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Background: Body composition (BC) techniques, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIVA), nutritional ultrasound® (NU), and computed tomography (CT), can detect nutritional diagnoses such as sarcopenia (Sc). Sc in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with greater severity and lower survival. Our aim was to explore the correlation of BIVA, NU and functional parameters with BC at T12 level CT scans in patients with IPF but also its relationship with degree of Sc, malnutrition and mortality. Methods: This bicentric cross-sectional study included 60 IPF patients (85.2% male, 70.9 ± 7.8 years). Morphofunctional assessment (MFA) techniques included BIVA, NU, CT at T12 level (T12-CT), handgrip strength, and timed up and go. CT data were obtained using FocusedON®. Statistical analysis was conducted using JAMOVI version 2.3.22 to determine the cutoff points for Sc in T12-CT and to analyze correlations with other MFA techniques. Results: the cutoff for muscle area in T12-CT was ≤77.44 cm2 (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.734, sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 100%). The skeletal muscle index (SMI_T12CT) cutoff was ≤24.5 cm2/m2 (AUC = 0.689, sensitivity = 66.7%, specificity = 66.7%). Low SMI_T12CT exhibited significantly reduced median survival and higher risk of mortality compared to those with normal muscle mass (SMI cut off ≥ 28.8 cm/m2). SMI_T12CT was highly correlated with body cell mass from BIVA (r = 0.681) and rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF-CSA) from NU (r = 0.599). Cronbach's α for muscle parameters across different MFA techniques and CT was 0.735, confirming their validity for evaluating muscle composition. Conclusions: T12-CT scan is a reliable technique for measuring low muscle mass in patients with IPF, specifically when the L3 vertebrae are not captured. An SMI value of <28.8 is a good predictor of low lean mass and 12-month mortality in IPF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands in Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes native plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding its expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory in different regions and habitats, we collected seeds from six populations in Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Germination was tested under different salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) and simulated gut passage treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at 15 g/L. Higher salinity reduced and delayed germination, but full gut passage treatment (i.e., both scarification and acidification) increased germinability and accelerated germination. Scarification or acid treatment alone resulted in intermediate germination patterns. There were significant salinity × population and gut passage × population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of gut passage on germination was stronger at 5–10 g/L than at 0 g/L. This study highlights how migratory birds can facilitate the spread of alien plants introduced by humans. Endozoochory by waterbirds is an understudied mechanism for the long-distance dispersal of dry-fruited alien plants. Further research on C. coronopifolia, including population genetics, is necessary to understand dispersal mechanisms and facilitate management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small- and medium-sized organizations rely heavily on their internal configuration to achieve sustainable performance. However, their internal structure often represents an obstacle to achieving that goal. To help organizations achieve sustainable performance, we develop a research framework using the viable system model (VSM) to evaluate the relationship between organizational factors. We adopt a systems perspective: (1) The VSM serves as a theoretical foundation to define factors to be evaluated through a conceptual model; (2) social network analysis to obtain information for the conceptual model; (3) partial least squares path modeling to test the proposed model with 150 employees; and (4) VSM to suggest changes. The nine hypotheses are supported, suggesting that improving sustainable performance is related to adopting a network structure and focusing on relational factors to reduce inconsistencies between operations and coordination systems. This article differs from previous studies, as it proposes a methodological coupling to assist decision-makers in improving organizational balance and performance. Additionally, it can encourage academics to reconsider structural factors, enabling them to allocate resources more precisely and enhance effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The competition to attract audiences has led to an increase in sensational or misleading headlines and content, with the aim of garnering user clicks in the news media. This dynamic alters the journalistic manner in which news is presented, and it does so by reducing informative quality and eroding the trust of the audience. This study examines the proliferation of clickbait strategies on the front pages of reputable international 'serious' press and how it manifests in readers' consumption and sharing habits. We carried out a comparative content analysis of digital news articles from four international media sources (N = 1680): The Guardian (UK), The New York Times (USA), El País (Spain) and Público (Portugal). Our results confirm the existence of clickbait (N = 516) on the front pages, the most read content and the articles most shared on social media. Most clickbait titles resort to headline strategies of containing incomplete information that affect both hard and soft news topics. This particular finding highlights the inclusion of clickbait in the agenda of 'serious' journalism, despite the negative implications on information quality and trust. Associated with irrelevant content, this 'hook' captures the attention of the online audience more than the social media audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) is an endangered and insufficiently studied galliform occurring in upland habitats dominated by shrublands in Spain, France, and Andorra. Aiming to develop tailored management to favour the species, we studied the effect of habitat management on a partridge population located in Zamora province within the Galician–Duero mountains as part of a long-term project promoted by the regional government (Junta Castilla y León). Management was based on carrying out conservation and recovery of optimal habitats through clearing shrublands (either plots or linear) distributed in a "core area" of 45 km2, conducting tracks with beaters and pointing dogs during autumn in three areas, and comparing the partridge abundance before (2000–2006) and after (2007–2023) management. Habitat management increased partridge abundance values in two areas (1.46 and 1.68 times higher) and had no effect on the remaining one. The pattern of grey partridge abundance during the study was irregular and not influenced by the weather, and the highest abundance values were reached 8–10 years after habitat measures were implemented for the first time. Habitat management allowed high autumn abundance to be reached (mean kilometre abundance values of 2.94 and 3.74 birds/km in two areas), while the mean number of birds per family group was not affected by management (nine birds/group). When aiming to recover Pyrenean grey partridge populations, habitat management should be based on the conservation and management of shrublands to provide mixed habitats in the medium and long term, ensuring regular partridge monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of private universities, improving researchers' performance is critical for universities to remain competitive. This article utilizes system dynamics to analyze how key variables related to leadership, such as satisfaction, motivation, efficiency, research capabilities, and morale, interact and influence each other. We use causal loop diagrams to illustrate these relationships based on the priority assessments of 86 private university researchers, evaluated using the Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP). Our findings emphasize the critical importance of a balanced approach to strategy and policy design, suggesting that improving one factor may inadvertently affect others, thereby influencing the outcomes for leadership in educational settings. This study provides valuable insights for decision-makers and leaders who