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Background: Hepatic venous portal gradient (HVPG) measurement remains the gold standard for estimating portal pressure gradient (PPG). This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided PPG and HVPG in patients with chronic portal hypertension., Methods: Patients with chronic portal hypertension in whom HVPG assessment was clinically indicated were invited to undergo transjugular HVPG and EUS-PPG with a 22-G needle in separate sessions for comparison. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman method were used to evaluate the agreement between techniques., Results: 33 patients were included. No significant differences in technical success were observed: EUS-PPG (31/33, 93.9%) vs. HVPG (31/33, 93.9%). Overall, 30 patients who underwent successful EUS-PPG and HVPG were analyzed. Correlation between the two techniques showed an ICC of 0.82 (0.65-0.91). Four patients had major discrepancies (≥5 mmHg) between HVPG and EUS-PPG. No significant differences in adverse events were observed., Conclusions: The correlation between EUS-PPG and HVPG was almost perfect. EUS-PPG could be a safe and reliable method for direct PPG measurement in patients with cirrhosis and a valid alternative to HVPG., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the surgical accuracy of a new universal disposable stop system for implant drills (FCA Universal Drill Stop)., Material and Methods: A total of 60 bovine ribs were included in this in vitro study. The ribs were randomized into three study groups (n=20 ribs per group). In each study group (Group1: drills without stop or control group, Group 2: prefabricated drills with stop or gold standard group, and Group 3: drills with FCA Universal Drill Stop) a total of 100 osteotomies were performed with implant drills in each group, following the drilling sequence for the placement of a dental implant of 10 mm length and 4 mm diameter. The accuracy of the depth of the osteotomies was quantified clinically (with periodontal probe) and radiologically, using ImageJ version 1.48v software., Results: The order of highest to lowest accuracy (clinical and radiological) in the depth of osteotomies was: FCA Universal Drill Stop> prefabricated drills with a stop>drills without stop, with statistically significant differences being observed between both systems with stop with respect to the control group, although not between them., Conclusions: The new universal disposable stop system for implant drills, offers similar accuracy to prefabricated drills with stop, with both systems being much more accurate than implant drills without stop. Although this experimental evaluation showed favourable results, further clinical studies are necessary.

Doctrinal texts on architectural heritage conservation emphasize the importance of fully understanding the structural and material characteristics and utilizing information systems. Photogrammetry allows for the generation of detailed, geo-referenced Digital Elevation Models of architectural elements at a low cost, while GIS software enables the addition of layers of material characteristic data to these models, creating different property maps that can be combined through map algebra. This paper presents the results of the mechanical characterization of materials and salt-related decay forms of the polygonal apse of the 13th-century monastery of Santa María de Bonaval (Guadalajara, Spain), which is primarily affected by salt crystallization. Rock strength is estimated using on-site nondestructive testing (ultrasound pulse velocity and Leeb hardness). They are mapped and combined through map algebra to derive a single mechanical soundness index (MSI) to determine whether the decay of the walls could be dependent on the orientation. The presented results show that salt decay in the building is anisotropic, with the south-facing side of the apse displaying an overall lower MSI than the others. The relative overheating of the south-facing side of the apse enhances the effect of salt crystallization, thereby promoting phase transitions between epsomite and hexahydrite.

