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Energy demand is continuously increasing owing to rapid technological developments and population growth. Additionally, it has been shown that the consumption of fossil fuels contributes to the emission of gases that increase the greenhouse effect. An alternative for addressing the problems of greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on oil is to replace fossil fuels with biofuels. This article presents the combustion gas emissions and performance assessment of a used car using gasoline–bioethanol blends at concentrations free of mechanical risk to contribute information for energy transition. The tests were carried out using the mixtures E0, E5, and E10 at speeds of 1500, 2500, and 4500 rpm for the evaluation of emissions. Meanwhile, for the performance assessment, the speed was varied from 2500 rpm to 8000 rpm. The vehicle was analyzed under functional operating conditions, and no mechanical modifications were made to the alcohol mixtures. Testing was performed using a gas analyzer with non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) electroluminescence and electrochemical cells to measure the emissions, and a computerized chassis dynamometer was used to measure the torque and speed. From the results shown here, it can be concluded that the use of bioethanol at low concentrations in the range without mechanical risk, such as E0, E5, and E10, can be utilized in used cars and in functional operating conditions, improving the thermal efficiency of the engine by 2% and 1.2% with the E5 and E10 mixtures. The specific consumption increased up to 3% with the E10 mixture owing to the lower energy capacity of the mixture. Meanwhile, HC polluting emissions decreased by up to 8.44%, 20%, and 100 at speeds of 1500 rpm, 2500 rpm, and 4500 rpm, respectively. The nitrogen oxide emissions decreased by up to 5% for mixtures E5 and E10. The results presented in this article may be useful for decision making in the use of biofuels in automobiles used in the energy transition. In addition, our study can be taken as a reference for studies on cars that are more than 20 years old.

Energy demand is continuously increasing owing to rapid technological developments and population growth. Additionally, it has been shown that the consumption of fossil fuels contributes to the emission of gases that increase the greenhouse effect. An alternative for addressing the problems of greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on oil is to replace fossil fuels with biofuels. This article presents the combustion gas emissions and performance assessment of a used car using gasoline–bioethanol blends at concentrations free of mechanical risk to contribute information for energy transition. The tests were carried out using the mixtures E0, E5, and E10 at speeds of 1500, 2500, and 4500 rpm for the evaluation of emissions. Meanwhile, for the performance assessment, the speed was varied from 2500 rpm to 8000 rpm. The vehicle was analyzed under functional operating conditions, and no mechanical modifications were made to the alcohol mixtures. Testing was performed using a gas analyzer with non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) electroluminescence and electrochemical cells to measure the emissions, and a computerized chassis dynamometer was used to measure the torque and speed. From the results shown here, it can be concluded that the use of bioethanol at low concentrations in the range without mechanical risk, such as E0, E5, and E10, can be utilized in used cars and in functional operating conditions, improving the thermal efficiency of the engine by 2% and 1.2% with the E5 and E10 mixtures. The specific consumption increased up to 3% with the E10 mixture owing to the lower energy capacity of the mixture. Meanwhile, HC polluting emissions decreased by up to 8.44%, 20%, and 100 at speeds of 1500 rpm, 2500 rpm, and 4500 rpm, respectively. The nitrogen oxide emissions decreased by up to 5% for mixtures E5 and E10. The results presented in this article may be useful for decision making in the use of biofuels in automobiles used in the energy transition. In addition, our study can be taken as a reference for studies on cars that are more than 20 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses utilize knowledge in all aspects of their roles across all settings. In this paper, the author explored how nursing and health policies may be crafted by nurse scholars grounded in the models and theories of nursing, such as humanbecoming. Nurse scholars will continue to serve others as the century unfolds by crafting policies that shape the betterment of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effects of plant compounds on human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced W12 cervical precancer cells and bioelectric signaling. The aim is to identify effective phytochemicals, both individually and in combination, that can prevent and treat HPV infection and HPV associated cervical cancer. Phytochemicals were tested using growth inhibition, combination, gene expression, RT PCR, and molecular docking assays. W12 cells, derived from a cervical precancerous lesion, contain either episomal or integrated HPV16 DNA. Several compounds, including digoxin, tanshinone IIA, dihydromethysticin and carrageenan, as well as fractions of turmeric, ginger and pomegranate inhibited the growth of W12 precancer and cervical cancer cells. Curcumin and tanshinone IIA were the most active and relatively nontoxic compounds. RT-PCR analysis showed that tanshinone IIA activated the expression of p53, while repressing the expression of HPV16 E1, E2, E4, E6, and E7 viral transcripts in W12 (type 1 and 2) integrant cells. In addition, curcumin synergized with tanshinone IIA in HeLa cells. Molecular docking studies suggested tanshinone IIA and curcumin bind to the Na+/K+-ATPase ion channel, with curcumin binding with higher affinity. Our findings highlight the potential of these multifaceted phytochemicals to prevent and treat HPV-induced cervical cancer, offering a promising approach for combinatorial therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The expansion of human activities in northern Colombia has increased human-snake encounters, particularly with venomous Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii. Given the limited knowledge of systemic envenomation effects and previous studies focusing only on early murine symptoms, this investigation aimed to describe the time-course physiopathology of P. lansbergii lansbergii envenomation following intramuscular injection in vivo. Methods: Venom was inoculated in the gastrocnemius muscles of Swiss Webster mice, and blood, urine, and tissue samples were taken at different times to evaluate lethality and biochemical markers of renal function and oxidative stress. Results: This study reports the first intramuscular LD50 for P. lansbergii lansbergii venom at 24.83 mg/Kg. Administering 80% of this LD50 induced early signs of renal injury, evidenced by urinary biomarkers over 24 h. The antioxidant activity was found at low levels in kidney tissue throughout the evaluated time post-envenomation. Malondialdehyde activity increased at the earliest point, while proinflammatory activity increased later. Urine metabolomics revealed elevated taurine and allantoin in the envenomed groups. Discussion: Compensatory mechanisms in response to oxidative stress and tissue damage induced by the venom were evident in the envenomed mice over the evaluated time. However, histological analysis revealed evidence of pro-inflammatory processes occurring only at early times. Metabolomic analyses of urine samples identified taurine as a potential early biomarker of elevated oxidative stress and protein and creatinine levels. Conclusions: P. lansbergii lansbergii venom induces alterations in murine renal tissue, affecting urinary biomarkers of kidney function within hours post-envenomation. Delayed proinflammatory effects may suggest an antioxidant imbalance in the envenomed mice, with unknown long-term effects. Further research on the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in renal structure and function following envenomation is necessary, emphasizing the need for prompt clinical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related rehospitalization remain underexplored. This study aims to identify the main risk factors associated with rehospitalizations due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfections among residents of Lombardy, northern Italy. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted using two linked administrative databases covering demographic data, comorbidities, hospital records, and COVID-19 data of Lombardy residents. The study population included patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between February 2020 and August 2021. Rehospitalization was defined as a second COVID-19-related hospitalization occurring at least 90 days after the first admission. The Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard model was used to identify risk factors, accounting for death as a competing risk. Results Out of 98,369 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between February 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021, 72,593 were alive 90 days after admission and 610 of these (0.8%) were rehospitalized. A higher rehospitalization risk was observed in older male patients with multiple comorbidities. Renal failure, liver disease, and use of diuretics were significantly associated with rehospitalization risk, while female biological sex and the use of lipid-lowering drugs were associated with a lower risk. Conclusions This is the first study conducted on regional administrative databases to investigate COVID-19 rehospitalizations. Through the availability of a huge cohort, it provides a groundwork for optimizing care for individuals at higher risk for COVID-19-related rehospitalizations. It underlines the need for patient-management approaches that extend beyond the initial recovery. This stresses the importance of ongoing monitoring and personalized interventions for those at heightened risk not only of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection but also related rehospitalizations.

