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El pastoreo trashumante en el departamento de Malargüe (Mendoza, Argentina) es un modo de vida cultural basado en una doble estrategia de subsistencia tradicional y gestión ambiental de las montañas. En este artículo presentamos una aproximación a ese sistema socioecológico pastoril en el sur provincial. A partir de un trabajo etnográfico con familias puesteras ubicadas en la cuenca del Río Grande, hacemos una descripción de la trashumancia y las consecuencias de una fragmentación en la aplicación de las políticas públicas orientadas a la actividad pastoril, sumadas a las amenazas externas hacia la cría caprina. En la conclusión se resalta la urgencia científico-política de concretar un programa de investigación e intervención estatal de cara al desarrollo y la sostenibilidad del modo de vida trashumante.

Este artículo analiza la actualización de los procesos de cercamiento y despojo llevados a cabo por el capital y su impacto sobre comunidades de pueblos originarios del departamento de Malargüe, provincia de Mendoza (Argentina), durante el período 1990-2021. Con base en fuentes documentales y en un trabajo etnográfico que recupera testimonios de la organización mapuche-pehuenche ´Malalweche´ en el sur provincial, se analizan los procesos mineros y petroleros en curso y las respuestas surgidas desde la reorganización indígena y su dimensión económico-territorial. El texto concluye que la economía local de subsistencia dedicada a la actividad caprina es el resultado de un tipo de organización política que busca fortalecer la autonomía indígena del territorio estudiado.

Studies have shown that ancient cultures used microalgae as food for centuries. Currently, scientific reports highlight the value of nutritional composition of microalgae and their ability to accumulate polyunsaturated fatty acids at certain operational conditions. These characteristics are gaining increasing interest for the aquaculture industry which is searching for cost-effective replacements for fish meal and oil because these commodities are one of the most significant operational expenses and their dependency has become a bottleneck for their sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. This review is aimed at highlighting the use of microalgae as polyunsaturated fatty acid source in aquaculture feed formulations, despite their scarce production at industrial scale. Moreover, this document includes several approaches to improve microalgae production and to increase the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids with emphasis in the accumulation of DHA, EPA, and ARA. Furthermore, the document compiles several studies which prove microalgae-based aquafeeds for marine and freshwater species. Finally, the study explores the aspects that intervene in production kinetics and improvement strategies with possibilities for upscaling and facing main challenges of using microalgae in the commercial production of aquafeeds.

The number of people suffering from mental health problems is rising, with anxiety and depression now the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric conditions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the most prescribed pharmaceuticals to treat these conditions, which has led to their common detection in many aquatic ecosystems. As the monoaminergic system shows a high degree of structural conservation across diverse animal phyla, a reasonable assumption is that the environmental levels of SSRIs in surface water can lead to adverse effects on fish and other aquatic wildlife. For instance, Sertraline (SER), a widely prescribed SSRI, has been shown to induce adverse effects in fish, albeit most of the reports used exposure concentrations exceeding those occurring in natural environments. Therefore, there is still a great lack of knowledge regarding SERs effects in fish species, especially during early life stages. This study describes the evaluation of developmental exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to environmentally relevant concentrations of SER (from 0.01 to 10 μg/L), using a battery of key survival behaviors and further relating them with the expression of genes and neurochemical profiles of the monoaminergic system. We found that developmental exposure to SER did not affect embryo morphogenesis and growth. However, concentrations as low as 0.1 μg/L induced hypolocomotion and delayed learning. The observed behavioral impairment was associated with augmented serotonin levels rather than other neurochemicals and molecular markers, highlighting the relationship between serotonin signaling and behavior in zebrafish.

