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(1) Background: The stress experienced by parents with children with developmental disorders who present temporary or permanent needs, makes them experience a series of daily situations that may be linked to coping strategies. Resilient attributes are considered one of the factors that have a decisive influence on the behavior of parents related to raising their children and that affect greater well-being and life satisfaction. The objective of this research is to study the mediating effect of resilient attributes between parental stress and life satisfaction; (2) Methods: In this study, mothers and fathers of boys and girls from 0 to 6 years old with developmental disorders from different Early Childhood Care Centers (CAIT) in the Province of Jaén (Andalusia) [Spain]. Of them, 96 are mothers (78.0%) and 27 are fathers (22.0%), with a mean age of 37.85 years (±5.043). The Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), Resilience Scale (RS-14), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used. The structural equations model (PLS-SEM) was applied to estimate the proposed theoretical model, from an explanatory-predictive perspective; (3) Results: The results showed the coefficients of determination Parental distress [(Q2 = 0.144); (R2 = 0.329)]; Personal competence [(Q2 = 0.106); (R2 = 0.246)]; Acceptance of self and life [(Q2 = 0.094); (R2 = 0.172)] and Life satisfaction [(Q2 = 0.182); (R2 = 0.563)], in the estimation of the reflective model, indicating a moderate fit; (4) Conclusions: The present investigation is not conclusive; however, the implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are considered.

This paper proposes a combined system (OPREVU-AES) that integrates optimized AEB and Automatic Emergency Steering (AES) to generate evasive maneuvers, and it provides an assessment of its effectiveness when compared to a commercial AEB system. The optimized AEB system regulates the braking response through a collision prediction model. OPREVU is a research project in which INSIA-UPM and CEDINT-UPM cooperate to improve driving assistance systems and to characterize pedestrians’ behavior through virtual reality (VR) techniques. The kinematic and dynamic analysis of OPREVU-AES is conducted using CarSim© software v2020.1. The avoidance trajectories are predefined for speeds above 40 km/h, which controls the speed and lateral stability during the overtaking and lane re-entry process. In addition, the decision algorithm integrates information from the lane and the blind spot detectors. The effectiveness evaluation is based on the reconstruction of a sample of vehicle-to-pedestrian crashes (INSIA-UPM database), using PCCrash© software v. 2013, and it considers the probability of head injury severity (ISP) as an indicator. The incorporation of AEB can avoid 53.8% of accidents, with an additional 2.5–3.5% avoided by incorporating automatic steering. By increasing the lateral activation range, the total avoidance rate is increased to 61.8–69.8%. The average ISP reduction is 65%, with significant reductions achieved in most cases where avoidance is not possible.

Aim: To analyse recommended interventions for the safe and responsible dissemination of suicidal behaviour in the media for preventive purposes. Background: Suicide is a serious public health problem that leads to more than 700,000 deaths per year, which translates into one death every forty seconds. The media play a significant role in shaping public perceptions and reflecting societal issues. Because of its active role in the construction of reality, the way in which the media report and expose suicidal behaviour has the capacity to influence the population in either a preventive or harmful way. Design: An umbrella review was carried out and a report was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews. Methods: We systematically searched for reviews published from inception to February 2023 in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL and PsycInfo (via EBSCOhost), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A narrative synthesis of the results was conducted. Results: Six systematic reviews with a moderate to high quality level were selected. Among the recommended interventions were the inclusion of positive messages of hope, resilience, or of overcoming the event, narratives with information on available resources or the promotion of support-seeking attitudes as an effective prevention mechanism, as well as the avoidance of repetitive reporting of the same suicide. The appropriate and responsible dissemination of information on suicidal behaviour in the media with complete and up-to-date information on available centres, organisations, institutions, and resources has proven to be effective, especially in vulnerable populations. Conclusion: Educating and training the media in an appropriate approach to disseminating suicidal behaviour helps to reduce the number of suicidal behaviours. Knowing what information is advisable to include in the news item as well as what information to avoid is a strong point. Guidelines to promote responsible media reporting are a key component of suicide prevention strategies. This study was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 23 April 2022 with the registration number CRD42022320393.

In recent years, there has been intense development of digital diagnostic tests for vision. All of these tests must be validated for clinical use. The current study enrolled 51 healthy individuals (age 19–72 years) in which achromatic contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in near vision was measured with the printed Vistech VCTS test (Stereo Optical Co., Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and the Optopad-CSF (developed by our research group to be used on an iPad). Likewise, chromatic CSF was evaluated with a digital test. Statistically significant differences between tests were only found for the two higher spatial frequencies evaluated (p = 0.012 and p < 0.001). The ranges of agreement between tests were 0.55, 0.76, 0.78, and 0.69 log units for the spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 cpd, respectively. The mean chromatic ICS values were −20.56 ± 0.96 and −0.16 ± 0.99 for the CSF-T and CSF-D plates, respectively (p < 0.001). Furthermore, better achromatic, red–green, and blue–yellow CSF values were found in the youngest groups. The digital test allows the fast measurement of near-achromatic and chromatic CSF using a colorimetrically calibrated iPad, but the achromatic measures cannot be used interchangeably with those obtained with a conventional printed test.

Lateropulsion is a post-stroke phenomenon marked by an active push of the body across the midline towards the more affected side and/or a resistance of the weight shift towards the less affected side. Within the mechanisms of treatment, feedback systems have been shown to be effective. The aim of the present study was to create a body of knowledge by performing a literature review on the use of feedback mechanisms in the treatment of lateropulsion and to report two cases of lateropulsion patients who had undergone feedback-based treatment. Methods: The review was performed across five different databases (Embase, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro) up to February 2024, and haptic feedback intervention was incorporated into the case series (with lateropulsion and ambulation capacity as the main variables). Results: In total, 211 records were identified and 6 studies were included after the review of the literature. The most used feedback modality was visual feedback. In the case series, positive results were observed from the intervention, particularly in the recovery of lateropulsion and balance, as well as in the improvement of gait for one patient. Patients demonstrated good adherence to the intervention protocol without adverse effects. Conclusions: Visual feedback is the most commonly used feedback modality in lateropulsion patients but other mechanisms such as haptic feedback also are feasible and should be taken into account. Larger sample sizes, extended follow-up periods, and the isolation of feedback mechanisms must be established to clarify evidence.

This study examines the association between nurses’ perception of caring and attitudes toward caring for dying patients in end-of-life care units. We used a descriptive cross-sectional design with convenience sampling. Data were collected from May to June 2021 through self-reported questionnaires from 303 Spanish nurses (mean age = 48 years, 78.9% female). Participants completed the Caring Dimension Inventory (CDI-25) and the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying scale. Demographic and training information were collected. Data were analyzed using Stata 16.0. Attitudes toward Care of the Dying Patient were significantly higher in nurses with palliative care training (β = 2.829, p = 0.018) and those who scored higher on the psychosocial (β = 0.789, p = 0.0001) and technical dimensions (β = 0.487, p = 0.011) of the CDI-25. Multivariate analysis identified the psychosocial dimension of the CDI-25 scale (β = 0.783, p = 0.0001) and palliative care training (β = 2.686, p = 0.017) as the only significant variables associated with Attitudes toward Care of the Dying Patient. Overall, nurses exhibited a positive attitude toward caring for dying patients. Our results could potentially help nursing directors identify those with the necessary qualities and training for optimal end-of-life care and to further plan training courses to provide optimal care in end-of-life situations.

