Co-prescription patterns of cardiovascular preventive treatments: A cross-sectional study in the Aragon worker' health study (Spain)

Objectives: To identify cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventive treatments combinations, among them and with other drugs, and to determine their prevalence in a cohort of Spanish workers. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting Aragon Workers'' Health Study (AWHS) cohort in Spain. Participants 5577 workers belonging to AWHS cohort. From these subjects, we selected those that had, at least, three prescriptions of the same therapeutic subgroup in 2014 (n=4605). Primary and secondary outcome measures Drug consumption was obtained from the Aragon Pharmaceutical Consumption Registry (Farmasalud). In order to know treatment utilisation, prevalence analyses were conducted. Frequent item set mining techniques were applied to identify drugs co-prescription patterns. All the results were stratified by sex and age. Results: 42.3% of men and 18.8% of women in the cohort received, at least, three prescriptions of a CVD preventive treatment in 2014. The most prescribed CVD treatment were antihypertensives (men: 28.2%, women 9.2%). The most frequent association observed among CVD preventive treatment was agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system and lipid-lowering drugs (5.1% of treated subjects). Co-prescription increased with age, especially after 50 years old, both in frequency and number of associations, and was higher in men. Regarding the association between CVD preventive treatments and other drugs, the most frequent pattern observed was lipid-lowering drugs and drugs used for acid related disorders (4.2% of treated subjects). Conclusions: There is an important number of co-prescription patterns that involve CVD preventive treatments. These patterns increase with age and are more frequent in men. Mining techniques are a useful tool to identify pharmacological patterns that are not evident in the individual clinical practice, in order to improve drug prescription appropriateness

Bibliometric Analysis and Review of Low and Medium Enthalpy Geothermal Energy: Environmental, Economic, and Strategic Insights

Received: 10 July 2023. Revised: 30 July 2023. Accepted: 8 August 2023. Available online: 25 September 2023.Geothermal energy, an efficacious and readily available resource, has emerged as a sustainable alternative poised to satisfy escalating global energy demands. This study undertakes a comprehensive analysis of low (heat below 100℃) and medium (heat between 100℃ to 150℃) enthalpy geothermal energy through a bibliometric approach and a literature survey, with an emphasis on the environmental and economic aspects. The methodological procedure encompasses: (i) systematic information processing and configuration, (ii) bibliometric assessment of the evolution and domains of the investigated field, (iii) evaluation of environmental and economic contributions, and (iv) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, facilitated by a Focus Group comprising experts from the energy sector. The research on low and medium enthalpy geothermal energy has been identified as an expanding field, with five primary areas of focus: sustainability, cascade systems, heat pumps, numerical modelling, and roundwater potential in geothermal systems. Italy, the United States, and Germany have been recognized as the leading contributors in terms of scientific production. Geothermal energy, from an environmental standpoint, aids the decarbonisation process, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and other renewable energy sources. Although initial investment costs are considerable, the financial recovery period is relatively short. The promotion of geothermal energy, alongside the active involvement of academia, corporations, and governments, bolsters energy and socio-economic development, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).This work is supported by ESPOL Polytechnic University research project "Register of geological and mining heritage and its incidence in the defence and preservation of geodiversity in Ecuador" with institutional code CIPAT-01- 2018, and Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético (IIGE). We would also like to thank the editorial office for the editorial handling and four anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and corrections

The mitochondrial activity of leukocytes from Artibeus jamaicensis bats remains unaltered after several weeks of flying restriction

Bats are the only flying mammals known. They have longer lifespan than other mammals of similar size and weight and can resist high loads of many pathogens, mostly viruses, with no signs of disease. These distinctive characteristics have been attributed to their metabolic rate that is thought to be the result of their flying lifestyle. Compared with non-flying mammals, bats have lower production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and high levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase. This anti-oxidative vs. oxidative profile may help to explain bat's longer than expected lifespans. The aim of this study was to assess the effect that a significant reduction in flying has on bats leukocytes mitochondrial activity. This was assessed using samples of lymphoid and myeloid cells from peripheral blood from Artibeus jamaicensis bats shortly after capture and up to six weeks after flying deprivation. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+), and mitochondrial ROS (mROS) were used as key indicators of mitochondrial activity, while total ROS and glucose uptake were used as additional indicators of cell metabolism. Results showed that total ROS and glucose uptake were statistically significantly lower at six weeks of flying deprivation (p 0.05). These results suggest that bat mitochondria are stable to sudden changes in physical activity, at least up to six weeks of flying deprivation. However, decrease in total ROS and glucose uptake in myeloid cells after six weeks of captivity suggest a compensatory mechanism due to the lack of the highly metabolic demands associated with flying

