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Based on phylogenetic analyses of a multi-gene matrix of nuITS-LSU rDNA, RPB2 and TUB2 sequences and morphology, xylariaceous species with uni- to pauciperitheciate stromata and ascospores having a spirally coiling (helicoid) germ slit are revised and reclassified, including detailed descriptions and illustrations. The genus Helicogermslita is redefined and restricted to seven species with massive, erumpent, clypeus-like carbonaceous stromata, and Rosellinia somala is combined in Helicogermslita. Within the core Xylariaceae, the poorly known Leptomassaria simplex is shown to be closely related to Anthostoma insidiosum, for which the new genus Oligostoma is established, and Anthostoma rhenanum is demonstrated to be synonymous with O. insidiosum. The new genus Albicollum, characterised by immersed ascomata and a collar of white pseudostromatic tissues surrounding the ostioles, is established for Amphisphaeria canicollis, Anthostoma chionostomum, Sordaria (= Helicogermslita) fleischhakii and Anthostoma vincensii. Anthostoma ostropoides is synomymised with Albicollum canicolle, and Al. berberidicola, Al. longisporum and Al. novomexicanum are described as new species. Rosellinia (= Helicogermslita) gaudefroyi is transferred to the new genus Spiririma. Anthostoma amoenum and Euepixylon udum, both with a poroid germ locus, are shown to be only distantly related, and An. amoenum is reclassified within the asexual genus Digitodochium. Based on phylogeny, the genus Euepixylon is treated as a synonym of Nemania. A new species, Nemania ethancrensonii, which is closely related to the two formerly accepted Euepixylon species (E. sphaeriostomum, E. udum) but strongly deviates from the morphological concept of Euepixylon and Nemania, is described from the eastern USA. The genera Anthostomelloides, Clypeosphaeria, Digitodochium, Emarcaea, Induratia, Linosporopsis, Magnostiolata, Occultitheca and Spiririma are revealed to form a morphologically heterogeneous lineage in a basal position of Xylariaceae. Anthostoma vincensii, Quaternaria simplex and Rosellinia gaudefroyi are lectotypified, and Amphisphaeria canicollis, Anthostoma amoenum, An. rhenanum, An. vincensii, Quaternaria simplex, Rosellinia gaudefroyi and Valsa insidiosa are epitypified. Keys to uni- to pauciperitheciate xylariaceous genera with sigmoid to helicoid germ slits and to species of Albicollum are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on DNA sequence data, the genus Leptosillia is shown to belong to the Xylariales. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS-LSU rDNA sequence data and of a combined matrix of SSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 reveal that the genera Cresporhaphis and Liberomyces are congeneric with Leptosillia. Coelosphaeria fusariospora, Leptorhaphis acerina, Leptorhaphis quercus f. macrospora, Leptorhaphis pinicola, Leptorhaphis wienkampii, Liberomyces pistaciae, Sphaeria muelleri and Zignoëlla slaptonensis are combined in Leptosillia, and all of these taxa except for C. fusariospora, L. pinicola and L. pistaciae are epitypified. Coelosphaeria fusariospora and Cresporhaphis rhoina are lectotypified. Liberomyces macrosporus and L. saliciphilus, which were isolated as phloem and sapwood endophytes, are shown to be synonyms of Leptosillia macrospora and L. wienkampii, respectively. All species formerly placed in Cresporhaphis that are now transferred to Leptosillia are revealed to be non-lichenized. Based on morphology and ecology, Cresporhaphis chibaensis is synonymised with Rhaphidicyrtis trichosporella, and C. rhoina is considered to be unrelated to the genus Leptosillia, but its generic affinities cannot be resolved in lack of DNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses place Leptosillia as sister taxon to Delonicicolaceae, and based on morphological and ecological differences, the new family Leptosilliaceae is established. Furfurella, a new genus with the three new species, F. luteostiolata, F. nigrescens and F. stromatica, growing on dead branches of mediterranean fabaceous shrubs from tribe Genisteae, is revealed to be the closest relative of Delonicicola in the family Delonicicolaceae, which is emended. ITS rDNA sequence data retrieved from GenBank demonstrate that the Leptosilliaceae were frequently isolated or sequenced as endophytes from temperate to tropical regions, and show that the genus Leptosillia represents a widely distributed component of endophyte communities of woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objectives of this study were the evaluation of the adaptation capabilities of re‐stocked Arapaima gigas and their individual behavioural movements (males and females) to the wild environment compared to wild individuals still present in Lake Imiria, Peru and their survival rates. Using radio telemetry (external transmitters, 75 × 17 mm diameter, 35 g in air, ATS, Isanti, MN, USA), adaptation and behaviour of externally tagged, restocked cage‐raised (124–143 cm TL, n = 14) and wild A. gigas (117–153 cm TL, n = 8), were monitored, focusing observations on individual behaviour and preferential localization in the lake. Home range size determined by minimum convex polygons (MCP95) or Kernel Density Estimation (KDE95) varied from 0.001 to around 4 km2, but the average KDE50 was relatively small (0.1 km2) in comparison to the tracked