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Three filamentous freshwater cyanobacterial strains were grown at high light intensity to produce lipidic dyes composed of xanthophylls, carotenes, and chlorophyll a. The properties of the pigments were evaluated as suitable natural compounds to be applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The assembled DSSC were characterized using the density current vs. potential profiles and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. With an efficiency of 0.127%, our results are higher than those previously reported using similarly structured compounds from natural sources such as algae and cyanobacteria, among others. The best efficiencies were probably related to myxoxanthophyll-like derivates and aphanizophyll are carotenoids with many hydroxyl groups being able to interact with the semiconductor surface. The stability of the bonding between the dyes and the titanium oxide of the photoelectrode is crucial to ensuring the acceptable performance of the DSSC, which was successfully achieved in our experiments with carotenoids with many hydroxyl groups. Our results point to cyanobacterial pigments as a promising source of natural dyes for use in solar cells.

Reseña del libro: ORTEGA DEL CERRO, Pablo, La Escuadra de Asia. Guerra, comercio e información en el ocaso de la primera edad global (1795-1803), Madrid, CSIC, 2023, 211 pp.

Resumen: Introducción: La vasculitis primaria del sistema nervioso central (VPSNC) representa una enfermedad rara que afecta a los vasos sanguíneos de mediano y pequeño calibre del sistema nervioso central. Objetivo: Realizar una descripción de los hallazgos clínicos y aspectos diagnósticos, con especial atención a los hallazgos histopatológicos, así como a los tratamientos utilizados y la respuesta a los mismos en pacientes diagnosticados de VPSNC en nuestro centro. Pacientes y métodos: Presentamos un análisis descriptivo retrospectivo.Se ha analizado el registro de altas hospitalarias del Hospital General Universitario de Castellón entre enero de 2000 y mayo de 2020, escogiéndose aquellos con diagnóstico al alta de VPSNC que reunían los criterios de Calabrese en 1988, una vez revisada la historia clínica. Resultados: Se analizan una serie de 7 pacientes que ingresaron con cuadros de alteraciones focales transitorias y otros más inespecíficos, como cefalea o mareo, alcanzándose el diagnóstico mediante histología en 5 de ellos y mediante angiografía sugestiva en los 2 restantes.La neuroimagen fue patológica en todos los casos y el estudio del LCR resultó alterado en 3 de los 5 casos practicados.Todos ellos recibieron tratamiento inicial con megadosis de corticoides seguido de tratamiento inmunosupresor.La evolución fue desfavorable en 6 casos, resultando exitus 4 de ellos. Conclusiones: A pesar del reto diagnóstico que representa la VPSNC es fundamental tratar de aproximarse al máximo al diagnóstico definitivo, valiéndonos de herramientas como la histopatología y/o angiografía para establecer un tratamiento adecuado de manera precoz y reducir así la morbimortalidad de esta entidad. Abstract: Introduction: Primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare disease affecting medium- and small-calibre blood vessels of the central nervous system. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse clinical findings and diagnostic aspects, with special attention to histopathological findings, as well as the treatments used and treatment response in patients diagnosed with PCNSV at our hospital. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of patients with a diagnosis of PCNSV at discharge from our centre and meeting the 1988 Calabrese criteria. To this end, we analysed the hospital discharge records of Hospital General Universitario de Castellón between January 2000 and May 2020. Results: We analysed a series of 7 patients who were admitted with transient focal alterations and other less specific symptoms such as headache or dizziness; diagnosis was based on histological findings in 5 cases and on suggestive arteriographic findings in the remaining 2.Neuroimaging results were pathological in all cases, and CSF analysis detected alterations in 3 of the 5 patients who underwent lumbar puncture.All patients received initial treatment with megadoses of corticosteroids followed by immunosuppressive treatment.Progression was unfavorable in 6 cases, with fatal outcomes in 4. Conclusions: Despite the diagnostic challenge of PCNSV, it is essential to attempt to reach a definitive diagnosis using such tools as histopathology and/or arteriography studies, in order to promptly establish appropriate treatment and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality of this condition.

Introduction: Primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare disease affecting medium- and small-calibre blood vessels of the central nervous system. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse clinical findings and diagnostic aspects, with special attention to histopathological findings, as well as the treatments used and treatment response in patients diagnosed with PCNSV at our hospital. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of patients with a diagnosis of PCNSV at discharge from our centre and meeting the 1988 Calabrese criteria. To this end, we analysed the hospital discharge records of Hospital General Universitario de Castellón between January 2000 and May 2020. Results: We analysed a series of 7 patients who were admitted with transient focal alterations and other less specific symptoms such as headache or dizziness; diagnosis was based on histological findings in 5 cases and on suggestive arteriographic findings in the remaining 2. Neuroimaging results were pathological in all cases, and CSF analysis detected alterations in 3 of the 5 patients who underwent lumbar puncture. All patients received initial treatment with megadoses of corticosteroids followed by immunosuppressive treatment. Progression was unfavourable in 6 cases, with fatal outcomes in 4. Conclusions: Despite the diagnostic challenge of PCNSV, it is essential to attempt to reach a definitive diagnosis using such tools as histopathology and/or arteriography studies, in order to promptly establish appropriate treatment and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality of this condition. Resumen: Introducción: La vasculitis primaria del sistema nervioso central (VPSNC) representa una enfermedad rara que afecta a los vasos sanguíneos de mediano y pequeño calibre del sistema nervioso central. Objetivo: Realizar una descripción de los hallazgos clínicos y aspectos diagnósticos, con especial atención a los hallazgos histopatológicos, así como los tratamientos utilizados y la respuesta a los mismos en pacientes diagnosticados de VPSNC en nuestro centro. Pacientes y métodos: Presentamos un análisis descriptivo retrospectivo. Se ha analizado el registro de altas hospitalarias del Hospital General Universitario de Castellón entre enero de 2000 y mayo de 2020, escogiéndose aquellos con diagnóstico al alta de VPSNC que reunían los criterios de Calabrese en 1988, una vez revisada la historia clínica. Resultados: Se analiza una serie de siete pacientes que ingresaron con cuadros de alteraciones focales transitorias y otros más inespecíficos como cefalea o mareo, alcanzándose el diagnóstico mediante histología en cinco de ellos y mediante angiografía sugestiva en los dos restantes. La neuroimagen fue patológica en todos los casos y el estudio de LCR resultó alterado en tres de los cinco casos practicados. Todos ellos recibieron tratamiento inicial con megadosis de corticoides seguido de tratamiento inmunosupresor. La evolución fue desfavorable en seis casos, resultando éxitus cuatro de ellos. Conclusiones: A pesar del reto diagnóstico que representa la VPSNC, es fundamental tratar de aproximarse al máximo al diagnóstico definitivo, valiéndonos de herramientas como la histopatología y/o angiografía para establecer un tratamiento adecuado de manera precoz y reducir así la morbi-mortalidad de esta entidad.

