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Squalene is the major unsaponifiable component of virgin olive oil, the fat source of the Mediterranean diet. To evaluate its effect on the hepatic transcriptome, RNA sequencing was carried out in two groups of male Large White x Landrace pigs developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by feeding them a high fat/cholesterol/fructose and methionine and choline-deficient steatotic diet or the same diet with 0.5% squalene. Hepatic lipids, squalene content, steatosis, activity (ballooning + inflammation), and SAF (steatosis + activity + fibrosis) scores were analyzed. Pigs receiving the latter diet showed hepatic squalene accumulation and twelve significantly differentially expressed hepatic genes (log2 fold change < 1.5 or ENPEP) was correlated with triglyceride content, while alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), neutralized E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 3 (NEURL3), 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthase-like protein (OASL), and protein phosphatase 1 regulatory inhibitor subunit 1B (PPP1R1B) were correlated with activity reflecting inflammation and ballooning, and NEURL3 with the SAF score. AFP, ENPEP, and PPP1R1B exhibited a remarkably strong discriminant power compared to those pathological parameters in both experimental groups. Moreover, the expression of PPP1R1B, TMEM45B, AFP, and ENPEP followed the same pattern in vitro using human hepatoma (HEPG2) and mouse liver 12 (AML12) cell lines incubated with squalene, indicating a direct effect of squalene on these expressions. These findings suggest that squalene accumulated in the liver is able to modulate gene expression changes that may influence the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: Se presenta nuestra experiencia en neuritis óptica (ON) y se elabora un protocolo diagnóstico-terapéutico, que contempla descartar otras causas, principalmente infecciosas y se elabora una hoja informativa para padres. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los pacientes con ON en 27 años (1990-2017). Revisión de evidencia científica para elaboración del protocolo y hoja informativa. Resultados: En nuestra sección de neuropediatría se valoraron 20.744 niños en 27 años, 14 con ON: 8 ON aisladas, una esclerosis múltiple (EM), un episodio clínicamente aislado (CIS), 3 encefalomielitis agudas diseminadas y un paciente con ON aislada que el año anterior había sufrido una encefalomielitis aguda diseminada. Edades entre 4-13 años, 50% varones. Mayores de 10 años, 8 pacientes: 7 ON aisladas y un EM. Bilaterales 9, retrobulbares 3. Resonancia magnética cerebral normal en 7, solo afectación del nervio óptico en 2 y con desmielinización del SNC en 5 casos. Recibieron corticoterapia 13/14. Un caso vacunado de meningococo-C el mes anterior. Todos evolucionaron favorablemente, salvo la EM. Se presentan el protocolo y la hoja de información. Conclusiones: Habitual curso favorable. En niños a partir de 10 años, con factores de riesgo de desarrollar EM o neuromielitis óptica (presencia de hiperseñales en RM cerebral, bandas oligoclonales, anti-NMO, recurrencia de ON), se consensúa con Neurología el inicio de tratamiento inmunomodulador. Utilidad del protocolo para la toma de decisiones diagnósticas, de seguimiento y tratamiento, de una patología poco frecuente pero con posibles repercusiones importantes. Importancia de la protocolización y hojas informativas. Abstract: Introduction and objective: In this article, we present our experience on optic neuritis (ON) and provide a diagnostic/therapeutic protocol, intended to rule out other aetiologies (particularly infection), and a fact sheet for parents. Material and methods: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study of patients with ON over a 27-year period (1990-2017). A review of the available scientific evidence was performed in order to draft the protocol and fact sheet. Results: Our neuropaediatrics department has assessed 20,744 patients in the last 27 years, of whom 14 were diagnosed with ON: 8 had isolated ON, 1 had multiple sclerosis (MS), 1 had clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), 3 had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and 1 had isolated ON and a history of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis one year previously. Patients’ age range was 4-13 years; 50% were boys. Eight patients were aged over 10: 7 had isolated ON and 1 had MS. Nine patients had bilateral ON, and 3 had retrobulbar ON. MRI results were normal in 7 patients and showed involvement of the optic nerve only in 2 patients and optic nerve involvement + central nervous system demyelination in 5. Thirteen patients received corticosteroids. One patient had been vaccinated against meningococcus-C the previous month. Progression was favourable, except in the patient with MS. A management protocol and fact sheet are provided. Conclusions: ON usually has a favourable clinical course. In children aged older than 10 years with risk factors for MS or optic neuromyelitis (hyperintensity on brain MRI, oligoclonal bands, anti-NMO antibody positivity, ON recurrence), the initiation of immunomodulatory treatment should be agreed with the neurology department. The protocol is useful for diagnostic decision-making, follow-up, and treatment of this rare disease with potentially major repercussions. The use of protocols and fact sheets is important.