Anthropogenic activities cause the introduction of nitrogen (N) into aquatic environments where these N inputs drive the biological synthesis of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent and ozone-depleting greenhouse gas. To assess the significance of N2O emissions to climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates indirect N2O emissions from rivers, lakes, and estuaries by multiplying the amounts of N received by these ecosystems with specific emission factors. Interestingly, the IPCC recently increased the N2O emission factor associated with wastewater discharge into “nutrient-impacted (eutrophic) aquatic receiving environments” nearly four times based on experimental evidence of high N2O emissions from N-receiving eutrophic ecosystems. As microalgae can produce N2O, these organisms may contribute to the N2O emissions frequently reported in eutrophic aquatic bodies. If that is the case, estimating N2O emissions solely based on nitrogen inputs to water bodies might lead to inaccurate N2O budgeting as microalgae growth is often limited by phosphorus in these environments. Establishing the significance of microalgal N2O synthesis in eutrophic environments is, therefore, critical and may lead to considerable changes on how to budget and mitigate N2O emissions and eutrophication.

In this study, a modular, multi-step, photometric microflow injection analysis (micro-FIA) system for the automatic determination of Cu(II) in a bioreactor was developed. The system incorporates diverse 3D-printed modules, including a platform formed by a mixer module to mix Cu(II) with hydroxylamine, which reduces Cu(II) to Cu(I) linked to a diluter module via a Tesla valve, a chelation mixer module, a disperser module, and a detector module provided by an LED light source at λ = 455 nm and a light dependence resistor (LDR) as a light intensity detector. The system measures the color intensity resulting from the chelation between Cu(I) and neocuproine. The micro-FIA system demonstrated good capability for automatic and continuous Cu(II) determination, in a wide range of Cu concentrations, from 34 to 2000 mg L−1. The device exhibits a good repeatability (coefficient of variation below 2% across the measured concentration range), good reproducibility, and has an accuracy of around 100% between 600 and 1900 mg L−1. Real samples were analyzed using both the micro-FIA system and an atomic absorption spectroscopy method, revealing no statistically significant differences. Additionally, a Tesla valve located before the detector substituted a 3-way solenoid valve, eliminating the need for moving parts.

Using virtual reality (VR) for Muscular Dystrophy (MD) rehabilitation promises to be a novel therapeutic approach, potentially enhancing motor learning, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life. This systematic review primarily aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding regarding the application of VR in supporting MD rehabilitation. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify relevant articles. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies involving individuals diagnosed with MD who underwent VR interventions, with a primary focus on assessing functional improvement. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed by using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Seven studies, involving 440 individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), were included in the review. Among these studies, six primarily explored the motor learning potential of VR, while one study investigated the impact of VR training on functional abilities. In conclusion, the qualitative synthesis supports VR-based interventions’ potential positive effects on motor learning, performance improvement, and functional outcomes in individuals with DMD. However, current usage mainly focuses on assessing the potential mechanisms’ benefits, suggesting the importance of expanding clinical adoption to harness their therapeutic potential for MD patients.

Alternative splicing dysregulation is an emerging cancer hallmark, potentially serving as a source of novel diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic tools. Inhibitors of the activity of the splicing machinery can exert antitumoral effects in cancer cells. We aimed to characterize the splicing machinery (SM) components in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to evaluate the direct impact of the inhibition of SM-activity on OSCC-cells. The expression of 59 SM-components was assessed using a prospective case-control study of tumor and healthy samples from 37 OSCC patients, and the relationship with clinical and histopathological features was assessed. The direct effect of pladienolide-B (SM-inhibitor) on the proliferation rate of primary OSCC cell cultures was evaluated. A significant dysregulation in several SM components was found in OSCC vs. adjacent-healthy tissues [i.e., 12 out of 59 (20%)], and their expression was associated with clinical and histopathological features of less aggressiveness and overall survival. Pladienolide-B treatment significantly decreased OSCC-cell proliferation. Our data reveal a significantly altered expression of several SM-components and link it to pathophysiological features, reinforcing a potential clinical and pathophysiological relevance of the SM dysregulation in OSCC. The inhibition of SM-activity might be a therapeutic avenue in OSCC, offering a clinically relevant opportunity to be explored.

Our purpose is to develop and validate a new iPad-based contrast sensitivity (CS) test for measuring the contrast sensitivity function at near vision (Optopad-CSF). A total of 200 eyes of 100 healthy subjects (ages 17–63) were evaluated in a comparative study between the Optopad-CSF test (near vision) and the CSV-1000E test (distance vision). The agreement between tests was assessed with the index of contrast sensitivity (ICS) and the area under the curve (AUC). CS for all the spatial frequencies in both eyes showed a negative significant correlation with age, and corrected distance, and near visual acuities (r ≤ −0.512, p ≤ 0.013). A significantly lower CS was found with the Optopad-CSF test in the over-40-year-old subgroup for all the spatial frequencies evaluated compared to the below-40 subgroup (p ≤ 0.008). The mean AUC of the Optopad-CSF test (5.84) was twice that of the CSV-1000E test (2.76). The mean ICS of the Optopad-CSF (−0.019) and CSV-1000E (−0.075) tests showed similar values, both close to 0 (p = 0.3). There was a weak but significant correlation between the Optopad-CSF and CSV-1000E ICS tests (r = 0.246, p < 0.02). A range of normality for the values obtained with the Optopad-CSF test was calculated. The mean CS values in 16 bilateral cataract patients were out of the normal range for all the spatial frequencies evaluated (p < 0.001). Optopad-CSF is a valid portable system for measuring CS at near vision for five spatial frequencies, allowing the detection of age-related changes in CSF with age and CSF loss in cataracts, with no ceiling effect.

Background: The COVID-19 lockdown represented an immense impact on human health, which was characterized by lifestyle and dietary changes, social distancing and isolation at home. Some evidence suggests that these consequences mainly affected women and altered relevant ongoing clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status and changes in diet, physical activity (PA), sleep and self-reported health status (SRH) as perceived by older adult men and women with metabolic syndrome during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: We analyzed data from 4681 Spanish adults with metabolic syndrome. We carried out a telephone survey during May and June 2020 to collect information on demographics, dietary habits, PA, sleep, SRH and anthropometric data. Results: The mean age of participants was 64.9 years at recruitment, and 52% of participants were men. Most participants (64.1%) perceived a decrease in their PA during confinement. Regarding gender-specific differences, a higher proportion of women than men perceived a decrease in their PA (67.5% vs. 61.1%), Mediterranean diet adherence (20.9% vs. 16.8%), sleep hours (30.3% vs. 19.1%), sleep quality (31.6% vs. 18.2%) and SRH (25.9% vs. 11.9%) (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 lockdown affected women more negatively, particularly their self-reported diet, PA, sleep and health status.