AbstractThis research investigates the ethical and privacy issues arising from using AI andML in neuromarketing, framed by rule utilitarianism. It assesses the impact of these technologies on consumerprivacy and human rights through a combination of literature review, bibliometric analysis, and empirical data fromsurveys and interviews with experts in the US and Spain. The study reveals the tensions between the efficacy ofneuromarketing techniques and the imperative to protect consumer privacy, particularly in light of the GDPR’sinfluence on global practices. It emphasizes the need for internationally consistent ethical standards and consumerdata regulations, drawing from the comparative analysis of policies in the US and EU. The outcomes include policyrecommendations to minimize ethical risks and promote the responsible progression of neuromarketing. Theserecommendations guide companies and managers toward ethical transparency and accountability. Additionally, theresearch offers a policy framework for crafting ethical neuromarketing practices that reconcile technological progresswith consumer well-being, thereby contributing to broader discussions on embedding ethics within technological innovation.

BackgroundAlthough Spain has traditionally followed the Mediterranean diet, in recent years, changes have become noticeable in the food preferences of the population. These changes include adopting new diets and dietary trends, such as plant-based diets, intermittent fasting and raw food diets. These choices are influenced by cultural, social and socio-demographic factors, and their impact on health should be studied in detail.AimThe objectives of this research are: (1) to study the prevalence of different dietary patterns among the Spanish population, (2) to explore the dependence of dietary choice on socio-demographic factors, (3) to investigate the relationship between the social habits and lifestyle choices of the population and how it affects health.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on the Spanish population. Using a questionnaire constructed and validated by the research team, socio-demographic data were collected and different nutritional, social and lifestyle habits of the targeted population were explored.ResultsA valid sample of 22,181 people was collected among which 17,573 (79.2%) people claimed to follow a Mediterranean dietary pattern, 1,425 (6.4%) people followed a plant-based diet, 365 (1.6%) people are vegans, 1,018 people (4.6%) practiced intermittent fasting, 252 (1.1%) people followed a raw food diet and 1,548 people (7%) claimed to follow other types of diets. The data show that younger people (18–25 years old) tend to adopt more often a plant-based diet than older people and that women tend to follow this type of diet more often than men. On the other hand, men seem to practice intermittent fasting more frequently. A higher tendency to practice a raw food diet was found among people living in villages than those living in cities. Moreover, some trends were found in different regions of Spain, with greater adherence to a plant-based diet in Catalonia, while intermittent fasting is more common in the Region of Murcia. Finally, the results indicate that individuals who pay attention to their diet and experiment with various dietary patterns are generally more health-conscious. This is reflected in their adoption of healthier behaviors, such as exercising more and reducing their intake of alcohol and sugary drinks.

BackgroundPatients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias are more frequently exposed to polymedication, mainly due to the presence of comorbidities, are particularly vulnerable to drug-related problems, and present greater risk of adverse effects due to drug–drug interactions (DDIs).PurposeTo assess the prevalence of clinically relevant interactions in dementia patients using a routine database, we describe the most frequent interactions and risk factors associated with them to facilitate specific interventions and programs to prevent and minimize them.MethodsAn observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study that included patients with AD and other types of dementia (n = 100, 64% female) was conducted to identify potential DDI in their treatment using the Lexi-Interact/Lexicomp® database.ResultsA total of 769 drugs were prescribed, involving 190 different active ingredients; 83% of the treatments included five or more drugs. DDI occurred in 87% of the patients, of which 63.2% were female. A total of 689 DDIs were found, grouped in 448 drug pairs, with a mean of 6.9 ± 7.1 (range, 0–31) DDIs per patient, and 680 DDIs were considered clinically relevant. It was observed that 89.8% of the DDIs had a moderate level of severity, 23.5% had a good level of relevance, and pharmacodynamic-based DDIs accounted for 89.5%. The drugs most frequently involved in DDIs were quetiapine (24.5%) and acetylsalicylic acid (10%). A total of 97 DDIs were detected between the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), and the remaining drugs were administered concomitantly. One of the most frequent DDIs was between AChEIs and beta-blocking agents (n = 29, 4.3%). The most important factors that showed the strongest association with the presence of drug interactions were the use of AChEIs (p = 0.01) and the total number of drugs (p = 0.014) taken by the patient.ConclusionPatients with dementia present increased risk of DDIs. Among the most common drugs are psychotropic drugs, which are involved in pharmacodynamic interactions caused by the concomitant use of CNS-targeted drugs. The results highlight the difficulty to evaluate DDIs in clinical practice due to polymedication and variety of comorbidities. Therefore, it is important to review their treatment and consider metabolism inhibition or induction, and potentially P450 substrate overlapping.

El aprendizaje cooperativo es un método de enseñanza que promueve el aprendizaje activo entre los estudiantes, también en la universidad. La presente investigación analiza la aplicación de esta metodología en la docencia universitaria de tercer curso de los grados de Educación Infantil y Educación Primaria a través de la perspectiva de los estudiantes, docentes en formación. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un análisis transversal con un diseño no experimental, descriptivo y una muestra de 306 universitarios que respondieron la Cooperative Learning Application Scale (CLAS) (Atxurra et al., 2015). Los resultados muestran una mayor puntuación en las dimensiones Habilidades sociales, Interacción e Interdependencia positiva, y menores puntuaciones en las dimensiones Evaluación, Reflexión grupal y Tutoría. A través de un análisis refinado se encontraron diferencias en algunas dimensiones considerando las variables titulación y sexo, que se discuten en el artículo. Estos resultados pueden ofrecer orientaciones metodológicas que guíen la aplicación del aprendizaje cooperativo, que pasan por adoptar enfoques particulares de evaluación, estimular la reflexión y fortalecer el rol docente como orientador. Los hallazgos, además, aportan nuevos conocimientos al marco conceptual sobre el aprendizaje cooperativo en educación superior en el contexto de la formación inicial del profesorado de Educación Infantil y Primaria.

Abstract Ferromagnetism is the collective alignment of atomic spins that retain a net magnetic moment below the Curie temperature, even in the absence of external magnetic fields. Reducing this fundamental property into strictly two-dimensions was proposed in metal-organic coordination networks, but thus far has eluded experimental realization. In this work, we demonstrate that extended, cooperative ferromagnetism is feasible in an atomically thin two-dimensional metal-organic coordination network, despite only ≈ 5% of the monolayer being composed of Fe atoms. The resulting ferromagnetic state exhibits an out-of-plane easy-axis square-like hysteresis loop with large coercive fields over 2 Tesla, significant magnetic anisotropy, and persists up to T C ≈ 35 K. These properties are driven by exchange interactions mainly mediated by the molecular linkers. Our findings resolve a two decade search for ferromagnetism in two-dimensional metal-organic coordination networks.

