Kriging: applying geostatistical techniques to the genetic study of complex diseases

Complex diseases often display geographic distribution patterns. Therefore, the integration of genetic and environmental factors using geographic information systems (GIS) and specific statistical analyses that consider the spatial dimension of data greatly assist in the research of their gene-environment interactions (GxE). The objectives of the present work were to assess the application of a geostatistical interpolation technique (kriging) in the study of complex diseases with a distinct heterogeneous geographic distribution and to test its performance as an alternative to conventional genetic imputation methods. Using multiple sclerosis as a case study, kriging demonstrated to be a flexible and valuable tool for integrating information from various sources and at a different spatial resolution into a model that easily allowed to visualize its heterogeneous geographic distribution in Europe and to explore the intertwined interactions between several known genetic and environmental risk factors. Even though the performance of kriging did not surpass the results obtained with current imputation techniques, this pilot study revealed a worse performance of the latter for rare variants in chromosomal regions with a low density of markers

Mediational effect of fairburn’s transdiagnostic mechanisms between attachment to the mother and eating disorder symptoms in a clinical sample

Objective: Research has supported a link between insecure attachment and eating disorders (EDs); however, little is known about how this influence is exerted in young female EDs patients. This study tested, for the first time, a multiple mediational model, wherein the four Fairburn’s transdiagnostic mechanisms mediated the relationship between attachment to the mother and ED symptoms. Methods: A total of 101 female young EDs patients aged 15–24 were administered the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, Eating Disorder Inventory-3 and Eating Attitudes Test-26 to assess attachment, the four transdiagnostic maintaining mechanisms and ED symptoms, respectively. Results: Comparison analyses showed that there were no significant differences between the diagnostic groups in terms of attachment and the transdiagnostic variables. Multiple mediational analyses indicated that low self-esteem and clinical perfectionism were significant mediators between insecure attachment to the mother and ED symptoms, while controlling for depressive symptoms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the distal risk influence of insecure attachment to the mother in the development of ED symptoms might be explained by low selfesteem and high clinical perfectionism, controlling for depressive symptoms. Further investigation into the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatments targeting insecure attachment representations for young EDs patients is recommendedLC-G was supported by two grants from The Research Council of Norway, grant numbers 288083 and 301010S

La resolución de problemas en física y su representación : un estudio en la escuela media

The present study explores: a) the relationship between certain characteristics of physics (problem statements and the internal representation that students form after reading the statement; b) the correlation between this representation and the equation generation stage. Seventeen-year-old students of secondary school from Madrid were taken as an accidental sample (N = 189). Certain characteristics of these statements were observed to be favourable instances to solve the problem. Possible implications for the instruction were analysed

Are circulating cytokines reliable biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that has no effective treatment. The lack of any specific biomarker that can help in the diagnosis or prognosis of ALS has made the identification of biomarkers an urgent challenge. Multiple panels have shown alterations in levels of numerous cytokines in ALS, supporting the contribution of neuroinflammation to the progressive motor neuron loss. However, none of them is fully sensitive and specific enough to become a universal biomarker for ALS. This review gathers the numerous circulating cytokines that have been found dysregulated in both ALS animal models and patients. Particularly, it highlights the opposing results found in the literature to date, and points out another potential application of inflammatory cytokines as therapeutic targets

Influence of Inappropriate Basic Sanitation and Lack of Access to Drinking Water in the Community Development of Azama, Otavalo Canton

This research work focuses on describing how inappropriate basic sanitation systems and the lack of accessibility to water suitable for human consumption (potable or safe) influence the community development of Azama. This urban community is part of the Otavalo canton. Through the identification of the characteristics of the basic sanitation service, access to safe water and the management classes implemented, as well as the particularities of the community development of the referred sector given the significance that each of these elements represents integral health, both physical and psychological of each human being at any stage of the life cycle. Throughout this research, it is possible to identify that the sanitation service and drinking water systems correspond to human rights that guarantee a dignified life for people and favor community development that strengthens the organization and participation of the community. However, there is still a lot to work from the public field and, where appropriate, also the collaboration of private entities to promote the comprehensive well-being of the inhabitants of the Azama community from their active social participation

Baseline MxA mRNA expression predicts interferon beta response in multiple sclerosis patients

