BUSCADOR RECOLECTA

We have previously shown that an HIV vaccine regimen including three doses of HIV-modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector expressing HIV-1 antigens from clade B (MVA-B) was safe and elicited moderate and durable (1 year) T-cell and antibody responses in 75% and 95% of HIV-negative volunteers (n = 24), respectively (RISVAC02 study). Here, we describe the long-term durability of vaccine-induced responses and the safety and immunogenicity of an additional MVA-B boost., Peer reviewed

The use of non-invasive methodology, which does not cause damage or alterations on benthic communities, is particularly necessary in vulnerable ecosystem studies and Marine Protected Areas (MPA) monitoring. The European directives on protection and the OSPAR Commission described the habitats structured by sessile species of great size, such as corals or sponges, as particularly vulnerable habitats requiring special protection. The knowledge of population structures as indicators of their state of health is a requirement to improve the management programs. The presence of gorgonian forests and deep-sea sponge aggregations in the Le Danois Bank was the cause of it declaration by the Ministry of the Environment as "El Cachucho” MPA, being included in the Natura 2000 network. Currently being performed follow-up surveys to know their conservation status. This study presents methodology and first results obtained in the analysis of the video transects acquired in ‘El Cachucho’ MPA, during the ESMAREC survey using the ROTV Politolana underwater towed vehicle. Video was recorded to pilot the ROTV, so characteristics of video camera were not specifically designed for monitoring the habitats. But recent developments in specific software of photogrammetric image analysis have allowed extracting valuable information of these video transects. The outputs of the photogrammetric approach include products such as geo-referenced orthomosaic, Digital Surface Model (DSM) and point cloud (XYZ). These data show the possibility to evaluate the size and morphology (including 3D analysis) of the vulnerable species in the area, as the gorgonians Paramuricea placomus and Callogorgia verticillata and the sponges Asconema setubalense and Geodia megastrella. The non-invasive growth rate studies need a set of measurement, fan height, fan width, and others. This methodology will make easier future studies about age and rate of growth of these species and population structure in the zone.

Maitotoxins (MTXs) are among the most potent toxins known. These toxins are produced by epi-benthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa and may play a role in causing the symptoms associated with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning. A recent survey revealed that, of the species tested, the newly described species from the Canary Islands, G. excentricus, is one of the most maitotoxic. The goal of the present study was to characterize MTX-related compounds produced by this species. Initially, lysates of cells from two Canary Island G. excentricus strains VGO791 and VGO792 were partially purified by (i) liquid-liquid partitioning between dichloromethane and aqueous methanol followed by (ii) size-exclusion chromatography. Fractions from chromatographic separation were screened for MTX toxicity using both the neuroblastoma neuro-2a (N2a) cytotoxicity and Ca2+ flux functional assays. Fractions containing MTX activity were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to pinpoint potential MTX analogs. Subsequent non-targeted HRMS analysis permitted the identification of a novel MTX analog, maitotoxin-4 (MTX4, accurate mono-isotopic mass of 3292.4860 Da, as free acid form) in the most toxic fractions. HRMS/MS spectra of MTX4 as well as of MTX are presented. In addition, crude methanolic extracts of five other strains of G. excentricus and 37 other strains representing one Fukuyoa species and ten species, one ribotype and one undetermined strain/species of Gambierdiscus were screened for the presence of MTXs using low resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LRMS/MS). This targeted analysis indicated the original maitotoxin (MTX) was only present in one strain (G. australes S080911_1). Putative maitotoxin-2 (p-MTX2) and maitotoxin-3 (p-MTX3) were identified in several other species, but confirmation was not possible because of the lack of reference material. Maitotoxin-4 was detected in all seven strains of G. excentricus examined, independently of their origin (Brazil, Canary Islands and Caribbean), and not detected in any other species. MTX4 may therefore serve as a biomarker for the highly toxic G. excentricus in the Atlantic area.

