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Mexican Americans are among the least active race/ethnic groups in the United States, most notably during leisure time. We sought to ascertain the effect of repeated participation in community-based walking challenges on average steps as a potential strategy for improving physical activity engagement in a predominately Hispanic community in far west Texas. A total of 354 participants were recruited through a community-wide walking challenge campaign. Data were analyzed at baseline and 2 weeks post-challenge participation. We used step tracker data to determine quantifiable differences by previous challenge participation. Repeated challenge participation was associated with greater baseline step averages; however, there was no dose effect for the number of previous challenges. One previous challenge participation was no different from multiple challenges. Additionally, the type of challenge increased the likelihood of repeated challenge participation. Findings from this study provide evidence that regular community-level walking challenge campaigns contribute to sustained walking among Mexican Americans at the community level.

[EN] Aim Leaf litter inputs from riparian vegetation and its decomposition play a key role in energy and nutrient transfer in many stream ecosystems. Instream leaf litter decomposition is driven by both leaf traits and environmental conditions. Therefore, understanding and predicting leaf trait variation under current environmental changes and their putative interactive effects on stream food webs is a critical challenge. Most studies have focussed on the assumed higher interspecific leaf trait variability, with little research addressing an intraspecific perspective. Location Andalusia, Spain. Methods We assessed the relative effects of climate and soil conditions on the plasticity of leaf traits of four common woody riparian species in permanent low-order Mediterranean streams across a wide aridity gradient. We used a space-for-time substitution approach to predict leaf trait changes and consequences for stream food webs in a future climate change scenario. Results Overall, we found that aridity had a major influence on leaf trait plasticity but with opposite patterns depending on plant functional type, although soil was the strongest predictor in some cases. Results indicated that leaf quality-linked to palatability and decomposability-of Alnus glutinosa, Salix atrocinerea and Rubus ulmifolius (deciduous/semi-deciduous) will decrease with forecasted aridification, whereas the palatability of the evergreen Nerium oleander will increase. We observed higher trait plasticity than interspecific variation for leaf P, Ca and Mg concentrations and C:P ratio. Main conclusions Our findings suggest a decrease of intraspecific leaf quality in riparian deciduous species with global warming in a relatively short term. In a longer term, this may merge with the forecasted dieback of deciduous species in riparian corridors of temperate climate zones. These changes have the potential to significantly impair ecosystem functioning of Mediterranean mountain streams currently under deciduous gallery forests. This study was funded by grants to JJC from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, project RIBARID (CGL2012-39635; MICINN; EU FEDER), and from the 2014-2020 FEDER Operative Program Andalusia, project RIOVEGEST (FEDER-UAL18-RNM-B006-B). JRR was supported by a FPU grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (ref. FPU16/03734). We thank Associate Editor Sabine Rumpf and 2 anonymous referees for feedback that significantly improved this manuscript.

Resumen Objetivo Estudiar el grado de concordancia diagnostica entre vejiga hiperactiva (VH) e hiperactividad del detrusor (HD) en varones con sintomas del tracto urinario inferior (STUI) predominantemente de llenado, y el perfil clinico y urodinamico segun presencia de HD y grado de obstruccion del tracto urinario inferior (OTUI). Material y metodos Estudio epidemiologico, transversal, multicentrico y nacional. Se cumplimentaron: diario miccional de 3 dias (DM3d), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) y Cuestionario de Autoevaluacion del Control de la Vejiga (CACV). Se determino el volumen prostatico (Vp) por ecografia y se realizo estudio urodinamico (EUD). Se analizo la prevalencia de VH y HD y la concordancia (kappa). Se realizo un analisis descriptivo de caracteristicas clinicas y urodinamicas; posteriormente se comparo su frecuencia segun presencia de HD y OTUI. Resultados Se evaluaron 445 pacientes con edad media ± DE de 54,8 ± 9,9 anos. Segun el DM3d, un 89,8% presentaba frecuencia miccional aumentada, un 87,9% nicturia, un 72,8% urgencia y un 31,9% incontinencia urinaria de urgencia (IUU). Un 36,8% tenia OTUI. El 54,5% presentaba VH y HD. La concordancia diagnostica entre HD y VH fue baja (κ = 0,1702). Mas pacientes con HD que sin ella presentaron urgencia (DM3d y CACV; p Conclusiones En pacientes varones de 18 a 65 anos con STUI predominantemente de llenado derivados a unidades especializadas, aproximadamente la mitad tienen coexistencia de VH y HD y un tercio tenia obstruccion. Hay baja concordancia diagnostica entre VH y HD.

