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La desigualdad de género en la Medicina Veterinaria se produjo desde la consolidación de la profesión en Brasil, ocupada por hombres. 54% de los profesionales veterinarios son mujeres en Brasil, pero datos de Minas Gerais muestran que el 45,5% de las mujeres ya sufrió discriminación, el 23,3% llegó a puestos directivos, el 41% ya perdió el empleo. oportunidades y el 73,5% de las mujeres dicen que enfrentan más desafíos que los hombres. Por lo tanto, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo intercambiar experiencias entre mujeres de la comunidad de la Universidade Federal de Uberlândia con la comunidad externa, con el objetivo de darle voz a los Médicos Veterinarios para ayudar a los estudiantes de la carrera a enfrentar posibles adversidades profesionales. El evento se desarrolló en el Campus Umuarama de la UFU y se dividió en una presentación de las experiencias de los ponentes y un intercambio de conocimientos entre todos los presentes. Para evaluar el evento, los participantes expresaron sus opiniones a través de formularios y estas fueron transmitidas en una reunión para posibles mejoras. Finalmente, el evento presentó la relevancia de discutir temas de género en la profesión, con el fin de buscar una sociedad más inclusiva y consciente., Gender inequality within Veterinary Medicine has occurred since the consolidation of the profession in Brazil, where there was a need for professionals who were responsible for the health of horses in the armed forces, occupied by men. However, in 2020 a survey was carried out showing that 54% of veterinary professionals are women in Brazil, but data from Minas Gerais show that 45.5% of women have already suffered discrimination, 23.3% have reached management positions, 41% have already lost job opportunities and 73.5% of women say they face more challenges than men. Therefore, the present work aimed to exchange experiences between women from the UFU community with the external community, with the aim of giving Veterinary Doctors a voice to help undergraduates of the course to deal with possible professional adversities. The event was held at the Umuarama Campus at UFU, divided into a presentation of the speakers' experiences and an exchange of knowledge between everyone present. To evaluate the event, participants expressed their opinions on forms and these were passed on at a meeting for possible improvements. Speakers Any Carolina presented the reality of black Veterinary Medicine, where 79.4% of Veterinary Doctors declare themselves to be white, demonstrating the deficit in equity. Presenting the difference in the distribution of specialties related to agribusiness and, also, salary equity pointed out by Adriana Garcia. Finally, the event presented the relevance of discussing gender issues in the profession, in order to seek a more inclusive and conscious society., A desigualdade de gênero dentro da Medicina Veterinária, ocorre desde a consolidação da profissão no Brasil onde via-se a necessidade de profissionais que se responsabilizassem pela saúde de cavalos nas forças armadas, ocupado por homens. Entretanto, em 2020, foi realizado um levantamento que 54% dos profissionais Médicos Veterinários são mulheres no Brasil, mas dados de Minas Gerais, mostram que 45,5% das mulheres já sofreram discriminação, 23,3% alcançaram cargos de chefia, 41% já perderam oportunidade de trabalho e 73,5% das mulheres afirmam ter mais desafios do que homens. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma troca de experiencias entre mulheres da comunidade UFU com a comunidade externa, com intuito de dar voz a Médicas Veterinárias para auxiliar graduandas do curso para lidar com as possíveis adversidades profissionais. O evento foi realizado no Campus Umuarama na Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, dividido em apresentação de experiencias das palestrantes e troca de conhecimento entre todos presentes. De forma avaliativa do evento, os participantes expuseram suas opiniões em formulários e os mesmos repassados em reunião para possíveis melhorias. Por fim, o evento apresentou a relevância em dialogar sobre questões de gênero na profissão, a fim de buscar uma sociedade mais inclusiva e consciente.

Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) is a viral disease that affects pigs at all stages of production: in sows, it causes reproductive failures; in boars, it is characterized by low-quality semen, and pigs of all stages may exhibit respiratory manifestations. In Ecuador, specifically in the Amazon region, the impact of this disease has not been assessed. This research aims to determine the frequency of seropositivity to PRRS virus and its risk factors in different pig farms in the Morona canton, Morona Santiago province, Ecuador. A total of 264 blood serum samples were analyzed from 99 farms in the parishes of the Morona canton. This study considered the categories of sows, boars, and fattening pigs. The samples were analyzed at the LIVEXLAB laboratory in Quito, using the PRRS XR Ab ELISA kit. The results revealed a frequency of 24.24% for the Morona canton, with the most affected parishes being General Proaño (32.11%), Rio Blanco (22%), and Sevilla Don Bosco (18.75%). The lowest frequencies were observed in Macas (16.67%), San Isidro (15.38%), and Sinai (0%). Among the categories, the sow’s category was the most affected (29.79%), followed by fattening pigs (24.49%) and boars (9.52%). Risk factors were determined, and five of them showed significance: type of production, litters with fewer than eight piglets, acquiring new animals, acquiring replacements from outside the operation, and the presence of abortions

The aimed of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in different doses on the ovarian response in guineapigs, with prior synchronization of the estrous cycle. A total of 18 female guineapigs with an average age of 80 ± 15 days, weight about of 800 to 1150 grams, were used, under to 10 days adaptation process. 3 experimental groups were formed, which were synchronized for 15 days with progesterone (P4); starting on the last day of P4 administration and for 3 consecutive days, hMG was administered intraperitoneally at different doses, 5, 10, and 15 IU/kg/day. The administration of hMG significantly increased the number of corpora lutea (CLs) in all groups, in addition to the total number of recovered structures; however, there were no significant differences in the number of CLs observed, on the surface of the ovary, or in the structures recovered between the different doses of hMG. The number of the structures classified as suitable was higher in all groups, likewise, the proportion between morulas and blastocysts considered suitable was different between groups, all groups showed a higher proportion of morulas vs. the number of blastocysts collected on the wash day. The diameter of the follicles was affected by the administration of different doses of hMG, showing a greater follicular diameter in the groups with higher doses of hMG vs. the lowest dose group. No significant differences were evident in the vaginal membrane opening; as well as ovarian volume, size of corpora lutea and number of follicles. The results obtained suggest that the application of hMG has a direct effect on the ovarian response and therefore on the number of embryos recovered. This response is due to the high number of corpora lutea observed on the day of collection, however, this effect is dose independent.

