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Currently, agroindustrial waste can be used to obtain bioactive compounds. The solid-state fermentation is an alternative for the valorization of these waste and to be able to release bioactive compounds that may be of interest to different industrial sectors. The aim of this study was to evaluate solid-state fermentation conditions using pineapple peel waste as the substrate with Aspergillus niger spp., to release bioactive compounds using a Plackett–Burman exploratory design. Temperature, humidity, inoculum, NaNO3, MgSO4, KCl, and KH2PO4 conditions in the fermentation process were evaluated. The antioxidant capacity was determined, and the main compounds of the fermentation extracts were identified. The results revealed that the Aspergillus niger HT3 strain reached a hydrolyzable tannin release of 10.00 mg/g, While Aspergillus niger Aa20 reached a condensed tannin release of 82.59 mg/g. The KH2PO4 affects the release of condensed tannins with A. niger Aa20, and MgSO4 affects the release of hydrolyzable tannins with A. niger HT3. In addition, a positive antioxidant activity was demonstrated for the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP technique. The main compounds in the fermented pineapple peel were 3-feruloylquinic acid, caffeic acid, lariciresinol, and 3-hydroxyphloretin 2′-O-xylosyl-glucoside, among others. The solid-state fermentation process is a biotechnological alternative for the release of bioactive compounds.

Acute coronary thrombosis is a known, but rare, contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with thermal and electrical injuries. The overall incidence of myocardial infarction among burn patients is 1%, with an in-hospital post-infarction mortality of approximately 67%, whereas the overall mortality rate of the general burn patient population is from 1.4% to 18%. As such, early detection and effective peri-operative management are essential to optimize patient outcomes. Here, we report the details of the management of an adult male patient with a 65% total body surface area severe thermal injury, who developed an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the resuscitation period. The patient was found to have 100% occlusion of his left anterior descending coronary artery, for which prompt coronary artery stent placement with a drug-eluting stent (DES) was performed. Following stent placement, the patient required dual antiplatelet therapy. The ongoing dual antiplatelet therapy required the development of a detailed peri-operative protocol involving pooled platelets, packed red blood cells, desmopressin (DDAVP™) and intraoperative monitoring of the patient’s coagulation parameters with thromboelastography for three staged operative interventions to achieve complete debridement and skin grafting of his burn wounds.

COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, but long COVID’s effects are yet to be fully understood. Hence, globally, SARS-CoV-2 is still a profound threat to public health and of perilous nature as a zoonotic disease. Timely vaccination provided to individuals worldwide during the pandemic phase was under a certain degree of control; however, few studies have reported the effectiveness of vaccines administered in Mexico, and its surveillance is paramount. Furthermore, an unknown proportion of Mexican individuals have not yet received any vaccine, and the circulation of the Omicron, Pirola, and FLiRT variants is ongoing. A cross-sectional serology survey study design was employed, involving 150 individuals from Southern Mexico (Oaxaca) whose humoral immune responses after vaccination were tested by an ELISA; the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein served as a recombinant antigen in the ELISA. One hundred thirty-nine out of 150 individuals (92.6%; 95%-CI = 87–95%) examined were positive for the ELISA, but in 11 individuals, the vaccines did not induce any immune response. Interestingly, the immune responses (antibody prevalence and levels) of females (58%) were higher (T= −2.21; p-value = 0.02) than those of males (41%). However, in this sample population of Southern Mexico, age, vaccine type, comorbidity, and body mass index did not have any effect (p > 0.05) after COVID-19 vaccination. Taking all results together, here, we present factors that affected immune responses of individuals during the first vaccination campaign in Oaxaca, Mexico; however, vaccine surveillance during the post-pandemic phase needs further investigation.

Depressive and anxiety disorders constitute some of the most prevalent mental disorders around the world. For years, the development of new lead compounds for drug discovery in this field has been an area of great attention. Recently, a series of tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives have demonstrated important anxiolytic-like activity, associated with their structures and stereochemistry. Here, we present a study of the antidepressant effect and anxiolytic-like activity of a fused thiopyrano-piperidone-tetrahydrocarboline (compound 4). The antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effects of 4 (1–50 mg/kg p.o.) were assessed with the tail suspension test and the hole-board test, respectively. This study determined the possible mechanisms involved in the anxiolytic-like actions of 4 using inhibitors or neurotransmission and evaluated its interaction with 5HT2A receptors using a molecular docking study. As an analog to the tetrahydrocarbazole core, the tetrahydrocarboline derivative showed anxiolytic-like activity (ED50 = 13 mg/kg p.o.) in the hole-board test, with a comparable effect to the reference drug, 1.5 mg/kg clonazepam, with the possible participation of the serotonergic system.

In this study, the environmental impacts associated with the intensive production of Persian lemons are assessed, including the agricultural and packing phases of the fresh fruit. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) tool was used in accordance with the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards and implemented in SimaPro PhD (9.2) software. The life-cycle inventory database was primarily composed of data collected during field visits to local lemon orchards and the main packing company in the region. The functional unit was defined as 1 kg of packed fresh Persian lemons. The selected impact categories were the carbon footprint, water footprint, and energy footprint, and the results obtained for the defined functional unit were 405.8 g CO2 eq, 40.3 L of water, and 5.9 MJ, respectively. The industrial packing phase of the fruits had a greater impact on the carbon and energy footprints, mostly due to the manufacturing of packaging materials and cardboard boxes, followed by the transportation of supplies. Regarding the water footprint, the agricultural phase was identified as the most significant contributor to water consumption, primarily attributed to maintenance operations and the application of agrochemicals.

The principal purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as well as the principal associated risk factors, in patients registered in the IDON-PAD database. PAD is a condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries in the body’s extremities due to plaque buildup, leading to reduced blood flow and tissue ischemia. While PAD primarily affects the lower extremities, it can lead to symptoms such as intermittent claudication and, in severe cases, ulcers and amputations. Risk factors for PAD are numerous and cumulative, including smoking, age over 50, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The prevalence of PAD increases with age, with rates ranging from 2.5% in those over 50 to 60% in those over 85, varying by ethnicity and study population. Diabetic patients face a higher risk of PAD-related complications and have lower success rates with revascularization procedures. The diagnosis of PAD traditionally relied on physical examination and symptoms, but the Ankle–Brachial Index is now a standard diagnostic tool due to its non-invasive nature and reliability. In Mexico, the prevalence of PAD is estimated at 10%, with significant risk factors being the duration of diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and smoking. Notably, 70% of PAD cases are asymptomatic, emphasizing the importance of proactive screening. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PAD and associated risk factors in diabetic patients aged 40 and above. The prevalence was found to be 11.2%, with high-risk waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, positive Edinburgh questionnaire, and weak pulses as significant predictors. The detection and management of PAD in diabetic patients require a comprehensive approach, including lifestyle modifications and regular screenings. Prevention strategies should focus on controlling risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, PAD is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition in diabetic patients, necessitating proactive screening and comprehensive management to mitigate associated risks and improve patient outcomes. The principal limitation of this study is that, as it uses a cross-sectional methodology and is not an experimental study, although we can establish the prevalence of PAD as well as the associated risk factors, we cannot define causality or determine the hazard ratio for each of these factors. Special thanks to Dr. Leobardo Sauque Reyna and all participants for their contribution to this research.

