Interactions of Cathinone NPS with Human Transporters and Receptors in Transfected Cells

Pharmacological assays carried out in transfected cells have been very useful for describing the mechanism of action of cathinone new psychoactive substances (NPS). These in vitro characterizations provide fast and reliable information on psychoactive substances soon after they emerge for recreational use. Well-investigated comparator compounds, such as methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, cocaine, and lysergic acid diethylamide, should always be included in the characterization to enhance the translation of the in vitro data into clinically useful information. We classified cathinone NPS according to their pharmacology at monoamine transporters and receptors. Cathinone NPS are monoamine uptake inhibitors and most induce transporter-mediated monoamine efflux with weak to no activity at pre- or postsynaptic receptors. Cathinones with a nitrogen-containing pyrrolidine ring emerged as NPS that are extremely potent transporter inhibitors but not monoamine releasers. Cathinones exhibit clinically relevant differences in relative potencies at serotonin vs. dopamine transporters. Additionally, cathinone NPS have more dopaminergic vs. serotonergic properties compared with their non-β-keto amphetamine analogs, suggesting more stimulant and reinforcing properties. In conclusion, in vitro pharmacological assays in heterologous expression systems help to predict the psychoactive and toxicological effects of NPS

Una evaluación integral de las técnicas de ia para predecir el índice de calidad del aire: RNN y transformers

Este estudio evalúa la eficacia de las redes neuronales recurrentes (RNN) y los modelos basados en transformadores para predecir el índice de calidad del aire (ICA). La investigación compara los modelos RNN tradicionales, incluidos los de memoria a corto y largo plazo (LSTM) y la unidad recurrente controlada (GRU), con arquitecturas avanzadas de transformadores. El estudio utiliza datos de una estación meteorológica en Cuenca, Ecuador, centrándose en contaminantes como CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5 y SO2. Para evaluar el rendimiento de los modelos, se utilizaron métricas clave como el error cuadrático medio (RMSE), el error absoluto medio (MAE) y el coeficiente de determinación (R2). Los resultados del estudio muestran que el modelo LSTM fue el más preciso, alcanzando un R2 de 0,701, un RMSE de 0,087 y un MAE de 0,056. Esto lo convierte en la mejor opción para capturar dependencias temporales en los datos de series temporales complejas. En comparación, los modelos basados en transformadores demostraron tener potencial, pero no lograron la misma precisión que los modelos LSTM, especialmente en datos temporales más complicados. El estudio concluye que el LSTM es más eficaz en la predicción del ICA, equilibrando tanto la precisión como la eficiencia computacional, o que podría ayudar en intervenciones para mitigar la contaminación del aire.//This study evaluates the effectiveness of Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) and Transformer-based models in predicting the Air Quality Index (AQI). Accurate AQI prediction is critical for mitigating the significant health impacts of air pollution and plays a vital role in public health protection and environmental management. The research compares traditional RNN models, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) networks, with advanced Transformer architectures. Data were collected from a weather station in Cuenca, Ecuador, focusing on key pollutants such as CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, and SO2. Model performance was assessed using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and the Coefficient of Determination (R2). The findings reveal that the LSTM model achieved superior performance, with an R2 of 0.701, an RMSE of 0.087, and an MAE of 0.056, demonstrating superior capability in capturing temporal dependencies within complex datasets. Conversely, while Transformer based models exhibited potential, they were less effective in handling intricate time-series data, resulting in comparatively lower accuracy. These results position the LSTM model as the most reliable approach for AQI prediction, offering an optimal balance between predictive accuracy and computational efficiency. This research contributes to improving AQI forecasting and underscores the importance of timely interventions to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution

Open Data Portal Prototype for the Conservation of Biodiversity of the ‘Universidad Nacional de Loja’

