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Based on the response surface methodology, a rheological and tribological study carried out on eco-friendly lubricants is described. Such ecolubricants consisted of fibrillated or crystalline nanocellulose in vegetable oil (castor oil, high oleic sunflower oil or their mixtures). Cellulose nanoparticles showed noticeable friction-reducing and anti-wear properties within the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes, which were found to be dependent on nanocellulose concentration, base oil composition and applied normal force. In general, both types of nanocellulose performed equally well. An excellent tribological performance, with large wear scar diameter reductions, was achieved with 3.3 wt.% (or higher) nanocellulose dispersions in castor oil-rich mixtures. The observed behavior was explained on the basis of enhanced viscosity of castor oil-rich suspensions and the preferential action of the most polar components, nanocellulose and ricinoleic acid, in the vicinity of the contact surfaces.

This manuscript describes a rheological and tribological study carried out on eco-friendly lubricants. These ecolubricants were made up of nanoclays as dispersed phase (a layered nanosilicate (montmorillonite Cloisite 15A) and a fiber-like nanoclay (sepiolite Pangel B20)) and vegetable-based oil as continuous phase (castor oil (CO), high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) and their mixtures). A series of nanoclay-based ecolubricants were prepared by varying both nanoclay concentration and base oil, and thus, its viscosity. Friction and wear behaviors were assessed by using a ball-on-three plates tribometer cell. The results showed that the fiber-like sepiolite Pangel B20 yielded an important reduction in the wear scar diameter, thus revealing its potential as anti-wear and load-carrying additive in ecolubricant formulations, while Cloisite 15A proved to have friction improving properties. These anti-wear and friction reducing properties were found to be influenced by both nanoclay concentration and oil viscosity.

Abstract Background There is limited information on how healthy behaviors and individual health perceptions mediate the relationship between eating behaviors and noncommunicable diseases in adults. This study aimed to evaluate the mediating role of these factors in the relationship between eating behaviors and comorbidity in U.S. adults. Methods A cross-sectional predictive study using data from 5,247 adults from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, cycle 3 (2019) was conducted. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the mediating effect. Results The model showed good fit (χ2/df = 1.22, CFI = 971, TLI = 959, RMSEA = 0.050, SRMR = 0.036). It was found that self-perceived health totally mediated the relationship between eating behaviors and comorbidities (β = − 0.026, p

Abstract Background Maladaptive eating behaviors are becoming increasingly prevalent among adolescents, and their relationship to exposure to media messages has been extensively examined. However, more specifically, the influence of social networks on emotional eating (EmE) has received relatively less attention in the Peruvian context. Objective To determine the association between social network addiction (SNA) and EmE among Peruvian adolescents, considering sex differences. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 878 adolescents were considered. The Social Network Addiction Questionnaire and the Emotional Eating Questionnaire were administered. Similarly, sociodemographic data were collected. To explore the association between SNA and EmE, we performed Poisson regression analyses with robust variance. We considered a p-value of equal to or less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Results Adolescents with an EmE score greater than 5 had significantly higher SNA scores, averaging 24.7 (± 12.3), compared to 15.5 (± 10.3) in those with an EmE score between 0 and 5 (p

Objective: The aim of this review was to summarize the process and results of the Region of Murcia's 2022 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Methods: Indicators from the Global Matrix initiative (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport & Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, Active Play, Active Transport, Sedentary Behaviors, Family & Peers, School, Community & Environment, and Government) were evaluated based on the best available data in the Region of Murcia. Results: Active play was the indicator with the highest grade (B+), followed by Organized Sport & Physical Activity (B) and Active Play (B). School and Family and Peers indicators obtained a C+ and C grade, respectively. Both Community and Environment and Sedentary Behaviors indicators received a D+ grade. The grade for Overall Physical Activity and Government indicators was D. Physical Fitness was the indicator with the lowest grade of this Report Card (D−). None of the indicators received an incomplete grade (INC) because of a lack of available information. Conclusions: The present Report Card offers evidence highlighting the low level of physical activity in Spanish children and adolescents living in the Region of Murcia. Further studies and surveillance efforts are urgently needed for most of the indicators analyzed, which should be addressed by researchers and the Region of Murcia's Government for this specific population. A strong commitment from the Government of the Region of Murcia is needed at all levels to promote a cultural change that will lead children and young people in this region to improve the current situation.

