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• IVR (immersive virtual reality) intervention is more effective than conventional CRP (cardiac rehabilitation programs) in reducing depression, anxiety and stress in patients with CVD (cardiovascular diseases). • The effectiveness of IVR is major on depression, anxiety and stress when it is used as supplemental intervention to CRP. • IVR devices a safe, producing minimal adverse event and increasing the adherence to the therapy. Current literature suggests that immersive virtual reality (IVR) could be an efficacious therapeutic approach for patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) undergoing cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). However, this has only been affirmed in individual studies and is yet to be confirmed by a systematic review. To determine the efficacy of IVR interventions on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in patients with CVD. A meta-analysis was performed in line with PRISMA guidelines following a literature search between inception and June 2024 in PubMed, SCOPUS, WOS, CINAHL and PEDro for retrieving randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of IVR versus conventional CRPs on depression, anxiety and stress in patients with CVD. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. Pooled effects were calculated using the Cohen's standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI), or mean difference (MD) if studies used the same measure. Eight RCTs, providing data from 510 patients with CVD (63.8±5.4 years, 60% men), were included. The methodological quality was moderate (M=5.1±1 points). A large rehabilitative effect of IVR was found for reducing depression (SMD=-0.54; 95% CI -0.77 to -0.31; p<0.001), anxiety (SMD=-0.43; 95% CI -0.74 to -0.12; p=0.006) and stress (MD=-14.96; 95% CI -20.1 to -9.8; p<0.001). The findings suggest that combine IVR and CRP is the most appropriate approach for reducing depression, anxiety and stress. IVR, especially when combined with a traditional CRP, reduces depression, anxiety and stress in patients with CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• VRBT, combined with physiotherapy, could be effective in early rehabilitation after THA. • Physical exercises using VRBT, especially NIVR devices, suggest to be effective in increasing function and reduce disability. • Cognitive exercises using VRBT improves cognitive function and increase the subjective perception of improvement. • Passive immersive VRBT did not seem to be effective in reducing pain intensity after THA. To investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). PubMed, SCOPUS, WOS, PEDro and CINAHL were consulted for results up to April 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of VRBT (physical and cognitive videogames) in patients after THA were included. Pooled effect was assessed using standardized mean difference (SMD). This systematic review included 5 RCTs with 287 patients. Meta-analyses showed that VRBT, specifically non-immersive virtual reality (NIVR), combined with physiotherapy can be effective in reducing hip disability (SMD=-0.46; P = 0.018) and increasing hip function (SMD = 0.6; P = 0.002) after THA. The qualitative synthesis suggested that cognitive exercises using NIVR can improve disability, physical function, cognitive abilities and subjective perception of improvement. In contrast, passive immersive VRBT did not seem to have an impact on pain and hip function. Combining VRBT (mainly NIVR) with physiotherapy could be effective in early rehabilitation after THA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• VRBT improves functional capacity, pulmonary function, and functional mobility skills in patients with COPD. • No differences in improving functional capacity were found between applying VRBT alone or in combination. • To combine non-immersive VRBT plus PR may be more adequate for increasing functional mobility skills. • Non-immersive VRBT is the VR modality most used in PR. In addition to conventional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the use of virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) has been proposed as an effective complementary tool to be included in PR programs for COPD. To analyze the effectiveness of VRBT on functional capacity, pulmonary function, and functional mobility in patients with COPD. A meta-analysis was carried out through a bibliographic search in PubMed (Medline), WOS, PEDro, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Scopus since inception up to June 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the effect was determined using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) in a random effects model. Five RCTs, providing data from 344 participants with a mean age 65.7 ± 5.3 years old, were included. The mean methodological quality of the studies included was good (6.8 ± 1.6 points). The meta-analysis showed that VRBT was effective in increasing functional capacity, assessed with the 6 Min Walking Test, (SMD=0.4, 95 % CI 0.07 to 0.71, p = 0.017); pulmonary function, assessed with FEV1 (SMD=0.33, 95 %CI 0.01 to 0.65, p = 0.048); and functional mobility, assessed with the Get Up and Go Test (SMD=0.77, 95 % CI 0.5 to 1.1, p <0.001) in patients with COPD. VRBT is suggested to be effective in increasing functional capacity, pulmonary function, and functional mobility in patients with COPD. Non-immersive VRBT is the most used modality of VRBT in