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By paying attention to what Peruvian and Bolivian students in schools say about how they are seen and treated by their native-born peers, this article aims to analyze the ways in which symbolic boundaries are produced, eventually giving way to social boundaries between natives and migrants. The methodology is based on in-depth interviews with students, parents, and educators of rural and urban schools in the region of Arica y Parinacota, the northernmost region of Chile, by the borders with Peru and Bolivia. We conclude that the production of symbolic boundaries among students emerges as discourses about nationality, skin color, ethnicity, and history. Peruvian and Bolivian migrant students describe being teased by their native-born peers because of their country of origin, for being darker-skinned, for being Aymara, and for having lost the War of the Pacific (and, in the case of Bolivians, for having lost access to the coastline). Some migrant students perceive these discourses as discrimination and consider them harmful; however, many others accept them as normal school stuff -- as long as there is no physical violence. Moreover, teachers and parents do not see these interactions as problematic. The article concludes that the normalization of stigmatizing and discriminatory dynamics against migrant students complicates their inclusion in Chilean schools.

Abstract Introduction Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease causing non-scarring hair loss, with both genetic and environmental factors implicated. Recent research highlights a possible role for scalp microbiota in influencing both local and systemic inflammatory responses, potentially impacting AA progression. This study examines the link among scalp microbiota imbalances, AA severity, and systemic inflammation. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with 24 participants, including patients with AA of varying severities and healthy controls. Scalp microbial communities were analyzed using swab samples and ion torrent sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene across multiple hypervariable regions. We explored correlations among bacterial abundance, microbiome metabolic pathways, and circulating inflammatory markers. Results Our findings reveal significant dysbiosis in the scalp microbiota of patients with AA compared to healthy controls. Severe AA cases had an increased presence of pro-inflammatory microbial taxa like Proteobacteria, whereas milder cases had higher levels of anti-inflammatory Actinobacteria. Notable species differences included abundant gram-negative bacteria such as Alistipes inops and Bacteroides pleibeius in severe AA, contrasted with Blautia faecis and Pyramydobacter piscolens predominantly in controls. Significantly, microbial imbalance correlated with AA severity (SALT scores) and systemic inflammatory markers, with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines linked to more severe disease. Conclusion These results suggest that scalp microbiota may play a role in AA-related inflammation, although it is unclear whether the shifts are a cause or consequence of hair loss. Further research is needed to clarify the causal relationship and mechanisms involved.

Abstract Introduction To evaluate the long-term effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy on patients with dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods A retrospective case series was performed with 110 participants undergoing IPL therapy. Assessments included the eye fitness test (EFT) to gauge subjective symptoms, along with objective measures using the Tearcheck® device (ESW Vision, Houdan, France) noninvasive first breakup time (NIFBUT), noninvasive average breakup time (NIABUT), central tear meniscus height (CTMH), thinnest tear meniscus height (TTMH), and ocular surface inflammatory risk evaluation (OSIE) assessed using the SCHWIND SIRIUS device (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Kleinostheim, Germany). Results This study documented significant improvements in subjective and objective symptoms associated with DED and MGD. Subjective symptoms measured by the EFT showed an average increase of 9.74 points (range −10 to 28, standard deviation [SD] ± 7.54), indicating reduced symptoms. Objective measures of tear film stability, represented by NIABUT, increased by an average of 4.04 s (range −15.00 to 14.40, SD ± 4.91). Tear film stability evaluation (TFSE) scores decreased by 229.12 points on average (range −1775 to 528, SD ± 384.94), suggesting enhanced tear film stability. OSIE type 1 showed a reduction in inflammation, with a percentage decrease of 4.98% (range −45 to 5, SD ± 7.33). Additionally, OSIE capture time decreased by 3.25 s on average (range −27 to 22, SD ± 10.35), further indicating an improvement in ocular surface health. Conclusion IPL therapy was shown to be a promising, noninvasive approach for improving quality of life in patients with DED by effectively managing symptoms and stabilizing tear film. The findings support the use of IPL as a sustainable treatment modality for DED associated with MGD.

