A New Educational Escape-Room-Based Model for the Sustainable Valorization and Management of Cultural and Natural Heritage

Based on the model of the “escape room” game, the activity proposed in this paper centres on the historical site of one of the fiercest battles of the Spanish Civil War (February 1937). The battle site is in the area of Rivas-vaciamadrid, the focal point of the Francoist and Republican camps, which connected the centre of Madrid with one of the city’s most important logistics and military facilities, Alcalà de Henares. The study proposes a new way to use the site and, in particular, proposes a live game aimed at involving different types of participants, aligning it with their specific profiles, whether children, adults or scholars. Its main aim is to propose an activity for the sustainable valorization of this heritage and to raise awareness in participants about this significant piece of history as well as its preservation in the long-term. It should be kept in mind that “Los pueblos que desconocen su Historia están condenados a repetirla”, i.e. “Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it”.The Rivas-vaciamadrid site is also a source of information and study regarding geological, natural and historical-artistic aspects. One example is the Porphyrio porphiyrio (western swamphen), present in the ecosystem of Rivas-vaciamadrid, which has a noteworthy past having been depicted in the mosaics of both the "Villa Romana del Casale" in Sicily and the Church of "San Vitale", in Ravenna, Italy as well as being reported in writings by Aristotle and Pliny the Elder

Impact of a motivational resistance-training programme on adherence and body composition in the elderly

Lack of physical activity is one of the major causes for obesity and functional disability in the elderly. Including regular exercise in the elderly’s lifestyle is not an easy task. The main objective was to analyse the effect of a motivational resistance-training programme on satisfying the individual’s psychological needs, level of self-determination and body composition. A quasi-experimental study was performed with 47 volunteers (29 females, 18 males) of 67–75 years of age, divided into two groups: experimental (n = 27) and control (n = 20). A 12-week intervention programme was performed, with a total of 36 sessions. The results of the inter-group analysis indicated significant differences in the post-test measurement between the experimental group and the control group (in favour of the experimental group) regarding basic psychological needs. The experimental group, in comparison to the control group, significantly decreased their percentage of fat mass and increased muscle mass. Body weight and BMI values increased in the control group, while significantly decreasing in the experimental group. In conclusion, the motivational resistance-training programme in the elderly gave rise to positive significant changes at the physical, psychological and social levels, according to the definition of health by the World Health Organization

Complexities underlying the breeding and deployment of Dutch elm disease resistant elms

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a vascular wilt disease caused by the pathogens Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi with multiple ecological phases including pathogenic (xylem), saprotrophic (bark) and vector (beetle flight and beetle feeding wound) phases. Due to the two DED pandemics during the twentieth century the use of elms in landscape and forest restoration has declined significantly. However new initiatives for elm breeding and restoration are now underway in Europe and North America. Here we discuss complexities in the DED 'system' that can lead to unintended consequences during elm breeding and some of the wider options for obtaining durability or 'field resistance' in released material, including (1) the phenotypic plasticity of disease levels in resistant cultivars infected by O. novo-ulmi; (2) shortcomings in test methods when selecting for resistance; (3) the implications of rapid evolutionary changes in current O. novo-ulmi populations for the choice of pathogen inoculum when screening; (4) the possibility of using active resistance to the pathogen in the beetle feeding wound, and low attractiveness of elm cultivars to feeding beetles, in addition to resistance in the xylem; (5) the risk that genes from susceptible and exotic elms be introgressed into resistant cultivars; (6) risks posed by unintentional changes in the host microbiome; and (7) the biosecurity risks posed by resistant elm deployment. In addition, attention needs to be paid to the disease pressures within which resistant elms will be released. In the future, biotechnology may further enhance our understanding of the various resistance processes in elms and our potential to deploy trees with highly durable resistance in elm restoration. Hopefully the different elm resistance processes will prove to be largely under durable, additive, multigenic control. Elm breeding programmes cannot afford to get into the host-pathogen arms races that characterise some agricultural host-pathogen systems

Cytokine profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells differs between embryo donor and potential recipient sows

IntroductionPregnancy success relies on the establishment of a delicate immune balance that requires the early activation of a series of local and systemic immune mechanisms. The changes in the immunological profile that are normally occurring in the pregnant uterus does not take place in cyclic (non-pregnant) uterus, a fact that has been widely explored in pigs at the tissue local level. Such differences would be especially important in the context of embryo transfer (ET), where a growing body of literature indicates that immunological differences at the uterine level between donors and recipients may significantly impact embryonic mortality. However, whether components of peripheral immunity also play a role in this context remains unknown. Accordingly, our hypothesis is that the immune status of donor sows differs from potential recipients, not only at the tissue local level but also at the systemic level. These differences could contribute to the high embryonic mortality rates occurring in ET programs.MethodsIn this study differences in systemic immunity, based on cytokine gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), between embryo-bearing donor (DO group; N = 10) and potential recipient sows (RE group; N = 10) at Day 6 after the onset of the estrus were explored. Gene expression analysis was conducted for 6 proinflammatory (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) and 6 anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-β1, and LIF) cytokines.Results and discussionAll cytokines were overexpressed in the DO group except for IL-4, suggesting that stimuli derived from the insemination and/or the resultant embryos modify the systemic immune profile in DO sows compared to RE (lacking these stimuli). Our results also suggest that certain cytokines (e.g., IL-1α and IL-1β) might have a predictive value for the pregnancy status

