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In this paper, we propose a daily living situation where objects in a kitchen can be grasped and stored in specific containers using a virtual robot arm operated by different myoelectric control modes. The main goal of this study is to prove the feasibility of providing virtual environments controlled through surface electromyography that can be used for the future training of people using prosthetics or with upper limb motor impairments. We propose that simple control algorithms can be a more natural and robust way to interact with prostheses and assistive robotics in general than complex multipurpose machine learning approaches. Additionally, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adding intelligence to the setup to automatically assist grasping activities. The results show very good performance across all participants who share similar opinions regarding the execution of each of the proposed control modes.

Se analizan los estresores y factores precipitantes de la conducta e ideación suicida atendiendo a las diferencias en función del motivo de consulta y el sexo, así como el papel de la violencia. Se trata de un estudio longitudinal retrospectivo con una muestra de 142 participantes atendidos por ideación o conducta suicida. Los precipitantes más frecuentes fueron los problemas de pareja y familiares destacando la presencia de discusiones. Otros estresores relevantes fueron los laborales, de salud y, en menor medida, económicos y de vivienda. Los estresores de pareja y familiares fueron significativamente más frecuentes en las personas con conducta suicida y la conducta suicida fue significativamente más frecuente en mujeres. Aunque la presencia o ausencia de violencia no figuraba en muchos informes, constaba violencia de género en un 18.2% de las mujeres. Los resultados enfatizan la importancia de la violencia y los estresores interpersonales en la ideación y conducta suicida.

Abstract Background The aim of this paper is to analyze the differences in the coordination of chronic illness care between the different public hospital management models coexisting in the Spanish region of Madrid (25 hospitals) during the period 2013–2017. Methods The performance of hospitals might be affected by the characteristics of the population they serve and, therefore, this information should be taken into account when estimating efficiency measures. For this purpose, we apply the nonparametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) conditioned to some contextual variables and adapted to a dynamic framework, so that we can assess hospitals during a five-year period. The outputs considered are preventable hospitalizations, readmissions for heart failure and readmissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whereas the inputs considered are the number of beds, personnel (physicians and other healthcare professionals) and total expenditure on goods and services. Results The results suggest that the level of efficiency demonstrated by the public-private collaboration models of hospital management is higher than traditionally managed hospitals throughout the analyzed period. Nevertheless, we notice that efficiency differences among hospitals are significantly reduced when contextual factors were taken into account. Conclusions Hospitals managed under public-private collaboration models are more efficient than those under traditional management in terms of chronic illness care coordination, being this difference attributable to more agile and flexible management under the collaborative models.

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficiencia técnica de las unidades de provisión de atención primaria del Servicio Vasco de Salud (Osakidetza) en el periodo 2010-2013 correspondiente al inicio del despliegue de la integración vertical en la sanidad pública vasca. Métodos: El estudio comprende 11 de las 12 unidades de provisión de atención primaria de Osakidetza en 2010-2013. La metodología empleada para la medición de la eficiencia técnica es el análisis envolvente de datos (DEA). Se utiliza la extensión DEA Windows, que permite analizar todas las unidades como si fuera un único periodo, y un modelo condicionado para incorporar el efecto de las características de la población atendida. Se utilizan las siguientes variables: como outputs, el índice de calidad basado en el cumplimiento de la oferta preferente y las tasas de hospitalizaciones evitables (output indeseable); como inputs, el número de profesionales de medicina, el número de profesionales de enfermería y el gasto en prescripciones; finalmente, como variable exógena, el índice de morbilidad. Resultados: Se observa una mejora generalizada de la eficiencia media de todas las unidades en el periodo analizado, que no es mayor en las unidades constituidas como organizaciones sanitarias integradas. Discusión: El estudio muestra la mejora de la eficiencia en atención primaria en un contexto de transformación del modelo de prestación sanitaria en el País Vasco, pero no se aprecia un mayor efecto en las unidades integradas verticalmente durante el periodo.

As mammals are unable to synthesize essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), these compounds need to be taken in through diet. Nowadays, obtaining essential PUFA in diet is becoming increasingly difficult; therefore this work investigated the suitability of using macroalgae as novel dietary sources of PUFA. Hence, 17 macroalgal species from three different phyla (Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta) were analyzed and their fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile was assessed. Each phylum presented a characteristic fatty acid signature as evidenced by clustering of PUFA profiles of algae belonging to the same phylum in a Principal Components Analysis. The major PUFA detected in all phyla were C18 and C20, namely linoleic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. The obtained data showed that rhodophytes and phaeophytes have higher concentrations of PUFA, particularly from the n-3 series, thereby being a better source of these compounds. Moreover, rhodophytes and phaeophytes presented “healthier” ∑n-6/∑n-3 and PUFA/saturated fatty acid ratios than chlorophytes. Ulva was an exception within the Chlorophyta, as it presented high concentrations of n-3 PUFA, α-linolenic acid in particular. In conclusion, macroalgae can be considered as a potential source for large-scale production of essential PUFA with wide applications in the nutraceutical and pharmacological industries.

