57 results on '"José A. López"'
Search Results
2. Craniofacial and three-dimensional palatal analysis in cleft lip and palate patients treated in Spain
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María José Viñas, Francesca Galiotto-Barba, María Gabriela Cortez-Lede, María Ángeles Rodríguez-González, Ignacio Moral, Elena Delso, Beatriz González-Meli, Fernando Lobo, José Luis López-Cedrún, David Neagu, Joaquín Garatea, Amaia Garatea, Beatriz Berenguer, Concepción Lorca-García, María Dolores Delgado, Eunate Martí, José Manuel Gutiérrez, Carlos Hernández, Jorge Murillo-González, Concepción Martínez-Álvarez, and Elena Martínez-Sanz
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Cleft Palate ,Young Adult ,Multidisciplinary ,Spain ,Cephalometry ,Child, Preschool ,Cleft Lip ,Maxilla ,Humans ,Prospective Studies - Abstract
Growth alterations have been described in patients operated on for oral clefts. The purpose of this work was to analyze the craniofacial and palate morphology and dimensions of young adults operated on for oral clefts in early childhood in Spain. Eighty-three patients from eight different hospitals were divided into four groups based on their type of cleft: cleft lip (CL, n = 6), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP, n = 37), bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP, n = 16), and cleft palate only (CPO, n = 24). A control group was formed of 71 individuals. Three-dimensional (3D) digital models were obtained from all groups with an intraoral scanner, together with cephalometries and frontal, lateral, and submental facial photographs. Measurements were obtained and analyzed statistically. Our results showed craniofacial alterations in the BCLP, UCLP, and CPO groups with an influence on the palate, maxilla, and mandible and a direct impact on facial appearance. This effect was more severe in the BCLP group. Measurements in the CL group were similar to those in the control group. Cleft characteristics and cleft type seem to be the main determining factors of long-term craniofacial growth alterations in these patients. Prospective research is needed to clearly delineate the effects of different treatments on the craniofacial appearance of adult cleft patients.
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- 2022
3. Study of the fluorescence and interaction between cyclodextrins and neochlorogenic acid, in comparison with chlorogenic acid
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Adrián Matencio, Francisco García-Carmona, José Manuel López-Nicolás, Cristina Vicente-Herrero, and Silvia Navarro-Orcajada
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Antioxidant ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Science ,Protonation ,02 engineering and technology ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,Article ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Chlorogenic acid ,medicine ,Caffeic acid ,Moiety ,Organic chemistry ,Solubility ,Multidisciplinary ,Neochlorogenic acid ,Ligand ,010401 analytical chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,0104 chemical sciences ,chemistry ,Medicine ,0210 nano-technology ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Neochlorogenic acid, a less-studied isomer of chlorogenic acid, has been seen to posses antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects, which makes it an interesting candidate for incorporation in functional foods. However, its poor solubility in water and susceptibility to oxidation make such a task difficult. To overcome that, its encapsulation in cyclodextrins (CDs) is proposed. The fluorescence of neochlorogenic acid in different pH conditions was analyzed, and caffeic acid was proved to be the fluorescent moiety in the molecule. An encapsulation model whereby the ligand poses two potential complexation sites (caffeic and D-(-)-quinic moieties), showed that α-CD and HP-β-CD formed the best inclusion complexes with neochlorogenic acid, followed by M-β-CD, β-CD and γ-CD. Molecular docking with the two best CDs gave better scores for α-CD, despite HP-β-CD providing stabilization through H-bonds. The encapsulation of chlorogenic acid led to a similar CD order and scores, although constants were higher for α-CD, β-CD and M-β-CD, lower for HP-β-CD, and negligible for γ-CD. The protonation state affected these results leading to a different order of CD preference. The solubility and the susceptibility to oxidation of neochlorogenic acid improved after complexation with α-CD and HP-β-CD, while the antioxidant activity of both isomers was maintained.
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- 2021
4. Prognostic classification of endometrial cancer using a molecular approach based on a twelve-gene NGS panel
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Ignacio A. Romero, Cristina Zorrero, Carmen Illueca, Raquel López-Reig, Antonio Fernandez-Serra, José Antonio López-Guerrero, Zaida García-Casado, and Andres Poveda
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0301 basic medicine ,Oncology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,lcsh:Medicine ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Prognostic markers ,0302 clinical medicine ,Endometrial cancer ,Mutation Rate ,Prognostic classification ,Artificial Intelligence ,Internal medicine ,Cancer genome ,Overall survival ,medicine ,Humans ,lcsh:Science ,Gene ,Multidisciplinary ,Molecular medicine ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,Amplicon ,medicine.disease ,Prognosis ,Endometrial Neoplasms ,030104 developmental biology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Mutation ,Microsatellite ,Female ,Microsatellite Instability ,lcsh:Q ,business - Abstract
Endometrial Cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignancies in women in developed countries. Molecular characterization of different biotypes may improve clinical management of EC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project has revealed four prognostic EC subgroups: POLE, MSI; Copy Number Low (CNL) and Copy Number High (CNH). The goal of this study was to develop a method to classify tumors in any of the four EC prognostic groups using affordable molecular techniques. Ninety-six Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were sequenced following a NGS TruSeq Custom Amplicon low input (Illumina) protocol interrogating a multi-gene panel. MSI analysis was performed by fragment analysis using eight specific microsatellite markers. A Random Forest classification algorithm (RFA), considering NGS results, was developed to stratify EC patients into different prognostic groups. Our approach correctly classifies the EC patients into the four TCGA prognostic biotypes. The RFA assigned the samples to the CNH and CNL groups with an accuracy of 0.9753 (p
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- 2019
5. Deciphering predictive factors for choice of thrombopoietin receptor agonist, treatment free responses, and thrombotic events in immune thrombocytopenia
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Vicente Vicente, María Isabel Orts, Maria Luisa Lozano, Nuria Bermejo, María Perera, Estefanía Bolaños, Luis F. Casado-Montero, Gonzalo Carreño-Tarragona, Elisa Orna-Montero, Manuel A. Rodríguez-López, Isidro Jarque, Tomás José González-López, David Valcárcel, Maria Eva Mingot-Castellano, Aurora de Andrés, Silvana Novelli, Rosa M. Campos-Alvarez, María Fernanda López-Fernández, María Teresa Álvarez-Román, Nuria Revilla, José Ramón González-Porras, Institut Català de la Salut, [Lozano ML] Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, Centro Regional de Hemodonación, Universidad de Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, CB15/00055-CIBERER, Murcia, Spain. [Mingot-Castellano ME] Hospital Carlos Haya, Málaga, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain. [Perera MM] Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas, Spain. [Jarque I] Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain. [Campos-Alvarez RM] Hospital de Especialidades de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain. [González-López TJ] Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain. [Valcarcel D] Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain. Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, and Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
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Male ,medicine.medical_treatment ,lcsh:Medicine ,Receptors, Fc ,Other subheadings::Other subheadings::/drug therapy [Other subheadings] ,Benzoates ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Trombocitopènia ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,Young adult ,lcsh:Science ,Aged, 80 and over ,Multidisciplinary ,Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases::Hematologic Diseases::Blood Coagulation Disorders::Purpura::Purpura, Thrombocytopenic::Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic [DISEASES] ,enfermedades hematológicas y linfáticas::enfermedades hematológicas::trastornos de la coagulación sanguínea::púrpura::púrpura trombocitopénica::púrpura trombocitopénica idiopática [ENFERMEDADES] ,Middle Aged ,Prognosis ,Survival Rate ,Hydrazines ,Thrombopoietin ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Female ,Receptors, Thrombopoietin ,Haematological diseases ,medicine.drug ,Agonist ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.drug_class ,Recombinant Fusion Proteins ,Splenectomy ,Eltrombopag ,Otros calificadores::Otros calificadores::/farmacoterapia [Otros calificadores] ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Young Adult ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Author Correction ,Survival rate ,Immunological disorders ,Aged ,Retrospective Studies ,Thrombopoietin receptor ,Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ,Romiplostim ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,Retrospective cohort study ,chemistry ,Pyrazoles ,lcsh:Q ,Medicaments - Administració ,business ,030215 immunology ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
Very few data exist on when a particular thrombopoietin-receptor agonist (TPO-RA) is favored in clinical practice for the treatment of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), about novel risk factors for vascular events (VE) with these drugs, nor about predictive factors for therapy free responses (TFR). We conducted an observational, retrospective, long-term follow-up multicenter study from November 2016 to January 2018 of 121 adult ITP patients initiating TPO-RA between January 2012 to December 2014. Data reflected that a platelet count ≤25 × 109/l at the time when the TPO-RA was initiated was associated with a 2.8 higher probability of receiving romiplostim vs. eltrombopag (P = 0.010). VE on TPO-RA was related to previous neoplasia in patients over 65 years (50% vs. 2.2%, P vs. 33%, P = 0.001). Receiving romiplostim as first TPO-RA with no subsequent TPO-RA switching was associated with a 50% likelihood of TFR after 2.9 years of therapy (3.3 years in chronic ITP patients). These real-world data help deciphering some areas of uncertainty, and offer insight into some of the most relevant challenges of ITP which may help clinicians make appropriate treatment decisions in the management of adult ITP patients with TPO-RA.
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- 2019
6. The moderating role of physical fitness in the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and adiposity in schoolchildren
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José Francisco López-Gil, Iván Cavero-Redondo, Mairena Sánchez-López, José Alberto Martínez-Hortelano, Carlos Berlanga-Macias, Alba Soriano-Cano, and Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno
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Male ,Sugar-Sweetened Beverages ,Young Adult ,Pediatric Obesity ,Multidisciplinary ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Hand Strength ,Physical Fitness ,Humans ,Female ,Child - Abstract
The mediating and moderating associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and handgrip strength on the association between dietary patterns and several health outcomes have been previously studied. For instance, handgrip strength has been found as a moderator of the relationship between excess weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults. Similarly, CRF has been shown as a mediator of the association between diet and obesity in children. However, to our knowledge, the role of CRF and handgrip strength on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and adiposity is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether CRF and handgrip strength moderate the association between SSB consumption and adiposity in a population-based sample of Spanish schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study involved 475 schoolchildren (52.0% girls), aged 8–12, from ten schools in Cuenca (Spain). Adiposity was determined as body fat (in kg), which was measured using a bioimpedance analysis system. Data on SSB consumption were gathered by using the Children’s Eating Habits Questionnaire, which was completed by parents. The CRF level was determined by the 20-m Shuttle Run test and Nevill’s curvilinear allometric model. Handgrip strength was determined using a digital dynamometer with adjustable grip. For each unit (in ml/kg/min) of CRF increased, the association between SSB consumption and adiposity was moderated (B = − 0.09, CI 95% − 0.14 to − 0.04). This significant moderation was also found for each 0.01 unit of increased normalized handgrip strength (B = − 0.07; CI 95% − 0.11 to − 0.02). Similarly, the Johnson-Neymann technique established three different regions. The first region shows that the association of SSB consumption on adiposity in participants who had levels of CRF 57.4 ml/kg/min (for CRF level) and > 0.58 (for normalized handgrip strength), indicating that the association between SSB consumption and adiposity was lower and statistically significant in children above these moderator values. Our results showed that certain levels of CRF and normalized handgrip strength moderate the association between SSB consumption and adiposity in a sample of Spanish schoolchildren. It might be possible that higher physical fitness level in childhood may contribute to reducing the association between SSB consumption and adiposity.