COVID-19 leads to severe clinical complications that culminate in respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Despite reports of some comorbidities that contribute to the development of COVID-19-mediated ARDS, there is great variation in mortality rates among critical COVID-19 patients in the world. To date, no studies have described the incidence and comorbidities associated with ARDS due to COVID-19 in the northeastern region of Mexico.

A portion of the west of Mexico City is densely populated in an abrupt topography, whose volcano-sedimentary materials increase the likelihood of landslides. We exploited the geometry of a quadrangular geophones array to apply Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT) and Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) methods and explore the extent of landslide-prone materials. The results show low-velocity areas (Vs < 100 m/s, being Vs group velocities) associated with materials that have lost their resistance due to the increase in pore pressure and the places where eventually, more landslides will occur (120 < Vs < 200 m/s) if mitigation work is not carried out. The most stable zones correspond to materials with velocity values greater than 250 m/s that overlap a bedrock at an average depth of 8 m. Thus, when it is not advisable to perform active source experiments, ANT can provide practical results to determine the extension of the sliding materials.

Abstract A 7‐month‐old male French bulldog was referred for abnormal mentation and gait. Physical examination revealed a dome shaped calvarium and persistent bregmatic fontanelle. Neurological examination revealed proprioceptive ataxia, pelvic limb paraparesis and strabismus with moderate ventriculomegaly, thinning of the cerebral parenchyma, and widened cerebral sulci on magnetic resonance imaging. Masses were identified in the region of the thyroid, which appeared heterogeneous and hyperintense in T1‐weighted and T2‐weighted compared with the adjacent muscle signal masses were identified. Radiological diagnosis was hydrocephalus “ex vacuo” and goiter. Blood test revealed abnormally low total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), and normal thyrotropin concentration. A diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism was confirmed by positive genetic test for thyroid peroxidase mutation. Thyroxine supplementation treatment rapidly improved clinical signs.

Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases, including diseases of mental origin such as Alzheimer’s, affect all age groups and countries. These diseases have a major impact on the patient and their family environment. It is interesting that different questionnaires are measured in the same direction, given that different health questionnaires are used to measure caregiver burden. Objectives: To identify which type of intervention is the most appropriate to improve the health of the primary caregiver in patients with dementia. To understand the role played by the nurse within multidisciplinary teams and to know whether the different questionnaires used in the studies measure caregiver health in the same direction. Methods: A systematic search of the published and gray literature was carried out without restriction of the language used in the studies. Caregiver burden of patients with dementia, receiving an intervention to improve caregiver burden, was assessed. Standardized mean difference was used as the effect size measure, and there were possible causes of heterogeneity in the effect size. Results: In total, 1512 records were found, and 39 articles with 4715 participants were included. We found individual information with an effect of 0.48 (CI95%: 0.18; 0.79; I2 = 0%); group therapy with an effect of 0.20 (CI95%: 0.08; 0.31; I2 = 6%); workshops with an effect of 0.21 (CI95%: 0.01; I2 = 48%) and 0.32 (CI95%: 0.01; 0.54; I2 = 0%) when a nurse intervenes; respite care with an effect of 0.22 (CI95%: 0.05; 0.40; I2 = 66%); individual therapy with an effect of 0.28 (CI95%: 0.15; 0.4; I2 = 68%); and support groups with an effect of 0.07 (CI95%: 0; 0.15; I2 = 78%). Conclusions: The magnitude of the effects of the interventions has been low–moderate. Different instruments are not associated with the magnitude of the effect. The presence of nurses improves the effect of the intervention on caregivers when it is carried out in the form of workshops.