Introducción: La enfermedad renal crónica asociada a la obesidad (ERCO) es una enfermedad con aumento en la prevalencia en las últimas décadas. Se caracteriza por un exceso de desequilibrios hormonales adipocíticos (adipoquinas), desregulación del sistema de equilibrio energético y desequilibrios en la homeostasis metabólica. Propósito de la revisión: El objetivo de la revisión es delinear el papel de los diferentes mecanismos fisiopatológicos para el desarrollo de enfermedad renal funcional o anatómica en pacientes con obesidad. Buscamos reportes actualizados en donde se incluye los resultados de mejor supervivencia para los pacientes con ERCO. Recientes hallazgos: Actualmente sabemos la ERCO tiene un comportamiento pro inflamatorio crónico. La obesidad y sobrepeso se asocian alteraciones hemodinámicas, estructurales e histopatológicas en el riñón, así como alteraciones metabólicas y bioquímicas que predisponen a la enfermedad renal, aun cuando la función renal y las pruebas convencionales sean normales. Conclusiones: Clasificamos a la ERCO en Tipo 1: Obesidad y alteraciones funcionales potencialmente reversibles. Tipo 2: Obesidad y alteraciones estructurales histopatológicas potencialmente no reversibles (Incluye la Glomerulopatía asociada a obesidad y glomeruloesclerosis focal y segmentaria). Tipo 3: Obesidad en relacionada con enfermedades crónicas (Diabetes, Hipertensión, Hipertensión pulmonar. Insuficiencia Cardíaca). Tipo 4: Obesidad en el paciente con terapia sustitutiva de la función renal.

En este texto realizamos una reseña histórica de la lucha campesina e indígena a escala regional, con la intención de visibilizar una modalidad de articulación teórico-práctica: la dinámica de la educación campesina en los territorios rurales. A partir de una breve revisión del legado freireano y su posible actualización en las experiencias de la Unión de Trabajadores Rurales Sin Tierra del Movimiento Nacional Campesino Indígena-Somos Tierra (UST/MNCI-ST), sostenemos que, tanto la educación popular como la praxis de organizaciones campesinas en toda Nuestra América, constituyen un punto de interacción central en la trama de los movimientos sociales campesino y sus propuestas geopedagógicas. Concluimos resaltando elementos para una nueva agenda de extensión crítica que nazca del vínculo entre lucha campesina y la extensión universitaria.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine the association between perceived discrimination and receiving adequate treatment for chronic diseases in Venezuelan migrants. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was performed. This is a secondary analysis of the ENPOVE national survey from Peru. The association between the perceived discrimination and receiving adequate treatment for chronic diseases was evaluated using a Poisson regression model, considering the adjusted effect of the multistage sampling. Results: A total of 865 migrants were evaluated (age: 36.6 ± 0.7 years and 58.2% women). Of these, 54.8% perceived discrimination, and 89.2% did not receive adequate treatment for chronic diseases. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of receiving adequate treatment for chronic diseases (PRa = 0.49; 95%CI 0.25 – 0.97). Conclusion: This study evidenced that perceived discrimination decreases the prevalence of receiving adequate treatment for chronic diseases by approximately 50% compared with those who did not perceive discrimination.

Este artículo se enfoca en el reconocimiento de alteridades campesinas-indígenas invisibilizadas, que resisten al patrón colonial-patriarcal-capitalista y sus ausencias. Para ello reflexionamos en torno a las prácticas en los territorios campesinos que habitan el mundo rural en la configuración de sus rexistencias, con la perspectiva de incluir allí un espacio conceptual y retórico para la constitución de un “archivo”. Finalmente, a partir de una investigación militante situada desde las epistemologías del sur, se da cuenta de las formas en las que persiste la memoria campesina-indígena de la otredad agraria argentina, contenida particularmente en la lucha de la Unión de Trabajadores Rurales Sin Tierra (UST) de Argentina.

Entre los años 2007 y 2009, se estudió la diversidad de aves y mamíferos marinos que habitan bahía San Pedro (comuna de Purranque, provincia de Osorno). Evaluamos la composición, diversidad y abundancia de estos vertebrados, que presentó 18 especies de aves marinas, de las cuales Spheniscus magellanicus y Puffinus griseus fueron las más abundantes. Dos especies de pingüinos, una gaviota y un gaviotín se reproducen en la bahía. El ensamble de mamíferos marinos estuvo compuesto por siete especies, de las cuales Otaria flavescens y Lagenorhynchus australis fueron las más abundantes. Una especie de lobo marino y nutria de mar se reproducen en la bahía. Los resultados demuestran el potencial que posee esta bahía para la conservación de biodiversidad marina y el desarrollo del turismo de intereses especiales que promuevan la conservación. A partir de esta información, recomendamos establecer un programa de estudios a largo plazo que asesore a la comunidad local en la planificación, regulación y evaluación de las actividades de turismo a desarrollar.Between 2007 and 2009, we studied the diversity of seabirds and marine mammals inhabiting San Pedro Bay (Purranque, coastal area of the Osorno province). We assessed composition, diversity and abundance of these vertebrates that included 18 species of seabirds, with Spheniscus magellanicus and Puffinus griseus as the most abundant. Two species of penguin, a gull and a tern breed in the area. Marine mammal assemblages were composed of seven species, from which Otaria flavescens and Lagenorhynchus australis were the most abundant. A species of sea lion and an otter breed in the area. These results show the potential of this area for biological conservation and the development of special interest tourism initiatives, which promote conservation. Based on this information, we recommend establishing long-term study programs that will provide guidance to the local community, in terms of planning, regulation and assessment of tourism activities that can be developed.

