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Highlights Urban trees in urban environments are commonly exposed to stresses, contributing to their health decline; Ectomycorrhizal fungi improve the vigour and resilience of Tilia seedlings, but their performance is dependent on soil pH. Inoculation promotes growth in height, biomass production, mycorrhization status, nutrient uptake, and proline accumulation, and these effects dependent on fungi species and soil pH; Inoculation with EcM can be a strategy to produce healthier saplings that when transplanted to the urban environment will have a better performance. more...

Abstract Recent findings of structural glasses with extremely high kinetic and thermodynamic stability have attracted much attention. The question has been raised as to whether the well-known, low-temperature “glassy anomalies” (attributed to the presence of two-level systems [TLS] and the “boson peak”) persist or not in these ultrastable glasses of much lower configurational entropy. To resolve previous contradictory results, we study a particular type of ultrastable glass, TPD, which can be prepared by physical vapor deposition in a highly-stable state with different degrees of layering and molecular orientation, and also as a conventional glass and in crystalline state. After a thorough characterization of the different samples prepared, we have measured their specific heat down to 0.4 K. Whereas the conventional glass exhibits the typical glassy behaviour and the crystal the expected Debye cubic dependence at very low temperatures, a strong depletion of the TLS contribution is found in both kinds of ultrastable glass, regardless of their layering and molecular ordering. more...

One of the most attractive futuristic challenges in nanomedicine is to create self-propelled nanorobots to scan and repair living tissues at the nano/microscale. Ideally, these devices should navigate using local, inexhaustible biomolecules as energy sources, while performing different functions, such as delivering drugs or repairing tissues.In this study, we combine nanotechnology and biotechnology to design a biocompatible propulsion system based on the molecular chaperone Hsp90, a heat-shock protein (Hsp) that, in the presence of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), undergoes nanoscale conformational changes while trapping and renaturing other proteins. We show how, subjected to ATP availability in the medium, Hsp90-functionalized particles significantly enhance their diffusion motion, being able to achieve ballistic motion, while keeping the ability to restore the activity of surrounding heat-inactivated proteins. This biomechanics-based propulsion mechanism represents a promising strategy for the design of self-propelled nanodevices capable of performing sophisticated tasks in live biological contexts that include sensing the environment, recognizing and capturing, folding, and restoring defective proteins on the fly. In the short term, Hsp90-driven nanodevices could be applied to improve industrial processes that require enzymatic catalysis and high temperatures. But in the medium to long term, this bioactive coating could be used in the design of nanomachines that, like mini-robots, navigate the complex body cavities of biological tissues, deliver therapies and/or remove misfolded proteins in disorders such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. more...

Abstract Nano/micromotors are self‐propelled particles that use external stimuli to gain locomotion outperforming Brownian motion. Here, three different polymers are employed that are conjugated to silica particles through a pH‐labile linker. At slightly acidic pH, the linkers hydrolyze and release the polymeric chains, resulting in enhanced locomotion. The motors show a maximum velocity of ≈3 µm s−1 in cell media when poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate is asymmetrically distributed on the surface of the particles. Further, the motor internalization by RAW 264.7 macrophages was compared between motors, which have the polymer conjugated via a pH‐labile linker, and the irresponsive particles. Preliminary data indicate enhanced uptake, but further efforts are required to use responsive polymers to propel motors inside mammalian cells. more...

The temperature dependence of thermal conductivity and specific heat for detonated nanodiamond ceramics is investigated on specially designed experimental setups, implementing the uniaxial stationary heat flow method and the thermal relaxation method, respectively. Additionally, complementary studies with a commercial setup (Physical Property Measurement System from Quantum Design operating either in Thermal Transport or Heat Capacity Option) were performed. Two types of samples are under consideration. Both ceramics were sintered at high pressures (6–7 GPa) for 11–25 s but at different sintering temperatures, namely 1000 °C and 1600 °C. The effect of changing the sintering conditions on thermal transport is examined. In thermal conductivity κ(T), it provides an improvement up to a factor of 3 of heat flow at room temperature. The temperature dependence of κ(T) exhibits a typical polycrystalline character due to hindered thermal transport stemming from the microstructure of ceramic material but with values around 1–2 W/mK. At the lowest temperatures, the thermal conductivity is very low and increases only slightly faster than linear with temperature, proving the significant contribution of the scattering due to multiple grain boundaries. The specific heat data did not show a substantial difference between detonated nanodiamond ceramics obtained at different temperatures unlike for κ(T) results. For both samples, an unexpected upturn at the lowest temperatures is observed—most likely reminiscent of a low-T Schottky anomaly. A linear contribution to the specific heat is also present, with a value one order of magnitude higher than in canonical glasses. The determined Debye temperature is 482 (±6) K. The results are supported by phonon mean free path calculations. more...

