Prokaryotic and viral community of the sulfate-rich crust from Peñahueca ephemeral lake, an astrobiology analogue.

Peñahueca is an athalassohaline hypersaline inland ephemeral lake originated under semiarid conditions in the central Iberian Peninsula (Spain). Its chemical composition makes it extreme for microbial life as well as a terrestrial analogue of other planetary environments. To investigate the persistence of microbial life associated with sulfate-rich crusts, we applied cultivation-independent methods (optical and electron microscopy, 16S rRNA gene profiling and metagenomics) to describe the prokaryotic community and its associated viruses. The diversity for Bacteria was very low and was vastly dominated by endospore formers related to Pontibacillus marinus of the Firmicutes phylum. The archaeal assemblage was more diverse and included taxa related to those normally found in hypersaline environments. Several 'metagenome assembled genomes' were recovered, corresponding to new species of Pontibacillus, several species from the Halobacteria and one new member of the Nanohaloarchaeota. The viral assemblage, although composed of the morphotypes typical of high salt systems, showed little similarity to previously isolated/reconstructed halophages. Several putative prophages of Pontibacillus and haloarchaeal hosts were identified. Remarkably, the Peñahueca sulfate-rich metagenome contained CRISPR-associated proteins and repetitions which were over 10-fold higher than in most hypersaline systems analysed so far.

[Low and non-calorie sweeteners as a tool for reducing the energy density at foodstuffs. An alternative for helping to control and reduce overweight and obesity]. / Los edulcorantes como herramienta de reducción de la densidad energética en los productos alimenticios. Una alternativa para ayudar a poder controlar y reducir el sobrepeso y la obesidad.

Introduction: Introduction: there is more and more scientific data on sweeteners but at the same time there is more dissemination of information and it is sometimes contradictory Methods: observational field study with analysis of data referring to current legislation, approvals by European Union authorities and systematic reviews. Results: the European Union has one of the best systems in the world for the evaluation, approval and authorization of sweeteners and those approved have been immersed since 2010 in a revaluation process, such as that of the other additives. Conclusions: sweeteners are a tool for the reduction and elimination of sugar at foodstuffs. The total diet is the one that must have as a whole a reduction in calories to be effective in the control and reduction of overweight and obesity.

Introducción: Introducción: cada vez existen más datos científicos sobre los edulcorantes, pero a su vez hay más diseminación de información, a veces contradictoria. Material y métodos: estudio de campo observacional con análisis de datos referidos a la legislación vigente, aprobaciones por autoridades de la Unión Europea y revisiones sistemáticas. Resultados: la Unión Europea tiene uno de los mejores sistemas a nivel mundial de evaluación, aprobación y autorización de edulcorantes y los aprobados están inmersos desde el año 2010 en un proceso de reevaluación, como el resto de aditivos. Conclusiones: los edulcorantes son una herramienta para la reducción y eliminación de azúcar en los productos alimenticios. La dieta total es la que debe tener en su conjunto una reducción de calorías para ser efectiva en el control y la reducción del sobrepeso y la obesidad.

Spatiotemporal variability of oxygen concentration in coral reefs of Gorgona Island (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and its effect on the coral Pocillopora capitata.

Dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) is one of the main factors limiting benthic species distribution. Due to ocean warming and eutrophication, the ocean is deoxygenating. In the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), deep waters with low DO (<1 mg L-1) may reach coral reefs, because upwelling will likely intensify due to climate change. To understand oxygen variability and its effects on corals, we characterize the Spatio-temporal changes of DO in coral reefs of Gorgona Island and calculate the critical oxygen tension (P crit) to identify the DO concentration that could represent a hypoxic condition for Pocillopora capitata, one of the main reef-building species in the ETP. The mean (±SD) DO concentration in the coral reefs of Gorgona Island was 4.6 ± 0.89 mg L-1. Low DO conditions were due to upwelling, but hypoxia (<3.71 mg L-1, defined as a DO value 1 SD lower than the Mean) down to 3.0 mg O2 L-1 sporadically occurred at 10 m depth. The P crit of P. capitata was 3.7 mg L-1 and lies close to the hypoxic condition recorded on coral reefs during the upwelling season at 10 m depth. At Gorgona Island oxygen conditions lower than 2.3 mg L-1 occur at >20 m depth and coincide with the deepest bathymetric distribution of scattered colonies of Pocillopora. Because DO concentrations in coral reefs of Gorgona Island were comparably low to other coral reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, and the hypoxic threshold of P. capitata was close to the minimum DO record on reefs, hypoxic events could represent a threat if conditions that promote eutrophication (and consequently hypoxia) increase.

