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Marta Ibarz-Barberá,1 Paz Orts-Vila,2 Fátima Martínez-Galdón,1 Noemí Martín-García,2 Pedro Tañá-Rivero2 1Cataract and Refractive Surgery Department, Madrid, Spain; 2Cataract and Refractive Surgery Department, Alicante, SpainCorrespondence: Marta Ibarz-Barberá, Oftalvist Madrid, Avda Valladolid, 81, Madrid, 28008, Spain, Tel +34 915426010, Email marta@martaibarz.comPurpose: To assess the surgical efficiency in cataract surgery comparing two phacoemulsification systems.Methods: Prospective, consecutive-comparative study in a two-site private practice. Three hundred and one eyes undergoing standard or femtosecond laser-assisted (FLACS) cataract surgery with either the R-Evo Smart (BVI, Waltham, USA) and/or the Centurion Vision System (Alcon, Fort Worth, USA). Preoperative eye characteristics (degree of cataract using the lens opacities classification system LOCS III grading) and intraoperative outcomes (total ultrasound time and total estimated fluid aspirated/drainage bag weighting) were registered in all cases.Results: One hundred and fifty-five eyes undergone cataract surgery with the R-Evo Smart and 146 eyes with the Centurion Vision System phacoemulsification systems. Mean cataract grade was 3.07 ± 0.78 and 2.96 ± 0.85 for the R-Evo Smart and Centurion Vision System groups, respectively (p = 0.12). Mean total ultrasound time was 18.99 ± 12.85 and 40.24 ± 21.91 seconds for the R-Evo Smart and Centurion Vision System groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Mean total estimated fluid aspirated/drainage bag weighting was 53.00 ± 14.56 g and 54.33 ± 14.88 cc for the R-Evo Smart and Centurion Vision System groups, respectively (p = 0.21). Considering non-FLACS surgery (98 eyes with the R-Evo Smart and 63 eyes with the Centurion Vision System), mean cataract grade was 2.95 ± 0.74 and 2.97 ± 0.91 for the R-Evo Smart and Centurion Vision System groups, respectively (p = 0.44). Mean total ultrasound time was 19.96 ± 11.20 and 42.84 ± 28.35 seconds for the R-Evo Smart and Centurion Vision System groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Mean total estimated fluid aspirated/drainage bag weighting was 55.95 ± 14.76 g and 55.97 ± 13.62 cc for the R-Evo Smart and Centurion Vision System groups, respectively (p = 0.49). No adverse events were found in the two groups of eyes.Conclusion: The objective measurement of surgical efficiency through total ultrasound time during lens removal and fluid consumption during both lens removal and irrigation/aspiration proved R-Evo Smart to be an efficient phacoemulsification platform, in comparison with the current standard of care Centurion Vision System.Keywords: cataract, estimated fluid aspirated, phacoemulsification, surgical efficiency, ultrasound time

Objetivo. Determinar presencia de anticuerpos contra VLB en muestras de leche de tanques, en varios departamentos de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. De 2220 muestras llegadas al laboratorio de calidad de la leche de la Universidad de Antioquia para análisis de calidad para pago de una quincena en el mes de mayo de 2016, se seleccionaron 329 al azar y de manera ponderada según el número de muestras disponibles para cada uno de los 7 departamentos participantes. Estas muestras fueron sometidas a la prueba de ELISA para determinar la presencia de anticuerpos contra VLB. Resultados. El resultado principal de este análisis al azar de tanques de leche en busca de anticuerpos contra BLV, fue la positividad de los predios en rangos que oscilan entre el 57 y el 100%; el abordaje de este problema de salud bovina en Colombia es posible mediante las muestras de leche de tanque que rutinariamente llegan a los laboratorios de análisis de calidad. Conclusiones. La infección con BLV está presente en Colombia, el establecimiento de programas de control se podría hacer aprovechando las muestras de leche que se envían de rutina a los laboratorios acreditados para pago.

