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Multifunctional productive systems based on native species management, a new paradigm that counters colonial worldviews, offer sustainable sources of food and materials while preserving biodiversity. Despite extensive discussions in herbaceous and agricultural systems, applying this concept to native forests in Northern Patagonia remains unclear. Multifunctional system implementation can be approached from a fractal perspective, with evaluations at the stand level being essential for understanding ecological processes across scales. Here, we exemplify research and management for multiple native species, integrating results from 10 years of field experiments on the impacts of biomass harvesting intensity (HI) on nine Nature's Contributions to People (NCPs), including habitat creation, pollination, soil formation, hazard regulation, prevention of invasions, and provision of energy, food, materials, and options. Our findings reveal that some regulating NCPs peak with null HI, while certain material and regulating NCPs maximize at the highest HI. Low to intermediate HI (30–50%) show a more balanced provision of all NCPs. Our results suggest that some biomass extraction is necessary to enhance most NCPs, emphasizing the importance of balancing material provisioning and biodiversity conservation in management schemes. We propose future directions for designing multifunctional forest systems, advocating for low-density plantation of native tree species with high wood quality within the natural forest matrix. This approach may yield higher NCPs levels over time compared to the current cattle breeding and wood extraction system, with implications beyond Patagonia, considering historical associations of such practices with colonial worldviews globally.

Dinoflagellates belonging to the Perkinsus genus are OIE (World Organization for animal Health)-listed pathogens extremely virulent for clams and oysters in many marine ecosystems throughout the world. During the monitoring activities of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in Campania region (Italy), the presence of typical trophozoites of Perkinsus sp. was observed in mussels from farms and natural banks. Simultaneously, following mussel mortality in the Spanish waters of Catalonia, histopathological studies revealed the presence of the same parasite. Although perkinsosis is an endemic disease in clams in Italy (with prevalence from 40 to 80%), there are no reports to date of its presence in Mediterranean mussels and of the effect on this species. For this study, histopathology, Ray’s Fluid Thioglycollate Medium (RFTM), and molecular diagnostics with conventional Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and qPCR were performed. In samples from Italy, histopathology in the mussel from one farm revealed a prevalence of 26% in February 2019, 40% in February 2020, 16% in November 2020, and 23% in April 2021. In a natural bank, Perkinsus was also detected in May 2020 but in lower prevalence. In Spain, in July 2020, the presence of the parasite was 20% in one site and 10% in a second site and related to animal mortality. In both areas, Perkinsus sp. elicited multiple inflammatory capsules of different size or infiltrates at the level of the digestive gland and gonad. Molecular diagnostics of the Internal Transcriber Spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA (ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2) showed a 97% similarity of P. olseni from Italy with samples from New Zealand, Australia, and Uruguay and in bivalves such as Pitar rostrata, Astrovenus sp., and Haliotis sp., whereas in Spain the identity was 99% samples from South Korean venerids such as Anadara granosa. Phylogenetic analysis group together P. olseni from Italian and Spanish mussels but place them distant from other P. olseni described in the clams from Europe (Italy, France, and Spain). Direct impact of transboundary animal diseases in aquaculture constitutes a serious consequence for export living animals and their products, as well for international trade. This compromises food security, also causing a high socioeconomic impact on aquaculture exporting nations. P. olseni is a generalist pathogen able to infect different bivalve species, possibly passing from clams to oysters and mussels. Recognized international organizations should take this into account in the view of possible cross-infection. Other studies are needed to define pathogen virulence in this species.