[Bioactive compounds from plants. Development of new or novel food]. / Compuestos bioactivos de origen vegetal: desarrollo de nuevos alimentos.

Introduction: Introduction: substances with physiological effect or bioactive compounds are having a fundamental consideration in the diets of the populations during the last years, especially those that consume high content from plant foods that provide them. Methods: collect the latest scientific data on bioactive compounds from plant origin and develop legislation regulating the nutritional information of foods and beverages, as well as the health claims and reduction of disease risk claims. The approval of novel foods too. Results: there is scientific evidence on the effect of bioactive compounds, and this has meant their incorporation into dietary quality indices, such as the food compass. As well as the approval of 26 health claims and 2 reduction of disease risk claims in the European Union. Several ingredients or foods classified as novel foods have also been approved within European Union food law. Conclusions: bioactive compounds have more and more scientific evidence to be recommended directly or through the foods and beverages that contain them in dietary guidelines and must be considered as other nutrients and incorporated into the nutritional information even if they do not have caloric intake.

Introducción: Introducción: los compuestos bioactivos (sustancias con efecto fisiológico) están teniendo en los últimos años una gran consideración en las dietas de las poblaciones, sobre todo en aquellas que consumen un alto contenido de alimentos vegetales que las aportan. Métodos: recoger los últimos datos científicos sobre compuestos bioactivos de origen vegetal y recopilar la legislación que regula la información nutricional de los alimentos y de las bebidas, así como de las propiedades saludables y de prevención de riesgo de enfermedad y de la aprobación de nuevos alimentos. Resultados: existe evidencia científica sobre el efecto de los compuestos bioactivos, lo que ha supuesto su incorporación en índices de calidad de la dieta (como la brújula alimentaria), así como la aprobación de 26 declaraciones de propiedades saludables y 2 de prevención de riesgo de enfermedad en la Unión Europea. También se han aprobado varios ingredientes o alimentos catalogados como nuevos alimentos dentro de la legislación alimentaria de la Unión Europea. Conclusiones: los compuestos bioactivos tienen cada vez más evidencia científica para estar recomendados, directamente o a través de los alimentos y de las bebidas que los contienen, en las guías alimentarias y deberían considerarse como otros nutrientes e incorporarse a la información nutricional, aunque no tengan aporte calórico.

[Shapes or icons from the dietary guidelines. A reality going beyond healthy food]. / Grafismos o iconos provenientes de las guías alimentarias. Una realidad que va más allá de la alimentación saludable.

INTRODUCTION: Background: icons or shapes represent the development and approval of dietary guidelines including recommendations of food consumption and nutrient intakes according to the behavioral models of countries worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collected and recognized them. Methods: food-based dietary guidelines from 94 countries included in the FAO website. Websites of the different Spanish scientific societies that have elaborated and developed them, including the Mediterranean Diet Foundation. Results: in all, 94 countries are collected in the FAO food guidelines website, with predominant models of 33 diet plates and 51 food pyramids, emerging 11 as new graphics systems, that reflect, in addition to food: 52, physical activity; 63, water or hydration; 20, social and emotional values; and 13, reduction or elimination of alcoholic beverages. Conclusions: the models with icons or shapes so far are consistent with the modes of distribution of food at meals and adapting to new criteria that include behavioral guidelines. New designs are incorporated that include food safety guidelines in generic graphic structures that do not represent any of the classic models: food plates or food pyramids.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Fundamentos: el desarrollo y la aprobación de guías alimentarias, con recomendación de consumo de alimentos y de ingestas de nutrientes según los distintos modelos comportamentales de los países a nivel mundial, culmina con la creación de iconos o grafismos que las representan. Estos, además, son recogidos y reconocidos por la Organización para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO). Métodos: guías alimentarias de 94 países incluidas en la web de la FAO y de las diferentes sociedades científicas españolas que las tienen elaboradas y desarrolladas, así como la de la Fundación Dieta Mediterránea. Resultados: en la web de la FAO se recogen 94 países con modelos predominantes de 33 platos y 51 pirámides, surgiendo 11 casos de sistema nuevo que plasman, además de alimentos: 52, actividad física; 63, agua o hidratación; 20, aspectos sociales y emocionales, y 13, reducción o eliminación de bebidas alcohólicas. Conclusiones: los modelos de iconos o grafismos hasta ahora son parejos con los modos de distribución de alimentos en las comidas, adaptándose a los nuevos criterios que incluyen pautas comportamentales. Se incorporan nuevos diseños que incluyen pautas de seguridad alimentaria en estructuras gráficas genéricas que no representan ninguno de los modelos clásicos (platos o pirámides alimentarios).

