Risk factors for postobstructive diuresis in pediatric patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction, following open pyeloplasty in three high complexity institutions

Q4Q2Summary Introduction Postobstructive diuresis (POD) is a polyuric state in which large quantities of salt and water are eliminated after solving a urinary tract obstruction. These patients are at increased risk of severe dehydration, electrolytic disturbances, hypovolemic shock, and death. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common etiology of collecting system dilatation in the fetal kidney, and a significant number of patients require pyeloplasty. There are limited data regarding prognostic risk factors for POD in this scenario. Study design This was a retrospective case series study of consecutive patients diagnosed with UPJO at three high complexity centers, managed with open pyeloplasty from 2006 to 2016. Multiple qualitative and quantitative variables possibly associated with POD were included according to the literature review. They were statistically analyzed with STATA 14 software. Results A total of 88 patients with UPJO following open pyeloplasty were analyzed. Twenty-seven patients (30%) had POD. A tendency to present POD in younger patients was found, with a mean age of 20.2 months vs. 72.3 months. There was also an increased risk of POD in patients with previous diagnosis of tubular acidosis. Conclusions There are no data about prognostic clinical risk factors for POD after open pyeloplasty in the pediatric population. Our study corresponds to one of the larger series reported so far. It suggests that younger patients and patients with a previous diagnosis of tubular acidosis could be at greater risk of POD. Consequently, prospective studies are required for validation of our results, and possible impact on patient follow-up.Summary table. Risk factors for POD: results of the univariate analysis with statistical significance.VariablePatients with no PODPatients with PODpn = 61n = 27Median (range) age, months72.3 (1–192)20.2 (2–120)0.005Previous tubular acidosis, n (%)1 (2)3 (11)0.049.https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3275-7019https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4152-9747https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2231-4321Revista Internacional - Indexad

Balancing porosity and mechanical properties of titanium samples to favor cellular growth against bacteria

Two main problems limit the success of titanium implants: bacterial infection, which restricts their osseointegration capacity; and the stiffness mismatch between the implant and the host cortical bone, which promotes bone resorption and risk of fracture. Porosity incorporation may reduce this difference in stiffness but compromise biomechanical behavior. In this work, the relationship between the microstructure (content, size, and shape of pores) and the antibacterial and cellular behavior of samples fabricated by the space-holder technique (50 vol % NH4HCO3 and three ranges of particle sizes) is established. Results are discussed in terms of the best biomechanical properties and biofunctional activity balance (cell biocompatibility and antibacterial behavior). All substrates achieved suitable cell biocompatibility of premioblast and osteoblast in adhesion and proliferation processes. It is worth to highlighting that samples fabricated with the 100–200 μm space-holder present better mechanical behavior—in terms of stiffness, microhardness, and yield strength—which make them a very suitable material to replace cortical bone tissues. Those results exposed the relationship between the surface properties and the race of bacteria and mammalian cells for the surface with the aim to promote cellular growth over bacteria.University of Seville (Spain) VI Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia—US 2018, I.3A

Boosting precision crop protection towards agriculture 5.0 via machine learning and emerging technologies: A contextual review

Crop protection is a key activity for the sustainability and feasibility of agriculture in a current context of climate change, which is causing the destabilization of agricultural practices and an increase in the incidence of current or invasive pests, and a growing world population that requires guaranteeing the food supply chain and ensuring food security. In view of these events, this article provides a contextual review in six sections on the role of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and other emerging technologies to solve current and future challenges of crop protection. Over time, crop protection has progressed from a primitive agriculture 1.0 (Ag1.0) through various technological developments to reach a level of maturity closelyin line with Ag5.0 (section 1), which is characterized by successfully leveraging ML capacity and modern agricultural devices and machines that perceive, analyze and actuate following the main stages of precision crop protection (section 2). Section 3 presents a taxonomy of ML algorithms that support the development and implementation of precision crop protection, while section 4 analyses the scientific impact of ML on the basis of an extensive bibliometric study of >120 algorithms, outlining the most widely used ML and deep learning (DL) techniques currently applied in relevant case studies on the detection and control of crop diseases, weeds and plagues. Section 5 describes 39 emerging technologies in the fields of smart sensors and other advanced hardware devices, telecommunications, proximal and remote sensing, and AI-based robotics that will foreseeably lead the next generation of perception-based, decision-making and actuation systems for digitized, smart and real-time crop protection in a realistic Ag5.0. Finally, section 6 highlights the main conclusions and final remarks