Background: The diagnosis of left dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (LDAC) is sometimes complex. The Padua group recently published a document with criteria to identify patients with LDAC, requiring a compatible genetic variant for diagnosis. Due to the gaps in the knowledge of the role of genetics in its pathogenesis, our objective is to describe the findings of the genetic test in patients with LDAC in our center and its prognostic impact., Methods: Single-center prospective cohort study, in which we recruited 77 patients diagnosed with LDAC or biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy according to the criteria of Sen-Chowdhry et al., Results: We obtained a positive result in the genetic test in 53.2 %. The desmoplakin gene was the most affected (16.9 %). The mean value of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was 45.6 ± 13.1 %, with no significant differences in the severity of the dysfunction according to genetics (p = 0.187). Among the patients with positive genetics there was a greater number of segments in the LV affected by fibrosis (p = 0.043). Regarding fatty infiltration in the LV and number of affected segments, there were no significant differences between groups (p = 0.144). MACE was recorded in 23 patients (29.9 %). The positive result in the genetic test was not significantly associated with the occurrence of MACE (p = 0.902)., Conclusion: In our study, we did not find mutations responsible for the disease in practically half of the cases. Despite the existence of a high proportion of MACE during follow-up, there were no prognostic differences according to the result of the genetic test., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The interaction between the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and its antagonist Bax is essential to the regulation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. For this work, we built models by homology of Bcl-2 full-sequence length in monomeric form (apo-Bcl-2) and in complex with the BH3 domain of Bax (holo-Bcl-2). The Bcl-2 protein was analyzed with its transmembrane domain anchored to a lipidic bilayer of DPPC, imitating physiological conditions. We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the GROMACS program. Conformational changes showed that the flexible loop domain (FLD) tends to fold on itself and move towards the main core. Furthermore, the BH3 peptide of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, showed an allosteric stabilizing effect on FLD upon being bound to the hydrophobic cleft of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, causing a reduction in its structural flexibility. However, FLD is distal from the main core of Bcl-2. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a weak correlation between FLD residues and BH3 peptide from Bax. Upon MD simulations, several new contacts appeared between FLD and some α-helices of the core of Bcl-2, which contribute to maintaining the stability of Bcl-2. This knowledge sheds light on the behavior of Bcl-2 in the cell's native environment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The oceanic igneous crust is a vast reservoir for microbial life, dominated by diverse and active bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Archaeal and bacterial viruses were previously detected in oceanic crustal fluids at the Juan de Fuca Ridge (JdFR). Here we report the discovery of two eukaryotic Nucleocytoviricota genomes from the same crustal fluids by sorting and sequencing single virions. Both genomes have a tRNA Tyr gene with an intron (20 bps) at the canonical position between nucleotide 37 and 38, a common feature in eukaryotic and archaeal tRNA genes with short introns (<100 bps), and fungal genes acquired through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events. The dominance of Ascomycota fungi as the main eukaryotes in crustal fluids and the evidence for HGT point to these fungi as the putative hosts, making these the first putative fungi-Nucleocytoviricota specific association. Our study suggests active host-viral dynamics for the only eukaryotic group found in the subsurface oceanic crust and raises important questions about the impact of viral infection on the productivity and biogeochemical cycling in this ecosystem., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis , an early colonizer of the nasal cavity in piglets, is a highly heterogeneous species, comprising both commensal and virulent strains. Virulent G. parasuis strains can cause fibrinous polyserositis called Glässer's disease. Colostrum is a source of passive immunity for young piglets. When vaccinating sows, protective antibodies are transferred to their offspring through the colostrum. Here, sow vaccination was performed with a protein fragment, F4, from the outer membrane trimeric autotransporters VtaAs exclusively found in virulent G. parasuis . Piglets were allowed to suckle for 3 weeks, following which a challenge with two virulent strains of G. parasuis was performed. A group of nonvaccinated sows and their piglets were included as a control. Antibodies against F4 were confirmed using ELISA in the vaccinated sows and their offspring before the G. parasuis challenge. Compared to the control group, F4-vaccination also resulted in an increased level of serum TGF-β both in vaccinated sows and in their offspring at early time points of life. After the challenge, a lower body temperature and a higher weight were observed in the group of piglets from vaccinated sows. One piglet from the non-vaccinated group succumbed to the infection, but no other significant differences in clinical signs were noticed. At necropsy, performed 2 weeks after the virulent challenge, the level of surfactant protein D (SP-D) in bronchoalveolar lavage was higher in the piglets from vaccinated sows. Vaccination did not inhibit the nasal colonization of the piglets by the challenge strains.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a global strategy that aims to obtain a more equitable and just world. These objectives are organized into 17 SDGs, detailing 169 targets. Different international institutions have emphasized the relevance of education to developing citizens who contribute to achieving the SDGs for 2030. However, a review focused on physical education (PE) has yet to be performed. Therefore, the objective of this work is two-fold. First, to analyze and select the specific SDGs that can be implemented in the area of physical education. Second, to relate these specific goals to the different models based on physical education practices. This review showed how three institutional documents have previously related sport, physical exercise, and physical education to specific SDGs. Based on the search done, this review article selects those goals that could be integrated into the educational context through physical education. The bibliographic and critical analysis in this research shows that of the 169 specific goals proposed in the SDGs, only 24 could be worked on in physical education. Upon completion of the analysis, a proposal for the relationship between the practice-based models and these 24 goals is presented. The contributions made in this paper will allow teachers to establish links between PE sessions and SDGs while raising awareness to develop students who contribute to a more sustainable world.

