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Background and Aims: The rise in obesity highlights the need for improved therapeutic strategies, particularly in addressing metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We aim to assess the role of tryptophan metabolic pathways in the pathogenesis of obesity and in the different histological stages of MASLD. Materials and Methods: We used ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography to quantify circulating levels of 15 tryptophan‐related metabolites from the kynurenine, indole and serotonin pathways. A cohort of 76 subjects was analysed, comprising 18 subjects with normal weight and 58 with morbid obesity, these last being subclassified into normal liver (NL), simple steatosis (SS) and metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Then, we conducted gene expression analysis of hepatic IDO‐1 and kynyrenine‐3‐monooxygenase (KMO). Results: Key findings in obesity revealed a distinct metabolic signature characterized by a higher concentration of different kynurenine‐related metabolites, a decrease in indole‐3‐acetic acid and indole‐3‐propionic acid, and an alteration in the serotonin pathway. Elevated tryptophan levels were associated with MASLD presence (37.659 (32.577–39.823) μM of tryptophan in NL subjects; 41.522 (38.803–45.276) μM in patients with MASLD). Overall, pathway fluxes demonstrated an induction of tryptophan catabolism via the serotonin pathway in SS subjects and into the kynurenine pathway in MASH. We found decreased IDO‐1 and KMO hepatic expression in NL compared to SS. Conclusions: We identified a distinctive metabolic signature in obesity marked by changes in tryptophan catabolic pathways, discernible through altered metabolite profiles. We observed stage‐specific alterations in tryptophan catabolism fluxes in MASLD, highlighting the potential utility of targeting these pathways in therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The production of functional foods has been on a consistent rise in the past few years. The increasing demand for these foods could play a pivotal role in addressing the escalating issue of food waste and in the creation of innovative food formulations. Utilising by‐products from the food industry has become commonplace due to their advantageous nutritional composition and functional properties. These by‐products retain richness in colour compounds, proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, sugars, fibres, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. This abundance of elements can be harnessed to develop innovative food products. This review examines the potential of utilising food industry wastes for producing functional foods, focusing on residues from animal and vegetable origins; such residues find application in creating snacks, beverages, fermented foods, bakery items, dairy products, pasta, charcuterie, chocolate, flavouring agents, additives and culinary innovations. This study seeks to establish a sustainable strategy for minimising food waste disposal, fostering a bio‐based food production industry and enhancing overall sustainability by uncovering alternatives for novel, nutritious and value‐added food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Osteotomies around the knee have been established as an effective method for treating varus or valgus malalignment associated with other knee pathologies in young and middle‐aged patients. There is limited literature regarding the risks and complications based on patient age. The purpose of this study is to determine whether age influences as a risk factor for developing intraoperative and early post‐operative complications in patients undergoing osteotomies around the knee. Methods: A consecutive series of patients over 18 years old who underwent distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) or high tibial osteotomy (HTO) with a minimum follow‐up period of 90 days were included. Demographic characteristics, surgical technique, intraoperative and post‐operative complications up to 90 days were identified. A statistical comparison based on age younger than 55 years or 55 years and older was conducted to determine if patient age acted as a risk factor in the development of complications. Results: A total of 159 osteotomies were included, of which 129 were HTOs. The average age was 46.16 years, and 118 patients were younger than 55 years. Seven hinge fractures were identified as the only intraoperative complication, while the overall early post‐operative complication rate was 11.32%. The most frequent was deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in 5.66% of cases, followed by deep infection with a total rate of 2.52%. When performing the subgroup analysis by age, we observed a significantly higher rate of DVT in the group aged 55 years and older (p 0.036) (odds ratio 3.96 95% confidence interval 1.009–15.533; p 0.048); however, no significant differences were observed in the overall complication rate according to the age group of the patients. Conclusions: This study reveals that in patients undergoing osteotomies around the knee, the most common post‐operative complication was DVT. The rate of DVT was significantly higher in patients aged 55 years and older, although no differences were observed in the overall complication rate according to the patients' age range. Level of evidence: Level III (retrospective cohort study). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic is the fastest‐warming region on the planet, and the lengthening ice‐free season is opening Arctic waters to sub‐Arctic species such as the killer whale (Orcinus orca). As apex predators, killer whales can cause significant ecosystem‐scale changes. Setting conservation priorities for killer whales and their Arctic prey species requires knowledge of their evolutionary history and demographic trajectory. Using whole‐genome resequencing of 24 killer whales sampled in the northwest Atlantic, we first explored the population structure and demographic history of Arctic killer whales. To better understand the broader geographic relationship of these Arctic killer whales to other populations, we compared them to a globally sampled dataset. Finally, we assessed threats to Arctic killer whales due to anthropogenic harvest by reviewing the peer‐reviewed and gray literature. We found that there are two highly genetically distinct, non‐interbreeding populations of killer whales using the eastern Canadian Arctic. These populations appear to be as genetically different from each other as are ecotypes described elsewhere in the killer whale range; however, our data cannot speak to ecological differences between these populations. One population is newly identified as globally genetically distinct, and the second is genetically similar to individuals sampled from Greenland. The effective sizes of both populations recently declined, and both appear vulnerable to inbreeding and reduced adaptive potential. Our survey of human‐caused mortalities suggests that harvest poses an ongoing threat to both populations. The dynamic Arctic environment complicates conservation and management efforts, with killer whales adding top‐down pressure on Arctic food webs crucial to northern communities' social and economic well‐being. While killer whales represent a conservation priority, they also complicate decisions surrounding wildlife conservation and resource management in the Arctic amid the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of noninvasive diagnostic methods for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the severe condition of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Platelet activation, evaluated through certain related parameters, is associated with liver disease and inflammation, but previous results are inconclusive. Aim: To investigate the potential utility of platelet‐related indices as noninvasive diagnostic markers for the detection and prediction of MASLD, focusing on NASH. Results: We found that mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were increased in the severe and morbidly obese (SMO) group compared to the normal weight (NW) group. We found decreased levels of MPV in steatosis and NASH patients. MPV and PCT values were decreased in the presence of mild liver inflammation. Platelet count (PLA) and PCT values were lower in the presence of ballooning. We obtained an area under the ROC curve of 0.84 using MPV and three other variables to predict MASLD. Conclusions: Some platelet‐related indices