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- 2021
7. Endocannabinoid levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiple sclerosis patients treated with dimethyl fumarate
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Alicia Sánchez-Sanz, María Posada-Ayala, Julia Sabín-Muñoz, Ismael Fernández-Miranda, Yolanda Aladro-Benito, Roberto Álvarez-Lafuente, Ana Royuela, Ruth García-Hernández, Ofir Rodríguez-De la Fuente, Julián Romero, Antonio García-Merino, and Antonio José Sánchez-López
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Male ,Multidisciplinary ,Multiple Sclerosis ,Dimethyl Fumarate ,Leukocytes, Mononuclear ,Humans ,Female ,Endocannabinoids - Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS), a signalling network with immunomodulatory properties, is a potential therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis (MS). Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an approved drug for MS whose mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated; the possibility exists that its therapeutic effects could imply the ECS. With the aim of studying if DMF can modulate the ECS, the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), anandamide (AEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 21 healthy donors (HD) and 32 MS patients at baseline and after 12 and 24 months of DMF treatment. MS patients presented lower levels of 2-AG and PEA compared to HD. 2-AG increased at 24 months, reaching HD levels. AEA and PEA remained stable at 12 and 24 months. OEA increased at 12 months and returned to initial levels at 24 months. Patients who achieved no evidence of disease activity (NEDA3) presented the same modulation over time as EDA3 patients. PEA was modulated differentially between females and males. Our results show that the ECS is dysregulated in MS patients. The increase in 2-AG and OEA during DMF treatment suggests a possible role of DMF in ECS modulation.
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- 2021
8. Prognostic significance of FLT3-ITD length in AML patients treated with intensive regimens
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Elena Soria-Saldise, Isabel Recio, Estrella Carrillo, David Martínez-Cuadrón, Jorge Labrador, Juan A. López-López, Erik de Cabo, Carlos Blas, Carmen Chillón, Cristina Gil, Miguel A. Sanz, Rebeca Rodríguez-Veiga, María Teresa Olave, María José Larrayoz, J. A. Serrano, José Luis López-Lorenzo, Lorenzo Algarra, Eva Barragán, Carlos Rodríguez-Medina, María Belén Vidriales, Josefina Serrano, Daniel Lainez-González, Raimundo García, Rebeca Cuello, Joaquin Sanchez-Garcia, Joaquin Martinez-Lopez, Rosa Ayala, Tamara Castaño-Bonilla, Pau Montesinos, Eduardo Anguita, Juan M. Alonso-Domínguez, Maria Jose Sayas, Alberto Cantalapiedra, Mamen Mateos, Claudia Sargas, and Cristina Bilbao-Syeiro
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Male ,Oncology ,FLT3/ITD ,IMPACT ,Insertion site ,Allelic ratio ,RECOMMENDATIONS ,Prognostic markers ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,Mutational status ,Aged, 80 and over ,Multidisciplinary ,Molecular medicine ,Remission Induction ,Middle Aged ,Prognosis ,Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ,Medicine ,Female ,psychological phenomena and processes ,Flt3 itd ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Science ,ACUTE MYELOID-LEUKEMIA ,Newly diagnosed ,DIAGNOSIS ,Disease-Free Survival ,Article ,Acute myeloid leukaemia ,Young Adult ,MUTANT LEVEL ,Internal medicine ,MANAGEMENT ,medicine ,Overall survival ,Humans ,Oncogenesis ,Aged ,Retrospective Studies ,MUTATIONS ,business.industry ,Complete remission ,Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia ,INTERNAL TANDEM DUPLICATION ,body regions ,SIZE ,fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ,Mutation ,business - Abstract
FLT3-ITD mutations are detected in approximately 25% of newly diagnosed adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and confer an adverse prognosis. The FLT3-ITD allelic ratio has clear prognostic value. Nevertheless, there are numerous manuscripts with contradictory results regarding the prognostic relevance of the length and insertion site (IS) of the FLT3-ITD fragment. We aimed to assess the prognostic impact of these variables on the complete remission (CR) rates, overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) of AML patients with FLT3-ITDmutations. We studied the FLT3-ITD length of 362 adult AML patients included in the PETHEMA AML registry. We tried to validate the thresholds of ITD length previously published (i.e., 39 bp and 70 bp) in intensively treated AML patients (n = 161). We also analyzed the mutational profile of 118 FLT3-ITD AML patients with an NGS panel of 39 genes and correlated mutational status with the length and IS of ITD. The AUC of the ROC curve of the ITD length for OS prediction was 0.504, and no differences were found when applying any of the thresholds for OS, RFS or CR rate. Only four out of 106 patients had ITD IS in the TKD1 domain. Our results, alongside previous publications, confirm that FLT3-ITD length lacks prognostic value and clinical applicability.
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- 2021
9. CA 15-3 prognostic biomarker in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia
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José Antonio Ros-Lucas, Domingo Andrés Pascual-Figal, José Antonio Noguera-Velasco, Álvaro Hernández-Vicente, Iria Cebreiros-López, María Arnaldos-Carrillo, Isabel M. Martínez-Ardil, Elisa García-Vázquez, Mario Aparicio-Vicente, Elena Solana-Martínez, Sheyla Yolany Ruiz-Martínez, Laura Fernández-Mula, Rubén Andujar-Espinosa, Beatriz Fernández-Suarez, Maria Dolores Sánchez-Caro, Carlos Peñalver-Mellado, and Francisco José Ruiz-López
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Adult ,Male ,Multidisciplinary ,Interleukin-6 ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Mucin-1 ,COVID-19 ,Pneumonia ,Middle Aged ,Prognosis ,Fibrosis ,Oxygen ,C-Reactive Protein ,Humans ,Female ,Biomarkers ,Aged ,Retrospective Studies - Abstract
The severity of lung involvement is the main prognostic factor in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), a marker of lung damage and fibrosis, could help predict the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. This was a retrospective and observational study. CA 15-3 was analyzed in the blood samples of patients consecutively admitted for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and whose blood samples were available in the biobank. Other prognostic markers were also measured (interleukin 6 [IL6], C-reactive protein [CRP], D-dimer, troponin T, and NT-ProBNP). The occurrence of in-hospital complications was registered, including death, the need for medical intensive care, and oxygen therapy at discharge. In this study, 539 patients were recruited (54.9% men, mean age: 59.6 ± 16.4 years). At admission, the mean concentrations of CA 15-3 was 20.5 ± 15.8 U/mL, and the concentration was correlated with male sex, older age, and other severity markers of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) (IL6, CRP, D-dimer, troponine T, and NT-ProBNP). CA 15-3 levels were higher in patients who died (n = 56, 10.4%) (35.33 ± 30.45 vs. 18.8 ± 12.11, p p p = 0.011). Elevated CA 15-3 levels (above 34.5 U/mL) were a strong predictor of a complicated in-hospital course, in terms of a higher risk of death (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–11.9, p = 0.022) and need for intensive care (adjusted OR 4.56, 95% CI: 1.37–15.8) after adjusting for all other risk factors. The degree of lung damage and fibrosis evaluated in terms of CA 15-3 concentrations may allow early identification of the increased risk of complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.
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- 2021
10. Willingness to sacrifice among convicted Islamist terrorists versus violent gang members and other criminals
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Angel Gómez, Scott Atran, Juana Chinchilla, Alexandra Vázquez, Lucia López-Rodríguez, Borja Paredes, Mercedes Martínez, Laura Blanco, Beatriz Alba, Hend Bautista, Saulo Fernández, Florencia Pozuelo-Rubio, José Luis González-Álvarez, Sandra Chiclana, Héctor Valladares-Narganes, María Alonso, Alfredo Ruíz-Alvarado, José Luis López-Novo, and Richard Davis
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Multidisciplinary - Abstract
Is terrorism just another form of criminal activity, as many nations’ justice systems assume? We offer an initial answer using face-to-face interviews and structured surveys in thirty-five Spanish prisons. Recent theories of extreme sacrifice inform this direct observational and comparative study. Islamist terrorists display levels of self-sacrifice for their primary reference group similar to that of Latino gangs, but greater willingness to sacrifice for primary values than other inmates (non-radical Muslims, Latino gangs, and delinquent bands). This disposition is motivated by stronger perceived injustice, discrimination, and a visceral commitment to such values (risk/radicalization factors). Nevertheless, state authorities, prison staff, and families are (protective/de-radicalization) factors apt to reduce willingness to sacrifice and keep foreign fighters, now being released in large numbers, from returning to terrorism.
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- 2021
11. Handgrip strength as a moderator of the influence of age on olfactory impairment in US adult population ≥ 40 years of age
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Robinson Ramírez-Vélez, Mikel Izquierdo, Mikel L. Sáez de Asteasu, José Francisco López-Gil, Antonio García-Hermoso, Universidad Pública de Navarra. Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa. Osasun Zientziak Saila, and Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
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Olfactory system ,Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Olfactory impairment ,Disease prevention ,Population sample ,National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ,Science ,Adult population ,Audiology ,Handgrip strength ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Olfaction Disorders ,Population screening ,0302 clinical medicine ,Medicine ,Humans ,030223 otorhinolaryngology ,Aged ,Multidisciplinary ,Hand Strength ,business.industry ,Muscle strength ,Odor identification ,Middle Aged ,Moderation ,Odorants ,Female ,OLFACTORY IMPAIRMENT ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether handgrip strength attenuates the negative relationship between age and olfactory function in a representative US population sample 40 years old and over. A cross-sectional study was performed with 2861 adults from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey NHANES (2013–2014). An 8-item odor identification test was applied to determine olfactory function. Muscle strength was determined through a handgrip dynamometer (defined as the sum of the largest handgrip strength reading from right and left hands). Moderation analysis was performed to test whether the association between age and olfactory impairment was moderated by handgrip strength. Moderation analysis highlighted two regions of significance: the first region was found at < 56.6 kg, indicating that the adverse influence of age on olfactory function may be greater for the participants in this area; the second region was found at ≥ 56.6 kg, indicating that the negative impact of age on olfactory function disappeared for adults who were above this estimate point. In conclusion, handgrip strength, a general indicator of muscle strength, moderates the relationship between age and olfactory ability in a US adult population aged 40 years and older. Our findings are clinically relevant, since they emphasize the importance of muscular fitness in adulthood and old age by diminishing the deleterious effect of aging on olfactory performance. A.G.-H. is a Miguel Servet Fellow (Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FSE – CP18/0150). R.R.-V. is funded in part by a Postdoctoral Fellowship Resolution ID 420/2019 of the Universidad Pública de Navarra.