Introduction: In this article, we present our experience on optic neuritis (ON) and provide a diagnostic/therapeutic protocol, intended to rule out other aetiologies (particularly infection), and a fact sheet for parents. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study of patients with ON over a 27-year period (1990–2017). A review of the available scientific evidence was performed in order to draft the protocol and fact sheet. Results: Our neuropaediatrics department has assessed 20 744 patients in the last 27 years, of whom 14 were diagnosed with ON: 8 had isolated ON, 1 had multiple sclerosis (MS), 1 had clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), 3 had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and 1 had isolated ON and a history of ADEM one year previously. Patients’ age range was 4–13 years; 50% were boys. Eight patients were aged over 10: 7 had isolated ON and 1 had MS. Nine patients had bilateral ON, and 3 had retrobulbar ON. MRI results were normal in 7 patients and showed involvement of the optic nerve only in 2 patients and optic nerve involvement + central nervous system demyelination in 5. Thirteen patients received corticosteroids. One patient had been vaccinated against Meningococcus-C the previous month. Progression was favourable, except in the patient with MS. A management protocol and fact sheet are provided. Conclusions: ON usually has a favourable clinical course. In children aged older than 10 years with risk factors for MS or optic neuromyelitis (hyperintensity on brain MRI, oligoclonal bands, anti-NMO antibody positivity, ON recurrence), the initiation of immunomodulatory treatment should be agreed with the neurology department. The protocol is useful for diagnostic decision-making, follow-up, and treatment of this rare disease with potentially major repercussions. The use of protocols and fact sheets is important. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: Se presenta nuestra experiencia en neuritis óptica (ON) y se elabora un protocolo diagnóstico-terapéutico, que contempla descartar otras causas, principalmente infecciosas y se elabora una hoja informativa para padres. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los pacientes con ON en 27 años (1990–2017). Revisión de evidencia científica para elaboración del protocolo y hoja informativa. Resultados: En nuestra sección de neuropediatría se valoraron 20.744 niños en 27 años, 14 con ON: 8 ON aisladas, 1 esclerosis múltiple (EM), 1 episodio clínicamente aislado (CIS), 3 encefalomielitis agudas diseminadas (EMAD) y 1 paciente con ON aislada que el año anterior había sufrido una EMAD. Edades entre 4-13 años, 50% varones. Mayores de 10 años, 8 pacientes: 7 ON aisladas y 1 EM. Bilaterales 9, retrobulbares 3. Resonancia magnética (RM) cerebral normal en 7, sólo afectación del nervio óptico en 2 y con desmielinización del SNC en 5 casos. Recibieron corticoterapia 13/14. Un caso vacunado de Meningococo-C el mes anterior. Todos evolucionaron favorablemente, salvo la EM. Se presentan el protocolo y la hoja de información. Conclusiones: Habitual curso favorable. En niños a partir de 10 años, con factores de riesgo de desarrollar EM o neuromielitis óptica (presencia de hiperseñales en RM cerebral, bandas oligoclonales, anti-NMO, recurrencia de ON), se consensúa con Neurología el inicio de tratamiento inmunomodulador. Utilidad del protocolo para la toma de decisiones diagnósticas, de seguimiento y tratamiento, de una patología poco frecuente pero con posibles repercusiones importantes. Importancia de la protocolización y hojas informativas.