Introduction: While pharmacists-led interventions in hypertension have proven effective in high-income countries, their implementation and impact in lowand middle-income countries (LMIC) remain limited. This study assessed the implementation and outcomes of the hypertension program FarmaTeCuida (FTC), which integrated community pharmacies into the public primary care level using information and communication technologies. The study took place during the pandemic in General Pueyrredón, Buenos Aires, Argentina, so modifications to the implementation strategy and expected outcomes were also analyzed. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted using the non-adoption, abandonment, scaling-up, dissemination, and sustainability (NASSS) conceptual model. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders using snowball sampling until thematic saturation was achieved. The quantitative approach employed a quasi-experimental, prospective, longitudinal design in a cohort of hypertensive patients enrolled in the FTC program since October 2020 to March 2022. Adoption, access, adherence to follow-up, and blood pressure levels were assessed. Clinical outcomes were compared to a cohort of hypertensive patients attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) in 2021 but not enrolled in the FTC program. Routine data from this cohort was obtained from the municipal health information system (HIS). Results: Out of 33 PHCCs, 23 adopted the FTC program, but only four collaborated with community pharmacies. A total of 440 patients were recruited, with 399 (91%) enrolled at PHCCs. Hypertensionwas detected in 63%(279/440) of cases at the first visit (113were possible hypertensive patients; 26 newhypertensive patients and 140 already diagnosed). During follow-up, FTC identified 52 new hypertensive patients (12% out of 440). Reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was observed in patients enrolled in both the FTC programand the comparison group over 60 days. In themultivariate analysis that included all hypertensive patient (FTC and HIS)we found strong evidence that for each month of follow up, SBP was reduced by 1.12 mmHg; however, we did not find any significant effect of the FTC program on SBP trend (interaction FTC*months has a p-value = 0.23). The pandemic was identified as the main reason for the program's underperformance; in addition we identified barriers related to technology, patient suitability, implementation team characteristics, and organizational factors. Discussion: Our study, grounded in the NASSS model, highlights the profound complexity of introducing innovative strategies in low- and middle-income settings. Despite substantial challenges posed by the pandemic, these obstacles provided valuable insights, identified areas for improvement, and informed strategies essential for reshaping the care paradigm for conditions like hypertension in resource-constrained environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate physical parameters of exoplanet systems are essential for further exploration of planetary internal structure, atmospheres, and formation history. We aim to use simultaneous multicolour transit photometry to improve the estimation of transit parameters, to search for transit timing variations (TTVs), and to establish which of our targets should be prioritized for follow-up transmission spectroscopy. We performed time series photometric observations of 12 transits for the hot Jupiters HAT-P-19b, HAT-P-51b, HAT-P-55b, and HAT-P-65b using the simultaneous four-colour camera MuSCAT2 on the Telescopio Carlos Sánchez. We collected 56 additional transit light curves from TESS photometry. To derive transit parameters, we modelled the MuSCAT2 light curves with Gaussian processes to account for correlated noise. To derive physical parameters, we performed EXOFASTv2 global fits to the available transit and radial velocity data sets, together with the Gaia DR3 parallax, isochrones, and spectral energy distributions. To assess the potential for atmospheric characterization, we compared the multicolour transit depths with a flat line and a clear atmosphere model. We consistently refined the transit and physical parameters. We improved the orbital period and ephemeris estimates, and found no evidence for TTVs or orbital decay. The MuSCAT2 broad-band transmission spectra of HAT-P-19b and HAT-P-65b are consistent with previously published low-resolution transmission spectra. We also found that, except for HAT-P-65b, the assumption of a planetary atmosphere can improve the fit to the MuSCAT2 data. In particular, we identified HAT-P-55b as a priority target among these four planets for further atmospheric studies using transmission spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This document is a correction to an article titled "Simultaneous multicolour transit photometry of hot Jupiters HAT-P-19b, HAT-P-51b, HAT-P-55b, and HAT-P-65b" published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The correction addresses an error in the originally published version of the article, specifically regarding the value of |$T_0\\mathrm{(BJD_{TDB})}=2458319.35067^{+0.00021}_{-0.00021}$| for HAT-P-65b in table 2. The corrected value is |$T_0\\mathrm{(BJD_{TDB})}=2458139.35067^{+0.00021}_{-0.00021}$|. The authors express gratitude to Eva-Maria Ahrer for identifying the typo. [Extracted from the article]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex disorder, primarily of idiopathic origin, with environmental stressors like rotenone and manganese linked to its development. This study explores their potential interaction and resulting neurotoxicity, aiming to understand how environmental factors contribute to PD. In an eight-day experiment, male Wistar rats weighing 280-300 g were subjected to rotenone, manganese, or a combination of both. Various parameters were assessed, including body weight, behavior, serum markers, tissue damage, protein levels (tyrosine hydroxylase, Dopamine- and cAMP-regulated neuronal