The use of validated tools to evaluate the nutritional status of the cancer patient provides guaranteed precision and reliability in their nutritional evaluation, ensuring that the information is accurate and reflects the patient’s situation. The aim of this study was to identify the valid and reliable instruments in the evaluation of the nutritional status of cancer patients with a diagnosis of solid tumor undergoing antineoplastic treatment (chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy). A scoping review was conducted to search for original articles published in scientific journals in English, Spanish, or Portuguese in the past five years. In order to identify potentially relevant documents, searches were performed in the following databases: SCOPUS, WOS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, BVS, and PUBMED. DECS-MeSH descriptors and Boolean operators were used. In addition, the Arksey and O’Malley protocol, the Joanne Briggs Institute (JBI) method, and the flow chart of the Preferred Information Elements for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, known as PRISMA, were followed. The initial search strategy identified a total of 164 references, which were examined successively, leaving a final selection of ten studies. It was found that the most used instrument for nutritional evaluation was the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Other questionnaires also stood out such as the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002), and the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The variation in the tools used ranges from subjective assessments to objective measurements, thus underlining the need for a comprehensive and individualized approach.

Large-scale strandings of Sargassum spp. seaweeds occur annually on the beaches of the Caribbean islands and cause major environmental, health, and economic problems. In order to support an approach of valorisation of algae, an exhaustive characterisation of the composition of these seaweeds has been performed by analysing the contents in alginates, structural carbohydrates (fucans and glucans), minerals, proteins, lipids, mannitol, polyphenols, and heavy metals. Nine batches were collected at different harvesting sites over the years 2021 and 2022, to estimate the spatial and temporal variation in Sargassum composition. A batch of floats was harvested and analysed to estimate the differences in composition between floats and whole algae. Samples collected during the same year (floats or entire plant, freshly collected or stored) showed no significant differences in composition. However, slight differences were observed between batches collected in the two years. Some samples showed significant amounts of heavy metals, especially arsenic. A detailed structural carbohydrates analysis was carried out and discussed with literature data. As the nitrogen content of algae is an interesting parameter for food or agronomic uses, protein analysis enabled us to calculate a new nitrogen–protein conversion factor, specific to these algae species.

The competitive calendars in sports often lead to fluctuations in the effort-recovery cycle and sleep quality. NESA noninvasive neuromodulation, achieved through microcurrent modulation of the autonomic nervous system, holds promise for enhancing sleep quality and autonomic activation during stressful situations. The objective of this study was to analyze the sleep and recovery responses of basketball players over six weeks of training and competition, with the integration of NESA noninvasive neuromodulation. A preliminary experimental study involving 12 participants was conducted, with a placebo group (n = 6) and an intervention group (n = 6) treated with NESA noninvasive neuromodulation. Sleep variables and biomarkers such as testosterone, cortisol, and the cortisol:testosterone ratio were analyzed to assess player recovery and adaptations. Significant differences were observed in total, duration, and REM sleep variables (p-value= < 0.001; 0.007;

Hospitals resort to different initiatives to build their brands, including media relations, events, and marketing campaigns. However, they face several challenges related to legal frameworks, patients’ new demands, and hospitals’ digital transformation. This paper analyzes how the best hospitals in France manage smart technologies to enhance their relationships with stakeholders and reinforce their brands. We resorted to the World’s Best Hospitals 2023 to identify the 150 best hospitals in this country. Then, we defined 34 branding indicators to evaluate how each hospital managed smart technologies for branding purposes. We adapted these criteria to different platforms and targets: homepage (patients), online newsroom (media companies), About Us section (suppliers, shareholders, and public authorities), and artificial intelligence department (employees). When analyzing these criteria, we resorted to a binary system and only considered hospitals’ official websites. Our results proved that 98% of hospitals had a website, but not all respected the criteria related to the homepage (4.54 of 11), online newsroom (2.52 of 11), or About Us section (1.56 of 6). The best hospitals in France, according to the number of criteria respected, were Institut Curie-Oncology (20), Institut Gustave Roussy–Oncology (19), and Hôpital Paris Saint-Joseph (19). We concluded that French hospitals should implement collective branding processes that include all stakeholders, not just patients: media companies, public authorities, suppliers, shareholders, and employees. Moreover, these organizations should implement an in-house artificial intelligence department that leads a digital transformation from a medical, branding, and communication perspective. Finally, French hospitals’ branding efforts on smart platforms should focus more on content about the brand so that stakeholders understand the uniqueness of these organizations.

The maintenance of oral health is a crucial aspect of general well-being; however, a significant proportion of the worldwide population experiences a range of oral diseases. Dental caries is a highly prevalent non-communicable disease globally, especially in children and adolescents. Fluoride is involved in the control of dental caries, primarily by decreasing the critical pH for dental hard tissue dissolution and decreasing enamel solubility. Due to the substantial data supporting the efficacy of fluoride in controlling dental caries, many community-level fluoridation initiatives have been devised and executed as global public health preventive interventions. These initiatives encompass the fluoridation of water, salt, and milk. Water fluoridation is considered safe and effective when fluoride levels are maintained within the recommended range (0.6 to 1.1 mg/L). Salt fluoridation has a cariostatic potential similar to that of water fluoridation, and a fluoride concentration of 250 micrograms per gram in salt is not associated with an increased risk of developing dental fluorosis. However, there is currently an effort to reduce the consumption of table salt in order to mitigate the harmful effects of excessive salt consumption. It has been hypothesized that fluoride food supplementation, such as fluoridated milk, is associated with a decrease in caries experience in permanent teeth; however, the effect is not clear in primary teeth. Public-level fluoride interventions are more cost-effective than the operative care of caries lesions and limit the burden of care. The administration of fluorides should be conducted using safe methods, limiting ingestion, and adhering to the guidelines set by international and national health agencies in each country. This is particularly important when considering children with developing dentitions. Fluoride is an important tool in the control of dental caries, but it is crucial to combine it with good oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular visits to a dental professional to maintain long-term oral health.

The COVID-19 disease affected the school workplace climate for teachers and led to psychological consequences. However, it is not clear how the workplace climate affected the anxiety levels of teachers. This study assessed the connection between workplace climate and COVID-19-related anxiety among senior high school (SHS) teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study further examined the moderating role of professional and social media platform use on the relationship between workplace climate and COVID-19-related anxiety among teachers. Through a cross-sectional survey design, 395 high school teachers were conveniently sampled from various schools in the Central Region of Ghana. A questionnaire was used to survey participants, and the obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics as well as simple linear regression and moderation analyses with Hayes’ PROCESS. This study revealed a negative association between workplace climate and anxiety. The relationship between workplace climate and anxiety was contingent on social media use but not professional platform use. Therefore, the consumption of unscrutinised COVID-19-related information on social media heightened fear and anxiety among teachers, even in the midst of a safe workplace environment. An effective strategy against teachers’ COVID-19-related anxiety required the provision of accurate science-driven information about the virus. School counselling psychologists, school welfare officers, and school health coordinators are encouraged to collaborate towards designed interventions that promote a safe working environment and the mental health of teachers.