Ulomoides dermestoides are used as a broad-spectrum medical insect in the alternative treatment of various diseases. Preliminary volatilome studies carried out to date have shown, as the main components, methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 1-tridecene, 1-pentadecene, and limonene. This work focused on the production of metabolites and their metabolic variations in U. dermestoides under stress conditions to provide additional valuable information to help better understand the broad-spectrum medical uses. To this end, VOCs were characterized by HS-SPME with PEG and CAR/PDMS fibers, and the first reported insect essential oils were obtained. In HS-SMPE, we found 17 terpenes, six quinones, five alkenes, and four aromatic compounds; in the essential oils, 53 terpenes, 54 carboxylic acids and derivatives, three alkynes, 12 alkenes (1-Pentadecene, EOT1: 77.6% and EOT2: 57.9%), 28 alkanes, nine alkyl disulfides, three aromatic compounds, 19 alcohols, three quinones, and 12 aldehydes were identified. Between both study approaches, a total of 171 secondary metabolites were identified with no previous report for U. dermestoides. A considerable number of the identified metabolites showed previous studies of the activity of pharmacological interest. Therefore, considering the wide variety of activities reported for these metabolites, this work allows a broader vision of the therapeutic potential of U. dermestoides in traditional medicine. more...

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) can be unpredictable and aggressive tumors. No reliable markers of their biological behavior have been found. Here, a proteomic analysis was applied to identify proteins in the expression profile between invasive and non-invasive PAs to search for possible biomarkers. A histopathological and immunohistochemical (adenohypophyseal hormones, Ki-67, p53, CD34, VEGF, Flk1 antibodies) analysis was done; a proteomic map was evaluated in 64 out of 128 tumors. There were 107 (84%) invasive and 21 (16%) non-invasive PAs; 80.5% belonged to III and IV grades of the Hardy–Vezina classification. Invasive PAs (n = 56) showed 105 ± 43 spots; 86 ± 32 spots in non-invasive PAs (n = 8) were observed. The 13 most prominent spots were selected and 11 proteins related to neoplastic process in different types of tumors were identified. Hint1 (Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1) high expression in invasive PA was found (11.8 ± 1.4, p = 0.005), especially at high index (>10; p = 0.0002). High Hint1 expression was found in invasive VEGF positive PA (13.8 ± 2.3, p = 0.005) and in Flk1 positive PA (14.04 ± 2.28, p = 0.006). Hint1 is related to human tumorigenesis by its interaction with signaling pathways and transcription factors. It could be related to invasive behavior in PAs. This is the first report on Hint expression in PAs. More analysis is needed to find out the possible role of Hint in these tumors. more...

Starting from the analysis of the historical context of the Andes and the emergence of the left, we review the main players and historical events in this process. We focus on examining Latin American modernity from a critical and situated perspective, through a dialogue between José Carlos Mariátegui (1894‑1930) and Bolívar Echeverría (1941‑2010). We focus on the relationship and transition from the colonial state to the Republics, mainly through the analysis of sovereignty. The methodology involved a bibliographic review of classic texts by both authors and qualified academic productions by commentators and specialists. Additionally, we also reviewed texts on critical theory originated in Frankfurt were also reviewed, especially by Walter Benjamín (1892‑1940). As a result, the domination and emancipatory possibilities in the Andes exist in the dialectical relationship between feelings, praxis and community thinking. more...

Background: Non-linear relationship of different types of screen time with adolescent mental health problems remains unclear. Objective: To identify non-linear relationships of internet gaming and social media use with probable depression and suicidal ideation and the thresholds in male and female adolescents. Participants and setting: A school-based survey was conducted in 11,750 Hong Kong adolescents in 2020–2022. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to assess screen time and mental health. Generalized additive models (GAM) and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were conducted to analyze gender-specific non-linear relationships, interaction effects, and dose-dependent relationships between screen time and mental health. Results: Probable depression (64.3% vs. 52.0%) and suicidal ideation (35.0% vs. 24.6%) were more prevalent among girls. GAM revealed a U-shaped relationship between internet gaming time and probable depression (threshold: 1.5 h/day)/suicidal ideation (threshold: 2 h/day) in boys, but not in girls. GLMM showed that internet gaming within 1 h/day was associated with reduced suicidal ideation in boys (OR[95%CI] = 0.72[0.53, 0.99]) compared to non-users. For girls, social media use>1 h/day was associated with higher risks of probable depression (ORs range from 1.59 to 2.16, all p 2 h/day was associated with a higher risk of probable depression, but not for suicidal ideation. Positive interactions of internet gaming and social media use with mental health were found across genders (ps more...

La industria automotriz se enfrenta a la urgente necesidad de reducir el impacto ambiental y mitigar el cambio climático. Una alternativa en esta lucha es el uso del Vehículo Eléctrico (VE) urbano, un vehículo compacto de baja velocidad y más económico. Uno de los grandes desafíos es la integración de paneles solares en la carrocería del VE para mejorar su autonomía energética. En este trabajo, se muestra el diseño de la carrocería de un VE ultra compacto, realizado en Solid Works y renderizado con software 3D Blender. Se estima el área irradiada por el sol, con la finalidad de colocar paneles solares flexibles sobre el capó y el toldo del VE, y conocer su contribución a la autonomía energética del VE. Finalmente, se describe el proceso de manufactura de la carrocería tipo monocasco en fibra de vidrio. Los conceptos anteriores, persiguen el objetivo de hacer el VE más rentable y práctico para la movilidad urbana. Los planos obtenidos en solid works proporcionan las medidas y detalles, tanto para el cálculo energético de exposición solar, como para el porceso de fabricación en fibra de vidrio, que comprende desde un modelo en unicel, hasta el prototipo de carrocería de acuerdo al diseño aerodinámico final. En el proceso se destaca la utilización de barro en el modelado del VE, en lugar de utilizar arcilla automotriz, que es mucho más costosa y contaminante que el barro. more...

El presente trabajo analiza las relaciones entre la sedimentación y la estructuración del Arco de Cazorla-Alcaraz (Prebético Externo) durante el Mioceno superior en el saliente de Vianos (Albacete, España). Se describe la creación del depocentro local en la cuenca de antepaís más tardío que se produce por avance del arco. El surco fue delimitado por un pliegue en rodilla que tuvo expresión paleogeográfica y se colmató en condiciones marinas, en un episodio transgresivo posiblemente durante el final del Tortoniense. Se trata por tanto de uno de los puntos con depósitos miocenos marinos más jóvenes en el sector septentrional del Prebético Externo. more...

The large-scale conversion of forests to agriculture has caused biodiversity loss, climate change, and disrupted dietary fatty acid balances, with adverse public health effects. Wild edibles like pine nuts, especially Pinus cembroides, provide sustainable solutions by supporting ecosystems and offering economic value. However, variability in seed quality limits market potential, and lipidomic studies on P. cembroides remain sparse. This paper underscores the ecological, social, and nutritional value of P. cembroides while advocating for advanced research to enhance its use as a non-timber forest resource in Mexico’s communal areas. It explores various analytical techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR), chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS, GC-MS) and GC coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID), highlighting extraction methods like derivatization, purification, and thin-layer chromatography. Likewise, some considerations are addressed for the treatment of data obtained in the detection of fatty acids from bioformatics and the evaluation of the data through statistical methods and artificial intelligence and deep learning. These approaches aim to improve fatty acid profiling and seed quality assessments, fostering the species economic viability and supporting sustainable livelihoods in rural communities, encouraging researchers across the country to explore the fatty acid composition of different P. cembroides populations can drive valuable insights into its nutritional and ecological significance. Such efforts can enhance understanding of regional variations, promote sustainable use, and elevate the specie’s economic and scientific value. more...

Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are two prominent pests of maize and its stored grains, respectively. Botanical pesticides have been proposed as an alternative for their management. This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of Salvia connivens (Lamiaceae) methanolic extract and rosmarinic acid against S. frugiperda and T. molitor by adding them to an artificial diet, as well as their ecotoxicological effects on Poecilia reticulata (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) and Danio rerio (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) through acute toxicity tests. The methanolic extract showed higher mortality activity against S. frugiperda (LC50 = 874.28 ppm) than against T. molitor (LC50 = 1856.94 ppm) and was non-toxic to fish. Rosmarinic acid, the most abundant compound in the extract (80.45 mg g−1), showed higher activity against S. frugiperda (LC50 = 176.81 ppm). This compound did not cause a toxic effect on adult P. reticulata at the tested concentrations. However, in P. reticulata fingerlings and D. rerio adults, it was non-toxic, except in D. rerio embryos, where it was slightly toxic. These findings suggest that S. connivens methanolic extract has potential as a botanical product for the management of S. frugiperda and T. molitor with low ecotoxicological impact, while rosmarinic acid may be a useful compound for the management of S. frugiperda. more...

Sustainability requires a combination of meaningful co-production of locally relevant solutions, synthesis of insights gained across regions, and increased cooperation between science, policy and practice. The Programme for Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS) has been coordinating Place-Based Social-Ecological Sustainability Research (PBSESR) across the globe and emphasizes the need for regional scientific nodes from diverse biocultural regions to inform sustainability science and action. In this paper, we assess the strengths of the PBSESR communities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). We provide an overview of PBSESR literature associated with this region and highlight the achievements of two prominent regional networks: The Social-Ecological Systems and Sustainability Research Network from Mexico (SocioEcoS) and the South American Institute for Resilience and Sustainability Studies from Uruguay (SARAS Institute). Finally, we identify the potential in these nodes to constitute a regional PECS node in Latin America and discuss the capacity needed to ensure such function. The results of the literature review show that while still loosely interconnected across the region, networks play key roles in connecting otherwise cloistered teams and we illustrate how the SocioEcoS network (focusing on transdisciplinary co-production of knowledge towards sustainability) and the SARAS Institute (focusing on innovative approaches for looking at complex social-ecological problems, rooted in slow science and arts) operate as key connectors in the region. We conclude that these organizations combined can embody a Latin American node for PECS, and would thereby not only contribute to regional but also global capacities to advance the sustainability agenda. more...

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Even with the significant growth of female representation within medicine, inequality and prejudice against this group persist. OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients’ preferences regarding the gender of physicians in general and according to different specialties, and the possible reasons behind their choice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Clinical Center of the University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: Over a three-month period in 2020, 1,016 patients were asked to complete a paper-based 11-item questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority (81.7%; n = 830) of the patients did not have a preference regarding the gender of physicians in general. The preference rate for same-gender physicians was 14.0% (n = 142/1,016), and this preference was more common among female than among male patients (17.6% versus 7.0%; odds ratio, OR = 2.85; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.80-4.52; P < 0.001). When asked about their preference for the gender of the specialist who they were waiting to see, the overall preference rate for a same-gender professional was 17.2% (n = 175). Preference for same-gender specialists was higher for specialties essentially based on pelvic or breast examination (i.e. gynecology, urology, proctology and mastology), compared with others (33.4% versus 9.7%; OR = 4.69; 95% CI = 3.33-6.61; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The patients’ model for choice of their physician does not seem to involve physicians’ gender in general or in the majority of medical specialties. The data presented in this study may make it easier to understand patients’ preferences and concerns. more...

Background: The burden of urological diseases is rising as the worldwide population ages. Although specialist urological provision is needed, a large proportion of these conditions will be managed in primary care. The importance of including urology in medical education currently remains unclear. Objective: To provide recommendations on undergraduate medical education for urology in Europe. Design, setting, and participants: A three-round Delphi process to reach consensus on standardising the undergraduate urology curriculum in Europe was endorsed by the European School of Urology. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The levels of agreement were set using a nine-point scale according to the GRADE grid: 1–3, disagree; 4–6, uncertain; and 7–9, agree. Consensus was defined as at least 70% of the participants scoring within the same 3-point grouping. Results and limitations: Overall, consensus was reached for 20 of 34 statements (70.5%) across the three Delphi rounds, with agreement for 75% (n = 15) and disagreement for 25% (n = 5). The following main points were agreed. Urological teaching should be introduced before year 5 of medical school, with at least 20 h of theoretical activities and at least 30 h of practical activities. Urology should be taught as a stand-alone subject rather than combined with another surgical specialty or a nephrology programme. The participants agreed that urology should be taught according to symptoms. A urology programme should include the anatomy and physiology of the urinary tract, and students should know how to clinically assess a urological patient. Conclusions: Our recommended urology pathway will allow European medical schools to provide a more comprehensive undergraduate urology curriculum. It will also help to improve and maintain standards of urology undergraduate teaching across Europe. Patient summary: Our survey showed that urology in universities should have, at minimum, time for theoretical and practical activities and should be taught as a stand-alone subject on the basis of symptoms. Students should give feedback to facilitate constant improvement and evolution of the teaching programme. more...

Introducción. La mayoría de los países cuentan con registros sanitarios de infarto agudo del miocardio que sirven para la toma de decisiones en materia de salud. Objetivos. Caracterizar a los pacientes egresados con infarto agudo del miocardio incluidos en el registro cubano de infarto. Método. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, multicéntrico, en 7 unidades de salud en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2018 y abril de 2019. El universo de estudio fueron los pacientes que ingresaron con síndrome coronario agudo y la muestra fueron los 1000 pacientes que se egresaron con diagnóstico confirmado de infarto, a los cuales se les pudo recoger las variables del estudio y que se vaciaran sus datos en el software RESCUE. Se utilizó la estadística descriptiva a través del análisis porcentual para las variables descriptivas y la media aritmética con desviación estándar para las variables cuantitativas. Resultados. El 68.2% eran masculinos. La edad promedio fue 65 + 7 años. El 78.0% eran hipertensos. El 30.4% de los pacientes acudieron tardíamente. El 79.1% presentaron IMA CEST. El tratamiento de reperfusión se realizó al 46.4%. Sólo al 5.2% se les pudo realizar coronariografía durante el ingreso. El 29.8% presentó disfunción ventricular izquierda. Al egreso hospitalario se prescribió ASA, clopidogrel y estatinas al 96.2%, 95.5% y 94.5% respectivamente. El 45.6% de los pacientes se remitieron a rehabilitación cardiaca Conclusiones. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron masculinos, con infarto con elevación del segmento ST, con bajo porciento de reperfusión y realización de coronariografías. La hipertensión arterial fue el factor asociado más frecuente. Al egreso hospitalario se prescribe ASA, clopidogrel y estatinas a más del 90% de los pacientes. more...

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los resultados sobre el uso cooperativo de Facebook obtenidos en una prueba de desempeño para planificar textos académicos en esquemas de redacción. La asignatura fue Nivelación de Redacción de la Universidad Tecnológica del Perú (UTP) y se trabajó con dos grupos de trabajo, cada uno constituido por 25 estudiantes. El diseño de este estudio fue cuasiexperimental y cuantitativo. El muestreo fue no probabilístico por conveniencia. El instrumento de recolección de datos fue una rúbrica de tres dimensiones: contenido, estructura y formulación. Los datos procesados a través del SPSS-25 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences versión 25) evidenciaron que, en el experimento, la media obtenida en el postest alcanzó el nivel Destacado respecto al nivel Estándar del grupo de control. Con ello se afirmó que el estudiantado del experimento logró utilizar ideas pertinentes, suficientes y de acuerdo con el tema elegido. De la misma manera, escribió las ideas correctamente y pudo ordenarlas de forma jerárquica en la elaboración del esquema de redacción a través del trabajo cooperativo y autónomo, aspecto que en condiciones regulares es difícil de desarrollar. Por ello, la investigación recomendó a dicha universidad implementar plataformas no institucionales tales como las redes sociales, amigables para el estudiantado, en sus cursos de Redacción, sobre todo a los que son de apertura educativa, no solo como repositorios de información y de consulta sino además como parte integral de la metodología de la enseñanza de la escritura. more...

Background: In spore-forming bacteria, the molecular mechanisms of accumulation of transfer RNA (tRNA) during sporulation must be a priority as tRNAs play an essential role in protein synthesis during spore germination and outgrowth. However, tRNA processing has not been extensively studied in these conditions, and knowledge of these mechanisms is important to understand long-term stress survival. Methods:To gain further insight into tRNA processing during spore germination and outgrowth, the expression of the single copy tRNA Cys gene was analyzed in the presence and absence of 1.2 M NaCl in Bacillus subtilis using RNA-Seq data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The CLC Genomics work bench 12.0.2 (CLC Bio, Aarhus, Denmark, https://www.qiagenbioinformatics.com/) was used to analyze reads from the tRNA Cys gene. Results:The results show that spores store different populations of tRNA Cys-related molecules. One such population, representing 60% of total tRNA Cys, was composed of tRNA Cys fragments. Half of these fragments (3´-tRF) possessed CC, CCA or incorrect additions at the 3´end. tRNA Cys with correct CCA addition at the 3´end represented 23% of total tRNA Cys, while with CC addition represented 9% of the total and with incorrect addition represented 7%. While an accumulation of tRNA Cys precursors was induced by upregulation of the rrnD operon under the control of σ A -dependent promoters under both conditions investigated, salt stress produced only a modest effect on tRNA Cys expression and the accumulation of tRNA Cys related species. Conclusions:The results demonstrate that tRNA Cys molecules resident in spores undergo dynamic processing to produce functional molecules that may play an essential role during protein synthesis. more...