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Marta L DeDiego,1,* Yadileiny Portilla,2,* Neus Daviu,2 Darío López-García,1 Laura Villamayor,1 Paula Vázquez-Utrilla,1 Vladimir Mulens-Arias,2 Sonia Pérez-Yagüe,2 Aitor Nogales,3 Jesús G Ovejero,4 Alvaro Gallo-Cordova,4 Luis Enjuanes,1 Sabino Veintemillas-Verdaguer,4 M Puerto Morales,4 Domingo F Barber2 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; 2Department of Immunology, Oncology and Nanobiomedicine Initiative, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; 3Center for Animal Health Research, CISA-INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain; 4Department of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Domingo F Barber; Marta L DeDiego, Email dfbarber@cnb.csic.es; marta.lopez@cnb.csic.esBackground: Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are among the most important causes of viral respiratory tract infections, causing similar symptoms. IAV and SARS-CoV-2 infections can provoke mild symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or they may cause more severe consequences leading to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome or even death. While treatments for IAV and SARS-CoV-2 infection are available, IAV antivirals often target viral proteins facilitating the emergence of drug-resistant viral variants. Hence, universal treatments against coronaviruses and IAVs are hard to obtain due to genus differences (in the case of coronavirus) or subtypes (in the case of IAV), highlighting the need for novel antiviral therapies. Interestingly, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with a 10 nm core size and coated with the biocompatible dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA: DMSA-IONP-10) display antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.Methods: We analyzed the antiviral activity of DMSA-IONP-10 against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo, and against IAV infection in vitro and in vivo.Results: DMSA-IONP-10 treatment of mice after SARS-CoV-2 infection impaired virus replication in the lungs and led to a mildly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine induction after infection, indicating that these IONPs can serve as COVID-19 therapeutic agents. These IONPs also had a prophylactic and therapeutic effect against IAV in tissue cultured cells at non-cytotoxic doses, and a therapeutic effect in IAV-infected-mice, inhibiting viral replication and slightly dampening the inflammatory response after viral infection. As an exacerbated inflammatory response to IAVs and SARS-CoV-2 is detrimental to the host, weakening this response in mice through IONP treatment may reduce disease severity. Interestingly, our data suggest that IONP treatment affects oxidative stress and iron metabolism in cells, which may influence IAV production.Conclusion: This study highlights the antiviral activity of DMSA-IONP-10 against important human respiratory viruses. Keywords: iron oxide nanoparticles, SARS-CoV-2, IAV, viral infection, oxidative stress, iron metabolism

Extant diversity for phenotypic traits is an essential criterion to be considered when ordering priorities for conservation and improvement of animal genetic resources. Concretely, the characterisation of the distinctive body morphometry of a particular group of animals can aid in the design of selective breeding programs, given the strong correlation between body morphology and productive function. The present research aims to characterise an endangered autochthonous camel breed (Canarian camel), mainly relegated to leisure riding, for its body morphology, with a double objective: to explore the phenotypic diversity and structure of the breed for zoometric traits and assess the zoometric profile of this genetic resource that supports its differentiation from other camel breeds. Overall, the results highlight the existence of a high degree of diversity, which may be linked to genetic factors for zoometric traits in an endangered autochthonous breed with traditional in situ breeding schemes, which predicts the success of the implementation of genetic improvement schemes for such functional characteristics. This phenotypic diversity in body morphology could also be a tool for the evaluation of new functional niches within the efforts of functional valorisation of this camel breed for its sustainable conservation. Body morphology traits in the studied camel breed are significantly influenced by sex, physiological status and coat colour.

ABSTRACTWe introduce the innovative concept of Sustainable Laser Energy Consumption (SLEC, ε) that promotes sustainable metal additive manufacturing practices while maintaining productivity and tailored densification in the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process. This study focuses on deriving analytical expressions through dimensional analysis and Buckingham’s π theorem to predict bulk density with high precision across studied materials: In718, W, AlSi10Mg, Ti6Al4V, and SS316L. This approach provides valuable insights and allows the setting of an appropriate combination of scanning speed and hatch distance for a range of laser power, enabling sustainable manufacturing of SLMed components with tailored density. Furthermore, the mathematical expression introduced as SLEC facilitates the tradeoff between energy consumption and productivity, promoting a greener and more sustainable future of metal additive manufacturing. Furthermore, the underlying fractal nature of SLM is explored through the investigation of the influence of fractal structures, present in the powder bed, on densification that provides information on how powder morphology and homogeneity (i.e. fractal dimension and lacunarity) of the powder bed are linked to a sustainable SLM process.

Abstract The redirection of T lymphocytes against tumor-associated or tumor-specific antigens, using bispecific antibodies or chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), has shown therapeutic success against certain hematological malignancies. However, this strategy has not been effective against solid tumors. Here, we describe the development of CAR T cells targeting p95HER2, a tumor-specific antigen found in HER2-amplified solid tumors. These CAR T cells display robust activity against p95HER2-expressing cell lines but demonstrate limited efficacy against patient-derived xenografts. As p95HER2 is invariably detectable on tumor cells that overexpress HER2, but not those that express HER2 at normal levels, we arm p95HER2-specific CAR T cells with affinity-tuned bispecific antibodies against HER2 and CD3 in order to redirect them only to HER2-amplified cells. The combination of p95HER2.CAR T cells and HER2 x CD3 bispecific antibodies lead to a complete regression in three HER2-positive, patient-derived mouse xenografts tumor models. This combination represents a promising strategy to redirect T cells against a subset of HER2-positive tumors.

Abstract During mitosis, microtubule dynamics are regulated to ensure proper alignment and segregation of chromosomes. The dynamics of kinetochore-attached microtubules are regulated by hepatoma-upregulated protein (HURP) and the mitotic kinesin-8 Kif18A, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Using single-molecule imaging in vitro, we demonstrate that Kif18A motility is regulated by HURP. While sparse decoration of HURP activates the motor, higher concentrations hinder processive motility. To shed light on this behavior, we determine the binding mode of HURP to microtubules using cryo-EM. The structure helps rationalize why HURP functions as a microtubule stabilizer. Additionally, HURP partially overlaps with the microtubule-binding site of the Kif18A motor domain, indicating that excess HURP inhibits Kif18A motility by steric exclusion. We also observe that HURP and Kif18A function together to suppress dynamics of the microtubule plus-end, providing a mechanistic basis for how they collectively serve in microtubule length control.