Los edulcorantes como herramienta de reducción de la densidad energética en los productos alimenticios. Una alternativa para ayudar a poder controlar y reducir el sobrepeso y la obesidad / Low and non-calorie sweeteners as a tool for reducing the energy density at foodstuffs. An alternative for helping to control and reduce overweight and obesity

Introducción: cada vez existen más datos científicos sobre los edulcorantes, pero a su vez hay más diseminación de información, a vecescontradictoria.Material y métodos: estudio de campo observacional con análisis de datos referidos a la legislación vigente, aprobaciones por autoridades dela Unión Europea y revisiones sistemáticas.Resultados: la Unión Europea tiene uno de los mejores sistemas a nivel mundial de evaluación, aprobación y autorización de edulcorantes y losaprobados están inmersos desde el año 2010 en un proceso de reevaluación, como el resto de aditivos.Conclusiones: los edulcorantes son una herramienta para la reducción y eliminación de azúcar en los productos alimenticios. La dieta total esla que debe tener en su conjunto una reducción de calorías para ser efectiva en el control y la reducción del sobrepeso y la obesidad. (AU)

Introduction: there is more and more scientific data on sweeteners but at the same time there is more dissemination of information and it issometimes contradictoryMethods: observational field study with analysis of data referring to current legislation, approvals by European Union authorities and systematicreviews.Results: the European Union has one of the best systems in the world for the evaluation, approval and authorization of sweeteners and thoseapproved have been immersed since 2010 in a revaluation process, such as that of the other additives.Conclusions: sweeteners are a tool for the reduction and elimination of sugar at foodstuffs. The total diet is the one that must have as a wholea reduction in calories to be effective in the control and reduction of overweight and obesity. (AU)

Detecting Nonvolatile Life- and Nonlife-Derived Organics in a Carbonaceous Chondrite Analogue with a New Multiplex Immunoassay and Its Relevance for Planetary Exploration.

Potential martian molecular targets include those supplied by meteoritic carbonaceous chondrites such as amino acids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and true biomarkers stemming from any hypothetical martian biota (organic architectures that can be directly related to once living organisms). Heat extraction and pyrolysis-based methods currently used in planetary exploration are highly aggressive and very often modify the target molecules making their identification a cumbersome task. We have developed and validated a mild, nondestructive, multiplex inhibitory microarray immunoassay and demonstrated its implementation in the SOLID (Signs of Life Detector) instrument for simultaneous detection of several nonvolatile life- and nonlife-derived organic molecules relevant in planetary exploration and environmental monitoring. By utilizing a set of highly specific antibodies that recognize D- or L- aromatic amino acids (Phe, Tyr, Trp), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), pentachlorophenol, and sulfone-containing aromatic compounds, respectively, the assay was validated in the SOLID instrument for the analysis of carbon-rich samples used as analogues of the organic material in carbonaceous chondrites or even Mars samples. Most of the antibodies enabled sensitivities at the 1-10 ppb level and some even at the ppt level. The multiplex immunoassay allowed the detection of B[a]P as well as aromatic sulfones in a water/methanol extract of an Early Cretaceous lignite sample (c.a., 140 Ma) representing type IV kerogen. No L- or D-aromatic amino acids were detected, reflecting the advanced diagenetic stage and the fossil nature of the sample. The results demonstrate the ability of the liquid extraction by ultrasonication and the versatility of the multiplex inhibitory immunoassays in the SOLID instrument to discriminate between organic matter derived from life and nonlife processes, an essential step toward life detection outside Earth.

