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Ecosystem functions such as biological pest control are mediated by the richness and abundance of service providers i.e., biological control agents (BCAs), relative contributions of individual taxa and community structure. This is especially relevant in the native range of agricultural herbivores, where a speciose community of co-evolved BCAs can prevent them from attaining pest status. Here, we use a powerful graphical approach to assess the functional structure of BCA communities of the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize in the Neotropics. Drawing upon a curated database of all-time field and laboratory studies, we graphed patterns in the functional contribution, abundance and niche breadth for a respective 69, 53 and 3 taxa of resident parasitoids, predators and pathogens. Regardless of varying taxon coverage and rigor of the underlying studies, functional structure follows a saturating relationship in which the first three taxa account for 90–98% of aggregate biological control function. Abundance-functionality matrices prove critically incomplete, as more than 80% of invertebrate taxa miss empirically derived efficiency metrics while associated FAW infestation data are scarce. Despite its methodological shortfalls and data gaps, our work pinpoints Chelonus insularis, several taxa of egg parasitoids, Doru spp. and Orius spp. as taxa with outsized (average) functionality and conservation potential. This is also exemplified by the highly variable aggregate function across studies, with dispersion indices of 1.52 and 2.14 for invertebrate BCAs. Our work underlines the critical importance of functional ecology research, networked trials and standardized methodologies in advancing conservation biological control globally.

Normal aging presents subtle cognitive changes that can be detected before meeting the criteria for Mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Older people with low cognitive reserve and who receive limited cognitive stimulation are at greater risk of deterioration. In this regard, cognitive stimulation (CS) has been identified as an intervention that reduces this risk, provided that its design takes into account the differences in the level of cognitive reserve (CR) acquired throughout life and the baseline level of cognitive functioning. The general objective of this study is to evaluate, through a randomized clinical trial, the effectiveness of a computerized cognitive stimulation program, designed and adapted from Occupational Therapy based on the level of cognitive reserve in older adults in Primary Care. 100 participants will be randomized in a stratified manner according to the level of cognitive reserve (low/moderate/high), assigning 50 participants to the control group and 50 participants to the intervention group. The intervention group will carry out a computerized cognitive stimulation intervention designed and adapted from occupational therapy according to the level of cognitive reserve, through the “stimulus” platform. The main result expected to be achieved is the improvement of higher brain functions. As secondary results, we expect that those cognitive aspects most vulnerable to aging will decrease more slowly (in areas such as memory, executive function, attention and processing speed), and that the cognitive reserve of the participants will increase, in addition to being able to balance gender differences in these aspects. We think that these results can have a positive impact on the creation of adapted, meaningful and stimulating CS programs in older adults to prevent MCI and experience healthier aging.

Introduction: Healthcare advances have allowed an increase in the survival of paediatric patients with neurological diseases. As a result, it is increasingly common to find these patients in adult neurology consultations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current level of consensus on the transition of neuropaediatric patients among neurology and paediatric professionals in the Balearic Islands. Material and methods: We conducted an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study through an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 27 questions, which was distributed to neurologists, paediatric neurologists, hospital paediatricians, and primary care paediatricians in the healthcare network of the Balearic Islands. It was developed using Google Forms and distributed by the competent professional societies. Consensus was considered to exist for answers with 70% or more agreement. Results: Responses were received from 58 professionals; 46.6% were hospital paediatricians, 29.9% were neurologists, 13.8% were paediatric neurologists, and 13.8% were primary care paediatricians. Among other issues, consensus was observed on the need for a transition programme for patients with neurological diseases. No consensus was observed regarding the duration of the transition (P=.029) and how long simultaneous follow-up must last after the transfer (P=.09). Conclusions: Due to increased survival rates, there is a need to create transition programmes for paediatric patients with neurological diseases. In our study, more than 70% of professionals believed that it would be beneficial to create such programmes. Resumen: Introducción: Los avances sanitarios han permitido un aumento de la supervivencia de pacientes pediátricos con enfermedades neurológicas. Por ello, cada vez es más frecuente encontrarlos en consultas de neurología de adultos. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el nivel de consenso actual sobre la transición del paciente neuropediátrico entre los profesionales de la neurología y de la pediatría de nuestra comunidad autónoma. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal a través de una encuesta anónima que consta de 27 preguntas realizada a neurólogos, neuropediatras, pediatras hospitalarios y pediatras de atención primaria de la red sanitaria de las Islas Baleares. Se ha llevado a cabo mediante un formulario Google y la difusión se ha realizado a través de las sociedades profesionales correspondientes. Se considera que existe consenso en aquellas respuestas que han obtenido el 70% o más de coincidencia. Resultados: Han respondido 58 participantes, donde el 46,6% son pediatras hospitalarios, 29,9% neurÓlogos, 13,8% neuropediatras y 13,8% pediatras de atención primaria. Se ha alcanzado consenso, entre otras cuestiones, en la necesidad de un programa de transición para pacientes con enfermedades neurológicas. No se ha alcanzado en la duración de la transición (p = 0,029) y cuánto tiempo tiene que durar el seguimiento simultáneo tras la transferencia (p = 0,09). Conclusiones: Debido a la mayor supervivencia de los pacientes pediátricos con enfermedades neurológicas se plantea la necesidad de crear programas de transición para estos pacientes. En nuestro estudio más del 70% de los profesionales cree que sería beneficioso formar programas de transición.

Grafting onto pepper rootstock NIBER® is an effective strategy to mitigate water stress effects on the grafted variety. In this work, we comparatively explored the metabolomic responses to water stress in the pepper variety “Maestral F1” (V) grafted onto NIBER® (V/N) and self-grafted (V/V) by untargeted metabolomics on leaves and roots. Leaf water status was also evaluated by relative water content (RWC) and gas exchange measurements. Under water stress, the V/N water use efficiency (WUE) and leaf RWC were higher than V/V, in agreement with major stomata closure and water retention in leaves. V/N showed a tolerance response, which was manifested in the untargeted metabolomic analysis. NIBER® modulated the grafted variety response to water stress as reflected in the differential metabolomic profiles in leaves and roots. The V/N-enriched metabolic pathways showed that the NIBER® response to water stress involved cutin and suberin biosynthesis, which act as protection layers, and jasmonic acid (JA) and jasmonates biosynthesis to favor signaling pathways. NIBER® did not induce flavonols and chlorophyll b synthesis, but likely promoted anthocyanins biosynthesis and maintained an undisturbed chlorophyll a:chlorophyll b ratio. Moreover, NIBER® increased vitamin B6, anthocyanins and stearic acid concentration in the variety leaves, whereas siroheme content rose in roots to improve nitrogen assimilation. Further studies are required to understand the contribution of secondary metabolites, such as phenylpropanoids, glycoalkaloids, and nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites, to NIBER® water stress tolerance.