Functional genomics provide key insights to improve the diagnostic yield of hereditary ataxia

Improvements in functional genomic annotation have led to a critical mass of neurogenetic discoveries. This is exemplified in hereditary ataxia, a heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by incoordination from cerebellar dysfunction. Associated pathogenic variants in more than 300 genes have been described, leading to a detailed genetic classification partitioned by age-of-onset. Despite these advances, up to 75% of patients with ataxia remain molecularly undiagnosed even following whole genome sequencing, as exemplified in the 100,000 Genomes Project. This study aimed to understand whether we can improve our knowledge of the genetic architecture of hereditary ataxia by leveraging functional genomic annotations, and as a result, generate insights and strategies that raise the diagnostic yield. To achieve these aims, we used publicly-available multi-omics data to generate 294 genic features, capturing information relating to a gene's structure, genetic variation, tissue-specific, cell-type-specific and temporal expression, as well as protein products of a gene. We studied these features across genes typically causing childhood-onset, adult-onset or both types of disease first individually, then collectively. This led to the generation of testable hypotheses which we investigated using whole genome sequencing data from up to 2,182 individuals presenting with ataxia and 6,658 non-neurological probands recruited in the 100,000 Genomes Project. Using this approach, we demonstrated a high short tandem repeat (STR) density within childhood-onset genes suggesting that we may be missing pathogenic repeat expansions within this cohort. This was verified in both childhood- and adult-onset ataxia patients from the 100,000 Genomes Project who were unexpectedly found to have a trend for higher repeat sizes even at naturally-occurring STRs within known ataxia genes, implying a role for STRs in pathogenesis. Using unsupervised analysis, we found significant similarities in genomic annotation across the gene panels, which suggested adult- and childhood-onset patients should be screened using a common diagnostic gene set. We tested this within the 100,000 Genomes Project by assessing the burden of pathogenic variants among childhood-onset genes in adult-onset patients and vice versa. This demonstrated a significantly higher burden of rare, potentially pathogenic variants in conventional childhood-onset genes among individuals with adult-onset ataxia. Our analysis has implications for the current clinical practice in genetic testing for hereditary ataxia. We suggest that the diagnostic rate for hereditary ataxia could be increased by removing the age-of-onset partition, and through a modified screening for repeat expansions in naturally-occurring STRs within known ataxia-associated genes, in effect treating these regions as candidate pathogenic loci

Smart Solar Micro-exchangers for Sustainable Mobility of University Camps

Publicado el resumen en: https://www.wmcaus.org/files/WMCAUS2020_Book.pdf. Pendiente de publicación de las contribuciones en IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering.A significant number of universities have several campuses located in urban or rural settings, or with scattered university buildings that require the use of means of transportation. This implies the mobility and potential displacement of a large community of students, professors and researchers. The use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) is an intermediate alternative between the bicycle and electric cars. It can be an important stimulus for the promotion of the decarbonisation of the University Campus, avoiding the traffic congestion and reducing space requirements for parking. This paper presents the smart solar micro-exchanger model managed through a sustainable mobility web platform, applied to the case study of the University of Malaga (Spain). It is a solar charging station for e-bike, whose design is based on the principles of solar architecture (providing great security to e-bike). It managed by a web platform and app that allows the user to make reservations and learn about the savings in CO2 emissions. The system allows performing an aerobic sports activity without sweating problems when you reach the job. The platform also incorporates a database of quiet and safe routes for e-bike users.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Adverse drug reactions to the three doses of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) mRNA-1273 vaccine in a cohort of cancer patients under active treatment of a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines efficacy and safety have been tested in phase 3 studies in which cancer patients were not included or were underrepresented. Methods: The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of the mRNA-1273 vaccine across cancer patients and its relationship to patients’ demographics. We selected from our records all 18-years or older solid cancer patients under active treatment vaccinated with the complete three-dose schedule mRNA-1273 vaccine whose adverse drug reactions (ADRs)  after each dose were recorded. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to collect data between April 19, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Patients with documented previous infection by SARS-Cov-2 were excluded. Results: A total of 93 patients met the inclusion criteria. Local ADRs were reported more frequently after the first and second dose than after the third (41.9%, 43% and 31.1% of the patients respectively), while systemic ADRs followed the opposite pattern (16.1%, 34.4% and 52.6% of the patients respectively). We found a statistically significant association between sex and systemic adverse reactions after the third dose, p < 0.001 and between systemic adverse reactions after the second dose and systemic adverse reactions after the third dose, p = 0.001 A significant linear trend, p = 0.012, with a higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score associated with a lower proportion of patients suffering from systemic side effects was found. Women had 5.79 times higher odds to exhibit systemic ADRs after the third dose (p=0.01) compared to males. Increasing age was associated with a decreased likelihood of exhibiting ADRs (p=0.016). Conclusion: The mRNA-1273 vaccine shows a tolerable safety profile. The likelihood of ADRs appears to be associated with gender and age. Its association with ECOG scores is less evident. Further studies are needed to elucidate this data in cancer patients