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- 2021
12. In vivo measurement of pH and CO2 levels in the uterus of sows through the estrous cycle and after insemination
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Rafael Latorre, Octavio López-Albors, Francisco A. García-Vázquez, Joaquín A. Ortuño, and Pedro José Llamas-López
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0301 basic medicine ,Male ,Swine ,medicine.medical_treatment ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Science ,Uterus ,Reproductive biology ,Reproductive technology ,Biosensing Techniques ,Biology ,Insemination ,Article ,Andrology ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Estrus ,Animal physiology ,medicine ,Animals ,media_common ,Estrous cycle ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Multidisciplinary ,In vitro fertilisation ,urogenital system ,Carbon Dioxide ,Diestrus ,Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ,Sperm ,Spermatozoa ,Bicarbonates ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Medicine ,Female ,Reproduction - Abstract
The pH–CO2–HCO3− system is a ubiquitous biological regulator with important functional implications for reproduction. Knowledge of the physiological values of its components is relevant for reproductive biology and the optimization of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). However, in situ measurements of these parameters in the uterus are scarce or null. This study describes a non-invasive method for in situ time-lapse recording of pH and CO2 within the uterus of non-anesthetized sows. Animals were at three different reproductive conditions, estrous with no insemination and two hours after insemination, and diestrous. From pH and CO2 data, HCO3− concentration was estimated. The non-invasive approach to the porcine uterus with novel optical probes allowed the obtaining of in situ physiological values of pH, CO2, and HCO3−. Variable oscillatory patterns of pH, CO2 and HCO3− were found independently of the estrous condition. Insemination did not immediately change the levels of uterine pH, CO2 (%) and HCO3− concentration, but all the values were affected by the estrous cycle decreasing significantly at diestrous condition. This study contributes to a better understanding of the in vivo regulation of the pH-CO2-HCO3− system in the uterus and may help to optimize the protocols of sperm treatment for in vitro fertilization.
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- 2021
13. Evolutionary analysis of the Moringa oleifera genome reveals a recent burst of plastid to nucleus gene duplications
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José Ojeda-López, Maria Salinas, Juan Pablo Marczuk-Rojas, Lorenzo Carretero-Paulet, Oliver Aleksandrei Polushkina, and Darius Purucker
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0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Nuclear gene ,Evolution ,lcsh:Medicine ,Genes, Plant ,01 natural sciences ,Genome ,Synteny ,Article ,Moringa ,Evolution, Molecular ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Gene Duplication ,Genetics ,Arabidopsis thaliana ,Gene family ,Plastids ,Plastid ,lcsh:Science ,Gene ,Phylogeny ,Moringa oleifera ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,lcsh:R ,fungi ,food and beverages ,biology.organism_classification ,Computational biology and bioinformatics ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,lcsh:Q ,Plant sciences ,Sequence Alignment ,DNA ,Genome, Plant ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
It is necessary to identify suitable alternative crops to ensure the nutritional demands of a growing global population. The genome of Moringa oleifera, a fast-growing drought-tolerant orphan crop with highly valuable agronomical, nutritional and pharmaceutical properties, has recently been reported. We model here gene family evolution in Moringa as compared with ten other flowering plant species. Despite the reduced number of genes in the compact Moringa genome, 101 gene families, grouping 957 genes, were found as significantly expanded. Expanded families were highly enriched for chloroplastidic and photosynthetic functions. Indeed, almost half of the genes belonging to Moringa expanded families grouped with their Arabidopsis thaliana plastid encoded orthologs. Microsynteny analysis together with modeling the distribution of synonymous substitutions rates, supported most plastid duplicated genes originated recently through a burst of simultaneous insertions of large regions of plastid DNA into the nuclear genome. These, together with abundant short insertions of plastid DNA, contributed to the occurrence of massive amounts of plastid DNA in the Moringa nuclear genome, representing 4.71%, the largest reported so far. Our study provides key genetic resources for future breeding programs and highlights the potential of plastid DNA to impact the structure and function of nuclear genes and genomes.
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- 2020
14. A phase I dose-finding, pharmacokinetics and genotyping study of olaparib and lurbinectedin in patients with advanced solid tumors
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Lorena Fariñas-Madrid, Angel Guerrero-Zotano, Raquel López-Reig, Pedro Mallol, Victor Rodriguez-Freixinos, Ana Oaknin, Andres Poveda, Ignacio A. Romero, José Antonio López-Guerrero, Institut Català de la Salut, [Poveda A] Oncogynecologic Department, Initia Oncology, Hospital Quironsalud Valencia, Avda Blasco Ibañez, 14, 46 010 Valencia, Spain. [Oaknin A, Fariñas-Madrid L] Servei d’Oncologia Mèdica, Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain. Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain. [Romero I, Guerrero-Zotano A] Department of Medical Oncology, Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Oncología (IVO), Valencia, Spain. [Rodriguez-Freixinos V] Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada, and Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
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0301 basic medicine ,Oncology ,Molecular biology ,Piperazines ,Medicaments antineoplàstics ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Neoplasms ,terapéutica::farmacoterapia::farmacoterapia combinada [TÉCNICAS Y EQUIPOS ANALÍTICOS, DIAGNÓSTICOS Y TERAPÉUTICOS] ,Càncer ,Cancer ,Multidisciplinary ,Therapeutics::Drug Therapy::Drug Therapy, Combination [ANALYTICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES, AND EQUIPMENT] ,Middle Aged ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Vomiting ,Medicine ,medicine.symptom ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Genotype ,Maximum Tolerated Dose ,Nausea ,Anemia ,Science ,Neutropenia ,Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors ,Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings ,Article ,Olaparib ,neoplasias [ENFERMEDADES] ,03 medical and health sciences ,Breast cancer ,Medical research ,Pharmacokinetics ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Adverse effect ,Aged ,business.industry ,medicine.disease ,Physiological Phenomena::Pharmacological and Toxicological Phenomena::Pharmacological Phenomena::Dose-Response Relationship, Drug [PHENOMENA AND PROCESSES] ,Neoplasms [DISEASES] ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,Medicaments - Eficàcia ,fenómenos fisiológicos::fenómenos farmacológicos y toxicológicos::fenómenos farmacológicos::relación dosis-respuesta de medicamentos [FENÓMENOS Y PROCESOS] ,Phthalazines ,business ,Carbolines - Abstract
Càncer; Biologia molecular; Oncologia Cancer; Molecular biology; Oncology Cáncer; Biología molecular; Oncología The poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib has shown antitumor activity in patients with ovarian or breast cancer with or without BRCA1/2 mutations. Lurbinectedin is an ecteinascidin that generates DNA double-strand breaks. We hypothesized that the combination of olaparib and lurbinectedin maximizes the DNA damage increasing the efficacy. A 3 + 3 dose-escalation study examined olaparib tablets with lurbinectedin every 21 days. The purpose of this phase I study is to determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of the combination, to investigate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the recommended phase II dose (RP2D), efficacy, pharmacokinetics, in addition to genotyping and translational studies. In total, 20 patients with ovarian and endometrial cancers were included. The most common adverse events were asthenia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, neutropenia, anemia. DLT grade 4 neutropenia was observed in two patients in dose level (DL) 5, DL4 was defined as the MTD, and the RP2D was lurbinectedin 1.5 mg/m2 + olaparib 250 mg twice a day (BID). Mutational analysis revealed a median of 2 mutations/case, 53% of patients with mutations in the homologous recombination (HR) pathway. None of the patients reached a complete or partial response; however, 60% of stable disease was achieved. In conclusion, olaparib in combination with lurbinectedin was well tolerated with a disease control rate of 60%. These results deserve further evaluation of the combination in a phase II trial. This trial was sponsored by AstraZeneca and PharmaMar, including supply of study drugs.
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- 2020
15. Millennial climate oscillations controlled the structure and evolution of Termination II
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David Domínguez-Villar, Sonja Lojen, Juan A. Vázquez-Navarro, José Antonio López-Sáez, Kristina Krklec, Miriam Dorado-Valiño, Ian J. Fairchild, European Commission, López Sáez, José Antonio, Domínguez Villar, David, Krklec, Kristina, Fairchild, Ian J., López Sáez, José Antonio [0000-0002-3122-2744], Domínguez Villar, David [0000-0002-4730-6053], Krklec, Kristina [0000-0003-1747-2883], and Fairchild, Ian J. [0000-0003-4822-2895]
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010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,lcsh:Medicine ,Speleothem ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Stage (stratigraphy) ,Deglaciation ,Glacial period ,lcsh:Science ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,geography ,Multidisciplinary ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,lcsh:R ,Northern Hemisphere ,Biogeochemistry ,Ocean sciences ,13. Climate action ,Tufa ,Climatology ,lcsh:Q ,Thermohaline circulation ,Climate sciences ,Geology ,Termination II, climate, tufa, T-II, Heinrich event, Thermohaline Circulation ,Chronology - Abstract
The controls that affect the structure and timing of terminations are still poorly understood. We studied a tufa deposit from the Iberian Peninsula that covers Termination II (T-II) and whose chronology was synchronized to speleothem records. We used the same chronology to synchronize ocean sediments from the North Atlantic to correlate major climate events in a common timescale. We identify two stages within T-II. The first stage started with the increase of boreal summer integrated solar insolation, and during this stage three millennial climate oscillations were recorded. These oscillations resulted from complex ocean–atmosphere interactions in the Nordic seas, caused by the progressive decay of Northern Hemisphere ice-sheets. The second stage commenced after a glacial outburst that caused the collapse of the Thermohaline Circulation, a massive Heinrich event, and the onset of the Bipolar Seesaw Mechanism (BSM) that eventually permitted the completion of T-II. The pace of the millennial oscillations during the first stage of T-II controlled the onset of the second stage, when the termination became a non-reversible and global phenomenon that accelerated the deglaciation. During the last the two terminations, the BSM was triggered by different detailed climate interactions, which suggests the occurrence of different modes of terminations., The Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha provided the permissions to sample in Trabaque Canyon. Tis research received funding from the European Community under the Marie Curie IEF of the FP7/2007-2013 (Grant agreement no. 219891: PROCAVET project, awarded to D.D.-V.). Publication was supported by the Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture
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- 2020
16. Streptococcus agalactiae in childbearing age immigrant women in Comunitat Valenciana (Spain)
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Estefanía Díaz-Aguirre, Beatriz Acosta-Boga, José Miguel Sahuquillo-Arce, Alicia Hernández-Cabezas, José Luis López-Hontangas, Rabab Chouman-Arcas, and María Jesús Castaño-Aroca
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Adult ,Latin Americans ,Geographical isolation ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Immigration ,lcsh:Medicine ,Emigrants and Immigrants ,medicine.disease_cause ,Article ,Streptococcus agalactiae ,Isolation rate ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Pregnancy ,Streptococcal Infections ,Ethnicity ,medicine ,Humans ,Colonization ,030212 general & internal medicine ,lcsh:Science ,Clinical microbiology ,Retrospective Studies ,media_common ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Multidisciplinary ,lcsh:R ,Temperature ,Indian subcontinent ,Geography ,Risk factors ,Spain ,Childbearing age ,lcsh:Q ,Female ,Demography - Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) remains the leading cause of meningitis and neonatal sepsis in the world, and causes disease in pregnant and puerperal women. This is a retrospective study of GBS infections on women of childbearing age living in Comunitat Valenciana, Spain (years 2009-2014) and GBS colonization rate on pregnant women attending Hospital La Fe (years 2013-2015) according to their origin. An aggregated total of 6,641,960 women exposed during the study period had an average GBS isolation rate of 5.19 parts per thousand (5.14-5.25 parts per thousand), geographical group rates being: Western Europe (2.2 parts per thousand), North America (2.1 parts per thousand), Australia (3.7 parts per thousand), Spain (4.6 parts per thousand), Latin America II (4.5 parts per thousand), Eastern Europe (5.3 parts per thousand), Asia (6.7 parts per thousand), Latin America I (7.7 parts per thousand), Middle East (7.9 parts per thousand), Indian Subcontinent (17.2 parts per thousand), North Africa (17.8 parts per thousand), Sub-Saharan Africa (22.7 parts per thousand). The 4532 pregnant women studied had an average GBS colonization rate of 12.47% (11.51-13.43) and geographical group rates varied similar to geographical isolation rates. Low GDP and high temperatures of the birth country were associated with higher colonization rates. Thus, differences in GBS colonization depend on the country of origin; Africa and the Indian subcontinent presented the highest, while Western Europe and North America had the lowest. This variability portrays a geographical pattern influenced by temperature and GDP.