This study investigates the influence of a country’s financial access and stability and the adoption of retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) across 71 countries. Using an ordinal logit model, we examine how individual financial access, the ownership of credit cards, financing accessibility by firms, offshore loans, financial sanctions, and the ownership structure of financial institutions influence the probability of CBDC adoption in nations. These findings reveal that nations facing financial sanctions and those with substantial offshore bank loans are more inclined to adopt CBDCs. Furthermore, a significant relationship is observed in countries where many people have restricted financial access, indicating heightened interest in CBDC adoption. Interestingly, no statistically significant relationship was found between the adoption of CBDCs and the percentage of foreign-owned banks in each country. The results show that countries with low financial stability and financial access adopt CBDCs faster. This study expands our knowledge of how a nation’s financial situation influences its adoption of CBDCs. The results provide important and relevant insights into the current discussion of the direction of global finance.

Introduction: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in childhood, affecting one to four of every 1000 children worldwide. It is characterized by joint inflammation lasting more than six weeks in children under 16 years. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of JIA subtypes in the Mexican patient population; compare clinical, immunological and inflammation markers by JIA subtype; and examine the correlation between these variables. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 50 patients with JIA (2–15 years). We estimated the frequency of each JIA subtype, assessed and compared the immunological characteristics (RF, ANA and anti-CCP) by JIA subtype at the time of diagnosis using Kruskal–Wallis or chi-square tests, and calculated Spearman correlation coefficients between the assessments. Results: Our analysis included 50 patients, 29 (58%) girls and 21 (42%) boys, aged at the time of diagnosis 10.56 ± 3.99 years. The frequencies of JIA subtypes were RF-seropositive polyarthritis (34%), RF-seronegative polyarthritis (28%), systemic arthritis (16%), oligoarthritis (14%) and arthritis-related enthesitis (8%). We found a significant association between sex and JIA subtype (p = 0.014). There was a significant difference in anti-CCP levels by JIA subtype (p < 0.001). We also detected positive correlations between RF and anti-CCP (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) and between age and anti-CCP (r = 0.29, p = 0.041). Conclusions: Our study suggests that the frequency of the polyarticular subtypes of JIA is higher in Mexican children compared to other populations. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the presence of anti-CCP and RF as important criteria when deciding on treatment for JIA patients as elevated levels of these antibodies may indicate early forms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.

This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence to explore the role and value of differential diagnosis in the management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) through point-of-care (POC) rapid testing in a post-pandemic scenario, paying particular attention to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The document builds on a review of literature and policies and a process of validation and feedback by a group of seven experts from Latin America (LATAM). Evidence was collected to understand scientific and policy perspectives on the differential diagnosis of ARIs and POC rapid testing, with a focus on seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru. The evidence indicates that POC rapid testing can serve to improve ARI case management, epidemiological surveillance, research and innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. With multiple types of rapid tests available for POC, decisions regarding which tests to use require the consideration of the testing purpose, available resources, and test characteristics regarding accuracy, accessibility, affordability, and results turnaround time. Based on the understanding of the current situation, this document provides a set of recommendations for the implementation of POC rapid testing in LATAM, supporting decision-making and guiding efforts by a broad range of stakeholders.

Efforts in the domain of building studies involve the use of a diverse array of geomatic sensors, some providing invaluable information in the form of three-dimensional point clouds and associated registered properties. However, managing the vast amounts of data generated by these sensors presents significant challenges. To ensure the effective use of multisensor data in the context of cultural heritage preservation, it is imperative that multisensor data fusion methods be designed in such a way as to facilitate informed decision-making by curators and stakeholders. We propose a novel approach to multisensor data fusion using multispectral voxels, which enable the application of deep learning algorithms as the self-organizing maps to identify and exploit the relationships between the different sensor data. Our results indicate that this approach provides a comprehensive view of the building structure and its potential pathologies, and holds great promise for revolutionizing the study of historical buildings and their potential applications in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

Microscopy of stained blood smears is still a ubiquitous technique in pathology. It is often used in addition to automated electronic counters or flow cytometers to evaluate leukocytes and their morphologies in a rather simple manner and has low requirements for resources and equipment. However, despite the constant advances in microscopy, computer science, and pathology, it still usually follows the traditional approach of manual assessment by humans. We aimed to extend this technique using AI-based automated cell recognition methods while maintaining its technical simplicity. Using the web platform IKOSA, we developed an AI-based workflow to segment and identify all blood cells in DAPI-Giemsa co-stained blood smears. Thereby, we could automatically detect and classify neutrophils (young and segmented), lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes, in addition to erythrocytes and platelets, in contrast to previously published algorithms, which usually focus on only one type of blood cell. Furthermore, our method delivers quantitative measurements, unattainable by the classical method or formerly published AI techniques, and it provides more sophisticated analyses based on entropy or gray-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCMs), which have the potential to monitor changes in internal cellular structures associated with disease states or responses to treatment. We conclude that AI-based automated blood cell evaluation has the potential to facilitate and improve routine diagnostics by adding quantitative shape and structure parameters to simple leukocyte counts of classical analysis.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and vermicompost constitute important environmental and economic resources for improving the production and quality of tomato fruits. The present research aims to determine the single and combined effect of Glomus fasciculatum (Gf) fungus, Azotobacter chroococcum (Azot), PGPB and vermicompost leachate (VL) organic fertilizer on the yield and quality of tomato fruit. Thus, an open-field experiment was established with seven treatments, a control and three replicates. Total soluble solids, vitamin C, acidity, fruit mass and fruit diameter were evaluated as fruit quality variables; the yield was recorded and estimated in tons per hectare−1. The results showed that Gf, Azot and VL were effective in promoting tomato yield and fruit quality. As a trend, the triple combination (Gf + Azot + VL) evidently obtained the highest values of total soluble solids, vitamin C and fruit acidity. The range of improvement concerning the fruit size was 66.6% (single treatment) compared to 78.5% (triple combination). The maximum yield of 54.5 t/ha−1 was recorded for the Gf + Azot + VL combination. Therefore, G. fasciculatum, A. chroococcum and VL are considered useful as organic alternatives for open-field tomato biofertilization programs in tropical countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the authorities to take an unprecedented measure in history: the house confinement of millions of people worldwide. Video games, especially open-world video games (OWVGs), became meeting spaces, a digital places to play, chat, learn and socialize due to the context of the health crisis, respecting the rules of social distancing. This article analyses the role of video games and, more specifically, OWVGs, as playgrounds and training spaces during the pandemic. Statistical data and analyses carried out by consulting companies and civil associations show the definitive insertion of these video games in our routine and social relations. The challenge is to take advantage of the skills and abilities that these video games develop within a new framework of individual and community learning. The conclusions of the research show that the virtual worlds of video games are for the new digital society, safe and comfortable meeting spaces, and that since the confinement, these digital places have greatly expanded their reach, previously only limited to the gamer community.

