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Summary: Background: Anticipating the burden of intracerebral haemorrhage is crucial for proactive management and building resilience against future health challenges. Prior forecasts are based on population demography and to a lesser extent epidemiological trends. This study aims to utilise selected modifiable risk factors and socio-demographic indicators to forecast the incidence and mortality of intracerebral haemorrhage in Europe between 2019 and 2050. Methods: Three intracerebral haemorrhage risk factors identified in the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors study (GBD 2019)—high systolic blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, and high body mass index—were utilised to predict the risk-attributable fractions between 2019 and 2050. Disease burden not attributable to these risk factors was then forecasted using time series models (autoregressive integrated moving average [ARIMA]), incorporating the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) as an external predictor. The optimal parameters of ARIMA models were selected for each age-sex-country group based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Different health scenarios were constructed by extending the past 85th and 15th percentiles of annualised rates of change in risk factors and SDI across all location-years, stratified by age and sex groups. A decomposition analysis was performed to assess the relative contributions of population size, age composition, and intracerebral haemorrhage risk on the projected changes. Findings: Compared with observed figures in 2019, our analysis predicts an increase in the burden of intracerebral haemorrhage in Europe in 2050, with a marginal rise of 0.6% (95% uncertainty interval [UI], −7.4% to 9.6%) in incident cases and an 8.9% (−2.8% to 23.6%) increase in mortality, reaching 141.2 (120.6–166.5) thousand and 144.2 (122.9–172.2) thousand respectively. These projections may fluctuate depending on trajectories of the risk factors and SDI; worsened trends could result in increases of 16.7% (8.7%–25.3%) in incidence and 31.2% (17.7%–48%) in mortality, while better trajectories may lead to a 10% (16.4%–2.3%) decrease in intracerebral haemorrhage cases with stabilised mortality. Individuals aged ≥80 years are expected to contribute significantly to the burden, comprising 62.7% of the cases in 2050, up from 40% in 2019, and 72.5% of deaths, up from 50.5%. Country-wide variations were noted in the projected changes, with decreases in the standardised rates across all nations but varying crude rates. The largest relative reductions in counts for both incidence and mortality are expected in Latvia, Bulgaria, and Hungary—ranging from −38.2% to −32.4% and −37.3% to −30.2% respectively. In contrast, the greatest increases for both measures were forecasted in Ireland (45.7% and 74.4%), Luxembourg (45% and 70.7%), and Cyprus (44.5% and 74.2%). The modelled increase in the burden of intracerebral haemorrhage could largely be attributed to population ageing. Interpretation: This study provides a comprehensive forecast of intracerebral haemorrhage in Europe until 2050, presenting different trajectories. The potential increase in the number of people experiencing and dying from intracerebral haemorrhage could have profound implications for both caregiving responsibilities and associated costs. However, forecasts were divergent between different scenarios and among EU countries, signalling the pivotal role of public health initiatives in steering the trajectories. Funding: The European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 754517. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research (NIHR202339).

Abstract Introduction Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising candidate for stroke treatment although its efficacy has not yet been demonstrated in patients. Changes in blood molecules could act as surrogate markers to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic cooling. Methods Blood samples from 54 patients included in the EuroHYP‐1 study (27 treated with hypothermia, and 27 controls) were obtained at baseline, 24 ± 2 h, and 72 ± 4 h. The levels of a panel of 27 biomarkers, including matrix metalloproteinases and cardiac and inflammatory markers, were measured. Results Metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3), fatty‐acid‐binding protein (FABP), and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) increased over time in relation to the hypothermia treatment. Statistically significant correlations between the minimum temperature achieved by each patient in the hypothermia group and the MMP‐3 level measured at 72 h, FABP level measured at 24 h, and IL‐8 levels measured at 24 and 72 h were found. No differential biomarker levels were observed in patients with poor or favorable outcomes according to modified Rankin Scale scores. Conclusion Although the exact roles of MMP3, FABP, and IL‐8 in hypothermia‐treated stroke patients are not known, further exploration is needed to confirm their roles in brain ischemia.