This article describes the possibilities of research and development that exist in the ‘Universidad Nacional de Loja’ (UNL) in the field of biodiversity through the use and exploitation of information and communication technology (ICT) resources. First, the existing methodologies, processes, and initiatives for the publication of open data was explored. Subsequently, a brief description of the biodiversity conservation centers maintained by the UNL was made, highlighting the IT initiatives that have been carried out. Finally, the results of the proposal include the methodology for the release of open data and the creation of the prototype of the biodiversity open data portal of the UNL.     Keywords: programming, open data, biodiversity, botany, artificial intelligenc

Evaluación de las emisiones contaminantes en vehículos diésel alimentados con biodiésel en condiciones reales de conducción

Esta investigación evalúa los efectos de las mezclas de biodiésel de aceite de fritura usado (B10 y B20) con combustible convencional, en términos de emisiones, a gran altitud (entre 2619 y 2877 msnm), bajo condiciones reales de conducción en el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, Ecuador. Se realizaron ensayos comparativos con dos vehículos con motor diésel; el primer sistema CRDI de inyección directa de common rail denominado M2.5C; el segundo, con sistema de bomba de inyección, denominado H2.5B, ambos alimentados inicialmente con diésel puro como línea base. Las tasas de emisiones de escape se cuantificaron en caliente mediante el sistema portátil de medición de emisiones (PEMS), a lo largo de una ruta de 15,7 km que incluyó condiciones de ascenso, descenso por carretera y tramos urbanos. Los resultados permiten concluir que las emisiones mínimas de CO se registran al utilizar diésel convencional en ambos motores (H2.5B y M2.5C); las emisiones de HC son mínimas con la mezcla B20, y las emisiones de NOx no presentan variaciones significativas, independientemente del combustible utilizado. En el circuito urbano, tampoco se observa una variación significativa de las emisiones de NOx según el tipo de combustible.//This study evaluates the impact of B10 and B20 biodiesel blends produced from waste frying oil on pollutant emissions when used in diesel-powered vehicles operating under real-world driving conditions at high altitudes, ranging from 2619 to 2877 meters above sea level, in the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador. Comparative tests were conducted using two diesel vehicles: one equipped with a common rail direct injection (CRDI) system, designated as M2.5C, and another with an injection pump system, referred to as H2.5B. Both vehicles were initially fueled with conventional diesel to establish a baseline. Exhaust emissions were measured under hot-engine conditions using a Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) along a 15.7 km route that included ascending, descending, and urban driving segments. The findings indicate that carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were lowest when pure diesel was used in both engine types. Hydrocarbon (HC) emissions were minimal when B20 biodiesel was employed, regardless of the vehicle. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions showed no significant differences across the fuels tested, and in urban driving conditions, NOx levels remained consistently stable

Propiedades físico-químicas, ácidos fenólicos y compuestos volátiles del aceite extraído de semillas de alhydwan (Boerhavia elegana Choisy)