Viruses are extremely diverse and modulate important biological and ecological processes globally. However, much of viral diversity remains uncultured and yet to be discovered. Several powerful culture-independent tools, in particular metagenomics, have substantially advanced virus discovery. Among those tools is single-virus genomics, which yields sequenced reference genomes from individual sorted virus particles without the need for cultivation. This new method complements virus culturing and metagenomic approaches and its advantages include targeted investigation of specific virus groups and investigation of genomic microdiversity within viral populations. In this Review, we provide a brief history of single-virus genomics, outline how this emergent method has facilitated advances in virus ecology and discuss its current limitations and future potential. Finally, we address how this method may synergistically intersect with other single-virus and single-cell approaches., (© 2020. Springer Nature Limited.)

Introduction: Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with cysts is a leukodystrophy of genetic origin that produces an alteration in the water and ion homeostasis in the brain, generating vacuolar forms and chronic oedema in the white matter with progressive neurological deterioration. It should be suspected in infants who present progressive macrocephaly during the first year of life, motor retardation and characteristic findings in magnetic resonance brain scans., Case Report: We report the case of a girl who was followed up from the age of 9 months due to progressive macrocephaly and delayed psychomotor development and brain MRI findings consistent with megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with cysts, and the appearance of epilepsy during its development. The usual genetic studies (new generation sequencing and array) were negative, but as the diagnostic criteria were met, a complementary messenger RNA and DNA study was conducted, which confirmed the presence of two pathogenic variants in MLC1., Conclusions: Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with cysts is a rare condition. Progressive macrocephaly in the first year of life, the absence of deterioration or slow deterioration, and the possibility of developing epilepsy, spasticity and ataxia are characteristic signs in its course. It is important for these patients to undergo an imaging test that shows findings that characterise this condition, which, together with the clinical features, makes it possible to differentiate it from other leukodystrophies and to establish a confirmatory diagnosis. Genetic studies can confirm the associated mutation that makes it possible to predict the clinicoradiological phenotype.

In order to solve the trajectory tracking task in a wheeled mobile robot (WMR), a dynamic three-level controller is presented in this paper. The controller considers the mechanical structure, actuators, and power stage subsystems. Such a controller is designed as follows: At the high level is a dynamic control for the WMR (differential drive type). At the medium level is a PI current control for the actuators (DC motors). Lastly, at the low level is a differential flatness-based control for the power stage (DC/DC Buck power converters). The feasibility, robustness, and performance in closed-loop of the proposed controller are validated on a DDWMR prototype through Matlab-Simulink, the real-time interface ControlDesk, and a DS1104 board. The obtained results are experimentally assessed with a hierarchical tracking controller, recently reported in literature, that was also designed on the basis of the mechanical structure, actuators, and power stage subsystems. Although both controllers are robust when parametric disturbances are taken into account, the dynamic three-level tracking controller presented in this paper is better than the hierarchical tracking controller reported in literature.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess physical conditions related to health status and establish relationships with influencing factors such as family structure, educational level, and parental professional occupation in the infant stage of three to five years in a rural setting. The sample included 205 children between 3 and 5 years of age from rural areas (<10,000 inhabitants) from the region of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). Fitness level was measured using the PREFIT battery; influencing factors were assessed with a family information questionnaire. The results showed significant differences in all the analyzed variables of physical condition and between genders at each of the educational levels except for body mass index. Boys performed better than girls on cardio-respiratory fitness tests, muscle strength in both hands, speed-agility, and longitudinal jump tests for boys aged three, while girls performed the test better at four years. The type of family structure was not correlated with any of the variables of physical condition; a lower level of education of the father and mother and the professional occupation of the mother were correlated with a higher body mass index. As a main conclusion, physical condition related to health seems to be affected by influencing factors such as educational level and family professional occupation, especially of the mother, but the type of family structure does not have as much influence. There are few studies in children from three to five years of age in exclusively rural areas, so the data in this study provides relevant and innovative information, while opening research to cater to this population group.

The near exponential proliferation of published Raman microspectroscopic applications over the last decade bears witness to the strengths and versatility of this technology. However, laser-induced fluorescence often severely impedes its application to biological samples. Here we report a new approach for near complete elimination of laser-induced background fluorescence in highly pigmented biological specimens (e.g., microalgae) enabling interrogation by Raman microspectroscopy. Our simple chemiphotobleaching method combines mild hydrogen peroxide oxidation with broad spectrum visible light irradiation of the entire specimen. This treatment permits observing intracellular distributions of macromolecular pools, isotopic tracers, and even viral propagation within cells previously not amenable to Raman microspectroscopic examination. Our approach demonstrates the potential for confocal Raman microspectroscopy becoming an indispensable tool to obtain spatially-resolved data on the chemical composition of highly fluorescent biological samples from individual cells to environmental samples.