BackgroundThere is no clear guidance on how to implement opportunistic atrial fibrillation (AF) screening in daily clinical practice.ObjectivesThis study evaluated the perception of general practitioners (GPs) about value and practicalities of implementing screening for AF, focusing on opportunistic single-time point screening with a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a survey developed to assess overall perception concerning AF screening, feasibility of opportunistic single-lead ECG screening and implementation requirements and barriers.ResultsA total of 659 responses were collected (36.1% Eastern, 33.4% Western, 12.1% Southern, 10.0% Northern Europe, 8.3% United Kingdom & Ireland). The perceived need for standardized AF screening was rated as 82.7 on a scale from 0 to 100. The vast majority (88.0%) indicated no AF screening program is established in their region. Three out of four GPs (72.1%, lowest in Eastern and Southern Europe) were equipped with a 12-lead ECG, while a single-lead ECG was less common (10.8%, highest in United Kingdom & Ireland). Three in five GPs (59.3%) feel confident ruling out AF on a single-lead ECG strip. Assistance through more education (28.7%) and a tele-healthcare service offering advice on ambiguous tracings (25.2%) would be helpful. Preferred strategies to overcome barriers like insufficient (qualified) staff, included integrating AF screening with other healthcare programs (24.9%) and algorithms to identify patients most suitable for AF screening (24.3%).ConclusionGPs perceive a strong need for a standardized AF screening approach. Additional resources may be required to have it widely adopted into clinical practice.

Abstract We aimed to discover blood biomarkers associated with longitudinal changes in white matter hyperintensities (WMH). This study was divided into a discovery phase and a replication phase. Subjects in both studies were patients with hypertension, aged 50–70, who underwent two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sessions and blood extractions over a 4-year follow-up period. In the discovery phase, we screened 1305 proteins in 12 subjects with WMH progression and in 12 matched control subjects. We found that 41 proteins were differentially expressed: 13 were upregulated and 28 were downregulated. We subsequently selected three biomarkers for replication in baseline and follow-up samples in 80 subjects with WMH progression and in 80 control subjects. The selected protein candidates for the replication were MMP9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9), which was higher in cases, MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) and ASAH2 (neutral ceramidase), which were both lower in cases of WMH progression. Baseline biomarker concentrations did not predict WMH progression. In contrast, patients with WMH progression presented a steeper decline in MET over time. Furthermore, cases showed higher MMP9 and lower ASAH2 levels than controls at the follow-up. These results indicate that MMP9, MET, and ASAH2 are potentially associated with the progression of WMH, and could therefore be interesting candidates to validate in future studies.

