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IntroductionThis study explored the ability of plasma amyloid beta (Aβ)42/Aβ40 to identify brain amyloid deposition in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals.MethodsPlasma Aβ was quantified with an antibody-free high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method from Araclon Biotech (ABtest-MS) in a subset of 731 CU individuals from the screening visit of the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's (A4) Study, to assess associations of Aβ42/Aβ40 with Aβ positron emission tomography (PET).ResultsA model including Aβ42/Aβ40, age, apolipoprotein E ε4, and recruitment site identified Aβ PET status with an area under the curve of 0.88 and an overall accuracy of 81%. A plasma-based pre-screening step could save up to 42% of the total number of Aβ PET scans.DiscussionABtest-MS accurately identified brain amyloid deposition in a population of CU individuals, supporting its implementation in AD secondary prevention trials to reduce recruitment time and costs. Although a certain degree of heterogeneity is inherent to large and multicentric trials, ABtest-MS could be more robust to pre-analytical bias compared to other immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry methods.HighlightsPlasma amyloid beta (Aβ)42/Aβ40 accurately identified brain Aβ deposition in cognitively unimpaired individuals from the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's (A4) Study.The inclusion of the recruitment site in the predictive models has a non-negligible effect.A plasma biomarker-based model could reduce recruitment costs in Alzheimer's disease secondary prevention trials.Antibody-free liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods may be more robust to pre-analytical variability than other platforms.

The duplex treatments of metal surfaces combining laser‐assisted functionalization and chemical modification attract a growing interest in view of better control of functional properties such as wettability. Patterned titanium oxides layers of different nature and roughness are produced in ambient atmosphere on a titanium surface using a nanosecond 532 nm Nd:YAG laser. Standalone lines and hatched surfaces obtained with different laser parameters are characterized by scanning electronic microscopy coupled with EDS analysis, micro‐Raman, XRD and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A set of surfaces having featureless and saw‐tooth morphologies of different roughnesses is modified with octylphosphonic acid (OPA). The effect of surface roughness on the efficiency of OPA grafting is investigated using XPS. It is found that the organic load on the chemically modified surfaces increases with surface roughness. The apparent thickness of the OPA layers is estimated using a standard uniform overlap model and considering the correction due to the corrugated appearance of the laser‐treated surfaces. The wetting properties of the surfaces before and after chemical modification are compared. The laser‐treated surfaces show superhydrophilic behavior consistent with Wenzel model. On the other hand, the chemically modified surfaces demonstrate a strong increase in hydrophobicity along with the roughness increase, in agreement with the Cassie–Baxter model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sinergia Académica is the property of Editorial Tecnocientifica Americana (ETECAM) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Specific home tasks and the use of splints seem to positively affect altered structures and functions, as well as the activities and participation, of children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). However, how did families experience the implementation of these therapies? Objective: To describe the experiences as they were perceived by the families of children with UCP before, during, and after a specific task intervention in the home environment, either with or without upper limb splinting. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological study was conducted in a natural environment. Fourteen families caring for children with UCP who participated in a previous randomized controlled trial were included. Data from unstructured and semi-structured interviews were analyzed through a thematic analysis. Results: Fourteen families (17 parents, age 37–47 years) caring for children with UCP (14 children, ages 6–10 years, 64% female) were interviewed. The following three themes emerged: "The project itself", in which families explained that they enrolled because of their trust in therapists; "Results obtained", where the main improvement was the integration of the assisting hand in the body schema; and "Lights and shadows", where families showed what they learned as positive points and some negative aspects related to the assessments and splints. Conclusions: The perceptions of the parents after the specific task intervention in the home environment showed a greater integration of the most affected side. Nevertheless, although the support of a splint on the hand can have beneficial results in terms of performance, other drawbacks leading to the disuse of the splint were highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although, in randomized clinical trials, once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (OW s.c.) has demonstrated superior efficacy in comparison with placebo and active controls in terms of glycemic control and body weight reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), these results need to be confirmed in a real-world (RW) setting. An RW ambispective study (6 months retrospective and 6 months prospective) was conducted in 10 tertiary hospitals in Spain. We evaluated changes in HbA1c and body weight in patients with T2DM treated with semaglutide OW s.c. Additionally, we analyzed different subgroups of patients treated with semaglutide OW s.c. as an add-on to glucose-lowering therapy. A total of 752 patients with a mean age of 60.2 years, a mean HbA1c level of 8.5%, a mean body weight of 101.6 kg, and a mean T2DM duration of 10 years were included. At 12 months, compared with baseline, there was a mean difference of −2.1% in HbA1c levels (p < 0.001) and a mean difference of 9.2 kg in body weight (p < 0.001). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between baseline and month 12 in both HbA1c and body weight in the four subgroups receiving semaglutide OW s.c. as an add-on to glucose-lowering therapy. Semaglutide OW s.c. was well tolerated, with gastrointestinal disorders being the most commonly reported side effects. In this RW study, 12 months of treatment with semaglutide OW s.c. in patients with T2DM was associated with significant and clinically relevant improvements in glycemic control and weight loss, regardless of the glucose-lowering therapy received, and the overall safety profile was positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the sociocultural productivity of heritage sites remains an ongoing issue for international organizations concerned with the conservation and promotion of traditional sites. The productivity of these locations is not only affected by tangible elements but also by intangible factors, such as the emotions generated by the experiences. For this purpose, 597 employees of hotels in these historical locations who had visited one of the 14 heritage sites in Spain assessed what role emotions play in this contribution. The methodology used was the application of structural equations. Several conclusions have been drawn utilizing the SmartPLS 4 software. The first is that the generation of positive emotions comes exclusively from cultural and historical dynamization and not from technological advances or an eagerness to learn. The second is that both the application of technological advances and cultural dynamization have a direct impact on productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syrphid larvae are effective biological control agents in numerous crops due to their voracity, and they are used in both augmentative and conservation‐based strategies within horticultural systems. This study conducted laboratory trials to ascertain the predation rate of Allograpta exotica (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae) on Chaetosiphon fragaefolii (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and to compare it with the predation rate on Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), another significant aphid species affecting strawberries. Additionally, field trials were conducted to assess the reduction in the field population of C. fragaefolii achieved by A. exotica within strawberry crops. We observed a significant increase in the number of aphids consumed by a larva as it progressed from first‐instar larvae (L1) to third‐instar larvae (L3). Specifically, the mean aphid consumption by second‐instar larvae (L2) was nearly 11 times higher for C. fragaefolii and 10 times higher for A. gossypii compared to L1. Furthermore, the consumption rate of L3 larvae was approximately 2 times higher for both aphid species compared to L2. In laboratory conditions, A. exotica larvae significantly reduced the number of both aphid species, but the control on A. gossypii was higher than on C. fragaefolii. The results of the field experiment demonstrated that the predatory hoverfly A. exotica significantly reduced the numbers of C. fragaefolii compared to the control treatment, highlighting its potential as a promising biological control agent in strawberry crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar's impact on plant growth is complex, varying with type and application rate. This study explored how four biochars (rice husk, cocoa shell, peanut shell, carob) affect rice (Oryza sativa L.) at five rates (0-5%). Biochar significantly enhanced rice growth, but the optimal type and rate varied. Total dry mass increased by an average of 20% in biochar-treated groups compared to controls, with rice husk and cocoa shell biochar at 5% application rate achieving the highest yields. The effects on plant components differed. While leaf mass fraction responded favorably to all biochar types, stem and root mass fractions remained largely unchanged. Additionally, root strength, as measured by root dry matter content, increased with all biochars, particularly rice husk biochar which boosted it by 8%. All biochar types also enhanced leaf mass per area, a key indicator of photosynthetic efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring biochar application strategies to specific crops and soil conditions. Optimizing biochar application based on its influence on root strength, leaf mass allocation, and growth across different crop species and soil conditions can unlock its full potential for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología is the property of Fundacion Salud, Ciencia y Tecnologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología is the property of Fundacion Salud, Ciencia y Tecnologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)