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Today, it is of vital importance to research actuators and its control to harness their advantages, such as the force-to-weight ratio of the actuator or its energy consumption, in a more efficient way. For this reason, this work describes the characterization and control of actuators based on Shape Memory Alloy wires with different diameters ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm. These Nickel Titanium wires contract in length when heated, which makes them a distinguishing property compared to other alloys. This contraction is used to apply force so that it can be used in applications such as moving objects, controlling valves, or designing exoskeletons, among others. In this context, the objective of this work is to characterize Shape Memory Alloy wires of varying diameters, ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm, which are capable of lifting loads exceeding 100 kg with a single wire, while maintaining controlled positioning. Among the parameters to be highlighted are cooling and heating times, speed, energy consumption, breaking limits, and duty cycles. Additionally, various heating methods for Shape Memory Alloys wires are analyzed: direct heating by Joule effect and external heating. The results obtained with the proposed control strategy for steady-state position control (when the output remains within ±5% of the final value) were as follows: RMSE of 0.0401% for the one-way 0.51 mm wire, 0.0483% for the two-way 0.51 mm wire, 0.289% for the 1 mm wire, and 0.0857% for the 2 mm wire.

Based on data from the Global Cancer Statistics 2022, lung cancer stands as the most lethal cancer worldwide, with age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates of 23.6 and 16.9 per 100,000 people, respectively. Despite significant strides in precision oncology driven by large-scale international research consortia, there remains a critical need to deepen our understanding of the genomic landscape across diverse racial and ethnic groups. To address this challenge, we performed comprehensive in silico analyses and data mining to identify pathogenic variants in genes that drive lung cancer. We subsequently calculated the allele frequencies and assessed the deleteriousness of these oncogenic variants among populations such as African, Amish, Ashkenazi Jewish, East and South Asian, Finnish and non-Finnish European, Latino, and Middle Eastern. Our analysis examined 117,707 variants within 86 lung cancer-associated genes across 75,109 human genomes, uncovering 8042 variants that are known or predicted to be pathogenic. We prioritized variants based on their allele frequencies and deleterious scores, and identified those with potential significance for response to anti-cancer therapies through in silico drug simulations, current clinical pharmacogenomic guidelines, and ongoing late-stage clinical trials targeting lung cancer-driving proteins. In conclusion, it is crucial to unite global efforts to create public health policies that emphasize prevention strategies and ensure access to clinical trials, pharmacogenomic testing, and cancer research for these groups in developed nations.

Fannia pusio, the chicken dung fly species, remains unexplored despite its forensic, sanitary, and veterinary importance in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. In this study, we obtained the complete mitochondrial genome of Fannia pusio for the first time using next-generation sequencing. We compared it with previously published mitogenomes of the genus from the Palearctic region, and its phylogenetic position was studied based on the concatenated protein-coding genes (PCGs) dataset of Calyptratae flies. The circular mitochondrial genome of F. pusio is 16,176 bp in length, with a high A + T content (78.3%), whose gene synteny, codon usage analysis, and amino acid frequency are similar to previously reported Fannia mitogenomes. All PCGs underwent purifying selection except the nad2 gene. Interspecific K2P distances of PCGs of Fannia yielded an average of 12.4% (8.1%–21.1%). The Fannia genus is monophyletic and closely related to Muscidae based on molecular data. Further taxonomic sampling is required to deep into the phylogenetic relationships of the originally proposed species-groups and subgroups within the genus. These results provide a valuable dataset for studying the mitochondrial genome evolution and a resource for the taxonomy and systematics of Fannia.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, with heart failure being a complex condition that affects millions of individuals. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing has recently emerged as a powerful tool for unraveling the molecular mechanisms behind cardiovascular diseases. This cutting-edge technology enables the identification of molecular signatures, intracellular networks, and spatial relationships among cardiac cells, including cardiomyocytes, mast cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, lymphatic endothelial cells, endocardial cells, endothelial cells, epicardial cells, adipocytes, fibroblasts, neuronal cells, pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Despite these advancements, the discovery of essential therapeutic targets and drugs for precision cardiology remains a challenge. To bridge this gap, we conducted comprehensive in silico analyses of single-nucleus RNA sequencing data, functional enrichment, protein interactome network, and identification of the shortest pathways to physiological phenotypes. This integrated multi-omics analysis generated CardiOmics signatures, which allowed us to pinpoint three therapeutically actionable targets (ADRA1A1, PPARG, and ROCK2) and 15 effective drugs, including adrenergic receptor agonists, adrenergic receptor antagonists, norepinephrine precursors, PPAR receptor agonists, and Rho-associated kinase inhibitors, involved in late-stage cardiovascular disease clinical trials.

