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The objective of the article is to determine the effectiveness of PBL to develop the mathematical competencies of postgraduate students. The methodology used was quantitative with a correlational scope. The study participants were a total of 29 postgraduate students in administration. The instrument used was the questionnaire to obtain information on the effectiveness of PBL. The data were organized with the SPSS 25 statistical program that allowed us to calculate: descriptive statistics such as the mean (M) and standard deviation (SD), the Shapiro-Wilks test and Pearson correlations (r) with a level of significance (p) of 0.05. The main results are: The significant direct associations were greater satisfaction regarding the use of technology (r = 0.789, p = 0.00); with their academic performance (r = 0.854, p = 0.00); promote collaborative work (r = 0.811, p = 0.00); encourage mathematical learning (r= 0.791, p = 0.00); analyze and discuss the contents through problems (r = 0.825, p =0.00). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical debridement and split thickness graft is the most common treatment for acute burn patients that require surgery. However, there is a relevant minority that will require more complex reconstructive options. Microsurgery has evolved as a valuable tool in the acute setting allowing early closure of complex wounds in order to avoid infection, maintain function and even for limb salvage in one stage reconstruction. We present our experience in the management of severely acute burned patients with free flaps, flap survival rate and complications in Chile’s National Health service. Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of all major burn patients admitted in our unit who received a microsurgical flap in the period between april 2019 and march 2023. Data was collected on patient sex, age, mechanism of injury, total burned surface area (TBSA), location of the defect, days to reconstruction, flaps used, operatory time, flap survival and complications. Results: In the study period we had 925 admissions. A total of 36 patients had 42 free flaps (5,1%). All but two patients were male (95 %), mean age 46 years (range 20–––76 years). Total body surface area burned averaged 14 % (range 1–64 %). The majority of injuries were caused by high voltage electricity (59 %) and fire (33 %). 59 % compromised lower limbs and 31 % upper limbs. In 81 % of the cases anterolateral thigh flaps were used. Mean time to reconstruction was 39 days(range 1–64 days), we had 9 complications (21 %) and only one flap was lost (2,9%). Discussion: The introduction of free flaps in the burn reconstruction field was first described in sequelae management. In the acute phase it has also proven to be safe and feasible with a surgical indication of 1,5% to 2% of the admissions in different series. In our unit, 5,1% of our admissions required it, with a low flap loss rate. The increased confidence for its use in the acutely burned setting allowed us to achieve complex coverage while maintaining surgical risk and an internationally acceptable rate of losses and complications. Free flaps cpnstitute an active approach in the classical treatment of this pathology pushing the boundaries in the local environment.

Background Computer-based cognitive stimulation applications can help the elderly maintain and improve their cognitive skills. In this research paper, our objectives are to verify the usability of PESCO (an open-software application for cognitive evaluation and stimulation) and to determine the concurrent validity of cognitive assessment tests and the effectiveness of PESCO's cognitive stimulation exercises. Methods Two studies were conducted in various community computer centers in the province of Granada. The first study tested tool usability by observing 43 elderly people and considering their responses to a questionnaire. In the second study, 36 elderly people completed pen-andpaper and PESCO tests followed by nine cognitive stimulation sessions. Meanwhile, a control group with 34 participants used computers for nine non-structured sessions. Results Analysis of the first study revealed that although PESCO had been developed by taking usability guidelines into account, there was room for improvement. Results from the second study indicated moderate concurrent validity between PESCO and standardized tests (Pearson's r from .501 to .702) and highlighted the effectiveness of training exercises for improving attention (F = -4.111, p < .001) and planning (F = 5.791, p < .001) functions. Conclusions PESCO can be used by the elderly. The PESCO cognitive test module demonstrated its concurrent validity with traditional cognitive evaluation tests. The stimulation module is effective for improving attention and planning skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: La alergia a las proteínas de la leche de vaca (PLV) está aumentando en los últimos años, especialmente en los países desarrollados. Generalmente suele aparecer durante los seis primeros meses de vida, presentando alergia entre un 0,29 y un 5,3%, según los diferentes estudios Objetivo: Analizar el número de alergias a la PLV en población infantil menor de 12 meses y describir sus características. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se Incluyeron los niños diagnosticados durante el primer año de vida en la consulta de alergia del HUVN durante el periodo septiembre 2011 a septiembre de 2012. Se incluyeron niños nacidos a término. Se midieron las variables sexo, tipo de parto, antecedentes familiares, tiempo con lactancia materna exclusiva, edad de aparición de la alergia, diabetes gestacional. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 27 casos de alergia a la PLV durante el periodo considerado, de un total de 3.878 partos (0,69%). El 60% de los niños son mujeres y el 40% varones. El 74,1% de los partos fue normal y el 25,9% cesárea. Solamente el 3,7% de las madres presentó diabetes gestacional. El 77,8% tienen antecedentes familiares, en su mayoría alergias estacionales (57,1%) o alimentarias (28,6%). La edad media de aparición de la alergia fue a los 7,59 ± 3,2 meses, y el tiempo medio de duración de lactancia materna exclusiva es de 5,3 ± 2,05 meses. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los niños que presentan esta alergia tienen antecedentes familiares, casi siempre maternos, y en su gran parte alergias estacionales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: La nutrición durante el embarazo es un elemento importante en su evolución y resultados. Objetivos: Estudiar el efecto de la delgadez extrema durante la gestación en los resultados del embarazo. Métodos: Estudio de casos y controles, con 5931 embarazadas atendidas en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves entre 2007 y 2012 y clasificadas en delgadas (IMC < 18,5) y normales (IMC 18,5 a 25). Se comparan los resultados obstétricos (mortalidad perinatal, tipo de parto, y complicaciones del embarazo) y neonatales (Peso, test de Apgar y pH en arteria umbilical al nacer). Resultados: La embarazadas con delgadez extrema eran significativamente más jóvenes que las normales. Una vez ajustadas por esta variable, este grupo de gestantes presentó un riesgo relativo mayor de parto operatorio vaginal y de tener fetos de bajo peso (< 2.500 g), y menos incidencia de colonización por estreptococo grupo B y presencia de líquido amniótico teñido de meconio en el parto. No hubo diferencias en las tasas de prematuridad, oligoamnios, cesáreas o mortalidad perinatal con respecto a gestantes de peso normal. Conclusión: El impacto de la delgadez extrema de la embarazada sobre los resultados del embarazo es limitado, siendo el efecto más importante un mayor riesgo de dar a luz fetos de bajo peso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: Partimos de la base en que la actividad física es un acto saludable para toda persona pero ¿Dónde están los límites para una mujer en estado de gestación? La ingesta calórica durante el embarazo puede aumentar de 200-300 calorías por día, el aumento de peso durante el embarazo va determinado por una serie de factores como: lo que se come, peso y talla antes del embarazo y actividad física durante este periodo. Objetivos: – Conocer si la actividad física reduce la ganancia ponderal durante el embarazo. – Conocer si la preparación al parto mejora la información sobre ejercicio físico. Material y métodos: Se entrevistan a 60 mujeres en el Hospital Materno-Infantil, HUVN, en la sala de puérperas. Resultados: Un tercio de las mujeres ha realizado ejercicio físico moderado natación de 3 a 4 días por semana. 33% de las mujeres realiza ejercicio físico no superando los 9 kg (entre 3,5 -9 kg de) peso en todo el embarazo. Siendo la natación el ejercicio elegido seguido de caminar. Conclusiones: El realizar ejercicio físico durante el embarazo reduce la ganancia ponderal. El realizar la preparación al parto mejora la formación e información sobre la alimentación y ejercicio físico ya que la ganancia ponderal ha sido inferior en aquellas mujeres que la han realizado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives : The beneficial effects of the flavonoid chrysin can be reduced by its poor oral bioavailability. It has been shown that chrysin-8-C-glucoside ( 1 ) has a better absorption capability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of this glucoside, as well as the respective hexa-acetate derivative 1a and the hexa-ethyl carbonate derivative 1b since the inclusion of moieties in bioactive molecules may increase or modify their biological effects. Methods : THP-1 macrophages were used to determine the viability in the presence of chrysin derivatives, and non-cytotoxic concentrations were selected. Subsequently, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflammatory mediators were examined. The involvement of chrysin derivatives with the Keap1 and Nrf2 antioxidant system was determined by docking and Western blotting studies. Results: Our data demonstrated, for the first time, that pretreatment with the three compounds caused a significant reduction in LPS-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels, as well as in cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression. The mechanisms underlying these protective effects were related, at least in part, to the competitive molecular interactions of these phenolic compounds with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which would allow the dissociation of Nrf2 and its translocation into the nucleus and the subsequent up-regulation of hemo-oxygenase 1 ( HO-1 ) expression. Conclusions: Compared to the 8- C -glucoside parent chrysin, compound 1a exhibited the strongest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. We hypothesized that the incorporation of an acetate group ( 1a ) may reduce its polarity and, thus, increase membrane permeability, leading to better pharmacological activity. These findings support the potential use of these phenolic compounds as Nrf2 activators against oxidative-stress-related inflammatory diseases.