phosphoprotein -DARPP-32-, and α-synuclein), and mitochondrial function. Manganese heightened rotenone's impact on reducing food intake without causing kidney or liver dysfunction. However, the combined exposure intensified neurotoxicity, which was evident in augmented broken nuclei and decreased tyrosine hydroxylase and DARPP-32 levels in the striatum. While overall mitochondrial function was preserved, co-administration reduced complex IV activity in the midbrain and liver. In conclusion, our findings revealed a parallel toxic effect induced by rotenone and manganese. Notably, while these substances do not target the same dopaminergic regions, a notable escalation in toxicity is evident in the striatum, the brain region where their toxic effects converge. This study highlights the need for further exploration regarding the interaction of environmental factors and their possible impact on the etiology of PD., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dyslipidaemia, inflammation and elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. This study investigates whether patients with a first-time presentation of chest pain and on-target LDL-C levels and intermediate FRS/ESC-Score risks, display a high inflammatory burden linked to myocardial injury and whether inflammation at admission affects the re-event rate up to 6 years follow-up., Methods: Blind assessments of novel inflammatory markers such as Glycoprotein A and B via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), cytokines, hsCRP, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Lipoprotein(a) levels were examined. Out of 198 chest pain patients screened, 97 met the inclusion criteria at admission., Results: cTnI(+) patients (>61 ng/L) with elevated Lipoprotein(a), showed significantly increased levels of Glycoprotein A and B, hsCRP, IL-6, a high NLR and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (%) compared to cTnI(-) individuals. Those patients, with a higher inflammatory burden at hospital admission (hsCRP, IL-6, Glycoprotein A and B, and Lipoprotein(a)) had a higher re-event rate at follow-up., Conclusions: Inflammation and Lipoprotein(a) levels were particularly prominent in patients presenting with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Notably, Glycoproteins A/B emerge as novel markers of inflammation in these patients. Our study highlights the significantly higher impact of inflammatory burden in patients with chest pain and high level of myocardial damage than in those with lower myocardial affectation, even when they all had lipid levels well controlled. Inflammation at the time of admission influenced the re-event rate over a follow-up period of up to 6 years., (© 2024 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody production and diverse tissue and organ inflammatory affections. Interleukin 21 (IL-21) is implicated in B cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, class switching, and immunoglobulin production; therefore, it is considered a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of SLE. However, its association with disease activity and clinical phenotypes remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association of IL-21 levels with the disease activity and clinical phenotypes in patients with SLE. Also, we analyzed the IL21 polymorphisms associated with increased IL-21 levels. Methods : The IL-21 serum levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The rs2221903 and rs2055979 polymorphisms were assessed in 300 healthy controls (HCs) and 300 patients with SLE by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The levels of IL-21 were monitored during follow-up visits in 59 patients with SLE. Results : The patients with SLE showed higher IL-21 levels compared to the HCs. The IL-21 levels did not correlate with Mex-SLEDAI and were not different in patients with inactive, mild-moderate, and severe disease. The IL-21 levels were increased in patients with hematological affection. The ROC curve analysis revealed that the IL-21 levels had good predictive power in discriminating among patients with SLE and HCs. In a follow-up analysis, the levels of IL-21 remained higher in the patients with SLE even when the patients were in remission. Also, the rs2221903 polymorphism was associated with increased IL-21 levels. Conclusions : This study highlights the importance of IL-21 as a key cytokine in SLE. IL-21 levels are higher in patients with SLE and remain increased regardless of disease activity. According to the ROC analysis, IL-21 is a potential biomarker of SLE. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the relationship between IL-21 and the clinical phenotypes of SLE.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and fatal type of primary malignant brain tumor for which effective therapeutics are still lacking. GB stem cells, with tumor-initiating and self-renewal capacity, are mostly responsible for GB malignancy, representing a crucial target for therapies. The TP73 gene, which is highly expressed in GB, gives rise to the TAp73 isoform, a pleiotropic protein that regulates neural stem cell biology; however, its role in cancer has been highly controversial. We inactivated TP73 in human GB stem cells and revealed that TAp73 is required for their stemness potential, acting as a regulator of the transcriptional stemness signatures, highlighting TAp73 as a possible therapeutic target. As proof of concept, we identified a novel natural compound with TAp73-inhibitory capacity, which was highly effective against GB stem cells. The treatment reduced GB stem cell-invasion capacity and stem features, at least in part by TAp73 repression. Our data are consistent with a novel paradigm in which hijacking of p73-regulated neurodevelopmental programs, including neural stemness, might sustain tumor progression, pointing out TAp73 as a therapeutic strategy for GB., (© 2024 The Author(s). Molecular Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Federation of European Biochemical Societies.)

The Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) brings together the majority of Spain's rheumatologists and, among the many services it offers its members, has a Research Unit (RU). This unit provides methodological support to SER members in clinical and epidemiological research, coordinates and carries out research projects, designs and maintains large patient databases, develops qualitative research projects and produces evidence-based medicine (EBM) documents. Through this last activity, the RU of the SER produces clinical practice guidelines and recommendation documents on topics relevant to rheumatology that meet the most demanding methodological standards. The aim of this article is to describe the management process and methodology followed by the UI of the SER to identify the topics of its EBM documents and how it executes and develops its guidelines and recommendations., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.)

The isolation of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv) from clinical samples is the gold standard for confirming cases of bovine genital campylobacteriosis, an important cause of infertility in cattle and a potential public health concern. Furthermore, isolation is also necessary for the development of autologous vaccines, characterization of strains for antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, etc. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of culture methods is usually low, and there is no standardized protocol to maximize the recovery of Cfv from clinical samples. The aim of the current study is to design a protocol for the culture of Cfv from preputial samples by evaluating the combination of different transport, enrichment and culture media considering the impact of certain factors (time between collection and enrichment, temperature, and use of filters). The use of modified Lander's transport medium and storing the sample for 24 h at 21 ± 2 °C led to the highest recovery of Cfv CFUs. In contrast, the storage of the samples during 24-48 h in PBS and Thomann rarely allowed the recovery of Cfv regardless of the temperature. The enrichment medium yielding the best results was Preston (significantly higher recovery than Brucella medium), while Cfv could not be isolated with Bolton. Regarding our diagnostic assay (using Lander as transport medium and Preston as enrichment medium), the best protocol in terms of maximizing Cfv recovery as well as limiting contaminations is to culture the samples in i) solid media Preston or Skirrow, and ii) using 0.65 μm filters and incubating plates at 37 °C in microaerophilic conditions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Global ocean warming is affecting keystone species distributions and fitness, resulting in the degradation of marine ecosystems. Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems. However, reef-building corals, the foundational taxa of coral reef ecosystems, are severely threatened by thermal stress. Models predict 40-80% of global coral cover will be lost by 2100, which highlights the urgent need for widespread interventions to preserve coral reef functionality. There has been extensive research on coral thermal stress and resilience, but 95% of studies have focused on adult corals. It is necessary to understand stress during early life stages (larvae, recruits, and juveniles), which will better inform selective breeding programs that aim to replenish reefs with resilient stock. In this review, we surveyed the literature on coral thermal resilience in early life stages, and we highlight that studies have been conducted on relatively few species (commonly Acropora spp.) and in limited regions (mostly Australia). Reef-building coral management will be improved by comprehensively understanding coral thermal resilience and fitness across life stages, as well as in diverse species and regions., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.)

Introduction: Chronic cluster headache (CCH) is a relatively rare primary headache disorder whose management is often challenging. The prevalence of refractory CCH (rCCH) is unknown. Our aim is to describe the frequency of rCCH within a population of CCH, define the clinical profile of the refractory patients and the treatments they underwent., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study through a review of the medical records of CCH patients in six hospitals in Madrid, Spain. Data on epidemiological, clinical presentation, treatment and disease activity at the moment were collected. The European Headache Federation diagnostic criteria were used for rCCH definition. High disease activity was defined as having at least 3 severe attacks per week that impact quality of life despite treatment. Non-rCCH and rCCH groups were compared., Results: 88 CCH patients were analyzed, 68.2% (60/88) met rCCH criteria at some point in their evolution. A longer diagnostic delay (4.6 ± 7.1 vs. 3.2 ± 3.7 years, p = 0.017) was observed in rCCH. All rCCH patients tried therapies without established evidence from randomized clinical trials. OnabotulinumtoxinA and galcanezumab were initiated in 77.3% (68/88) and 5.7% (5/88), but discontinued in 52.9% (36/68) and 60.0% (3/5), respectively. Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) was implanted in 29.6% (26/88), with 50.0% (13/26) still active. Other treatment options are described and discussed. Despite treatment, 60.2% (53/88) still have high disease activity., Conclusion: CCH is a disorder with poor prognosis, meeting refractoriness criteria in more than half. OnabotulinumtoxinA and ONS could be the effective in refractory patients., (© 2024. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

Heart failure (HF) is a heterogeneous condition that can be categorized according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) into HF with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) EF. Although HFrEF and HFpEF share some common clinical manifestations, the mechanisms underlying each phenotype are often found to be distinct. Identifying shared and divergent pathophysiological features might expand our insights on HF pathophysiology and assist the search for therapies for each HF subtype. In this study, we evaluated and contrasted two new murine models of non-ischaemic HFrEF and cardiometabolic HFpEF in terms of myocardial structure, left ventricular function, gene expression, cardiomyocyte calcium handling, mitochondrial polarization and protein acetylation in a head-to-head fashion. We found that in conditions of similar haemodynamic stress, the HFrEF myocardium underwent a more pronounced hypertrophic and fibrotic remodelling, whereas inflammation was greater in the HFpEF myocardium. We observed opposing features on calcium release, which was diminished in the HFrEF cardiomyocyte but enhanced in the HFpEF cardiomyocyte. Mitochondria were less polarized in both HFrEF and HFpEF cardiomyocytes, reflecting similarly impaired metabolic capacity. Hyperacetylation of cardiac proteins was observed in both models, but it was more accentuated in the HFpEF heart. Despite shared features, unique triggering mechanisms (neurohormonal overactivation in HFrEF vs. inflammation in HFpEF) appear to determine the distinct phenotypes of HF. The findings of the present research stress the need for further exploration of the differential mechanisms underlying each HF subtype, because they might require specific therapeutic interventions. KEY POINTS: The mechanisms underlying heart failure with either reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction are often found to be different. Previous studies comparing pathophysiological traits between HFrEF and HFpEF have been conducted on animals of different ages and strains. The present research contrasted two age-matched mouse models of non-ischaemic HFrEF and cardiometabolic HFpEF to uncover divergent and shared features. We found that upon similar haemodynamic stress, the HFrEF heart experienced a more pronounced hypertrophic and fibrotic remodelling, whereas inflammation appeared to be greater in the HFpEF myocardium. Calcium release was diminished in the HFrEF cardiomyocyte and enhanced in the HFpEF cardiomyocyte. Mitochondria were comparably less polarized in both HFrEF and HFpEF myocytes. Hyperacetylation of proteins was common to both models, but stronger in the HFpEF heart. Casting light on common and distinguishing features might ease the quest for phenotype-specific therapies for heart failure patients., (© 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2024 The Physiological Society.)

