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[Display omitted] Nitrogen-doped carbon-based electrodes are among the most promising alternatives to platinum-based electrodes in the cathode of fuel cells and metal-air batteries, where the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) takes place. Among the approaches for improving ORR activity, nitrogen functionalities and well-developed textural properties have proved very effective. Nonetheless, the question of which between nitrogen active sites or textural properties are more crucial in N -doped carbon materials remains unanswered. This work proposes a comparative and critical approach through the selective functionalization of four commercial activated carbons with different textural properties. This study highlights the greater importance of N -doping in relation to the textural properties of carbon materials, and provides fundamental insights for conclusively addressing the ongoing debate within the carbon community about the significance of these two factors in the context of ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The development of new echocardiographic techniques, such as two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and assessment of longitudinal myocardial deformation, may be new alternative tools to analyse the presence and severity of pulmonary hypertension in heartworm disease. A total of 93 dogs were used, of which 71% were diagnosed with heartworm infection and 41% were found to have PH. The measurements evaluated were obtained using Right Ventricular Automated Function Imaging (RV AFI®) software. The results showed significant differences between animals with and without pulmonary hypertension. Cut-off values with high sensitivity and specificity were also obtained for the detection of pulmonary hypertension in the animals analysed. Echocardiographic measurements for functional assessment of the right ventricle using myocardial longitudinal strain have demonstrated their usefulness in heartworm-infected dogs. Echocardiographic assessment of the right ventricle is helpful for analysing the pathophysiology of heartworm disease and detecting pulmonary hypertension (PH) in dogs. In veterinary cardiology, the study of myocardial deformation using two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-STE) echocardiography has become increasingly acknowledged as useful for quantifying right ventricular function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of myocardial deformation strain of the right ventricular free wall (FWS), global deformation strain of the right ventricle, including the interventricular septum (GS), and tissue motion annular displacement of the tricuspid valve (TMAD) in a cohort of dogs with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) disease and to determine cut-off values for detecting the presence of PH. Out of the 93 dogs tested, 71% were diagnosed with heartworm infection. PH was identified in 41% of the infected dogs following the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) guidelines, based on the peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity to calculate the tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG), while other routine measurements were used, including the right pulmonary artery distensibility index (RPADi). The 2D-STE mode measurements were determined using Right Ventricular Automated Function Imaging (RV AFI®) software. The statistical analysis showed significant differences in the studied parameters among dogs with and without PH. Additionally, sensitivity (sen) and specificity (sp) cut-off values were obtained (GS ≥ −21.25%, sen 96%, sp 86.4%; FWS ≥ −21.95%, sen 92.56%, sp 95.5%; TMAD ≤ 0.85 cm, sen 70.4%, sp 83.3%). These results demonstrated that GS, FWS, and TMAD could be used as supplementary and alternative variables to conventional echocardiographic measurements when detecting PH in dogs with heartworm disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health institutions have the fundamental duty to educate and inform about health, and to promote social empowerment through their messages, which must always be adapted to the public, both socially, culturally and linguistically (LGSP 33/2011). Applying visual thinking to the health information through animation makes it possible to simplify and transform complex content into attractive and simple messages, in a way that facilitates understanding and retention of information by any audience (Okan Gil et al., 2016; Vivas, 2021; Anibueze et al., 2022). This study seeks to determine the use of animation as an informative resource by the Spanish National Health System (SNS) on YouTube, in order to determine the function assigned to this content and the objectives pursued by its dissemination. Methodology: A review was carried out of all the audiovisual content stored on the available official channels, from their creation until 2022, by means of an analytical file with 14 descriptive variables divided into three blocks -identifying elements, descriptive dimension of the content and narrative dimension-. Results: After analysing 18 official channels, a total of 7944 videos were identified, of which 1371 (17.3%) were animations. They are characterised by messages that, beyond informing, aim to educate in health, as they disseminate recommendations and advice to improve people's lives. Discussion and Conclusions: All this shows that institutions are working to adapt their messages to more dynamic and understandable formats, using representations derived from visual thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tissue Doppler imaging is a useful echocardiographic technique to evaluate the systolic and diastolic function of the right ventricle and has been used as an estimator of pulmonary hypertension. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of tissue Doppler echocardiography to determine the presence of pulmonary hypertension in dogs with heartworm disease. A total of 116 heartworm-infected dogs and 33 healthy dogs were included in the study. Echocardiographic determinations were performed following established protocols to determine the presence of pulmonary hypertension in 47.4% of dogs infected with heartworm. Subsequently, a total of eight echocardiographic measurements were performed using tissue Doppler imaging to determine their usefulness in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. Overall, the results showed significant differences with respect to the presence or absence of pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, acceptable cut-off values were reported to estimate the presence of pulmonary hypertension in most echocardiographic measurements determined using tissue Doppler imaging. The measures analysed have demonstrated their usefulness as a complementary tool to determine pulmonary hypertension in dogs with Dirofilaria immitis. Background: Dirofilaria immitis is a nematode that produces proliferative pulmonary endarteritis in dogs due to direct contact of the adult parasites with the intima layer of the pulmonary arteries, leading to irreversible severe structural damage and sustained pulmonary hypertension (PH), which can produce severe cardiorespiratory disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of the echocardiography tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in determining the presence of PH in dogs with heartworm disease. Methods: There were 116 heartworm-infected dogs with PH and 33 healthy dogs included in the study. Based on the right pulmonary artery distensibility index (RPADi) < 29.5%, PH was present in 47.4% of infected dogs. Additionally, the animals were evaluated using other standard alternative echocardiographic measures to estimate PH. Moreover, a total of eight echocardiographic measurements were analysed using the TDI to determine its usefulness in diagnosing PH (E′, A′, S, E′:A′, global TDI, HRI-IVCT, HRI-IVRT, R-TEI). Results: The TDI measurements showed significant differences between dogs with and without PH, demonstrating a positive correlation with respect to the RPADi. In addition, cut-off values for the detection of PH with excellent sensitivity and specificity were found for E′:A′, global TDI, HRI-IVCT, HRI-IVRT and R-TEI. Conclusions: The TDI mode may be useful as an adjunct diagnostic method for the determination of PH in dogs with Dirofilaria immitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is among the main abiotic factors causing agronomical losses worldwide. To minimize its impact, several strategies have been proposed, including the use of plant growth‐promoting bacteria (PGPBs), as they have demonstrated roles in counteracting abiotic stress. This aspect has been little explored in emergent crops such as quinoa, which has the potential to contribute to reducing food insecurity. Thus, here we hypothesize that the genotype, water environment and the type of inoculant are determining factors in shaping quinoa rhizosphere bacterial communities, affecting plant performance. To address this, two different quinoa cultivars (with contrasting water stress tolerance), two water conditions (optimal and limiting water conditions) and different soil infusions were used to define the relevance of these factors. Different bacterial families that vary among genotypes and water conditions were identified. Certain families were enriched under water stress conditions, such as the Nocardioidaceae, highly present in the water‐sensitive cultivar F15, or the Pseudomonadaceae, Burkholderiaceae and Sphingomonadaceae, more abundant in the tolerant cultivar F16, which also showed larger total polyphenol content. These changes demonstrate that the genotype and environment highly contribute to shaping the root‐inhabiting bacteria in quinoa, and they suggest that this plant species is a great source of PGPBs for utilization under water‐liming conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, the usefulness of echocardiography and serum biomarkers in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in dogs with heartworm disease has been studied. Previously, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has shown high concentrations in dogs with heart disease and/or PH as well as its usefulness as a prognostic indicator, but it has never been evaluated in the diagnosis and prognosis of PH in dogs with heartworm disease. The aim was to evaluate the serum concentrations of NT-proBNP in dogs infected by Dirofilaria immitis to determine its usefulness as a tool to detect precapillary PH. Methods: NT-proBNP was determined in 50 heartworm-infected dogs. Presence/absence of PH was determined echocardiographically, using the Right Pulmonary Artery Distensibility Index (RPAD Index) and the systolic flow of tricuspid regurgitation mainly, together with other echocardiographic measurements following the guidelines of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) for the diagnosis of PH. Other epidemiological parameters (breed, age, sex, status: client-owned or shelter dogs) and clinical parameters (microfilaremia, parasite burden, presence of symptoms, body condition) were collected as well. Results: Moderate-severe PH was present in 40% of the dogs (RPAD Index < 29.5%), NT-proBNP concentrations being significantly higher compared with dogs that did not have PH. A cutoff for NT-proBNP of ≥ 1178.45 pmol/l showed a sensitivity of 64.3% and a specificity of 95.5% for the presence of moderate-severe PH. Older dogs and dogs from shelters showed significantly higher NT-proBNP concentrations. Dogs with symptoms and low body condition presented significantly higher NT-proBNP concentrations as well. Conclusions: The determination of NT-pro-BNP concentration can be a useful tool in the diagnostic work-up of dogs with heartworm disease and associated PH and can help to identify animals in the more advanced stage of this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic materials are usually processed toward C5 and C6 corresponding sugars. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a pretreatment method to solubilize hemicellulose to sugars such xylose without degrading cellulose. However, this pretreatment has not been compared to other processes. Thus, this paper focuses on the techno-economic comparison of the C5–C6 production of C5–C6 as raw materials platforms using non-centrifuged sugarcane bagasse (NCSB) and Pinus patula wood chips (PP). Hydrolysates using TFA 2.5 M as an acid were characterized through HPLC regarding arabinose, galactose glucose, xylose, and mannose sugars. Then, simulations of the processes according to the experimental results were done. The economic assessment was performed, and compared with some common pretreatments. The mass and energy balances of the simulations indicate that the process can be compared with other pretreatments. From the economic perspective, the main operating expenditures (OpEx) are related to raw materials and capital depreciation due to the cost of TFA corrosion issues. The processes showed a CapEx and OpEx of 0.99 MUSD and 6.59 M-USD/year for NCSB, and 0.97 MUSD and 4.37 MUSD/year for PP, considering a small-scale base (1 ton/h). TFA pretreatment is innovative and promising from a techno-economic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cats can be infected by Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of heartworm disease, characterized by respiratory signs, airway hyperreactivity, remodelling and inflammation. Allergy is a multifactorial pathology, and the role of a number of helminth parasites in the development of allergies in humans and other species has been demonstrated in many studies. The aim of the present study was to verify whether cats seropositive for D. immitis present hypersensitivity to some environmental allergens. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 120 cats and tested for the presence of specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against D. immitis and for hypersensitivity to 20 allergens, using commercial allergen test kits. Results: Of the 120 cats tested, 72 (60.0%) were seropositive for anti-D. immitis IgG and 55 (45.8%) showed clinical signs of heartworm disease of a respiratory nature. The results of testing with the allergen kits showed that 50.8% of cats were seropositive for ≥ 1 allergens, with the most common allergens being Dermatophagoides farinae (25.8%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (20.0%), Malassezia (17.5%) and Ctenocephalides felis (14.2%). The prevalence of allergies was significantly higher—by almost threefold—in cats seropositive for D. immitis (68.1% vs. 25%). There were no significant differences between the prevalence of allergic cats and presence/absence of symptoms, and the results confirmed that symptoms were not a decisive factor for the presence of allergies. The risk for developing allergies was 6.3-fold higher in cats seropositive for D. immitis than in cats that were seronegative, confirming that seropositivity for D. immitis is a risk factor. Conclusions: Cats with confirmed heartworm can develop serious respiratory signs, potentially leading to progression to permanent lung injury and predisposing cats to hyperresponsive airway disease. Previous studies have shown that seropositivity for D. immitis and Wolbachia is related to the presence of bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm in the affected cat. The results support the suspicion that contact with D. immitis may be a risk factor for the presence of allergies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scarce evidence exists about the best treatment for multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). We analyzed the effects of steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and their combination on the probability of discharge over time, the probability of switching to second-line treatment over time, and the persistence of fever 2 days after treatment. We did a retrospective study to investigate the effect of different treatments on children with MIS-C from 1 March 2020 to 1 June 2021. We estimated the time-to-event probability using a Cox model weighted by propensity score to balance the baseline characteristics. Thirty of 132 (22.7%) patients were initially treated with steroids alone, 29/132 (21.9%) with IVIG alone, and 73/132 (55%) with IVIG plus steroids. The probability of early discharge was higher with IVIG than with IVIG plus steroids (hazard ratio [HR] 1.65, 95% CI 1.11–2.45, p = 0.013), but with a higher probability of needing second-line therapy compared to IVIG plus steroids (HR 3.05, 95% CI 1.12–8.25, p = 0.028). Patients on IVIG had a higher likelihood of persistent fever than patients on steroids (odds ratio [OR] 4.23, 95% CI 1.43–13.5, p = 0.011) or on IVIG plus steroids (OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.05–9.82, p < 0.001). No differences were found for this endpoint between steroids or steroids plus IVIG. Conclusions: The benefits of each approach may vary depending on the outcome assessed. IVIG seemed to increase the probability of earlier discharge over time but also of needing second-line treatment over time. Steroids seemed to reduce persistent fever, and combination therapy reduced the need for escalating treatment. What is Known: • Steroids plus intravenous immunoglobulin, compared with intravenous immunoglobulin alone for multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) might reduce the need for hemodynamic support and the duration of fever, but the certainty of the evidence is low. What is New: • Intravenous immunoglobulin, steroids, and their combination for MIS-C may have different outcomes. • In this study, intravenous immunoglobulin increased the probability of discharge over time, steroids reduced persistent fever, while combination therapy reduced the need for second-line treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Prostate cancer progression is mainly driven by the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and its inhibition has been the cornerstone in the treatment of patients harboring this disease. However, during the course of prostate cancer, various resistance mechanisms have been defined as responsible for tumor progression and the lack of response to current antiandrogen drugs. These resistance mechanisms act directly over the AR signaling pathway, but also over other bypassing pathways that could potentially be targetable. Therefore, the improvement in the molecular knowledge of prostate cancer progression and the development of new active therapies may overcome the current limits in prolonging the survival of patients with prostate cancer. The androgen signaling pathway is the cornerstone in the treatment of high risk or advanced prostate cancer patients. However, in recent years, different mechanisms of resistance have been defined in this field, limiting the efficacy of the currently approved antiandrogen drugs. Different therapeutic approaches are under research to assess the role of combination therapies against escape signaling pathways or the development of novel antiandrogen drugs to try to solve the primary or acquired resistance against androgen dependent or independent pathways. The present review aims to summarize the current state of androgen inhibition in the therapeutic algorithm of patients with advanced prostate cancer and the mechanisms of resistance to those available drugs. In addition, this review conducted a comprehensive overview of the main present and future research approaches in the field of androgen receptor inhibition to overcome these resistances and the potential new drugs under research coming into this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Late presenters (LP) for HIV care are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. Our aim was to describe the characteristics associated with LP among adolescents in Spain. Identification of particular features may help in the design of strategies for improvement. Methods: Late‐presenting adolescents diagnosed at 12–19 years of age and enrolled in the Spanish paediatric and adult HIV/AIDS cohorts (CoRIS‐CoRISpe) from 2004 to 2019 were selected. LP were defined as those presenting with CD4 count <350 cells/mm3 or an AIDS‐defining event in the 6 months following HIV diagnosis. Confirmed low CD4 count in the next 3 months and before antiretroviral treatment initiation defined confirmed LP (cLP). Results: Of 410 adolescents newly diagnosed with HIV, 303 (73.9%) had available data for assessing late presentation. Of these, 34.7% were LP and 23.7% were cLP. The median CD4 count for cLP was 235 cells/mm3 (interquartile range 122–285). In a multivariable analysis, adolescents at the highest risk of late presentation were early adolescents (age 12–14 years; odds ratio [OR] 6.