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- 2020
17. Mycobacterium tuberculosis ribosomal protein S1 (RpsA) and variants with truncated C-terminal end show absence of interaction with pyrazinoic acid
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Ricardo Antiparra, Mirko Zimic, Robert H. Gilman, Katherine Vallejos-Sánchez, L. M. Amzel, Patricia Sheen, Juan José Marín López, Daniela E. Kirwan, Emily Toscano, Helena Maruenda, and Harry Saavedra
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0301 basic medicine ,Ribosomal Proteins ,Molecular biology ,Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis ,030106 microbiology ,Biophysics ,Antitubercular Agents ,lcsh:Medicine ,Cofactor ,Article ,Mycobacterium tuberculosis ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Pyrazinoic acid ,Bacterial Proteins ,Ribosomal protein ,Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ,Humans ,Electrophoretic mobility shift assay ,lcsh:Science ,purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#1.06.01 [https] ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Microscale thermophoresis ,Chemistry ,lcsh:R ,Wild type ,Isothermal titration calorimetry ,biology.organism_classification ,Pyrazinamide ,RNA, Bacterial ,030104 developmental biology ,purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.02.07 [https] ,Mutation ,biology.protein ,lcsh:Q - Abstract
Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an antibiotic used in first- and second-line tuberculosis treatment regimens. Approximately 50% of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and over 90% of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis strains are also PZA resistant. Despite the key role played by PZA, its mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. It has been postulated that pyrazinoic acid (POA), the hydrolyzed product of PZA, could inhibit trans-translation by binding to Ribosomal protein S1 (RpsA) and competing with tmRNA, the natural cofactor of RpsA. Subsequent data, however, indicate that these early findings resulted from experimental artifact. Hence, in this study we assess the capacity of POA to compete with tmRNA for RpsA. We evaluated RpsA wild type (WT), RpsA ∆A438, and RpsA ∆A438 variants with truncations towards the carboxy terminal end. Interactions were measured using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Microscale Thermophoresis (MST), and Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA). We found no measurable binding between POA and RpsA (WT or variants). This suggests that RpsA may not be involved in the mechanism of action of PZA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as previously thought. Interactions observed between tmRNA and RpsA WT, RpsA ∆A438, and each of the truncated variants of RpsA ∆A438, are reported.
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- 2020
18. Ultra-Clean Pure Shift 1H-NMR applied to metabolomics profiling
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Juan José Marín López, Rodrigo Cabrera, and Helena Maruenda
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0301 basic medicine ,Biomarker identification ,Multidisciplinary ,Chromatography ,Chemistry ,lcsh:R ,Single pulse ,lcsh:Medicine ,Metabolomics data ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,0302 clinical medicine ,Metabolomics ,Proton NMR ,Metabolome ,lcsh:Q ,lcsh:Science ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Even though Pure Shift NMR methods have conveniently been used in the assessment of crowded spectra, they are not commonly applied to the analysis of metabolomics data. This paper exploits the recently published SAPPHIRE-PSYCHE methodology in the context of plant metabolome. We compare single pulse, PSYCHE, and SAPPHIRE-PSYCHE spectra obtained from aqueous extracts of Physalis peruviana fruits. STOCSY analysis with simplified SAPPHIRE-PSYCHE spectra of six types of Cape gooseberry was carried out and the results attained compared with classical STOCSY data. PLS coefficients analysis combined with 1D-STOCSY was performed in an effort to simplify biomarker identification. Several of the most compromised proton NMR signals associated with critical constituents of the plant mixture, such as amino acids, organic acids, and sugars, were more cleanly depicted and their inter and intra correlation better reveled by the Pure Shift methods. The simplified data allowed the identification of glutamic acid, a metabolite not observed in previous studies of Cape gooseberry due to heavy overlap of its NMR signals. Overall, the results attained indicated that Ultra-Clean Pure Shift spectra increase the performance of metabolomics data analysis such as STOCSY and multivariate coefficients analysis, and therefore represent a feasible and convenient additional tool available to metabolomics.
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- 2019
19. The nucleus does not significantly affect the migratory trajectories of amoeba in two-dimensional environments
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Terrence J. Sejnowski, Alberto Pérez-Samartín, María Fedetz, José I. López, Jesus M. Cortes, Carlos Bringas, Gorka Pérez-Yarza, Iker Malaina, Benjamin M. Regner, Ildefonso M. De la Fuente, María Dolores Boyano, European Commission, and Eusko Jaurlaritza
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food.ingredient ,enucleated cells ,Movement ,lcsh:Medicine ,Motility ,Biology ,Models, Biological ,Article ,Cellular life ,Amoeba (genus) ,food ,Data sequences ,motion ,medicine ,Least-Squares Analysis ,lcsh:Science ,Amoeba ,Cell Nucleus ,Multidisciplinary ,Microscopy, Video ,behavior ,time-series ,lcsh:R ,Statistics ,dynamics ,Amoeba proteus ,biology.organism_classification ,Applied mathematics ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,motility ,Nonlinear Dynamics ,network ,lcsh:Q ,Nucleus ,Neuroscience ,mechanics - Abstract
For a wide range of cells, from bacteria to mammals, locomotion movements are a crucial systemic behavior for cellular life. Despite its importance in a plethora of fundamental physiological processes and human pathologies, how unicellular organisms efficiently regulate their locomotion system is an unresolved question. Here, to understand the dynamic characteristics of the locomotion movements and to quantitatively study the role of the nucleus in the migration of Amoeba proteus we have analyzed the movement trajectories of enucleated and non-enucleated amoebas on flat two-dimensional (2D) surfaces using advanced non-linear physical-mathematical tools and computational methods. Our analysis shows that both non-enucleated and enucleated amoebas display the same kind of dynamic migration structure characterized by highly organized data sequences, super-diffusion, non-trivial long-range positive correlations, persistent dynamics with trend-reinforcing behavior, and move-step fluctuations with scale invariant properties. Our results suggest that the presence of the nucleus does not significantly affect the locomotion of amoeba in 2D environments., We would like to thank José González Romero and José Miguel Pérez Pérez from the Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine “López-Neyra” for their technical assistance, as well as the technical support provided by SGIker of UPV/EHU, European funding (ERDF and ESF), the Basque Government funding (IT1974-16, KK-2018/00090), and by the UPV/EHU and Basque Center of Applied Mathematics (US18/21).
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- 2019
20. Cryptic population structure reveals low dispersal in Iberian wolves
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Raquel Godinho, Susana Lopes, Pedro Silva, José Vicente López-Bao, Emilio García, Luis Llaneza, Francisco Álvares, Yolanda Cortés, Helena Rio-Maior, Vicente Palacios, Juan Carlos Blanco, and Nuno Ferrand
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Gene Flow ,0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Demographic history ,Population ,lcsh:Medicine ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Gene flow ,03 medical and health sciences ,Genetic variation ,Animals ,Carnivore ,lcsh:Science ,education ,Genetic diversity ,education.field_of_study ,Wolves ,Multidisciplinary ,lcsh:R ,Genetic Variation ,Genetics, Population ,030104 developmental biology ,Spain ,Evolutionary biology ,Genetic structure ,Biological dispersal ,lcsh:Q ,Animal Distribution ,Microsatellite Repeats - Abstract
Highly mobile mammalian carnivores are expected to have the capability to maintain high levels of gene flow across large geographic scales. Nonetheless, surprising levels of genetic structure have been found in many such populations. We combined genetic and spatial behavioural information from wolves (Canis lupus) in the Iberian Peninsula (Western Europe) during the last two decades to present a particular case of low dispersal levels in a large carnivore population persisting in human-dominated landscapes. We found an exceptionally reticulated pattern of cryptic population structure emerging at two hierarchical levels, in which four or eleven meaningful genetic clusters can be recognized, respectively. These clusters were characterized by moderate-high levels of differentiation (average pairwise FST = 0.09–0.19), low levels of admixture and varying degrees of genetic diversity. The number of dispersers identified among the 11 clusters was very low (
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- 2018
21. Correction: Corrigendum: Association of VAV2 and VAV3 polymorphisms with cardiovascular risk factors
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Carlos Martínez-Salgado, Luis García-Ortiz, Javier Fernández-Mateos, Ana I. Morales, Cristina Agudo-Conde, José M. López-Novoa, Manuel A. Gómez-Marcos, Francisco J. López-Hernández, Rogelio González-Sarmiento, José I. Recio-Rodríguez, Emiliano Rodriguez-Sanchez, and Nuria Perretta-Tejedor
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Multidisciplinary ,Excellence ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Political science ,Cardiovascular risk factors ,Library science ,Christian ministry ,media_common - Abstract
Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 41875; published online: 03 February 2017; updated: 11 May 2018 This Article contains typographical errors in the Acknowledgements section. “This work was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, PI12/00959, PI13/01741, RETICS RD012/0005/004 and RD012/0021, co-funded by FEDER) and Junta de Castilla y León (Excellence Group GR100, Ministry of Health, BIO/SA87/13 and IES095U14) and Fundación Mutua Madrileña (IX Call for Grants and Aids for Medical Research).