Fibrosis is a common pathological process that can affect virtually all the organs, but there are hardly any effective therapeutic options. This has led to an intense search for antifibrotic therapies over the last decades, with a great number of clinical assays currently underway. We have systematically reviewed all current and recently finished clinical trials involved in the development of new antifibrotic drugs, and the preclinical studies analyzing the relevance of each of these pharmacological strategies in fibrotic processes affecting tissues beyond those being clinically studied. We analyze and discuss this information with the aim of determining the most promising options and the feasibility of extending their therapeutic value as antifibrotic agents to other fibrotic conditions.

Highly efficient IR-blue light up-converting NaYF4: Yb3+, Eu2+ phosphors have been prepared by a template-free hydrothermal method under mild and reductive experimental conditions. It has been demonstrated that for a fixed reaction time and temperature (150 °C/4 h), the α → β NaYF4 conversion can be accurately controlled by modifying the F/Y ratio. UC emission spectroscopy reveals that IR-blue light emission efficiency is greatly improved when β-NaYF4 phase predominates. Under the experimental conditions set in this work, reaching full α → β conversion just by increasing fluoride content entails the co-crystallization of the secondary phase YF3 1.5NH3, but far from causing a detrimental effect on the optical properties, it has been found that the samples where both β-NaYF4 and YF3 1.5NH3 phases coexist, exhibit outstanding optical properties. Resumen: Fósforos anti-Stokes NaYF4: Yb3+, Eu2+ de alta eficiencia para la conversión de radiación infrarroja en luz azul han sido satisfactoriamente sintetizados mediante un procedimiento hidrotermal en medio reductor, en ausencia de «template» y bajo condiciones experimentales suaves. Se ha demostrado que, para un tiempo y temperatura de reacción dados (150 °C/4 h), el equilibrio entre las fases polimórficas α→β del NaYF4 puede ser controlado de manera precisa mediante la modificación de la relación F/Y en el medio de reacción. Los resultados obtenidos mediante espectroscopía de fluorescencia revelan que la eficiencia con la que los fósforos sintetizados transforman radiación IR en luz azul aumenta significativamente cuando la fase predominante es β-NaYF4. Bajo las condiciones experimentales establecidas en esta investigación, alcanzar una conversión α→β completa modificando únicamente el contenido de iones fluoruro conlleva la co-cristalización de la fase secundaria YF3 1.5NH3 pero, lejos de entrañar un efecto negativo, se ha comprobado que los materiales luminiscentes donde ambas fases β-NaYF4 e YF3 1.5NH3 coexisten, exhiben propiedades ópticas excepcionales.

We investigate the potential impact of neutrino quantum decoherence on the precision measurements of standard neutrino oscillation parameters in the DUNE and T2HK experiments. We show that the measurement of δCP, sin2⁡θ13 and sin2⁡θ23 is stronger effected in DUNE than in T2HK. On the other hand, DUNE would have a better sensitivity than T2HK to observe decoherence effects. By performing a combined analysis of DUNE and T2HK we show that a robust measurement of standard parameters would be possible, which is not guaranteed with DUNE data alone.

Since 2016, the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda has spread over extensive areas of the tropics and subtropics, imperiling food security, economic progress and the livelihoods of millions of cereal farmers. Although FAW has received long-standing scientific attention in its home range in the Americas, chemical inputs feature prominently in its mitigation and biological control uptake is globally lagging. Here, building upon a quantitative review of the global literature, we methodically dissect FAW biological control science. Of the known entomopathogens (46), parasitoids (304) and predators (215) of FAW, approx. 40% have been subject to laboratory- or field-level scrutiny. Laboratory-level performance has partially been assessed for 14–18% of the above invertebrate taxa. Yet, organismal, geographic, methodological and thematic biases hamper efforts to relate in-field biodiversity to actual ecosystem service delivery. Often, single-guild ‘snapshot’ surveys are preferred over comprehensive bio-inventories or population dynamics appraisals, trophic interactions are wrongly inferred from co-occurrence, standard pest infestation metrics are lacking and natural enemy censuses are performed arbitrarily. Diurnal biota receive inordinate attention, while egg and pupal predation - the main biotic sources of mortality - are routinely overlooked. Multiple microbial and invertebrate biota are investigated with a view towards mass-rearing and augmentative release, but the basis for agent selection is often unclear. Lastly, conservation biological control receives marginal attention and cross-disciplinary engagement with the agroecology domain is lagging. We lay out several steps, including standardized methodologies, smart use of biodemographic toolkits, networked field trials and a fortification of its ecological underpinnings, to sharpen the science of (FAW) biological control and urge further momentum in its global implementation.

Tropospheric ozone (O3) increased globally in the 20th century, contributes to climate change and can have adverse effects on terrestrial ecosystems. The response of forest vegetation to ozone is modulated by species- and site-specific factors and visible foliar symptoms (VFS) are the only direct evidence of ozone effects on vegetation. VFS have been observed and reproduced under (semi-) controlled conditions and their field assessment has been largely harmonized in Europe. We analyzed ozone concentration and VFS data as measured at (respectively) 118 and 91 intensive monitoring sites of the International Co-Operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) spanning over five European biogeographic regions from 2005 to 2018. Average values for VFS were calculated accounting for the number of species present and their observed frequency. Spatial and temporal variation of ozone concentrations, VFS, and their relationships across Europe were then investigated by applying Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) and combined GLMMs. Ozone concentrations exceeded 40 ppb on 37.3 % of the sites and were significantly higher (p

Background: The global population is experiencing accelerated biopsychosocial aging. Cognitive impairment is frequently associated with functional impairment in basic and instrumental daily living activities. To maintain optimal cognitive and functional functioning, health professionals recommend that older adults participate in cognitive training. Aims: This study examines the cognitive and functional evolution of older adults with and without Intellectual Disability and the factors associated with favourable evolution following the intervention of a multicomponent programme based on the human occupational model and the person-centred care model. Methods and procedures: 247 people participated. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed to examine baseline data. The Wilcoxon paired samples test was used to compare cognitive and functional evolution one year after the intervention. Linear regression was used to detect factors predicting favourable evolution. Outcomes and results: Both populations improved cognitively. There was no change in basic activities of daily living. There was an improvement in instrumental activities of daily living in the group with Intellectual Disability. None of the variables collected was a predictor of greater improvement. Conclusions and implications: This study demonstrated that older people with Intellectual Disability who have supports to cope with this life stage can improve their cognitive and functional abilities.

