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Nicola L Barclay,1 Theresa Burkard,1 Edward Burn,1 Antonella Delmestri,1 Andrea Miquel Dominguez,2 Asieh Golozar,3 Carlos Guarner-Argente,4 Francesc Xavier Avilés-Jurado,5 Wai Yi Man,1 Àlvar Roselló Serrano,6 Andreas Weinberger Rosen,7 Eng Hooi Tan,1 Ilona Tietzova,8 Daniel Prieto Alhambra,1,9 Danielle Newby1 On behalf of the OPTIMA Consortium1Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; 2Otorrinolaringology department, Hospital Joan XXIII de Tarragona, Tarragona, Spain; 3Odysseus Data Services, Cambridge, MA, USA; 4Gastroenterology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sant Quintí, Barcelona, Spain; 5Head Neck Tumors Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; 6Institut Català d’Oncologia, Hospital Universitari Dr Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain; 7Centre for Surgical Science, Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Denmark; 8First Department of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; 9Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Daniel Prieto Alhambra, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom, Email daniel.prietoalhambra@ndorms.ox.ac.ukPurpose: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected healthcare systems and patients. There is a need to comprehend the collateral effects of the pandemic on non-communicable diseases. We examined the impact of the pandemic on short-term survival for common solid tumours, including breast, colorectal, head and neck, liver, lung, oesophageal, pancreatic, prostate, and stomach cancer in the UK.Methods: This was a population-based cohort study of electronic health records from the UK primary care Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database. In sum, 12,259,744 eligible patients aged ≥ 18 years with ≥ 1 year’s history identified from January 2000 to December 2022 were included. We estimated age-standardised incidence and short-term (one- and two-year) survival for several common cancers from 2000 to 2019 (in five-year strata) and compared these to 2020– 2022 using the Kaplan–Meier method.Results: Incidence decreased for most cancers in 2020 and recovered to different extents in 2021– 2022. Short-term survival improved for most cancers between 2000 and 2019, but then declined, albeit minimally, for those diagnosed in 2020– 2022. This was most pronounced for colorectal cancer, with one-year survival falling from 78.8% (95% CI 78%– 79.6%) in 2015– 2019 to 77% (95% CI 75.6– 78.3%) for those diagnosed in 2020– 2022.Conclusion: Short-term survival for many cancers was impacted, albeit minimally, by the pandemic in the UK, with reductions in survivorship from colorectal cancer equivalent to returning to the mortality seen in the first decade of the 2000s. While data on longer-term survival are needed to fully comprehend the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, our findings illustrate the need for an urgent and substantial commitment from the UK National Health Service to address the existing backlog in cancer screening and diagnostic procedures to improve cancer care and mortality.Keywords: cancer, COVID-19, colorectal cancer, incidence, pandemic, survival

Abstract Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely implicated in biological processes and diseases with high inflammatory components. These molecules exhibit significant temporal and tissue specificity. However, the expression and function of lncRNAs have not been studied in patients after heart transplantation. Thus, we aimed to identify circulating lncRNAs in these patients and evaluate their diagnostic capacity as potential biomarkers for the non-invasive detection of acute cellular rejection (ACR). For them, we performed a transcriptomic study based on ncRNA-seq technology to detect lncRNAs in serum samples, matched to routine endomyocardial biopsies, from patients without rejection episode (0R, n = 12) and with mild (1R, n = 16) or moderate-severe (≥ 2R, n = 12) ACR. We identified 11,062 circulating lncRNAs in the serum of patients after heart transplantation. Moreover, 6 lncRNAs showed statistically significant expression when the different ACR grades were compared. Among them, AC008105.3, AC006525.1, AC011455.8, AL359220.1, and AC025279.1 had relevant diagnostic capacity for detection of ≥ 2R (AUC of 0.850 to 1.000) and 1R (AUC of 0.750 to 0.854) grades, along with high specificity and positive predictive values (≥ 83%). In addition, AL359220.1 and AC025279.1 were independent predictors for the presence of moderate-severe ACR (odds ratio = 31.132, p