Summary: TRIM24 is an oncogenic chromatin reader that is frequently overexpressed in human tumors and associated with poor prognosis. However, TRIM24 is rarely mutated, duplicated, or rearranged in cancer. This raises questions about how TRIM24 is regulated and what changes in its regulation are responsible for its overexpression. Here, we perform a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) that nominated 220 negative regulators and elucidated a regulatory network that includes the KAP1 corepressor, CNOT deadenylase, and GID/CTLH E3 ligase. Knocking out required components of these three complexes caused TRIM24 overexpression, confirming their negative regulation of TRIM24. Our findings identify regulators of TRIM24 that nominate previously unexplored contexts for this oncoprotein in biology and disease. These findings were enabled by SLIDER, a new scoring system designed and vetted in our study as a broadly applicable tool for analysis of CRISPR screens performed by FACS.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma and transmitted by snails of the genus Biomphalaria. At least five species have the potential to infect humans living in or visiting tropical areas worldwide. In Latin America, Schistosoma mansoni is particularly common; however, it has not been reported in Ecuador. In this study, we assess the available official data on schistosomiasis in Ecuador to describe the prevalence of this neglected disease. We conducted a nationwide study to determine the demographic and spatial distribution patterns of schistosomiasis infection in Ecuador, using hospital discharge official data as a proxy for infection incidence from 2011 to 2021. We calculated crude and age-sex-adjusted morbidity and hospital admission rates by region, province, canton, and elevation. In the last decade of available data, schistosomiasis accounted for at least 551 hospital admissions in Ecuador. Women represented 53.7% (n = 296) of cases, equivalent to 3.2 cases per 1,000,000 inhabits. The highest number of cases (61.2%, n = 337) was found in the Coastal region. However, the highest incidence rates were observed in the Amazon region's provinces of Pastaza (173.44 cases/1,000,000).

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of hyaluronic acid (HA) application alone and in combination with other therapies for the surgical treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. Material and methods: This review was designed in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement based on the proposed focused question. A literature review with no restrictions regarding the status or language of publication was performed until June 2022. Randomised clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, case series, and case reports were considered eligible for inclusion. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodology of the included studies. The use of HA was divided into four categories depending on whether it was a) applied alone, b) in combination with barriers, c) in combination with growth factors, or d) in combination with bone grafts. Results: Nine studies were included in the analysis. Some of the studies presented variable heterogeneity and a high risk of bias. Every group resulted in a statistically significant improvement in clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing pocket depth after 6–12 months of follow-up. Three studies showed significant results for bone defect filling on using HA. Conclusion: The application of HA can provide moderate and beneficial clinical and radiographic results for the surgical treatment of periodontal regeneration. The heterogeneity and high risk of bias of the included studies reveal the need to perform randomised clinical trials with an appropriate methodological design to evaluate the effect of HA in periodontal regeneration.