La minoría de edad de Enrique III de Castilla (1390-1393) se presenta como un escenario privilegiado para el estudio del conflicto y la negociación entre las distintas instancias de poder del reino, que permite un acercamiento a la cultura política de las elites y a los mecanismos de consenso puestos en marcha por estas. En este período, marcado por los debates sobre los modelos de regencia en torno al regimiento por vía de consejo o por tutores e regidores, las Cortes emergerán, en tanto que representación de la voluntad colectiva del reino, como principal instancia tutelar y arbitral.

Abstract Understanding how biotic interactions shape ecosystems and impact their functioning, resilience and biodiversity has been a sustained research priority in ecology. Yet, traditional assessments of ecological complexity typically focus on species-species interactions that mediate a particular function (e.g., pollination), overlooking both the synergistic effect that multiple functions might develop as well as the resulting species-function participation patterns that emerge in ecosystems that harbor multiple ecological functions. Here we propose a mathematical framework that integrates various types of biotic interactions observed between different species. Its application to recently collected data of an islet ecosystem—reporting 1537 interactions between 691 plants, animals and fungi across six different functions (pollination, herbivory, seed dispersal, decomposition, nutrient uptake, and fungal pathogenicity)—unveils a non-random, nested structure in the way plant species participate across different functions. The framework further allows us to identify a ranking of species and functions, where woody shrubs and fungal decomposition emerge as keystone actors whose removal have a larger-than-random effect on secondary extinctions. The dual insight—from species and functional perspectives—offered by the framework opens the door to a richer quantification of ecosystem complexity and to better calibrate the influence of multifunctionality on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity.

In this entry, the possibility of the implementation of a biorefinery based on multiple raw materials (from agricultural wastes, vegetable oils, etc.) is covered, pointing out the available technology to interconnect different processes so that the atom economy of the process is as high as possible, reducing the environmental impact and improving the efficiency of the energy or products obtained. For this purpose, this model is based on previous works published in the literature. The role of biorefineries is becoming more and more important in the current environmental scenario, as there is a global concern about different environmental issues such as climate change due to GHG emissions, among others. In this sense, a biorefinery presents several advantages such as the use of natural raw materials or wastes, with high atom economy values (that is, all the products are valorized and not released to the environment). As a consequence, the concept of a biorefinery perfectly fits with the Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to the sustainable growth of different regions or countries, regardless of their stage of development. The aim of this entry is the proposal of a biorefinery based on multiple raw materials, using different technologies such as transesterification to produce both biodiesel and biolubricants, steam reforming to produce hydrogen from glycerol or biogas, hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge to produce hydrochar, etc. As a result, these technologies have potential for the possible implementation of this biorefinery at the industrial scale, with high conversion and efficiency for most processes included in this biorefinery. However, there are some challenges like the requirement of the further technological development of certain processes. In conclusion, the proposed biorefinery offers a wide range of possibilities to enhance the production of energy and materials (hydrogen, biodiesel, biolubricants, different biofuels, hydrochar, etc.) through green technologies, being an alternative for petrol-based refineries.

Abstract A 3-D printing method to produce dental prostheses of complex shapes from a commercial, photocurable resin-ceramic slurry is developed and optimized. The microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behavior of the resulting material are evaluated and compared with a conventional/control sample and other ceramic-polymer dental composites. Commercial resin-ceramic dental slurries can be successfully extruded and appropriately photocured in a low cost 3-D printing system to produce cost-efficient complex dental parts that could be used in indirect restorations. The printing process does not appreciably introduce defects in the material and the 3-D printed composites exhibit mechanical properties (hardness, elastic modulus) and wear resistance comparable to the control material and analogous, conventional dental composites. The main wear mechanisms under sliding contact against a hard antagonist are plastic deformation at the asperity level and ceramic particle pull-out due to filler/matrix interfacial weakness. Graphical Abstract 3-D printing commercial resin-filler slurries creates cost-efficient tooth prostheses with properties akin to conventional dental composites

Abstract Background The selection of adequate indicators of tissue hypoxia for guiding the resuscitation process of septic patients is a highly relevant issue. Current guidelines advocate for the use of lactate as sole metabolic marker, which may be markedly limited, and the integration of different variables seems more adequate. In this study, we explored the metabolic profile and its implications in the response to the administration of a fluid challenge in early septic shock patients. Methods Observational study including septic shock patients within 24 h of ICU admission, monitored with a cardiac output estimation system, with ongoing resuscitation. Hemodynamic and metabolic variables were measured before and after a fluid challenge (FC). A two-step cluster analysis was used to define the baseline metabolic profile, including lactate, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (PcvaCO2), and PcvaCO2 corrected by the difference in arterial-to-venous oxygen content (PcvaCO2/CavO2). Results Seventy-seven fluid challenges were analyzed. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct metabolic profiles at baseline. Cluster A exhibited lower ScvO2, higher PcvaCO2, and lower PcvaCO2/CavO2. Increases in cardiac output (CO) were associated with increases in VO2 exclusively in cluster A. Baseline isolated metabolic variables did not correlate with VO2 response, and changes in ScvO2 and PcvaCO2 were associated to VO2 increase only in cluster A. Conclusions In a population of early septic shock patients, two distinct metabolic profiles were identified, suggesting tissue hypoxia or dysoxia. Integrating metabolic variables enhances the ability to detect those patients whose VO2 might increase as results of fluid administration.