Maitotoxins (MTXs) are among the most potent toxins known. These toxins are produced by epi-benthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa and may play a role in causing the symptoms associated with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning. A recent survey revealed that, of the species tested, the newly described species from the Canary Islands, G. excentricus, is one of the most maitotoxic. The goal of the present study was to characterize MTX-related compounds produced by this species. Initially, lysates of cells from two Canary Island G. excentricus strains VGO791 and VGO792 were partially purified by (i) liquid-liquid partitioning between dichloromethane and aqueous methanol followed by (ii) size-exclusion chromatography. Fractions from chromatographic separation were screened for MTX toxicity using both the neuroblastoma neuro-2a (N2a) cytotoxicity and Ca2+ flux functional assays. Fractions containing MTX activity were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to pinpoint potential MTX analogs. Subsequent non-targeted HRMS analysis permitted the identification of a novel MTX analog, maitotoxin-4 (MTX4, accurate mono-isotopic mass of 3292.4860 Da, as free acid form) in the most toxic fractions. HRMS/MS spectra of MTX4 as well as of MTX are presented. In addition, crude methanolic extracts of five other strains of G. excentricus and 37 other strains representing one Fukuyoa species and ten species, one ribotype and one undetermined strain/species of Gambierdiscus were screened for the presence of MTXs using low resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LRMS/MS). This targeted analysis indicated the original maitotoxin (MTX) was only present in one strain (G. australes S080911_1). Putative maitotoxin-2 (p-MTX2) and maitotoxin-3 (p-MTX3) were identified in several other species, but confirmation was not possible because of the lack of reference material. Maitotoxin-4 was detected in all seven strains of G. excentricus examined, independently of their origin (Brazil, Canary Islands and Caribbean), and not detected in any other species. MTX4 may therefore serve as a biomarker for the highly toxic G. excentricus in the Atlantic area.

El Mar del Norte alberga importantes bancos de pesca. Es un ecosistema diverso en el que se producen complejas interacciones en la cadena trófica que han sido objeto de estudio por un grupo de científicos de distintos países entre los que se encuentra Marcos Llope, del Instituto Español de Oceanografía. Con él hablamos en nuestro viaje de hoy.

Plano medio, de izquierda a derecha, Javier Bello, alcalde de Alcalá de Henares; Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga Salamanca, secretario general del Instituto Cervantes; y Fernando Galván, rector de la Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (UAH), durante la presentación del programa «Lecturas y relecturas. Lecturas actuales de prosas clásicas» en el Instituto Cervantes en Alcalá de Henares.

Plano medio, en la mesa de izquierda a derecha, Javier Bello, alcalde de Alcalá de Henares; Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga Salamanca, secretario general del Instituto Cervantes; y Fernando Galván, rector de la Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (UAH), durante la presentación del programa «Lecturas y relecturas. Lecturas actuales de prosas clásicas» en la sede del Instituto Cervantes en Alcalá de Henares.

Plano medio de Charles-Étienne Lagasse, presidente de la red de Institutos Culturales Europeos (EUNIC) y director general de Wallonie-Bruxelles International, durante la presentación de proyectos de EUNIC en el Instituto Cervantes.

De izquierda a derecha, plano general de Annika Rembe, vicepresidenta primera de la red de Institutos Culturales Europeos (EUNIC) y directora general del Instituto Sueco de Cultura; Jesús Manuel Gracia Aldaz, secretario de Estado de Cooperación Internacional y para Iberoamérica y presidente del consejo de administración del Instituto Cervantes; Charles-Étienne Lagasse, presidente de EUNIC y director general de Wallonie-Bruxelles International; y Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga, vicepresidente segundo de EUNIC y secretario general del Instituto Cervantes, durante la presentación de los proyectos de EUNIC en el Instituto Cervantes.

Primer plano de asistentes a la exposición «Juan Gris: Dibujos satíricos» en el Instituto Cervantes de París.