In this study, the chemical composition, physicochemical properties, phenolic acids and volatile compounds of alhydwan (Boerhavia elegana Choisy) seed oil were evaluated. The crude oil content was 11.49%, ash 6.88%, moisture 6.12%, protein content 14.60%, total carbohydrate 24.77% and fiber 36.13%. The oil contain a high quantity of unsaturated fatty acids (74.63 mg·100 g−1) with oleic (C18:1) (57.77%), palmitic (C16:0) (18.65%) and linoleic (C18:2) (12.88%) acids as the most abundant. The relative density was 0.88 and the iodine value 105.59. The color analysis showed a value of 28.33 Y+1.43 R. The oil also had a high relative oxidative stability. The tocol composition showed that α-tocotrienol, γ-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol were in a higher concentration than the rest. Seven phenolic acids (caffeic, vanillic, galic, p-coumaric, ascorbic, cinnamic and ferulic) were detected, with ascorbic acid as the predominant one (5.44 mg·100 g−1). In relation to the volatile composition, 48 compounds were found with Z-10-Pentadecen-1-ol (56.73%); Hexadecenoic acid, Z-11- (18.52%); 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (3.93%) and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester (3.04%) as the most abundant. These findings demonstrated the potential of alhydwan seeds to be used as a good source of quality edible oil.En este estudio se ha determinado la composición química, las propiedades físico-químicas, ácidos fenólicos y compuestos volátiles de aceites de semillas de alhydwan (Boerhavia elegana Choisy). Las semillas contenían un 11.49% de aceite, 6.88% de cenizas, 6,12% de humedad, 14.60% de proteínas, 24.77% de carbohidratos totales y 36.13% de fibra. El aceite contiene 74,63 mg·100 g−1 de ácidos grasos insaturados, con oleico (C18: 1) (57,77%), palmítico (C16: 0) (18,65%) y linoleico (C18: 2) (12,88%) como los más abundantes. La densidad relativa fue de 0,88 y el índice de yodo de 105,59. El análisis del color mostró un valor de 28.33 Y+1,43 R. El aceite también mostro tener una alta estabilidad oxidativa relativa. La determinación de la composición de tocols mostró que α-tocotrienol, γ-tocoferol y γ-tocotrienol están presentes en mayor concentración que el resto. Se detectaron siete ácidos fenólicos (cafeico, vaníllico, galico, p-cumárico, ascórbico, cinámico y ferúlico), siendo el ácido ascórbico el mayoritario (5,44 mg·100 g−1). En la determinación de volátiles, se encontraron 48 componentes, con Z-10-Pentadecen-1-ol (56,73%); ácido hexadecenoico, Z-11- (18,52%); ácido 9,12-octadecadienoico (Z, Z) - (3,93%) y ácido 9,12-octadecadienoico (Z, Z) -, éster 2-hidroxi-1- (hidroximetil) etil (3,04%) como mayoritarios. Estos resultados demostraron que las semillas de alhydwan tiene un gran potencial para ser utilizadas como una buena fuente de aceite comestible de calidad

POLLUTION INDICES AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN RICE FROM GASHUA, YOBE STATE.

Heavy metal contamination in food crops, particularly rice, poses significant health risks due to widespread consumption. Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria, is a key agricultural area where rice cultivation may be influenced by environmental pollution. However, few studies have quantified the health risks of heavy metal contamination in this region and link it to the prevalence of Kidney diseases within the study area. This study addresses these challenges by assessing the levels of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium in rice and evaluating associated health risks. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect the rice samples. A total of 120 rice samples were collected, 90 paddy rice from four farms and 30 parboiled rice from Gashua Market. The samples were digested and analyzed using Micro plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). The data generated was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. The result of the study revealed a significant (P<0.05) difference in heavy metals concentration across all samples. Parboiled Samples from Gashua market exhibited the highest Arsenic concentration at (0.383mg/kg) greatly surpassing WHO/USEPA acceptable limits. Cadmium (0.0242mg/kg) also exceeded the permissible limit of 0.001mg/kg. Lead concentration from all locations superseded the recommended limit especially from Gashua market at 0.102mg/kg exceeding the limit of 0.0035mg/kg. Hazard quotient (HQ) values indicated children are at low risk at location Gashua South (GS) 0.8266 thou not exceeding the threshold of 1, Gashua Market 0.5984, and Gashua North 0.5398 were all below the threshold of 1 however in adults, the value of Chromium at Gashua Market (2.162) was above the threshold and poses a significant health risk. The hazard index (HI) for both adults and children were greater than one 1 mainly contributed because of the high concentration of As in GMK (0.5984), As in GS (0.8266), and Cr in GMK (2.162) which also signifies potential health risk. The Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) showed a heightened risk of cancer from long-term exposure. In conclusion, rice grown and sold in Gashua poses potential health risks due to heavy metal contamination. Continuous monitoring by regulators (NAFDAC), in-depth research, public health interventions, and stricter regulatory enforcement are necessary to mitigate these risks

Refractory depression – Cost-Effectiveness of Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RefraMED):findings of trial-based economic evaluation