Abstract Background Dysgeusia is a distortion of the sense of taste whose prevalence and relationship with nutritional status in Metabolic dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)-related advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) have never been systematically explored. Methods 200 MASLD patients [60 ≤ F3 fibrosis, 70 compensated ACLD (cACLD), and 70 decompensated (dACLD)] were enrolled. At baseline, the Child–Pugh (CP) score was determined. Dietary habits, body composition, and frailty were evaluated. The European Working Group (EWGSOP2) criteria defined sarcopenia. Dysgeusia was assessed by the Dysgeusia-Total-Score (DTS). A visual analog scale identified appetite impairment (VASAI). During a 6-month follow-up, liver-related decompensation events (LRDEs) were recorded. Results The prevalence of dysgeusia increased with the liver disease progression, appearing significantly higher in ACLD compared with ≤ F3 (65.7% vs 5%, p:0.003), as well as in dACLD compared to cACLD patients (58.5 vs 7.1% p

Abstract The burden of COVID-19 was heterogeneous, indicating that the effects of this disease are synergistic with both other non-communicable diseases and socioeconomic status (SES), highlighting its syndemic character. While the appearance of vaccines moderated the pandemic effects, their coverage was heterogeneous too, both when comparing different countries, and when comparing different populations within countries. Of note, once again SES appears to be a correlated factor. We analyzed publicly available data detailing the percentage of school-aged, vaccinated children in different municipalities belonging to the Metropolitan Area (MA) of Santiago, Chile. Vaccination data was compiled per school type, either public, state-subsidized, or private, at three different dates during the COVID-19 pandemic to cover the dispersion of Delta, Omicron, and its subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. We computed the median vaccination ratio for each municipality and school type and calculated their Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient with each one of nine SES indices. The percentage of school-age children who received vaccinations against COVID-19 correlates with SES. This strong correlation is observed in public and state-subsidized schools, but not in private schools. Although inequity in vaccination coverage decreased over time, it remained higher among students enrolled either in public or state-subsidized schools compared to those of private schools. Although available data was insufficient to explore plausible causes behind lower vaccination coverage, it is likely that a combination of factors including the lack of proper information about the importance of vaccination, the lack of incentives for children’s vaccination, low trust in the government, and limited access to vaccines for lower-income people, may all have contributed. These findings raise the need to design better strategies to overcome shortcomings in vaccination campaigns to confront future pandemics.