Introduction Intra-abdominal abscesses complicating Crohn's disease [CD] are a challenging situation. Their management, during hospitalisation and after resolution, is still unclear. Methods Adult patients with CD complicated with intra-abdominal abscess. who required hospitalisation, were included from the prospectively maintained ENEIDA registry from GETECCU. Initial strategy effectiveness and safety to resolve abscess was assessed. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate recurrence risk. Predictive factors associated with resolution were evaluated by multivariate regression and predictive factors associated with recurrence were assessed by Cox regression. Results In all, 520 patients from 37 Spanish hospitals were included; 322 [63%] were initially treated with antibiotics alone, 128 [26%] with percutaneous drainage, and 54 [17%] with surgical drainage. The size of the abscess was critical to the effectiveness of each treatment. In abscesses < 30 mm, the antibiotic was as effective as percutaneous or surgical drainage. However, in larger abscesses, percutaneous or surgical drainage was superior. In abscesses > 50 mm, surgery was superior to percutaneous drainage, although it was associated with a higher complication rate. After abscess resolution, luminal resection was associated with a lower 1-year abscess recurrence risk [HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24-0.76]. However, those patients who initiated anti-TNF therapy had a similar recurrence risk whether luminal resection had been performed. Conclusions Small abscesses [<30mm] can be managed with antibiotics alone; larger ones require drainage. Percutaneous drainage will be effective and safer than surgery in many cases. After discharge, anti-TNF therapy reduces abscess recurrence risk in a similar way to bowel resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomarkers play key roles in the diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment and supervision of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Optical biosensors and assays are valuable analytical tools answering the need for fast and reliable measurements of biomarker levels. This review presents a survey of recent literature with a focus on the past 5 years. The data indicate continuing trends towards multiplexed, simpler, cheaper, faster and innovative sensing while newer tendencies concern minimizing the sample volume or using alternative sampling matrices such as saliva for less invasive assays. Utilizing the enzyme-mimicking activity of nanomaterials gained ground in comparison to their more traditional roles as signaling probes, immobilization supports for biomolecules and for signal amplification. The growing use of aptamers as replacements for antibodies prompted emerging applications of DNA amplification and editing techniques. Optical biosensors and assays were tested with larger sets of clinical samples and compared with the current standard methods. The ambitious goals on the horizon for CVD testing include the discovery and determination of relevant biomarkers with the help of artificial intelligence, more stable specific recognition elements for biomarkers and fast, cheap readers and disposable tests to facilitate rapid testing at home. As the field is progressing at an impressive pace, the opportunities for biosensors in the optical sensing of CVD biomarkers remain significant.

Microscopy: phased-in approach puts nanoscale electrical impedance on the map A microscope capable of real-time, label-free analysis of nanoscale structures and their associated electrical properties could find applications in both biology and materials science. High-resolution microscopy methods that detect variations in the phase of a laser as it passes through samples are helping researchers overcome the limits of traditional optical imaging. In a joint effort, the groups led by Eugen Gheorghiu from the International Centre of Biodynamics in Bucharest, Romania, and by Gabriel Popescu from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign have now developed an instrument that combines phase imaging with alternating voltage perturbations to measure a target’s refractive index and electrical impedance maps that can reveal properties including tumors in human tissue, or defects on coating surfaces. The team’s microscope proved capable of distinguishing the impedance contrasts and geometry of different nanostructures on a macroelectrode with submicron resolution.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is an important orchestrator of hypoxic tumour environment, associated with tumour progression, high incidence of metastasis and poor response to therapy. Due to its tumour specificity and involvement in associated pathological processes: tumourigenesis, angiogenesis, inhibiting CA IX enzymatic activity has become a valid therapeutic option. Dynamic cell-based biosensing platforms can complement cell-free and end-point analyses and supports the process of design and selection of potent and selective inhibitors. In this context, we assess the effectiveness of recently emerged CA IX inhibitors (sulphonamides and sulphocoumarins) and their antitumour potential using an electrical impedance spectroscopy biosensing platform. The analysis allows discriminating between the inhibitory capacities of the compounds and their inhibition mechanisms. Microscopy and biochemical assays complemented the analysis and validated impedance findings establishing a powerful biosensing tool for the evaluation of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors potency, effective for the screening and design of anticancer pharmacological agents.