Continuous culture study of the ruminal bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii using lactate as carbon source is reported. Butyrate, the minor product in batch culture, was the main product in continuous culture. Under steady state conditions the biomass concentration was increased from 0.46 to 0.72 g l-1. Addition of Yea Sacc did not result an increased availability of carbon. The produced amounts of valerate and CO2 were calculated by using a combined carbon and degree of reduction balances. According to these results, the lactate catabolism of M. elsdenii was changed by the presence of yeast additive, yielding more butyrate and diminishing the production of valerate, while acetate and propionate production was not affected. Results reported in this work suggested that soluble compounds present in the yeast additive filtrate enhanced the anabolism of M. elsdenii and modified the carbon fluxes through its pathways by increasing butyrate and decreasing valerate production in continuous culture.

Abstract Background Second-generation tau tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) show high affinity for paired helical filaments tau deposits characteristic of Alzheimer´s disease and low off-target binding. Differences in their chemical structure though may lead to variations in their regional tau uptake and off-target signal. In this work, we aimed to compare the in-vivo uptake of tau tracers [18F]PI-2620 and [18F]RO948 in the early stages of the AD continuum. Methods Data from the TAU-PET FACEHBI clinical trial (EUDRA-CT 2021–000473-83) were analyzed. All participants were non-demented and underwent tau imaging with [18F]PI-2620 and [18F]RO948 PET within 3 months, amyloid imaging with [18F]Florbetaben and brain magnetic resonance imaging. Tau PET standardized uptake values ratios (SUVR) were calculated in Braak and typical off-target regions using the inferior cerebellar cortex as a reference region. Results The cohort consisted of 18 individuals with subjective cognitive decline (n = 13) and mild cognitive impairment (n = 5), with centiloid values ranging from 17 to 159. Both tau tracers showed similar tau pathology distribution but presented a distinct off-target signal pattern on visual read. SUVR measurements for [18F]PI-2620 and [18F]RO948 were highly correlated in all Braak regions (R2 range [0.65–0.80]). Regarding off-target signal, [18F]PI-2620 had higher SUVRs in vascular structures, and [18F]RO948 had higher SUVRs in the skull/meninges. Conclusions In a cohort of individuals at early stages of the AD continuum, tau PET tracers [18F]PI-2620 and [18F]RO948 showed similar in-vivo uptake in all Braak regions and distinct off-target signal. These preliminary results support the development of standardized quantification scales for tau deposition that are tracer-independent. Trial registration AEMPS EudraCT 2021–000473-83. Registered 30 December 2021.

Summary: Background: The identification of patients with an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia and eligible for the disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in the earliest stages is one of the greatest challenges in the clinical practice. Plasma biomarkers has the potential to predict these issues, but further research is still needed to translate them to clinical practice. Here we evaluated the clinical applicability of plasma pTau181 as a predictive marker of AD pathology in a large real-world cohort of a memory clinic. Methods: Three independent cohorts (modelling [n = 991, 59.7% female], testing [n = 642, 56.2% female] and validation [n = 441, 55.1% female]) of real-world patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD dementia, and other dementias were included. Paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples were used to measure AT(N) CSF biomarkers and plasma pTau181. Findings: CSF and plasma pTau181 showed correlation in all phenotypes except in SCD and other dementias. Age significantly influenced the biomarker's performance. The general Aβ(+) vs Aβ(−) ROC curve showed an AUC = 0.77 [0.74–0.80], whereas the specific ROC curve of MCI due to AD vs non-AD MCI showed an AUC = 0.89 [0.85–0.93]. A cut-off value of 1.30 pg/ml of plasma pTau181 exhibited a sensitivity of 93.57% [88.72–96.52], specificity of 72.38% [62.51–79.01], VPP of 77.85% [70.61–83.54], and 8.30% false negatives in the subjects with MCI of the testing cohort. The HR of cox regression showed that patients with MCI up to this cut-off value exhibited a HR = 1.84 [1.05–3.22] higher risk to convert to AD dementia than patients with MCI below the cut-off value. Interpretation: Plasma pTau181 has the potential to be used in the memory clinics as a screening biomarker of AD pathology in subjects with MCI, presenting a valuable prognostic utility in predicting the MCI conversion to AD dementia. In the context of a real-world population, a confirmatory test employing gold-standard procedures is still advisable. Funding: This study has been mainly funded by Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Fundación ADEY, Fundación Echevarne and Grífols S.A.