Abstract An ongoing challenge in evolutionary and ecological research focuses on testing biogeographic hypotheses for the understanding of both species' distributional patterns and of the factors influencing range limits. In this study, we described the climatic niches of Neotropical humid montane forest birds through the analysis of factors driving their evolution at inter‐ and intraspecific levels; and tested for differences among allopatric lineages within Aulacorhynchus, Chlorospingus, Cardellina, and Eupherusa. We employed ecological niche models (ENMs) along with an ordination approach with kernel smoothing to perform niche overlap analyses and test hypotheses of niche equivalence/similarity among lineages. In addition, we described the potential distributions of each lineage during the Late Pleistocene climate fluctuations, identifying historical range expansions, connectivity, and stability. Overall, we observed differences in environmental variables influencing climatic requirements and distributional patterns for our selected species. We detected the highest values of niche overlap mainly between Eupherusa and some Chlorospingus lineages. At both interspecific and intraspecific levels, sister lineages showed non‐identical environmental niches. Our results offer weak support to a moist forest model, in which populations followed the expansion and contraction cycles of montane forests, leading to a lack of niche conservatism among lineages (they tend to occupy not identical climatic environments) throughout Mesoamerica. Therefore, historical climatic conditions may act as ecological barriers determining the distributional ranges of these species.

Background Patients with schizophrenia die decades earlier than the general population. Among the factors involved in this mortality gap, evidence suggests a telomere length shortening in this clinical population, which is associated with premature ageing. Recent studies support the use of strength-based training exercise programmes to maintain, or even elongate, telomere length in healthy elderly populations. However, studies aiming at modifying telomere length in severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, are still very scarce. Aims To investigate the effect of a strength-based physical exercise programme on the telomere length of individuals with schizophrenia. Method We propose a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial including 40 patients aged ≥18 years, with a stable diagnosis of schizophrenia, attending the Complejo de Rehabilitación Psicosocial (CRPS, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre) in Salamanca, Spain. These patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either receive the usual treatment and rehabilitation programmes offered by CRPS (treatment-as-usual group) or these plus twice weekly sessions of an evidence-based, strength-based training exercise programme for 12 weeks (intervention group). The primary outcome will be effect on telomere length. Secondary outcomes will include impact on cognitive function, frailty and quality of life. Results We expect to show the importance of implementing strength-based physical exercise programmes for patients with schizophrenia. We could find that such programmes induce biological and genetic changes that may lengthen life expectancy and decrease physical fragility. Conclusions We anticipate that our trial findings could contribute to parity of esteem for mental health, reducing premature ageing in patients with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.

BackgroundMortality among people with dependency to perform basic activities of daily living (ADL) is higher than that of non-dependent people of the same age. Understanding the evolutionary course and factors involved in non-institutionalized ADL dependency, including the influence of the family structure that supports this population, would contribute to improved health planning.MethodsA longitudinal study carried out in the ADL-dependent population of the Orcasitas neighborhood, Madrid (Spain), between June 2020, when the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown ended, and June 2023. A total of 127 patients participated in the study, 78.7% of whom were women and 21.3% were men. Risk analysis was performed via odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios (HR). Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression.ResultsA total of 54.33% of the ADL-dependent persons did not live with their adult children and 45.67% did, being associated living independently with economic capacity and the married marital status but not with the dependency level. In women, being married increased the probability of living independently of their adult children (OR = 12.632; 95% CI = 3.312–48.178). Loss of mobility (OR = 0.398; 95% CI = 0.186–0.853), economic capacity of the dependent (HR = 0.596; 95% CI = 0.459–0.774), and living independently and having better economic capacity (HR = 0.471; 95% CI = 0.234–0.935) were associated with 3-year survival. Those who lived with their adult children had a worse autonomy profile and higher mortality (HR = 1.473; 95% CI = 1.072–2.024). Not being employed, not being married, and not owning a home were significantly associated with being an essential family caregiver. Caregivers were mostly women (OR = 1.794; 95% CI = 1.011–3.182).ConclusionAmong ADL-dependent persons, economic capacity influenced the ability to living independently and affected survival after 3 years. Loss of mobility (wheelchair use) was a predictor of mortality. Social inequalities promote that adult children end up as essential family caregivers. This generates reverse dependency and maintains a vulnerability that is transmitted from generation to generation, perpetuating social and gender inequalities. Dependent parent care in this cohort maintained an archaic pattern in which the eldest daughter cared for her parents. This study made it possible to show that ADL dependence is accompanied by complex interrelationships that must be considered in socio-health planning.