Sequence variation in the 16S gene is widely used to characterize diverse microbial communities. This was the first pilot study carried out in our region where the pulmonary microbiota of critically ill patients was investigated and analyzed, with the aim of finding a specific profile for these patients that can be used as a diagnostic marker. An study of critical patients mechanically ventilated for non-respiratory indications, in a polyvalent intensive care unit, was carried out; samplee were extracted by endotracheal aspiration and subsequently the microbiota was characterized through Next-Generation Sequencing Technology (NGS). The predominant phyla among the critically ill patients were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidata. In the surviving patients group, the predominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidata and Firmicutes, in the group of deceased patients thy were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidata. We found a decrease in commensal bacteria in deceased patients and a progressive increase in in-hospital germs.

This study adapted and validated the How I Think Questionnaire (HIT-Q), intending to develop an Arabic version of the measure. The study assessed the (a) factorial structure of the Arabic version of the How I Think Questionnaire (A-HIT-Q), (b) construct validity evidence of the A-HIT-Q based on the internal structure of the scale, and (c) criterion validity evidence, highlighting how the cognitive distortions measure relates to some key theoretical variables such as depression. This study involved 762 Tunisian students aged 15–22 years, using a non-probabilistic sampling method. The students were boys (n = 297) and girls (n = 465). They completed self-report forms on Arabic-HIT-Q, depression (HADS), sleep (ISI), and physical activity participation, adhering to all relevant ethical considerations. Exploratory analysis revealed four factors which accounted for 73.46% of the variations in the distortion measure. Reliability analysis showed good internal consistency (α = 0.915) and temporal stability (r = 0.879). Criterion validity evidence showed cognitive distortion (as measured with the A-HIT-Q) was significantly associated with physical activity participation, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. However, no significant relationship has been observed between cognitive distortion, age, gender, and study levels. The evidence gathered supports the utility of the A-HIT-Q. Thus, the instrument demonstrates high efficacy in assessing the levels of cognitive distortions among adolescent students residing in Arabic-speaking regions.

The continuous advances in intelligent systems and cutting-edge technology have greatly influenced the development of intelligent vehicles. Recently, integrating multiple sensors in cars has improved and spread the advanced drive-assistance systems (ADAS) solutions for achieving the goal of total autonomy. Despite current self-driving approaches and systems, autonomous driving is still an open research issue that must guarantee the safety and reliability of drivers. This work employs images from two cameras and Global Positioning System (GPS) data to propose a 3D vision-based object localization and classification method for assisting a car during driving. The experimental platform is a prototype of a two-sitter electric vehicle designed and assembled for navigating the campus under controlled mobility conditions. Simultaneously, color and depth images from the primary camera are combined to extract 2D features, which are reprojected into 3D space. Road detection and depth features isolate point clouds representing the objects to construct the occupancy map of the environment. A convolutional neural network was trained to classify typical urban objects in the color images. Experimental tests validate car and object pose in the occupancy map for different scenarios, reinforcing the car position visually estimated with GPS measurements.

Cannabis sativa L. is an ancient cultivar that has found applications in various fields, e.g., medicine, due to its beneficial effects. However, due to its psychotropic effects, the regulation of this cultivar has increased throughout the decades. In this context, the need for rapid and reliable analytical methods to ensure the quality control of Cannabis cultivars has become of extreme importance. NIRS has arisen as a powerful tool in this field due to its multiple advantages, e.g., non-destructive, rapid, and cost-effective. In this article, the chemometric techniques commonly employed in NIRS method development are described, along with their application for the analysis of Cannabis samples. Regarding qualitative methods, different mathematical treatments and classification models are explained. As for quantitative methods, the representative linear and non-linear modelling techniques applied for the development of prediction equations are described, alongside their application in the Cannabis field. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this type of review is written, since there are several articles which address cannabinoid determination, but the main purpose of this review is to enhance the potential of NIRS over the traditional techniques employed for the analysis of Cannabis samples.

Due to the high stability of azo-type dyes, conventional treatment processes such as adsorption, flocculation, and activated sludge are not efficient for decolorizing wastewater effluents. An alternative to traditional wastewater treatment is photocatalysis, which has gained significant interest because research has shown it to be a viable and cost-effective process that uses sunlight as an inexhaustible energy source. In heterogeneous photocatalysis, a photocatalyst is required, such as TiO2, ZnO, composite materials, and, more recently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs, also known as “coordination polymers”, exhibit photocatalytic properties and have been proven to be promising materials in the photocatalytic degradation of dyes. This study presents recent advances in using MOFs as photocatalysts to degrade recalcitrant contaminants like azo-type dyes. Recent advancements in developing photocatalysts based on MOFs are focused on two strategies. Firstly, the development of new MOFs composed of complex ligands or a mixed ligand system, and secondly, the synthesis of composite materials based on MOFs and metal oxides, metals, sulfides, nitrides, etc. Both strategies have significantly contributed to the search for new semiconductors to degrade some recalcitrate contaminants in wastewater.

Nowadays there are various prosthetic arm designs in the literature, the market, and CAD design websites, with different shapes, sizes, and degrees of freedom. Only limited options are available for controlling such prostheses. Prosthetic arm users reported muscle fatigue and unreliability when using the market-dominated myoelectric sensors. This work presents the “Infinity Foot Controller” as a new approach to control a five-finger below-the-elbow prosthetic arm with wrist rotation and bending capabilities. This foot control system receives user input from a custom insole and a sensor-controller unit placed alongside the user’s shoe to perform various hand grips, gestures, and/or rotations. To demonstrate the new foot controller, a design of a 3D-printed below-the-elbow prosthetic arm, called the “Infinity Arm”, is presented. This arm is suitable for gripping relatively lightweight objects and making hand gestures. It includes a wrist actuation system that permits 120° wrist rotation and 70° wrist extension and flexion. It also includes a haptic feedback system that utilizes fingertip force sensors to relay a vibratory response in an armband placed on the user’s arm, giving the user a sense of touch. A proof-of-concept model was built to demonstrate the system and a testing procedure was proposed.