Considerable efforts are currently being made by the academic community and industry, aiming to develop environmentally friendly lubricants with suitable technical features for their performance. In this context, lignin could be considered a promising candidate to be used as a bio-sourced thickening agent to formulate eco-friendly lubricating greases. In this work, alkali lignin (AL) was chemically modified with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE). Afterwards, the epoxidized lignin was properly dispersed in castor oil (CO) in order to obtain an oleogel for lubricant applications. The epoxidized lignins were characterized by means of epoxy index determination, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The epoxide-functionalized lignin-based oleogels were analyzed from both rheological and tribological points of view. It was found that the viscosity, consistency and viscoelastic functions of these oleogels clearly increased with the epoxy index of the epoxide-modified lignin compound. Thermo-rheological characterization of these oleogels revealed a slight thermal dependence of the viscoelastic moduli below 100 °C, but a significant softening above that critical temperature. In general, these oleogels showed low values of the friction coefficient under the mixed lubrication regime as compared to the neat castor oil.

Abstract The health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the United Kingdom and the confinement measures that were subsequently implemented had unprecedented effects on the mental health of older adults, leading to the emergence and exacerbation of different comorbid symptoms including depression and anxiety. This study examined and compared depression and anxiety symptom networks in two specific quarantine periods (June–July and November–December) in the older adult population in the United Kingdom. We used the database of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging COVID-19 Substudy, consisting of 5797 participants in the first stage (54% women) and 6512 participants in the second stage (56% women), all over 50 years of age. The symptoms with the highest centrality in both times were: “Nervousness (A1)” and “Inability to relax (A4)” in expected influence and predictability, and “depressed mood (D1”; bridging expected influence). The latter measure along with "Irritability (A6)" overlapped in both depression and anxiety clusters in both networks. In addition, a the cross-lagged panel network model was examined in which a more significant influence on the direction of the symptom "Nervousness (A1)" by the depressive symptoms of "Anhedonia (D6)", "Hopelessness (D7)", and "Sleep problems (D3)" was observed; the latter measure has the highest predictive capability of the network. The results report which symptoms had a higher degree of centrality and transdiagnostic overlap in the cross-sectional networks (invariants) and the cross-lagged panel network model of anxious and depressive symptomatology.

The research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the direct and indirect effects of academic stress symptoms related to academic stressors, emotional exhaustion, and coping strategies in an academic context. The study had a cross-sectional predictive design, composed of 387 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years (M = 15.6, SD = 1.53, 56.8 % female) from different educational institutions in Lima, Peru. The results showed significant effects with a direct trend for each of the variables. In addition, academic stress symptoms had a stronger indirect effect on the relationship of academic stressors with emotional exhaustion (β = 0.392, p < .001), in contrast to the effect of academic stressors with coping strategies (β = 0.083, p < .05). It was also found by multigroup analysis that the proposed model was invariant as a function of sex. Therefore, it is concluded that adolescents who are exposed to greater academic stressors will perceive greater symptoms of academic stress, which in turn intensifies the occurrence of emotional exhaustion and the coping strategies. These results were equivalent in both men and women.

Introducción: La citología exfoliativa instituye un avance en la prevención del cáncer de cuello uterino, enfermedad prevenible cuando su diagnóstico es oportuno. Objetivo: Identificar los factores que afectan la realización oportuna de la prueba citológica, en pacientes pertenecientes al consultorio tres del Policlínico Antonio Maceo, del municipio Cacocum, de noviembre 2017 a enero 2019. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. Del total de 536 mujeres pertenecientes al referido consultorio, después de aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, el universo, quedó constituido por 418 pacientes. La muestra, conformada por 100 pacientes se seleccionó por muestreo probabilístico a través de la técnica de muestreo aleatorio simple. Resultados: Las mujeres comprendidas entre 20 y 39 años predominaron con 64 (64,0 %) y resultaron más frecuentes las pacientes citadas varias veces (65,0 %), de igual manera resultó más frecuente la escolaridad media en 44 (44,0 %), categoría que a su vez presentó mayor número de féminas a las que fue necesario citar varias veces, con 27 pacientes (27,0 %). El factor subjetivo que más incidió fue el temor a los resultados (56,16 %), tanto en las que fueran citadas varias veces y en las negadas. Conclusiones: La edad mostró una correlación estadísticamente significativa con el momento de realización de la prueba citológica, donde el factor que más influyó en la no realización de la prueba citológica oportunamente fue, el temor ante la posibilidad de un diagnóstico positivo. Palabras clave: neoplasia intraepitelial cervical, cáncer de cuello uterino, intervención educativa, coeficiente de correlación