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) are techniques for assessing brain electrical activity and oxygenation. There is evidence of brain electrical activity and oxygenation in preterm/full-term infants by tactile stimuli but none by Reflex Locomotion Therapy. Their knowledge will address the delays in motor development that preterm infants often present. The objective will be to establish the differences in preterm and full-term infants in relation to brain electrical activity and oxygenation, and to test differences between Reflex Locomotion Therapy and massage. Methods: Randomized clinical trial with healthy preterm and non-preterm infants will be included and will be randomly divided into 3 groups: 2 intervention groups (Reflex Locomotion Therapy/massage therapy) and 1 control group (fake Reflex Locomotion Therapy). Outcome variables will be brain electrical activity and oxygenation changes measured by EEG and fNIRS once after breastfeeding. Discussion: This study will test the application effects of Reflex Locomotion Therapy and massage therapy in newborn infants in relation to brain electrical activity and oxygenation, and to establish the differences between preterm and full-term infants. Several articles have been identified with different auditory, visual and olfactory stimuli; however, evidence on studies related to tactile stimuli is limited.

Precision livestock farming involves the use of new technologies to improve the performance of farms with low profit margins. Since extensive livestock farming is demanding work requiring continuous supervision, it has not improved as drastically as agriculture. Furthermore, nowadays the world is more aware of the importance of respecting biodiversity and reducing the carbon footprint, for which sustainable animal production is recommended. This is the case of small livestock farms, generally located in unpopulated areas and with difficult generational replacement, due to the tasks involved. The use of robots and other devices equipped with intelligent systems can be useful to the farmer in his daily work. In this way, livestock, specifically flocks of sheep, can be monitored and the presence of potential predators such as the wolf identified. Encountering said predator can be avoided by moving the herd to other, safer pasture areas. This work presents a dataset that contains images and videos that allow detecting, classifying and analyzing flocks of sheep and one of their usual predators, wolves. The dataset includes videos of flocks in different locations, with different lighting conditions and different types of sheep. In addition, it contains images of wolves in natural spaces, which are not usually included in the most common datasets used in computer vision. This dataset can be very useful for the work being carried out in extensive precision livestock farming, to develop intelligent systems, such as a robot, that allow autonomous monitoring and control of a herd. Furthermore, it can be used to analyze animal behavior in the presence of a robot, since some of the images have been acquired with the cameras of a quadruped robot.This dataset has been split into three different Zenodo repositories due to its size. Images of sheep can be downloaded from https://zenodo.org/records/11313800 The images of classes ‘Person’, ‘Wolf’ and the depth maps for simulation are publicly available at https://zenodo.org/records/11313966 YOLO annotations are at https://zenodo.org/records/11313165

