Radiation and Dust Sensor for Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer Onboard M2020 Rover.

The Radiation and Dust Sensor is one of six sensors of the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer onboard the Perseverance rover from the Mars 2020 NASA mission. Its primary goal is to characterize the airbone dust in the Mars atmosphere, inferring its concentration, shape and optical properties. Thanks to its geometry, the sensor will be capable of studying dust-lifting processes with a high temporal resolution and high spatial coverage. Thanks to its multiwavelength design, it will characterize the solar spectrum from Mars' surface. The present work describes the sensor design from the scientific and technical requirements, the qualification processes to demonstrate its endurance on Mars' surface, the calibration activities to demonstrate its performance, and its validation campaign in a representative Mars analog. As a result of this process, we obtained a very compact sensor, fully digital, with a mass below 1 kg and exceptional power consumption and data budget features.

Temporal trends of inorganic elements in a common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) population from south west Spain.

Historical variations (1966-2016) in the exposure to inorganic elements in raptors of South West Spain have been little studied. Therefore, uncertainty exists concerning whether environmental or anthropogenic inputs, as well as dietary strategy shift, may cause changes in exposure patterns. To address this gap, essential and non-essential inorganic elements were measured in Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) feathers from museum specimens and free-living individuals spanning a 50-year period. Moreover, stable isotopes of δ13C and δ15N were also measured as proxies of Common kestrel feeding ecology over time. In general, all elements showed significant increasing trends overtime, suggesting changes of inputs from local sources. Moreover, δ15N signatures were correlated to the variations in Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn concentrations, suggesting trophic changes in this kestrel population as well as possible biomagnification processes. Finally, some values of Cr, Mn and Pb were above the threshold concentrations of potential toxicity.

Metagenomic Analysis of a Biphenyl-Degrading Soil Bacterial Consortium Reveals the Metabolic Roles of Specific Populations.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread persistent pollutants that cause several adverse health effects. Aerobic bioremediation of PCBs involves the activity of either one bacterial species or a microbial consortium. Using multiple species will enhance the range of PCB congeners co-metabolized since different PCB-degrading microorganisms exhibit different substrate specificity. We have isolated a bacterial consortium by successive enrichment culture using biphenyl (analog of PCBs) as the sole carbon and energy source. This consortium is able to grow on biphenyl, benzoate, and protocatechuate. Whole-community DNA extracted from the consortium was used to analyze biodiversity by Illumina sequencing of a 16S rRNA gene amplicon library and to determine the metagenome by whole-genome shotgun Illumina sequencing. Biodiversity analysis shows that the consortium consists of 24 operational taxonomic units (≥97% identity). The consortium is dominated by strains belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, but also contains betaproteobacteria and Rhodococcus strains. whole-genome shotgun (WGS) analysis resulted in contigs containing 78.3 Mbp of sequenced DNA, representing around 65% of the expected DNA in the consortium. Bioinformatic analysis of this metagenome has identified the genes encoding the enzymes implicated in three pathways for the conversion of biphenyl to benzoate and five pathways from benzoate to tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, allowing us to model the whole biodegradation network. By genus assignment of coding sequences, we have also been able to determine that the three biphenyl to benzoate pathways are carried out by Rhodococcus strains. In turn, strains belonging to Pseudomonas and Bordetella are the main responsible of three of the benzoate to TCA pathways while the benzoate conversion into TCA cycle intermediates via benzoyl-CoA and the catechol meta-cleavage pathways are carried out by beta proteobacteria belonging to genera such as Achromobacter and Variovorax. We have isolated a Rhodococcus strain WAY2 from the consortium which contains the genes encoding the three biphenyl to benzoate pathways indicating that this strain is responsible for all the biphenyl to benzoate transformations. The presented results show that metagenomic analysis of consortia allows the identification of bacteria active in biodegradation processes and the assignment of specific reactions and pathways to specific bacterial groups.

The role of density-dependence regulation in the misleading effect of the Aznalcollar mining spill on the booted eagle fecundity.