Compuestos bioactivos de origen vegetal: desarrollo de nuevos alimentos / Bioactive compounds from plants. Development of new or novel food

Introducción: los compuestos bioactivos (sustancias con efecto fisiológico) están teniendo en los últimos años una gran consideración en las dietas de las poblaciones, sobre todo en aquellas que consumen un alto contenido de alimentos vegetales que las aportan. Métodos: recoger los últimos datos científicos sobre compuestos bioactivos de origen vegetal y recopilar la legislación que regula la información nutricional de los alimentos y de las bebidas, así como de las propiedades saludables y de prevención de riesgo de enfermedad y de la aprobación de nuevos alimentos. Resultados: existe evidencia científica sobre el efecto de los compuestos bioactivos, lo que ha supuesto su incorporación en índices de calidad de la dieta (como la brújula alimentaria), así como la aprobación de 26 declaraciones de propiedades saludables y 2 de prevención de riesgo de enfermedad en la Unión Europea. También se han aprobado varios ingredientes o alimentos catalogados como nuevos alimentos dentro de la legislación alimentaria de la Unión Europea. Conclusiones: los compuestos bioactivos tienen cada vez más evidencia científica para estar recomendados, directamente o a través de los alimentos y de las bebidas que los contienen, en las guías alimentarias y deberían considerarse como otros nutrientes e incorporarse a la información nutricional, aunque no tengan aporte calórico. (AU)

Introduction: substances with physiological effect or bioactive compounds are having a fundamental consideration in the diets of the populations during the last years, especially those that consume high content from plant foods that provide them. Methods: collect the latest scientific data on bioactive compounds from plant origin and develop legislation regulating the nutritional information of foods and beverages, as well as the health claims and reduction of disease risk claims. The approval of novel foods too. Results: there is scientific evidence on the effect of bioactive compounds, and this has meant their incorporation into dietary quality indices, such as the food compass. As well as the approval of 26 health claims and 2 reduction of disease risk claims in the European Union. Several ingredients or foods classified as novel foods have also been approved within European Union food law. Conclusions: bioactive compounds have more and more scientific evidence to be recommended directly or through the foods and beverages that contain them in dietary guidelines and must be considered as other nutrients and incorporated into the nutritional information even if they do not have caloric intake. (AU)

Effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy in the multidimensional treatment of schizophrenia: Rethinking project. / Eficacia, eficiencia y efectividad en el tratamiento multidimensional de la esquizofrenia: proyecto Rethinking.

Schizophrenia is a clinically heterogeneous syndrome affecting multiple dimensions of patients' life. Therefore, its treatment might require a multidimensional approach that should take into account the efficacy (the ability of an intervention to get the desired result under ideal conditions), the effectiveness (the degree to which the intended effect is obtained under routine clinical practice conditions or settings) and the efficiency (value of the intervention as relative to its cost to the individual or society) of any therapeutic intervention. In a first step of the process, a group of 90 national experts from different areas of health-care and with a multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspective of the disease, defined the concepts of efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of established therapeutic interventions within 7 key dimensions of the illness: symptomatology; comorbidity; relapse and adherence; insight and subjective experience; cognition; quality of life, autonomy and functional capacity; and social inclusion and associated factors. The main conclusions and recommendations of this stage of the work are presented herein.

Grafismos o iconos provenientes de las guías alimentarias. Una realidad que va más allá de la alimentación saludable / Shapes or icons from the dietary guidelines. A reality going beyond healthy food

Fundamentos: el desarrollo y la aprobación de guías alimentarias, con recomendación de consumo de alimentos y de ingestas de nutrientes según los distintos modelos comportamentales de los países a nivel mundial, culmina con la creación de iconos o grafismos que las representan. Estos, además, son recogidos y reconocidos por la Organización para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO). Métodos: guías alimentarias de 94 países incluidas en la web de la FAO y de las diferentes sociedades científicas españolas que las tienen elaboradas y desarrolladas, así como la de la Fundación Dieta Mediterránea. Resultados: en la web de la FAO se recogen 94 países con modelos predominantes de 33 platos y 51 pirámides, surgiendo 11 casos de sistema nuevo que plasman, además de alimentos: 52, actividad física; 63, agua o hidratación; 20, aspectos sociales y emocionales, y 13, reducción o eliminación de bebidas alcohólicas. Conclusiones: los modelos de iconos o grafismos hasta ahora son parejos con los modos de distribución de alimentos en las comidas, adaptándose a los nuevos criterios que incluyen pautas comportamentales. Se incorporan nuevos diseños que incluyen pautas de seguridad alimentaria en estructuras gráficas genéricas que no representan ninguno de los modelos clásicos (platos o pirámides alimentarios). (AU)