A new lizard of the Liolaemus montanus group that inhabits the hyperarid desert of southern Peru

A new lizard of the genus Liolaemus is described from the Tacna region of southern of Peru. This species belongs to the L. montanus group and was initially thought to be L. poconchilensis and L. insolitus. However, a series of diagnostic characters differentiate it consistently from these two species and all other species of the genus. To determine the taxonomic status of these lizards, their phylogenetic relationships were analyzed, as well as their morphological and ecological characteristics. The results of the analysis support the conclusion that this population of lizards represents a new species to science, and that the new species is related to L. nazca and L. chiribaya. The new species has sexual dimorphism and is known from elevations of ca. 1,000 m above sea level in the hyperarid Pacifc deserts, which are populated by scattered Ephedra americana and Poissonia sp. Due to its highly restricted range and observed habitat loss, we recommend this species be categorized as Critically EndangeredUna nueva especie de lagarto del género Liolaemus es descrita para la Región Tacna, sur de Perú. Esta especie pertenece al grupo L. montanus, la que fue inicialmente confundida con L. poconchilensis y L. insolitus. Sin embargo, una serie de caracteres diagnósticos la diferencian consistentemente de estas y otras especies del género. Para determinar su estatus taxonómico, nosotros analizamos sus relaciones filogenéticas, así como sus características morfológicas y ecológicas. Nuestros resultados sustentan la conclusión que esta población es una nueva especie para la Ciencia, e indica que esta nueva especie está relacionada a L. nazca and L. chiribaya. La nueva especie presenta dimorfismo sexual, y es conocida en elevaciones cercanas a los 1,000 m sobre el nivel del mar, en el hiperárido desierto del Pacífico con matorral de Ephedra americana y Poissonia sp. Debido a su distribución restringida y la pérdida de hábitat observada, nosotros proponemos que sea incluida en la lista de especies amenazadas como En Peligro Crítico.Fil: Valladares Faundez, John Pablo. Universidad de Tarapaca.; ChileFil: Franco León, Pablo. Universidad Jorge Basadre Grohmann; PerúFil: Chipana, César Jove. Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann.; PerúFil: Navarro Guzmán, Marco. Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann.; PerúFil: Apaza, Javier Ignacio. Universidad Jorge Basadre Grohmann; PerúFil: Cáceres Musaja, César. Universidad Jorge Basadre Grohmann; PerúFil: Langstroth, Robert. Colección Boliviana de Fauna; Bolivia. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés; BoliviaFil: Aguilar Kiriguin, Alvaro. Colección Boliviana de Fauna; BoliviaFil: Gutierrez, Roberto C.. Universidad Nacional de San Agustín. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento Académico de Biología. Museo de Historia Natural; PerúFil: Abdala, Cristian Simón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentin

State transfer in dissipative and dephasing environments

By diagonalization of a generalized superoperator for solving the master equation, we investigated effects of dissipative and dephasing environments on quantum state transfer, as well as entanglement distribution and creation in spin networks. Our results revealed that under the condition of the same decoherence rate $\gamma$, the detrimental effects of the dissipative environment are more severe than that of the dephasing environment. Beside this, the critical time $t_c$ at which the transfer fidelity and the concurrence attain their maxima arrives at the asymptotic value $t_0=\pi/2\lambda$ quickly as the spin chain length $N$ increases. The transfer fidelity of an excitation at time $t_0$ is independent of $N$ when the system subjects to dissipative environment, while it decreases as $N$ increases when the system subjects to dephasing environment. The average fidelity displays three different patterns corresponding to $N=4r+1$, $N=4r-1$ and $N=2r$. For each pattern, the average fidelity at time $t_0$ is independent of $r$ when the system subjects to dissipative environment, and decreases as $r$ increases when the system subjects to dephasing environment. The maximum concurrence also decreases as $N$ increases, and when $N\rightarrow\infty$, it arrives at an asymptotic value determined by the decoherence rate $\gamma$ and the structure of the spin network.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Update of variants identified in the pancreatic β-cell K ATP channel genes KCNJ11 and ABCC8 in individuals with congenital hyperinsulinism and diabetes

