EVALUACIÓN DE LA EFECTIVIDAD ANESTÉSICA DE LA ACUPUNTURA COMPARADA CON LA LIDOCAÍNA EN PROCEDIMIENTOS ODONTOLÓGICOS DE OPERATORIA: ESTUDIO PRELIMINAR

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la acupuntura comparada con la lidocaína para producir anestesia durante los procedimientos odontológicos de operatoria.Materiales y métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio experimental de tipo ensayo clínico no controlado en 41 individuos de 18 a 45 años, asistentes a las clínicas odontológicas de la Universidad Santo Tomás, que requerían tratamientos de operatoria. Se estableció la incidencia de dolor en los dos grupos de tratamiento y se describieron los posibles efectos secundarios en las dos intervenciones.Resultados: En total se evaluaron 41 individuos, el 36.6% pertenecían al grupo de acupuntura (n=15), y el 63.4%, al grupo de lidocaína (n=26). La distribución por género mostró para mujeres 58.54%, y para hombres 41.46%, con un promedio de edad de 25.7 y 31.15 años. De los 41 individuos evaluados, 16 (39.02%) sintieron dolor durante el tratamiento, 16 (39.02%) tuvieron adormecimiento muscular; 13 (31.71 %) sintieron dolor al insertar la aguja en el tejido; 8 (19.51 %) presentaron sangrado o hematoma; 4 (9.76%) presentaron irritación; 3 (7.32%) registraron dolor de cabeza, y 1 (2.44%) mostró sudoración.Conclusiones: Se podría sugerir que ambas técnicas son iguales en efectividad para los procedimientos de operatoria simple. Por medio de la acupuntura se puede evitar (60%) o disminuir (40%) el dolor ocasionado durante los procedimientos operatorios, para eliminar la dosis del fármaco administrado con este fin. Los resultados observados y la preferencia de los individuos que participaron, permiten concluir que se pueden obtener buenos resultados si la técnica es adecuada.[González D, Blanco R. Evaluación de la efectividad anestésica de la acupuntura comparada con la lidocaína en procedimientos odontológicos de operatoria: Estudio preliminar. Ustasalud Odontología 2004; 3: 86 - 91]Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the acupuncture compared with the lydocaine to produce anesthesia during dental restorative procedures.Materials and methods: A not controlled clinical experimental study was developed in subjects whose ages were 18 to 45 years, attending the dental clinics of Santo Tomas University. They required operative dental treatments. The pain incidence in the two treatment groups and the possible secondary effects were registered.Results: Forty one subjects were evaluated, 36.6% were in the acupuncture group (n=15) and 63.4% in the lydocaine group (n = 26). The distribution by gender showed that women 58.54% and men 41.46%. The average of age was 25.7 and 31.15 years, respectively, and the range was between 18 and 45 years. Of the 41 subjects, 16 (39.02%) felt pain during the treatment, 16 (39.02%) had muscular drowsiness, 13 (31.71%) felt pain when inserting the needle in the tissue, 8 (19.51%) bled, 4 (9.76%) presented irritation, 3 (7.32%) registered headache, and 1 (2.44%) was sweaty.Conclusions: Both techniques were similar in effectiveness during the procedures of operative. By means of the acupuncture you can avoid (60%) or diminish (40%) the pain caused during the restorative procedures, eliminating for the patient the medication dose administered with this purpose

Fuzzy systems and applications in innovation and sustainability

One of the main characteristics of humankind is the ability to interpret via natural language incomplete, imprecise, vague, subjective, fragmentary, or scarce information i.e. information in uncertainty and transform it to actions, reason and decision-making [9]. Fuzzy sets theory firstly introduced the treatment of such concepts in 1965 with the foremost influential paper "Fuzzy Sets" [29]. The groundbreaking standpoint of fuzzy systems allows the treatment of uncertain information with the utilization of a strict mathematical framework [8]. Ever since the publication of the pivotal paper from Zadeh, a plethora of contributions have shaped the fuzzy sets theory scope and applications, from developments in engineering, mathematics, computer, decision, life, physical, health, social sciences and humanities [17 (...