The present study examined the viability of equine spermatozoa after being frozen and vitrified in pellets and straws. A total of 16 ejaculates from 4 Spanish horses were collected and divided into three groups according to the cryopreservation method used: Conventional freezing (CC), Pellet vitrification (VIT-Pe), and Straw vitrification (VIT-Paj). CC was carried out in 0.5 ml straws with 5% DMF and liquid nitrogen (NL2 ) vapor; VIT-Pe was performed with 100 mM trehalose by submerging the samples in droplets directly into NL2 ; whereas VIT-Paj was conducted with 100 mM trehalose by submerging 0.25 ml straws inserted into 0.5 ml straws horizontally into NL2 . Kinematic parameters were affected by the freezing and vitrification processes, regardless of the technique used. CC showed significantly higher total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) compared to vitrification. However, VIT-Pe significantly outperformed VIT-Paj in TM. Regarding sperm membrane integrity, CC was superior to vitrification, but VIT-Pe showed better results than VIT-Paj. In morphometry, significant differences were observed among horses in variables such as width, area, roughness, and regularity. In conclusion, CC was more effective than vitrification, but VIT-Pe showed a better performance in sperm survival

This study evaluated the use of the recombinant peptide D+E (L230-A419) of the nucleoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus for the detection of antibodies in domestic felines (Felis catus) potentially exposed to COVID-19. For this purpose, 30 blood serum samples collected before the pandemic and 30 samples collected after the pandemic from domestic cats that had already been identified as potentially exposed to COVID-19 were used. The samples were analyzed using two serological tests, indirect ELISA and Western Blot, showing the presence of antibodies against the D+E peptide (L230-A419) of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Nucleoprotein in both the pre-pandemic samples (ELISA indirect 27 positive/Western Blot 7 positive) as in the post-pandemic (indirect ELISA 16 positive/Western Blot 7 positive), however, significant differences were observed between the two methods used. The results suggest a possible cross-reaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the FCoV endemic to the area because the nucleoprotein of these viruses shares common antigenic epitopes, since the cats sampled came from rural areas and with minimal health care. The use of other more specific antigens is recommended for the assessment of the presence of antibodies against Sars-CoV-2 since the null efficacy of this recombinant peptide for the detection of antibodies to the virus was demonstrated

En this study, we investigated the effect of three nutritional densities on morphometric and histological characteristics in organs of the celomic cavity in broiler chickens. We used 540 one-day-old Cobb 500 chickens distributed into three treatments with six replications each, with 30 chickens per experimental unit, employing a completely randomized block design, with ad libitum feeding and water. The treatments included low density (T1), medium density (T2), and high density (T3). Morphometry evaluated the weight, length, shape, and tone of the organs (small intestine, gizzard, pancreas, liver, and spleen) on days 0, 7, 21, 42, and 49. Histological variables included villus length, crypt diameter in the small intestine, presence of cholangiohepatitis, congestion, lipidosis, fibrosis, hydropic degeneration, and hepatocellular necrosis in the liver. As for morphometric variables, on day 7, T2 showed greater liver length, while on day 21, both T2 and T3 surpassed T1. On day 35, T1 reached measurements comparable to T2 and surpassed T3; on day 42, the superiority of T1 was maintained. For histological variables in the small intestine, T3 for villus length and T2 for crypt length achieved better results on day 7, while on day 21, T1 and T2 surpassed T3 in both villus length and crypt diameter. On day 42, T3 surpassed T1 in villus length, while T1 achieved better results than T2 in crypt diameter. No significant differences were observed in any histological liver variable among the treatments. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that changing diets to a low density improves liver morphometric variables, also benefiting the development of intestinal villi and crypts, while a medium density favors spleen weight, small intestine weight and length; and a high density does not benefit morphometric or histological characteristics

Guinea pigs are currently fed the so-called traditional diet consisting of; corn flour, wheat bran, and molasses which supplement their typically diet of forage in Azuay. This diet does not provide satisfactory results for producers since the animals do not reach the desired weight at 3 months; as they do not receive the amount of protein necessary for their growth. An alternative to obtain good yields and for the animals to gain adequate weight at 12 weeks is avian flour (AF); since it contains a protein level of 58%. In the present investigation, the incorporation of avian flour in different concentrations to the overfeed fraction of the traditional diet of guinea pigs in the fattening stage was evaluated (T0 alfalfa, T1 alfalfa + traditional diet (TD) control treatment, T2 alfalfa + TD + 10% AF, T3 alfalfa + TD + 15% AF, T4 alfalfa + TD + 20% AF) 80 crossbred weaned males from the Peru line were used, where the productive parameters and organoleptic characteristics were determined at 90 and 105 days. The addition of avian flour in 20% T4 on day 90 and 105 registers the highest weight showing a significant difference with respect to T0. The abdominal fat present in the abdominal cavity is greater in T4 with respect to the control treatment both on day 90. As at day 105, the organoleptic characteristics of the meat improve by adding avian flour to the diet, making the addition of this by-product convenient