Introduction: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is a clinicoradiological entity with a self-limiting course that manifests with recurrent episodes of thunderclap headache, and is associated with certain triggers. Recurrence is very rare, and the pathophysiology is thought to be related to altered autoregulation of the cerebrovascular tone. We present a clinical case that raises questions about possible recurrences and triggers., Case Report: A 44-year-old woman with a history of multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1b who had four episodes of thunderclap headache while resting, after completing a course of corticosteroids due to a flare-up of optic neuritis. Three years earlier, the patient had presented several episodes of explosive-onset headache during a self-limited period of one month, only occurring during sexual intercourse. In the year prior to our assessment, she had suffered three thunderclap headaches with similar characteristics, but they were triggered only by intense physical exercise. She had not consulted a physician about these events. A cranial computed tomography scan was performed after the administration of contrast media and a cerebral arteriography, which were consistent with cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, and its reversibility was confirmed three months later., Conclusions: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome shares a phenotypic expression with primary exertion headaches. It is associated with drugs with vasoactive effects, including interferons, and corticosteroids are associated with a worse prognosis, and such their administration should be avoided.

Background: Presurgical optimisation programmes decrease the risk of postoperative complications, reduce hospital stays and speed up patient recovery. They usually involve a multidisciplinary team addressing physical, nutritional and psychosocial issues. The objective of this study was to assess the results of implementing a presurgical optimisation programme led by a liaison nurse in patients undergoing major surgery in a primary general hospital., Methods: An observational, retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study based on the revision of patients' health records undergoing major surgery between January 2019 and December 2022. Patients entering the presurgical optimisation programme (intervention group) were compared with patients receiving usual medical care (control group). The presurgical optimisation programme consisted of oral nutritional supplementation, physical exercise, strengthening of lung capacity and psychological and emotional support. Frequency (%) of surgery complications and use of healthcare resources (duration of hospitalisation, time spent in the intensive care unit (ICU), and readmission) at day 30 were recorded. Descriptive statistics were applied., Results: Two hundred eleven patients (58.5% men, mean age: 65.76 years (SD 11.5), 75.2%. non-smokers; mean body mass index (BMI): 28.32 (SD 5.38); mean Nutritional Risk Score (NRS) 3.71 (SD 1.35; oncology diagnosis: 88.6%) were included: 135 in the intervention group, and 76 in the control group. The average duration of the presurgical optimisation programme was 20 days (SD 5). Frequency of postoperative complications was 25% (n = 33) in the intervention group and 52.6% (n = 40) in the control group (p < 0.001) [odds ratio (OR) = 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.8; 6.2)]. 14.5% (n = 19) of patients in the intervention group and 34.2% (n = 26) in the control group had remote postoperative complications [OR = 3.1; 95% CI (1.6; 6.2)]. Patients in the intervention group spent fewer days in the hospital [mean 8.34 (SD 6.70) vs 11.63 (SD 10.63)], and there were fewer readmissions at 30 days (7.6% vs 19.7%) compared with the control group., Conclusions: A presurgical optimisation programme led by a liaison nurse decreases the rate of immediate and late surgical complications and reduces hospital stays and readmissions in patients undergoing major surgery., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development. By analysing how promoting agricultural diversification can enhance food system adaptability to evolving environmental conditions, fostering sustainability and resilience, we discuss recent findings that underscore the main benefits and limitations of these crops from agricultural, food science, and health perspectives, all crucial for responsible and sustainable adoption. Thus, by using a sustainable and holistic approach, this revision analyses how the integration of NUS crops into Mediterranean agrifood systems can enhance agriculture resilience and food quality addressing environmental, nutritional, biomedical, economic, and cultural dimensions, thereby mitigating the risks associated with monoculture practices and bolstering local economies and livelihoods under new climate scenarios.