Background and Aims: Painful shoulder is one of the most frequent consultation causes. Multiple treatments have been described to relieve pain, restore range of motion and improve functionality. Methods: This randomised clinical trial was conducted in 60 patients. The treatment group received combined pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on suprascapular nerve (SN) and axillary-circumflex nerve (ACN). The control group received PRF on SN only. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The secondary outcomes were the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), the Constant–Murley range of motion scale and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scale. The patients were monitored at the baseline visit and at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. A mixed ordinal regression model was estimated to evaluate the association between the study group and pain measured with NRS. Results: A global decrease in pain at the end of the study was noted. The global baseline NRS was 8.4, and the global final NRS at 9 months of follow-up was 6.2. Combined PRF on SN and ACN was not associated with lower NRS pain scores compared to single SN PRF [odds ratio (OR) =1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91–1.20, P = 0.507]. Secondary outcomes showed no significant differences: SPADI (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.92–1.18), Constant–Murley (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.90–1.14), DASH (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.92–1.17). Conclusion: Combined PRF applied to SN and ACN was not superior to PRF applied to SN alone.

Purpose: To assess visual and refractive outcomes of trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes that had previously undergone laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia and to compare them with those recorded after implantation of a monofocal IOL. Design: Retrospective comparative cases series. Methods: This study evaluated uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), safety, and efficacy after the implantation of two comparable trifocal IOL models and one monofocal IOL model in patients who had previously undergone myopic LASIK. Patients were classified according to the implanted IOL (monofocal or trifocal). Results: A total of 211 eyes from 170 patients received a monofocal IOL, and 211 eyes from 161 patients received a trifocal IOL. At the end of the study, after lensectomy, there was a higher myopic residual spherical equivalent in the monofocal group because some eyes had been targeted for slight myopia to achieve monovision; therefore, UDVA was better in the trifocal group. CDVA was comparable in both groups. As expected, both monocular and binocular UNVA were significantly better in the trifocal group. Although the percentage of eyes that lost ≥1 line of CDVA did not differ between the groups, the safety index was slightly better in the monofocal group. Conclusion: Although implantation of monofocal and trifocal IOLs after myopic LASIK yielded excellent distance visual outcomes, UNVA was significantly better for the trifocal IOL, with a minimally worse safety profile. Trifocal IOLs can be considered after previous LASIK for myopia, with an appropriate patient selection.

Abstract To expand the scientific literature on how resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (or the measurement of the strength of the coactivation of two brain regions over a sustained period of time) can be used to explain treatment compliance and recidivism among intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. Therefore, our first aim was to assess whether men convicted of IPV (n = 53) presented different rsFC patterns from a control group of non-violent (n = 47) men. We also analyzed if the rsFC of IPV perpetrators before staring the intervention program could explain treatment compliance and recidivism one year after the intervention ended. The rsFC was measured by applying a whole brain analysis during a resting period, which lasted 45 min. IPV perpetrators showed higher rsFC in the occipital brain areas compared to controls. Furthermore, there was a positive association between the occipital pole (OP) and temporal lobes (ITG) and a negative association between the occipital (e.g., occipital fusiform gyrus, visual network) and both the parietal lobe regions (e.g., supramarginal gyrus, parietal operculum cortex, lingual gyrus) and the putamen in IPV perpetrators. This pattern was the opposite in the control group. The positive association between many of these occipital regions and the parietal, frontal, and temporal regions explained treatment compliance. Conversely, treatment compliance was also explained by a reduced rsFC between the rostral prefrontal cortex and the frontal gyrus and both the occipital and temporal gyrus, and between the temporal and the occipital and cerebellum areas and the sensorimotor superior networks. Last, the enhanced rsFC between the occipital regions and both the cerebellum and temporal gyrus predicted recidivism. Our results highlight that there are specific rsFC patterns that can distinguish IPV perpetrators from controls. These rsFC patterns could be useful to explain treatment compliance and recidivism among IPV perpetrators.

Fishmeal and fish oil substitution in aquafeeds might have adverse effects on fish growth and health, mainly in carnivorous species, such as Mediterranean yellowtail (Seriola dumerili). Mediterranean yellowtail shows great potential as an alternative aquaculture species due to its fast growth and high price on the market, but the need for high-quality protein and fatty acid content in its diets is limiting its production. In order to improve the sustainability of its production, this study was conducted with 360 fish of 35 g to evaluate the effects on fish growth and health. Six diets were used: one control diet without replacement, three with FM replacement (FM66, FM33, and FM0) (33%, 66%, and 100% FM replacement), and two with FO replacement (FO50 and FO0) (50% and 100% FO replacement). The substitution of FM was with vegetable (VM) (corn gluten) and animal (AM) (krill and meat meal) meals. The reductions in FM and FO of up to 33 and 0%, respectively, did not affect the growth and survival of S. dumerili at the intestinal morphology level, except for the anterior intestine regarding the lower villi length and width and the posterior intestine regarding the lower width of the lamina propria. On the other hand, the substitution of fish ingredients in the diet affects liver morphology, indicating alterations in the major diameter of hepatocytes or their nuclei. Finally, diet did not affect the gut microbiota with respect to the control, but significant differences were found in alpha and beta diversity when FO and FM microbiota were compared. A 66% FM replacement and total FO replacement would be possible without causing major alterations in the fish.

Prescribed burns have recently become a widespread environmental management practice for biodiversity restoration to reduce fuel load, to provide forest fire suppression operational opportunities, to favor plant recruitment or to manage wild species. Prescribed fires were again applied in Doñana National Park (southern Spain) after decades of non-intervention regarding fire use. Here, we assessed their impacts on the soil CO2 effluxes over two years after burning to test the hypothesis that if the ecosystem is resilient, soil respiration will have a rapid recovery to the conditions previous to the fire. Using soil automated CO2 flux chambers to continuously measure respiration in burned and unburned sites, we showed that soil respiration varies among seasons but only showed significant differences between burned and unburned plots in the fall season one year after fire, which corresponded with the end of the dry season. Comparing soil respiration values from the burned plots in the three fall seasons studied, soil respiration increased significantly in the fall one year after fire, but decreased in the following fall to the values of the control plots. This study highlights the resilience of soil respiration after prescribed fire, showing the potential benefits of prescribed fire to reduce catastrophic wildfires, especially in protected areas subjected to non-intervention.