Introduction: The Border Coalition for Fitness (BCF) is a community-based organization sponsored by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso(TTUHSC El Paso) that facilitates walking-based programs. These interventions aim to increase physical activity among a majority Hispanic population in El Paso, TX. To provide programming that effectively meets the community's needs, the BCF aims to operate within a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework that centers on community engagement and the translation of research into tangible benefits to the community. This mixed methods assessment examines perceptions of the BCF and its impact on the community. Methods: For the quantitative study, depending on the self-selected group (BCF, community leader, or community participant), respondents completed either a leadership (BCF, community leaders) or non-leadership (community participants) questionnaire. Both assess perceptions on a scale from 0 to 10, 10 being the best, across three constructs: leadership(L), resources(R), and ability and commitment to organize(C). For the qualitative study, members of the BCF and former walking intervention participants completed one-on-one interviews consisting of 13 open-ended questions. Qualitative interviews are ongoing. Results: Preliminary results from the quantitative survey (n=103) show high ratings across stakeholder groups and constructs. BCF members consistently represent the highest ratings (L:9.6; R:9.6; C:9.3) across all constructs, followed by the community leaders (L:8.3; R:8.1; C:8.5), and finally, community participants (L:8.0; R:7.7; C:7.6). There is good agreement among BCF members (n=5) and community members (n=2) that the BCF has a strong collaborative relationship with its academic sponsor and the community and provides impactful programming. Areas cited for improvement included a need for more autonomy on the part of the BCF and improved understanding of and interaction with the BCF on the part of community members. Conclusion: In conclusion, early findings from this mixed-methods assessment indicate strong support for the BCF and its programming among leadership and the community. However, insight gained from the qualitative interviews highlights several areas of improvement in terms of community-based participatory research practices, particularly encouraging community engagement with the BCF beyond participation in the walking-based programs.

In this work, we perform the mathematical theory used by Born and Wolf to rebuild a geometric characterization for piston and tilt or a combination of both surface errors by shifting the secondary sources in the classical Young's experiment. The last is accomplished making a comparison between the generated patterns of classical Young' experiment and Young's patterns when the secondary sources are shifted axially of the order of $\lambda$. Images with effects looks like to surface errors by piston or tilt are obtained and this give us a good idea on how could be the co-phasing of an optical flat surface in a real experiment.

With some of the propositions from the literature on ‘policy enactments’ as a backdrop, this paper addresses the circulation of a research policy innovation and its effects on the knowledge territo...

Water is the main limiting factor for groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in drylands. Predicted climate change (precipitation reductions and temperature increases) and anthropogenic activities such as groundwater drawdown jeopardise the functioning of these ecosystems, presenting new challenges for their management. We developed a trait-based analysis to examine the spatiotemporal variability in the ecophysiology of Ziziphus lotus, a long-lived phreatophyte that dominates one of the few terrestrial GDEs of semiarid regions in Europe. We assessed morpho-functional traits and stem water potential along a naturally occurring gradient of depth-to-groundwater (DTGW, 2–25 m) in a coastal aquifer, and throughout the species-growing season. Increasing DTGW and salinity negatively affected photosynthetic and transpiration rates, increasing plant water stress (lower predawn and midday water potential), and positively affected Huber value (sapwood cross-sectional area per leaf area), reducing leaf area and likely, plant hydraulic demand. However, the species showed greater salt-tolerance at shallow depths. Despite groundwater characteristics, higher atmospheric evaporative demand in the study area, which occurred in summer, fostered higher transpiration rates and water stress, and promoted carbon assimilation and water loss more intensively at shallow water tables. This multiple-trait analysis allowed us to identify plant ecophysiological thresholds related to the increase in salinity, but mostly in DTGW (13 m), and in the evaporative demand during the growing season. These findings highlight the existence of tipping points in the functioning of a long-lived phreatophyte in drylands and can contribute to the sustainable management of GDEs in southern Europe, paving the way for further studies on phreatophytic species. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00442-021-04993-w.

The production of customized polymeric hydrogels in the form of 3D scaffolds with application in bone tissue engineering is currently a topic of great interest. Based on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMa) as one of the most popular used biomaterials, GelMa with two different methacryloylation degrees (DM) was obtained, to achieve crosslinked polymer networks by photoinitiated radical polymerization. In this work, we present the obtention of new 3D foamed scaffolds based on ternary copolymers of GelMa with vinylpyrrolidone (VP) and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA). All biopolymers obtained in this work were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), whose results confirm the presence of all copolymers in the crosslinked biomaterial. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures were obtained verifying the presence of the porosity created by freeze-drying process. In addition, the variation in its swelling degree and its enzymatic degradation in vitro was analyzed as a function of the different copolymers obtained. This has allowed us to observe good control of the variation in these properties described above in a simple way by varying the composition of the different comonomers used. Finally, with these concepts in mind, biopolymers obtained were tested through assessment of several biological parameters such as cell viability and differentiation with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cell line. Results obtained show that these biopolymers maintain good results in terms of cell viability and differentiation, along with tunable properties in terms of hydrophilic character, mechanical properties and enzymatic degradation.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is considered a pernicious herb in many parts of the world due to its rapid growth. However, for its high content of cellulose and hemicellulose, it could be considered as raw material to produce fermentable sugars. In this work, the effect of sulfuric acid concentration by thermochemical pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis on the release of sugars from water hyacinth was evaluated. Initially, the effect of the sulfuric acid concentration from 1.5 to 9% at 120 ºC was evaluated. With 1.5%, the release of reducing sugars was 160 milligrams of reducing sugars per gram of dry matter (mg red-sug/g dm). After the thermochemical pretreatment, the enzymatic hydrolysis with the cellulase complex (NS22086) allowed obtaining a reducing sugars concentration up to 317 mg red-sug/g dm. These thermochemical and enzymatic approaches to recover reducing sugars from water hyacinth is promising and should be evaluated for bioprocess using reducing sugars as the main source of carbon, such as bioethanol production.