PR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected millions of people in over 180 territories, causing a significant impact on healthcare systems globally. Older adults, as well as people living with cancer, appear to be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality, which means that older adults with cancer are an especially high-risk population. This has led to significant changes in the way geriatric oncologists provide care to older patients, including the implementation of novel methods for clinical visits, interruptions or delays in procedures, and modification of therapeutic strategies, both in the curative and palliative settings. In this manuscript, we provide a global overview of the perspectives of geriatric oncology providers from countries across Europe, America, and Asia, regarding the adaptive strategies utilized to continue providing high quality care for older patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through these perspectives, we attempt to show that, although each country and setting has specific issues, we all face similar challenges when providing care for our older patients with cancer during these difficult times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have sleep disturbances, executive functioning difficulties, and learning problems. The aim of this study was twofold. First, to examine the quality of sleep in children with ASD without intellectual disability and typically developing (TD) children. Second, to explore the implication of sleep disturbances in the association between daily executive functioning and learning problems in children with ASD without intellectual disability. The sample included 47 children with autism without intellectual disability and 32 TD children. Parent-reported questionnaires were used to assess participants' sleep disturbances, daily executive functions, and learning problems. All statistical analyses performed were adjusted for age, IQ, and medication. As expected, the prevalence of sleep disturbances was significantly higher in the ASD group than in the TD group. Regarding the second aim of the study, the total score of sleep disturbances was significantly associated with learning problems and the metacognition subdomain of executive functioning in children with autism without intellectual disability. In turn, executive functions and learning problems were also significantly associated. Finally, sleep disturbances were found to mediate the relationship between global executive functioning and learning problems in children with ASD without intellectual disability. The findings suggest that sleep disturbances are common in children with autism, and that they play a mediating role in the association between executive functions and learning problems. Therefore, sleep should be a crucial aspect of interventions to improve the learning and academic performance of school-aged children with ASD without intellectual disability. • Sleep disturbances are more prevalent in children with ASD without ID than in TD children. • Sleep and executive functioning are predictors of learning problems in children with ASD without ID. • Sleep disturbances mediate the link between executive functioning and learning problems in children with ASD without ID. • Sleep interventions may enhance executive functions and academic achievement in children with ASD without ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent and deadly tumours worldwide. However, the evidence that currently exists for the treatment of older adults is limited and is derived mainly from clinical trials in which older patients are poorly represented. In this article, a group of experts selected from the Oncogeriatrics Section of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Group for the Treatment of Digestive Tumours (TTD), and the Spanish Multidisciplinary Group on Digestive Cancer (GEMCAD) reviews the existing scientific evidence for older patients (≥65 years old) with gastric cancer and establishes a series of recommendations that allow optimization of management during all phases of the disease. Geriatric assessment (GA) and a multidisciplinary approach should be fundamental parts of the process. In early stages, endoscopic submucosal resection or laparoscopic gastrectomy is recommended depending on the stage. In locally advanced stage, the tolerability of triplet regimens has been established; however, as in the metastatic stage, platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based regimens with the possibility of lower dose intensity are recommended resulting in similar efficacy. Likewise, the administration of trastuzumab, ramucirumab and immunotherapy for unresectable metastatic or locally advanced disease is safe. Supportive treatment acquires special importance in a population with different life expectancies than at a younger age. It is essential to consider the general state of the patient and the psychosocial dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, Notch, and other oncogenes cooperate in the induction of aggressive cancers. Elucidating how the PI3K/Akt pathway facilitates tumorigenesis by other oncogenes may offer opportunities to develop drugs with fewer side effects than those currently available. Here, using an unbiased in vivo chemical genetic screen in Drosophila, we identified compounds that inhibit the activity of proinflammatory enzymes nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and lipoxygenase (LOX) as selective