The most common genetic cause of neonatal diabetes and hyperinsulinism is pathogenic variants in ABCC8 and KCNJ11. These genes encode the subunits of the β-cell ATP-sensitive potassium channel, a key component of the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion pathway. Mutations in the two genes cause dysregulated insulin secretion; inactivating mutations cause an oversecretion of insulin, leading to congenital hyperinsulinism, whereas activating mutations cause the opposing phenotype, diabetes. This review focuses on variants identified in ABCC8 and KCNJ11, the phenotypic spectrum and the treatment implications for individuals with pathogenic variants.This article is freely available via Open Access. Click on the publisher URL to access it via the publisher's site.P30 DK020595/NH/NIH HHS/United States K23 DK094866/NH/NIH HHS/United States R03 DK103096/NH/NIH HHS/United States 1-11-CT-41/American Diabetes Association/International R01 DK104942/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom WT098395/Z/12/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom UL1 TR000430/NH/NIH HHS/United States P30 DK020595/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States UL1 TR000430/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States 1-17-JDF-008/American Diabetes Association/International 105636/Z/14/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom 110675/European Association for the Study of Diabetes-Novo Nordisk/International 16/0005407/DUK_/Diabetes UK/United Kingdom R01 DK104942/NH/NIH HHS/United States R03 DK103096/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States K23 DK094866/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United Statespublished version, accepted version (12 month embargo), submitted versio

From individuals’ movement to range shifts: integration of movement data in individual-based models to assess global change effects on populations

El estudio del movimiento de los individuos informa directamente sobre los tamaños de las áreas de campeo, las rutas migratorias o la selección de hábitat. Pero, además, la integración de datos de movimiento en modelos ecológicos permite además abordar mayores escalas. En este trabajo mostramos los resultados de nuestra línea de investigación utilizando STEPLAND, un modelo basado en el individuo de desarrollo propio. El modelo se parametrizó con datos de movimiento, demográficos y genéticos de tortugas terrestres (Testudo graeca) del SE de España. Llevamos a cabo diferentes experimentos de simulación con el fin de contestar a cuestiones sobre los efectos del cambio global en la conservación de la especie. A nivel de especie, identificamos aquellos rasgos evolutivos de las tortugas, como el almacenamiento de esperma por parte de las hembras, que evitan las extinciones en hábitats antropizados. A escala de paisaje, evaluamos el impacto del abandono agrícola y la intensificación en la dinámica poblacional de esta especie de vida larga. La intensificación afectó negativamente las tasas reproductivas, la densidad de población y la probabilidad de extinción de T. graeca, con respuestas de retardo de 20, 30 y 130 años respectivamente. Finalmente, en un contexto regional, pretendemos simular las primeras etapas de una expansión. Los primeros resultados sugieren patrones característicos de surfing genético, un proceso que afecta la expansión de especies de baja dispersión afectadas por deriva genética. Creemos que nuestra línea de investigación ejemplifica bien que el valor científico de los datos de movimiento excede el nivel de individuo.The study of the movement of individuals directly informs about home-range sizes, migratory routes or habitat selection. But also, integrating movement into ecological models allows for larger-scale studies. Here we summarize the results of our line of research based in the individual-based model STEPLAND. The model was parameterized with movement, demographic and genetic data of spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca) in SE Spain. We developed different simulation experiments to answer questions about the effects of global change on the conservation of this species. At the species level, we identified those evolutionary traits of tortoises, such as female sperm storage, that prevent extinctions in human-altered habitats. At landscape scale, we assessed the impact of agricultural abandonment and agricultural intensification on the population dynamics of this long-lived species. Only agricultural intensification negatively affected reproductive rates, population density, and probability of extinction of T. graeca, with time-lag responses of 20, 30 and 130 years respectively. Finally, in a regional context, we aim to simulate the early stages of a range expansion. Preliminary results reveal patterns compatible to “genetic surfing”, a process affecting the expansion of low dispersal species impacted by strong genetic drift. We believe that our line of research exemplifies well that the scientific value of movement data goes well beyond the individual level.Esta línea de investigación se ha sufragado con las ayudas PID2019-105682RA-I00, financiada por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; y por CGL2015-64144, con financiación de MINECO/FEDER (UE). El contrato de R.C.R.C. se sufraga con una ayuda del programa María Zambrano (ZAMBRANO 21-26), con fondos European Union-Next Generation (EU). A.S.A. y J.D.A. cuentan con ayudas Ramón y Cajal del Ministerio de Ciencia (RYC-2017-22796 y RYC-2017-22783, respectivamente). M.V.J.F. tiene un contrato Juan de la Cierva Incorporación (IJC2019-039145-I) de este mismo organismo y ella y A.S.A. cuentan con financiación a Grupos Emergentes (CIGE/2021/157) de GVA