Accurately assessing flap volume and thickness is a crucial aspect of breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, especially in challenging cases such as thin or large-breasted women or bilateral reconstruction. To address this, we present an innovative image processing tool utilizing computed tomography angiography (CTA) to measure DIEP flap volume and thickness. Our approach incorporates an elliptical equation validated on DIEP reconstruction patients. Preoperative abdominal CTA images were obtained from 70 patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction at Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge from 2017 to 2021. The image processing tool was employed for preoperative quantification, utilizing elliptical approximations, to determine the volume to be harvested and assess the central thickness of the flap. Subsequently, a non-parametric statistical retrospective analysis was conducted to examine these parameters in relation to immediate complications. The mean maximum recruitable volume (MRV) was 1017.15 ± 325.51 cm³, with a mean thickness of 3.65 ± 1.14 cm. No significant correlation was found between postoperative complications and MRV or thickness values. The processing tool offers a reliable solution for accurately measuring the volume and thickness of the DIEP flap from CTA images, aiding surgeons in breast reconstruction decision-making. This innovative approach enhances surgical planning by addressing quantitative values of thickness and volume of the DIEP flap, which is critical for accurate flap assessment., Competing Interests: All authors declare no financial tie or conflict of interest related directly or indirectly to the current work., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Simultaneous interrogation of pump and probe beams interacting in ZnO nanostructures of a two-wave mixing is proposed for dual-path data processing of optical signals by nonlinear optical effects. An enhancement in third-order nonlinear optical properties was exhibited by Al-doped ZnO thin films. Multiphoton absorption and nonlinear refraction were explored by the z-scan technique at 532 nm with nanosecond pulses. The evolution of the optical Kerr effect in the ZnO thin films was analyzed as a function of the incorporation of Al in the sample by a vectorial two-wave mixing method. Electrical and photoconductive effects were evaluated to further characterize the influence of Al in the ZnO solid samples. Potential applications of nonlinear optical parameters for encoding and encrypting information in light can be envisioned.

Purpose: The aim was to assess the diagnostic yield of next generation sequencing (NGS) multi-gene panels for breast and ovarian cancer in a high-complexity cancer centre in Chile. Additionally, our goal was to broaden the genotypic spectrum of BRCA variants already identified in Chilean families., Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on the genetic test results of 722 individuals from Fundación Arturo López Pérez's genetic counselling unit between 2016 and 2021. A comprehensive literature review encompassing articles analysing the frequency of germinal pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 within the Chilean population was undertaken., Results: 23.5% of the panels had positive results, with 60% due to pathogenic variants in the BRCA1/2 genes. Seven previously unreported variants in BRCA1 from Chilean studies were identified.One or more variants of uncertain significance were detected in 31% of the results, and 11.5% of the families in this cohort presented copy number variants (CNVs) in BRCA1/2 .8 studies analysed the frequency of pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 in the Chilean population between 2006 and 2023, with a frequency between 7.1% and 17.1%.51 BRCA1 variants in 149 families have been reported in Chile and 38 BRCA2 variants in 132 families. Nine founder pathogenic variants identified by one study were present in 51.9% of the total Chilean families reported., Conclusion: Our findings advocate for the integration of NGS multi-gene panel testing as a primary strategy within our population. This approach allows for the comprehensive assessment of single nucleotide variants and CNVs in BRCA1/2 , alongside other high and moderately penetrant genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer., Competing Interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© the authors; licensee ecancermedicalscience.)