Marine and extreme environments harbor a huge diversity of microorganisms able to produce new bioactive metabolites with beneficial health effects. In this study, ethanol, aqueous, methanol, and acetone extracts and protein hydrolysates were obtained from five different microalgae species and two haloarchaea. An in vitro study of cytotoxicity, migration, angiogenic effect, antioxidant capacity, and modulation of detoxifying enzyme expression was carried out using resistant (HCT-15) and non-resistant (T84) colon cancer tumor lines. Our results showed that the aqueous extract of the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana induced the greatest cytotoxic effect in both cell lines, while the ethanolic extracts of the archaea Haloarcula hispanica and Halobacterium salinarum caused the greatest inhibition on the migratory capacity. Meanwhile, the protein hydrolyzate and the aqueous extract of the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana significantly protected cells against hydrogen peroxide damage. Moreover, the aqueous extracts of Haloarcula hispanica and Halobacterium salinarum resulted in inducing the greatest increase in the activity of the detoxifying enzymes enzyme quinone oxidoreductase and glutathione S-transferase. These preliminary results suggest that aqueous extracts of some microalgae and haloarchaea may be promising candidates for an adjuvant therapy against colorectal cancer. However, additional research is required to identify the active principles and elucidate the mechanisms of action involved.

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Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide, primarily affecting women, while histopathological image analysis is one of the possibile methods used to determine tumor malignancy. Regarding image analysis, the application of deep learning has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. However, a significant issue is the unbalanced nature of available datasets, with some classes having more images than others, which may impact the performance of the models due to poorer generalizability. A possible strategy to avoid this problem is downsampling the class with the most images to create a balanced dataset. Nevertheless, this approach is not recommended for small datasets as it can lead to poor model performance. Instead, techniques such as data augmentation are traditionally used to address this issue. These techniques apply simple transformations such as translation or rotation to the images to increase variability in the dataset. Another possibility is using generative adversarial networks (GANs), which can generate images from a relatively small training set. This work aims to enhance model performance in classifying histopathological images by applying data augmentation using GANs instead of traditional techniques.

We used social network analysis (SNA) to identify the types of water-related conflicts between the users and members of the institutional arena of the Rio Mayo Irrigation District (RMID) within the ancestral territory of the Yoreme Mayo indigenous group in Sonora, northeastern Mexico. We combined ethnography with an analysis and visualization of bimodal networks that consisted of 118 users and their connections to the institutional arena’s 30 identified social actors who influence water management. Using a clustering algorithm, we identified four types of conflicts: (1) disputes between small- and large-scale farmers over (i) irrigation water and (ii) payments for water rights and land rental; (2) the struggle by large-scale farmers against the upper level of the water hierarchy, to obtain more water; (3) struggles by rural indigenous women against water providers, to conserve indigenous vernacular systems of managing water for domestic use; and (4) a “conflict” that turned out to be merely a structural remnant of the algorithm. We conclude that land- and water-grabbing in the RMID mainly affect indigenous small-scale farmers and that the combination of SNA and a clustering algorithm can identify the types of natural resource-related conflicts that might go undetected by other methodologies. However, SNA should in some cases be accompanied by a qualitative methodology.

In this work, the performance of coded continuous phase modulation (CPM) transceivers for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) in underwater acoustic channels is evaluated. The proposed technique employs the Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem (BCH) class of cyclic codes, and a CPM-based mapper is being used in place of a traditional OFDM mapper. Bit-error-rates (BERs) for various distances are evaluated. We use the Bellhop acoustic channel simulator that is considered to be very close to a real underwater channel. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated for 23 values of the CPM modulation index h as a function of the distance between the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx). Based upon the error performance, we identified several best-performing CPM indices. We also observed that for Tx–Rx distances of 100 and 250 m, the proposed system gives acceptable performance without the need for equalization. We also compared the out-of-band radiation of the proposed system with PSK-OFDM and observed that the uncoded CPM-OFDM has a better out-of-band (OOB) performance than the traditional OFDM. Moreover, a comparison of BERs with the traditional PSK-OFDM system shows that the proposed system outperforms the traditional OFDM system by a wide margin.

Background: The benefit of prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with severe systolic dysfunction of non-ischemic origin is still unclear, and the identification of patients at risk for sudden cardiac death remains a major challenge. Aims/Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICM) who underwent prophylactic ICD implantation between 2008 and 2020 in two tertiary centers. Our main goal was to identify the predictors of appropriate ICD therapies (anti-tachycardia pacing [ATP] and/or shocks) in this cohort of patients. Results: A total of 224 patients were included. After a median follow-up of 51 months, 61 patients (27.2%) required appropriate ICD therapies. Patients with appropriate ICD therapies were more frequently men (87% vs. 69%, p = 0.006), of younger age (59 years, (53–65) vs. 64 years, (57–70); p = 0.02), showed more right bundle branch blocks (RBBBs) (15% vs. 4%, p = 0.007) and less left bundle branch blocks (LBBBs) (26% vs. 47%, p = 0.005) in the ECG, and had higher left ventricular end-diastolic (100 mL/m2, (90–117) vs. 86, (71–110); p = 0.011) and systolic volumes (72 mL/m2, (59–87) vs. 61, (47–81), p = 0.05). In a multivariate competing-risks regression analysis, RBBB (HR 2.26, CI 95% 1.02–4.98, p = 0.043) was identified as an independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapies. Conclusion: RBBBs may help to identify patients with NICM at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias and requiring ICD intervention.

It has been brought to the attention of the Editorial Office that Figure 1 in the original publication [...]

The Editorial Office was made aware of an error in Figure S1 within the original publication [...]

This study aimed to establish sound relationships between soil properties of agricultural land in central Spain and their spectral attributes to contribute to deriving an indicator for sustainable farm management. Sixteen plots, managed under various conditions, eight with traditional tillage and eight with other alternative managements, were selected to gather soil samples representing three predominant soil orders (Leptosols, Cambisols, and Luvisols). Soil sampling was conducted from depths ranging from 0 to 30 cm (0–50; 5–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm), ensuring a broad spectrum of sample variability across different times and locations. The reflectance of soil 64 soil samples was measured within the range of 400 to 900 nm, and the corresponding concentrations of soil organic carbon and majoritarian minerals, calcium carbonate, quartz, phyllosilicates, K-Feldspar, and plagioclase were determined for each sample. Partial least squares analysis was employed to construct prediction models using a calibration dataset comprising 66% of randomly selected samples. The remaining 33% of samples were utilized for model validation. The prediction models for the measured soil chemical properties yielded R2 values ranging from 0.14 to 0.79. Only SOC and limestone provided accurate prediction models. These findings hold promise for developing a soil health indicator tailored for site-specific crop management. However, the complex composition of soil organic carbon and calcium carbonate in certain soils underscores the importance of careful interpretation and validation of remote sensing data, as well as the need for advanced modeling approaches that can account for the interactions between multiple soil constituents.