vary depending on liver condition. Here, we reported decreased MPV in MASLD presence. Moreover, we presented for the first time a predictive model using MPV, ALT levels and the presence of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome to predict MASLD in obese women. Also, MPV is closely related to early liver inflammation in NASH, and PLA and PCT are related to hepatic ballooning. These indices could be widely used for the early detection of NASH since they are usually determined in routine laboratory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though increasing numbers of racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) individuals earn PhDs and national initiatives focus on faculty diversity, challenges persist in recruiting, hiring, and retaining REM faculty. While a pervasive issue nationally, the literature predominantly focuses on faculty diversity at research‐intensive institutions. This exploratory case study pilots a readiness instrument to evaluate the commitment and willingness of a biomedical department at a primarily undergraduate institution to embrace faculty diversity before initiating a postdoctoral faculty conversion program. We introduce the Community Readiness Model (CRM) into an academic context, offering academic departments a robust framework and tool to evaluate readiness and capacity to recruit, retain, and support REM faculty. Practical Takeaways: Academic departments can be conceived of as a type of community.The adapted Department Readiness Tool can be a valuable method of evaluating a department's readiness to support the success of underrepresented minority faculty.Departments may score highly on some areas of readiness but relatively low on others, which provides insight into where time and resources should be invested to improve readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the public health emergency associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic has ended, challenges remain, especially for individuals with rheumatic diseases. We aimed to assess the historical and ongoing effects of COVID‐19 on individuals with rheumatic diseases and rheumatology practices globally, with specific attention to vulnerable communities and lessons learned. We reviewed literature from several countries and regions, including Africa, Australia and New Zealand, China, Europe, Latin America, and the US. In this review, we summarize literature that not only examines the impact of the pandemic on individuals with rheumatic diseases, but also research that reports the lasting changes to rheumatology patient care and practice, and health service use. Across countries, challenges faced by individuals with rheumatic diseases during the pandemic included disruptions in health care and medication supply shortages. These challenges were associated with worse disease and mental health outcomes in some studies, particularly among those who had social vulnerabilities defined by socioeconomic, race, or rurality. Moreover, rheumatology practice was impacted in all regions, with the uptake of telemedicine and changes in health care utilization. While many regions developed rapid guidelines to disseminate scientific information, misinformation and disinformation remained widespread. Finally, vaccine uptake among individuals with rheumatic diseases has been uneven across the world. As the acute phase of the pandemic wanes, ongoing efforts are needed to improve health care access, stabilize rheumatology drug supplies, improve public health communication, and implement evidence‐based vaccination practices to reduce COVID‐19 morbidity and mortality among individuals with rheumatic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major challenge for steelmaking is the reduction of CO2 emissions. In this regard, the blast furnace (BF) is critical due to the high associated CO2 levels. This investigation assesses the impact of tuyere‐injected fuels on BF CO2 emissions. Specifically, computational fluid dynamics results obtained previously at Purdue University Northwest are analyzed to obtain CO2 emissions when natural gas (NG), syngas, hydrogen, or hydrogen/NG are injected. CO2 emissions are compared with those produced when 95 kg of NG/thm is injected. Among these scenarios, the largest CO2 reduction occurs when 102 kg of syngas/thm (COG feedstock #1) is injected at 973 K, reducing CO2 by 190.6 kg thm−1. The largest CO2 reduction obtained with NG occurs when 130 kg thm−1 is injected at 600 K, reducing emissions by 65 kg thm−1. H2 injection also reduces CO2, but requires careful adjusting to reach stable operation. For instance, injecting 35 kg of H2/thm reduces CO2 by 52 kg thm−1. Increasing gaseous injection rates can significantly reduce CO2 emissions, with fuel preheating providing an addendum, but high injection rates can lead to unstable operation. Furthermore, results show a correlation between CO2 emissions and average temperature of shaft region for multiple fuels and injection conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short‐term disease forecasting at specific discrete spatial resolutions has become a high‐impact decision‐support tool in health planning. However, when the number of areas is very large obtaining predictions can be computationally intensive or even unfeasible using standard spatiotemporal models. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method for short‐term predictions in high‐dimensional areal data based on a newly proposed "divide‐and‐conquer" approach. We assess the predictive performance of this method and other classical spatiotemporal models in a validation study that uses cancer mortality data for the 7907 municipalities of continental Spain. The new proposal outperforms traditional models in terms of mean absolute error, root mean square error, and interval score when forecasting cancer mortality 1, 2, and 3 years ahead. Models are implemented in a fully Bayesian framework using the well‐known integrated nested Laplace estimation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tamarillo is an exotic fruit consumed regionally in Mexico, that contains a considerable amount of bioactive compounds, like antioxidants and fibre. Since its prebiotic potential was recently established, the aim of this work was to encapsulate two probiotic LAB strains with tamarillo extract and maltodextrin (15% and 20%) as encapsulant agents. Two strains at different maltodextrin concentrations (L. casei with 20% maltodextrin and L. plantarum with 15% maltodextrin) demonstrated higher encapsulation efficiency (90.64% and 92.03%, respectively) and viability after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Both microcapsules presented satisfactory flow properties and low moisture (4.19% and 3.91%) and water activity (0.32 and 0.33). During in vitro digestion, the total polyphenols content and the antioxidant activity decreased, but the encapsulating material in both treatments maintained an acceptable concentration of these bioactive compounds. The microcapsules were reconstituted to prepare a synbiotic non‐dairy beverage, and both treatments presented good acceptability (7.66 and 7.86 overall acceptance scores, respectively). These results indicate that, first, L. casei and L. plantarum recovered from heat shock during spray drying, enhancing their ability to survive to acidic stress during in vitro digestion; second, tamarillo extract is a good source of antioxidants and prebiotics and can be reconstituted to formulate, in this case, a synbiotic beverage to improve nutritional concern of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Urban Viaducts at the Section 1 of the "Tren Maya" railway are located in southern Mexico, at the municipalities of Tenosique (State of Tabasco) and Candelaria and Escárcega (State of Campeche). The structural solution for the urban viaducts' deck is made of a reinforced concrete slab with a pair of "I" main steel girders. The girders have vertical bracing trusses, in order to reduce the distortion of the cross‐section, and a lower horizontal bracing truss, to close the torsional circuit. Steel diaphragms are located at the supports to transfer vertical and horizontals forces to the column. Viaducts consist of a succession of simply supported 40 m spans. The lengths of the viaducts are: 2920 m Tenosique, 990 m Candelaria and 1080 m Escárcega. The viaducts are located in a zone of high seismicity hazard, so the columns' design has been developed by a displacement‐capacity analysis. As a result, they consist of a single shaft