Validation of self reported diagnosis of hypertension in a cohort of university graduates in Spain

BACKGROUND: The search for risk factors of hypertension requires the study of large populations. Sometimes, the only feasible way of studying these populations is to rely on self-reported data of the outcome. The objective of this study was to evaluate validity of self-reported diagnosis of hypertension in a cohort of university graduates in Spain. METHODS: The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Study is a cohort of more than 15,000 university graduates in Spain. We selected a random sample of 79 cohort participants who reported a diagnosis of hypertension and 48 participants who did not report such diagnosis (76% participation proportion). Then, we compared information on the self-reported diagnosis of hypertension and hypertension status as assessed through two personal blood pressure measurements and an interview. Additionally, we compared self-reported and measured blood pressure levels with intraclass correlation coefficients and the survival-agreement plot. RESULTS: From those 79 reporting a diagnosis of hypertension, 65 (82.3%, 95% CI 72.8–92.8) were confirmed through conventional measurement of blood pressure and the interview. From those 48 that did not report a diagnosis of hypertension, 41 (85.4%, 95% CI 72.4–89.1) were confirmed as non hypertensives. Results were similar among men and women, but were worse for overweight and obese individuals, and for those with a family history of hypertension. The agreement between self-reported and measured blood pressure levels (as a continuous variable), as estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.35 for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Self-reported hypertension among highly educated participants in a cohort study is a relatively valid tool to assess the hypertensive status of participants. However, the investigators should be cautious when using self-reported blood pressure values

GEODA-SARAS: Multi-Phased array planar antenna for satellite communications

Nowadays, earth stations have as a common feature the use of large reflector antenna for downloading data from satellites. Large reflectors have impairments such as mechanical complexity, low flexibility and high cost. Thus, the feasibility of other antenna technologies must be evaluated, such as conformal adaptive antennas based on multiple planar active arrays. In the scenery under study, the capability to track several satellites simultaneously, higher flexibility, lower production and maintenance cost, modularity and a more efficient use of the spectrum; are the most important advantage to boost up active antenna arrays over large dishes

Radiating element of GEODA-SARAS

This document shows the design of the radiating element of the conformal adaptive antenna of multiple planar arrays GEODA-SARAS. Operating from 2.05 to 2.3 GHz in the S-band with dual circular polarization in Tx and Rx, it is possible to track and communicate with several satellites because of its adaptive beam. The antenna is based on a set of similar triangular arrays which are divided in sub-arrays of five elements called cells

American Heart Association's life simple 7 and the risk of atrial fibrillation in the PREDIMED study cohort

Background and aims: The American Heart Association proposed 7 ideal cardiovascular health metrics (Life's Simple 7 [LS7]) namely, not smoking, body mass index Methods and results: A total of 6,479 participants of the PREDIMED study were included. We calculated the participants' baseline LS7 index ranging 0-7 points to categorize them according to their adherence to these LS7 health metrics. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HR) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). After a median follow-up of 4.8 years, we identified 250 incident cases of AF. After adjusting for potential confounders, adherence to LS7 index was not associated with the incidence of AF (adjusted HR 0.90 [95% CI: 0.56-1.45] for highest vs. lowest LS7 categories). Body mass index <25 kg/m2 was the only health metric individually associated with a lower risk of AF (HR 0.36 [95% CI: 0.16-0.78]). Conclusions: In a high cardiovascular risk Spanish population, adherence to American Heart Association's LS7 metrics was not associated with the risk of incident AF

AGN feedback in the Local Universe: multiphase outflow of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5506

We present new optical GTC/MEGARA seeing-limited (0.9") integral-field observations of NGC 5506, together with ALMA observations of the CO(3-2) transition at a 0.2" (25 pc) resolution. NGC 5506 is a luminous (bolometric luminosity of $\sim 10^{44}$ erg/s) nearby (26 Mpc) Seyfert galaxy, part of the Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS). We modelled the CO(3-2) kinematics with 3D-Barolo, revealing a rotating and outflowing cold gas ring within the central 1.2 kpc. We derived an integrated cold molecular gas mass outflow rate for the ring of 8 M$_{\odot}$/yr. We fitted the optical emission lines with a maximum of two Gaussian components to separate rotation from non-circular motions. We detected high [OIII]$\lambda$5007 projected velocities (up to 1000 km/s) at the active galactic nucleus (AGN) position, decreasing with radius to an average 330 km/s around 350 pc. We also modelled the [OIII] gas kinematics with a non-parametric method, estimating the ionisation parameter and electron density in every spaxel, from which we derived an ionised mass outflow rate of 0.076 M$_{\odot}$/yr within the central 1.2 kpc. Regions of high CO(3-2) velocity dispersion, extending to projected distances of 350 pc from the AGN, appear to be the result from the interaction of the AGN wind with molecular gas in the galaxy's disc. Additionally, we find the ionised outflow to spatially correlate with radio and soft X-ray emission in the central kiloparsec. We conclude that the effects of AGN feedback in NGC 5506 manifest as a large-scale ionised wind interacting with the molecular disc, resulting in outflows extending to radial distances of 610 pcComment: 24 pages, 30 figures, accepted for publication by Astronomy & Astrophysic

Aortic disease in Marfan syndrome is caused by overactivation of sGC-PRKG signaling by NO

