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Abstract Hybridization has been recognized to play important roles in evolution, however studies of the genetic consequence are still lagging behind in vertebrates due to the lack of appropriate experimental systems. Fish of the genus Xiphophorus are proposed to have evolved with multiple ancient and ongoing hybridization events. They have served as an informative research model in evolutionary biology and in biomedical research on human disease for more than a century. Here, we provide the complete genomic resource including annotations for all described 26 Xiphophorus species and three undescribed taxa and resolve all uncertain phylogenetic relationships. We investigate the molecular evolution of genes related to cancers such as melanoma and for the genetic control of puberty timing, focusing on genes that are predicted to be involved in pre-and postzygotic isolation and thus affect hybridization. We discovered dramatic size-variation of some gene families. These persisted despite reticulate evolution, rapid speciation and short divergence time. Finally, we clarify the hybridization history in the entire genus settling disputed hybridization history of two Southern swordtails. Our comparative genomic analyses revealed hybridization ancestries that are manifested in the mosaic fused genomes and show that hybridization often preceded speciation.

Abstract Infection is the leading cause of death in multiple myeloma (MM). However, the cellular composition associated with immune dysfunction is not defined. We analyzed immune profiles in the peripheral blood of patients with MM (n = 28) and B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (n = 53) vs. health care practitioners (n = 96), using multidimensional and computational flow cytometry. MM patients displayed altered distribution of most cell types (41/56, 73%), particularly within the B-cell (17/17) and T-cell (20/30) compartments. Using COVID-19 as a case study, we compared the immune response to vaccination based on 64,304 data points generated from the analysis of 1099 longitudinal samples. MM patients showed limited B-cell expansion linked to lower anti-RBD and anti-S antibody titers after the first two doses and booster. The percentages of B cells and CD4+ T cells in the blood, as well as the absolute counts of B cells and dendritic cells, predicted vaccine immunogenicity at different time points. In contrast with the humoral response, the percentage and antigen-dependent differentiation of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells was not altered in MM patients. Taken together, this study defined the cellular composition associated with immune dysfunction in MM and provided biomarkers such as the B-cell percentage and absolute count to individualize vaccination calendars.

Iron palaeometallurgy was carried out on three artefacts, classified as nails and excavated from the archaeological site of Loiola (La Arboleda, Biscay, northern Spain), to investigate Roman manufacturing techniques. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) coupled with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to obtain elemental composition and structural characterization of mineral phases. Metallurgical properties and crystallographic texture were studied by combining microscopic methods such as optical microscopy (OM), Electron Backscatter Diffraction realized in environmental mode (EBSD) and measurements of local Vickers microhardness. The three artefacts had different microstructures, distinguished by a large gradient of carbon content, although important segregations (inclusions) were observed in all of them. Two pearlite-rich artefacts showed a high density of structural defects (geometrically necessary dislocations and large crystallographic orientation gradients in pearlitic ferrite, curved pearlitic cementite) resulting from a high level of plastic deformation that occurred during the manufacturing process. The third artefact consisted of pure ferrite without structural defects. This one was clearly manufactured differently from the two others, so it probably had another functionality.

Objetivo. El trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) se caracteriza por alteraciones en el desarrollo, dificultades de interacción social y comunicación, y patrones restrictivos y repetitivos de conducta. A pesar de su alta prevalencia, pocos estudios se han realizado en ambientes de rehabilitación. El objetivo del estudio fue describir las características de los niños con TEA atendidos en el Servicio de Rehabilitación Pediátrica del Hospital Rebagliati (SRPHNERM). Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de niños menores de 14 años con diagnóstico previo de TEA atendidos en el SRP-HNERM durante el 2022. Resultados. Se evaluaron a 120 niños con TEA. La mediana de edad fue de cinco años. La mayoría recibía educación regular, pero solo para el 9,8% fue inclusiva. La media de edad de diagnóstico fue de 3,83 años. El 78,4% no tenía certificado de discapacidad y el 77,5% tenía evaluación psicológica incompleta. La mediana del tiempo transcurrido desde las últimas sesiones de terapia física, ocupacional y de lenguaje fue de 3, 8 y 3,5 meses respectivamente. Conclusión. La media de edad de diagnóstico de TEA fue mayor de tres años y más del 75% de los pacientes no contaban con un certificado de discapacidad ni con una evaluación psicológica completa. La mediana del tiempo desde las últimas sesiones de terapias de rehabilitación fue de tres meses o más. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de potenciar el diagnóstico temprano, la educación inclusiva y la evaluación y posterior certificación de la discapacidad, así como de establecer intervenciones más oportunas.

Setting goals that are context-specific, relevant, and collectively shared is critical in adaptation. As necessary elements in target setting, imaginaries for adaptation and the language connected to them remain vague. Visuals produced through art-science collaborations can be great allies to (de)construct imaginaries and deglobalise discourses of adaptation.