fish size (117–153 cm TL), indicating strong residency and presumably territoriality in this species. Also observed was that the habitat was concentrated along the shoreline of the lake and closely related to the presence of aquatic vegetation. Home range localization estimates and apparent travelled distance of wild and restocked fishes were very similar, thereby suggesting a rapid and good acclimation and survival of cultured re‐stocked fish to a natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The influence of three commercial diets with different protein and lipid contents (40 : 14, 45 : 8, 48 : 8 protein : lipid – P : L, in % dry weight of diet) on growth performance, survival and the histology of the liver and intestine was analysed in early juveniles of silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, reared in captivity. Individuals (initial wet weight–Wi = 1.07 ± 0.04 g; total length–TL = 6.0 ± 0.17 cm) were raised in triplicate (n = 12 fish per tank) at 26.2 ± 0.1°C and fed one of three commercial diets over 60 days. At the end of the trial, survival (90.5 ± 3.3%) and condition factor (0.5 ± 0.02) were not affected by dietary treatments, whereas specific growth rate, TL and W gain were lower in animals fed the 40P : 14L diet. Histological analysis revealed a larger accumulation of lipid droplets in the intestines of the group supplied with the 40P : 14L diet, as well as a larger surface of hepatic lipid vacuoles compared to the other treatments, although no signs of steatosis were observed. Juveniles fed the 48P : 8L diet displayed the lowest liver lipid accumulation; however, a protein content higher than 45% did not improve growth performance. The intestine and liver lipid accumulation of individuals fed the 45P : 8L diet might indicate a more balanced lipidic metabolism. Intestine and liver histologies proved to be useful markers to identify the nutritional condition in juveniles of O. bicirrhosum, even when differences in nutritional composition were subtle (i.e. protein variation of 3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study objective was to determine some of the main life history characteristics of the chiochio, Psectrogaster rutiloides, a heavily fished, yet poorly studied species of the Peruvian Amazon. Over an annual cycle between 2006 and 2007 a monthly sampling of P. rutiloides on the Iquitos market provided a total of 2973 individuals. The species reproduces during the rainy season, during the first part of the flooding period. First sexual maturity is reached at about 2 years of age and 95 mm standard length (SL) for both males and females. Batch fecundity was related to fish size and varied from 59 800 to 149 100 oocytes, with oocytes diameters of 1.34 ± 0.11 mm, valid for females of 141 and 152 mm SL and of 102.9 and 149.6 g body mass, respectively. Females grew faster than males in every age class, a difference gradually increasing from 7% at age one to 10% at age nine, which corresponded to the oldest individuals sampled. Estimated mortality parameters and exploitation rates suggested over‐exploitation of the species in the Loreto region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the variability of reproductive characteristics of the silver Arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, in four sub‐basins of the Peruvian Amazon: the Amazonas, Ucayali, Napo and Putumayo rivers. An illustrated, detailed gonadal maturation scale is proposed for a clearer determination of the reproductive status of male and female Arowana. The breeding season occurred during the dry season and early rising waters in the Amazonas and Ucayali, whereas it was restricted to the dry season in the Napo and Putumayo. A same female can reproduce more than once during the breeding season. Age at maturity was reached during the second year, at sizes varying between 43–45 cm for males and 46–50 cm SL for females. Important variations in fecundity were observed between fish of the four sub‐basins, whereas mean oocytes diameter and mass did not vary significantly, suggesting differences in reproductive investment. Together with previously reported variations of growth patterns in the same sub‐basins, these results suggest the existence of distinct populations in the Peruvian Amazon, with important consequences for management and conservation, but also for future aquaculture development programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organogenesis of the digestive system was described in the Amazonian pimelodid catfish species Pseudoplatystoma punctifer from hatching (3.5 mm total length, TL) to 41 days post-fertilization (dpf) (58.1 mm TL) reared at 28°C. Newly hatched larvae showed a simple digestive tract, which appeared as a straight undifferentiated and unfolded tube lined by a single layer of columnar epithelial cells (future enterocytes). During the endogenous feeding period, comprised between 20 and 96 h post-fertilization (3.5 to 6.1 mm TL), the larval digestive system experienced a fast transformation with the almost complete development and differentiation of most of digestive organs (buccopahrynx, oesophagus, intestine, liver and exocrine pancreas). Yolk reserves were not completely depleted at the onset of exogenous feeding (4 dpf, 6.1 mm TL), and a period of mixed nutrition was observed up to 6 to 7 dpf (6.8 to 7.3 mm TL) when yolk was definitively exhausted. The