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.61–18.2), middle adolescents (age 15–17 years; OR 1.85; 95% CI 0.92–3.59), and adolescents born abroad (OR 1.71; 95% CI 0.97–3.00), particularly those of African origin (OR 3.08; 95% CI 1.38–6.79). Conclusions: One‐quarter of adolescents presented late for HIV care in Spain. Early adolescents, middle adolescents, and those born abroad presented a sevenfold, twofold, and twofold higher risk of being cLP, respectively. Enhancing the awareness of HIV risk and the access to care, especially for younger and foreign adolescents, could help reduce late presentation and tackle the adolescent HIV epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logistic regression (LR) is the most common prediction model in medicine. In recent years, supervised machine learning (ML) methods have gained popularity. However, there are many concerns about ML utility for small sample sizes. In this study, we aim to compare the performance of 7 algorithms in the prediction of 1-year mortality and clinical progression to AIDS in a small cohort of infants living with HIV from South Africa and Mozambique. The data set (n = 100) was randomly split into 70% training and 30% validation set. Seven algorithms (LR, Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Naïve Bayes (NB), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Elastic Net) were compared. The variables included as predictors were the same across the models including sociodemographic, virologic, immunologic, and maternal status features. For each of the models, a parameter tuning was performed to select the best-performing hyperparameters using 5 times repeated 10-fold cross-validation. A confusion-matrix was built to assess their accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. RF ranked as the best algorithm in terms of accuracy (82,8%), sensitivity (78%), and AUC (0,73). Regarding specificity and sensitivity, RF showed better performance than the other algorithms in the external validation and the highest AUC. LR showed lower performance compared with RF, SVM, or KNN. The outcome of children living with perinatally acquired HIV can be predicted with considerable accuracy using ML algorithms. Better models would benefit less specialized staff in limited resources countries to improve prompt referral in case of high-risk clinical progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the result of a study of the public policy proposals presented in the Costa Rican Congress to cushion or reverse the socioeconomic and health effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Of all the proposals presented in the first six months of the emergency declaration caused by the virus, in the year 2020, more than half (194 total) try to mitigate one or more of the effects of such an infectious disease. Even in the multiplicity of protection for specific sectors that are sought to be safeguarded (33), there is a marked trend in financial-fiscal regulation and action around productive reactivation. Despite this, a substantial part of the policies proposed to become laws do not have financial support to execute them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the biggest challenges in producing fuel cells at affordable prices is to synthesize carbon materials selectively doped with graphitic nitrogen, as it is considered the most active nitrogen species for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). So far, all strategies focus on the use of nitrogen-containing carbon precursors, which limits the functionalization of commercially available carbon materials. Here, we present a post-functionalization method to boost the catalytic properties of carbon materials for the ORR by selectively enriching activated carbons with nitrogen graphitic species. A commercial high-surface area activated carbon was post-functionalized by a two-step procedure. First, the commercial carbon was mixed with different carbon/urea weight ratios and heated in air at 350 °C. Then, the functionalized materials were heat-treated at high temperature (from 700 to 1300 °C) to tailor the amount and distribution of the different nitrogen species in the resulting carbon structure. Nitrogen functionalization using a carbon to urea weight ratio of 1:2 and heat-treatment at 1100 °C led to highly selective doping in graphitic nitrogen species, which provided the tools to individually asses the catalytic activity of these nitrogen species. In addition, this study presents a low-cost and easily feasible synthesis route to improve the catalytic activity of carbon materials, leading to an onset potential of almost 0.9 V compared to reversible hydrogen electrode for ORR in an alkaline electrolyte. Moreover, this study provides significant evidence for the key role of graphitic nitrogen. [Display omitted] • An efficient and selective N-functionalization of activated carbons is presented. • This selective post-functionalization does not modify the textural properties. • Carbon materials selectively enriched with graphitic nitrogen were produced. • Graphitic nitrogen appears to be a highly active site for ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the phytotoxic potential of azelaic acid (AZA) on Arabidopsis thaliana roots. Effects on root morphology, anatomy, auxin content and transport, gravitropic response and molecular docking were analysed. AZA inhibited root growth, stimulated lateral and adventitious roots, and altered the root apical meristem by reducing meristem cell number, length and width. The treatment also slowed down the roots' gravitropic response, likely due to a reduction in statoliths, starch-rich organelles involved in gravity perception. In addition, auxin content, transport and distribution, together with PIN proteins' expression and localisation were altered after AZA treatment, inducing a reduction in auxin transport and its distribution into the meristematic zone. Computational simulations showed that AZA has a high affinity for the auxin receptor TIR1, competing with auxin for the binding site. The AZA binding with TIR1 could interfere with the normal functioning of the TIR1/AFB complex, disrupting the ubiquitin E3 ligase complex and leading to alterations in the response of the plant, which could perceive AZA as an exogenous auxin. Our results suggest that AZA mode of action could involve the modulation of auxin-related processes in Arabidopsis roots. Understanding such mechanisms could lead to find environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic herbicides. • Azelaic acid showed phytotoxic potential against Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. • Azelaic acid affected root apical meristem anatomy and root growth. • AZA showed high affinity for TIR1, competing with auxin for the binding site. • Auxin polar transport was strongly reduced by azelaic acid. • Azelaic acid slowed down the gravitropic root response and statoliths production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmaline is an indole alkaloid with demonstrated phytotoxicity and recognized pharmacological applications. However, no information is available concerning its mode of action on plant metabolism. Therefore, the present work evaluated bioherbicide mode of action of harmaline on plant metabolism of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Harmaline induced a strong inhibitory activity on root growth of treated seedlings, reaching IC 50 and IC 80 values of 14 and 29 μM, respectively. Treated roots were shorter and thicker than control and were characterized by a shorter root meristem size and an increase of root hairs production. Harmaline induced ultrastructural changes such as increment of cell wall thickness, higher density and condensation of mitochondria and vacuolization, appearance of cell wall deposits, increment of Golgi secretory activity and higher percentage of aberrant nuclei. The ethylene inhibitor AgNO 3 reversed high root hair appearance and increment of root thickness, and pTCSn::GFP transgenic line showed fluorescence cytokinin signal in stele zone after harmaline treatment that was absent in control, whereas the auxin signal in the transgenic line DR5 was significantly reduced by the treatment. All these results suggest that the mode of action of harmaline could be involving auxin, ethylene and cytokinin synergic/antagonistic action. • Harmaline showed phytotoxic potential on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. • Harmaline induced ultrastructural changes on Arabidopsis thaliana roots. • Cytokinin, auxin and ethylene could be involved in harmaline mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocaine addiction is a chronic disorder in which the person loses control over drug use. The past memories of the stimuli associated with the drug are a relevant clinical problem, since they trigger compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking habits. Furthermore, these persistent drug-related memories seemingly coexist with cognitive decline that predicts worse therapeutic output. Here, we use a new animal model of cocaine-altered cognition that allowed to observe these events in the same individual and study their relationship. Mice were chronically administered cocaine in a conditioned place preference (CPP) apparatus for 14 days, and control mice received saline. After 28 days of cocaine withdrawal, animals were tested for retrieval of remote drug-associated memory as well as for cognitive performance in a battery of tests, including novel object and place recognition and spatial memory. The cocaine-withdrawn mice showed persistent CPP memory while impaired in the cognitive tasks, displaying deficits in reference memory acquisition and working memory. However, the CPP expression was not associated with the defective cognitive performance, indicating that they were concomitant but independent occurrences. After completion of the experiment, adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) was studied as a relevant neurobiological correlate due to its potential role in both learning and drug addiction. Results suggested a preserved basal AHN in the cocaine-withdrawn mice but an aberrant learning-induced regulation of these neurons. This paradigm may be useful to investigate maladaptive cognition in drug addiction as well as related therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The chemokine CC motif ligand 1 (CCL1) participates in immune cell recruitment and, as other chemokines, is also involved in nociceptive processing. In contrast with previous reports indicating its participation in allodynia and cold hypernociception when spinally administered, its ability to evoke heat thermal analgesia, mediated by circulating leukocytes and endocannabinoids, after systemic administration has recently been reported. Objectives: Aiming to explore the role played by CCL1 on spinal nociception, we study here the effect of its intrathecal