on which rests a pier cap, both of reinforced concrete. This typology has been chosen because of the benefits of its construction process, which allows the execution of the spans to be independent. The steel structure of the deck also allows to reduce its mass, what helps to reduce the dimensions of the substructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Boca del Cerro Bridge is in southern Mexico at the exit of the Usumacinta River Canyon, in the city council of Tenosique in the state of Tabasco. A place of an extraordinary environmental value. This area is also a strategic crossing point, in which the actual Bridge over the Usumacinta River was built in 1950. It is a structure of extraordinary value, which is a milestone of the engineering of the time, with an upper arch of steel truss. The new Boca del Cerro Bridge has been designed, for the new Section 1 of the "Tren Maya" railway, parallel to the actual bridge. The solution adopted for the new bridge consists of a main span of double steel truss with double composite action (steel and concrete) and variable depth, that will be embedded in two lateral compensation spans of prestressed concrete. The new bridge has been designed in order to ensure a minimal "competition" and intrusion with the existing bridge and to enhance the beauty of the surrounding nature. The structural typology election has been conditioned by the advantages of its constructive process, that allows structure built‐up without riverbed support. To achieve this, the central span is planned to be erected by incremental cantilevers, carrying truss segments over the deck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The long‐term impact of childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult SLE patients in comparison to those with adult‐onset SLE is unknown. We aim to examine and compare HRQoL trajectories in adults with adolescent‐ and adult‐onset SLE. Methods: Patients enrolled in the LUpus in MInorities: NAture versus Nurture cohort were included. Adolescent‐onset SLE were those diagnosed before 24 years of age, and adult‐onset SLE were those diagnosed otherwise. Sociodemographic, clinical, medications, behavioral/psychological, and functioning data were obtained. Longitudinal trajectories of the physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS) Short Form 36 health survey scores were compared between the groups using a linear mixed model accounting for time‐dependent and independent covariates. Results: A total of 470 SLE patients were included (95 with adolescent‐onset SLE and 375 with adult‐onset SLE). The mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 19.7 ± 2.8 years in the adolescent group and 39.3 ± 11.0 years in the adult group. The baseline PCS scores were higher (better physical functioning) in adolescent‐onset SLE than in adult‐onset SLE (38.9 versus 34.3, respectively; P < 0.001); however, the baseline MCS scores were comparable between the groups (41.4 versus 40.5, respectively; P = 0.53). The HRQoL improved equally in both groups with no statistically significant difference within and between the groups (last mean PCS and MCS scores 43.9 and 45.3 in adolescent‐onset SLE; 38.1 and 43 in adult‐onset SLE). Conclusions: Adults with adolescent‐onset SLE exhibited better physical functioning than those in the adult SLE group, despite more severe disease; noteworthy, HRQoL was below the general US population, despite clinically meaningful improvement in HRQoL over time in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The intrusion of posterior teeth had been considered challenging up to the development of orthodontic mini implants. In periodontally compromised teeth, the challenge is even greater, because of the root resorption risk due to periodontal ligament over‐compression. Still, the precise strategy to determine the force reduction level remains uncertain. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine, by a finite element analysis (FEA), the force reduction needed to avoid root resorption and maintain the efficiency of orthodontic mechanics of periodontally compromised teeth similar to the sound one. Methods: An anatomical model was constructed representing a premolar inserted into a maxillary bone. Based on the initial model (R0), three bone height loss conditions were simulated (R2 = 2 mm, R4 = 4 mm, and R6 = 6 mm). Two intrusive movements were simulated: pure intrusion (bilateral mini implant) and uncontrolled‐tipping intrusion (buccal mini implant). The hydrostatic stress at the periodontal ligament was used to evaluate the risk of root resorption due to over‐compression. Results: For bilateral mini implant intrusion, the force had to be decreased by 16%, 32% and 48% for R2, R4 and R6, respectively. For buccal mini implant intrusion, the required reductions were higher (20%, 36% and 56%). A linear relationship between the intrusive force reduction and the alveolar bone height loss was observed in both intrusion mechanics. Conclusions: According to the FE results, 8% or 9.3% of force reduction for each millimetre of bone height loss is suggested for intrusion with bilateral or buccal mini implant, respectively. The buccal mini implant anchorage must be associated with a supplemental strategy to avoid buccal crown tipping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the relationship between the internationalisation of production through Global Value Chains and child labour at the sector level, using data from 26 low‐ and middle‐income countries. We find that sectors with stronger participation in foreign markets by exporting inputs to firms that will process them and export them to third countries (forward linkages) exhibit less child labour. However, other forms of participation in foreign markets through gross exports or exports of goods that embed foreign value‐added (backward linkages) are not associated with lower levels of child labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence and mortality figures are needed to get a comprehensive overview of cancer burden. In many countries, cancer mortality figures are routinely recorded by statistical offices, whereas incidence depends on regional cancer registries. However, due to the complexity of updating cancer registries, incidence numbers become available 3 or 4 years later than mortality figures. It is, therefore, necessary to develop reliable procedures to predict cancer incidence at least until the period when mortality data are available. Most of the methods proposed in the literature are designed to predict total cancer (except nonmelanoma skin cancer) or major cancer sites. However, less frequent lethal cancers, such as brain cancer, are generally excluded from predictions because the scarce number of cases makes it difficult to use univariate models. Our proposal comes to fill this gap and consists of modeling jointly incidence and mortality data using spatio‐temporal models with spatial and age shared components. This approach allows for predicting lethal cancers improving the performance of individual models when data are scarce by taking advantage of the high correlation between incidence and mortality. A fully Bayesian approach based on integrated nested Laplace approximations is considered for model fitting and inference. A validation process is also conducted to assess the performance of alternative models. We use the new proposals to predict brain cancer incidence rates by gender and age groups in the health units of Navarre and Basque Country (Spain) during the period 2005–2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association between the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics frailty index (SLICC‐FI) and damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: Patients from the multiethnic, multicenter LUpus in MInorities, NAture versus nurture (LUMINA) cohort were included. Damage was ascertained with the SLICC/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) at last visit (range 0–51). The first visit in which the SLICC‐FI score could be derived was considered as the baseline (range 0–1). Univariable and multivariable negative binomial regression models were performed to determine the association between the baseline SLICC‐FI score (per 0.05 increase) and the change in the SDI score (difference between last and baseline SDI score), adjusted for sex, age at diagnosis, ethnicity, insurance, prednisone daily dose, and antimalarial and immunosuppressive drug use at baseline. Age and sex were included a priori in the multivariable