This study evaluated the effect of Nepeta cataria (Nc) on the behavior of Leopardus pardalis in captivity as environmental enrichment. Three ocelots were subjected to two treatments of 11,520 minutes each: a treatment without Nepeta cataria (SN) and with Nepeta cataria (CN). An ethogram was made for each one, then using Petit's test the duration times of each activity and behavior were determined, finally they were analyzed individually and then compared. In the SN ethogram 13 indicators were observed as in the CN ethogram, however, in the latter 3 new indicators related to the Nc were generated, the response generated by these ocelots to the Nc stimulus is similar to that of domestic cats, since actions such as rubbing, rolling, licking, biting, resting and sitting near the Nc were observed, with an interaction time of 3-8 minutes and a period of indifference of 30 minutes or several hours. Also, indicators such as sitting (SEN) and sniffing (OLF) decreased (p<0.05) in their duration by 1.07% and 56.60%, respectively; the opposite case of drinking (BEB) and bathing (BAN) increased their duration (p<0.05) by 66.64% and 20%, the CAO indicator corresponding to stereotypy decreased by 44.06%, in contrast to the SN period. In conclusion, ocelots showed a positive response to Nc, because it promotes wildlife behavior patterns and decreases abnormal behaviors.

This research determined the effect of KnockoutTM Serum Replacement (KSR) on embryo production, and expression of the Aquaporin3 gene in bovine blastocysts produced in vitro post-freezing. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured and fertilized in vitro, the embryos were incubated for 6 days in culture medium supplemented with 3 treatments: 5% KSR, 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), or 0.6% albumin bovine serum (CON). On day 7, after IVF, the embryos were classified according to their morphology. Quality 1 blastocysts were frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. After being thawed, the total RNA was extracted, the complementary DNA was synthesized and the expression of the Aquaporin 3 gene was quantified by RT-qPCR. The data were processed using analysis of variance, the means compared with the least squares test. In the cleavage rate there was similarity between treatments, the proportion of total embryos ranged between: 24.9 to 26.3%; for blastocysts between 20.1 to 21.3%, and for early embryos: 31.1 to 40.4%. The KSR and SFB treatments obtained a higher rate of regular embryos than the CON; This difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). The CON group obtained the highest percentage of advanced embryos (45.9%) and the highest number of re-expanded blastocysts (7.6%) after thawing and incubation for 24 hours compared to the other treatments. Regarding the expression of Aquaporin3, there was no significant difference in the analysis between treatments

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of probiotics on the health and milk quality of Holstein cows. The treatments were as follows: T1 control; T2 basal diet plus 50 ml of probiotic containing L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus; T3 basal diet plus 50 ml of probiotic containing K. fragilis and S. cerevisiae. These treatments were repeated 6 times over 75 days. A Completely Randomized Design was used. Red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and platelets were measured. Cholesterol, total proteins, and aspartate aminotransferase were also measured. The red blood cell count was higher for T1 (P<0.10) at day 0 with 10.15 × 10^9/L. Platelets were higher in T2 at day 0 with 375.83 × 10^9/L and higher for T3 at day 75 with 366.50 × 10^9/L (P<0.10). Hemoglobin was high in T1 (P<0.10) at day 45 with 103.17 × 10^9/L. At 60 days, T3 showed higher milk quality (P<0.10) in fat with 3.52%, protein 3.13%, lactose 4.80%, and non-fat solids 8.72%. T3 also showed higher values at 75 days (P<0.10), in fat 3.67%, protein 3.22%, non-fat solids 8.88%, total solids 12.55%, and salts 0.67%. The potential use of probiotic biopreparations with antimicrobial activity in animal feed production of zootechnical interest is confirmed, in addition to their effects on milk quality, hematological, and blood biochemical indicators in dairy cows in the first third of lactation; showing changes in the final days of the trial

Oenococcus oeni is the lactic acid bacteria most suited to carry out malolactic fermentation in wine, converting L-malic acid into L-lactic acid and carbon dioxide, thereby deacidifying wines. Indeed, wine is a harsh environment for microbial growth, partly because of its low pH. By metabolizing citrate, O. oeni maintains its homeostasis under acid conditions. Indeed, citrate consumption activates the proton motive force, helps to maintain intracellular pH, and enhances bacterial growth when it is co-metabolized with sugars. In addition, citrate metabolism is responsible for diacetyl production, an aromatic compound which bestows a buttery character to wine. However, an inhibitory effect of citrate on O. oeni growth at low pH has been highlighted in recent years. In order to understand how citrate metabolism can be linked to the acid tolerance of this bacterium, consumption of citrate was investigated in eleven O. oeni strains. In addition, malate and sugar consumptions were also monitored, as they can be impacted by citrate metabolism. This experiment highlighted the huge diversity of metabolisms between strains depending on their origin. It also showed the capacity of O. oeni to de novo metabolize certain end-products such as L-lactate and mannitol, a phenomenon never before demonstrated. It also enabled drawing hypotheses concerning the two positive effects that the slowing down of citrate metabolism could have on biomass production and malolactic fermentation occurring under low pH conditions.

Beverages are an important part of the diet, but their environmental impact has been scarcely assessed. The aim of this study was to assess how changes in beverage consumption over a one-year period can impact the environmental sustainability of the diet. This is a one-year longitudinal study of 55-75-year-old participants with metabolic syndrome (n = 1122) within the frame of the PREDIMED-Plus study. Food and beverage intake were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a validated beverage-specific questionnaire. The Agribalyse (R) 3.0.1 database was used to calculate environmental impact parameters such as greenhouse gas emission, energy, water, and land use. A sustainability beverage score was created by considering the evaluated environmental markers. A higher beverage sustainability score was obtained when decreasing the consumption of bottled water, natural and packed fruit juice, milk, and drinkable dairy, soups and broths, sorbets and jellies, soft drinks, tea without sugar, beer (with and without alcohol), and wine, as well as when increasing the consumption of tap water and coffee with milk and without sugar. Beverage consumption should be considered when assessing the environmental impact of a diet. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN89898870. Registered 5 September 2013.