In the field of biomechanical modeling, the development of a prosthetic hand with dexterity comparable to the human hand is a multidisciplinary challenge involving complex mechatronic systems, intuitive control schemes, and effective body interfaces. Most current commercial prostheses offer limited functionality, typically only one or two degrees of freedom (DoF), resulting in reduced user adoption due to discomfort and lack of functionality. This research aims to design a computationally efficient low-level control algorithm for prosthetic hand fingers to be able to (a) accurately manage finger positions, (b) anticipate future information, and (c) minimize power consumption. The methodology employed is known as model-based predictive control (MBPC) and starts with the application of linear identification techniques to model the system dynamics. Then, the identified model is used to implement a generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm, which optimizes the control effort and system performance. A test bench is used for experimental validation, and the results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme significantly improves the prosthesis’ dexterity and energy efficiency, enhancing its potential for daily use by people with hand loss.

BackgroundPlague, a zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis, was responsible for 3 historical human pandemics that killed millions of people. It remains endemic in rodent populations in Africa, Asia, North America, and South America but human plague is rare in most of these locations. However, human plague is still highly prevalent in Madagascar, which typically records a significant part of all annual global cases. This has afforded an opportunity to study contemporary human plague in detail using various typing methods for Y. pestis.AimThis review aims to summarize the methods that have been used to type Y. pestis in Madagascar along with the major discoveries that have been made using these approaches.MethodsPubmed and Google Scholar were used to search for the keywords: "typing Yersinia pestis Madagascar," "evolution Yersinia pestis Madagascar," and "diversity Yersinia pestis Madagascar." Eleven publications were relevant to our topic and further information was retrieved from references cited in those publications.ResultsThe history of Y. pestis typing in Madagascar can be divided in 2 periods: the pre-genomics and genomics eras. During the pre-genomics era, ribotyping, direct observation of plasmid content and plasmid restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were employed but only revealed a limited amount of diversity among Malagasy Y. pestis strains. Extensive diversity only started to be revealed in the genomics era with the use of clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR), multiple-locus variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis (MLVA), and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered from whole genome sequences. These higher-resolution genotyping methods have made it possible to highlight the distribution and persistence of genotypes in the different plague foci of Madagascar (Mahajanga and the Central and Northern Highlands) by genotyping strains from the same locations across years, to detect transfers between foci, to date the emergence of genotypes, and even to document the transmission of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains during a pneumonic plague outbreak. Despite these discoveries, there still remain topics that deserve to be explored, such as the contribution of horizontal gene transfer to the evolution of Malagasy Y. pestis strains and the evolutionary history of Y. pestis in Madagascar.ConclusionsGenotyping of Y. pestis has yielded important insights on plague in Madagascar, particularly since the advent of whole-genome sequencing (WGS). These include a better understanding of plague persistence in the environment, antimicrobial AMR and multi-drug resistance in Y. pestis, and the person-to-person spread of pneumonic plague. Considering that human plague is still a significant public health threat in Madagascar, these insights can be useful for controlling and preventing human plague in Madagascar and elsewhere, and also are relevant for understanding the historical pandemics and the possible use of Y. pestis as a biological weapon.

IntroductionScarce real-life data exists for COVID-19 management in hematologic disease (HD) patients in the Omicron era.PurposeTo assess the current clinical management and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed, identify the risk factors for severe outcomes according to the HD characteristics and cell therapy procedures in a real-world setting.MethodsA retrospective observational registry led by the Spanish Transplant Group (GETH-TC) with 692 consecutive patients with HD from December 2021 to May 2023 was analyzed.ResultsNearly one-third of patients (31%) remained untreated and presented low COVID-19-related mortality (0.9%). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was used mainly in mild COVID-19 cases in the outpatient setting (32%) with a low mortality (1%), while treatment with remdesivir was preferentially administered in moderate-to-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection cases during hospitalization (35%) with a mortality rate of 8.6%. The hospital admission rate was 23%, while 18% developed pneumonia. COVID-19-related mortality in admitted patients was 14%. Older age, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, corticosteroids and incomplete vaccination were factors independently associated with COVID-19 severity and significantly related with higher rates of hospital admission and pneumonia. Incomplete vaccination status, treatment with prior anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, and comorbid cardiomyopathy were identified as independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality.ConclusionsThe results support that, albeit to a lower extent, COVID-19 in the Omicron era remains a significant problem in HD patients. Complete vaccination (3 doses) should be prioritized in these immunocompromised patients. The identified risk factors may help to improve COVID-19 management to decrease the rate of severe disease, ICU admissions and mortality.

Introduction: Fashion is a sector that at all times appeals to the emotions and feelings of the individual, due to its social implications. In this sense, neuromarketing becomes a very valuable tool to study the different reactions of the public when exposed to it. Different tools applied in neuromarketing reveal how consumers feel when they buy, touch or look at a fashion product with which they relate. Methodology: The present research aims to make a systematic review of publications in academic journals on fashion and neuromarketing, as an integrative tool that allows the compilation of studies on the same topic, in order to establish a state of the art. This review is carried out in the Scopus and WOS databases, in Spanish and English, between 2000 and 2023. The objective is to study the neuromarketing tools that are best suited to this sector and to analyze how they have evolved, been used and integrated over the years. Results: Twenty-three results were found that matched the search, and for each one of them the authors studied the country where the research was carried out, the year of publication, the journal where the research was published, the neuromarketing tool applied, the results obtained, and where the manuscript focuses: on the company, on the consumer, on both or on neither of them. Discussion: Twenty-three results were found, of which only 12 were valid. The main cause of exclusion was the repetition of results in the two databases consulted. In these studies, not only the response of the consumer is observed, but fundamentally the response of the company and its perception. Conclusions: It is concluded that neuromarketing and consumer neuroscience tools, although scarce in the fashion industry, provide relevant and useful information and multidisciplinary groups are proposed to increase the scientific production applied to the case study.

ABSTRACT Enteric yersiniosis, the third most common food-borne zoonosis in Europe, is mainly caused by the pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica. In France, the yersiniosis microbiological surveillance is conducted at the Yersinia National Reference Laboratory (YNRL). Since 2017, isolates have been characterized by whole genome sequencing (WGS) followed by a 500-gene Yersinia-cgMLST. We report here the data of the WGS-based surveillance on Y. enterocolitica isolates for the 2017–2021 period. The YNRL characterized 7,642 Y. enterocolitica strains distributed in 2,497 non-pathogenic isolates from lineages 1Aa and 1Ab, and 5,145 specimens belonging to 8 pathogenic lineages. Among pathogenic isolates, lineage 4 was the most common (87.2%) followed by lineages 2/3-9b (10.6%), 2/3-5a (1.2%), 2/3-9a (0.6%), 3-3b, 3-3c, 1B, and 3-3d (0.1% per each). Importantly, we developed a routine surveillance system based on a new typing method consisting of a 1,727-genes core genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) specific to the species Y. enterocolitica followed by isolate clustering. Thresholds of allelic distances (AD) were determined and fixed for the clustering of isolates: AD ≤ 5 for lineages 4, 2/3-5a, and 2/3-9a, and AD ≤ 3 for lineage 2/3-9b. Clustering programs were implemented in 2019 in routine surveillance to detect genomic clusters of pathogenic isolates. In total, 419 clusters with at least 2 isolates were identified, representing 2,504 of the 3,503 isolates characterized between 2019 and 2021. Most clusters (n = 325) comprised 2 to 5 isolates. The new typing method proved to be useful for the molecular investigation of unusual grouping of cases as well as for the detection of genomic clusters in routine surveillance.IMPORTANCEWe describe here the new typing method used for molecular surveillance of Yersinia enterocolitica infections in France based on a novel core genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) specific to Y. enterocolitica species. This method can reliably identify the pathogenic Y. enterocolitica subspecies and compare the isolates with a high discriminatory power. Between 2017 and 2021, 5,145 pathogenic isolates belonging to 8 lineages were characterized and lineage 4 was by far the most common followed by lineage 2/3-9b. A clustering program was implemented, and detection thresholds were cross-validated by the molecular and epidemiological investigation of three unusual groups of Y. enterocolitica infections. The routine molecular surveillance system has been able to detect genomic clusters, leading to epidemiological investigations.