administration on thermal nociception in mice. Methods: Behavioral nociceptive assays, immunohistochemical experiments, white cell blood depletion procedures and qRT‐PCR experiments were performed. Results: The intrathecal administration of CCL1 (0.3–30 ng) produced analgesia as measured by the unilateral hot plate test. This effect peaked 1 h after injection, was prevented by the CCR8 antagonist R243 and was accompanied by a reduction of c‐Fos expression in spinal neurons. Whereas blood leukocyte depletion did not modify it, analgesia was abolished by the microglial inhibitor minocycline, but not the astroglial inhibitor aminoadipate. Furthermore, antinociception remained unmodified by the coadministration of cannabinoid type 1 or 2 receptors antagonists. However, it was reversed by naloxone but not by selective blockade of mu‐ or delta‐opioid receptors. The inhibitory effect induced by the selective kappa‐opioid receptor antagonist, nor‐binaltorphimine, and by an anti‐dynorphin A 1‐17 antibody indicates that analgesia evoked by spinal CCL1 is mediated by endogenous dynorphins acting on kappa‐opioid receptors. Conclusions: Endogenous dynorphin and microglia behave as key players in heat thermal analgesia evoked by spinal CCL1 in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Biochar derived from the pyrolysis of pine tannin is a green and available by-product of oil manufacturing that presents interesting features after having been activated by KOH at 650 °C. Different weight ratios of KOH to biochar were used and the resulting activated carbons (ACs) presented highly developed specific surface areas of up to 2190 m2 g−1, well-connected porosity and high oxygen content, leading to enhanced electrochemical performance when used as electrochemical capacitor electrodes in a 1 M H 2 SO 4 aqueous electrolyte. Galvanostatic charge/discharge experiments evidenced that the best material achieved a maximum electrode capacitance of up to 232 F g−1 (at 0.5 A g−1) with a capacitance retention of 70% at 10 A g−1 using commercial mass loadings (i.e., approx. 10 mg cm−2). In addition, long cycling stability with a residual capacitance of 92 to 94% after 10,000 cycles at 5 A g−1 was achieved. These results prove that ACs derived from pine tannin biochars have great potential for their commercial use as electrochemical energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly represented an unprecedented health crisis throughout 2020 that has implied great changes at both the informational and media levels. Audiovisual content has increased considerably, and health insti- tutions have been interested in demonstrating their position as reliable and first-rate information sources. Indeed, the amount of content disseminated in just 2 months after the declaration of the pandemic exceeded that produced throu- ghout 2019. This study describes the response to this health crisis by the Spanish National Health System on YouTube. To achieve this, the 1,035 audiovisual pieces published by official channels in 2020 were analyzed. To carry out this analysis, each piece was classified into one of seven types (from press conferences to tutorials, recommendations, informative pieces, or testimonials), while the topic covered, the format, as well as the number of views and user comments were determined. The period of greatest production corresponded to the first wave and subsequent deescalation, and the health institution that emitted most messages was the Ministry of Health with 603 videos, 170 animations, and 262 hybrid pieces combining pure video, text, and icons. Animations and hybrid pieces were the most successful messages, being used primarily as guidance to disseminate recommendations and healthy habits. The results of this study highlight the use of animations as a suitable informative resource for education and health promotion. In addition, it identifies the main weaknesses, threats, strengths, and opportunities presented by health audiovisual information on YouTube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the rotating‐bending fatigue behavior in water of a 13Cr‐4Ni martensitic stainless steel as substrate, with two different thermochemical treatments and with a thermal sprayed coating was characterized. Hardness profiles were measured by instrumented nanoindentation. X‐ray diffraction was used to identify the phases and measure the residual stresses, and the fracture micromechanisms were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results show increases of 27%, 74%, and 95% in the fatigue strength from WC‐10Co‐4Cr coating, plasma nitriding and salt bath nitrocarburizing, respectively, compared with that untreated material at 106 cycles. The good fatigue behavior of the treated surfaces was found to result from an increase in the surface hardness and the generated compressive stresses that delay crack initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Strategies aimed at antiretroviral therapy (ART)–free remission will target individuals with a limited viral reservoir. We investigated factors associated with low reservoir measured as total human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in perinatal infection (PaHIV). Methods Children from 7 European centers in the Early Treated Perinatally HIV Infected Individuals: Improving Children's Actual Life (EPIICAL) consortium who commenced ART aged <2 years, and remained suppressed (viral load [VL] <50 copies/mL) for >5 years were included. Total HIV-1 DNA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction per million PBMCs. Factors associated with total HIV-1 DNA were analyzed using generalized additive models. Age, VL at ART initiation, and baseline CD4% effects were tested including smoothing splines to test nonlinear association. Results Forty PaHIV, 27 (67.5%) female 21 (52.5%) Black/Black African, had total HIV-1 DNA measured; median 12 (IQR, 7.3–15.4) years after ART initiation. Eleven had total HIV-1 DNA <10 copies/106 PBMCs. HIV-1 DNA levels were positively associated with age and VL at ART initiation, baseline CD4%, and Western blot antibody score. Age at ART initiation presented a linear association (coefficient = 0.10 ± 0.001, P ≤.001), the effect of VL (coefficient = 0.35 ± 0.1, P ≤.001) noticeable >6 logs. The effect of CD4% (coefficient = 0.03 ± 0.01, P =.049) was not maintained >40%. Conclusions In this PaHIV cohort, reduced total HIV-1 DNA levels were associated with younger age and lower VL at ART initiation. The impact of early-infant treatment on reservoir size persists after a decade of suppressive therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extending the classic validation workflow to deal with imperfect ground truth by using Bayesian latent class models (BLCA) to estimate accuracy. • Extending the classic validation workflow to assess the applicability and acceptance of a deep learning model by employing explainable AI (XAI) methods to involve physicians and evaluate model aceptance and usefulness in routine clinical decisions. • In depth study of an System Decision Tool (SDT) specifically tailored to pediatric CAP. Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is a common childhood infectious disease. Deep learning models show promise in X-ray interpretation and diagnosis, but their validation should be extended due to limitations in the current validation workflow. To extend the standard validation workflow we propose doing a pilot test with the next characteristics. First, the assumption of perfect ground truth (100% sensitive and specific) is unrealistic, as high intra and inter-observer variability have been reported. To address this, we propose using Bayesian latent class models (BLCA) to estimate accuracy during the pilot. Additionally, assessing only the performance of a model without considering its applicability and acceptance by physicians is insufficient if we hope to integrate AI systems into day-to-day clinical practice. Therefore, we propose employing explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods during the pilot test to involve physicians and evaluate how well a Deep Learning model is accepted and how helpful it is for routine decisions as well as analyze its limitations by assessing the etiology. This study aims to apply the proposed pilot to test a deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based model for identifying consolidation in pediatric chest-X-ray (CXR) images already validated using the standard workflow. For the standard validation workflow, a total of 5856 public CXRs and 950 private CXRs were used to train and validate the performance of the CNN model. The performance of the model was estimated assuming a perfect ground truth. For the pilot test proposed in this article, a total of 190 pediatric chest-X-ray (CXRs) images were used to test the CNN model support decision tool (SDT). The performance of the model on the pilot test was estimated using extensions of the two-test Bayesian Latent-Class model (BLCA). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the model were also assessed. The clinical characteristics of the patients were compared according to the model performance. The adequacy and applicability of the SDT was tested using XAI techniques. The adequacy of the SDT was assessed by asking two senior physicians the agreement rate with the SDT. The applicability was tested by asking three medical residents before and after using the SDT and the agreement between experts was calculated using the kappa index. The CRXs of the pilot test were labeled by the panel of experts into consolidation (124/176, 70.4%) and no-consolidation/other infiltrates (52/176, 29.5%). A total of 31/176 (17.6%) discrepancies were found between the model and the panel of experts with a kappa index of 0.6. The sensitivity and specificity reached a median of 90.9 (95% Credible Interval (CrI), 81.2–99.9) and 77.7 (95% CrI, 63.3–98.1), respectively. The senior physicians reported a high agreement rate (70%) with the system in identifying logical consolidation patterns. The three medical residents reached a higher agreement using SDT than alone with experts (0.66±0.1 vs. 0.75±0.2). Through the pilot test, we have successfully verified that the deep learning model was underestimated when a perfect ground truth was considered. Furthermore, by conducting adequacy and applicability tests, we can ensure that the model is able to identify logical patterns within the CXRs and that augmenting clinicians with automated preliminary read assistants could accelerate their workflows and enhance accuracy in identifying consolidation in pediatric CXR images. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) are widely studied as possible candidates for new eco-friendly herbicides for weed management due to their phytotoxicity. In this study we tested the phytotoxic potential of the EO obtained from the roots of Carlina acaulis L. (Apiaceae) against the weed Bidens pilosa L. This EO, containing 98% of the polyacetylene carlina oxide, showed strong phytotoxic effects on the plant metabolism, such as leaf necrosis, reduction of relative water content and total leaf area, and an increase in the dry weight/fresh weight ratio, suggesting a water status alteration. The EO also damaged the photosynthetic machinery, as evidenced by the significant reduction of the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ II) and the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F v /F m). In addition, the non-photochemical quenching (Φ NPQ) significantly increased after spraying with C. acaulis EO. Damage to photosystem II was further demonstrated through the reduction of manganese and calcium concentrations, possibly due to an alteration in the correct functionality of the Mn 4 Ca cluster of the PSII. Metabolomics analysis revealed an accumulation of branched-chain amino acids, such as isoleucine and valine, which is commonly related to osmotic alterations under drought stress situations and a general reduction in sugar content (fructose, glucose, mannose, among others), suggesting reduction of the photosynthetic efficiency too. Overall, these findings suggest C. acaulis EO as a promising natural product with phytotoxic potential against weeds that deserves further investigation. [Display omitted] • The phytotoxicity of Carlina caulis essential oils (EO) was bioassayed on Bidens Pilosa. • The 98% of the EO was constituted by the polyacetylene carlina oxide. • Carlina oxide treatment altered plant growth and damaged the photosystem II. • Carlina oxide induced an accumulation of amino acids and sugars. • C. acaulis EO is a promising natural product for weed control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article was to determine the profile of new students entering the university, to facilitate the educational transition and to intervene in risk factors in the personal, academic and family spheres. The applied method was descriptive, in post-facto, explanatory, transversal modality. The sample consisted of 521 subjects, 187 men and 334 women, enrolled in fourteen careers and students of the first academic year. The instrument for collecting information has been the General Profile of the University Questionnaire, ad hoc. The analysis has focused on general data, educational and work trajectory and reasons for career choice. The nonparametric chi-square test and the Student's parametric t were applied, as was the Spearman correlation. For the analysis of the data, the SPSS v.26 program was used. The most important results indicate that the majority of students study and work without this being a risk factor for dropping out of school. There are excessive modalities of baccalaureate offered, with health being the most demanded by women and technician by men. The main reason for career choice was the job options. The most significant has been that there is no relationship between the baccalaureate course and the chosen career. The need for educational guidance to optimize the transition from secondary school to university has been highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way that parents support their children's musical experiences are influenced by the social and cultural context. It is known that the frecuency and the kind of stumuli that is received by the children under two years is key for their further development. The main goal of this study was to explore the beliefs and reasons that push parents to enroll their children in early childhood music classes, and the possible relationships of these motivations and beliefs to the parent-child musical interactions at home. The results showed that the main reason why parents decided to support their children's musical education was the perceived benefits that music could bring to their children. Additionally, this positive point of view it seems to be related to the frecuency that these parents and children engage in musical interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Legumes comprise important crops that offer major agronomic benefits, including the capacity of establishing symbiosis with rhizobia, fixing atmospheric N2. It has been proven that legumes are particularly susceptible to boron (B) stress, which leads to important yield penalties. Boron (B) deficiency or toxicity in plants causes the inhibition of growth and an altered development. Under such conditions, the participation of two distinct protein families (the major intrinsic protein family MIP and the Boron transporter family BOR) is required to minimize detrimental effects caused by B stress. However, in legumes, little is known about the transport mechanisms responsible for B uptake and distribution, especially under deficiency. Results: A Medicago truncatula protein, MtNIP5;1 (Medtr1g097840) (homologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana AtNIP5;1) was identified as a novel legume B transporter involved in B uptake under deficiency. Further analyses revealed that this M. truncatula aquaporin expression was boron-regulated in roots, being induced under deficiency and repressed under toxicity. It localizes at the plasma membrane of root epidermal cells and in nodules, where B plays pivotal roles in symbiosis. Furthermore, the partial complementation of the nip5;1–1 A. thaliana mutant phenotype under B deficiency supports a functional role of MtNIP5;1 as a B transporter in this legume model plant. Conclusions: The results here presented support a functional role of MtNIP5;1 in B uptake under deficiency and provides new insights into B transport mechanisms in legume species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the fabrication and utility of a new solid sensor, which allows the quantitation of silver ions acting as catalyst at the low micromolar level. The optical sensor was prepared by incorporating both reagents, pyrogallol red (PGR) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), in a nylon membrane. The effect of parameters in determining silver-catalyzed oxidation of PGR by persulfate in the presence of Phen as an activator was studied and optimized for achieving suitable sensitivity. Semiquantitative analysis can be performed by visual inspection of the color of the sensor by comparing it with standard responses and quantitative analysis can be carried out by its diffuse reflectance (DR) measurement or by a digital image-processing tool (GIMP) using a smartphone. The sensor exhibited a linear relationship toward Ag(I) concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 10 μM or 1–25 μM and limits of detection of 0.1 μM or 0.3 μM for incubation times of 50 and 30 min, respectively. The relative standard deviation achieved for several batches of sensors was around 2%. The analysis of water samples from tap and refrigerating circuits containing solid biocides, which leach silver ions, prove that this portable and sustainable sensor is successfully operational in real situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal HIV coinfection is a key factor for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HCV. However, data about HCV MTCT in HIV/HCV-coinfected pregnant women on combined antiretroviral treatment (ART) are scarce. This study assessed the HCV MTCT rate in the Madrid Cohort of HIV-infected women. Methods: Retrospective study within the Madrid Cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women (2000–2012). Epidemiological, clinical and treatment related variables were analysed for the mother and infant pairs. HCV MTCT rate was determined. Results: Three hundred thirty-nine HIV/HCV-coinfected women and their exposed infants were recorded. A total of 227 (67%) paired mother-children had available data of HCV follow-up and were included for the analysis. Sixteen children (rate 7.0%, 95%CI 3.7–10.4%) were HCV infected by 18 months of age, none of them coinfected with HIV. HIV/HCV-coinfected pregnant women were mostly of Spanish origin with a background of previous injection drug use. HCV-genotype 1 was predominant. The characteristics of mothers that transmitted HCV were similar to those that did not transmit HCV with respect to sociodemographic and clinical features. A high rate (50%) of preterm deliveries was observed. Infants infected with HCV were similar at birth in weight, length and head circumference than those uninfected. Conclusion: MTCT rates of HCV among HIV/HCV-coinfected women on ART within the Madrid cohort were lower than previously described. However, rates are still significant and strategies to eliminate any HCV transmission from mother to child are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are limited data on infants with HIV starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the neonatal period. We investigated the association between the timing of ART initiation and time-to-suppression among infants who tested HIV-positive and initiated ART within the first 28 days of life. The effect was estimated using cumulative probability flexible parametric spline models and a multivariable generalized additive mixed model was performed to test nonlinear associations. Forty-four neonates were included. Nineteen (43.2%) initiated ART within 7 days of life and 25 (56.8%) from 8 to 28 days. Infants treated within 7 days were 4-fold more likely to suppress earlier than those treated after 7 days [Hazard ratio (HR) 4.01 (1.7-9.5)]. For each week the ART initiation was delayed, the probability of suppression decreased by 35% (HR 0.65 [0.46-0.92]). Age at ART start was linearly associated with time-to-suppression. However, a linear association with normally distributed residuals was not found between baseline viral load and time-to-suppression, with no association found when baseline viral loads were ≤5 log(10) copies/mL, but with exponential increase in time-to-suppression with > log5 copies/mL at baseline. Starting ART within 7 days of life led to 4-fold faster time to viral suppression, in comparison to initiation from 8 to 28 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited data exist regarding sex bias and viral decay in children with HIV. We investigated the sex differences in viral decay in 25 perinatally HIV-infected children. Females presented faster phase