A longitudinal design was used to examine the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Self-Management (SEDM) for children and adolescents with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The SEDM was adapted to Spanish and the best factorial solution was selected to test the invariance of the measures of age and gender. Individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 years old with a diagnosis of T1D completed a self-reported questionnaire (167 at Time 1 [mean age = 14.49, SD = 2.76; 56.9% boys] and 122 at Time 2 [mean age = 14.77, SD = 2.58; 56.6% boys]). Two unifactorial solutions were tested. The psychometric properties of the scale were validated. The proposed validation obtained excellent reliability indices (χ2 (26) = 25.59, p > 0.49, RMSEA = 0.00, 95% CI [0.00, 0.07], CFI = 1.00, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.92, TLI = 1.00, and CMIN = 0.98), and it appeared to be invariant for gender and for age groups. The Cronbach’s α was 0.85. The test–retest reliability was high (r = 0.69 [p < 0.001]). Convergent, discriminant, and external validity were proven. The nine-item SEDM is a brief measure with satisfactory structural validity. From our knowledge, this study provides the first reliable tool to assess self-efficacy in the management of T1D for Spanish children and adolescents.

Monogeneans are flatworm parasites that infest fish gills primarily but can also infect various other vertebrates, including amphibians, aquatic reptiles, mammals like hippos, and occasionally invertebrates like copepods, isopods, and cephalopods. Despite their remarkable diversity, our knowledge of monogenean parasites in Peru remains significantly limited, resulting in substantial gaps in our comprehension of their taxonomic identities, host associations, and geographic distribution. To address these knowledge deficits, we present an extensively curated checklist of monogeneans associated with aquatic vertebrates in Peru. This comprehensive compilation is derived from meticulous literature surveys, the examination of specimens deposited in both international and national collections, and the inclusion of additional freshly collected specimens. The checklist offers a thorough repository of data encompassing the diversity, host associations, and geographical distribution of these parasites. Taxonomic discrepancies are addressed through a critical review of the existing literature, supplemented by the direct examination of specimens, including type or voucher specimens, deposited within scientific collections. Additionally, we provide data on the DNA sequences of individual taxa. The compiled list comprises records of 358 monogenean species, including 270 valid species and 88 taxa identified at the family or generic level, all reported across 145 host species in Peru. Predominantly, these parasitic species exhibit associations within fish, with 335 infecting teleosts and 20 affecting chondrichthyans. Three monogenean species have been documented as infecting amphibians, namely Mesopolystoma samiriensis, Polistoma sp. and Wetapolystoma almae. Among the monogeneans reported, 141 were found in marine environments and 214 in freshwater environments. The most diverse families were Dactylogyridae and Diplectanidae, comprising 217 and 24 species, respectively. The hosts that harbored the highest number of monogeneans were Pygocentrus nattereri (with 23 species), followed by Stellifer minor (13 spp.) and Triportheus angulatus (11 spp.). We detected many species that do not have any material deposited in a scientific collection due to the loss or deactivation of the collection. These findings represent only a fraction of the potential diversity, considering the wide variety of aquatic vertebrate hosts inhabiting the tropical and subtropical regions of Peru.

The European “Green Deal” policies are shifting toward more sustainable and environmentally conscious agricultural practices, reducing the use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. This implies exploring alternative strategies. One promising alternative to improve plant nutrition and reinforce plant defenses is the use of beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere, such as “Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria and fungi”. Despite the great abundance of iron (Fe) in the Earth’s crust, its poor solubility in calcareous soil makes Fe deficiency a major agricultural issue worldwide. Among plant promoting microorganisms, the yeast Debaryomyces hansenii has been very recently incorporated, for its ability to induce morphological and physiological key responses to Fe deficiency in plants, under hydroponic culture conditions. The present work takes it a step further and explores the potential of D. hansenii to improve plant nutrition and stimulate growth in cucumber plants grown in calcareous soil, where ferric chlorosis is common. Additionally, the study examines D. hansenii’s ability to induce systemic resistance (ISR) through a comparative relative expression study by qRT-PCR of ethylene (ET) biosynthesis (ACO1), or ET signaling (EIN2 and EIN3), and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis (PAL)-related genes. The results mark a significant milestone since D. hansenii not only enhances nutrient uptake and stimulates plant growth and flower development but could also amplify induced systemic resistance (ISR). Although there is still much work ahead, these findings make D. hansenii a promising candidate to be used for sustainable and environmentally friendly integrated crop management.

Lymphocyte collection by apheresis for CAR-T production usually does not include blood mobilized using granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) due to the widespread knowledge that it causes a decrease in the number and functionality of lymphocytes. However, it is used for stem cell transplant, which is a common treatment for hematological malignancies. The growing demand for CAR therapies (CAR-T and NK-CAR), both in research and clinics, makes it necessary to evaluate whether mobilized PBSC products may be potential candidates for use in such therapies. This review collects recent works that experimentally verify the role and functionality of T and NK lymphocytes and the generation of CAR-T from apheresis after G-CSF mobilization. As discussed, T cells do not vary significantly in their phenotype, the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ remains constant, and the different sub-populations remain stable. In addition, the expansion and proliferation rates are invariant regardless of mobilization with G-CSF as well as the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and the cytotoxic ability. Therefore, cells mobilized before apheresis are postulated as a new alternative source of T cells for adoptive therapies that will serve to alleviate high demand, increase availability, and take advantage of the substantial number of existing cryopreserved products.

In recent years, the consumption of gluten-free products has increased due to the increasing prevalence of celiac disease and the increased preference for gluten-free diets. This study aimed to make cookies using a mixture of cañihua flour, whey, and potato starch. The use of a Box–Behnken design allowed for flexible ingredient proportions and physicochemical properties, centesimal composition, color, texture, and sensory attributes to be evaluated through consumer tests (Sorting and acceptability). The results highlighted significant variations in physicochemical data, composition, color, and texture across formulations. The blend with 38.51% cañihua flour, 10.91% sweet whey, 25.69% potato starch, 8.34% margarine, 11.10% sugar, 0.19% sodium chloride, 0.51% baking powder, 0.51% vanilla essence, and 4.24% egg exhibited superior sensory appeal. This formulation boasted excellent texture, aroma, flavor, color, and appearance, indicating high sensory and physicochemical quality. The use of cañihua flour, sweet whey, and potato starch not only provides a gluten-free option but also delivers a nutritious and sensorily pleasing choice for those with dietary restrictions. Future research could explore the commercial viability of producing these cookies on a larger scale, as well as investigating the potential health benefits of these ingredients.