Resumen: Antecedentes: El trasplante renal de donante vivo ABO incompatible era considerado una contraindicación absoluta. Desde hace años, se realiza con buenos resultados. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo es mostrar los resultados de este tipo de trasplante realizado en nuestro hospital. Métodos: Estudiamos 48 pacientes con una edad media de 50,9 ± 10,9 años. Seguimiento 44,6 ± 30,9 meses. Acondicionamiento: rituximab 375 mg/m2, tacrolimus, micofenolato mofetilo o micofenolato sódico, prednisona, plasmaféresis/inmunoadsorción e inmunoglobulina intravenosa. Títulos de isoaglutininas aceptados para trasplantar: IgG e IgM inferiores a 1:8. Resultados: Isoaglutininas preproceso: IgG 1:124 ± 1:140, IgM 1:77 ± 1:55.Tras 6 ± 3 sesiones, la IgG descendió a

Background: Until recently, ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation was regarded as an absolute contraindication. However, this kind of kidney transplantation has been used in the last years, with good results. Objetive: 0ur objetive is to show the results obtained with this technique in our hospital. Methods: Forty-eight patients with a mean age of 50,9 ± 10,9 years were included. Follow-up 44,6 ± 30,9 months. Conditioning: rituximab 375 mg/m², tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolate sodium, prednisone, plasmapheresis/immunoadsorption and intravenous immunoglobulin. Accepted IgG and IgM titers for transplantation ≤ 1:8. Results: Preprocess IgG titer 1:124 ± 1:40, IgM titer 1:77 ± 1:55. After 6 ± 3 sessions, IgG decreased to

Resumen: Introducción: La Organización Mundial de la Salud recomienda la educación interprofesional cuando estudiantes de 2 o más profesiones sanitarias aprenden juntos, para favorecer el desarrollo de las competencias interprofesionales que les van a permitir trabajar en equipo proporcionando la mejor asistencia sanitaria. En la Universidad Europea de Madrid existe un programa de educación interprofesional que trabaja las competencias de clarificación de roles, comunicación y autoridad, con estudiantes de diferentes titulaciones. Una de sus actividades es la de atención domiciliaria, en la que participan estudiantes de último curso de Medicina y de Enfermería. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la percepción de los estudiantes que han participado en la actividad de atención domiciliaria durante el curso 2016-2017 en relación con las 3 competencias interprofesionales. Material y métodos: Estudio cualitativo descriptivo, de corte fenomenológico. Análisis de los fragmentos de texto de las reflexiones de los estudiantes acerca de la actividad de atención domiciliaria mediante el método de comparaciones constantes (codificación abierta y codificación axial). Resultados: Los estudiantes refieren que la actividad les ha ayudado a conocer mejor el rol y las tareas de los médicos y los enfermeros, de una forma diferente a las prácticas clínicas. En cuanto a la comunicación, la basan en el respeto y la confianza. Por último, en cuando a la autoridad, se decantan mayoritariamente por modelos democráticos y horizontales de toma de decisiones. Discusión: Los estudiantes perciben que la actividad resulta útil para el desarrollo de las 3 competencias interprofesionales, lo cual coincide con la literatura científica. Abstract: Introduction: The World Health Organization recommends implementing interprofessional education programs, where students from 2 or more health professions learn together, to improve interprofessional competency development that will help them to improve collaboration and the quality of care and services. At the Universidad Europea from Madrid there is a program on interprofessional education that develops the following competences: role, communication and authority, with students from several degrees. Home care is one of those activities, undertaken by students from the last years of medicine and nursing. The purpose of this research is to analyze the perception of the students about the interprofessional competences after taken the home care activity during the 2016-17 academic year. Material and methods: Phenomenological qualitative design. Student's written comments were analyzed using the constant comparative method (open and axial coding). Results: They got to know better the roles played by each other (doctors and nurses) thanks to the fact of working together. In relation to the way they communicate, they mentioned that adequate communication is based in respect and trust to each other. In relation to the different authority models, most of them tended to use and feel better in more horizontal and democratic ways of decision making. Discussion: Students reported that the activity is useful for improving their interprofessional competencies. It is coincident with other studies. Palabras clave: Educación interprofesional, Atención domiciliaria, Trabajo en equipo, Práctica colaborativa, Atención primaria, Competencias, Keywords: Interprofessional education, Home care, Team work, Collaborative practice, Primary health care, Competencies

