Unveiling potential of promising filamentous microalga Klebsormidium cf. nitens: Shear stress resilience and carotenoid-fatty acid dynamics in tubular photobioreactor.

In this study, the effects of shear stress and different culture media on the growth of the filamentous microalga Klebsormidium cf. nitens were studied. The microalga's growth, carotenoids and fatty acids were further evaluated in a pump-driven tubular photobioreactor. The results show that this microalga had the ability to withstand high shear stress and the adaptability to grow in a culture medium that lacks certain trace elements. K. cf. nitens grew consistently in the tubular photobioreactor at different average light intensities although it did not grow well in a tall bubble column. The carotenoid analysis revealed that the xanthophyll cycle was activated to protect the cell photosynthetic system. The fatty acids increased with irradiance, with linoleic acid (C18:2n6) making up over 50 % of the total fatty acids. This study supports the potential of employing pump-driven tubular photobioreactors to produce the filamentous microalga K. cf nitens at the large scale.

Ecophysiological responses of Ostreopsis towards temperature: A case study of benthic HAB facing ocean warming.

Reports of the benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis spp. have been increasing in the last decades, especially in temperate areas. In a context of global warming, evidences of the effects of increasing sea temperatures on its physiology and its distribution are still lacking and need to be investigated. In this study, the influence of temperature on growth, ecophysiology and toxicity was assessed for several strains of O. cf. siamensis from the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic) and O. cf. ovata from NW Mediterranean Sea. Cultures were acclimated to temperatures ranging from 14.5 °C to 32 °C in order to study the whole range of each strain-specific thermal niche. Acclimation was successful for temperatures ranging from 14.5 °C to 25 °C for O. cf. siamensis and from 19 °C to 32 °C for O. cf. ovata, with the highest growth rates measured at 22 °C (0.54-1.06 d-1) and 28 °C (0.52-0.75 d-1), respectively. The analysis of cellular content of pigments and lipids revealed some aspects of thermal acclimation processes in Ostreopsis cells. Specific capacities of O. cf. siamensis to cope with stress of cold temperatures were linked with the activation of a xanthophyll cycle based on diadinoxanthin. Lipids (neutral reserve lipids and polar ones) also revealed species-specific variations, with increases in cellular content noted under extreme temperature conditions. Variations in toxicity were assessed through the Artemia franciscana bioassay. For both species, a decrease in toxicity was observed when temperature dropped under the optimal temperature for growth. No PLTX-like compounds were detected in O. cf. siamensis strains. Thus, the main part of the lethal effect observed on A. franciscana was dependent on currently unknown compounds. From a multiclonal approach, this work allowed for defining specificities in the thermal niche and acclimation strategies of O. cf. siamensis and O. cf. ovata towards temperature. Potential impacts of climate change on the toxic risk associated with Ostreopsis blooms in both NW Mediterranean Sea and NE Atlantic coast is further discussed, taking into account variations in the geographic distribution, growth abilities and toxicity of each species.

Assessment of the marine microalga Chrysochromulina rotalis as bioactive feedstock cultured in an easy-to-deploy light-emitting-diode-based tubular photobioreactor.

Marine microalgae have potential to be low-cost raw materials. This depends on the exploitation of different biomass fractions for high-value products, including unique compounds. Chrysochromulina rotalis, an under-explored haptophyte with promising properties, was the focus of this study. For the first time, C. rotalis was successfully cultivated in an 80 L tubular photobioreactor, illuminated by an easy-to-use light-emitting-diode-based system. C. rotalis grew without certain trace elements and showed adaptability to different phosphorus sources, allowing a significant reduction in the N:P ratio without compromising biomass yield and productivity. The design features of the photobioreactor provided a protective environment that ensured consistent biomass production from this shear-sensitive microalgae. Carotenoid analysis showed fucoxanthin and its derivatives as major components, with essential fatty acids making up a significant proportion of the total. The study emphasizes the tubular photobioreactor's role in sustainable biomass production for biorefineries, with C. rotalis as a valuable bioactive feedstock.

Data on the Amphidinium carterae Dn241EHU isolation and morphological and molecular characterization.

