Assessing the long-term adverse effects of aluminium nanoparticles on freshwater phytoplankton using isolated-species and microalgal communities.

The physicochemical properties of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (AlO-NPs or AlNPs) allow them to remain suspended in water for extended periods. Despite this, AlNPs are one of the least studied types of metal nanoparticles and pose a significant risk to aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, it is essential to understand the toxic mechanisms of AlNPs on microalgae and cyanobacteria, as they can have adverse effects on the entire aquatic food web.

Mitigating flood risk and environmental change in show caves: Key challenges in the management of the Las Güixas cave (Pyrenees, Spain).

A successful management of a show cave requires knowledge of cave dynamics and the main risk factors. Show caves close to the water table are prone to sporadic flooding, which can threaten visitor safety and result in severe economic losses. Las Güixas cave, located in the Collarada Massif (Pyrenees - Spain), is representative of a show cave close to the water table that is exposed to energetic flash floods.

Response surface methology for enzymatic ultrasound assisted sp-ICP-MS assessment of cuonps in seafood: Occurrence and bioaccumulation.

A novel approach for a reliable extraction and analytical characterization of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) at trace levels on seafood samples was tuned up using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS). Variables for enzymatic extraction of CuONPs were optimised via response surface methodology (RSM) analysis, to maximize both the extracted CuONPs mass and number concentrations without altering their native size and morphology. Analytical performance features of the whole (enzymatic ultrasound-assisted/sp-ICP-MS) approach were thoroughly evaluated.

Liquid-nitrogen-free CTAB DNA extraction method from silica-dried specimens for next-generation sequencing and assembly.

Next-generation sequencing requires intact and high-quality DNA. However, typical liquid-nitrogen DNA extraction methods are expensive and not practical for field sample collections. Hence, we present a cost-effective method for DNA extraction from silica-dried leaf samples, eliminating the need for liquid nitrogen.

Level of self-efficacy among skill-based allied health students in the University of Santo Tomas-Enriched Virtual Mode of learning: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Self-efficacy expresses a learner's perception of how well they can do in the online academic setting. Although students' academic successes can be measured by online learning self-efficacy, there is a scarcity of evidence targeted toward allied health students.

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to determine the level of online self-efficacy among students from skill-based allied health programs.

New dockside eDNA based protocol to detect the seaweed Asparagopsis armata evaluated by stakeholders.

Early detection of invasive species is crucial to deal effectively with biological invasions in ports, which are hotspots of species introductions. In this study, a simplified end-time PCR methodology conducted on eDNA from water samples was developed for rapid detection of the invasive seaweed Asparagopsis armata (four hours from water collection to result visualization). It was tested dockside in four international Spanish ports in presence of stakeholders, whose feedback was obtained to explore the real applicability of this biotechnology.

Engineered living materials for the conversion of a low-cost food-grade precursor to a high-value flavonoid.

Microbial biofactories allow the upscaled production of high-value compounds in biotechnological processes. This is particularly advantageous for compounds like flavonoids that promote better health through their antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and other beneficial effects but are produced in small quantities in their natural plant-based hosts. Bacteria like have been genetically modified with enzyme cascades to produce flavonoids like naringenin and pinocembrin from coumaric or cinnamic acid.

Adverse effects of iron-based nanoparticles on freshwater phytoplankton Scenedesmus armatus and Microcystis aeruginosa strains.

Zero-valent nano-iron particles (nZVI) are increasingly present in freshwater aquatic environments due to their numerous applications in environmental remediation. However, despite the broad benefits associated with the use and development of nZVI nanoparticles, the potential risks of introducing them into the aquatic environment need to be considered. Special attention should be focused on primary producer organisms, the basal trophic level, whose impact affects the rest of the food web.

The complete chloroplast genome of (L.) Roxb., an important medicinal plant from the Philippines.

, a flowering shrub, is widely cultivated in the Philippines for its anti-fungal properties. Despite this, its chloroplast genome is not yet established. We assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast genome of accession from the germplasm collection of the Institute of Crop Science, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, using Illumina sequencing data.

The hidden microbial ecosystem in the perennial ice from a Pyrenean ice cave.

Over the last years, perennial ice deposits located within caves have awakened interest as places to study microbial communities since they represent unique cryospheric archives of climate change. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the temperature has gradually increased, and it is estimated that by the end of this century the increase in average temperature could be around 4.0°C.

γ-Cyclodextrin-graphene quantum dots-chitosan modified screen-printed electrode for sensing of fluoroquinolones.

An innovative electrochemical approach based on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) functionalized with γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and assembled to chitosan (CHI) is designed for the assessment of the total content of fluoroquinolones (FQs) in animal source products. For the design of the bionanocomposite, carboxylated graphene quantum dots synthesized from uric acid as precursor were functionalized with γ-CD using succinic acid as a linker. Physic-chemical and nanostructural characterization of the ensuing nanoparticles was performed by high-resolution transmission scanning microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Z potential measurement, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

The complete chloroplast genome of 'biasong' ( Wester), a native species from the Southern Philippines.