Background: icons or shapes represent the development and approval of dietary guidelines including recommendations of food consumption and nutrient intakes according to the behavioral models of countries worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collected and recognized them. Methods: food-based dietary guidelines from 94 countries included in the FAO website. Websites of the different Spanish scientific societies that have elaborated and developed them, including the Mediterranean Diet Foundation. Results: in all, 94 countries are collected in the FAO food guidelines website, with predominant models of 33 diet plates and 51 food pyramids, emerging 11 as new graphics systems, that reflect, in addition to food: 52, physical activity; 63, water or hydration; 20, social and emotional values; and 13, reduction or elimination of alcoholic beverages. Conclusions: the models with icons or shapes so far are consistent with the modes of distribution of food at meals and adapting to new criteria that include behavioral guidelines. New designs are incorporated that include food safety guidelines in generic graphic structures that do not represent any of the classic models: food plates or food pyramids. (AU

Diversity of extremely halophilic cultivable prokaryotes in Mediterranean, Atlantic and Pacific solar salterns: Evidence that unexplored sites constitute sources of cultivable novelty.

The culturable fraction of aerobic, heterotrophic and extremely halophilic microbiota retrieved from sediment and brine samples of eight sampling sites in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Chile was studied by means of a tandem approach combining large-scale cultivation, MALDI-TOF MS targeting whole cell biomass, and phylogenetic reconstruction based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. The approach allowed the identification of more than 4200 strains and a comparison between different sampling sites. The results indicated that the method constituted an excellent tool for the discovery of taxonomic novelty. Four new genera and nine new species could be identified within the archaeal family Halobacteriaceae, as well as one new bacterial species, and a representative of Salinibacter ruber phylotype II, a group that had been refractory to isolation for the last fifteen years. Altogether, the results indicated that in order to provide better yields for the retrieval of novel taxa from the environment, performance of non-redundant environment sampling is recommended together with the screening of large sets of strains.

Crohn associated microbial communities associated to colonic mucosal biopsies in patients of the western Mediterranean.

Next generation sequencing approaches allow the retrieval of several orders of magnitude larger numbers of amplified single sequences in 16S rRNA diversity surveys than classical methods. However, the sequences are only partial and thus lack sufficient resolution for a reliable identification. The OPU approach used here, based on a tandem combination of high quality 454 sequences (mean >500 nuc) applying strict OTU thresholds, and phylogenetic inference based on parsimony additions to preexisting trees, seemed to improve the identification yields at the species and genus levels. A total of thirteen biopsies of Crohn-diagnosed patients (CD) and seven healthy controls (HC) were studied. In most of the cases (73%), sequences were affiliated to known species or genera and distinct microbial patterns could be distinguished among the CD subjects, with a common depletion of Clostridia and either an increased presence of Bacteroidetes (CD1) or an anomalous overrepresentation of Proteobacteria (CD2). Faecalibacterium prausnitzii presence was undetectable in CD, whereas Bacteroides vulgatus-B. dorei characterized HC and some CD groups. Altogether, the results showed that a microbial composition with predominance of Clostridia followed by Bacteroidetes, with F. prausnitzii and B. vulgatus-B. dorei as major key bacteria, characterized what could be considered a balanced structure in HC. The depletion of Clostridia seemed to be a common trait in CD.

Osteotomía segmentaria con injerto interposicionado en región anterior de la mandíbula: reporte de un caso / Segmental osteotomy with interpositional graft in anterior mandible: report of a case

La pérdida de dientes por lo general resulta en defectos de la cresta alveolar, dificultando la colocación de implantes. La corrección de estos defectos es un desafío para los cirujanos orales. La técnica de osteotomía segmentaria con injerto óseo interposicionado también conocida como osteotomía en «sándwich¼ ha demostrado ser efectiva para estos problemas. Se describe un caso clínico con la utilización de esta técnica para el aumento óseo vertical en la región anterior mandibular y la colocación de implantes (AU)

The loss of teeth usually results in defects of the alveolar ridge, making it diffi cult to place implants. The correction of these defects is a challenge for oral surgeons. The segmental sandwich technique with interpositional bone graft has proven to be predictable for these problems. We describe a clinical case with the use of this technique for vertical bone augmentation in the mandibular anterior region and the placement of dental implants (AU)

High metabolomic microdiversity within co-occurring isolates of the extremely halophilic bacterium Salinibacter ruber.