Hyaluronan (HA) is a natural biodegradable biopolymer; its biological functions include cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and differentiation as well as decreasing inflammation, angiogenesis, and regeneration of damaged tissue. This makes it a suitable candidate for fabricating nanomaterials with potential use in tissue engineering. However, HA nanofiber production is restricted due to the high viscosity, low evaporation rate, and high surface tension of HA solutions. Here, hybrids in the form of continuous and randomly aligned polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-(HA)-siloxane nanofibers were obtained using an electrospinning process. PVA-HA fibers were crosslinked by a 3D siloxane organic-inorganic matrix via sol-gel that restricts natural hydrophilicity and stiffens the structure. The hybrid nanofiber mats were characterized by FT-IR, micro-Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and biological properties. The PVA/HA ratio influenced the morphology of the hybrid nanofibers. Nanofibers with high PVA content (10PVA-8 and 10PVA-10) form mats with few beaded nanofibers, while those with high HA content (5PVA-8 and 5PVA-10) exhibit mats with mound patterns formed by "ribbon-like" nanofibers. The hybrid nanofibers were used as mats to support osteoblast growth, and they showed outstanding biological properties supporting cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. Importantly, the 5PVA-8 mats show 3D spherical osteoblast morphology; this suggests the formation of tissue growth. These novel HA-based nanomaterials represent a relevant advance in designing nanofibers with unique properties for potential tissue regeneration.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation harms the skin, causing oxidative damage, inflammation, and disruption of the skin's barrier function. There is considerable interest in identifying new natural ingredients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to serve as adjuvants in sunscreens. The flavonoid morin ( 1 ) can undergo structural modifications to enhance its biological properties. The aim of this study was to synthesize two new morin-Schiff base derivatives, morin oxime ( 2 ) and morin semicarbazone ( 3 ), comparing their photoprotective effects with that of the parent compound on UVB-exposed HaCaT keratinocytes. The chemical structure of the novel compounds was revealed based on spectroscopic data analysis. Our findings demonstrated that derivatives 2 and 3 enhanced the light absorption capability in the UV-visible (vis) range compared to 1 . Tested compounds exhibited a higher scavenger capacity than Trolox. Moreover, pre-treatment with all compounds protected HaCaT cells from UVB-induced cell death. Compound 3 demonstrated the strongest antioxidant effect, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and, subsequently, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Additionally, compounds 2 and 3 exhibited greater anti-inflammatory effects than compound 1 , significantly reducing interleukin (IL)-6 production levels at all tested concentrations. These findings have demonstrated, for the first time, a promising photoprotective activity of two new Schiff base derivatives and suggest their use as natural sunscreen ingredients., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background/aim: Different nephrometry scoring systems (NSSs) are used to evaluate the surgical complexity and outcomes of partial nephrectomy (PN) in patients with small renal tumors. This study aimed to assess the validity of nephrometry scoring systems towards aiding the preoperative planning of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (PN)., Patients and Methods: Data of 77 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy at the Puerto Real University Hospital between January 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analyses were carried out to determine whether there was an association between the complexity of the surgical procedure and the assigned nephrometry scores., Results: Operative complications (bleeding volume, conversion to open surgery, perioperative bleeding, and postoperative fistula) were significantly associated with independent variables (age, sex, body mass index, radiological tumor size, and operative ischemia time) and with the classification of patients using arterial-based complexity (ABC) and radius endophytic/exophytic nearness anterior-posterior location (RENAL) scores. There was also a strong correlation between the RENAL and ABC scores [Cramer's V coefficient (0.682) and Fisher's test (p<0.0001)]., Conclusion: The RENAL and ABC scores are associated with the risk of the complexity of partial nephrectomy for T1 renal tumors, even for ≥T1b tumors and/or with complex anatomical features., (Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Herein is analyzed how an electric field can induce a band gap shift in NiO films to generate an enhancement in their third-order optical nonlinearities. An electrochromic effect seems to be responsible for changes in absorbance and modification in off-resonance nonlinear refractive index. The optical Kerr effect was determined as the dominant physical mechanism emerging from the third-order optical susceptibility processes present in a nanosecond two-wave mixing configuration at 532 nm wavelength. Absence of any important multi-photonic absorption was validated by the constant trace of high-irradiance optical transmittance in single-beam mode. The inspection of nonlinear optical signals allowed us to propose an exclusive disjunctive logic gate assisted by an electrochromic effect in an optical Kerr gate. Asymmetric encryption by our XOR system with the influence of a switchable probe beam transmittance and electrical signals in the sample was studied. Immediate applications for developing multifunctional quantum systems driven by dynamic parameters in electrochromic and nonlinear optical materials were highlighted.