Los tipos de relaciones entre centros universitarios, docentes y alumnado siempre han sido tema de debate a la hora de evaluar y mejorar la consecución del aprendizaje significativo; sin embargo, dada la vasta implementación de las nuevas tecnologías en las aulas, unidas a las habilidades de comunicación en idiomas extranjeros, ha surgido un nuevo paradigma universitario donde la prestación de servicios enfocada al éxito académico y profesional ha perfilado la forma de enseñar y aprender en el ámbito universitario, y donde la implicación y el activismo del alumnado se ha convertido en el parámetro de los procesos de aprendizaje en remoto. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el nivel de relevancia que los alumnos universitarios otorgan a centros universitarios, docentes y a destrezas tecnológicas y comunicativas propias, para alcanzar el éxito académico. El instrumento de investigación empleado para la recogida de datos fue un cuestionario basado en la escala de Likert, con 5 posibilidades de respuesta en relación con la hipótesis de este estudio. A través del método basado en el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM-PLS), se recopiló un total de 116 respuestas de alumnos universitarios matriculados en el Máster de Educación Bilingüe en una universidad privada en modalidad en línea. Los resultados sacaron a la luz la gran importancia otorgada a los servicios prestados por los diferentes actores universitarios. Relevance given by university students to centres, teachers, and technological/communication skills for meaningful learning Abstract The nature of relationships amongst university centres, lecturers, and students has always been a subject for debate when it comes to evaluating and improving the achievement of meaningful learning, however, given the vast implementation of new technologies in the classroom, along with communication skills in foreign languages, a new university paradigm has emerged where the provision of services focused on academic and professional success has shaped the way of teaching and learning in the university environment, among others, and where the involvement and activism of students have become the parameter for remote learning processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of relevance that university students give to university centres, lecturers and their own technological and communication skills in order to achieve academic success. The research instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire based on the Likert scale with 5 response possibilities regarding the hypothesis of this study. By means of the method based on the structural equation model (SEM-PLS), a total of 116 responses were collected from university students enrolled in the Master's Degree in Bilingual Education at a private university implementing remote teaching. The results brought to light the relevant importance given to the services provided by the different university actors.

BackgroundProlonged confinement can lead to personal deterioration at various levels. We studied this phenomenon during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in a functionally dependent population of the Orcasitas neighborhood of Madrid, Spain, by measuring their ability to perform basic activities of daily living and their mortality rate.MethodsA total of 127 patients were included in the Orcasitas cohort. Of this cohort, 78.7% were female, 21.3% were male, and their mean age was 86 years. All participants had a Barthel index of ≤ 60. Changes from pre- to post-confinement and 3 years afterward were analyzed, and the effect of these changes on survival was assessed (2020–2023).ResultsThe post-confinement functional assessment showed significant improvement in independence over pre-confinement for both the Barthel score (t = −5.823; p < 0.001) and the classification level (z = −2.988; p < 0.003). This improvement progressively disappeared in the following 3 years, and 40.9% of the patients in this cohort died during this period. These outcomes were associated with the Barthel index (z = −3.646; p < 0.001) and the level of dependence (hazard ratio 2.227; CI 1.514–3.276). Higher mortality was observed among men (HR 1.745; CI 1.045–2.915) and those with severe dependence (HR 2.169; CI 1.469–3.201). Setting the cutoff point of the Barthel index at 40 provided the best detection of the risk of death associated with dependence.ConclusionsHome confinement and the risk of death due to the COVID-19 pandemic awakened a form of resilience in the face of adversity among the population of functionally dependent adults. The Barthel index is a good predictor of medium- and long-term mortality and is a useful method for detecting populations at risk in health planning. A cutoff score of 40 is useful for this purpose. To a certain extent, the non-institutionalized dependent population is an invisible population. Future studies should analyze the causes of the high mortality observed.

IntroductionDry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent condition causing ocular discomfort and visual disturbances, often managed with artificial tears. This study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of eye drops containing Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid (CHA) with liposomes and crocin and standard Hyaluronic Acid (HA) for DED management.MethodsA single-blind, longitudinal study was conducted on 24 participants (48 eyes), randomized to receive one of the two treatments. Ocular health measures, including the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and the standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) scores, were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks post-treatment using the Ocular Surface Analyzer.ResultsCHA achieved a lipid layer thickness increase of 1.29 ± 1.08 Guillon pattern degree (p < 0.01), FNIBUT increase 0.64 ± 0.77 s (p < 0.01), MNIBUT increase1.28 ± 4.74 s (p = 0.19), OSDI decrease 11.72 ± 6.73 score points (p < 0.01) and SPEED decrease 1.16 ± 5.05 score points (p = 0.27). Significant reductions in the OSDI and SPEED scores post-treatment were observed with both treatments, indicating their effectiveness.ConclusionCHA with liposomes exhibits superior efficacy compared to standard HA eye drops in the management of DED. These findings highlight the potential for personalized treatment strategies incorporating CHA, indicating a more effective approach to DED management. However, further research is required to validate these results and investigate the long-term effects, which may pave the way for a data-driven and optimized approach to managing DED.