aim to foster and enhance their academic staff's sustainable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the school context, the teacher–student interaction style plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal adolescent functioning. Over recent years, the significance of transformational teacher leadership in fostering student engagement and positive development has been underscored. This study aimed to examine the correlations between transformational leadership and adolescent self-esteem, motor self-efficacy, enjoyment in physical education classes, and intention for future physical activity. This research used an associative and predictive strategy. A total of 429 adolescents from Málaga, aged between 14 and 16 years (M = 14.97; SD = 0.85), participated in this research, which employed an associative, comparative, and predictive approach. The Transformational Teaching Questionnaire (TTQ), Motor Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES), Intrinsic Satisfaction in Sport Instrument (SSI-EF), and Intention of Being Physically Active Scale (MIFA) were utilized for variable assessment. Correlation, Multiple Regression, and cluster analyses revealed statistically significant correlations between transformational leadership and self-esteem, motor self-efficacy, enjoyment, and future activity intention. Specifically, it was revealed that motivational inspiration predicts self-esteem, motor self-efficacy, enjoyment, and intention for physical activity, whereas intellectual stimulation predicts motor self-efficacy, enjoyment, and intention for physical activity. Notably, the transformational leadership factors of intellectual stimulation and motivational inspiration were observed to predict scores across other variables, particularly enjoyment in physical education classes, both overall and by gender. These findings suggest that transformational leadership in physical education classes can significantly enhance student experiences, thereby promoting adherence to physical activity and healthy lifestyles among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, several analyses were carried out on concentrated fractions of Mexican oregano essential oil (Poliomintha longiflora Gray) in order to determine its ability to inhibit the growth and the motility of Escherichia coli (swimming), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (swimming), and Proteus vulgaris (swarming); these Gram-negative bacteria associated with urinary tract infections are motile due to the presence of flagella, which is considered an important virulence factor that favors their motility when trying to reach the target organ and cause an infection. Also, the resistance pattern to antibiotics of each strain was determined. The results showed resistance pattern (8 out of 12 antibiotics tested) for P. aureginosa, while E. coli and P. vulgaris were resistant to 4 antibiotics out of the 12 tested. On the other hand, fractionated oregano caused an inhibition of growth and a reduction in motility, varying between fractions and among bacteria. Fraction 4 showed major growth reduction, with MBC values ranging from 0.002 to 23.7 mg/mL. Treatment with fractionated oregano (F1, F2, F3, F4) reduced the motility by 92–81% for P. vulgaris, 90–83% for E. coli, and 100–8.9% for P. aeruginosa. These results demonstrated a higher performance with a lower application dose due to its high content of Carvacrol and Thymol; unlike other concentrated fractions, this synergy of oxygenated monoterpenes may cause greater antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on isolating, identifying, and evaluating the trypanocidal potential against the hemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi of compounds from Parthenium incanum (Mariola), a plant used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat stomach and liver disorders. P. incanum has a wide distribution in Mexico. This study found that methanolic extracts of P. incanum, obtained by static maceration and successive reflux, had promising results. The fractions were compared using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and those that showed similarities were mixed. A bioguided assay was performed with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, using agar diffusion and bioautography techniques to determine the preliminary biological activity. The fractions with antimicrobial activity were purified using a preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC) plate, obtaining the bioactive bandages that were subjected to a trypanocidal evaluation against the Ninoa strain of T. cruzi in its epimastigote stage. This revealed an IC50 of up to 45 ± 2.5 µg/mL, in contrast to the values obtained from the crude extracts of less than 100 µg/mL. The TLC, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) techniques were used to identify the compounds, demonstrating the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, parthenin, and coronopolin. We concluded that these compounds have the potential to inhibit T. cruzi growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrotherapy, including the use of therapeutic showers and bathtubs, has been studied for its potential benefits in labor pain management. Previous research has indicated that hydrotherapy can alleviate pain, but comparative studies between therapeutic showers and bathtubs are scarce. Objective: This study aims to compare the effects of therapeutic showers and bathtubs on pain perception, labor duration, use of epidural analgesia, and maternal and neonatal outcomes during labor. Methods: A total of 124 pregnant women were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: those who used a therapeutic shower and those who used a bathtub during labor. Pain levels were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Labor duration, use of epidural analgesia, types of delivery, maternal outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage, perineal status, maternal hypotension, fever, and breastfeeding), and neonatal outcomes (APGAR scores, fetal heart rate, complications, and neonatal unit admissions) were recorded and analyzed. Results: Both the therapeutic shower and the bathtub effectively reduced pain perception, with the bathtub showing a greater reduction in VAS scores. The therapeutic shower group experienced a significantly shorter labor duration compared to the bathtub group. The majority of participants in both groups did not require epidural analgesia, with no significant differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in the types of delivery. Maternal outcomes indicated a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies in the therapeutic shower group. Neonatal outcomes, including APGAR scores and fetal heart rate, were similar between the groups, with no significant differences in complications or neonatal unit admissions. Conclusions: Both therapeutic showers and bathtubs are effective for pain relief during labor, with the bathtub showing a higher reduction in pain intensity. The therapeutic shower is associated with a shorter labor duration and a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies. Both methods are safe for neonatal well-being, making hydrotherapy a viable non-pharmacological option for pain management in labor. However, the therapeutic shower may offer additional benefits in terms of labor duration and maternal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: the benefits of water are significant during the birth process. Improved maternal experience of labor, less use of epidurals, better pain management, shorter labor, and a greater sense of control are observed during the birth process. Objective: This report aims to determine the benefits of hydrotherapy in clinical childbirth approaches and its applicability in pain control. Methods: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials selected from various databases with no publication date limits was conducted, comparing groups that did not use hydrotherapy with groups that did during labor. Results: Seven articles met the inclusion criteria, with five articles using hot water immersion and two using hot water shower as hydrotherapy treatments. This study identified 840 participants, with the intervention groups including 417 term pregnant women and the control groups including 423 pregnant women. The effect size of hydrotherapy on pain was calculated using the visual analog scale in five articles and analgesic use in the other two articles. Hydrotherapy significantly reduced pain during labor with a mean difference of −0.97 (95% CI: −1.91 to −0.03; I2 = 97.32%, p < 0.001). The duration of the first stage of labor was not significantly affected, with a mean difference of −0.17 h (95% CI: −0.55 to 0.21; I2 = 56.75%, p = 0.059). Additionally, hydrotherapy did not significantly impact the newborns' Apgar scores at 5 min, with a mean difference of 0.18 (95% CI: −0.48 to 0.85; I2 = 2.15%, p = 0.939). Conclusions: Hydrotherapy is beneficial for pain control in the first stage of labor and does not increase its duration or negatively affect the Apgar score of newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of hydrotherapy during childbirth has gained relevance due to the demand for natural childbirth and greater respect for the woman's choice. Studies have shown benefits such as less use of epidural analgesia, increased ability to cope with pain, shorter labor, and a better overall birth experience. Objective: The main objective of this study was to generate further evidence on maternal and birth outcomes associated with the use of hydrotherapy during labor, specifically aiming to describe the effects of water immersion during all stages of labor (first, second, and third) on women. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on a random sample of women who gave birth at the Costa del Sol Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020. The calculated sample size was 377 women and the data were extracted from their partograms. After data extraction, two groups were formed: one group used hydrotherapy during childbirth (n = 124), while the other group included women who did not use hydrotherapy during the childbirth process (n = 253). Results: The results highlight significant differences in pain perception, analgesia use, types of labor, and delivery times between the two groups. Women who did not use hydrotherapy reported higher pain perception, with a median (IQR) of 8 (7–9) on a numerical scale, compared to a median (IQR) of 6 (5–7) for the hydrotherapy group. Furthermore, the group without hydrotherapy required epidural analgesia in 40% of cases, while in the hydrotherapy group, it was only necessary in 20%. In terms of the type of delivery, the hydrotherapy group had more spontaneous vaginal deliveries compared to the non-hydrotherapy group, which had more operative vaginal deliveries. The overall duration of labor was longer in the hydrotherapy group, especially in women who arrived at the hospital late in labor. Conclusions: Hydrotherapy is associated with a longer time to delivery. Women with a higher pain tolerance tend to opt for hydrotherapy instead of epidural analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical inactivity represents a significant public health challenge globally. Mobile applications, particularly those utilizing augmented reality (AR), have emerged as innovative tools for promoting physical activity. However, a systematic evaluation of their efficacy is essential. This systematic review aims to evaluate and synthesize the evidence regarding the effectiveness and benefits of mobile applications with augmented reality in enhancing physical activity and improving health outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, WOS, and the Cochrane Library databases following PRISMA guidelines. Observational and interventional studies evaluating AR mobile applications for physical exercise were included, without restrictions on publication date or language. The search terms included "Mobile Applications", "Augmented Reality", "Physical Fitness", "Exercise Therapy", and "Health Behavior". The methodological quality was assessed using the ROBINS tool. The review identified twelve eligible studies encompassing 5,534,661 participants. The findings indicated significant increases in physical activity and improvements in mental health associated with the use of AR applications, such as Pokémon GO. However, potential risk behaviors were also noted. The evidence suggests that AR interventions can effectively promote physical activity and enhance health. Nonetheless, further research is needed to address limitations and optimize their efficacy. Future interventions should be tailored to diverse cultural contexts to maximize benefits and mitigate risks. AR mobile applications hold promise for promoting physical activity and improving health outcomes. Strategies to optimize their effectiveness and address identified risks should be explored to fully realize their potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pain perception, far from being a pathological mechanism, is a crucial protective stimulus to prevent additional injuries. Any disturbance in this complex system poses significant risks to individuals, affecting their quality of life and even their survival. Objective: This review aims to explore congenital insensitivity to pain, an extremely rare genetic disorder with an autosomal recessive pattern that results in the inability to perceive pain. We will focus on the well-known subtype, congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). Our research seeks to update existing knowledge through a comprehensive literature review. Methodology: The review employs a systematic literature review, analyzing various sources and scientific documents, primarily emphasizing CIPA. The review follows the PROSPERO protocol, registered under CRD42023394489. The literature search was performed on the Scopus, PubMed, and Cinahl databases. Results: Our review reveals secondary complications associated with CIPA, such as recurrent bone fractures, temperature insensitivity, self-mutilation, and, occasionally, intellectual disabilities. The limited available information underscores the need for expanding our knowledge. Conclusions: In summary, CIPA, particularly, presents a significant medical challenge with adverse impacts on quality of life. Early diagnosis, education for families and healthcare professionals, and appropriate nursing care are essential for effective management. This review highlights the necessity of further research and awareness to enhance support for those affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of software effort and time in the software development process is a key activity to achieve the necessary product quality. However, underestimation or overestimation of effort has become a key challenge for software development. One of the main problems is the estimation with metrics from late stages, because the product must already be finished to make estimates. In this paper, the use of statistical models and machine learning approaches for software estimation are used in early stages such as software design, and a data set is presented with metric values of design artifacts with 37 software projects. As results, models for the estimation of development time and effort are proposed and validated through leave-one-out cross-validation. Further, machine learning techniques were employed in order to compare software projects estimations. Through the statistical tests, it was proven that the errors were not statistically different with the regression models for effort estimation. However, with Random Forest the best statistical results were obtained for estimating development time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires are a common phenomenon in Mediterranean environments. This study seeks to synthesize the main results of existing studies from the last decade on this topic and to highlight the need for managing soil impacted by wildfires in the Mediterranean environment. Researchers have found that the impact of fire during a forest fire on the soil, and the subsequent consequences on soil ecosystem services and functions, is great and produces negative consequences for the soil. The physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil have been extensively analyzed, and a very high number of studies during the last ten years have been performed on different study areas with a common component: the Mediterranean ecosystem. However, the effects of these fires on the multifunctionality of the soil itself, ecosystem services, and soil functionality, which they provide to humans, have not. It is therefore essential to know the impact of fires in a fire-prone ecosystem such as the Mediterranean one on the soil and how these services and functions are affected. In this way, the decision can be taken to carry out restoration measures, especially after very severe forest fires and if the recurrence is high. This conclusion is even more important in the