Technology-based innovations in the bio-economy are expected to provide new market opportunities for agro-industrial growth in developing countries. This study explores how domestic entrepreneurs have been benefiting from the growing global demand for sustainable agribusiness by establishing themselves in the agricultural bio-inputs sector. Aiming to explore how developing countries can build agro-industrial capabilities that go beyond farming, a case study was conducted in Argentina giving the country’s large domestic market for agricultural inputs. The assessment was based on official data and a survey conducted with a sample of 14 Argentinean companies. Results revealed a growing number of domestic companies in the bio-inputs market, which accounted for 74% of the total number of companies by 2022. Contextual aspects that favored domestic players include private investments by local entrepreneurs, the use of locally available technologies, support from public innovation centers and assertive market strategies. Principal component analysis revealed different business models, which include companies focusing on the development of new products, companies with professional industrial plants for large-scale production and companies with a strong marketing component reaching out to farmers. The global growth of sustainable bio-based agricultural production offers areas of opportunities for domestic investments in cleaner agro-industrial sectors that go beyond the primary production of commodities and can build industrial capabilities in developing countries.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide public health problem. Chronic infection with HCV can lead to liver cirrhosis or cancer. Although some immune-competent individuals can clear the virus, others develop chronic HCV disease due to viral mutations or an impaired immune response. IFNs type I and III and the signal transduction induced by them are essential for a proper antiviral effect. Research on the viral cycle and immune escape mechanisms has formed the basis of therapeutic strategies to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). The first therapies were based on IFNα; then, IFNα plus ribavirin (IFN–RBV); and then, pegylated-IFNα-RBV (PEGIFNα-RIV) to improve cytokine pharmacokinetics. However, the maximum SVR was 60%, and several significant side effects were observed, decreasing patients’ treatment adherence. The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) significantly enhanced the SVR (>90%), and the compounds were able to inhibit HCV replication without significant side effects, even in paediatric populations. The management of coinfected HBV–HCV and HCV–HIV patients has also improved based on DAA and PEG-IFNα-RBV (HBV–HCV). CD4 cells are crucial for an effective antiviral response. The IFNλ3, IL28B, TNF-α, IL-10, TLR-3, and TLR-9 gene polymorphisms are involved in viral clearance, therapeutic responses, and hepatic pathologies. Future research should focus on searching for strategies to circumvent resistance-associated substitution (RAS) to DAAs, develop new therapeutic schemes for different medical conditions, including organ transplant, and develop vaccines for long-lasting cellular and humoral responses with cross-protection against different HCV genotypes. The goal is to minimise the probability of HCV infection, HCV chronicity and hepatic carcinoma.

Maize is among the most significant crops in the world regarding production and yield, but it is highly sensitive to drought, which reduces the growth, photosynthetic efficiency, grain quality, and yield production of a plant. Quantum yield efficiency of photosystem II is a critical photosynthetic component that is susceptible to drought stress. This study intended to investigate the effects of drought stress on growth and morpho-physiological parameters using three maize hybrids (‘P-3011w’, ‘P-3092’ and ‘iku20’) with contrasting soil moisture contents (100%, 40%) at the pre-flowering stage. The stress treatment (40%) was initiated at stage V7, for a period of 15 days; the experimental units were established in a completely randomized design with split-plot arrangement along with three repetitions in 42 L pots using a substrate of peat moss, black soil and poultry manure (1:2:1). The morphological, growth-related and physiological parameters were assessed, including chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), which was measured using a LiCor-6400-40 fluorometer. The results showed that all morphological, growth-related and physiological variables decreased under drought stress during the reproductive stage, with the exception of leaf temperature and intercellular CO2 concentration, which increased by 12% and 54%, respectively. Drought stress significantly reduced the photosynthetic chlorophyll fluorescence (43%), due to damage to photosystem II. The lowest percentage of damage to photosystem II (34%) was observed in the iku20 genotype. In contrast, P-3011w and P-3092 had the highest levels of significantly similar damage (49% and 46%, respectively). The correlation analysis showed a highly positive interaction of chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) with net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance under drought conditions, and multiple regression analysis revealed that the maximum effect on net photosynthetic rate under drought was due to the damage it caused to photosystem II. Thus, iku20 might have a tendency to be able to withstand drought stress in the dry northeast region of Mexico. Overall, we concluded that the photosystem II was negatively impacted by drought stress thus causing a reduction in all physiological, morphological and growth-related variables.

Enzymic activity, metabolites, and hematological responses for reference intervals (RIs) establish ranges of physiological normality, which are useful for diagnosing diseases and physiological alterations. Within the same species, RIs vary according to age, gender, productive and physiological states, and environmental factors including health management and nutrition. RIs have been extensively studied in dairy calves during a critical stage of life (from birth up to first 90 days of age). A critical stage for feedlot calves is their arrival at the feedlot, but no reports determine RIs for different enzymic activity, metabolites, and hematological responses during their initial period at the feedlot. Consequently, a total of 461 high-risk crossbreed beef calves, received on three different dates, were examined upon arrival at the feedlot. Of these, 320 calves (148.3 ± 1.3 kg body weight) whose “clinical health” was evaluated were included in the study. Blood samples were taken upon arrival and on days 14, 28, 42, and 56 to determine the following parameters: enzymic activity, metabolites, electrolytes, white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Enzymic activity, metabolites, and complete blood count were determined by automated analyzers. The freeware Reference Value Advisor Software was used to calculate the non-parametric values of RIs. This study is the first to establish RIs for different enzymic activity, metabolites, and hematological responses in high-risk newly received calves during their initial period at the feedlot. This information will be useful for veterinary clinical practice and research related to the health and welfare of high-risk newly received calves during their initial period at the feedlot.

The increasing use of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) in scientific experiments has made it necessary to implement anesthesia protocols guaranteeing minimum pain and suffering for these animals and ensuring the reliability of the results obtained from their research. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of two anesthetics, eugenol and MS-222, in consecutive administrations and evaluate the zebrafish behaviour after repeated anesthesia. Thus, several zebrafish were anaesthetized with eugenol, MS-222, and buffered MS-222 three times repeatedly with a 24-h interval between each exposure. The induction and recovery periods were also timed. Their swimming frequency was determined after each exposure to assess their behaviour after the anesthesia. Anesthesia induction was quicker with eugenol compared to MS-222. However, eugenol presented longer recovery times, which were prolonged after each exposure. Also, the swimming frequency was reduced after each anesthesia with eugenol. The buffered version of MS-222 was more efficacious than the non-buffered one. Both versions of MS-222 did not affect the swimming frequency. Based on these findings, we recommend the utilization of MS-222 buffered rather than eugenol when repeated, brief-duration anesthesia is necessitated for a study.

The development of new treatments for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) remains a major challenge in the 21st century. In most cases, the available drugs are obsolete and have limitations in terms of efficacy and safety. The situation becomes even more complex when considering the low number of new chemical entities (NCEs) currently in use in advanced clinical trials for most of these diseases. Natural products (NPs) are valuable sources of hits and lead compounds with privileged scaffolds for the discovery of new bioactive molecules. Considering the relevance of biodiversity for drug discovery, a chemoinformatics analysis was conducted on a compound dataset of NPs with anti-trypanosomatid activity reported in 497 research articles from 2019 to 2024. Structures corresponding to different metabolic classes were identified, including terpenoids, benzoic acids, benzenoids, steroids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, peptides, flavonoids, polyketides, lignans, cytochalasins, and naphthoquinones. This unique collection of NPs occupies regions of the chemical space with drug-like properties that are relevant to anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery. The gathered information greatly enhanced our understanding of biologically relevant chemical classes, structural features, and physicochemical properties. These results can be useful in guiding future medicinal chemistry efforts for the development of NP-inspired NCEs to treat NTDs caused by trypanosomatid parasites.