Heavy metal pollution reduces the community of soil microorganisms, including fungi from the genus Trichoderma, which are plant growth promotors and biological control agents. Because of potential effects on crop productivity, the toxic effects of heavy metals (HMs) in Trichoderma are of interest. However, there have been few studies on the biochemical and molecular response to oxidation caused by exposure to copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) and whether this antioxidant response is species-specific. In this study, we compared the tolerance of Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum to Cu, Pb, and Cr and evaluated the expression of genes related to the antioxidant response, including glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and cysteine synthase (CYS) as well as the activity of peroxidase and catalase. The isolates of Trichoderma were selected because we previously reported them as promotors of plant growth and agents of biological control. Our results revealed that, with exposure to the three HMs, the Trichoderma cultures formed aggregates and the culture color changed according to the metal and the Trichoderma species. The tolerance index (TI) indicated that the two Trichoderma species were tolerant of HMs (Cu > Cr > Pb). However, the TI and conidia production revealed that T. longibrachiatum was more tolerant of HMs than T. asperellum. The three HMs caused oxidative damage in both Trichoderma species, but the enzyme activity and gene expression were differentially regulated based on exposure time (72 and 144 h) to the HMs and Trichoderma species. The main changes occurred in T. asperellum; the maximum expression of the GPX gene occurred at 144 h in response to all three HMs, whereas the CAT gene was upregulated at 72 h in response to Cu but downregulated at 144 h in response to all three HMs. The CYS gene was upregulated in response to the three metals. The peroxidase activity increased with all three HMs, but the catalase activity increased with Cu and Pb at 72 h and decreased at 144 h with Pb and Cr. In T. longibrachiatum, the GPX gene was upregulated with all three HMs at 72 h, the CAT gene was upregulated only with Pb at 72 h and was downregulated at 144 h with HMs. Cr and Cu upregulated CYS gene expression, but expression did not change with Pb. The peroxidase activity increased with Cu at 144 h and with Cr at 72 h, whereas Pb decreased the enzyme activity. In contrast, catalase activity increased with the three metals at 144 h. In conclusion, T. longibrachiatum was more tolerant of Cu, Cr, and Pb than was T. asperellum, but exposure to all three HMs caused oxidative damage to both Trichoderma species. Peroxidases and catalases were activated, and the expression of the genes GPX and CYS was upregulated, whereas the CAT gene was downregulated. These findings indicate that the antioxidant response to HMs was genetically modulated in each Trichoderma species.

Arte marcial oriunda do Japão, o judô é dinâmico e desafiador, permitindo o desenvolvimento de diversas qualidades ligadas ao físico, ao mental e ao moral. A surdez é caracterizada pela perda de audição em menor ou em maior grau, gerando elementos de identidade e de cultura próprios do uso de línguas de sinais e de línguas orais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os benefícios conquistados pela prática do judô na população surda. Foi realizada revisão bibliográfica, com busca de materiais científicos, em diferentes plataformas. Observou-se que a prática do judô por surdos pode prover ganhos motores, sociais e culturais. Conclui-se que há diferentes formas de surdos praticarem o judô, podendo proporcionar maior qualidade de vida a este público-alvo.

ABSTRACT: The present study carried out a nutritional assessment of the pulp, peel, and seeds of fruits of bacupari (Garcinia brasiliensis). The proximate composition was carried out according to A.O.A.C. guide, organic acids by HPLC-PDA, minerals by ICP-OES, fatty acids by GC-FID, B-group vitamins, and the phenolic compounds profile by LC-MS/MS. Fresh fruit pulp has 12% carbohydrates, 2.8% fiber and low fat content. Furthermore, the fruits are also an important source of minerals such as manganese, zinc, and potassium. 15 fatty acids were identified with a higher portion of unsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the fruits are an excellent source of vitamin B1 (about 20% of the recommended daily intake), and of vitamin B12, a vitamin almost exclusively of animal origin, making the fruits interesting for people with dietary restrictions. The fruits also have the presence of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1123 µg/100g), gallic acid (672 µg/100g), epicatechin (3907 µg/100g), and quercetin (658 µg/100g).

Objective: The prevalence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased worldwide, and an association with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders has been reported. Moreover, an increasing percentage of patients are currently diagnosed incidentally through non-thyroid-related imaging for other clinical conditions. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of thyroid-related disease (TD) versus incidental diagnosis (ID) pre-surgery reasons leading to TC diagnosis and to compare the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics, size and severity of TC at presentation and rate of non-thyroid cancers and cardiovascular/metabolic comorbidities. Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study in three high-volume hospital-based centers for thyroid diseases (Pavia, Latina and Messina) in Italy. Patients: Consecutive patients with TC were included. Measurements: Data on pre-surgery reasons leading to TC diagnosis, age, sex, BMI, presence of cardiometabolic comorbidities and non-thyroid cancer were collected. Results: Among the 327 enrolled subjects, the diagnosis of TC was prompted by thyroid-related reasons in 262 (80.1%, TD group) and incidental in 65 (19.9%, ID group). The ID group patients were more frequently males, significantly older and with a higher BMI than the TD group ones; they had a higher rate of non-thyroidal cancers and cardiovascular/metabolic comorbidities. No significant differences could be observed in terms of TC histotype, cancer size, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, AJCC staging or American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification. Conclusions: Biological features of TC are similar in the TD and ID groups, but patients in the two groups display significant differences regarding their clinical features.