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of ischemic stroke in asymptomatic individuals and may be the underlying cause of many cryptogenic strokes. We aimed to test the usefulness of candidate blood-biomarkers related to AF pathophysiology in two prospective cohorts representative of those populations.MethodsTwo hundred seventy-four subjects aged 65–75 years with hypertension and diabetes from the AFRICAT cohort, and 218 cryptogenic stroke patients aged >55 years from the CRYPTO-AF cohort were analyzed. AF was assessed by 4 weeks of monitoring with a wearable Holter device (NuuboTM™). Blood was collected immediately before monitoring started. 10 candidate biomarkers were measured by automated immunoassays (Roche, Penzberg) in the plasma of all patients. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed in each cohort separately.ResultsAtrial fibrillation detection rate was 12.4% (AFRICAT cohort) and 22.9% (CRYPTO-AF cohort). 4 biomarkers were significantly increased in asymptomatic individuals with AF [Troponin-T, Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), Endocan, and total N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)] and 7 biomarkers showed significantly higher concentrations in cryptogenic stroke patients with AF detection [growth differentiation factor 15, interleukin 6, Troponin-T, Ang-2, Bone morphogenic protein 10, Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK-3), and total NT-proBNP]. The models including Ang-2 and total NT-proBNP [AUC 0.764 (0.665–0.863)], and Ang-2 and DKK-3 [AUC = 0.733 (0.654–0.813)], together with age and sex, showed the best performance to detect AF in high-risk asymptomatic individuals, and in cryptogenic stroke patients, respectively.ConclusionBlood-biomarkers, in particular, total NT-proBNP, DKK-3, and Ang-2, were associated with AF reflecting two mechanistically different pathways involved in AF pathophysiology (AF stretch and vascular changes). The combination of these biomarkers could be useful in AF screening strategies in the primary care setting and also for searching AF after cryptogenic stroke.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent causes of cryptogenic stroke. Also, apart from AF itself, structural and remodelling changes in the atria might be an underlying cause of cryptogenic stroke. We aimed to discover circulating proteins and reveal pathways altered in AF and atrial cardiomyopathy, measured by left atrial volume index (LAVI) and peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Methods: An aptamer array (including 1310 proteins) was measured in the blood of 20 cryptogenic stroke patients monitored during 28 days with a Holter device as a case-control study of the Crypto-AF cohort. Protein levels were compared between patients with (n = 10) and without AF (n = 10) after stroke, and the best candidates were tested in 111 patients from the same cohort (44 patients with AF and 67 without AF). In addition, in the first 20 patients, proteins were explored according to PALS and LAVI values. Results: Forty-six proteins were differentially expressed in AF cases. Of those, four proteins were tested in a larger sample size. Only DPP7, presenting lower levels in AF patients, was further validated. Fifty-seven proteins correlated with LAVI, and 270 correlated with PALS. NT-proBNP was common in all the discovery analyses performed. Interestingly, many proteins and pathways were altered in patients with low PALS. Conclusions: Multiple proteins and pathways related to AF and atrial cardiomyopathy have been revealed. The role of DPP7 as a biomarker for stroke aetiology should be further explored. Moreover, the present study may be considered hypothesis-generating.

Background and objective AFRICAT is a prospective cohort study intending to develop an atrial fibrillation (AF) screening program through the combination of blood markers, rhythm detection devices, and long-term monitoring in our community. In particular, we aimed to validate the use of NT-proBNP, and identify new blood biomarkers associated with AF. Also, we aimed to compare AF detection using various wearables and long-term Holter monitoring. Methods 359 subjects aged 65–75 years with hypertension and diabetes were included in two phases: Phase I (n = 100) and Phase II (n = 259). AF diagnosis was performed by baseline 12-lead ECG, 4 weeks of Holter monitoring (NuuboTM), and/or medical history. An aptamer array including 1310 proteins was measured in the blood of 26 patients. Candidates were selected according to p-value, logFC and biological function to be tested in verification and validation phases. Several screening devices were tested and compared: AliveCor, Watch BP, MyDiagnostick and Fibricheck. Results AF was present in 34 subjects (9.47%). The aptamer array revealed 41 proteins with differential expression in AF individuals. TIMP-2 and ST-2 were the most promising candidates in the verification analysis, but none of them was further validated. NT-proBNP (log-transformed) (OR = 1.934; pConclusion The inclusion and monitoring of a cohort of primary care patients for AF detection, together with the testing of biomarkers and screening devices provided useful lessons about AF screening in our community. An AF screening strategy using rhythm detection devices and short monitoring periods among high-risk patients with high NT-proBNP levels could be feasible.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) systematic screening studies have not shown a clear usefulness in stroke prevention, as AF might present as paroxysmal and asymptomatic. This study aims to determine the usefulness of some blood-biomarkers to identify paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the context of a screening programme.Methods: A total of 100 subjects aged 65–75 years with hypertension and diabetes were randomly selected. AF was assessed by conventional electrocardiogram (ECG) and 4 weeks monitoring with a wearable Holter device (Nuubo™). N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), apolipoprotein CIII (ApoC-III), von Willebrand factor (vWF), ADAMTS13, urokinase plasminogen activator surface receptor (uPAR), and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) were determined in serum/plasma samples and the levels were compared depending on AF presence and mode of detection.Results: The AF prevalence in the studied population was found to be 20%. In seven subjects, AF was only detected after 1 month of Holter monitoring (hAF group). NT-proBNP levels were higher in subjects with AF compared with subjects with no AF (p < 0.0001), even when only taking into account the hAF group (p = 0.031). No significant differences were found in the other biomarkers. The NT-proBNP >95 pg/ml cut-off showed high sensitivity and specificity to detect AF (95%, 66.2%) or hAF (85.72%, 66.2%) and was found to be an independent predictor of AF and hAF in a logistic regression analysis. NT-proBNP correlated with AF burden (r = 0.597, p = 0.024).Conclusion: NT-proBNP was elevated in AF cases not identified by ECG; thus, it may be used as a screening biomarker in asymptomatic high-risk populations, with a promising cut-off point of 95 pg/ml that requires further validation.

Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) has been widely applied on the European Union (EU) mainland, whereas the EU Overseas entities still bear potential for implementation. This paper presents novel applications of the MAES procedure in the EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories (\"EU Overseas\"). Eight case studies from different geographical areas were analysed through a comparative assessment by applying an established framework following key steps in the MAES process, in order to stipulate lessons learned and recommendations for MAES in the EU Overseas. These key steps include the identification of policy questions, stakeholder networks and involvement, application of MAES methods, dissemination and communication and implementation. The case studies were conducted and analysed under the umbrella of the EU MOVE pilot project, including the Azores, the Canary Islands, Saint Martin, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion Island and the Falkland Islands. Each case study represented different governance, policy and decision-making frameworks towards biodiversity and environmental protection. Case studies predominantly addressed the policy domains of Nature and Biodiversity Conservation and Marine and Maritime Policy. Ecosystem Services (ES) were assessed across a wide range of themes, biomes and scales, focusing on terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. Results show that the implementation of the case studies was accompanied by extensive communication and dissemination activities. First success stories were visible, where the MAES exercise led to meaningful uptake of the ES concept to policies and decision-making. Yet, there is still work to be done - major bottlenecks were identified related to the MAES implementation centring around financial resources, training and technical expertise. Addressing these aspects can contribute to an enhanced implementation of MAES in the EU Overseas in the future.

El camarón blanco Litopenaeus schmitti criado en ciclo cerrado era comúnmente usado para la producción de nauplios en Cuba. En el presente estudio fue comparado el desempeño reproductivo y la calidad espermática entre machos de cultivo y silvestres a lo largo de un periodo productivo de 70 días. El peso del espermatóforo significativamente superior en machos silvestres no se correlacionó con el conteo total de espermatozoides. No existieron diferencias teniendo en cuenta el origen de los animales entre los indicadores reproductivos calidad espermática, porcentaje de hembras copuladas, y número de nauplios por desove, mientras que para el porcentaje de fertilización se observaron valores superiores en los animales de cultivo. Una disminución en el porcentaje de células espermáticas normales y un incremento en las células espermáticas muertas, fueron detectadas principalmente en machos silvestres, contribuyendo a un decremento pronunciado en el porcentaje de fertilización y nauplios por desove fundamentalmente al final del periodo productivo de esta población. Para el lote de machos silvestres fue observada una correlación negativa entre la temperatura y el indicador productivo porcentaje de fertilización, lo cual sugiere que los machos de cultivo presentaron una mejor adaptación a las condiciones de cautiverio, particularmente con relación a las altas temperaturas presentes a partir de finales del segundo mes del ciclo de reproducción de los animales.

