Thinking Adaptive: Towards a Behaviours Virtual

In this paper we name some of the advantages of virtual laboratories; and propose that a Behaviours Virtual Laboratory should be useful for both biologists and AI researchers, offering a new perspective for understanding adaptive behaviour. We present our development of a Behaviours Virtual Laboratory, which at this stage is focused in action selection, and show some experiments to illustrate the properties of our proposal, which can be accessed via Internet

Associated Factors to Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia

The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence to Ehrlichia spp. in dogs from Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and the associated factors. Serum samples were obtained from 118 dogs and used in an indirect immunofluorescent assay test for the detection of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about possible variables associated with seroprevalence. These variables were analyzed through Chi2 test and logistic regression. Dog seroprevalence of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. was 64% (75/118). Fifty-two percent (61/118) of dogs had tick infestation which was identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Anemia was observed in 36% of dogs. Leucopenia (2.5%), thrombocytopenia (70%), and hemorrhage (14%) were also observed. Thirty-one percent (23/75) of dogs with anemia, 4% (3/75) of dogs with leucopenia, 80% (60/75) of dogs with thrombocytopenia, 17% (13/75) of dogs with hemorrhages, and 59% (44/75) of dogs with ticks were positive for Ehrlichia spp. antibodies. The factors associated with seroprevalence were age (1–3 and >3 years old, OR = 7.77 and OR = 15.39, resp.), tick infestation (OR = 3.13), and thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.36). In conclusion, seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. was high in the community of Xcalak and its associated factors were age, tick infestation, and thrombocytopenia

Co-creation Initiatives in Healthcare in Small Communities

The uses of technology in public spaces are not new, but now we find new forms of social interactions and practices, socio-spatial representations and relationships. The close relationship between real and virtual worlds also opens up new ways of advancing knowledge. In order to facilitate the implementation of Open Science, we explore different co-creation methods with multiple stakeholders. All groups are involved and have influence throughout the project lifecycle: from the beginning, to planning, to implementation, to dissemination. Research activities should involve a wide variety of stakeholders interested, including government, educators, nurses, charities, civil societies, patient groups and the publics, based in a way to (1) obtaining contributions by customers, (2) selecting the best of these contributions, and (3) incorporating these selected contributions into products, processes, or services. Interactions between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), public spaces, and healthcare are considered as s a tool for connecting people in small communities (enhancing participation). A Platform (DXP - Digital eXperience Platform) through “headless” technologies may provide content management capabilities and easy integration with devices and various sources, driven by user needs and developed with the concept of “Community in mind” in order to create strong and active communities and transform our small communities into more human environments, rather than just more high-tech places, and to understand that “smartness” should be people-friendly. It was applies the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles on the scientific process and governance, identify drivers and barriers, interests and values for current and future societal challenges.This research was financially supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No 741527 (project ORION).S

The insecticides permethrin and chlorpyrifos show limited genotoxicity and no leukemogenic potential in human and murine hematopoietic stem progenitor cells

Altres ajuts: European Food and Safety Authority, EFSA.PRAS.2018.04-CT1; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, CB-2012-01-183467; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Cáncer, PID2019-104695RBI00; Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, AECC INVES211226MOLI

Shared Oncogenic Pathways Implicated in Both Virus-Positive and UV-Induced Merkel Cell Carcinomas

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor of the skin whose molecular pathogenesis is not completely understood, despite the role that Merkel cell polyomavirus can play in 55e90% of cases. To study potential mechanisms driving this disease in clinically characterized cases, we searched for somatic mutations using whole-exome sequencing, and extrapolated our findings to study functional biomarkers reporting on the activity of the mutated pathways. Confirming previous results, Merkel cell polyomavirus-negative tumors had higher mutational loads with UV signatures and more frequent mutations in TP53 and RB compared with their Merkel cell polyomavirus-positive counterparts. Despite important genetic differences, the two Merkel cell carcinoma etiologies both exhibited nuclear accumulation of oncogenic transcription factors such as NFAT or nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), P-CREB, and P-STAT3, indicating commonly deregulated pathogenic mechanisms with the potential to serve as targets for therapy. A multivariable analysis identified phosphorylated CRE-binding protein as an independent survival factor with respect to clinical variables and Merkel cell polyomavirus status in our cohort of Merkel cell carcinoma patients.This work was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud-Carlos III (ISCIII); cofinanced by the European Union; (FEDER) (PI12/00357), and a Ramón and Cajal research program (MINECO; RYC-2013-14097) to JPV, Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer and ISCIII grants (RD06/0020/0107, RD012/0036/0060) to MAP, and Coordinated Project of Excellence inter-Institutos de investigación acreditados institutes (ISCIII; PIE15/00081) to MAP. The Ramón and Cajal research program also supports IV. SD was supported by the Torres Quevedo subprogram (MICINN; PTQ-12-05391)

Impact of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients: A nationwide study in Spain