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and leukocytes within the arterial wall. By studying the aortic transcriptome of atherosclerosis‐prone apolipoprotein E (ApoE−/−) mice, we aimed to identify novel players in the progression of atherosclerosis. Methods RNA‐Seq analysis was performed on aortas from ApoE−/− and wild‐type mice. AnxA8 expression was assessed in human and mice atherosclerotic tissue and healthy aorta. ApoE−/− mice lacking systemic AnxA8 (ApoE−/−AnxA8−/−) were generated to assess the effect of AnxA8 deficiency on atherosclerosis. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was also performed to generate ApoE−/− lacking AnxA8 specifically in bone marrow‐derived cells. Endothelial‐specific AnxA8 silencing in vivo was performed in ApoE−/− mice. The functional role of AnxA8 was analysed in cultured murine cells. Results RNA‐Seq unveiled AnxA8 as one of the most significantly upregulated genes in atherosclerotic aortas of ApoE−/− compared to wild‐type mice. Moreover, AnxA8 was upregulated in human atherosclerotic plaques. Germline deletion of AnxA8 decreased the atherosclerotic burden, the size and volume of atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root. Plaques of ApoE−/−AnxA8−/− were characterized by lower lipid and inflammatory content, smaller necrotic core, thicker fibrous cap and less apoptosis compared with those in ApoE−/−AnxA8+/+. BMT showed that hematopoietic AnxA8 deficiency had no effect on atherosclerotic progression. Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) increased AnxA8 expression in murine aortic endothelial cells (MAECs). In vitro experiments revealed that AnxA8 deficiency in MAECs suppressed P/E‐selectin and CD31 expression and secretion induced by ox‐LDL with a concomitant reduction in platelet and leukocyte adhesion. Intravital microscopy confirmed the reduction in leukocyte and platelet adhesion in ApoE−/−AnxA8−/− mice. Finally, endothelial‐specific silencing of AnxA8 decreased atherosclerosis progression. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that AnxA8 promotes the progression of atherosclerosis by modulating endothelial−leukocyte interactions. Interventions capable of reducing AnxA8 expression in endothelial cells may delay atherosclerotic plaque progression. Key points This study shows that AnxA8 is upregulated in aorta of atheroprone mice and in human atherosclerotic plaques. Germline AnxA8 deficiency reduces platelet and leukocyte recruitment to activated endothelium as well as atherosclerotic burden, plaque size, and macrophage accumulation in mice. AnxA8 regulates oxLDL‐induced adhesion molecules expression in aortic endothelial cells. Our data strongly suggest that AnxA8 promotes disease progression through regulation of adhesion and influx of immune cells to the intima. Endothelial specific silencing of AnxA8 reduced atherosclerosis progression. Therapeutic interventions to reduce AnxA8 expression may delay atherosclerosis progression.

Reseña del libro Objeción de conciencia, dignidad humana y vida humana: presupuestos y análisis a la luz de las sentencias del TEDH y de la CIDH, de Rosa de Jesús Sánchez Barragán.

ABSTRACT Since the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 of clade 2.3.4.4b as a novel reassortant virus from subtype H5N8, the virus has led to a massive number of outbreaks worldwide in wild and domestic birds. Compared to the parental HPAIV H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b, the novel reassortant HPAIV H5N1 displayed an increased ability to escape species barriers and infect multiple mammalian species, including humans. The virus host range has been recently expanded to include ruminants, particularly dairy cattle in the United States, where cattle-to-cattle transmission was reported. As with the avian 2.3.4.4.b H5N1 viruses, the cattle-infecting virus was found to transmit from cattle to other contact animals including cats, raccoons, rodents, opossums, and poultry. Although replication of the virus in cows appears to be mainly confined to the mammary tissue, with high levels of viral loads detected in milk, infected cats and poultry showed severe respiratory disease, neurologic signs, and eventually died. Furthermore, several human infections with HPAIV H5N1 have also been reported in dairy farm workers and were attributed to exposures to infected dairy cattle. This is believed to represent the first mammalian-to-human transmission report of the HPAIV H5N1. Fortunately, infection in humans and cows, as opposed to other animals, appears to be mild in most cases. Nevertheless, the H5N1 bovine outbreak represents the largest outbreak of the H5N1 in a domestic mammal close to humans, increasing the risk that this already mammalian adapted H5N1 further adapts to human-to-human transmission and starts a pandemic. Herein, we discuss the epidemiology, evolution, pathogenesis, and potential impact of the recently identified HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in dairy cattle in the United States. Eventually, interdisciplinary cooperation under a One Health framework is required to be able to control this ongoing HPAIV H5N1 outbreak to stop it before further expansion of its host range and geographical distribution.

Los retratos romanos con motivo en forma de Y en el flequillo no han sido nunca investigados exhaustivamente. Comentarios aislados o estudios individuales de algunos de ellos es todo lo que puede encontrarse en la literatura especializada. Las preguntas clave planteadas por el uso de este detalle iconográfico en la retratística romana continúan sin respuesta: cuándo y dónde fue empleado, quién se retrató de ese modo y por qué. El objetivo de este artículo es solventar esa carencia en la investigación.

A qualidade insuficiente da causa básica de óbito no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) subenumera as violências, e se faz necessária a redistribuição das causas garbage (CG) em causas válidas na prevenção em saúde pública. Este estudo estimou a mortalidade de causas externas usando método de redistribuição de CG (GBD-Brasil), e comparou com dados do SIM e estimados do estudo GBD-IHME de 2010 a 2019 no Brasil e Unidades Federativas (UF). O algoritmo de redistribuição das CG do GBD-Brasil aplica etapas prévias do GBD-IHME com modificações, usando dois critérios: proporção das causas-alvo (válidas) ou reclassificação de causas investigadas. Os dados do SIM estão sem correção. Utiliza-se taxas padronizadas por método direto, regressão local na série temporal e razão das taxas GBD-Brasil e SIM como fator de correção para lesões de trânsito, quedas, suicídios e homicídios. O Brasil registrou 1,34 milhão de óbitos com causas externas válidas e 171.700 CG em 10 anos. A redistribuição de CG do GBD-Brasil aumentou em 12,2% as causas válidas, e a curva de tendência das taxas foi semelhante à encontrada com dados do SIM, mas divergem entre si e com o GBD-IHME em UFs do Norte e do Nordeste. As estimativas do GBD-Brasil mudaram o padrão das causas externas nas UFs, aplicando maiores correções em quedas nas UFs do Norte e do Nordeste e homicídios nas demais UFs. O método GBD-Brasil pode ser utilizado na análise de mortes violentas por buscar maior simplicidade metodológica, que garante tanto replicação por gestores públicos como consistência do dado estimado, considerando a composição local do dado no processo de redistribuição.

En este trabajo buscaremos estudiar el proyecto de la galería de la sala de Reyes del alcázar de Segovia, construida por Enrique IV de Castilla hacia 1458-1466, desde el punto de vista de la concepción de la serie iconográfica regia y la composición de las cartelas que acompañaban a esta. Para ello, partiremos de los testimonios que reproducen las cartelas del primitivo proyecto: el Memorial que se sacó del Alcaçar de Segobia, de la sala de los Reyes (1588) de Juan Fernández de Contreras, alcaide del alcázar, y De las estatuas antiguas (1590) de Diego de Villalta. El trabajo permite poner de relieve el estrecho contacto que la galería tiene con las sumas de crónicas, el papel complementario que texto e imagen desempeñaron en la concepción del proyecto y su papel en la proyección de un conjunto de imágenes históricas, que ponían el acento en la vinculación de la monarquía castellana con los reyes visigodos.