Background: Variants in IFIH1, a gene coding the cytoplasmatic RNA sensor MDA5, regulate the response to viral infections. We hypothesized that IFIH1 rs199076 variants would modulate host response and outcome after severe COVID-19. Methods: Patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed COVID-19 were prospectively studied and rs1990760 variants determined. Peripheral blood gene expression, cell populations, and immune mediators were measured. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were exposed to an MDA5 agonist and dexamethasone ex-vivo, and changes in gene expression assessed. ICU discharge and hospital death were modeled using rs1990760 variants and dexamethasone as factors in this cohort and in-silico clinical trials. Results: About 227 patients were studied. Patients with the IFIH1 rs1990760 TT variant showed a lower expression of inflammation-related pathways, an anti-inflammatory cell profile, and lower concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators. Cells with TT variant exposed to an MDA5 agonist showed an increase in IL6 expression after dexamethasone treatment. All patients with the TT variant not treated with steroids survived their ICU stay (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–4.79). Patients with a TT variant treated with dexamethasone showed an increased hospital mortality (HR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.01–4.87) and serum IL-6. In-silico clinical trials supported these findings. Conclusions: COVID-19 patients with the IFIH1 rs1990760 TT variant show an attenuated inflammatory response and better outcomes. Dexamethasone may reverse this anti-inflammatory phenotype. Funding: Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CB17/06/00021), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI19/00184 and PI20/01360), and Fundació La Marató de TV3 (413/C/2021).

Background and purposeHemorrhagic transformation (HT) after cerebral infarction is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon in the acute stage of ischemic stroke, and often results in a poor prognosis. Thus, identifying risk factors and making an early prediction of HT in acute cerebral infarction contributes not only to the selections of therapeutic regimen but also, more importantly, to the improvement of prognosis of acute cerebral infarction. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a model to predict a patient's risk of HT within 30 days of initial ischemic stroke.MethodsWe utilized a retrospective multicenter observational cohort study design to develop a Lasso Logistic Regression prediction model with a large, US Electronic Health Record dataset which structured to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM). To examine clinical transportability, the model was externally validated across 10 additional real-world healthcare datasets include EHR records for patients from America, Europe and Asia.ResultsIn the database the model was developed, the target population cohort contained 621,178 patients with ischemic stroke, of which 5,624 patients had HT within 30 days following initial ischemic stroke. 612 risk predictors, including the distance a patient travels in an ambulance to get to care for a HT, were identified. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.75 was achieved in the internal validation of the risk model. External validation was performed across 10 databases totaling 5,515,508 patients with ischemic stroke, of which 86,401 patients had HT within 30 days following initial ischemic stroke. The mean external AUC was 0.71 and ranged between 0.60-0.78.ConclusionsA HT prognostic predict model was developed with Lasso Logistic Regression based on routinely collected EMR data. This model can identify patients who have a higher risk of HT than the population average with an AUC of 0.78. It shows the OMOP CDM is an appropriate data standard for EMR secondary use in clinical multicenter research for prognostic prediction model development and validation. In the future, combining this model with clinical information systems will assist clinicians to make the right therapy decision for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Cuba’s transition to agroecology is perhaps as widely known as it is misunderstood. In response to the economic crisis of the early 1990s, the Cuban agricultural sector largely departed from the industrial model of food production that it had previously pursued. The subsequent transition towards an agroecological model has been a dynamic and uneven process, elevating Cuba on the world stage as a global leader in sustainable agriculture while at the same time producing unique challenges for Cuban farmers, policy makers, researchers and academics. This article synthesizes and updates contemporary literature on the Cuban agricultural system, paying attention to both successes and shortcomings of agroecology in Cuba to date. In particular, it situates these literatures alongside contributions from academics and practitioners alike, bringing a number of data sets, experiences, and perspectives into conversation in the context of changing realities within Cuba and the nation’s evolving geopolitical relationship with the United States. By analyzing both the historical and contemporary processes through which agroecology has taken root in Cuba, we demonstrate that, despite its uneven and incomplete implementation, such a sustainable agroecological transition holds great, untapped potential. Agroecology in Cuba currently faces pressure from normalizing Cuba-US relations, with potentially profound implications for agriculture in both countries. But increasing opportunities are also emerging for investment, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and solidarity. In this paper, we provide an overview of the evolution of the Cuban agroecology movement; analyze the state of food security and challenges to food sovereignty on the island today; outline US-Cuba policy changes occurring since December 2014 that may affect the agrifood sector; and conclude with recommendations for supporting agroecology – for food security, food sovereignty, and sustainability – under this new and evolving relationship. 'Please refer to Supplementary Materials', DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.337.s1, 'for a full text Spanish version of this article'. La transición agroecológica cubana es quizás tan ampliamente conocida como malentendida. Como respuesta a la crisis económica a principio de los 90, el sector agropecuario cubano se apartó en gran medida del modelo industrial de producción alimentaria que anteriormente había perseguido. La transición posterior hacia un modelo agroecológico ha sido un proceso dinámico y heterogéneo, que 1) ha convertido a Cuba en líder en el desarrollo de una agricultura sostenible a escala global y que, al mismo tiempo, 2) ha producido una variedad de desafíos inéditos para agricultores, decisores políticos, investigadores y académicos cubanos. Este artículo busca sintetizar y actualizar la literatura contemporánea sobre el sistema agrícola cubano, prestando atención tanto a los éxitos como a las debilidades de la agroecología en Cuba hasta la fecha. En particular, sitúa esta literatura a la par de los aportes de académicos, técnicos y agricultores, aportando una diversidad de datos, experiencias y perspectivas a la discusión, en un contexto cambiante tanto dentro de Cuba, como en las relaciones geopolíticas con los Estados Unidos. Partiendo del análisis de los procesos, tanto históricos como actuales, a través de los cuales la agroecología se ha enraizado en Cuba, este artículo muestra que, a pesar de su implementación desigual y aún no completa, la transición agroecológica sostenible en Cuba tiene un gran potencial por explotar. Si bien actualmente la agroecología cubana enfrenta la presión de la normalización de las relaciones Cuba-Estados Unidos, con implicaciones potencialmente profundas para la agricultura en ambos países, también puede beneficiarse de oportunidades cada vez más emergentes para la inversión, la colaboración y la solidaridad. En este artículo, proporcionamos una visión general de la evolución del movimiento agroecológico cubano; analizamos el estado de la seguridad alimentaria y los retos de la soberanía alimentaria en la isla hoy; resumimos los cambios en la política Estados Unidos-Cuba desde diciembre del 2014 que pueden afectar al sector agroalimentario; y concluimos con recomendaciones para apoyar la agroecología (para la seguridad y soberanía alimentaria y la sustentabilidad) bajo esta nueva y cambiante relación. 'La versión en español de este artículo se puede encontrar en Materiales Suplementarias', DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.337.s1.