La revista Disco (1945-1947), dirigida por Juan Rodolfo Wilcock, ha sido caracterizada por la crítica como una publicación alejada de las polémicas literarias y políticas de la época, pero es posible conectar su orientación neorromántica con una posición política antiperonista. Frente a lo que percibía como una crisis terminal de la civilización, la poesía de la generación del 40 adoptó un tono elegíaco y apuntó a una restauración de formas clásicas. En la politización que atravesaba el campo literario, los cuarentistas formaron parte del bando liberal o antifascista, que desde 1945, devino antiperonista. Un análisis a las portadas de los diez números de la revista y la selección de textos extranjeros evidencia que, en Disco, conviven la poética cuarentista, anterior al peronismo, y un proyecto cultural antiperonista. Esta afinidad va más allá de las conexiones personales de Wilcock, y obedece a características propias del neorromanticismo.

In the original publication [...]

The latent viral reservoir remains the major barrier to HIV cure, placing the burden of strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) on people living with HIV to prevent recrudescence of viremia. For infants with perinatally acquired HIV, adherence is anticipated to be a lifelong need. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that administration of ART and viral Envelope-specific rhesus-derived IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (RhmAbs) with or without the IL-15 superagonist N-803 early in infection would limit viral reservoir establishment in SIV-infected infant rhesus macaques. Following initiation of ART at 1-2 weeks after oral SIVmac251 infection, we observed biphasic decay of viremia, with first phase decay significantly faster in the ART + SIV RhmAbs-treated group compared to controls that received only ART. In contrast, the addition of N-803 to ART + SIV RhmAbs significantly slowed both the first and second phase viral decay compared to the ART only group. Treatment with a single dose of N-803 resulted in increased frequency of Ki67 expressing NK, CD8+, and CD4+ T cells. Levels of intact SIV proviruses in CD4+ T cells from blood, lymph nodes, and rectum at week 48 of ART did not differ across groups. Similarly, the time to viral rebound following ART interruption was not impacted by the experimental treatments. These results support the concept that the rebound-competent viral reservoir is formed within days after infection and that targeting only productively infected cells for clearance near the time of ART initiation, even during acute infection, may be insufficient to limit reservoir establishment.

BackgroundCongenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the main causes of hospital admissions and infant mortality, especially in developing regions.ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of CHD in pediatric patients, from one of the largest tertiary-level national referral pediatric hospitals in Ecuador.Materials and methodsAn epidemiological, retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients with CHD who were hospitalized at “Hospital Baca Ortiz” between January 2019 to December 2022 in Quito, Ecuador.ResultsA total of 1,000 pediatric patient medical records were reviewed from 2019 to 2022. Among these patients, 56.0% were female, and 65.2% resided at high altitudes (2,500–3,500 m). Most cases (71.4%) were acyanotic CHD, with patent ductus arteriosus being the most prevalent (48.7%). Among cyanotic CHD, Tetralogy of Fallot was predominant (28.1%). Mortality was observed in 5.3% of patients, with a higher rate among acyanotic CHD (p

Summary: Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) targeting the apex of the HIV-1-envelope (Env) trimer comprise the most potent category of HIV-1 bNAbs and have emerged as promising therapeutics. Here, we investigate the development of the HIV-1 apex-directed PGT145-PGDM1400 antibody lineage and report cryo-EM structures at 3.4 Å resolution of PGDM1400 and of an improved PGT145 variant (PGT145-R100aS), each bound to the BG505 Env trimer. Cross-species-based engineering improves PGT145 IC80 breadth to near that of PGDM1400. Despite similar breadth and potency, the two antibodies differ in their residue-level interactions with important apex features, including N160 glycans and apex cavity, with residue 100i of PGT145 (sulfated tyrosine) penetrating ∼7 Å farther than residue 100i of PGDM1400 (aspartic acid). While apex-directed bNAbs from other donors use maturation pathways that often converge on analogous residue-level recognition, our results demonstrate that divergent residue-level recognition can occur within the same lineage, thereby enabling improved coverage of escape variants.

Introduction and Objectives: Public health policies in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are still lacking. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and severity of MASLD in primary health care (PHC) through non-invasive markers. Patients and Methods: Two-phase study, including a retrospective (RETR) and a prospective (PROS) one, was carried out in PHC in Brazil. In RETR, metabolic and hepatic profiles of 12,054 patients, including FIB-4, were evaluated. In PROS, 350 patients were randomly selected and submitted to a clinical and nutritional assessment. Results: RETR (65.4 % women, mean age 55.3 years old): dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) present in 40.8 %, 34.3 %, and 12.2 % of the electronic health records, respectively. Fasting glucose >100 mg/dL in 34.5 %, and glycated hemoglobin higher than 5.7 % in 51.5 %, total cholesterol >200 mg/dL and triglycerides >150 mg/dL in 40.8 % and 32.1 %, respectively. Median FIB-4 was of 1.33, 5 % >2.67. No one had MASLD as a diagnostic hypothesis; PROS (71.8 % women, mean age 58 years old): body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² in 31.8 %. MASLD prevalence (FLI≥ 30 + cardiometabolic features) of 62.1 %; 39.4 % of patients had FLI ≥60, with higher BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, triglycerides, AST, ALT and GGT, as well as lower HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001). FIB-4>1.3 in 40 % and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS)>-1.45 in 59.2 % of steatotic patients. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of MASLD in PHC, with a significant risk of liver fibrosis. These findings reinforce we need to develop public policies to defeat MASLD epidemics.