Highlights Urban adaptation relates to how people imagine plausible and desirable urban futures. Adaptation imaginaries refer to collective representations of how society should act and towards which goal in the context of unprecedented climate change impacts. However, the existing narratives of adaptation action tend to entrench actions that may not be beneficial in the long term and may lead to maladaptation and inequities. This is the case, for example, of flood protection barriers that displace natural barriers, such as mangroves, or water distribution networks that supply water by depleting reserves elsewhere. New adaptation imaginaries will facilitate just adaptation and enable radical changes in the relationship between humans and their environment. One step to do so is to disrupt the dominant understandings of adaptation. The aim of this special issue is to demonstrate the multiple ways in which such disruption can happen. Three areas where disruption can happen are: (1) in international political narratives, (2) in the relationship between climate change and urbanisation and (3) in the implementation of action on the ground when action encounters the realities of infrastructure and service delivery. This special issue argues that the first step in delivering climate change adaptation is to foster new ways of imagining what adaptation is needed and how it should be delivered. First, there should be efforts to understand the assumptions embedded in dominant imaginaries of urban adaptation. Second, there is a need to understand how urbanisation changes how we imagine urban areas and their resilience. Third, radical attempts to reimagine adaptation are already taking place in daring adaptation practices. Fourth, disruptive frameworks exist to challenge dominant imaginaries, but there is a need for more practical, embedded experiences of urban adaptation alternatives.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health globally, leading to a deterioration in the overall mental health of the population and changes across all healthcare levels, including emergency departments (ED). However, the evolution of the quantity and nature of psychiatric ED visits in the post-pandemic period remains uncertain.AimsTo examine changes in the number and nature of psychiatric emergencies at a general hospital before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and methodsPsychiatric ED visits from a tertiary hospital in the Basque Country (Spain) between January 2019 and November 2023 were investigated. Electronical health registers detailing the number and nature of psychiatric care consultations were analyzed for the study timeframe. Three periods were then compared: pre-pandemic (from January 2019 to February 2020), pandemic (from March 2020 to January 2022), and post-pandemic (from February 2022 onwards).Results16,969 psychiatric ED visits were recorded for the study period. The number of psychiatric ED visits remained stable from pre-pandemic (269.93 visits/month) to pandemic (264.48 visits/month) periods but experienced a significant rise during the post-pandemic period (330.00 visits/month; t=-6.42; p

Background: The main objective of this study is to determine the accuracy of different biochemical markers of hepatic steatosis and to correlate liver steatosis with adherence to the Mediterranean diet and level of physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, including subjects over 50 years of age, with a BMI > 25 kg/m2, but excluding any patient with documented hepatic pathology other than hepatic steatosis. Participants were divided into two groups: patients with hepatic steatosis diagnosed by ultrasound (SG) and a control group of individuals without hepatic steatosis (CG). The level of physical activity was recorded by the IPAQ-SF questionnaire and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet was recorded using the PREDIMED questionnaire. Biochemical markers analyzed included the Hepatic steatosis index (HSI), AST-to-Platelet ratio (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4). Results: A total of 116 patients were included, 71 belonging to the SG and 45 to the CG. A total of 58.6% of the patients showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, 35.4% moderate adherence and 6% high adherence. The median estimated physical activity was 495 METS, with most participants reporting light activity. In the SG, significantly higher HSI values were observed (p < 0.001). A cut-off point of a HSI of 40 was established, with a sensitivity of 73.2% and a specificity of 65.8%. Significantly higher FIB-4 values (p = 0.039) were also observed in the SG. A cut-off point of FIB-4 was set at 0.27, with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 57.9%. Patients in the SG showed lower scores in the PREDIMED. Patients in the SG tended to show lower METS scores. However, the higher number of patients with intense activity in the CG group stands out (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The HSI and FIB-4 showed a significant correlation with liver steatosis. Hepatic steatosis is associated with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet and patients with hepatic steatosis tended to have lower METS scores.

Summary: Fanconi anemia (FA) is characterized by congenital abnormalities, bone marrow failure, and cancer susceptibility. The central FA protein complex FANCI/FANCD2 (ID2) is activated by monoubiquitination and recruits DNA repair proteins for interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair and replication fork protection. Defects in the FA pathway lead to R-loop accumulation, which contributes to genomic instability. Here, we report that the splicing factor SRSF1 and FANCD2 interact physically and act together to suppress R-loop formation via mRNA export regulation. We show that SRSF1 stimulates FANCD2 monoubiquitination in an RNA-dependent fashion. In turn, FANCD2 monoubiquitination proves crucial for the assembly of the SRSF1-NXF1 nuclear export complex and mRNA export. Importantly, several SRSF1 cancer-associated mutants fail to interact with FANCD2, leading to inefficient FANCD2 monoubiquitination, decreased mRNA export, and R-loop accumulation. We propose a model wherein SRSF1 and FANCD2 interaction links DNA damage response to the avoidance of pathogenic R-loops via regulation of mRNA export.