Risk factors associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections in hospitalized patients in Colombia

Q2Q160-66Pacientes hospitalizadosObjectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a major clinical problem in Colombia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with MRSA SSTI in Colombia. Methods: A multicenter cohort study with nested case–control design was performed. Patients with an SSTI with at least 48 h of inpatient care were included. Patients with an MRSA SSTI were considered the case group and patients with either a non-MRSA SSTI or with an Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) SSTI were the control groups. A multivariate logistic regression approach was used to evaluate risk factors associated with MRSA SSTI with two different statistical models. Results: A total 1134 patients were included. Cultures were positive for 498 patients, of which 52% (n = 259) were Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA was confirmed in 68.3% of the S. aureus cultures. In the first model, independent risk factors for MRSA SSTI were identified as the presence of abscess (P<0.0001), cellulitis (P = 0.0007), age 18–44 years (P = 0.001), and previous outpatient treatment in the previous index visit (P = 0.003); surgical site infection was a protective factor (P = 0.008). In the second model, the main risk factor found was previous outpatient treatment in the previous index visit (P = 0.013). Conclusions: Community-acquired SSTIs in Colombia are commonly caused by MRSA. Therefore, clinicians should consider MRSA when designing the initial empirical treatment for purulent SSTI in Colombia, although there seems to be low awareness of this fact

Impact of the Mitochondrial Genetic Background in Complex III Deficiency

BACKGROUND: In recent years clinical evidence has emphasized the importance of the mtDNA genetic background that hosts a primary pathogenic mutation in the clinical expression of mitochondrial disorders, but little experimental confirmation has been provided. We have analyzed the pathogenic role of a novel homoplasmic mutation (m.15533 A>G) in the cytochrome b (MT-CYB) gene in a patient presenting with lactic acidosis, seizures, mild mental delay, and behaviour abnormalities. METHODOLOGY: Spectrophotometric analyses of the respiratory chain enzyme activities were performed in different tissues, the whole muscle mitochondrial DNA of the patient was sequenced, and the novel mutation was confirmed by PCR-RFLP. Transmitochondrial cybrids were constructed to confirm the pathogenicity of the mutation, and assembly/stability studies were carried out in fibroblasts and cybrids by means of mitochondrial translation inhibition in combination with blue native gel electrophoresis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Biochemical analyses revealed a decrease in respiratory chain complex III activity in patient's skeletal muscle, and a combined enzyme defect of complexes III and IV in fibroblasts. Mutant transmitochondrial cybrids restored normal enzyme activities and steady-state protein levels, the mutation was mildly conserved along evolution, and the proband's mother and maternal aunt, both clinically unaffected, also harboured the homoplasmic mutation. These data suggested a nuclear genetic origin of the disease. However, by forcing the de novo functioning of the OXPHOS system, a severe delay in the biogenesis of the respiratory chain complexes was observed in the mutants, which demonstrated a direct functional effect of the mitochondrial genetic background. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to possible pitfalls in the detection of pathogenic mitochondrial mutations, and highlight the role of the genetic mtDNA background in the development of mitochondrial disorders

A Core Outcome Set for Efficacy of Acute Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials investigating drugs for the acute treatment of hereditary angioedema attacks have assessed many different outcomes. This heterogeneity limits the comparability of trial results and may lead to selective outcome reporting bias and a high burden on trial participants. OBJECTIVE: To achieve consensus on a core outcome set composed of key outcomes that ideally should be used in all clinical efficacy trials involving the acute treatment of hereditary angioedema attacks. METHODS: We conducted a Delphi consensus study involving all relevant parties: patients with hereditary angioedema, hereditary angioedema expert clinicians and clinical researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory bodies. Two Internetbased survey rounds were conducted. In round 1, panelists indicated the importance of individual outcomes used in clinical trials on a 9 -point Likert scale. Based on these results, a core outcome set was developed and voted on by panelists in round 2. RESULTS: A total of 58 worldwide panelists completed both rounds. The fi rst round demonstrated high importance scores and substantial agreement among the panelists. In the second round, a consensus of 90% or greater was achieved on a core outcome set consisting of fi ve key outcomes: change in overall symptom severity at one predetermined time point between 15 minutes and 4 hours after treatment, time to end of progression of all symptoms, the need for rescue medication during the entire attack, impairment of daily activities, and treatment satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This international study obtained a high level of consensus on a core outcome set for the acute treatment of hereditary angioedema attacks, consisting of fi ve key outcomes. Crown Copyright (c) 2024 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). (J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2024;12:1614-21