'Biasong' (), native to the Southern Philippine Islands, is an important cultivated fruit tree but has no published plastome sequence. We assembled and characterized the chloroplast genome from accession in the germplasm collection of the Institute of Crop Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence is 159,928-bp long with 128 coding genes comprising 83 mRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes.

Missing Care: the Initial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on CKD Care Delivery.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition with adverse health outcomes addressable by early disease management. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care utilization for the CKD population is unknown.

Objective: To examine pandemic CKD care and identify factors associated with a high care deficit.

How can school help victims of violence? Evaluation of online training for European schools' staff from a multidisciplinary approach.

The interventions used to prevent or treat violence against children, particularly sexual abuse, tend to only consider the target audience as their main source of data. We tested the effect of an online training for school staff members in Europe through three studies. In Study I, we interviewed 5 adult women (Mage = 49.

A Photochemoenzymatic Hunsdiecker-Borodin-Type Halodecarboxylation of Ferulic Acid.

A photochemoenzymatic halodecarboxylation of ferulic acid was achieved using vanadate-dependent chloroperoxidase as (bio)catalyst and oxygen and organic solvent as sole stoichiometric reagents in a biphasic system. Performance and selectivity were improved through a phase transfer catalyst, reaching a turnover number of 660.000 for the enzyme.

The complete chloroplast genome of L. (Lamiaceae).

The three-leaved chaste tree () is a medicinal and ornamental plant widely distributed from East Africa to the Pacific but has no complete chloroplast genome sequence. We assembled and characterized the accession from the germplasm collection of the Institute of Crop Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños. The complete plastome sequence is 154,444-bp long with 131 coding genes comprising 87 mRNA genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes.

Glacial Ice Age Shapes Microbiome Composition in a Receding Southern European Glacier.

Glaciers and their microbiomes are exceptional witnesses of the environmental conditions from remote times. Climate change is threatening mountain glaciers, and especially those found in southern Europe, such as the Monte Perdido Glacier (northern Spain, Central Pyrenees). This study focuses on the reconstruction of the history of microbial communities over time.

Prediction of the impact induced by Cd in binary interactions with other divalent metals on wild-type and Cd-resistant strains of Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides.

The metals present in freshwater have a toxic profile with bioaccumulation and are biomagnified along the aquatic food chain. The metals induce high sensitivity in most aquatic organisms, while others, such as some microalgae species, evolve towards resistance. Therefore, this research predicted through the Combination Index method the binary interaction exposed to divalent metals by inhibiting population growth in a Cd-resistant strain (Dc) compared to the wild-type strain (Dc1M) of Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides and evaluate the specific resistance level obtained by Dc to Cd relative to other divalent metals.

Innovative and versatile nanoplasmonic approach for the full sensing of proteinogenic aminoacids in nutritional supplements.

A current nourishment issue is the development of smart and reliable analytical strategies to control in a simple way main bioactive compounds of nutritional supplements whose increasing use is deemed a trend nowadays. With this aim a quick and highly sensitive plasmonic sensor using simple citrate coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as optical probe, was developed for both qualitative and quantitative global assessment of all the proteinogenic amino acids in nutritional supplements. AuNPs of five different sizes (from 19 to 74 nm) were synthesized, characterized and evaluated as optimal transductor element for the sensing approach.

Clinical and Laboratory Features in Anti-NF155 Autoimmune Nodopathy.

Background And Objectives: To study the clinical and laboratory features of antineurofascin-155 (NF155)-positive autoimmune nodopathy (AN).

Methods: Patients with anti-NF155 antibodies detected on routine immunologic testing were included. Clinical characteristics, treatment response, and functional scales (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] and Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale [I-RODS]) were retrospectively collected at baseline and at the follow-up.

Potential microplastics impacts on African fishing resources.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is increasing worldwide and affecting aquatic fauna in different ways, which endangers current aquatic resources in a still unknown extent. MP-induced threats to marine fauna are critical for developing countries, where waste treatment may be not optimal and coastal communities rely heavily on marine resources for dietary protein. In this study, we assess the importance of MP pollution for African fishing resources.

Building on gAMBI in ports for a challenging biological invasions scenario: Blue-gNIS as a proof of concept.

The status of aquatic ecosystems has historically been monitored by the use of biotic indices. However, few biotic measures consider the presence of non-indigenous species as a sign of anthropogenic pollution and habitat disturbance even when this may seriously affect the metric scores and ecological status classifications of an environment. Today, biological invasions are currently one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and sustainable blue economies around the world.

Timing and structure of the Younger Dryas event and its underlying climate dynamics.

The Younger Dryas (YD), arguably the most widely studied millennial-scale extreme climate event, was characterized by diverse hydroclimate shifts globally and severe cooling at high northern latitudes that abruptly punctuated the warming trend from the last glacial to the present interglacial. To date, a precise understanding of its trigger, propagation, and termination remains elusive. Here, we present speleothem oxygen-isotope data that, in concert with other proxy records, allow us to quantify the timing of the YD onset and termination at an unprecedented subcentennial temporal precision across the North Atlantic, Asian Monsoon-Westerlies, and South American Monsoon regions.