Background and aimOnly 10% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients survive longer than five years. Factors underlining long-term survivorship in PDAC are not well understood. Therefore, we aimed to identify the key players in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) associated with long-term survivorship in PDAC patients.MethodsThe immune-related gene expression profiles of resected PDAC tumors of patients who survived and remained recurrence-free of disease for ≥36 months (long-term survivors, n=10) were compared to patients who had survived ≤6 months (short-term survivors, n=10) due to tumor recurrence. Validation was performed by the spatial protein expression profile of immune cells using the GeoMx™ Digital Spatial Profiler. An independent cohort of samples consisting of 12 long-term survivors and 10 short-term survivors, was used for additional validation. The independent validation was performed by combining qualitative immunohistochemistry and quantitative protein expression profiling.ResultsB cells were found to be significantly increased in the TIME of long-term survivors by gene expression profiling (p=0.018). The high tumor infiltration of B cells was confirmed by spatial protein profiling in the discovery and the validation cohorts (p=0.002 and p=0.01, respectively). The higher number of infiltrated B cells was found mainly in the stromal compartments of PDAC samples and was exclusively found within tumor cells in long-term survivors.ConclusionThis is the first comprehensive study that connects the immune landscape of gene expression profiles and protein spatial infiltration with the survivorship of PDAC patients. We found a higher number and a specific location of B cells in TIME of long-term survivors which emphasizes the importance of B cells and B cell-based therapy for future personalized immunotherapy in PDAC patients.

The economy and well-being in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other Subnational Island Jurisdictions (SNIJ) highly rely on marine and coastal ecosystem services (ESS). Moreover, SIDS and SNIJ share common challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building a fact-based solution to demonstrate the link between ESS and SDGs is essential for nature conservation and sustainable development in SIDS and SNIJ. In this study, we developed a 5-step approach to capture the contribution of ESS to the achievement of SDGs in Aruba by means of a shortlist of indicators, with the aim to provide information for optimal policy investments to implement the Aruba 2030 roadmap. The results numerically and spatially demonstrate the contribution of fisheries, nature-based tourism and local cultural recreational ESS to achieve SDG targets 14.7 (increase SIDS' economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources), 8.9 (devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism) and 3.4 (promote mental health and well-being); and how investing in these key ESS could lead to multiplying co-benefits for other SDGs. This paper also discusses how the 5-step approach and the outcomes can be used to assist other SIDS and SNIJ in their ambitions to meet the SDGs.

Abstract Background We aimed to investigate changes in volume and MRI T2‐weighted intensity in desmoid‐type fibromatosis (DF) receiving methotrexate plus vinca‐alkaloids (MTX‐VA) at Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan. Methods All cases of sporadic DF treated with MTX‐VA from 1999 to 2019 were reviewed. MRIs at baseline, 6 and 12 months of chemotherapy and at treatment withdrawal were retrospectively reviewed, contouring the tumor lesion and measuring diameters, volume, and mean T2‐signal intensity (normalized to muscle) changes. These parameters were also evaluated according to clinical variables. Results Thirty‐two DF patients were identified. Best RECIST response was: 25% partial response, 69% stable disease, 6% progression. A ≥65% tumor volume reduction was observed in 38%,

GATA4 and GATA6 are transcription factors involved in the differentiation and development of PDAC. GATA6 expression is related to the classic molecular subtype, while its absence is related to the basal-like molecular subtype. The aim was to determine the clinical utility of IHC determination of GATA4 and GATA6 in a series of patients with resected PDAC. GATA4 and GATA6 expression was studied by IHC in TMA samples of normal tissue, PanIN, tumor tissue and lymph node metastases from a series of 89 patients with resected PDAC. Its relationship with clinicopathologic variables and the outcome was investigated. Seventy-two (81%) tumors were GATA6+ and 37 (42%) were GATA4+. While GATA4 expression was reduced during tumor progression, GATA6 expression remained highly conserved, except in lymph node metastases. All patients with early stages and well-differentiated tumors were GATA6+. The absence of GATA4 expression was related to smoking. Patients with GATA4+ or GATA6+ tumors had significantly lower Ca 19.9 levels. The expression of GATA4 and GATA6 was related to DFS, being more favorable in the GATA4+/GATA6+ group. The determination of the expression of GATA4 and GATA6 by IHC is feasible and provides complementary clinical and prognostic information that can help improve the stratification of patients with PDAC.

