Exploring the Analytical Complexities in Insect Powder Analysis Using Miniaturized NIR Spectroscopy

Insects have been a food source for humans for millennia, and they are actively consumed in various parts of the world. This paper aims to ascertain the feasibility of portable near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a reliable and fast candidate for the classification of insect powder samples and the prediction of their major components. Commercially-available insect powder samples were analyzed using two miniaturized NIR instruments. The samples were analyzed as they are and after grinding, to study the effect of the granulometry on the spectroscopic analyses. A homemade sample holder was designed and optimized for making reliable spectroscopic measurements. Classification was then performed using three classification strategies, and partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to predict the macronutrients. The results obtained confirmed that both spectroscopic sensors were able to classify insect powder samples and predict macronutrients with an adequate detection limit

First description of sarcoptic mange in an Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis)

The Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) is a popular small game species in the Iberian Peninsula, and it has never been reported to be affected by sarcoptic mange. An adult female Iberian hare with overt skin lesions on forelimbs and ventral thorax, suggestive of sarcoptic mange, was culled in Quart de les Valls municipality in the Valencian Community, Spain, in 2019. Skin scrapings were digested in 10% KOH solutions to confirm the presence of mites. Ten Sarcoptes microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic structure of mites obtained from the hare, and from sympatric and allopatric wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). A total of 56 alleles were counted across the 10 microsatellite loci. Six private alleles were found at four loci (Sarms 33, 38, 41, 45). The multivariate analysis characterized three main clusters, corresponding to mites collected on foxes originating from Catalonia, foxes from Valencia and the hare plus wild rabbits. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of sarcoptic mange in the Iberian hare. The origin was molecularly traced back to contacts with endemically infected wild rabbits. We encourage further investigations on cross-transmissibility of S. scabiei between wild rabbits and the diverse representatives of Lepus spp

Quantum Critical Point in the Spin Glass-Kondo Transition in Heavy Fermion Systems

The Kondo-Spin Glass competition is studied in a theoretical model of a Kondo lattice with an intra-site Kondo type exchange interaction treated within the mean field approximation, an inter-site quantum Ising exchange interaction with random couplings among localized spins and an additional transverse field in the x direction, which represents a simple quantum mechanism of spin flipping. We obtain two second order transition lines from the spin-glass state to the paramagnetic one and then to the Kondo state. For a reasonable set of the different parameters, the two second order transition lines do not intersect and end in two distinct QCP.Comment: 20 pages; 1 figure; to appear in Physical Review

Medium- and long-term health effects of earthquakes in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Accurate monitoring of population health is essential to ensure proper recovery after earthquakes. We aimed to summarize the findings and features of post-earthquake epidemiological studies conducted in high-income countries and to prompt the development of future surveillance plans. METHODS: Medline, Scopus and six sources of grey literature were systematically searched. Inclusion criteria were: observational study conducted in high-income countries with at least one comparison group of unexposed participants, and measurement of health outcomes at least 1 month after the earthquake. RESULTS: A total of 52 articles were included, assessing the effects of 13 earthquakes that occurred in eight countries. Most studies: had a time-series (33%) or cross-sectional (29%) design; included temporal comparison groups (63%); used routine data (58%); and focused on patient subgroups rather than the whole population (65%). Individuals exposed to earthquakes had: 2% higher all-cause mortality rates [95% confidence interval (CI), 1% to 3%]; 36% (95% CI, 19% to 57%) and 37% (95% CI, 29% to 46%) greater mortality rates from myocardial infarction and stroke, respectively; and 0.16 higher mean percent points of glycated haemoglobin (95% CI, 0.07% to 0.25% points). There was no evidence of earthquake effects for blood pressure, body mass index or lipid biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: A more regular and coordinated use of large and routinely collected datasets would benefit post-earthquake epidemiological surveillance. Whenever possible, a cohort design with geographical and temporal comparison groups should be used, and both communicable and non-communicable diseases should be assessed. Post-earthquake epidemiological surveillance should also capture the impact of seismic events on the access to and use of health care services

Cardiologic evaluation of patients undergoing chemoterapy

Life expectancy in patients affected by cancer has recently increased because of early diagnosis and actual therapies. In recent years, Oncology and Cardiology developed a tight relationship because of common risk factors (i.e. obesity, smoking, alcool intake, etc…), and for preventing the prothrombotic status due to cancer and the potential cardiotoxicity of chemotherapy. Cardiotoxicity incidence is reported from 1% up to 70% in retrospective analyses of drug protocols, mainly representing by left ventricular dysfunction (both reversible or irreversible), but also by arrhythmias, hypertension, atrioventricular block, coronary spasm, and arterial or venous thromboembolism. The early detection of the chemoterapy induced cardiotoxicity is now mandatory and can be obtained through a proper patients selection for different treatments and a strict monitoring during the follow-up period. The role of biomarkers of early cardiac damage, mainly, troponin I and brain natriuretic peptide-BNP, has been recently challenged, and algorithms are currently available. In the present paper, we propose how to perform a cardiological evaluation of patients undergoing chemoterapy tailored by the known adverse effects of the drugs