stomach was the organ that latest achieved its complete differentiation, characterized by the development of abundant gastric glands in the fundic stomach between 10 and 15 dpf (10.9 to 15.8 mm TL) and the formation of the pyloric sphincter at the junction of the pyloric stomach and the anterior intestine at 15 dpf (15.8 mm TL). The above-mentioned morphological and histological features observed suggested the achievement of a digestive system characteristic of P. punctifer juveniles and adults. The ontogeny of the digestive system in P. punctifer followed the same general pattern as in most Siluriform species so far, although some species-specific differences in the timing of differentiation of several digestive structures were noted, which might be related to different reproductive guilds, egg and larval size or even different larval rearing practices. According to present findings on the histological development of the digestive system in P. punctifer, some recommendations regarding the rearing practices of this species are also provided in order to improve the actual larval rearing techniques of this fast-growing Neotropical catfish species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Epidemiological evidence suggests a cardioprotective role of α‐linolenic acid (ALA), a plant‐derived ω‐3 fatty acid. It is unclear whether ALA is beneficial in a background of high marine ω‐3 fatty acids (long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) intake. In persons at high cardiovascular risk from Spain, a country in which fish consumption is customarily high, we investigated whether meeting the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids recommendation for dietary ALA (0.7% of total energy) at baseline was related to all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. We also examined the effect of meeting the society's recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (≥500 mg/day). Methods and Results: We longitudinally evaluated 7202 participants in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) trial. Multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios. ALA intake correlated to walnut consumption (r=0.94). During a 5.9‐y follow‐up, 431 deaths occurred (104 cardiovascular disease, 55 coronary heart disease, 32 sudden cardiac death, 25 stroke). The hazard ratios for meeting ALA recommendation (n=1615, 22.4%) were 0.72 (95% CI 0.56–0.92) for all‐cause mortality and 0.95 (95% CI 0.58–1.57) for fatal cardiovascular disease. The hazard ratios for meeting the recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n=5452, 75.7%) were 0.84 (95% CI 0.67–1.05) for all‐cause mortality, 0.61 (95% CI 0.39–0.96) for fatal cardiovascular disease, 0.54 (95% CI 0.29–0.99) for fatal coronary heart disease, and 0.49 (95% CI 0.22–1.01) for sudden cardiac death. The highest reduction in all‐cause mortality occurred in participants meeting both recommendations (hazard ratio 0.63 [95% CI 0.45–0.87]). Conclusions: In participants without prior cardiovascular disease and high fish consumption, dietary ALA, supplied mainly by walnuts and olive oil, relates inversely to all‐cause mortality, whereas protection from cardiac mortality is limited to fish‐derived long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.Controlled-trials.com/. Unique identifier: ISRCTN35739639.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether long-term cardiovascular risk differs in type 2 diabetic patients compared with first acute myocardial infarction patients in a Mediterranean region, considering therapy, diabetes duration, and glycemic control.Research Design and Methods: A prospective population-based cohort study with 10-year follow-up was performed in 4,410 patients aged 30-74 years: 2,260 with type 2 diabetes without coronary heart disease recruited in 53 primary health care centers and 2,150 with first acute myocardial infarction without diabetes recruited in 10 hospitals. We compared coronary heart disease incidence and cardiovascular mortality rates in myocardial infarction patients and diabetic patients, including subgroups by diabetes treatment, duration, and A1C.Results: The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for 10-year coronary heart disease incidence and for cardiovascular mortality were significantly lower in men and women with diabetes than in myocardial infarction patients: HR 0.54 (95% CI 0.45-0.66) and 0.28 (0.21-0.37) and 0.26 (0.19-0.36) and 0.16 (0.10-0.26), respectively. All diabetic patient subgroups had significantly fewer events than myocardial infarction patients: the HR of cardiovascular mortality ranged from 0.15 (0.09-0.26) to 0.36 (0.24-0.54) and that of coronary heart disease incidence ranged from 0.34 (0.26-0.46) to 0.56 (0.43-0.72).Conclusions: Lower long-term cardiovascular risk was found in type 2 diabetic and all subgroups analyzed compared with myocardial infarction patients. These results do not support equivalence in coronary disease risk for diabetic and myocardial infarction patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main life-history traits of the dorado Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, a large Amazonian catfish undertaking the largest migration known for a freshwater fish species (from the nursery area in the estuary of the Amazon to the breeding zones in the head waters of the western Amazon basin close to the Andes), were