Introduction: The improvement of kidney allograft recipient and graft survival showed a decrease over the last 40 years. Long-term graft loss rate remained stable during a 25-year time span. Knowing the changing causes and the risk factors associated with graft loss requires special attention.The present study aimed to assess the causes of graft loss and kidney allograft recipient death. Also, we aimed to compare two different periods (1979−1999 and 2000−2019) to identify changes in the characteristics of the failed allografts and recipient and donors profile. Methods and patients: We performed a single-center cohort study. We included all the kidney transplant recipients at the Hospital del Mar (Barcelona) between May 1979 and December 2019. Graft loss was defined as recipient death with functioning graft and as loss of graft function (return to dialysis or retransplantation). We assessed the causes of graft loss using clinical and histological information. We also analyzed the results of the two different transplant periods (1979−1999 and 2000−2019). Results: Between 1979 and 2019, 1522 transplants were performed. The median follow-up time was 56 (IQR 8–123) months. During follow-up, 722 (47.5%) grafts were lost: 483 (66.9%) due to graft failure and 239 (33.1%) due to death with functioning graft. The main causes of death were cardiovascular (25.1%), neoplasms (25.1%), and infectious diseases (21.8%). These causes were stable between the two periods of time. Only the unknown cause of death has decreased in the last period.The main cause of graft failure (loss of graft function) was the allograft chronic dysfunction (75%). When histologic information was available, antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) were the most frequent specific causes (15.9% and 12.6%). Of the graft failures, 213 (29.5%) were early (

Resumen: Introducción: La mejoría en la supervivencia del receptor y del injerto renal sufre un proceso de deceleración. La tasa de pérdida del injerto a medio y largo plazo permanece estable desde hace 25 años. Es fundamental conocer las causas de pérdida del injerto y los factores relacionados, así como identificar si se han producido cambios en las causas de pérdida del injerto en los últimos años.El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar las causas de pérdida del injerto según fallecimiento del receptor o pérdida del injerto con vuelta a diálisis/retrasplante, y analizar las causas específicas de pérdida del injerto en 2 épocas (1979-1999 y 2000-2019) para identificar cambios en el perfil de los injertos perdidos. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de todos los trasplantes renales (TR) realizados en el Hospital del Mar (Barcelona) entre mayo-1979 y diciembre-2019. Consideramos pérdida del injerto el fallecimiento del paciente con injerto funcionante o el re-inicio de diálisis o retrasplante. Revisamos las causas de pérdida mediante información clínica e histológica, y analizamos los resultados en 2 periodos (1979-1999 y 2000-2019). Resultados: De los 1.522 TR realizados, 722 (47,5%) perdieron el injerto renal con una mediana de seguimiento hasta la pérdida de 56 (RIQ: 8-123) meses. De estas pérdidas, 483 (66,9%) se produjeron por fracaso del injerto y 239 (33,1%) por fallecimiento del receptor con injerto funcionante. Las causas del fallecimiento fueron las cardiovasculares (25,1%), las neoplasias (25,1%) y las infecciones (21,8%), de forma similar en ambas épocas de trasplante. Solo el éxitus de causa desconocida ha disminuido en la época más reciente.La principal causa de vuelta a diálisis/retrasplante fue la disfunción del injerto (75%), siendo el rechazo mediado por anticuerpos y la fibrosis intersticial/atrofia tubular los hallazgos histológicos más frecuentes (15,9 y 12,6%). Del total de pérdidas, 213 fueron precoces (29,5%). La trombosis vascular fue la causa más frecuente de pérdida precoz (

The obtaining of BiFeO3 in the form of a thin film represents a critical issue for its application in electronic devices since this is the required geometry for the integration of this material in microelectronic circuits. There are several techniques for this purpose, from those that use a gas or plasma phase to transport the precursors to the substrate, which would be included within the PVD or CVD techniques (for its acronym Physical Vapor Deposition and Chemical Vapor Deposition) to those that use a phase liquid for this transport, which would be included under the CSD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) techniques. However, among the large number of published papers, there is much controversy about which of them would be most suitable. It has been clearly demonstrated that all of them have the sufficient capacity to produce uniform and homogeneous thin films in thickness throughout the entire substrate, and although in many articles pure BiFeO3 films have been obtained with an exploitable functional response, others have reported the typical drawbacks that usually entails the obtaining this material: appearance of secondary phases, high leakages or a poor functional response. Nevertheless, there is a common aspect in the specialized literature that seems to be in agreement: the first group of techniques require very sophisticated equipment that involves high energy consumption in terms of temperature and pressure (vaccum), while the techniques that are based on solutions are characterized by their higher simplicity. In this context, the purpose of the present review is to summarize the main aspects of each technique in the obtaining of BiFeO3 thin films, from those that are more sophisticated to the simplest and environmentally benevolent ones, in order to provide an easier understanding of them. Resumen: La obtención de BiFeO3 en forma de lámina delgada representa una cuestión crítica para su aplicación en dispositivos electrónicos ya que es la geometría requerida para la integración de este material en circuitos microelectrónicos. Existen varias técnicas para este fin, desde las que utilizan una fase gaseosa o plasmática para transportar los precursores al sustrato, que se englobarían dentro de las técnicas PVD o CVD (por sus siglas en inglés de Physical Vapor Deposition y Chemical Vapor Deposition) hasta las que utilizan una fase líquida para este transporte, que se englobarían dentro de las técnicas CSD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). Sin embargo, entre el gran número de trabajos publicados, hay mucha controversia sobre cuál de ellas sería la más adecuada. Se ha demostrado claramente que todas ellas tienen la capacidad suficiente para producir películas delgadas uniformes y homogéneas en espesor a lo largo de todo el sustrato, y aunque en muchos artículos se han obtenido películas puras de BiFeO3 con una respuesta funcional aprovechable, otros han reportado los típicos inconvenientes que suele conllevar la obtención de este material: aparición de fases secundarias, corrientes de fuga altas o una pobre respuesta funcional. Sin embargo, hay un aspecto común en la literatura especializada que parece coincidir: el primer grupo de técnicas requiere de equipos muy sofisticados que implican un consumo energético alto en términos de temperatura y presión (vacío), mientras que las técnicas que se basan en disoluciones se caracterizan por su mayor simplicidad. En este contexto, el propósito de la presente revisión es resumir los principales aspectos de cada técnica en la obtención de películas delgadas de BiFeO3, desde las más sofisticadas hasta las más sencillas y respetuosas con el medio ambiente, con el fin de facilitar su comprensión.

