First confirmed breeding records of Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) in the Valencian Country

S'ofereix informació deis primers events coneguts de reproducció de l’escorxador (Lanius collurio) tant a la província de Castelló com al conjunt del País Valencià. L’habitat en què han estat trobats els nius són els típics per a l'espècie, i dóna a suposar que la presència d'aquesta espècie al nostre territori podria esdevindre habitual al llarg dels propers anys, i potser colonitze nous territoris amb habitat òptim, com els que es troben als Ports, l'Alt Maestrat, l'Alcalatén i la Tinença de Benifassà.This short note provides information on first known breeding events of Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) both in the Castellon province and the Valencian Country. Al! the nests have been found in what has been defined as a typical breeding habitat for this species, so the species' presence in the province is expected to become usual or even more abundant in subsequent years. Shrikes may colonise new suitable areas, such as those found in els Ports, l'Alt Maestrat, l'Alcalatén and Tinença de Benifassà

Dogs as a source of Salmonella spp. in apparently healthy dogs in the Valencia Region. Could it be related with intestinal lactic acid bacteria?

Altres ajuts: Banco Santander (ES), FUSPBS-PPC 15/2016Although salmonellosis is considered one of the most important food-borne zoonotic diseases in Europe, close contact between dogs and their owners can also be a potential source of Salmonella spp. for humans. This study assessed the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp. in apparently healthy dogs in the Valencian Region, eastern Spain. Moreover, a macroscopic comparison of lactic acid bacteria in both Salmonella -positive and Salmonella -negative dogs was carried out. Of a total of 325 dogs sampled, 6 (1.85%) were positive for Salmonella spp. with 3 different serotypes, Havana (3), Mikawasima (2) and monophasic Typhimurium (1). All isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested except monophasic S. Typhimurium, which was resistant to ampicillin. Finally, macroscopic results revealed that lactic acid bacteria had higher heterogeneity in the Salmonella -negative dogs than in the Salmonella -positive dogs. Although the results in our study showed a low prevalence of Salmonella spp., raw food has been suggested as a risk factor for bacteria in dog faeces. Public awareness campaigns on good hygiene practices, especially after handling canine faeces or raw food, are necessary. Furthermore, to reduce the potential transmission of bacteria, dogs should be fed food that has been properly cooked, as raw or undercooked food can be a source of zoonotic pathogens. Moreover, further studies must be performed to determine the relationship between lactic acid bacteria and Salmonella spp. in dog faeces

Smart Beam Management for Vehicular Networks Using ML

[EN] The mmWave frequencies will be widely used in future vehicular communications. At these frequencies, the radio channel becomes much more vulnerable to slight changes in the environment like motions of the device, reflections or blockage. In high mobility vehicular communications the rapidly changing vehicle environments and the large overheads due to frequent beam training are the critical disadvantages in developing these systems at mmWave frequencies. Hence, smart beam management procedures are desired to establish and maintain the radio channels. In this paper, we propose that using the positions and respective velocities of the vehicles in the dynamic selection of the beam pair, and then adapting to the changing environments using ML algorithms, can improve both network performance and communication stability in high mobility vehicular communications.This work was supported by the Spanish Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CICYT) under projects TEC2016-78028-C3-1-P and MDM2016-O6OO, Catalan Research Group 2017 SGR 21, and Industrial Doctorate programme (2018-DI-084) of Generalitat de Catalunya.Bharath-Reddy, G.; Montero, L.; Perez-Romero, J.; Molins-Benlliure, J.; Ferrando Bataller, M.; Molina, J.; Romeu, J.... (2021). Smart Beam Management for Vehicular Networks Using ML. Íñigo Cuiñas Gómez. 1-4. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/1910661

Vehicular mm-Wave Array for Smart Handover

[EN] The emergence of new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and high data rate 5G networks requires advanced antenna types that are capable of fulfilling requirements for highly demanding wireless communication links. The array of microstrip-fed slot-coupled patches is one such type of antenna that provides low return loss and good transient behaviour for broadband applications. A compact size slot-coupled patch antenna subarray and its phased array is proposed in this paper. Two different substrates Rogers TMM4 and Green TapeTM 951 Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) are considered for the fabrication of microstrip feedline. The feedline is fabricated on the respective substrates and then mounted on a Rogers RT/duroid 5880 laminate. Ground planes are used on both the front and backside of the antenna array. The antenna is operating in a range of 24.25 GHz - 29.5 GHz. A Smart Array is proposed in this paper which has a good performance in terms of antenna gain and scanning property for 5G application in Smart handovers.This work was partly funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN) under projects TEC2016-78028-C3-1- P, PID 2019-107885GB-C31, MDM2016-0600, and Catalan Research Group 2017 SGR 219.Bharath Reddy, G.; Ramirez, GA.; Molins-Benlliure, J.; Ferrando Bataller, M.; Romeu, J.; Jofre-R., L. (2020). Vehicular mm-Wave Array for Smart Handover. Universidad de Málaga. 1-4. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/178564S1

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis with AQP4 antibodies revealing ovarian teratoma.