model; the other variables were included if they reached P < 0.10 in the univariable models. Results: Of the 503 patients included, 454 (90.3%) were female, with a mean ± SD age of 37.1 ± 12.5 years at diagnosis. The mean ± SD baseline SLICC‐FI score was 0.26 ± 0.06. The mean ± SD baseline SDI score was 0.6 ± 1.0, and the mean ± SD change in the SDI score was 1.9 ± 2.2. Higher SLICC‐FI scores at baseline (per 0.05 increase) were associated with greater damage accrual in the multivariable model after adjustment for possible confounders (incidence rate ratio 1.20 [95% confidence interval 1.08–1.33], P = 0.0015). Conclusion: The SLICC‐FI is associated with damage accrual in SLE patients from a multiethnic cohort, supporting the importance of this index in the evaluation of SLE patients, combining several aspects of their disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential cofactor involved in a range of metabolic pathways including the activation of long‐chain fatty acids for catabolism. Cells synthesize CoA de novo from vitamin B5 (pantothenate) via a pathway strongly conserved across prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In humans, it involves five enzymatic steps catalyzed by four enzymes: pantothenate kinase (PANK [isoforms 1–4]), 4′‐phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase (PPCS), phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase (PPCDC), and CoA synthase (COASY). To date, inborn errors of metabolism associated with all of these genes, except PPCDC, have been described, two related to neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), and one associated with a cardiac phenotype. This paper reports another defect in this pathway (detected in two sisters), associated with a fatal cardiac phenotype, caused by biallelic variants (p.Thr53Pro and p.Ala95Val) of PPCDC. PPCDC enzyme (EC 4.1.1.36) catalyzes the decarboxylation of 4′‐phosphopantothenoylcysteine to 4′‐phosphopantetheine in CoA biosynthesis. The variants p.Thr53Pro and p.Ala95Val affect residues highly conserved across different species; p.Thr53Pro is involved in the binding of flavin mononucleotide, and p.Ala95Val is likely a destabilizing mutation. Patient‐derived fibroblasts showed an absence of PPCDC protein, and nearly 50% reductions in CoA levels. The cells showed clear energy deficiency problems, with defects in mitochondrial respiration, and mostly glycolytic ATP synthesis. Functional studies performed in yeast suggest these mutations to be functionally relevant. In summary, this work describes a new, ultra‐rare, severe inborn error of metabolism due to pathogenic variants of PPCDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to understand how periodic shifts in financial cutbacks and fears of contracting COVID‐19 contributed to children's externalizing behaviors due to increases in maternal stress among low‐income Latina mothers during the first 10 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic caused widespread health, economic, and psychological consequences for families and children. The Latino community is particularly vulnerable to the economic and health risks of this pandemic as a consequence of systemic oppression. The family stress model suggests that these family stressors will have psychological repercussions to parents, and downstream behavioral consequences to children. Method: We examined both the within‐ and between‐person impacts of worry surrounding contracting the virus and the economic consequences of the pandemic on maternal stress and child externalizing behaviors. Participants were 73 Latina mothers who completed assessments an average eight times across the first 10 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic. At each assessment time, the mother was asked about worries surrounding contracting the virus, economic cutbacks the family was making, her perceived stress, and her child's externalizing behaviors during a brief phone call. Results: Between‐families, higher economic cutbacks indirectly increased child externalizing behaviors through maternal stress. The within‐family model revealed that at assessments when mothers expressed greater worry about contracting the COVID‐19 virus, they also reported greater stress. Further, at the within‐person level, a mother's greater experience of stress was associated with greater reports of child externalizing behaviors, though the indirect association between COVID‐19 contract worry and child externalizing behaviors through maternal stress was not significant. Conclusions: Across the first 10 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the children in Latino families participating in this research exhibited more externalizing behaviors among families that engaged in more financial cutbacks as a function maternal stress. However, periodic spikes in Latina mothers' fears of contracting COVID‐19 contributed to periodic spikes in stress, which predicted periodic spikes in child externalizing behaviors. Implications: Greater effort toward social policy that provides economic support for vulnerable families before periods of increased societal stress and greater protections for workers with limited sick leave and schedule flexibility will help promote resilience to future crises among low‐income Latino families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the association between race/ethnicity and COVID‐19 outcomes in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Individuals with SLE from the US with data entered into the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance registry between March 24, 2020 and August 27, 2021 were included. Variables included age, sex, race, and ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, other), comorbidities, disease activity, pandemic time period, glucocorticoid dose, antimalarials, and immunosuppressive drug use. The ordinal outcome categories were: not hospitalized, hospitalized with no oxygenation, hospitalized with any ventilation or oxygenation, and death. We constructed ordinal logistic regression models evaluating the relationship between race/ethnicity and COVID‐19 severity, adjusting for possible confounders. Results: We included 523 patients; 473 (90.4%) were female and the mean ± SD age was 46.6 ± 14.0 years. A total of 358 patients (74.6%) were not hospitalized; 40 patients (8.3%) were hospitalized without oxygen, 64 patients (13.3%) were hospitalized with any oxygenation, and 18 (3.8%) died. In a multivariable model, Black (odds ratio [OR] 2.73 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.36–5.53]) and Hispanic (OR 2.76 [95% CI 1.34–5.69]) individuals had higher odds of more severe outcomes than White individuals. Conclusion: Black and Hispanic individuals with SLE experienced more severe COVID‐19 outcomes, which is consistent with findings in the US general population. These results likely reflect socioeconomic and health disparities and suggest that more aggressive efforts are needed to prevent and treat infection in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, nations have struggled during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. However, Latin America and the Caribbean faced an unmatched catastrophic toll. As of March 2022, the region has reported approximately 15% of cases and 28% of deaths worldwide. Considering the relatively late arrival of SARS‐CoV‐2, several factors in the region were determinants of the humanitarian crisis that ensued. Pandemic unpreparedness, fragile healthcare systems, forthright inequalities, and poor governmental support facilitated the spread of the virus throughout the region. Moreover, reliance on repurposed and ineffective drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin—to treat or prevent COVID‐19—was publicised through misinformation and created a false sense of security and poor adherence to social distancing measures. While there were hopes that herd immunity could be achieved after the region's disastrous first peak, the emergence of the Gamma, Lambda, and Mu variants made this unattainable. This review explores how Latin America and the Caribbean fared during the first 2 years of the pandemic, and how, despite all the challenges, the region became a global leader in COVID‐19 vaccination, with 63% of its population fully vaccinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the risks associated with aging start to materialize, societies become more aware of the financial consequences of long‐term care (LTC). While limited coverage is available through social insurance