Abstract Introduction Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a novel tool that allows the detection of retinal vascular changes. We investigated the association of macular vessel density (VD) in the superficial plexus assessed by OCT-A with measures of cerebrovascular pathology and atrophy quantified by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in non-demented individuals. Methods Clinical, demographical, OCT-A, and brain MRI data from non-demented research participants were included. We analyzed the association of regional macular VD with brain vascular burden using the Fazekas scale assessed in a logistic regression analysis, and the volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) assessed in a multiple linear regression analysis. We also explored the associations of macular VD with hippocampal volume, ventricle volume and Alzheimer disease cortical signature (ADCS) thickness assessed in multiple linear regression analyses. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, syndromic diagnosis and cardiovascular variables. Results The study cohort comprised 188 participants: 89 with subjective cognitive decline and 99 with mild cognitive impairment. No significant association of regional macular VD with the Fazekas categories (all, p > 0.111) and WMH volume (all, p > 0.051) were detected. VD in the nasal quadrant was associated to hippocampal volume (p = 0.007), but no other associations of macular VD with brain atrophy measures were detected (all, p > 0.05). Discussion Retinal vascular measures were not a proxy of cerebrovascular damage in non-demented individuals, while VD in the nasal quadrant was associated with hippocampal atrophy independently of the amyloid status.

Highlights The pEVs proteome revealed early molecular differences between EOMCI Aβ( +) and Aβ(-) subjects. Olink© neurology proteins from pEVs of EOMCI Aβ( +) patients exhibited a strong negative correlation with CSF p-tau181. The levels of pEVs and CSF Olink© proteins correlated with CSF p-tau181 levels and age. Brain MRI characteristics of EOMCI Aβ( +) patients correlated with pEVs protein levels. pEVs biomarkers only linked early signs of inflammation to brain atrophy in EOMCI Aβ( +) individuals. The correlation of cognitive status and pEVs biomarkers differed between EOMCI Aβ( +) and Aβ(-) patients.

We describe some properties of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic that reveal its behavior as a complex system. The propagation mechanism shows a Poincaré section with fractal dimension 1 < D < 2. The present period of apparent recovery shows a relaxation with non-extensive statistical properties.

Seismic data have improved in quality and quantity over the past few decades, enabling better statistical analysis. Statistical physics has proposed new ways to deal with these data to focus the attention on specific matters. The present paper combines these two progressions to find indicators that can help in the definition of areas where seismic risk is developing. Our data comes from the IPOC catalog for 2007 to 2014. It covers the intense seismic activity near Iquique in Northern Chile during March/April 2014. Centered in these hypocenters we concentrate on the rectangle Lat−22−18 and Lon−68−72 and deepness between 5 and 70 km, where the major earthquakes originate. The analysis was performed using two complementary techniques: Tsallis entropy and mutability (dynamical entropy). Two possible forecasting indicators emerge: (1) Tsallis entropy (mutability) increases (decreases) broadly about two years before the main MW8.1 earthquake. (2) Tsallis entropy (mutability) sharply decreases (increases) a few weeks before the MW8.1 earthquake. The first one is about energy accumulation, and the second one is because of energy relaxation in the parallelepiped of interest. We discuss the implications of these behaviors and project them for possible future studies.