This article aims to estimate the differences in environmental impact (greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, land use, energy used, acidification and potential eutrophication) after one year of promoting a Mediterranean diet (MD).Baseline and 1-year follow-up data from 5800 participants in the PREDIMED-Plus study were used. Each participant's food intake was estimated using validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, and the adherence to MD using the Dietary Score. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The association between MD adherence and its environmental impact was calculated using adjusted multivariate linear regression models.After one year of intervention, the kcal/day consumed was significantly reduced (-125,1 kcal/day), adherence to a MD pattern was improved (+0,9) and the environmental impact due to the diet was significantly reduced (GHG: -361 g/CO2-eq; Acidification:-11,5 g SO2-eq; Eutrophication:-4,7 g PO4-eq; Energy use:-842,7 kJ; and Land use:-2,2 m2). Higher adherence to MD (high vs. low) was significantly associated with lower environmental impact both at baseline and one year follow-up. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the factors analysed, both at baseline and at one-year follow-up, in spite of the reduction observed in their consumption.A program promoting a MD, after one year of intervention, significantly reduced the environmental impact in all the factors analysed. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the dimensions analysed.Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Beverages are an important part of the diet, but their environmental impact has been scarcely assessed. The aim of this study was to assess how changes in beverage consumption over a one-year period can impact the environmental sustainability of the diet. This is a one-year longitudinal study of 55-75-year-old participants with metabolic syndrome (n = 1122) within the frame of the PREDIMED-Plus study. Food and beverage intake were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a validated beverage-specific questionnaire. The Agribalyse® 3.0.1 database was used to calculate environmental impact parameters such as greenhouse gas emission, energy, water, and land use. A sustainability beverage score was created by considering the evaluated environmental markers. A higher beverage sustainability score was obtained when decreasing the consumption of bottled water, natural and packed fruit juice, milk, and drinkable dairy, soups and broths, sorbets and jellies, soft drinks, tea without sugar, beer (with and without alcohol), and wine, as well as when increasing the consumption of tap water and coffee with milk and without sugar. Beverage consumption should be considered when assessing the environmental impact of a diet. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN89898870. Registered 5 September 2013.

In the era of man–machine interfaces, digital twins stand as a key technology, offering virtual representations of real-world objects, processes, and systems through computational models. They enable novel ways of interacting with, comprehending, and manipulating real-world entities within a virtual realm. The real implementation of graphene-based sensors and electronic devices remains challenging due to the integration complexities of high-quality graphene materials with existing manufacturing processes. To address this, scalable techniques for the in-situ fabrication of graphene-like materials are essential. One promising method involves using a CO2 laser to convert polyimide into graphene. Optimizing this graphitization process is hindered by complex parameter interactions and nonlinear terms. This article explores how these digital replicas can enhance the fabrication of laser-induced graphene (LIG) through laser simulation and machine learning methods to enable rapid single-step LIG patterning. This approach aims to create a universal simulation for all CO2 lasers, calculating optical energy flux and utilizing machine learning to control and predict LIG conductivity (ability to conduct current), morphology, and electrical resistance. The proposed procedure, integrating digital twins in the LIG production process, will avoid or reduce the preliminary tests required to determine the proper laser parameters to reach the desired LIG characteristics. Accordingly, this approach will reduce the time and costs associated with these tests and thus increase the efficiency and optimize the procedure.

The exploration of edible insects, specifically Alphitobius diaperinus and Tenebrio molitor, as sustainable sources of protein for human consumption is an emerging field. However, research into their effects on intestinal health, especially in relation to inflammation and permeability, remains limited. Using ex vivo and in vivo models of intestinal health and disease, in this study we assess the impact of the above insects on intestinal function by focusing on inflammation, barrier dysfunction and morphological changes. Initially, human intestinal explants were exposed to in vitro-digested extracts of these insects, almond and beef. Immune secretome analysis showed that the inflammatory response to insect-treated samples was comparatively lower than it was for samples exposed to almond and beef. Animal studies using yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and buffalo (Alphitobius diaperinus) flours were then used to evaluate their safety in healthy rats and LPS-induced intestinal dysfunction rats. Chronic administration of these insect-derived flours showed no adverse effects on behavior, metabolism, intestinal morphology or immune response (such as inflammation or allergy markers) in healthy Wistar rats. Notably, in rats subjected to proinflammatory LPS-induced intestinal dysfunction, T. molitor consumption did not exacerbate symptoms, nor did it increase allergic responses. These findings validate the safety of these edible insects under healthy conditions, demonstrate their innocuity in a model of intestinal dysfunction, and underscore their promise as sustainable and nutritionally valuable dietary protein sources.

Ectopic fat accumulation in non-adipose tissues is closely related to diabetes-related myocardial dysfunction. Nevertheless, the complete picture of the lipid metabolites involved in the metabolic-related myocardial alterations is not fully characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize the specific lipid profile in hearts in an animal model of obesity/insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The cardiac lipidome profiles were assessed via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS-MS and laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) tissue imaging in hearts from C57BL/6J mice fed with an HFD or standard-diet (STD) for 12 weeks. Targeted lipidome analysis identified a total of 63 lipids (i.e., 48 triacylglycerols (TG), 5 diacylglycerols (DG), 1 sphingomyelin (SM), 3 phosphatidylcholines (PC), 1 DihydroPC, and 5 carnitines) modified in hearts from HFD-fed mice compared to animals fed with STD. Whereas most of the TG were up-regulated in hearts from animals fed with an HFD, most of the carnitines were down-regulated, thereby suggesting a reduction in the mitochondrial beta-oxidation. Roughly 30% of the identified metabolites were oxidated, pointing to an increase in lipid peroxidation. Cardiac lipidome was associated with a specific biochemical profile and a specific liver TG pattern. Overall, our study reveals a specific cardiac lipid fingerprint associated with metabolic alterations induced by HFD.