Objective To assess the effect of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the outcome of neurosurgical patients in Spain. Settings The initial flood of COVID-19 patients overwhelmed an unprepared healthcare system. Different measures were taken to deal with this overburden. The effect of these measures on neurosurgical patients, as well as the effect of COVID-19 itself, has not been thoroughly studied. Participants This was a multicentre, nationwide, observational retrospective study of patients who underwent any neurosurgical operation from March to July 2020. Interventions An exploratory factorial analysis was performed to select the most relevant variables of the sample. Primary and secondary outcome measures Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of mortality and postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Sixteen hospitals registered 1677 operated patients. The overall mortality was 6.4%, and 2.9% (44 patients) suffered a perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of those infections, 24 were diagnosed postoperatively. Age (OR 1.05), perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 4.7), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) (OR 1.006), postoperative neurological worsening (OR 5.9), postoperative need for airway support (OR 5.38), ASA grade =3 (OR 2.5) and preoperative GCS 3-8 (OR 2.82) were independently associated with mortality. For SARS-CoV-2 postoperative infection, screening swab test <72 hours preoperatively (OR 0.76), community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) (OR 1.011), preoperative cognitive impairment (OR 2.784), postoperative sepsis (OR 3.807) and an absence of postoperative complications (OR 0.188) were independently associated. Conclusions Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in neurosurgical patients was associated with an increase in mortality by almost fivefold. Community COVID-19 incidence (cases/10 5 people/week) was a statistically independent predictor of mortality. Trial registration number CEIM 20/217

Afección pericárdica y miocárdica tras infección por SARS-CoV-2: estudio descriptivo transversal en trabajadores sanitarios

[EN] Introduction and objectives The cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly documented. We conducted a cross-sectional study in healthcare workers to report evidence of pericardial and myocardial involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We studied 139 healthcare workers with confirmed past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants underwent clinical assessment, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests, including immune cell profiling and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Clinically suspected pericarditis was diagnosed when classic criteria were present and clinically suspected myocarditis was based on the combination of at least 2 CMR criteria. Results Median age was 52 (41-57) years, 71.9% were women, and 16.5% were previously hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia. On examination (10.4 [9.3-11.0] weeks after infection-like symptoms), participants showed hemodynamic stability. Chest pain, dyspnea or palpitations were present in 41.7% participants, electrocardiographic abnormalities in 49.6%, NT-proBNP elevation in 7.9%, troponin in 0.7%, and CMR abnormalities in 60.4%. A total of 30.9% participants met criteria for either pericarditis and/or myocarditis: isolated pericarditis was diagnosed in 5.8%, myopericarditis in 7.9%, and isolated myocarditis in 17.3%. Most participants (73.2%) showed altered immune cell counts in blood, particularly decreased eosinophil (27.3%; P < .001) and increased cytotoxic T cell numbers (17.3%; P < .001). Clinically suspected pericarditis was associated (P < .005) with particularly elevated cytotoxic T cells and decreased eosinophil counts, while participants diagnosed with clinically suspected myopericarditis or myocarditis had lower (P < .05) neutrophil counts, natural killer-cells, and plasma cells. Conclusions Pericardial and myocardial involvement with clinical stability are frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with specific immune cell profiles.[ES] Introducción y objetivos Las secuelas cardiacas tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2 todavía están poco documentadas. Se realizó un estudio transversal en trabajadores sanitarios para estudiar la prevalencia de afección pericárdica y miocárdica tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos Se estudió a 139 trabajadores sanitarios con infección previa confirmada por SARS-CoV-2. Los participantes se sometieron a evaluación clínica, electrocardiograma, laboratorio, incluido el perfil de células inmunitarias, y resonancia magnética cardiaca (RMC). El diagnóstico clínico de pericarditis se realizó ante la presencia de los criterios clásicos y el diagnóstico clínico de miocarditis ante la presencia de al menos 2 criterios de RMC. Resultados La mediana de edad fue de 52 (41–57) años, el 71,9% eran mujeres, y el 16.5% había sido hospitalizado previamente por neumonía por COVID-19. En la evaluación (10,4 [9,3–11,0] semanas después de los síntomas de infección), todos los participantes presentaban estabilidad hemodinámica. El 41,7% presentaba dolor torácico, disnea o palpitaciones; el 49,6%, alteraciones electrocardiográficas; el 7,9%, elevación de NT-proBNP; el 0,7%, elevación de troponina; y el 60,4%, alteraciones en la RMC. Un total de 30,9% de participantes cumplieron los criterios clínicos establecidos de pericarditis o miocarditis: pericarditis aislada en el 5,8%, miopericarditis en el 7,9% y miocarditis aislada en el 17,3%. La mayoría de los participantes (73,2%) mostraron recuentos de células inmunitarias alterados en sangre; en particular diminución de eosinófilos (27,3%; p < 0,001) y aumento del número de células T citotóxicas (17,3%; p < 0,001). La sospecha clínica de pericarditis se asoció (p < 0,005) particularmente con un elevado número de células T citotóxicas y recuento de eosinófilos disminuidos; mientras que los participantes con sospecha clínica de miopericarditis o miocarditis tenían recuentos de neutrófilos, células natural killer y células plasmáticas más bajos (p < 0,05). Conclusiones La afección pericárdica y miocárdica con estabilidad hemodinámica es frecuente después de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y se asocia con perfiles de células inmunitarias específicas.This study was supported by CIBERCV (CB16/11/00374), CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400) and the COV20/00386 grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FEDER, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Madrid, Spain, and by GRS COVID 26/A/20 from the Gerencia Regional de Salud, Junta de Castilla y León, Spain.Peer reviewe