Abstract Background Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) is a rare and locally infiltrative monoclonal fibroblastic proliferation arising from connective tissues, with lack of metastatic potential. About 10% of all DF cases are intra‐abdominally sited. Complications in this site, due to the locally infiltrative nature of the disease, may be severe and potentially life threatening. However, data on incidence, management, and outcome of these complications are limited. Aim Data of patients with sporadic or FAP‐related intra‐abdominal DF treated at Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (INT) in Milano from 2005 to 2020 who developed a serious complication during the course of their disease were retrospectively collected and analyzed with a descriptive statistics. Methods and Results Out of 72 intra‐abdominal DF, 8 cases were identified (M/F: 5/3, median age: 35 years, FAP‐related/sporadic: 2/6): 3 with bowel obstruction, 5 with bowel perforation. In 4 cases the serious complication was the first evidence of disease; in the other 4 cases it occurred at a time interval from diagnosis in the range of 4–44 months (during an active surveillance program in one case and during chemotherapy in the other 3 cases). A surgical treatment was feasible and successful in 5 cases. In 3 surgically unmanageable patients, all progressing and experiencing acute complications while on chemotherapy, a non‐surgical approach with intensive supportive treatment and with a prompt change of chemotherapy regimen was implemented, being successful in two, the other patient dying due to a concomitant progressive lymphoma thereafter. Conclusion In this series of intra‐abdominal DF, the incidence of serious complications was 11%. Most patients were successfully treated with surgery. When surgery was deemed to be unfeasible, a conservative management with intensive supportive care and a careful choice of chemotherapy was adopted, ensuring a favorable outcome in most.

Background: Several studies have investigated and demonstrated the prophylactic effect of brimonidine drops in preventing subconjunctival hemorrhage in some microincisional ophthalmic surgeries, such as intravitreal injections or cataract surgery. However, there are no previous studies investigating this prophylactic effect after 23G microincisional vitreoretinal surgery. Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine whether subconjunctival hemorrhage after 23G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) could be prevented with the use of prophylactic topical brimonidine. Methods: This was a phase III, prospective, interventional, randomized, controlled single-center clinical trial with a follow-up of 2 weeks. A total of 77 eyes (mean age: 68.4 ± 10.7 years) undergoing 23G PPV were included and randomized into two groups: group 1 including 41 patients receiving prophylactic preoperative treatment with brimonidine, and group 2 (control group) including 36 patients not receiving this prophylactic treatment. Differences in terms of number of conjunctival quadrants affected with subconjunctival hemorrhage were evaluated in each of the follow-up visits. Results: The presence of subconjunctival hemorrhage was similar in both groups the first days after surgery ( p > 0.05). At the last visit (10–14 days after surgery), this condition was significantly more frequent in control group where there was a significant difference, being more frequent in the control group (7.3% vs 28.6%, p = 0.022). The number of conjunctival quadrants affected was also similar in both groups, except for the last visit in which most of the patients treated with brimonidine (92.7%) showed no bleeding compared to 71.4% in control group. No effect on the efficacy of brimonidine treatment of the presence of blood hypertension, diabetes, and antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment was observed. Conclusion: Brimonidine seems to be a useful option to decrease subconjunctival hemorrhage after microincisional vitreoretinal surgery or improve its resolution during the first postoperative week. This finding should be mainly due to the vasoconstrictor effect of brimonidine. Trial registration: EudraCT, 2012-002895-15 (registered 19 December 2012); https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2012-002895-15

The value of the integrated indicator of the united territorial communities land use is determined. An assessment of the integral indicator was carried out and directions for the development of methodological recommendations to improve the efficiency of land use of the united territorial communities were identified. A feature of the use of GIS for analysis and visualization of integrated indicators of land use of the united territorial communities is the development of a geoinformation analysis scheme. The developed scheme of geoinformation systems using for modelling, evaluation, and analysis of integrated indicators of the united territorial communities land use gives the opportunity to form information and analytical support of monitoring based on geospatial information and to create the basis for increasing the united territorial communities land use. The sequence obtained in the article ensures the monitoring of changes in the spatial characteristics of the lands of the united territorial communities in the region. The results of determining the integral indicators of land use of the united territorial communities obtained in the article make it possible to carry out geoinformation analysis and build a GIS map of the land use. The developed GIS map allows the formation of information and analytical monitoring support based on the values of integrated indicators of land use. Also, the data of the presented map allow to predict the directions of land use of the united territorial communities, to compare them by territorial features and features depending on changes of system spatial, urban, investment and ecological factors.