Autoantibody screening in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory neuropathy with a heterogeneous presentation. Although some evidences support the role of autoantibodies in its pathogenesis, the target antigens remain unknown in a substantial proportion of GBS patients. The objective of this study is to screen for autoantibodies targeting peripheral nerve components in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Methods: Autoantibody screening was performed in serum samples from all GBS patients included in the International GBS Outcome study by 11 different Spanish centres. The screening included testing for anti-ganglioside antibodies, anti-nodo/paranodal antibodies, immunocytochemistry on neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons and murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, and immunohistochemistry on monkey peripheral nerve sections. We analysed the staining patterns of patients and controls. The prognostic value of anti-ganglioside antibodies was also analysed. Results: None of the GBS patients (n = 100) reacted against the nodo/paranodal proteins tested, and 61 (61%) were positive for, at least, one anti-ganglioside antibody. GBS sera reacted strongly against DRG neurons more frequently than controls both with IgG (6% vs 0%; p = 0.03) and IgM (11% vs 2.2%; p = 0.02) immunodetection. No differences were observed in the proportion of patients reacting against neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons. Reactivity against monkey nerve tissue was frequently detected both in patients and controls, but specific patterns were only detected in GBS patients: IgG from 13 (13%) patients reacted strongly against Schwann cells. Finally, we confirmed that IgG anti-GM1 antibodies are associated with poorer outcomes independently of other known prognostic factors. Conclusion: Our study confirms that (1) GBS patients display a heterogeneous repertoire of autoantibodies targeting nerve cells and structures; (2) gangliosides are the most frequent antigens in GBS patients and have a prognostic value; (3) further antigen-discovery experiments may elucidate other potential antigens in GBS

Light Sterile Neutrinos: A White Paper

This white paper addresses the hypothesis of light sterile neutrinos based on recent anomalies observed in neutrino experiments and the latest astrophysical data

Autoantibody screening in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background: Guillain?Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory neuropathy with a heterogeneous presentation. Although some evidences support the role of autoantibodies in its pathogenesis, the target antigens remain unknown in a substantial proportion of GBS patients. The objective of this study is to screen for autoantibodies targeting peripheral nerve components in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Methods: Autoantibody screening was performed in serum samples from all GBS patients included in the International GBS Outcome study by 11 different Spanish centres. The screening included testing for anti-ganglioside antibodies, anti-nodo/paranodal antibodies, immunocytochemistry on neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons and murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, and immunohistochemistry on monkey peripheral nerve sections. We analysed the staining patterns of patients and controls. The prognostic value of anti-ganglioside antibodies was also analysed. Results: None of the GBS patients (n = 100) reacted against the nodo/paranodal proteins tested, and 61 (61%) were positive for, at least, one anti-ganglioside antibody. GBS sera reacted strongly against DRG neurons more frequently than controls both with IgG (6% vs 0%; p = 0.03) and IgM (11% vs 2.2%; p = 0.02) immunodetection. No differences were observed in the proportion of patients reacting against neuroblastoma-derived human motor neurons. Reactivity against monkey nerve tissue was frequently detected both in patients and controls, but specific patterns were only detected in GBS patients: IgG from 13 (13%) patients reacted strongly against Schwann cells. Finally, we confirmed that IgG anti-GM1 antibodies are associated with poorer outcomes independently of other known prognostic factor