Resumen: Objetivo: Los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo) o cáncer cutáneo no melanoma (CCNM) tienen un riesgo aumentado de desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea. Nuestro objetivo es describir la frecuencia, tasa de incidencia y factores de riesgo predisponentes para desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea en una cohorte de pacientes tratados mediante cirugía micrográfica de Mohs (CMM). Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de una cohorte nacional de pacientes incluidos para realización de CMM para tratar CCNM en 22 centros españoles (julio 2013-febrero 2020) REGESMOHS. Las variables analizadas incluyen las características demográficas, la frecuencia de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas, sus tasas de incidencia y factores de riesgo, y se estimaron utilizando un modelo de regresión logístico multivariante de efectos mixtos. Resultados: Fueron intervenidos 4.768 pacientes: 4.397 (92%) carcinomas basocelulares, y 371 (8%) carcinomas epidermoides. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 2,4 años. Se diagnosticó un nuevo tumor durante el seguimiento en 1.201 pacientes (25%); 1.013 (21%) fueron carcinomas basocelulares, 154 (3%) carcinomas epidermoides cutáneos, 20 melanomas (0,4%) La tasa de incidencia fue de 107 (101-113) por 1.000 personas/año para cualquier tumor; 90 (85-96) para el carcinoma basocelular, 14 (12-16) para el carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo y 2 (1-3) para el melanoma. El riesgo de nueva neoplasia fue mayor en varones que en mujeres 738 (61%) vs. 463 (39%). Los factores de riesgo más significativos fueron la historia de múltiples tumores previos al diagnóstico (RR: 4,6; IC 95%: 2,9-7,1); la inmunosupresión (RR: 2,1; IC 95%: 1,4-3,1) y paciente varón (RR: 1,6; IC 95%: 1,4-1,9). Conclusión: Los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer queratinocítico intervenido mediante cirugía de Mohs tienen un riesgo aumentado de aparición de segundas neoplasias, sobre todo en aquellos pacientes con historia de tumores múltiples al diagnóstico, inmunodeprimidos y varones. Abstract: Objective: Patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)—ie, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)—have an increased risk of developing a second skin cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, incidence per 1000 person-years, and predictors of a second skin cancer in a cohort of patients with NMSC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Material and methods: Prospective study of a national cohort of patients with NMSC who underwent MMS at 22 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and February 2020; case data were recorded in the REGESMOHS registry. The study variables included demographic characteristics, frequency and incidence per 1000 person-years of second skin cancers diagnosed during the study period, and risk factors identified using mixed-effects logistic regression. Results: We analyzed data for 4768 patients who underwent MMS; 4397 (92%) had BCC and 371 (8%) had SCC. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years. Overall, 1201 patients (25%) developed a second skin cancer during follow-up; 1013 of the tumors were BCCs (21%), 154 were SCCs (3%), and 20 were melanomas (0.4%). The incidence was 107 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 101-113) for any cancer, 90 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 85-96) for BCC, 14 (95% CI, 12-16) per 1000 person-years for SCC, and 2 (95% CI, 1-3) per 1000 person-years for melanoma. More men than women developed a subsequent skin cancer (738 [61%] vs 463 [39%]). The main risk factors were a history of multiple tumors before diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9-7.1), immunosuppression (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1), and male sex (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9). Conclusion: Patients have an increased risk of developing a second tumor after MMS treatment of NMSC. Risk factors are a history of multiple tumors at diagnosis, immunosuppression, and male sex.

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is inversely associated with mortality in apparently healthy subjects and in some clinical populations, but evidence for the association between CRF and all-cause and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in patients with established CVD is lacking. This study aimed to quantify this association. Methods: We searched for prospective cohort studies that measured CRF with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with CVD and that examined all-cause and CVD mortality with at least 6 months of follow-up. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using random-effect inverse-variance analyses. Results: Data were obtained from 21 studies and included 159,352 patients diagnosed with CVD (38.1% female). Pooled HRs for all-cause and CVD mortality comparing the highest vs. lowest category of CRF were 0.42 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.28–0.61) and 0.27 (95%CI: 0.16–0.48), respectively. Pooled HRs per 1 metabolic equivalent (1-MET) increment were significant for all-cause mortality (HR = 0.81; 95%CI: 0.74–0.88) but not for CVD mortality (HR = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.48–1.18). Coronary artery disease patients with high CRF had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.32; 95%CI: 0.26–0.41) than did their unfit counterparts. Each 1-MET increase was associated with lower all-cause mortality risk among coronary artery disease patients (HR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.76–0.91) but not lower among those with heart failure (HR = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.36–1.32). Conclusion: A better CRF was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and CVD. This study supports the use of CRF as a powerful predictor of mortality in this population.