In questo articolo, introducendo alcune riflessioni di Carol Adams, si tenta di mostrare come i concetti di otherness e somatophobia possano risultare utili al fine di comprendere i fenomeni oppressivi: senza prescindere dal corpo e dalla biografia di ciascun vivente l’autrice individua in questi due concetti i tratti costitutivi delle relazioni improntate al dominio e propone quindi di ripensare ai problemi legati alle discriminazioni in modo unitario. In seguito, partendo dalla rivoluzione del concetto di soggetto che ha origine dal pensiero darwiniano, si nota che alcuni assunti teorici di formulazioni volte a contrastare la discriminazione di genere comportano comunque la riproposizione di categorizzazioni gerarchizzanti ed esclusioni. Pertanto, muovendo criticamente da alcune delle prime teorie femministe, si tenta di mostrare come il riconoscimento di ciò che costituisce il fondamento delle discriminazioni e della violenza verso ogni vivente possa essere uno strumento molto utile per affrontare i problemi legati a sesso e genere. Alcune tematiche femministe saranno infine rilette alla luce di teorie che prendono in considerazione la totalità dei viventi per identificarne i momenti di incoerenza.

Background: to compare the extent of the detached retina and retinal tears location in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) among non-mydriatic ultra-wide field (UWF) imaging, dilated fundus exam (DFE), and intraoperative evaluation. Methods: this retrospective chart review comprised 123 patients undergoing surgery for RRD. A masked retina specialist analyzed the UWF fundus images for RRD area, status of the macula, and presence and location of retinal breaks. The same variables were collected from a database including DFE and intraoperative recordings. Evaluation methods were compared. Results: mean age was 59.8 ± 14.9 years. Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.25 ± 0.3 (Snellen) to 0.67 ± 0.3 at 12 months (p = 0.009). The RRD description and assessment of macula status (34.5% macula-on) did not differ between UWF, DFE, and intraoperative examination. The inferior quadrant was involved most frequently (41.5%), followed by the superior (38.9%), temporal (27.8%) and nasal quadrant (14.8%). Intraoperative exam detected 96.7% of retinal tears compared with DFE (73.2%, p = 0.008) and UWF imaging (65%, p=0.003). UWF imaging and DFE did not differ significantly. Conclusion: RRD extent on DFE and UWF images was consistent with intraoperative findings. UWF and DFE detection of peripheral retinal tears was similar, but 25% of retinal breaks were missed until intraoperative evaluation.

Survival during first months after birth is one of the bottlenecks for consolidating the seahorse farming industry. In this work, Artemia metanauplii enriched with two highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) rich commercial emulsions with different docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels (63% and 14% of total lipids), a vegetable oil with no DHA, and non-enriched Artemia as control, were used to feed 5-day-old juvenile Hippocampus erectus for 60 days. Enriched Artemia had similar levels of DHA (13% and 9%), despite great differences of DHA in the emulsions, with traces of DHA in non-enriched and vegetable oil enriched Artemia. More than 20% of DHA was found in 24 h starved juveniles fed both DHA-enriched treatments, similar to values in newly born juveniles, but those fed vegetable oil enriched Artemia or non-enriched Artemia had 5% of DHA. Total lipid and protein levels were similar in juveniles from the four treatments. The n-3/n-6 ratio was almost four-fold higher in seahorses fed DHA-enriched treatments compared to juveniles fed the non-enriched treatments. Survival of seahorses only partially reflected the DHA levels: it was lower in the vegetable oil treatment, similar in the seahorses fed Artemia with higher DHA and in the control treatment, and higher in seahorses fed the HUFA-enriched Artemia with lower DHA levels, although growth was similar in the two DHA-enriched Artemia treatments. Juvenile H. erectus seahorses perform better when they have at least 20% of DHA in their tissues, and these levels can be attained with no more than 14% of DHA in emulsions, eliminating the need for more expensive emulsions with higher DHA levels.