Cuba’s experience in sustainable agriculture and agroecology has been the subject of much international attention, particularly as advocates of agroecology aim to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing alternatives to industrial agriculture on a national scale to support ecological resilience, food security, food sovereignty, and human wellbeing. Such attention has increased since relations between the U.S. and Cuba began to normalize, stimulating speculation as to how this will affect Cuba’s advances in sustainability. The Special Feature 'Cuba Agrifood Systems in Transition' analyses the nuances of agroecological development in Cuba. We emphasized amplifying the voices of locally-based researchers and practitioners by targeting manuscript invitations to Cuban scholars and publishing in both Spanish and English. We outline the process, challenges and goals of this unique endeavor and introduce seven articles, all contributions from Cuba except for one, which is a collaboration between U.S. based and Cuba based scholars. These articles unpack some of the complexities of Cuba’s agrifood system transition and draw on specific information and experiences to discuss successes and challenges of this transition. We thus underline the instructive value of the Cuban experience regarding the path to agrifood system sustainability and hope to spark new collaborative opportunities as scholars and citizens around the world look to develop agrifood systems that will sustain human society long into the future. 'Please refer to Supplementary Materials', DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.335.s1, 'for a full text Spanish version of this article.' La experiencia de Cuba en la agricultura sostenible y la agroecología ha recibido una importante atención internacional, en especial porque los defensores de la agroecología buscan demostrar la factibilidad de implementar alternativas a la agricultura industrial a una escala nacional para respaldar la resiliencia ecológica, la seguridad y la soberanía alimentarias y el bienestar humano. Esa atención no ha hecho sino aumentar desde que las relaciones entre Estados Unidos (EE.UU.) y Cuba empezaron a normalizarse, y se está especulando actualmente sobre cómo afectará esto a los avances de Cuba en materia de sostenibilidad. Este breve artículo de introducción presenta un resumen de la publicación especial 'El sistema agroalimentario cubano en transición', que tiene el fin de contribuir al conjunto de publicaciones que analizan los matices del desarrollo agroecológico en Cuba, con un énfasis en amplificar las voces de los protagonistas basados a nivel local al invitar a que contribuyan académicos cubanos y publicar en español e inglés. Presentamos el proceso, los desafíos y los objetivos de este esfuerzo único y destacamos la presentación de los siete primeros artículos, todos procedentes de Cuba a excepción de uno, que es una colaboración entre académicos basados en EE.UU. y Cuba. Mediante el análisis de algunas de las complejidades de la transición del sistema agroalimentario cubano y la presentación de estudios detallados y rigurosos sobre sus éxitos y desafíos, esta publicación tiene el fin de mejorar el entendimiento de los lectores sobre el camino para lograr la sostenibilidad del sistema agroalimentario conforme a la evolución del mismo en Cuba. Con esto, esperamos subrayar el valor instructivo del caso de Cuba y generar nuevas oportunidades de colaboración, ya que académicos y ciudadanos de todo el mundo están tratando de desarrollar sistemas agroalimentarios que sustenten a la sociedad por mucho tiempo. 'La versión en español de este artículo se puede encontrar en Materiales Suplementarias', DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.335.s1.