In patients with malignant oral disease, there is concern that immediate implant placement at the time of ablative and microvascular free flap surgery can contribute to tumor recurrence or delay the diagnosis of recurrence. The purpose of this study is to 1) estimate the incidence of recurrence in patients with malignant disease treated with immediate microvascular free flap reconstruction, endosseous implants, and an oral prosthesis, 2) measure and compare the timing of implant placement, immediate versus delayed, and the time to complete oral rehabilitation, and 3) measure the association between the timing of implant placement and tumor recurrence.This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing medical record analysis involving patients with malignant oral cancer undergoing tumor resection and immediate microvascular reconstruction from 1996 to 2019 at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN by the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Additional inclusion criteria comprised of immediate or delayed endosseous implant placement, the fabrication of an oral prosthesis, and a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, timing of implant placement and prosthesis loading, type of prosthesis, tumor recurrence, or second primary tumor events were analyzed.Thirty-three patients with a mean follow-up of 6.4 years were included. Twenty-four patients (72.7%) were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma with 3 patients experiencing tumor recurrence. Fifteen patients had immediate implant placement while 18 patients had delayed implant placement. The mean number of days to prosthetic loading of the implants was 680.4 days and 330.1 days for the delayed implant group and immediate implant group, respectively, which was statistically significant (P = .004). The timing of implant placement and the event of a recurrence were not statistically significant (P = .075).The incidence of recurrence in patients with malignant oral cancer treated with microvascular reconstruction, endosseous implants, and an oral prosthesis was 12.5% with one recurrence occurring beneath the oral prosthesis. Delayed implant placement resulted in a statistically significant delay in the completion of oral rehabilitation compared to immediate implant placement. There was no difference in the incidence of recurrence in the immediate implant group compared to the delayed implant group.

Ante-mortem diagnosis of caprine tuberculosis, as in other ruminant species, is a complex process. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to apply a combination of methods that increases the sensitivity of diagnosis while maintaining adequate specificity. In the present study, we analysed the use of ELISA based on a double-recognition methodology for the diagnosis of goat tuberculosis. Serum samples from animals with tuberculosis, confirmed by histopathological studies and presence of Ziehl-Neelsen-positive bacteria in the lesions, were used to assess sensitivity. Sera from flocks without tuberculosis were used to assess diagnostic specificity. The relationship between ELISA results and the type of tuberculous lesions, both macroscopic and microscopic, was analysed. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA test were 69.9% and 97.9%, respectively. Sensitivity was higher in animals with macroscopic lesions, indicating more advanced forms of the disease. Similarly, a higher sensitivity was found in animals with microscopic lesions associated with active tuberculosis, such as cavitary lesions.

Witkop tooth and nail syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant type of ectodermal dysplasia that can have significant effects on dentition, including hypoplastic and malformed dentition and significantly atrophic maxillas. Endosseous implants have become one possible solution to replace missing teeth, although their use in areas where bone is sparse becomes challenging. Due to the severe atrophy of the maxillary alveolus, extensive preprosthetic surgeries including orthognathic surgery, extensive bone grafting, and sinus floor augmentations have been recommended prior to placement of endosseous dental implants. Although this treatment has shown favorable outcomes, it requires multiple surgical procedures, contributing to a prolonged treatment course and increased morbidity. An alternative treatment of atrophic maxillas in patients with ectodermal dysplasia includes the use of zygomatic implants. This familial case series discusses 3 siblings, all previously diagnosed with Witkop Syndrome, who underwent comprehensive preprosthetic surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation using zygomatic implants with a follow-up period up to 15 years.

Severe complications and morbidity after orthognathic surgery are infrequently encountered and even more infrequently reported considering the extent to which this procedure is performed by surgeons within the specialty of maxillofacial surgery. Avascular necrosis of the maxilla after Le Fort I osteotomy is perhaps the most dreaded outcome of orthognathic surgery. However, it accounts for an extremely small subset of overall surgical complications. The reported risk factors associated with avascular maxillary necrosis include segmental osteotomies, vertical posterior impactions, large transverse expansions, anterior advancements exceeding 9 to 10 mm, an improper surgical technique, excessive soft tissue degloving of the maxilla, intraoperative hemorrhage, perforation or laceration of the palatal soft tissue pedicle, previous maxillary or palatal surgery, and other medical comorbidities. Although anecdotal cases of total maxillary necrosis after orthognathic surgery have been alluded to within the specialty as a whole, to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have reported total maxillary necrosis occurring after routine orthognathic surgery. We have presented a truly unique case of total maxillary avascular necrosis that occurred after standard 1-piece Le Fort I osteotomy in a patient without medical or surgical risk factors for the complication either known preoperatively or identified postoperatively. The resultant maxillary defect from total avascular necrosis was comprehensively treated with surgical debridement of the nonviable maxilla, osteocutaneous fibular free flap reconstruction, staged endosseous implant reconstruction of the neomaxilla, and comprehensive prosthodontic rehabilitation.