This study investigated magnesium matrix composites reinforced with cupola slag (a source of CaSiO₃) and Al₂O₃ particles for potential application in battery pack system (BPS) housings. The composites were fabricated via powder metallurgy, resulting in four systems: a pure magnesium system (100 M), a composite with 85 wt% Mg and 15 wt% cupola slag (85M-15C), and two hybrid composites with 85 wt% Mg combined with 12.5 wt% and 5 wt% cupola slag, and 2.5 wt% and 5 wt% Al₂O₃, respectively, forming the 85M-12.5C-2.5 A and 85M-10C-5A systems. Their mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution were systematically evaluated. Microstructural analysis revealed a significant grain size reduction in the reinforced systems, with the 85M-12.5C-2.5 A system achieving an average grain size of 9.4 µm compared to 22.5 µm in the unreinforced 100 M system. The incorporation of CaSiO₃ and Al₂O₃ reinforcements improved microhardness by up to 55 % and increased compressive strength to a maximum of 329.13 MPa. These enhancements were attributed to grain size and the synergistic effects of micro- and nano-reinforcements. Additionally, the reinforced composites demonstrated superior corrosion resistance, as evidenced by reduced degradation rates in the NaCl solution. This improvement was attributed to the formation of protective Mg(OH)₂ layers, with the 85M-10C-5A system exhibiting the lowest corrosion current density (122 μA/cm²). These findings underscore the potential of magnesium matrix composites reinforced with cupola slag and Al₂O₃ as lightweight, durable, and sustainable materials for BPS housings, addressing both performance and environmental considerations.

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can adversely affect maternal and neonatal health, although risks vary depending on the variant of concern (VOC). Omicron, although highly infectious, causes fewer maternal and neonatal complications than earlier VOC, so vaccination may be considered unnecessary in planned pregnancy. Using data from the CRONOS registry, we compared pregnancy outcomes according to VOC and vaccination status. We found that vaccination during pregnancy reduced preterm birth rates compared with unvaccinated or vaccinated women with Omicron infection, without increasing severe neonatal outcomes. Given the risks associated with preterm birth, the study consistently supports vaccination recommendations for women planning pregnancy.

The right heart catheterization (RHC) remains an important diagnostic tool for a spectrum of cardiovascular disease processes including pulmonary hypertension (PH), shock, valvular heart disease, and unexplained dyspnea. While it gained widespread utilization after its introduction, the role of the RHC has evolved to provide valuable information for the management of advanced therapies in heart failure (HF) and cardiogenic shock (CS) to name a few. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the indications, utilization, complications, interpretation, and calculations associated with RHC.

Olive trees are a cornerstone of Mediterranean agriculture but face significant threats from diseases such as Verticillium wilt and olive anthracnose. These diseases, caused by Verticillium dahliae and Colletotrichum spp., respectively, result in significant economic losses and degrade olive oil quality. While traditional chemical treatments present environmental risk, sustainable alternatives such as biological control agents (BCAs) are gaining attention. Epicoccum nigrum, an antagonistic fungus, has shown potential as a BCA due to its production of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. This study aimed to observe whether E. nigrum has an antagonistic ability against V. dahliae and C. acutatum, and to elucidate the metabolic interactions between these fungi using NMR-based metabolomics. E. nigrum showed inhibitory effects on the growth of C. acutatum and V. dahlia of 44.97% and 38.73% respectively. Metabolomic profiling revealed distinct biochemical responses in E. nigrum, V. dahliae, and C. acutatum under mono- and dual-culture. Multivariate statistical analysis highlighted the metabolic shifts in mycelia and identified the primary metabolites, such as glutamine, 4-aminobutyrate, and phenylalanine that are involved in adaption for survival in stress conditions such as the presence of a competitor. The results could be important for a better understanding of the primary fungal metabolism, which is still poorly characterized. Further investigation is needed, but these results suggest that E. nigrum could serve as a BCA, offering a more sustainable approach to managing olive diseases.