context of global change in which more severe and recurrent fires are expected, and therefore actions to be considered are expected to be more necessary to avoid land degradation, as many of the studies compiled here have shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a two-year retrospective evaluation of infants aged under two years with a confirmed, clinical, or suspected diagnosis of scabies in a healthcare center in Alicante (Spain) to determine possible factors associated with diagnostic delay and poor treatment response. We collected epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment variables. After describing our findings as mean values and percentages, we compared categorical variables using the Student's t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test, and we compared continuous variables with the Chi2 test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. We included 51 infants (19 boys and 32 girls) with a mean age of 15 months. The main source of contagion was the family; half of the infants lived with four or more people. According to the International Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies, confirmed scabies was diagnosed in 45% of cases and clinical scabies in 47%, and 45% of cases had a diagnostic delay. Lesions mainly affected the hands, feet, and trunk, with papules in 92% of cases and burrows in 55%. The predominant symptoms were pruritus (94%) and irritability (69%). Regarding treatment, 98% of the infants received topical permethrin and 35% received oral ivermectin. Treatment failed in 76% of infants. Living in large family units was associated with a higher risk of contagion and therapeutic failure. Diagnostic delay was associated with previous misdiagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the influence of adding a commercial ionic liquid to the electrolyte during the electrochemical anodization of tungsten for the fabrication of WO3 nanostructures for photoelectrochemical applications. An aqueous electrolyte composed of 1.5 M methanesulfonic acid and 5% v/v [BMIM][BF4] or [EMIM][BF4] was used. A nanostructure synthesized in an ionic-liquid-free electrolyte was taken as a reference. Morphological and structural studies of the nanostructures were performed via field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. Electrochemical characterization was carried out using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and a Mott–Schottky analysis. From the results, it is highlighted that, by adding either of the two ionic liquids to the electrolyte, well-defined WO3 nanoplates with improved morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties are obtained compared to samples synthesized without ionic liquid. In order to evaluate their photoelectrocatalytic performance, the samples were used as photocatalysts to generate hydrogen by splitting water molecules and in the photoelectrochemical degradation of methyl red dye. In both applications, the nanostructures synthesized with the addition of either of the ionic liquids showed a better performance. These findings confirm the suitability of ionic liquids, such as [BMIM][BF4] and [EMIM][BF4], for the synthesis of highly efficient photoelectrocatalysts via electrochemical anodization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive variables, geochemical, mineralogical, and petrogenetic constraints of the Iberian peraluminous rare metal granites (RMGs), many of them unknown, are presented. The mineral chemistry of ore and gangue minerals, whole rock analyses, geothermobarometry, melt water and phosphorus contents, mass balance, and Rayleigh modeling were performed to achieve these objectives. These procedures allow us to distinguish two main contrasting granitic types: Nb-Ta-rich and Nb-Ta-poor granites. The former have lower crystallization temperatures, higher water contents, and lower emplacement pressures than Nb-Ta-poor granites. Nb-Ta-rich granites also have higher fluoride contents, strong fractionation into geochemical twins, higher Na contents, and different evolutionary trends. At the deposit scale, the fractional crystallization of micas properly explains the variation in the Ta/Nb ratio in both Nb-Ta-poor and Nb-Ta-rich RMGs, although in higher-grade granites, the variation is not as clear due to the action of fluids. Fluid phase separation processes especially occurred in the Nb-Ta rich granites, thus transporting halogens and metals that increased the grades in the top and sometimes in the core of granites. Gas-driven filter pressing processes facilitated the migration of fluid and melt near solidus melt in Nb-Ta-rich granites. The geochemical signature of the Iberian rare metal granites mainly follows the trends of two-mica granites and P-rich cordierite granites, but also of granodiorites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of soil genesis unfolds as pioneering microbial communities colonize mineral substrates, enriching them with biomolecules released from bedrock. The resultant intricate surface units emerge from a complex interplay among microbiota and plant communities. Under these conditions, host rocks undergo initial weathering through microbial activity, rendering them far from pristine and challenging the quest for biomarkers in ancient sedimentary rocks. In addressing this challenge, a comprehensive analysis utilizing Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was conducted on a 520-Ma-old Cambrian rock. This investigation revealed a diverse molecular assemblage with comprising alkanols, sterols, fatty acids, glycerolipids, wax esters, and nitrogen-bearing compounds. Notably, elevated levels of bacterial C16, C18 and C14 fatty acids, iso and anteiso methyl-branched fatty acids, as well as fungal sterols, long-chained fatty acids, and alcohols, consistently align with a consortium of bacteria and fungi accessing complex organic matter within a soil-type ecosystem. The prominence of bacterial and fungal lipids alongside maturity indicators denotes derivation from heterotrophic activity rather than ancient preservation or marine sources. Moreover, the identification of long-chain (>C22) n-alkanols, even-carbon-numbered long chain (>C20) fatty acids, and campesterol, as well as stigmastanol, provides confirmation of plant residue inputs. Furthermore, findings highlight the ability of contemporary soil microbiota to inhabit rocky substrates actively, requiring strict contamination controls when evaluating ancient molecular biosignatures or extraterrestrial materials collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidisciplinary strategies have transformed the management of advanced ovarian cancer. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of paclitaxel in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) following surgical cytoreduction for ovarian peritoneal metastases in a randomized phase III trial conducted between August 2012 and December 2019. Seventy-six patients were randomized to either the HIPEC or no HIPEC group. Although median values for the primary endpoints (recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS)) revealed superior outcomes for the HIPEC (RFS: 23 months, OS: 48 months) over the control group (RFS: 19 months, OS: 46 months), these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.22 and p = 0.579). Notably, the HIPEC group demonstrated significantly higher 5-year OS and 3-year RFS rates (47.2% and 47.5%) compared to patients without HIPEC (34.5% and 21.3%). Stratification according to Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS) showed improved OS and RFS for patients with lower PSDSS (I–II) in the HIPEC-treated group (p = 0.033 and p = 0.042, respectively). The Clavien–Dindo classification of adverse event grades revealed no significant differences between HIPEC and controls (p = 0.482). While overall results were not statistically significant, our long-term follow-up emphasized the potential benefit of HIPEC-associated cytoreduction with paclitaxel, particularly in selected ovarian cancer patients with lower PSDSS indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although there is scientific evidence regarding the use of water immersion during labor, this evidence is primarily focused on the first stage of labor. There is limited scientific evidence on water immersion during the second stage of labor. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and synthesis of contemporary evidence related to water birth, with a specific focus on the second stage of labor. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature published between January 2018 and October 2023 was carried out. A synthesis of the results was conducted following the Synthesis without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were utilized as information sources. The search strategy was designed using the keywords "immersion" and "parturition", along with their relevant synonyms. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies employing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and quantitative and qualitative approaches focusing on pregnant women undergoing water immersion at any stage of the labor process. Results: Eleven articles were selected: two systematic reviews (one quantitative and one qualitative), five cohort studies, one case–control study, one cross-sectional observational study, and two qualitative studies. A thorough assessment of the methodology was performed using several specific tools: the Cochrane RoB 2 (Risk of Bias 2) tool for systematic reviews, JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research for qualitative studies, STROBE for observational descriptive studies, and CASPe for qualitative studies. The results provided fundamental insights that will contribute to conceptual standardization regarding the effects of water birth on maternal and fetal health. Additionally, a synthesis of the results was performed concerning types of delivery, analgesia use, pain perception, and maternal satisfaction with the water birth experience. Conclusions: In this study, we conclude that the results regarding delivery types, labor durations, and analgesia use found in the literature, along with statistically significant maternal/fetal effects, are crucial for making recommendations regarding the use of water during labor in any of its stages if the woman desires it safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as hyperglycaemia first detected at any time during pregnancy with values lower than those determined by the WHO for diabetes diagnosis in adults. This pathology, with a worldwide prevalence of 13.4%, causes significant maternal and foetal risks. The first line of treatment consists of maintaining normo-glycaemia through an adequate diet and lifestyle changes. The aim is to synthesize the scientific evidence updating the nutritional recommendations for the effective management of GDM. A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized clinical trials published within the last five years and providing information on nutritional recommendations to achieve an effective management of gestational diabetes were selected. The databases searched were PubMed, the WOS Core Collection, SCOPUS, and CINAHL, using the MeSH terms: "Diabetes, Gestational"; "Nutrition Assessment (nutrition*)"; "Diet"; "Eating"; and "Food"; with the Boolean operators "AND" and "OR". The PEDro scale (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) was used to assess the scientific quality of the studies, with a mean score of 8.9, indicating an average good scientific quality. Results: A total of 809 papers were collected, of which, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 randomized clinical trials were selected. Probiotic supplementation and co-supplementation with vitamin D have been found to be the most beneficial options for both mothers with GDM and neonates, but the most effective regimens are not known. Diets enriched with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and oat bran, as well as some recommendations focused on carbohydrates also seem effective, as well as diets designed for this group of women with GDM such as "CHOICE". Conclusions: Although there are numerous proposals that have been published in recent years focused on the diet of women with GDM in order to improve their results and those of their children, it is the supplementation with probiotics and the co-supplementation with vitamin D that is most agreed upon as beneficial; however, more research is needed into which protocols are most effective. Other proposals that could also be beneficial should be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aging of the population in developed countries, the number of middle-aged and older women is progressively increasing. During this stage, women suffer from a number of signs and symptoms that could be reduced or treated with physical exercise and dietary supplements. The main objective of this study was to analyse the benefits of exercise and dietary supplements during menopause. Materials and methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 protocol, searching the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and WOS databases. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed for methodological quality using the PEDro or AMSTAR-2 scales. Results: The searches yielded a total of 104 results, of which 10 were selected, with methodological quality ranging from fair to excellent. Each article examined the combination of a dietary supplement plan versus a placebo; plus an exercise routine versus another routine or a sedentary lifestyle. The results showed the benefits of combining a nutritional supplementation plan with an exercise routine during menopause. Conclusions: The practice of weekly strength and endurance exercises, together with the consumption of certain dietary supplements, may be a good resource for coping with menopause in a healthy way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyze the determination of interplanetary trajectories from Earth to Mars to evaluate the cost of the required impulse magnitudes for an areostationary orbiter mission design. Such analysis is first conducted by solving the Lambert orbital boundary value problem and studying the launch and arrival conditions for various date combinations. Then, genetic algorithms are applied to investigate the minimum-energy transfer orbit. Afterwards, an iterative procedure is used to determine the heliocentric elliptic transfer orbit that matches at the entry point of Mars's sphere of influence with an areocentric hyperbolic orbit imposing specific conditions on inclination and periapsis radius. Finally, the maneuvers needed to obtain an areostationary orbit are numerically computed for different objective condition values at the Mars entry point to evaluate an areostationary preliminary mission cost for further study and characterization. Results show that, for the dates of the minimum-energy Earth–Mars transfer trajectory, a low value for the maneuvers to achieve an areostationary orbit is obtained for an arrival hyperbola with the minimum possible inclination and a capture into an elliptical trajectory with a low periapsis radius and an apoapsis at the stationary orbit. For a 2026 mission with a TOF of 304 for the minimum-energy Earth–Mars transfer trajectory, for a capture with a periapsis of 300 km above the Mars surface the value achieved will be 2.083 km/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies have improved the efficiency and sustainability of psychosocial research. However, online assessment tools may differ from traditional paper-based ones in different domains. This study aims to provide an updated perspective of the online assessment advantages of a psychosocial platform called MenPas 1.0. A literature review was conducted, choosing validated questionnaire studies located in the MenPas 1.0 platform, specifically, motivation and hypnosis questionnaires. A total of five studies showing the psychometric properties of psychosocial evaluation tools were analysed and compared with their previous paper-based studies. In addition, internet impact over the last 20 years was analysed according to gender, age, nationality, and employment status. Finally, a conclusion was drawn on the impact of these tools on sustainability. The results showed that online studies have a higher number of participants (5866 users in 5 studies versus 5623 participants in 11 studies) and higher reliability rates than those of previous paper-based ones. A decrease in the social gap over the years was also found and the contribution of online tools to sustainability was discussed. This study could show the importance of the analysis of psychometric properties in online tools, the need for further research, and encourage their use in psychosocial assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing number of older adults necessitates tailored food options that accommodate the specific diseases and nutritional deficiencies linked with ageing. This study aims to investigate the influence of age-related