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- 2018
22. Author Correction: Limited evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce livestock predation by large carnivores
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Mahdieh Tourani, José Vicente López-Bao, Ann Eklund, Guillaume Chapron, and Jens Frank
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0106 biological sciences ,Multidisciplinary ,Livestock ,Natural resource economics ,business.industry ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,lcsh:R ,Carnivora ,Psychological intervention ,lcsh:Medicine ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Predation ,Geography ,Predatory Behavior ,ComputingMethodologies_DOCUMENTANDTEXTPROCESSING ,Animals ,lcsh:Q ,Limited evidence ,Animal Husbandry ,Safety ,lcsh:Science ,business ,Author Correction - Abstract
Successful coexistence between large carnivores and humans is conditional upon effective mitigation of the impact of these species on humans, such as through livestock depredation. It is therefore essential for conservation practitioners, carnivore managing authorities, or livestock owners to know the effectiveness of interventions intended to reduce livestock predation by large carnivores. We reviewed the scientific literature (1990-2016), searching for evidence of the effectiveness of interventions. We found experimental and quasi-experimental studies were rare within the field, and only 21 studies applied a case-control study design (3.7% of reviewed publications). We used a relative risk ratio to evaluate the studied interventions: changing livestock type, keeping livestock in enclosures, guarding or livestock guarding dogs, predator removal, using shock collars on carnivores, sterilizing carnivores, and using visual or auditory deterrents to frighten carnivores. Although there was a general lack of scientific evidence of the effectiveness of any of these interventions, some interventions reduced the risk of depredation whereas other interventions did not result in reduced depredation. We urge managers and stakeholders to move towards an evidence-based large carnivore management practice and researchers to conduct studies of intervention effectiveness with a randomized case-control design combined with systematic reviewing to evaluate the evidence.
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- 2018
23. Toward reliable population estimates of wolves by combining spatial capture-recapture models and non-invasive DNA monitoring
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Raquel Godinho, Vicente Palacios, José Jiménez, José Vicente López-Bao, C. Pacheco, Luis Llaneza, Emilio J. García, F. J. Lema, Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España), and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal)
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0106 biological sciences ,Male ,Conservation of Natural Resources ,Wildlife ,Endangered species ,lcsh:Medicine ,Lobos ,Poisson distribution ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Mark and recapture ,symbols.namesake ,Population estimate ,Statistics ,Animals ,lcsh:Science ,Population Density ,Multidisciplinary ,Wolves ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Population size ,Non invasive ,lcsh:R ,Endangered Species ,Sampling (statistics) ,Reproducibility of Results ,DNA ,Models, Theoretical ,Recursos cinegéticos ,Geography ,symbols ,lcsh:Q ,Female - Abstract
Decision-makers in wildlife policy require reliable population size estimates to justify interventions, to build acceptance and support in their decisions and, ultimately, to build trust in managing authorities. Traditional capture-recapture approaches present two main shortcomings, namely, the uncertainty in defining the effective sampling area, and the spatially-induced heterogeneity in encounter probabilities. These limitations are overcome using spatially explicit capture-recapture approaches (SCR). Using wolves as case study, and non-invasive DNA monitoring (faeces), we implemented a SCR with a Poisson observation model in a single survey to estimate wolf density and population size, and identify the locations of individual activity centres, in NW Iberia over 4,378 km. During the breeding period, posterior mean wolf density was 2.55 wolves/100 km (95%BCI = 1.87-3.51), and the posterior mean population size was 111.6 ± 18.8 wolves (95%BCI = 81.8-153.6). From simulation studies, addressing different scenarios of non-independence and spatial aggregation of individuals, we only found a slight underestimation in population size estimates, supporting the reliability of SCR for social species. The strategy used here (DNA monitoring combined with SCR) may be a cost-effective way to generate reliable population estimates for large carnivores at regional scales, especially for endangered species or populations under game management., J.V.L.B. was supported by a Ramon & Cajal research contract (RYC-2015-18932) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. R.G. was supported by research contract (IF/00564/2012) from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Tis work was partially supported by the project PTDC/BIA-EVF/2460/2014 (FCT).
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- 2018
24. Limited evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce livestock predation by large carnivores
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Ann Eklund, José Vicente López-Bao, Mahdieh Tourani, Guillaume Chapron, and Jens Frank
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Science ,Medicine ,Article - Abstract
Successful coexistence between large carnivores and humans is conditional upon effective mitigation of the impact of these species on humans, such as through livestock depredation. It is therefore essential for conservation practitioners, carnivore managing authorities, or livestock owners to know the effectiveness of interventions intended to reduce livestock predation by large carnivores. We reviewed the scientific literature (1990–2016), searching for evidence of the effectiveness of interventions. We found experimental and quasi-experimental studies were rare within the field, and only 21 studies applied a case-control study design (3.7% of reviewed publications). We used a relative risk ratio to evaluate the studied interventions: changing livestock type, keeping livestock in enclosures, guarding or livestock guarding dogs, predator removal, using shock collars on carnivores, sterilizing carnivores, and using visual or auditory deterrents to frighten carnivores. Although there was a general lack of scientific evidence of the effectiveness of any of these interventions, some interventions reduced the risk of depredation whereas other interventions did not result in reduced depredation. We urge managers and stakeholders to move towards an evidence-based large carnivore management practice and researchers to conduct studies of intervention effectiveness with a randomized case-control design combined with systematic reviewing to evaluate the evidence.
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- 2017
25. Correction: Corrigendum: Human behaviour can trigger large carnivore attacks in developed countries
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Ilpo Kojola, Jens Frank, Jon E. Swenson, Francesco Pinchera, Veronica Sahlén, Petter Wabakken, Stephen Herrero, Ole-Gunnar Støen, Alberto Fernández-Gil, Sauli Härkönen, María del Mar Delgado, Vincenzo Penteriani, José M. Fedriani, Harri Norberg, Mario Pellegrini, Javier Naves, and José Vicente López-Bao
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Variable (computer science) ,Carnivore (software) ,Multidisciplinary ,Computer science ,Statistics ,Computer security ,computer.software_genre ,Categorical variable ,computer ,Integer (computer science) - Abstract
Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 20552; published online: 03 February 2016; updated: 28 March 2017 This corrigendum aims to correct errors detected in the outputs of the Extended Data Tables from our article Scientific Reports 6, 20552 (2016). A mistake occurred due to a failure in the conversion of the variable “species” from integer to a categorical (factor) variable.
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- 2017
26. Spatial assessment of wolf-dog hybridization in a single breeding period
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Emilio J. García, José Vicente López-Bao, F. J. Lema, Raquel Godinho, C. Pacheco, Luis Llaneza, and Vicente Palacios
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0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Mitochondrial DNA ,Genotype ,Population ,Biodiversity ,Introgression ,Biology ,Breeding ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,DNA, Mitochondrial ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Dogs ,Genetic variation ,Animals ,education ,Hybrid ,education.field_of_study ,Multidisciplinary ,Wolves ,Geography ,Genetic Variation ,Bayes Theorem ,030104 developmental biology ,Evolutionary biology ,Hybridization, Genetic ,Identification (biology) - Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of wolf-dog hybridization and delineating evidence-based conservation strategies requires information on the spatial extent of wolf-dog hybridization in real-time, which remains largely unknown. We collected 332 wolf-like scats over ca. 5,000km2 in the NW Iberian Peninsula to evaluate wolf-dog hybridization at population level in a single breeding/pup-rearing season. Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) and 18 ancestry informative markers were used for species and individual identification, and to detect wolf-dog hybrids. Genetic relatedness was assessed between hybrids and wolves. We identified 130 genotypes, including 67 wolves and 7 hybrids. Three of the hybrids were backcrosses to dog whereas the others were backcrosses to wolf, the latter accounting for a 5.6% rate of introgression into the wolf population. Our results show a previously undocumented scenario of multiple and widespread wolf-dog hybridization events at the population level. However, there is a clear maintenance of wolf genetic identity, as evidenced by the sharp genetic identification of pure individuals, suggesting the resilience of wolf populations to a small amount of hybridization. We consider that real-time population level assessments of hybridization provide a new perspective into the debate on wolf conservation, with particular focus on current management guidelines applied in wolf-dog hybridization events.
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- 2017
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27. Association of VAV2 and VAV3 polymorphisms with cardiovascular risk factors
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Cristina Agudo-Conde, José M. López-Novoa, Luis García-Ortiz, Francisco J. López-Hernández, José I. Recio-Rodríguez, Ana I. Morales, Rogelio González-Sarmiento, Emiliano Rodriguez-Sanchez, Manuel A. Gómez-Marcos, Carlos Martínez-Salgado, Nuria Perretta-Tejedor, Javier Fernández-Mateos, European Commission, Fundación Mutua Madrileña, Junta de Castilla y León, Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cáncer (España), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España)
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Adult ,Blood Glucose ,Male ,0301 basic medicine ,Heterozygote ,medicine.medical_specialty ,VAV2 ,Retinal Artery ,Blood sugar ,Blood Pressure ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Sex Factors ,0302 clinical medicine ,Diabetes mellitus ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Ankle Brachial Index ,Allele ,Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Kidney ,Multidisciplinary ,business.industry ,Body Weight ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Corrigenda ,Obesity ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Endocrinology ,Blood pressure ,Cardiovascular Diseases ,Case-Control Studies ,Female ,business ,Homeostasis - Abstract
Hypertension, diabetes and obesity are cardiovascular risk factors closely associated to the development of renal and cardiovascular target organ damage. VAV2 and VAV3, members of the VAV family proto-oncogenes, are guanosine nucleotide exchange factors for the Rho and Rac GTPase family, which is related with cardiovascular homeostasis. We have analyzed the relationship between the presence of VAV2 rs602990 and VAV3 rs7528153 polymorphisms with cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage (heart, vessels and kidney) in 411 subjects. Our results show that being carrier of the T allele in VAV2 rs602990 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of obesity, reduced levels of ankle-brachial index and diastolic blood pressure and reduced retinal artery caliber. In addition, being carrier of T allele is associated with increased risk of target organ damage in males. On the other hand, being carrier of the T allele in VAV3 rs7528153 polymorphism is associated with a decreased susceptibility of developing a pathologic state composed by the presence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular damage, and with an increased risk of developing altered basal glycaemia. This is the first report showing an association between VAV2 and VAV3 polymorphisms with cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage., This work was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, PI12/00959, PI13/01741, RETICS RD012/0005/004 and RD012/0021, co-funded by FEDER) and Junta de Castilla y León (Excellence Group GR100, Ministry of Health, BIO/SA87/13 and IES095U14) and Fundación Mutua Madrileña (IX Call for Grants and Aids for Medical Research).