Abstract Background FACEmemory® is the first computerized, self-administered verbal episodic memory test with voice recognition. It can be conducted under minimal supervision and contains an automatic scoring system to avoid administrator errors. Moreover, it is suitable for discriminating between cognitively healthy and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals, and it is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. This study aimed to determine whether FACEmemory scoring is related to performance on classical memory tests and to AD biomarkers of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF in patients with early-onset MCI (EOMCI). Methods Ninety-four patients with EOMCI from the BIOFACE study completed FACEmemory, classical memory tests (the Spanish version of the Word Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test -FCSRT-, the Word List from the Wechsler Memory Scale, third edition, and the Spanish version of the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test), and a brain MRI. Eighty-two individuals also underwent a lumbar puncture. Results FACEmemory scoring was moderately correlated with FCSRT scoring. With regard to neuroimaging MRI results, worse execution on FACEmemory was associated with lower cortical volume in the right prefrontal and inferior parietal areas, along with the left temporal and associative occipital areas. Moreover, the total FACEmemory score correlated with CSF AD biomarkers (Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio, p181-tau, and Aβ1-42/p181-tau ratio). When performance on FACEmemory was compared among the ATN classification groups, significant differences between the AD group and normal and SNAP groups were found. Conclusions FACEmemory is a promising tool for detecting memory deficits sensitive to early-onset AD, but it also allows the detection of memory-impaired cases due to other etiologies. Our findings suggest that FACEmemory scoring can detect the AD endophenotype and that it is also associated with AD-related changes in MRI and CSF in patients with EOMCI. The computerized FACEmemory tool might be an opportunity to facilitate early detection of MCI in younger people than 65, who have a growing interest in new technologies.

Known genetic loci account for only a fraction of the genetic contribution to Alzheimer’s disease. Here, the authors have performed a large genome-wide meta-analysis comprising 409,435 individuals to discover 6 new loci and demonstrate the efficacy of an Alzheimer’s disease polygenic risk score.

Abstract Background A low amount and extent of Aβ deposition at early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may limit the use of previously developed pathology-proven composite SUVR cutoffs. This study aims to characterize the population with earliest abnormal Aβ accumulation using 18F-florbetaben PET. Quantitative thresholds for the early (SUVRearly) and established (SUVRestab) Aβ deposition were developed, and the topography of early Aβ deposition was assessed. Subsequently, Aβ accumulation over time, progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD dementia, and tau deposition were assessed in subjects with early and established Aβ deposition. Methods The study population consisted of 686 subjects (n = 287 (cognitively normal healthy controls), n = 166 (subjects with subjective cognitive decline (SCD)), n = 129 (subjects with MCI), and n = 101 (subjects with AD dementia)). Three categories in the Aβ-deposition continuum were defined based on the developed SUVR cutoffs: Aβ-negative subjects, subjects with early Aβ deposition (“gray zone”), and subjects with established Aβ pathology. Results SUVR using the whole cerebellum as the reference region and centiloid (CL) cutoffs for early and established amyloid pathology were 1.10 (13.5 CL) and 1.24 (35.7 CL), respectively. Cingulate cortices and precuneus, frontal, and inferior lateral temporal cortices were the regions showing the initial pathological tracer retention. Subjects in the “gray zone” or with established Aβ pathology accumulated more amyloid over time than Aβ-negative subjects. After a 4-year clinical follow-up, none of the Aβ-negative or the gray zone subjects progressed to AD dementia while 91% of the MCI subjects with established Aβ pathology progressed. Tau deposition was infrequent in those subjects without established Aβ pathology. Conclusions This study supports the utility of using two cutoffs for amyloid PET abnormality defining a “gray zone”: a lower cutoff of 13.5 CL indicating emerging Aβ pathology and a higher cutoff of 35.7 CL where amyloid burden levels correspond to established neuropathology findings. These cutoffs define a subset of subjects characterized by pre-AD dementia levels of amyloid burden that precede other biomarkers such as tau deposition or clinical symptoms and accelerated amyloid accumulation. The determination of different amyloid loads, particularly low amyloid levels, is useful in determining who will eventually progress to dementia. Quantitation of amyloid provides a sensitive measure in these low-load cases and may help to identify a group of subjects most likely to benefit from intervention. Trial registration Data used in this manuscript belong to clinical trials registered in ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT00928304 , NCT00750282 , NCT01138111 , NCT02854033 ) and EudraCT (2014-000798-38).