Organocatalysts are used in a wide range of polymerisation reactions with the advantage of being often more benign or sustainable, while maintaining high catalytic activity. However, the low thermal stability of most of these compounds remain an obstacle for high temperature reactions. It was recently reported that complexes formed from a base such as 1,4,7‐triazabicyclodecene (TBD) and an acid such as methane sulfonic acid (MSA) demonstrate high thermal stability while efficiently catalysing polycondensation reactions. However, TBD is not cost‐efficient neither available at industrial scale, which makes it unfit for scaling up. Herein, eight different bases have been investigated to replace TBD. First, we confirmed the complex formation between the MSA and the base by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy while confirming the thermal stability of the mixtures by thermogravimetric analysis before evaluating their catalytic activity in the self‐condensation of 1,6‐hexanediol. Among the different investigated bases, 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl guanidine (TMG) appeared to be the most appropriate option since it gathers both high thermal stability and good catalytic activity. These characteristics make TMG suitable for replacing TBD in the self‐condensation of diols while opening the way for being used in a wide range of high temperature (de)polymerisation reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization has been recognized to play important roles in evolution, however studies of the genetic consequence are still lagging behind in vertebrates due to the lack of appropriate experimental systems. Fish of the genus Xiphophorus are proposed to have evolved with multiple ancient and ongoing hybridization events. They have served as an informative research model in evolutionary biology and in biomedical research on human disease for more than a century. Here, we provide the complete genomic resource including annotations for all described 26 Xiphophorus species and three undescribed taxa and resolve all uncertain phylogenetic relationships. We investigate the molecular evolution of genes related to cancers such as melanoma and for the genetic control of puberty timing, focusing on genes that are predicted to be involved in pre-and postzygotic isolation and thus affect hybridization. We discovered dramatic size-variation of some gene families. These persisted despite reticulate evolution, rapid speciation and short divergence time. Finally, we clarify the hybridization history in the entire genus settling disputed hybridization history of two Southern swordtails. Our comparative genomic analyses revealed hybridization ancestries that are manifested in the mosaic fused genomes and show that hybridization often preceded speciation. The phylogenetic and hybridization history of Xiphophorus fish remains contentious, despite their long-standing role as models in evolutionary biology and human disease research. This study presents a complete genome resource that resolves the previously conflicting phylogeny and evolutionary history of the group, revealing that hybridizations preceded speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection is the leading cause of death in multiple myeloma (MM). However, the cellular composition associated with immune dysfunction is not defined. We analyzed immune profiles in the peripheral blood of patients with MM (n = 28) and B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (n = 53) vs. health care practitioners (n = 96), using multidimensional and computational flow cytometry. MM patients displayed altered distribution of most cell types (41/56, 73%), particularly within the B-cell (17/17) and T-cell (20/30) compartments. Using COVID-19 as a case study, we compared the immune response to vaccination based on 64,304 data points generated from the analysis of 1099 longitudinal samples. MM patients showed limited B-cell expansion linked to lower anti-RBD and anti-S antibody titers after the first two doses and booster. The percentages of B cells and CD4+ T cells in the blood, as well as the absolute counts of B cells and dendritic cells, predicted vaccine immunogenicity at different time points. In contrast with the humoral response, the percentage and antigen-dependent differentiation of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells was not altered in MM patients. Taken together, this study defined the cellular composition associated with immune dysfunction in MM and provided biomarkers such as the B-cell percentage and absolute count to individualize vaccination calendars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main objective of this study is to determine the accuracy of different biochemical markers of hepatic steatosis and to correlate liver steatosis with adherence to the Mediterranean diet and level of physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, including subjects over 50 years of age, with a BMI > 25 kg/m2, but excluding any patient with documented hepatic pathology other than hepatic steatosis. Participants were divided into two groups: patients with hepatic steatosis diagnosed by ultrasound (SG) and a control group of individuals without hepatic steatosis (CG). The level of physical activity was recorded by the IPAQ-SF questionnaire and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet was recorded using the PREDIMED questionnaire. Biochemical markers analyzed included the Hepatic steatosis index (HSI), AST-to-Platelet ratio (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4). Results: A total of 116 patients were included, 71 belonging to the SG and 45 to the CG. A total of 58.6% of the patients showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, 35.4% moderate adherence and 6% high adherence. The median estimated physical activity was 495 METS, with most participants reporting light activity. In the SG, significantly higher HSI values were observed (p < 0.001). A cut-off point of a HSI of 40 was established, with a sensitivity of 73.2% and a specificity of 65.8%. Significantly higher FIB-4 values (p = 0.039) were also observed in the SG. A cut-off point of FIB-4 was set at 0.27, with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 57.9%. Patients in the SG showed lower scores in the PREDIMED. Patients in the SG tended to show lower METS scores. However, the higher number of patients with intense activity in the CG group stands out (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The HSI and FIB-4 showed a significant correlation with liver steatosis. Hepatic steatosis is associated with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet and patients with hepatic steatosis tended to have lower METS scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health globally, leading to a deterioration in the overall mental health of the population and changes across all healthcare levels, including emergency departments (ED). However, the evolution of the quantity and nature of psychiatric ED visits in the post-pandemic period remains uncertain. Aims: To examine changes in the number and nature of psychiatric emergencies at a general hospital before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Psychiatric ED visits from a tertiary hospital in the Basque Country (Spain) between January 2019 and November 2023 were investigated. Electronical health registers detailing the number and nature of psychiatric care consultations were analyzed for the study timeframe. Three periods were then compared: pre-pandemic (from January 2019 to February 2020), pandemic (from March 2020 to January 2022), and post-pandemic (from February 2022 onwards). Results: 16,969 psychiatric ED visits were recorded for the study period. The number of psychiatric ED visits remained stable from pre-pandemic (269.93 visits/month) to pandemic (264.48 visits/month) periods but experienced a significant rise during the post-pandemic period (330.00 visits/month; t=-6.42; p<0.001), which was not reflected in medical and traumatological visits. The proportion of visits for anxiety (Z=-2.97; p=0.003), suicidal ideation (Z=-5.48; p<0.001), and administrative and social consultations (Z=-5.69; p<0.001) increased over the course of the pandemic. In contrast, visits for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (Z=4.85; p<0.001), as well as unspecified behavioral alterations (Z=2.51; p=0.012), significantly decreased. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have altered the patterns of urgent psychiatric care, characterized by a sharp increase of average monthly number of consultations and a shift in their nature. Future efforts should focus on characterizing this surge in demand and enhancing both emergency services and outpatient settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Setting goals that are context-specific, relevant, and collectively shared is critical in adaptation. As necessary elements in target setting, imaginaries for adaptation and the language connected to them remain vague. Visuals produced through art-science collaborations can be great allies to (de)construct imaginaries and deglobalise discourses of adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in ChemCatChem features a cover illustration of an award ceremony for a chemistry tournament where teams competed to find a more cost-effective organic base than 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD). The winning base, 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl guanidine (TMG), is celebrated for its economic competitiveness and efficiency. The research by Coralie Jehanno and co‐workers highlights the advantages of TMG over TBD in the self-condensation of diols into polyethers. Readers can access more details in the Research Article by C. Jehanno and co‐workers. [Extracted from the article]