Introduction: Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main addictions that occur in adolescents; They are important due to the large number of health, legal and social problems they can cause. Objective: Determine the association between family history of addictions, type of family functioning and tobacco and/or alcohol consumption in adolescents. Methods: An observational, analytical, case-control study was carried out in the period from September 2021 to April 2022; the universe was made up of 188 students from which 55 cases (tobacco or alcohol consumers) were selected and 110 controls. For the statistical analysis of the risk factors, the association was measured with the odds ratio and its confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Tobacco consumption is the most frequent in the study group at 63.6%. The influence of the group with 34.5% was the most important motivation for the start of this practice. The family members who most strongly influenced the initiation of consumption were the parents, with 61.8%. 50.9% of the adolescents belonged to dysfunctional families. Conclusions: Tobacco or alcohol consumption in adolescents is associated with the presence of a family history of addictions and living in a dysfunctional family.

Increasing vaccination knowledge is effective in addressing hesitancy and is particularly important in populations deprived of liberty who may not routinely have access to health information, ensuring health equity. RISE-Vac is a European Union–funded project aiming to promote vaccine literacy, offer, and uptake in prisons in Europe. We consulted persons living in prisons in the United Kingdom (through the Prisoner Policy Network), France, and Moldova to determine their vaccination knowledge gaps, the information they would like to receive, and how they would like to receive it. We received 344 responses: 224 from the United Kingdom, 70 from France, and 50 from Moldova. Participants were particularly interested in learning about the effectiveness, side effects, and manufacturing of vaccines. Their responses guided the development of educational materials, including a brochure that will be piloted in prisons in Europe. Persons with experience of imprisonment were involved at every stage of this project.

Abstract Background Cardiac fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has an emerging role in heart failure (HF). A paradoxical reduction in its levels in pathological conditions associated with acute processes has been observed. We aimed to identify FAP cardiac tissue expression and its relationship with the main cardiac fibrosis-related signaling pathways, and to compare plasma FAP levels in acute and chronic HF patients. Methods Transcriptomic changes were assessed via mRNA/ncRNA-seq in left ventricle tissue from HF patients (n = 57) and controls (n = 10). Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to explore FAP protein levels and localization in cardiac tissue. ELISA was performed to examine plasma FAP levels in acute HF (n = 48), chronic HF (n = 15) and control samples (n = 7). Results FAP overexpression in cardiac tissue is related to the expression of molecules directly involved in cardiac fibrosis, such as POSTN, THBS4, MFAP5, COL1A2 and COL3A1 (P

Las habilidades matemáticas adquiridas durante la etapa de Educación Infantil pueden predecir el rendimiento matemático al finalizar la escolaridad, siendo éste un factor determinante de la empleabilidad en la adultez. En este sentido, parece plausible determinar perfiles tempranos con el objetivo de contribuir a la detección de las dificultades en el área de las matemáticas. Por ello, este estudio retrospectivo consistió en analizar las diferencias en las competencias matemáticas básicas evaluadas en Educación Infantil entre niños y niñas categorizados en función de su rendimiento matemático en 6º de Educación Primaria. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 91 estudiantes, de los cuales el 18.68% (n = 17) mostraron dificultades de aprendizaje en matemáticas (DAM), el 37.36% presentó un rendimiento medio (n = 34) y el 43.96% rendimiento alto (n = 40) en la batería EVAMAT-6 versión 3.0 (García et al., 2018) administrada al finalizar la etapa de Educación Primaria. Para evaluar el grado de adquisición de competencias matemáticas básicas en Educación Infantil, se administró el TEDI-MATH (Gregóire et al., 2005) seis años antes, que evalúa las competencias de conteo (conceptual y procedimental), comparación de magnitudes (simbólicas y no-simbólicas) y operaciones lógicas (seriación, clasificación, conservación e inclusión). Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que los estudiantes con DAM mostraron un desempeño significativamente inferior en competencias matemáticas clave en comparación con el grupo de rendimiento alto, tales como el conteo procedimental, las habilidades de comparación simbólica y la seriación y conservación lógicas. Estos hallazgos poseen implicaciones para la detección de las DAM y, además, profundizan en la determinación de perfiles de alto rendimiento matemático en etapas tempranas del desarrollo.