We present the data corresponding to the isolation and morphological and molecular characterization of a strain of Amphidinium carterae, isolated in Mallorca Island waters and now deposited in the microalgae culture collection of the Plant Biology and Ecology Department of the University of the Basque Country under the reference Dn241Ehu. The morphological characterization was made using two different techniques of microscopy and the molecular characterization by using the 28S rDNA sequences of D1 and D2 domains. This strain has been used for a culture study in an indoor LED-lighted pilot-scale raceway to determine its production of carotenoids and fatty acids, "Long-term culture of the marine dinoflagellate microalga Amphidinium carterae in an indoor LED-lighted raceway photobioreactor: Production of carotenoids and fatty acids." (Molina-Miras et al., 2018) [1].

Vitamin D, Pit-1, GH, and PRL: possible roles in breast cancer development.

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)], the most active metabolite of vitamin D, exerts its biological effects by binding to a specific intracellular receptor (the vitamin D receptor, VDR) present in target cells. 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) is involved in a host of cell processes, including calcium homeostasis, cell growth and differentiation, and secretion of hormones. Several studies have explored the role of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) in cell growth and differentiation in normal and tumoral mammary gland, in which it shows antiproliferative effects. These effects have been attributed to suppression of growth-stimulatory signals and potentiation of growth-inhibitory signals, leading to changes in cell-cycle regulators as well as to induction of apoptosis. In apparent contrast to these antiproliferative effects, however, several studies have suggested that breast tumor formation may be related to the autocrine/paracrine effects of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL). The pituitary transcription factor-1 (Pit-1), which in the pituitary is critical to both cell differentiation and PRL and GH transcription, has been recently found in normal and tumoral human breast tissue, with mRNA expression levels significantly higher in tumors than in normal breast. As in the pituitary, Pit-1 regulates mammary GH and PRL secretion, increases cell proliferation and decreases apoptosis. 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) administration to the MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line significantly reduces Pit-1 expression, suggesting that inhibition of Pit-1 expression by 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) may reduce the increase in proliferation induced by this transcription factor directly or indirectly through increased GH and/or PRL expression. In this review, we evaluate the role of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) and Pit-1/PRL/GH in human breast, and consider the relationships between these factors in normal mammary development and in breast cancer.

Efectividad de la realidad virtual y los videojuegos sobre el control postural y equilibrio en población infantil con parálisis cerebral en el ámbito de la Atención Temprana. Revisión sistemática / Effectiveness of virtual reality and video games on postural control and balance in children with cerebral palsy in Early Intervention. Systematic review

Antecedentes y objetivo: Las alteraciones motoras de la parálisis cerebral generan alteraciones del control postural y equilibrio. Los videojuegos y la realidad virtual trabajan sobre esos aspectos lúdicamente. El objetivo fue evaluar su efectividad en el control postural y equilibrio en población infantil con parálisis cerebral en Atención Temprana. Material y métodos: Entre enero y febrero del 2021 se realizó la búsqueda de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y sin grupo control en Epistemonikos, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, PEDro y Dialnet. Se revisó la bibliografía de guías clínicas, revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis. Se complementó con las revistas Fisioterapia, Cuestiones de Fisioterapia y Pediatric Physical Therapy. Tras la elección de artículos utilizándose la Declaración PRISMA, se analizó su calidad con las escalas CONSORT, TREND y SIGN. Resultados: Se incluyeron 16 estudios que evaluaban el control postural, equilibrio y función motora gruesa en población infantil entre 3 y 13 años con parálisis cerebral. La realidad virtual utilizada fue: Wii, XBOX, PlayStation2, TYROMOTION y ordenador. Los estudios obtuvieron mejoras significativas en variables que median el control postural, equilibrio y función motora gruesa al finalizar y se mantuvieron 4-8 semanas. No indicaron efectos adversos reseñables. La calidad fue variable incluyéndose estudios 1+ y 1− de la escala SIGN. Conclusiones: Los estudios reportan cierto grado de efectividad en la mejora del control postural y equilibrio en población infantil con parálisis cerebral en diferentes rangos de edad. Son necesarios estudios con mayor muestra, calidad y población centrada en Atención Temprana para generalizar estos resultados. (AU)