Potenciales evocados y funcionamiento ejecutivo en niños con trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad

Cognitive evoked potentials (P300) have been core of interest in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) research. The identification of its relationship with the most ecological aspects of executive dysfunction involves a link between neurophysiological and functional frames for a better treatment approach and monitoring of the evolution of the disorder. To explore the differences in latency and amplitude of P300 component in Cz, Fz and Pz, between ADHD and no- ADHD children, and to analyze the correlations between variables of P300 and indexes of a measurement of executive functioning at homeLos potenciales evocados cognitivos (P300) han sido centro de interés en el estudio del trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH). Identificar su relación con los aspectos más ecológicos del déficit ejecutivo supone una conexión entre el ámbito neurofisiológico y funcional para un mejor abordaje del tratamiento y seguimiento de la evolución del trastorno. Explorar las diferencias en latencia y amplitud del componente P300 entre un grupo de niños con TDAH y un grupo de controles sin TDAH, y examinar las correlaciones entre las variables del P300 y los índices de una medida de funcionamiento ejecutivo en el hogar

The contribution of histone crotonylation to tissue health and disease: focus on kidney health

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are the most severe consequences of kidney injury. They are interconnected syndromes as CKD predisposes to AKI and AKI may accelerate CKD progression. Despite their growing impact on the global burden of disease, there is no satisfactory treatment for AKI and current therapeutic approaches to CKD remain suboptimal. Recent research has focused on the therapeutic target potential of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, including non-coding RNAs and the covalent modifications of histones and DNA. Indeed, several drugs targeting histone modifications are in clinical use or undergoing clinical trials. Acyllysine histone modifications (e.g. methylation, acetylation, and crotonylation) have modulated experimental kidney injury. Most recently, increased histone lysine crotonylation (Kcr) was observed during experimental AKI and could be reproduced in cultured tubular cells exposed to inflammatory stress triggered by the cytokine TWEAK. The degree of kidney histone crotonylation was modulated by crotonate availability and crotonate supplementation protected from nephrotoxic AKI. We now review the functional relevance of histone crotonylation in kidney disease and other pathophysiological contexts, as well as the implications for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. These studies provide insights into the overall role of histone crotonylation in health and diseaseSources of support: FIS/FEDER funds (PI15/00298, CP14/00133, PI16/02057, PI16/01900, PI18/01386, PI19/00588, PI19/00815, DTS18/00032, ERA-PerMed-JTC2018 (KIDNEY ATTACK AC18/00064 and PERSTIGAN AC18/00071), ISCIII-RETIC REDinREN RD016/0009), Sociedad Española de Nefrología, FRIAT, Comunidad de Madrid en Biomedicina B2017/BMD- 3686 CIFRA2-CM. Salary support: ISCIII Miguel Servet and to AS and MS-N, ISCIII Sara Borrell to JM-M and Comunidad de Madrid (B2017/BMD-3686 CIFRA2-CM) to MF-B and DM-S

Effects of a humor-centered activity on disruptive behavior in patients in a general hospital psychiatric ward