Salinibacter ruber is an extremely halophilic member of the Bacteroidetes that thrives in crystallizer ponds worldwide. Here, we have analyzed two sets of 22 and 35 co-occurring S. ruber strains, newly isolated respectively, from 100 microliters water samples from crystalizer ponds in Santa Pola and Mallorca, located in coastal and inland Mediterranean Spain and 350 km apart from each other. A set of old strains isolated from the same setting were included in the analysis. Genomic and taxonomy relatedness of the strains were analyzed by means of PFGE and MALDI-TOF, respectively, while their metabolomic potential was explored with high resolution ion cyclotron resonance Fourier transform mass spectrometry (ICR-FT/MS). Overall our results show a phylogenetically very homogeneous species expressing a very diverse metabolomic pool. The combination of MALDI-TOF and PFGE provides, for the newly isolated strains, the same scenario presented by the previous studies of intra-specific diversity of S. ruber using a more restricted number of strains: the species seems to be very homogeneous at the ribosomal level while the genomic diversity encountered was rather high since no identical genome patterns could be retrieved from each of the samples. The high analytical mass resolution of ICR-FT/MS enabled the description of thousands of putative metabolites from which to date only few can be annotated in databases. Some metabolomic differences, mainly related to lipid metabolism and antibiotic-related compounds, provided enough specificity to delineate different clusters within the co-occurring strains. In addition, metabolomic differences were found between old and new strains isolated from the same ponds that could be related to extended exposure to laboratory conditions.

Description of Bacillus toyonensis sp. nov., a novel species of the Bacillus cereus group, and pairwise genome comparisons of the species of the group by means of ANI calculations.

Strain BCT-7112(T) was isolated in 1966 in Japan from a survey designed to obtain naturally occurring microorganisms as pure cultures in the laboratory for use as probiotics in animal nutrition. This strain, which was primarily identified as Bacillus cereus var toyoi, has been in use for more than 30 years as the active ingredient of the preparation TOYOCERIN(®), an additive for use in animal nutrition (e.g. swine, poultry, cattle, rabbits and aquaculture). Despite the fact that the strain was initially classified as B. cereus, it showed significant genomic differences from the type strains of the B. cereus group that were large enough (ANI values below 92%) to allow it to be considered as a different species within the group. The polyphasic taxonomic study presented here provides sufficient discriminative parameters to classify BCT-7112(T) as a new species for which the name Bacillus toyonensis sp. nov. is proposed, with BCT-7112(T) (=CECT 876(T); =NCIMB 14858(T)) being designated as the type strain. In addition, a pairwise comparison between the available genomes of the whole B. cereus group by means of average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculations indicated that besides the eight classified species (including B. toyonensis), additional genomospecies could be detected, and most of them also had ANI values below 94%. ANI values were on the borderline of a species definition only in the cases of representatives of B. cereus versus B. thuringiensis, and B. mycoides and B. weihenstephanensis.

Sequencing orphan species initiative (SOS): Filling the gaps in the 16S rRNA gene sequence database for all species with validly published names.

High quality 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences from the type strains of all species with validly published names, as defined by the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria, are a prerequisite for their accurate affiliations within the global genealogical classification and for the recognition of potential new taxa. During the last few years, the Living Tree Project (LTP) has taken care to create a high quality, aligned 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequence database of all type strains. However, the manual curation of the sequence dataset and type strain information revealed that a total of 552 "orphan" species (about 5.7% of the currently classified species) had to be excluded from the reference trees. Among them, 322 type strains were not represented by an SSU entry in the public sequence repositories. The remaining 230 type strains had to be discarded due to bad sequence quality. Since 2010, the LTP team has coordinated a network of researchers and culture collections in order to improve the situation by (re)-sequencing the type strains of these "orphan" species. As a result, we can now report 351 16S rRNA gene sequences of type strains. Nevertheless, 201 species could not be sequenced because cultivable type strains were not available (121), the cultures had either been lost or were never deposited in the first place (66), or it was not possible due to other constraints (14). The International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria provides a number of mechanisms to deal with the problem of missing type strains and we recommend that due consideration be given to the appropriate mechanisms in order to help solve some of these issues.