Background Killip-Kimball classification has been used for estimating death risk in patients suf­fering acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Killip-Kimball stage IV corresponds to cardiogenic shock. However, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) classification pro­vides a more precise tool to classify patients according to shock severity. The aim of this study was to apply this classification to a cohort of Killip IV patients and to analyze the differences in death risk estimation between the two classifications. Methods A single-center retrospective cohort study of 100 consecutive patients hospitalized for “Killip IV AMI” between 2016 and 2023 was performed to reclassify patients according to SCAI stage. Results Distribution of patients according to SCAI stages was B=4%, C=53%, D=27%, E=16%. Thirty-day mortality increased progressively according to these stages (B=0%, C=11.88%, D=55.56%, E=87.50%; P69 years, creatinine >1.15 mg/dl and advanced SCAI stages (SCAI D and E) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Mechanical circulatory support use showed an almost significant benefit in advanced SCAI stages (D and E hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.19–1.06; P=0.058). Conclusions SCAI classification showed superior death risk estimation compared to Killip IV. Age, creatinine levels and advanced SCAI stages were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Mechanical circulatory support could play a beneficial role in advanced SCAI stages.

Abstract Background and Objective Mental health treatment for psychosexual problems is effective, but treatment rates are low. Metaverse‐based therapy offers one solution to increase overall treatment rates. Understanding attitudes towards this novel approach could lead to wider adoption of metaverse‐based therapy, resulting in higher treatment rates for psychosexual problems. Methods Twenty‐one participants across three focus groups of different ages shared their perceptions and attitudes about metaverse‐based therapy broadly and for treating sexual disorders. A content analysis of the transcribed text from the focus groups using qualitative data analysis software was conducted. Results Participants identified several perceived benefits of metaverse‐based intervention, including avoiding the perceived embarrassment of going to a clinic and accessing patients (a) with diverse physical or mental functionality, (b) living in remote areas and/or (c) balancing different family/work obligations or duties. The two main concerns with metaverse‐based therapy were the fear of online therapy being less personal than traditional therapy and the technological fluency needed. Clarifying their acceptance of the therapy, participants reported that they would be more likely to engage in metaverse‐based therapy if they trusted their therapist. Also, although it might be effective for mild and moderate disorders, participants were more reluctant about its use for severe mental illness. Conclusions Results suggest that attitudes towards metaverse‐based intervention are mainly positive, since it removes some barriers that hinder access to psychological treatment in general and, specifically, for problems of a sexual nature. Patient and Public Contribution During the design stage, a person with sexual difficulties was consulted to understand the patient's perspective. Members of the public advised the implementation of the focus groups. Three potential service users were involved in the coding of the text during the content analysis.

El complejo del Leopardus colocolo, según una reciente actualización taxonómica, ha sido dividido en cinco especies. Una de estas es el Leopardus braccatus conocida como gato del pantanal, distribuido en Bolivia, Brasil y Paraguay. A pesar de su distribución, esta es una especie poco estudiada. Presentamos aquí un nuevo registro de esta especie, siendo el primero en el bosque seco chiquitano, un ecosistema amenazado que previamente no se consideraba su hábitat. Este hallazgo se llevó a cabo como parte de un programa de monitoreo de felinos con cámaras trampa, donde adicionalmente seis especies de félidos fueron detectadas en un área de 41km2, lo que indica una alta diversidad de felinos en esta ecorregión. Además, se identificaron amenazas directas para el gato del pantanal, como la actividad agrícola y ganadera, los perros domésticos y la cacería ilegal. La relevancia de este nuevo registro radica en su ubicación en el límite occidental-sur de la distribución conocida para Bolivia, así también como sus características morfológicas similares a la especie L. munoai. Esto subraya la necesidad de realizar investigaciones adicionales para comprender mejor su distribución y conservación. Estudios futuros podrían explorar también las similitudes morfológicas y de distribución entre L. braccatus y L. munoai.

Abstract Polymerization in the solid state is generally infeasible due to restrictions on mobility. However, in this work, the solid‐state photopolymerization of crystalline dicyclopentadiene is demonstrated via photoinitiated ring‐opening metathesis polymerization. The source of mobility in the solid state is attributed to the plastic crystal nature of dicyclopentadiene, which yields local short‐range mobility due to orientational degrees of freedom. Polymerization in the solid state enables photopatterning, volumetric additive manufacturing of free‐standing structures, and fabrication with embedded components. Solid‐state photopolymerization of dicyclopentadiene offers a new paradigm for advanced and freeform fabrication of high‐performance thermosets.

The Romanisation of Lusitania (Hispania) took place in the time of Augustus, after the conquest of the Hispanic territory at the end of the 1st century BC. Bronze has largely disappeared from the archaeological remains, due to its constant reuse. In the early decorative programmes of some Lusitanian cities there are important traces of bronze sculptures. We present three examples: Sculptures from the provincial capital Augusta Emerita in its first public decorative phase in local granite and bronze, before the massive presence of marble; an equestrian statue from the forum of the colonia Norbensis Caesarina, perhaps representing its founding patron Lucius Cornelius Balbus, and an imperial statuary fragment from the Roman theatre of the colonia of Metellinum. They all date from the Augustan period and attest to the presence of important bronze workshops in the western part of the Empire.