Critical numerical analysis of quasi‑two‑dimensional silo‑hopper discharging

We present a critical comparative analysis between numerical and experimental results of quasi-two-dimensional silo and hopper flows. In our approach, the Discrete Element Method was employed to describe a single-layer mono-disperse sphere confined by two parallel walls with an orifice at the bottom. As a first step, we examined the discharge process, varying the size of the outlet and the hopper angle. Next, we set the simulation parameters fitting the experimental flow rate values obtained experimentally. Remarkably, the numerical model captured the slight non-monotonic dependence of the flow rate with the hopper angle, which was detected experimentally. Additionally, we analyzed the vertical velocity and solid fractions profiles at the outlet numerically and experimentally. Although numerical results also agreed with the experimental observations, a slight deviation appeared systematically between both approaches. Finally, we explored the impact of the system’s confinement on this process, examining the consequences of particle-particle and particle-wall friction on the system macroscopic response. We mainly found that the degree of confinement and particle-wall friction have a relevant impact on the outflow dynamics. Our analysis demonstrated that the naive 2D approximation of this 3D flow process fails to describe it accurately

Somatostatin Receptor Splicing Variant sst5TMD4 Overexpression in Glioblastoma Is Associated with Poor Survival, Increased Aggressiveness Features and Somatostatin Analogs Resistance

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant and lethal brain tumor. Current standard treatment consists of surgery followed by radiotherapy/chemotherapy; however, this is only a palliative approach with a mean post-operative survival of scarcely ~12–15 months. Thus, the identification of novel therapeutic targets to treat this devastating pathology is urgently needed. In this context, the truncated splicing variant of the somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (sst5TMD4), which is produced by aberrant alternative splicing, has been demonstrated to be overexpressed and associated with increased aggressiveness features in several tumors. However, the presence, functional role, and associated molecular mechanisms of sst5TMD4 in GBM have not been yet explored. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive analysis to characterize the expression and pathophysiological role of sst5TMD4 in human GBM. sst5TMD4 was significantly overexpressed (at mRNA and protein levels) in human GBM tissue compared to non-tumor (control) brain tissue. Remarkably, sst5TMD4 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival and recurrent tumors in GBM patients. Moreover, in vitro sst5TMD4 overexpression (by specific plasmid) increased, whereas sst5TMD4 silencing (by specific siRNA) decreased, key malignant features (i.e., proliferation and migration capacity) of GBM cells (U-87 MG/U-118 MG models). Furthermore, sst5TMD4 overexpression in GBM cells altered the activity of multiple key signaling pathways associated with tumor aggressiveness/progression (AKT/JAK-STAT/NF-κB/TGF-β), and its silencing sensitized GBM cells to the antitumor effect of pasireotide (a somatostatin analog). Altogether, these results demonstrate that sst5TMD4 is overexpressed and associated with enhanced malignancy features in human GBMs and reveal its potential utility as a novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarker and putative therapeutic target in GBMs

Características texturales y procesos genéticos de los depósitos evaporíticos de la Salina del Gualicho, provincia de Río Negro, República Argentina

Fil: Marchionni, Daniela Speme. INREMI, Instituto de Recursos Minerales, Departamento de Geología Aplicada-Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Calle 47 No.522. 1900 La Plata. Argentina. C.I.C.B.A.Fil: Del Blanco, Miguel Angel. INREMI, Instituto de Recursos Minerales, Departamento de Geología Aplicada-Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Calle 47 No.522. 1900 La Plata. ArgentinaFil: De Barrio, Raúl Ernesto. INREMI, Instituto de Recursos Minerales, Departamento de Geología Aplicada-Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Calle 47 No.522. 1900 La Plata. ArgentinaFil: Romero, Sonia. UNSAFil: Schalamuk, Isidoro Bernardo Abel. INREMI, Instituto de Recursos Minerales, Departamento de Geología Aplicada-Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Calle 47 No.522. 1900 La Plata. Argentina. CONICETFil: Lombardi, G.. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Univ. degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza. P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185. Roma. Itali

