suprapur analytical grade; and digested in a 2-step microwave oven for 15 min. The detection limits for Cd(II) and Pb(II) in the final solution were 0.078 and 0.323 μg/L, and the quantitation limits 0.394 and 1.613 μg/L, respectively, with a linearity range of 2 μg/L for Cd(II) and 23.3 μg/L for Pb(II). The sensitivity was 2.51 nA/μg-L and 1.37 nA/μg-L, for Cd(II) and Pb(II). The main advantages of this technique are a complete and satisfactory dissolution of the tooth material with the proposed microwave oven digestion procedure, without sample pretreatments, such as drying, ashing, or powdering. The voltammetric procedure proved to be well designed because of significant goodness of fit to a linear model, and the accuracy of the method was established as compared with standard reference material. The methodology has enabled us to study Cd(II) and Pb(II) in 371 deciduous teeth from school children in Cartagena, Spain.

Enzymatic profiles associated with the evolution of the lignocellulosic fraction during industrial-scale composting of anthropogenic waste: Comparative analysis

In the new European Waste Law, composting is proposed as one of the best options to properly manage organic waste of anthropogenic origin. Currently, the massive generation of this type of waste, as well as its heterogeneity, makes difficult in many cases control this process of degradation on an industrial scale. In this work, 15 facilities were selected based on 5 types of organic waste: Urban Solid Waste, Vegetable Waste, Sewage Sludges, Agrifood Waste and "Alpeorujo". The samples were collected in different thermal phases. The results revealed very different physicochemical and enzymatic profiles, as well as different degrees of humification depending on the process and the raw materials. However, parameters such as β-glucosidase, amylase, lignin/holocellulose ratio and humification rate showed similar trends in all cases. All of them could act as important indicators to evaluate the quality of a composting process, despite the heterogeneity of the starting materials.