This work used Sedum praealtum leaf extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a single step. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs was studied with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the DPPH radical was studied both in the extract of S. praealtum and in the AgNPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy determined the presence of AgNPs by the location of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 434 nm. TEM and XRD analyzes show AgNPs with fcc structure and hemispherical morphology. Also, AgNPs range in size from 5 to 25 nm and have an average size of 14 nm. 1 H NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques agreed that glycosidic compounds were the main phytochemical components responsible for the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs. In addition, AgNPs presented a maximum of 12% toxicity in yeast attributed to the generation of ROS. Consequently, there was low bioactivity because glycoside compounds cover the biosynthesized AgNPs from S. praealtum . These findings allow applications of AgNPs involving contact with mammals and higher organisms., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no Conflict of interest., (© King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2022, Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Transition metal oxides have been applied to degrade organic dyes found in water bodies via photocatalysis. To do it, however, is essential that the dye molecules adsorb onto the metal oxide surface. Thus, optimizing the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent increases the probability of reaction between oxidation radicals and organic dye molecules and maximizes the effectiveness per gram of photocatalyst. With this in mind, we studied the adsorption behavior of Methylene Blue (MB) and Acid Orange 7 (AO7), two commonly found pollutants, as a function of dilution's pH, WO 3 load, and initial dye concentration. We found out that WO 3 adsorbs up to 80% of MB at pH = 6, and 13% of AO7 at pH = 2, although it is unable to adsorb AO7 at the natural pH of the dye dilution. Assuming a pseudo-second order kinetics model for the analysis of the MB adsorption amount, we determined a rate constant k 2  = 6 × 10 -2 (g · mg -1 )/min for the adsorption process. We put forward a molecular model for adsorption, driven by concentration gradients and electrostatic interactions. Finally, from a statistical analysis, we determined that pH is the most significant factor for the adsorption of MB and AO7 on WO 3 , reinforcing the notion that electrostatic interactions are the main mechanism driving the adsorption process. The Box-Behnken design optimization also evinces the key playing role of WO 3 load in the adsorption percentage of AO7 and let us establish the optimal load required to maximize adsorption.

The occurrence of racemic and enantiomerically enriched (scalemic) mixtures of secondary metabolites in their natural sources is a rare phenomenon. The unprecedent case of enantiomeric variations from levorotatory to dextrorotatory, and back to levorotatory, passing through an almost racemic mixture, was recently documented for areolal, the major epoxythymol of Piptothrix areolare. In an attempt to shed some light to understand the reasons for such an unusual behavior, herein, we evaluated this phenomenon by correlating the areolal enantiomeric purity with several environmental variables, including temperature, humidity, rain precipitation, wind speed, and radiation during over 1 year of the plant life cycle. The specific rotation and enantiomeric excess determined by 1 H-NMR-BINOL measurements provided the scalemic variations of areolal samples isolated from the roots collected from the same location along a 427-day period. The 1 H-NMR-BINOL methodology provided better sensitivity to enantiomeric variations than specific rotation measurements. Statistical data, including matrix correlation analysis, exploratory analysis by heatmap plotting, and the principal component analysis (PCA), suggested direct correlation of the scalemic variation with humidity, rain precipitation, and radiation variables with the best PCA explanation (78.4%) and noncritical or poor correlations in PCA explained in 60.2% and 48.4%, respectively. When variations in the optical activity parameter of any metabolite are observed, the search for scalemic mixtures along their host plant life cycle should be undertaken. Herein, this phenomenon could be associated with interactions with soil microorganisms and with evolutionary aspects of Piptothrix areolare which belongs to Asteraceae, one of the most successfully adaptable plant families., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

To determine the role of early acquisition of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for analysis of the connectivity of the ascending arousal network (AAN) in predicting neurological outcomes after acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA), or stroke. A prospective analysis of 50 comatose patients was performed during their ICU stay. Image processing was conducted to assess structural and functional connectivity of the AAN. Outcomes were evaluated after 3 and 6 months. Nineteen patients (38%) had stroke, 18 (36%) CPA, and 13 (26%) TBI. Twenty-three patients were comatose (44%), 11 were in a minimally conscious state (20%), and 16 had unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (32%). Univariate analysis demonstrated that measurements of diffusivity, functional connectivity, and numbers of fibers