This study delves into the Single Band Ratiometric (SBR) method for luminescence thermometry, specifically employing Tb3+-doped LiSrGdW3O12 (LSGW) as a novel phosphor. The prepared samples crystallize with the tetragonal scheelite structure, with the optimal Tb3+ concentration pinpointed at 0.3Tb(3+) ions. When stimulated at diverse wavelengths exhibit luminescence characterized by varying heat dependencies. By utilizing two Fluorescence Intensity Ratio (FIR) parameters for the 544 nm green emission, firstly excited at 405 nm and 488 nm, and then at 405 nm and 379 nm, the Sr relative thermal sensitivity of the luminescent thermometer peaks at 3.56% K-1 and 4.21% K-1, respectively, within the temperature range of 290-440 K. The temperature resolution (delta T) of the luminescent thermometer is calculated to be delta T-1 = 0.68 K and delta T-2 = 0.75 K for T = 290 K, respectively. These outcomes underscore the applicability of Tb3+ ions for SBR thermometry, emphasizing the impact of the excitation wavelength on the thermal sensitivity. The study lays the groundwork for developing highly sensitive temperature probes by elucidating the interplay of material properties and physical processes.

The recovery of additional mandibular fossils from the Atapuerca Sima de los Huesos (SH) site provides new insights into the evolutionary significance of this sample. In particular, morphological descriptions of the new adult specimens are provided, along with standardized metric data and phylogenetically relevant morphological features for the expanded adult sample. The new and more complete specimens extend the known range of variation in the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles in some metric and morphological details. In other aspects, the addition of new specimens has made it possible to confirm previous observations based on more limited evidence. Pairwise comparisons of individual metric variables revealed the only significant difference between the Atapuerca (SH) hominins and Neandertals was a more vertical symphysis in the latter. Similarly, principal components analysis of size-adjusted variables showed a strong similarity between the Atapuerca (SH) hominins and Neandertals. Morphologically, the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles show nearly the full complement of Neandertal-derived features. Nevertheless, the Neandertals differ from the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles in showing a high frequency of the H/O mandibular foramen, a truncated, thinned and inverted gonial margin, a high placement of the mylohyoid line at the level of the M3, a more vertical symphysis and somewhat more pronounced expression of the chin structures. Size-related morphological variation in the SH hominins includes larger retromolar spaces, more posterior placement of the lateral corpus structures, and stronger markings associated with the muscles of mastication in larger specimens. However, phylogenetically relevant features in the SH sample are fairly stable and do not vary with the overall size of the mandible.

Two new vitrimeric materials have been studied for potential additive manufacturing applications such as 3Dprinting. A monomer containing disulfide bonds and beta-hydroxyesters was easily synthesized from two lowcost and commercially available reagents. Another disulfide-containing monomer was synthesized for comparison purposes. Materials were prepared through a UV-light radical polymerization of methacrylates. The addition of two reactive diluents such as poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and ethylene glycol phenyl ether methacrylate (EGPMA) was necessary to achieve a suitable viscosity for the curing as well as for their printability. The curing process was controlled by FTIR. Thermomechanical properties were investigated by means of DMTA analysis revealing near-ambient T-g values. Stress relaxation tests revealed that both materials were capable to relax the 63% of the initial stress in less than 10 min at 110( degrees)C. The recyclability of the materials was achieved, and the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the recycled samples were compared to the virgin ones revealing a great recovery of the initial properties. Finally, Digital Light Processing (DLP) technique was used to print complex structures with high resolution highlighting the great potential of these vitrimeric materials in 3D printing.

The study of dietary patterns during pregnancy may be of great importance for determining the potential risk of obesity in childhood. We assessed the prospective association between maternal adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) during pregnancy and risk of childhood overweight/obesity at 4 years. This prospective analysis involved 272 mother-child pairs from the ECLIPSES study. Maternal diet during pregnancy was assessed using a validated 45-item food-frequency questionnaire and a relative whole-pregnancy MedDiet score (rMedDiet) was calculated. The children's weight and height were measured at the age of 4. Primary outcome was childhood overweight/obesity based on age- and-sex-specific BMI z-score > 85th percentile using the WHO child growth standards. Mean maternal rMedDiet score in pregnancy was 9.8 (+/- standard deviation 2.3) and 25.7% of the children were overweight/obese. Significant differences in anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and BMI) were found according to sex, with higher scores for boys. After controlling for potential confounders, greater maternal adherence to rMedDiet during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of childhood overweight/obesity, highest vs. lowest quartile (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12-0.90; p-trend 0.037). Similar trends regarding this association (per 1-point increase rMedDiet score) were observed after stratification by advanced maternal age, maternal early pregnancy BMI, education, socioeconomic status, smoking, and gestational weight gain. Our findings suggest that closer adherence to the MedDiet during pregnancy may protect against the risk of offspring overweight/obesity at 4 years. Further research is needed to explore whether associations persist across the life course.

Dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (Des1) catalyzes the formation of a CC double bond in dihydroceramide to furnish ceramide. Inhibition of Des1 is related to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death. The lack of the Des1 crystalline structure, as well as that of a close homologue, hampers the detailed understanding of its inhibition mechanism and difficults the design of new inhibitors, thus making Des1 a strategic target. Based on previous structure-activity studies, different ceramides containing rigid scaffolds were designed. The synthesis and evaluation of these compounds as Des1 inhibitors allowed the identification of PR280 as a better Des 1 inhibitor in vitro (IC50 = 700 nM) than GT11 and XM462, the current reference inhibitors. This cyclopropenone ceramide was obtained in a 6-step synthesis with a 24 % overall yield. The highly confident 3D structure of Des1, recently predicted by AlphaFold2, served as the basis for conducting docking studies of known Des1 inhibitors and the ceramide derivatives synthesized by us in this study. For this purpose, a complete holoprotein structure was previously constructed. This study has allowed a better knowledge of key ligand-enzyme interactions for Des1 inhibitory activity. Furthermore, it sheds some light on the inhibition mechanism of GT11.Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spirolides (SPXs), gymnodimines (GYMs), and pinnatoxins (PnTXs) have been detected in shellfish from the northwestern Mediterranean coast of Spain. Several samples of bivalves were collected from Fangar Bay and Alfacs Bay in Catalonia over a period of over 7 years (from 2015 to 2021). Shellfish samples were analyzed for cyclic imines (CIs) on an LC1200 Agilent and 3200 QTrap triple–quadrupole mass spectrometer. In shellfish, SPX-1 was detected in two cases (of 26.5 µg/kg and 34 µg/kg), and GYM-A was only detected in trace levels in thirteen samples. Pinnatoxin G (PnTX-G) was detected in 44.6% of the samples, with its concentrations ranging from 2 µg/kg to 38.4 µg/kg. Statistical analyses revealed that seawater temperature influenced the presence or absence of these toxins. PnTX-G showed an extremely significant presence/temperature relationship in both bays in comparison to SPX-1 and GYM-A. The prevalence of these toxins in different bivalve mollusks was evaluated. A seasonal pattern was observed, in which the maximum concentrations were found in the winter months for SPX-1 and GYM-A but in the summer months for PnTX-G. The obtained results indicate that it is unlikely that CIs in the studied area pose a potential health risk through the consumption of a seafood diet. However, further toxicological information about CIs is necessary in order to perform a conclusive risk assessment.

Lesser mealworm protein concentrate (LMPC) was conjugated with chlorogenic acid (CA) or tannic acid (TA) using an alkaline method. The impact of polyphenol type and concentration on the physicochemical and structural characteristics, antioxidant, interfacial, and emulsifying properties of the LMPC-polyphenol conjugates were investigated. Under the conditions tested, TA demonstrated higher affinity for LMPC compared to CA. The conjugation of LMPC induced conformational changes as showed by intrinsic fluorescence and FT-MIR raw spectra analysis. The surface hydrophobicity of the conjugates was reduced, leading to increased interfacial tension values for LMPC-TA conjugates without impairment of the emulsifying activity. The antioxidant properties were significantly improved by the conjugation. Flaxseed oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions stabilized by the conjugates and LMPC remained physically stable for 12 days at 50 °C with a notable reduction of secondary oxidation products when conjugates were used. LMPC-TA and LMPC-CA exhibited potential to be used as novel antioxidant emulsifiers in O/W emulsions.

Intra-tooth or sequential stable isotope analyses are nowadays widely implemented in zooarchaeological research. Sequential isotopic analyses have been mainly restricted to the mineral fraction of the enamel, while a wider implementation in dentine collagen has been generally eluded, despite conforming an essential organic compound for paleodietary studies. In high-crowned teeth, dentine grows oblique to the vertical axis of growth and some challenges arise when trying to isolate dentine increments during a sequential sampling. Previous sampling strategies slice the whole dentine thickness and provide sequences where isotopic variation is largely attenuated. In this study, we show a new proposal for performing carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of dentine collagen which better fits dentine's growth. We implemented it in mandibular second molars of an experimental modern sheep flock. Our sampling largely reduces the isotopic "damping" of previous approaches and provides short time-span samples. Sequential 813C values obtained in dentine tissue yielded similar resolution to those obtained in enamel tissue of the same individuals. This proposal, especially suitable for caprine and other bovid species, broadens the implementation of dentine collagen signatures in the field of stable isotope analyses in zooarchaeology.

The diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia (FM) have relied heavily on subjective reports of experienced symptoms coupled with examination-based evidence of diffuse tenderness due to the lack of reliable biomarkers. Rheumatic disorders that are common causes of chronic pain such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, and chronic low back pain are frequently found to be comorbid with FM. As a result, this can make the diagnosis of FM more challenging. We aim to develop a reliable classification algorithm using unique spectral profiles of portable FT-MIR that can be used as a real-time point-of-care device for the screening of FM. A novel volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) technique ensured sample volume accuracies and minimized the variation introduced due to hematocrit-based bias. Blood samples from 337 subjects with different disorders (179 FM, 158 non-FM) collected with VAMS were analyzed. A semi-permeable membrane filtration approach was used to extract the blood samples, and spectral data were collected using a portable FT-MIR spectrometer. The OPLS-DA algorithm enabled the classification of the spectra into their corresponding classes with 84% accuracy, 83% sensitivity, and 85% specificity. The OPLS-DA regression plot indicated that spectral regions associated with amide bands and amino acids were responsible for discrimination patterns and can be potentially used as spectral biomarkers to differentiate FM and other rheumatic diseases.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is often accompanied by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is a poorly understood disorder that mainly affects women and leads to chronic pain, fatigue, and insomnia, among other symptoms, which decrease quality of life. Due to the inefficiency of current pharmacological treatments, increasing interest is being directed towards non-pharmacological multicomponent therapies. However, nutrition and chronobiology are often overlooked when developing multicomponent therapies. This narrative and critical review explore the relevance of nutritional and chronobiological strategies in the therapeutic management of FM and the often-associated CFS. Reviewed literature offers scientific evidence for the association of dietary habits, nutrient levels, body composition, gut microbiota imbalance, chronobiological alterations, and their interrelation with the development and severity of symptoms. This review highlights the key role of nutrition and chronobiology as relevant and indispensable components in a multidisciplinary approach to FM and CFS.