Although scales that evaluate postpartum stress exist, they lack specificity in maternal postpartum stress. The MPSS was created because there was a need to assess maternal stress during the postpartum stage. The introduction of the MPSS has enriched the evaluation tools for postpartum stress and has helped understand maternal stress at various postpartum time points and identify women at high risk for postpartum stress during this period. The aim was to translate the MPSS into Spanish and study its psychometric properties. Postpartum women (N = 167) with a mean age of 34.26 (SD = 4.71) were involved in this study. In addition to the MPSS, a battery of instruments was administered: a demographic sheet, the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The MPSS data were analyzed, checking item communality first. As a result, three items showed unsatisfactory communality values (h2 < 0.40). Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted, comparing factor models using the full pool of MPSS items or the version without items with unacceptable communality. As a result, the original three-factor structure was endorsed on the Spanish MPSS, with better fit indices when removing items with low communality (RMSEA = 0.067, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99). The reliability of this version was satisfactory (ω = 0.93). Finally, group comparisons for some perinatal variables were performed, showing no significant differences between groups of interest (p = 0.05 and above). To conclude, the MPSS will contribute to the existing literature, having a wider capacity to assess perinatal mental health difficulties in Spanish-speaking populations.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of Garmin Vivofit® Jr. physical activity (PA) wristbands during daily life physical activities. Six wristbands were randomly selected from a stock of twenty-four. The wristbands were worn by a single four-year-old participant, with three on the right wrist area and three on the left wrist area. To assess device reliability under laboratory conditions on a treadmill (Powerjog, model JM200, Sport Engineering Ltd., Birmingham, UK), the participant wore the six wristbands while performing five work conditions: sitting and standing (30 times per minute, controlled by a metronome), walking at 3 km/h, walking at 4 km/h, running at 5 km/h, and running at 6 km/h. Throughout the six minutes, variables related to physical activity provided by the device, step volume, and minutes of physical activity were recorded using the specific application of the wristband (Garmin International Inc., Olathe, KS, USA). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were high for all six wristbands with each other, for both the number of steps taken (ICC = 0.991–0.998) and the number of minutes of PA (ICC = 0.892–0.977). The critical alpha value of the Cusum test was highest at.050 for all wristband associations. In conclusion, good reliability was found among the six wristbands, which could be adopted for field-based research to quantify physical activities.

The study of vulnerable road users (VRUs) behavior is key to designing and optimizing driving assistance systems, such as the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system. These kinds of devices could help lower the VRU accident rate, which is of particular interest to cyclists, who are the subject of this research. To better understand cyclists’ reaction patterns in frequently occurring collision scenarios in urban environments, this paper focuses on developing a virtual reality (VR) simulator for cyclists (VRBikeSim) that incorporates eye-tracking functionality. The braking and steering systems were calibrated by means of on-track tests with a sensorized bicycle in order to improve the accuracy of the bicycle virtual model. From the data obtained in the virtual tests, a battery of predictive models was built using supervised machine learning classifiers. All of them exhibited an accuracy higher than 85%, especially the K-Nearest Neighbors model. This model allowed us to obtain the best balance between the prediction of avoidance and collision cases, as well as enabling computationally lower times to be incorporated into the decision-making algorithm of an AEB system.

Background/Objective: Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) have been considered a promising treatment for several diseases, such as cardiac injuries. Many studies have analyzed their functional properties; however, few studies have characterized MSCs through successive culture passages. The main objective of this work was to analyze the phenotype and functionality of MSCs isolated from two different sources in five culture passages to determine if the culture passage might influence the efficacy of MSCs as a cell therapy treatment. Methods: Bone Marrow (BM)-MSCs were harvested from the femur of Wistar rats (n = 17) and Adipose Tissue(AT)-MSCs were isolated from inguinal fat (n = 17). MSCs were cultured for five culture passages, and the immunophenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry, the functionality was characterized by adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation assays, and cytokine secretion capacity was determined through the quantification of the Vascular Endothelial Growth-Factor, Fibroblast Growth-Factor2, and Transforming Growth-Factorβ1 in the cell supernatant. The ultrastructure of MSCs was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: BM-MSCs exhibited typical phenotypes in culture passages two, four, and five, and their differentiation capacity showed an irregular profile throughout the five culture passages analyzed. AT-MSCs showed a normal phenotype and differentiation capacity in all the culture passages. BM- and AT-MSCs did not modify their secretion ability or ultrastructural morphology. Conclusions: Throughout the culture passages, BM-MSCs, but not AT-MSCs, exhibited changes in their functional and phenotypic characteristic that might affect their efficacy as a cell therapy treatment. Therefore, the culture passage selected should be considered for the application of MSCs as a cell therapy treatment.

We aimed to explore the relationship of adipose tissue concentrations of some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with the risk of endometriosis and the endometriotic tissue expression profile of genes related to the endometriosis-related epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. This case–control study enrolled 109 women (34 cases and 75 controls) between January 2018 and March 2020. Adipose tissue samples and endometriotic tissues were intraoperatively collected to determine concentrations of nine POPs and the gene expression profiles of 36 EMT-related genes, respectively. Associations of POPs with endometriosis risk were explored with multivariate logistic regression, while the relationship between exposure and gene expression profiles was assessed through Spearman correlation or Mann–Whitney U tests. After adjustment, increased endometriosis risk was associated with p,p’-DDT, PCB-180, and ΣPCBs. POP exposure was also associated with reduced gene expression levels of the CLDN7 epithelial marker and increased levels of the ITGB2 mesenchymal marker and a variety of EMT promoters (HMGA1, HOXA10, FOXM1, DKK1, CCR1, TNFRSF1B, RRM2, ANG, ANGPT1, and ESR1). Our findings indicate that exposure to POPs may increase the risk of endometriosis and might have a role in the endometriosis-related EMT development, contributing to the disease onset and progression. Further studies are warranted to corroborate these findings.

Molecular studies about cyanide biodegradation have been mainly focused on the hydrolytic pathways catalyzed by the cyanide dihydratase CynD or the nitrilase NitC. In some Pseudomonas strains, the assimilation of cyanide has been linked to NitC, such as the cyanotrophic model strain Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes CECT 5344, which has been recently reclassified as Pseudomonas oleovorans CECT 5344. In this work, a phylogenomic approach established a more precise taxonomic position of the strain CECT 5344 within the species P. oleovorans. Furthermore, a pan-genomic analysis of P. oleovorans and other species with cyanotrophic strains, such as P. fluorescens and P. monteilii, allowed for the comparison and identification of the cioAB and mqoAB genes involved in cyanide resistance, and the nitC and cynS genes required for the assimilation of cyanide or cyanate, respectively. While cyanide resistance genes presented a high frequency among the analyzed genomes, genes responsible for cyanide or cyanate assimilation were identified in a considerably lower proportion. According to the results obtained in this work, an in silico approach based on a comparative genomic approach can be considered as an agile strategy for the bioprospection of putative cyanotrophic bacteria and for the identification of new genes putatively involved in cyanide biodegradation.