I viral decay regardless of their age at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, baseline CD4 percentages, or baseline RNA levels. Also, for each month elapsed under ART, females had faster viral decay than males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ordered mesoporous carbon materials (OMC), obtained by the template carbonization pathway from silica templates (sacrificial method), exhibit promising features for many applications mainly due to their large surface area. Graphitization is a common approach to improve the electrical conductivity and degradation resistance. We have investigated the graphitization of two different OMC at 1500 °C and the electrochemical oxidation by potential holding at 1.4 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in acidic electrolyte. Graphitization conducts to a significant reduction of the electrooxidation associated charge, between 50 and 90% depending on the carbon properties, together with a decrease of surface area of 35–48%. The materials still exhibit a large electrochemical surface area, according to electrochemical impedance and cyclic voltammetry experiments. Upon electrooxidation, the relative amount of oxygen increases according to a comparative analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy test of the electrodes before and after potential holding. The results are of interest to define strategies towards the amelioration of carbon degradation by electrooxidation in electrochemical devices. Highlights • The electrochemical oxidation of ordered mesoporous carbons (OMC) has been studied. • OMC were graphitized to improve the carbon ordering and degradation resistance. • Graphitization led to a significant reduction of the oxidation associated charge. • The materials exhibited a large electrochemical surface area after graphitization. • An increase of the relative oxygen amount upon electrooxidation was evidenced by XPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard particle erosion and cavitation damage are two main wear problems that can affect the internal components of hydraulic machinery such as hydraulic turbines or pumps. If both problems synergistically act together, the damage can be more severe and result in high maintenance costs. In this work, a study of the interaction of hard particles and cavitation bubbles is developed to understand their interactive behavior. Experimental tests and numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics were performed. Experimentally, a cavitation bubble was generated with an electric spark near a solid surface, and its interaction with hard particles of different sizes and materials was observed using a high-speed camera. A simplified analytical approach was developed to model the behavior of the particles near the bubble interface during its collapse. Computationally, we simulated an air bubble that grew and collapsed near a solid wall while interacting with one particle near the bubble interface. Several simulations with different conditions were made and validated with the experimental data. The experimental data obtained from particles above the bubble were consistent with the numerical results and the analytical study. The particle size, density, and position of the particle with respect to the bubble interface as well as the bubble position strongly affected the maximum velocity of the particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent researches have proved a direct relationship between data gathered from retinal images and some pathologies such as hypertension or diabetes. There are a lot of studies that propose methods used in this particular area of investigation. They are based on image processing algorithms to extract retinal information, but there is no general accepted methodology to obtain the information automatically. In this work, a new methodology for the classification of retinal vessels based on agreement technologies and artificial vision techniques is presented. The proposed methodology has been evaluated by expert users and compared with other existing free software with similar features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) is an underutilized crop proposed as key to achieving food security within the current climatic context, where water scarcity in rainfed areas is becoming more frequent and severe, especially in Mediterranean regions. Thus, aiming at deepening our knowledge regarding the impact of water limitation on the quinoa seed nutritional quality, seeds obtained from primary and secondary panicles of four different European-adapted cultivars (F14, F15, F16, and Titicaca) growing under full irrigation and water-limiting conditions, were here analyzed. A set of parameters were evaluated in this work, including agronomical (such as yield, seed weight, seed area, and seed germination and viability rates) and nutritional (including the seed proximate composition, mineral content, and antioxidants) traits. Our results indicate that the morphological changes associated with drought stress affect secondary panicles' seed yield. This phenomenon was generally associated with an improvement in the nutritional quality of those seeds. However, cultivars such as F16, despite keeping total seed yield under low water availability, showed drought's detrimental effect on the seed nutritional quality. In contrast, cultivars like F15 and Titicaca reduced their seed yield under water-limiting conditions but increased their protein, iron, copper, calcium, manganese, and zinc contents, especially in secondary panicles. Therefore, the dichotomy between seed quantity and quality has to be considered in this crop under water stress scenarios, highlighting differences in sink strength along the plant panicles determining seed nutritional quality. • Quinoa primary and secondary panicles show distinct nutritional quality. • The drought-sensitive genotypes showed larger yields in the secondary panicles. • Secondary panicle seeds stood out by their protein, fiber, iron, calcium, copper, manganese, and zinc contents. • Water stress reduced the fat content of primary panicles but increased the protein and iron contents. • The drought-tolerant genotype F16 yielded lower-quality seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: La rentabilidad es uno de los factores que más influye en la selección de presas. Este factor varía en función del tamaño de la presa y del tiempo de manipulación. Por lo tanto, generalmente las presas grandes son altamente rentables para los consumidores e intensifican la competencia. El cleptoparasitismo es una forma de competencia en la que un individuo roba alimento previamente obtenido por otro individuo. En consecuencia, la manipulación de presas grandes debería aumentar la probabilidad de ocurrencia de cleptoparasitismo, sin embargo, estas relaciones siguen siendo poco conocidas. En este trabajo estudiamos la ocurrencia de cleptoparasitismo de la Gaviota Cáhuil (Chroicocephalus maculipennis – Laridae) sobre Zarapitos (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus – Scolopacidae) que se alimentan de chanchitos de mar (Emerita analoga) en una playa arenosa expuesta al oleaje en el sur de Chile. Los modelos lineales generalizados, ajustados a los datos de video secuencias focales‐individuales, mostraron que la probabilidad de cleptoparasitismo tuvo una respuesta sigmoidal positiva al tiempo de manipulación. Además, con un aumento de un segundo en el tiempo de manipulación, los Zarapitos duplicaron su probabilidad de ser cleptoparasitados. Además, la probabilidad de ser cleptoparasitado fue un 17% más alta con un aumento de 10 mm en la longitud de la presa y un 47% más alta con un aumento de una gaviota por hospedador. Sin embargo, el efecto del tiempo de manipulación sobre la probabilidad de cleptoparasitismo disminuyó ligeramente (2%) con un aumento de 10 mm en la clase de tamaño de la presa. Nuestros resultados sugieren la existencia de un umbral de tiempo en el que los consumidores pueden manipular a sus presas antes de que la probabilidad de cleptoparasitismo sea demasiado alta. Sin embargo, la tasa media de ingesta de los zarapitos alcanzó 0,15 ± 0,13 kJ s−1, permitiendo que los zarapitos cumplan, en teoría, con sus requerimientos energéticos a pesar de perder algunas presas a causa de los cleptoparásitos. Este estudio proporciona una nueva visión sobre una forma común de competencia entre consumidores, destacando la importancia del tiempo de manipulación de presas para las aves playeras con un tiempo de alimentación restringido a causa de los ciclos de marea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prey profitability is one of the most important factors influencing prey selection. This factor varies along with both prey size and handling time. Thus, large prey are generally highly profitable for consumers and boost competition. Kleptoparasitism is a form of competition in which an individual steals food previously obtained by another individual. Accordingly, handling large prey should increase the likelihood of kleptoparasitism occurrence, but these relationships remain poorly understood. Here, we studied kleptoparasitism occurrence by the Brown‐Hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus maculipennis – Laridae) on Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus – Scolopacidae) preying on intertidal Mole Crabs (Emerita analoga) in a wave‐exposed sandy beach in southern Chile. Generalized linear models, fitted to data from focal‐individual video sequences, showed that kleptoparasitism probability had a positive sigmoidal response to handling time. Moreover, with an increase of 1 s in handling time, a Whimbrel doubled its probability of being kleptoparasitized. Additionally, the odds of being kleptoparasitized were 17% higher with an increase of 10 mm in prey length and 47% higher with an increase of one gull per host. However, the effect of handling on kleptoparasitism probability slightly decreased (2%) with an increase of 10 mm in prey size class. Our results suggest the existence of a threshold time in which consumers can handle their prey before kleptoparasitism probability is too high. Nevertheless, Whimbrel's mean intake rate reached 0.15 ± 0.13 kJ s−1, allowing Whimbrels to theoretically meet their energetic requirements despite losing some prey to kleptoparasites. This study provides new insight into a common form of competition among consumers, highlighting the importance of prey handling time for shorebirds with a restricted foraging time driven by tidal cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ecuador, management