This study would not have been possible without the professional collaboration and enthusiasm of the Titiritas Clown group, who were the stars of the humor-based activities on the ward. We offer special thanks to the members of this group: José Pérez de la Blanca, Francisco Parera, and Fernando Pérez de la Blanca.The aim of this quasi-experimental study is to investigate the effects of a humor-based activity on disruptive behaviors in patients hospitalized in a psychiatric ward. It be compared two homogeneous samples of patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital (acute ward) during two 83-day-long periods designated baseline (period 1) and activity (period 2). Ten behaviors considered disruptive (DB) were defined and recorded during both periods. During the activity period, humorbased activities directed by professional actors (hospital clowns) were held two days per week. A indicator, called the Global Disruption Index (GDI), was calculated as the quotient between the total number of DB for a given period and the total number of patients per shift during that period, multiplied by 100. A Specific Disruption Index (SDI) was calculate for each of the 10 DB. The GDI decreased significantly during the activity period despite the larger number of patients on the ward. Three behaviors (attempted escape, self-injury, and fighting) also showed significant reductions during the activity period after the results were analyzed with the Bonferroni correction.El objetivo de este estudio cuasi-experimental es analizar lo efectos de una actividad centrada en el humor sobre las conductas disruptivas de pacientes hospitalizados en un servicio de Psiquiatría. Se han comparado, teniendo en cuenta dos grupos homogéneos de pacientes hospitalizados en un servicio de Psiquiatría de hospital general (unidad de agudos), dos periodos temporales de 83 días cada uno, siendo el período 1 el de línea base, y el período 2, el de intervención. Para ambos periodos, se codificaron y registraron un total de diez conductas disruptivas. En los 83 días del periodo de intervención, y con una frecuencia de dos días semanales, dos actores profesionales llevaban a cabo las actividades centradas en el humor. Se calculó un Indice de Disrupción Global (IGD), teniendo en cuenta conjuntamente todas las conductas disruptivas, al igual que un Indice de Disrupción Específico (IDE) para cada una de las conductas disruptivas. Usando para las comparaciones la corrección de Bonferroni, los resultados indican que el IGD descendió significativamente durante el periodo de intervención, siendo tres las conductas disruptivas que mostraron un descenso significativo (intentos de fuga, autolesiones y peleas).O objectivo deste estudo quase-experimental é analisar o efeito de uma actividade centrada no humor sobre os comportamentos disruptivos de pacientes hospitalizados num serviço de psiquiatria. Tendo em conta dois grupos homogéneos de pacientes hospitalizados num serviço de psiquiatria de um hospital peral (unidade de agudos), compararam-se dois períodos temporais de 83 dias cada uno, sendo o período 1 o da linha de base, e o período 2, o da intervenção. Para ambos os períodos, codificaramse e registaram-se um total de dez comportamentos disruptivos. Nos 83 dias do período de intervenção, e com uma frequência de dois dias semanais, dois actores profissionais levavam a cabo as actividades centradas no humor. Calculou-se um Índice de Disrupção Global (IGD), tendo em conta conjuntamente todas os comportamentos disruptivos, e um Índice de Disrupção Específico (IDE) para cada um dos comportamentos disruptivos. Usando para as comparações a correcção de Bonferroni, os resultados indicam que o IGD desceu significativamente durante o período de intervenção, sendo três os comportamentos disruptivos que mostraram uma descida significativa (intenção de fuga, auto-ferimentos e lutas).This study was made possible by funding from the Fundación Virgen de las Nieves in Granada (Spain)

Trifaceted Mickey Mouse Amphiphiles for Programmable Self-Assembly, DNA Complexation and Organ-Selective Gene Delivery

Instilling segregated cationic and lipophilic domains with an angular disposition in a trehalose-based trifaceted macrocyclic scaffold allows engineering patchy molecular nanoparticles leveraging directional interactions that emulate those controlling self-assembling processes in viral capsids. The resulting trilobular amphiphilic derivatives, featuring a Mickey Mouse architecture, can electrostatically interact with plasmid DNA (pDNA) and further engage in hydrophobic contacts to promote condensation into transfectious nanocomplexes. Notably, the topology and internal structure of the cyclooligosaccharide/pDNA co-assemblies can be molded by fine-tuning the valency and characteristics of the cationic and lipophilic patches, which strongly impacts the transfection efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Outstanding organ selectivities can then be programmed with no need of incorporating a biorecognizable motif in the formulation. The results provide a versatile strategy for the construction of fully synthetic and perfectly monodisperse nonviral gene delivery systems uniquely suited for optimization schemes by making cyclooligosaccharide patchiness the focus.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades y Agencia Estatal de Investigación de España. RTI2018-097609-B-C21, RTI2018-097609-B-C22 y PID2019-105858RB-I00Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. CCG19/CC-03

The TT Genotype of the STAT4 rs7574865 Polymorphism Is Associated with High Disease Activity and Disability in Patients with Early Arthritis