digestive conditions in vitro on the phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and bioaccessibility of minerals (Ca, Fe, and Mg) in two types of unfermented, fermented, and fermented dried quinoa and lentils. Solid-state fermentation, combined with drying at 70 °C, significantly boosted the total phenolic content in Castellana and Pardina lentils from 5.05 and 6.6 to 10.5 and 7.5 mg gallic acid/g dry weight, respectively, in the bioaccessible fraction following the standard digestion model, compared to the unfermented samples. The phenolic profile post-digestion revealed elevated levels of vanillic and caffeic acids in Castellana lentils, and vanillic acid in Pardina lentils, while caffeic acids in Castellana lentils were not detected in the bioaccessible fraction. The highest antioxidant potency composite index was observed in digested fermented dried Castellana lentils, with white quinoa samples exhibiting potency above 80%. Mineral bioaccessibility was greater in fermented and fermented dried samples compared to unfermented ones. Finally, the digestive changes that occur with ageing did not significantly affect mineral bioaccessibility, but compromised the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consequences of using 25% whole or shelled sea urchin as an ingredient in anchovy sauce on its fermentation and development of its physicochemical properties after 20 days fermentation was studied. Two varieties of fish and sea urchin sauce were made with or without shell at 1:2:1 ratio (salt:fish:sea urchin) plus a control fish sauce at 1:3 ratio (salt:fish). All sauces were fermented at 40–50 °C for 20 days, where for the first 7 days the preparation remained in a static phase. During their fermentation, pH, salt concentration, aw, TVB-N, TMA, total nitrogen, formaldehyde nitrogen, amino nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen, as well as aerobic mesophiles and lactic acid bacteria were monitored. The fermentation of the experimental sauces proved to follow an evolution rather similar to the control sauce. The whole and shelled sea urchins provided the necessary microbial and enzymatic load to trigger an adequate hydrolysis of the fish and the production of total nitrogen (16.0–17.6 g/L), formaldehyde nitrogen (15.1–16.0 g/L), and amino nitrogen (0.7–0.8 g/L) of the same order as the control sauce, despite the lower fish content. According to TMA (9.2–13.1 mg N/100 g), VBT (40.0–47.2 mg N/100 g) contents, and pH levels (5.41–5.46), no deviation of the fermentation process was observed under the experimental conditions (salt content, temperature, and agitation after the static phase). Quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) sensory revealed that the use of sea urchin results in high quality products characterized by their aromas of crustaceans and mollusks. The present study investigates the potential use of shelled and even whole sea urchin as an ingredient for the preparation of high quality fish sauces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, causing the chikungunya fever disease, associated with inflammation and severe articular incapacitating pain. There has been a worldwide reemergence of chikungunya and the number of cases increased to 271,006 in 2022 in the Americas alone. The replication of CHIKV takes place in several cell types, including phagocytic cells. Monocytes and macrophages are susceptible to infection by CHIKV; at the same time, they provide protection as components of the innate immune system. However, in host–pathogen interactions, CHIKV might have the ability to alter the function of immune cells, partly by rewiring the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Some viral evasion mechanisms depend on the metabolic reprogramming of immune cells, and the cell metabolism is intertwined with circadian rhythmicity; thus, a circadian immunovirometabolism axis may influence viral pathogenicity. Therefore, analyzing the interplay between viral infection, circadian rhythmicity, and cellular metabolic reprogramming in human macrophages could shed some light on the new field of immunovirometabolism and eventually contribute to the development of novel drugs and therapeutic approaches based on circadian rhythmicity and metabolic reprogramming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arnold Chiari syndrome is a rare congenital disease of unknown prevalence and whose origin is still under study. It is encompassed within the posterior cranial malformations, showing a wide spectrum of symptomatology that can range from severe headache, dizziness, and paresthesia to complete asymptomatology. It is for this reason that early diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and it is usually diagnosed in adolescence. Treatment is based on remodeling and decompression of the malformed posterior cranial fossa, although the risk of residual symptoms after surgery is high. The aim of this review is to update all the existing information on this pathology by means of an exhaustive analysis covering all the scientific literature produced in the last 5 years. In addition, it has been carried out following the PRISMA model and registered in PROSPERO with code CRD42023394490. One of the main conclusions based on the results obtained in this review is that the origin of the syndrome could have a genetic basis and that the treatment of choice is the decompression of the posterior cerebral fossa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The value of the phase angle (PhA), measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), could be considered a good marker of the cell mass and the cell damage of a patient; however, there are new techniques, such as muscle ultrasonography, that allow the quantity and quality of muscle to be assessed in a minimally invasive way. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of morphofunctional techniques in the prognosis of mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 86 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with a mean age of 71 years, 82.7% of whom were male. The nutritional risk of the patients was assessed by means of questionnaires, such as the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and non-invasive functional techniques, including BIA, nutritional ultrasound, and hand grip strength (HGS). Statistical analysis of the sample was performed using JAMOVI version 2.3.22. Results: Correlations were made between the RF-CSA techniques with PhA (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), BCM (r = 0.70, p < 0.001), SMI (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), and HGS (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). The cut-off points for 12-month mortality were PhA = 4.5° (AUC = 0.722, sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 66.6%), BCM = 28.8 kg (AUC = 0.609, sensitivity of 32.4% and specificity of 100.0%), RF-CSA = 3.00 cm2 (AUC = 0.857, sensitivity of 64.4% and specificity of 100.0%), 6MMW = 420 m (AUC = 0.830, sensitivity of 63.27% and specificity of 100.0%), and TUG = 7.2 s (AUC = 0.771, sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 56.67%). In addition, a multivariate analysis was performed with RF-CSA, HR = 8.11 (1.39–47.16, p = 0.020), and PhA of 6.35 (1.29–31.15, p = 0.023), taking into account age, sex, and BMI to determine mortality. Finally, a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted with low or normal values for classical parameters (GAP and T6MM) and new parameters (PhA, BCM, RF-CSA, and TUG). Conclusion: RF-CSA and PhA were shown to be good prognostic markers of 12-month mortality and could, therefore, be useful screening tools to complement the nutritional assessment of IPF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: There are conflicting results on whether weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS) might be associated with quality of life (QoL)/depressive symptomatology. We aim to determine whether BS outcomes are associated with QoL/depressive symptomatology in studied patients at the 8-year follow-up after BS, as well as their relationship with different serum proteins and miRNAs. (2) Methods: A total of 53 patients with class III obesity who underwent BS, and then classified into "good responders" and "non-responders" depending on the percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) 8 years after BS (%EWL ≥ 50% and %EWL < 50%, respectively), were included. Basal serum miRNAs and different proteins were analysed, and patients completed tests to evaluate QoL/depressive symptomatology at 8 years after BS. (3) Results: The good responders group showed higher scores on SF-36 scales of physical functioning, role functioning—physical, role functioning—emotional, body pain and global general health compared with the non-responders. The expression of hsa-miR-101-3p, hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-29c-3p, hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-19b-3p were lower in non-responders. Hsa-miR-19b-3p was the variable associated with the response to BS in a logistic regression model. (4) Conclusions: The mental health of patients after BS is limited by the success of the intervention. In addition, the expression of basal serum miRNAs related to depression/anxiety could predict the success of BS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hydrotherapy is a technique used for pain management during labour, but its safety for both the mother and foetus remains uncertain. Objective: The main aim of this study is to determine whether the use of hydrotherapy in the first stage of labour is safe for both the mother and newborn. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted to collect data from the partogram, maternal and neonatal history. Results: A total of 377 women who gave birth at the Costa del Sol Hospital in Malaga between January 2010 and December 2020 were randomly selected. They were divided into a control group (253 women) and an intervention group (124 women) that used hydrotherapy in the first stage of labour. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, history of previous miscarriages, type of delivery, or newborn weight. The results showed that most women who opted for hydrotherapy were nulliparous, and the use of hydrotherapy during labour was safe for both the mother and foetus. There were no significant differences in the variables of maternal arterial hypotension, postpartum haemorrhage, postpartum maternal fever, foetal complications, neonatal admission, 1 and 5 min Apgar scores, umbilical arterial or venous pH, or foetal cardiotocographic recording. However, there was a significant difference (p = 0.005) in the rate of breastfeeding among mothers who opted for hydrotherapy (96% vs. 85.7%). Conclusions: The use of hydrotherapy during the first stage of labour is safe and is associated with increased breastfeeding rates compared to conventional delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemophilia is a chronic, congenital/hereditary and X-linked disease, characterized by an insufficiency of factors VIII or IX, which are necessary for blood clotting. Those affected by hemophilia often suffer from particular psychosocial problems, both in the acceptance, coping, treatment and self-management of their disease and in their family and social relationships, which are often mediated by these circumstances. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of people with hemophilia or their family members, of in a specific region of Spain, regarding the impact of having hemophilia. Structured interviews were conducted and developed, using the studies of the World Federation of Hemophilia and Osorio-Guzmán et al. as a guide, as well as a literature review of qualitative work on hemophilia. Data were analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis. A total of 34 interviews were thematically analyzed. The results showed that three key themes emerged from the data: (1) the daily impact of having hemophilia, (2) uncertainty about the disease, (3) the role of associations and (4) support from institutions. The results make it clear that the disease has a major impact on their lives (work, family, leisure and personal environment). The main conclusion is that hemophilia has a negative impact on the daily lives of patients, families and caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amoebiasis is the second leading cause of death worldwide associated with parasitic disease and is becoming a critical health problem in low-income countries, urging new treatment alternatives. One of the most promising strategies is enhancing the redox imbalance within these susceptible parasites related to their limited antioxidant defense system. Metal-based drugs represent a perfect option due to their extraordinary capacity to stabilize different oxidation states and adopt diverse geometries, allowing their interaction with several molecular targets. This work describes the amoebicidal activity of five 2-(Z-2,3-diferrocenylvinyl)-4X-4,5-dihydrooxazole derivatives (X = H (3a), Me (3b), iPr (3c), Ph (3d), and benzyl (3e)) on Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites and the physicochemical, experimental, and theoretical properties that can be used to describe the antiproliferative activity. The growth inhibition capacity of these organometallic compounds is strongly related to a fine balance between the compounds' redox potential and hydrophilic character. The antiproliferative activity of diferrocenyl derivatives studied herein could be described either with the redox potential, the energy of electronic transitions, logP, or the calculated HOMO–LUMO values. Compound 3d presents the highest antiproliferative activity of the series with an IC50 of 23 µM. However, the results of this work provide a pipeline to improve the amoebicidal activity of these compounds through the directed modification of their electronic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Justification: Providing care to patients with several conditions and simultaneously taking several medications at home is inexorably growing in developed countries. This trend increases the chances of home caregivers experiencing diverse errors related with medication or care. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of four different educational solutions compared to the natural intervention (absence of intervention) to provide a safer care at home by caregivers. Method: Prospective, parallel, and mixed research study with two phases. Candidates: Home-based caregivers caring a person with multiple comorbid conditions or polymedication who falls into one of the three profiles of patients defined for the study (oncology, cardiovascular, or pluripathological patients). First phase: Experts first answered an online survey, and then joined together to discuss the design and plan the content of educational solutions directed to caregivers including the identification of medication and home care errors, their causes, consequences, and risk factors. Second phase: The true experiment was performed using an inter- and intrasubject single-factor experimental design (five groups: four experimental groups against the natural intervention (control), with pre- and post-intervention and follow-up measures) with a simple random assignment, to determine the most effective educational solution (n = 350 participants). The participants will be trained on the educational solutions through 360 V, VR, web-based information, or psychoeducation. A group of professionals called the "Gold Standard" will be used to set a performance threshold for the caring or medication activities. The study will be carried out in primary care centers, hospitals, and caregivers' associations in the Valencian Community, Andalusia, Madrid, and Murcia. Expected results: We expect to identify critical elements of risk management at home for caregivers and to find the most effective and optimal educational solution to reduce errors at home, increasing caregivers' motivation and self-efficacy whilst the impact of gender bias in this activity is reduced. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial NCT05885334. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several days to months after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, 35% of patients have persistent symptoms in high incidence. This is referred to as post-COVID-19 Syndrome. There is a pressing need to find a way to help patients with the manifested symptoms. Objective: To show the different therapies that exist for post-COVID Syndrome and their efficacy. Methodology: A systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out. The data search was carried out in Scopus, PubMed, Cinahl, and Web of Science. Of the 106 articles found, 12 articles were obtained after applying the following eligibility criteria. Results: Interventions related to respiratory musculature and moderate intensity exercise both in supervised face-to-face sessions and in supervised home sessions led patients to a significant improvement in the symptoms presented. Conclusion: Physical therapies significantly reduce fatigue and dyspnea as well as other symptoms related to quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tay–Sachs disease is classified as a rare paediatric disease of metabolic origin. It is an autosomal recessive inherited disease. The gene responsible for the disease is known as HEXA, and it is located on chromosome 15(15q23). There is currently no effective treatment for Tay–Sachs disease; hence, it is an incurable disease in which patients do not live for more than five years, meaning that nursing care takes on greater importance to maintain quality of life. The main objective of this work is to develop a specific standard nursing care plan by applying an inductive research method supported by nursing methodology using the NANDA-NIC-NOC taxonomy and validated by the Delphi method. This care plan will improve the knowledge of health professionals on this topic and support future studies on the disease. Following its implementation, the care plan proposed in this study aims to increase the quality of life of patients diagnosed with this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are now well-established as key players in tumor initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. The development of reliable cancer stem cell models provides valuable experimental approaches, not only to understanding the disease, but also to identifying novel testable therapeutic alternatives to therapy-resistant cancer. Understanding the mechanisms underlying CSC generation, maintenance, and developing targeted therapies against them is crucial to improving cancer treatment outcomes. The first event gives rise to a cancer-initiating cell (a preleukemic cell in the case of leukemia) that remains dormant because these cells are found in persons who will never develop cancer. [Extracted from the article]

Implicit motor imagery (IMI), with an image laterality discrimination (LD) task, has been proposed as a useful therapeutic tool to restore body schema in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). The aim of this study was to analyse the existence of differences between patients with CPP and healthy individuals in order to justify the use of IMI. An observational, cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling was designed as a one-to-one matched case–control study. Through a web link designed for this purpose, a total of 40 abdominoperineal images were shown to 130 participants during the laterality task. Outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale, VAS), accuracy, response time (RT), and CPPQ-Mohedo score (Chronic Pelvic Pain Questionnaire—Mohedo). This was an observational, cross-sectional study with a total of 64 CPP patients and 66 healthy individuals. The comparative analysis between groups revealed significant differences in accuracy, CPPQ-Mohedo and VAS (p < 0.001), but not in RT; in patients with CPP, accuracy was correlated with a lower CPPQ-Mohedo score and RT and, the greater the pain intensity, the higher the CPPQ-Mohedo score and RT, and the lower the accuracy. In the LD task, the patients with CPP made more mistakes than the healthy individuals. IMI could be a useful and complementary tool in the therapeutic approach for patients with CPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whooping cough is a severe childhood disease, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which releases pertussis toxin (PT) as a major virulence factor. Previously, we identified the human antimicrobial peptides α-defensin-1 and -5 as inhibitors of PT and demonstrated their capacity to inhibit the activity of the PT enzyme subunit PTS1. Here, the underlying mechanism of toxin inhibition was investigated in more detail, which is essential for developing the therapeutic potential of these peptides. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry revealed that α-defensin-5 strongly reduced PT binding to, and uptake into cells, whereas α-defensin-1 caused only a mild reduction. Conversely, α-defensin-1, but not α-defensin-5 was taken up into different cell lines and interacted with PTS1 inside cells, based on proximity ligation assay. In-silico modeling revealed specific interaction interfaces for α-defensin-1 with PTS1 and vice versa, unlike α-defensin-5. Dot blot experiments showed that α-defensin-1 binds to PTS1 and even stronger to its substrate protein Gαi in vitro. NADase activity of PTS1 in vitro was not inhibited by α-defensin-1 in the absence of Gαi. Taken together, these results suggest that α-defensin-1 inhibits PT mainly by inhibiting enzyme activity of PTS1, whereas α-defensin-5 mainly inhibits cellular uptake of PT. These findings will pave the way for optimization of α-defensins as novel therapeutics against whooping cough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the impact of the professional career construction model (CCP) on the professional practice of counselors and the social sustainability actions put into play in their professional performance. A mixed methodology featuring a predominantly qualitative approach is used to examine the employment situation and professional development of this group. Forty-eight socio-labor counselors from the autonomous community of Andalusia (Spain) participated in the self-application of the CCP model. Subsequently, a questionnaire was administered via a discussion group. The data analysis combines descriptive and qualitative procedures with the support of computer software. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis and triangulation techniques are used as methodological integration strategies. The resulting data are discussed, later presenting a series of limitations and prospective of the study. Relevant conclusions are provided about the impact of the CCP model on the professional careers of counselors based on their satisfaction with the self-application of the model, their career progression and employment status, and their self-perceptions of the social impact of their counseling careers. These conclusions highlight the implications of the study regarding promoting the sustainable careers of socio-labor counselors, enhancing their initial and continuous training, and facilitating their occupational actions in a complex and constantly changing society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software defect prediction is an important area in software engineering because it helps developers identify and fix problems before they become costly and hard-to-fix bugs. Early detection of software defects helps save time and money in the software development process and ensures the quality of the final product. This research aims to evaluate three algorithms to build Bayesian Networks to classify whether a project is prone to defects. The choice is based on the fact that the most used approach in the literature is Naive Bayes, but no works use Bayesian Networks. Thus, K2, Hill Climbing, and TAN are used to construct Bayesian Networks. On the other hand, three public PROMISE data sets are used based on McCabe and Halstead complexity metrics. The results are compared with the most used approaches in the literature, such as Decision Tree and Random Forest. The results from different performance metrics applied to a cross-validation process show that the classification results are comparable to Decision Tree and Random Forest, with the advantage that Bayesian algorithms show less variability, which helps engineering software to have greater robustness in their predictions since the selection of training and test data do not give variable results, unlike Decision Tree and Random Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic contributions pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the wine industry have seen a steady rise in recent years due to the tremendous importance of these topics for economic, social, and environmental advancement. This study seeks to explore the wine industry by using bibliometric techniques to analyze 107 articles published between 1997 and 2022. The findings of the research indicate substantial growth in the rate of production since 2015, with the Environmental Sciences being the most predominant domain of study. Furthermore, the most influential publishers of related content are MDPI, Elsevier, and Springer. Thus, this research may be beneficial for researchers, both new and experienced, who wish to gain a more thorough understanding of the academic output related to SDGs in the wine industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]