Restenosis following percutaneous revascularization is a major challenge in patients with insulin resistance and diabetes. Currently, the vascular effects of insulin are not fully understood. In vitro, insulin’s effects on endothelial cells (ECs) are beneficial, whereas on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), they are mitogenic. We previously demonstrated a suppressive effect of insulin on neointimal growth under insulin-sensitive conditions that was abolished in insulin-resistant conditions. Here, we aimed to determine the cell-specific effects of insulin on neointimal growth in a model of restenosis under insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant conditions. Vascular cell-specific insulin receptor (IR)-deficient mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD) or a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFSD) and implanted with an insulin pellet or vehicle prior to femoral artery wire injury. In insulin-sensitive conditions, insulin decreased neointimal growth only in controls. However, under insulin-resistant conditions, insulin had no effect in either control, EC-specific or SMC-specific IR-deficient mice. These data demonstrate that EC and SMC IRs are required for the anti-restenotic effect of insulin in insulin-sensitive conditions and that, in insulin resistance, insulin has no adverse effect on vascular SMCs in vivo.

Background: SmartAction-VR uses virtual reality to simulate daily life tasks and assess cognitive performance based on the multi-errand paradigm. This study explored whether this new task could provide insights into the executive functioning of children and adolescents with ADHD in their everyday activities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and December 2022. It consisted of one session and was divided into two parts (cognitive tests; and SmartAction-VR). The sample comprised 76 children and adolescents with a median age (IQR) of 13 (11–14) years and an age range of 9–17 years. Of these participants, 60.50% (n = 46) were males. Out of this sample, 40 participants were in the ADHD group and 36 were in the neurotypical group. The following instruments were used: Waisman Activities of Daily Living Scale, Assessment of Sensory Processing and Executive Functioning, Pediatric Simulator Disease Questionnaire, Digit span subtest, Stroop test, NEPSY-II Subtest of Auditory Attention and Cognitive Flexibility, Trail Making Test, Zoo Map Test, and SmartAction-VR. Results: The ADHD group demonstrated lower accuracy (U = 406, p = 0.010), higher values for total errors (U = 292, p = 0.001), more commissions (U = 417, p = 0.003), new actions (U = 470, p = 0.014), and forgetting actions (U = 406, p = 0.010), as well as fewer perseverations compared to the neurotypical group (U = 540.5, p = 0.029). Additionally, participants who forgot more actions were found to have lower independence in daily life (r = −0.281, p = 0.024). Conclusions: The correlations between the results of SmartAction-VR and activities of daily living, as well as cognitive tests, suggest that this new task could be useful for evaluating executive functioning in daily life.

The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between certain institutional variables and the effectiveness of fiscal decentralisation in Latin America. To fulfil this objective, we took a sample of 15 Latin American countries for the years 1996 to 2020 to estimate the logarithm of GDP per capita based on the level of fiscal decentralisation, as well as its interaction with six institutional variables plus three control variables. The results show that institutional variables always modulate the effects of fiscal decentralisation, in most cases significantly and negatively, the exceptions being accountability with a positive result and government effectiveness with a non-significant result. It was concluded that in the presence of weak regulations, political conflicts, and corruption, fiscal decentralisation can worsen social or economic circumstances in Latin America.

In recent years, various solutions have been developed to control power electronic converters using devices available on the market that are powerful and easy to use. These solutions, in most cases, offer high performance. However, these have high implementation costs because the required devices are expensive. For this reason, this document presents the implementation of two discrete-time controllers widely used in the literature for a boost converter implemented on a low-cost platform. The objective is to obtain a constant voltage at the converter’s output for photovoltaic system applications. The proportional-integral control is implemented as the first case, and the second case is a sliding mode control. In addition, a prior analysis is presented through simulation. Both control algorithms are implemented on the TMS320F28379D microcontroller from Texas Instruments through the same manufacturer’s integrated development software based on an optimized C/C++ language compiler. The results of the non-linear algorithm reveal better performance in reducing the time response, the overshoot of the transient state, and the steady-state error. Finally, the significant economic savings associated with the implementation costs of the controllers tested on a low-cost platform differentiate this work from other similar ones.

The work of wildland firefighters, especially of the so-called ‘Brigadas de Refuerzo contra Incendios Forestales’, is characterised by high physical demands and extreme operating conditions. These professionals face long workdays (12 h), walking with heavy loads (~25 kg), being exposed to high temperatures (>30 °C), and handling specialised tools in high-risk environments. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of occupational injuries among members of the ‘Brigadas de Refuerzo contra Incendios Forestales’ and its relationship to variables such as age and work experience. A total of 217 wildland firefighters (18 female and 199 male) correctly answered a questionnaire developed on an ad hoc basis to meet the study’s objectives. A high prevalence of occupational injuries was observed among them (~76%). Age and work experience were shown to be significantly associated with injuries. Individuals over 35 years of age with more than 10 years’ experience had a higher probability of injury (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.12–4.06 and OR = 2.46, CI = 1.30–4.67, respectively). Injuries occurred mainly during physical training (~46%), followed by preventive work (~33%) and forest fires (~20%). The most common injuries were tendonitis and muscle pain (~44% and ~21% respectively), followed by sprains (~21%). The results underline the need for physical activity programmes adapted to help wildland firefighters, especially older and more experienced individuals. The identification of risk factors such as age and work experience can contribute to the prevention and management of occupational injuries among this group of highly specialised forestry workers. Specific preventative measures during training are required to mitigate the risk of injury among these crews, who play a crucial role in protecting the environment and public safety.

Deviation of the nail plate in the transverse plane has traditionally been regarded as a postoperative complication following the definitive surgical treatment of ingrown toenails, particularly when only a single nail fold is addressed. The quantification and longitudinal comparison of the operated versus non-operated nail folds could elucidate potential transverse deviations of the nail plate. The objective of this study was to assess the presence or absence of transverse nail plate deviation following ingrown toenail surgery on a single nail fold. Methods: A cohort of 11 patients (three males, eight females) with recurrent ingrown toenails undergoing unilateral partial matricectomy were included in this study. Preoperative measurements were compared to those taken at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days postoperatively. Results: The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in measurements between the operated and non-operated nail folds, nor were there significant changes in the measurements over time within each group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Despite the absence of visible deviations in the orientation of the nail plate, the angular measurements post-surgery at 35 days showed no statistically significant alterations. The angular values observed across all time points appeared to be influenced by the intrinsic morphological characteristics of each nail plate.