Diets rich in polyphenols has been associated with better cognitive performance. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between microbial phenolic metabolites (MPM) in urine and cognition in the context of an older population at high cardiovascular risk.A cross-sectional analysis is conducted in 400 individuals of the PREDIMED-Plus study. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is used to identify urinary MPM. Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence is estimated with a 17-item questionnaire and cognitive function is evaluated with a battery of neuropsychological tests. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models are fitted to assess the relationship of urinary MPM with the MedDiet and cognitive tests. Protocatechuic acid and enterolactone glucuronide are associated with higher adherence to the MedDiet. Regarding cognitive function, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid glucuronide, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, enterodiol glucuronide, and enterolactone glucuronide are directly associated with a global composite score of all the cognitive tests. Furthermore, protocatechuic acid and enterolactone glucuronide are associated with higher scores in the Mini-Mental State Examination, whereas enterodiol glucuronide is associated with improved Clock Drawing Test scores.These results suggest that the MedDiet is linked to MPM associated with better cognitive performance in an older population.© 2023 The Authors. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Beyond their conventional roles in intracellular energy production, some traditional metabolites also function as extracellular messengers that activate cell-surface G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) akin to hormones and neurotransmitters. These signalling metabolites, often derived from nutrients, the gut microbiota or the host's intermediary metabolism, are now acknowledged as key regulators of various metabolic and immune responses. This review delves into the multi-dimensional aspects of succinate, a dual metabolite with roots in both the mitochondria and microbiome. It also connects the dots between succinate's role in the Krebs cycle, mitochondrial respiration, and its double-edge function as a signalling transmitter within and outside the cell. We aim to provide an overview of the role of the succinate-succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) axis in diabetes, discussing the potential use of succinate as a biomarker and the novel prospect of targeting SUCNR1 to manage complications associated with diabetes. We further propose strategies to manipulate the succinate-SUCNR1 axis for better diabetes management; this includes pharmacological modulation of SUCNR1 and innovative approaches to manage succinate concentrations, such as succinate administration and indirect strategies, like microbiota modulation. The dual nature of succinate, both in terms of origins and roles, offers a rich landscape for understanding the intricate connections within metabolic diseases, like diabetes, and indicates promising pathways for developing new therapeutic strategies.© 2024. The Author(s).

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

The genus Microthecium contains 31 species worldwide distributed. Most of them are saprobic on soil and plant debris, but a few have been reported as mycoparasites on hypocrealean fungi. By contrast, this genus has never been reported as phytopathogenic, nor endophytic.To isolate and identify endophytic fungi from Mediterranean herbaceous plants and trees in order to contribute to the knowledge of the hosts and their geographical location. The present work has been focused on the study of endophytic fungi of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).The following steps were taken: i, isolation of the fungal strain from living stems of C. monogyna; ii, cultural and micro-morphological study, and iii, sequence comparison of different genetic markers by BLAST search with sequences deposited in GenBank.At the present work we describe a new species of the genus, Microthecium pleomorphosporum, isolated from living stems of C. monogyna in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). This fungus is characterized by the production of non-ostiolate perithecia and two sorts of ascospores (some smooth-walled, others delicately reticulated) bearing a germ pore at each end which are frequently ornamented by a surrounding donut-like structures, and a phialidic asexual morph and bulbils. The morphologically closest related species is Microthecium tenuissimum, which has bigger ascospores and lacks asexual reproduction. Phylogenetically, M pleomorphosporum is close-related to other species of the genus, although no genetic marker that discriminates this new species from other phylogenetically closer ones could be elucidated as a gold standard.M. pleomorphosporum, order Melanosporales, is reported here as the first endophytic species of C. monogyna.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Publicado por Elsevier España

Nanosensors based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) have emerged as a class of promising optical tools for the ultrasensitive quantification of metal ions of environmental and biological interest. A central bottleneck in this field is the availability of suitable surface receptors able to convert the selective binding with these vibrationless analytes into measurable SERS signals. In this work, we tackle this issue by employing a hybrid substrate comprising a highly SERS-active plasmonic core and a ZIF-8 metal-organic framework (MOF) shell. The ZIF-8 shell firmly captures aromatic receptors close to the plasmonic structure regardless of their intrinsic affinity for the metallic surface and without altering their ability to coordinate metal ions. Furthermore, it imparts molecular sieving abilities enabling the direct use of the SERS sensing platform in complex media such as biological fluids. This was demonstrated by using different classes of chromogenic reagents (bathocuproine, a 2,6':2′,2″-terpyridine derivative, and Arsenazo III) which were exploited for the SERS detection of both transition and alkaline earth metal ions (i.e., divalent copper, cobalt and calcium ions). Notably, we successfully applied this approach for the detection of Cu(II) in untreated urine samples for Wilson's disease diagnosis. Overall, we believe this class of multifunctional hybrid substrates will serve as a valuable material for expanding the applicability of SERS spectroscopy in real-life environmental and biomedical metal ions analysis.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram positive bacteria frequently used in the food industry for fermentation, mainly transformation of carbohydrates into lactic acid. In addition, these bacteria also have the capacity to metabolize citrate, an organic acid commonly found in food products. Its fermentation leads to the production of 4-carbon compounds such as diacetyl, resulting in a buttery flavor desired in dairy products. Citrate metabolism is known to have several beneficial effects on LAB physiology. Nevertheless, a controversial effect of citrate has been described on the acid tolerance of the wine bacterium Oenococcus oeni. This observation raises questions about the effect of citrate on the capacity of O. oeni to conduct malolactic fermentation in highly acidic wines. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of citrate metabolism in LAB, with a focus on the wine bacterium O. oeni. Metabolism with the related enzymes is detailed, as are the involved genes organized in cit loci. The known systems of cit locus expression regulation are also described. Finally, the beneficial effects of citrate catabolism on LAB physiology are reported and the negative impact observed in O. oeni is discussed.