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis in over 5% of the parenchyma in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption. It is more prevalent in patients with diverse mental disorders, being part of the comorbidity driving loss of life expectancy and quality of life, yet remains a neglected entity. NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and increases the risk for cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma. Both NAFLD and mental disorders share pathophysiological pathways, and also present a complex, bidirectional relationship with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related cardiometabolic diseases. Main text This review compares the demographic data on NAFLD and NASH among the global population and the psychiatric population, finding differences that suggest a higher incidence of this disease among the latter. It also analyzes the link between NAFLD and psychiatric disorders, looking into common pathophysiological pathways, such as metabolic, genetic, and lifestyle factors. Finally, possible treatments, tailored approaches, and future research directions are suggested. Conclusion NAFLD is part of a complex system of mental and non-communicable somatic disorders with a common pathogenesis, based on shared lifestyle and environmental risks, mediated by dysregulation of inflammation, oxidative stress pathways, and mitochondrial function. The recognition of the prevalent comorbidity between NAFLD and mental disorders is required to inform clinical practice and develop novel interventions to prevent and treat these complex and interacting disorders.

Abstract Background Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina is a fast and easily accessible tool for the quantification of retinal structural measurements. Multiple studies show that patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exhibit thinning in several retinal layers compared to age-matched controls. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) has been proposed as a risk factor for progression to AD. There is little data about retinal changes in preclinical AD and their correlation with amyloid-β (Aβ) uptake. Aims We investigated the association of retinal thickness quantified by OCT with Aβ accumulation and conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over 24 months in individuals with SCD. Methods One hundred twenty-nine individuals with SCD enrolled in Fundació ACE Healthy Brain Initiative underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing, OCT scan of the retina and florbetaben (FBB) positron emission tomography (PET) at baseline (v0) and after 24 months (v2). We assessed the association of sixteen retinal thickness measurements at baseline with FBB-PET status (+/−) and global standardize uptake value ratio (SUVR) as a continuous measure at v0 and v2 and their predictive value on clinical status change (conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI)) at v2. Results Mean age of the sample was 64.72 ± 7.27 years; 62.8% were females. Fifteen participants were classified as FBB-PET+ at baseline and 22 at v2. Every 1 μm of increased thickness in the inner nasal macular region conferred 8% and 6% higher probability of presenting a FBB-PET+ status at v0 (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.02–1.14, p = 0.007) and v2 (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02–1.11, p = 0.004), respectively. Inner nasal macular thickness also positively correlated with global SUVR (at v0: β = 0.23, p = 0.004; at v2: β = 0.26, p = 0.001). No retinal measurements were associated to conversion to MCI over 24 months. Conclusions Subtle retinal thickness changes in the macular region are already present in SCD and correlate with Aβ uptake.

Objective. To assess the antibacterial effect of red laser using different photosensitizers such as methylene blue and malachite green on monoradicular premolars contaminated with E. faecalis ATCC 29212. Methods. This was an in vitro experimental study. Monoradicular premolars (44, 45, 34, and 35) were used, which were treated with ProTaper Next. After instrument change, irrigation, disinfection, and aspiration were performed with 2 ml of 4% NaOCl with a NaviTip 30°G needle (Ultradent, South Jordan, UT, USA). Group 1: RL + MB (red laser associated with methylene blue photosensitizer), group 2: RL + MG (red laser associated with malachite green photosensitizer), and group 3: control (no treatment). The E. faecalis strain was cultured on trypticase soy agar (TSB) (Difco, Detroit, MI, USA) and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. After the incubation period, colony-forming units (CFU/ml) of each group were counted using the plate count method. The ANOVA test was used with a significance level of p