The spatial and temporal variations in the composition of Pseudo-nitzschia during bloom events from August 2005 to February 2006 were characterised in two bays of the NW Mediterranean Sea (Alfacs and Fangar Bay) by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study provides detailed records of the Pseudo-nitzschia community at the species level and describes its relationship with both the surrounding environmental conditions and biotic factors such as the accompanying phytoplankton community. The size distributions of several species of Pseudo-nitzschia were monitored during the bloom events. These measurements may serve as indicators of the physiological status of the cells. The species observed in the two bays were Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha, P. delicatissima, P. fraudulenta, P. multistriata, and P. pungens. In Alfacs Bay, a mixed species bloom of P. calliantha and P. delicatissima began in late August 2005 and lasted 11 weeks. In Fangar Bay, the Pseudo-nitzschia bloom was limited to the period from early August to late September 2005 and comprised P. calliantha and P. delicatissima. Commonly, the proliferation of Pseudo-nitzschia was mono-specific or was accompanied by other diatoms. Two objectively defined groups were identified by the statistical analysis in Alfacs bay; the first was made up only of winter samples and the second of summer and autumn samples. The first group was defined by a high concentration of NO3¯ and low concentrations of NH4+, conditions associated with a high abundance of P. delicatissima and a low abundance of P. calliantha. The second group expressed the opposite characteristics. A succession of different blooming species of Pseudo-nitzschia lasting months in Alfacs Bay is described.