Objective To assess the predictive value of four cardiovascular (CV) risk algorithms for identifying high-risk psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.Methods Evaluation of patients with PsA enrolled in the Spanish prospective project CARdiovascular in RheuMAtology. Baseline data of 669 PsA patients with no history of CV events at the baseline visit, who were followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics at tertiary centres for 7.5 years, were retrospectively analysed to test the performance of the Systematic Coronary Risk Assessment (SCORE), the modified version (mSCORE) European Alliance of Rheumatology Associations (EULAR) 2015/2016, the SCORE2 algorithm (the updated and improved version of SCORE) and the QRESEARCH risk estimator version 3 (QRISK3).Results Over 4790 years of follow-up, there were 34 CV events, resulting in a linearised rate of 7.10 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 4.92 to 9.92). The four CV risk scales showed strong correlations and all showed significant associations with CV events (p

Abstract Introduction To assess the efficacy and safety of the combination of microblepharoexfoliation (MBE), intense pulse light (IPL) and meibomian gland expression (MGX) for treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods This was a prospective, parallel-control trial conducted from April 2022 to January 2023. Participants were assigned to receive either three sessions of MBE-IPL-MGX treatment and home-based therapy (treatment group) or home-based therapy alone (control group). Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 2-month follow-up. Results Seventy eyes of 70 patients were enrolled. MBE-IPL-MGX treatment achieved better improvements than home-based therapy in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and symptom assessment in dry eye (SANDE) scores, noninvasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT), lipid layer grade (LLG), loss area meibomian gland (LAMG) and meibomian gland yielding secretion score (MGYSS). The mean differences between the two groups were as follows: OSDI (– 11.23 ± 4.68 points, P

Suicide is a serious public health problem, with a global mortality rate of 1.4% of all deaths worldwide and the leading cause of unnatural death in Spain. Clinical simulation has proven to be a beneficial tool in training nursing students. Such experiences allow them to develop cognitive and affective skills that are fundamental for the detection of warning signs and the use of interventions in cases of people who want to take their own lives. Working in a mental health environment can be difficult for nursing students; therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of nursing students on the approach, management, and intervention of suicidal crisis through clinical mental health simulation. Methods: qualitative descriptive phenomenological study through focus groups and reflective narratives in a sample of 45 students. A thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS-ti. Results: After the analysis, three themes were obtained: (a) management and handling of emotions, (b) identification of suicide motives, and (c) intervention in suicidal crisis. Discussion: Clinical simulation in mental health allows students to exercise clinical judgment reasoning, detect warning signs for a better treatment approach, and provide tools for effective intervention and management of patient care. The results of this study indicate that nursing students face challenges in approaching mental health clinical simulation due to a lack of prior exposure.