Abstract New visualization methods can be utilized to resolve structures at resolutions that were previously unachievable. 3D images of porous materials with high resolution have been so far obtained using transmission electron tomography or focused ion beam coupled with scanning electron microscopy. For these methods, ultra-vacuum is required, and only a small volume of the sample is visualized. Here, we demonstrate the application of ptychographic X-ray computed tomography for the visualization of soft matter with a resolution of 26 nm over large fields of view. Thanks to the high-penetration depth of the X-ray beam, we visualize the 3D complex porous structure of polyetherimide hollow fibers in a non-destructive manner and obtain quantitative information about pore size distribution and pore network interconnectivity across the whole membrane wall. The non-destructive nature of this method, coupled with its ability to image samples without requiring modification or a high vacuum environment, makes it valuable in the fields of porous- and nano-material sciences enabling imaging under different environmental conditions.

The glycoside hydrolase family 39 (GH39) is a functionally expanding family with limited understanding about the molecular basis for substrate specificity and extremophilicity. In this work, we demonstrate the key role of the positive-subsite region in modulating substrate affinity and how the lack of a C-terminal extension impacts on oligomerization and structural stability of some GH39 members. The crystallographic and SAXS structures of a new GH39 member from the phytopathogen Xanthomonas citri support the importance of an extended C-terminal to promote oligomerization as a molecular strategy to enhance thermal stability. Comparative structural analysis along with site-directed mutagenesis showed that two residues located at the positive-subsite region, Lys166 and Asp167, are critical to substrate affinity and catalytic performance, by inducing local changes in the active site for substrate binding. These findings expand the molecular understanding of the mechanisms involved in substrate recognition and structural stability of the GH39 family, which might be instrumental for biological insights, rational enzyme engineering and utilization in biorefineries.

El envejecimiento de la población mundial es, ante todo, un logro social que se vincula a la mejora en las expectativas de vida de los ciudadanos. El hecho de llegar a cierta edad desemboca, sin embargo, en la salida del mercado laboral de trabajadores que, en principio, se encontrarían en condiciones de proseguir su actividad profesional y de aportar experiencia y conocimientos. Este fenómeno, generalizado en la mayoría de países desarrollados, es aún más relevante en España, donde confluyen simultáneamente dos características que inciden en la toma de decisiones a la hora de fijar una edad ordinaria de jubilación, no siempre tenida en cuenta por las empresas: la baja tasa de natalidad y la segunda mayor esperanza de vida del mundo, que pueden provocar en un futuro más o menos próximo, problemas de financiación en el sistema de Seguridad Social.Este dato se complica aún más si tenemos en cuenta la brecha de género en materia de protección social, que sitúa a las mujeres en una peor posición a causa de su tardía incorporación al mercado laboral y de las frecuentes interrupciones ligadas a la maternidad, que limitan la duración de su carrera profesional y que, en definitiva, culminan en una discriminación que debería ser eliminada.En este estudio se pretende analizar algunas medidas de acción positiva adoptadas en España en los últimos años, tendentes a acabar con estereotipos de género que impiden la plena igualdad entre mujeres y hombres, haciendo también referencia a posibles efectos adversos que de tales actuaciones pudieran derivarse.

Metagenomics has been widely employed for discovery of new enzymes and pathways to conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals. In this context, the present study reports the isolation, recombinant expression, biochemical and structural characterization of a novel endoxylanase family GH10 (SCXyl) identified from sugarcane soil metagenome. The recombinant SCXyl was highly active against xylan from beechwood and showed optimal enzyme activity at pH 6,0 and 45°C. The crystal structure was solved at 2.75 Å resolution, revealing the classical (β/α)8-barrel fold with a conserved active-site pocket and an inherent flexibility of the Trp281-Arg291 loop that can adopt distinct conformational states depending on substrate binding. The capillary electrophoresis analysis of degradation products evidenced that the enzyme displays unusual capacity to degrade small xylooligosaccharides, such as xylotriose, which is consistent to the hydrophobic contacts at the +1 subsite and low-binding energies of subsites that are distant from the site of hydrolysis. The main reaction products from xylan polymers and phosphoric acid-pretreated sugarcane bagasse (PASB) were xylooligosaccharides, but, after a longer incubation time, xylobiose and xylose were also formed. Moreover, the use of SCXyl as pre-treatment step of PASB, prior to the addition of commercial cellulolytic cocktail, significantly enhanced the saccharification process. All these characteristics demonstrate the advantageous application of this enzyme in several biotechnological processes in food and feed industry and also in the enzymatic pretreatment of biomass for feedstock and ethanol production.