In the field of higher education, the transition from secondary to tertiary education is crucial to reduce dropout rates and to improve the educational outcomes. This study aims to investigate various predictors that affect the academic performance of first-year Business Administration and Management (BAM) students, thereby emphasizing the importance of mathematical literacy. Using a structural equation modeling approach, this investigation looks beyond gender to include baccalaureate choices such as the mathematics pathway and the mathematics entrance exam grades. This study adopts a comprehensive approach by using administrative data from a public university in an outermost region with economic resources and academic performance below the national average. Starting with bivariate descriptive analyses, it moves on to multivariate analyses through structural equation models, thereby examining the joint correlation of variables related to mathematical literacy with the construct 'academic success' in the first year of BAM. The results reveal a dual mediating effect on women's academic success through the chosen mathematics pathway and the grades obtained in the mathematics entrance examination. The study demonstrates a significant correlation between mathematical literacy and academic success in the first year of the BAM degree, both in the subjects with a mathematical component and in those with a higher theoretical component, thus highlighting statistical gender differences. These findings underscore the need for a broader focus beyond gender, including baccalaureate choices in the analysis, to improve the predictions and interventions aimed at enhancing academic success in BAM programs.

Objectives: Host responses to infection are a major determinant of outcome. However, the existence of different response profiles in patients with endocarditis has not been addressed. Our objective was to apply transcriptomics to identify endotypes in patients with infective endocarditis. Methods: A total of 32 patients with infective endocarditis were studied. Clinical data and blood samples were collected at diagnosis and RNA sequenced. Gene expression was used to identify two clusters (endocarditis endotype 1 [EE1] and endocarditis endotype 2 [EE2]). RNA sequencing was repeated after surgery. Transcriptionally active cell populations were identified by deconvolution. Differences between endotypes in clinical data, survival, gene expression, and molecular pathways involved were assessed. The identified endotypes were recapitulated in a cohort of COVID-19 patients. Results: A total of 18 and 14 patients were assigned to EE1 and EE2, respectively, with no differences in clinical data. Patients assigned to EE2 showed an enrichment in genes related to T-cell maturation and a decrease in the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription protein family pathway, with higher counts of active T cells and lower counts of neutrophils. A total of 14 patients (nine in EE1 and five in EE2) were submitted to surgery. Surgery in EE2 patients shifted gene expression toward a EE1-like profile. In-hospital mortality was higher in EE1 (56% vs 14%, P = 0.027), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 12.987 (95% confidence interval 3.356-50). Translation of these endotypes to COVID-19 and non–COVID-19 septic patients yielded similar results in cell populations and outcome. Conclusions: Gene expression reveals two endotypes in patients with acute endocarditis, with different underlying pathogenetic mechanisms, responses to surgery, and outcomes.

Introduction and Objectives: Outcomes of liver transplantation (LT) with donors after circulatory death (DCD) have been considered suboptimal due to higher rates of ischemic cholangiopathy, especially when the superrapid recovery (SRR) technique is used. This study aimed to compare the incidence of complications between recipients receiving DCD vs those receiving donors after brain death (DBD) in a large-volume liver transplant centre. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study (LT from January 2015 to December 2018) comparing recipients who underwent a LT with DCD vs. a control group of LT with DBD, matched 1:1 without replacement by propensity score matching that included the following variables: LT indication, recipient sex and age, donor age and MELD score. Results: 51 recipients with DCD-LT (29 SRR, 22 normothermic regional perfusion [NRP]) were matched with 51 DBD-LT recipients. Biliary complications were more frequent in DCD, 10% (n=5), all with SRR technique, vs 2% (n=1) in the DBD group, p=0.2. Two patients (4%) suffered primary graft non-function in the DCD group (1 SRR and 1 NRP) versus zero in the DBD group (p=0.49). Postoperative bleeding and reinterventions were also higher in the DCD group: 7 (13.7%) vs 1 (1.95%) and 8 (15.7%) vs 2 (3.9%) respectively (p=0.06 and 0.09). On the 1st postoperative day AST/ALT peak was higher in DCD (p≤0001). The incidence of rejection, vascular complications, renal injury, hospital stay, and readmissions were similar in both groups. Cumulative 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year graft and patient survival were also similar. Conclusions: DCD donors are an adequate option to increase the donor pool in LT, achieving similar graft and patient survival rates to those achieved with DBD donors, especially when the NRP technique is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: BTK inhibitors have been concurrently administered with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the optimal regimen for combining these two drugs remains pending. Methods: This multi-center phase 2 study aimed to analyze whether consolidation with ofatumumab improved the response in patients with CLL receiving front-line treatment with ibrutinib. Patients received 12 cycles of ibrutinib monotherapy. Those who achieved CR after this induction were maintained on ibrutinib. Conversely, those who did not attain CR continued with ibrutinib in addition to a consolidation, which involved 7 doses of ofatumumab. The primary objective was the complete response (CR) rate at cycle 20. This study is registered within the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT 2016-004937-26). Findings: Between September 8, 2017, and May 21, 2018, 84 patients (median age, 69 years) were included. After completion of 12 cycles of ibrutinib (n = 80), 4 patients (5%) were in CR, 67 (84%) in partial response (PR), and 6 patients (7%) had a PR with lymphocytosis (PRL). After consolidation with ofatumumab, 20 patients improved the response from PR to CR and 6 patients with PRL obtained a PR. Seventy-one patients (85%) completed 20 cycles of treatment, with a CR rate of 24/71 (34%). According to the intention-to-treat analysis at cycle 20, the ORR was 69/84 (82.2%), with a CRR of 24/84 (28.6%). Progression-free survival and overall survival at 48-months were 89.9% (CI: 82.4–95.5) and 92.2% (CI: 85.3–97.1), respectively. Interpretation: These findings underscore the potential for a consolidation strategy in CLL, wherein the addition of a mAb in patients with low tumor burden might enhance the quality of the response. Funding: The study was funded by Janssen that also supplied ibrutinib, whereas ofatumumab was supplied by Novartis.