[Background] The number of copies of the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope, and the minor alleles of the STAT4 rs7574865 and the PTPN22 rs2476601 polymorphisms have all been linked with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of these genetic variants on disease activity and disability in patients with early arthritis. [Methodology and Results] We studied 640 patients with early arthritis (76% women; median age, 52 years), recording disease-related variables every 6 months during a 2-year follow-up. HLA-DRB1 alleles were determined by PCR-SSO, while rs7574865 and rs2476601 were genotyped with the Taqman 5′ allelic discrimination assay. Multivariate analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations for repeated measures. After adjusting for confounding variables such as gender, age and ACPA, the TT genotype of rs7574865 in STAT4 was associated with increased disease activity (DAS28) as compared with the GG genotype (β coefficient [95% confidence interval] = 0.42 [0.01–0.83], p = 0.044). Conversely, the presence of the T allele of rs2476601 in PTPN22 was associated with diminished disease activity during follow-up in a dose-dependent manner (CT genotype = −0.27 [−0.56– −0.01], p = 0.042; TT genotype = −0.68 [−1.64– −0.27], p = 0.162). After adjustment for gender, age and disease activity, homozygosity for the T allele of rs7574865 in STAT4 was associated with greater disability as compared with the GG genotype. [Conclusions] Our data suggest that patients with early arthritis who are homozygous for the T allele of rs7574865 in STAT4 may develop a more severe form of the disease with increased disease activity and disability.This work was partially supported by the RETICS (Redes Tematicas de Investigación Cooperativa, Cooperative Research Thematic Networks) Program, RD08/0075 (RIER) and FIS (Fondo de Investigación en Salud) Health Research Fund grant FIS 08/0754 to IG-A from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII; www.isciii.es) and by grants from the European Innovative Medicines Initiative and BTCure Program (http://www.life-sciences-europe.com/orga​nisation/btcure-project-imi-efpia-201103​-innovative-medicines-initiative-2001-28​657.html). The work of IG-A was in part supported by a Research Intensification Grant from the National Health Care System (Instituto Carlos III; www.isciii.es), Madrid, Spain

Enhanced Gene Delivery Triggered by Dual pH/Redox Responsive Host-Guest Dimerization of Cyclooligosaccharide Star Polycations

A robust strategy is reported to build perfectly monodisperse star polycationscombining a trehalose-based cyclooligosaccharide (cyclotrehalan, CT) centralcore onto which oligoethyleneimine radial arms are installed. Thearchitectural perfection of the compounds is demonstrated by a variety ofphysicochemical techniques, including NMR, MS, DLS, TEM, and GPC. Key tothe strategy is the possibility of customizing the cavity size of the macrocyclicplatform to enable/prevent the inclusion of adamantane motifs. Theseproperties can be taken into advantage to implement sequential levels ofstimuli responsiveness by combining computational design, precisionchemistry and programmed host-guest interactions. Specifically, it is shownthat supramolecular dimers implying a trimeric CT-tetraethyleneimine starpolycation and purposely designed bis-adamantane guests are preorganizedto efficiently complex plasmid DNA (pDNA) into transfection-competentnanocomplexes. The stability of the dimer species is responsive to theprotonation state of the cationic clusters, resulting in dissociation at acidicpH. This process facilitates endosomal escape, but reassembling can takeplace in the cytosol then handicapping pDNA nuclear import. By equippingthe ditopic guest with a redox-sensitive disulfide group, recapturingphenomena are prevented, resulting in drastically improved transfectionefficiencies both in vivo and in vitro.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Agencia Estatal de Investigación, de España-MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional de la Unión Europea-RTI2018-097609-B-C21, RTI2018-097609-B-C22, PID2019-105858RB-I00 y PID2020-118384GB-I00Junta de Andalucía-P20_0016

Biological Activity of Extracts from Aromatic Plants as Control Agents against Spoilage Molds Isolated from Sheep Cheese

[EN] The aim of this work was to assess the antifungal and antioxidant activity of essential oils and ethanolic extracts from distilled solid by-products from aromatic plants (Artemisia dracunculus, Hyssopus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Origanum vulgare and Satureja montana) against 14 fungi strains isolated from sheep cheese and identified at species level using DNA barcoding based on β-tubulin sequence analysis. In addition, capacity of fungi to produce ochratoxin A, patulin, cyclopiazonic acid and sterigmatocystin was analyzed. Of the isolates, 85.7% belonged to Penicillium (P. commune/biforme, P. crustosum) and 14.3% to Aspergillus (A. puulaauensis and A. jensenii), the first time that these Aspergillus species have been found in sheep’s cheese. All P. commune isolates were producers of cyclopiazonic acid, and the two Aspergillus strains produced sterigmatocystin, but the others did not produce any tested mycotoxin. Among the essential oils tested, oregano, savory and tarragon had a significant antifungal activity against all the isolated strains, but no ethanolic extract showed antifungal activity. By contrast, ethanolic extracts showed great potential as antioxidants. The identification of new molds in cheese will help the dairy industry to know more about those molds affecting the sector, and the use of aromatic plants in the control of fungal spoilage could be a suitable alternative to chemical preservatives used in the agri-food industrySIThis research was financially supported by the Spanish National Institute for Agricultural Research and Experimentation (INIA, http://inia.es) by the project RTA2015-00018-C03-0