BackgroundRefractory depression is a major contributor to the economic burden of depression. Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT) is an unevaluated new treatment targeting over-controlled personality, common in refractory depression, but it is not yet known whether the additional expense of RO DBT is good value for money. AimTo estimate the cost-effectiveness of RO DBT plus treatment as usual (TAU) compared with TAU alone in patients with refractory depression. MethodsWe undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a randomised trial evaluating RO DBT plus TAU versus TAU alone for refractory depression in three UK secondary care centres. Our economic evaluation, 12 months after randomisation, adopted the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS) and personal social services. It evaluated cost-effectiveness by comparing the net cost of RO DBT with the net gain in quality-adjusted life years, estimated using the EQ-5D-3L measure of health-related quality of life. ResultsThe additional cost of RO DBT plus TAU compared to TAU alone was £7,048, which was associated with a difference of 0.032 QALYs, yielding an ICER of £220,250 per QALY. This ICER was well above the NICE upper threshold of £30,000 per QALY. A cost-effectiveness acceptability curve indicated that RO DBT had a zero probability of being cost-effective compared to TAU at the NICE £30,000 threshold.ConclusionIn its current resource-intensive form, RO DBT was not a cost-effective use of resources in the UK NHS.<br/

Genomic benchmarking studies reveal variations of the polyubiquitination domain of the PSD95 protein in Homo neanderthalensis and other primates of the Hominidae family: Possible implications in cognitive functions?

Modern humans' unique cognitive abilities regarding Neanderthals and other primate's lineages are frequently attributed to the differences in brain size development and evolution. However, recent studies have established the critical role of genomic and genetic benchmarking in analyzing the cognitive evolution between modern humans and primates, focused mainly on searching for involved genes in neurogenesis. PSD95 protein (named PSD95p) has a key role in modulating synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory skills. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the possible variations of the PSD95 gene between modern humans, Neanderthals, and other hominid primate species using bioinformatics tools. The results showed 14 polymorphisms compared with the contemporary human PSD95 gene, of which 13 were silent mutations, and only one was a non-silent mutation at the nucleotide position 281. Despite polymorphisms found at the nucleotide sequences, the PSD95p of humans and chimpanzees are 100% identical. Likewise, the gorilla and orangutan PSD95p are 100% identical, although a 103-amino acid deletion characterizes them at the N-terminal end (1-103), suggesting that it behaves like a non-functional protein. Interestingly, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) found at position 281 in the Neanderthal PSD95 gene leads to a change of the E94 to valine V94 in the polyubiquitination domain (PEST) and variation in the three-dimensional structure of PSD95 protein. We prompt that this structural change in the PEST domain could induce a loss of PSD95p function and, therefore, an alteration in synaptic plasticity forms such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). These findingsopen a possible hypothesis supporting the idea that humans' cognitive evolution after separating our last common ancestor with Neanderthals lineage could have been accompanied by discrete changes in the PSD95p polyubiquitination domai

Photodegradation of Rhodamine B and Bisphenol A Over Visible-Light Driven Bi7O9I3-and Bi12O17Cl2-Photocatalysts Under White LED Irradiation

Two different bismuth oxyhalides photocatalysts Bi7O9I3 and Bi12O17Cl2 were obtained by oil bath and hydrothermal methods. The micro/nano-structures obtained were characterized by XRD, SEM, DRS and XPS. The XRD patterns are identical to those already reported. SEM revealed the formation of hierarchical micro/nano structures for Bi7O9I3 and nanobelts for Bi12O17Cl2. Band gap values were determined for both catalysts from DRS and XPS data. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and Bisphenol A were studied with both bismuth oxyhalides and compared with commercial titanium dioxide (TiO2). As light source was used a white Light-Emiting Diode lamp. As expected, a poor photocatalytic degradation was obtained in presence of TiO2, but significant drops of concentrations in presence of the bismuth oxyhalides was observed. However, the mineralization of both polluntants was higher in presence of Bi12O17Cl2 than with Bi7O9I3. In addition, a great part of Rhodamine B was removed by Bi7O9I3 in the dark, which is attributed to its morphological features. In contrast, Bisphenol A was degraded under visible light irradiation without significant adsorption