AbstractThoracic aortic aneurysm, as occurs in Marfan syndrome, is generally asymptomatic until dissection or rupture, requiring surgical intervention as the only available treatment. Here, we show that nitric oxide (NO) signaling dysregulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics in Marfan Syndrome smooth muscle cells and that NO-donors induce Marfan-like aortopathy in wild-type mice, indicating that a marked increase in NO suffices to induce aortopathy. Levels of nitrated proteins are higher in plasma from Marfan patients and mice and in aortic tissue from Marfan mice than in control samples, indicating elevated circulating and tissue NO. Soluble guanylate cyclase and cGMP-dependent protein kinase are both activated in Marfan patients and mice and in wild-type mice treated with NO-donors, as shown by increased plasma cGMP and pVASP-S239 staining in aortic tissue. Marfan aortopathy in mice is reverted by pharmacological inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase and cGMP-dependent protein kinase and lentiviral-mediated Prkg1 silencing. These findings identify potential biomarkers for monitoring Marfan Syndrome in patients and urge evaluation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase and soluble guanylate cyclase as therapeutic targets.</jats:p

Comprehensive analysis and insights gained from long-term experience of the Spanish DILI Registry

Background & aims: Prospective drug-induced liver injury (DILI) registries are important sources of information on idiosyncratic DILI. We aimed to present a comprehensive analysis of 843 patients with DILI enrolled into the Spanish DILI Registry over a 20-year time period. Methods: Cases were identified, diagnosed and followed prospectively. Clinical features, drug information and outcome data were collected. Results: A total of 843 patients, with a mean age of 54 years (48% females), were enrolled up to 2018. Hepatocellular injury was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] per year 0.983; 95% CI 0.974-0.991) and lower platelet count (aOR per unit 0.996; 95% CI 0.994-0.998). Anti-infectives were the most common causative drug class (40%). Liver-related mortality was more frequent in patients with hepatocellular damage aged ≥65 years (p = 0.0083) and in patients with underlying liver disease (p = 0.0221). Independent predictors of liver-related death/transplantation included nR-based hepatocellular injury, female sex, higher onset aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin values. nR-based hepatocellular injury was not associated with 6-month overall mortality, for which comorbidity burden played a more important role. The prognostic capacity of Hy's law varied between causative agents. Empirical therapy (corticosteroids, ursodeoxycholic acid and MARS) was prescribed to 20% of patients. Drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis patients (26 cases) were mainly females (62%) with hepatocellular damage (92%), who more frequently received immunosuppressive therapy (58%).The present study has been supported by grants of Instituto de Salud Carlos III cofounded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional – FEDER (contract numbers: PI19/00883, PI16/01748, PI18/00901, PI18/01804, PI-0285-2016, PI-0274-2016, PI-0310- 2018, PT17/0017/0020) and Agencia Española del Medicamento. CIBERehd and Plataforma ISCIII Ensayos Clinicos are funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III. MRD holds a Joan Rodes (JR16/ 00015)/Acción B clinicos investigadores (B-0002-2019) and JSC a Rio Hortega (CM17/00243) research contract from ISCIII and Consejería de Salud de Andalucía. The funding sources had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report or in the de- cision to submit the manuscript for publication

Hear4All: Herramienta de traducción y generación de lenguaje de signos en tiempo real para el aula mediante tecnologías disruptivas

[EN] Traditionally, text-to-speech has helped people overcome decoding difficulties with learning or hearing disabilities. Thanks to technological advances, consuming content in which learners use text and audio is more common. However, sign language allows an improvement in the transfer of knowledge and the integration of students with functional diversity. This tool allows the simultaneous translation into sign language of the teacher or speaker and dynamizes the learning of this by the classmates, improving the possibilities of socialization and exchange. In order to test the functionality of the application, a pilot test was carried out with the students of the Teaching Degree in the Special Educational Needs specialty in five face-to-face sessions. Among the contents that these students must acquire is the knowledge of sign language, valuing the application as very useful for learning and classroom use of this tool. It can also be used to promote communication between professionals in the workplace. In conclusion, we can highlight creating a tool for simultaneous translation into sign language applicable to the educational and socio-labor fields.[ES] Tradicionalmente, la conversión de texto a voz ha ayudado a las personas con problemas de aprendizaje o audición a superar las dificultades de decodificación. Gracias a los avances en la tecnología, consumir contenidos en los que texto y audio sean utilizados por los alumnos es más frecuente. Sin embargo la utilización de lengua de signos permite una mejora en la transferencia de conocimientos y la integración del alumnado con diversidad funcional. Esta herramienta permite la traducción simultánea a lengua de signos del profesor o ponente, así como dinamizar el aprendizaje de este por parte de los compañeros, mejorando las posibilidades de socialización e intercambio. Para probar la funcionalidad de la aplicación, se realizo un pilotaje con los alumnos del Grado de Magisterio en la especialidad de Necesidades Educativas Especiales en cinco sesiones presenciales. Entre los contenidos que estos alumnos deben adquirir esta el conocimiento de la lengua de signos, valorando la aplicación como muy útil para el aprendizaje y el uso en clase de esta herramienta. Además puede utilizarse para fomentar la comunicación entre los profesionales en el ámbito laboral. Como conclusión podemos destacar la creación de una herramienta de traducción simultanea a lengua de signos aplicable al ámbito educativo y socio-laboral.Silva, L.; Alonso Correa, IP.; Sánchez San Blas, H.; Sales Mendes, A.; Bermejo Gil, B.; Pérez Robledo, F.; Lozano Murcielago, A.... (2022). Hear4All: Herramienta de traducción y generación de lenguaje de signos en tiempo real para el aula mediante tecnologías disruptivas. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1152-1162. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2022.2022.159161152116

Curso semipresencial de Matemáticas básicas: Matemáticas GO

En este informe se detalla el contenido del curso propedéutico de Matemáticas Básicas para la facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, así como los resultados de la impartición en modalidad semi-presencial como novedad