Se determinó el valor nutrimental de alfalfa henificada (AH), dos genotipos de fríjol yorimón [IT90K-277-2 (FYG18) y Sesenteño (FYG25)], un clon de pasto taiwán (PT), un cultivar local de nopal en dos presentaciones, pencas tiernas de 15 días de edad o ";;;nopalitos";;; (NT) y pencas maduras (NM) de 60 días de edad y germinado de semillas de maíz (GM) del genotipo ASGROW 7573. Se cuantificó el contenido de materia seca (MS), proteína cruda (PC), lípidos totales (LT), cenizas (C), fibra cruda (FC) y energía bruta (EB), así como la concentración de ácido linoleico (LA), ácido α-linolénico (ALA), ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (PUFA) y ácidos grasos n-3. Los resultados revelan que los genotipos de frijol yorimón FYG25 y FYG18, mostraron el mayor contenido de PC. Respecto a la concentración de LT, el genotipo de yorimón FYG25 mostró la mayor cantidad seguido del FYG18 y AH. Los forrajes verdes de frijol yorimón (FYG25 y FYG18), así como el pasto Taiwán tuvieron el contenido mayor de ácido α-linolénico. Las semillas de germinado de maíz mostraron los contenidos mayores de ácido linolénico seguido del nopal tierno. Ambos ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (ALA y LA) son precursores del ácido ruménico y del ácido vaccénico en rumiantes. Por lo tanto, el uso de estos forrajes verdes en la alimentación de rumiantes es una alternativa que podría modificar las proporciones de ácido grasos en la leche y la carne con el propósito de incrementar los PUFA, específicamente el ácido ruménico así como el ácido vaccénico.

Este estudio se basa en los análisis de contenido de las noticias sobre el agua publicadas en la prensa española en el período de 1960-2004, con el fin de examinar la forma en que los temas hidrológicos con tradición más arraigada han incorporado temas modernos o han cedido a ellos durante los últimos 45 años de la historia. De este modo, se puede observar si se ha impulsado la agenda de nuevos temas del agua o, si se emplean encuadres peculiares para atribuir a los temas existentes ideas innovadoras.

Resident and infiltrated macrophages play relevant roles in uveitis as effectors of innate immunity and inductors of acquired immunity. They are major effectors of tissue damage in uveitis and are also considered to be potent antigen-presenting cells. In the last few years, experimental animal models of uveitis have enabled us to enhance our understanding of the leading role of macrophages in eye inflammation processes, including macrophage polarization in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis and the major role of Toll-like receptor 4 in endotoxin-induced uveitis. This improved knowledge should guide advantageous iterative research to establish mechanisms and possible therapeutic targets for human uveitis resolution.

Reproduction is the basis of bovine meat and milk production: As a direct result of reproduction, the cycles of calf and milk production are renewed. However, there are many limiting steps in this process as: low pregnancy rates and long open days that result in increasing parturition intervals. Reproductive efficiency in dairy and beef cattle is multifactorial. Nutrition is one of the most important factors affecting this efficiency, and some results have shown that feeding diverse sources of lipids and specifically, fatty acids (FA) can result in a better reproductive efficiency. As a nutrition strategy to improve reproductive efficiency, FA of the omega 3 (n-3) and omega 6 (n-6) families have been studied, and it has been shown that these FA can control follicular development, production of progesterone in the corpus luteum, and secretion of PGF2α from the endometrium, increasing embryonic survival and pregnancy rates. The purpose of this revision is to analyze the possible mechanisms by which FA in the diet improve reproductive efficiency of cows, with especial emphasis on FA n-3 and n-6.