Tener unas buenas competencias matemáticas básicas tempranas (“early numeracy skills”) parece ser de vital importancia para el éxito en dicha materia en etapas educativas posteriores. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de los estudios contemplan diseños cuyos resultados abarcan hasta el 1er ciclo de Educación Primaria. El presente estudio longitudinal se propuso explorar el poder predictivo de determinadas competencias matemáticas básicas evaluadas en etapas tempranas, tales como las habilidades de conteo, comparación de magnitudes y operaciones lógicas, sobre el rendimiento matemático y sus componentes seis años más tarde. La muestra contó con 91 niños y niñas que fueron evaluados en dos momentos temporales: Educación Infantil (5-6 años) y 6º de Educación Primaria (11-12 años). En Educación Infantil, se utilizó el TEDI-MATH (Gregóire et al., 2005) para evaluar el grado de adquisición de competencias matemáticas básicas de conteo (conceptual y procedimental), comparación de magnitudes (simbólicas y no-simbólicas) y operaciones lógicas (seriación, clasificación, conservación e inclusión). En Educación Primaria, se administró el EVAMAT-6, versión 3.0 (García et al., 2018) para evaluar el rendimiento matemático y sus componentes (numeración, cálculo, geometría, información y azar, y resolución de problemas). Los resultados mostraron que el conteo procedimental emergió como un predictor destacado sobre el rendimiento matemático posterior y sus componentes. Asimismo, y aunque en menor medida, se observó también la influencia de las habilidades de comparación simbólica y las operaciones lógicas de seriación y conservación. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos hallazgos para la investigación y la práctica psicoeducativa.

Los beneficios de una relación positiva entre el alumnado y con el profesorado son múltiples, ya que mejora su compromiso académico, la regulación del esfuerzo y la dedicación a las tareas escolares. El objetivo general de este estudio consistió en conocer si los apoyos docentes centrados en las relaciones interpersonales podían influir en el clima de la clase en estudiantes cursando el Máster de formación para profesorado de forma presencial. En este estudio participaron 183 estudiantes (61.4% mujeres, 61.4% hombres y 0.3% otros) comprendidos entre los 22 y los 63 años (media=27.4 años, desviación típica=11.5). Este estudio es cuantitativo no experimental de corte transversal y diseño descriptivo correlacional. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de Apoyos Docentes (MOCSE-TSQ) y Cuestionario de Proceso de Enseñanza-Aprendizaje para el alumnado (MOCSE-O-PRO4DStudent). En los resultados se encuentran relaciones positivas de moderadas a fuertes y estadísticamente significativas entre todos los factores. Además, existencia de diferencias en el clima de clase dependiendo del área de conocimiento del que derivaban los estudiantes matriculados en este máster. Y se concluye que el clima de la clase puede predecirse teniendo en cuenta los apoyos docentes utilizados. Por último, se derivan importantes recomendaciones prácticas destinadas al profesorado universitario para enriquecer su actividad docente.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected cancer screening, diagnosis and treatments. Many surgeries were substituted with bridging therapies during the initial lockdown, yet consideration of treatment side effects and their management was not a priority. Objectives: To examine how the changing social restrictions imposed by the pandemic affected incidence and trends of endocrine treatment prescriptions in newly diagnosed (incident) breast and prostate cancer patients and, secondarily, endocrine treatment-related outcomes (including bisphosphonate prescriptions, osteopenia and osteoporosis), in UK clinical practice from March 2020 to June 2022. Design: Population-based cohort study using UK primary care Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database. Methods: There were 13,701 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and 12,221 prostate cancer patients with ⩾1-year data availability since diagnosis between January 2017 and June 2022. Incidence rates (IR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated across multiple time periods before and after lockdown to examine the impact of changing social restrictions on endocrine treatments and treatment-related outcomes, including osteopenia, osteoporosis and bisphosphonate prescriptions. Results: In breast cancer patients, aromatase inhibitor (AI) prescriptions increased during lockdown versus pre-pandemic [IRR: 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.34)], followed by a decrease post-first lockdown [IRR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.69–0.89)]. In prostate cancer patients, first-generation antiandrogen prescriptions increased versus pre-pandemic [IRR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.08–1.4)]. For breast cancer patients on AIs, diagnoses of osteopenia, osteoporosis and bisphosphonate prescriptions were reduced across all lockdown periods versus pre-pandemic (IRR range: 0.31–0.62). Conclusion: During the first 2 years of the pandemic, newly diagnosed breast and prostate cancer patients were prescribed more endocrine treatments compared to pre-pandemic due to restrictions on hospital procedures replacing surgeries with bridging therapies. But breast cancer patients had fewer diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis and bisphosphonate prescriptions. These patients should be followed up in the coming years for signs of bone thinning. Evidence of poorer management of treatment-related side effects will help assess resource allocation for patients at high risk for bone-related complications.