The aquatic ecosystem is one of the most delicate environments, housing a diverse range of organisms, including fish, all of which are exposed to a wide variety of pollutants. The accumulation of these harmful substances in fish, which are part of the human diet, presents a significant health risk to humans. In our study, we have optimized an extraction technique to determine the presence of 25 high production volume chemicals in liver and skin samples taken from commonly consumed fish species. We have employed ultrasound-assisted extraction in conjunction with gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to achieve this goal. Apparent recoveries of the method ranged from 50% to 111% for both sample types with some exceptions such as most of the benzosulfonamides and benzothiazole. Additionally, the method's detection and quantification limits varied from 0.1 to 1.7 ng g−1 (dry weight, d.w) and 0.2–4.5 ng g−1 (d.w), respectively. Our investigation focused on three frequently consumed fish species in Tarragona: sea bass, sea bream, and turbot. Almost all of the samples we analysed contained traces of contaminants, with phthalates being the most commonly detected. The highest concentrations were observed for diethyl phthalate, with levels peaking at 8350 ng g−1 (d.w.). Organophosphate esters, such as triethyl phosphate and tributyl phosphate, also showed notable presence, with peak concentrations of 93.6 and 34.0 ng g−1 (d.w.), respectively.

In the context of ecological transition, the use of wine by-products for industrial applications is a major challenge. Wine lees, the second wine by-product in terms of quantity, represent a source of nutrients that can be used for stimulating the growth of microorganisms. Here, white wine lees were used as a stimulating agent for the growth of wine lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and to promote wine malolactic fermentation (MLF) driven out by Oenococcus oeni. By adding freeze-dried wine lees to wines under different conditions – including different wine lees at different concentrations and different O. oeni strains at various initial populations - it was observed that wine lees can enhance the growth of LAB and reduce the duration of MLF. The chemical composition of wines was also evaluated, proving that wine lees do not compromise the quality of the wines. In addition, wine lees did not seem to promote the growth of spoilage microorganisms like as Brettanomyces bruxellensis. Altogether, this work reports the possibility of recovering the lees of white wine to obtain a product favoring the MLF of red wines. More general, we propose a recycling strategy of wine by-products to obtain new products for winemaking.

Rat hepatitis E virus (ratHEV; species Rocahepevirus ratti) is considered a newly emerging cause of acute hepatitis of zoonotic origin. ratHEV infection of people living with HIV (PLWH) might portend a worse, as with hepatitis E virus (HEV; species Paslahepevirus balayani), and consequently this group may constitute a high-risk population. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ratHEV by measuring viral RNA and specific IgG antibodies in a large Spanish cohort of PLWH. Multicentre study conducted in Spain evaluating PLWHIV included in the Spanish AIDS Research Network (CoRIS). Patients were evaluated for ratHEV infection using PCR at baseline and anti-ratHEV IgG by dot blot analysis to evaluate exposure to ratHEV strains. Patients with detectable ratHEV RNA were followed-up to evaluate persistence of viremia and IgG seroconversion. Eight-hundred and forty-two individuals were tested. A total of 9 individuals showed specific IgG antibodies against ratHEV, supposing a prevalence of 1.1 (95% CI; 0.5%−2.1%). Of these, only one was reactive to HEV IgG antibodies by ELISA. One sample was positive for ratHEV RNA (prevalence of infection: 0.1%; 95% CI: 0.08%−0.7%). The case was a man who had sex with men exhibiting a slightly increased alanine transaminase level (49 IU/L) as only biochemical alteration. In the follow-up, the patients showed undetectable ratHEV RNA and seroconversion to specific ratHEV IgG antibodies. Our study shows that ratHEV is geographical broadly distributed in Spain, representing a potential zoonotic threat.

In this randomized clinical trial, we evaluated the effects of prenatal iron supplementation adapted to pregnant women's initial hemoglobin (Hb) levels on fetal growth parameters until birth in women from the Mediterranean coast of northern Spain. All (n = 791) women were iron-supplemented during pregnancy according to Hb levels at the 12th gestational week: stratum 1 (Hb: 110-130 g/L) received 40 or 80 mg iron daily; stratum 2 (Hb > 130 g/L) received 40 or 20 mg iron daily. Fetal biometric and anthropometric measurements were evaluated in the three trimesters and at birth, respectively. In stratum 1, using 80 mg/d instead of 40 mg/d increased the risk of fetal head circumference > 90th percentile (OR = 2.49, p = 0.015) at the second trimester and fetal weight (OR = 2.36, p = 0.011) and femur length (OR = 2.50, p = 0.018) < 10th percentile at the third trimester. For stratum 2, using 40 mg/d instead of 20 mg/d increased the risk of fetal head circumference > 90th percentile (OR = 3.19, p = 0.039) at the third trimester. A higher risk of delivering an LGA baby (OR = 2.35, p = 0.015) for birthweight was also observed in stratum 1 women receiving 80 mg/d. It is crucial to adjust the prenatal iron supplementation to each pregnant woman's needs, i.e., adapted to their initial Hb levels, to achieve optimal fetal development, since excessive iron doses appear to adversely influence fetal growth.