The aim of this study was to assess the exposure and potential effects of the toxic elements released by the Aznalcollar spillage on the fecundity of the booted eagle (Hieraetus pennatus) population of Doñana National Park. We measured As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb and Tl levels in the blood of 24 individuals after the accident and also used data of reproductive performance of the species from 1976 to 2000. While As, Sb and Tl were below their detection limits and only 3 samples were above detection limit for Cd (0.02-0.04µg/dl), mean levels of Cu, Zn and Pb (µg/dl) were found to be 38.736, 532.937 and 0.719, respectively, in fledglings; and 66.112, 652.571 and 1.825, respectively, in adults. These levels were higher in adults, but they did not differ significantly between age classes and were at safe levels. In addition, a positive relationship between relative fecundity and the combination of Cu, Zn and Pb was observed. Following the mining spill, the mean population fecundity was lower (0.536 fledglings per pair in the population) than before (1.093). However, the decrease in fecundity over time was also related to the increase of breeding pairs, suggesting a density-dependent regulation and nullifying the mining spillage effect. Thus, although raptors have proved to be highly valuable biomonitors of environmental pollution, we must be especially cautious and go beyond the apparent effects that sometimes we quickly believe to detect, leading us to reach mistaken conclusions that could affect our management plans.

Pseudomonas putida as a platform for the synthesis of aromatic compounds.

Aromatic compounds such as l-phenylalanine, 2-phenylethanol and trans-cinnamate are aromatic compounds of industrial interest. Current trends support replacement of chemical synthesis of these compounds by 'green' alternatives produced in microbial cell factories. The solvent-tolerant Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E strain was genetically modified to produce up to 1 g l-1 of l-phenylalanine. In order to engineer this strain, we carried out the following stepwise process: (1) we selected random mutants that are resistant to toxic phenylalanine analogues; (2) we then deleted up to five genes belonging to phenylalanine metabolism pathways, which greatly diminished the internal metabolism of phenylalanine; and (3) in these mutants, we overexpressed the pheAfbr gene, which encodes a recombinant variant of PheA that is insensitive to feedback inhibition by phenylalanine. Furthermore, by introducing new genes, we were able to further extend the diversity of compounds produced. Introduction of histidinol phosphate transferase (PP_0967), phenylpyruvate decarboxylase (kdc) and an alcohol dehydrogenase (adh) enabled the strain to produce up to 180 mg l-1 2-phenylethanol. When phenylalanine ammonia lyase (pal) was introduced, the resulting strain produced up to 200 mg l-1 of trans-cinnamate. These results demonstrate that P. putida can serve as a promising microbial cell factory for the production of l-phenylalanine and related compounds.

Eficacia de la intervención farmacéutica en pacientes polimedicados / No disponible

Introducción: La morbilidad y mortalidad relacionada con los medicamentos constituye un gran problema sanitario que generan importantes costes a la administración sanitaria. La posibilidad de sufrir algún problema derivado del uso de los medicamentos (PRM) es mayor cuanto más consume el paciente. Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia de la intervención farmacéutica en pacientes polimedicados incluidos en un programa de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico (SFT) en la resolución de problemas derivados de los medicamentos (PRM) y mejora de los resultados de la farmacoterapia de los pacientes incluidos en el estudio. Diseño: Estudio cuasi-experimental, de intervención antes-después. Pacientes: 41 pacientes, adultos mayores polimedicados, que padecen al menos una enfermedad crónica. Metodología: Seguimiento farmacoterapéutico según Programa Dáder. Conclusiones: El programa de SFT en pacientes polimedicados ha demostrado su utilidad al haber detectado una media de 1.6 PRM por paciente. Se resuelven un 65.6 % de PRM encontrados. Se ha potenciado la comunicación con otros profesionales implicados en la atención al paciente (AU)

Introduction: Morbidity and mortality related with drugs constitute huge sanitary problems which suppose important costs to Health Administration. Furthermore, the possibility of suffering drug related problems (DRP) is as much high as the patient consume is higher. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of pharmaceutical intervention in polypharmacy patients includes in a Pharmaceutical Care Program (PCP), studying the resolution of DRP and the improvement in pharmacotherapy results over the patients included in this study. Design: Quasi-experimental study, before and after intervention. Patients: 41 patients, older adult polypharmacy patients, who suffer, at least, one chronic disease. Methodology: Dáder program. Conclusions: The program of Pharmacotherapeutic Service on polypharmacy patients has demonstrated being useful so that a medium of 1.6 DRP has been detected. A 65.6% of DRP have been solved. Communication between different professionals implicated in patient care has been increased (AU)