Resumen Objetivos Estudiar la influencia del cateterismo vesical intermitente (CVI) sobre la funcion del tracto urinario inferior (TUI) en pacientes con retencion urinaria (RU) por insuficiencia contractil (IC) del detrusor. Material y metodos Estudio longitudinal. Cuarenta y nueve pacientes (28 hombres/21 mujeres; edad media: 55 anos) sometidos a CVI por RU por IC (frecuencia media 3,15 veces/dia). El unico criterio de inclusion fue la realizacion de CVI asociada a IC. Se realizo historia clinica y dos estudios urodinamicos con un intervalo de 4 anos de media. Se compararon los datos urodinamicos pre y post CVI mediante test exacto de Fisher para variables dicotomicas y test de la t de Student para datos pareados (estudios antes y despues del CVI) e independientes (comparacion entre diferentes grupos) en el caso de las variables parametricas. El nivel de significacion se fijo en 5% bilateral. Resultados Se observo aumento significativo de la acomodacion vesical, del indice de obstruccion (BOOI) y del indice de contractilidad vesical (BCI), sin alcanzar significacion estadistica. Respecto de los pacientes en los que su BCI mejoro despues del CVI se observo un porcentaje significativamente mayor de pacientes con hiperplasia benigna de prostata (HBP) y detrusor acontractil comparado con los pacientes en los que el BCI no mejoro despues del CVI. El tiempo en que los pacientes estaban sometidos a CVI fue significativamente menor en el grupo de mejoria. Conclusiones El CVI mejoro la acomodacion vesical en los pacientes de nuestra serie. El BCI mejoro en varones con HBP y en pacientes con detrusor acontractil.

Objective To study the influence of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) on the lower urinary tract function in patients with urinary retention (UR) due to detrusor underactivity (DU). Material and methods A longitudinal study was carried out on 49 patients (28 men, 21 women) of mean age 55 years, who underwent CIC for UR secondary to DU. The mean CIC frequency was 3.15 times/day. Patients’ clinical data were collected, and they underwent urodynamic study before and after CIC, with a mean interval of 4 years. Fisher's exact test was used for the analysis of categorical variables and Student's t test for parametric variables. The level of significance was set at 0.05 for a two-tailed test. Results The second urodynamic study showed a significantly increased bladder compliance, the Bladder Outlet Obstruction Index (BOOI) and the Bladder Contractility Index (BCI) also increased but without reaching statistical significance. There was a significantly higher percentage of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and acontractile detrusor cases among the group of patients whose BCI improved after CIC, with significantly lower CIC time. Conclusions CIC improved bladder compliance in the patients of our series. The BCI improved in BPH patients and in patients with acontractile detrusor.

Context Pygeum africanum is still being employed in urology practice for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Evidence acquisition A non-exhaustive review has been carried out about Pygeum africanum, its mechanisms of action "in vitro" as well as "in vivo", clinical trials and routine clinical practice. Evidence synthesis The conclusions of the review and the reflections of the authors on the use of Pygeum africanum are described. Conclusions Although with an evidence level IV (based on expert opinion) the use of Pygeum africanum seems to be an option in the urological therapeutic arsenal.

Resumen Contexto El Pygeum africanum (P. africanum) sigue siendo utilizado por parte de los urologos para el tratamiento de los sintomas urinarios del tracto urinario inferior secundarios a hiperplasia benigna de prostata. Adquisicion de la evidencia Se ha realizado una revision no exhaustiva sobre el P. africanum, sus mecanismos de accion, tanto «in vitro » como «in vivo», de los ensayos clinicos y en la practica clinica habitual. Sintesis de la evidencia Se muestran las conclusiones de la revision y las reflexiones de los autores sobre la utilizacion del P. africanum. Conclusiones Aunque con un nivel de evidencia 4 (basado en la opinion de expertos), la utilizacion del P. africanum parece ser una opcion en el arsenal terapeutico del urologo.

Background In this study, we determine the feasibility of using electronic medical record (EMR) data to determine obesity prevalence at the census tract level in El Paso County, Texas, located on the U.S.-Mexico border. Methods 2012–2018 Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m2) data from a large university clinic system in was geocoded and aggregated to a census tract level. After cleaning and removing duplicate EMR and unusable data, 143,524 patient records were successful geocoded. Maps were created to assess representativeness of EMR data across census tracts, within El Paso County. Additionally, maps were created to display the distribution of obesity across the same geography. Results EMR data represented all but one El Paso census tract. Representation ranged from 0.7% to 34.9%. Greatest representation were among census tracts in and around clinics. The mean EMR data BMI (kg/m2) was 30.1, this is approximately 6% less than the 36.0% estimated for El Paso County using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study (BRFSS) estimate. At the census tract level, obesity prevalence ranged from 26.6 to 57.6%. The highest obesity prevalence were in areas that tended to be less affluent, with a higher concentration of immigrants, poverty and Latino ethnic concentration. Conclusions EMR data use for obesity surveillance is feasible in El Paso County, Texas, a U.S.-Mexico border community. Findings indicate substantial obesity prevalence variation between census tracts within El Paso County that may be associated with population distributions related to socioeconomics.

Bacterial biofilm in the oral cavity and around dental implants may trigger an inflammatory response of the peri-implant soft tissue. Emerging antimicrobial products have been developed to combat peri-implant soft tissue pathology; however, limited evidence is available evaluating their effectiveness. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case report in the literature assessing the effect of Cervitec Plus around dental implants. This case report provides an example of a patient presenting to a periodontal specialty clinic with peri-implant pathology and subsequently treated with antimicrobial varnish following dental hygiene peri-implant therapy. The report serves to evaluate the efficacy of peri-implant soft tissue pathology utilizing antimicrobial varnish as measured by percent of bleeding upon probing, presence of suppuration, and changes in implant probing depths. Understanding the impact of bacterial plaque on peri-implant soft tissue and the effectiveness of antimicrobial products in conjunction with dental hygiene peri-implant therapy may provide patients with optimal peri-implant health and long-term success of dental implants.