in many countries, attractive offers of private products barely exist and a lack of knowledge about LTC insurance persists. Based on a novel survey on aging, health, and dependence conducted in Switzerland, this study aims to comprehend the key drivers that make individuals interested in buying care insurance products for themselves. Using models that combine features from both classical statistics and machine learning techniques, we depict the characteristics of potential buyers based on key economic, social, demographic, and political factors. We find that factors relating to the awareness and understanding of LTC are extremely relevant. Self‐perceived health, behavior, and trust relationships between customers and insurers are important. Socioeconomic factors only play a secondary role in the decision‐making process. Our findings are relevant beyond the academic community and for policymakers and private insurers alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning models have shown that it is possible to train neural networks to dispense, to a lesser or greater extent, with the need for human intervention for the task of image animation, which helps to reduce not only the production time of these audiovisual pieces, but also presents benefits with respect to the economic investment they require to be made. However, these models suffer from two common problems: the animations they generate are of very low resolution and they require large amounts of training data to generate good results. To deal with these issues, this article introduces the architectural modification of a state‐of‐the‐art image animation model integrated with a video super‐resolution model to make the generated videos more visually pleasing to viewers. Although it is possible to train the animation models with higher resolution images, the time it would take to train them would be much longer, which does not necessarily benefit the quality of the animation, so it is more efficient to complement it with another model focused on improving the animation resolution of the generated video as we demonstrate in our results. We present the design and implementation of a convolutional neural network based on an state‐of‐art model focused on the image animation task, which is trained with a set of facial data from videos extracted from the YouTube platform. To determine which of all the modifications to the selected state‐of‐the‐art model architecture is better, the results are compared with different metrics that evaluate the performance in image animation and video quality enhancement tasks. The results show that modifying the architecture of the model focused on the detection of characteristic points significantly helps to generate more anatomically and visually attractive videos. In addition, perceptual testing with users shows that using a super‐resolution video model as a plugin helps generate more visually appealing videos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Peru, 32,970 people were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2019. Although TB treatment is effective, 3.4%–13% is associated with significant adverse drug reactions (ADR), considering drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) as the most prevalent. Among the first‐line anti‐TB drugs, isoniazid (INH) is primarily responsible for the occurrence of DILI. INH is metabolized in the liver by the enzymes N‐acetyltransferase‐2 (NAT2) and Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Based on the previous studies, we hypothesized that the interactions between slow CYP2E1 genotype and NAT2 slow acetylators will induce DILI in TB patients. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, all 377 participants completed their anti‐TB treatment, and we genotyped SNPs: rs1041983, rs1801280, rs1799929, rs1799930, rs1208, and rs1799931 for NAT2 and rs3813867 and rs2031920 for CYP2E1. Results: We found that rapid, intermediate, and slow NAT2 acetylator were 15%, 38%, and 47%, respectively, in the general population. Intermediate NAT2 acetylator is the least prevalent among patients with adverse reactions (p = 0.024). We did not confirm our hypothesis, however, we found that the combination of intermediate NAT2 acetylators and CYP2E1 c1/c1 genotype significantly protected (OR = 0.16; p = 0.049) against the development of DILI in our population. Conclusion: We propose that the presence of NAT2 intermediate and CYP2E1 c1/c1 genotype could help in therapeutic drug monitoring, and optimize its therapeutic benefits while minimizing its risk for side effects or toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Vacuum frying (VF) is a process developed at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, in which lower temperatures are employed to remove moisture from the food and reduce the oil content in the final product. Diverse studies have been published for VF or assisted with microwave and ultrasound, facing the challenges of accomplishing the physical and sensory properties appreciated in fried products. The studied matrices under VF include mainly vegetable origin foods (apple, banana, carrot, donuts, kiwi, mushroom, pea, pear, potato and sweet potato) and some animal origin products (chicken nuggets, fish fillets and surimi products). This review aimed to show recent and relevant findings of the application of VF, analysing both the effects on the frying medium and the impact on the fried foods. The inclusion of microwave and ultrasound technologies aids in the obtention of high‐quality products in terms of sensory and textural attributes, oil content as well as reduced oil degradation. This technique may provide safer and stable fried foods with lower oil content aiding in improving the diet of consumers and reducing production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The apoptotic executioner protein BAX and the dynamin‐like protein DRP1 co‐localize at mitochondria during apoptosis to mediate mitochondrial permeabilization and fragmentation. However, the molecular basis and functional consequences of this interplay remain unknown. Here, we show that BAX and DRP1 physically interact, and that this interaction is enhanced during apoptosis. Complex formation between BAX and DRP1 occurs exclusively in the membrane environment and requires the BAX N‐terminal region, but also involves several other BAX surfaces. Furthermore, the association between BAX and DRP1 enhances the membrane activity of both proteins. Forced dimerization of BAX and DRP1 triggers their activation and translocation to mitochondria, where they induce mitochondrial remodeling and permeabilization to cause apoptosis even in the absence of apoptotic triggers. Based on this, we propose that DRP1 can promote apoptosis by acting as noncanonical direct activator of BAX through physical contacts with its N‐terminal region. Synopsis: Apoptotic executioner BAX and dynamin‐like protein DRP1 colocalize at mitochondria during apoptosis, but their interplay in mediating mitochondrial permeabilization and fragmentation remains incompletely understood. Here, DRP1 is found as direct interactor and noncanonical activator of BAX promoting apoptosis. BAX and DRP1 interact directly and their association is enhanced during apoptosis.BAX/DRP1 interaction takes place in the membrane environment and requires the N‐terminal region of BAX.BAX and DRP1 mutually enhance each other's membrane remodeling activity.Forced dimerization of BAX and DRP1 triggers their translocation to mitochondria and induces apoptosis in the absence of apoptotic triggers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experience of poverty embodies complex, multidimensional stressors that may adversely affect physiological and psychological domains of functioning. Compounded by racial/ethnic discrimination, the financial aspect of family poverty typically coincides with additional social and physical environmental risks such as pollution exposure, housing burden, elevated neighborhood unemployment, and lower neighborhood education levels. In this study, we investigated the associations of multidimensional social disadvantage throughout adolescence with autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning at 17 years. Two hundred and twenty nine low‐income Mexican‐American adolescents (48.6% female) and their parents were assessed annually between the ages of 10 and 16. Participants' census tracts were matched with corresponding annual administrative data of neighborhood housing burden, education, unemployment, drinking water quality, and fine particulate matter. We combined measures of adolescents' electrodermal response and respiratory sinuses arrhythmia at rest and during a social exclusion challenge (Cyberball) to use as ANS indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, respectively. Controlling for family income‐to‐needs, youth exposed to greater cumulative water and air pollution from ages 10–16 displayed altered patterns of autonomic functioning at rest and during the social challenge. Conversely, youth living in areas with higher housing burden displayed healthy patterns of autonomic functioning. Altogether, results suggest that toxin exposure in youths' physical environments disrupts the ANS, representing a plausible mechanism by which pollutants and social disadvantage influence later physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents review for outcome measures of fatigue in patients with Rheumatic Diseases, and evidence regarding fatigue prevalence among the U.S. adult population. Topics include fatigue has been described as difficulty in initiating or sustaining voluntary activities; and Outcome Measures in Rheumatology consortium endorsed the measurement of fatigue in clinical observational, longitudinal studies, and clinical trials.