We propose the use of the wavelet transform to characterize the time evolution of dynamic speckle patterns. We describe it by using as an example a method used for the assessment of the drying of paint. Optimal texture features are determined and the time evolution is described in terms of the Mahalanobis distance to the final (dry) state. From the behavior of this distance function, two parameters are defined that characterize the evolution. Because detailed knowledge of the involved dynamics is not required, the methodology could be implemented for other complex or poorly understood dynamic phenomena. OCIS codes: 100.7410, 030.6140.

As resilience refers to the human capacity to overcome challenging situations and quickly recover from them, fostering it from an early age in an educational context will enable children to be more efficient at both the cognitive and emotional levels. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to analyze the presence of resilience pillars in the current Spanish educational legislation, focusing on Early Childhood Education. In Spain, the new Education Law (LOMLOE) Organic Law 3/2020, amending Organic Law 2/2006, aims to enhance autonomy, initiative, and conflict resolution in children. In Royal Decree 95/2022 on Early Childhood Education, the three areas of knowledge (harmonious growth, discovery and exploration of the environment, and communication and representation of reality) are examined in relation to Steven J. Wolin and Sybil Wolin’s seven resilience pillars. In the second cycle of early childhood education, emphasis is placed on the development of specific competences for learning and doing, contributing to the comprehensive development of the child. Although the LOMLOE does not explicitly mention resilience, the curriculum reflects these resilience pillars—except for humor—highlighting the importance of understanding the individual characteristics and contexts of children. In summary, the promotion of resilience in early childhood education aligns with educational regulations in Spain, contributing to the comprehensive development of children and preparing them for future challenges.

The aim of this paper is to approach the concept of agrarian archaeology, an epistemological framework that allows the investigation of agrarian landscapes favouring new historical narratives far from traditional paradigms and, at the same time, the proposal of innovative forms of cultural heritage management in rural areas. The working methodology and some examples of both empirical work (archaeology) and research-action approaches to cultural heritage are presented. As a result, agrarian archaeology opens up a perspective of experimental research, which permits the problematization of conceptual languages, questions historical narratives and causes the rethinking of personal practices, in addition to promoting an open science close to citizens. Cultural heritage here is to be understood as a social process of meaningful construction, a space of debate and transformation for social innovation.