Abstract Introduction Lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF) and conjunctivochalasis (CCH) are similar conditions that seem to be related to dry eye severity. In addition, there is a lack of studies on the topic of LIPCOF and CCH on dry eye symptoms in non-contact lens and contact lens (CL) wearers. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the relationship of LIPCOF and CCH with dry eye symptoms in non-CL and CL wearers, as well as to report the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) in non-CL and CL wearers who present LIPCOF or CCH. Methods A literature review of full-length original studies in two databases, PubMed and Scopus, was performed. The search period included observational studies in humans published between April 21, 2009 and March 20, 2023. Results A total of 26 studies were included. The studies suggest that LIPCOF and CCH are significantly related to dry eye symptoms in non-CL and CL wearers. However, the impact of CL wear on LIPCOF and CCH may be complex and may vary depending on individual factors such as lens type, lens care regimen, and pre-existing ocular conditions. Regarding LIPCOF management, tear substitutes seem to significantly reduce LIPCOF and dry eye symptoms in non-CL wearers, while vectored thermal pulsation (VTP) and microblepharoexfoliation (MBE) are suggested as promising treatment for LIPCOF and dry eye symptoms in CL wearers. Regarding CCH management, surgical interventions may be effective in reducing CCH when medical treatments have no response. In addition, an ocular examination by slit lamp is necessary to distinguish both conditions. Conclusions Tear substitutes, VTP, MBE, and fitting CLs with low coefficient of friction (CoF) seem to reduce and prevent LIPCOF. However, surgical treatment options seem to be more effective in the complete elimination of CCH. An adequate evaluation and differentiation between LIPCOF and CCH are important, and they should be considered by practitioners in managing dry eye symptoms in non-CL and CL wearers.

Lithium silicate-based glass-ceramics are widely employed dental materials, showing superior aesthetics (determined by translucency) but poorer wear resistance under severe contact conditions than alternative, artificial crown materials. This work investigates possible correlations between the level of translucency and resistance to wear (in vitro) under sliding contact against hard zirconia antagonists in commercial lithium disilicate and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate dental glass-ceramics. Wear rates are quantified, and mechanisms responsible for material removal are analyzed. Results are discussed in terms of the materials’ microstructure and mechanical properties within the framework of a fracture mechanics model. Finally, implications for materials selection in dentistry are briefly discussed. Resumen: Los vitrocerámicos a base de silicato de litio son ampliamente utilizados como materiales dentales, debido a que presentan una mejor estética (determinada por su traslucidez), aunque peor resistencia a desgaste bajo condiciones de contacto severo, que los materiales artificiales alternativos para coronas protésicas. Este trabajo investiga posibles correlaciones entre el grado de traslucidez y la resistencia a desgaste (in vitro) bajo contacto deslizante contra un antagonista duro de zirconia en vitrocerámicos dentales comerciales de disilicato de litio y silicato de litio reforzado con zirconia. Se cuantifican las tasas de desgaste y se analizan los mecanismos responsables de la eliminación de material. Los resultados se discuten con base en la microestructura y propiedades mecánicas de los materiales en el marco de un modelo de mecánica de la fractura. Finalmente, se discuten brevemente algunas implicaciones relativas a la selección de materiales en odontología.

Background and aims – Endemism may be defined according to the time of origin of taxa. Neo-endemics refer to relatively recent species that have not dispersed outside their ancestral areas. In contrast, paleo-endemics refer to species of ancient origins, which are currently geographically restricted but probably were more widespread in the past. Geographically, endemism areas may also be based on the co-occurrence of more than one species. We aimed to qualitatively identify the neo-endemism and paleo-endemism of endemic Cactaceae of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, as well as to quantitatively assess paleo- and neo-endemics areas. Material and methods – Using a dated molecular phylogeny of endemic Cactaceae, we defined paleo- and neo-endemics using an arbitrary boundary of 2.6 million years ago; we also assessed the significance of concentrations of these species using a categorical analysis of paleo- and neo-endemism. Key results – Our results showed that most endemic Cactaceae in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley arose throughout the Pleistocene, while categorical analysis indicated localised mixed- and super-endemism (including both paleo- and neo-endemics) areas. Conclusion – We suggest that paleo- and neo-endemics, as well as localised mixed-endemism areas, may have originated due to a probable high climatic stability in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, which in addition to topographically rugged and ecologically complex zones (e.g. ecotones, isolated habitat patches) may have allowed it to function as a refuge throughout Pleistocene climatic changes, mainly promoting the speciation of neo-endemics, as well as the persistence of relatively few paleo-endemics.