The acceleration of the climate crisis and increased demand for water have caused water stress in many agricultural lands worldwide. This issue is of utmost importance as water stress represents one of the most crucial challenges for the agricultural sector and food security, affecting the growth and yield of crops. Developing agricultural strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of water stress and improve crop stress tolerance and crop yield is therefore crucial. This review aimed to analyze the effect of agricultural practices such as elicitation and biostimulation on mitigating the effects of water stress in vegetables. This manuscript provides relevant and recent information about the studied effects on various vegetable species and their responses under water deficit and agricultural and non-agricultural strategies to mitigate water stress, highlighting the use of elicitors and biostimulants. Inclusion criteria were scientific reports and book chapters published from 2000 to 2024, including keywords as follows: water stress + vegetables, water deficit + effects, drought stress management, agricultural strategies for water stress management, eustressors + water stress, elicitors and biostimulants + water stress mitigation. According to the reported literature, it was found that the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of vegetables to water stress depended on factors such as the severity and duration of the water deficit, the plant species, and the phenological state of the plants. Traditional agronomic strategies such as tillage, mulching, and intercropping for crop drought management were evaluated. Recently, alternative strategies for mitigating the effects of water stress have gained significant interest, such as the exogenous application of phytohormones and osmoprotectants, nutrient management, and the use of UV-B light, radiation, and acoustic waves, among others, whose eustressive effects (as biostimulants and elicitors) have been demonstrated. Among these eustressors, those of physical origin show great potential for mitigating water stress. To improve the individual potential of eustressors for water stress mitigation, we proposed the combination of practices such as tillage, mulching, application of hormones and osmoprotectants, and physical elicitors and biostimulants such as gamma rays, He-Ne laser, and UV-B. Further exploration is required to establish doses, application conditions, and effects on water stress mitigation and vegetable yield, underscoring the importance and ongoing nature of this research.

Global climate change primarily affects the spatiotemporal variation in physical quantities, such as relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature, and, notably, precipitation levels. Accurate precipitation predictions remain elusive, necessitating tools for detailed spatiotemporal analysis to better understand climate impacts on the environment, agriculture, and society. This study compared three learning models, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), random forest regression (RF-R), and the long short-term memory neural network (LSTM-NN), using monthly precipitation data (in millimeters) from 757 locations in Boyacá, Colombia. The inputs for these models were based on satellite images obtained from the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) data. The LSTM-NN model outperformed others, precisely replicating precipitation observations in both training and testing datasets, significantly reducing the root mean square error (RMSE), with average monthly deviations of approximately 19 mm per location. Evaluation metrics (RMSE, MAE, R2, MSE) underscored the LSTM model’s robustness and accuracy in capturing precipitation patterns. Consequently, the LSTM model was chosen to predict precipitation over a 16-month period starting from August 2023, offering a reliable tool for future meteorological forecasting and planning in the region.

Peptides are bioactive molecules whose functional versatility in living organisms has led to successful applications in diverse fields. In recent years, the amount of data describing peptide sequences and function collected in open repositories has substantially increased, allowing the application of more complex computational models to study the relations between the peptide composition and function. This work introduces AMP-Detector, a sequence-based classification model for the detection of peptides’ functional biological activity, focusing on accelerating the discovery and de novo design of potential antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMP-Detector introduces a novel sequence-based pipeline to train binary classification models, integrating protein language models and machine learning algorithms. This pipeline produced 21 models targeting antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial activity, achieving average precision exceeding 83%. Benchmark analyses revealed that our models outperformed existing methods for AMPs and delivered comparable results for other biological activity types. Utilizing the Peptide Atlas, we applied AMP-Detector to discover over 190,000 potential AMPs and demonstrated that it is an integrative approach with generative learning to aid in de novo design, resulting in over 500 novel AMPs. The combination of our methodology, robust models, and a generative design strategy offers a significant advancement in peptide-based drug discovery and represents a pivotal tool for therapeutic applications.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) can be complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for corrective surgery may cause endothelial dysfunction, involving endothelin-1 (ET-1), circulating endothelial cells (CECs), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). These markers can gauge disease severity, but their levels in children’s peripheral blood still lack consensus for prognostic value. The aim of our study was to investigate changes in ET-1, cytokines, and the absolute numbers (Ɲ) of CECs and EPCs in children 24 h before and 48 h after CPB surgery to identify high-risk patients of complications. A cohort of 56 children was included: 41 cases with CHD-PAH (22 with high pulmonary flow and 19 with low pulmonary flow) and 15 control cases. We observed that Ɲ-CECs increased in both CHD groups and that Ɲ-EPCs decreased in the immediate post-surgical period, and there was a strong negative correlation between ET-1 and CEC before surgery, along with significant changes in ET-1, IL8, IL6, and CEC levels. Our findings support the understanding of endothelial cell precursors’ role in endogenous repair and contribute to knowledge about endothelial dysfunction in CHD.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin mainly produced by Aspergillus section Circumdati and section Nigri across the coffee chain. OTA is nephrotoxic and is a threat to human health. This review summarizes current knowledge on how to reduce OTA concentration in coffee from farm to cup. After a brief introduction to the OTA occurrence in coffee, current good management practices are introduced. The core of this review focuses on biocontrol and microbial decontamination by lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and fungi, and their associated enzymes currently reported in the literature. Special attention is given to publications closest to in vivo applications of biocontrol agents and microbial OTA adsorption or degradation agents. Finally, this review provides an opinion on which future techniques to promote within the coffee supply chain.

Hemophilia A is an X-linked disorder characterized by quantitative deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) caused by pathogenic variants in the factor 8 (F8) gene. Our study’s primary objective was to identify genetic variants within the exonic region of F8 in 50 Colombian male participants with severe hemophilia A (HA). Whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were performed, and bivariate analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between identified variants, disease severity, and inhibitor risk formation. Out of the 50 participants, 21 were found to have 17 different pathogenic F8 variants (var). It was found that 70% (var = 12) of them were premature truncation variants (nonsense, frameshift), 17.6% (var = 3) were missense mutations, and 11.7% (var = 2) were splice-site variants. Interestingly, 35% (var = 6) of the identified variants have not been previously reported in the literature. All patients with a history of positive inhibitors (n = 4) were found to have high-impact genetic variants (nonsense and frameshift). When investigating the relationship between variant location (heavy versus light chain) and specific inhibitor risk, 75% (n = 3) of the inhibitor participants were found to have variants located in the F8 light chain (p = 0.075), suggesting that conserved domains are associated with higher inhibitor risk. In summary, we identified genetic variants within the F8 that can possibly influence inhibitor development in Colombian patients with severe HA. Our results provide a basis for future studies and the development of further personalized treatment strategies in this population.

Dental implants offer an effective solution for partial and total edentulism, but mechanical and biological complications exist. Furthermore, high occlusal loads challenge implants and lead to potential failures. This review focuses on impact testing in contrast to incremental and static tests, an underexplored aspect of assessing daily loads on implants, bringing to light potential complications. The review examines studies employing impact forces to assess implant-supported prostheses and natural teeth properties, highlighting their significance in dental research. A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines identified 21 relevant articles out of 224, emphasizing studies employing impact forces to evaluate various aspects of dental implant treatments. The diverse applications of impact forces in dental research were categorized into tooth structure, restorative materials, interface evaluation, implant properties, and finite element models. Some studies showed the significance of impact forces in assessing stress distribution, shock absorption, and biomechanical response. Impact testing is a critical tool for understanding the daily forces on implants. Despite diverse experimental approaches, a lack of standardized protocols complicates the systematization of the results and, therefore, the conclusions. This review highlights the need for consistent methodologies in impact testing studies for future research on implant-supported prostheses.