Abstract This work investigated the temperature changes inside the bulk of lubricating greases under controlled high-shear stress conditions (250–500 s−1). For this purpose, a newly developed temperature-measuring cell called Calidus was successfully tested. The temperature changes (ΔT) have been related to the greases’ components (thickener, base oil-type, and composition) and the structural degradation of the lubricating greases. Furthermore, a theoretical approach was proposed for calculating the internal temperature change of lubricating greases during shear stress. All greases showed an internal temperature profile characterised by a sudden rise in ΔT within the first 4 h from starting the test and subsequent ΔT decay until it reaches the steady state value. Furthermore, it was found that greases C1 and C5, formulated with lithium and calcium soap, respectively, with different soap content (16.1 wt% and 9.7 wt%, respectively), but the same base castor oil, showed the highest value of the maximum ΔT, c.a. 3.2 K, and the most drastic drop of ΔT. These greases showed both the highest specific densities and heat capacities. In addition, they showed the lowest ratio of expended energies (R tee), which means more structural degradation in the stressed grease. On the contrary, the grease C3, with 13 wt% of Li-soap but the lowest base oil’s viscosity, showed the lowest maximum ΔT and the temperature profile was characterised by a moderate variation of ΔT along the test. The biogenic grease B3 developed a low-temperature change in the group of pure bio-genic greases close to grease C3.

The long-awaited judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-333/21 - European Super League Company has finally arrived. There is a lot to unpack, especially with respect to developments in competition law. Constitutional lawyers will, however, find particular interest in how the Grand Chamber dismissed Advocate General Rantos’ pitch for a constitutional recognition of the European sports model based on Article 165 TFEU. This post focuses on this aspect of the European Super League judgment. It argues that while the Advocate General’s construction was rejected, the Court still used this judgement to further define its own constitutional understanding of the European sports model, as well as to solidify its role as the primary interpreter of that model.

BackgroundUniversity students often experience significant changes in their eating habits, which can increase the risk of developing eating disorders (ED). This situation calls for the creation of brief assessment tools to identify college students who may be most at risk. The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Eating Attitudes Test-8 (EAT-8) in a Peruvian university population; additionally, the possible differences in the scores of the instrument according to sociodemographic variables, such as gender and age, were examined.MethodsA psychometric study was conducted on 610 participants (M = 24.3, SD = 2.16, and 61.5% female), aged 19 to 31 years, belonging to four universities of different professional careers.ResultsThe unidimensional eight-item model was found to have fit indices that confirm acceptable factorial validity (X2/df = 3.23, CFI = 0.984, TLI = 0.977, RMSEA = 0.061, SRMR = 0.049) and an internal consistency of 0.833 for the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and 0.838 for the McDonald's omega coefficient. In addition, the EAT-8 was reported to be invariant according to gender and age; likewise, there were no significant differences in the age and gender categories.ConclusionThe EAT-8 has solid psychometric properties, including validity, reliability, and invariance, in the Peruvian university population, which supports its ability to assess the risk of developing ED in this specific group.

Abstract We report a genome-wide association study of facial features in >6000 Latin Americans based on automatic landmarking of 2D portraits and testing for association with inter-landmark distances. We detected significant associations (P-value