Introduction and Objective: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a cause of urgent liver transplantation (LT). The molecular absorbent recirculation system (MARS) is an extracorporeal liver replacement device, considered bridging therapy for LT. Case report: 24-year-old man with no relevant history was admitted due to asthenia, adynamic, hyporexia, jaundice, oral intolerance and transaminasemia. His laboratory studies are shown in Table 1 and include positivity for IgM hepatitis A (HAV). Other causes are excluded. Development of ALF with two minor criteria (King's College), received N-acetylcysteine, without response, management with MARS/PRISMA is started, one session (initial dialysate 1300 mL, increasing to 1800 mL, maintaining a flow of 150 mL/L, and eight bottles of 25% albumin (400 mL)). His evolution towards neurological, hepatic, and renal improvement. Discharged for improvement. Discussion: MARS therapy is based on removing molecules, including medium-sized ones, especially those that are binding by albumin and, therefore, cannot be purified conventionally. The relative simplicity, the good tolerance and the results obtained so far make MARS the most promising alternative. There is some experience with the use of MARS in ALF due to HAV. Conclusion: MARS therapy is useful in the management of patients with ALF due to HAV; its use has shown positive results impacting patient survival and even, in some cases, avoids liver transplantation. The number of sessions will depend on the clinical response. Funding: The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing Declaration of interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Arsenolipids are organic arsenic species with variable toxicity. Accurate assessment of the risks derived from arsenic-contaminated seafood intake requires studying the interplay between arsenolipids and the human gut microbiota. This research used the in vitro mucosal simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (M-SHIME) to assess the effect of defined chemical standards of arsenolipids (AsFA 362 and AsHC 332) on a simulated healthy human gut microbiota (n = 4). Microbial-derived metabolites were quantified by gas chromatography and microbiota structure was characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A specific reduction in butyrate production (control=5.28 ± 0.3 mM; AsFAs=4.56 ± 0.4 mM; AsHC 332=4.4 ± 0.6 mM, n = 4 donors), concomitant with a reduction in the abundance of Lachnospiraceae UCG-004 group and the Faecalibacterium genus was observed, albeit in a donor-dependent manner. Furthermore, an increase in Escherichia/Shigella, Proteobacteria and Fusobacterium abundance was observed after arsenolipid treatments, depending on individual microbiota background. These alterations in microbial functionality and microbial community structure suggest a detrimental effect of arsenolipids intake towards the commensal gut microbiome, and consequently, on human health.

Background and purpose: Brachytherapy treatment outcomes depend on the accuracy of the delivered dose distribution, which is proportional to the reference air-kerma rate (RAKR). Current societal recommendations require the medical physicist to compare the measured RAKR values to the manufacturer source calibration certificate. The purpose of this work was to report agreement observed in current clinical practice in the European Union. Materials and methods: A European survey was performed for high- and pulsed-dose-rate (HDR and PDR) high-energy sources (192Ir and 60Co), to quantify observed RAKR differences. Medical physicists at eighteen hospitals from eight European countries were contacted, providing 1,032 data points from 2001 to 2020. Results: Over the survey period, 77% of the 192Ir measurements used a well chamber instead of the older Krieger phantom method. Mean differences with the manufacturer calibration certificate were 0.01% ± 1.15% for 192Ir and –0.1% ± 1.3% for 60Co. Over 95% of RAKR measurements in the clinic were within 3% of the manufacturer calibration certificate. Conclusions: This study showed that the agreement level was generally better than that reflected in prior societal recommendations positing 5%. Future recommendations on high-energy HDR and PDR source calibrations in the clinic may consider tightened agreements levels.

Understanding the interplay between the gut microbiome and arsenolipids can help us manage the potential health risk of consuming seafood, but little is known about the bioconversion fate of arsenolipids in the gastrointestinal tract. We use an in vitro mucosal simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (M-SHIME) to mimic the digestive tract of four healthy donors during exposure to two arsenolipids (an arsenic fatty acid AsFA 362 or an arsenic hydrocarbon AsHC 332). The metabolites were analyzed by HPLC-mass spectrometry. The human gut bacteria accumulated arsenolipids in a donor-dependent way, with higher retention of AsHC 332. Colonic microbiota partly transformed both arsenolipids to their thioxo analogs, while AsFA 362 was additionally transformed into arsenic-containing fatty esters, arsenic-containing fatty alcohols, and arsenic-containing sterols. There was no significant difference in water-soluble arsenicals between arsenolipid treatments. The study shows that arsenolipids can be quickly biotransformed into several lipid-soluble arsenicals of unknown toxicity, which cannot be excluded when considering potential implications on human health.

Resumen: Introducción: Dentro de los factores ambientales que favorecen la respuesta patológica al gluten en la enfermedad celiaca (EC), se proponen aquellos que modulan el tipo de respuesta inmune, como las infecciones y el uso de antibioterapia. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la relación entre las infecciones en los primeros meses de vida y el riesgo de EC. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio de casos y controles retrospectivo que incluye pacientes menores de 16 años con diagnóstico de EC entre los años 2014-2018. Se registran las infecciones documentadas en los primeros seis meses de vida clasificadas según el tipo de infección (respiratoria, gastrointestinal, urinaria, otras), microorganismo implicado y antibioterapia utilizada. Resultados: Se analizaron 93 pacientes celiacos frente a 93 controles con 237 episodios infecciosos que afectaron al 67,7% de los pacientes celiacos y al 50,5% de controles (p = 0,017), con una media de 1,49 ± 1,53 episodios en los celiacos y 1,05 ± 1,5 en los controles (p = 0,016). La presencia de infección documentada en los primeros seis meses de vida duplica el riesgo de desarrollar EC (OR 2,05; IC95% 1,13-3,73), siendo este riesgo mayor para las infecciones respiratorias, que multiplican por 2,3 el riesgo (OR 2,30; IC95% 1,28-4,14). Además, tener tres o más infecciones respiratorias en los primeros seis meses de vida multiplica por 2,8 el riesgo (OR 2,79; IC95% 1,03-7,54). No se han encontrado diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos respecto al tipo de microorganismo implicado, ni al uso de antibioterapia. Conclusiones: La presencia de infecciones en los primeros seis meses de vida aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar EC, siendo este riesgo superior para las infecciones respiratorias y, en mayor medida si se producen tres o más episodios. No se ha demostrado que el uso de antibioterapia en dicho periodo se asocie a un aumento del riesgo de EC. Abstract: Introduction: Among the environmental factors that can affect the pathological response to gluten in coeliac disease (CD), the factors that influence the immune response, such as infections and use of antibiotics, are proposed. Our objective is to determine the relationship between infections in early life and the risk of CD. Patients and methods: A retrospective case-control study, including patients aged 0-16 years with a diagnosis of CD was performed between the years 2014-2018. An analysis was made of documented infections in the first 6 months of life, types of infection (respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, others), microorganisms involved, and antibiotic therapy used. Results: A total of 93 coeliac patients, 93 controls, and 237 infectious episodes were registered. Documented infections affected 67.7% of coeliac patients and 50.5% of controls (P = .017), with a mean of 1.49 ± 1.53 episodes in the coeliac group and 1.05 ± 1.5 in the controls (P = .016). Documented infections in the first 6 months of life doubles the risk of developing CD (OR 2.05; 95% CI; 1.13-3.73), with this risk being higher for respiratory infections, which multiply the risk by 2.3 (OR 2.30, 95% CI; 1.28-4.14). Also, having 3 or more respiratory infections in the first 6 months of life multiplied the risk by 2.8 (OR 2.79, 95% CI; 1.03-7.54). No differences were found related to the types of involved microorganism or regarding the use of antibiotics. Conclusions: Infections in the first 6 months of life increase the risk of developing CD, especially for respiratory infections and, to a greater extent, if 3 or more episodes occur. The use of antibiotics in this period of life has not been related to an increased risk of CD.