Paraneoplastic myelitis is a rare inflammatory disorder most frequently associated with solid tumors or lymphoproliferative disorders. Patients often harbor onconeuronal antibodies and their prognosis is usually poor. Here we report a 42-year old woman with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies that led to the diagnosis of ovarian teratoma. After tumor removal and immune therapy (including corticosteroids, plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulins and rituximab) the patient progressively improved achieving complete recovery. Histological study of the teratoma demonstrated neural tissue containing AQP4 expressing cells and intense inflammatory infiltrates, providing evidence for a possible paraneoplastic link between both disorders

Antena de cuatro puertos de banda ancha con bloque aislante para estaciones base 5G Sub-6 GHz

[ES] Este artículo propone una antena de cuatro puertos con respaldo de cavidad de banda ancha para aplicaciones de estaciones base interiores. La antena esta compuesta por una cavidad abierta de forma cuadrada con un bloque aislante en forma de X situado en el centro y 4 monopolos dispuestos de forma simétrica en la apertura de la cavidad. Para su diseño se ha utilizado una metodología basada en el análisis de modos característicos (CMA) para identificar los modos que contribuyen al acoplamiento y justificar el uso del bloque en forma de X para incrementar el aislamiento entre puertos. La antena dispone de cuatro diagramas de radiación unidireccionales y un ancho de banda (S11<-10 dB) que opera desde 1.55 hasta los 6 GHz (118 %), cubriendo la mayoría de las bandas 5G sub-6 GHz. El aislamiento entre puertos es de mínimo 16 dB y la eficiencia superior al 84 %. La antena es de fácil fabricación y presenta un tamaño compacto de 129.5×129.5×28.2 mm3 (0.68¿×0.68¿×0.15¿, a la frecuencia mínima f=fmin=1.55 GHz).Molins-Benlliure, J.; Antonino Daviu, E.; Cabedo Fabres, M.; Ferrando Bataller, M.; Jofre-Roca, L.; Juan-Llacer, L. (2021). Antena de cuatro puertos de banda ancha con bloque aislante para estaciones base 5G Sub-6 GHz. Íñigo Cuiñas Gómez. 1-4. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/1910851

Expression of ZIC family genes in meningiomas and other brain tumors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Zic zinc finger proteins are present in the developing rodent meninges and are required for cell proliferation and differentiation of meningeal progenitors. Although human <it>ZIC </it>genes are known to be molecular markers for medulloblastomas, their expression in meningioma has not been addressed to date.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the mRNA and protein expression of human <it>ZIC1</it>, <it>ZIC2</it>, <it>ZIC3</it>, <it>ZIC4 </it>and <it>ZIC5 </it>genes in meningiomas in comparison to other brain tumors, using RT-PCR, analysis of published microarray data, and immunostaining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>ZIC1</it>, <it>ZIC2 </it>and <it>ZIC5 </it>transcript levels in meningiomas were higher than those in whole brain or normal dura mater, whereas all five <it>ZIC </it>genes were abundantly expressed in medulloblastomas. The expression level of <it>ZIC1 </it>in public microarray data was greater in meningiomas classified as World Health Organization Grade II (atypical) than those classified as Grade I (benign). Immunoscreening using anti-ZIC antibodies revealed that 23 out of 23 meningioma cases were ZIC1/2/3/5-immunopositive. By comparison, nuclear staining by the anti-ZIC4 antibody was not observed in any meningioma case, but was strongly detected in all four medulloblastomas. ZIC-positive meningiomas included meningothelial, fibrous, transitional, and psammomatous histological subtypes. In normal meninges, ZIC-like immunoreactivities were detected in vimentin-expressing arachnoid cells both in human and mouse.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ZIC1, ZIC2, and ZIC5 are novel molecular markers for meningiomas whereas <it>ZIC4 </it>expression is highly selective for medulloblastomas. The pattern of <it>ZIC </it>expression in both of these tumor types may reflect the properties of the tissues from which the tumors are derived.</p

Ghrelin attenuates hepatocellular injury and liver fibrogenesis in rodents and influences fibrosis progression in humans

El pdf del artículo es la versión pre-print.-- et al-There are no effective antifibrotic therapies for patients with liver diseases. We performed an experimental and translational study to investigate whether ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone with pleiotropic properties, modulates liver fibrogenesis. Recombinant ghrelin was administered to rats with chronic (bile duct ligation) and acute (carbon tetrachloride) liver injury. Hepatic gene expression was analyzed by way of microarray analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The hepatic response to chronic injury was also evaluated in wild-type and ghrelin-deficient mice. Primary human hepatic stellate cells were used to study the effects of ghrelin in vitro. Ghrelin hepatic gene expression and serum levels were assessed in patients with chronic liver diseases. Ghrelin gene polymorphisms were analyzed in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Recombinant ghrelin treatment reduced the fibrogenic response, decreased liver injury and myofibroblast accumulation, and attenuated the altered gene expression profile in bile duct-ligated rats. Moreover, ghrelin reduced the fibrogenic properties of hepatic stellate cells. Ghrelin also protected rats from acute liver injury and reduced the extent of oxidative stress and inflammation. Ghrelin-deficient mice developed exacerbated hepatic fibrosis and liver damage after chronic injury. In patients with chronic liver diseases, ghrelin serum levels decreased in those with advanced fibrosis, and ghrelin gene hepatic expression correlated with expression of fibrogenic genes. In patients with chronic hepatitis C, polymorphisms of the ghrelin gene (994CT and 604GA) influenced the progression of liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Ghrelin exerts antifibrotic effects in the liver and may represent a novel antifibrotic therapy. Copyright © 2010 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.Supported by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Investigación (SAF2005-06245), from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS2005-050567, FIS 2008-PI08/0237 and PI070497), and from the European Community FP6 (LSHB-CT-2007-036644 - DIALOK) and by fellowships from Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (to M. M. and M. D.), the Fundación Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (to M. D.) and the Fundació Clínic (to P. S. B.).Peer Reviewe