Desensitization is a procedure undergone by the recipient of a kidney transplant from a donor who is cross-match positive. The aim of this study was to present the outcomes from our hospital of kidney transplant recipients from HLA-incompatible live donors after desensitization.We studied 32 patients aged 46 ± 14 years with a mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) versus class I HLA of 7979 ± 4089 and 6825 ± 4182 MFI versus class II and relative intensity scale (RIS) of 8.9 ± 7.6. The complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) cross-matching test was positive in 18 patients, flow cytometry was positive in 7 patients and donor-specific antibodies (DEA) were detected in 7. The protocol used was rituximab, plasmapheresis/immunoadsorption, immunoglobulins, tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid derivatives and prednisone.After 8 ± 3 sessions of plasmapheresis/immunoadsorption, 23 patients were transplanted (71.9%) and desensitization was ineffective in 9. There were baseline differences in MFI class I (p

La desensibilización es un método empleado en trasplante renal para tratar de trasplantar a pacientes que presentan una prueba cruzada positiva frente a su donante. El objetivo del estudio es mostrar los resultados de nuestro hospital en pacientes trasplantados renales con donantes vivos HLA incompatibles, tras un protocolo de desensibilización. Estudiamos a 32 pacientes de 46 ± 14 años que presentaban una intensidad media de fluorescencia (MFI) frente a HLA de clase I de 7.979 ± 4.089 y de 6.825 ± 4.182 para MFI frente a clase II y relative intensity scale (RIS) de 8,9 ± 7,6. La prueba cruzada fue positiva por citotoxicidad dependiente del complemento (CDC) en 18 pacientes, citometría de flujo (CF) en 7 y anticuerpos donante específicos (ADE) en 7. El protocolo empleado fue: rituximab, plasmaféresis/inmunoadsorción, inmunoglobulinas, tacrolimus, derivados ácido micofenólico y prednisona. Tras 8 ± 3 sesiones de plasmaféresis/inmunoadsorción se trasplantó a 23 pacientes (71,9%) y resultó ineficaz en 9. Existían diferencias basales en MFI clase I (p

Background: Irisin is an adipomyokine with claimed anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. This hormone has been insufficiently studied in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: To perform an exploratory analysis of serum irisin levels in patients undergoing different CKD treatments. Method: Following a cross-sectional design, we estimated serum levels of irisin in 95 patients with CKD managed conservatively (advanced CKD), with peritoneal dialysis (PD) or with haemodialysis, and compared our findings with a control group of 40 healthy individuals. We investigated the correlations between serum irisin and demographic, clinical, body composition and metabolic variables. Results: Irisin levels were lower in all the CKD groups than in the control group. The univariate analysis revealed limited correlations between irisin, on the one hand, and fat (but not lean) mass, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and plasma albumin and bicarbonate, on the other. The multivariate analysis confirmed that advanced CKD patients managed conservatively (difference 111.1 ng/mL), with PD (25.9 ng/mL) or haemodialysis (61.4 ng/mL) (all p

Antecedentes: La irisina es una adipomioquina con posibles efectos antiobesidad y antidiabéticos. Esta hormona ha sido insuficientemente estudiada en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) avanzada. Objetivo: Realizar un análisis exploratorio de los niveles séricos de irisina en pacientes con diferentes modalidades de tratamiento de la ERC. Método: Según diseño transversal, estimamos niveles de irisina en 95 pacientes con ERC manejados conservadoramente (ERCA), con diálisis peritoneal (DP) o con hemodiálisis, comparándolos con un grupo control de 40 individuos sanos. También investigamos las correlaciones entre irisina sérica y variables demográficas, clínicas, metabólicas y de composición corporal. Resultados: Los niveles de irisina fueron más bajos en cualquier grupo de pacientes que en los controles. El análisis univariante desveló correlaciones moderadas entre irisina, por un lado, y masa grasa (pero no magra), filtrado glomerular (GFR) y albúmina y bicarbonato plasmático, por otro. El análisis multivariante confirmó que los pacientes con ERCA (diferencia 111,1 ng/mL), en DP (25,9 ng/mL) o hemodiálisis (61,4 ng/mL) (todos p