In search of new approaches to treat bone infection and prevent drug resistance development, a nanosystem based on hollow bioactive glass nanoparticles (HBGN) of composition 79.5SiO2-(18-x)CaO-2.5P2O5-xCuO (x = 0, 2.5 or 5 mol-% CuO) was developed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the capacity of the HBGN to be used as a nanocarrier of the broad-spectrum antibiotic danofloxacin and source of bactericidal Cu2+ ions. Core-shell nanoparticles with specific surface areas close to 800 m2/g and pore volumes around 1 cm3/g were obtained by using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and poly(styrene)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) as structure-directing agents. Flow cytometry studies showed the cytocompatibility of the nanoparticles in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cell cultures. Ion release studies confirmed the release of non-cytotoxic concentrations of Cu2+ ions within the therapeutic range. Moreover, it was shown that the inclusion of copper in the system resulted in a more gradual release of danofloxacin that was extended over one week. The bactericidal activity of the nanosystem was evaluated with E. coli and S. aureus strains. Nanoparticles with copper were not able to reduce bacterial viability by themselves and Cu-free HBGN failed to reduce bacterial growth, despite releasing higher antibiotic concentrations. However, HBGN enriched with copper and danofloxacin drastically reduced bacterial growth in sessile, planktonic and biofilm states, which was attributed to a synergistic effect between the action of Cu2+ ions and danofloxacin. Therefore, the nanosystem here investigated is a promising candidate as an alternative for the local treatment of bone infections.

RENORT is an application (app) developed to assess the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer using the oncology information systems (OIS).The RENORT app was used to analyze the data for all patients seen and/or treated at six radiation oncology departments in Spain in 2019. This app can be used to extract the demographic data, treatment sequence, disease status, and radiotherapy treatments from the ARIA and Mosaiq OIS.A total of 6564 treatments were performed at these six centers in 2019. Most patients (56.9%) were males (females 43.1%). The mean patient age was 64.9 years. The most common treatment types and sites were as follows: metastases/palliative care (25.9%), followed by breast (19.0%), genitourinary (13.7%), lung (10.1%), head and neck (6.0%), rectal (6.0%), gynecological (4.9%), and other ( 4%) cancers. Distribution by disease stage was as follows: breast cancer: 75.5% early stage (stages 0, I, and II); lung: 63.1% advanced stage (III and IV); and head and neck: 72.1% advanced. Treatment intent was curative in 76.5% of cases and palliative in 23.5%. The most common techniques were intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) (41.4%), followed by three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) (39.2%); stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) (8.1%); brachytherapy (5.5%); radiosurgery (2.1%); fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to the brain (1.4%); and intraoperative radiotherapy (1.4%). Hypofractionation was used in 62.3% of curative treatments (mean number of fractions = 16.5).RENORT is a free app that is available for the two main oncology information systems used in most radiation oncology departments. This app has demonstrated the capacity to extract data from these systems, which in turns allows for a comprehensive analysis and better understanding of the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer.

El objetivo de la investigación demostró cómo la propuesta de valor se relaciona con el impacto del turismo en el centro poblado Las Pampas de Tomayquichua, con base en una investigación aplicada, con un enfoque cuantitativo, de alcance descriptivo-correlacional-explicativo, y de tipo experimental. Para la aplicación del cuestionario a la población se tomó una muestra aleatoria simple de tipo probabilística obteniendo 295 y para el grupo experimental se tomó una submuestra aleatoria simple de tipo no probabilística intencional legando a 15 pobladores. De los resultados obtuvimos que el 38.64% manifestó que el motivo de visita a Las Pampas sería por sus zonas turísticas, seguido de un 34.92% que indican que es por sus capillas, mientras que el 22.37% dijo por el clima saludable, y solo un 4.07% indicaron que es por los recreos y esparcimiento. Concluyendo que la propuesta de valor se relaciona con el impacto del turismo en el centro poblado Las Pampas de Tomayquichua con una correlación de 0.70665582, por lo que es una relación positiva ya que se acerca al valor de 1.

Objective Evaluation of mandibular molar inclination provides valuable information to the orthodontist when evaluating posterior functional occlusal relationships, diagnosing and treating transverse skeletal and dental relationships, and assessing the quality of orthodontic treatment finishing. Traditional evaluation methods rely on radiographs or diagnostic dental models. Identification of a clinical anatomic landmark that can be evaluated chairside and reliably produces desired treatment results would prove valuable to the clinician. Materials and Methods Plaster dental casts of 60 posttreatment patients were evaluated for mandibular molar inclination by American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Cast-Radiograph evaluation standards and compared with the mandibular anatomic landmark the WALA ridge. Results Mandibular first molars conforming to ABO standards with a vertical difference in buccal and lingual cusp heights ≤1.0 mm had an average horizontal WALA-facial axis (FA) distance of 2.56 mm, which was significantly smaller than the 3.11 mm found when molars were ABO nonconforming with vertical cusp height differences of >1.0 mm to ≤2.0 mm (P 2.5 mm. Conclusions Mandibular molars with vertical differences in buccal and lingual cusp heights meeting the ABO standards for inclination have significantly smaller horizontal tooth to mandibular bone distances (WALA-FA).