Una de las principales problemáticas en la delimitación de áreas inundables por parte de la administración procede del hecho de que los modelos hidrológico-hidráulicos y las cartografías preventivas oficiales derivadas de ellos no se ajustan bien a las láminas de inundación y peligrosidad reales, normalmente minusvalorándolas. Para confirmar esta hipótesis, el presente trabajo analiza unas recientes inundaciones producidas en el núcleo urbano de Campanillas (Málaga) mediante el análisis comparado del deslinde oficial de zonas inundables de la Junta de Andalucía y la cartografía unievento de dicho episodio de inundaciones. Los resultados corroboran la hipótesis de minusvaloración. Del análisis comparado, se extraen una serie de posibles causas. Algunas de ellas están relacionadas con el propio modelo hidrológico-hidráulico usado en la cartografía normativa (se ciñen a un ámbito territorial concreto y cerrado; no se tienen en consideración acciones antrópicas indirectas; no se consideran alteraciones del flujo de inundación por los circuitos artificiales de la trama urbana). Y otras están relacionadas con las particularidades de la peligrosidad de inundación en entornos mediterráneos (activación paralela y sinérgica de peligros asociados; no consideración de las condiciones rexistásicas mediterráneas en la modelización de las obras de paso). Como aportación última se incluyen en el artículo una serie de acciones propositivas que pudieran mejorar la predicción de áreas inundables en la cartografía oficial.

Abstract Background Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, with the consumption of alcohol considered a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Lipids play a crucial functional role in cell membranes; however, we know little about the role of lipids in extracellular vesicles (EVs) as regulatory molecules and disease biomarkers. Methods We employed a sensitive lipidomic strategy to characterize lipid species from the plasma EVs of AUD patients to evaluate functional roles and enzymatic activity networks to improve the knowledge of lipid metabolism after alcohol consumption. We analyzed plasma EV lipids from AUD females and males and healthy individuals to highlight lipids with differential abundance and biologically interpreted lipidomics data using LINEX2, which evaluates enzymatic dysregulation using an enrichment algorithm. Results Our results show, for the first time, that AUD females exhibited more significant substrate-product changes in lysophosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylcholine lipids and phospholipase/acyltransferase activity, which are potentially linked to cancer progression and neuroinflammation. Conversely, AUD males suffer from dysregulated ceramide and sphingomyelin lipids involving sphingomyelinase, sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, and sphingomyelin synthase activity, which relates to hepatotoxicity. Notably, the analysis of plasma EVs from AUD females and males demonstrates enrichment of lipid ontology terms associated with “negative intrinsic curvature” and “positive intrinsic curvature”, respectively. Conclusions Our methodological developments support an improved understanding of lipid metabolism and regulatory mechanisms, which contribute to the identification of novel lipid targets and the discovery of sex-specific clinical biomarkers in AUD.

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of opioid maintenance programs in treating opioid dependence in Spanish prisons. Material and method: A narrative bibliographic review was carried out on the following databases: PubMed; Cochrane; IBECS; LILACS; HealthCare. All clinical trials were chosen as a preference, along with systematic review articles and some articles that were considered relevant for their content. The time period was limited to between January 2011 and November 2021. The languages chosen were English, Spanish and Catalan. Repeated articles and those that were not related to the objectives were rejected. The search criteria were: “methadone AND prisons”; “opiate substitution treatment AND prisons”; “methadone AND buprenorphine”; “methadone OR buprenorphine”; “prisons AND Methadone AND buprenorphine”. Results: 20 articles were selected out of 647 items consulted after applying the corresponding filters and after discarding duplicates. Discussion: There was a slightly greater effectiveness of buprenorphine versus methadone. The high prevalence of the program was highlighted, as well as the variety of adverse effects of methadone. Usefulness with regard to inmates' behavior showed a range of opinions. The possibility of new treatment alternatives with better pharmacological control is mentioned.