Bacillus subtilis is a spore-forming microorganism, recognized as a safe probiotic strain. Its endospores are easily produced at a large scale, can be dehydrated and maintain their characteristics after long-term storage, providing great advantages for their application in aquafeeds. Nonetheless, knowledge on the effects that B. subtilis provokes on fish mucosal immunity is still scarce. In this context, the aim of this work was to explore the effects of the oral administration of B. subtilis spores to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for 30 days on the intestinal and skin mucus, focusing on a range of immune and enzymatic parameters. Thus, fish supplemented with B. subtilis spores showed increased levels of total immunoglobulin (Ig) in intestinal and skin mucus, as well as IgM levels in both mucus and serum. B. subtilis spores induced an increase of peroxidase activities in mucus from both sources. Although superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was not affected by the spores, NO production significantly decreased in skin mucus. Finally, the bactericidal activity of the intestinal and skin mucus was significantly higher in fish fed the probiotic spores. The results obtained demonstrate that the dietary supplementation with B. subtilis spores enhances mucosal defense mechanisms by increasing immunological parameters of the intestinal and skin mucus.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a frequent normal phenomenon in children of any age. It is more common in infants, in whom the majority of episodes are short-lived and cause no other symptoms or complications, differentiating it from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The diagnosis and management of GER and GERD continue to be a challenge for the physician. Therefore, the aim of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología was to adapt international documents to facilitate their adoption by primary care physicians, with the goal of standardizing quality of care and reducing the number of diagnostic tests performed and inappropriate medication use.The ADAPTE methodology was followed, and the recommendations were approved utilizing the Delphi strategy. The executive committee carried out the review of the guidelines, position papers, and international reviews that met the a priori quality criteria and possible applicability in a local context. The recommendations were taken from those sources and adapted, after which they were approved by the working group. The consensus consists of 25 statements and their supporting information on the diagnosis and treatment of GER and GERD in infants. The adapted document is the first systematic effort to provide an adequate consensus for use in Mexico, proposing a practical approach to and management of GER and GERD for healthcare providers. Resumen: El reflujo gastroesofágico (RGE), es un fenómeno frecuente y normal en niños de cualquier edad, siendo más común en lactantes, donde la mayoría de los episodios son breves y no causan otros síntomas ni complicaciones, lo que lo diferencia de la Enfermedad por Reflujo Gastroesofágico (ERGE). El diagnóstico y manejo del RGE y la ERGE siguen siendo un desafío para el médico; es por esto qué la Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología tuvo como objetivo adaptar los documentos internacionales, para facilitar la adopción por parte de los profesionales de atención primaria, con la intención de estandarizar la calidad de la atención y reducir el número de pruebas diagnósticas y el uso inapropiado de medicamentos.La metodología que se siguió fue ADAPTE y para la aprobación de las recomendaciones se utilizó la estrategia Delphi. El comité ejecutivo realizó la revisión de guías, documentos de posición y revisiones internacionales, que cumplían a priori, los criterios de calidad y posible aplicabilidad al contexto local, de los cuales se extrajeron y adecuaron las recomendaciones que posteriormente fueron aprobadas por el grupo de desarrollo. El consenso contiene 25 enunciados junto con sus consideraciones de sustento, para el diagnóstico y tratamiento del RGE y de la ERGE en lactantes. El documento de adaptación representa el primer esfuerzo sistemático por adecuar un consenso para su uso en el contexto nacional, propone un enfoque y manejo prácticos de RGE y ERGE para los proveedores de atención médica.

This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence to explore the role and value of differential diagnosis in the management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) through point-of-care (POC) rapid testing in a post-pandemic scenario, paying particular attention to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The document builds on a review of literature and policies and a process of validation and feedback by a group of seven experts from Latin America (LATAM). Evidence was collected to understand scientific and policy perspectives on the differential diagnosis of ARIs and POC rapid testing, with a focus on seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru. The evidence indicates that POC rapid testing can serve to improve ARI case management, epidemiological surveillance, research and innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. With multiple types of rapid tests available for POC, decisions regarding which tests to use require the consideration of the testing purpose, available resources, and test characteristics regarding accuracy, accessibility, affordability, and results turnaround time. Based on the understanding of the current situation, this document provides a set of recommendations for the implementation of POC rapid testing in LATAM, supporting decision-making and guiding efforts by a broad range of stakeholders.

Biodiesel and biolubricants play strategic roles in green technologies, as they can be produced in biorefineries. The design of industrial facilities is essential to assess the industrial implementation of these processes, with few studies about this subject in the literature. The aim of this work was to produce biodiesel and a biolubricant from waste cooking oil through double transesterification with methanol and trimethylolpropane, obtaining high conversion values (>97 and 98%, respectively). The biolubricant (characterized according to the UNE-14214 standard) had a density of 951 kg·m−3, a viscosity of 127 cSt (at 40 °C), an acidity value of 0.43 mgKOH·g−1, flash and combustion points of 225 and 232 °C, and an oxidation stability of 6 h through the Rancimat method. Also, a kinetic study was carried out (at temperatures ranging from 80 to 140 °C and with catalyst concentrations from 0.3 to 0.9% w/w and working pressures from 210 to 760 mmHg) to establish the main kinetic parameters, obtaining a second-order reaction and an activation energy of 17.8 kJ·mol−1. Finally, a conceptual design was included, considering the main components of the facility. Thus, the projected plant worked in a discontinuous regime (producing 2 cubic meters per day), pointing out the feasibility of this plant at an industrial scale.

Abstract Regulation of the surface film characteristics of Li‐metal is a pivotal strategy for augmenting the electrochemical performance of Li‐metal batteries. This investigation elucidates a straightforward approach to surface film modification, namely, pre‐treatment via a CO2 gas reaction, and its subsequent impact on the electrochemical attributes of Li‐metal electrodes. Analysis of the topography and composition of the Li metal surfaces revealed the transformation of the surface film into a more uniform layer enriched with inorganic compounds, including Li2CO3 and Li2O, by pre‐treatment. This pre‐treatment process significantly enhances the electrochemical properties, such as cyclability and overpotential, in Li/Li symmetric cells, primarily because of the formation of an improved solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) derived from the altered surface film on Li metal electrodes. The reformed SEI significantly increases the mobility of Li ions through the interphase, thereby attenuating the impedance associated with Li‐ion migration within the SEI. This resistance attenuation is instrumental in alleviating the overpotentials, thereby significantly refining the electrochemical plating and stripping dynamics of Li metal electrodes.