This work aims to study the synthesis conditions effect on the photocatalytic properties of manganese tungstate (MnWO4) for H2 production by the water splitting reaction under visible light irradiation. This is achieved by relating the materials characterization and photocatalytic evaluation of MnWO4 at different synthesis conditions. MnWO4 was synthesized through a precipitation reaction between Mn2+ and (WO4)2- ionic species, while adding oleic acid (OA) as surfactant at two concentrations (0.1% and 1% V) and using three different stirring methods: magnetic stirring (AM), ultrasound (US) and high-shear stirring (UT). Characterization was carried out by TGA, XRD, BET surface area, UV–Vis spectroscopy and FESEM. XRD patterns confirm the wolframite structure of MnWO4. BET surface area increased by using UT stirring. UV–Vis spectroscopy results revealed indirect transition Eg values of ≈2 eV, favorable for the MnWO4 photoactivation under visible light irradiation. During the photocatalytic evaluation, sample 1%-UT produced the highest H2 amount among all samples with a value of 72 μmolH2g−1, which was far higher compared to WO3, which was taken as a reference photocatalyst.

In order to overcome one of the most important disadvantages of the partial oxidation of methane (POX) reaction, which deals with the use of pure oxygen as a gas feed, a mixed metal oxide (MWO 4 , M = Fe, Mn, Ni) is proposed as an oxygen carrier. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of these tungstates through the use of thermodynamic analyses and process simulations in an arrangement of two reactors. First reactor: CH 4 + MWO 4 = H 2 + CO + M + W; CH 4 + MWO 4 = H 2 + CO 2 + M + W and possibly CH 4 = C + 2H 2 . While in the second reactor: M + W + H 2 O = MWO 4 + H 2 ; C + H 2 O = H 2 + CO; C + 2H 2 O = 2H 2 + CO 2 . Then, the MWO 4 is recycled back to the first reactor to make a continuous process. Simulation results of this process with the different MWO 4 oxides are presented using Aspen Plus © .

Complex geoarchaeological research of the archaeological sites with continuous long-term occupation could provide insight into environmental change and human-landscape interaction during the transition from hunter-gatherer to horticulture economy in the north-west of South America. We performed a paleopedological study in the new sections at Tequendama (rockshelter site) and Aguazuque (open-air site) two key pre-ceramic sites of the Savannah of Bogota region of Colombia, combined with traditional archaeological and paleontological investigations. The chronological scales of the sections based on a large number of 14C dates show that their occupation periods are complementary and together cover the period from the terminal Pleistocene to late Holocene. The material of the archaeological layers has a colluvial origin with large tephra input. Presence of volcanic components influence pedogenesis supporting development of granular structure, dark humus accumulation, and Andic properties that could not be used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Micromorphological observations however show abundant evidence of pedogenic carbonate accumulation that we interpret as evidence of gradual aridization during the middle Holocene. This conclusion is supported by the paleontological data, an upward increase of the frequency of Cavia sp. remains, and agrees with the regional palynological proxies. Aridization was the background environmental trend during the transition period from a hunter-gatherer economy to an early horticulture and plant and animal domestication.

Purpose: This article describes the risk of hereditary breast cancer (HBC) in low-income Hispanic women living on the U.S.–Mexico border using the Pedigree Assessment Tool (PAT). Method: The PAT was administered as part of the El Paso and Hudspeth County Breast Cancer Education, Screening and NavigaTion program (BEST). Baseline data ( n = 1,966) from this program was used to analyze risk factors for HBC. Analysis was conducted to determine significant covariates associated with the presence of any PAT risk factors. Results: The PAT identified 17% (95% CI [15%, 19%]) of the women in the study as having some risk of HBC. Having had a mammogram within 3 years was significantly associated with having any PAT risk factors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79, p = .006). Women who immigrated to the United States during childbearing age (OR = 0.610, p = .009) or during peri/menopause (OR = 0.637, p = .024) were significantly less likely to have any PAT risk factors. Discussion: The PAT instrument detected a substantial pool of women who may be at risk for HBC. A significant proportion of these women were not up to date mammogram. Conclusions: The PAT is an effective tool to identify women at risk for HBC and encourage regular screening.

The species of Heliconia that are most commercialized in Mexico are H. stricta, H. bihai, H. caribea, H. psittacorum and H. wagneriana, among others. The bracts of Heliconias can be hanging and erect. The growing demand for these floral stems is attributed to their exotic beauty and longevity of the floral stem. Although the use of preservative solutions and storage at low temperature, improve vase life for most flowers of temperate climate, these do not have the same effectiveness in tropical flowers. For example, while temperate climate flowers are stored at temperatures above the freezing point, for Heliconia species, the recommended temperature for transport and storage is around 10°C, as they are sensitive to chilling injury. Therefore, in this work we evaluated the quality changes in H. wagneriana with the application of wax in the bracts and the use of salicylic acid (SA at 1 mM) in preservative solution at room temperature and under cold storage (10°C/10 days). The variables evaluated were: vase life, water absorption, membrane integrity, enzymatic activity and stomatal functionality. The results showed a low consumption of solution (less than 6% w/v). In Heliconias, there are no vascular connections between the floral peduncle and the leaves, which contributes to low water absorption after harvest. The transpiration evaluation had a non-typical circadian rhythm, which suggests that the stomata located in the bracts are not functional and do not respond to environmental factors. The control stems stored at room temperature had 9 d of vase life, while the waxed ones 12 d; the control stems stored under refrigeration had an additional 4.3 d of vase life and the waxed ones 6.2 d. The use of SA solution did not improve the quality of Heliconia stems. The activity of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase was lower in the waxed stems as well as the chilling injury damage.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that frequently infects sinuses, brain, or lungs and arises mostly in immunocompromised patients. Although its occurrence in the maxilla is rare, debridement and resection of the infected and necrotic area is often the best treatment but usually results in an extensive maxillary defect. Protocols for prosthetic obturation versus microvascular reconstruction have been established and used effectively in tertiary institutions for patients with such large defects. Aramany Class VI defects involving more than half of the palatal surface can be managed effectively by surgical reconstruction using microvascular free flaps as a platform for supporting bone-anchored prostheses. Providing fixed prostheses may offer advantages over a conventional obturator prosthesis in terms of hygiene, function, and esthetics. Nonetheless, fixed prostheses retained by endosseous implants in patients with reconstructive osteomyocutaneous flaps often require a sequential team approach by the surgeon and prosthodontist. This clinical report describes the reconstruction of a maxilla by using a scapular free flap with subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation in a patient with maxillary sinus infection secondary to mucormycosis.