Introduction: Among the environmental factors that can affect the pathological response to gluten in coeliac disease (CD), the factors that influence the immune response, such as infections and use of antibiotics, are proposed. Our objective is to determine the relationship between infections in early life and the risk of CD. Patients and methods: A retrospective case-control study, including patients aged 0–16 years with a diagnosis of CD was performed between the years 2014–2018. An analysis was made of documented infections in the first 6 months of life, types of infection (respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, others), microorganisms involved, and antibiotic therapy used. Results: A total of 93 coeliac patients, 93 controls, and 237 infectious episodes were registered. Documented infections affected 67.7% of coeliac patients and 50.5% of controls (P = .017), with a mean of 1.49 ± 1.53 episodes in the coeliac group and 1.05 ± 1.5 in the controls (P = .016). Documented infections in the first 6 months of life doubles the risk of developing CD (OR 2.05; 95% CI; 1.13–3.73), with this risk being higher for respiratory infections, which multiply the risk by 2.3 (OR 2.30, 95% CI; 1.28–4.14). Also, having 3 or more respiratory infections in the first 6 months of life multiplied the risk by 2.8 (OR 2.79, 95% CI; 1.03–7.54). No differences were found related to the types of involved microorganism or regarding the use of antibiotics. Conclusions: Infections in the first 6 months of life increase the risk of developing CD, especially for respiratory infections and, to a greater extent, if 3 or more episodes occur. The use of antibiotics in this period of life has not been related to an increased risk of CD. Resumen: Introducción: Dentro de los factores ambientales que favorecen la respuesta patológica al gluten en la enfermedad celiaca (EC), se proponen aquellos que modulan el tipo de respuesta inmune, como las infecciones y el uso de antibioterapia. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la relación entre las infecciones en los primeros meses de vida y el riesgo de EC. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio de casos y controles retrospectivo que incluye pacientes menores de 16 años con diagnóstico de EC entre los años 2014-2018. Se registran las infecciones documentadas en los primeros seis meses de vida clasificadas según el tipo de infección (respiratoria, gastrointestinal, urinaria, otras), microorganismo implicado y antibioterapia utilizada. Resultados: Se analizaron 93 pacientes celiacos frente a 93 controles con 237 episodios infecciosos que afectaron al 67,7% de los pacientes celiacos y al 50,5% de controles (p = 0,017), con una media de 1,49 ± 1,53 episodios en los celiacos y 1,05 ± 1,5 en los controles (p = 0,016). La presencia de infección documentada en los primeros seis meses de vida duplica el riesgo de desarrollar EC (OR 2,05; IC95% 1,13-3,73), siendo este riesgo mayor para las infecciones respiratorias, que multiplican por 2,3 el riesgo (OR 2,30; IC95% 1,28-4,14). Además, tener tres o más infecciones respiratorias en los primeros seis meses de vida multiplica por 2,8 el riesgo (OR 2,79; IC95% 1,03-7,54). No se han encontrado diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos respecto al tipo de microorganismo implicado, ni al uso de antibioterapia. Conclusiones: La presencia de infecciones en los primeros seis meses de vida aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar EC, siendo este riesgo superior para las infecciones respiratorias y, en mayor medida si se producen tres o más episodios. No se ha demostrado que el uso de antibioterapia en dicho periodo se asocie a un aumento del riesgo de EC.

Objective: Patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)—ie, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)—have an increased risk of developing a second skin cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, incidence per 1000 person-years, and predictors of a second skin cancer in a cohort of patients with NMSC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Material and methods: Prospective study of a national cohort of patients with NMSC who underwent MMS at 22 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and February 2020; case data were recorded in the REGESMOHS registry. The study variables included demographic characteristics, frequency and incidence per 1000 person-years of second skin cancers diagnosed during the study period, and risk factors identified using mixed-effects logistic regression. Results: We analyzed data for 4768 patients who underwent MMS; 4397 (92%) had BCC and 371 (8%) had SCC. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years. Overall, 1201 patients (25%) developed a second skin cancer during follow-up; 1013 of the tumors were BCCs (21%), 154 were SCCs (3%), and 20 were melanomas (0.4%). The incidence was 107 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 101–113) for any cancer, 90 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 85–96) for BCC, 14 (95% CI, 12–16) per 1000 person-years for SCC, and 2 (95% CI, 1–3) per 1000 person-years for melanoma. More men than women developed a subsequent skin cancer (738 [61%] vs 463 [39%]). The main risk factors were a history of multiple tumors before diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9–7.1), immunosuppression (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4–3.1), and male sex (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4–1.9). Conclusion: Patients have an increased risk of developing a second tumor after MMS treatment of NMSC. Risk factors are a history of multiple tumors at diagnosis, immunosuppression, and male sex. Resumen: Objetivo: Los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo) o cáncer cutáneo no melanoma (CCNM) tienen un riesgo aumentado de desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea. Nuestro objetivo es describir la frecuencia, la tasa de incidencia y los factores de riesgo predisponentes para desarrollar una segunda neoplasia cutánea en una cohorte de pacientes tratados mediante cirugía micrográfica de Mohs (CMM). Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de una cohorte nacional de pacientes incluidos para realización de CMM para tratar CCNM en 22 centros españoles (julio 2013-febrero 2020) REGESMOHS. Las variables analizadas incluyen las características demográficas, la frecuencia de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas, sus tasas de incidencia y los factores de riesgo, y se estimaron utilizando un modelo de regresión logístico multivariante de efectos mixtos. Resultados: Fueron intervenidos 4.768 pacientes: 4.397 (92%) carcinomas basocelulares y 371 (8%) carcinomas epidermoides. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 2,4 años. Se diagnosticó un nuevo tumor durante el seguimiento en 1.201 pacientes (25%); 1.013 (21%) fueron carcinomas basocelulares, 154 (3%) carcinomas epidermoides cutáneos, 20 melanomas (0,4%) La tasa de incidencia fue de 107 (101-113) por 1.000 personas/año para cualquier tumor; 90 (85-96) para el carcinoma basocelular, 14 (12-16) para el carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo y 2 (1-3) para el melanoma. El riesgo de nueva neoplasia fue mayor en varones que en mujeres 738 (61%) vs. 463 (39%). Los factores de riesgo más significativos fueron la historia de múltiples tumores previos al diagnóstico (RR: 4,6; IC 95%: 2,9-7,1); la inmunosupresión (RR: 2,1; IC 95%: 1,4-3,1) y paciente varón (RR: 1,6; IC 95%: 1,4-1,9). Conclusión: Los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer queratinocítico intervenido mediante cirugía de Mohs tienen un riesgo aumentado de aparición de segundas neoplasias, sobre todo en aquellos pacientes con historia de tumores múltiples al diagnóstico, inmunodeprimidos y varones.