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- 2017
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- View/download PDF
28. Estimating carnivore community structures
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Juan Carlos Nuñez-Arjona, José Jiménez, Carmen Rueda, José Vicente López-Bao, Luís González, Jaime Muñoz-Igualada, Francisco García-Domínguez, Junta de Extremadura, and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España)
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0106 biological sciences ,Population Density ,Multidisciplinary ,business.industry ,Mediterranean Region ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Environmental resource management ,Carnivora ,Animals, Wild ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Biota ,Article ,Ecosystem services ,Biodiversity conservation ,Geography ,Animals ,Carnivore ,business ,Quality information - Abstract
Obtaining reliable estimates of the structure of carnivore communities is of paramount importance because of their ecological roles, ecosystem services and impact on biodiversity conservation, but they are still scarce. This information is key for carnivore management: to build support for and acceptance of management decisions and policies it is crucial that those decisions are based on robust and high quality information. Here, we combined camera and live-trapping surveys, as well as telemetry data, with spatially-explicit Bayesian models to show the usefulness of an integrated multi-method and multi-model approach to monitor carnivore community structures. Our methods account for imperfect detection and effectively deal with species with non-recognizable individuals. In our Mediterranean study system, the terrestrial carnivore community was dominated by red foxes (0.410 individuals/km2); Egyptian mongooses, feral cats and stone martens were similarly abundant (0.252, 0.249 and 0.240 individuals/km2, respectively), whereas badgers and common genets were the least common (0.130 and 0.087 individuals/km2, respectively). The precision of density estimates improved by incorporating multiple covariates, device operation, and accounting for the removal of individuals. The approach presented here has substantial implications for decision-making since it allows, for instance, the evaluation, in a standard and comparable way, of community responses to interventions., We are in debt to the staff of the Regional Government of Extremadura, and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment, for their collaboration and the logistical support they provided. J.V.L.B. was supported by a ‘Juan de la Cierva’ research contract (JCI-2012-13066) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
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- 2017
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29. High increase of Nichols-like clade circulating Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum in Barcelona from 2021 to 2023
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Patricia Nadal-Barón, Jesus Trejo-Zahinos, Maider Arando, Alicia Barberan-Masegosa, Marta Bernat-Sole, Arantxa Pérez-Ugarte, Ana Maria Villatoro, Pilar Alcubilla, Elena Sulleiro, Juan José Gonzalez-López, Andrés Antón, Mireia Alberny, Oriol Mitjà, Maria Nieves Larrosa, and Yannick Hoyos-Mallecot
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Molecular epidemiology ,Multilocus sequence typing ,Phylogeny ,Syphilis ,Treponema pallidum ,Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Worldwide, more than 90% of contemporary syphilis strains belong to SS14-like clade. This study aimed to describe the molecular profile of circulating Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA) strains in Barcelona, Spain, from 2021 to 2023 building upon our report in 2015 which showed that 94.8% of typed strains belonged to the SS14 clade. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was conducted on TPA-positive samples obtained from swab samples by sequencing the tp0136, tp0548, and tp0705 loci. Strains were classified as Nichols-like or SS14-like clade. Macrolide and tetracycline resistance‑associated mutations were determined through analysis of 23S rDNA and 16S rRNA gene sequences. Of the 96 typeable samples, 47.9% belonged to SS14-like and 52.1% to the Nichols-like. Fourteen haplotypes were identified, with ST26 representing 43.8% of the samples, distributed across 11 haplotypes in the SS14-like and 3 haplotypes in the Nichols-like. All the samples showed macrolide resistance-associated mutations, while none exhibited tetracycline-associated mutations. Our findings revealed a substantial shift in the proportion of TPA clades within the Barcelona population from 2021 to 2023, characterized by a higher proportion of Nichols-like strains compared to 2015 and international trends. The varying temporal and geographical trends underscore the need for regular surveillance to understand regional variations in syphilis and strengthen control programs.
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- 2024
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30. Initial Upper Palaeolithic lithic industry at Cueva Millán in the hinterlands of Iberia
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Policarpo Sánchez-Yustos, Ana B. Marín-Arroyo, Lee J. Arnold, Luis Luque, Martin Kehl, José Antonio López-Sáez, Ángel Carrancho Alonso, Martina Demuro, Alicia Sanz-Royo, Michael Buckley, José Manuel Maíllo-Fernández, Felipe Cuartero-Monteagudo, Javier Llamazares-González, Mónica Ruiz-Alonso, Reyes Luelmo-Lautenschlaeger, Ernesto García-Soto, and Manuel Alcaraz-Castaño
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The extended period of coexistence between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens in Europe coincided with the emergence of regionally distinctive lithic industries, signalling the onset of the Upper Palaeolithic. The Iberian Peninsula was on the periphery of pioneering Upper Palaeolithic developments, with archaeological remains primarily found in northern territories. We report the discovery of an initial Upper Palaeolithic lithic industry at Cueva Millán in the hinterlands of Iberia. This industry, termed here Arlanzian, not only represents the earliest and southernmost evidence of such industries in Iberia but also lacks a direct counterpart. However, it exhibits chronological and technological parallels with the lithic industries associated with the earliest expansion of Homo sapiens throughout Eurasia. We interpret this as potential evidence of its intrusive nature, but not necessarily associated with a migration event, as more complex scenarios derived from inter-population connectivity must be also considered. The biological identity of the Arlanzian makers remains unknown, but they coexisted with declining Neanderthal groups from neighbouring territories.
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- 2024
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31. Palaeoproteomics and microanalysis reveal techniques of production of animal-based metal threads in medieval textiles
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Cristina Scibè, Kira Eng-Wilmot, Thomas Lam, Isetta Tosini, Maria José González López, and Caroline Solazzo
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Metal threads ,Skin ,Membrane ,Gold ,Collagen ,Egg white ,Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Animal-based metal threads were largely used between the 10th and the fifteenth century, in European, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern textile productions for the decoration of textiles and cloths. They belong to a larger group of metal threads, used either as flat threads or wrapped around a fiber core, that were backed by an organic support (animal or paper). This study focuses on the medieval production of metal threads backed by an animal membrane (e.g. gut membrane), or skin. A total of 91 samples were collected from a corpus of 66 textile fragments belonging to 54 catalogued objects. The relevance and novelty of the present study is represented by the combination of proteomics, cross-section analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM–EDS and SEM-µXRF). The diversity of materials and manufacturing techniques found within each typology of thread, respectively, membrane-based metal threads and skin-based metal threads, hinted at different production technologies. Membrane-based threads were found to be invariably made from cattle gut membrane, coated with gilt-silver leaves. A possible sheep glue adhesive was found in a few samples. Skin-based threads were made from either goat or sheep leather, coated with metal leaves or powder. Within the three different types of coatings identified (silver, gold and gilt-silver), gold coatings were the most represented. Goat leather threads were associated with an egg-white binder, while sturgeon glue was identified as adhesive in all sheep leather threads. Collagen glue from other species (cattle, sheep, horse) was occasionally found in mixed adhesives. In two textiles, the finding of human proteins indicates past contamination due to handling or use. The analytical results show coherence between the fabrication patterns of animal-based metal threads and their probable geographical areas of manufacture, indicating that the study of materials and techniques provide further criteria to classify and group textiles, and trace correlations between manufacturing centers within Eurasian territories.
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- 2024
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32. Impact of inclusion of post-spermatic ejaculate fraction in boar seminal doses on sperm metabolism, quality, and interaction with uterine fluid
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Chiara Luongo, Pedro José Llamas-López, Gabriela Garrappa, Ernesto Rodríguez-Tobón, Paulina Grudzinska, and Francisco Alberto García-Vázquez
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Boar ejaculate is composed of sperm cells and seminal plasma (SP) and is emitted in different fractions (pre-sperm fraction; spermatic-rich fraction; intermediate fraction; post-spermatic fraction), with different composition of SP and volume, which could influence the sperm quality during seminal doses preparation, conservation, and interaction with the female reproductive tract. In artificial insemination (AI) centers, seminal doses are usually prepared with the spermatic-rich and intermediate fractions, but the inclusion of other ejaculate fractions, although controversial, is beginning to be applied. The objective was to evaluate the synergic effect of accumulative ejaculated fractions on sperm functionality during seminal doses preparation, throughout storage and after incubation with uterine fluid (UF). For this purpose, a total of 57 ejaculates were collected, and the following experimental groups were prepared (n = 19 per group): (F1) spermatic-rich fraction; (F2) F1 plus intermediate fraction; (F3) F2 plus post-spermatic fraction. Each group was stored for 5 days at ∼16 °C, and the following parameters were evaluated: sperm metabolism of pure and diluted semen (day 1), sperm quality parameters (days 1, 3, 5), thermal-resistance test (TRT) and incubation with uterine fluid (UF) (day 5). Sperm metabolic rates between accumulative ejaculate fractions from pure and diluted semen did not show differences. Also, sperm quality parameters were not affected by the ejaculate fraction during storage. However, sperm subjected to TRT showed similar results except for progressive motility, which was better in F2 and F3 than F1. When sperm were incubated with UF, the quality decreased in each group, but sperm from F2 and F3 were less affected than those from F1. In conclusion, the post-spermatic fraction can be included in seminal doses for their use in AI-centers, with functionality of sperm of different SP origins not being impaired throughout the storage, and responding better to thermal and UF stress. However, further research in AI-centers is necessary to test the sperm behaviour under presented conditions.
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- 2023
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33. The moderating role of recreational substance use in the association of Mediterranean diet with academic performance among adolescents
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José Francisco López-Gil, Lee Smith, Anelise Reis Gaya, Desirée Victoria-Montesinos, Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza, Eva Herrera-Gutiérrez, and Antonio García-Hermoso
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract No study has examined the potential moderating role of recreational substance use in the relationship between the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and academic performance. The aim of this study was to test the potential moderating role of recreational substance use (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) in the association of adherence to the MedDiet with academic performance among adolescents. This cross-sectional study included a sample of 757 adolescents (55.6% girls) aged 12–17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia). The Region of Murcia is an autonomous community of Spain located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Teenagers (KIDMED). Recreational substance use (i.e., tobacco, alcohol, cannabis) was self-reported by adolescents. Academic performance was assessed by the school records at the end of the academic year. The relationship between adherence to the MedDiet and academic performance was moderated by both tobacco and alcohol use (for grade point average and all school records). In conclusion, higher adherence to the MedDiet was related to greater academic performance in adolescents, but recreational substance use could moderate this association.
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- 2023
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34. The expression pattern of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases predicts prognosis and correlates with immune exhaustion in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
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Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, Maite Emaldi, Janire Mingo, Tove Øyjord, Gunhild M. Mælandsmo, Øystein Fodstad, Peio Errarte, Gorka Larrinaga, Roberto Llarena, José I. López, and Rafael Pulido
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Renal cancer cells constitute a paradigm of tumor cells with a glycolytic reprogramming which drives metabolic alterations favouring cell survival and transformation. We studied the expression and activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDK1-4), key enzymes of the energy metabolism, in renal cancer cells. We analysed the expression, subcellular distribution and clinicopathological correlations of PDK1-4 by immunohistochemistry of tumor tissue microarray samples from a cohort of 96 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. Gene expression analysis was performed on whole tumor tissue sections of a subset of ccRCC samples. PDK2 and PDK3 protein expression in tumor cells correlated with lower patient overall survival, whereas PDK1 protein expression correlated with higher patient survival. Gene expression analysis revealed molecular association of PDK2 and PDK3 expression with PI3K signalling pathway, as well as with T cell infiltration and exhausted CD8 T cells. Inhibition of PDK by dichloroacetate in human renal cancer cell lines resulted in lower cell viability, which was accompanied by an increase in pAKT. Together, our findings suggest a differential role for PDK enzymes in ccRCC progression, and highlight PDK as actionable metabolic proteins in relation with PI3K signalling and exhausted CD8 T cells in ccRCC.
