Intercalary membrane as the inner wall overlying optic and chorio-retinal colobomas. Deep penetration Swept Source-OCT study.

Five eyes of four patients were studied to analyze the structure of the inner wall of optic and chorioretinal colobomas using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). The colobomatous cavities and their relationship with adjacent structures were examined. SS-OCT permitted the study of the colobomatous cavities in all cases. In four of those cases, a Y-shaped intercalary membrane (ICM) was identified, with an origin in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), which covered the coloboma and in one case the coloboma was in contact with the vitreous cavity. Vitreous adhesion to the internal wall of the coloboma was found in three cases. No clinical or tomographic maculopathy was observed in any patient. High-resolution deep penetration SS-OCT allows in vivo study of optic and chorioretinal colobomas, identifying the RNFL as the main component of the ICM overlying the colobomatous cavities

Lactobacillus and Its Probiotic Role in the Digestive and Nutritional Processes of Pigs: A Review

The activity of a probiotic is dependent on the strain’s ability to confer health benefits to the host through oral consumption of viable cells. The main objective of this study was to carry out a review about the importance of Lactobacillus and its probiotic role in the digestive and nutritional processes of pigs. The study focused on seven strains of Lactobacillus and their varied uses in feeding different categories of pigs. We obtained a clear conceptualization of Lactobacillus’ effect on the immune system, its genome and how it is used in probiotic drinks. Based on the results, we can conclude that the use of Lactobacillus improves swine health and nutrition, making it a viable alternative to replace the indiscriminate use of antibiotics as growth promoters. Keywords: probiotics, antibiotics, digestive process, endogenous species, pig categories. RESUMEN La habilidad de un probiótico está en dependencia de la capacidad de la cepa de conferir beneficios de salud al hospedador mediante el consuno oral de células viables. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo principal realizar una aproximación conceptual de varios autores acerca de la importancia de los Lactobacillus y su papel probiótico en el proceso digestivo y nutricional en cerdos. Para ello, se hizo necesario realizar una profusa búsqueda, selección y procesamiento de las más prominentes fuentes bibliográficas, que tratan sobre este tema. El estudio se llevó a cabo sobre 7 cepas de Lactobacillus y sus diferentes formas de uso en la alimentación de las diferentes categorías porcinas; obteniéndose entre los principales resultados una clara conceptualización de la acción de los Lactobacillus en el sistema inmunológico, genoma y el modo de utilización en bebidas probióticas. A modo de conclusión, se puede mencionar que la totalidad de los autores citados concuerdan que la utilización de Lactobacillus mejora fundamentalmente la sanidad y nutrición porcina, convirtiéndose en la alternativa más viable para remplazar el uso indiscriminado de los antibióticos como promotores de crecimiento. Palabras claves: probióticos, antibióticos, proceso digestivo, especies endógenas, categorías porcinas

Rapid weight gain, infant feeding practices, and subsequent body mass index trajectories: The calina study

We aimed to study growth patterns according to rapid weight gain (RWG) and infant feeding practices during the first 120 days and whether infant feeding practices mediated the association between RWG in the first semester of life and subsequent body mass index (BMI) z-score in children from age 1 to 6. (1) Methods: 862 children from the Growth and Feeding during Lactation and Early Childhood in Children of Aragon study (CALINA in Spanish) were examined. Repeated-measures ANOVA analyses were conducted to assess growth trajectories according to RWG and type of feeding practice. The product of coefficients mediation method was used to assess the potential contribution of infant feeding practices to the association between RWG and BMI z-score. Mediation models were conducted using IBM SPSS-PROCESS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. (2) Results: BMI and weight z-score trajectories were significantly higher in the RWG group and the formula-fed group. No significant differences were found regarding height. Infant feeding practices did not mediate the association between RWG and BMI z-score but were associated with BMI at 6 years. (3) Conclusions: Infant feeding practices and RWG determine different growth trajectories of BMI and weight during childhood. Although infant feeding practices did not mediate the association between early RWG and BMI later in life, formula feeding is independently related to higher BMI growth patterns later in childhood

DFT molecular dynamics and free energy analysis of a charge density wave surface system

This Accepted Manuscript will be available for reuse under a CC BY-NC-ND licence after 24 months of embargo periodThe K/Si(111):B 3×3 surface, with one K atom per 3×3 unit cell, is considered a prototypical case of a surface Mott phase at room temperature. Our Density Functional Theory (DFT) Molecular Dynamics (MD) and free energy calculations show, however, a 23×3 Charge Density Wave (CDW) ground state. Our analysis shows that at room temperature the K atoms easily diffuse along the lines of a honeycomb network on the surface and that the 3×3 phase appears as the result of the dynamical fluctuations between degenerate CDW states. DFT-MD free energy calculations also show a 23×3↔3×3 transition temperature below 90 K. The competing electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions at low temperature are also analyzed; using DFT calculations, we find that the electron-phonon negative-U * is larger than the electron-electron Hubbard U, indicating that the CDW survives at very low temperatureThis work was supported by grant nos. MAT2014-59966-R and MAT2017-88258-R from the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain

Myopic maculopathy: Current status and proposal for a new classification and grading system (ATN)

Myopia is a highly frequent ocular disorder worldwide and pathologic myopia is the 4th most common cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries. Pathologic myopia is especially common in East Asian countries. Ocular alterations associated with pathologic myopia, especially those involving the macular area—defined as myopic maculopathy—are the leading causes of vision loss in patients with pathologic myopia. High myopia is defined as the presence of a highly negative refractive error (>−6 to −8 diopters) in the context of eye elongation (26–26.5 mm). Although the terms high myopia and pathologic myopia are often used interchangeably, they do not refer to the same eye disease. The two key factors driving the development of pathologic myopia are: 1) elongation of the axial length and 2) posterior staphyloma. The presence of posterior staphyloma, which is the most common finding in patients with pathologic myopia, is the key differentiating factor between high and pathologic myopia. The occurrence of staphyloma will, in most cases, eventually lead to other conditions such as atrophic, traction, or neovascular maculopathy. Posterior staphyloma is for instance, responsible for the differences between a myopic macular hole (MH)—with and without retinal detachment—and idiopathic MH. Posterior staphyloma typically induces retinal layer splitting, leading to foveoschisis in myopic MH, an important differentiating factor between myopic and emmetropic MH. Myopic maculopathy is a highly complex disease and current classification systems do not fully account for the numerous changes that occur in the macula of these patients. Therefore, a more comprehensive classification system is needed, for several important reasons. First, to more precisely define the disease stage to improve follow-up by enabling clinicians to more accurately monitor changes over time, which is essential given the progressive nature of this condition. Second, unification of the currently-available classification systems would establish standardized classification criteria that could be used to compare the findings from international multicentric studies. Finally, a more comprehensive classification system could help to improve our understanding of the genetic origins of this disease, which is clearly relevant given the interchangeable—but erroneous—use of the terms high and pathologic myopia in genetic researc

Chemical physics insight of PPy-based modified ion exchange membranes: a fundamental approach

Four commercially available, cost-effective ion exchange membranes (two cationic and two anionic exchange membranes, CEMs and AEMs, respectively) were modified to mitigate crossover phenomena of the redox active species typically observed in Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries (AORFB) systems. The modification strategy was carried out using a pyrrole(Py)-based polymer which successfully reduced the permeation of two redox active organic molecules, a viologen derivative (named BP7 throughout this study) and TEMPOL, by an order of magnitude. Additionally, modified membranes showed not significant changes in ion conductivity, with negligible effect on the electrical conductivity of the membranes at a given conditions. The morphology, physicochemical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of the membranes were determined to evaluate the impact of these modifications. AEMs modified in this manner were found to have optimal properties, showing an increase in ion exchange capacity while maintaining excellent mechanical stability and unaltered permselectivity. Additionally, the diffusion boundary layer of these AEMs was slightly extended, which suggests a greater double layer stability for ion exchange processes than in the case of CEMs. Our work shows that these modified membranes could be an appealing approach for AORFB applicationsThis work has been funded by the European Union under the HIGREEW project, Affordable High-performance Green Redox Flow batteries (Grant agreement no. 875613). H2020: LC-BAT-4-2019875613

Community structure in mediterranean shallow lentic ecosystems : size-based vs. taxon-based approaches