Background and objective: Motor disorders in cerebral palsy cause alterations in postural control and balance. Video games and virtual reality work on these aspects in a playful way. The objective was to evaluate their effectiveness on postural control and balance in children with cerebral palsy in Early Intervention.Material and methods: Between January and February 2021 we searched in Epistemonikos, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, PEDro and Dialnet for randomised clinical trials and trials without a control group. Bibliographies of clinical guidelines, systematic reviews and meta-analyses were reviewed. It was complemented with the journals Fisioterapia, Cuestiones de Fisioterapia and Pediatric Physical Therapy. We use PRISMA Statement. After selecting articles, their quality was analysed using CONSORT, TREND and SIGN scales.Results: Sixteen studies were included that assessed postural control, balance and gross motor function in children aged 3–13 years with cerebral palsy. The virtual reality used was Wii, XBOX, PlayStation2, TYROMOTION and computer. The studies showed significant improvements in variables that evaluate postural control, balance and gross motor function at the end and maintained for 4–8 weeks. Motivation and participation levels increased. No notable adverse effects were reported. Quality was variable, including 1+ and 1− on the SIGN scale.Conclusions: Studies report a certain degree of effectiveness in improving postural control and balance in children with cerebral palsy in different age ranges. Studies with a larger sample, quality and a study population focused on Early Intervention are needed to generalise these results. (AU)

Breast cancer dissemination promoted by a neuregulin-collagenase 3 signalling node.

Advances in the treatment of breast cancer have resulted in increased survival. However, in the metastatic setting, the disease remains incurable. Therefore, understanding of the mechanisms that promote dissemination of breast cancer cells may favor the development of novel therapeutic strategies to fight those tumors. Here, we show that the ErbB ligands, Neuregulins (NRGs), promote metastatic dissemination of breast cancer cells by switching on a kinase-metalloproteinase network. Clinicopathological analyses demonstrated that NRG expression in breast tumors associated to lymph node invasion and poor patient outcome. Preclinical in vivo analyses showed that NRG expression favored in situ tumor growth, local spreading and metastatic dissemination. Genomic, biochemical and functional studies identified matrix metalloproteinases, particularly stromelysin 2 and collagenase 3, as key mediators of the NRG-induced dissemination properties of breast cancer cells. Mechanistic analyses demonstrated that NRG augmented metalloproteinase expression through a route controlled by ERK1/2 kinases. ERK1/2 increased collagenase 3 expression by controlling the activity of an SBF1-related transcription factor. In conclusion, we describe a pathway linked to breast cancer dissemination. The clinical availability of agents that target some of the components of this signalling pathway suggests that patients with tumors fed by NRGs or other factors able to activate the ERK-Collagenase 3 route may benefit from agents that act on that signalling axis.

Pit-1 is expressed in normal and tumorous human breast and regulates GH secretion and cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND: The transcription factor pituitary-1 (Pit-1) is mainly expressed in the pituitary gland, where it has critical roles in cell differentiation and as a transcriptional factor for GH and prolactin (PRL). It is also expressed in human extrapituitary tissues (placenta, lymphoid and haematopoietic tissues) and cell lines (human breast adenocarcinoma cells, MCF-7). Despite the widely suggested roles of GH and PRL in the progression of proliferative mammary disorders, Pit-1 expression in human mammary gland has not yet been reported. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of Pit-1 in human breast and, using the MCF-7 cell line, to investigate whether Pit-1 overexpression regulates GH expression and increases cell proliferation. METHODS: Using real-time RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the expression of Pit-1 mRNA and protein in seven normal human breasts and 14 invasive ductal mammary carcinomas. GH regulation by Pit-1 in MCF-7 cells was evaluated using RT-PCR, western blotting, ELISA and transfection assays. Cell proliferation was evaluated using bromodeoxyuridine. RESULTS: We found expression of Pit-1 mRNA and protein in both normal and tumorous human breast. We also found that Pit-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in breast carcinoma compared with normal breast. In MCF-7 cells, Pit-1 overexpression increased GH mRNA and protein concentrations and significantly increased cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that Pit-1 is expressed in human breast, that it regulates endogenous human mammary GH secretion, and that it increases cell proliferation. This suggests that, depending on its level of expression, Pit-1 may be involved in normal mammary development, breast disorders, or both.