Neoscardovia arbecensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from porcine slurries.

Three Gram-positive, anaerobic, pleomorphic strains (PG10(T), PG18 and PG22), were selected among five strains isolated from pig slurries while searching for host specific bifidobacteria to track the source of fecal pollution in water. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed a maximum identity of 94% to various species of the family Bifidobacteriaceae. However, phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and HSP60 gene sequences revealed a closer relationship of these strains to members of the recently described Aeriscardovia, Parascardovia and Scardovia genera, than to other Bifidobacterium species. The names Neoscardovia gen. nov. and Neoscardovia arbecensis sp. nov. are proposed for a new genus and for the first species belonging to this genus, respectively, and for which PG10(T) (CECT 8111(T), DSM 25737(T)) was designated as the type strain. This new species should be placed in the Bifidobacteriaceae family within the class Actinobacteria, with Aeriscardovia aeriphila being the closest relative. The prevailing cellular fatty acids were C(16:0) and C(18:1)ω9c, and the major polar lipids consisted of a variety of glycolipids, diphosphatidyl glycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, and phosphatidyl glycerol. The peptidoglycan structure was A1γmeso-Dpm-direct. The GenBank accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene and HSP60 gene sequences of strains PG10(T), PG18 and PG22 are JF519691, JF519693, JQ767128 and JQ767130, JQ767131, JQ767133, respectively.

Eficacia, eficiencia y efectividad en el tratamiento multidimensional de la esquizofrenia: proyecto Rethinking / Effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy in the multidimensional treatment of schizophrenia: rethinking project

La esquizofrenia es un síndrome clínicamente heterogéneo que afecta a múltiples dimensiones vitales del individuo. Su tratamiento requiere un abordaje multidimensional en el que se deberían tener en cuenta la eficacia (la capacidad de una intervención para obtener el resultado pretendido en condiciones ideales), la efectividad (el grado en que se obtiene el efecto pretendido en condiciones de la práctica clínica habitual) y la eficiencia (el valor de la intervención con respecto al coste para el individuo o la sociedad). En una primera fase, un grupo de 90 expertos nacionales de todos los ámbitos, desde una perspectiva multidimensional y multidisciplinar de la enfermedad, definieron los conceptos de eficacia, efectividad y eficiencia en torno a 7 dimensiones clave: síntomas; comorbilidades; recaídas y adherencia; conciencia de enfermedad y experiencia subjetiva; cognición; calidad de vida, autonomía y capacidad funcional, e inclusión. Las principales conclusiones de esta fase se presentan en este trabajo (AU)

Schizophrenia is a clinically heterogeneous syndrome affecting multiple dimensions of patients’ life. Therefore, its treatment might require a multidimensional approach that should take into account the efficacy (the ability of an intervention to get the desired result under ideal conditions), the effectiveness (the degree to which the intended effect is obtained under routine clinical practice conditions or settings) and the efficiency (value of the intervention as relative to its cost to the individual or society) of any therapeutic intervention. In a first step of the process, a group of 90 national experts from different areas of health-care and with a multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspective of the disease, defined the concepts of efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of established therapeutic interventions within 7 key dimensions of the illness: symptomatology; comorbidity; relapse and adherence; insight and subjective experience; cognition; quality of life, autonomy and functional capacity; and social inclusion and associated factors. The main conclusions and recommendations of this stage of the work are presented herein (AU)

A propósito de una nueva clasificación del embarazo a término. Resultados neonatales en una clínica de tercer nivel de atención en Cali, Colombia. Un estudio de corte transversal / In view of a new classification of term pregnancy. Neonatal outcomes in a level III clinic in Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study