Estado actual de la educación inclusiva en Colombia y herramientas TIC de apoyo

El Secretario General de la ONU, Ban Ki-moon, destacó que los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) son un faro para el mundo con un mensaje en el cual las naciones se han comprometido a asegurar una vida digna para todos, así como la salud del planeta para las generaciones futuras. Es así que el mejoramiento del nivel y calidad de vida de la población discapacitada en el espacio geográfico local, regional y universal, ha motivado a la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) a concertar con los gobiernos planes de desarrollo que garanticen la apropiación de los servicios de las TIC (tecnologías de la información y la comunicación) y las tecnologías emergentes, además de permitir la inclusión de esta población en el sector educativo, cultural y productivo. Colombia aceptó en el gobierno del presidente Santos las propuestas de la OMS y las incluyó en el conocido Plan Vive Digital, sobre el cual la universidad estructura un sólido trabajo investigativo que dimensiona la aceptación, apropiación y contextualización de las TIC en la población invidente, sordomuda y parapléjica. Es así como este libro pretende ser texto universitario y de consulta para todas aquellas personas que deseen tener pautas del proceso de educación inclusiva en Colombia. Este aborda el tema a través de cuatro capítulos detallados a continuación. En el análisis del índice de impacto de las TIC en la población con discapacidad, se estudiará el estado del arte de la educación inclusiva en Colombia y el uso de las herramientas TIC en las aulas de clases. Se analizarán las herramientas y metodologías que son utilizadas actualmente en la academia, las universidades y los colegios, y cómo ha sido la adaptación de estas personas con condiciones especiales a tales herramientas. También se abordará la normatividad que ha emitido el Ministerio de Educación Nacional buscando cubrir las necesidades de esta población en lo que respecta a la inclusión educativa. El estado actual de la inclusión educativa en Colombia y el uso de herramientas TIC se enmarca dentro de los ODS, ya que se habla de “Garantizar una educación inclusiva, equitativa y de calidad y promover oportunidades de aprendizaje durante toda la vida para todos” (ONU, s.f.), lo cual corresponde al objetivo de educación de calidad; al mismo tiempo, se tiene en cuenta la reducción de las desigualdades. En cuando al proyecto de investigación, se establece el “Diseño de un modelo de nuevas prácticas de aprendizaje para La educación inclusiva mediada por las TIC en la universidad colombiana para las personas con algún tipo de diversidad: Caso de estudio Universidad Libre, Sede Bosque Popular” (Universidad Libre de Colombia, 2018), el cual se presentó en la convocatoria 2018. En el desarrollo del software responsive de traducción de voz a texto E-APP, el eje central será la población con discapacidad auditiva; para ello, se ha desarrollado una solución tecnológica que permita la inclusión de dicha población dentro de las aulas de educación superior, lo cual da lugar a que las instituciones de educación superior puedan ofertarles todos sus programas académicos sin ninguna excepción. Esta solución de traducción de voz a texto incorpora nuevas técnicas de aprendizaje para la educación inclusiva mediada por las TIC en las instituciones educativas colombianas, ello para apoyar el ejercicio de los derechos de las personas con discapacidad a través de las TIC. Se indagará sobre la posibilidad de implementar un software para el apoyo del progreso cognitivo de niños diagnosticados con síndrome de Down, el cual se oriente a la educación especial que pueda servir de apoyo tanto a los educadores como a la población vulnerable. Gracias por el apoyo brindado invaluable en este proceso académico por parte de la Universidad Libre de Colombia, al Centro de Investigaciones (CIFI) como a las directivas de la Facultad de Ingeniería por su confianza. También a los investigadores del grupo DAVINCIS como a la colaboración del grupo IDEPI

Variational Foundations and Generalized Unified Theory of RVE-Based Multiscale Models

A unified variational theory is proposed for a general class of multiscale models based on the concept of Representative Volume Element. The entire theory lies on three fundamental principles: (1) kinematical admissibility, whereby the macro- and micro-scale kinematics are defined and linked in a physically meaningful way; (2) duality, through which the natures of the force- and stress-like quantities are uniquely identified as the duals (power-conjugates) of the adopted kinematical variables; and (3) the Principle of Multiscale Virtual Power, a generalization of the well-known Hill-Mandel Principle of Macrohomogeneity, from which equilibrium equations and homogenization relations for the force- and stress-like quantities are unequivocally obtained by straightforward variational arguments. The proposed theory provides a clear, logically-structured framework within which existing formulations can be rationally justified and new, more general multiscale models can be rigorously derived in well-defined steps. Its generality allows the treatment of problems involving phenomena as diverse as dynamics, higher order strain effects, material failure with kinematical discontinuities, fluid mechanics and coupled multi-physics. This is illustrated in a number of examples where a range of models is systematically derived by following the same steps. Due to the variational basis of the theory, the format in which derived models are presented is naturally well suited for discretization by finite element-based or related methods of numerical approximation. Numerical examples illustrate the use of resulting models, including a non-conventional failure-oriented model with discontinuous kinematics, in practical computations