Background: This present study experimentally evaluated the Pasos Para Prevenir Cancer (PPPC) program to determine whether participation was associated with improved physical activity engagement. Evidence suggests that obesity prevention programs improve physical activity (PA) engagement and lead to healthier weights, which substantially impacts cancer and cardiometabolic disease risk. There is a shortage of knowledge on the effectiveness of programs tailored to populations along the U.S.–Mexico border. Methods: We collected demographic, nutrition, and physical activity data at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) for 209 participants. We analyzed the average metabolic equivalents (METS) per week for all physical activity levels and types and the achievement of the recommended METS per week to determine the demographic characteristics most associated with a change between baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Results: Light activity was the most common activity at all three points, and it slightly increased at 6 months in work settings. Subjects conducted moderate physical activity primarily at home and work, and moderate physical activity increased more compared to vigorous physical activity. Conclusions: Intervention tailoring might improve PA engagement in Mexican Americans residing on the U.S.–Mexico border; however, larger studies that are more diverse are required.

New drug discovery involves preclinical studies to demonstrate its effectivity and safety for further tests in humans. This leads to the need to develop technologies that take advantage of the new analytical tools available within a context where the results of the tests carried out are fully documented, under auditable systems of good laboratory practice. This review updates and describes some of the tests carried out in the preclinical stage of the development of a new drug and the current state of the analytical technology used to measure different blood biomarkers of interest. Biomarker parameters were analyzed at the physiological level, considering both the validation regulations of the analytical techniques used for their determination as the problems that arise when trying to apply them, since many of these biomarkers are endogenous compounds in the used matrices.El descubrimiento de un nuevo principio activo farmacéutico implica estudios preclínicos, que tienen como objetivo demostrar que es eficaz y seguro para un posterior ensayo en seres humanos. Esto conduce a la necesidad de desarrollar tecnologías que aprovechen las nuevas herramientas analíticas disponibles dentro de un contexto donde los resultados de las pruebas realizadas, estén plenamente documentados, bajo sistemas de buenas prácticas de laboratorio auditables. En esta revisión se actualizan y describen algunos de los ensayos realizados en la etapa preclínica del desarrollo de un nuevo fármaco y el estado actual de la tecnología analítica empleada para el dosaje de diferentes biomarcadores sanguíneos de interés. Se analizaron los biomarcadores más relevantes, las normativas de validación de las técnicas analíticas empleadas para su determinación y los problemas que se presentan al tratar de aplicarlas.

Water is the main limiting factor for groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in drylands. Predicted climate change (precipitation reductions and temperature increases) and anthropogenic activities such as groundwater drawdown jeopardize the structure and functioning of these ecosystems, presenting new challenges for their management. We developed a trait-based analysis to examine the spatiotemporal variability in the ecophysiology of Ziziphus lotus, a phreatophyte that dominates one of the few terrestrial GDEs of semiarid regions in Europe. We assessed morpho-functional and hydraulic traits along a naturally occurring gradient of depth-to-groundwater (DTGW, 2–25 m) in a coastal aquifer, and throughout the growing season of the species. Increasing DTGW and salinity negatively affected photosynthetic and transpiration rates, increasing plant water stress (lower predawn and midday water potential), and positively affected Huber value (sapwood cross-sectional area per leaf area), reducing leaf area and likely, plant hydraulic demand. However, higher atmospheric evaporative demand fostered higher transpiration rates and water stress. Differences in climatic conditions throughout the growing season drove temporal variability in Z. lotus responses along the DTGW gradient, with warmer and drier conditions promoting carbon assimilation and water loss more intensively at shallow water tables. This multiple-trait analysis allowed us to identify plant ecophysiological thresholds related to the increase in DTGW and evaporative demand during the growing season. These findings highlight the existence of tipping points in the ecophysiological functioning of phreatophytic plants in drylands, which contribute to disentangle the functional responses of the related GDEs under groundwater detriment because of climate change effects.