Objective: To determine if low disease activity state (LDAS)/remission predicts a better health-related quality of life (HRQoL).Methods: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a single center and having completed at least 2 visits were included. Visits were performed every 6 months. HRQoL was measured with the LupusQoL questionnaire. The definition of remission included a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score of 0, prednisone daily dosage of ≤5 mg/day, and immunosuppressive drugs on maintenance dose. LDAS was defined as a SLEDAI-2K score of ≤4, prednisone daily dosage of ≤7.5 mg/day, and immunosuppressive drugs as maintenance therapy. For these analyses, remission and LDAS were combined as one variable. Generalized estimating equations were calculated, using as the outcome 1 of each of the 8 components of the LupusQoL questionnaire in the subsequent visit and the activity state in the previous visit. Multivariable models were adjusted for possible confounders.Results: A total of 243 patients were included. During the follow-up, 590 visits (61.6%) were categorized as LDAS/remission. LDAS/remission predicted a better HRQoL in the components of physical health (B = 4.17 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.20, 7.14]; P = 0.006), pain (B = 6.47 [95% CI 3.18, 9.76]; P < 0.001), planning (B = 4.97 [95% CI 1.43, 8.52]; P = 0.006), burden to others (B = 4.12 [95% CI 0.24, 8.01]; P = 0.037], emotional health (B = 4.50 [95% CI 1.56, 7.44]; P = 0.003), and fatigue (B = 3.25 [95% CI 0.04, 6.47]; P = 0.048).Conclusion: Being in LDAS/remission predicts a better HRQoL, especially in the components of physical health, pain, planning, burden to others, emotional health, and fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of telemedicine use during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on rheumatology trainees. Methods: A voluntary, anonymous, web‐based survey was administered in English, Spanish, or French from August 19 to October 5, 2020. Adult and pediatric rheumatology trainees were invited to participate via social media and email. Using multiple‐choice questions and Likert scales, the survey assessed prior and current telemedicine use, impact on training, and supervision after COVID‐19 prompted rapid telemedicine implementation. Results: Surveys were received from 302 trainees from 33 countries, with 83% in adult rheumatology training programs. Reported telemedicine use increased from 13% before the pandemic to 82% during the pandemic. United States trainees predominantly used video visits, whereas outside the United States telemedicine was predominantly audio only. Most (65%) evaluated new patients using telemedicine. More respondents were comfortable using telemedicine for follow‐up patients (69%) than for new patients (25%). Only 39% of respondents reported receiving telemedicine‐focused training, including instruction on software, clinical skills, and billing, whereas more than half of United States trainees (59%) had training. Postconsultation verbal discussion was the most frequent form of supervision; 24% reported no supervision. Trainees found that telemedicine negatively impacted supervision (50%) and the quality of clinical teaching received (70%), with only 9% reporting a positive impact. Conclusions: Despite widespread uptake of telemedicine, a low proportion of trainees received telemedicine training, and many lacked comfort in evaluating patients, particularly new patients. Inadequate supervision and clinical teaching were areas of concern. If telemedicine remains in widespread use, ensuring appropriate trainee supervision and teaching should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the baseline characteristics of patients with positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) who were enrolled in an international registry, the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking (APS ACTION) clinical database and repository, overall and by clinical and laboratory subtypes.Methods: The APS ACTION registry includes adults who persistently had positivity for aPLs. We evaluated baseline sociodemographic and aPL-related (APS classification criteria and "non-criteria") characteristics of patients overall and in subgroups (aPL-positive without APS, APS overall, thrombotic APS only, obstetric APS only, and both thrombotic APS/obstetric APS). We assessed baseline characteristics of patients tested for the presence of three aPLs (lupus anticoagulant [LAC] test, anticardiolipin antibody [aCL], and anti-β2 -glycoprotein I [anti-β2 GPI]) antibodies by aPL profiles (LAC only, single, double, and triple aPL positivity).Results: The 804 aPL-positive patients assessed in the present study had a mean age of 45 ± 13 years, were 74% female, and 68% White; additionally, 36% had other systemic autoimmune diseases. Of these 804 aPL-positive patients, 80% were classified as having APS (with 55% having thrombotic APS, 9% obstetric APS, and 15% thrombotic APS/obstetric APS). In the overall cohort, 71% had vascular thrombosis, 50% with a history of pregnancy had obstetric morbidity, and 56% had experienced at least one non-criteria manifestation. Among those with three aPLs tested (n = 660), 42% were triple aPL-positive. While single-, double-, and triple aPL-positive subgroups had similar frequencies of vascular, obstetric, and non-criteria events, these events were lowest in the single aPL subgroup, which consisted of aCLs or anti-β2 GPI only.Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the heterogeneity of aPL-related clinical manifestations and laboratory profiles in a multicenter international cohort. Within single aPL positivity, LAC may be a major contributor to clinical events. Future prospective analyses, using standardized core laboratory aPL tests, will help clarify aPL risk profiles and improve risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographically connected species pairs with weakly differentiated genomes could either represent cases of genomic homogenization in progress or of incipient parapatric speciation. Discriminating between these processes is difficult because intermediate stages of either may produce weakly differentiated genomes that diverge at few locations. We used coalescent modelling applied to a genome‐wide sample of SNPs to discriminate between speciation with gene flow and genomic homogenization in two phenotypically distinct but genomically weakly diverged species of elevationally replacing Ramphocelus tanagers, forming a hybrid zone in the Andean foothills. We found overwhelming support for a model of genomic homogenization following secondary contact. Simulating under this model suggested that our species pair was differentiated (FST = 0.30) at secondary contact but that most of the genome has rapidly homogenized during 254 Ky of high gene flow towards the present (FST = 0.02). Despite extensive genome‐wide homogenization, plumage remains distinctive with a narrower than expected geographic cline width, indicating divergent selection on colour. We found two SNPs significantly associated with plumage colour, which retain moderately high FST. We conclude that the majority of the genome has fused, but that divergent selection on select loci probably maintains the geographically