Background: Pharmacogenomic knowledge as a biomarker for cancer care has transformed clinical practice, however, as current guidelines are primarily derived from Eurocentric populations, this limits their application in Latin America, particularly among Hispanic or Latino groups. Despite advancements, systemic chemotherapy still poses challenges in drug toxicity and suboptimal response. This study explores pharmacogenetic markers related to anticancer drugs in a Chilean cohort, filling a gap in Latin American research. Notably, the influence of native South American Mapuche-Huilliche ancestry. Methods: To explore pharmacogenetic markers related to anticancer drugs, we utilized an ethnically Admixed Chilean genome-wide association studies (GWAS) dataset of 1095 unrelated individuals. Pharmacogenomic markers were selected from PharmGKB, totaling 36 level 1 and 2 evidence single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 571 level 3 SNPs. Comparative analyses involved assessing SNP frequencies across diverse populations from the 1000 Genomes Project. Haplotypes were estimated, and linkage disequilibrium was examined. Ancestry-based association analyses explored relationships between SNPs and Mapuche-Huilliche and European ancestries. Chi-square distribution with p ≤ 0.05 and Bonferroni’s multiple adjustment tests determined statistical differences between allele frequencies. Results: Our study reveals significant disparities in SNP frequency within the Chilean population. Notably, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) variants (rs75017182 and rs67376798), linked to an increased risk of severe fluoropyrimidine toxicity, exhibit an exceptionally low frequency (minor allele frequency (MAF) < 0.005). Nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15) rs116855232, associated with hematological mercaptopurine toxicity, is relatively common (MAF = 0.062), and is further linked to Mapuche-Huilliche ancestry. Thiopurine methyltransferase enzyme (TPMT), implicated in severe toxicity to mercaptopurines, SNPs rs1142345 and rs1800460 of TMPT gene demonstrate higher MAFs in Admixed Americans and the Chilean population (MAF range 0.031–0.057). Finally, the variant in the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 gene (UGT1A1) rs4148323, correlated with irinotecan neutropenia, exhibits the highest MAF in East Asian (MAF = 0.136) and Chilean (MAF = 0.025) populations, distinguishing them from other investigated populations. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive pharmacogenetic characterization of cancer therapy-related SNPs and highlights significant disparities in SNP frequencies within the Chilean population. Our findings underscore the necessity for inclusive research and personalized therapeutic strategies to ensure the equitable and effective application of precision medicine across diverse global communities.

Review of STAN AMALADAS, SEAN BYRNE (editors): Peace Leadership. The Quest for Connectedness New York: Routledge 2020, 232 p.

Las TIC ofrecen diversas capacidades como el comercio electrónico, que permite a una empresa un posicionamiento internacional sin la necesidad de un establecimiento físico, dicho de otra manera, a través de medios electrónicos se cruzan fronteras sin la necesidad de hacerlo de manera física [1]. Las investigaciones sobre el uso y adopción de TIC en las PYME mexicanas muestran que el uso es incipiente [2]. El sector PYME juega un papel crucial en el desarrollo económico, la reducción de pobreza y la creación de empleo en las economías en desarrollo [3], por otro lado, las empresas grandes son las que más adoptan dichas tecnologías lo cual generan una alerta al incrementar la brecha de competitividad en comparación con las PYME, por lo cual es de vital importancia que este sector adopte las TIC [4]. En este sentido, el objetivo de esta investigación es analizar los obstáculos a la adopción del comercio electrónico por parte de las PYME de Ciudad Juárez. Con información de una muestra de 72 empresas a las que se aplica un cuestionario que contiene preguntas sobre once obstáculos a la adopción de TIC, se muestran la frecuencia de dichos obstáculos, así como también se presenta un análisis factorial que muestra la relación entre dichos obstáculos. Los resultados muestran que el comercio electrónico sigue siendo una TIC poco adoptada, aunque hay evidencia sobre un mayor uso que en el pasado. Variables asociadas al apoyo de la gerencia, capital, e infraestructura son las que se perciben como los mayores obstáculos a la adopción del comercio electrónico, lo cual refuerza hallazgos de otros estudios.

Background: The stigma associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can lead to prejudice and discrimination against people who have been infected by this virus, consequently, it is important to have a validated tool to measure this phenomenon. However, there is only 1 national precedent that has validated the scores of this instrument in its 21-item version. Therefore, this study examined the bifactor structural equation method (SEM) and multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) structure of a 12-item human immunodeficiency virus stigma scale in Peruvian adults. Methods: We evaluated 342 patients (57.6% female and 42.45% male) diagnosed with HIV receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) from a hospital located in East Lima, aged 18 to 45 years ( M = 31.4, SD = 9.79). A SEM was used to test 2 measurement models, a 4-factor correlated oblique model and a bifactor model due to high interfactor relationships. Results: Acceptable fit indices were identified for the oblique model (χ 2 /df = 1.26, SRMR = 0.044, RMSEA [90% CI] = 0.028 [0.000-0.047], CFI = 0.996, TLI = 0.994). In the same way, similar results were evident for the bifactor model (χ 2 /df = 1.14, SRMR = 0.039, RMSEA [90% CI] = 0.020 [0.000-0.044], CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.997), however, in the latter it showed a greater explanation for the unidimensional model ( H = 0.87, PUC = 0.82, LCA = 0.70), which was also evidenced by the bifactor MIRT analysis. Conclusion: It is concluded that the 12-item HIV Stigma Scale meets the psychometric properties of internal structure and unifactorial reliability.