Evidence is accumulating on the regular and systematic Neanderthal exploitation of birds. However, the motivations, mechanisms, and circumstances underlying this behavior remains little explored despite their potential implications on Neanderthal ecology and capabilities. Fossil remains of choughs (Pyrrhocorax, Corvidae) are among the most abundant in cave sites with Mousterian technology. We reviewed the evidence showing that Neanderthals processed choughs for food, and confirmed that it occurred frequently over a widespread spatial and temporal scale. This lead us to propose the hypothesis that the cave-like refuge is the keystone resource connecting Neanderthals and choughs captured at night in rocky shelters eventually used by both species. By adopting an actualistic approach, we documented the patterns of refuge use and population dynamics of communally roosting choughs, the strategies and technology currently used to capture them, and their behavioral response against experimental human predators at night. Actualistic experiments showed that large numbers of choughs can be captured without highly sophisticated tools at night regularly and periodically, due to their occupation year-round during long-term periods of the same nocturnal shelters, the constant turnover of individuals, and their high site tenacity at these roost-sites even after recurrent disturbance and predation. Captures even with bare hands are further facilitated because choughs tend to flee confused into the cavity in darkness when dazzled and cornered by human (experimental) predators. Given the extreme difficulty of daylight chough capturing in open country, nocturnal hunting with the help of fire in the roosting caves and consumption in situ are proposed as the most plausible explanations for the strong association of choughs and Neanderthals in fossil assemblages. Night hunting of birds has implications for the social, anatomical, technological, and cognitive capacities of Neanderthals.

Remote lab experiences are proliferating in higher education, although there are still few studies that manage to build a theoretical framework for educational assessment and design of this technology. In order to explore to what extent the use of facilitators of proximity to the laboratory and the autonomy of the experiment makes remote laboratories a technology accepted by students, two remote labs different yet similar educational conditions in laboratories are used. A sample of 98 undergraduate students from a degree course in Energy Engineering was used for this study; 57 of these students ran experiments in a laboratory of electrical machines and 41 in a photovoltaic systems laboratory. The data suggest using conditions that facilitate the proximity of the laboratory and the autonomy in the realisation of the experiment; in both laboratories the experience was positively valued by the students. Also, data suggest that the types of laboratory and experiment have influences on usability--autonomy and lab proximity--perceived by students.

In the present work, the fabrication of a membrane composed of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and Biological Hydroxyapatite (BIO-HA) is reported using the coaxial electrospinning technique. The membrane fabrication process involved mixing a solution of PLA and trichloromethane (TCM) with a second solution of PVA, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), distilled water, and BIO-HA at 110 °C. Subsequently, the electrospinning process was carried out using a voltage of 25 kV for 30 min on a rotating drum collector at 1000 rpm. The membrane was characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The morphological results revealed the presence of randomly arranged fibers with an average diameter of 290 ± 9 nm and interfiber spacing ranging from 200 to 700 nm, which are characteristics conducive to cell proliferation. Additionally, FTIR studies confirmed the presence of BIO-HA and the constituent elements of the polymers in the composite membrane. The polymeric membrane in contact with human mesenchymal stem cells was characterized as showing significant differences in its behavior at 6, 24, and 72 h post-contact. These studies indicate that the membrane provides physical support as a scaffold due to its suitable morphology for cell adhesion and proliferation, attributable to the electrospinning conditions as well as the polymers contained in BIO-HA. Membrane toxicity was confirmed through a cytotoxicity study using fluorescence microscopy, which showed that the membrane provided a favorable environment for cell proliferation. These results suggest that exposure to BIO-HA enhances its potential application in bone and joint tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the study of the catalytic pyrolysis of rejected plastic fractions collected from municipal solid waste whose mechanical recovery is not plausible due to technical or poor conservation issues. The chemical recycling using catalytic pyrolysis was carried out over commercial zeolites formulas, i.e., HY and HZSM-5, in which Ni or Co metals were deposited at two different loadings (1 and 5%, wt.). The presence of these transition metals on the zeolitic supports impacted the total production of compounds existing in the liquid oil. The samples were characterized in terms of structural, chemical, and morphologic properties, and the production of different fuel fractions (gasoline, light cycle oil, and heavy cycle oil) was correlated with a combined parameter defined as a