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- 2023
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35. Relationship between free-time physical activity and sleep quality in Brazilian university students
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Mayara Santos, Rafaela Sirtoli, Renne Rodrigues, José Francisco López-Gil, Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno, Camilo Molino Guidoni, and Arthur Eumann Mesas
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Poor sleep quality and low or no free-time physical activity (FTPA) practice are highly prevalent among university students, but the association between these conditions is still unclear. This cross-sectional study analyzed the relationship between FTPA and sleep quality. An online questionnaire was conducted with university students from a public university in southern Brazil in 2019. The weekly frequency of FTPA was self-reported, and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Logistic regression and ANCOVA models were performed and adjusted for confounders. Among the 2,626 students analyzed, 52.2% did not practice the FTPA, and 75.6% had poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). In the adjusted analysis, practicing FTPA 4–7 times/week was associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio = 0.71; 95% confidence interval = 0.52, 0.97) compared with not practicing FTPA. In addition, those who practiced FTPA had significantly lower means of the global PSQI, subjective sleep quality and duration, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction scores than those who did not practice FTPA. In conclusion, the FTPA may contribute to better sleep quality among university students.
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- 2023
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36. Endocannabinoid levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiple sclerosis patients treated with dimethyl fumarate
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Alicia Sánchez-Sanz, María Posada-Ayala, Julia Sabín-Muñoz, Ismael Fernández-Miranda, Yolanda Aladro-Benito, Roberto Álvarez-Lafuente, Ana Royuela, Ruth García-Hernández, Ofir Rodríguez-De la Fuente, Julián Romero, Antonio García-Merino, and Antonio José Sánchez-López
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The endocannabinoid system (ECS), a signalling network with immunomodulatory properties, is a potential therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis (MS). Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an approved drug for MS whose mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated; the possibility exists that its therapeutic effects could imply the ECS. With the aim of studying if DMF can modulate the ECS, the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), anandamide (AEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 21 healthy donors (HD) and 32 MS patients at baseline and after 12 and 24 months of DMF treatment. MS patients presented lower levels of 2-AG and PEA compared to HD. 2-AG increased at 24 months, reaching HD levels. AEA and PEA remained stable at 12 and 24 months. OEA increased at 12 months and returned to initial levels at 24 months. Patients who achieved no evidence of disease activity (NEDA3) presented the same modulation over time as EDA3 patients. PEA was modulated differentially between females and males. Our results show that the ECS is dysregulated in MS patients. The increase in 2-AG and OEA during DMF treatment suggests a possible role of DMF in ECS modulation.
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- 2022
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37. Factors associated with meeting the WHO physical activity recommendations in pregnant Colombian women
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José Francisco López-Gil, Mikel Izquierdo, Antonio García-Hermoso, Alicia M. Alonso-Martínez, David Rincón-Pabón, Marco Antonio Morales-Osorio, and Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract In the absence of medical contraindications, physical activity (PA) can offer health maternal and fetal health outcomes during pregnancy. However, most pregnant women may not consider PA to be feasible, suitable and safe. Hence, it is essential to determine the prevalence of pregnant women who meet the PA recommendations and the possible factors associated with that meeting, since it might be important from the perspective of pregnant women's health. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of meeting the World Health Organization PA recommendations for Colombian pregnant women, as well as possible factors that may be associated with meeting that recommendations. A cross-sectional study including representative data from the National Nutritional Situation Survey (2015) in Colombia was performed. Data were collected in 2015–2016. From an initial sample of 1140 Colombian pregnant women, 702 participants with complete data were included in the final analysis. PA was assessed by self-reported information through the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Several potential factors were analysed according to four levels of the socioecological model: the individual, interpersonal, organizational and community levels. The prevalence of Colombian pregnant women who met with the PA recommendations was 7.5%. Indigenous and Mestizo pregnant women showed lower probabilities of meeting the PA recommendations [Indigenous: OR 0.05, 95% CI (0.01–0.18); Mestizo: OR 0.12, 95% CI (0.06–0.22)] than Afro-Colombian participants. Additionally, participants who lived near green and safe spaces for PA were more likely to meet the PA recommendations [OR 2.30, 95% CI (1.06–4.79)] than those who did not live near green areas. In conclusion, a low percentage of Colombian pregnant women met the new PA recommendations. The associations found according to race/ethnicity and living near green and safe areas underline the presence of fundamental disparities associated with meeting PA recommendations.
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- 2022
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38. Kallikrein proteoforms and reproductive parameters in stallion are conditioned by climate
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Renato Lima Senra, Camilo José Ramírez-López, Marcos Jorge Magalhães-Júnior, João Gabriel da Silva Neves, Edvaldo Barros, Bruna Waddington, Simone Eliza Facioni Guimarães, José Domingos Guimarães, and Maria Cristina Baracat-Pereira
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Horses are seasonal polyoestrous animals, and the photoperiod is the main factor modulating their reproductive activity. There is no consensus on the andrological and biochemical factors that influence breeding seasonality. To assess the involvement of climate in reproduction, Mangalarga Marchador stallions were monitored over 1 year regarding semen quality and seminal plasma proteome. Here, we show that kallikrein (KLKs) proteoforms in seminal plasma are involved in climate conditioning of reproduction. During the breeding season, greater abundance and different types of KLKs occurred simultaneously to lower sperm motility, greater semen volumes and higher concentrations of glucose and cholesterol. Considering that vasodilation due to activation of the kallikrein-kinin system and the consequent inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system may be associated with lower sperm motility, unravelling the involvement of KLK proteoforms in reproductive seasonality is a priority in horse breeding.
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- 2022
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39. The moderating role of physical fitness in the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and adiposity in schoolchildren
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José Francisco López-Gil, Iván Cavero-Redondo, Mairena Sánchez-López, José Alberto Martínez-Hortelano, Carlos Berlanga-Macias, Alba Soriano-Cano, and Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The mediating and moderating associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and handgrip strength on the association between dietary patterns and several health outcomes have been previously studied. For instance, handgrip strength has been found as a moderator of the relationship between excess weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults. Similarly, CRF has been shown as a mediator of the association between diet and obesity in children. However, to our knowledge, the role of CRF and handgrip strength on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and adiposity is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether CRF and handgrip strength moderate the association between SSB consumption and adiposity in a population-based sample of Spanish schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study involved 475 schoolchildren (52.0% girls), aged 8–12, from ten schools in Cuenca (Spain). Adiposity was determined as body fat (in kg), which was measured using a bioimpedance analysis system. Data on SSB consumption were gathered by using the Children’s Eating Habits Questionnaire, which was completed by parents. The CRF level was determined by the 20-m Shuttle Run test and Nevill’s curvilinear allometric model. Handgrip strength was determined using a digital dynamometer with adjustable grip. For each unit (in ml/kg/min) of CRF increased, the association between SSB consumption and adiposity was moderated (B = − 0.09, CI 95% − 0.14 to − 0.04). This significant moderation was also found for each 0.01 unit of increased normalized handgrip strength (B = − 0.07; CI 95% − 0.11 to − 0.02). Similarly, the Johnson-Neymann technique established three different regions. The first region shows that the association of SSB consumption on adiposity in participants who had levels of CRF 57.4 ml/kg/min (for CRF level) and > 0.58 (for normalized handgrip strength), indicating that the association between SSB consumption and adiposity was lower and statistically significant in children above these moderator values. Our results showed that certain levels of CRF and normalized handgrip strength moderate the association between SSB consumption and adiposity in a sample of Spanish schoolchildren. It might be possible that higher physical fitness level in childhood may contribute to reducing the association between SSB consumption and adiposity.
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- 2022
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40. CA 15-3 prognostic biomarker in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia
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José Antonio Ros-Lucas, Domingo Andrés Pascual-Figal, José Antonio Noguera-Velasco, Álvaro Hernández-Vicente, Iria Cebreiros-López, María Arnaldos-Carrillo, Isabel M. Martínez-Ardil, Elisa García-Vázquez, Mario Aparicio-Vicente, Elena Solana-Martínez, Sheyla Yolany Ruiz-Martínez, Laura Fernández-Mula, Rubén Andujar-Espinosa, Beatriz Fernández-Suarez, Maria Dolores Sánchez-Caro, Carlos Peñalver-Mellado, and Francisco José Ruiz-López
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The severity of lung involvement is the main prognostic factor in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), a marker of lung damage and fibrosis, could help predict the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. This was a retrospective and observational study. CA 15-3 was analyzed in the blood samples of patients consecutively admitted for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and whose blood samples were available in the biobank. Other prognostic markers were also measured (interleukin 6 [IL6], C-reactive protein [CRP], D-dimer, troponin T, and NT-ProBNP). The occurrence of in-hospital complications was registered, including death, the need for medical intensive care, and oxygen therapy at discharge. In this study, 539 patients were recruited (54.9% men, mean age: 59.6 ± 16.4 years). At admission, the mean concentrations of CA 15-3 was 20.5 ± 15.8 U/mL, and the concentration was correlated with male sex, older age, and other severity markers of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) (IL6, CRP, D-dimer, troponine T, and NT-ProBNP). CA 15-3 levels were higher in patients who died (n = 56, 10.4%) (35.33 ± 30.45 vs. 18.8 ± 12.11, p
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- 2022
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41. Apparent absence of avian malaria and malaria-like parasites in northern blue-footed boobies breeding on Isla Isabel
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Federico Roldán-Zurabián, María José Ruiz-López, Josué Martínez de la Puente, Jordi Figuerola, Hugh Drummond, and Sergio Ancona
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Haemosporidian parasites are common in birds but are seldom reported in seabirds. The absence of vectors or genetic resistance to infection have been proposed to explain this pattern. However, screening of blood parasites in many seabirds has been done only by visual inspection of blood smears, which can miss low-intensity infections, and molecular detection of blood parasites must be supported by detection in blood smears to confirm the presence of haemosporidians and avoid false positive cases. Here, we tested for the presence of blood parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, combining inspection of blood smears and PCR-based detection methods in a highly philopatric colony of blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii) in the Tropical North Pacific. Our results indicate that adults in this colony are likely free of these blood parasites, probably due to unsuitable conditions for insect vectors in booby breeding sites, although potential genetic resistance of blue-footed boobies to infection deserves examination. Apparent absence of blood parasites in Isla Isabel boobies indirectly adds to the growing evidence of variation in parasite infections among avian host species that coexist locally.
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- 2022
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42. Hair cortisol concentration reflects the life cycle and management of grey wolves across four European populations
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Patrícia Pereira, Núria Fandos Esteruelas, Mónia Nakamura, Helena Rio-Maior, Miha Krofel, Alessia Di Blasio, Simona Zoppi, Serena Robetto, Luis Llaneza, Emilio García, Álvaro Oleaga, José Vicente López-Bao, Manena Fayos Martinez, Jasmine Stavenow, Erik O. Ågren, Francisco Álvares, and Nuno Santos
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The grey wolf (Canis lupus) persists in a variety of human-dominated landscapes and is subjected to various legal management regimes throughout Europe. Our aim was to assess the effects of intrinsic and methodological determinants on the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) of wolves from four European populations under different legal management. We determined HCC by an enzyme-linked immune assay in 259 hair samples of 133 wolves from the Iberian, Alpine, Dinaric-Balkan, and Scandinavian populations. The HCC showed significant differences between body regions. Mean HCC in lumbar guard hair was 11.6 ± 9.7 pg/mg (range 1.6–108.8 pg/mg). Wolves from the Dinaric-Balkan and Scandinavian populations showed significantly higher HCC than Iberian wolves, suggesting that harvest policies could reflected in the level of chronic stress. A significant negative relationship with body size was found. The seasonal, sex and age patterns are consistent with other studies, supporting HCC as a biomarker of chronic stress in wolves for a retrospective time frame of several weeks. Our results highlight the need for standardization of sampling and analytical techniques to ensure the value of HCC in informing management at a continental scale.