of nursing staff availability in healthcare settings is challenged by variability in demand for care, uncertainty in skill assessment, and imprecision in resource planning. Therefore, the objective of this study focuses on analyzing neutrosophic nursing staff assignment models that integrate uncertainty and imprecision in decision-making, in order to improve the quality of the service in healthcare settings. For the development and modeling of the study results, the Neutrosophic TOPSIS method was applied. The results revealed the need for continuous evaluation and adaptability in staff allocation, along with the application of strategies based on neutrosophy. These conclusions highlight the value of neutrosophy as a tool to address uncertainty and imprecision in medical care by improving the quality of nursing services in Ecuador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure is the leading cause of death in grown-up congenital heart disease patients (GUCH). Although heart transplantation (OHT) remains the gold standard in end-stage heart failure, the ratio of GUCH patients undergoing this procedure remains low. Describe the cohort of GUCH patients undergoing heart transplantation at a third-level hospital. A retrospective review of GUCH patients undergoing OHT between 1997 and 2019 was conducted at a single tertiary university hospital. We included different preoperative (demographic and clinical data, cardiac catheterization data from the last routine hemodynamic monitoring) and postoperative variables (complications, survival). Fourteen patients were enrolled. The median age was 25.5 years (range, 20.7–32.2). Eight patients (57.1%) were male. The median preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 37% (range, 22.5%-55%). As for preoperative hemodynamic evaluation, the median for the mean arterial pulmonary pressure was 19 mm Hg (range, 12–22.5), for the capillary wedge pressure was 16 mm Hg (range, 13.5–19.5), and for pulmonary vascular resistance was 1.83 Wood units (range, 1–4). After OHT, 6 patients (42.9%) suffered an infection, the most common of which was respiratory (3 out of 6). Four patients (28.6%) needed renal replacement therapy, and 4 patients (28.6%) presented liver failure. Four patients (28.6%) developed graft failure, thus requiring mechanical support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during a median of 6 days (range, 1–17.5). Survival rate of patients under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was 50%, and overall survival rate was 78.6%. OHT represents a good option for GUCH patients, with good overall survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social contexts are essential for human decision-making, providing the basis for inferences and activities planning. Computationally, this social information is incorporated to the concept of social computing, and applied in very different research fields, such as Medicine, Cyber Security or Economy. The specific aim of this work is to apply social computing in a musical context. We want humans and machines to cooperate for the purpose of generating music from the colors of a digital image; the colors of an image are used as inspiration for the generation of melodies. The social machine is implemented as a Virtual Organization (VO), which contains a case-based reasoning process to select the best combination of sounds extracted from the colors according to the social context. In order to evaluate the present approach, a small society of musical experts rate the sound produced following consonance criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spanish second-person singular tú may acquire two different kinds of references when used in concrete discursive and communicative interactions. Besides its prototypical deictic one, commonly referring to the interlocutor, there is another one that it is used to convey general and unspecific meanings that detach the reference from the speaker notional sphere, presenting utterances in a depersonalized and objective way. Some recent researches have delved into the cognitive and discursive properties of this usage and renamed it as objectivizing second-person singular, as it constitutes a communicative resource that tends to provide discourse with an objective meaning by means of the cognitive salience. This work is aimed at analyzing this phenomenon in a corpus of both oral and written texts from media advertising taking into account the expressed and omitted variants of the second-person singular as well as the grammatical elements most frequently co-appearing with them. It will be concluded that this phenomenon acts as a powerful persuasive advertising strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The routine diagnostic method for assessment of renal graft dysfunction is Doppler ultrasound. However, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may provide more information about parenchymal flow and vascular status of kidney allografts. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of CEUS in the immediate post-transplant period, focusing on acute vascular complications. A brief review of available literature and a report of our initial experience is made. Material and methods: 15 kidney transplant (KT) cases with clinical suspicion of acute surgical complication were assessed with CEUS and conventional Doppler ultrasound (US). In addition, bibliographic reviewwas conducted through PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalKey databases. Results: 10% of KT underwent CEUS, useful for detecting vascular complication or cortical necrosis in 4 (26%) and exclude them in 74%. Grafts with acute vascular complications have a delayed contrast-enhancement with peak intensity lower than normal kidneys. Perfusion defects can be clearly observed and the imaging of cortical necrosis is pathognomonic. Conclusions: CEUS is a useful tool in the characterization of renal graft dysfunction with special interest on acute vascular complications after renal transplant. It is a feasible technique for quantitative analysis of kidney perfusion, which provides information on renal tissue microcirculation and regional parenchymal flow. Exploration could be done by a urologist at the patient's bedside while avoiding iodinated contrast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cystic fibrosis (CF), there is a predisposition to bronchial colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms, such as fungi. Our aims were to describe the dynamics of respiratory mycobiota in patients with CF and to evaluate the geographic, age and gender variability in its distribution. Cohort study in which 45 patients with CF from four hospitals in three Spanish cities were followed up during a 1-year period, obtaining spontaneous sputum samples every 3 to 6 months. Fungal microbiota were characterized by Internal Transcribed Spacer sequencing and Pneumocystis jirovecii was identified by nested PCR in a total of 180 samples. The presence of fungi were detected in 119 (66.11%) of the 180 samples and in 44 (97.8%) of the 45 patients: 19 were positive and 1 negative throughout all follow-ups and the remaining 25 presented alternation between positive and negative results. A total of 16 different genera were identified, with Candida spp. (50/180, 27.78%) and Pneumocystis spp. (44/180, 24.44%) being the most prevalent ones. The distribution of fungal genera was different among the evaluated centres (p < 0.05), by age (non-adults aged 6–17 years vs. adults aged ≥18 years) (p < 0.05) and by gender (p < 0.05). A high prevalence of fungal respiratory microbiota in patients with CF was observed, whose dynamics are characterized by the existence of multiple cycles of clearance and colonization, reporting the existence of geographic, age and gender variability in the distribution of fungal genera in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well defined Ni nanoparticles (NiNPs) stabilized with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been synthesized through a new methodology involving the decarboxylation of a zwitterionic CO2 adduct. Their catalytic performance was tested in the partial hydrogenation of alkynes into (Z)-alkenes under very mild reaction conditions (50 °C and 5 bar H2 pressure), providing excellent activities and selectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show here that the intraplantar administration of CCL5 in mice produces hyperalgesia at low doses but activates compensatory antinociceptive mechanisms at doses slightly higher. Thus, the injection of 3-10 ng of CCL5 evoked thermal hyperalgesia through the activation of CCR1 and CCR5 receptors, as demonstrated by the inhibitory effect exerted by the selective antagonists J113863 (0.01-0.1 μg) and DAPTA (0.3-3 μg), respectively. The prevention of this hyperalgesia by diclofenac (1-10 μg), the inhibitors of COX-1 SC-560 (0.1-1 μg) or COX-2 celecoxib (1-5 μg), the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (0.03-0.3 μg) or the TRPA1 antagonist HC030031 (10-50 μg) demonstrates the involvement of prostaglandin synthesis and TRP sensitization in CCL5-evoked hyperalgesia. Doses of CCL5 higher than 17 μg did not evoke hyperalgesia. However, this effect was restored by the administration of naloxone-methiodide (5 μg), nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg) or an anti-dynorphin A antibody (0.62-2.5 ng). The administration of 30 ng of CCL5 also induced hyperalgesia in mice with reduced number of circulating white blood cells in response to cyclophosphamide or with selective neutrophil depletion induced by an anti-Ly6G antibody. In fact, the number of neutrophils present in paws treated with 30 ng of CCL5 was greater than in paws receiving the administration of the hyperalgesic dose of 10 ng. Finally, the expression of the endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin A was demonstrated by double immunofluorescence assays in these neutrophils attracted by CCL5. These results support previous data describing the hyperalgesic properties of CCL5 and constitute the first indication that a chemokine of the CC group can activate endogenous analgesic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The first line pharmacological treatment of cancer pain is morphine and surrogates but a significant pain relief and a reduction of the side-effects of these compounds makes it necessary to combine them with other drugs acting on different targets. The aim of this study was to measure the antinociceptive effect on cancer-induced bone pain resulting from