The global contribution of soil mosses to ecosystem services

Soil mosses are among the most widely distributed organisms on land. Experiments and observations suggest that they contribute to terrestrial soil biodiversity and function, yet their ecological contribution to soil has never been assessed globally under natural conditions. Here we conducted the most comprehensive global standardized field study to quantify how soil mosses influence 8 ecosystem services associated with 24 soil biodiversity and functional attributes across wide environmental gradients from all continents. We found that soil mosses are associated with greater carbon sequestration, pool sizes for key nutrients and organic matter decomposition rates but a lower proportion of soil-borne plant pathogens than unvegetated soils. Mosses are especially important for supporting multiple ecosystem services where vascular-plant cover is low. Globally, soil mosses potentially support 6.43 Gt more carbon in the soil layer than do bare soils. The amount of soil carbon associated with mosses is up to six times the annual global carbon emissions from any altered land use globally. The largest positive contribution of mosses to soils occurs under a high cover of mat and turf mosses, in less-productive ecosystems and on sandy and salty soils. Our results highlight the contribution of mosses to soil life and functions and the need to conserve these important organisms to support healthy soils.The study work associated with this paper was funded by a Large Research Grant from the British Ecological Society (no. LRB17\1019; MUSGONET). D.J.E. is supported by the Hermon Slade Foundation. M.D.-B. was supported by a Ramón y Cajal grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RYC2018-025483-I), a project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the I + D + i (PID2020-115813RA-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033a) and a project PAIDI 2020 from the Junta de Andalucía (P20_00879). E.G. is supported by the European Research Council grant agreement 647038 (BIODESERT). M.B. is supported by a Ramón y Cajal grant from Spanish Ministry of Science (RYC2021-031797-I). A.d.l.R is supported by the AEI project PID2019-105469RB-C22. L.W. and Jianyong Wang are supported by the Program for Introducing Talents to Universities (B16011) and the Ministry of Education Innovation Team Development Plan (2013-373). The contributions of T.G. and T.U.N. were supported by the Research Program in Forest Biology, Ecology and Technology (P4-0107) and the research projects J4-3098 and J4-4547 of the Slovenian Research Agency. The contribution of P.B.R. was supported by the NSF Biological Integration Institutes grant DBI-2021898. J. Durán and A. Rodríguez acknowledge support from the FCT (2020.03670.CEECIND and SFRH/BDP/108913/2015, respectively), as well as from the MCTES, FSE, UE and the CFE (UIDB/04004/2021) research unit financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC)

Physical exercise shapes the mouse brain epigenome

[Objective]: To analyze the genome-wide epigenomic and transcriptomic changes induced by long term resistance or endurance training in the hippocampus of wild-type mice.[Methods]: We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of mice hippocampus after 4 weeks of specific training. In addition, we used a novel object recognition test before and after the intervention to determine whether the exercise led to an improvement in cognitive function.[Results]: Although the majority of DNA methylation changes identified in this study were training-model specific, most were associated with hypomethylation and were enriched in similar histone marks, chromatin states, and transcription factor biding sites. It is worth highlighting the significant association found between the loss of DNA methylation in Tet1 binding sites and gene expression changes, indicating the importance of these epigenomic changes in transcriptional regulation. However, endurance and resistance training activate different gene pathways, those being associated with neuroplasticity in the case of endurance exercise, and interferon response pathways in the case of resistance exercise, which also appears to be associated with improved learning and memory functions.[Conclusions]: Our results help both understand the molecular mechanisms by which different exercise models exert beneficial effects for brain health and provide new potential therapeutic targets for future research.This work was supported by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (PROYE18061FERN to M.F.F.), the Asturias Government (PCTI) co-funding 2018-2022/FEDER (IDI/2018/146 to M.F.F.), the Fundación General CSIC (0348_CIE_6_E to M.F.F.), the Health Institute Carlos III (Plan Nacional de I+D+I) co-funding FEDER (PI18/01527 to M.F.F and A.F.F.), the MINECO (DEP2015-69980-P to B.F.G.), and the Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno (“Ayudas a Proyectos de Investigación en Neurociencia-2020” to C.T.Z and E.I.G.). R.G.U. is supported by the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER). J.R.T. is supported by a Juan de la Cierva fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 (IJC2018-036825-I). R.F.P. is supported by the Severo Ochoa program (BP17-114). P.P.H. is supported by Ayudas para la realización de Tesis Doctorales. Modalidad A fellowship from the University of Oviedo (PAPI-20-PF-19). We also acknowledge support from the IUOPA-ISPA-FINBA (the IUOPA is supported by the Obra Social Cajastur-Liberbank, Spain).Peer reviewe