Mefartabac: Programa médicofarmacéutico de tratamiento del tabaquismo. Protocolo y metodología de trabajo en la farmacia comunitaria / No disponible

Mefartabac es un programa de colaboración entre médicos y farmacéuticos para la deshabituación tabáquica. Es un estudio prospectivo, observacional, abierto y no controlado, donde el farmacéutico informa al paciente sobre los perjuicios del tabaco para su salud y sobre las alternativas terapéuticas para la deshabituación. También realiza seguimiento de la medicación, para alcanzar la máxima efectividad y seguridad de la farmacoterapia. Objetivos: El principal objetivo es evaluar la eficacia comparada de las distintas terapias: TSN (Terapia Sustitutiva con Nicotina), Bupropión y psicoterapia asociada o no a la medicación. También se lleva el Seguimiento de la Medicación, se controla el cumplimiento de la terapia farmacológica y se valora la utilidad y comodidad del tratamiento por parte del fumador. Pacientes y métodos: Se contemplan 5 grupos en función del tratamiento: A) TSN: parches transdérmicos de 16 ó 24 horas. B) Bupropión (150 o 300 mg/día). C) TSN asociada a psicoterapia. D) Bupropión asociado a psicoterapia. E) Psicoterapia. Los grupos A y B son seguidos en la Farmacia y los grupos C, D y E, que incluyen psicoterapia, en las Unidades Médicas. El seguimiento incluye 4 visitas semanales durante el primer mes y continúa con visitas a los 2, 3, 6, 9 y 12 meses. Criterios de Valoración de Resultados: Eficacia del Tratamientos. Éxito: sujetos que se mantienen sin fumar y tienen valores de CO inferior o igual a 5 ppm. Reducción: disminución del número de cigarrillos en 50% y de CO en 25%. Fracaso: sujetos que fuman y los valores de CO son superiores a 5 ppm. Seguimiento de la Medicación: se cuantifica el número de PRMs y su distribución en los diferentes tipos, el porcentaje de PRMs resueltos y el tipo de comunicación empleada. Cumplimiento de la Medicación expresado en porcentajes. Utilidad y Comodidad del tratamiento: muy, bastante, moderado, poco y nada (AU)

Mefartabac is a smoking-cessation program carried out by a medical-pharmaceutical collaboration. This program consists in a prospective and observational study, open and not controlled, where the pharmaceutical not only inform the patients about the risks of tobacco for health, but about the therapeutic alternatives for smoking-cessation. The program performs also a follow-up of the treatment to manage the highest effectiveness and security of the pharmacotherapy. Objectives: The main objective is to assess the comparative effectiveness of different therapies: NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), Bupropion and psychotherapy associated or not to the treatment. A follow-up of the treatment with a control of the completion of the pharmacological therapy was carried out. In the same way, the study evaluates the utility and the comfort of the treatment by the smoker. Patients and methods: Five experimental groups were designed for the study according to the treatment: A) NRT (nicotine transdermicpatch of 16 or 24 hours), Bupropion (150 or 300 mg/day). C) NRT associated to psycho-therapy. D) Bupropion associated to psycho-therapy. E) Psycho-therapy. Groups A and B are followed-up in the community pharmacy and groups C, D and E, including psycho-therapy in the medical units. The follow-up includes four weekly visits during the first month and new visits are established in the months, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 during the year. Criteria for evaluation of results: Effectiveness of the treatment. Success: subjects able to stop smoking and showing values of CO £ 5 ppm. Reduction: decrease in the number of cigarettes consumption in 50% and the values of CO in 25%. Failure: patients who continue to smoke and showing values of CO > 5 ppm. Follow-up of the treatment: a quantification of the number of DRPs (drug relations problems) and its distribution in the different types are performed, besides, the percentage of DRPs solved and the type of the communication used are evaluated. Medication completion: expressed in percentages. Utility and comfort of the treatment: very, enough, moderate, little and nothing (AU)