The powerful proteomic technique of Tandem Mass Tag labelling with Orbitrap mass spectrometry was applied to the quantification of relative levels of proteins in serial plasma samples from 15 women prior to and during labour. Quantitative data were obtained for 1038 proteins, with 217 quantified in ≥10 sample pairs. Most proteins were unaffected by labour, 32 had lower levels in labour, and two were increased in labour, and the t test had sufficient power to determine a significant difference in expression in 14 proteins. ELISA confirmed the significant increase of acute phase response components C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A. Significance: Proteomic technology is constantly advancing, and the latest techniques enable gel-free analysis of minimally preprocessed, complex biological samples, enabling simultaneous identification and quantification of many hundreds of proteins. The technique of TMT labelling and Orbitrap mass spectrometry is applicable to the analysis of serial maternal plasma samples in order to identify potential markers of the onset of labour.

Background: The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and diabetes is rising rapidly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), but there are scant empirical data on the association between body-mass index (BMI) and diabetes in these settings., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we pooled individual-level data from nationally representative surveys across 57 LMICs. We identified all countries in which a WHO Stepwise Approach to Surveillance (STEPS) survey had been done during a year in which the country fell into an eligible World Bank income group category. For LMICs that did not have a STEPS survey, did not have valid contact information, or declined our request for data, we did a systematic search for survey datasets. Eligible surveys were done during or after 2008; had individual-level data; were done in a low-income, lower-middle-income, or upper-middle-income country; were nationally representative; had a response rate of 50% or higher; contained a diabetes biomarker (either a blood glucose measurement or glycated haemoglobin [HbA 1c ]); and contained data on height and weight. Diabetes was defined biologically as a fasting plasma glucose concentration of 7·0 mmol/L (126·0 mg/dL) or higher; a random plasma glucose concentration of 11·1 mmol/L (200·0 mg/dL) or higher; or a HbA 1c of 6·5% (48·0 mmol/mol) or higher, or by self-reported use of diabetes medication. We included individuals aged 25 years or older with complete data on diabetes status, BMI (defined as normal [18·5-22·9 kg/m 2 ], upper-normal [23·0-24·9 kg/m 2 ], overweight [25·0-29·9 kg/m 2 ], or obese [≥30·0 kg/m 2 ]), sex, and age. Countries were categorised into six geographical regions: Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and central Asia, east, south, and southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and north Africa, and Oceania. We estimated the association between BMI and diabetes risk by multivariable Poisson regression and receiver operating curve analyses, stratified by sex and geographical region., Findings: Our pooled dataset from 58 nationally representative surveys in 57 LMICs included 685 616 individuals. The overall prevalence of overweight was 27·2% (95% CI 26·6-27·8), of obesity was 21·0% (19·6-22·5), and of diabetes was 9·3% (8·4-10·2). In the pooled analysis, a higher risk of diabetes was observed at a BMI of 23 kg/m 2 or higher, with a 43% greater risk of diabetes for men and a 41% greater risk for women compared with a BMI of 18·5-22·9 kg/m 2 . Diabetes risk also increased steeply in individuals aged 35-44 years and in men aged 25-34 years in sub-Saharan Africa. In the stratified analyses, there was considerable regional variability in this association. Optimal BMI thresholds for diabetes screening ranged from 23·8 kg/m 2 among men in east, south, and southeast Asia to 28·3 kg/m 2 among women in the Middle East and north Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean., Interpretation: The association between BMI and diabetes risk in LMICs is subject to substantial regional variability. Diabetes risk is greater at lower BMI thresholds and at younger ages than reflected in currently used BMI cutoffs for assessing diabetes risk. These findings offer an important insight to inform context-specific diabetes screening guidelines., Funding: Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health McLennan Fund: Dean's Challenge Grant Program., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests MKA reports receiving a grant from Merck and Co awarded to Emory University, outside the submitted work. DJW reports serving on a data monitoring committee for Novo Nordisk SOUL and FLOW trials. JBM reports serving as an academic associate for the American clinical laboratory, Quest Diagnostics. All other authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)