Durante el III milenio a. C. la Península Ibérica conoció una especial proliferación iconográfica del ciervo, en escenas que muchas veces cuentan con imágenes solares. Esta asociación abunda sobre todo en la pintura rupestre esquemática, pero también se ha encontrado como decoración incisa en recipientes de cerámica campaniforme. En diversas ocasiones los animales cuentan con más de cuatro extremidades, que serían las esperables si las representaciones plasmaran la realidad. Por ello podríamos estar ante barcas astrales que dispusieran de una cabeza de ciervo en la proa, mientras que sus múltiples patas aludirían a los remos. El registro arqueológico indica, además, que las cuernas de ciervo fueron muy populares entre los ajuares funerarios. En este caso no pueden considerarse la evidencia de alimentos para el difunto, pues muchas de ellas son astas de desmogue. Este dato sugiere que pudieron ser parte de embarcaciones hechas con materiales perecederos que llevaran cuernas como mascarón, si es que no estamos ante simples sinécdoques de naves psicopompas.

Abstract Pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) is associated with good long-term prognosis in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, some patients still recur and eventually die from this disease. For years, clinical stage at diagnosis has been consistently linked to recurrence and survival in the pCR setting. Herein, we aimed to identify other potential predictors of recurrence and survival in patients that achieved pCR. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2020 in our center. We calculated overall survival (OS), invasive disease-free survival (IDFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and BC-specific survival (BCSS). Among the 241 patients included into our study 36% were obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) > 29.9 kg/m2) and 47% were stage III. Multivariate analysis confirmed that obesity was a significant risk factor associated with early recurrence and poorer survival in these patients. In summary, obesity and clinical stage predict early recurrence and poorer survival in patients that achieved pCR after NCT. Pending further investigation and based on our findings we speculate that weight management could be beneficial for this subset of patients. To our knowledge, this is the first Latin American report linking obesity and recurrence within this setting.

The city of Bogotá requires approximately 2.7 million t of food products annually, of which 84% comes from the territories associated with the Central Region of the country (Bogotá, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Meta, and Tolima). Small agricultural producers, who supply food to the main urban centers through intermediaries, are now targeted by a new marketing strategy promoted by the district. The objective of this strategy is to transform agroredes (organizations of small agricultural producers, in Spanish) into participants in the food market in the city of Bogotá. However, these organizations need to enhance their operations; measuring their performance is fundamental for this purpose. The objective of this research was to assess the performance of 60 agroredes in the Central Region of Colombia using the organizational performance index (OPI). For this, a quantitative, transversal and descriptive research was carried out, evaluating agricultural organizations across various dimensions, including administration and finance, associativity and network management, marketing, information and communications technology (ICT), management and logistics, and storage. The organizational performance of the agroredes in the Central Region of Colombia is currently in a consolidation stage. The performance dimensions that have been identified are associativity and network management. However, the most significant challenges are found in ICT management.

Carta el editor sobre el artículo: Disbiosis intestinal en la enfermedad de Alzheimer

Depression in young people is considered a public health problem, given that it affects their personal, social, and academic lives; therefore, early detection of depressive symptoms is of importance for a favorable prognosis. This study aimed to estimate the psychometric properties of the second edition of the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS-2) in Peruvian adolescents. The sample was composed of 917 Peruvian adolescents, aged 13 to 18 years (M = 15,241, SD = 1,020), who were selected from two public educational institutions in Metropolitan Lima. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the 25-item model with the four-dimensional structure and its overall and interdimensional reliability. This structure was found to be gender invariant. Finally, network analysis was performed to assess the relationships and centralities of the depressive symptoms of the validated version of the RADS-2. The results show that the RADS-2 measure is a consistent and reliable test that yields valid results in the Peruvian adolescent context.