determined from a 5 year sampling of >15 000 specimens in the Peruvian Amazon. The breeding season occurred during the falling and low-water periods, which is hypothesized to be an adaptation to maximize the chances of young stages to reach the estuary. The size at first sexual maturity was slightly larger for females than males, c. 91 and 83 cm standard length ( LS), respectively. Both males and females reproduce for the first time at >3 years old. The fecundity per spawning event ranged from 481 734 to 1 045 284 oocytes for females weighing 25 and 34 kg, respectively. Seasonal variations of body condition were similar among sexes, but differed between immature specimens that had a higher condition during the low-water period and lower condition during rising waters, and mature individuals that showed the opposite pattern. The growth characteristics were estimated by LS frequency analysis. For females, the best fitting models gave a mean birth date in August, during the height of the breeding cycle, with the following von Bertalanffy growth function parameters: LS∞ = 153·3, K = 0·29 and t0 =– 0·37 years. For males, the best fitting model gave a mean birth date in July, also during the height of the breeding period, with LS∞ = 142, K = 0·30 and t0 =– 0·36 years. At a given age, females were systematically larger than males and the size difference increased with age. The largest females sampled (148 cm LS) was 11 years old and the largest male (134 cm LS) was 9 years old. The mortality estimates were higher for males total ( Z) = 1·34, natural ( M) = 0·52 and fishing ( F) = 0·82 than for females ( Z = 0·98, M = 0·50, F = 0·48). The life-history patterns of B. rousseauxii are discussed in light of the available knowledge about this species and the understanding of its complex life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrocyclic molecules play key roles in basic processes in living organisms. Free bases and the metal complexes of porphyrins exhibit a wide range of important optical properties. In these systems the position of the most intense absorption band depends on the peripheral substituents of the macrocycle. Sol-gel methods have generally allowed the successful trapping of porphyrins into inorganic networks. The materials obtained are strong and transparent monolithic gels, but in the majority of cases the red fluorescence of the porphyrins disappears with ageing. We have evaluated the effect of the type and spatial disposition of the substituents in the porphyrin macrocycle periphery on key optical properties, with particular emphasis on the conservation of red fluorescence when porphyrins are simply trapped or covalently bonded to the inorganic matrix. Here, we report the use of the sol-gel procedures to obtain monolithic gels with the hydroxyl- or amino-substituted α, β, γ, δ-tetraphenylporphyrins, (H2T(S)PP), simply trapped or covalently bonded to the SiO2 matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A value of the decay constant for spontaneous fission of 238U, lf, determined by particle-track detector techniques, is presented. The main source of systematic error in fission-track measurements of lf, the so called “neutron dosimetry', has been avoided. Instead of calibrating the neutron source and the usual mica detector through tracks of 235U fission induced by thermal neutrons, spontaneous-fission tracks and alpha-particle tracks of 238U and 242Pu were used. A value of lf = (8.66±0.38).10-17 y-1 has been obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last recommendation of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (I.U.P.A.C.) on spontaneous fission half-lives for ground-state nuclides, a number of measurements of 238U based on fission-track techniques were discarded. The arguments given by the authors are not clear. In this work a more detailed discussion of these determinations is given, considering the possible systematical errors inherent in fission-track approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tortillas were prepared using corn dough with Moringa flour at different proportions (T1, T 2 and T 3 w/w, on a dry basis). Tortillas were subjected to a proximal chemical analysis, their nutritional and texture characteristics were determinated. Tortillas with higher proportions of moringa flour showed higher protein content, while the lipid content increased up to 50%. The addition of moringa flour in the tortillas increased significantly the total phenolics content compared to the control tortilla, and the antioxidant activity increased significantly for T 1 and subsequently for T 2 , however, T 3 did not show significant difference with respect to T 2. The moringa flour showed a high content of oleic acid and palmitic acid, however in the tortillas, oleic and linoleic acids were found in higher concentrations. Tortillas added with moringa flour obtained were less luminous and more green according to the values obtained from L*, a*, h* and c* parameters. The texture tests showed that the tortillas added with moringa flour showed a lower cohesiveness compared to the control tortilla, while the adhesiveness values showed no significant differences (p < 0.05). Therefore the addition of moringa flour could be a good alternative to prepare a food with better nutritional characteristics. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A food with better nutritional properties was developed with addition of moringa. • Phenolic content and antioxidant activity increased with the addition moringa flour. • The addition of moringa flour did not affect the texture properties of tortilla. • The tortillas added with moringa flour showed a high content of linolenic acid. • The content of linoleic and oleic acid remained high with the addition of moringa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first case of recently characterized species M. monacense associated with chronic nodular vasculitis, infecting a young woman. This case represents the first isolation of M. monacense from Ecuador. The isolate was identified by conventional and molecular techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Epidote etching anisotropy has been studied through step etching of 86Kr (300 MeV) ion tracks. A slice of epidote natural monocrystal was taken from the (010) plane and then divided into five pieces. Each piece was then irradiated with ions whose incidence angles (zenith angles) were of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 75° with respect to y-axis. The azimuthal angle of incidence of the ions was the same for the pieces 15°, 60°, 75° and 180° apart for the pieces 30° and 45°. Etching times were of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min (HF 40%, 35 °C). The results show that etching velocities of ion tracks are higher in directions closer to the y-axis. The mean lengths of the ion tracks, regarding the angles, were of 23.14 ± 0.21 (15°); 19.89 ± 0.08 (30°); 19.39 ± 0.04 (45°) and 16.59 ± 0.10 μm (60°). Since no tracks were identified in the 75° aliquot it was assumed that the epidote has a critical angle, for recording of ion tracks with this mass/energy ratio, between 60° and 75°. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two Macusanite pebbles (MB1 and MB2) were dated with the fission-track method. Six irradiations were carried out in different nuclear reactors: Pavia (Italy), IPEN-CNEN (Brazil) and IPEN-Lima (Peru). Measurements of the thorium and uranium induced-fission per target nucleus using natural thorium thin films and natural U-doped glasses calibrated against natural uranium thin films, together with a λF of 8.46×10−17 a−1 were used to determine the ages. The apparent ages were corrected using the plateau and size correction methods. Track measurements were performed by different analysts, using different counting criteria. In addition, tracks were measured on samples which had been submitted to thermal treatment as well as on samples which had not been heated. Thermal treatments were carried out to erase the fossil tracks before neutron irradiation. No significant differences have been found in individual results, using the two Macusanite pebbles and the different nuclear reactors, age correction techniques, analysts, track-counting criteria, and thermal treatments before neutron irradiation. The great majority of the results (14/17) is compatible with the Ar–Ar ages of 5.12±0.11 and 5.10±0.11 Ma, Macusanite MB1 and MB2, respectively. However, the fission-track ages are systematically less (∼8%) than the Ar–Ar ages of the two Macusanite samples studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, a recent technique for the determination of the Th/U ratio in minerals and glasses was applied to relevant samples used as reference in fission-track (FT) dating. This technique, developed for estimating the influence of tracks due to the induced fission of thorium in the irradiation with neutron used in the FT dating routine, proved to be adequate for this purpose. One of the age standard used for FT dating, the Durango apatite, yielded a very high Th/U ratio (around 30). Only in case of such a high Th/U ratios did the technique used in this work yield a Th/U value with acceptable precision. For the other studied samples—glasses Macusanite, Moldavite and JAS-G1—which have Th/U ratios <5, the experimental error of the Th/U measurement is very high. However, in these cases the contribution of the Th fission to the population of induced tracks is also negligible. For its large Th/U ratio the Durango apatite may introduce systematic errors in FT dating, unless irradiation facilities with high thermalization are used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Aims: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), encompassing both pediatric and adult cases, present a diverse spectrum of chronic conditions with variable prognosis. Despite limited therapeutic options beyond antifibrotic drugs and immunosuppressants, accurate diagnosis is challenging, often necessitating invasive procedures that may not be feasible for certain patients. Drawn against this background, experts across pediatric and adult ILD fields have joined forces in the RARE-ILD initiative to pioneer novel non-invasive diagnostic algorithms and biomarkers. Collaborating with the RARE-ILD consortium, the eurILDreg aims to comprehensively describe different ILDs, analyze genetically defined forms across age groups, create innovative diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers, and employ artificial intelligence for data analysis., Methods: The foundation of eurILDreg is built on a comprehensive parameter list developed and adopted by clinical experts, encompassing over 1,800 distinct parameters related to patient history, clinical examinations, diagnosis, lung