Habits represent repeated patterns of behavior over time that exert a significant influence on individual health. While specific tools exist to measure individual habits, the number of instruments capable of simultaneously exploring multiple dimensions of health is limited. This research had two main objectives: 1) to examine the literature to find existing tools for evaluating health habits, especially in the Spanish population; 2) through a methodological review, to develop and validate a tool capable of measuring multiple dimensions of health habits. The Nutritional and Social Health Habits Scale (NutSo-HH) was conceived, tested, and refined through pilot testing with cognitive interviews and expert content validation. Construct validity was explored through confirmatory factor analysis and known-group validity, while criterion validity was verified in comparison with the ``Healthy Nutrition Index for the Spanish Population.'' Reliability was assessed using omega coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded satisfactory fit indices. The final model included two second-order factors (nutritional habits and health habits) and two first-order factors (Mediterranean diet and alcohol consumption). Omega coefficients ranged from 0.521 to 0.815. The NutSo-HH Scale emerges as a valid and reliable tool to assess nutritional and social habits among Spanish young adults. This novel instrument fills a gap in the field, allowing exploration of various health determinants through a single scale and providing support for decision-making in the realm of public health nutrition.

AimThis study aims to analyze some nutrition and health habits of young people and the impact of educational attainment on health.MethodsAn observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out using surveys. Using non-probabilistic snowball sampling, a previously validated questionnaire was disseminated through networks, collecting a sample of 9,681 people between 18 and 30 years old. Comparative analyses between groups were obtained by clustering and the corresponding statistical tests.ResultsThe results showed how young people with higher education generally have a lower BMI, a higher healthy nutrition index, less frequent consumption of sugary drinks, and less smoking than their peers with basic education. These healthier habits are reflected in the higher self-perceived health status of the higher-educated group. While for all the educational levels analyzed, the minutes of physical activity practice are above the 150 min recommended by the WHO.ConclusionOur findings suggest that young people’s education level is of fundamental importance for health, particularly for nutritional habits. In general, the lifestyle habits of the young Spanish population are healthy, but there is a need for improvement in those aspects related to nutrition and food.

The presence of English as a global language in the lexicon of the languages of Europe is undeniable, Spanish being no exception to this general trend. The increasing impact of English on the European Spanish word-stock is evidenced by semantic and lexical borrowings. The aim of the present article is to study such semantic and lexical borrowings from English into European Spanish. In order to carry out the research, examples were retrieved from the sub-corpora of tourism and fashion, both part of the ANGLICOR corpus and its associated database. Following identification, the examples were analyzed qualitatively following Gómez Capuz’s classification (2004). The results of this analysis reveal, on the one hand, the fact that semantic borrowings may belong to the category of adjectives as well as the category of nouns. In the case of lexical borrowings, on the other hand, only nouns or noun groups, following various patterns, were recorded.

Abstract Background To assess whether a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) with neutral spherical aberration (SA) provides better visual and refractive outcomes than a trifocal IOL with negative SA after hyperopic corneal laser ablation. Methods This is a retrospective comparative study. Patients were classified according to the IOL implanted after cataract or clear lens phacoemulsification [group 1, PhysIOL FineVision Pod-F (negative SA); group 2, Rayner RayOne Trifocal (neutral SA)]. We evaluated uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), predictability, safety, efficacy, and satisfaction. Results 198 eyes of 119 patients met the inclusion criteria. Group 1 comprised 120 eyes and group 2 comprised 78 eyes. At completion, the refractive and predictability results were significantly better in group 1 than in group 2 for manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) (P 0.05, all items). Conclusion In eyes previously treated with hyperopic corneal ablation, implantation of a trifocal IOL with neutral SA provided better efficacy and safety outcomes but worse predictability outcomes than those obtained with a trifocal model with negative SA.

Genomic data on the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes from Central America are scarce. We analyzed 92 isolates collected during 2009–2019 from different regions in Costa Rica, compared those to publicly available genomes, and identified unrecognized outbreaks. Our findings suggest mandatory reporting of listeriosis in Costa Rica would improve pathogen surveillance.

Eating disorders represent a complex and multifaceted public health challenge, highly prevalent among young people. Background and Objectives: To examine the prevalence of eating disorders in the Spanish young adult population aged 18–30 years, and their correlation with various eating habits and lifestyle factors. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was carried out using a non-probabilistic snowball sample. The valid and reliable NutSo-HH Scale was employed to collect data on nutrition, lifestyle, and health habits. Results: Data were collected from 9692 Spanish young adults, of which 101 (1.04%) were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and 71 (0.73%) with bulimia nervosa. The prevalence of anorexia and bulimia was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in women than in men, regardless of socio-demographic variables such as educational level, income, region, and size of city of residence. A considerable percentage of participants showed possible symptoms of eating disorders. Nutritionally, individuals with eating disorders consumed less fast food and fried or ultra-processed food but tended to consume coffee and energy drinks more frequently. Additionally, sleep quality and duration were more adversely affected in individuals with eating disorders compared to the general population. Sedentary lifestyles did not significantly differ between those with eating disorders and healthy individuals, though physical activity increased in people with bulimia. Conclusions: The interplay between young adults’ dietary habits, lifestyle factors, and mental health underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to effectively address these complex public health challenges.