Abstract Background Fluoropyrimidine plus platinum chemotherapy remains the standard first line treatment for gastric cancer (GC). Guidelines exist for the clinical interpretation of four DPYD genotypes related to severe fluoropyrimidine toxicity within European populations. However, the frequency of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Latin American population is low (

The FAO 56 Penman–Monteith equation (PM) is considered the most accurate method for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETo). However, PM requires a large amount of data that is not always available. Thus, the objective of this study is to improve the Hargreaves–Samani (HS) reference evapotranspiration estimates in the Peruvian Altiplano (PA) by calibrating the radiation coefficient KRS. The results show modified HS (HSM) ETo estimates at validation after KRS calibration, revealing evident improvements in accuracy with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) between 0.58 and 0.93, percentage bias (PBIAS) between −0.58 and 1.34%, mean absolute error (MAE) between −0.02 and 0.05 mm/d, and root mean square error (RMSE) between 0.14 and 0.25 mm/d. Consequently, the multiple linear regression (MLR) model was used to regionalize the KRS for the PA. It is concluded that, in the absence of meteorological data, the HSM equation can be used with the new values of KRS instead of HS for the PA.

Abstract Background The technique used in the repair of a perineal injury resulting from childbirth could avoid discomfort and morbidity during the postpartum period. Recent studies show inconsistent results and support the need for new research with the inclusion of new health parameters not yet studied. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate if the suture technique (continuous or interrupted) has an effect on pain and other postpartum problems, incidence of incontinence (urinary and/or fecal), and the restart of sexual relations. Methods A single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in five hospitals in south-east Spain. The participants were primiparous women who had experienced a perineal injury during delivery (second-degree tear or episiotomy). Data was collected on sociodemographic variables, variables associated with pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period, and outcomes during the 3 months after delivery: pain, incontinence, and restart of sexual relations. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by binary logistic regression to assess the influence of the suture type on binary outcomes and t-test used for comparing continuous outcomes. Multivariate analyses (using logistic regression -adjusted (aOR)- and analysis of covariance) were carried out to adjust for unbalanced variables after randomization. Results A total of 70 women were included in the intervention group (continuous suture) and 64 in the reference group (interrupted sutures). A negative association was observed (aOR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.18–0.86) between a continuous suture and the need for analgesia at 24 h postpartum. Pain experienced by the women at 24 h postpartum was assessed as 4.4 ± 0.3 compared with a score of 3.4 ± 0.3 in the group with continuous sutures (p = 0.011). At 15 days postpartum, women in the intervention group experienced less pain (aOR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.18–0.80) (p = 0.019). Urinary sphincter incontinence was also evaluated at 15 days, with 4.3% (n = 3) of the women in the intervention group presenting with urinary incontinence compared with 18.8% (n = 12) in the control group (aOR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.03–0.47) (P = 0.003). Conclusions The women who had a continuous suture repair showed lower levels of pain from delivery to 3 months after delivery and had a lower incidence of urinary incontinence at 15 days postpartum. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03825211 posted January 31, 2019 (retrospectively registered).

Recently, the combination of chemotherapy plus nivolumab (chemo-immunotherapy) has become the standard of care for advanced-stage gastric cancer (GC) patients. However, despite its efficacy, up to 40% of patients do not respond to these treatments. Our study sought to identify variations in gene expression associated with primary resistance to chemo-immunotherapy. Diagnostic endoscopic biopsies were retrospectively obtained from advanced GC patients previously categorized as responders (R) or non-responders (NR). Thirty-four tumor biopsies (R: n = 16, NR: n = 18) were analyzed by 3′ massive analysis of cDNA ends (3′MACE). We found >30 differentially expressed genes between R and NRs. Subsequent pathway enrichment analyses demonstrated that angiogenesis and the Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway were enriched in NRs. Concomitantly, we performed next generation sequencing (NGS) analyses in a subset of four NR patients that confirmed alterations in genes that belonged to the Wnt/β-catenin and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. We speculate that angiogenesis, the Wnt, and the PI3K pathways might offer actionable targets. We also discuss therapeutic alternatives for chemo-immunotherapy-resistant advanced-stage GC patients.