the association of the endogenous opioids enkephalin and non-opioid analgesic drugs. For this purpose, PL265 a new orally active single dual inhibitor of the two degrading enkephalins enzymes, neprilysin (NEP) and aminopeptidase N (APN) was used. It strictly increased the levels of enkephalin at their sites of releases. The selected non-opioid compounds are: gabapentin, A-317491 (P2X 3 receptor antagonist), ACEA (CB1 receptor antagonist), AM1241 (CB2 receptor antagonist), JWH-133 (CB2 receptor antagonist), URB937 (FAAH inhibitor), and NAV26 (Nav1.7 channel blocker). Methods Experiments . Experiments were performed in 5–6 weeks old (26–33 g weight) C57BL/6 mice. Cell culture and cell inoculation. B16-F10 melanoma cells were cultured and when preconfluent, treated and detached. Finally related cells were resuspended to obtain a concentration of 2 × 10 6 cells/100 μL. Then 10 5 cells were injected into the right tibial medullar cavity. Control mice were treated by killed cells by freezing. Behavioural studies . Thermal withdrawal latencies were measured on a unilatered hot plate (UHP) maintained at 49 ± 0.2 °C. Mechanical threshold values were obtained by performing the von Frey test using the “up and down” method. To evaluate the nature (additive or synergistic) of the interactions between PL265 and different drugs, an isobolographic analysis following the method described by Tallarida was performed. Results The results demonstrate the ability of PL265, a DENKI that prevents the degradation of endogenous ENKs, to counteract cancer-induced bone thermal hyperalgesia in mice, by exclusively stimulating peripheral opioid receptors as demonstrated by used of an opioid antagonist unable to enter the brain. The development of such DENKIs, endowed with druggable pharmacokinetic characteristics, such as good absorption by oral route, can be considered as an important step in the development of much needed novel antihyperalgesic drugs. Furthermore, all the tested combinations resulted in synergistic antihyperalgesic effects. As shown here, the greatest synergistic antinociceptive effect (doses could be lowered by 70%) was produced by the combination of PL265 with the P2X 3 receptor antagonist (A-317491), cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist (exogenous, ACEA and endogenous URB937-protected-AEA) and Na v 1.7 blocker (NAV26) whose mechanism of action involves the direct activation of the enkephalinergic system. Conclusions These multi-target-based antinociceptive strategies using combinations of non-opioid drugs with dual inhibitors of enkephalin degrading enzymes may bring therapeutic advantages in terms of efficacy and safety by allowing the reduction of doses of one of the compounds or of both, which is of the utmost interest in the chronic treatment of cancer pain. Implications This article presents synergistic antinociceptive effect produced by the combination of PL265 with non-opioid analgesic drugs acting via unrelated mechanisms. These multi-target-based antinociceptive strategies may bring therapeutic advantages by allowing the reduction of doses, which is of great interest in the chronic treatment of cancer pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Nanocrystalline Cu-MOF-74 (crystal size ≅ 40 nm) was evaluated as electrode material. • Efficient electron transport through the Cu-MOF-74 structure was verified. • Cu-MOF-74 electrocatalyzes oxygen reduction to water on a microporous surface. • Dissolved oxygen is captured by unsaturated Cu centers exposed at the MOF micropores. • Reduction of captured oxygen is mediated by Cu2+ electro-reduction. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with redox properties are potentially good candidates as noble-metal free electrocatalysts due to their high specific surface area, uniform pore size and shape, and high dispersion of redox centers. Copper-based MOFs are particularly interesting as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts due to the well-known bio-affinity of this element towards oxygen in oxygen-reducing proteins. In this line, the metal–organic framework Cu-MOF-74, which has open metal sites in its 3D structure has not been studied up to date as electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This work reports an exhaustive electrochemical analysis of nanocrystalline Cu-MOF-74, for assessing its electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic performance for the ORR. Nanocrystals of Cu-MOF-74 (about 40 nm in size) with intercrystal mesoporosity and high surface area (>1000 m2g−1) were synthesized by a previously reported procedure. The study of this material supported on glassy carbon (GC) rotating disk electrodes allowed to prove its good stability in neutral electrolytic medium and an efficient connectivity of the open Cu centers with redox ability. Moreover, GC/Cu-MOF-74 electrodes were capable to efficient electro-reduce dissolved oxygen to water at overpotentials higher than −0.62 V, fully preserving the framework integrity after long-time assays. It was also verified that this four-electron process is mediated by the reduction of Cu centers exposed at the inner walls of the MOF pores, involving electro-adsorbed oxygenated intermediates. The location of the active sites inside the deep structural nanopores strongly affects the mass transport properties and is detrimental for the whole performance as ORR electrocatalyst. Thus, while the results reported here provide new evidences on the redox and electrocatalytic behavior of nanocrystalline Cu-MOF-74, it is clear that its configuration must be rethought in order to attain an acceptable ORR performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines whose involvement in nociceptive processing is being increasingly recognized. Based on the previous description of the involvement of CC chemokine receptor type 1 ( CCR1) in pathological pain, we have assessed the participation of CCR1 and its endogenous ligands CCL3 and CCL5 in hyperalgesia and allodynia in mice after acute inflammation with carrageenan and chronic inflammation with complete Freund's adjuvant ( CFA). The subcutaneous administration of the CCR1 antagonist J113863 (3-30 mg/kg; 30 min. before) dose dependently inhibited carrageenan- and CFA-evoked thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia produced by CFA, but not by carrageenan. The maximal dose of J113863 did not modify the increase in paw thickness induced by carrageenan or CFA. An almost ten times augmentation of CCL3 levels was detected by ELISA assays in both carrageenan and CFA paws, but not in spinal cords of inflamed mice, whereas CCL5 concentrations remained unaltered. Accordingly, a marked increase of CCL3 mRNA expression was observed in inflamed paws, with CCL3 protein detected in neutrophils and macrophages by immunohistochemical experiments. The intraplantar administration of an anti- CCL3 antibody (0.3-3 μg) blocked thermal hyperalgesia in carrageenan- and CFA-inflamed mice as well as CFA-evoked mechanical allodynia. Our data suggest that the increased concentrations of CCL3 present in inflamed tissues can be involved in acute and chronic inflammatory hyperalgesia as well as in chronic mechanical allodynia, and that these hypernociceptive symptoms can be counteracted by its neutralization with an antibody or by the blockade of CCR1 receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several applications, data information is obtained in the form of intervals, such as the monthly temperature in a meteorological station or daily pollution levels in different locations. This paper proposes partitioning clustering algorithms for interval-valued data based on adaptive Euclidean and City-Block distances. Since some boundary variables may be more relevant for the clustering process, the proposals consider the joint weights of the relevance of the lower and upper boundaries of the interval-valued variables. Consequently, clusters of different shapes and sizes in some subspaces of the variables, even in specific boundaries of the interval-valued data, can be recognized. In addition, robust dissimilarity functions were introduced to reduce the influence of outliers in the data. The adaptive distances change at each iteration of the algorithms and can be different from one cluster to another. The methods optimize an objective function by alternating three steps for obtaining the representatives of each group, the cluster partition, and the relevance weights for the interval-valued variables. Experiments on synthetic and real data sets corroborate the robustness and usefulness of the proposed adaptive clustering methods. • New clustering algorithms for interval-valued data are proposed. • The methods introduce local and global adaptive distances. • The distances consider the joint relevance of the variables of each boundary. • Experiments on synthetic and real data sets show the usefulness of the approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy sector is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and one of the thirstiest sectors worldwide. Within the energy sector, thermoelectricity directly impacts on both emissions and water. This study assesses the evolution of the direct CO 2 emissions and operational water consumption of the Spanish thermoelectricity generation from 1969 to 2019. Both carbon emissions and water consumption correlate over time, led by the trends in total thermal generation, although over the past half century, water requirements swelled far more than carbon emissions. This results in a long-term trade-off between carbon emissions and consumptive water use in relative terms: while the CO 2 per thermal MWh generated halved since 1969 in Spain, the operational water consumption per MWh of thermoelectricity generated more than doubled due to switching from coal burning to nuclear and combined cycle technologies. We find no real trade-off in absolute levels. Although moving towards smaller environmental impacts since the mid-2000s, thermoelectricity remains one of the largest carbon emitters while becoming one of thirstiest energy technologies in Spain. • Thermoelectricity's direct carbon emissions and water consumption estimates from 1969. • Uses real data per plant for CO2 and consumptive water use, extrapolating backwards. • Some small technological improvement to reduce emissions within generation technologies. • Carbon emissions and water consumption correlate over time in absolute levels. • CO2 per MWh halved while the water per MWh more than doubled since 1969. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]