Este trabajo analiza cuantitativamente el impacto en la responsabilidad social del alumnado universitario de Magisterio, a partir del desarrollo de una actividad de análisis de un centro educativo y su contexto, así como del diseño de estrategias para mejorar sus necesidades. En cuanto a la metodología utilizada, se ha suministrado un cuestionario ad hoc de 15 ítems a partir de la Escala de Responsabilidad Social (De la Calle, García y Ortega, 2008), en 217 alumnos y alumnas del primer curso del Grado de Magisterio. Se ha realizado un análisis descriptivo de resultados pre-test y post-test, cuantitativo multivariante de la escala mediante ANOVA, de correlaciones mediante Pearson y de comparación de resultados pre-test y post-test mediante T-Student. Los resultados muestran un incremento significativo de valores tras la actividad en todos los análisis realizados. Además, se han detectado valores más elevados y relacionados entre sí en los constructos y en el análisis de comparación de muestras post-test, con respecto al pre-test. En el apartado de discusión, los resultados están en la línea del desarrollo de comportamientos sociales responsables a partir de la realización de proyectos educativos de autores como Fonseca et al., (2019) o Bustamante y Navarro (2007). Se concluye la evidencia del efecto positivo de la realización de la práctica en la responsabilidad social del alumnado.

Abstract Purpose: To compare the visual performance of two distinct types of soft contact lenses (CL) aimed at slowing down myopia progression with the performance of a monofocal soft CL. Methods: In a prospective double-masked, crossover trial, 18 myopic adults (aged 18–30 years old) were fitted in a randomized order with three types of disposable CL: MiSight TM (dual-focus), Mylo TM (extended depth of focus -EDOF-), and Clariti TM (single distance vision). Measurements were taken after wearing the CL for five days with five days off in between at two different optometry centers. High contrast distance visual acuity (VA) with spectacles and for each of the different CL, subjective refraction, slit lamp exam, aberrometry, stereopsis, monocular and binocular amplitude of accommodation and accommodative facility, and horizontal phorias were measured. Results: The high contrast distance VAwas better for the single vision CL compared to the myopia control CL. No significant differences were observed between the r two myopia control CL. The overall root mean square (RMS) was higher for the double focus CL (RMS = 1.18 ± 0.29 µm), followed by the EDOF CL (RMS = 0.76 ± 0.35 µm) and then the single vision CL (RMS = 0.50 ± 0.19 µm). The primary spherical aberration (SA) mean value was low for all of the three CL, without statistical differences among them. No other significant differences were detected. Conclusion: The overall RMS resulted in a higher value for the dual-focus than the EDOF CL, but no differences in high contrast distance VA and binocularity were detected between them. The monofocal CL's performance was better than the myopia control CL.

Agricultural waste availability implies the possibility of recovering energy as biomass. The collateral effect is the production of ashes that, in some cases, have the potential to be reused in the manufacture of cement, mortar, and concrete. This article presents the study of the auto-combustion (unlike all previous studies) of corn (maize) straw (stems and leaves). The auto-combustion temperature was monitored, and the obtained corn straw ash (CSA) was characterized by means of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the behavior of ground CSA was analyzed in both the fresh state by measurement of workability on the spreading table and the hardened state by compressive strength measurement on mortars in which 10% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced with CSA. These values were compared to both a control mortar (OPC) and a mortar in which OPC was partially replaced with 10% limestone filler. Ashes showed adequate pozzolanic reactivity because, at 90 curing days, the compressive strength of the mortars with 10% replacement of OPC with CSA was practically equal (98% of the strength) to the control mortar without pozzolan replacement. The auto-combustion of biomass is a process that can be easily available, and the results on pozzolanic reactivity of CSA are satisfactory. The auto-combustion could be used by low-income communities to reduce Portland cement clinker use and to recover waste.