The addition of nanoparticles as fillers has a significant influence in modifying the dynamic conditions and avoiding crystallization in polymer composites. In this work, (PEO)4CF3COOLi electrolyte and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to prepare composites by a solution method. The formation of the new composite was evidenced by the experimental results obtained from DSC analysis and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The impedance spectroscopy analysis shows a notable decrease in the resistance, which is attributed to an interaction between the oxygen of the polymer and the Li+ cations of the salt, and the interactions between the electrolyte and the MWNTs. Values of dc conductivity of 8.42 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature are obtained at a concentration of 2.0 wt.% MWCNT in the whole electrolyte. The results indicate that membranes can be used in technological devices such as batteries and gas or moisture sensors.

This article present the structural parameters and physicochemical data (ΣD0, ΔH°f,298K and ΔG°f,298K) of the methoxyformyl peroxynitrate CH3OC(O)O2NO2 (MoPAN), peroxypropionyl nitrate CH3CH2C(O)O2NO2 (PPN), peroxyacryloyl nitrate CH2CHC(O)O2NO2 (APAN), peroxy-n-butyryl nitrate CH3(CH2)2C(O)O2NO2 (PnBN), peroxycrotonyl nitrate CH3(CH=CH)C(O)O2NO2 (CPAN), peroxyisobutyryl nitrate (CH3)2CHC(O)O2NO2 (PiBN), peroxymethacryloyl nitrate CH2=C(CH3)C(O)O2NO2 (MPAN) and peroxy-n-valeryl nitrate CH3(CH2)3C(O)O2NO2 (PnVN) peroxyacyl nitrate derivatives. The equilibrium structures have been performed using the B3LYP and M06-2X functionals combined with the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set. The physicochemical data were calculated using several Gn methods, G3B3, G3MP2B3, G4 and G4MP2. Computational calculations were carried out with GAUSSIAN09 program.

Este trabajo constituye un intento de explicación de los valores tradicionalmente considerados modales de la partícula που. De acuerdo con nuestro análisis, που no se usa como una partícula de modalidad epistémica, sino que esos valores son más propios de un operador de aproximación en el decir y de atenuación. Esta explicación casa mejor con los demás usos reconocidos para la partícula y, como veremos, permite entender los supuestos usos modales de forma más consistente.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare malignancy characterized by poor prognosis. Recent efforts have sought to elucidate the genetic landscape and the molecular drivers behind this disease. Herein, we report the main molecular alterations in two metastatic (stage IV) SBA patients. Interestingly, one of them had gene alterations that affected signaling pathways previously described for SBA. However, a second patient displayed previously unreported alterations in this particular tumor type. Based on these findings we discuss potential treatment options for patients affected by this rare, aggressive disease.

Since breast cancer (BC) cells are dependent on mitochondrial bioenergetics for promoting proliferation, survival, and metastasis, mitochondria highlight as an important target for anticancer drug discovery. FRI-1, methyl 1, 3-dimethyl-5, 8-dioxo-5, 8-dihydro-4-isoquinolinecarboxylate, was previously described as a selective cytotoxic compound on cancer cell lines, however, details on the mechanism of action remain unknown. In this work, we describe that FRI-1 inhibits mitochondrial bioenergetics, producing apoptosis in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 BC cell lines. FRI-1 decreases the maximal oxygen consumption rate (OCR), Δψm, NADH, and ATP levels, with a notable increase of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, promoting AMPK activation with pro-survival effects. Moreover, FRI-1 inhibits the metabolic remodeling to glycolysis induced by oligomycin. In isolated tumoral mitochondria, FRI-1 increases Complex I and III-dependent OCR state 2, and this is sensitive to rotenone and antimycin A inhibitor additions, suggesting a redox cycling event. Remarkably, α-ketoglutarate and lipoic acid supplementation reversed and promoted, respectively, the FRI-1-induced apoptosis, suggesting that mitochondrial redox disruption affects 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) activity, and this is involved in their anticancer mechanism. Consistent with this, the combination of FRI-1 and CPI-613, a dual inhibitor of redox-sensible tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes PDH and OGDH, produced extensive BC cell death. Taken together, our results suggest that FRI-1 exhibits anticancer effects through inhibition of mitochondrial bioenergetics by redox disruption in BC cells.

Introducción: el cáncer representa un importante problema de salud con alta incidencia a nivel mundial y en Cuba para todas las edades y, aunque con menor frecuencia también se presenta en edades pediátricas. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de algunas variables clínico-epidemiológicas, asociadas a pacientes con cáncer infanto-juvenil en la provincia de Ciego de Ávila en el periodo 1990-2015. Métodos: se desarrolló una investigación observacional, descriptiva, longitudinal y retrospectiva, en la provincia Ciego de Ávila, periodo 1990-2015. La muestra quedó conformado por los pacientes con cáncer infanto-juvenil en la etapa estudiada. Resultados: existió un predominio del grupo de 15 a 18 años. La leucemia fue la neoplasia que predominó, el grupo de 0 a 4 años aportó el mayor número de fallecido por cáncer. La tendencia de la mortalidad desde el año 2003 fue de aumentar, el comportamiento actualizado del año 2015 muestra un incremento en la prevalencia del cáncer infanto-juvenil con respecto al año 2013. A la mayoría de los pacientes con cáncer infanto-juvenil se le realizó el diagnóstico de más de 7 días de inicio de los primeros síntomas. Conclusiones: el cáncer infanto-juvenil constituye actualmente un problema de salud en la provincia Ciego de Ávila dado por su alta incidencia durante los últimos años por lo que se requieren de acciones intersectoriales para lograr una óptima atención al paciente oncopediátrico.

Introducción: la infertilidad se define como la imposibilidad de llevar a término un embarazo por una pareja en edad fértil en el periodo de un año sin usar medidas anticonceptivas. El uso del fitofármaco Vimang®, con comprobadas propiedades antioxidantes puede resultar una terapia alternativa en el tratamiento de estos pacientes. Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia de la aplicación del extracto fluido Vimang® para el mejoramiento de la calidad del semen de pacientes con infertilidad masculina idiopática atendidos en la consulta multidisciplinaria de fertilidad del Hospital Provincial Docente “Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola” de Ciego de Ávila. Métodos: se realizó un estudio experimental, controlado, aleatorizado, durante el período comprendido desde el 1ro de enero de 2013 hasta el 31 de abril de 2016. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por 112 pacientes masculinos diagnosticados de infertilidad idiopática, la muestra estuvo representada por 68 pacientes, que fueron asignados al azar a uno de los dos grupos de tratamiento, respondiendo a los mismos criterios de inclusión y exclusión previamente establecidos. El grupo 1 (experimental) recibió tratamiento con extracto fluido de Vimang® tres veces al día, y el grupo 2 (control) fue tratado con vitaminoterapia en dosis única. Ambos tratamientos fueron aplicados simultáneamente durante 4 meses siendo evaluados los pacientes al inicio del tratamiento correspondiente, al segundo y cuarto mes de la administración del mismo. Resultados: en los pacientes tratados predominaron las edades de 31-40 años. Los factores de riesgo más comúnmente asociados a los trastornos del esperma fueron el alcoholismo y tabaquismo. Conclusiones: el extracto fluido de Vimang® constituyó una nueva opción terapéutica segura, económica de fácil aplicación y adecuada disponibilidad en la población masculina. Se observó una mejoría significativa de los diferentes parámetros del espermiograma, fundamentalmente la concentración y vitalidad espermática en el grupo experimental, en comparación al grupo control tratado con vitaminas antioxidantes.

Se sintetizaron compósitos formados entre polióxido de etileno (PEO) y trifluoroacetato de sodio (PEO10CF3COONa) con diferentes concentraciones de óxido de aluminio (Al2O3). Los compósitos fueron caracterizados por espectroscopía infrarroja (IR), espectroscopía Raman, difracción de rayos X (XRD) y microscopía de fuerza atómica (AFM). Las combinaciones del electrolito sólido PEO10CF3COONa con diferentes concentraciones de Al2O3, mostraron cambios en la intensidad de los picos de XRD, así como cambios en la intensidad y posición de algunos picos de IR y Raman. El decrecimiento de los picos del PEO en XRD, cuando este fue combinado con la sal, reveló que la cristalinidad del polímero se redujo, siendo más baja cuando se le adicionó alúmina. Se observó un incremento en la raíz cuadrática media de la rugosidad (RRMS) obtenida por microscopia de fuerza atómica cuando se adicionó Al2O3. Este incremento está en concordancia con la reducción de la cristalinidad observada con estudios de XRD. Los cambios en la estructura del PEO mostrados en las líneas de absorción de IR y Raman, debidos a la adición de CF3COONa y Al2O3, fueron atribuidos a interacciones entre el electrolito y el relleno Al2O3.