Purpose: Natural killer (NK) cells are traditionally identified by flow cytometry using a combination of markers (CD16/CD56/CD3), because a specific NK-cell marker is still missing. Here we investigated the utility of CD314, CD335 and NKp80, compared to CD16/CD56/CD3, for more robust identification of NK-cells in human blood, for diagnostic purposes., Methods: A total of 156 peripheral blood (PB) samples collected from healthy donors (HD) and patients with diseases frequently associated with loss/downregulation of classical NK-cell markers were immunophenotyped following EuroFlow protocols, aimed at comparing the staining profile of total blood NK-cells for CD314, CD335 and NKp80, and the performance of distinct marker combinations for their accurate identification., Results: NKp80 showed a superior performance (vs. CD314 and CD335) for the identification of NK-cells in HD blood. Besides, NKp80 improved the conventional CD16/CD56/CD3-based strategy to identify PB NK-cells in HD and reactive processes, particularly when combined with CD16 for further accurate NK-cell-subsetting. Although NKp80+CD16 improved the identification of clonal/tumor NK-cells, particularly among CD56 - cases (53%), aberrant downregulation of NKp80 was observed in 25% of patients, in whom CD56 was useful as a complementary NK-cell marker. As NKp80 is also expressed on T-cells, we noted increased numbers of NKp80 + cytotoxic T-cells at the more advanced maturation stages, mostly in adults., Conclusion: Here we propose a new robust approach for the identification of PB NK-cells, based on the combination of NKp80 plus CD16. However, in chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of NK-cells, addition of CD56 is recommended to identify clonal NK-cells, due to their frequent aberrant NKp80 - phenotype., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Morán-Plata, Muñoz-García, González-González, Pozo, Carretero-Domínguez, Mateos, Barrena, Belhassen-García, Lau, Teixeira, Santos, Yeguas, Balanzategui, García-Sancho, Orfao and Almeida.)

Friendships increase mental wellbeing and resilient functioning in young people with childhood adversity (CA). However, the mechanisms of this relationship are unknown. We examined the relationship between perceived friendship quality at age 14 after the experience of CA and reduced affective and neural responses to social exclusion at age 24. Resilient functioning was quantified as psychosocial functioning relative to the degree of CA severity in 310 participants at age 24. From this cohort, 62 young people with and without CA underwent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to assess brain responses to social inclusion and exclusion. We observed that good friendship quality was significantly associated with better resilient functioning. Both friendship quality and resilient functioning were related to increased affective responses to social inclusion. We also found that friendship quality, but not resilient functioning, was associated with increased dorsomedial prefrontal cortex responses to peer exclusion. Our findings suggest that friendship quality in early adolescence may contribute to the evaluation of social inclusion by increasing affective sensitivity to positive social experiences and increased brain activity in regions involved in emotion regulation to negative social experiences. Future research is needed to clarify this relationship with resilient functioning in early adulthood., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Although the first discovery of a human fossil in the Sima de los Huesos took place in 1976, systematic excavations did not begin there until 1984. Since then, this site has been continuously excavated in month-long camps. The site is dated by different radiometric techniques to between 430,000 and 300,000 years ago. Until the 2023 campaign, just over 7000 human fossils have been recovered, constituting the largest collection of fossils prior to Homo sapiens ever discovered. The fossils correspond to a minimum of 29 individuals of both sexes and different ages at death, from preadolescents to a specimen of advanced age. Comparative anatomy and ancient DNA studies both suggest that this is a population closely related to Homo neanderthalensis. The great variety and extraordinary quality of the fossils recovered have allowed us to carry out a series of investigations that have greatly increased our knowledge about the evolution of Homo in the Middle Pleistocene. Among the most important discoveries, it has been possible to establish body size and proportions, the confirmation that the origin of the accumulation of human fossils was of an anthropic nature, that those past humans took care of disabled individuals and who were capable of having an oral language almost as complex and efficient as that of our own species., (© 2024 The Author(s). The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association for Anatomy.)

The postcranial skeleton of fossil hominins is crucial for reconstructing the processes that occurred between the time of death and the recovery of the bones. Thousands of postcranial skeletal fragments from at least 29 hominin individuals have been recovered from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site in Spain. This study's primary objective is to address the main taphonomic features of the postcranial remains from the Sima de los Huesos sample, including antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem skeletal disturbances. We present an updated assessment of the bone surface modification analysis, the fracture pattern analysis, and the skeletal part representation to facilitate interpretation of the biostratinomic and fossil-diagenetic processes in this large paleoanthropological collection. We conclude that carnivores (probably bears) had limited access to the hominin bones and complete bodies were probably placed in the site., (© 2023 American Association for Anatomy.)