in the gray matter, white matter, whole brain, midbrain reticular formation, and pontis oralis nucleus may serve as predictive biomarkers of outcome depending on the diagnosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a correlation of the predicted value and the real outcome for each separate diagnosis and for all the etiologies together. Findings suggest that the above imaging biomarkers may have a predictive role for the outcome of comatose patients after acute TBI, CPA, or stroke., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Introduction/background: Reconstructive and ablative urologic techniques require special technical mastery, especially the intracorporeal suturing., Objective: To report the subjective evaluation of a versatile ex-vivo model aimed to practice laparoscopic ureteric reconstructive techniques (LURT) on box-trainer., Study Design: The model is a continuous portion of porcine urinary bladder ("dilated pelvis"), the vesico-ureteral joint ("stenosis") and healthy ureter. All 127 participants (n = 119 urologists and n = 8 paediatric surgeons) performed on the model laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty, and then, in the animal model, different LURT procedures (ureteroneocystostomy, ureteric reimplantation and/or dismembered pyeloplasty). The model was subjectively evaluated (face and content validity), through a 12 items questionnaire, based on a Likert scale (1-5 points) and a global question (1-10 points)., Results: The total mean rating for 11/12 items was very high (>4points). Only one was rated under 3 points. The overall total mean rating from 1 to 10 points was very high (9.19 ± 0.82 points). In 10/12 items, expert's feedback (content validity) prevailed over non-experts (face validity)., Discussion/conclusion: The model was highly accepted for the practice of LURT techniques. Additionally, it is cost-effective, easy to assemble, ethically considerate, and realistic., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the combined treatment with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AA+P) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCPRC), and to identify the survival prognostic factors., Patients and Methods: Patients diagnosed with mCPRC not previously treated with chemotherapy and administered with AA+P were classified into two groups: those with lower and higher survival rates (at 30 months vs. 60 months)., Results: A total of 53 patients were studied at the time of mCRPC diagnosis. Patients with the highest survival rate had suffered prostate cancer for >45 months. At the time of initial prostate cancer diagnosis, they belonged to the risk groups 1-4, had pain intensity measured according to the brief pain inventory (BPI) scale of 0-2, were treated with AA+P>16 months, and had the following tumour marker serum levels: LDH baseline ≤163 U/l, alkaline phosphatase at 6 months ≤56 U/l and PSA at 6 months ≤0.95 ng/ml., Conclusion: Good response to treatment with AA+P for patients with mCRPC was demonstrated. Factors that contributed to the higher prognostic accuracy were time suffering from prostate cancer, the intensity of the pain measured by the BPI scale, the duration of AA+P treatment, and tumour marker levels., (Copyright © 2021 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Since epoxythymols occur in Nature either as scalemic mixtures or as pure enantiomers, the knowledge of their chiral composition and of the absolute configuration (AC) of the dominant enantiomer turns out to be mandatory. This task has already been faced using 1,1-bis-2-naphthol (BINOL), as a chiral solvating agent in accurate 1 H NMR quantifications to determine the enantiomeric ratio, and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) to evidence the AC of the dominant enantiomer. We now explore the use of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) to determine the AC of an epoxythymol for which time-expensive DFT calculations would be required unless the AC of a related molecule is already known, from either VCD studies or single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, since one could correlate the ECD Cotton effect with the AC because in ECD only chromophores and their neighborhoods are evidenced. This method is now applied by using the epoxythymols from Piptothrix areolare . Known areolal ( 1 ) and 10-cinnamoyloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate ( 2 ) were isolated from the roots, while known 7-acetoxy-10-cinnamoyloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate ( 3 ) and 10-cinnamoyloxy-7-hydroxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate ( 4 ), as well as the new enantiopure 7-acetoxy-10-cinnamoyloxy-6-hydroxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate ( 5 ) and 10-cinnamoyloxy-8,9-epoxy-6-hydroxy-7- nor thymol isobutyrate ( 6 ), were obtained from the extract of the flowers. Chemical correlation of epoxythymols 1 and 3 was achieved. Compounds 1 - 4 were obtained as scalemic mixtures, and 5 and 6 as the pure (8 S ) enantiomers. In addition, the new 10-cinnamoyloxy-7-oxo-8,9-dehydrothymol isobutyrate ( 7 ) was isolated from the roots. The structures of 5 - 7 followed from NMR and HRMS data, while enantiomeric compositions of 1 - 6 were determined by 1 H NMR-BINOL measurements. The AC determination for 2 - 6 was done by ECD using a sample of 1 to reference the ECD Cotton effect. In turn, the AC of 1 was determined by VCD and extensive DFT calculations. The ECD-BINOL methodology turned out to be some 500 times more sensitive than that combining VCD and 1 H NMR-BINOL.