Development and validation of a gene expression oligo microarray for the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Aquaculture represents the most sustainable alternative of seafood supply to substitute for the declining marine fisheries, but severe production bottlenecks remain to be solved. The application of genomic technologies offers much promise to rapidly increase our knowledge on biological processes in farmed species and overcome such bottlenecks. Here we present an integrated platform for mRNA expression profiling in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), a marine teleost of great importance for aquaculture

Mitochondrial permeabilization engages NF-κB-dependent anti-tumour activity under caspase deficiency

Apoptosis represents a key anti-cancer therapeutic effector mechanism. During apoptosis, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) typically kills cells even in the absence of caspase activity. Caspase activity can also have a variety of unwanted consequences that include DNA damage. We therefore investigated whether MOMP-induced caspase-independent cell death (CICD) might be a better way to kill cancer cells. We find that cells undergoing CICD display potent pro-inflammatory effects relative to apoptosis. Underlying this, MOMP was found to stimulate NF-κB activity through the downregulation of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins. Strikingly, engagement of CICD displays potent anti-tumorigenic effects, often promoting complete tumour regression in a manner dependent on intact immunity. Our data demonstrate that by activating NF-κB, MOMP can exert additional signalling functions besides triggering cell death. Moreover, they support a rationale for engaging caspase-independent cell death in cell-killing anti-cancer therapies

[Long-term health effects of earthquakes: outlining the features of an epidemiological surveillance system in Italy.].

The major earthquakes occurred in Italy in the past 10 years (L'Aquila, Emilia and Amatrice) have resulted in 679 death, displacement of more than 120,000 people and economic losses for more than 20 billion euros. In a recent review, we found that earthquakes are associated to multiple health conditions in the long term. Because of Italy's high seismic risk, it is likely that establishing a post-earthquake surveillance system would enable early detection of many deleterious effects and mitigation of damages. In this editorial, we outline the possible features of such a surveillance system. Firstly, it should be cost-effective, capitalising on routinely collected health data. Secondly, it should be coordinated centrally by a compact multidisciplinary team, to enable harmonised procedures and analysis. Thirdly, based on current evidence, it should be able to follow-up populations for least 7 years and capture both physical and mental health diseases. Finally, it should gather sufficient information to enable stratified analysis and identify at-risk subgroups that may need specific interventions

Bases literarias del imaginario europeo. Un experimento intercultural

Estudio comparado y trasversal, por parte de los profesores y alumnos participantes, de la figura de la Bruja en las principales literaturas europeas, como la inglesa, la francesa, la alemana, la rusa, la hebrea, la rumana, la italiana y las literaturas románicas medievales

Bidirectional associations between psychosocial well-being and adherence to healthy dietary guidelines in European children: Prospective findings from the IDEFICS study

Background: In children the relationship between a healthy diet and psychosocial well-being has not been fully explored and the existing evidence is inconsistent. This study investigates the chronology of the association between children''s adherence to healthy dietary guidelines and their well-being, with special attention to the influence of weight status on the association. Methods: Seven thousand six hundred seventy five children 2 to 9 years old from the eight-country cohort study IDEFICS were investigated. They were first examined between September 2007 and June 2008 and re-examined again 2 years later. Psychosocial well-being was measured using self-esteem and parent relations questions from the KINDL® and emotional and peer problems from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. A Healthy Dietary Adherence Score (HDAS) was calculated from a 43-item food frequency questionnaire as a measure of the degree to which children''s dietary intake follows nutrition guidelines. The analysis employed multilevel logistic regression (country as random effect) with bidirectional modeling of dichotomous dietary and well-being variables as both exposures and outcomes while controlling for respective baseline values. Results: A higher HDAS at baseline was associated with better self-esteem (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0;1.4) and fewer emotional and peer problems (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1;1.3 and OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2;1.4) 2 years later. For the reversed direction, better self-esteem was associated with higher HDAS 2 years later (OR 1.1 95% CI 1.0;1.29). The analysis stratified by weight status revealed that the associations between higher HDAS at baseline and better well-being at follow-up were similar in both normal weight and overweight children. Conclusion: Present findings suggest a bidirectional relation between diet quality and self-esteem. Additionally, higher adherence to healthy dietary guidelines at baseline was associated with fewer emotional and peer problems at follow-up, independent of children''s weight status