The positive energy district (PED) concept is attracting growing research interest; however, the need for practical approaches to facilitate their implementation remains crucial. This study, framed in the COST Action ‘Positive Energy Districts European Network’, offers a comprehensive review of the roadmaps, pathways, and guidelines—namely ‘PED-Transition Approaches’—currently available to support the implementation of district-scale innovative models, thereby advancing energy transitions and enhancing livability at the city level. The review involved a systematic search and web scraping of documents, including scientific and grey literature, as well as EU-funded projects’ reports. The studies were identified according to multiple filters and eligibility criteria, then categorised in a structured repository using a multidimensional matrix, and finally examined following three-levels of detail (i.e., bibliometric study) overview and in-depth analysis. The findings reflect the main characteristics, gaps, and challenges in PED implementation by underlying the growing need for effective step-by-step, user-centric, and context-based transition approaches. In conclusion, the research, building on an extensive literature of multiple inspirational methodologies and their associated use cases, is a strong basis to develop sequential pathways to facilitate PED implementation among key stakeholders in a short–medium-term perspective towards a climate-neutral city vision.

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and liver disorders. Antioxidant therapies that target oxidative damage show significant promise in preventing and treating these conditions. Berberine, an alkaloid derived from various plants in the Berberidaceae family, enhances cellular defenses against oxidative stress through several mechanisms. It activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, which reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and improves energy metabolism. Furthermore, it boosts the activity of key antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thus protecting cells from oxidative damage. These actions make berberine effective in managing diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. Silymarin, a flavonolignan complex derived from Silybum marianum, is particularly effective for liver protection. It activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, enhancing antioxidant enzyme expression and stabilizing mitochondrial membranes. Additionally, silymarin reduces the formation of ROS by chelating metal ions, and it also diminishes inflammation. This makes it beneficial for conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disorders. This review aims to highlight the distinct mechanisms by which berberine and silymarin exert their antioxidant effects.

Abstract This article examines student teacher perceptions regarding the benefits of the teacher education practicum. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was performed using a questionnaire. Participants consisted of 455 students from the Early Childhood and Primary Education Degrees studying at a university in the Madrid community. The questionnaire was administered between the academic years of 2017/2018 and 2021/2022 (2019/2020 was excluded due to the pandemic), at the end of each practicum period of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year courses of the distinct teaching student cohorts. Results were analyzed based on a quantitative perspective, revealing relevant benefit and utility profiles, confirming that the variable that most modulates student perception is the Practicum period (finding lower scores for the intermediate practicum), followed by the gender variable, and finally, the Degree variable, which has the most stable results. These findings are discussed, highlighting certain proposals to improve teaching practicum programs, and to encourage a better knowledge of the teaching practicum in terms of its benefits and usefulness, considering the teacher candidate perspective.

Objective Policy ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic shape the concurrent housing and overdose crises in the USA. Housing insecurity is a known risk factor for overdose, yet how residential eviction may influence fatal overdose risk is understudied. We sought to evaluate the spatiotemporal relationship between neighbourhood-level residential eviction rates and overdose mortality in Rhode Island (RI) before and during a statewide eviction moratorium in response to COVID-19.Methods We conducted an ecological study at the census tract level in RI (N=240) by modelling the association between quintiles of eviction rates and fatal overdose rates from 2016 to 2021. We applied a Bayesian spatiotemporal approach using an integrated nested Laplace approximation and adjusted for an a priori determined set of time-varying demographic and policy covariates.Results Descriptively, we observed a direct, dose–response relationship between quintiles of eviction incidence rates over the full study period and fatal overdose. Prior to the implementation of a statewide eviction moratorium, census tracts in the highest eviction quintile had increased rates of overdose mortality, relative to those in the lowest quintile (posterior mean relative rate = 1.49, 95% credible interval: 1.05 to 2.13). Associations during the periods of eviction moratorium were non-significant.Conclusion This work highlights the neighbourhood-level relationship between residential eviction and fatal overdose risk in the absence of an eviction moratorium. Enhanced investment in eviction prevention policies, such as rent relief and limitations to the circumstances under which landlords can file for eviction, may complement harm reduction efforts to reduce neighbourhood-level overdose inequalities.

We examined a natural history of opioid overdose deaths from 1999-2021 in the United States to describe state-level spatio-temporal heterogeneity in the waves of the epidemic. We obtained overdose death counts by state from 1999-2021, categorized as involving prescription opioids, heroin, synthetic opioids, or unspecified drugs. We developed a Bayesian multivariate multiple change point model to flexibly estimate the timing and magnitude of state-specific changes in death rates involving each drug type. We found substantial variability around the timing and severity of each wave across states. The first wave of prescription-involved deaths started between 1999 and 2005, the second wave of heroin-involved deaths started between 2010 and 2014, and the third wave of synthetic opioid-involved deaths started between 2014 and 2021. The severity of the second and third waves was greater in states in the eastern half of the country. Our study highlights state-level variation in the timing and severity of the waves of the opioid epidemic by presenting a 23-year natural history of opioid overdose mortality in the United States. While reinforcing the general notion of three waves, we find that states did not uniformly experience the impacts of each wave.

Axonal degeneration is a central pathological feature of multiple sclerosis and is closely associated with irreversible clinical disability. Current noninvasive methods to detect axonal damage in vivo are limited in their specificity and clinical applicability, and by the lack of proper validation. We aimed to validate an MRI framework based on multicompartment modeling of the diffusion signal (AxCaliber) in rats in the presence of axonal pathology, achieved through injection of a neurotoxin damaging the neuronal terminal of axons. We then applied the same MRI protocol to map axonal integrity in the brain of multiple sclerosis relapsing-remitting patients and age-matched healthy controls. AxCaliber is sensitive to acute axonal damage in rats, as demonstrated by a significant increase in the mean axonal caliber along the targeted tract, which correlated with neurofilament staining. Electron microscopy confirmed that increased mean axonal diameter is associated with acute axonal pathology. In humans with multiple sclerosis, we uncovered a diffuse increase in mean axonal caliber in most areas of the normal-appearing white matter, preferentially affecting patients with short disease duration. Our results demonstrate that MRI-based axonal diameter mapping is a sensitive and specific imaging biomarker that links noninvasive imaging contrasts with the underlying biological substrate, uncovering generalized axonal damage in multiple sclerosis as an early event.

This work aimed to show the possibility of applying anthocyanins extracted from blueberries following a straightforward path as potential impregnation dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), particularly in the presence of co-adsorbents, such as silver nanoparticles, as an alternative in order to profit from large amounts of discarded fruits. Following a simple procedure, anthocyanins (mainly delphinidin-3-glucoside) were obtained from blueberries (Southern Highbush type). Complete characterization was carried out in order to prove the utility of delphinidin-3-glucoside as a sensitizer in DSSCs. The analyzed anthocyanin is suitable for sensitizing because of its high molar absorptivity values within the visible region of the light spectra, the adsorption ability to a FTO/TiO2 electrode (FTO, fluorine-doped tin oxide) as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) as well as thermogravimetry coupled to differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), a potential oxidation value near 1 V, and adequate thermal as well as light stabilities. Moreover, the cell’s conversion efficiency is improved in the presence of silver nanoparticles, reaching 0.24% (nearly a 25% increase). The sum of all these characteristics points to the application of delphinidin-3-glucoside as a sensitizer in DSSCs, offering a technological use with potential interest for countries where agricultural production offers an abundant origin of extraction.