The main environmental variables determining the community structure and the functioning of Mediterranean shallow lentic ecosystems are described. These ecosystems are characterized by the unpredictability of their water inputs and the high variability in their water level and physical and chemical composition. Variations in flooding, salinity, and water turnover are determinant in species composition and nutrient dynamics. Taxon-based and size-based approaches to the study of the community structure of aquatic organisms that colonise these ecosystems are also compared. The conventional taxonomic approach, based on the determination of species composition, has been used for the identification of patterns in species richness, distribution and temporal dynamics, and for ecological requirements of species and their potential use as ecological indicators. This taxonbased approach has been compared with a size-based approach, where individuals are classified by their size. Size-based approach gives complementary information about community structure and dynamics, especially when communities are dominated by a single species. The use of size diversity combined with species diversity is suggested for a more complete understanding of community structuring in this type of ecosystem. Detailed examples of two Mediterranean shallow lentic ecosystems, the salt marshes of the Empordà wetlands and the Espolla temporary karstic pond, which differ in hydrology and water origin, are used to discuss the suitability of these different approaches.Los ecosistemas leníticos someros mediterráneos se caracterizan por la impredictibilidad en las entradas de agua y por la elevada variabilidad en el nivel del agua y su composición física y química. Se describen aquí las principales variables ambientales que determinan la estructura de la comunidad y el funcionamiento de estos ecosistemas. Variaciones en la inundación, la salinidad y la tasa de renovación del agua son determinantes en la composición de especies y en la dinámica de nutrientes. Se comparan también aproximaciones al estudio de la comunidad basadas en la composición taxonómica con las basadas en la distribución de tamaños. La aproximación taxonómica convencional, basada en la determinación de la composición de especies, es adecuada para la identificación de patrones en la distribución y en la dinámica temporal de la especies, así como para el análisis de los requerimientos ambientales de las diferentes especies y su uso potencial como indicadores ecológicos. Esta aproximación taxonómica se ha comparado con otra aproximación basada en el tamaño corporal, donde los individuos se clasifican por su tamaño. La aproximación basada en el tamaño proporciona información complementaria de la estructura y dinámica de las comunidades, especialmente cuando en estas comunidades hay una especie dominante. Se sugiere el uso combinado de una diversidad de tamaños y una diversidad de especies para una comprensión más completa de la estructuración de las comunidades en este tipo de ecosistemas. Para discutir si estas diferentes aproximaciones son o no adecuadas, se presentan datos de dos ecosistemas mediterráneos leníticos y someros: las marismas de Aiguamolls de l'Empordà y la laguna de Espolla, una surgencia cárstica de inundación temporal

Is it important to achieve physical activity recommendations at early stages of life to improve bone health?

Research in bone health during childhood is limited and important to prevent future diseases, particularly, osteoporosis. Bone parameters using DXA and pQCT in 295 Spanish children were evaluated and we found a benefit of meeting the World Health Organization physical activity recommendations in bone composition in childhood. Purpose To investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and bone health in a Spanish paediatric cohort, considering the influence of meeting/not meeting the current World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations and to elucidate if there are differences between boys and girls. Methods In a cohort of children born in the region of Aragon (Spain) in 2009, followed until the age of 7 years, bone parameters were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (whole body scan) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) (tibia scanned at the 8% (distal) and 38% (diaphyseal) of the total tibia length) in 295 7-year-old children (154 boys) in the last evaluation performed between 2016 and 2017. PA was assessed using GT3X Actigraph accelerometers. Results Boys had significantly higher areal bone mineral density (aBMD), higher total bone mineral content (BMC) at the diaphyseal site and higher trabecular BMC and vBMD, and higher total bone area at the distal site than girls (p<0.01 for all of them). Both boys and girls complying with the WHO PA recommendations had significantly higher trabecular BMC than their inactive counterparts. Conclusions Meeting WHO PA recommendations has a beneficial effect in bone composition in childhood both in boys and in girls

La huella de las oscilaciones globales del nivel del mar durante los últimos 530000 años en el Golfo de León y su variabilidad durante el estadio isotópico marino 3

El sondeo PRGL1-4, recuperado en el talud superior, ha proporcionado un registro único, continuo y de larga duración para la investigación del impacto de las oscilaciones del nivel del mar de escala glacial/interglacial durante el Pleistoceno Superior en la construcción del margen continental del Golfo de León, dominado por aportaciones sedimentarias de origen fluvial. El estudio en detalle de los cambios del tamaño de grano y la composición elemental del sedimento, junto con una robusta cronoestratigrafía basada en el registro de isótopos de oxígeno en foraminíferos planctónicos, ha permitido reinterpretar la sismoestratigrafia del margen para los últimos 530 ka. El sondeo PRGL1-4 comprende el apilamiento formado por cinco unidades depositadas durante las bajadas del nivel del mar de los últimos cinco ciclos glacial/interglacial de 100 ka. La extensa plataforma del Golfo de León ha jugado un papel determinante en el desarrollo del margen profundo puesto que las oscilaciones del nivel del mar, además de modificar el espacio de acomodación, influyeron directamente en cambios cíclicos del modelo deposicional a través de la activación y desactivación de procesos con gran capacidad erosiva y de transporte de sedimento más allá de la plataforma. El registro del sondeo PRGL1-4 también muestra el impacto de las oscilaciones del nivel del mar a escala milenaria durante el MIS 3, con evidencias claras de la ocurrencia de niveles del mar altos durante la fase inicial de todos y cada uno de los interestadios cálidos de los ciclos de Dansgaard-Oeschger. El registro PRGL1-4 supone, por tanto, la primera evidencia de un acoplamiento consistente entre las oscilaciones del nivel del mar y la variabilidad climática rápida de escala milenaria asociada a los ciclos de Dansgaard-Oeschger