Background Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) is a molecule induced after interferon-beta injection, mostly used to evaluate its bioactivity. There is little available data on clinical utility of baseline MxA mRNA status. The objective of the study is to investigate whether baseline MxA mRNA expression can predict relapse and disease progression in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon-beta. Methods Baseline blood samples were obtained before the first interferon-beta dose was administered to evaluate MxA mRNA expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Demographic and clinical variables were prospectively recorded to define treatment responder and non responder groups. Results 104 patients were included in the study. Baseline MxA mRNA expression was significantly lower in the group of patients who met the definition of responders (1.07 vs 1.95, Student t test, p<0.0001). A threshold of 1.096 was established using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis to differentiate between responders and non-responders (sensitivity 73.9%, specificity 69.0%). Survival analysis using this threshold showed that time to next relapse (p<0.0001) and to EDSS progression (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in patients with lower MxA titers. Conclusion The results suggest that baseline MxA mRNA levels may be useful for predicting whether multiple sclerosis patients will respond or not to interferon-beta treatment

Analysis of Samples Cleaning Methods Prior to Hydrogen Content Determination in Steel

ABSTRACT: There are multiple references to sample cleaning methods prior to hydrogen content determination, or hydrogen spectroscopy analysis, but there is still no unified criteria; different authors use their own "know-how" to perform this task. The aim of this paper is to solve, or at least clarify, this issue. In this work, the most commonly used sample cleaning methods are compared. Then, five different methodologies are applied on certified hydrogen content calibration pins and on high strength steel concrete-prestressing strands and the three main situations regarding hydrogen content in the microstructural net (non-charged, charged, and charged and uncharged) are studied. It was concluded that the HCl solution C-3.5 cleaning method recommended by ASTM G1 introduces large amounts of hydrogen in the samples; but can be useful for eliminating superficial oxides if necessary. The rest of the methods had similar results; but the more complete ones that involve ultrasounds and last longer than 8 min are not appropriated when important diffusion may occur on the samples during their application. Simple methods that involve acetone or trichloroethylene and last around 1 min are preferable for almost all situations as these are faster, easier, and cheaper. As a final recommendation, as trichloroethylene is toxic, the simple acetone method is, in general, the most convenient one for regular hydrogen content analysis.This research was funded by the UNIVERSITY OF CANTABRIA by means of the “Proyectos Puente 2019” grant program. The APC was funded by papers reviews of the authors for MDPI

Monitorización de la actividad anti-Xa de la heparina de bajo peso molecular en pacientes con trombosis y enfermedad oncológica

Antecedentes: La heparina de bajo peso molecular es el tratamiento de elección para la trombosis asociada al cáncer (TAC). La utilidad de monitorizar el nivel de anticoagulación de las heparinas de bajo peso molecular (HBPM) mediante la determinación de la actividad anti-FXa en pacientes con una enfermedad oncológica es controvertido.Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia de la anticoagulación con HBPM mediante la monitorización de la actividad de anti-Xa en pacientes con una enfermedad oncológica. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo. Se evalúan los resultados de las determinaciones de la actividad de anti-Xa en nuestro centro desde enero de 2018 a junio de 2023. Se analizan variables demográficas, relacionadas con el paciente, el tumor y de laboratorio. Se recogieron los resultados de las determinaciones de la actividad anti-Xa, los episodios de hemorragia y de nueva trombosis a lo largo del seguimiento. La comparación entre los distintos tipos de HBPM respecto a los eventos de trombosis y hemorragia se llevó a cabo con el Test exacto de Fisher. Resultados: Se analizaron 447 determinaciones de actividad anti-Xa procedentes de 50 pacientes. La mediana de determinaciones de anti-Xa por paciente de 8,5 (RIQ, 6–11). 108 resultados de actividad anti-Xa (24,1%) estaban en rango supraterapéutico y 34 (7,6%) infraterapéutico. Un resultado fuera de rango terapéutico en 21 determinaciones anti-Xa (34,2%) supuso la modificación de la pauta de HBPM. Se detectaron seis episodios de ETEv en 6 pacientes, 4 tromboembolismos pulmonares (TEP), una trombosis venos profunda (TVP) y una trombosis relacionada con catéter (TRC). Se registraron seis episodios de hemorragia en seis pacientes siendo la actividad anti-Xa supraterapéutica en dos pacientes en el momento del sangrado. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas para los eventos de trombosis y hemorragia entre bemiparina y enoxaparina y tinzaparina.Conclusiones: La monitorización de la anticoagulación mediante los niveles de anti-Xa puede ser útil en algunos pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas que reciban dosis terapéuticas de HBPM. Nuestros resultados en relación a eficacia y seguridad fueron similares a lo publicado por diferentes autores que utilizaron diferentes protocolos de monitorización. La comprobación de la actividad anti-Xa cuando la determinación está fuera del rango permite no modificar la dosis de HBPM en casos de errores en la preanalítica. Palabras clave: Monitorización, anti-Xa, HBPM, cáncer.<br /