Heart failure (HF) is associated with global changes in gene expression. Alternative mRNA splicing (AS) is a key regulatory mechanism underlying these changes. However, the whole status of molecules involved in the splicing process in human HF is unknown. Therefore, we analysed the spliceosome transcriptome in cardiac tissue (n = 36) from control subjects and HF patients (with ischaemic (ICM) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathies) using RNA-seq. We found greater deregulation of spliceosome machinery in ICM. Specifically, we showed widespread upregulation of the E and C complex components, highlighting an increase in SNRPD2 (FC = 1.35, p < 0.05) and DHX35 (FC = 1.34, p < 0.001) mRNA levels. In contrast, we observed generalised downregulation of the A complex and cardiac-specific AS factors, such as the multifunctional protein PCBP2 (FC = −1.29, p < 0.001) and the RNA binding proteins QKI (FC = −1.35, p < 0.01). In addition, we found a relationship between SNPRD2 (an E complex component) and the left ventricular mass index in ICM patients (r = 0.779; p < 0.01). On the other hand, we observed the specific underexpression of DDX46 (FC = −1.29), RBM17 (FC = −1.33), SDE2 (FC = −1.35) and RBFOX1 (FC = −1.33), p < 0.05, in DCM patients. Therefore, these aetiology-related alterations may indicate the differential involvement of the splicing process in the development of ICM and DCM.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face new challenges in regard to technological development in light of necessary pedagogical and didactic innovations in educational action. This article proposes a Technological–Pedagogical Gamification Model (MGTP) that guides the design of gamified educational practices in Virtual Teaching and Learning Environments (EVEAs). The MGTP proposal is based on theoretical cores of Pedagogy and Computer Science theories, as well as works related to gamified experiences in EVEA where the social, cognitive, and teaching presences were analyzed. This work also presents an initial validation of the MGTP through expert judgment, and its results are analyzed from both a qualitative (content analysis and comments) and quantitative (using the Content Validity Coefficient method) perspective. These results reveal a high level of acceptance of the model by experts that is corroborated by reliability tests (Cronbach’s alpha and split-half reliability test). The results facilitated the development of a final version of the model for its subsequent application and evaluation in university practice.

IntroductionFungal pathogens cause major yield losses in agriculture and reduce food quality and production worldwide.PurposeTo evaluate new safer alternatives to chemicals for disease management and preserve the shelf life of food, this research was conducted to: determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Thymus serpyllum and Thymus piperella chemotypes 1 and 2; investigate the antifungal potential of EOs in vitro against: Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris spicifera, Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Penicillium italicum, Botryotinia fuckeliana; evaluate a natural T. serpyllum extract biofilm to conserve rice grain and cherry tomatoes.MethodEOs were analyzed by GC-MS+GC-FID. EOs’ antifungal activity was evaluated by dissolving Thymus extracts in PDA. Petri dishes were inoculated with disks of each fungus and incubated at 25°C for 7 days.ResultsThe T. serpyllum EO displayed the best Mycelial Growth Inhibition. The antifungal effect of the T. serpyllum EO biofilm was evaluated on rice caryopsis. Disinfected grains were dipped in a conidial suspension of each fungus and sprayed with EO (300 and 600 μg/mL) prepared in Tween 20. Grains were stored. The percentage of infected grains was recorded for 30 days. The T. serpyllum EO effect on cherry tomato conservation was evaluated in vivo. Wounded fruit were immersed in the T. serpyllum EO (300 and 400 μg/mL) and inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Fruit were evaluated for 7 and 14 days. Chemical profiles thymol/carvacrol for T. serpyllum, carvacrol for T. piperella Tp1 and thymol for T. piperella Tp2 were defined. The three evaluated EOs reduced all the studied phytopathogens’ fungal growth. The T. serpyllum biofilm was effective with rice storage and against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici for extending the shelf life of tomatoes in warehouses and storing postharvest cherry tomatoes.ConclusionWe suggest applying these EOs as biofilms for safe food conservation to replace synthetic products.

Charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid., is one of the world's most serious diseases because it reduces yield and seed quality. Nowadays, biological control is an environment-friendly option for controlling plant diseases. The goals of this study were to (i) test eight endophytic Trichoderma spp. strains as biocontrol agents against M. phaseolina and (ii) further investigate two selected strains showing good behaviour against the pathogen. Pathogen-antagonist interactions were studied in dual culture, and the morphological alterations of M. phaseolina mycelia in the interaction zone were examined by light microscopy. Trichoderma strains were applied to soya bean seeds by a seed coating technique. Their bioprotective effects were assessed by in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate radicle length, the germination percentage and the presence of typical charcoal rot symptoms in seedlings. Two Trichoderma strains were selected and they were molecularly identified as T. harzianum species complex. Their antagonistic ability against M. phaseolina was evaluated under different water availability conditions. The mechanisms used by these two endophytic strains against the pathogen were evaluated by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that all eight Trichoderma strains successfully performed biocontrol activity against M. phaseolina by reducing colony growth and causing morphological alterations in the mycelia of M. phaseolina. All endophytes improved seed germination and radicle length, and reduced typical symptoms and disease progression on seedlings. Water availability in the medium impacted on fungal growth. At 0.995 ɑw, all the fungi grew more and faster. At 0.95 ɑw M. phaseolina grew more than the Trichoderma strains, while the pathogen grew slightly more at 0.98 ɑw than the Trichoderma strains. However, both selected Trichoderma strains grew larger and faster than the pathogen at 0.995 ɑw. The mechanisms involved in pathogen control revealed by the light and cryo-scanning microscopy studies included competition for nutrients or space and direct mycoparasitism. All the endophytic Trichoderma strains were antagonistic against M. phaseolina, however our study allowed us to select two Trichoderma strains with good potential to be included for charcoal rot management.

Abstract Understanding metal-metal bonding involving f-block elements has been a challenging goal in chemistry. Here we report a series of mixed-valence di-metallofullerenes, ThDy@C2n (2n = 72, 76, 78, and 80) and ThY@C2n (2n = 72 and 78), which feature single electron actinide-lanthanide metal-metal bonds, characterized by structural, spectroscopic and computational methods. Crystallographic characterization unambiguously confirmed that Th and Y or Dy are encapsulated inside variably sized fullerene carbon cages. The ESR study of ThY@D 3h (5)-C78 shows a doublet as expected for an unpaired electron interacting with Y, and a SQUID magnetometric study of ThDy@D 3h (5)-C78 reveals a high-spin ground state for the whole molecule. Theoretical studies further confirm the presence of a single-electron bonding interaction between Y or Dy and Th, due to a significant overlap between hybrid spd orbitals of the two metals.

Abstract Background Styloid process (SP) is a cylindrical bony projection that originates from the inferior part of the petrous temporal bone just anteriorly to the stylomastoid foramen. Several nerves, muscles, and ligaments are related closely to the (SP). It is considered elongated when the measurement exceeds 30 mm. The overall prevalence of the styloid process is between 3.3% to 84.4%. The elongation of the styloid process (ESP) is associated with the manifestation of Eagle’s Syndrome (ES) which is characterized by various types of pain in the head and neck region such as headache, tinnitus, otalgia, and trigeminal neuralgia. Eagle’s syndrome occurs in 4–10.3% of individuals with an elongated styloid process (ESP). The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of (ESP) in the patients who were treated in the Dental Hospital University of Barcelona (HOUB), to review the literature to spot the light on the different demographic data worldwide. Methods The archived panoramic image in the University of Barcelona dental Hospital were consecutively retrieved to investigate the prevalence of (ESP). Of all digital panoramic radiographs (OPG), 400 met the inclusion criteria and were furtherly analyzed. The results are correlated with the participant’s gender, age, and occurrence. Age is subcategorized into three groups. A chi-square test is used to measure the significant differences and the P-value is set at

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease common in people aged 50 years and older. This condition is characterized by the presence of pain and stiffness involving mainly the shoulder and pelvic girdle. Besides the frequent association with giant cell arteritis (GCA), several conditions may mimic PMR or present with PMR features. Since the diagnosis is basically clinical, an adequate diagnosis of this condition is usually required. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) has proved to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of PMR. The use of 18F-FDG-PET imaging appears promising as it provides detailed information on inflammatory activity that may not be evident with traditional methods. However, since PET-CT is not strictly necessary for the diagnosis of PMR, clinicians should consider several situations in which this imaging technique can be used in patients with suspected PMR.