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the field of medical imaging and has the potential to bring medicine from the era of ‘sick-care’ to the era of healthcare and prevention. The development of AI requires access to large, complete, and harmonized real-world datasets, representative of the population, and disease diversity. However, to date, efforts are fragmented, based on single–institution, size-limited, and annotation-limited datasets. Available public datasets (e.g., The Cancer Imaging Archive, TCIA, USA) are limited in scope, making model generalizability really difficult. In this direction, five European Union projects are currently working on the development of big data infrastructures that will enable European, ethically and General Data Protection Regulation-compliant, quality-controlled, cancer-related, medical imaging platforms, in which both large-scale data and AI algorithms will coexist. The vision is to create sustainable AI cloud-based platforms for the development, implementation, verification, and validation of trustable, usable, and reliable AI models for addressing specific unmet needs regarding cancer care provision. In this paper, we present an overview of the development efforts highlighting challenges and approaches selected providing valuable feedback to future attempts in the area. Key points • Artificial intelligence models for health imaging require access to large amounts of harmonized imaging data and metadata. • Main infrastructures adopted either collect centrally anonymized data or enable access to pseudonymized distributed data. • Developing a common data model for storing all relevant information is a challenge. • Trust of data providers in data sharing initiatives is essential. • An online European Union meta-tool-repository is a necessity minimizing effort duplication for the various projects in the area.

This research shows specific determinants of innovation in SMEs in La Rioja (Spain) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results demonstrate that gender and university studies tend to have a positive influence on SMEs’ innovation. Female managers and managers with university studies have a positive relationship with innovation. Additionally, family SMEs tend to be less innovative than non-family SMEs. Finally, female managers with a university degree show less innovative activity. We provide clarity on sometimes contradictory findings in the related literature. Finally, we highlight the importance of developing appropriate policies to improve resilience through innovation process in SMEs.

Despite the rapid and dynamic evolution of research into dietary polyphenols, there is still a knowledge gap regarding their bioaccessibility since it could be influenced by the chemical and nutritional compositions of the food matrix. This study aimed to describe the impact of food thickeners (xanthan gum, guar gum, β-glucan, pectin) on the bioactivity of flavonoids from saffron floral by-products in model beverages before and after thermal processing. The different beverage formulas were characterized in terms of polyphenolic composition using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn and rheological properties. The impact of food thickeners and thermal processing on the inhibition of digestive enzymes was also determined. The model beverages mainly presented glycosylated flavonols (of kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin), with a reduced content in some heat-treated samples. The inhibitory effect on α-amylase was only detected in heat-treated beverages, showing the formulation without any thickener to have the greatest inhibitory effect. Finally, the presence of saffron floral by-products in the beverages showed a tendency to decrease the flow consistency index (K) and an increase in the flow behavior index (n), most probably driven by the aggregation of phenolics with thickeners. Therefore, this research provides new insights into the development of flavonoid-rich beverages in order to ensure that they exert the expected beneficial effects after their ingestion.

Este trabajo tiene como principal propósito identificar una serie de arquetipos o tipos puros para el estudio de perfiles en el ámbito de la Administración Pública. Para ello, se efectuó una encuesta distribuida a alumnado de 4º de un programa de Doble Grado de Derecho y Ciencias Políticas y de la Administración en el curso 2021-2022. Los datos fueron tratados mediante el programa CAQDAS, MAXQDA 2022 y sirvieron para la realización de un análisis de discurso y la posterior generación de clúster. Los resultados del estudio identificaron tres tipos puros o modelos de percepción de la corrupción y sus posibles soluciones alternativas: el primero engloba a aquellos que dan importancia a la perspectiva individual y relacional; el segundo a aquellos que se centran en aspectos culturales y sociales; y, el tercero en la falta de eficiencia del sector público. Aunque cada modelo respalda medidas diferentes para luchar contra la corrupción, todos señalan la importancia de mejorar la información y la formación como una herramienta para vencer la desafección política.

Introduction: Little is known about the clinical characteristics of women at increased risk for abnormal uterine bleeding (UB) during anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: We used the RIETE registry to identify the baseline characteristics of women developing abnormal UB during anticoagulation. We used logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors for abnormal UB. Then, we built a prognostic score to identify at-risk women. Results: From March 2001 through October 2022, there were 54,372 women with VTE. During anticoagulation (median, 181 days), 318 (0.6%) developed abnormal UB (major bleeding = 88, clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) = 230). On multivariable analysis, women aged 70 kg, with uterine cancer, recent UB, anemia, estrogen-related VTE, or receiving rivaroxaban or apixaban were at increased risk for abnormal UB. Using the prognostic score, 42,273 women (78%) were at low-risk, 8,828 (16%) intermediate-, and 3,271 (6.1%) at high-risk for abnormal UB. Their rates of abnormal UB were: 0.28 (95%CI: 0.23–0.35), 1.32 (95%CI: 1.07–1.61) and 7.12 (95%CI: 5.98–8.41) bleeds per 100 patient-years, respectively. The c-statistic was 0.80 (95%CI: 0.77–0.83). The rates of major UB were: 0.06 (95%CI: 0.04–0.09), 0.43 (95%CI: 0.30–0.60) and 1.85 (95%CI: 1.31–2.53) per 100 patient-years, respectively (c-statistic: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.80–0.89). The rates of CRNM uterine bleeding were: 0.21 (95%CI: 0.17–0.26), 0.85 (95%CI: 0.65–1.08), and 5.02 (95%CI: 4.09–6.10) bleeds per 100 patient-years, respectively (c-statistic: 0.78; 95%CI: 0.75–0.82). Conclusions: Using 7 variables easily available at admission, we built a prognostic score that reliably identified women with VTE at increased risk for abnormal UB during anticoagulation.

Abstract There is a profile of patient with eosinophilic oesophagitis and atopic background, marked by the existence of IgE-mediated sensitizations. Our aim is to report the observed sensitivities to environmental and food allergens and panallergens in patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis with atopic background as well as characterizing other markers or analytical parameters. We suspect that the prevalence of sensitization to panallergens will be high and this will probably be relevant in terms of the onset and clinical course of the disease. We collated clinical and analytical data from 160 adult patients with a reported diagnosis of eosinophilic oesophagitis. These patients were studied between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2020. During an initial visit skin tests were performed with full batteries of routine aero-allergens and foodstuffs. Patients were subsequently referred for blood test and determination of specific IgE, blood count and total IgE (in all cases), as well as eosinophilic cation protein and IMMUNOISAC in the centres in which this was available. We were able to detect a broad spectrum of sensitizations to environmental, foodstuffs and panallergens. The most common allergic disease was rhinoconjuntivitis. The sensitizations observed to foodstuffs were atypical for the adult population and were not responsible for manifestations compatible with immediate allergy. An important percentage of patients presented seasonal worsening of choking symptoms. We should be able to identify patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis and atopic background. Identifying this phenomenon would enable giving dietary and environmental recommendations as well as more specific and effective treatments to our patients.