The causes and conditions of displacement often increase the vulnerability of migrant and refugee populations to food insecurity, alongside other material hardships. We aimed to examine the multidimensional aspects and patterns of food insecurity and other material hardships in a cross-sectional sample of 6221 Venezuelan refugees and migrants in urban Colombia using a latent class analysis. Using multinomial and logistic regression models, we investigated the demographic and migratory experiences associated with identified classes and how class membership is associated with multiple health outcomes among Venezuelan refugees and migrants, respectively. Approximately two thirds of the sample was comprised cisgender women, and the participants had a median age of 32 years (IQR: 26–41). Four heterogeneous classes of food insecurity and material hardships emerged: Class 1—low food insecurity and material hardship; Class 2—high food insecurity and material hardship; Class 3—high income hardship with insufficient food intake; and Class 4—income hardship with food affordability challenges. Class 2 reflected the most severe food insecurity and material hardships and had the highest class membership; Venezuelans with an irregular migration status were almost 1.5 times more likely to belong to this class. Food insecurity and material hardship class membership was independently associated with self-rated health, mental health symptoms, and recent violence victimization and marginally associated with infectious disease outcomes (laboratory-confirmed HIV and/or syphilis infection). Social safety nets, social protection, and other interventions that reduce and prevent material hardships and food insecurity among refugees and migrants, alongside the host community, may improve public health, support development, and reduce healthcare costs. In the long term, regularization and social policies for migrants aimed at enhancing refugees’ and migrants’ social and economic inclusion may contribute to improving food security in this population.

Diabetic foot is a severe complication of diabetes, with serious consequences such as amputations and high mortality rates as well as elevated economic costs. To evaluate whether or not nursing staff follow the recommendations of national and international organizations regarding diabetic foot prevention, a cross-sectional and observational descriptive study was carried out using an ad hoc self-administered questionnaire validated by seven experts, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.731. Of the total 164 participants, 157 met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that 96.58% asked their patients to remove their footwear, 78.34% performed thorough examinations, and 80.25% assessed the risk of developing diabetic foot. Participants educated their patients in self-care and evaluated skills related to diabetic foot control either frequently (84.07%) or very frequently (62.42%), and only 19.11% of them carried out group activity workshops. Significant statistical differences were found in the performance of activities in the groups by participant age intervals, whether working in primary health care or a hospital, having specific training, and the participant’s DM patient ratio. We obtained high percentages of compliance in the assessed activities in comparison to other studies. Nevertheless, we believe it is necessary to encourage screening in specialized care, skills testing, and the implementation of educational group activities and workshops.

Bariatric surgery (BS) is considered the most effective intervention for patients with severe obesity and is used to maintain long-term weight loss and glycemic control. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of genotypes and haplotypes of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) genes on total body weight loss (TBWL), post-surgery weight, and post-BMI after bariatric surgery. We retrospectively selected 101 patients from Bajio High Specialty Regional Hospital, León Guanajuato, México, who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) to determine their body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, biochemical characteristics, and comorbidities. Post-surgery, patients were referred for registered anthropometry and blood pressure. Glucose, lipid and hepatic profiles, and insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels were measured, and rs9939609, rs9930506, and rs1421085 FTO and rs17782313 MC4R polymorphisms were genotyped. Six (4–8) years after BS, post-surgery weight was greater in carriers of the rs9939609 and rs1421085 risk genotypes. TBWL was lower for the rs9930506 and rs1421085 risk genotypes. Insulin and HOMA-IR were greater in patients with the three FTO polymorphisms. There were significant interaction effects of the rs9930506 and rs1421085 FTO risk genotypes on weight and BMI in response to BS. No association was found with the MC4R polymorphism. The genotypes and haplotypes of the FTO gene influence post-surgery weight, TBWL, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR.

The fusion of Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Twins, and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies marks a pivotal advancement in urban development, offering new services to citizens and municipalities in urban environments. This integration promises enhanced urban planning, management, and engagement by providing a comprehensive, real-time digital reflection of the city, enriched with immersive experiences and interactive capabilities. It enables smarter decision-making, efficient resource management, and personalized citizen services, transforming the urban landscape into a more sustainable, livable, and responsive environment. The research presented herein focuses on the practical implementation of a DT concept for managing cross-domain smart city services, leveraging VR technology to create a virtual replica of the urban environment and IoT devices. Imperative for cross-domain city services is interoperability, which is crucial not only for the seamless operation of these advanced tools but also for unlocking the potential of cross-service applications. Through the deployment of our model at the IoTMADLab facilities, we showcase the integration of IoT devices within varied urban infrastructures. The outcomes demonstrate the efficacy of VR interfaces in simplifying complex interactions, offering pivotal insights into device functionality, and enabling informed decision-making processes.

This study involved the synthesis and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with nobiletin (CNpN) and assessed their toxicity and cellular internalization in eukaryotic cell models (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans). Nanoparticles were prepared via the nanoprecipitation method and physicochemically characterized to determine their hydrodynamic diameter using dynamic light scattering (DLS), their surface charge through ζ-potential measurements, and their chemical structure via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The hydrodynamic diameter and ζ-potential of chitosan nanoparticles (CNp) and CNpN were found to be 288.74 ± 2.37 nm and 596.60 ± 35.49 nm, and 34.51 ± 0.66 mV and 37.73 ± 0.19 mV, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed a particle size of approximately 346 ± 69 nm, with notable sphericity for CNpN. FTIR analysis provided evidence of potential imine bonding between chitosan and nobiletin. Membrane integrity damage could be observed in both S. cerevisiae and C. albicans yeast stained with propidium iodide, demonstrating membrane integrity damage caused by CNp and CNpN, where higher concentration treatments inhibited the development of yeast cells. These findings suggest a selective therapeutic potential of CNpN, which could be promising for the development of antifungal and anticancer therapies. This study contributes to understanding the interaction between nanoparticles and eukaryotic cells, offering insights for future biomedical applications.

Effective monitoring throughout pregnancy and the first year of life is a crucial factor in achieving lower rates of maternal and infant mortality. Currently, research on socioeconomic factors that influence the lack of adherence to preventive and control measures during pregnancy and the first year of life is limited. The objective of this review is to examine the available evidence on social determinants that influence participation in health promotion and preventive activities throughout the pregnancy journey and in infants during their first year of life. We performed a systematic review of the literature searching in the major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, WOS, and Cochrane Library) for articles from February 2017 to May 2023 containing information on health inequities that impact participation in health promotion and preventive measures from pregnancy through the first year of an infant’s life. A total of 12 studies were selected; these studies were performed in ten different countries on five different continents. The selected studies cover preventive measures during maternal care, vaccination, and immunization during pregnancy and the first year of life, newborn screening, and follow-up of the first 12 months of life. The social factors associated with low adherence to health promotion activities during pregnancy and the first year of life include education, income, ethnicity, place of residence, and family characteristics. Despite the diverse geographical distribution, it is observed that there are common social factors linked to a decrease in the adherence to preventive measures during pregnancy and in the early years of life.