Pericardial and myocardial involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cross-sectional descriptive study in healthcare workers

[ES] Introducción y objetivos Las secuelas cardiacas tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2 todavía están poco documentadas. Se realizó un estudio transversal en trabajadores sanitarios para estudiar la prevalencia de afección pericárdica y miocárdica tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos Se estudió a 139 trabajadores sanitarios con infección previa confirmada por SARS-CoV-2. Los participantes se sometieron a evaluación clínica, electrocardiograma, laboratorio, incluido el perfil de células inmunitarias, y resonancia magnética cardiaca (RMC). El diagnóstico clínico de pericarditis se realizó ante la presencia de los criterios clásicos y el diagnóstico clínico de miocarditis ante la presencia de al menos 2 criterios de RMC. Resultados La mediana de edad fue de 52 (41–57) años, el 71,9% eran mujeres, y el 16,5% había sido hospitalizado previamente por neumonía por COVID-19. En la evaluación (10,4 [9,3–11,0] semanas después de los síntomas de infección), todos los participantes presentaban estabilidad hemodinámica. El 41,7% presentaba dolor torácico, disnea o palpitaciones; el 49,6%, alteraciones electrocardiográficas; el 7,9%, elevación de NT-proBNP; el 0,7%, elevación de troponina; y el 60,4%, alteraciones en la RMC. Un total de 30,9% de participantes cumplieron los criterios clínicos establecidos de pericarditis o miocarditis: pericarditis aislada en el 5,8%, miopericarditis en el 7,9% y miocarditis aislada en el 17,3%. La mayoría de los participantes (73,2%) mostraron recuentos de células inmunitarias alterados en sangre; en particular diminución de eosinófilos (27,3%; p < 0,001) y aumento del número de células T citotóxicas (17,3%; p < 0,001). La sospecha clínica de pericarditis se asoció (p < 0,005) particularmente con un elevado número de células T citotóxicas y recuento de eosinófilos disminuidos; mientras que los participantes con sospecha clínica de miopericarditis o miocarditis tenían recuentos de neutrófilos, células natural killer y células plasmáticas más bajos (p < 0,05). Conclusiones La afección pericárdica y miocárdica con estabilidad hemodinámica es frecuente después de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y se asocia con perfiles de células inmunitarias específicas.[EN] Introduction and objectives The cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly documented. We conducted a cross-sectional study in healthcare workers to report evidence of pericardial and myocardial involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We studied 139 healthcare workers with confirmed past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants underwent clinical assessment, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests, including immune cell profiling and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Clinically suspected pericarditis was diagnosed when classic criteria were present and clinically suspected myocarditis was based on the combination of at least 2 CMR criteria. Results Median age was 52 (41-57) years, 71.9% were women, and 16.5% were previously hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia. On examination (10.4 [9.3-11.0] weeks after infection-like symptoms), participants showed hemodynamic stability. Chest pain, dyspnea or palpitations were present in 41.7% participants, electrocardiographic abnormalities in 49.6%, NT-proBNP elevation in 7.9%, troponin in 0.7%, and CMR abnormalities in 60.4%. A total of 30.9% participants met criteria for either pericarditis and/or myocarditis: isolated pericarditis was diagnosed in 5.8%, myopericarditis in 7.9%, and isolated myocarditis in 17.3%. Most participants (73.2%) showed altered immune cell counts in blood, particularly decreased eosinophil (27.3%; P < .001) and increased cytotoxic T cell numbers (17.3%; P < .001). Clinically suspected pericarditis was associated (P < .005) with particularly elevated cytotoxic T cells and decreased eosinophil counts, while participants diagnosed with clinically suspected myopericarditis or myocarditis had lower (P < .05) neutrophil counts, natural killer-cells, and plasma cells. Conclusions Pericardial and myocardial involvement with clinical stability are frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with specific immune cell profiles.Este estudio contó con el apoyo de CIBERCV (CB16/11/00374) y CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400) y la subvención COV20/00386 del Instituto de Salud Carlos III y FEDER, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Madrid, España, y por GRS COVID 26/A/20 de la Gerencia Regional de Salud, Junta de Castilla y León, España.Peer reviewe