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- 2022
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43. On the single and multiple associations of COVID-19 post-acute sequelae: 6-month prospective cohort study
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Beatriz María Jiménez-Rodríguez, José Gutiérrez-Fernández, Eldis Maria Ramos-Urbina, Ana Dolores Romero-Ortiz, Paula Isabel García-Flores, Maria Inmaculada Santiago-Puertas, Maria José Martín-López, Genaro López-Milena, Rene Fabregas, and Concepción Morales-García
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Medical research is progressing to clarify the full spectrum of sub-acute and long-term effects of the post-COVID-19 syndrome. However, most manuscripts published to date only analyze the effects of post-COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital, which may induce significant bias. Here, we propose a pioneering study to analyze the single and multiple associations between post-COVID-19 characteristics with up to 6-months of follow-up in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The cohort study was conducted from May to October 2020 at the University Hospital Virgen de la Nieves, the leading hospital assigned for patients with COVID-19 in Granada, Spain. A total of 372 and 217 patients—with 217 and 207 included in the first and second follow-up visits—were referred 2 and 6 months after diagnosing COVID-19, respectively. We find out that post-COVID-19 clinical and mental health impairment symptoms are correlated with patient gender. Logistic adjustments showed strong statistically robust single and multiple associations of demographic, clinical, mental health, X-ray, laboratory indices, and pulmonary function variables. The functional lung tests are good predictors of chest CT imaging abnormalities in elderly patients. Bilateral lung involvement, subpleural reticulum, ground-glass opacity, peripheral lung lesions, and bronchiectasis were the most common findings of the high-resolution computed tomography images. Non-hospitalized patients suffer more severe thromboembolic events and fatigue than those hospitalized.
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- 2022
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44. Willingness to sacrifice among convicted Islamist terrorists versus violent gang members and other criminals
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Angel Gómez, Scott Atran, Juana Chinchilla, Alexandra Vázquez, Lucia López-Rodríguez, Borja Paredes, Mercedes Martínez, Laura Blanco, Beatriz Alba, Hend Bautista, Saulo Fernández, Florencia Pozuelo-Rubio, José Luis González-Álvarez, Sandra Chiclana, Héctor Valladares-Narganes, María Alonso, Alfredo Ruíz-Alvarado, José Luis López-Novo, and Richard Davis
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Is terrorism just another form of criminal activity, as many nations’ justice systems assume? We offer an initial answer using face-to-face interviews and structured surveys in thirty-five Spanish prisons. Recent theories of extreme sacrifice inform this direct observational and comparative study. Islamist terrorists display levels of self-sacrifice for their primary reference group similar to that of Latino gangs, but greater willingness to sacrifice for primary values than other inmates (non-radical Muslims, Latino gangs, and delinquent bands). This disposition is motivated by stronger perceived injustice, discrimination, and a visceral commitment to such values (risk/radicalization factors). Nevertheless, state authorities, prison staff, and families are (protective/de-radicalization) factors apt to reduce willingness to sacrifice and keep foreign fighters, now being released in large numbers, from returning to terrorism.
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- 2022
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45. Author Correction: The expression pattern of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases predicts prognosis and correlates with immune exhaustion in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
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Caroline E. Nunes‑Xavier, Maite Emaldi, Janire Mingo, Tove Øyjord, Gunhild M. Mælandsmo, Øystein Fodstad, Peio Errarte, Gorka Larrinaga, Roberto Llarena, José I. López, and Rafael Pulido
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Medicine ,Science - Published
- 2023
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46. Improving prediction of COVID-19 evolution by fusing epidemiological and mobility data
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Santi García-Cremades, Juan Morales-García, Rocío Hernández-Sanjaime, Raquel Martínez-España, Andrés Bueno-Crespo, Enrique Hernández-Orallo, José J. López-Espín, and José M. Cecilia
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract We are witnessing the dramatic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic which, unfortunately, go beyond the impact on the health system. Until herd immunity is achieved with vaccines, the only available mechanisms for controlling the pandemic are quarantines, perimeter closures and social distancing with the aim of reducing mobility. Governments only apply these measures for a reduced period, since they involve the closure of economic activities such as tourism, cultural activities, or nightlife. The main criterion for establishing these measures and planning socioeconomic subsidies is the evolution of infections. However, the collapse of the health system and the unpredictability of human behavior, among others, make it difficult to predict this evolution in the short to medium term. This article evaluates different models for the early prediction of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic to create a decision support system for policy-makers. We consider a wide branch of models including artificial neural networks such as LSTM and GRU and statistically based models such as autoregressive (AR) or ARIMA. Moreover, several consensus strategies to ensemble all models into one system are proposed to obtain better results in this uncertain environment. Finally, a multivariate model that includes mobility data provided by Google is proposed to better forecast trend changes in the 14-day CI. A real case study in Spain is evaluated, providing very accurate results for the prediction of 14-day CI in scenarios with and without trend changes, reaching 0.93 $$R^2$$ R 2 , 4.16 RMSE and 1.08 MAE.
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- 2021
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47. A surface plasmon resonance based approach for measuring response to pneumococcal vaccine
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Marta Garrido-Jareño, Leonor Puchades-Carrasco, Leticia Orti-Pérez, José Miguel Sahuquillo-Arce, María del Carmen Meyer-García, Joan Mollar-Maseres, Carmina Lloret-Sos, Ana Gil-Brusola, José Luis López-Hontangas, José Manuel Beltrán-Garrido, Javier Pemán-García, and Antonio Pineda-Lucena
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Incidence of pneumococcal disease has increased worldwide in recent years. Response to pneumococcal vaccine is usually measured using the multiserotype enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) pneumococcal test. However, this approach presents several limitations. Therefore, the introduction of new and more robust analytical approaches able to provide information on the efficacy of the pneumococcal vaccine would be very beneficial for the clinical management of patients. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has been shown to offer a valuable understanding of vaccines’ properties over the last years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of SPR for the anti-pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (anti-PnPs) IgGs quantification in vaccinated. Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) was used for the isolation of total IgGs from serum samples of vaccinated patients. Binding-SPR assays were performed to study the interaction between anti-PnPs IgGs and PCV13. A robust correlation was found between serum levels of anti-PnPs IgGs, measured by ELISA, and the SPR signal. Moreover, it was possible to correctly classify patients into “non-responder”, “responder” and “high-responder” groups according to their specific SPR PCV13 response profiles. SPR technology provides a valuable tool for reliably characterize the interaction between anti-PnPs IgGs and PCV13 in a very short experimental time.
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- 2021
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48. Liquid level sensor based on dynamic Fabry–Perot interferometers in processed capillary fiber
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Pablo Roldán-Varona, Rosa Ana Pérez-Herrera, Luis Rodríguez-Cobo, Luis Reyes-González, Manuel López-Amo, and José Miguel López-Higuera
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract In this work, a novel optical fiber sensor capable of measuring both the liquid level and its refractive index is designed, manufactured and demonstrated through simulations and experimentally. For this, a silica capillary hollow-core fiber is used. The fiber, with a sensing length of 1.55 mm, has been processed with a femtosecond laser, so that it incorporates four holes in its structure. In this way, the liquid enters the air core, and it is possible to perform the sensing through the Fabry–Perot cavities that the liquid generates. The detection mode is in reflection. With a resolution of 4 μm (liquid level), it is in the state of the art of this type of sensor. The system is designed so that in the future it will be capable of measuring the level of immiscible liquids, that is, liquids that form stratified layers. It can be useful to determine the presence of impurities in tanks.
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- 2021
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49. In vivo measurement of pH and CO2 levels in the uterus of sows through the estrous cycle and after insemination
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Octavio López-Albors, Pedro José Llamas-López, Joaquín Ángel Ortuño, Rafael Latorre, and Francisco Alberto García-Vázquez
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract The pH–CO2–HCO3 − system is a ubiquitous biological regulator with important functional implications for reproduction. Knowledge of the physiological values of its components is relevant for reproductive biology and the optimization of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). However, in situ measurements of these parameters in the uterus are scarce or null. This study describes a non-invasive method for in situ time-lapse recording of pH and CO2 within the uterus of non-anesthetized sows. Animals were at three different reproductive conditions, estrous with no insemination and two hours after insemination, and diestrous. From pH and CO2 data, HCO3 − concentration was estimated. The non-invasive approach to the porcine uterus with novel optical probes allowed the obtaining of in situ physiological values of pH, CO2, and HCO3 −. Variable oscillatory patterns of pH, CO2 and HCO3 − were found independently of the estrous condition. Insemination did not immediately change the levels of uterine pH, CO2 (%) and HCO3 − concentration, but all the values were affected by the estrous cycle decreasing significantly at diestrous condition. This study contributes to a better understanding of the in vivo regulation of the pH-CO2-HCO3 − system in the uterus and may help to optimize the protocols of sperm treatment for in vitro fertilization.
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- 2021
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50. Study of the fluorescence and interaction between cyclodextrins and neochlorogenic acid, in comparison with chlorogenic acid
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Silvia Navarro-Orcajada, Adrián Matencio, Cristina Vicente-Herrero, Francisco García-Carmona, and José Manuel López-Nicolás
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Neochlorogenic acid, a less-studied isomer of chlorogenic acid, has been seen to posses antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects, which makes it an interesting candidate for incorporation in functional foods. However, its poor solubility in water and susceptibility to oxidation make such a task difficult. To overcome that, its encapsulation in cyclodextrins (CDs) is proposed. The fluorescence of neochlorogenic acid in different pH conditions was analyzed, and caffeic acid was proved to be the fluorescent moiety in the molecule. An encapsulation model whereby the ligand poses two potential complexation sites (caffeic and D-(-)-quinic moieties), showed that α-CD and HP-β-CD formed the best inclusion complexes with neochlorogenic acid, followed by M-β-CD, β-CD and γ-CD. Molecular docking with the two best CDs gave better scores for α-CD, despite HP-β-CD providing stabilization through H-bonds. The encapsulation of chlorogenic acid led to a similar CD order and scores, although constants were higher for α-CD, β-CD and M-β-CD, lower for HP-β-CD, and negligible for γ-CD. The protonation state affected these results leading to a different order of CD preference. The solubility and the susceptibility to oxidation of neochlorogenic acid improved after complexation with α-CD and HP-β-CD, while the antioxidant activity of both isomers was maintained.
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- 2021
- Full Text
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