Human liver subcellular fractions, including liver microsomes (HLM), liver cytosol fractions, and S9 fractions, are extensively utilized in in vitro assays to predict liver metabolism. The S9 fractions are supernatants of human liver homogenates that contain both microsomes and cytosol, which include most cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and soluble phase II enzymes such as glucuronosyltransferases and sulfotransferases. This study reports on the direct electrochemistry and biocatalytic features of redox-active enzymes in S9 fractions for the first time. We investigated the electrochemical properties of S9 films by immobilizing them onto a high-purity graphite (HPG) electrode and performing cyclic voltammetry under anaerobic (Ar-saturated) and aerobic (O2-saturated) conditions. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate between the S9 film and the HPG electrode was found to be 14 ± 3 s−1, with a formal potential of −0.451 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode, which confirmed the electrochemical activation of the FAD/FMN cofactor containing CYP450-reductase (CPR) as the electron receiver from the electrode. The S9 films have also demonstrated catalytic oxygen reduction under aerobic conditions, identical to HLM films attached to similar electrodes. Additionally, we investigated CYP activity in the S9 biofilm for phase I metabolism using diclofenac hydroxylation as a probe reaction and identified metabolic products using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Investigating the feasibility of utilizing liver S9 fractions in such electrochemical assays offers significant advantages for pharmacological and toxicological evaluations of new drugs in development while providing valuable insights for the development of efficient biosensor and bioreactor platforms.

This study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs), varying in size, against clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), E. coli, S. aureus, E. faecalis, and C. albicans, as well as the antimicrobial effects of aqueous extracts and lyophilized powders of Allium (garlic) species. CNPs were synthesized through ionotropic gelation and characterized by Z potential, hydrodynamic diameter (dynamic light scattering, DLS), and SEM. Aqueous garlic extracts were prepared via decoction. We assessed antimicrobial activity using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods; in addition, a modified agar proportion method in blood agar was used for antimicrobial activity against MTB. CNPs inhibited MTB growth at 300 μg for 116.6 nm particles and 400 μg for 364.4 nm particles. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed against E. faecalis with nanoparticles between 200 and 280 nm. Allium sativum extract produced inhibition for C. albicans at 100 μg. The results indicate that CNPs possess significant antimicrobial properties against a range of pathogens, including MTB, at high concentrations. On the other hand, aqueous Allium sativum extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity. Nonetheless, due to their instability in solution, the use of lyophilized Allium sativum powder is preferable.

Biomarkers play a pivotal role in the screening, diagnosis, prevention, and post-treatment follow-up of various malignant tumors. In certain instances, identifying these markers necessitates prior treatment due to the complex nature of the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, advancing techniques that exhibit selectivity, specificity, and enable streamlined analysis hold significant importance. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are considered synthetic antibodies because they possess the property of molecular recognition with high selectivity and sensitivity. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the investigation of these materials, primarily driven by their remarkable adaptability in terms of tailoring them for specific target molecules and integrating them into diverse analytical technologies. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of molecular imprinting techniques, highlighting their application in developing sensors and analytical methods for cancer detection, diagnosis, and monitoring. Therefore, MIPs offer great potential in oncology and show promise for improving the accuracy of cancer screening and diagnosis procedures.

Treatment of fatty acid oxidation disorders is based on dietary, pharmacological and metabolic decompensation measures. It is essential to provide the patient with sufficient glucose to prevent lipolysis and to avoid the use of fatty acids as fuel as far as possible. Dietary management consists of preventing periods of fasting and restricting fat intake by increasing carbohydrate intake, while maintaining an adequate and uninterrupted caloric intake. In long-chain deficits, long-chain triglyceride restriction should be 10% of total energy, with linoleic acid and linolenic acid intake of 3–4% and 0.5–1% (5/1–10/1 ratio), with medium-chain triglyceride supplementation at 10–25% of total energy (total MCT+LCT ratio = 20–35%). Trihepatnoin is a new therapeutic option with a good safety and efficacy profile. Patients at risk of rhabdomyolysis should ingest MCT or carbohydrates or a combination of both 20 min before exercise. In medium- and short-chain deficits, dietary modifications are not advised (except during exacerbations), with MCT contraindicated and slow sugars recommended 20 min before any significant physical exertion. Parents should be alerted to the need to increase the amount and frequency of carbohydrate intake in stressful situations. The main measure in emergency hospital treatment is the administration of IV glucose. The use of carnitine remains controversial and new therapeutic options are under investigation.

The presenting pattern of celiac disease (CD) at diagnosis in children has changed over time, with a reduction of malabsorption-related phenotypes and an increase in regular or even excessive growth patterns. We retrospectively reviewed the body mass index (BMI) distribution of all patients with a new diagnosis of CD made in a Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic in 1990–2011, compared to those diagnosed in 2012–2022, according to their clinical and serological characteristics. The 1990–2011 and 2012–2022 cohorts included 250 (M:F = 90:160, mean age 7.3 ± 6.1 years) and 243 children (M:F = 81:162, mean age 7.1 ± 3.7 years, NS), respectively. The prevalence of underweight (UW) was higher in the 1990–2011 cohort (61/250, 24.4% in 1990–2011 vs. 31/243, 12.7% in 2012–2022, p = 0.0001), whereas that of overweight (OW) and obese (OB) subjects was significantly higher in 2012–2022 (10/250, 4% in 1990–2011 vs. 24/243, 9.9% in 2012–2022, p = 0.012, and 1/250, 0.4% in 1990–2011 vs. 8/243, 3.3% in 2012–2022, p = 0.018, respectively). In both cohorts, gastrointestinal symptoms were more frequent in OW/OB than in UW children (6/11, 54.5% vs. 5/61, 8.2% in 1990–2011, p < 0.0001, and 24/32, 75% vs. 10/31, 32.3%, p < 0.0001 in 2012–2022), and the extent of anti-transglutaminase antibody increase was similar in OW/OB and UW subjects. The prevalence of children with a normal or even high BMI at CD diagnosis has increased in the past three decades; therefore, CD should be suspected regardless of BMI status.

There is an increasing number of children in the U.S. classified as English Learners (ELs). Accurately identifying and supporting ELs in their academic settings entails understanding their non-English language experiences. This study presents findings from language reporting practices from seven U.S. states by examining how states account for the linguistic diversity of Indigenous Mesoamerican languages. Our findings reveal varied state approaches and underscore the limitations of current federal guidance, which limits the recognition of students’ non-English language experiences. We advocate for updating language identification practices and policies and propose a new framework for accurate language identification and continuous monitoring of student linguistic diversity.