The Sima de los Huesos site in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, northern Spain) is a Middle Pleistocene locality with the most important accumulation of humans in the European record for this age. In addition to the hominin collection, the Sima has provided numerous faunal remains. Here, we update the carnivoran mammal fauna from the Sima de los Huesos. The analyzed carnivoran fauna is taxonomically diverse consisting of 11 species from 9 genera and four families. The high taxonomic diversity of carnivorans at the site is interpreted as corresponding to high overall ecosystem productivity. A synthetic description of the carnivoran remains is presented adding new information on the biochronology of the carnivoran species assemblage and its paleoecological association with European Middle Pleistocene hominins. Because of their similarity in taphonomic setting and diets-that the carnivoran fauna and humans were found in the same place and had similar protein-rich diets-clarifying the paleontological and paleoecological context of these carnivorans permits a better understanding of the humans also found at this site., (© 2023 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association for Anatomy.)

Introduction: Processing speed (PS) deficits represent a fundamental aspect of cognitive impairment, evident not only in schizophrenia but also in individuals undergoing their first episode of psychosis (FEP) and their unaffected first-degree relatives. Heterogeneity in tests assessing PS reflects the participation of motor and cognitive subcomponents to varying degrees. We aim to explore differences in performance of the subcomponents of PS in FEP patients, parents, siblings, and controls., Materials and Methods: Results from tests, including Trail Making Test part A and part B, Digit Symbol Coding Test, Grooved Pegboard Test, and Stroop Word and Stroop Color subtests, were obtained from 133 FEP patients, 146 parents, and 202 controls. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed in controls to establish the structure, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to verify if the other groups share this structure., Results: EFA revealed a two-factor model: Factor 1 for the motor subcomponent and Factor 2 for the cognitive subcomponent. Subsequently, CFA indicated a good fit for the remaining groups with differences in the relationship between the factors., Conclusions: Differences in the relationships of factors within a common structure suggest the involvement of different compensatory strategies among groups, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of PS deficits in patients and relatives., (Copyright © 2024 Sociedad Española de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental (SEPSM). Published by Elsevier España S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tier of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) degenerate prominently in Parkinson's disease (PD), while those in the dorsal tier and ventral tegmental area are relatively spared. The factors determining why these neurons are more vulnerable than others are still unrevealed. Neuroinflammation and immune cell infiltration have been demonstrated to be a key feature of neurodegeneration in PD. However, the link between selective dopaminergic neuron vulnerability, glial and immune cell response, and vascularization and their interactions has not been deciphered. We aimed to investigate the contribution of glial cell activation and immune cell infiltration in the selective vulnerability of ventral dopaminergic neurons within the midbrain in a non-human primate model of PD. Structural characteristics of the vasculature within specific regions of the midbrain were also evaluated. Parkinsonian monkeys exhibited significant microglial and astroglial activation in the whole midbrain, but no major sub-regional differences were observed. Remarkably, the ventral substantia nigra was found to be typically more vascularized compared to other regions. This feature might play some role in making this region more susceptible to immune cell infiltration under pathological conditions, as greater infiltration of both T- and B- lymphocytes was observed in parkinsonian monkeys. Higher vascular density within the ventral region of the SNc may be a relevant factor for differential vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. The increased infiltration of T- and B- cells in this region, alongside other molecules or toxins, may also contribute to the susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons in PD., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Whole genome duplication (polyploidization) is a dominant force in sympatric speciation, particularly in plants. Genome doubling instantly poses a barrier to gene flow owing to the strong crossing incompatibilities between individuals differing in ploidy. The strength of the barrier, however, varies from species to species and recent genetic investigations revealed cases of rampant interploidy introgression in multiple ploidy-variable species., Scope: Here, we review novel insights into the frequency of interploidy gene flow in natural systems and summarize the underlying mechanisms promoting interploidy gene flow. Field surveys, occasionally complemented by crossing experiments, suggest frequent opportunities for interploidy gene flow, particularly in the direction from diploid to tetraploid, and between (higher) polyploids. However, a scarcity of accompanying population genetic evidence and a virtual lack of integration of these approaches leave the underlying mechanisms and levels of realized interploidy gene flow in nature largely unknown. Finally, we discuss potential consequences of interploidy genome permeability on polyploid speciation and adaptation and highlight novel avenues that have just recently been opened by the very first genomic studies of ploidy-variable species. Standing in stark contrast with rapidly accumulating evidence for evolutionary importance of homoploid introgression, similar cases in ploidy-variable systems are yet to be documented., Conclusions: The genomics era provides novel opportunity to re-evaluate the role of interploidy introgression in speciation and adaptation. To achieve this goal, interdisciplinary studies bordering ecology and population genetics and genomics are needed., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Shoulder pain is one of the most important musculoskeletal conditions affecting the upper extremities. Glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) and rotator cuff injuries (RCIs) are notable for their high prevalence. The critical shoulder angle (CSA) is a significant radiological measure for determining the diagnosis and progression of patients with these conditions. Although there are reports in the international literature about this measure, in our country, guideline values considering these two pathologies are unknown. Objective: Our objective was to assess patients diagnosed with GHOA and RCI using an AP X-ray view and the CSA. Methods: To conduct this, we identified differences between sexes and age categories. Fifty-nine adult patients with GHOA and RCI were included. CSA grades varied depending on the age category and type of injury evaluated. Results: Significant differences between the age ranges of 40 and 54 ( p = 0.05), 55-69 ( p = 0.001), and 70-84 ( p = 0.017) were observed. Conclusions: Patients with RCI tended to be younger and have a higher CSA compared to those with GHOA. It is important to have more normative values and to continue monitoring the critical shoulder angle in these patients.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) exhibits genetic alterations that induce the deregulation of oncogenic pathways, thus promoting metabolic adaptation. The modulation of metabolic enzyme activities is necessary to generate nucleotides, amino acids, and fatty acids, which provide energy and metabolic intermediates essential for fulfilling the biosynthetic needs of glioma cells. Moreover, the TCA cycle produces intermediates that play important roles in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids, or non-essential amino acids, and act as signaling molecules associated with the activation of oncogenic pathways, transcriptional changes, and epigenetic modifications. In this review, we aim to explore how dysregulated metabolic enzymes from the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, along with their metabolites, modulate both catabolic and anabolic metabolic pathways, as well as pro-oncogenic signaling pathways, transcriptional changes, and epigenetic modifications in GBM cells, contributing to the formation, survival, growth, and invasion of glioma cells. Additionally, we discuss promising therapeutic strategies targeting key players in metabolic regulation. Therefore, understanding metabolic reprogramming is necessary to fully comprehend the biology of malignant gliomas and significantly improve patient survival., (© 2024 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.)