structured colour differences between these incipient species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in terms of earlier SLE classification in comparison to the ACR or the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria. Methods: Patients from a multiethnic, multicenter cohort, the Lupus in Minorities: Nature versus Nurture cohort, where SLE was defined using the 1982/1997 ACR criteria were included. Demographic, clinical, and immunologic criteria were compared among the 2019 EULAR/ACR and the 1982/1997 ACR and the 2012 SLICC timing categories. Results: The 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria allowed an earlier SLE classification in 13.3% of patients (mean 0.66 years) and 15.3% of patients (mean 0.63 years) compared to the 1982/1997 ACR and the 2012 SLICC criteria, respectively. Patients accruing the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria later than the 1982/1997 ACR criteria had a lower disease activity, were less likely to have positivity to anti–double‐stranded DNA and anti‐Sm, as well as lupus nephritis classes II or V; they were more likely to have mucocutaneous manifestations, serositis, leukopenia, and antiphospholipid antibodies positivity. These differences were less pronounced when compared to the 2012 SLICC criteria Conclusion: The 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria classified SLE patients earlier than the 2 other criteria sets in real‐life clinical practice scenarios in a relatively small proportion of the patients. However, these criteria could allow earlier classification of a subset of patients with a more severe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indices of environmental associations such as the Community Temperature Index (CTI) and Community Precipitation Index (CPI) can be derived from occurrence data to extend the geographic scope or time frame of evidence for responses of insect diversity to global change.We tested whether occurrence records from 1901 to 2016 from the Iberian Peninsula could shed light on butterfly community responses to changes over space and time in the climate; and whether local climatic variation caused by topographic heterogeneity could buffer communities against the effects of climate change.CTI and CPI were closely related to variation in temperature and precipitation across 115 well‐sampled 10 km grid squares. However, whereas temperature and precipitation changed systematically from 1901–1979 to 1980–2016, and these changes were positively related to changes in CTI and CPI, community climatic associations did not change significantly over time. Butterfly communities became more associated with closed vegetation, suggesting that land cover changes overshadowed the effects of climate change.Local (1 km) climatic variation generally exceeded change over time at 10 km resolution, and heterogeneity in elevation slowed rates of warming. In turn, spatial variation in climatic conditions dampened butterfly community responses to heating and drying.Occurrence data are limited by their spatial resolution but can inform understanding of insect community responses to global change for regions lacking long‐term monitoring data. Our results suggest that local climatic variation accompanying topographic heterogeneity can shield regional butterfly faunas from the impacts of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persistent inflammation and immune activation are associated with lymph node fibrosis and end‐organ diseases in treatment‐suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH). We investigated the effect of switching to raltegravir and/or adding losartan on lymphoid tissue fibrosis and on the inflammatory/immune‐activation mediators in treated HIV patients. Methods: Chronic HIV‐infected patients treated with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (2NRTI) and one non‐NRTI (NNRTI) or protease inhibitor (PI) during at least 48 weeks were randomized to four groups (n = 48): 2NRTI + efavirenz (EFV), 2NRTI + EFV + losartan, 2NRTI + raltegravir and 2NRTI + raltegravir + losartan for 48 weeks. Tonsillar biopsy and peripheral blood markers of CD4 and CD8 T‐lymphocyte activation and senescence, monocyte activation and soluble markers of inflammation were determined at baseline and at week 48 and compared between groups. Results: No changes in lymphoid tissue architecture were observed. Adding losartan had no impact on lymphocyte subsets. Conversely, patients who switched to raltegravir showed a higher decrease in all activated [CD4+CD38+HLA‐DR+, −0.3 vs. 0.48 (P = 0.033); CD8+CD38+ HLA‐DR+, −1.6 vs. 1.3 (P = 0.02)] and senescent [CD4+CD28–CD57+, −0.3 vs. 0.26 (P = 0.04); CD8+CD28–CD57+, −6.1 vs. 3.8 (P = 0.002)] T lymphocytes. In addition, the median CD4/CD8 ratio increased by 0.35 in patients in the raltegravir group vs. 0.03 in the other arms (P = 0.002). Differences between groups in monocyte subpopulations or soluble inflammation markers were not observed. Conclusions: Losartan had no effect on lymphoid fibrosis or immune activation/inflammation. Conversely, switching to a regimen with raltegravir significantly decreased activated and senescent T‐lymphocyte subpopulations and increased CD4/CD8 ratio in successfully treated PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent class analysis and multigroup mediation were used with 8,860 families in Chile to identify risk groups varying in socioeconomic status, family structure, and maternal depression, to determine whether profiles differed in children's development of externalizing problems (EP) from 35 to 61 months, and maternal parenting that predicted EP. Four groups were identified: one no‐risk profile and three risk profiles, impoverished and undereducated, depressed and impoverished, and father‐absent and impoverished. All classes differed in EP. Maternal emotional support and harsh parenting were differentially associated with the development of EP across the three risk groups, relative to the low‐risk group. Thus, specific constellations of adversities differentially predicted children's EP and socialization processes mediating links between risk and EP. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lime and phosphogypsum applications are well‐established practices in weathered soils, and their surface application under no‐till (NT) can affect soil physical attributes and C and N fractions. This study determined the long‐term (10‐yr) effects of lime and phosphogypsum applications to the soil surface on soil C and N fractions of a tropical NT field. The experimental design was a randomized block with four treatments and four replications. The following treatments were applied in October 2002, November 2004, and October 2010, respectively: limestone (2,000 kg ha−1), phosphogypsum (2,100 kg ha−1), and limestone (2,000 kg ha−1) plus phosphogypsum (2,100 kg ha−1). In general, after 10 yr of liming, both alone and when associated with phosphogypsum, the cumulative crop straw inputs were increased at least 20% across the years, and the C fractions increased remarkably at different soil depths. Both treatments improved the SOC stocks by 24% (12.5–15.6 Mg ha−1) at 0.1–0.2‐m soil depths and by 10% (30.6–33.8 Mg ha−1) at 0–0.2‐m soil depths, and in general the soil aggregation at 0–0.4‐m soil depths. However, the particulate C and N fractions were reduced at 0–0.05‐m soil depth, suggesting a slight response to the transitory trend of soil organic C (SOC) depletion. Liming, both alone and when associated with phosphogypsum, overcame the transitory C pool depletion and improved soil aggregation, soil C fractions, and SOC stocks and could be considered an important factor that drives the sustainability of cropping systems under NT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Elite controllers (EC) are a rare group of HIV‐1‐positive individuals who suppress viral loads (VL) to undetectable levels with elevated CD4 T‐cell counts in the absence of ART. While rates of short‐ and mid‐term progression have been described in these patients, few studies have focused on their long‐term outcome This study aims to describe the virological and immunological behaviour in a cohort of elite controllers followed up for a median of 17 years in the University Hospital, and to identify factors that may be related to disease progression. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, prospective and single‐centre study of all HIV‐positive adults recorded in the University Hospital database who met the definition criteria for EC. EC were defined as patients having two consecutive undetectable VL without ART for at least one year. Patients were followed from baseline up to December 2019, to the development of a progression event (loss of VL control, CD4+ T cell decline, AIDS or death) or to the censoring date (lost to follow‐up or initiation of ART). Predictive models of progression were calculated. Results: Fifty‐nine EC were identified with a median follow‐up of 17 years contributing 1033 PYFU. The median (95% CI) time duration from HIV‐1 diagnosis to disease progression was four (1.7 to 6.3) years. Forty‐nine (83%) presented progression to the composite end‐point, 44 (74.6%) lost viral control, 39 (66.1%) lost immunological control, two developed AIDS and two died. Only 10 patients (16.9%) did not show progression of any kind. Independent predictors of virological progression were sexual risk of HIV‐1 acquisition and VL blips during the first year of follow‐up (baseline). The only independent predictor detected for progression to a composite end‐point was VL blips during the first year of follow‐up (baseline). Conclusions: The rate of long‐term progression in EC was very high. Only a minority of patients did not show clinical progression after a median of 17 years of follow‐up. These results should be taken in account when considering EC as a model of HIV‐1 remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the extent to which formalised HR practices can reduce gender bias in pay setting or whether, following Acker (2006), gender bias may still be embedded within formalised HR practices. Detailed investigation of a critical case study of a Chilean finance organisation with a strong commitment to formalised, consistent and transparent pay practices based on individuated information, revealed only a small negative gender effect on pay and no identifiable gender effects in starting salaries, merit pay or promotion. These findings provide some support for the proposition that HR practices focused on job‐related performance (Reskin, 2000) and limiting managerial discretion may facilitate gender pay equity. However, the case also reveals the limits of these policies. Women scored equally well on performance but formalised scores on future potential were higher for men and mattered more. A significant gender effect emerged in promotion to more senior posts. These mixed outcomes suggest that Acker's (2006) proposition still holds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparian habitats provide refuge for unique plant and animal assemblages. Many riparian habitats in arid ecosystems have lost most of their vegetation and associated fauna, due to a reduction of their original extension by land transformation. Using a case study from the subtropical desert of Peru, we quantified avian richness, diversity and abundance of resident species in twelve sites with a varying degree of anthropogenic impact, using an anthropogenic index (A.I.) as a proxy of alteration of the original vegetation. Sites with lower values of A.I. were those with the highest percentage of riparian cover. We found that species richness was higher at sites with a higher percentage of riparian vegetation (low A.I.), although bird diversity did not differ between sites. Five bird species, mostly insectivorous passerines, showed higher abundances at sites with low A.I., suggesting that less riparian cover is associated with lower abundances of such species. Despite its conspicuous presence, the Slender‐billed Finch, an endemic species recorded at all sites, was found at lower abundances when riparian vegetation was scarcer. Only one species showed the opposite trend, the Rufous‐collared sparrow, a dietary generalist songbird, which was more abundant at sites with higher A.I. Other 20 species analysed showed no trend. Moreover, several species had few records precluding a formal statistical analysis. This study offers valuable data on the negative impact that the loss of native vegetation could have on riparian communities of subtropical ecosystems, for which no other long‐term data exist. The protection, management and restoration of riparian strips should be a priority for bird conservation in human‐modified environments, particularly for those in developing countries. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Black Sigatoka is one of the most severe banana (Musa spp.) diseases worldwide, but no methods for the rapid early detection of this disease have been reported. This paper assesses the use of hyperspectral images for the development of a partial‐least‐squares penalized‐logistic‐regression (PLS–PLR) model and a hyperspectral biplot (HS biplot) as a visual tool for detecting the early stages of black Sigatoka disease. Methods: Young (three‐month‐old) banana plants were inoculated with a conidia suspension of the black Sigatoka fungus (Pseudocercospora fijiensis). Selected infected and control plants were evaluated using a hyperspectral imaging system at wavelengths in the range of 386–1019 nm. PLS–PLR models were run on the hyperspectral data set. The prediction power was assessed using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation as well as external validation. Results: The PLS–PLR model was able to predict the presence of the disease with a 98% accuracy. The wavelengths with the highest contribution to the classification ranged from 577 to 651 nm and from 700 to 1019 nm. Discussion: PLS–PLR and HS biplot effectively estimated the presence of black Sigatoka disease at the early stages and can be used to graphically represent the relationship between groups of leaves and both visible and near‐infrared wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemia diagnosis in populations residing at high altitude (HA) involves an adjustment of hemoglobin (Hb) values owing to the increase in its concentration with altitude. The suitability of the adjustment has been questioned since Hb concentrations depend on how adapted a population is to HA. In Peru, anemia in preschool children (PSC) is a matter of severe public concern for its high rates; in the city of Puno (∼3800 MASL), for example, 67.7% of children under 3 years are diagnosed with anemia. Here, we conducted an observational study in PSC living at different altitudes in Puno to assess Hb, iron status, and the suitability of altitude‐adjusted Hb values in defining iron deficiency anemia. After adjusting Hb, 65.66% of the population had anemia, while only 4.8% of PSC had anemia when using unadjusted Hb. Receiver‐operating characteristic curves using total body iron (TBI) as a marker of iron status are presented. In the 36‐ to 59‐month age group, unadjusted Hb performed better than altitude‐adjusted Hb. In the 6‐ to 35‐month age group, anemia (adjusted or unadjusted) was not associated with TBI. We conclude that Hb adjustment by altitude is not appropriate. Anemia at an early age is not entirely attributable to iron deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many metabolic disorders that present with bone phenotypes. In some cases, the pathological bone symptoms are the main features of the disease whereas in others they are a secondary characteristic. In general, the generation of the bone problems in these disorders is not well understood and the therapeutic options for them are scarce. Bone development occurs in the early stages of embryonic development where the bone formation, or osteogenesis, takes place. This osteogenesis can be produced through the direct transformation of the pre‐existing mesenchymal cells into bone tissue (intramembranous ossification) or by the replacement of the cartilage by bone (endochondral ossification). In contrast, bone remodeling takes place during the bone's growth, after the bone development, and continues throughout the whole life. The remodeling involves the removal of mineralized bone by osteoclasts followed by the formation of bone matrix by the osteoblasts, which subsequently becomes mineralized. In some metabolic diseases, bone pathological features are associated with bone development problems but in others they are associated with bone remodeling. Here, we describe three examples of impaired bone development or remodeling in metabolic diseases, including work by others and the results from our research. In particular, we will focus on hereditary multiple exostosis (or osteochondromatosis), Gaucher disease, and the susceptibility to atypical femoral fracture in patients treated with bisphosphonates for several years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]