suppressors of Notch-PI3K/Akt cooperative oncogenesis. Tumor silencing of NOS and LOX signaling mirrored the antitumor effect of the hit compounds, demonstrating their participation in Notch-PI3K/Akt-induced tumorigenesis. Oncogenic PI3K/Akt signaling triggered inflammation and immunosuppression via aberrant NOS expression. Accordingly, activated Notch tumorigenesis was fueled by hampering the immune response or by NOS overexpression to mimic a protumorigenic environment. Our lead compound, the LOX inhibitor BW B70C, also selectively killed human leukemic cells by dampening the NOTCH1-PI3K/AKT-eNOS axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response inhibition has been shown to be associated with monoamine-related gene polymorphisms, although evidence is inconclusive. To comprehensively examine these genotype effects on behavioural correlates of response inhibition in non-clinical adult populations, we performed a two-step approach. A systematic review of studies using Go/No-Go and/or Stop-Signal paradigms was first carried out. Thirty-eight eligible research articles were identified, which examined over 15 candidate genes. Remarkably, no firm conclusions could be drawn from these studies. Thus, in a second step, we conducted meta-analyses using random effects models on those polymorphisms that had previously been investigated in at least three studies. Specifically, data from 11 studies was analysed in three meta-analyses for the following polymorphisms: SLC6A3 3′UTR VNTR (k = 6 samples; n = 1463 participants), COMT Val158Met SNP (k = 7 samples; n = 784) and SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR (k = 4 samples, n = 204). None of these polymorphisms showed a reliable association with response inhibition performance. The methodological and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed, along with recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of headache due to a hydrocephalus with associated syringomyelia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a fourth ventricular outlet obstruction. An endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was performed with successful clinical and radiologic outcome. Fourth ventricular outlet obstruction is an uncommon cause of obstructive hydrocephalus, but it must be kept in mind. As far as we know, there are few reports that propose ETV as treatment. Therefore our case supports that ETV could be a successful option for the management of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the adaptive capacity of small-scale irrigation systems to the impacts of climate change is crucial for food security in Asia. This study analyzes the capacity of small-scale irrigation systems dependent on the Asian monsoon to adapt to variability in river discharge caused by climate change. Our study is motivated by the Pumpa irrigation system, a small-scale irrigation system located in Nepal that is a model for this type of system. We developed an agent-based model in which we simulated the decisions farmers make about the irrigation strategy to use according to available water flow. Given the uncertainty associated with how climate change may affect the Asian monsoon, we simulated the performance of the system under different projections of climate change in the region (increase and decrease in rainfall, reduction and expansion of the monsoon season, and changes in the timing of the onset of the monsoon). Accordingly to our simulations, farmers might need to adapt to rainfall intensification and a late onset in the monsoon season. The demands for collective action among farmers (e.g. infrastructure repair, meetings, decisions, etc.) might increase considerably due to climate change. Although our model suggests that investment in new infrastructure might increase the performance of the system under some climate change scenarios, the high inequality among farmers when water availability is reduced might hinder the efficiency of these measures due to a reduction of farmers’ willingness to cooperate. Our modeling exercise helps to hypothesize about the most sensitive climate change scenarios for smallscale irrigation farming in Nepal and helps to frame a discussion of some possible solutions and fundamental trade-offs in the process of adaptation to improve for food and water security under climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased trait impulsivity is a core element in several mental disorders. Given the durable and consistent nature of trait impulsivity, studies have explored its relation to stable biological measures. Variation in catecholaminergic neurotransmission by genetic variants could be one of these biological substrates. Here, 905 participants of European-ancestry completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale–11 and were genotyped in three single nucleotide polymorphisms related to catecholaminergic neurotransmission: the DRD2/ANKK Taq1A, the C957T DRD2 and the Val158Met of the COMT gene. We found significant main effects of Val158Met and C957T on BIS-11 score. Also, interactions with gender were significant in both SNPs with a tendency to slightly different genotype and allele associations with the BIS-total score between male and female participants. Whereas in females, higher impulsivity scores were obtained by participants with the Val158Met heterozygous genotype (Met/Val), data indicate a trend towards a higher impulsivity score in male Val-allele carriers. In the case of C957T, only