IntroductionBluetongue (BT), caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), is an important arthropod-borne livestock disease listed by the World Organization for Animal Health. Live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines have permitted to control BT but they do not simultaneously protect against the myriad of BTV serotypes. Recently, we identified the highly conserved BTV nonstructural protein NS1 and the N-terminal region of NS2 as antigens capable of conferring multiserotype protection against BTV. MethodsHere, we designed Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) viral vectors that expressed BTV-4 proteins VP2 or VP7 along with NS1 and NS2-Nt as well as MVAs that expressed proteins VP2, VP7 or NS1 and NS2-Nt. ResultsImmunization of IFNAR(-/-) mice with two doses of MVA-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt protected mice from BTV-4M infection by the induction of an antigen-specific T cell immune response. Despite rMVA expressing VP7 alone were not protective in the IFNAR(-/-) mouse model, inclusion of VP7 in the vaccine formulation amplified the cell-mediated response induced by NS1 and NS2-Nt. Expression of VP2 elicited protective non-cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in immunized animals and improved the protection observed in the MVA-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt immunized mice when these three BTV antigens were co-expressed. Moreover, vaccines candidates co-expressing VP2 or VP7 along with NS1 and NS2-Nt provided multiserotype protection. We assessed protective efficacy of both vaccine candidates in sheep against virulent challenge with BTV-4M.DiscussionImmunization with MVA-VP7-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt partially dumped viral replication and clinical disease whereas administration of MVA-VP2-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt promoted a complete protection, preventing viraemia and the pathology produced by BTV infection.

Summary: Historically, cellular models have been used as a tool to study myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and the validation of therapies in said pathology. However, there is a need for in vitro models that represent the clinical heterogeneity observed in patients with DM1 that is lacking in classical models. In this study, we immortalized three DM1 muscle lines derived from patients with different DM1 subtypes and clinical backgrounds and characterized them at the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular levels. All three cell lines display DM1 hallmarks, such as the accumulation of RNA foci, MBNL1 sequestration, splicing alterations, and reduced fusion. In addition, alterations in early myogenic markers, myotube diameter and CTCF1 DNA methylation were also found in DM1 cells. Notably, the new lines show a high level of heterogeneity in both the size of the CTG expansion and the aforementioned molecular alterations. Importantly, these immortalized cells also responded to previously tested therapeutics. Altogether, our results show that these three human DM1 cellular models are suitable to study the pathophysiological heterogeneity of DM1 and to test future therapeutic options.

This research addresses the obstacle avoidance problem in wheeled mobile robots powered by renewable energy by considering all subsystems involved. A three-tier hierarchical controller is developed, integrating the technique of artificial potential fields. The proposed controller incorporates the dynamics of the three key subsystems typically found in a wheeled mobile robot: The mechanical structure, actuators, and power electronics. At the highest tier, input-output linearization is combined with artificial potential fields. The medium tier employs two controllers based on differential flatness theory, while the lowest tier incorporates sliding mode control and proportional-integral control. The effectiveness of the control strategy is experimentally validated using a differential drive-type wheeled mobile robot prototype, leveraging the TDK-Lambda G100-17 as a renewable energy emulator, along with the DS1104 board and Matlab-Simulink software. Experiments were conducted under two scenarios: a) the emulation of a commercial photovoltaic panel to simulate realistic operating conditions and b) the application of time-varying input voltages to replicate dynamic power source variations. The experimental results demonstrate the robustness of the proposed controller against sudden changes in system parameters, confirming its reliability and effectiveness.

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: El tratamiento de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular (FANV) que requieren implante de stents coronarios es un desafío. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar si el cierre de la orejuela izquierda (COI) podría ser una opción posible y beneficiosa para estos pacientes. Para ello, se analiza el impacto del COI más tratamiento antiagregante plaquetario (AP) en comparación con la combinación de anticoagulantes orales (ACO), incluidos los ACO directos, y tratamiento AP en los resultados a largo plazo de estos pacientes Métodos: Se analizaron los resultados de 207 pacientes con FANV sometidos consecutivamente a implante de stents coronarios. Recibieron ACO 146 pacientes (74 acenocumarol, 71 ACO de acción directa) y en 61 se realizó COI. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 35 meses. Los pacientes también recibieron tratamiento AP por prescripción de su cardiólogo. El estudio recibió la debida supervisión ética. Resultados: La edad (media: 75,7 años) y el antecedente de accidente vascular cerebral fueron similares en ambos grupos, aunque el grupo de COI presentó más características desfavorables (antecedente de enfermedad de las arterias coronarias [CHA2DS2-VASc], antecedente de hemorragias significativas [BARC ≥ 2] y HAS-BLED). La aparición de acontecimientos adversos graves (muerte, accidente vascular cerebral, accidente isquémico transitorio, hemorragia grave) y cardiovasculares graves (muerte de causa cardiaca, acciden-te vascular cerebral, accidente isquémico transitorio, infarto de miocardio) fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de ACO que en el de COI: 19,75 frente a 9,06% (HR = 2,18; p = 0,008) y 6,37 frente a 1,91% (HR =3,34; p = 0,037), respectivamente. Conclusiones: La combinación de COI y tratamiento AP en pacientes con FANV conlleva mejor pronóstico clínico a largo plazo que el tratamiento con ACO y terapia AP, a pesar de las características basales desfavorables del grupo de COI.

ABSTRACT Introduction and objectives: The treatment of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who need coronary stenting is challenging. The objective of the study was to determine whether left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) could be a feasible option and benefit these patients. To this end, we studied the impact of LAAO plus antiplatelet drugs vs oral anticoagulants (OAC) (including direct OAC) plus antiplatelet drugs in these patients’ long-term outcomes. Methods: The results of 207 consecutive patients with NVAF who underwent coronary stenting were analyzed. A total of 146 patients were treated with OAC (75 with acenocoumarol, 71 with direct OAC) while 61 underwent LAAO. The median follow-up was 35 months. Patients also received antiplatelet therapy as prescribed by their cardiologist. The study received the proper ethical oversight. Results: Age (mean 75.7 years), and the past medical history of stroke were similar in both groups. However, the LAAO group had more unfavorable characteristics (history of coronary artery disease [CHA2DS2-VASc], and significant bleeding [BARC ≥ 2] and HAS-BLED). The occurrence of major adverse events (death, stroke/transient ischemic events, major bleeding) and major cardiovascular events (cardiac death, stroke/transient ischemic attack, and myocardial infarction) were significantly higher in the OAC group compared to the LAAO group: 19.75% vs 9.06% (HR, 2.18; P.= .008) and 6.37% vs 1.91% (HR, 3.34; P.= .037), respectively. Conclusions: In patients with NVAF undergoing coronary stenting, LAAO plus antiplatelet therapy produced better long-term outcomes compared to treatment with OAC plus antiplatelet therapy despite the unfavorable baseline characteristics of the LAAO group.