This work was designed to determine temperature conditions within the reproductive tract of the female pig and study their impact on ARTs. Temperatures were recorded using a laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery assisted approach and a miniaturized probe. Sows and gilts were used to address natural cycle and ovarian stimulation treatments, respectively. According to in vivo values, IVF was performed at three temperature conditions (37.0°C, 38.5°C and 39.5°C) and presumptive zygotes were cultured in these conditions for 20 h, while further embryo culture (EC) (21-168 h post-insemination) was maintained at 38.5°C. After 20 h, different fertility parameters were assessed. During EC, cleavage and blastocyst stages were evaluated. Sperm membrane fluidity at the experimental temperatures was studied by using differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching techniques. An increasing temperature gradient of 1.5°C was found between the oviduct and uterus of sows (P < 0.05) and when this gradient was transferred to pig in vitro culture, the number of poly-nuclear zygotes after IVF was reduced and the percentage of blastocysts was increased. Moreover, the temperature transition phase for the boar sperm membrane (37.0°C) coincided with the temperature registered in the sow oviduct, and sperm membranes were more fluid at 37.0°C compared with those of sperm incubated at higher temperatures (38.5°C and 39.5°C). These data suggest that there may be an impact of physiological temperature gradients on human embryo development., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: A thorough knowledge of trophic webs in agroecosystems is essential to achieve successful biological pest control. Phytoseiid mites are the most efficient natural enemies of tetranychid mites, which include several important pests worldwide. Nevertheless, phytoseiids may feed on other food sources including other microarthropods, plants and even other phytoseiids (intraguild predation), which can interfere with biological control services. Molecular gut content analysis is a valuable tool for characterizing trophic interactions, mainly when working on microarthropods such as mites. We have designed new primers for Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae and Thysanoptera identification and they have been multiplexed in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) together with universal plant primers. Additionally, we have estimated prey DNA detectability success over time (DS 50 ) considering the most probable events in Spanish citrus orchards: the phytoseiid Euseius stipulatus as a predator, the phytoseiid Phytoseiulus persimilis as intraguild prey, and the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis and Anaphothrips obscurus as alternative prey to Tetranychus urticae., Results: The designed multiplex PCR allows the identification of phytoseiids (both predator and intraguild prey) and detects alternative food sources mentioned above in the gut of the phytoseiid predator. DS 50 for E. stipulatus as the predator were 1.3, 2.3 and 18.7 h post feeding for F. occidentalis, A. obscurus and P. persimilis as prey, respectively., Conclusion: Tracking of the trophic relationships within the citrus acarofauna, and the unveiling of the role of alternative food sources will pave the way for enhancing T. urticae biological control. This multiplex PCR approach could be applicable for these purposes in similar agroecosystems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The exceptional case of a natural compound that shows drastic absolute configuration variations within the same species was examined. Sequential samples of areolal ( 1 ) isolated from Piptothrix areolare showed dextrorotatory (ee 32%), almost racemic (ee 4%), levorotatory (ee 82%), and again dextrorotatory (ee 10%) values. Enantiomeric compositions of this epoxythymol derivative were determined from individual plant specimens collected from the same geographical location over a 46-day period, which were processed using the same extraction and isolation methods. Detection of this unusual phenomenon was possible by analysis of NMR data recorded in the presence of BINOL as a chiral solvating agent. The absolute configuration of (-)-(8 S )-areolal followed from vibrational circular dichroism data of an enantiomerically enriched sample, while single-crystal X-ray diffraction and supramolecular analyses revealed interactions that diminish the crystal entropy in rac - 1 . These results might be related with environmental factors and biochemical processes, suggesting the need of strict evaluations of enantiomeric composition of natural products that could be considered for human applications.