Key points AI solutions have become an essential clinical tool in medical imaging. Standardised criteria are necessary to ensure quality of AI studies. Established criteria are often incomplete, too exhaustive, or not broadly applicable. A concise and reproducible quantitative checklist will help to ensure a minimum of acceptance.

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is an inherited disorder that affects one in between 8,500 and 14,000 people and is characterized by a triad of clinical signs. These include micrognathia, glossoptosis and obstruction of the upper airway, typically associated with palatal cleft. PRS has also been associated with various ocular complications, including high congenital myopia, congenital glaucoma, and retinal detachment. Because of the clinical importance of PRS, it is critical to illustrate the features of the Robin sequence to clearly define its primary and secondary clinical signs. We describe a patient with PRS who developed keratoconus as a rare manifestation of the disease and its management.

El sistema nervioso central es fundamental en el control de la homeostasis y mantenimiento de las funciones fisiológicas del organismo. Sin embargo, sus características bioquímicas hacen que sea especialmente vulnerable al daño oxidativo, lo que compromete su correcto funcionamiento, desencadenando neurodegeneración y muerte neuronal.

The central nervous system (CNS) is essential for homeostasis and controls the physiological functions of the body. However, the biochemical characteristics of the CNS make it especially vulnerable to oxidative damage (OS). This phenomenon compromises correct CNS functioning, leading to neurodegeneration and neuronal death.

In this study, we investigated the transcriptional spatio-temporal dynamics of the taste 1 receptor (T1R) gene family repertoire in seabream (Sparus aurata [sa]), during larval ontogeny and in adult tissues. In early larval development, saT1R expression arises heterochronously, i.e. the extraoral taste-related perception in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) anticipates first exogenous feeding (at 9 days post hatching [dph]), followed by the buccal/intraoral perception from 14 dph onwards, supporting the hypothesis that the early onset of the molecular machinery underlying saT1R expression in the GIT is not induced by food but rather genetically hardwired. During adulthood, we characterized the expression patterns of saT1R within specific tissues (n = 4) distributed in oropharingeal, GIT and brain regions substantiating their functional versatility as chemosensory signaling players to a variety of biological functions beyond oral taste sensation. Further, we provided for the first time direct evidences in fish for mRNA co-expression of a subset of saT1R genes (mostly saT1R3, i.e. the common subunit of the heterodimeric T1R complexes for the detection of “sweet” and “umami” substances), with the selected gut peptides ghrelin (ghr), cholecystokinin (cck), hormone peptide yy (pyy) and proglucagon (pg). Each peptide defines the enteroendocrine cells (ECCs) identity, and establishes on morphological basis, a direct link for T1R chemosensing in the regulation of fish digestive processes. Finally, we analyzed the spatial gene expression patterns of 2 taste signaling components functionally homologous to the mammalian G(i)α subunit gustducin, namely saG(i)α1 and saG(i)α2, and demonstrated their co-localization with the saT1R3 in EECs, thus validating their direct involvement in taste-like transduction mechanisms of the fish GIT. In conclusion, data provide new insights in the evolutionary conservation of gut sensing in fish suggesting a conserved role for nutrient sensors modulating entero-endocrine secretion.

DSSC technology based on natural dyes still constitutes a tempting alternative to explore. Besides the ease of extraction, most natural dyes fulfill the characteristics to be applied as sensitizers. The presented results summarize the exploration of the features of several southern dyes, mostly coming from the Antarctic region. The explored pigments showed good absorption capacity within the visible region of the light spectra, and their molecules possess functional moieties to coordinate with the TiO2 semiconductor, oxidation potential value near 1 V and reduction potential near −0.8 V, adequate thermal stability, and low fluorescence emission.

Abstract Enhanced coherence in HoW10 molecular spin qubits has been demonstrated by use of clock-transitions (CTs). More recently it was shown that, while operating at the CTs, it was possible to use an electrical field to selectively address HoW10 molecules pointing in a given direction, within a crystal that contains two kinds of identical but inversion-related molecules. Herein we theoretically explore the possibility of employing the electric field to effect entangling two-qubit quantum gates within a 2-qubit Hilbert space resulting from dipolar coupling of two CT-protected HoW10 molecules in a diluted crystal. We estimate the thermal evolution of T 1, T 2, find that CTs are also optimal operating points from the point of view of phonons, and lay out how to combine a sequence of microwave and electric field pulses to achieve coherent control within a switchable two-qubit operating space between symmetric and asymmetric qubit states that are protected both from spin-bath and from phonon-bath decoherence. This two-qubit gate approach presents an elegant correspondence between physical stimuli and logical operations, meanwhile avoiding any spontaneous unitary evolution of the qubit states. Finally, we found a highly protected 1-qubit subspace resulting from the interaction between two clock molecules.

This study explored changes in brain serotonin content and activity together with hypothalamic neuropeptide mRNA abundance around feeding time in rainbow trout, as well as the effect of one-day fasting. Groups of trout fed at two (ZT2) and six (ZT6) hours after lights on were sampled from 90 minutes before to 240 minutes after feeding, while additional groups of non-fed trout were also included in the study. Changes in brain amine and metabolite contents were measured in hindbrain, diencephalon and telencephalon, while in the diencephalon the mRNA abundance of tryptophan hydroxylase (tph1, tph2), serotonin receptors (5htr1a, 5htr1b and 5htr2c) and several neuropeptides (npy, agrp1, cartpt, pomca1, crfb) involved in the control of food intake were also assessed. The results showed changes in the hypothalamic neuropeptides that were consistent with the expected role for each in the regulation of food intake in rainbow trout. Serotonergic activity increased rapidly at the time of food intake in the diencephalon and hindbrain and remained high for much of the postprandial period. This increase in serotonin abundance was concomitant with elevated levels of pomca1 mRNA in the diencephalon, suggesting that serotonin might act on brain neuropeptides to promote a satiety profile. Furthermore, serotonin synthesis and neuronal activity appear to increase already before the time of feeding, suggesting additional functions for this amine before and during food intake. Exploration of serotonin receptors in the diencephalon revealed only small changes for gene expression of 5htr1b and 5htr2c receptors during the postprandial phase. Therefore, the results suggest that serotonin may play a relevant role in the regulation of feeding behavior in rainbow trout during periprandial time, but a better understanding of its interaction with brain centers involved in receiving and processing food-related signals is still needed.