Purpose The purpose of this Best Evidence Consensus Statement was to search the literature to determine if there is a relationship between patient specific factors and occlusal force. Materials and methods A literature review was conducted in the following databases: Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (EMBR) - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, and Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print. Articles on patient factors and occlusal force were compiled by using a combination of the key words: "bite force", "occlusal force", "partial and complete edentulism", "bruxism", and "orthognathic class". Inclusion criteria included meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, case series, and journal articles. Exclusion criteria were case reports, studies in children, animals, and bench studies. Results Of the 1,502 articles that met the initial search criteria, 97 related to patient-specific factors affecting occlusal forces. These articles were evaluated, rated, and organized into appropriate categories addressing questions of foci. Conclusions The range of occlusal force is highly variable among subjects correlated to patient specific factors such as age, gender, partial and complete edentulism, the presence of a maxillofacial defect, location of edentulous area, orthognathic profile, and magnitude of occlusal vertical dimension. Tooth replacement therapies targeted at increasing occlusal contact seem to have a positive effect on increasing occlusal force. Bruxism does not necessarily demonstrate higher occlusal powering but may have greater tooth contact time. Occlusal force is not clearly affected by the type of dental restoration or restorative material used. The clinical significance of the changes in occlusal forces is yet to be determined. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Bone regeneration is a clinical challenge that requires multiple approaches. Sometimes, it also includes the development of new osteogenic and antibacterial biomaterials to treat the occurrence of possible infection processes derived from surgery. This study evaluates the antibacterial properties of meso-macroporous scaffolds coated with gelatin and based on a bioactive glass and after being doped with 4% ZnO (4ZN-GE) and loaded with saturated and minimally inhibitory concentrations of one of the antibiotics levofloxacin (LEVO), vancomycin (VANCO), rifampicin (RIFAM) or gentamicin (GENTA). After the physicochemical characterization of the materials, inorganic ion and antibiotic release studies were performed from the scaffolds. In addition, molecular modeling allowed the determination of electrostatic potential density maps and hydrogen bonds of the antibiotics and the glass matrix. In vitro antibacterial studies (in plankton, inhibition halos and biofilm destruction) with S. aureus and E. coli as model bacteria showed a synergistic effect of zinc ions and antibiotics. The effect was especially noticeable in planktonic cultures of S. aureus with 4ZN-GE scaffolds loaded with VANCO, LEVO or RIFAM and in cultures of E. coli with LEVO or GENTA. Furthermore, S. aureus biofilms were completely destroyed by 4ZN-GE scaffolds loaded with VANCO, LEVO or RIFAM and total destruction of E. coli biofilm was achieved with 4ZN-GE scaffolds loaded with GENTA or LEVO. This approach could be an important step in the fight against microbial resistance and provide much needed options for the treatment of bone infection., Comment: 27 pages, 11 figures

Stem cells are the central element of regenerative medicine (RM). However, in many clinical applications, the use of scaffolds fabricated with biomaterials is required. In this sense, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are going to play an important role in bone regeneration because of their striking textural properties, quick bioactive response, and biocompatibility. As other bioactive glasses, MBGs are mainly formed by silicon, calcium, and phosphorus oxides whose ions play an important role in cell proliferation as well as in homeostasis and bone remodeling process. A common improvement of bioactive glasses for RM is by adding small amounts of oxides of elements that confer them additional biological capacities, including osteogenic, angiogenic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, or anticancer properties. Moreover, MBGs are versatile in terms of the different ways in which they can be processed, such as scaffolds, fibers, coatings, or nanoparticles. MBGs are unique because their textural properties are so high that they still exhibit outstanding bioactive responses even after adding extra inorganic ions or being processed as scaffolds or nanoparticles. Moreover, they can be further improved by loading with biomolecules, drugs, and stem cells. This article reviews the state of the art and future perspectives of MBGs in the field of RM of hard tissues., Graphical abstract Image 1

Premise: Water is the most limiting factor in dryland ecosystems, and plants are adapted to cope with this constraint. Particularly vulnerable are phreatophytic plants from groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in regions that have to face water regime alterations due to the impacts of climate and land-use changes. Methods: We investigated two aspects related to the water-use strategy of a keystone species that dominates one of the few terrestrial GDEs in European drylands (Ziziphus lotus): where it obtains water and how it regulates its use. We (1) evaluated plants’ water sources and use patterns using a multiple-isotope approach (δH, δO, and ΔC); (2) assessed the regulation of plant water potential by characterizing the species on an isohydric–anisohydric continuum; and (3) evaluated plants’ response to increasing water stress along a depth-to-groundwater (DTGW) gradient by measuring foliar gas exchange and nutrient concentrations. Results: Ziziphus lotus behaves as a facultative or partial phreatophyte with extreme anisohydric stomatal regulation. However, as DTGW increased, Z. lotus (1) reduced the use of groundwater, (2) reduced total water uptake, and (3) limited transpiration water loss while increasing water-use efficiency. We also found a physiological threshold at 14 m depth to groundwater, which could indicate maximum rooting length beyond which optimal plant function could not be sustained. Conclusions: Species such as Z. lotus survive by squandering water in drylands because of a substantial groundwater uptake. However, the identification of DTGW thresholds indicates that drawdowns in groundwater level would jeopardize the functioning of the GDE., This research was done in the framework of the LTSER Platform “The Arid Iberian South East LTSER Platform - Spain (LTER_EU_ES_027)” and supported by the European project LIFE Adaptamed (LIFE14349 CCA/ES/000612), the Spanish Ecological Transition Ministry (through Biodiversity Foundation) project CO-ADAPTA. (CA_CC_2016), and the RTI2018-102030-B-I00 project of the University of Almería (PPUENTE2020/001). F.G. was financially supported by the “HIPATIA” research program of the University of Almeria, and the Spanish government supported M.T.T. with a FPU predoctoral fellowship (16/02214)