The conventional solid state processing of bulk Ti,Sm co-doped BiFeO3 ceramics typically produces a complex micro-nanostructure which exhibits an effective decrease of the leakage conductivity. This same nanostructured configuration however confines the mobility of the ferroelectric domains and in this way the potential piezoelectric response of the formulated composition remains restrained. Hereby, a two-step doping strategy based on a simple surface modification approach is proposed which eventually allows for suitably engineering the microstructural development of the material, leading to a coarsened configuration where the conductivity is kept in low levels while the piezoelectric response is satisfactorily released for practical purposes. Resumen: El procesamiento convencional en estado sólido de materiales cerámicos en volumen de BiFeO3 co-dopado con Ti y Sm, típicamente produce una compleja micro-nanoestructura que permite una reducción efectiva de la conductividad eléctrica del material (corrientes de fuga). Sin embargo, esta misma configuración nano-estructurada también reduce la movilidad de los dominios ferroeléctricos y por ello, la potencial respuesta piezoeléctrica de la composición formulada permanece confinada. En este trabajo se propone el empleo de una estrategia de dopado en dos etapas, basada en una sencilla aproximación de modificación superficial, con la cual es posible diseñar y controlar adecuadamente el desarrollo microestructural del sistema, dando lugar a un engrosamiento de la microestructura que permite mantener la conductividad del material en bajos niveles al tiempo que libera satisfactoriamente su respuesta piezoeléctrica. Keywords: BiFeO3, Processing, Microstructure, Electrical conductivity, Piezoelectricity, Palabras clave: BiFeO3, Procesamiento, Microestructura, Conductividad eléctrica, Piezoelectricidad

Resumen: Objetivo: Aportar evidencias de la eficacia de una intervención comunitaria en salud, que incluye un programa de estimulación cognitiva, para prevenir el deterioro de las capacidades cognitivas en nuestra población de personas mayores con cognición normal que viven en la comunidad. Diseño: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado (normas grupo CONSORT). Emplazamiento: Centro de salud San José Norte-Centro y Fundación La Caridad (Zaragoza). Participantes: Doscientas una personas de 65 años o más, con puntuación MEC de 28 puntos o más, 101 aleatorizados en el grupo intervención y 100 en el grupo control. Intervenciones: La intervención se realizó en 10 sesiones de 45 min, una por semana, con material propio, los cuadernos de colores de activación mental. Estos cuadernos trabajan las áreas de memoria, orientación, lenguaje, praxis, gnosis, cálculo, percepción, razonamiento lógico, atención-concentración y programación. Mediciones principales: Las variables de resultado fueron MEC, Set-test, Barthel y Lawton-Brody. Resultados: Analizando los incrementos sobre el nivel basal, para la variable MEC el grupo intervención obtiene, en media, 1,58 puntos más que el grupo control en la evaluación realizada inmediatamente después de la intervención. A los 6 meses la mejora es de 1,51 puntos y al año de 2,04 puntos. Todos estos incrementos son estadísticamente significativos al nivel usual del 5%. No se observan diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo intervención y control en las variaciones sobre el nivel basal de las variables en Set-test, Barthel y Lawton-Brody. Conclusiones: La estimulación cognitiva con nuestro programa es eficaz para mantener el rendimiento cognitivo, medido con la variable MEC, en nuestra población de personas mayores con cognición normal que viven en la comunidad. No hay evidencia de que esa mejora se transfiera a las actividades de la vida diaria medidas con Barthel y Lawton-Brody. Abstract: Objective: To provide evidence of the effectiveness of a community health intervention, that includes a cognitive stimulation program, to prevent the deterioration of cognitive abilities in our population of elderly people with normal cognition that are living in the community. Design: Randomized clinical trial (CONSORT group norms) Location: San José Norte-Centro Health Center and La Caridad Foundation (Zaragoza, Spain). Participants: 201 people aged 65 or older, with a MEC score of at least 28 points, which were randomized between the Intervention group (101) and the Control group (100). Intervention: The intervention was applied in 10 sessions of 45 minutes, one per week. It used materials designed by one of the authors, which addressed the following areas: memory, orientation, language, praxis, gnosis, calculation, perception, logical reasoning, attention-concentration and programming. Main measurements: The main outcome variables were MEC, Set-Test, Barthel and Lawton-Brody. Results: Increases of the main result variables over their baseline level were analized. For MEC variable, the Intervention group obtained, on average, 1.58 points more than the Control group in the evaluation performed immediately after the intervention. After 6 months, the improvement was 1.51 points and after a year, it was of 2.04 points. All these differences were statistically significant. For Set-Test, Barthel and Lawton-Brody variables, no statistically significant differences were observed between Intervention group and Control group. Conclusions: Cognitive stimulation with our program is effective to maintain or improve cognitive performance, measured with the variable MEC, our population of elderly people with normal cognition that are living in the community. There is no evidence that this improvement is transferred to the activities of daily life measured with Barthel and Lawton-Brody variables. Palabras clave: Estimulación cognitiva, Envejecimiento, Prevención del deterioro cognitivo, Terapias no farmacológicas, Terapia ocupacional, Cognición normal, Keywords: Cognitive stimulation, Aging, Prevention of cognitive impairment, Non-pharmacological therapies, Occupational therapy, Normal cognition

Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with the degeneration of ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons (vmDAns) and the accumulation of toxic α-synuclein. A non-cell-autonomous contribution, in particular of astrocytes, during PD pathogenesis has been suggested by observational studies, but remains to be experimentally tested. Here, we generated induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes and neurons from familial mutant LRRK2 G2019S PD patients and healthy individuals. Upon co-culture on top of PD astrocytes, control vmDAns displayed morphological signs of neurodegeneration and abnormal, astrocyte-derived α-synuclein accumulation. Conversely, control astrocytes partially prevented the appearance of disease-related phenotypes in PD vmDAns. We additionally identified dysfunctional chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), impaired macroautophagy, and progressive α-synuclein accumulation in PD astrocytes. Finally, chemical enhancement of CMA protected PD astrocytes and vmDAns via the clearance of α-synuclein accumulation. Our findings unveil a crucial non-cell-autonomous contribution of astrocytes during PD pathogenesis, and open the path to exploring novel therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking the pathogenic cross talk between neurons and glial cells. : In this article, Consiglio and colleagues show that PD iPSC-derived astrocytes contribute to dopaminergic neurodegeneration, indicating an important role for astrocytes in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. PD astrocytes display dysfunctional chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), impaired macroautophagy, and progressive α-synuclein accumulation. In co-culture, PD astrocytes transfer α-synuclein to vmDAns and trigger dopaminergic neuronal cell death that can be rescued by treatment with a chemical enhancement of CMA. Keywords: iPSC, Parkinson's disease, non-cell-autonomous, astrocytes, α-synuclein, LRRK2, CRISPR/Cas9, disease modeling, autophagy, neurodegeneration

We set out to test if the methodology used to clean sheep wool wax (Lanolin) from pesticides could be used to clean beeswax as well. We first made an aggregate sample of brood comb wax from three different US beekeepers. Sub-samples of these aggregate wax samples were analyzed for pesticide contamination. The remaining wax, was then dissolved into hexane solution and run through four N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) washes. During these extractions, the pesticides partitioned into the DMF, and so were removed from the beeswax. Following the solvent extractions, the beeswax was tested again for pesticides. An average of 95% of the pesticide contamination was removed by the chemical wash procedure. • Beeswax is the beekeeping matrix with the highest pesticide content. • This study developed methodology for solvent-based removal of pesticides from beeswax (>95%). • Of 24 pesticides detected in beeswax samples before to the solvent extraction, only 3 pesticides were detected after the extraction with DMF. Method name: Beeswax cleaning by solvent extraction, Keywords: Beeswax, Solvent extraction, Pesticides removal, Hexane, N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF)

Objetivo: La equidad de género es un determinante estructural de las desigualdades en salud. Por ello, se pretende visibilizar su evolución en las comunidades autónomas (CC.AA.) desde 2006, previamente a la promulgación de la Ley de Igualdad (2007) y la crisis económica (2008), hasta 2014. Método: Estudio ecológico sobre la equidad de género en las 17 CC.AA. en 2006-2011-2014. Cálculo de: 1) índice de equidad de género modificado (IEGM) de las CC.AA. (0 = equidad, ±1 = inequidad); 2) convergencia interregional y temporal en equidad de género. Resultados: El IEGM de las CC.AA.2014 toma valores negativos próximos a 0 (inequidad desfavorable a las mujeres). No hay convergencia interregional en la equidad de género, pues aumenta la dispersión (2006: 0,1503; 2011: 0,2280; 2014: 0,4964). Tampoco existe convergencia temporal, al no evolucionar mejor las CC.AA. menos equitativas. La brecha de género en actividad económica sigue desfavorable a las mujeres. En 2006-2011 disminuye en todas las CC.AA., y en 2014 aumenta en seis CCAA. La brecha de género en educación tiene valores positivos próximos a 0 (desfavorable a los hombres) en 2006-2011-2014, y en empoderamiento es desfavorable a las mujeres, siendo la dimensión que más pesa en la equidad de género. Se mantiene la dispersión entre CC.AA. en 2006-2014 en actividad económica y educación, y aumenta en empoderamiento. Conclusiones: El contexto de equidad de género alcanzado en las CC.AA. españolas en 2006 se ha perdido durante la crisis económica, al aumentar la desigualdad en la equidad de género entre CC.AA. en 2014. La inequidad de género sigue siendo desfavorable a las mujeres.

Background/Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze muscle activation when performing push-ups under different stability conditions. Methods: Physically fit young male university students (N = 30) performed five push-ups under stable conditions (on the floor) and using four unstable devices (wobble board, stability disc, fitness dome, and the TRX Suspension Trainer). The push-up speed was controlled using a metronome, and the testing order was randomized. The average amplitudes of the electromyographic (EMG) root mean square of the anterior deltoid (DELT), serratus anterior (SERRA), lumbar multifidus (LUMB), and rectus femoris (FEM) were recorded. The electromyographic signals were normalized to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Results: No significant differences were found for the DELT [F(4,112) = 1.978; p = 0.130] among the conditions. However, statistically significant differences were found among the different conditions for the SERRA [F(4,60) = 17.649; p

Maize is the main staple crop in the East African Mountains. Understanding how the edaphic characteristics change along altitudinal gradients is important for maximizing maize production in East African Highlands, which are the key maize production areas in the region. This study evaluated and compared the levels of some macro and micro-elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and P) and other soil parameters (pH, organic carbon content, soil texture [i.e. % Sand, % Clay and % Silt], cation exchange capacity [CEC], electric conductivity [EC], and water holding capacity [HC]). Soil samples were taken from maize plots along three altitudinal gradients in East African highlands (namely Machakos Hills, Taita Hills and Mount Kilimanjaro) characterized by graded changes in climatic conditions. For all transects, pH, Ca, K and Mg decreased with the increase in altitude. In contrast, % Silt, organic carbon content, Al and water holding capacity (HC) increased with increasing altitude. The research provides information on the status of the physical–chemical characteristics of soils along three altitudinal ranges of East African Highlands and includes data available for further research.

This paper provides direct evidence to support the role of capping agents in controlling the evolution of TiO2 seeds into nanocrystals with a specific shape. Starting with Ti(OBut)4 and using oleid acid, oleylamine, dioleamide, 11-aminoundecanoic acid, arginine, trifluroacetic acid or HF as capping agents, mainly TiO2 truncated octahedrons enclosed by {1 0 1} and {0 0 1} facets were obtained. We could also selectively obtain square, rods and rounded rhombic-shaped nanoparticles by growing of {0 1 0} facets by adding oleic acid and oleylamine in ratio 6:4, respectively, while all other parameters were kept the same. This research not only offers new insights into the role played by a capping agent in shape-controlled synthesis but also provides, a versatile approach to controlling the shape of metal oxide nanocrystals.