Red wines constitute a major production in Bordeaux vineyards but to ensure the quality of these wines, winemakers should limit the development of the spoilage yeast Brettanomyces bruxellensis. Therefore, the growth of five representative strains of B. bruxellensis in 53 sulphite-free Bordeaux red wines was examined and differences between them were found regarding the ability to support the yeast growth. Thanks to a notation method and unsupervised classification analysis, we classified the wines according to their "permissiveness". The key factors modulating the permissiveness score were the wine ethanol content, the yeast strain and the wine itself (domain, vintage or batch). The pH had little effect. The wine composition analysis (Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) analysis of 43 compounds) did not enable to find the molecules responsible for the wine permissiveness. • Bordeaux wines display heterogeneous tolerance towards B. bruxellensis. • A scoring of wine permissiveness is proposed and evaluated. • The effect of five wine-related factors on the permissiveness is examined. • Alcohol has a more direct impact than pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by developmental alterations, difficulties in social interaction and communication, and restrictive and repetitive behavioral patterns. Despite its high prevalence, few studies have been conducted in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) settings. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of children with ASD treated at the Pediatric Rehabilitation Service of Rebagliati Hospital (PRS-ERMNH). Materials and methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Medical records of children under 14 years of age with ASD treated at PRS-ERMNH during 2022 were reviewed. Results. A total of 120 children with ASD were evaluated. The median age was five years old. Most received regular education, but for only 9.8% it was inclusive. The mean age at diagnosis of ASD was older than three years. 78.4% did not have disability documentation and 77.5% of them had incomplete psychological evaluation. The median time since the last physical, occupational, and speech and language therapy sessions were 3, 8 and 3.5 months, respectively. Conclusions. The mean age at diagnosis of ASD was older than three years, and over 75% of the patients did not have disability documentation or undergo a complete psychological assessment. The median time since the last rehabilitation therapy sessions was three months or more. These findings emphasize the need to enhance early diagnosis, inclusive education, and disability evaluation and documentation strategies, as well as to establish more timely rehabilitation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]