Effects of fish-derived lipoprotein extracts on activation markers, Fas expression and apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Several factors may influence numbers and function of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) by different processes. We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of E-CAB-94011 and E-JUR-94013, two marine fish extracts from S. scombrus and T. trachurus, respectively, on in vitro PBLs activation and on the expression and functionality of Fas, a cell surface molecule that plays a central role in immune homeostasis and cytotoxic activity. PBLs from 24 healthy volunteers were isolated and flow cytometry was performed to measure the state of activation, Fas expression and apoptosis of PBLs. Functionality of Fas was tested by assessing apoptosis after incubation of isolated lymphocytes with agonistic anti-Fas antibodies in blood samples treated with both E-CAB-94011 and E-JUR-94013. Studies on the lymphocyte cell marker suggest a clear immune activation as measured by the increased levels of CD25, CD8, CD38, CD19 and HLA-DR in vitro expression on lymphocytes treated with both extracts. In addition, a significant reduction in the percentages of apoptotic CD19(+)CD38(+) double positive lymphocytes could be demonstrated in the treated samples with respect to controls (p<0.05). Therefore the present results indicate that both E-CAB-94011 and E-JUR-94013 in vitro are powerful immunoregulatory, increasing immune surveillance.

Acidification-neutralization processes in a lignite mine spoil amended with fly ash or limestone.

A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the longterm effects of amending sulfide-rich lignite mine spoil with fly ash (originating from a coal-fired power station and largely comprised of aluminosilicates) and/or agricultural limestone. The experiment was carried out with soil moisture maintained at field capacity or alternate cycles of wetting and drying. Results obtained suggest that the principal acidification processes were oxidation of sulfide and formation of hydroxysulfate (FeOHSO4), whereas the main neutralization processes were weathering of aluminosilicates in fly ash-treated samples and dissolution of calcium carbonate in limestone-treated samples. The highest dose of limestone rapidly raised the pH of the spoil, but this increase was not maintained throughout the one-year experiment. In contrast, fly ash-treated samples showed a more sustained increase in pH, attributable to the gradual weathering of aluminosilicates. The best results (i.e., good short- and long-term neutralization) were obtained in samples treated with both fly ash and limestone. The low liming capacity of the fly ash (47.85 cmol kg(-1)) means that it must be used in large quantities, an advantage in achieving the further aim of disposing of the fly ash.

Association between APOE epsilon4 allele and increased expression of CD95 on T cells from patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by progressive impairment of cognitive functions. AD has a strong and complex genetic etiology, and multiple genes, acting independently and/or interacting, likely to influence the risk of developing AD. To test whether the expression of Fas receptor is upregulated in peripheral blood T lymphocytes and whether or not it correlates with APOE genotypes, 88 patients with AD and 24 normal individuals as controls were included in this study. T lymphocytes from patients as opposed to controls did undergo DNA fragmentation after in vitro exposure to IgM anti-Fas. In addition, several activation markers (CD25, HLA-DR, and CD45R0) were increased after 72 h in culture with respect to the controls, and Fas expression was also significantly different from the control group (p < 0.01). Reverse transcription PCR for Fas mRNA yielded the same results. T cells from both patients and controls showed upregulation of Fas receptor expression after in vitro anti-CD3 stimulation. Co-culture experiments with interleukin-4 downmodulated surface Fas receptor expression on T cells from patients and at a lesser extent in the control group. AD patients with the APOE allele 4 showed an increased expression of CD95 (53% +/- 6) with respect to APOE allele 3 (38% +/- 4). The control group showed a 22% +/- 3 (allele 4) and 31% +/- 5 (allele 3), respectively. Hyperexpression of Fas mRNA and surface Fas receptor on CD45RO(+) T lymphocytes may explain the occurrence of inflammatory cellular infiltrates in the CNS of AD patients.