a tentative association between male T-allele carriers and higher impulsivity scores in comparison to CC genotype carriers could be established. No significant associations were found between BIS-11 and Taq1A. We provide further evidence for a gender-specific implication of Val158Met and C957T in trait impulsivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encouragement of learning is considered to be central to resilience of social–ecological systems (SESs) to unknown and unforeseeable shocks. However, despite the consensus on the centrality of learning, little research has been done on the details of how learning should be encouraged to enhance adaptive capacity for resilience. This study contributes to bridging this research gap by examining the existing data from a behavioral experiment on SES that involves learning. We generate new hypotheses regarding how learning should be encouraged by comparing the learning processes of human-subject groups that participated in the experiment. Our findings suggest that under environmental stability, groups may be able to perform well without frequent outer-loop (or double-loop) learning. They can still succeed as long as they tightly coordinate on shared strategies along with active monitoring of SESs and user participation in decision-making. However, such groups may be fragile under environmental variability. Only the groups that experience active outer-loop learning and monitoring of SESs are likely to remain resilient under environmental variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was carried out in response to the growing interest on household biogas digesters in Latin America, particularly in rural Andean communities. The aim was to compare the fixed dome and plastic tubular digester in terms of biogas production, cost and environmental impact, using the life cycle assessment methodology. Design and operational parameters, construction materials and implementation costs were based on our previous research and literature results for plastic tubular and fixed dome digesters, respectively. According to this analysis, the main advantage of the plastic tubular digester was its ease of implementation and handling, and lower investment cost compared to the fixed dome digester, which appeared to be more environmentally friendly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Collecting tortoises for the pet trade is one of the factors threatening species of Testudo in the Mediterranean area. The collection of Testudo graeca graeca for pets is described in southeast Spain, where the main European population of this subspecies coincides with an area where keeping tortoises in captivity is a long-established custom. This present paper, based on inquiries made to children, reveals that this practice continues to be a common activity, and estimates a captive population in the order of tens of thousand of tortoises. Tortoises are collected as a result of chance encounters with wild animals by local inhabitants, and without any commercial objectives. The captive breeding and the release of tortoises without any institutional control is also common. These activities could be an important threat for the species. Implications for conservation are discussed and a critical review of the conservation strategies developed in relation to this threat (trade control and re-introduction programmes) are presented. We suggest that environmental education programmes are necessary to reduce casual collection and to change the social perception of tortoises as pets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Apart from being the main cause of biodiversity loss, humans are also essential for sustainability and biological conservation. Regulations for the conservation of threatened species are key to respond to this challenge. Here we evaluate the efficacy of mandatory regulations in Spain, a decentralized country, for the effective protection of threatened terrestrial vertebrates. We studied the association between the number of both "vulnerable" and "endangered" species on regional lists of threatened species and approved management plans for such species (mandatory) with ecological (e.g. percentage of forest and agricultural areas), social (e.g. environmental awareness and GPD per capita) and geographical (e.g. total and protected areas) variables on the regional scale. Our results showed that an approved management plan is available for only 20% of threatened terrestrial vertebrates and there were important taxonomical and regional biases. Higher protection levels appeared in regions with higher percentages of protected area, more citizens' environmental awareness, lower GPD per capita and shorter regional lists. Herpetofauna has fewer approved management plans than mammals or birds. Our results highlight the importance of integrating the perspective, knowledge and practices of all stakeholders (Academia, governments and society) to effectively apply environmental regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronoenvironmental and tectonic charts are presented for Mesozoic basins located along the Andean foothills of the South American plate. On the basis of the main tectonic events, pre-Andean basins, break-up-related basins, extensional back-arc basins, and Andean foreland basins are recognized. The pre-Andean basins were formed by continental extension and strike-slip movement before the development of the Mesozoic–Cenozoic Andean magmatic arc. Upper Permian