Background: Nirsevimab was indicated in a population level for all infants < 6 months during the 2023–2024 season in Andalusia (southern Spain). Our aim was to analyse the effect of nirsevimab in the reduction in complications in infants hospitalised for RSV bronchiolitis. Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in nine relevant hospitals from all provinces of Andalusia, a region with over 9 million inhabitants. The study sample included 222 children, divided into two groups: infants administered with nirsevimab for passive immunisation (exposure) and infants not administered with nirsevimab. Clinical outcomes were analysed, including the use of respiratory support, the need for admission to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and duration of hospitalisation. Bivariate analyses were performed, and multivariable logistic regression models were designed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORa), and Cox regression models to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRa). Results: Bivariate analysis showed an association between passive immunisation with nirsevimab and a lower frequency of numerous outcomes. After adjustment for relevant covariates, multivariable models showed that the exposure (nirsevimab) reduced nasal cannula use by 64% (13–85%), invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation by 48% (1–73%), PICU admission by 54% (14–75%), length of hospitalisation by 30% (8–47%), and length of nasal cannula by 31% (7–49%). A higher risk of co-infection was observed in those immunised (aOR = 3.42, 95%CI: 1.52–7.68). Conclusions: Passive immunisation with nirsevimab may decrease the severity of RSV bronchiolitis in infants requiring hospitalisation, thus contributing tertiary prevention that extends beyond the prevention of RSV infection.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serological response after the complete hepatitis B vaccination of patients according to the immunosuppressive treatment they underwent, and to identify potential factors associated with non-responders. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, and patients under immunosuppressive therapies were considered exposed. The main outcome was non-response to hepatitis B vaccination. Bivariate analysis was conducted to detect differences between exposed and non-exposed patients. A multivariable log-binomial regression model was designed to analyze potential factors independently associated with non-responders. Results: A total of 289 patients were included. Immunosuppressive treatment was associated with non-response to hepatitis B vaccination (RR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.26–4.96). Concretely, the use of cytotoxic therapies showed increased risk, although anti-CD20 and anti-JAK also showed a tendency to be associated with non-responders. Other variables associated with non-responders were older age (6–7% higher risk per year), smoking (RR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.41–6.74) and certain vaccine regimens. These findings were similar for persistent non-responders despite an additional booster dose. Conclusions: Patients receiving immunosuppressive treatments, who are older in age or who are smokers have a higher risk of non-response to conventional hepatitis B vaccination. These data might serve to optimize hepatitis B vaccination in high-risk patients.

This paper presents investigations concerning the thermal firebrand reaction due to its accumulation in the top of ceramic roof tiles, commonly applied to the exterior of dwellings in southern Europe. A large-scale fire experiment is conducted, wherein firebrands are placed above the tiles and temperature readings are taken from multiple layers of the building components. The selection of materials for the roof layer assembly was based on recommendations for either fire resistance or high temperature behaviour. The test follows the fire setup recommended in the California Building Code for firebrand deposition. This investigation will allow for a more accurate verification of the firebrand reaction in the roof, including the type of ignition, the creation of smoke and droplets, and even their mechanical ability to withstand elevated temperatures.

In recent years, novel findings have progressively and promisingly supported the potential role of Artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the management of various neoplasms, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC represents the most common primary liver cancer. Alarmingly, the HCC incidence is dramatically increasing worldwide due to the simultaneous “pandemic” spreading of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD currently constitutes the leading cause of chronic hepatic damage (steatosis and steatohepatitis), fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis, configuring a scenario where an HCC onset has been reported even in the early disease stage. On the other hand, HCC represents a serious plague, significantly burdening the outcomes of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus-infected patients. Despite the recent progress in the management of this cancer, the overall prognosis for advanced-stage HCC patients continues to be poor, suggesting the absolute need to develop personalized healthcare strategies further. In this “cold war”, machine learning techniques and neural networks are emerging as weapons, able to identify the patterns and biomarkers that would have normally escaped human observation. Using advanced algorithms, AI can analyze large volumes of clinical data and medical images (including routinely obtained ultrasound data) with an elevated accuracy, facilitating early diagnosis, improving the performance of predictive models, and supporting the multidisciplinary (oncologist, gastroenterologist, surgeon, radiologist) team in opting for the best “tailored” individual treatment. Additionally, AI can significantly contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of metabolomics–radiomics-based models, promoting the identification of specific HCC-pathogenetic molecules as new targets for realizing novel therapeutic regimens. In the era of precision medicine, integrating AI into routine clinical practice appears as a promising frontier, opening new avenues for liver cancer research and treatment.

Objectives: We aimed to analyze potential predictors for the development of metachronous fractures (MFs) after osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs), with particular focus on radiological variables obtained at initial X-rays and computed tomography (CT) examinations, treatment applied (conservative management [CM] versus percutaneous vertebroplasty [PV]), and fractures located at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2). Methods: We conducted a two-center, observational retrospective study, including patients with single-level OVFs treated with CM or VP. We collected socio-demographic, radiological and treatment-related variables. We performed descriptive and contrastive bivariate analyses based on the presence of MFs and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to obtain adjusted and crude odds ratios (aOR and cOR, respectively) for predicting MFs. Finally, we performed receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to determine the discriminative power of the models obtained. Results: Of the 90 patients included, 20 (22.2%) developed one or more MFs (15 in CM and 5 in PV groups, respectively; p = 0.037). The treatment group (aOR for PV, 0.087; 95%CI, 0.015–0.379), presence of intravertebral cleft (aOR, 5.62; 95%CI, 1.84–19.2) and difference in posterior height loss between X-rays and CT (aOR, 0.926; 95%CI, 0.856–0.992) were identified as significant predictors for MFs, while Genant’s numerical classification showed a trend toward significance (aOR, 1.97; 95%CI, 0.983–4.19; p = 0.064). A multivariate model combining these four variables showed optimal fitting and correctly discriminated over 80% of cases (AUC, 0.828; 95%CI, 0.725–0.930). Factors associated with MFs in thoracolumbar junction OVFs were intravertebral cleft, CM, posterior height loss in CT, and DGOU OF3 fractures. Conclusions: The presence of intravertebral cleft, a difference in posterior height loss between X-rays and CT equal to or lower than 2.4%, higher grades of Genant’s numerical classification, and application of CM instead of PV are predictors of MFs. These findings improve our understanding of the factors involved in the development of MFs, but they need to be validated prospectively.