Safety and immunogenicity of the protein-based PHH-1V compared to BNT162b2 as a heterologous SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccine in adults vaccinated against COVID-19 : a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority phase IIb trial

A SARS-CoV-2 protein-based heterodimer vaccine, PHH-1V, has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy young adults in a first-in-human, Phase I/IIa study dose-escalation trial. Here, we report the interim results of the Phase IIb HH-2, where the immunogenicity and safety of a heterologous booster with PHH-1V is assessed versus a homologous booster with BNT162b2 at 14, 28 and 98 days after vaccine administration. The HH-2 study is an ongoing multicentre, randomised, active-controlled, double-blind, non-inferiority Phase IIb trial, where participants 18 years or older who had received two doses of BNT162b2 were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive a booster dose of vaccine-either heterologous (PHH-1V group) or homologous (BNT162b2 group)-in 10 centres in Spain. Eligible subjects were allocated to treatment stratified by age group (18-64 versus ≥65 years) with approximately 10% of the sample enrolled in the older age group. The primary endpoints were humoral immunogenicity measured by changes in levels of neutralizing antibodies (PBNA) against the ancestral Wuhan-Hu-1 strain after the PHH-1V or the BNT162b2 boost, and the safety and tolerability of PHH-1V as a boost. The secondary endpoints were to compare changes in levels of neutralizing antibodies against different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the T-cell responses towards the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein peptides. The exploratory endpoint was to assess the number of subjects with SARS-CoV-2 infections ≥14 days after PHH-1V booster. This study is ongoing and is registered with , . From 15 November 2021, 782 adults were randomly assigned to PHH-1V (n = 522) or BNT162b2 (n = 260) boost vaccine groups. The geometric mean titre (GMT) ratio of neutralizing antibodies on days 14, 28 and 98, shown as BNT162b2 active control versus PHH-1V, was, respectively, 1.68 (p < 0.0001), 1.31 (p = 0.0007) and 0.86 (p = 0.40) for the ancestral Wuhan-Hu-1 strain; 0.62 (p < 0.0001), 0.65 (p < 0.0001) and 0.56 (p = 0.003) for the Beta variant; 1.01 (p = 0.92), 0.88 (p = 0.11) and 0.52 (p = 0.0003) for the Delta variant; and 0.59 (p ≤ 0.0001), 0.66 (p < 0.0001) and 0.57 (p = 0.0028) for the Omicron BA.1 variant. Additionally, PHH-1V as a booster dose induced a significant increase of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells expressing IFN-γ on day 14. There were 458 participants who experienced at least one adverse event (89.3%) in the PHH-1V and 238 (94.4%) in the BNT162b2 group. The most frequent adverse events were injection site pain (79.7% and 89.3%), fatigue (27.5% and 42.1%) and headache (31.2 and 40.1%) for the PHH-1V and the BNT162b2 groups, respectively. A total of 52 COVID-19 cases occurred from day 14 post-vaccination (10.14%) for the PHH-1V group and 30 (11.90%) for the BNT162b2 group (p = 0.45), and none of the subjects developed severe COVID-19. Our interim results from the Phase IIb HH-2 trial show that PHH-1V as a heterologous booster vaccine, when compared to BNT162b2, although it does not reach a non-inferior neutralizing antibody response against the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain at days 14 and 28 after vaccination, it does so at day 98. PHH-1V as a heterologous booster elicits a superior neutralizing antibody response against the previous circulating Beta and the currently circulating Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 variants in all time points assessed, and for the Delta variant on day 98 as well. Moreover, the PHH-1V boost also induces a strong and balanced T-cell response. Concerning the safety profile, subjects in the PHH-1V group report significantly fewer adverse events than those in the BNT162b2 group, most of mild intensity, and both vaccine groups present comparable COVID-19 breakthrough cases, none of them severe. HIPRA SCIENTIFIC, S.L.U