The remote monitoring of vital signs and healthcare provision has become an urgent necessity due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world. Blood oxygen level, heart rate, and body temperature data are crucial for managing the disease and ensuring timely medical care. This study proposes a low-cost wearable device employing non-contact sensors to monitor, process, and visualize critical variables, focusing on body temperature measurement as a key health indicator. The wearable device developed offers a non-invasive and continuous method to gather wrist and forehead temperature data. However, since there is a discrepancy between wrist and actual forehead temperature, this study incorporates statistical methods and machine learning to estimate the core forehead temperature from the wrist. This research collects 2130 samples from 30 volunteers, and both the statistical least squares method and machine learning via linear regression are applied to analyze these data. It is observed that all models achieve a significant fit, but the third-degree polynomial model stands out in both approaches. It achieves an R2 value of 0.9769 in the statistical analysis and 0.9791 in machine learning.

The aim of this study was to analyse the performance of technical–tactical actions in two different types of tournaments and the influence of biological age on the performance of young basketball players. Thirty-seven under-13 male basketball players (age = 12.91 ± 0.57 years) were selected from four southeast Spanish teams to participate in two different tournaments on two consecutive days. The following technical–tactical variables were analysed: (a) Ball Obtained; (b) Ball Handler Player Actions; (c) Ball Handler Player Finished Actions; and (d) Ball Handler Shooting Performance. The results showed that reduced basket height and a closer three-point line promoted a higher number of balls obtained, 1 vs. 1 situations, finished ball player actions, shots, and the efficacy of offence phases. There was a significant increase in the number of balls obtained, 1 vs. 1 situations played, the number of plays finished with a lay-up or shot, number of received personal fouls, number of plays finished in 1 vs. 2, and those finished in equality and inferiority with a high defence opposition. The modified version presented a higher number of technical–tactical actions in Late Maturity players. The authors of this study believe that it is necessary to conduct more experimental studies and use bio-banding strategies in young basketball competitions.

Spinal metastasis may occur in 40–70% of patients with cancer. Symptoms can vary from pain to spinal cord compression (SCC) and can affect their quality of life (QoL). Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) allows dose escalation of spinal tumor metastases, minimizing doses to organs at risk and improving pain control. The aim of this study is to retrospectively describe our institution’s experience with robotic SBRT (CyberKnife®, Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for spinal metastases, in terms of feasibility, oncological results, toxicities, and pain relief observed. In total, 25 patients with 43 lesions were assessed, most of them with dorsal metastases (48.8%). The median total dose was 27 Gy (16–35 Gy), the median number of fractions administered was 3 (1–5), and the median dose per fraction was 9 Gy. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale at baseline and at the end of treatment. The statistically significant reduction in pain (p < 0.01) was associated with the total dose of radiotherapy delivered (p < 0.01). Only one patient developed grade 3 dermatitis. Female gender, adenocarcinoma tumors, and lack of previous surgery were associated with better response to SBRT (p < 0.05). Robotic spine SBRT is feasible, well-tolerated, and improves patients’ QoL through a statistically significant reduction in pain, so it should be offered to patients at an early stage in their process.

Vaccines are highly effective tools against infectious diseases and are also considered necessary in the fight against malaria. Vaccine-induced immunity is frequently mediated by antibodies. We have recently conducted a first-in-human clinical trial featuring SumayaVac-1, a malaria vaccine based on the recombinant, full-length merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1FL) formulated with GLA-SE as an adjuvant. Vaccination with MSP1FL was safe and elicited sustainable IgG antibody titers that exceeded those observed in semi-immune populations from Africa. Moreover, IgG antibodies stimulated various Fc-mediated effector mechanisms associated with protection against malaria. However, these functionalities gradually waned. Here, we show that the initial two doses of SumayaVac-1 primarily induced the cytophilic subclasses IgG1 and IgG3. Unexpectedly, a shift in the IgG subclass composition occurred following the third and fourth vaccinations. Specifically, there was a progressive transition to IgG4 antibodies, which displayed a reduced capacity to engage in Fc-mediated effector functions and also exhibited increased avidity. In summary, our analysis of antibody responses to MSP1FL vaccination unveils a temporal shift towards noninflammatory IgG4 antibodies. These findings underscore the importance of considering the impact of IgG subclass composition on vaccine-induced immunity, particularly concerning Fc-mediated effector functions. This knowledge is pivotal in guiding the design of optimal vaccination strategies against malaria, informing decision making for future endeavors in this critical field.

In humans, speech is a complex process that requires the coordinated involvement of various components of the phonatory system, which are monitored by the central nervous system. The larynx in particular plays a crucial role, as it enables the vocal folds to meet and converts the exhaled air from our lungs into audible sounds. Voice production requires precise and sustained exhalation, which generates an air pressure/flow that creates the pressure in the glottis required for voice production. Voluntary vocal production begins in the laryngeal motor cortex (LMC), a structure found in all mammals, although the specific location in the cortex varies in humans. The LMC interfaces with various structures of the central autonomic network associated with cardiorespiratory regulation to allow the perfect coordination between breathing and vocalization. The main subcortical structure involved in this relationship is the mesencephalic periaqueductal grey matter (PAG). The PAG is the perfect link to the autonomic pontomedullary structures such as the parabrachial complex (PBc), the Kölliker–Fuse nucleus (KF), the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), and the nucleus retroambiguus (nRA), which modulate cardiovascular autonomic function activity in the vasomotor centers and respiratory activity at the level of the generators of the laryngeal-respiratory motor patterns that are essential for vocalization. These cores of autonomic structures are not only involved in the generation and modulation of cardiorespiratory responses to various stressors but also help to shape the cardiorespiratory motor patterns that are important for vocal production. Clinical studies show increased activity in the central circuits responsible for vocalization in certain speech disorders, such as spasmodic dysphonia because of laryngeal dystonia.

The diversity of parasite communities is mainly driven by evolutionary history, as well as the ecology of the host species. To test whether the diversity of the parasite community of four related Stromateidae (Pisces: Scombriformes) is related to evolutionary history (the host phylogeny) or the host’s geographical distribution, we analyzed the metazoan parasite fauna of four species of fishes of this family, from the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of South America. Studied species were Peprilus snyderi (samples from Callao, Perú, and Antofagasta, Chile), Peprilus medius (Chorrillos, Perú), Peprilus paru (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Stromateus stellatus (Talcahuano, Chile). Our multivariate analysis strongly suggests that the diversity of the parasite fauna of the studied fishes is driven mainly by the host’s geographical distribution and not the host phylogeny.

Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a frequent and life-threatening complication in patients with carcinoid tumors. Its clinical management is challenging is some cases since serotonin-induced valve fibrosis leads to heart failure. Telotristat is an inhibitor of tryptophan-hydroxylase (TPH), a key enzyme in serotonin production. Telotristat use in patients with carcinoid syndrome and uncontrollable diarrhea under somatostatin analogs is approved, but its specific role in patients with CHD is still not clear. IN this context, we aimed to explore the effect of telotristat in heart fibrosis using a mouse model of serotonin-secreting metastasized neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN). To this aim, four treatment groups (n = 10/group) were evaluated: control, monthly octreotide, telotristat alone, and telotristat combined with octreotide. Plasma serotonin and NT-proBNP levels were determined. Heart fibrosis was histologically evaluated after 6 weeks of treatment or when an individual mouse’s condition was close to being terminal. Heart fibrosis was observed in all groups. Non-significant reductions in primary tumor growth were observed in all of the treated groups. Feces volume was increased in all groups. A non-significant decrease in feces volume was observed in the octreotide or telotristat-treated groups, while it was significantly reduced with the combined treatment at the end of the study compared with octreotide (52 g reduction; p < 0.01) and the control (44.5 g reduction; p = 0.05). Additionally, plasma NT-proBNP decreased in a non-significant, but clinically relevant, manner in the octreotide (28.2% reduction), telotristat (45.9% reduction), and the octreotide + telotristat (54.1% reduction) treatment groups. No significant changes were observed in plasma serotonin levels. A similar non-significant decrease in heart valve fibrosis was observed in the three treated groups. In conclusion, Telotristat alone and especially in combination with octreotide decreases NT-proBNP levels in a mouse model of serotonin-secreting metastasized NEN, when compared with the control and octreotide, but its effect on heart valve fibrosis (alone and in combination) was not superior to octreotide in monotherapy.

In the original publication [...]

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide. The aim of our study was to detect people susceptible to DM among a university population aged 18 to 45 years and analyze the existence of modifiable risk factors in order to implement prevention programs, in addition to analyzing BMI data related to the variables under study. We proposed a descriptive, cross-sectional study following the recommendations of cross-sectional studies (STROBE), with a sample of 341 subjects, students enrolled at the University of Extremadura, carried out by two researchers. The research protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the University of Extremadura (165/2021). The study considered the Findrisk questionnaire in Spanish, validated by the Blackboard Study, a stadiometer to measure height, a bioimpedance meter to evaluate weight and body composition parameters, and a blood pressure monitor to measure blood pressure. The results indicated that the participants had a low risk of suffering T2DM. The highest Findrisk test scores were found in those with a BMI value above 25, lower physical activity, poor dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, and increased fat mass. Our future research will be the implementation of T2DM prevention programs, acting on modifiable factors.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with alterations of lipoprotein structure and function that can be characterized with advanced lipoprotein testing (ADLT). The effect of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and weight loss on the lipoprotein subclass profile has been scarcely studied. Within the PREDIMED-Plus randomized controlled trial, a sub-study conducted at Bellvitge Hospital recruiting center evaluated the effects of a weight loss program based on an energy-reduced MedDiet (er-MedDiet) and physical activity (PA) promotion (intervention group) compared with energy-unrestricted MedDiet recommendations (control group) on ADLT-assessed lipoprotein subclasses. 202 patients with MetS (n = 107, intervention; n = 95, control) were included. Lipid profiles were determined, and ADLT was performed at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effects of intervention on lipoprotein profiles. Compared to the control diet, at 12 months, the er-MedDiet+PA resulted in a significant additional 4.2 kg of body weight loss, a decrease in body mass index by 1.4 kg/m2, reduction in waist circumference by 2.2 cm, decreased triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol, and increased HDL-cholesterol. In er-MedDiet+PA participants, ADLT revealed a decrease in small dense-LDL-cholesterol (sd-LDL-C), intermediate-density lipoproteins, VLDL-triglyceride, and HDL-Triglyceride, and an increase in large LDL and large VLDL particles. In conclusion, compared to an ad libitum MedDiet (control group), er-MedDiet+PA decreased plasma triglycerides and the triglyceride content in HDL and VLDL particles, decreased sd-LDL-C, and increased large LDL particles, indicating beneficial changes against cardiovascular disease.

The population genetics of Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791, an endangered limpet endemic to the western Mediterranean, has been analysed using 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers on 533 individuals from 18 localities throughout its distribution area. The results showed a deficit of heterozygotes, denoting a certain degree of inbreeding, and, with an overall FST of 0.004, a low level of genetic variability among localities. These data indicate that the species is distributed as a metapopulation (an assemblage of discrete local populations with migration among them) along most of the species’ range. Moreover, 99% of the variability observed was within populations, with only 0.41% accounting for between-population variability. No pattern of isolation-by-distance was found, and 35.5% of the individuals were recognised as migrants. Altogether, the findings indicate that most of the populations studied are connected to each other to some extent and that larvae of the species show a higher dispersal capacity than previously assumed. The exchange network does not follow a clear direction but rather shows a chaotic pattern attributed to stochastic factors resulting from the complex interaction of biotic and abiotic factors. This pattern indicates the lack of strong barriers to dispersal in the study area and permeable barriers that do not limit population connectivity. A relatively high level of self-recruitment and occasional stochastic dispersal events at variable distances are also evidenced by the analyses. Currently, marine protected areas (MPAs) safeguard the benthic adults but not the larval phase of the species. Considering our results, the conservation of P. ferruginea should be based on a holistic approach in which the protection of its habitats extends from the benthic to the pelagic zones, which will help maintain the larval pool and promote larval dispersal and settlement and, ultimately, gene flow. Lastly, conservation efforts must prioritise the survival of the extant populations of P. ferruginea, both within and outside MPAs, over measures that require the manipulation or translocation of specimens.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global health challenge, sparking worldwide interest in exploring the antimicrobial potential of natural compounds as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. In recent years, one area of focus has been the utilization of bacteriophages and their derivative proteins. Specifically, phage lytic proteins, or endolysins, are specialized enzymes that induce bacterial cell lysis and can be efficiently produced and purified following overexpression in bacteria. Nonetheless, a significant limitation of these proteins is their vulnerability to certain environmental conditions, which may impair their effectiveness. Encapsulating endolysins in vesicles could mitigate this issue by providing added protection to the proteins, enabling controlled release, and enhancing their stability, particularly at temperatures around 4 °C. In this work, the chimeric lytic protein CHAPSH3b was encapsulated within non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles (niosomes) created using the thin film hydrating method (TFH). These protein-loaded niosomes were then characterized, revealing sizes in the range of 30–80 nm, zeta potentials between 30 and 50 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 50–60%. Additionally, with the objective of exploring their potential application in the food industry, these endolysin-loaded niosomes were incorporated into gelatine films. This was carried out to evaluate their stability and antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus.