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La animación se ha hecho eco de la importancia que la salud mental ha adquirido recientemente en la sociedad. Identificar las emociones propias e interpretarlas para saber cómo desarrollar habilidades, tomar decisiones y, en definitiva, conocerse individualmente, suponen uno de los principales retos a los que se enfrenta el sujeto contemporáneo. Este artículo explora, desde una perspectiva de género, el tratamiento de la inteligencia emocional en la ficción surcoreana a través de la serie Yumi’s Cells (2021-2022), que combina imagen real y animación. Mediante un análisis textual, se confirma que la representación de los personajes animados sirve como una herramienta pedagógica para que la audiencia aprenda a detectar las emociones cotidianas, particularmente en un contexto como el de la sociedad surcoreana que adolece de determinados recursos psicológicos, pues la extroversión de las emociones es considerada un tabú social.

Vanillin dehydrogenases are important enzymes involved in the conversion of lignin-derived aromatic aldehydes such as vanillin and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde into its acid form. In a previous study we identified the first fungal vanillin dehydrogenase (VdhA) from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger. In this study we heterologous produced VdhA in a bioreactor to obtain sufficient enzyme for a more details analysis of its biochemical properties. This demonstrated that VdhA has a high optimal temperature (50 °C), neutral optimum pH and a broad substrate specificity for aromatic aldehydes. Deletion of vdhA in A. niger resulted in reduced growth on several aromatic aldehydes, largely collating with the in vitro substrate specificity of the enzyme. In addition, we demonstrated that VdhA can convert multiple aromatic aldehydes present in depolymerized lignin, indicating that VdhA can be applied in industrial conversion of lignin fractions to either simplify the composition of the fraction or to reduce the aldehydes that can undergo undesired repolymerization reactions within the mixture.

Abstract Central areolar choroidal dystrophy is an inherited disorder characterized by progressive choriocapillaris atrophy and retinal degeneration and is usually associated with mutations in the PRPH2 gene. We aimed to generate and characterize a mouse model with the p.Arg195Leu mutation previously described in patients. Heterozygous (Prph2 WT/KI ) and homozygous (Prph2 KI/KI ) mice were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to introduce the p.Arg195Leu mutation. Retinal function was assessed by electroretinography and optomotor tests at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 20 months of age. The structural integrity of the retinas was evaluated at the same ages using optical coherence tomography. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy images of the retina were also analyzed. Genetic sequencing confirmed that both Prph2 WT/KI and Prph2 KI/KI mice presented the p.Arg195Leu mutation. A progressive loss of retinal function was found in both mutant groups, with significantly reduced visual acuity from 3 months of age in Prph2 KI/KI mice and from 6 months of age in Prph2 WT/KI mice. Decreased amplitudes in the electroretinography responses were observed from 1 month of age in Prph2 KI/KI mice and from 6 months of age in Prph2 WT/KI mice. Morphological analysis of the retinas correlated with functional findings, showing a progressive decrease in retinal thickness of mutant mice, with earlier and more severe changes in the homozygous mutant mice. We corroborated the alteration of the outer segment structure, and we found changes in the synaptic connectivity in the outer plexiform layer as well as gliosis and signs of microglial activation. The new Prph2 WT/KI and Prph2 KI/KI murine models show a pattern of retinal degeneration similar to that described in human patients with central areolar choroidal dystrophy and appear to be good models to study the mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of the disease, as well as to test the efficacy of new therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Introduction Causal inference helps researchers and policy-makers to evaluate public health interventions. When comparing interventions or public health programs by leveraging observational sensitive individual-level data from populations crossing jurisdictional borders, a federated approach (as opposed to a pooling data approach) can be used. Approaching causal inference by re-using routinely collected observational data across different regions in a federated manner, is challenging and guidance is currently lacking. With the aim of filling this gap and allowing a rapid response in the case of a next pandemic, a methodological framework to develop studies attempting causal inference using federated cross-national sensitive observational data, is described and showcased within the European BeYond-COVID project. Methods A framework for approaching federated causal inference by re-using routinely collected observational data across different regions, based on principles of legal, organizational, semantic and technical interoperability, is proposed. The framework includes step-by-step guidance, from defining a research question, to establishing a causal model, identifying and specifying data requirements in a common data model, generating synthetic data, and developing an interoperable and reproducible analytical pipeline for distributed deployment. The conceptual and instrumental phase of the framework was demonstrated and an analytical pipeline implementing federated causal inference was prototyped using open-source software in preparation for the assessment of real-world effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 primary vaccination in preventing infection in populations spanning different countries, integrating a data quality assessment, imputation of missing values, matching of exposed to unexposed individuals based on confounders identified in the causal model and a survival analysis within the matched population. Results The conceptual and instrumental phase of the proposed methodological framework was successfully demonstrated within the BY-COVID project. Different Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) research objects were produced, such as a study protocol, a data management plan, a common data model, a synthetic dataset and an interoperable analytical pipeline. Conclusions The framework provides a systematic approach to address federated cross-national policy-relevant causal research questions based on sensitive population, health and care data in a privacy-preserving and interoperable way. The methodology and derived research objects can be re-used and contribute to pandemic preparedness.

Dental treatment anxiety is highly prevalent worldwide. This is particularly important in the field of implantology since, in daily clinical practice, it translates into an increase in the difficulty of treatments, extending surgical times and having repercussions in the postoperative period. The aim of this multicentre, cross-sectional, epidemiological study was to determine the influence of anxiety levels in the postoperative period of an implant treatment on patients treated at two dental departments in Extremadura (Spain). To analyse anxiety levels, the modified Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale questionnaire was administered before surgical treatment. To analyse the postoperative period, another questionnaire was provided 7 days after surgery. The study was conducted on a total of 102 patients (55 men and 47 women), with a mean age of 47.99 years. The results indicated that patients with a high and severe degree of anxiety had a poorer quality of life in general. Patients with a higher degree of anxiety perceived greater swelling at 24, 48, 72 h and one week after surgery.

El artivismo mediático, como forma de producción de conocimiento, no solo permite recuperar y reflexionar en torno a la información a través de una amplia diversidad de manifestaciones y prácticas artísticas, sino que, además, ejerce un impacto en el público global. Por ello, esta tendencia artística, la primera del siglo XXI, sirve de plataforma para que mujeres y minorías proyecten su voz desde la resistencia, evidenciando intereses activistas con el fin de propiciar una transformación en la sociedad. Precisamente, la artista surcoreana Siren Eun Young Jung es un reconocido ejemplo en Corea del Sur que, a través del videoarte y la performance, sigue dando continuidad a su propósito más longevo: Yeoseong Gukgeuk Project (2008-actualidad). Este trabajo explora el valor de la intrahistoria gracias a los recuerdos de actrices que ponen en tela de juicio los roles de género. El presente artículo examina este proyecto de artivismo mediático desde la perspectiva de género, tomando como eje su investigación en torno al Yeoseong Gukgeuk, un estilo músico-teatral que ofrece un mensaje subversivo sobre las mujeres, las minorías, la normatividad y la tradición, gracias al canto, el baile y un estricto entrenamiento. Jung, que recurre a la «tecnología de la imaginación» siendo consciente de la ausencia, en muchas ocasiones, de la imagen, compila materiales de archivo que han visto la luz a través de las obras que aglutina este proyecto.

Se presentan los resultados del estudio Aportes de la orientación en la promoción de la empleabilidad en estudiantes de la Educación y Formación Técnica Profesional (EFTP), cuyo objetivo fue analizar el aporte de la orientación en la promoción de la empleabilidad en estudiantes de EFTP en el contexto del Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP) realizado durante los años 2021 y 2022. Se parte del paradigma naturalista, con enfoque cualitativo y método fenomenológico, ya que se busca describir e interpretar lo expresado mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a las personas participantes en la investigación, es decir, a profesionales en Orientación y estudiantes de duodécimo nivel de Colegios Técnicos Profesionales (CTP). Los resultados obtenidos se organizaron en categorías: Orientación para la empleabilidad en la EFTP; una contextualización en los CTP, la cual remite a las funciones de las personas profesionales en Orientación en los CTP; el trabajo en equipo como condición que supone la promoción de la empleabilidad y el ajuste en el quehacer profesional en EFTP, a partir de la pandemia por el COVID-19; promoción de la empleabilidad de las personas profesionales en orientación, en la cual se encuentra que se promocionan actitudes, habilidades y se ofrecen herramientas para la empleabilidad; y aportes de las personas profesionales en orientación en la promoción de la empleabilidad en la EFTP del MEP, donde se evidencia que las personas orientadoras realizan acciones que facilitan el conocimiento de sí y del contexto, lo que contribuye en su empleabilidad. Entre las conclusiones más importantes se puede mencionar que el grupo de profesionales en orientación enfrenta retos para la promoción de la empleabilidad, ya que, en el ciclo diversificado, no se cuenta con la lección de Orientación; sin embargo, logran realizar un trabajo en conjunto con el personal docente y administrativo de las instituciones educativas con el fin de promocionar la empleabilidad del estudiantado. Como recomendación, entre otras, se insta a la persona profesional en Orientación, a buscar diferentes espacios, desde donde desarrollar procesos, acciones que promocionen la empleabilidad del estudiantado de los CTP.

Background: It has been demonstrated that the accurate positioning of the graft is key to restoring shoulder stability and preventing future arthrosis development. Preoperative anteroinferior glenoid bone loss is frequently encountered when performing a Latarjet, and it has not been determined yet if the amount of bony defect can influence graft positioning. The aim of the study was to determine if a preoperative glenoid bony defect has an influence on the final coracoid graft position in the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. Methods: Fifty-five patients who underwent the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure were included, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. There were 51 men (92.7%). Mean age was 29.1 (SD 7.63). Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, Rowe, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores were fulfilled. All measurements were performed by a musculoskeletal radiologist based on a multiplanar bidimensional CT scan. Dimensions of the glenoid, glenoid defect, and glenoid track were calculated. Position of the graft was evaluated in the axial (distance to glenoid surface, angulation of the graft and screws) and sagittal planes (percentage of the coracoid graft below the equator) as described by Kany et al and Barth et al respectively. Results: There was a glenoid defect in 41 patients (74.5 %). Mean width of the defect was 4.32 mm (SD 3.08) which represented 15.3% of the native glenoid surface (SD 10.8). 78.2% of the patients were offtrack preoperatively, and 11.9% remained offtrack postoperatively. The final glenoid diameter with the graft was 32.1 mm (SD 4.34). Mean distance from the graft to the glenoid at 50% height was 1.1 mm (SD 2.19 mm) and at 25% height was 1.31 mm (SD 2.05). Mean angulation of the superior and inferior screws were 26.9° (SD 8.2°) and 27.1° (SD 7.35°), respectively. In 81.8% of the cases, the graft was deemed to be flush with the glenoid. The percentage of the coracoid graft under the equator of the glenoid was 71.2 % (SD 21.8). There was not a statistically significant difference in screw angulation or graft positioning in the axial plane when comparing patients who had a glenoid defect with those who did not, or depending on the size (P > .05). Percentage of graft below the equator was, however, lower in patients without bony defect (P = .04). Conclusion: This study showed that accurate position of the coracoid graft is achieved in the presence of a glenoid bony defect. In the cases of intact glenoid, the height of the graft should be carefully evaluated.

Abstract Spry2 is a molecular modulator of tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways that has cancer-type-specific effects. Mammalian Spry2 protein undergoes tyrosine and serine phosphorylation in response to growth factor stimulation. Spry2 expression is distinctly altered in various cancer types. Inhibition of the proteasome functionality results in reduced intracellular Spry2 degradation. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we show that protein kinase D (PKD) phosphorylates Spry2 at serine 112 and interacts in vivo with the C-terminal half of this protein. Importantly, missense mutation of Ser112 decreases the rate of Spry2 intracellular protein degradation. Either knocking down the expression of all three mammalian PKD isoforms or blocking their kinase activity with a specific inhibitor contributes to the stabilization of Spry2 wild-type protein. Downregulation of CSN3, a component of the COP9/Signalosome that binds PKD, significantly increases the half-life of Spry2 wild-type protein but does not affect the stability of a Spry2 after mutating Ser112 to the non-phosphorylatable residue alanine. Our data demonstrate that both PKD and the COP9/Signalosome play a significant role in control of Spry2 intracellular stability and support the consideration of the PKD/COP9 complex as a potential therapeutic target in tumors where Spry2 expression is reduced.

Abstract Background Different ocular alterations have been described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our aim was to determine whether COVID-19 affected retinal cells and establish correlations with clinical parameters. Methods Retinal sections and flat-mount retinas from human donors with COVID-19 (n = 16) and controls (n = 15) were immunostained. The location of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the morphology of microglial cells, Müller cells, astrocytes, and photoreceptors were analyzed by confocal microscopy. Microglial quantification and the area occupied by them were measured. Correlations among retinal and clinical parameters were calculated. Results ACE2 was mainly located in the Müller cells, outer segment of cones and retinal pigment epithelium. Cell bodies of Müller cells in COVID-19 group showed greater staining of ACE2 and cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP). The 81.3% of COVID-19 patients presented disorganization of honeycomb-like pattern formed by Müller cells. Gliosis was detected in 56.3% of COVID-19 patients compared to controls (40%) as well as epiretinal membranes (ERMs) or astrocytes protruding (50%). Activated or ameboid-shape microglia was the main sign in the COVID-19 group (93.8%). Microglial migration towards the vessels was greater in the COVID-19 retinas (P

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) currently represents the predominant cause of chronic liver disease and is closely linked to a significant increase in the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even in the absence of liver cirrhosis. In this retrospective multicenter study, machine learning (ML) methods were employed to investigate the relationship between metabolic profile and prognosis at diagnosis in a total of 219 HCC patients. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) method demonstrated superiority in identifying mortality predictors in our patients. Etiology was the most determining prognostic factor followed by Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) classifications. Variables related to the development of hepatic steatosis and metabolic syndrome, such as elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid, obesity, alcohol consumption, and high blood pressure (HBP), had a significant impact on mortality prediction. This study underscores the importance of metabolic syndrome as a determining factor in the progression of HCC secondary to MASLD. The use of ML techniques provides an effective tool to improve risk stratification and individualized therapeutic management in these patients.

Background & Aim: Clinical recommendations for ventilation management in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome suggest the use of the prone position as a complementary therapy, however, there is wide variability in its use. The purpose of this study is to identify the predictor factors for using the prone position for patients hospitalized in intensive care units with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods & Materials: A Cross-sectional study was carried out, including adult patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome hospitalized in intensive care units of four hospitals in Colombia. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed in which the main outcome was the prone position in intensive care, and the independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, history, health status, progress, and treatment. Results: A total of 473 patients were included in this study; 59.8% (n=283) received prone position therapy within 24-96 hours of hospitalization in intensive care. Out of the total of eligible variables in the logistics-regression model, factors in favor of the prone position were PCR>10mg/L (OR=3.33), private healthcare network (OR=1.99), hypertension (OR=1,76), cough or dyspnea symptoms at intensive care admission (OR=2.69 and OR=1.91), oxygen saturation 50% (OR=0.32), and TP>13 seconds (OR=0.53). Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome with a higher probability of prone position in intensive care were those with PCR>10mg/L, cough, dyspnea, and private healthcare network. The predictors identified in this study could help standardize the prone position therapy.

Abstract Background Peppers, bell and chile, are a culturally and economically important worldwide. Domesticated Capsicum spp. are distributed globally and represent a complex of valuable genetic resources. Objectives Explore population structure and diversity in a collection of 467 peppers representing eight species, spanning the spectrum from highly domesticated to wild using 22,916 SNP markers distributed across the twelve chromosomes of pepper. Results These species contained varied levels of genetic diversity, which also varied across chromosomes; the species also differ in the size of genetic bottlenecks they have experienced. We found that levels of diversity negatively correlate to levels of domestication, with the more diverse being the least domesticated.

Abstract Purpose This study used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to analyze the prevalence of several maxillary anatomical/accessory structures, as well as variations within each type, assessing how accurate diagnosis can minimize the risk of intraoperative complications during implantological procedures in the oral cavity. Methods 212 CBCT scans of the maxilla were analyzed, captured over a period of 18 months for surgical planning purposes. The prevalence of posterior superior alveolar arteries (PSAA), maxillary sinus septa (MSS), and branches of the canalis sinuosus (CS) were evaluated, as were the diameter and location of each anatomical structure in horizontal and vertical planes. P

The aim of this systematic review was to identify the current state of knowledge on the association between susceptibility genes associated with this disorder and the lifestyle of patients (including diet, habits and stress levels). It also highlighted the advances made in this field of study, from a constructive point of view, and pointed out the perspectives for research into this disorder. Dysmenorrhoea, as a primary and secondary disorder, is one of the main causes of partial or total disability in the life cycle of women, both in reproductive age and later. It is recognised as a painful and disabling disorder which, depending on the cultural context, may or may not be cured by medical care, physiotherapy and the use of pain-relieving drugs, from an unknown aetiology (primary dysmenorrhoea) or concomitantly to surgical intervention (secondary dysmenorrhoea). Lifestyle, habits and diet have been identified as related to the intensity of pain and the disability it causes (active or passive use of cigarettes, consumption of alcohol, etc.), and genes related to the interpretation of pain generated by the patient from the morphology of the hypothalamus and the associative function of pain (BNDF Val66Met polymorphism) have been identified, as well as alterations in cytokines (in primary dysmenorrhoea), prostaglandins and an influence of the Cyp1A1 gene (in passive smokers). The study perspective is usually non-integrative and limited to the site studied, as well as to professional, laboratory, imaging (gynaecological and genetic) and/or molecular resources, which can only in a few cases be of an integral approach. Limitations are compounded by the fact that not all the populations studied are usually educated about menstruation, which also limits compatibility and comparability among studies.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 75% of primary liver tumors. Controlling risk factors associated with its development and implementing screenings in risk populations does not seem sufficient to improve the prognosis of these patients at diagnosis. The development of a predictive prognostic model for mortality at the diagnosis of HCC is proposed. Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, the analysis of data from 191 HCC patients was conducted using machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze the prognostic factors of mortality that are significant at the time of diagnosis. Clinical and analytical data of interest in patients with HCC were gathered. Results: Meeting Milan criteria, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification and albumin levels were the variables with the greatest impact on the prognosis of HCC patients. The ML algorithm that achieved the best results was random forest (RF). Conclusions: The development of a predictive prognostic model at the diagnosis is a valuable tool for patients with HCC and for application in clinical practice. RF is useful and reliable in the analysis of prognostic factors in the diagnosis of HCC. The search for new prognostic factors is still necessary in patients with HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor and is associated with high mortality rates. Approximately 80% of cases occur in cirrhotic livers, posing a significant challenge for appropriate therapeutic management. Adequate screening programs in high-risk groups are essential for early-stage detection. The extent of extrahepatic tumor spread and hepatic functional reserve are recognized as two of the most influential prognostic factors. In this retrospective multicenter study, we utilized machine learning (ML) methods to analyze predictors of mortality at the time of diagnosis in a total of 208 patients. The eXtreme gradient boosting (XGB) method achieved the highest values in identifying key prognostic factors for HCC at diagnosis. The etiology of HCC was found to be the variable most strongly associated with a poorer prognosis. The widely used Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification in our setting demonstrated superiority over the TNM classification. Although alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) remains the most commonly used biological marker, elevated levels did not correlate with reduced survival. Our findings suggest the need to explore new prognostic biomarkers for individualized management of these patients.

Ischemia is the main cause of cell death in retinal diseases such as vascular occlusions, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or retinopathy of prematurity. Although excitotoxicity is considered the primary mechanism of cell death during an ischemic event, antagonists of glutamatergic receptors have been unsuccessful in clinical trials with patients suffering ischemia or stroke. Our main purpose was to analyze if the transient receptor potential channel 7 (TRPM7) could contribute to retinal dysfunction in retinal pathologies associated with ischemia. By using an experimental model of acute retinal ischemia, we analyzed the changes in retinal function by electroretinography and the changes in retinal morphology by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCTA). Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the pattern of TRPM7 and its expression level in the retina. Our results show that ischemia elicited a decrease in retinal responsiveness to light stimuli along with reactive gliosis and a significant increase in the expression of TRPM7 in Müller cells. TRPM7 could emerge as a new drug target to be explored in retinal pathologies associated with ischemia.

The hyperinflammatory response caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection contributes to its severity, and many critically ill patients show features of cytokine storm (CS) syndrome. We investigated, by next-generation sequencing, 24 causative genes of primary immunodeficiencies whose defect predisposes to CS. We studied two cohorts with extreme phenotypes of SARS-CoV-2 infection: critical/severe hyperinflammatory patients (H-P) and asymptomatic patients (AM-risk-P) with a high risk (older age) to severe COVID-19. To explore inborn errors of the immunity, we investigated the presence of pathogenic or rare variants, and to identify COVID-19 severity-associated markers, we compared the allele frequencies of common genetic polymorphisms between our two cohorts. We found: 1 H-P carries the likely pathogenic variant c.887-2 A>C in the IRF7 gene and 5 H-P carries variants in the MEFV gene, whose role in the pathogenicity of the familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) disease is controversial. The common polymorphism analysis showed three potential risk biomarkers for developing the hyperinflammatory response: the homozygous haplotype rs1231123A/A-rs1231122A/A in MEFV gene, the IFNAR2 p.Phe8Ser variant, and the CARMIL2 p.Val181Met variant. The combined analysis showed an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 in patients that had at least one of our genetic risk markers (odds ratio (OR) = 6.2 (95% CI) (2.430–16.20)).

Elucidar y reproducir conocimiento es la tarea central en la construcción de los sistemas basados en el conocimiento; el sujeto de esta acción es el ingeniero de conocimiento. La adquisición del conocimiento a partir de expertos humanos, si bien necesaria e insustituible, en unas aplicaciones más en otras menos, ha presentado diversas dificultades que van desde la representación del sentido común hasta las excesivas demoras en la implementación y el mantenimiento de los sistemas. El proceso de adquisición del conocimiento requerido en un sistema basado en el conocimiento puede ser automatizado o parcialmente automatizado. La idea radica en lograr disminuir el tiempo de trabajo entre el ingeniero del conocimiento y el experto del área del saber en el sistema informático inteligente que se desea construir. En este artículo se presentan las potenciales que ofrece el agrupamiento conceptual lógico combinatorio tanto para la extracción como para la modelación del conocimiento en la construcción de este tipo de sistemas informáticos. Se presentan tres casos específicos de Sistemas Basados en el Conocimiento en los cuales se emplean los conceptos en sus procesos esenciales: forma de representar el conocimiento y método de solución del problema. Este enfoque permite, entre otras ventajas, la automatización del proceso de extracción del conocimiento lo que posibilita independizarlo de los expertos humanos y acercar la teoría de los Sistemas Basados en el Conocimiento a paradigmas más actuales donde se emplean técnicas como Big Data.

Objective To provide new evidence on how tonsils surgery in children has geographically varied over time in the context of the Spanish National Health System.Design Observational ecological spatiotemporal study on geographical variations in medical practice, using linked administrative datasets, including virtually all surgeries performed from 2003 to 2015.Setting The Spanish National Health System, a quasi-federal structure with 17 autonomous communities (ACs), and 203 healthcare areas (HCAs).Participants Patients aged 19 and younger residing in the HCAs and ACs.Interventions Tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy (T&A); and tonsillectomies alone (T).Main endpoints (1) Evolution of T&A and T rates; (2) spatiotemporal variation in the risk of receiving T&A or T surgery at regional level (ACs) and HCAs; and (3) the fraction of the variation (FV) attributed to each of the components of variation—ACs, HCAs, year and interaction ACs year.Results T&A age-sex standardised rates increased over the period of analysis from 15.2 to 20.9 (5.7 points per 10 000 inhabitants). T alone remained relatively lower than T&A rates, evolving from 3.6 in 2003 to 3.9 in 2015 (0.3 points per 10 000 inhabitants). Most of the risk variation was captured at the HCAs level in both procedures (FV: 55.3% in T&A and 72.5% in T). The ACs level explained 27.6% of the FV in the risk in T&A versus 8% in T. The interaction ACs year was similar in both procedures (FV: 15.5% in T&A and 17.5% in T). The average trend hardly explained 1.46% and 1.83% of the variation, respectively.Conclusion Our study showed wide persistent variations with a steady increase in rates and risk of T&A and a stagnation of T alone, where most of the variation risk was explained at HCA level.

The trichothecene toxin-producing fungus Trichoderma arundinaceum has potential as a biological control agent. However, most biocontrol studies have focused only on one strain, IBT 40837. In the current study, three Trichoderma isolates recovered from bean-field soils produced the trichothecene harzianum A (HA) and trichodermol, the latter being an intermediate in the HA biosynthesis. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the three isolates were assigned to the species T. arundinaceum. Their genome sequences had a high degree of similarity to the reference IBT 40837 strain, in terms of total genome size, number of predicted genes, and diversity of putative secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. HA production by these bean-field isolates conferred significant in vitro antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which are some of the most important bean pathogens. Furthermore, the bean-field isolates stimulated germination of bean seeds and subsequent growth of above ground parts of the bean plant. Transcriptomic analysis of bean plants inoculated with these T. arundinaceum bean-field soil isolates indicated that HA production significantly affected expression of plant defense-related genes; this effect was particularly significant in the expression of chitinase-encoding genes. Together, these results indicate that Trichoderma species producing non-phytotoxic trichothecenes can induce defenses in plants without negatively affecting germination and development

Delusions are one of the most classical symptoms described in schizophrenia. However, despite delusions are often emotionally charged, they have been investigated using tasks involving non-affective material, such as the Beads task. In this study we compared 30 patients with schizophrenia experiencing delusions with 32 matched controls in their pattern of responses to two versions of the Beads task within a Bayesian framework. The two versions of the Beads task consisted of one emotional and one neutral, both with ratios of beads of 60:40 and 80:20, considered, respectively, as the “difficult” and “easy” variants of the task. Results indicate that patients showed a greater deviation from the normative model, especially in the 60:40 ratio, suggesting that more inaccurate probability estimations are more likely to occur under uncertainty conditions. Additionally, both patients and controls showed a greater deviation in the emotional version of the task, providing evidence of a reasoning bias modulated by the content of the stimuli. Finally, a positive correlation between patients’ deviation and delusional symptomatology was found. Impairments in the 60:40 ratio with emotional content was related to the amount of disruption in life caused by delusions. These results contribute to the understanding of how cognitive mechanisms interact with characteristics of the task (i.e., ambiguity and content) in the context of delusional thinking. These findings might be used to inform improved intervention programs in the domain of inferential reasoning.

Multiple gene mutations have been associated with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Despite the spectrum of phenotypes caused by the distinct mutations, IRDs display common physiopathology features. Cell death is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. The vertebrate retina has several attributes that make this tissue vulnerable to oxidative and nitrosative imbalance. The high energy demands and active metabolism in retinal cells, as well as their continuous exposure to high oxygen levels and light-induced stress, reveal the importance of tightly regulated homeostatic processes to maintain retinal function, which are compromised in pathological conditions. In addition, the subsequent microglial activation and gliosis, which triggers the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, trophic factors, and other molecules, further worsen the degenerative process. As the disease evolves, retinal cells change their morphology and function. In disease stages where photoreceptors are lost, the remaining neurons of the retina to preserve their function seek out for new synaptic partners, which leads to a cascade of morphological alterations in retinal cells that results in a complete remodeling of the tissue. In this review, we describe important molecular and morphological changes in retinal cells that occur in response to oxidative stress and the inflammatory processes underlying IRDs.

Viviana A. Cavieres and Gonzalo A. Mardones were not included as authors in the original publication [...]

Abstract Background This systematic review aimed to propose a treatment protocol for repairing intraoperative perforation of the Schneiderian membrane during maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) procedures with lateral window technique. In turn, to assess subsequent implant survival rates placed below repaired membranes compared with intact membranes and therefore determine whether membrane perforation constitutes a risk factor for implant survival. Material and methods This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Two independent reviewers conducted an electronic search for articles published between 2008 and April 30, 2020, in four databases: (1) The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE/PubMed) via Ovid; (2) Web of Science (WOS); (3) SCOPUS; and (4) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); also, a complementary handsearch was carried out. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to assess the quality of evidence in the studies reviewed. Results Seven articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. A total of 1598 sinus lift surgeries were included, allowing the placement of 3604 implants. A total of 1115 implants were placed under previously perforated and repaired membranes, obtaining a survival rate of 97.68%, while 2495 implants were placed below sinus membranes that were not damaged during surgery, obtaining a survival rate of 98.88%. The rate of Schneiderian membrane perforation shown in the systematic review was 30.6%. In the articles reviewed, the most widely used technique for repairing perforated membranes was collagen membrane repair. Conclusions Schneiderian membrane perforation during MFSA procedures with lateral approach is not a risk factor for dental implant survival (p=0.229; RR 0.977; 95% CI 0.941-1.015). The knowledge of the exact size of the membrane perforation is essential for deciding on the right treatment plan.

Background Comprehensive molecular studies on tumours are needed to delineate immortalization process steps and identify sensitive prognostic biomarkers in thyroid cancer. Methods and Results In this study, we extensively characterize telomere‐related alterations in a series of 106 thyroid tumours with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. Using a custom‐designed RNA‐seq panel, we identified five telomerase holoenzyme‐complex genes upregulated in clinically aggressive tumours compared to tumours from long‐term disease‐free patients, being TERT and TERC denoted as independent prognostic markers by multivariate regression model analysis. Characterization of alterations related to TERT re‐expression revealed that promoter mutations, methylation and/or copy gains exclusively co‐occurred in clinically aggressive tumours. Quantitative‐FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis of telomere lengths showed a significant shortening in these carcinomas, which matched with a high proliferative rate measured by Ki‐67 immunohistochemistry. RNA‐seq data analysis indicated that short‐telomere tumours exhibit an increased transcriptional activity in the 5‐Mb‐subtelomeric regions, site of several telomerase‐complex genes. Gene upregulation enrichment was significant for specific chromosome‐ends such as the 5p, where TERT is located. Co‐FISH analysis of 5p‐end and TERT loci showed a more relaxed chromatin configuration in short telomere‐length tumours compared to normal telomere‐length tumours. Conclusions Overall, our findings support that telomere shortening leads to a 5p subtelomeric region reorganization, facilitating the transcription and accumulation of alterations at TERT‐locus.

The university stage is a good time to promote healthy eating strategies. The sociological and cultural changes experienced by students lead them to skip meals, increase their intake of fast food and energy-dense foods, decreasing adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). Professionals related to food such as nutritionists and dietitians are also considered a population at risk of developing eating disorders due to the extensive knowledge they possess, which can be used for both good and bad practice. The objective was to analyze the impact of a 4-month educational program promoting the Mediterranean diet on risky eating behaviors, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and body composition in nutrition and dietetics students, studying the differences according to the group investigated (control group and educated group). The context of the research was 196 students (49 males and 147 females) from two consecutive years. The control group did not receive any type of intervention, while with the control group (educated) an educational program was carried out. Results showed that women with greater control over energy intake, carbohydrates, and sugar had a lower percentage of fat mass, while in men, the relationship was established with weight. Regarding adherence to the Mediterranean diet, at post, it is adequate in both men (8.25 ± 2.87) and women (7.90 ± 2.89), with no significant differences between the intervention groups.

Introducción: El complejo piruvato deshidrogenasa (PDC) es un complejo multienzimático encargado de catalizar la descarboxilación oxidativa de piruvato a acetil CoA. Un defecto en cualquiera de sus componentes puede interferir con la producción de energía a nivel celular; dentro de estos trastornos se encuentra el déficit de piruvato deshidrogenasa (PDH) caracterizado por signos clínicos neurológicos y sistémicos de gravedad variable destacándose la acidosis láctica, deterioro neurológico y neuromuscular progresivo. Objetivo: Describir el caso de una paciente escolar con dismorfología cráneofacial característica, retraso del neurodesarrollo y episodios de descompensación metabólica por infecciones, con mutación en el gen PDHX, manejada con dieta cetogénica, tiamina, ácido lipóico y carnitina. Resultados: Los hallazgos que permitieron enfocar el diagnóstico se encuentra elevación de lactato en plasma y LCR asociado a acidosis metabólica persistente con acentuación de surcos corticales hiperintensidades en región gangliobasal bilateral y en núcleos lenticulares en resonancia cerebral, con espectroscopía por resonancia magnética que muestra pico negativo de lactato. Confirmando el diagnóstico con exoma de 6000 genes donde se encuentra variante patogénica en homocigosis en el gen PDHX posición c.1426C>T. Conclusiones: La deficiencia de PDH debe ser considerada en casos de retraso del neurodesarrollo asociado a episodios intermitentes de deterioro neurológico y elevación de lactato sanguineo y en la espectroscopia por resonancia magnética cerebral. A diferencia de los afectados por otros subtipos, los pacientes con déficit de la proteína de unión E3 a menudo sobreviven la infancia e incluso la edad adulta debido a la existencia de cierto ensamblaje del complejo piruvato deshidrogenasa. El diagnóstico precoz abre la posibilidad de iniciar manejo de soporte, brindar asesoría genética a los padres además de pronóstico y medidas de soporte temprano.

BackgroundA better understanding of COVID-19 immunopathology is needed to identify the most vulnerable patients and improve treatment options.ObjectiveWe aimed to identify immune system cell populations, cytokines, and inflammatory markers related to severity in COVID-19.Methods139 hospitalized patients with COVID-19−58 mild/moderate and 81 severe/critical—and 74 recovered patients were included in a prospective longitudinal study. Clinical data and blood samples were obtained on admission for laboratory markers, cytokines, and lymphocyte subsets study. In the recovered patients, lymphocyte subsets were analyzed 8–12 weeks after discharge.ResultsA National Early Warning Score 2 >2 (OR:41.4; CI:10.38–167.0), ferritin >583 pg/mL (OR:16.3; CI: 3.88–69.9), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio >3 (OR: 3.5; CI: 1.08–12.0), sIL-2rα (sCD25) >512 pg/mL (OR: 3.3; CI: 1.48–7.9), IL-1Ra >94 pg/mL (OR: 3.2; IC: 1.4–7.3), and IL-18 >125 pg/mL (OR: 2.4; CI: 1.1–5.0) were associated with severe/critical COVID-19 in the multivariate models used. Lower absolute values of CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD19 lymphocytes together with higher frequencies of NK cells, a CD4 and CD8 activated (CD38+HLA-DR+) memory T cell and effector memory CD45RA+ (EMRA) phenotype, and lower T regulatory cell frequencies were found in severe/critical patients relative to mild/moderate and recovered COVID-19 patients. A significant reduction in Th1, Tfh1, and Tc1 with higher Th2, Tfh2, Tc2, and plasma cell frequencies was found in the most severe cases.ConclusionA characteristic hyperinflammatory state with significantly elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and ferritin, IL-1Ra, sIL-2rα, and IL-18 levels together with a “low T1 lymphocyte signature” was found in severe/critical COVID-19 patients.

Clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection include more frequently fever and cough, but complications (such as pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure) can occur in persons with additional comorbidities. Liver dysfunction is one of the most striking affections among patients suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may represent a new king of liver aggressor. However, the molecular process underlying this phenomenon is still unclear. In this work, we overview the most recent findings between the molecular biology of the virus, pathogenic mechanisms, and its relationship to liver disease observed in patients.

En las últimas dos décadas, las nuevas vías en las cuales se proyectan las series de ficción, tales como Internet y las plataformas Video-on-demand (vod), han abierto el abanico de las representaciones de género. La inclusión de personajes lgbtq+ tanto protagónicos como secundarios en la narrativa serial parece estar superada. El presente trabajo ofrece un análisis de dos series de televisión recientes con personajes adolescentes homosexuales: A Million Little Things y Esta mierda me supera. Con la finalidad de observar el tratamiento que se da a estos personajes, se realizó un análisis de contenido narrativo desde el punto de vista de la dimensión psicológica, de acuerdo con el modelo metodológico de Carlos Grossocordón. Los resultados demuestran ciertas diferencias de género en las representaciones de adolescentes lesbianas y gays, pero, en definitiva, ofrecen nuevos y positivos retratos de la homosexualidad alejados de estereotipos, que dan más visibilidad al colectivo lgbtq+ y brindan una mayor aceptación por parte de la audiencia.

Athletes have to face several challenges during the sport season, and one of them could involve dealing with unattainable goals. In these situations, being able to reengage in other goals as a form of goal adjustment and in response to contextual demands is adaptive. According to previous literature, some aspects of the athletes’ social context, such as coach-created motivational climates, could encourage more adaptive responses in athletes, and so it is possible that these climates would also promote athletes’ goal regulation and goal reengagement. The purpose of this study was twofold: to analyze whether athletes’ perception of empowering and disempowering climates were related to their goal reengagement through the mediation of goal motives; and to examine the interaction between the two climates when they predict reengagement through athletes’ goal motives. Participants were 414 Spanish university athletes (49.5% male, 50.5% female) who belonged to different university teams, with ages ranging from 17 to 33 years old (M = 20.61, SD = 2.58). In the sport facilities, all of them completed questionnaires that evaluated their perception of empowering and disempowering climates, their goal motives, and their goal reengagement. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results showed that perceived empowering climate positively predicted autonomous goal motives, which in turn had a positive relationship with goal reengagement. Conversely, perceived disempowering climate positively predicted controlled goal motives, which were not related to goal reengagement. Thus, we only found support for the indirect relationship between perceived empowering climate and goal reengagement through autonomous goal motives. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that interaction effects between perceived empowering and disempowering climates were not significant in the prediction of goal reengagement through goal motives. Findings revealed that the perception of empowering climates promotes athletes’ goal reengagement when goals become unattainable via the increase in their autonomous goal motives. Conversely, when athletes perceive disempowering climates, they have more controlled goal motives, which are not related to goal reengagement. In addition, the study supports the need to educate coaches to create more empowering and less disempowering climates.

In this study, the aim was to evaluate the effects of the adjuvant piperacillin–tazobactam solution in the mechanical treatment of periodontitis. A single-blind split-mouth randomized study, it included 24 participants. All of them presented periodontitis stage III according to the 2018 World Workshop classification and the presence of at least one of the following periodontal pathogens: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Porphyromona gingivalis; Treponema denticola; Tannerella forsythia; Prevotella intermedia. The study established two groups: a control group (SRP: scaling and root planing) and a test group (SRP plus local piperacillin–tazobactam). The final recruitment included 11 women (45.8%) and 13 men (54.2%). The age range was between 25 and 72 years, and the mean age was 57 ± 10.20 years. Clinical controls were performed at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, repeating the SRP and applying the piperacillin–tazobactam solution again at the 3-month appointment. The clinical attachment level decreased by a mean of 2.13 ± 0.17 mm from the baseline to 6 months in the test group versus 1.63 ± 0.18 mm in the control group. The mean probing pocket depth decreased from 1.32 ± 0.09 mm in the test group, versus from 0.96 ± 0.14 mm on the control side. The plaque index in the test group decreased by 0.46 ± 0.04, while it decreased by an average of 0.31 ± 0.04 in the control group. In conclusion, the local use of piperacillin–tazobactam as complementary therapy produces better clinical results in patients with periodontitis. However, these results are not maintained over time, and so a more persistent local application is necessary.

Farnesol is an isoprenoid intermediate in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and is produced by the dephosphorylation of farnesyl diphosphate. Farnesol plays a central role in cell growth and differentiation, controls production of ubiquinone and ergosterol, and participates in the regulation of filamentation and biofilm formation. Despite these important functions, studies of farnesol in filamentous fungi are limited, and information on its effects on antifungal and/or biocontrol activity is scarce. In the present article, we identified the Trichoderma harzianum gene dpp1, encoding a diacylglycerol pyrophosphatase that catalyzes production of farnesol from farnesol diphosphate. We analyzed the function of dpp1 to address the importance of farnesol in Trichoderma physiology and ecology. Overexpression of dpp1 in T. harzianum caused an expected increase in farnesol production as well as a marked change in squalene and ergosterol levels, but overexpression did not affect antifungal activity. In interaction with plants, a dpp1-overexpressing transformant acted as a sensitizing agent in that it up-regulated expression of plant defense salicylate-related genes in the presence of a fungal plant pathogen. In addition, toxicity of farnesol on Trichoderma and plants was examined. Finally, a phylogenetic study of dpp1 was performed to understand its evolutionary history as a primary metabolite gene. This article represents a step forward in the acquisition of knowledge on the role of farnesol in fungal physiology and in fungus-environment interactions.

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of transmigrated canines in a Spanish population by evaluating their clinical and radiological characteristics. The descriptive observational study obtained 6840 orthopantomographs from all patients seeking dental care in the years 2017–21 via the Patient Reception Service and Dentistry Service at the Faculty of Dentistry at the Complutense University of Madrid and the Central Hospital of the Red Cross of Madrid (Spain). In total, 52 patients presented transmigrated canines, establishing a prevalence of 0.76%. This sample comprised 28 women and 24 men. Whenever a transmigrated canine was identified, a CBCT scan was obtained and used to evaluate the clinical and radiological variables associated with canine transmigration. The predominant side of the transmigration was the left (57.69%) compared to the right side (42.30%). The position of the canine, in order of frequency, according to the Mupparapu classification, corresponded to type IV (42.30%), type II (36.53%), type I (15.38%), and type V (5.76%), with no type III transmigrations found. Clinical manifestations were only recorded in 17.30% of cases, and 11.53% of the radiological findings showed the presence of tooth cysts that were confirmed by histopathological studies. Other impactions, in addition to the transmigrated canine, were found in five patients (9.61%), with the majority being the presence of third molars.

The purinergic receptor P2X7 (P2X7R) is implicated in all neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. It is also involved in the retinal degeneration associated with glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, and its overexpression in the retina is evident in these disorders. Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive degenerative disease that ultimately leads to blindness. Here, we investigated the expression of P2X7R during disease progression in the rd10 mouse model of RP. As the purinergic receptor P2X4 is widely co-expressed with P2X7R, we also studied its expression in the retina of rd10 mice. The expression of P2X7R and P2X4R was examined by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and western blotting. In addition, we analyzed retinal functionality by electroretinographic recordings of visual responses and optomotor tests and retinal morphology. We found that the expression of P2X7R and P2X4R increased in rd10 mice concomitant with disease progression, but with different cellular localization. Our findings suggest that P2X7R and P2X4R might play an important role in RP progression, which should be further analyzed for the pharmacological treatment of inherited retinal dystrophies.

Glycolipid glycosylation is an intricate process that mainly takes place in the Golgi by the complex interplay between glycosyltransferases. Several features such as the organization, stoichiometry and composition of these complexes may modify their sorting properties, sub-Golgi localization, enzymatic activity and in consequence, the pattern of glycosylation at the plasma membrane. In spite of the advance in our comprehension about physiological and pathological cellular states of glycosylation, the molecular basis underlying the metabolism of glycolipids and the players involved in this process remain not fully understood. In the present work, using biochemical and fluorescence microscopy approaches, we demonstrate the existence of a physical association between two ganglioside glycosyltransferases, namely, ST3Gal-II (GD1a synthase) and β3GalT-IV (GM1 synthase) with Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) in mammalian cultured cells. After GOLPH3 knockdown, the localization of both enzymes was not affected, but the fomation of ST3Gal-II/β3GalT-IV complex was compromised and glycolipid expression pattern changed. Our results suggest a novel control mechanism of glycolipid expression through the regulation of the physical association between glycolipid glycosyltransferases mediated by GOLPH3.

El clásico Disney La Bella y la Bestia (Kirk Wise y Gary Trousdale, 1991) es considerado un icono de la cultura popular, que no sólo fue un éxito de taquilla en el momento de su estreno, sino que se convirtió en el primer largometraje animado en ser nominado al Óscar a la Mejor Película. Casi treinta años después, en 2017, el mismo estudio realizó su remake en acción real dirigido por Bill Condon, alcanzando de nuevo una gran audiencia y diversas nominaciones debido a su calidad estética y de producción. Apoyándose en los estudios de género y utilizando una metodología centrada en el aspecto psicológico del personaje de ficción, en este artículo se analiza la representación de la masculinidad en ambas películas con el objetivo de observar su evolución y, especialmente, qué discursos articulan este tipo de textos audiovisuales que tienen la capacidad de llegar a todos los públicos.

We report for the first time in South America an HFMD case associated with Coxsackievirus A10. The viral strain belongs to a lineage involved in important European outbreaks and probably entered Uruguay after 2017 with a Greek origin. These findings call for strengthening the regional surveillance of HFMD.

La transmigración se define como el fenómeno en el cual un diente incluido no erupcionado, traspasa en más de la mitad de su longitud la línea media. Es una anomalía poco frecuente y es aún más raro que ocurra de forma bilateral. Se presenta con mayor incidencia en los caninos mandibulares, en el sexo femenino, de forma unilateral, y siendo el canino izquierdo el más comúnmente afectado. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir el manejo quirúrgico satisfactorio en un paciente varón de 16 años, asintomático, el cual presentaba a la exploración clínica intraoral ausencia de ambos caninos mandibulares permanentes y persistencia de canino temporal inferior izquierdo, acompañado de una ligera malposición dentaria. En la exploración radiográfica (panorámica), se observaron ambos caninos inferiores derecho e izquierdo, en posición horizontal, bajo los ápices de incisivos inferiores. Se procedió a la extracción quirúrgica de ambos caninos, transcurriendo el postoperatorio sin incidencias. Se realizaron controles periódicos y radiográficos satisfactorios a los seis meses.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a serious global public health concern. Infections caused by colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPa) strains represent a serious threat due to their considerable morbidity and mortality rates, since most of the current empirical antibiotic therapies are ineffective against these strains. Accordingly, cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives to control resistant bacteria. In this study, the interaction of a CAMP derived from cecropin D-like (∆M2) with model membranes mimicking bacterial biomembranes of wild-type (WTPa) strains of P. aeruginosa and CRPa was evaluated through in vitro and in silico approaches. In vitro interaction was determined by infrared spectroscopy, whereas in silico molecular dynamics was performed to predict specific interactions between amino acids of ∆M2 and lipids of model membrane systems. Experimental analysis showed this peptide interacted with the lipids of bacterial-like model membranes of WTPa and CRPa. In both cases, an increase in the concentration of peptides induced an increase in the phase transition temperature of the lipid systems. On the other hand, the peptides in solution underwent a transition from a random to a helical secondary structure after interacting with the membranes mostly favored in the CRPa system. The α-helix structure percentage for ΔM2 interacting with WTPa and CRPa lipid systems was 6.4 and 33.2%, respectively. Finally, molecular dynamics showed ∆M2 to have the most affinities toward the phospholipids palmitoyl-oleyl-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) and palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) that mimic membranes of WTPa and CRPa, respectively. This work provides clues for elucidating the membrane-associated mechanism of action of ∆M2 against colistin-susceptible and -resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The lockdown resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a huge impact on peoples’ health. In sport specifically, athletes have had to deal with frustration of their objectives and changes in their usual training routines. The challenging and disruptive situation could hold implications for their well-being. This study examined the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on changes in athletes’ reported eudaimonic well-being (subjective vitality) and goal motives (autonomous and controlled) over time (i.e., pre-lockdown and during lockdown). The relationship of resilience to changes in subjective vitality was also determined, and changes in athletes’ goal motives were examined as potential mediators. Participants were 127 Spanish university athletes aged between 18 and 34 years (M = 21.14; SD = 2.77). Approximately 4 months before the start of the lockdown in Spain (T1), athletes responded to a questionnaire assessing their resilience, goal motives, and subjective vitality. Around 6 months later into the lockdown period (T2), athletes’ goal motives and subjective vitality were assessed again. Growth modeling using hierarchical linear models revealed a significant decrease of autonomous goal motives and subjective vitality during the lockdown, but athletes did not show change over time in controlled goal motives. Path analysis, adjusting T2 measures for their corresponding T1 measures, showed that resilience significantly predicted changes in athletes’ autonomous goal motives, which then accounted for changes in subjective vitality. The indirect effect was significant. Resilience did not predict changes in athletes’ controlled goal motives. However, changes in controlled goal motives negatively predicted changes in subjective vitality during lockdown. The findings suggest negative impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on athletes’ goal motives and eudaimonic well-being. Results also support the hypothesized mediational role of autonomous goal motives in the relationship between resilience and subjective vitality during the lockdown. As such, findings confirm the relevance of resilience to a key feature of athletes’ eudaimonic well-being and the importance of enhancing their autonomous goal striving.

Background. Early identification of COVID-19 patients at risk of critical illness is a challenging endeavor for clinicians. We aimed to establish immunological, virological, and routine laboratory markers, which, in combination with clinical information, may allow identifying such patients. Methods. Blood tests to measure neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and levels of ferritin, CRP, D-dimer, complement components (C3 and C4), cytokines, and lymphocyte subsets, as well as SARS-Cov-2 RT-PCR tests, were performed in COVID-19-confirmed cases within 48 hours of admission. RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values from oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swabs were determined on the day of admission. Symptom severity was categorized as mild (grade 1), severe (grade 2), or critical (grade 3). Results. Of 120 patients who were included, 49 had mild, 32 severe, and 39 critical COVID-19. Levels of ferritin >370 ng/mL (OR 16.4, 95% CI 5.3–50.8), D-dimer >440 ng/mL (OR 5.45, 95% CI 2.36–12.61), CRP >7.65 mg/dL (OR 11.54, 95% CI 4.3–30.8), NLR >3.77 (OR 13.4, 95% CI 4.3–41.1), IL-6 >142.5 pg/mL (OR 8.76, 95% CI 3.56–21.54), IL-10 >10.8 pg/mL (OR 16.45, 95% CI 5.32–50.81), sIL-2rα (sCD25) >804.5 pg/mL (OR 14.06, 95% CI 4.56–43.28), IL-1Ra >88.4 pg/mL (OR 4.54, 95% CI 2.03–10.17), and IL-18 >144 pg/mL (OR 17.85, 95% CI 6.54–48.78) were associated with critical COVID-19 in the univariate age-adjusted analysis. This association was confirmed in the multivariate age-adjusted analysis only for ferritin, CRP, NLR, IL-10, sIL-2rα, and IL-18. T, B, and NK cells were significantly decreased in critical patients. SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in blood except in 3 patients who had indeterminate results. RT-PCR Ct values from oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swabs on admission were not related to symptom severity. Conclusion. Ferritin, D-dimer, CRP, NLR, cytokine (IL-18 and IL-10), and cytokine receptor (IL-6, IL1-Ra, and sCD25) test results combined with clinical data can contribute to the early identification of critical COVID-19 patients.

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a large group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous diseases characterized by the progressive degeneration of the retina, ultimately leading to loss of visual function. Oxidative stress and inflammation play fundamental roles in the physiopathology of these diseases. Photoreceptor cell death induces an inflammatory state in the retina. The activation of several molecular pathways triggers different cellular responses to injury, including the activation of microglia to eliminate debris and recruit inflammatory cells from circulation. Therapeutical options for IRDs are currently limited, although a small number of patients have been successfully treated by gene therapy. Many other therapeutic strategies are being pursued to mitigate the deleterious effects of IRDs associated with oxidative metabolism and/or inflammation, including inhibiting reactive oxygen species’ accumulation and inflammatory responses, and blocking autophagy. Several compounds are being tested in clinical trials, generating great expectations for their implementation. The present review discusses the main death mechanisms that occur in IRDs and the latest therapies that are under investigation.

Con destreza, Mary Weismantel nos muestra su experticia y agudeza etnográfica en un libro que expone las continuas contradicciones de la vida andina a través de la indagación y análisis sobre las nociones de raza, sexo, clase y género. Elabora un tejido excepcional en el que recoge sus experiencias de campo a lo largo de los Andes entre 1982-1987, suma las narraciones de otros etnógrafos del Perú, Bolivia y Ecuador, acude a teorizaciones amplias de las ciencias sociales y explora la literatura, fotografía y escultura regionales para presentarnos dos personajes conocidos en la cotidianidad de los Andes: la chola y el pishtaco. A todas luces, un relato sensible y descriptivo que ofrece una visión innovadora a la antropología y etnografía andinas.