Resumen Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia y el grado de control de la diabetes mellitus en la población que vive en residencias geriátricas en la zona de L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal, multicéntrico, en 4 centros de atención geriátrica y gerontológica vinculados a los centros de atención primaria Santa Eulalia Sur, en L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, diagnóstico de diabetes, tratamiento farmacológico y patologías concomitantes, el índice de Barthel, el test de Pfeiffer y la escala de Braden. Se realizó un análisis univariante y bivariante relacionando la presencia de diabetes y el control de esta patología con las diferentes variables de estudio. Resultados: La muestra se compuso por 273 casos, con una edad media de 86,9 (± 6,6) años. La prevalencia de diabetes fue del 31,1%. El nivel de dependencia en el índice de Barthel fue de 42,0 ± 31,3 puntos. Un 20,9% presenta un funcionamiento cognitivo normal y un 10,6% tiene un elevado riesgo de padecer úlceras por presión. Los pacientes diagnosticados de diabetes tuvieron mayor riesgo de padecer hipertensión arterial (OR: 2,03; IC95%, 1,07-3,84). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de diabetes en la población geriátrica institucionalizada es elevada. Teniendo en cuenta la edad de estos pacientes, sus comorbilidades y su fragilidad se hace necesario controlar los síntomas y el pronóstico en cuanto a deterioro físico-cognitivo.

Teniendo en cuenta el Modelo de Calidad Educativa (MOCSE) como referencia, el objetivo principal de esta investigación consistió en examinar las asociaciones entre variables incluidas en las teorías de “Demandas y recursos”, “Expectativa-Valor”, “Metas de logro” y el “engagement” del estudiantado universitario. Revisar esas relaciones es la primera tarea para generar una investigación de las posibles asociaciones entre las tres teorías a la hora de mejorar el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje del alumnado. La muestra se compuso por 267 estudiantes universitarios de la Comunidad Valenciana (14,6% hombres y 85,4% mujeres) entre 19 y 48 años (M = 22.45, DT = 3.62). El estudiantado rellenó la Escala apoyo docente, la Escala expectative-valor, y la Escala metas de logro, todas ellas revisadas de estudios previos. Se realizó un análisis correlacional bivariado de Pearson para explorar las relaciones entre las variables consideradas. Los resultados indicaron, por un lado, correlaciones positivas y significativas entre los apoyos docentes y las creencias de expectativa-valor, además de correlaciones positivas y significativas entre las creencias de expectativa-valor y el engagement. Por otro lado, se hallaron correlaciones positivas y significativas entre los apoyos docentes y las metas centradas en el dominio y, por el contrario, correlaciones negativas y significativas entre los apoyos docentes y las metas centradas en la evitación, también, correlaciones positivas y significativas entre las metas centradas en el dominio y el engagement del alumnado y, por el contrario, correlaciones negativas y significativas entre las metas de aprendizaje centradas en la evitación y el engagement.

Abstract Aim To evaluate the efficacy of advanced nurse triage based on the quality of care outcomes of patients attending the Emergency Department of a high‐complexity hospital. To analyse the concept of advanced triage and the essential elements of the construct. Design Mixed longitudinal study, divided into 4 steps; which will include an initial qualitative step, two observational studies and finally, a quasi‐experimental study. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT05230108. Methods Step 1 will consist of a concept analysis. Step 2 will include a mapping of advanced practice protocol terminologies. Step 3 will analyse the opinion of health professionals on advanced triage. In step 4: in the retrospective phase (n = 1095), sociodemographic and clinical variables and quality indicators such as waiting time will be analysed. After that, in the prospective phase (n = 547), advanced triage will be implemented and the two cohorts will be compared. The whole study will be carried out from January 2022 to January 2024. Discussion Patients classified as low complexity at triage are more vulnerable to emergency department overcrowding. The implementation of advanced triage would make it possible to respond to patient needs by offering equitable and quality healthcare, facilitating accessibility, safety and humanization of the emergency department.