Purpose: To measure the displacement of retinal vascular plexi and choriocapillaris after pars plana vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole, using optical coherence tomography angiography, and correlate it with clinical data., Methods: Retrospective series with a 6-month follow-up. Records included Best Corrected Visual Acuity, M-charts, structural optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography. Coronal displacement was calculated comparing consecutive images across the 6.4 mm × 6.4 mm field and concentric circular regions of 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 mm radii . Each circular region was further divided in four quadrants indicated as follows: SuperoTemporal; SuperNasal; InferoTemporal; InferoNasal., Results: The study comprised 33 patients (11 men and 22 women) with 68.9 ± 10.2 years mean age, similar among sexes. Macular hole closed in 31/33 (93.9%) of cases and Best Corrected Visual Acuity improved from mean 20/62 (0.50 ± 0.62 logarithm of Minimum Angle of Resolution) to 20/47 (0.23 ± 0.63 logarithm of Minimum Angle of Resolution; P = 0.0064). Vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia decreased from 0.98 ± 0.68 to 0.51 ± 0.59° ( P = 0.0028) and 0.84 ± 0.63 to 0.29 ± 0.45° ( P < 0.001), respectively. The average retinal displacement was 81.2 ± 44.1 µ m for the superficial plexus and 79.4 ± 45.7 µ m for the deep one, both greater than the choriocapillaris displacement (60.9 ± 20.2 µ m; P < 0.05). The temporal and superior quadrants displaced more than the others ( P < 0.05). Macular hole size correlated to retinal displacement within the central 0.5-mm radius area at all layers ( P < 0.05 in all cases)., Conclusion: Macular hole closure is associated with significant retinal displacement of all retinal layers and choriocapillaris remodeling. Surgical peeling removes the constraining effect of the internal limiting membrane and promotes a multilayered displacement that fills the retinal defect, likely due to a change in the equilibrium of forces between the contractile retinal structures: the larger superficial retinal vessels and the retinal nerve fiber layer., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Opthalmic Communications Society, Inc.)

Background and Aims: Quantifying systemic inflammation (SI) in acutely decompensated cirrhosis (ADC) is of major importance because SI is a driver of the most severe forms of ADC, including acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Blood biomarkers of SI already evaluated in ADC failed to appropriately assess SI in ADC. We aimed to investigate whether gene expression related to circulating immune cells could quantify SI in ADC., Methods: Standard biomarkers (white cell count, C reactive protein, cytokines) and genome-wide RNA expression (RNA-sequencing) were obtained in blood from 700 patients with ADC at the time of their hospital admission. A composite score based on standard biomarkers of SI (Chronic Liver Failure-Standard Biomarkers Composite (CLIF-SBC) score) and a gene score (CLIF-Systemic Inflammation Gene (SIG) score) composed of the 28 top differentially expressed immune cell-related genes in the comparison between high-severity and low-severity clinical phenotypes were computed. Among the 700 patients, the CLIF-SIG score was repeated once during follow-up in 375 patients, and 3 times or more in 46 patients., Results: The CLIF-SIG score was more accurate in reflecting clinical severity induced by SI than the CLIF-SBC score (area under the curve 0.803 vs 0.658). A CLIF-SIG score of 0.386 (Youden Index) was the best cut-off level discriminating patients with poor outcomes from the others, in all clinical scenarios. Sequential measurement of the CLIF-SIG score showed that 78% of patients were admitted at the peak or descending part of the SI-wave. ACLF developed during hospitalisation in 80% of patients with a CLIF-SIG score >0.386 on admission., Conclusions: In patients with ADC, the CLIF-SIG score is an accurate estimator of SI, clinical course severity and prognosis., Competing Interests: Competing interests: JT has received speaking and/or consulting fees from Versantis, Gore, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Falk, Grifols, Genfit and CSL Behring; PA received lecture fees from BioMarin, Grifols and has served on the advisory board for Biovie and BioMarin; WB received consulting fees from Versantis and Flagship Pioneering; PC received grant support from Grifols SA and Octapharma SA, lecture fees from Grifols SA, Octapharma SA, Takeda SA and CSL Behring SA and has served on the data safety advisory board for Grifols SA, Takeda SA and CSL Behring SA; MM received speaking fees/consulting: Biosidus, Gador, Gilead Sciences, Intercept, Knight, Roche; JFer received lecture fees from Grifols SA; TG received a research grant from Gilead and has served on the advisory board for GoLiver Therapeutics and Cellaïon; RJ had research collaborations with Yaqrit and Takeda, is the inventor of OPA, which has been patented by UCL and licensed to Mallinckrodt Pharma and is the founder of Yaqrit Limited, a spin-off company from University College London and Thoeris; RMor received consulting fees from Genfit and CSL Behring; SP received consulting fees from the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, Boehringer Ingelheim and lecture fees from Grifols, Ferring and MEDSCAPE; WL has received consultancy fees from CSL Behring, MRM Health, Cook Medical and Boston-Scientific; AZ received speaking and consulting fees from Gore, Falk, CSL Behring and Grifols. The remaining authors disclosed no conflicts., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)

Aim: Estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, are frequently detected in lung cancers, yet their prognostic impact on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) outcomes remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the pooled prevalence and prognostic significance of ERα and ERβ in NSCLC, with a focus on gender differences., Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, identifying studies from major databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, that reported ERα and ERβ expression and survival outcomes in NSCLC. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models to assess associations with overall survival (OS). Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic, and publication bias was examined with funnel plots. Statistical analyses were conducted in R (version 4.3.0) utilizing the 'meta' package.", Results: Eighteen studies comprising 3842 patients met the inclusion criteria. ERα positivity was observed in 32 % of cases, whereas ERβ positivity was found in 60 %. ERα positivity in males was 53 %, and in females was 47 %. Meanwhile, ERβ positivity was seen in 49 % of males and 51 % of females. The pooled HR for ERα was 1.17 (95 % CI: 0.60-2.27), indicating no significant association with OS. However, ERβ positivity was linked to a statistically significant reduction in mortality risk (HR 0.85, 95 % CI: 0.72-0.99, p = 0.04). Subgroup analysis demonstrated a higher mortality hazard in males compared to females (HR 1.42, 95 % CI: 1.22-1.67, p < 0.005)., Conclusion: NSCLC exhibits high rates of ERβ expression, which is linked to improved survival outcomes. In contrast, ERα expression is less prevalent, and its prognostic significance remains uncertain. These findings underscore ERβ as a promising therapeutic target in NSCLC, emphasizing the need for continued research into hormone-targeted treatments in lung cancer, especially given that approximately 50 % of both male and female patients with NSCLC express ERβ., 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 © 2025 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Over two million species have been named so far, but many will be invalidated due to redundant descriptions. Undetected invalid species (i.e., synonyms) can impair inferences we make in biodiversity research and hamper the implementation of effective conservation strategies. However, the processes leading to the accumulation of invalid names remain largely unknown. Using multi-model inferences, we investigated the patterns and potential drivers of species- and assemblage-level variation in synonym counts across terrestrial vertebrates globally. We also explored how taxonomic uncertainty (i.e., instability in species identities) can affect latitudinal variation of diversification rates. The average number of synonyms was higher for species described earlier, better represented in scientific collections, with larger geographic ranges, occurring in temperate regions, and in areas of high biodiversity attention. In assemblage-level models, a higher average number of synonyms was associated with temperate regions harbouring more early-described species. Areas of high endemism richness showed fewer synonyms across amphibians and reptiles but had an inverse effect for birds and mammals. Other predictor-response relationships varied across taxonomic groups, biogeographical realm, and spatial grain. Assuming that more synonyms indicate more stable species that have been thoroughly studied and reviewed, high synonym numbers in temperate species and assemblages support claims of a potential latitudinal taxonomy gradient, where geographic variation in taxonomic practice could hinder the proper recognition of tropical species. We show that the accumulation of invalid names is not random and discuss how invalid hidden names can affect biodiversity inferences. A potential approach to address this problem would be developing a taxonomic uncertainty metric that could be incorporated into models (i.e., as weights to account for varying degrees of uncertainty during the fitting process). Our study provides an initial approximation and highlights the often-neglected issue of uncertainty and instability in species identities from a macroecological perspective., (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of the Society of Systematic Biologists. 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.)

Introduction: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) studies in Alzheimer's disease (AD) demonstrate ancestry-specific loci. Previous studies in the regulatory architecture have only been conducted in Europeans (EUs), thus studies in additional ancestries are needed. Given the prevalence of AD genes expressed in microglia, we initiated our studies in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) -derived microglia., Methods: We created iPSC-derived microglia from 13 individuals of either high Amerindian (AI), African (AF), or EU global ancestry, including both AD and controls. RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and pathway analyses were compared between ancestries in both AD and non-AD genes., Results: Twelve AD genes were differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and/or accessible between ancestries, including ABI3, CTSB, and MS4A6A. A total of 5% of all genes had differential ancestral expression, but differences in accessibility were less than 1%. The DEGs were enriched in known AD pathways., Discussion: This resource will be valuable in evaluating AD in admixed populations and other neurological disorders and understanding the AD risk differences between populations., Highlights: First comparison of the genomics of AI, AF, and EU microglia. Report differences in expression and accessibility of AD genes between ancestries. Ancestral expression differences are greater than differences in accessibility. Good transcriptome correlation was seen between brain and iPSC-derived microglia. Differentially expressed AD genes were in known AD pathways., (© 2025 The Author(s). Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)