Objetivo: Aplicar la clasificación del parto a término del American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG); describir la frecuencia de las diferentes categorías y hacer un análisis exploratorio de los resultados neonatales entre los grupos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron gestantes consideradas inicialmente sanas, con embarazo a término definido según última menstruación confiable y ecografía en la primera mitad de la gestación, de una clínica privada de tercer nivel, de Cali (Colombia), año 2013. Los partos se clasificaron como parto a término temprano, a término y a término tardío. Se describen las características sociodemográficas maternas y los resultados perinatales, así como la frecuencia de cada categoría; la comparación de grupos se estableció a través de análisis de varianza (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis o chi cuadrado. Resultados: De 502 nacimientos, fueron clasificados como embarazos a término temprano 200 (39,8 %), completo 254 (50,6 %) y tardío 48 (9,6 %). Hubo mayor frecuencia de aseguramiento contributivo de la madre y embarazos de alto riesgo en el grupo a término temprano. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en bajo peso al nacer y peso promedio del neonato en el grupo a término temprano, y mayor asfixia neonatal en el grupo a término tardío. No hubo diferencias en cuanto a síndrome de dificultad respiratoria y tiempo de hospitalización. Conclusión: La nueva clasificación de embarazo a término de la ACOG es factible de aplicar. La frecuencia de parto a término temprano es alta en Colombia. No se evidenciaron diferencias significativas en los resultados neonatales entre los tres grupos excepto en la asfixia neonatal, que fue mayor en el grupo a término tardío.

Objective: To apply the classification of term delivery of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, describe the frequency of the various categories, and explore neonatal outcomes among groups. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study including pregnant women considered initially healthy with a term pregnancy defined on the basis of the last reliable menstruation and ultrasound performed in the first half of the gestation period in a private, Level III clinic, in Cali, Colombia, in 2013. Deliveries were classified as early term, term and late term. Social and demographic characteristics of the mothers and perinatal outcomes are described. The frequency of each category is described and group comparisons are performed using the variance analysis (ANOVA),and the Kruskal-Wallis or Chi-square test. Results: Of 502 births, 200 (39.8 %) were classified as early term, 354 (50.6 %) as full term, and 48 (9.6 %) as late term. There was a higher frequency of contributive insurance coverage and high risk pregnancies in the early term group. Statistically significant differences were observed in terms of low birth weight and average neonatal weight in the early term group, whereas neonatal asphyxia was higher in the late term group. There were no differences in terms of respiratory distress syndrome or length of stay. Conclusion: It is feasible to apply the new ACOG term pregnancy classification. The frequency of early term delivery is high in Colombia. There was no evidence of significant differences in neonatal outcomes between the three groups except for higher neonatal asphyxia in the late term group.

The ars detoxification system is advantageous but not required for As(V) respiration by the genetically tractable Shewanella species strain ANA-3.

Arsenate [As(V); HAsO(4)(2-)] respiration by bacteria is poorly understood at the molecular level largely due to a paucity of genetically tractable organisms with this metabolic capability. We report here the isolation of a new As(V)-respiring strain (ANA-3) that is phylogenetically related to members of the genus Shewanella and that also provides a useful model system with which to explore the molecular basis of As(V) respiration. This gram-negative strain stoichiometrically couples the oxidation of lactate to acetate with the reduction of As(V) to arsenite [As(III); HAsO(2)]. The generation time and lactate molar growth yield (Y(lactate)) are 2.8 h and 10.0 g of cells mol of lactate(-1), respectively, when it is grown anaerobically on lactate and As(V). ANA-3 uses a wide variety of terminal electron acceptors, including oxygen, soluble ferric iron, oxides of iron and manganese, nitrate, fumarate, the humic acid functional analog 2,6-anthraquinone disulfonate, and thiosulfate. ANA-3 also reduces As(V) to As(III) in the presence of oxygen and resists high concentrations of As(III) (up to 10 mM) when grown under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. ANA-3 possesses an ars operon (arsDABC) that allows it to resist high levels of As(III); this operon also confers resistance to the As-sensitive strains Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and Escherichia coli AW3110. When the gene encoding the As(III) efflux pump, arsB, is inactivated in ANA-3 by a polar mutation that also eliminates the expression of arsC, which encodes an As(V) reductase, the resulting As(III)-sensitive strain still respires As(V); however, the generation time and the Y(lactate) value are two- and threefold lower, respectively, than those of the wild type. These results suggest that ArsB and ArsC may be useful for As(V)-respiring bacteria in environments where As concentrations are high, but that neither is required for respiration.