Background: Currently, there is a lack of effective treatments or preventive strategies for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Pre-clinical studies with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have yielded encouraging results. The safety of administering repeated intravenous doses of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) has not yet been tested in extremely-low-gestational-age newborns (ELGANs)., Aims: to test the safety and feasibility of administering three sequential intravenous doses of UC-MSCs every 7 days to ELGANs at risk of developing BPD., Methods: In this phase 1 clinical trial, we recruited ELGANs (birth weight ≤1250 g and ≤28 weeks in gestational age [GA]) who were on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with FiO2 ≥ 0.3 at postnatal days 7-14. Three doses of 5 × 10 6 /kg of UC-MSCs were intravenously administered at weekly intervals. Adverse effects and prematurity-related morbidities were recorded., Results: From April 2019 to July 2020, 10 patients were recruited with a mean GA of 25.2 ± 0.8 weeks and a mean birth weight of 659.8 ± 153.8 g. All patients received three intravenous UC-MSC doses. The first dose was administered at a mean of 16.6 ± 2.9 postnatal days. All patients were diagnosed with BPD. All patients were discharged from the hospital. No deaths or any serious adverse events related to the infusion of UC-MSCs were observed during administration, hospital stays or at 2-year follow-up., Conclusions: The administration of repeated intravenous infusion of UC-MSCs in ELGANs at a high risk of developing BPD was feasible and safe in the short- and mid-term follow-up., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Dr. Manuel Ramírez Orellana received research grants from Orgenesis. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funder had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results., (Copyright © 2024 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Financial toxicity (FT) refers to the subjective perception of financial distress resulting from objective economic strain due to illness, exerting a detrimental influence on health outcomes. This study aimed to describe FT among allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients within a public health framework, employing a social determinants of health approach., Methods: A multi-centre cross-sectional study involving adult allo-HSCT patients was conducted across three public hospitals in Madrid. FT was assessed using a validated COST scale (range 0-44; lower scores indicating higher FT). Patient-administered paper/online questionnaires were utilized to collect data on sociodemographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and healthcare access variables. Descriptive, non-parametric univariate statistical analysis and multiple linear regression models were performed., Results: Sixty-six patients, with a mean age: 52.5 years (SD: 11.5), 50% women, 28.7% displaced to Madrid for HSCT, and 71.4% lacking financial support were included. The median FT score was 20 points (IQR 12-27.25). Independent factors associated with higher FT included being females (Coef = -3.26; p = 0.079), perceived income loss after HSCT (Coef = -6.81; p < 0.001) and a monthly household income of ≤1000 € compared to 1001-2500€ (Coef = 8.29; p = 0.005) or >2500 € (Coef = 15.75; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Despite the limited sample size, our findings underscore the presence of financial toxicity among allo-HSCT patients, shaped by social determinants of health. Recognizing and addressing FT within the HSCT process is essential to mitigate social inequalities in health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

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