Abstract Background To facilitate population screening and clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, supportive biomarker information is necessary. This study was aimed to investigate the association of plasma amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels with the presence of pathological accumulation of Aβ in the brain measured by amyloid-PET. Both plasma Aβ42/40 ratio alone or combined with an FDG-PET-based biomarker of neurodegeneration were assessed as potential AD biomarkers. Methods We included 39 cognitively normal subjects and 20 patients with mild cognitive impairment from the AB255 Study who had undergone PiB-PET scans. Total Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels in plasma (TP42/40) were quantified using ABtest kits. Subjects were dichotomized as Aβ-PET positive or negative, and the ability of TP42/40 to detect Aβ-PET positivity was assessed by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Combination of plasma Aβ biomarkers and FDG-PET was further assessed as an improvement for brain amyloidosis detection and diagnosis classification. Results Eighteen (30.5%) subjects were Aβ-PET positive. TP42/40 ratio alone identified Aβ-PET status with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.881 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.779–0.982). Discriminating performance of TP42/40 to detect Aβ-PET-positive subjects yielded sensitivity and specificity values at Youden’s cutoff of 77.8% and 87.5%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 0.732 and negative predictive value of 0.900. All these parameters improved after adjusting the model for significant covariates. Applying TP42/40 as the first screening tool in a sequential diagnostic work-up would reduce the number of Aβ-PET scans by 64%. Combination of both FDG-PET scores and plasma Aβ biomarkers was found to be the most accurate Aβ-PET predictor, with an AUC of 0.965 (95% CI = 0.913–0.100). Conclusions Plasma TP42/40 ratio showed a relevant and significant potential as a screening tool to identify brain Aβ positivity in preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a complex neuropsychiatric condition characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms and signs (either motor or sensory) that cannot be explained by any known medical or mental disease. It is frequently presented with psychiatric comorbidities, such as major depression. Its prognosis is poor, with low improvement or recovery rates at 1 year after their onset, and no particular treatment has demonstrated significant efficacy in this regard. Here, we describe the management of a patient affected by treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and FND characterized by mixed paralysis (sensory and motor) in the left arm, and who was successfully treated with esketamine nasal spray, achieving remission in both disorders. The US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency recently approved esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, for treatment of TRD. It is a fast-acting drug that provides a rapid-onset improvement of depressive symptoms. We have presented the first case, to our knowledge, of functional neurological symptoms being successfully treated with esketamine in a patient with comorbid TRD. While the novelty of this data implies a clear need for further research, it is suggested that esketamine might be a useful tool for the treatment of FND, acting through different theorized mechanisms that are in tune with recent advances in knowledge of the etiopathology of FND.

Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) decreases during voluntary contraction of the target muscle. It is unknown whether this effect also occurs with postural contractions. We have compared the effects of voluntary and postural contractions on SICI in the soleus (SOL) muscle. We applied transcranial magnetic stimuli (TMS) in subjects under three tasks: sitting at rest (Rest), sitting while activating the SOL muscle (Voluntary), or standing quietly (Postural). In control trials, we applied suprathreshold TMS to obtain unconditioned motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). In test trials, the same TMS was preceded by a subthreshold TMS at different interstimulus intervals (ISIs), to obtain a conditioned MEP. SICI and intracortical facilitation (ICF) were expressed as the decrease or increase in MEP size relative to unconditioned MEPs. There was significant effect of task in mean SICI or mean ICF in SOL. Mean SICI in SOL was 52% in Rest and decreased to 21% in Voluntary and 15% in Postural. Mean ICF in SOL was 132% and decreased to 113% in Voluntary and to 108% in Postural. Mean SICI in SOL was not different in Voluntary and Postural tasks. There was no effect of task in mean SICI or mean ICF in TA. Our results indicate that decrease of SICI with muscle contraction occurs to a similar extent with tonic voluntary and postural activation, suggesting that those contractions require a similar type of cortical involvement. However, it cannot be excluded that some part of the SICI reduction with muscle contraction depends on changes in segmental excitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En este estudio se compara la distribución de magnitudes sísmicas de tres diferentes catálogos en el Istmo de Panamá, y se analiza el ajuste con la ley Sotolongo - Posadas (S-P) de distribución de la energía de los terremotos. Se observó un buen ajuste del modelo con los datos de los catálogos cuando estos poseen completitud, lo cual resulta un elemento a favor de la elaboración de modelos sísmicos en base a la entropía de Tsallis.

Se investigó en pacientes de una institución de cuarto nivel (Fundación Hospital la Misericordia) especializada en pediatría, con diagnóstico de IMOC, quienes realizaron la prueba GMFM66; se procedió a entrenar a cuidadores en reconocer signos que pudiesen estar relacionados con la aparición de dolor vinculado a actividades diarias. Tras un periodo de observación se recolectaron los datos de dolor reportados por cuidadores para establecer la relación entre el nivel funcional de los pacientes y el dolor reportado. Se encontró un total de 28 pacientes aptos para la participación en el estudio con diferentes compromisos funcionales y se encontró una relación inversa entre GMFM66 y la escala LLANTO, y directa entre el GMFCS y la escala LLANTO. Esto que demuestra una relación entre un mayor compromiso funcional de los pacientes y la aparición de signos de dolor que reportasen los cuidadores, demostrando requerimiento de manejo integral del dolor en el paciente con discapacidad que no pueda comunicarse.