to Middle Triassic extension along Palaeozoic terrane sutures resulted in rifting, bimodal magmatism (Choiyoi group), and continental deposition (Cuyo basin). From the Late Triassic to the Early Jurassic, continental extension related to the collapse of the Gondwana orogen initiated a series of long, narrow half-grabens that filled with continental volcaniclastic deposits. These depocenters were later integrated into the Neuque´n basin. Coeval development of the shallow marine Pampa de Agnia basin (42–44°S) is related to short-lived extension, probably driven by dextral displacement along major strike-slip faults (e.g. the Gastre fault system).Widespread extension related to the Gondwana breakup (180–165 Ma) and the opening of the Weddell Sea reached the western margin of the South American plate. As a result, wide areas of Patagonia were affected by intraplate volcanism (Chon Aike province), and early rifting occurred in the Magallanes basin.The Andean magmatic arc was almost fully developed by Late Jurassic times. A transgressive stage with starvation and anoxia characterized the Neuque´n basin. In western Patagonia, back-arc and intra-arc extension produced the opening of several grabens associated with explosive volcanism and lava flows (e.g. Rı´o Mayo, El Quemado). To the south, a deep marginal basin floored by oceanic crust (Rocas Verdes) developed along the back-arc axis. In mid-to late Cretaceous times, Andean compressional tectonics related to South Atlantic spreading caused the inversion of previous extensional structures and the beginning of a retro-arc foreland phase in the Neuque´n and Austral basins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper aims to better comprehend the crustal structure of the Precordillera and the Iglesia Valley. Located in the northern sector of the Pampean flat-slab (San Juan, Argentina), this region was the epicenter of the historical 1894, M > 7 earthquake (intensity IX on the modified Mercalli scale) and thus considered as a region of particularly high seismic hazard. The structure and deformation style associated with such events remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyze 4 months of regional seismic records from national and international stations in order to characterize a sequence of 74 crustal events that followed the occurrence of an intermediate magnitude (M W = 4.8 and M L = 5.2) earthquake on October 28th, 2019 for which we constrain the source parameters using regional moment tensor inversion. The analysis also includes the determination of 11 focal mechanisms from P-wave polarities and P–S waves amplitude ratios. Most of the focal mechanisms indicate reverse motion solutions. Seismological results are then integrated with other geophysics (gravity and seismic reflection profiles) as well as geological data, to build a 3D structural model that allows a better understanding of the crustal deformation mechanisms of the study area. Our results suggest that the seismic deformation is mostly concentrated in the basement of the Western Precordillera, at the transition with the Frontal Cordillera. This deformation seems respond to compressional stresses. The proposed model provides evidence of ongoing seismic activity related to the interaction between the thick-skinned deformation of the Frontal Cordillera with the thin-skinned fold and thrust belt of the Western Precordillera. • We analyzed the crustal seismicity in the Western Precordillera and Iglesia Basin. • We modeled the source parameters for the October 28, 2019 earthquake. • We located 74 crustal earthquakes mainly distributed between 10

The heterogeneous South American geology has coined a wide variety of neotectonic settings where crustal seismogenic sources do occur. This fact has led to different approaches for mapping and inventory neotectonic structures. The South American Risk Assessment project promoted the discussion and update under uniform standards of the available information on neotectonic deformation, for its application in regional Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessments. As a result, 1533 hazardous faults have been inventoried onshore South America, 497 of them qualifying to feed the engine model driving probabilistic maps. Main hazardous structures are concentrated throughout the eastern boundary of the Northern Andean Sliver and along the foreland-facing Andean Thrust Front. Space geodesy and seismicity illuminate the seismogenic significance of these deformation belts, although few neotectonic surveys have been conducted to date in the latter region. The characteristics of the main structures or deformation zones are here outlined according to their filiation to neotectonic domains, which are dependant on the geologic, seismotectonic, or morphotectonic settings in Andean and extra-Andean regions. The knowledge accrued on the hazardous faults in South America here compiled, reinforces the fact that some of these structures constitute significant hazard sources for many urban areas and critical facilities and should be incorporated in seismic hazard assessments. However, the available fault data are insufficient in many cases or carry significant epistemic uncertainties for fault source characterization. This contribution aims to summarize the present knowledge on the South American hazardous faults as well as the main challenges for successful fault data incorporation into seismic hazard models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]