Abstract Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is currently on critical path for glioblastoma therapeutics. SDT is a non-invasive approach utilising focused ultrasound to activate photosensitisers like 5-ALA to impede tumour growth. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic functions of SDT remain enigmatic. This is primarily due to the lack of intricately optimised instrumentation capable of modulating SDT delivery to glioma cells in vitro. Consequently, very little information is available on the effects of SDT on glioma stem cells which are key drivers of gliomagenesis and recurrence. To address this, the current study has developed and validated an automated in vitro SDT system to allow the application and mapping of focused ultrasound fields under varied exposure conditions and setup configurations. The study optimizes ultrasound frequency, intensity, plate base material, thermal effect, and the integration of live cells. Indeed, in the presence of 5-ALA, focused ultrasound induces apoptotic cell death in primary patient-derived glioma cells with concurrent upregulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Intriguingly, primary glioma stem neurospheres also exhibit remarkably reduced 3D growth upon SDT exposure. Taken together, the study reports an in vitro system for SDT applications on tissue culture-based disease models to potentially benchmark the novel approach to the current standard-of-care.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo principal analizar las representaciones de algunos países de África occidental en la producción literaria de cuatro autoras francófonas originarias de Mali o Senegal que han residido en Europa durante algún tiempo o se han asentado definitivamente en ese continente. La distancia geográfica y el descubrimiento de nuevas realidades les permite valorar o juzgar negativamente determinados fenómenos y particularidades africanos y europeos. La identidad de estas ciudadanas cosmopolitas se conforma a medida que se familiarizan con las culturas y costumbres de los diversos pueblos, rechazando algunas de estas últimas y mostrándose abiertas a otras. La observación de nuevas circunstancias y modos de vida, junto a la adquisición de conocimientos les permite reivindicar con más criterio aquellos derechos que por justicia corresponden a los individuos, desde ámbitos tan variados como el asociativo, el político o la escritura literaria.

This study examined the role of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) in stabilizing the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and enhancing the electrochemical performance of SiOx-based composite negative electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. Two electrolyte systems were used: 1.0 mol dm−3 (M) LiPF6 in a mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) with 0.5 wt.% VC, and 1.0 M LiPF6 in a mixture of EC and EMC with 1.0 wt.% VC and 10 wt.% FEC. These systems enabled the investigation of how FEC contributes to SEI stabilization and cycling stability. FEC promotes the formation of a LiF-rich SEI layer, which mitigates volume expansion and enhances capacity retention. Additionally, the accumulation of Li2CO3 and Li2O in the SEI was found to increase interfacial resistance, as observed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Among the SiOx contents tested (0%, 3%, and 7.8%), the 3% SiOx content exhibited the best balance between SiOx and carbon nanotubes, resulting in improved SEI formation and enhanced electrochemical performance. These results offer insights into the optimization of electrolyte formulations for long-term cycling stability in SiOx-based lithium-ion batteries.

The current energy scenario requires the use of alternatives for petrol-based products. In this context, the role of biodiesel and biolubricants can be promising, offering multiple advantages but also some challenges like their low oxidation stability. The use of antioxidants can offset this disadvantage, improving the general performance of these products during storage or usage. The aim of this work was to assess the combined and separate use of two different antioxidants (propyl gallate, PG, and tert-butylhydroquinone, TBHQ) on biodiesel and biolubricant based on waste cooking oil (WCO), carrying out a thorough characterization of these products and quantification of antioxidants through voltammetry techniques. Thus, the innovation of this work consists in the use of combined antioxidants and its simultaneous quality assessment and quantification. As a result, the combined use of antioxidants did not offer a synergistic effect, and the use of PG at low concentrations (300 ppm) is recommended in the case of WCO biolubricant. Voltammetry was a suitable and fast method to quantify both PG and TBHQ.

The use of sustainable energy sources is an alternative for fossil fuels, which can represent a positive factor to alleviate many current environmental issues. In that sense, not only sustainable industrial development is important, but also sustainable practices at the local level, including households. Specifically, heating and cooking are one of the most important activities that require energy in households, where the role of biomass could be of interest, as it can provide an energy source with lower environmental impact. However, there is room for improvement in biomass stoves, whose adaptability to specific wastes, as well as their improvement in efficiency, should be accomplished. The aim of this work was to assess the improvement of combustion performance of a domestic stove by the implementation of a programmable logic converter for a better adaptation to different biomass samples (holm oak, pear tree, poplar, and sugarcane bagasse pellets). This work provides further information about the current working protocol, being an alternative for better approaches that could be implemented in future works. Thus, the working regime of the stove was controlled, especially concerning the screw conveyor (to regulate pellet feeding) and flue gas fan (to change oxygen supply). As a result, better combustion performances were obtained, with heat capacities from 5.66 to 8.67 kW for the selected samples. Also, thermal capacities of the stove (1.43, 1.60, 2.22, and 1.83 kW for holm oak, pear tree, poplar, and sugarcane bagasse, respectively) were obtained, with a better combustion performance compared to previous studies (1600 and 120 ppm peak emissions for CO and NOx, respectively, and 15% as the lowest O2 concentration). On the other hand, different improvements of the combustion stove to avoid blockages, for instance, are proposed as further steps.

Computer vision has advanced much in recent years. Several tasks, such as image recognition, classification, or image restoration, are regularly solved with applications using artificial intelligence techniques. Image restoration comprises different use cases such as style transferring, improvement of quality resolution, or completing missing parts. The latter is also known as image inpainting, virtual image inpainting in this case, which consists of reconstructing missing regions or elements. This paper explores how to evaluate the performance of a deep learning method to do virtual image inpainting to reconstruct missing architectonical elements in images of ruined Greek temples to measure the performance of different activation functions. Unlike a previous study related to this work, a direct reconstruction process without segmented images was used. Then, two evaluation methods are presented: the objective one (mathematical metrics) and an expert (visual perception) evaluation to measure the performance of the different approaches. Results conclude that ReLU outperforms other activation functions, while Mish and Leaky ReLU perform poorly, and Swish’s professional evaluations highlight a gap between mathematical metrics and human visual perception.