Se simuló computacionalmente un gran número de pacientes bajo tratamiento de radioterapia, mediante un sistema dinámico. De los resultados, se halló un método para cambiar el número de sesiones de radiación manteniendo óptimo el tratamiento. Además, se obtuvo que la relación entre la fracción sistema inmune-eficiencia tumoral para un paciente dado y la máxima probabilidad de éxito del tratamiento sigue una ley de potencias.

Se simuló computacionalmente un gran número de pacientes bajo tratamiento de radioterapia, mediante un sistema dinámico. De los resultados, se halló un método para cambiar el número de sesiones de radiación manteniendo óptimo el tratamiento. Además, se obtuvo que la relación entre la fracción sistema inmune-eficiencia tumoral para un paciente dado y la máxima probabilidad de éxito del tratamiento sigue una ley de potencias.

Abstract: By using the maximum entropy principle with Tsallis entropy we obtain a fragment size distribution function which undergoes a transition to scaling. This distribution function reduces to those obtained by other authors using Shannon entropy. The treatment is easily generalisable to any process of fractioning with suitable constraints.

Plasma amyloid beta (Aβ) levels are being investigated as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. In AB128 cross-sectional study, a number of medical relevant correlates of blood Aβ40 or Aβ42 were analyzed in 140 subjects (51 Alzheimer's disease patients, 53 healthy controls and 36 individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment). We determined the association between multiple variables with Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels measured in three different blood compartments called i) Aβ directly accessible (DA) in the plasma, ii) Aβ recovered from the plasma matrix (RP) after diluting the plasma sample in a formulated buffer, and iii) associated with the remaining cellular pellet (CP). We confirmed that diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is consistently correlated with blood DA Aβ40 levels (r=-0.19, P=0.032). These results were consistent in the three phenotypic groups studied. Importantly, the observation resisted covariation with age, gender or creatinine levels. Observed effect size and direction of Aβ40 levels/DBP correlation are in accordance with previous reports. Of note, DA Aβ40 and the RP Aβ40 were also strongly associated with creatinine levels (r=0.599, P<

Optical feedback interferometry (OFI) is a compact sensing technique with recent implementation for flow measurements in microchannels. We propose implementing OFI for the analysis at the microscale of multiphase flows starting with the case of parallel flows of two immiscible fluids. The velocity profiles in each phase were measured and the interface location estimated for several operating conditions. To the authors knowledge, this sensing technique is applied here for the first time to multiphase flows. Theoretical profiles issued from a model based on the Couette viscous flow approximation reproduce fairly well the experimental results. The sensing system and the analysis presented here provide a new tool for studying more complex interactions between immiscible fluids (such as liquid droplets flowing in a microchannel).

Mezcal is a traditional iconic Mexican distilled beverage obtained from varied species of agaves. Regardless of the area of production, the process always consists of five stages: harvesting the agaves, cooking, crushing, fermentation, and distillation. It is produced in a large area of Mexican territory, a large part of which is protected by the Denomination of Origin mezcal (DOM). Over time, the word mezcal has evolved from a generic name to a more specific term used to describe the agave-distilled beverages produced in the territory protected by the DOM under the Mexican official standard NOM-070-SCFI-2016 which defined Mezcal as a “Mexican distilled alcoholic beverage, 100% from maguey or agave, obtained by distillation of fermented juices with spontaneous or cultivated microorganisms, extracted from mature heads of maguey or cooked agaves, harvested in the territory covered by the DOM.” In the last 10 years, official production has increased, from

The aim of the study was to evaluate the replacement of alfalfa hay with Leucaena leucocephala leaves and prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as an alternative forage, on gas and methane production, ruminal fermentation patterns and total amount of methanogens during in vitro fermentation. Four treatments were evaluated: (T1) alfalfa hay + concentrate (50 : 50%, DM); (T2) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leaves + concentrate (30 : 20 : 50%, DM); (T3) alfalfa hay + prickly pear + concentrate (30 : 20 : 50%, DM) and (T4) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leaves + prickly pear + concentrate (30 : 10 : 10 : 50%, DM). The higher gas production from of soluble fraction (A) and rate gas production (Kd) values, ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentrations and propionate were found in T1 and lower in T2 (p