ratio of Acidity/BET area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) establish the genetic code. Each aaRS covalently links a given canonical amino acid to a cognate set of tRNA isoacceptors. Glycyl tRNA aminoacylation is unusual in that it is catalyzed by different aaRSs in different lineages of the Tree of Life. We have investigated the phylogenetic distribution and evolutionary history of bacterial glycyl tRNA synthetase (bacGlyRS). This enzyme is found in early diverging bacterial phyla such as Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria, but not in archaea or eukarya. We observe relationships between each of six domains of bacGlyRS and six domains of four different RNA‐modifying proteins. Component domains of bacGlyRS show common ancestry with (i) the catalytic domain of class II tRNA synthetases; (ii) the HD domain of the bacterial RNase Y; (iii) the body and tail domains of the archaeal CCA‐adding enzyme; (iv) the anti‐codon binding domain of the arginyl tRNA synthetase; and (v) a previously unrecognized domain that we call ATL (Ancient tRNA latch). The ATL domain has been found thus far only in bacGlyRS and in the universal alanyl tRNA synthetase (uniAlaRS). Further, the catalytic domain of bacGlyRS is more closely related to the catalytic domain of uniAlaRS than to any other aminoacyl tRNA synthetase. The combined results suggest that the ATL and catalytic domains of these two enzymes are ancestral to bacGlyRS and uniAlaRS, which emerged from common protein ancestors by bricolage, stepwise accumulation of protein domains, before the last universal common ancestor of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: Introducción: La cerebelitis aguda es una rara afección inflamatoria con curso clínico muy variable: desde proceso autolimitado benigno hasta presentación fulminante con riesgo vital por compresión de fosa posterior, hidrocefalia aguda e hipertensión endocraneal. Métodos: Revisión de los hallazgos clínicos, analíticos y radiológicos de niños diagnosticados de cerebelitis aguda en el periodo comprendido entre mayo del 2007 y noviembre del 2016. Se analizan los tratamientos empleados y la evolución clínica y radiológica. Resultados: Nueve niños cumplían criterios de cerebelitis. La cefalea, los vómitos y la somnolencia fueron los síntomas de presentación más frecuentes; la ataxia, la disartria y la dismetría fueron los signos cerebelosos más frecuentes. La resonancia magnética fue el método diagnóstico mostrando afectación cerebelosa (uni o bilateral), mientras que la tomografía computarizada fue normal o solo mostraba signos indirectos como hidrocefalia triventricular por compresión extrínseca del acueducto de Silvio. Los corticoides fueron el tratamiento más empleado, administrados en 6 de los pacientes. Un paciente requirió intervención quirúrgica por hidrocefalia triventricular. Ocho pacientes tuvieron recuperación completa, mientras que uno presenta déficits neurológicos. Conclusiones: La cerebelitis es una urgencia médico-quirúrgica. Precisa un alto índice de sospecha y la realización de resonancia magnética cerebral urgente. Es un síndrome clínico-radiológico: encefalopatía aguda o subaguda, con hipertensión endocraneal y síndrome cerebeloso junto a hiperintensidad en córtex cerebeloso (uni o bilateral) en secuencias T2 y FLAIR y posible dilatación triventricular. El tratamiento es con corticoides a dosis altas y puede precisar derivación ventricular externa y cirugía descompresiva. Abstract: Introduction: Acute cerebellitis is a rare inflammatory disease with a highly variable clinical course that ranges from benign self-limiting symptoms to a fulminant presentation associated with a high risk of death due to compression of the posterior fossa, acute hydrocephalus, and intracranial hypertension. Methods: We reviewed clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings from children diagnosed with acute cerebellitis between May 2007 and November 2016. We analysed treatments and clinical and radiological progression. Results: Nine children met the diagnostic criteria for cerebellitis. Headache, vomiting, and drowsiness were the most frequent initial symptoms; ataxia, dysarthria, and dysmetria were the most common cerebellar signs. Cerebellitis was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed cerebellar involvement (unilateral or bilateral); computerised tomography images either were normal or showed indirect signs such as triventricular hydrocephalus due to extrinsic compression of the aqueduct of Sylvius. Corticosteroids were the most commonly used treatment (6 patients). One patient required surgery due to triventricular hydrocephalus. Eight patients recovered completely, whereas the ninth displayed neurological sequelae. Conclusions: Cerebellitis is a medical and surgical emergency; diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion and an emergency brain magnetic resonance imaging study. It is a clinical-radiological syndrome characterised by acute or subacute encephalopathy with intracranial hypertension and cerebellar syndrome associated with T2-weighted and FLAIR hyperintensities in the cerebellar cortex (unilaterally or bilaterally) and possible triventricular dilatation. Treatment is based on high-dose corticosteroids and may require external ventricular drain placement and decompressive surgery. Palabras clave: Cerebelitis, Cefalea, Ataxia, Hipertensión intracraneal, Hidrocefalia triventricular, Keywords: Cerebellitis, Headache, Ataxia, Intracranial hypertension, Triventricular hydrocephalus