Abstract Hand gestures are widely used in human-to-human and human-to-machine communication. Therefore, hand gesture recognition is a topic of great interest. Hand gesture recognition is closely related to pattern recognition, where overfitting can occur when there are many predictors relative to the size of the training set. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the dimensionality of the feature vectors through feature selection techniques. In addition, the need for portability in hand gesture recognition systems limits the use of deep learning algorithms. In this sense, a study of feature selection and extraction methods is proposed for the use of traditional machine learning algorithms. The feature selection methods analyzed are: maximum relevance and minimum redundancy (MRMR), Sequential, neighbor component analysis without parameters (NCAsp), neighbor component analysis with parameters (NCAp), Relief-F, and decision tree (DT). We also analyze the behavior of feature selection methods using classification and recognition accuracy and processing time. Feature selection methods were fed through seventeen feature extraction functions, which return a score proportional to its importance. The functions are then ranked according to their scores and fed to machine learning algorithms such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Decision Tree (DT). This work demonstrates that all feature selection methods evaluated on ANN provide better accuracy. In addition, the combination and number of feature extraction functions influence the accuracy and processing time.

Summary: Bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have emerged as promising eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics since they are synthesized from renewable resources and offer exceptional properties. However, their production is limited to the stationary growth phase under nutrient-limited conditions, requiring customized strategies and costly two-phase bioprocesses. In this study, we tackle these challenges by employing a model-driven approach to reroute carbon flux and remove regulatory constraints using synthetic biology. We construct a collection of Pseudomonas putida-overproducing strains at the expense of plastics and lignin-related compounds using growth-coupling approaches. PHA production was successfully achieved during growth phase, resulting in the production of up to 46% PHA/cell dry weight while maintaining a balanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Our strains are additionally validated under an upcycling scenario using enzymatically hydrolyzed polyethylene terephthalate as a feedstock. These findings have the potential to revolutionize PHA production and address the global plastic crisis by overcoming the complexities of traditional PHA production bioprocesses.

O movimento de um duplo cone ao longo de trilhos dispostos em formato de V inclinados é famoso em ambientes educacionais formais e informais. Quando a inclinação dos trilhos é menor do que uma determinada relação geométrica entre o duplo cone e a abertura dos trilhos, o duplo cone aparentemente é capaz de superar a força da gravidade e rolar de maneira “espontânea” para cima dos trilhos inclinados, provocando debates intensos entre o conhecimento científico e o senso comum. No entanto, os livros de física básica não abordam esse fenômeno, e os artigos científicos encapsulam o mistério por trás do movimento. Este trabalho desenvolve a dinâmica do duplo cone aplicando as leis de Newton para corpos rígidos, seguindo a explicação e recursos dos livros de física básica. Os resultados revelam que a interpretação física da condição geométrica envolve o ângulo entre a força normal com a vertical quando os trilhos não estão inclinados. Esse ângulo implícito na geometria do duplo cone sobre os trilhos organiza de maneira surpreendente as equações. Como resultado, o estudo aprofunda na compreensão vetorial do fenômeno e confirma os teoremas do trabalho-energia cinética e dos eixos paralelos no contexto do movimento do duplo cone.

Abstract Plastics are versatile materials that have the potential to propel humanity towards circularity and ultimate societal sustainability. However, the escalating concern surrounding plastic pollution has garnered significant attention, leading to widespread negative perceptions of these materials. Here, we question the role microbes may play in plastic pollution bioremediation by (i) defining polymer biodegradability (i.e., recalcitrant, hydrolysable and biodegradable polymers) and (ii) reviewing best practices for evaluating microbial biodegradation of plastics. We establish recommendations to facilitate the implementation of rigorous methodologies in future studies on plastic biodegradation, aiming to push this field towards the use of isotopic labelling to confirm plastic biodegradation and further determine the molecular mechanisms involved.

ABSTRACTBluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of the important livestock disease bluetongue (BT), which is transmitted via Culicoides bites. BT causes severe economic losses associated with its considerable impact on health and trade of animals. By reverse genetics, we have designed and rescued reporter-expressing recombinant (r)BTV expressing NanoLuc luciferase (NLuc) or Venus fluorescent protein. To generate these viruses, we custom synthesized a modified viral segment 5 encoding NS1 protein with the reporter genes located downstream and linked by the Porcine teschovirus-1 (PTV-1) 2A autoproteolytic cleavage site. Therefore, fluorescent signal or luciferase activity is only detected after virus replication and expression of non-structural proteins. Fluorescence or luminescence signals were detected in cells infected with rBTV/Venus or rBTV/NLuc, respectively. Moreover, the marking of NS2 protein confirmed that reporter genes were only expressed in BTV-infected cells. Growth kinetics of rBTV/NLuc and rBTV/Venus in Vero cells showed replication rates similar to those of wild-type and rBTV. Infectivity studies of these recombinant viruses in IFNAR(−/−) mice showed a higher lethal dose for rBTV/NLuc and rBTV/Venus than for rBTV indicating that viruses expressing the reporter genes are attenuated in vivo. Interestingly, luciferase activity was detected in the plasma of viraemic mice infected with rBTV/NLuc. Furthermore, luciferase activity quantitatively correlated with RNAemia levels of infected mice throughout the infection. In addition, we have investigated the in vivo replication and dissemination of BTV in IFNAR (−/−) mice using BTV/NLuc and non-invasive in vivo imaging systems.IMPORTANCEThe use of replication-competent viruses that encode a traceable fluorescent or luciferase reporter protein has significantly contributed to the in vitro and in vivo study of viral infections and the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In this work, we have generated rBTV that express fluorescent or luminescence proteins to track BTV infection both in vitro and in vivo. Despite the availability of vaccines, BTV and other related orbivirus are still associated with a significant impact on animal health and have important economic consequences worldwide. Our studies may contribute to the advance in orbivirus research and pave the way for the rapid development of new treatments, including vaccines.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to a prompt implementation of remote care, especially in mental health care. The evidence supporting this modality of care is still emerging, with few qualitative studies describing its implementation in Latin American countries. This study aims to understand the perspectives of therapists and patients regarding the use of telehealth in a child and adolescent mental health unit of a Chilean public service. Methods This is a qualitative study. Two focus groups were defined with 14 professionals, and 16 in-depth interviews were conducted with users of an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry unit. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory model. Results In the group of therapists, four main categories emerged: background of mental telehealth, implementation, mental telehealth from the therapist's position, and projections. Three main categories emerged in the patient's group: implementation, evaluation of mental telehealth users, and projections. Conclusions There are elements in common between the opinions of patients and therapists. Something to note within the patient's group is that, despite accepting remote care and recognizing its positive aspects, aside from the pandemic context, they prefer face-to-face or mixed care.