function and biospecimen collection. This robust dataset is further enriched with daily assessments captured through the patientMpower app, including handheld spirometry and exercise tests, conducted on approximately 350 patients over the course of a year. This approach involves app-based daily assessments of quality of life, symptom tracking, handheld spirometry, saturation measurement, and the 1-min sit-to-stand test (1-STST). Additionally, pediatric data from the ChILD-EU registry will be integrated into the RARE-ILD Data Warehouse, with the ultimate goal of including a total of 4.000 ILD patients and over 100.000 biospecimen., Discussion: The collaborative efforts within the consortium are poised to streamline research endeavors significantly, promising to advance patient-centered care, foster innovation, and shape the future landscape of interstitial lung disease research and healthcare practices., Trial Registration: EurILDreg is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS 00028968, 26.07.2022), and eurIPFreg is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02951416)., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The ethics committee of the Justus Liebig University of Giessen has approved the eurILDreg as extension of eurIPFreg under protocol reference number 111/08. Additionally, approval from the medical ethics committee at each participating site will be obtained prior to patient inclusion. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Consent for publication All authors gave their consent for publication. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The biotechnological development of monoclonal antibodies and their immunotherapeutic use in oncology have grown exponentially in the last decade, becoming the first-line therapy for some types of cancer. Their mechanism of action is based on the ability to regulate the immune system or by interacting with targets that are either overexpressed in tumor cells, released into the extracellular milieu or involved in processes that favor tumor growth. In addition, the intrinsic characteristics of each subclass of antibodies provide specific effector functions against the tumor by activating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, among other mechanisms. The rational design and engineering of monoclonal antibodies have improved their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features, thus optimizing the therapeutic regimens administered to cancer patients and improving their clinical outcomes. The selection of the immunoglobulin G subclass, modifications to its crystallizable region (Fc), and conjugation of radioactive substances or antineoplastic drugs may all improve the antitumor effects of therapeutic antibodies. This review aims to provide insights into the immunological and pharmacological aspects of therapeutic antibodies used in oncology, with a rational approach at molecular modifications that can be introduced into these biological tools, improving their efficacy in the treatment of cancer., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Impulsivity has been proposed to have an impact on glycemic dysregulation. However, it remains uncertain whether an unfavorable glycemic status could also contribute to an increase in impulsivity levels. This study aims to analyze associations of baseline and time-varying glycemic status with 3-year time-varying impulsivity in older adults at high risk of cardiovascular disease. A 3-year prospective cohort design was conducted within the PREDIMED-Plus-Cognition substudy. The total population includes 487 participants (mean age = 65.2 years; female = 50.5%) with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and type 2 diabetes control were evaluated. Impulsivity was measured using the Impulsive Behavior Scale questionnaire and various cognitive measurements. Impulsivity z-scores were generated to obtain Global, Trait, and Behavioral Impulsivity domains. Linear mixed models were used to study the longitudinal associations across baseline, 1-year, and 3-year follow-up visits. HOMA-IR was not significantly related to impulsivity. Participants with higher HbA1c levels, type 2 diabetes, and poor control of diabetes showed positive associations with the Global Impulsivity domain over time, and those with higher HbA1c levels were further related to increases in the Trait and Behavioral Impulsivity domains over the follow-up visits. These results suggest a potential positive feedback loop between impulsivity and glycemic-related dysregulation., (© 2024 The Author(s). Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The New York Academy of Sciences.)

This project aims to establish the acceptability and satiety of a hybrid snack containing plant protein and a small percentage of animal protein compared to a meat-based snack., Design: Randomised, crossover, double-blind, controlled post-prandial trial involving 24 participants (18-30 years), with two interventions: (a) a hybrid snack containing plant protein derived from chickpeas and 6.6% lean high-quality pork meat; and (b) a meat-based snack containing 90% lean pork meat., Methods: General, life-style, sensory acceptability questionnaire, and the following laboratory analyses were performed: lipid profile, endocannabinoids, and related compounds., Results: Sensory questionnaires showed in general good acceptability for both bars. Additionally, there was a greater increase in glycemia at 30, 60, and 90 min after consuming the hybrid snack compared to the meat-based snack, with no changes in the lipid profile. Regarding the endocannabinoid compounds and related compounds, the compound N-palmitoleoyl ethanolamine in the acylethanolamide group showed higher levels overall following the consumption of the hybrid snack compared to the meat-based snack, particularly at 2 h., Conclusions: The hybrid snack was associated with changes in endocannabinoid-like compounds. Therefore, it may provide a lasting satiating effect, while complementing the protein profile of plant-based foods with the quality of animal protein.

Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of an ultra-low-dose 0.005 % estriol vaginal gel in the prevention of urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause., Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial conducted across 28 Spanish sites involving specialists in gynecology, urology, and primary care. A total of 108 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 1 g of vaginal gel with 50 micrograms of estriol or an identical moisturizing vaginal gel without estriol., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was the number of episodes of urinary tract infection by the end of the 24-week treatment. Secondary measures encompassed percentage of patients without recurrence, time to first recurrence, use of antibiotic treatment, vaginal pH, safety, and tolerability, among others., Results: The incidence rate of urinary tract infections (new cases per 100 women-year) was 26 % lower in the group that received estriol vs. the group that received placebo (32.34 vs. 43.76 (RR = 0.74) p < 0.001). The frequency of urinary tract infections fell during treatment in all patients in the estriol group. Favorable pH changes from baseline were observed in the estriol arm at all follow-up visits., Conclusions: Ultra-low-dose 0.005 % estriol vaginal gel is safe and effective in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, reducing the incidence and potentially decreasing the susceptibility to urogenital infections by improving vaginal pH. Study registration N°: 2018-001481-42. Date of registration: 09-04-2018., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Susana Duce Tello declares to have received payments or fees for lectures, presentations, manuscript writing or educational events from Novartis, Pfizer. Payment for expert testimony from Italfarmaco, and support for attending meetings and/or travel from Viatris. Milagros González has been sponsored in communications at conferences and training courses by Chiesi, Menarini, GSK, Pfizer, Daichi Sankio, Alter, Astra Zeneca and Zentivia. Javier Rosado declares to have received fees for lectures and as a consultant from Astra-Zéneca, Boehringer Ingelgheim, Chiesi, Italfármaco, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Recordati, Daichi-Sankyo, Almirall, Servier, Medtronic. Laura Noguera, Ana Doyle Sanchez, Amelia Rodríguez and Eva Aguilar are full time employees at ITF Research Pharma. All other authors declare that they have no competing of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: The current literature provides limited guidance on the best diuretic strategy post-hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF). It is postulated that the efficacy and safety of the outpatient diuretic regimen may be significantly influenced by the degree of fluid overload (FO) encountered during hospitalization. We hypothesize that in patients with more pronounced FO, reducing their regular oral diuretic dosage might be associated with an elevated risk of unfavourable clinical outcomes., Methods and Results: It was a retrospective observational study of 410 patients hospitalized for AHF in which the dose of furosemide at admission and discharge was collected. Patients were categorized across diuretic dose status into two groups: (i) the down-titration group and (ii) the stable/up-titration group. FO status was evaluated by a clinical congestion score and circulating biomarkers. The endpoint of interest was the composite of time to all-cause death and/or heart failure readmission. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was constructed to analyse the endpoints. The median age was 86 (78-92) years, 256 (62%) were women, and 80% had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. After multivariate adjustment, the down-titration furosemide equivalent dose remained not associated with the risk of the combined endpoint in the whole sample (hazard ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 0.86-2.06, P = 0.184). The risk of the combination of death and/or worsening heart failure associated with the diuretic strategy at discharge was significantly influenced by FO status, including clinical congestion scores and circulating proxies of FO like BNP and cancer antigen 125., Conclusions: In patients hospitalized for AHF, furosemide down-titration does not imply an increased risk of mortality and/or heart failure readmission. However, FO status modifies the effect of down-titration on the outcome. In patients with severe congestion or residual congestion at discharge, down-titration was associated with an increased risk of mortality and/or heart failure readmission., (© 2024 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)